An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 153

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524

USA > Idaho > Kootenai County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 153
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 153
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 153
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 153

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1902. $4.238,845, an increase of $1.440,242. The whole number of acres of patented lands in 1890, as- sessable and non-assessable, was 298,354: for 1902, it was 416,469 acres, an increase of 118,115 acres, and to this must be added in 1903, 82,154 acres, on which the Potlach Lumber Company pays its first taxes. No lumber was assessed in 1890; in 1902 assessment was made on 15,699,000 feet of lumber and saw logs. No mills were assessed in 1890. In 1902 assessment was made on twenty-six flour and saw mills.

In all essentials of an ideal home Latah county is rich. Draw an air line from Steptoe butte in Wash- ington to Kendrick, Idaho, and it will pass through the heart of the greatest agricultural wealth producing country of the northwest, as fair a land of vales and hills as ever the sun shone on. There is just enough winter to suggest ideas of the Arctics and just enough summer to suggest ideas of the tropics. The golden wheat shares its reign with many rolling fields of other tall grains and grasses, holding the tares in subjugation and beautifying the land with their varied shades of coloring. The groves in the lowlands shade the homes in summer and turn aside the wintry winds, while the orchards on the slopes give abundantly of their fruits and add a peculiar charm to the strange beauty of the landscape. Midsummer scenes are the ones that tell more plainly than all else the secret of the prosperity that reigns in this favored land; the busy crews in the full ripe grain, the stacks of grain and the bales of hay, the forming fruit, the flocks and herds, all tell a tale that he who runs may read. The gates of care were once ajar on the borders of this fair land, but the time of sore trial has been forgotten in the peace and plenty of today. Fortune awaits here all who come, who will to do, and to improve with dili- gence the rare opportunities the country offers. Pros- perous, contented and happy are those who dwell

"In the heart of the happy hills."

DANIEL CAMERON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES LATAH COUNTY

DANIEL CAMERON is one of the oldest pio- neers of this country now living in Latah county, and he has been a potent factor in the development of the resources of the county and in its upbuilding from those early days until the present, being now one of the suc- cessful and intelligent farmers. His estate lies three and one half miles north from Moscow. Daniel was born in the highlands of Scotland in 1843, being the son of Finlay and Ann Cameron, natives of the same country, where they labored as agriculturists until the time of their demise. For twenty-five years, our sub- ject labored with his father, and then, led by an ad- venturous spirit, came to America, where he took up the responsibilities of life for himself. His arrival here was about 1866, and on the upper Hudson in New York state he labored for a time, then went to Pennsyl- vania and worked in a tannery for a year. After this, he crossed the plains to San Francisco, and thence to Walla Walla, where he labored on a farm for a time and then came to his present place in 1871, being ac- companied by his brother, and they were among the very first settlers of the territory now embraced in Latah county. He took a homestead and at once en- gaged in the commendable work of improving it and raising stock. He has labored faithfully all these years and has been attended with good success, ever mani- festing sagacity and a public spirit in all his endeavors, while he has done much for the advancement of the county's interests. Mr. Cameron is entitled to the es- teem and confidence of his fellows and this is bestowed in generous measure and he is considered one of the most substantial men of the county.

HARVEY J. BUNDY is a weil known representa- tive of the pioneer class in Latah county, and as a business man and enterprising spirt in the development of the county he has done a commendable work, while also in the literary line he has produced a fine volume, entitled, "The Last Voice from the Plains," being the life of W. F. Dranan, the companion of the fa- mous Kit Carson.

