An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 201

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 201
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 201
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 201
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 201

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work for Mr. Post, Mr. Keyser removed Spokane and took a squatter's right on the land where Union Park is now located. J. Scranton and James Downing were the oldest settlers of that now populous city and Mr. Keyser came next. The former men sold to J. Glover. Mr. Keyser has the distinction of having the first white child born into his family that was born in Rathdrum and the Indians were especially proud of that child. In 1874 Mr. Key- ser sold out and removed to Trent where he took land and remained for fifteen years. In 1889 he removed to Priest river and located a homestead and to this he has added betimes by purchase until his estate is now four hundred and forty-six acres of good land. He has fine buildings, as barns, outbuildings, residences, and so forth. He raises considerable hay and handles about one hundred head of cattle each year, turning off about thirty annually. Mr. Keyser has the distinc- tion of starting the town of Priest River. In 1902 he built a business block in the town, also he has a resi- dence there which he rents, and he is in the mercantile business in town, in addition to his farm and stock.

In 1869 Mr. Keyser married Miss Emma Eresch who died in 1883, at Spokane, Washington, leaving two children, Louisa, wife of Wenzel K. Koreis and

living on Spokane Prairie, Washington; Malinda, the first white child born in Rathdrum, now married to M. Bonne, at Latah, Washington. In 1885 Mr. Keyser married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth Fuschs, natives of Germany, and now liv- ing on Spokane Prairie, Washington. To this union three children have been born, Henry J., Anna, and John. Mr. Keyser is liberal in politics. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 67, at Priest River. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church and they are highly respected people.

KRESZENZ. KRAMER. This well known and enterprising business woman is deserving of especial mention in this volume of Kootenai county's history since she is one whose labors have accomplished much for the upbuilding of the country, and her integrity, sound principles and unswerving loyalty to right have given her the untrammeled admiration and esteem of all who may have the pleasure of her acquaintance.

Mrs. Kramer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on February 25, 1862, being the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kolb) Fusches, natives of Germany, coming to America in the fall of 1884, whither this daughter had come in the earlier part of the year. They now live on Spokane prairie and own nine hun- dred acres of land, handle much stock and are wealthy. Our subject received her education in the Sisters schools until fourteen years and then attended Sunday school for four years. After leaving the academy, she worked out until twenty-three, giving her wages to her parents. In 1886 she met Franz M. Kramer in Chicago and after their marriage they came to the Pend Orielle river, locating a farm, which she still owns. It was 1880 that they came here and soon after Mr. Kramer was taken sick and for ten years he was unable to work and the entire responsibility fell upon Mrs. Kramer and during this time she operated a wholesale butcher shop, supplying the north country and she did much of the slaughtering herself. Thus was her stability and courage manifested to meet the hardships and labors of life in this frontier country. Mr. Kramer died in 1002, leaving his widow and one child, Theresia, now going to school in Spokane at the Sisters academy. In 1902 Mrs. Kramer started a hotel in Priest River, which she is operating at the present time. The hotel is having a good patronage and is building up a fine business. In addition to this, Mrs. Kramer handles a nine hundred acre farm, which she owns three and one-half miles up the Priest river. This fine estate has one hundred acres under cultiva- tion and Mrs. Kramer handles about fifty head of cat- tle annually. Mrs. Kramer is a member of the Catho- lic church and is a stanch supporter of the faith. Mrs. Kramer has the respect and esteem of all and she has manifested a truly noble and courageous spirit in the conduct of her business and in bearing up against the hardships and labors that have fallen to her lot. It manifests great skill and good business ability that in all of this she has won a success that would do credit

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to a first class financier and it is all due to her good management and fine practical judgment coupled with executive force and wisdom. On August II, 1902, Mrs. Kramer married Mr. Samuel Rowsell and they now live on their farm.

WILLIAM E. REINHART, who in partnership with his brother is operating a sawmill on the North- ern Pacific, is one of the industrious young men of the county and is accomplishing a good work in his enterprise, having always demonstrated himself to be capable, upright, and dominated by sagacity.

