An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 167

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 167
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 167
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 167
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 167

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JOHN HJELM. This esteemed gentleman is one of the well-to-do and industrious farmers of Latah county, having a good farm of eighty acres four and one-half miles north from Genesee, where he has bestowed his labors in a commendable manner in raising the cereals, fine fruit, and handling all with skill and thrift. Our subject, as many of our most substantial citizens, was born in Norway, Throndhjim being the spot, and November 14, 1844. the date, while his parents were Iver N. and Gunelje Hjelm, natives of Norway also, who died there. John was educated in the schools of his native place, and re- mained with his parents until the age of twenty, then started in the battle of life for himself and took up farm- ing until 1882, when he came to the United States and located in Nez Perces county, Idaho, purchasing a quarter section of land. This continued to be the family home until 1890, when he sold it and returned to Norway, where he remained for one and one-half years. At the end of that period he came to this country again, this time locating in Latah county,

and purchasing his present farm. He has demon- strated himself to be a capable man, a good citizen, a genial and affable neighbor, and has manifested in- dustry and good judgment in all his ways.

Mr. Hjelm married Miss Mary, daughter of Thorsten and Kanie Mitling, natives of Norway also, To this happy marriage there has been born the fol- lowing offspring: Charles T., working in the mines at Burke, Idaho; Ida M., married to John Mortinson and living in Latah county. Mrs. Hjelm's parents came to America and remained for ten years, then returned to Norway, where they are living at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Hjelm are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are exemplary people and highly esteemed.

JOHN P. FREEZE is one of the oldest pioneers now in Latah county, coming here long before Latalı was thought of as a county and even before its county seat had an existence as a village, there being at that time one log cabin in which a few groceries were retailed where Moscow now stands. John P. was born in Salisbury, Rowan county, North Caro- lina, on February 10, 1833, being the son of George and Sophia (Bost) Freeze, natives of Rowan county, North Carolina. The father was a farmer and tan- ner and was born in 1801; the mother was born in 1803, and her father, John Bost, was a cabinet maker. Our subject remained with his parents until 1858, then started in life for himself. He had gained his education from the public schools and at the time of his start in life he migrated to Woodruff county, Arkansas, near Augusta, and there farmed and raised hogs. In 1870 he moved to Benton county, and in 1873, with a train of friends and relatives, started across the plains on April 5, reaching Walla Walla on August 4. They started with twelve out- fits, but at Big Thompson creek, west of Denver, they joined David Notman's train and traveled to- gether the remainder of the way. Mr. Notman came direct to his present home in this community and our subject went to Yakima river and mined, then on to Seattle, and later returned to Walla Walla and thence to what is now Latah county. He took a claim on Cedar creek and returned to Walla Walla to bring his stuff and a person had jumped it when he returned, so after dne search he selected his present place in the vicinity of Freese postoffice. He has a quarter section of good land well improved and which produces abund- ance of timothy hay. In 1877 the Indians stole their horses but did no further depredations. He assisted to build the fort at Palouse at this time and the fol- lowing ycar he assisted to build the one near his place.

When the Civil war broke out Mr. Freeze en- listed in Company G. Arkansas Infantry, but was dis- charged on account of sickness, but upon his re- covery he enlisted again, this time in Company A, Arkansas Cavalry, and in this he served until the

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close of the war. In the battle of Big Creek, near Helena, Arkansas, he was wounded through the hips and for five months he languished in bed and tor seven months after that he was bound to crutches. Mr. Freeze has brothers and sisters as follows: Eliza- beth, wife of John Yost, in North Carolina; Anna, wife of Daniel Corral, in North Carolina : Caleb M., living on the home estate; Panelope P., wife of Cor- nelius Overcash, in Arkansas; Mary, deceased ; Sarah, wife of William Goen, but now deceased ; Margaret, wife of William Perkins, in Arkansas; Monroe, in Texas; Flora, deceased; Jacob, deceased. Mr. Freeze is a member of the Lutheran church and is well esteemed among his fellows.

MICHAEL C. FREEZE. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketchi needs no in- troduction to the dwellers in Latah county, since he was one of the first to settle here and has spent the intervening years in noble labor both to develop the resources of the county and to elevate all in moral and educational lines, having been the promoter of both schools and churches, and being a man of prom- inence and ability in the community.

