An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 177

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 177
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 177
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 177
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 177

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).

7.35

HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

The marriage of Mr. Mallery and Miss Clara E. C'asson was solemnized on November 27, 1885, at Way- land, Michigan. Her father, Edward Casson, was a plasterer and brick mason in the home state. The mother was Mrs. Amelia Casson. There have been born to our subject and his wife the following chil- dren : William A., Zelma, and Perry E., all at home.

Mr. Mallery is a member of the A. O. U. W. and takes an active part in the political affairs of the county and state and manifests an intelligent interest in the welfare of his country. In many minor offices he has done excellent service, using the same care and con- cern in the discharge of these duties as those of his own business. In school matters Mr. Mallery has evinced a great interest and the district has profited much by his labors on the board for twelve years and more. He is highly esteemed by all and enjoys the confidence of his fellows.

CHRIST BURGER. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch stands as one of the pioneers of Latah county, and as one of the leading farmers of today, hav- ing labored faithfully here in the cause of advancement and progression and development wherein he has had remarkable success owing to his industry and sagac- ity, being also a man dominated by true wisdom and sound principles of integrity and uprightness. He was born in Germany, Thierstein, on March 9, 1836, being the son of Lawrence and Anna ( Bergmann) Burger, also natives of Germany, and who now sleep in the old home cemetery, the father dying in 1860 and the mother in 1858. Our subject was educated in the village schools, including a course in the high school, until he was fourteen and then he learned the butcher trade, taking two years and one-half in steady work at it. He then, as was the custom with the German youth, took a trip abroad, making his way for a time in the world apart from home influences, and then returning home, the father relieved him from going into the army, and he labored for him and the surrounding farmers until he was thirty years of age. At that time he embarked for America, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, being the object- ive point. He went into the butcher business with his brothers and there operated for two years, then sold out and travelled from place to place, and finally in 1877, came to Calfornia and there earned at his trade about seven hundred dollars. Then he went to Port- land, where he fell in with a man wishing to start the butcher business, and went into partnership with him. Our subject had not learned the English language at that time and his partner took advantage of him and gained the entire capital, and Mr. Burger was forced out with nothing. He then came to Waitsburg, Wash- ington, and there worked at the butcher business for one year and in 1879, came thence to Latah county, locating a preemption of one quarter section, then a homestead of fifty acres. This he has transformed into a fine farm and a good family home, the estate being situated seven miles west from Genesee. He has good land, well improved and it produces fine crops.

The marriage of Mr. Burger and Miss Bertha,

daughter of Henry and Amelia (Nosa ) Burgwitz, natives of Germany, was celebrated in 1877 and they have become the parents of the following children : Emma M., married to L. F. Boyer and living in Cali- fornia : Ottelea L., married to Eugene Boyer and liv- ing in California ; Henry, William G., Ludwig J., Clara G., and Malinda E. Mr. and Mrs. Burger are members of the Lutheran church and are highly respected citi- zens of the county, being capable and substantial.

HOMER E. BURR. Our subject lives four and one-half miles northeast from Moscow on a fine farm, which he took from the wilds of nature by the home- stead right and has made into one of the most fertile and productive farms of the section, having it well improved and an exceptionally fine orchard on it, selling from the same last year five tons of bartlet pears. It is evident that Mr. Burr is one of the lead- ing agriculturists and orchardists of the county and is also one of its most substantial men, skillful, sa- gacious and dominated by sound principles and an un- swerving integrity. He was born in Clarke county, Iowa, on October 14, 1857, being the son of Alvin and Nancy Burr. The father was a saw mill man and stock raiser and died when Homer E. was seven years old. From that time until he was twenty, our sub- ject remained with his mother and assisted in the sup- port of the family. While he was an infant, the fam- ily had removed to Knox county, Missouri, whence 111 1872, they went to Chautauqua county, Kansas, taking government land. In 1877 young Burr deter- mined to seek his fortune and accordingly allied him- self with a neighbor and drove a team overland to this country, getting here at the time of the Nez Perces In- dian war, but being unmolested enroute. Two years were spent in a sawmill and then Mr. Burr took up his present home as a homestead. He built a log cabin thereon and enjoyed the life of a bachelor during the time he was endeavoring to improve the place. He saw the advisability of having a competent helpmate in his life of toil and so sought the hand of Miss Ann, daughter of William and Lu- cinda (Warmoth) Frazier in marriage and on Novem- ber 20 the happy ceremony was solemnized, and since that time they have wrought together with great joy and success in the lines of their labors. Mr. Burr has bought and sold many pieces of land in the time he has lived here but still owns the old homestead.

