An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 171

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 171
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 171
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 171
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 171

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Mr. May married Miss Elvira, daughter of Mark H. and Martha N. (Geer) Hobart, on August 20,

1882, in White Pine gulch, and they have become the parents of three children, Archie A., Warren H. and Dora G., all at home. Mrs. May is a native of Illinois, and her father was one of the early settlers of this county. To Mr. May there is much credit due for the faithful labors and wise counsels that have emanated from him for the last quarter of a century in his endeavors to assist in the upbuilding of this section of the country, and he has been eminently successful in all this as in the business enterprises that have been the work of his hands.

FRANK CAMPBELL. The subject of this article is one of the leading men of the county, a large real estate holder, a capable and enterprising business man and highly esteemed and popular throughout the entire county, having held the office of sheriff for two years subsequent to 1894, being elected on the Populist ticket. In this position he gave efficient and satisfactory service to all. Mr. Campbell has a farm of four hundred acres three miles east from Palouse, and has it well improved with good buildings, and as fast as possible he is turning the entire estate into the production of general crops, rather than farming to wheat alone. For a number of years Mr. Campbell has been a member of the school board, and he always votes the highest tax for the assistance of the cause of education.

The birth of Mr. Campbell occurred on May 3, 1842, in Sangamon county, Illinois, being the son of Robert and Mary (Hill) Campbell. The father was a blacksmith and farmer, born in South Carolina on January 1. 1800, while the mother was a native of North Carolina, born in Cabarrus county. He re- mained with his parents until 1866, and then went to Wilson county. Kansas, and the following year his parents came there also. He took one claim and gave it to his brother and then secured a farm which he tilled until 1889, when he sold out, chartered a car and brought his goods to the west. He landed at Pullman, then went to Palouse, renting a farm for one year, and then in the fall bought his present place, and has lived here ever since.

The marriage of Mr. Campbell and Miss Kate, daughter of Richard Bradley, a farmer of Kansas, was solemnized on October 27, 1869, and in 1876 Mrs. Campbell was called to pass away, leaving the follow- ing children : George, married to Minnie Berry and living in Latah county ; Mary, deceased. On March 12, 1878, Mr. Campbell contracted a second mar- riage. the lady being Miss Millie, daughter of James C. Hall. a merchant at Springfield, Illinois, and to them there has been born one son, Walter, working on the farm. Mr. Campbell has the following broth- ers and sisters: Samuel, deceased ; Wiley, at Pull- man : Nancy J .. married to W. Williamson, and liv- ing in Kansas: Green L., deceased : James H., lives in Kansas; John H. and Robert C., twins, both of whom are dead. Nirs. Campbell's brothers and sis-

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ters are named thus : Henry, John, James, Walter, Albert, Charles B., Cora, Clark, Mary and Lizzie. Mrs. Campbell was born in Sangamon county, Illi- nois, on May 26, 1844. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Campbell enlisted in Company A, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, on August 16, 1862. He did some hard fighting. was at the siege of Vicksburg, went on the Louisiana raids, was on the Little Rock cam- paign, and in June. 1865, he was mustered out at New Orleans, having the satisfaction that he had faithfully served his country, made a fine record and had as- sisted to stem the tide of treason. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Palouse Lodge, No. 47, where he is as popular as in his standing throughout the county.

LEWIS SISK is one of the earliest pioneers of Latah county, coming here in 1877, and locating, on July 25 of that year, a pre-emption. and later he added another quarter section by the homestead right, where he now lives, and the home place is one-half section of very valuable land, well improved with good resi- dence, barns and out buildings and orchards, and all accessories that make a rural abode a place of comfort and valuable dividend producer. In addition to this half section Mr. Sisk has enough valuable land to make eight hundred acres, which he oversees and han- dles himself. He is one of the heaviest land owners of the entire country, and his wisdom and careful management make him a man to whom his neighbors look for advice and in whom they confide.