Mr. Bundy was born in Washington county, Illi- nois, on December 16, 1854, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Breeze) Bundy. The father was born in Marion county, Illinois, and is now living at Day- ton, Washington, while the mother was a native of Jefferson county, Illinois, and died in Washington county, when Harvey J. was three years of age. When he was ten he had the unique experience of traveling with an ox train from the states to Washington, land- ing in the vicinity of Walla Walla. They chose a sec- tion southwest from Dayton, now known as Bundy Hollow, where our subject received his education from the common schools. In 1876 he took land in Nez Perces county, in the vicinity of Genesee, there being no town there at that time, and he engaged in raising stock. Three years later he went into the big Potlatch country, and four years after that he was back again in Genesee. That continued to be his home until 1895, when he came to Moscow and since that time he has been engaged in mining operations. He is a skilled prospector and his continued study and association with mining in all its phases have made him an expert and his knowledge is utilized to advantage in many sections. He is interested in the well known Buffalo Hump and also in the Moscow mountains. He is general manager of the Providence Milling and Mining Company, and does commendable work in handling its affairs. In 1886 Mr. Bundy was elected county com- missioner from the second district, and he served for two years ; while from 1894 to 1896 he was deputy sheriff under Frank Campbell. In 1892 Mr. Bundy had run for sheriff on the Democratic ticket. and al- though far ahead of his ticket, he suffered defeat.

The marriage of Mr. Bundy and Miss Sarah L .. daughter of John and Polly (Maxwell) McCall, was solemnized in Waitsburg, Washington, on November 3. 1878, and they have become the parents of two sons : Lyman A., at Granite Falls, Washington ; Francis M., clerking in Moscow. Mr. McCall died in Dayton, Washington, in 1888, having come hither from his native state, Indiana. His wife was also a native of Indiana, and she is deceased. It was in 1893 that Mr. Bundy took up literary work, and wrote the work

634

HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

above mentioned, which has been copyrighted and contains many good things, being a production of merit. Mr. Bundy was beaten out of the work by its being copyrighted by another. Rhodes, McClure & Company of Chicago have published the fifth edition, and it is sad that the author should not have the re- turns of his labor.

JAMES H. COLLINS. This well known and representative business man of Latah county is at present the proprietor of the saw mill which he owns on the mountain seven miles northeast from Moscow, where he manufactures a goodly amount of fine lum- ber, also having a shingle mill in conjunction with the other plant. James H. was born in Cass county, Mich- igan, on April 30, 1848, being the son of John and Louise Collins. The father was county treasurer of his county and quite active in politics. Our subject re- mained in Cass county until 1864 attending public schools. At that time he went with his parents to the vicinity of Elkpoint, South Dakota, where they took up land and were occupied in farming and operating a saw mill. In 1877 he left that country and came to Washington, settling on a pre-emption in Whitman county, just west of the state line and adjacent to Moscow. Mr. Collins states that at that time he could have hauled all of Moscow at one wagon load. He sold his farm in 1900. In 1892 Mr. Collins started a shingle mill at his present place and this grew to the present plants, where he manufactures timber products. He is now removing his mill to a place one mile further up the mountain and there expects to do more business than heretofore.

On December 25, 1868, at Elkpoint, Dakota, Mr. Collins and Miss Hattie E., daughter of John R. and Eveline C. (Palmer) Wood, were married, and they have become the parents of the following children : William H., a farmer and stockman on the Nez Perces reservation ; George H., married to Mamie Frazier, and with his father in the mill; Mattie L., at home. Mrs. Collins' father was a farmer in Dakota and served in the Civil war as first lieutenant under Captain Tripp and General Dulley, being in the service for three years. Mr. Collins is a member of the fraternal order of the Royal Arcanum. He is one of the real builders of the county's present enviable commercial standing and development, having displayed great wisdom and energy in his labors here for years, while at the present time he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fel- lows.

HANS J. LESTOE is the senior member of the firm of Lestoe & Sherer, one of the leading mercantile firms of Moscow, and handles a large business. Mr. Lestoe is a representative citizen of the county, and a man of keen business ability and possessed of affabil- ity and integrity in a happy degree. The birth of Mr. Lestoe occurred in Lolland, Denmark, on April

28, 1851, his parents being Peter and Annie (Peter- son ) Lestoe. The father was a shipbuilder and they remained in their native land until the time of their death. Our subject was educated in the public schools and labored on a farm in the vicinity of his home until he was twenty years of age, then stepped from the parental roof, and turned toward the new world, de- termined to seek his fortune there. 1871 was the year in which he landed in Wisconsin and for four years he labored there at different undertakings, then in 1875 came to Portland, Oregon, remaining there until 1878. At the last date mentioned he came thence to Idaho and took up a homestead, where his labors were bestowed for six years. In the fall of 1883 he went into the employ of some general merchants in Genesee, Idaho, and two years later he engaged with Dermhan & Kaufmann, general merchants of Moscow, continuing there until 1891, when he opened a store for himself i11 Troy, this state. In 1893 he sold that business and came to Moscow, where in company with W. H. Clark he started a hardware store. They did a good business from the start, and in 1899 Mr. Clark sold out his in- terest to J. W. Sherer, and the firm is now known as Lestoe & Sherer. They handle all kinds of hardware, also paints, oils, crockery, and all accessories, also being agents for some leading heavy hardware houses, thus being able to supply all wants in any branch of business that needs hardware. Of late they have been increasing their stock and their store is today one of the best stocked houses in the entire Palouse country.