This estimable couple have become the parents of the following children : Ella, wife of Sherman Towne of this county ; Alvin, Audrey, Edwin A., Carl V., Amos B. and Leland C. In church and political re- lations, Mr. Burr is not particularly allied, being a man of independent thought and searching out for him- self the various problems of existence. He is a dis- ciple of diversified farming and shows forth great skill in producing practical proofs of this line, as well as in the orchardist's line, having made some com- mnendable showings in that realm. Mr. Burr is a mem- ber of the W. W.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

JAMES A. WOLFENBERGER. The capable and enterprising agriculturist whose name is at the head of this article is one of Latah county's substan- tial citizens, and a man of integrity and uprightness, which qualities have characterized him in all his ways. James is a native of Tennessee, benig born in Granger county, on January 26, 1840, and the son of Peter and Lucinda, the latter having died in 1861. The father was also a native of the same state and remained there until 1882, when he came to this county, homestead- ing the place where he and his son now live, two miles east from Troy. He first preempted the land and later used the homestead right. He is now ninety years of age, having been favored with a long life and much blessing. Our subject remained at home with his parents until the time of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Second Tennessee Cavalry, the year being 1862. He participated in many skirmishes, but in no heavy battle except Chickamauga, yet he was in constant military duty until 1865, when he was dis- charged and returned to his home. He remained with his father on the farm until 1882, the date of the im- migration to these sections. He took a quarter section adjoining his father's and then sold it in 1890. The home farm is well improved, has a fine orchard and is productive of abundant crops. They also own another quarter two miles south from the home place.

In 1883, at Cornwall, occurred the happy event of the marriage of Mr. James A. Wolfenberger and Miss Sarah E., daughter of John and Rebecca Branson, and the union lias been blessed by the advent of two children, Hattie R. and Peter L. Mrs. Wolfenber- ger's father is dead but the mother is still living. Mr. Wolfenberger is a man of industry, and patient en- deavor, which have given him a goodly portion of the property of the world, while he has always manifested those qualities of uprightness and sound principles that have given him the meed of the confidence of his fellows.

MOSES VANDEVANTER. The subject of this article is at the present time one of the business men of Cornwall, where he operates a general merchandise store, being a substantial and highly respected citizen of that town and a capable business man. Moses was born on May 28, 1861, in Guthrie county, Iowa, being the son of Israel and Rachel ( Moore) Vandevanter. He remained with his father until twenty-two years had passed, gaining a good education at the country schools and sound principles of business operation from a wise father. At twenty-two years of age, Mr. Van- devanter came west and selected Union .county, Ore- gon, as the place for his operations, engaging there in the vicinity of the town of Union in the manufact- ure of lumber with his brother, where he continued until 1890, when he came to this county and took up farming. Later he left that occupation and opened a general merchandise store in Cornwall and in that place he has done business since. He carries a good stock of well selected merchandise, and his kind and courteous treatinent of his patrons has increased his

trade to goodly proportions and he is building up a fine business.

Fraternally, Mr. Vandevanter is associated with the M. W. A., Camp No. 9645 at Cornwall; also with the Mox Mox Tribe of Redmen in Moscow ; with the Mystic Workers of the World, Lodge No. 281 of Cornwall, and in all of these relations Mr. Vandevan- ter is highly esteemed and well liked. He has never ventured onto the sea of matrimony, being in the quiet enjoyment of the celibatarian's life.