Alexander Sisk, a farmer and stockman, born near Newport, Tennessee, in 1828, married Miss Mary Netherton, born at the same place in 1833, whose father, James Netherton, was a Tennesseean, and oc- cupied in stock raising and farming. To them was born our subject on October 14. 1833, also near New- port, Tennessee, and James P., married and living in Latah county : Joan, deceased ; Lafayette, deceased : Andrew, living at Newport, Tennessee, on the old homestead : Cordelia. deceased. Our subject remained at home until 1875, attending school, then went to southern Oregon, and engaged in farming near Oak- land, and from that place he came to Latah county as stated. When he came here one could ride many miles without seeing even a log cabin, and now the portion of Latah county where he lives is equal to the best.

On June 4. 1884. Mr. Sisk married Miss Cora M .. daughter of Calvin and Cassandria ( Whitaker) Morton, distant relatives of Levi P. Morton. Mrs. Sisk is a native of Wisconsin, born June, 1864, and the other children in the family are: Clara, wife of William McCune, living in Spokane; Ellen, wife of A. White, and living in Pullman; Calvin, living in Pullman. To Mr. and Mrs. Sisk there have been born the following children : Della I., deceased; Nellie M., deceased ; Allen, deceased ; Stella, at home ; Lewis, deceased ; Alexander, at home. Mr. Sisk is a member

of the Masons. Palouse Lodge, No. 46. In political matters he has been active, and in old Nez Perces county he was deputy sheriff for six years. He is at present a member of the school board and takes great interest in the advancement of the cause of edu- cation, while in every respect he is an exemplary citizen.

AUGUST BECKMAN. This gentleman is one of Latah county's well known and capable men, having demonstrated here as well as elsewhere his ability to cope successfully with the forces of the world and bring success as the reward of his faithful and wisely bestowed labors, while also he has been a potent factor in the upbuilding of the county. Mr. Beckman is a native of Ontario, Canada, where he was born, October 22, 1852, being the son of John and Wil- helmina ( Gergus) Beckman, natives of Germany, and coming to this country in 1848 and 1849, respectively. Our subject received a good education from the ex- cellent schools of Ontario, and in 1871 was permitted by a wise father to try for himself in the affairs of life. He worked in the lumber woods for a time, about seven years, and then had accumulated sufficient to purchase a farm, which he did, got married, and settled down to build a good home. This he accom- plished, and in 1881 his residence and all he had were consumed in a conflagration. Such a catastrophe would have overwhelmed a more irresolute spirit, but our subject was not to be daunted thus, and so he soon sold his farm and came to Dakota, and for seven years he farmed there, then rented his farm and came to Oregon, settling in the Willamette valley, and went thence one year later to eastern Oregon, where he remained for two years, and then in 1893 he came to Latah county. He rented a half section for about four years, and then bought a quarter, where he now lives, five miles east from Genesee. He has a good farm, a nice orchard, comfortable improvements, and is displaying excellent abilty in handling the same. Mr. Beckman has forty head of neat cattle, fifty hogs, and horses sufficient to handle the entire estate.

In 1878 occurred the marriage of Mr. Beckman and Miss Emma, daughter of John and Dor- othy (Stetck) Dibbem, natives of Germany, but ini- migrants to Ontario, where the father died in 1882, and the mother was called hence in 1888. Our sub- ject and his wife have seven children: Albert F., William H., Emma O .. Clarence O., Emil A., Ruben D. and Clara M.

In the political world Mr. Beckman has always been active and displayed the intelligence that be- comes the patriotic citizen. He was appointed assessor in 1884 in North Dakota, serving two years, and in 1886 he was elected county commissioner on the in- dependent ticket, then later was appointed justice of the peace, was a member of the school board, and also in this county he has filled that office for three years. He is a member of the W. of W., while he and his

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

family are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Beckman is a capable and wide awake business man, a good citizen, and always displays integrity and force of character.

LEWIS MICHELSON is one of the younger men of Latah county, which class have infused new life and energy into the channels of development and progress throughout the entire county and have nobly done the part of the work that has fallen to them from the older and earlier pioneers of this favored section. He is one of the substantial farmers of the county, living at the present time on a ranch six miles north from Genesee, where he manifests that commendable zeal and vigor and wisdom that have stamped him as one of the leading tillers of the soil in the section. He produces as high as seven thousand bushels of wheat in one year, has plenty of horses and cattle to stock the farm, and is prosperous and well liked in his community.