Mr. Freeze was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, on February 19, 1859, the son of John and Betsey (Lipe) Freeze, both natives of North Carolina and born in 1829. The father was a farmer and Michael has always followed that basic industry. When a child he was brought by his parents to Wood- ruff county, Arkansas, where the father bought land and farmed for eleven years, our subject attending school. In 1870 a move was made to Benton county, and one year later they sold out and provided teams for the long overland journey to Washington. Day- ton was the objective point, which was reached four months after starting, but in 1876 they decided to make another move and came to the territory now embraced in Latah county, it being then Nez Perces county. The father took the quarter where he now lives, just north of our subject's place, and he lives there still. Michael remained with his father until the time of his majority and then took the pre-emp- tion where he now lives and bought another quarter section. During the Indian scare of 1878 a fort was built near the residence of Mr. Freeze and he assisted in the construction and the settlers were fortunate in getting through the trouble with no fatalities.

The marriage of Mr. Freeze and Miss Mattie. daughter of Benjamin F. and Ann ( Powell) Peter- son, was solemnized on August 7, 1881, and they have become the parents of the following named children : Estelle, John F., Daniel, deceased, Anna, all at home. Mrs. Freeze was was born on October 17, 1861, near Newport, New Jersey, and had one brother, Daniel J., deceased. Her father was born in New Jersey. on June 27, 1839, and farmed in that state. The mother was born in New Jersey, on August 29, 1841. Mr. Freeze has brothers and sisters as follows :

Xalvin E., living near Freese; Mary, deceased ; Dan- iel, deceased; Sarah, wife of Wilber Watkins, and living in Texas; Caleb, deceased. Mr. Freeze now has a farm of two hundred and twenty-seven acres, well improved with fine buildings, orchards, and so forth, and it produces abundantly of timothy and the cereals. He has always been active for the advance- ment of educational facilities, and was one who led in securing a subscription of fourteen hundred dollars which erected a union meeting place in the neighbor- hood, which is open to all denominations.

JOHN A. STARNER. The well known busi- ness man whose name is at the head of this article has been prominent in business in different localities of Latah county for a number of years, and now holds the important office of postmaster at Freese, at which place he gained the establishment of the office. He is also carrying on a general store and does a good busi- ness from the surrounding country.

John A. was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on May 9, 1837, being the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Byers) Starner. The father was a blacksmith and native of Pennsylvania, being born in 1806, and the mother was born in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania in 1817. Until fifteen years of age our subject was with his parents acquiring a good education, which he finished later, as will be noted. Leaving home, he went to work on a farm until 1856. Then two years were spent in attending school, after which he joined the ranks of the educators, and on January 15. 1860, he migrated to Salem, Illinois, and taught school. He went to Stephenson county after this and attended com- mercial college, and then went to teaching again. Next we see him in Dixon, and afterward in Central City, Colorado. Eight months were spent there in mining, and then a move was made to Virginia City, Montana, where he mined also. In 1865, at Blackfoot, Montana, he was crippled while operating in the placer mines. and the next place we find this traveller was in Uma- tilla county, Oregon, whence he went to Walla Walla. and then to Dayton, Washington. He taught school and engaged in business, and in 1878 he was selected probate judge of Columbia county, and so well did he discharge the duties of that office that he was promptly elected his own successor. He took govern- ment land five miles from Dayton, gaining the third patent issued for timber culture and the first in Walla Walla county. In April. 1886, he went to Endicott. Whitman county, and in 1888 he came to Latah county. He prospected for a time, and in 1890 went to the vicinity of Princeton and started a general mer- chandise establishment. He was enabled to gain a postoffice for that place and there he did business for nine years. It was 1899 when he came to his present place, opened a store, and on June 22, 1900, gained a postoffice, which he handles now.

On March 27, 1873, in Columbia county. Mr. Starner married Miss Bell. daughter of Hugh and

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Jane Glen. Mrs. Starner's father was a weaver and worked in the factories in New York and Illinois. She was born in Delhi, New York, on July 16, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Starner have one foster son, Stanley ( Matthews) Starner, a farmer in Latah county. Mr. Starner was a member of the Maccabees, and his wife is associated with the Congregational; church. At present Mr. Starner is also justice of the peace. On May 19, 1902, Mrs. Starner was called from her home and family by the cold hand of death, and her remains lie buried in the Deep Creek Union church cemetery.