GEORGE W. WALKER. Among the very lead- ers in enterprising and progressive labors in the coun- ty, having done especially good work in the line of hor- ticulture and in the instructor's chair, the subject of this brief article is eminently fitted to be accorded con- sideration in the history of his county, and it is with pleasure that we grant him such. George W. was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on September 23, 1855, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth Walk- er. He was well educated in the public schools then attended Moore's Hill College for one year, then at the age of twenty went to Butler county, Kansas, near Eldorado and commenced his career as school teacher. Three years and one-half were spent thus and also in attending school at Eldorado, Augusta, Douglas, and Winfield schools, after which he returned to his native place, teaching there one year. Then he went to Grinnell, Iowa, and there attended Newton school in 1880, also teaching some. He was at Grinnell dur- ing the memorable time when the cyclone tore things to pieces. In 1883 Mr. Walker went to Kansas, pur- chased a quarter section near Kingman, taught one term there and then returned to his native place to take to himself the wife of his choice, the lady being Miss Estelle, daughter of a prominent Baptist minister there, and a school mate of our subject, her parents being Allen A. and Sarah Anthony. Together they returned to the Kansas home and there wrought with faithful- ness until an attack of asthma, in 1888, permanently threatened the health of Mrs. Walker and they sold cut and came to Latah county, where happily occurred the entire recovery from this painful malady. They landed in Moscow on October 18, 1888, and soon bought a quarter section on Big Bear ridge and home- steaded another, the same being thirty miles east from Moscow. He remained on the farm eleven years en- gaged in horticulture, apple raising, and general farming, besides teaching school. His place is im- proved in splendid shape and is one of the most pro- ductive in the country. In June, 1899, they sold some of their property there and came to their present place, two and one-half miles northeast from Moscow which he bought and where he has made a home since. Mr. Walker has made a special study of fruit raising and he intends to put out twenty-four acres of apples in the spring, using Gano and Roman Beauty varieties, believing these the best for this section.

Three children have been born to this worthy couple, as follows : Ray A., educated at the state uni-

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

versity, is now the possessor of a county certificate good for three years, and is teaching school; Edna S., attending school at Moscow; Glen S., going to school. Mr. Walker came to his present place to edu- cate his children. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are active workers in this realm, he having been converted at the age of twenty. He is a stanch supporter of this faith. Mr. Walker was a settler on Big Bear ridge before Kendrick was started and had to come all the way to Moscow to do trading.

WILLIAM A. BUCHANAN. This gentleman is one of the well known and representative business men of Latah county and at the present time has the mammoth warehouse at Joel where he does a good business storing wheat for the farmers of the vicin- ity, while also he has a comfortable residence there. William A. Buchanan was born in Lee county, Iowa, on August 5, 1863, being the son of William H. and Phoebe (Short) Buchanan. His people removed to Newton county, Missouri, when our subject was a small boy, remaining there until he had reached the age of eight. At that time they removed to Oregon, settling east of Portland, where the family remained nine years. The father followed farming and after the residence at Portland, as mentioned above, he re- moved with the family to the Potlatch country and took a homestead, remaining there until the time of his death in 1886. Our subject operated the place at home for a number of years and then took a homestead in the same vicinity in 1889, remaining there for four years, and then he was appointed postmaster at Corn- wall which he held for two years. Subsequent to that time he went to Moscow where he staid until the spring of 1898, being occupied in the grain ware- houses. In 1898 he came to Joel and built the ware- house mentioned above. It is two hundred and sev- enty-six feet long and forty feet wide and is patron- ized in a generous measure. Mr. Buchanan is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 9645, at Cornwall. Socially he is highly esteemed and is an affable and amiable gentleman of worth and culture.

The marriage of Mr. Buchanan and Miss Lettie Alderman was solemnized on July 4, 1887, at Moscow, and they have become the parents of one child, Otis. Mrs. Buchanan's parents are E. W. and Joanna (Ellis) Alderman and her father has been a farmer for years in Idaho and at the present time is living on the reser- vation in Nez Perces county. Mr. Buchanan has dis- played in the time of his residence in this county an ability and energy and uprightness that commend him to the confidence, good will and respect of all.

GEORGE W. HADLEY. Among the farmers of Latah county, there should not be failure to menton the capable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who, although having been within the 47

precincts of Latah county but a short time, still has so identified himself with the interests of it that he is one of its substantial and enterprising citizens. George W. was born in Michigan, on March 8, 1848, being the son of Joseph and Julia (William) Hadley, natives respectively of England and Wales, who came 10 America in 1848, locating first in New York as farmers. They came west to Colorado in 1862, and thence in 1866, across the plains to Walla Walla, where the father identified himself with the agricultural population until the time of his death, which occurred in 1899. The mother died in 1879, and they both are buried in the Protestant cemetery in Walla Walla. Our subject received his first schooling in Denver, Colorado, being eighteen years of age when he started, and then in Walla Walla he also attended school some. He worked on the farms in the west until 1883, having come overland with his parents, then he bought a farm near Walla Walla for himself, raising wheat there until 1896, when he sold and came to Whitman county and from there to Latah county in 1901. Here he rented six hundred acres, seven miles west from Gen- esee and the first season he raised eight thousand bushels of wheat from two hundred acres of land. Mr. Hadley has twenty-seven head of horses and thirty- four cows and is well provided with all accoutrements to carry on the large estate that he handles.