The birth of our subject occurred in Kallunbarg, Denmark, on July 14, 1872, being the son of Chris- tian and Sophy (Anderson) Michelson. The father was an educator in his native land, and there they reside at the present time. Our subject was well educated in the village schools, and at the age of nine- teen bade farewell to parents, associates and native land and embarked for the land of the setting sun. He had an uncle in Latah county and he naturally came thither. For the first few years he worked for the farmers and then bought a team and for three years was diligent in freighting and then he rented the farm where he is now living, as mentioned above. The ranch contains two hundred and forty acres, and is handled in a commendable manner, which accounts for the abundant returns in crops.

In 1895 Mr. Michelson married Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Peter and Marie (Johanson) Gerther, natives of Denmark, where the mother died in 1899, but the father is still living. To our subject and his esteemed wife there have been born three children, Roy, Marie L., and Sophie. Mr. Michelson is a member of the M. W. A., while he and his wife affiliate with the Lutheran church. Among the younger men of Latah county there are none that surpass our subject in thrift, wise management and careful in- dustry, and the results are apparent in the goodly holding that he has accumulated as a direct result of this enterprise, and he is justly numbered with the leading men of his section.

JOHN I. ANDERSON. About six and one-half miles east from Palouse we find the fine farm of the subject of this sketch. The estate consists of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, which he settled upon in 1878, it then being raw timber and prairie land, and by the industrious labors and careful

management of Mr. Anderson this has been trans- formed to a beautiful farm, well improved and pro- ductive. Mr. Anderson believes that wheat is the staple of this section, still he rotates his crops and raises stock, and has a fine orchard.

Mr. Anderson's father was James L., a farmer in Cumberland county, Kentucky, and born in 1828, being the son of James C., a Virginian, and he mar- ried Miss Martha Ross, who was born in Kentucky in 1829. Miss Ross's parents were Martin and Betsey (Winfrey) Ross, and the father was a farmer To this marriage were born A. A. Anderson ; Alartin, deceased : James, deceased ; Fannie, wife of L. C. Roberts, in Pierce City, Idaho ; and our subject. who was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, on No- vember 4, 1857. He came with his parents to Kansas in 1868, returning again to Kentucky, and in 1869 migrating again to Kansas, settling at Abilene, Dick- inson county. The father took up farming there and died in 1873. Our subject received his education there and also spent considerable time in hunting buffalo, securing many. In 1877 he started across the plains, the journey beginning in the early part of May and continuing for five months. He was in company with his brother A. A., and the first winter was spent in Walla Walla, and the following spring he took the land above described. His faithful labors here and his steady endeavors for the upbuilding of the county's interests have justly entitled him to the place of one of the real builders of this county.

On October 20. 1886, in Latah county, the mar- riage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Bell, daughter of Enoch and Matilda (Gordy) Reeves, was solemnized and they have become the parents of the following children : Eva, Fay and Flossie, twins, all at home attending school. Mrs. Anderson's parents were farmers, her mother being a native of Ohio, and their children are named below, Mrs. Anderson. born near Toronto, Kansas, in 1867: Enoch, married and living at Peck, Idaho; Anna, deceased ; Ora, at home with her parents, who live in Latah county. Mr. Anderson is always actively interested in politics, being allied with the socialiste teachings, and in the matter of educational progress he shows zeal and great interest. He is one of the capable and faithful citizens of our county and is justly deserving of the esteem and confidence of the people, which he generously receives.

MARTIN V. THOMAS. There is real and proper admiration for the man who can take hold with his hands and by genuine wisdom and industry work out a fortune for himself from the raw resources of na- ture, as has done the subject of this sketch. who is che of Latah's heaviest property owners, having over eight hundred acres of fertile farm land in the vicin- ity of American ridge, about four miles west from the town of Kendrick. It is interesting to note the per- sonal history of such a man, and we turn to that chapter in his career. He was born in Yancey county,

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North Carolina, on January 12, 1854, being the son of Nathan and Obedience (Forbes) Thomas. The father was a farmer there and in 1865 he came with his family to Kentucky, settling near Barboursville, in Knox county. Four years later the family removed to Howell county, Missouri, settling near West Plains. There our subject remained until 1877, when he came to Idaho and pre-empted a piece of government land five miles west from Genesee, also taking a timber culture claim. In 1888 he sold that land and bought a half section on American ridge, to which he has added until he has a mammoth estate, as mentioned above. He gave his personal attention to the im- provement and cultivation of this fine body of land until the fall of 1900, when he removed to Kendrick with his family in order to school his children. Since that time he has leased the land and oversees the property. He has thirty acres of orchard and his farms are well improved. Mr. Thomas has a fine residence in Kendrick and there the family abide at the present time.