RICHARD F. RICHARDSON. This industrious and enterprising gentleman is one of our substantial citizens, having a fruit farm in Genesee, where he does also a garden business. His possessions are ten acres of this valuable land, and it is improved in good shape and handled in a creditable manner. Rich- ard F. was born in Myricks, Massachusetts, on March 20, 1859, being the son of Steven and Orisa (Ham- mar) Richardson, natives, respectively, of Maine and New Hampshire. The father lived to the age of sixty- six and the mother died at a ripe age. Our subject was educated in the village schools and remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, and then went to California, where he remained for one and one-half years. Following that period he went to Nez Perces county, Idaho, and there took a homestead near the city of Lewiston. 1879 was the date of this venture, and in 1882 he sold the prop- erty and bought a quarter section close to Genesee, which in turn was sold in 1895, and a trip was made to California. Six months later he returned to Gene- see and bought the land where he lives at the present time, as described above. In politics Mr. Richardson is with the Republican fold, and he displays a com- mendable activity and zeal in the affairs of county and state.

The marriage of Mr. Richardson and Miss Lucy, daughter of Cyrus and Mary Southard, natives of Maine, was celebrated in 1886, and they have become the parents of eight children, as follows: Grace, Maurice S., deceased, Helen, Cornelia, Blanche, Lucy, Esther and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are members of the Methodist church and are generous supporters of the faith and maintain a wise and un- sullied life in their walk, both public and private.

JOHN A. ANDERSON. As this work purports to chronicle the lives of the leading citizens of Latah county, it is quite fitting that mention be made of the industrious and enterprising gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he is one of the worthy farmers and stockmen of the county, living about four miles northeast from Genesee. where he handles three hundred and twenty acres of land, rais- ing principally the cereals. John A. was born in

Sweden, northern part, being the son of Andrew and Ellen Anderson, and the date of his advent into this life was January 22, 1864. His parents were natives of the same country, and the father died there at the age of fifty-nine and the mother is still living at the age of seventy-two. When he had arrived at the age of twelve years our subject was sent out into the world to stem the tide of existence for himself. He worked in the woods and learned the art of the axe and saw, as well as developing a good physique. In .1883 he came to America, and the first location was in Minnesota, where he labored seven years on a farm. The date of his advent into Latah county. was 1890, and here he worked on the railroad for a time and then labored for wages on a farm until 1898, when he rented a farm of one-quarter section, and three years were spent in the cultivation of that place, with suc- cessful results, when he added as much more land, all of which is in a good state of cultivation, and he is the recipient of abundant harvests for the skillful labor bestowed. Mr. Anderson uses eleven head of horses for the cultivation of his farms, having also cattle for domestic uses. He raises as high as four thousand bushels of wheat besides other cereals and fruits and vegetables.

The marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Carrie Wuensen. a native of Sweden, was celebrated in 1898, and to them have been born two children, Carl E. and Helma. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are worthy members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and they are good citizens and excellent people.

DAVID NOTMAN, JR. As one of the earliest settlers of the territory now embraced in Latah coun- ty, as a man who has always been foremost and active in the upbuilding of the country, as one who has al- ways maintained an untarnished reputation, receiving the approval of his fellows, and as one of the sub- stantial and capable men of the county of Latah at the present time, we are glad to accord to the subject of this article representation in this volume.

David Notman was born in Scotland, ten miles distant from Glasgow, on April 24. 1840, being the son of David and Christina (Kirkwood) Notman. The father worked at the trade of calico printing, but after coming to America worked in the lead mines and then farmed. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject was James Kirkwood. When the lad had reached the age of eight he accompanied his parents to this side of the Atlantic, and a settlement was made in Wisconsin. At first all hands earned money as wages and then purchased a farm, where they devoted their energies to tilling the soil. David was educated in the schools in Wisconsin and in Scotland. He re- mained at home until the war broke out and then enlisted in Company D. Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, and at once they were ordered to Virginia, arriving there in time to assist in finishing the battle of Cold Harbor. He was with the army of