In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hadley and Miss Anna, daughter of Robert and Jane (Scobil) Mathews ; the mother died in 1873, but the father still lives in Lake county, California. Seven children have been the fruit of this happy union, as follows: Mar- garet J., married to J. P. Tady, living in Whitman county, Washington : Frederick W., married to Annie Klein, living near Uniontown, Washington; Emma, wife of D. C. Trimmer, living near Uniontown : Dora, Fay, George W., and Arthur. Mr. Hadley is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 90, in Uniontown, and Mrs. Hadley affiliates with the Rebekahs, Lodge No. 100, in Uniontown. They are both members also of the Methodist church and are good citizens, faith- ful and dominated by sound principles and sagacity and integrity.

HON. DANIEL W. DRISKEL. This well known and representative stockman and agriculturist is one of the substantial men of Latah county and has wrought here with manifestation of ability and enter- prise. His farm is located three miles northeast from Moscow and is handled in a commendable manner. He was born in Porter township, Cass county, Michi- gan, to Dennis and Mary Driskel, early settlers of the state. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was of age, attending the public schools, complet- ing his education in the Constantine high school. At the age of twenty-four, in 1874, he bought a farm in the home neighborhood, tilling the soil there until 1883. Then he went to Monmouth, Oregon, pur- chased a farm and tilled the same and raised stock. He was overtaken with much misfortune here and the sad event of the death of his wife also occurred while

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

he was there. In the fall of 1888, he sold the farm and came to Latah county, purchasing the farm where he now lives, three miles northeast from Moscow.

The marriage of Mr. Driskel and Miss Nellie, daughter of Zachariah and Lucretia Denio, was sol- emnized on April 8, 1875, and two children were born to them; Fannie, wife of T. J. Taylor of Salmon, Idaho; Zach D., graduate of the high school and now assisting his father on the farm. On October 18, 1887, Mr. Driskel contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice on this occasion being Emma N. Nelms, and the nuptials occurred at Farmington, Washington. Mrs. Driskel's parents are, Henry P., a minister of the Methodist church and a farmer, and Sarah A. Mr. Driskel is a Republican and an en- thusiastic worker in the realın. In 1900 he was nomi- nated for the state legislature and was elected by a handsome majority. But on account of his party be- ing in the minority in the house, he was unable to do much legislation, although he was instrumental in as- sisting to gain an appropriation for the state univer- :sity which enabled them to erect a girl's dormitory and the hall of science. Also, Mr. Driskel assisted to gain the passage of the bill providing for the property road tax which has been very beneficial to the country. Mr. and Mrs. Driskel are members of the Christian church and he holds the position of elder in the Moscow con- gregation. He has also been clerk of the school board for a number of years. Mr. Driskel is a firm believer in the diversified plan of farming and proves its value in practical work. He has improved his farm in a fine manner, has a commodious barn, good out build- ings, and a fine residence. In the fall of 1901, he went to Michigan, called thither by the death of his father. He settled the estate and brought his aged mother home with him, where she lives at the present time. Mr. Driskel is one of the capable and progres- sive business men and has the esteem of all.

CHARLES HOBART. This gentleman is justly entitled to consideration in the history of Latah county since he assisted to open this country for settlement, has labored faithfully for its progress since that date, and has been a prominent citizen of the county, being a man of capabilities and integrity. Mr. Hobart was born in Licking county, Ohio, on November 17, 1845, being the son of Jonathan and Charlotte Hobart, who brought their young children to Iowa when he was ten years of age, settling in Fayette county. In that section our subject remained, acquiring an education, also gaining good exercise on the farm, until 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Iowa Infantry and at once took part in the Civil war. He was with Curtis in the Arkansas campaign and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he was wounded. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, also at Jackson, then in the battle of Chattanooga. When his time was completed he returned to Iowa and at once reenlisted in the same company and regiment and went to the sea with Sherman and remained with him until the close

of the entire conflict. Returning to Iowa he farmed in Fayette county for about ten years, then went to Adair county, near Creston and farmed and raised stock for four years. Then he removed to north- western Kansas and remained there until 1882, when the journey was made to Idaho. Arriving here, he selected a farm four miles east from Moscow and there settled to work, producing the fruits of the field and raising stock. Eighteen years were spent in this work, and then Mr. Hobart removed to his present place, seven miles east from Moscow. This farm has two hundred acres and is well improved. In addi- tion to this labor, he has operated a threshing outfit for nineteen years, having had success in this line as in his other labors.