William E. Reinhart was born in Faribault, Min- nesota, September 19, 1872, being the son of William D. and Emaline (Smith) Reinhart, who are men- tioned in this work. William was educated in Min- nesota and Dakota, having come to the latter state in 1880. In 1888 he came to Kootenai county, Idaho, and since that time has identified himself with the interests and development of the county in a very efficient and becoming manner. He and his brother were the owners and operators of a threshing outfit for many years and in 1900 they erected their present mill, which is a first-class plant of fifteen thousand feet capacity. They are occupied most of the time in sawing ties for the Northern Pacific and are doing a good business. Mr. Reinhart is a man of excel- lent standing and has friends from every quarter. He is active in the realm of politics and is an inde- pendent thinker.

LOUIS CHAMBARD. In energy, sagacity, enterprise, courage and geniality, together with up- rightness, the subject of this sketch stands exception- ally well among his fellows, being a man whose labors have been felt to the remotest parts of the county and one who has done much for its upbuilding.

Louis Chambard was born in Fayette, Fulton county, Ohio, on January 27, 1855, the son of Peter F. and Irene (Baker) Chambard, natives respectively of France and New York. The father came to America in 1835, locating in Wayne county, Ohio, and he still lives in Favette, that state, at the age of eighty. The mother died in Fayette in 1878, being buried there. Our subject was educated in the com- mon schools of his native place and then spent two years in Cornell University. He worked in a grocery and in other capacities about six years and then mar- ried and settled to farming. It was 1887 that he came to Kootenai county and took a homestead three miles east from Rathdrum, also purchasing a quarter of railroad land. This is the family home today and it is well improved with good buildings and residence, and grain and hay are the principal crops. Mir. Chambard has a good orchard, a number of cattle and various other property. In the Buffalo Hump excite- ment he took a leading part in the opening of the country, building the first house in the camp and now owns good property there. Mr. Chambard has the

distinction of being the real originator of the Popu- iist party in he county, being the first central com- mittee chairman and doing much to get the movement started. He received the nomination for county treasurer against Frank O. Hill, but as the county is Republican he was defented by a small ma- jority. Again, in 1896, he was nominated against John C. Callahan, who was a man of both the old parties, and Mr. Chambard was beaten by only sixty votes. Mr. Chamberd was also the moving spirit in the organi- zation of district fifteen, of which he has for a long time been director.

It was in 1882 that Mr. Chambard and Miss Emma, daughter of Fred and Amanda (Herrick) Allen, natives of Ohio, the father deceased, but the mother still living in Kenton, Ohio, were united in marriage, and to them have been born two children: Fredrick B., going to school in Rathdrum; Kittie I., going to district school. Mr. Allen is buried at Swanton, Ohio, having been dead some time. Mr Chambard is a member of the K. of P., Panhandle Lodge No. 13, and his wife is a member of the Rath- bone Sisters, Syringa Temple No. 4. Mr. Cham- bard is one of the leading and prominent men of the county and is highly esteemed wherever he is known.

SAMUEL L. SMITH. Numbered among the leading citizens of Kootenai county is the subject of this aricle, and his family home is on a fine farm two miles south from Rathdrum, where he has made a commendable showing, having an excellent house, commodious barn and out buildings, with an orchard of sixteen hundred trees of all varieties of fruits that grow to perfection in this climate. Mr. Smith is one of the leading men of the county and popular in every way. This is evidenced, as in 1890 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for county commissioner and in every precinct he received a handsome ma- jority, swelling his total majority to a fine showing. He has been justice of the peace, being the first in- cumbent of that office in Rathdrum. In his business career, Mr. Smith has been enterprising, dominated with sagacity and vigor and has gained a good suc- cess.

Reverting more particularly to his personal his- tory, we note that he was born in Tioga county, New York, on June 15, 1832, being the son of Selah and Sally (Roggers) Smith, natives respectively of Con- necticut and Maine. They married and lived in New York, where the father was known as Squire Smith, being a prominent man of his section. He was a farmer and lumberman and is buried in Tioga county, New York, while the mother rests in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Our subject studied in the pub- lic schools and then entered the New York Central College, at the age of seventeen. He studied a time there and then a maiden stole his heart and he dropped the dry books and got married. He then taught school and also writing school for four years and then went to railroading. He continued at this for thirty-

WILLIAM E. REINHART.

MRS. LOUIS CHAMBARD.

LOUIS CHAMBARD.

SAMUEL L. SMITH.

MRS. SAMUEL L. SMITH.

JOHN H. DANNER.