On January 25, 1885, Mr. Lestoe married Miss Helena Thompson, a native of Wisconsin, and to them have been born the following children : James C., Henry A. and Frederick. On June 12, 1894, Mrs. Lestoe was called from her home and family by death, and her remains lie buried in the Moscow cemetery. She was beloved by all and her death elicited sincere mourning in a large circle of friends. On August 25, 1898, Mr. Lestoe married a second time, the lady being Elizabeth (Taylor) Johnston, and the wedding occurring in Mos- cow. Mrs. Lestoe is a native of Oregon. Mr. Lestoe is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Artisans, and the Foresters of America. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good farm land. He is one of the lead- ing business men of Latah county and is the recipient of the esteem and confidence of his fellows.

WELLINGTON L. ELY. Among the younger business men of talent and enterprise who have domi- ciled in Moscow, there should not be failure to mention the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he has manifested during his stirring career . of commercial activity ability and wise management of the resources at his hand which have justly placed him as one of the leaders in the commercial realm of his county, while also his unswerving integrity and stanch qualities of worth have bequeathed him a legacy of prestige that is enviable and of distinct merit.

Wellington L. Ely was born in Stockton, New York,

635

HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

on November 24, 1877, being the son of Mortimer and Genevra (Cooley) Ely. His early life was largely spent in the pursuit of knowledge, and to his credit be it said with such application and precocity that at the age of fifteen years he graduated from the local schools. In 1895 we find him in Pasadena, California, attending the Troop Institute, whence the following year he returned to Stockton, New York, and engaged as salesman in a general merchandise store, where he acquired practical training and valuable knowledge for one year. Then observing that he would be better fortified for the battle of life if he had more educational discipline, he repaired to the Westfield Academy and applied himself once more to the lore of books for a time. Then he launched forth on the sea of life's activities, and next we find him in the bright little town of Moscow. A time was spent in the loaning office of B. T. Byrns, about one and one-half years. Following that period he formed a partnership with F. A. David, and together they opened a general mer- chandise establishment in the city of Moscow. The enterprise was launched with due counsel and manipu- lated with excellent wisdom, while the push and energy and sterling business qualities of our subject were fully brought into requisition and there could but be the brilliant success that has attended this venture. They have a store well stocked, and skillfully managed, while the liberal patronage which they have won speaks loudly both of their business ability and upright methods.

The marriage of Mr. Ely and Miss Louise E., daughter of James and Akan Cheney, was solemnized on June 14, 1900. This young couple are valuable acquisitions to the social realm and they are highly esteemed and have the encomiums and good will of ail.

THOMAS S. POINDEXTER. The subject of this article is a native of the occident, and has spent most of his life beneath its stars, preferring it to the congested centers of the east. His home is at the present time on a quarter section of fine land two miles northeast from Farmington, which has been the family home for some time. The land has been farmed for sixteen years and is only now open to homestead entry. He raises the cereals and brome grass, with stock, and has a fine orchard. The birth of Thomas S. oc- curred on May 4, 1863, in Benton county, Oregon, be- ing the son of Thomas S. and Mary E. (Coffey). The father was born in Kentucky in 1821 and died in 1887 and the mother was born in Kentucky in 1842. At the age of eleven our subject went to Macoupin county, Illinois, making his home with his Aunt Louise J. Bronaugh, a sister of his father. He did chores and attended school and the east was his home until he was twenty, and then he longed for the scenes of his native place, and accordingly came thither, landing at Eu- gene, Oregon. One year later he came to Latah county and in 1885 he worked in the Coeur d'Alene mines and in 1886 he bought the interest of the man who lived

on his home place and he then settled on the farm and that has been his home since that time. He has now homesteaded the land.