The marriage of Mr. Thomas and Miss Lucy E .. daughter of John and Sarah (Zumwalt ) Lemons, was solemnized at Moscow on February 14, 1888, and they have become the parents of three children, as follows: Walker, Elsie, and the baby not yet named.

In earlier days Mr. Thomas gave much attention to buying and selling cattle, and has dealt much in all kinds of stock, but at the present time he does not devote so much time to this industry. He is one of the wise, enterprising and substantial men of the county, and is secure in the esteem and confidence of all.

CHARLEY J. SCHARNHORST. Without per- adventure there are within the borders of Latah county some of the finest farmers that can be found any- where, which demonstrates both the excellency of the country and the ability of these indivduals, and among this worthy class must be mentioned prominently the subject of this article. Although a young man, still there is no doubt in the mind of any one who will look over his fine estate that Mr. Scharnhorst is one of the most thrifty, careful, judicious and enterprising agriculturists and stockmen that are to be found.

Charley J. was born in, Keokuk county, Iowa, on October 13, 1871, being the son of Christian and Frederica (Neighbour) Scharnhorst, natives of Ger- many, who came to this country in 1862, locating in Iowa, whence ten years later they went to Kansas, where one year was spent, and then another move was made to Oregon, 'and settlement made in Eugene, whence they came to Latah county, where they reside on a fine farm now. Our subject received his school- ing from the districts of Latah county and the wise training of a sagacious father in the art of agriculture and thrift. He remained with his father for twenty- three years, and then was presented by the generous parent with a fine large farm, which he added to until it is of the broad proportions of four hundred

and ten acres, and lies five and one-half miles west from Genesee. The estate is provided with an elegant residence, commodious barns and all needed out build- ings, and is most carefully attended and skillfully handled. A fine orchard also beautifies the premises and provides fruit for use. Plenty of stock for use are at hand, the fields all fenced and cross-fenced, and all presents one beautiful picture of prosperity and thrift and happiness.

In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Scharn- horst and Miss Mary G., daughter of John and Mar- gret (Brandt) Bottjer, and a native of Germany. The parents of Mrs. Scharnhorst were also natives of Germany, and the father was a sailor. Eight chil- dren were born to them: Mary C., Louise, William J., Henry G., Johanna J., Margaret C., Henriette A., and Johan H. Mr. Scharnhorst is an active par- ticipant in the realm of politics and there as every- where he is characterized by display of the same sagacity, keenness of perception, wealth of resource, and thoroughiness in execution that have brought him his unbounded success. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and they are generous supporters of the faith and lead an exemplary life in all their walk, being highly esteemed and respected.

HORACE E. GILBERT. We are pleased to grant to Mr. Gilbert a representation in the history of Latah county since he is one of the real builders of the county ; being a man whose life here has always been spent in laboring for the advancement of the county's interest, and having displayed great sagacity and enterprise in these labors, much credit is due him for the bene- fit that has accrued from his efforts, and while this is true it is no less true that he is possessed of the happy qualities of worth, affability, uprightness, and integrity that find pleasant exemplification in his daily walk. He was born in Bremer county, Iowa, on January 25. 1858, being the son of John S. and Maria S. Gilbert, farmers. He remained at home until twenty and then set out to seek his fortune in the west. He came via the Union Pacific to San Francisco and thence by ocean steamer to Portland and soon he was in Junct- ion City in the Willamette valley, where a few months were spent, when he came to Moscow. He soon se- lected a homestead near where he now lives and set to work to improve it in good shape. In 1891 he traded that place and $1800 for the farm where he now lives, three miles northeast from Moscow. His present farm is one of the finest kept estates in the county of Latah, an air of thrift and business enter- prise being patent everywhere. He has a nine-room residence of modern architectural design and tastily kept, is building a large barn, has some fine herds, and everything that would make a rural home profi- table and comfortable. Mr. Gilbert has one hundred and two acres set to timothy and intends to put the balance of the home quarter to clover. He takes great interest in the production of grasses, and also has a

HORACE E. GILBERT.