On January 27, 1868, in Macomb, Illinois, Mr. Hobart married Miss Lavina, daughter of James and Elizabeth Lenington, and the following children have been born to them; James L., married to Elizabeth Decker in Nezperce; Edwin, married to Adella Denny also in Nezperce; Jacob I., married to Elvira Dollar- hide and living in this county : Leona, wife of Francis Hill, in Nezperce; Clifton, at home; Nellie, wife of John K. Brnce. Mr. Hobart is one of the esteemed citizens of the county, has an enviable standing and re- ceives the confidence of all.

THOMAS A. SMITH. One of Latah county's prosperous and enterprising farmers is mentioned above and it is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant him a representation in the county history since he has wrought with the true spirit of progress and en- crgy that have made these vast regions the abode of civilization. He was born in the grand old country of England, in Leicester county, on March 8, 1836, being the son of Thomas and Ann Smith, the father being a farmer, baker and brewer. Thomas A. was an inmate of the parental household until the time of his majority came and then he started for himself, coming di- rect to the new world. He accompanied a neighbor and family, and it was their lot to land the day the famous battle of Bull Run was fought. From New York, he went to Illinois, and engaged in farming, but soon removed to Oceana county, Michigan, and farmed there for seventeen years. In that time he cleared one hundred acres of land from heavy timber and set it to orchard and produced the fruits of the soil. He then sold this property and came to Chi- cago and started a meat market. During the years in which he operated that, the great Chicago fire oc- curred, but he did not suffer from that conflagration. Soon after this event, in fact his ceritficate of marri- age was the second recorded after the fire, Mr. Smith married Ann, daughter of William and Mary John- stone, on October 12, 1871. Soon after this important event, they decided to come west and so took passage over the Union Pacific railroad to Washington, coming via Sacramento. Twenty-one days later, they landed in Lamota, and came thence direct to Whitman county. Mr. Smith bought a farm near the Idaho line in the

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

year 1887, and in 1800 he added another quarter see- tion just across the line into Idaho, where he removed, renting the former land. Since that time, Mr. Smith has made Latalı county his home and expresses a de- sire to pass the remainder of his days within its pre- cincts. Mr. Smith has a very productive farm and in addition to the abundant erops of wheat, oats, and barley, he markets a great deal of fruit and vegeta- bles. Mr. Smith is never forward in the political arena, being disposed to quietly pass his time in the prosecution of his private industries. He and his es- timable wife are members of the Church of England. and regular attendants in Moscow.

SAMUEL H. TRITT. The subject of this article was born in Newville, Pennsylvania, on February 14, 1852, to Samuel and Julia A. Tritt. He received his education in the native place and was reared on the old homestead, where the father died when this son had reached the age of majority. This sad event transferred the responsibility of the control of home affairs upon Samuel for two years, when death claimed the mother also. The farm was then disposed of and the orphaned children were scattered. In the spring of 1876, Samuel H. came to Michigan and worked for his brother-in-law in a flour mill for two years, then went to Kansas, bought a quarter section near Rus- sell, farmed it for two years, then sold out and went to Manhattan, Kansas, taking up the stock business. In 1883 he went to Ellis county, took government land and farmed for seven years, proving up on his land in the meantime. Selling out, he returned to Manhat- tan and two years later was determined to see the west and accordingly chartered a car, filled it with house- hold goods, several head of extra fine Jersey cows, a team, and some farm implements and came direet to Latah county. He settled on eighty acres on Ameri- can ridge, but sold it in one year later and took charge of the poor farm for three and one-half years. After that period he bought the farm where he lives now, four miles northwest from Moscow, it being a wild piece of land at that time. He has manifested great industry, wise management, and skill in the care of this land and has transformed it into one of the best farms in the county. He has fine buildings, as residence, out buildings, barns and so forth, while he has abundant returns from the crops each year. His herds are made up of excellent Jerseys and he does some skillful work in handling the different grasses as brome-grass, tim- othy, red clover, and so forth. He sold the seed of one and one-half aeres of the first crop of brome-grass for thirty dollars, reserving the hay for himself.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 177

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