The marriage of Mr. Poindexter and Miss Sedalia, daughter of Squire and Sarah E. (Stittwell) Thomas was solemnized in Latah county on April 13, 1887, and to this union there have been born six children : Maxie A., Arrah B., Dean C., Thomas E., Charlotte, Gilbert, aged respectively fourteen, eleven, nine, six. three, and the baby. Mr. Thomas was born in Illinois in 1841, is a farmer living at Whatcom, Washington, while the mother was born in Indiana and died in 1882. Mrs. Poindexter was born in California on August 17, 1871, removed to Oregon when a child, and thence to Latah county in 1878, and she has brothers and sisters as follows: James H., in Hooper, Washington ; Arthur L., in Colorado; Deborah C., wife of Andrew Smith, now deceased; Eliza E .. wife of William D. Haynes, in Whatcom, Washington ; Still- well, at Whatcom; Newton, in Latah county. Mr. Poindexter has brothers and sisters as follows: Roena, wife of William Morgan, in Tacoma ; one half-brother, Byrin Coffee, at Kalama, Washington. Mr. Poindex- ter is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Macca- bees in Farmington. He has given his services on the school board for years, while in political matters he is allied with the Democratic party.

ALMON A. LIEUALLEN, deceased. One of the earliest pioneers that broke sod in this section of the country, a man of whom all spoke well, and one who wrought here continuously from the inception of his career in this region until the sad day of his demise with manifestations of wisdom, stability, enterprise and dis- play of those manly virtues and an intrinsic worth that characterize the typical man, the subject of this sketch is eminently deserving of this memorial which it is our privilege to grant to him.

Almon A. was born in Tennessee on September 10, 1842, being the son of Paton and Jemima ( Smith) Lieuallen, farmers of that state and Iowa. Our sub- ject went in 1858 to where Princeton, Missouri, now stands, remaining until 1860, when he moved to Iowa, whence he crossed the plains in 1867 to Walla Walla and there engaged in stock raising and freighting. He did a large business in the latter industry, handling as high as twenty outfits from The Dalles to the interior mining camps of Idaho, and continuing the same until 1868. In this last year he disposed of his freighting business, repaired to Oregon, founding the town of Centerville, and there and at Walla Walla gave his attention to raising stock. In 1871 he brought forty thousand dollars' worth of cattle to the region now embraced in Latalı county, taking a pre-emption four miles east from where Moscow now stands. Success attended his wise business methods, and he owned land in different bodies all the way down to the Snake. He had vast herds of cattle, and he was always a pro- gressive, public minded man, ever laboring for the

636

HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

welfare and progress of the country where he was domiciled. At one time he owned between two and three thousand acres of land in Washington and Idaho and one-half section in California. He homesteaded the land where Moscow is now built, taking it in 1875, and opening up a general merchandise store there. He was the first postmaster of Moscow and held the office until he sold his store. In 1881 he sold the mercantile interests, platted the town site of Moscow, and devoted his energies to placing the young city on a proper basis and to building it up. He was one of the main factors in the development of the country, in establishing the city, in forwarding its growth, and in the general progress of the county's interest, and no man was better known in the country than Mr. Lieuallen. On No- vember 4, 1898, he was called from the scenes of his worthy labors to the realms of another world, and with appropriate ceremonies his body was laid to rest in the Moscow cemetery. He had been a faithful inem- ber of the Baptist church since sixteen years of age, displaying the virtues and graces of the Christian, and his example was bright and good, and his death was sincerely mourned throughout the entire county.