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the Potomac and engaged in the siege of Petersburg, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, in August, 1865. The father had sold the Wisconsin property and mi- grated to Colorado, whence went the young soldier, joining his loved ones on Big Thompson creek, fifty miles north from Denver, where the home then was. He engaged with his father in stock raising until 1873. then sold out and came to the territory now embraced in Latah county. He was accompanied on this trip overland with teams by John, Peter and Michacl Frecze, who remained at Walla Walla, but Ite came direct to his present place, at Freese, landing here in August of that year. He took a pre-emption and afterwards a homestead, and to the cultivation of this land he has devoted his energies since. He has it well tilled, a fine house and barn, and is a well-to-do and prosperous farmer. During the Nez Perces war he and a neighbor built a small log fort and remained on their farms while all the others went to the fortifi- cations at Palouse. The Nez Perces Indians passed by with their families en route to the Coeur d'Alene reservation to leave the families, but no harm was clone to our subject or his friend. He was the first settler on Deep creek and has done much to build up the country since that time. He is a member of the G. A. R., has served on the school board, and always conducted himself in a commendable manner.

Before Latah county was cut off Mr. Notman was elected county commissioner of Nez Perces county, and such was the satisfaction with his official acts that he was elected a second term. Mr. Notman is affiliated with the Methodist church and a faithful supporter of the faith.

AUGUST JOHNSON. One of the men who have wrought here for the development of the county is mentioned at the head of this article, and he is a citizen of capabilties and good standing, while he is also an enterprising farmer, owning eighty acres of good land six miles north from Genesee and renting one hundred and forty-five. Mr. Johnson was born in southeastern Sweden on February 28. 1859, being the son of Swan and Cecelia ( Swanson) Johnson, also natives of Sweden, where the father still lives, the mother dying while our subject was young. August was educated in the common schools of his native place, and at the age of twenty-one he bade the land of home and friends farewell and came to the United States, locating first in Prospect Grove, New York, where he labored for four and one-half years, when a removal was made to Kansas, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which time he came ciirect to Latah county. Here he rented a farm until he was satisfied that this was a country to settle in and then he purchased his farm of eighty acres. Mr. Johnson produces about four thousand bushels of grain each year, besides having much fruit, some stock, and other general productions of the farm. Politically

Mr. Johnson is allied with the Democrats. but at the time of the election of the late William McKin- ley he voted for that good man. Mr. Johnson always evinces a good interest in the politics of the land and is ever on the side of progress.

The marriage of Mr. Johnson and Ida M., daughter of John and Margret (Johnson) Johnson, was cele- brated on February 4, 1885. Mrs. Johnson's parents were natives of Sweden, where also she was born, and they came to this country in 1877, locating in Brook- lyn, New York, where she was educated. Our worthy subject and his estimable wife are the parents of the following children: Pearl E., Olof V. and Mary C., twins, Ethel E., Mabel L., Hattie H., George H. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and are generous supporters of this denomination as of the faith in general.

PETER CLYDE. This enterprising and pro- gressive agriculturist is one of Latah county's estab- lished and capable citizens. His family home is on his estate of three hundred and twenty acres which lies eight miles east from Palouse. He has a valua- bie farm, in a high state of cultivation, and handled after the plan of the diversified farmer, and the build- ings are excellent and commodious and altogether it is one of the attractive rural abodes of the county. Mr. Clyde was born in Ontario, Canada, on September 22, 1859. having six brothers and sisters as follows: Katherine, Joseph, Grace, deceased. Robert, Mary, and Wilfred T., the parents being Alexander and Anna B. (Graham) Clyde. The father was a native of Ire- land and came to America at the age of twenty-one. The mother was born in Scotland and came to the new world when small. Her father was James Gra- ham, a farmer and stonemason. At the age of fifteen years, our subject left the parental roof and sought a place in the world for himself. He first went to Michigan and worked for a time on a farm and then made his way to Truckee, California, in 1876, asso- ciating himself with a half-brother, Andrew Clyde. in the lumber business. In 1879 he left there and came to the Palouse country, working for a time on log contract. He filed a homestead right on a quarter section in 1883 and that, with as much more which he had purchased formerly, makes the home place.