HON. CHARLES J. MUNSON.

WILLIAM M. FRAZIER.

JOHN FREEZE.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

fine large orchard. In addition to this farm Mr. Gilbert possesses as much more land about one and one-half miles north from the home place.

October 12, 1886, was the date of the happy oc- casion when Mr. Gilbert took to himself Miss Florence, daughter of Lewis and Sarah Miller, as wife, and to this union have been born Jessie, deceased, and Eva, five years of age. Mrs. Gilbert's father was a promi- nent citizen in his home county in Illinois, being justice of the peace and county commissioner for years. His great work in life was along the lines of church work, being allied with the Baptist denomination. He was a real philanthropist and spent much time and money in assisting the poor. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are members of the Baptist church, affiliating with the Moscow congregation, and they are faithful in the support of the gospel. In the person of Mrs. Gilbert we have a lady of true devotion and dominated by a gracious spirit, being given to hospitality and mani- festing a refined dignity in presiding over her house- hold. Mr. Gilbert is one of the up-to-date men of the county, active and prudent in business, far sighted in matters of importance and withal thrifty and careful in all his enterprises.

HON. CHARLES J. MUNSON. Like so many of the successful business men of Latah county, the subject of this sketch was born on a farm, reared amid its healthful exercises, gaining his education from the public schools. When man's estate arrived he was well fortified in bodily vigor and mental training to take up for himselt the duties of life. His parents were Peter and Mary Munson, natives of Sweden, and he was born in Attica, Fountain county, Indiana, on August 14. 1861. When nineteen years of age he struck out into the western world, landing first at the Rockies in Colorado, where he mined for two years, then prospected in Utah and later in Butte, Montana, whence, in 1883, he came to the Coeur d'Alene country. The year following found him in Latah county and in 1890 he purchased the farm where he now resides, four miles east from Moscow. The

estate is well kept, consists of one hundred and sixty acres, and is the home place of the family. In 1898 Mr. Munson was nominated on the Republican ticket for representative to the state legislature and promptly elected, and in that body he acted on the ways and means committee, and also on the committee on roads. bridges, and ferries. So faithful and efficient was the labor performed, that at the expiration of this term, he was elected by an appreciative constituency to serve another term, and this time he acted on the com- mittee on public bridges and had to do with the special road tax on real estate. Mr. Munson made a com- mendable record in the fifth and sixth legislatures of the state.

On December 28, 1890. Mr. Munson married Miss Clemma E. Roadruck, and they have become the par- ents of four children : Oscar C., Vivien O., Goldie E. and Burton L. Mr. Munson is affiliated with the I.

O. O. F., Lodge No. 31, of Moscow, and is popular among his associates as well as throughout the coun- ty, having in his long residence here manifested stanch qualities of worth and uprightness, and showed excel- lent wisdom in the affairs of life and commendable skill in the management of business.

Mr. Munson has always been a warm friend of the cause of education and he has labored faithfully for its advancement. The State University has been the recipient of much favor from him and through his efforts the appropriation has been more than trebled.

WILLIAM M. FRAZIER is one of the oldest pioneers of Latah county, an esteemed citizen, a promi- nent and capable man, and one of the substantial and well to do farmers and stockmen of this section and is eminently fitted for representation in the history of his county.

Entering at once into the details of his life's career, we note that he was born in Jackson, Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, on June 27. 1844. being the son of Peter and Lucinda ( Providence) Frazier, now of Sacramento, California. While an infant he was taken by his parents to Grundy county, Missouri, where he went to school in the winter and toiled on the farm in the summers. At the age of nineteen he was ready to start for himself and for three years he worked on adjacent farms and then joined his fortune with an ox train and began the weary journey toward the Pacific coast. He brought mule teams with him and settled in eastern Oregon, taking a claim. For five years he worked there, then spent one year in Cali- fornia and then came to Moscow, arriving here on May 5, 1871, taking the place where he resides to- day, about three miles northeast from Moscow. He devoted himself to farming and raising stock and suc- cess attended his efforts from the start. He pur- chased a half section in 1885. and sold a quarter in 1901, still having a half section, well improved and producing abundant crops.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 171

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