The marriage of Mr. Lieuallen and Miss Sarah A., daughter of William E. and Mary J. (Holloway) Good, was solemnized on July 4, 1871, and there were born to them the following issue: Mary A., died De- cember 15, 1877, aged five and one-half years ; Lillie Irene, wife of Jay Woodworth; John T., died at the age of eighteen; William B., died January 5, 1888, aged eight years, all buried beside their father. Mrs. Lieuallen is a native of Iowa and her parents were na- tives of Ohio, but removed to Iowa in an early day, and there remained until the time of their death, Mrs. Lieuallen is a member of the Presbyterian church and has always been a leader in the noble work of mission- ary undertakings and charitable labors, while the bright Christian life that she has maintained has been the means of doing much good. She is also a member of the Women of Woodcraft, Moscow Circle, No. 192. She owns eighty acres of the old homestead and an elegant residence, which is, as it always has been. the center of refined hospitality, and a model Chris- tian home, presided over by a lady of gracious personality, with manifestation of those lovable graces and characteristics of the real Christian. In addition to this valuable property. Mrs. Lieu- allen has a fine farm of four hundred and twenty-four acres, which she manages with discretion and sagacity.

ROBERT H. BARTON. This worthy pioneer and veteran of many a struggle on the fields of battle. both in the Civil war and on the scenes of life's industries, is now the postmaster of Moscow and he has won for himself the esteem and confidence of all who may know him. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, on Feb- ruary I, 1842, being the son of Andrew and Elizabeth ( Biddison) Barton. The father was born in Balti- more in 1811, being the son of Robert Barton, who

emigrated from the north of Ireland to America. The mother of our subject was a native of Baltimore and a daughter of William Biddison, a soldier of the war of 1812. The parents came to Perry county, Ohio, and settled on a homestead. They had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and six arc now living. Robert H., their fifth, acquired his education in the public schools and in the Ohio University at Athens, and in 1861 he left college to enlist in Com- pany D, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served four months under Rosecrans and then the regi- ment disbanded. He re-enlisted in Company B, First Ohio Cavalry Volunteers, and served with the Army of the Cumberland. His regiment did escort duty with General O. M. Mitchell and later with the cavalry in General Buell's command. Subsequently they were with General Rosecrans at Stone River and until after the battle of Chickamauga, and during the Atlanta campaign were at General McPherson's headquarters until that commander was killed. He saw the genral fall and caught his horse. Later he was at General Howard's headquarters in the same capacity, and after the capture of Atlanta was sent with his regiment on the Wilson raid. They were at Macon, Georgia, when the news of Lee's surrender gladdened all hearts, and on the twenty-fifth of September, 1865, he was hon- orably discharged at Hilton Head, South Carolina. On July 2, 1862, at Russellville, Alabama, Mr. Barton was shot in the corner of his mouth and lost the teeth, upper and lower, on the right side of his face, and suffered a fracture of the jaw. This occasioned six weeks in the hospital.

After this creditable military record Mr. Barton returned to his home and taught school during the winter of 1865-66, then went to Kansas and took and taught school during the winter months. He was later chosen county assessor and recorder of deeds county

that for six years. He removed to Utah in 1875 and taught school, and in 1877 we find him in Moscow, where he operated a saw mill, which he had brought with him. He was in this business for three years, and in 1881 lie built the Barton hotel, which he conducted until 1891, when it was burned, entailing a loss of fifteen thousand dollars. He then erected the Moscow at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars, but on account of the financial panic he was forced to part with this prop- erty on account of an incumbrance of twenty thousand dollars. This is a fine property and a credit to the town. He was appointed as postmaster of Moscow under Harrison and again under Mckinley, and is serv- ing with acceptability now. For eight years he was also deputy sheriff of Nez Perces county, and was also the first sheriff of Latah county.

The marriage of Mr. Barton and Miss Lettie Lang- cion, a native of Illinois, was solemnized in 1869, and to them have been born two children, one deceased, the other, Ed T., deputy postmaster. In 1872 Mrs. Barton died and in 1875 Mr. Barton wedded her sister, Louise Langdon, by whom he has five children : Maude M., attending the university; Earl S., also in that in-

637

HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

stitution : Louise E., at the high school; Faith S. She was named by the Idaho Department of the Grand Army of the Republic during its encampment in Mos- cow, at which time her birth occurred, and the soldiers presented her with a silver set. Mr. and Mrs. Barton are active members of the G. A. R. and its auxiliary, respectively, and he is past commander and department commander, and she is past secretary and president of the Idaho department. In consideration of his serv- ice to Major Anderson Post No. 5, he was presented with a sword by its members, which hangs with his blade which did valiant service for the Union. He has a fine residence in Moscow and he is estcemed by all.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 153

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1524

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524