On May 27. 1885, Mr. Clyde married Miss Mary L., daughter of Francis M. and Martha J. ( Scal- lions) Adair, and they have the following named chil- ciren, Ellen, Mary M., Addie B., and Joseph Elwyn. Mrs. Clyde's father was born in Alabama in 1831, and the mother in Arkansas in 1850. She was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 26, 1869, and the other children are named below. Francis, Matilda L., Benjamin F .. John S., Itha B., Clara A., Edgar M., Mattie, and Freddie, deceased. Mr. Clyde is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Palouse Lodge, No. 46. He is also one of a committee of five who have

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erected a church for union services in the neighbor- hood. He always takes an interest in church work, in the general welfare of all and manifests it hy wise counsel and faithful labors. Mr. Clyde has been road overseer for two terms, and is zealous that the high- ways be in good condition, a very worthy labor. He is also director of the schools and evinces great interest in furthering the cause of education.

WASHINGTON WOLHETER is d descended from a line of ancestors who have all been devoted Americans. His grandfather, George Wolheter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1790 and died in 1853. He married Barbara Cop, who was born in Ohio and out- lived him some years. To this worthy couple were born seven children, the third of whom was George Wolheter, the father of our subject. George was born in Pennsylvania on October 22, 1814, and was a car- penter and cabinet maker. His brothers were all good business men. At the age of twenty-one he married a widow with three children and to this union three children were born. Upon the death of his first wife. George Wolheter married Mrs. Susanna ( Myers) Falons, who had two children by a former marriage. To this last union, our subject was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on July 2. 1844. He has one brother. Israel E., in Latah county, and one sister, Mrs. Viletta Lamb, in Lowe, Idaho. The mother of our subject was one of a family of eight children, her father, Mikel Myers, being a patriot of the war of 1812. She was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1812 and died in Cir- cleville, Kansas, on January 2, 1876. When our sub- ject was seven years of age his father went to Cali- fornia and searched for gold two years. In 1857 the family went to Jackson county, Kansas, where the father wrought at his trade. Washington was edu- cated in the public schools of that frontier region and in 1862 enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Kansas In- fantry and eighteen months later was transferred to the cavalry. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Maysville, Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Lexing- ton, Westport, Big Blue, and many other battles and skirmishes. Mr. Wolheter was one of the boys who chased Quantrel out of the country. After that Mr. Wolheter went with his regiment to the west and fought Indians. These experiences were times of great suffering from cold, hunger and arduous marches. In one battle he was one of seventy-five soldiers who fought off the savages for three days and at the end of that time found forty of their number either dead or wounded. Following this service he was mustered out and in 1867 went to Nevada mining.

On September 14. 1871, in Circleville, Kansas, Mr. Wolheter married Sara (Elliott) Price. Mrs. Wol- heter's paternal grandparents were Samuel and Mar- garette (Styles) Elliott, born in New York city on September 4. 1770, and in Paris France, on Septem- ber 1, 1772, and died on September 24, 1860, and August 4. 1860, respectively. To this worthy couple thirteen children were born and to each the father, who

was a patriot of the war of 1812. gave a quarter section of land. James, one of these fortunate chil- dren, was born in Shelby county, Ohio, on December 31, 1828, and chose to carve out his own fortune. He was the father of Mrs. Wolheter, and married Miss Anna. Moore, in Jefferson county, Iowa, on July 8, 1849. The Moores were a prominent family and Dr. Black, one of the family, as well as others were noted men. Mrs. Wolheter was well educated in the var- ious places where her father's family lived and in 1865 married Mr. J. W. Price. To that union one son, George, was born on August 9, 1867. He is now living near Nezperce. In 1870 Mrs. Price went to Cir- cleville, Kansas, and there occurred her marriage with Mr. Wolheter. In 1874, after the great grass- hopper raid, Mr. Wolheter came west and lumbered in Santa Cruz county, California, for three years, af- ter which he came to the Paluose country. On July 9. 1877, he came to Latah county and took his pres- ent place five miles northeast from Palouse. He has nearly a section of fine land and the industry, skill and wise business methods of Mr. and Mrs. Wolheter have given them a goodly competence. They have one of the finest residences in the county and other build- ings to match. Mrs. Wolheter is a member of the Christian church and he is affiliated with the G. A. R. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolheter have been born three children, Estella, born at Felton, California, on March 24. 1876, and now the wife of Dr. J. T. Moser, of Kendrick ; Lulu, born on the farm on December 3. 1881, and now married to Dr. J. E. Prencel, of Day- ton, Washington : Mildred, born on the farm on July 29, 1888.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 167

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