THOMAS N. FEELY.

MRS. THOMAS N. FEELY.

ERNEST E. REINHART.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

five years, running on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul, then took the first company train into Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1867, and the next year the first train into Laramie. Then we find him on the railroads in Wisconsin, then on the Union Pacific, then on the Northern Pacific, and in 1884 he invested his hard earnings, which amounted to more than nine thousand dollars, and in September, of the same year, all was burned to the ground. Mr. Smith determined not to be thwarted in this line and so went to work and took a homestead where he now lives, the same having been the scene of his labors since. He made a good record on the road, being one of the most trustworthy men in the service, and now he is enjoy- ing the second fortune that he has wrought out.

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Sarah L. Purdy was solemnized in 1851, and she died in 1858, and was buried in Dodge county, Wisconsin, leaving two children, Sarah F., married to S. M. Lehmer, of Cheyenne : Lottie, wife of Ames Halley, of Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1862 Mr. Smith married Jeanette Herrick, daughter of Job and Hannah (Cummings) Herrick, natives respectively of Con- necticut and Vermont. The father is buried in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Dodge county, Wisconsin. To this happy union there have been born seven children, named as follows: Maud, wife of A. D. Robinson, living in Spokane; Carroll, married to Mary Woods, living in Hot Springs, South Dakota; S. Burton, married to Cora Watters, living in Ouray, Colorado; Lulu N., married to Monroe Kanouse, living in Madison, Wisconsin ; Stella E., wife of C. L. Heitman, in Rathdrum ; Addie, wife of F. B. Allbaugh, in Spokane: Halley R., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian church, and they are worthy citizens and have an enviable standing in the community. Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican and was one of the organizers of that party in his home town in Wiscon- sin, in 1858.

JOHN H. DANNER. This enterprising young gentleman is one of the substantial and influential citizens of Kootenai county, and is at present handling a farm two and one-half miles east from Postfalls, which is the family home at this time.

John H. Danner was born in Ionia, Michigan, on September 30, 1866, being the son of Simon and Christinia C. (Heydlauff) Danner, natives respective- ly of Pennsylvania and Michigan, their parents being natives of Germany. They came to this country in 1837 and settled in Michigan when it was a territory. Our subject's father was a farmer in Ionia county, and had one of the finest farms in the entire state. He died in 1897 and the mother is conducting the estate now. John H. gained his primary training from the common schools and then went to Poucher Business College, graduating therefrom in 1889. He then came west to Postfalls and worked at carpenter work for a time and in 1892, went to Chicago College of Pharmacy, hut on account of failing health, he was

obliged to forego the course that he had expected to take, and in 1895 he came back to Postfalls. He bought eighty acres from the railroad company and a once went to improving it. He moved on to the place in 1898, and he has it well improved now. He has a good house, fine barn, poultry house, a good orchard, one-half acre to berries, and the place well fenced and cross fenced. He also has ten head of cattle and horses sufficient for the operation of the farm. Mr. Danner also has some property in Post- talls.

On December 29, 1890, Mr. Danner married Miss Sovial H., daughter of George W. and Hattie (Dill) Knox, natives of Maine. They came west to Spo- kane, Washington, in 1887, and now live at Zillah, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Danner there has been born one child, Robert E. Mr. Danner is actively interested in political matters, being allied with the Democrats. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Imperial Lodge No. 134, of Spokane; and of the M. W. A., Camp 7228, at Postfalls.

THOMAS N. FEELY. This gentleman is a good example of industry, thrift, and perseverance, and to these qualities, dominated by keen sagacity gained through practical experience, he owes his suc- cess, which is gratifying and substantial. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land, three miles south from Rathdrum, which is a model farm, being improved with fine residence, good barns, out- buildings and fences and so forth, while he has a fine orchard and two cisterns holding two hundred bar- rels each. Altogether his estate is not only a good dividend producer but is a comfortable and enjoyable rural abode. He has forty-five head of stock, sells about one hundred tons of oats each year, besides much hay and considerable other grain and farm prod- ucts. He is one of the well-to-do and prosperous farmers of the county and is deserving of the pros- perity that he enjoys, being always alert to care for his business and look after details.

Noticing the personal points of detail in his life we note that Mr. Feely was born on July 11, 1846, but was left an orphan at nine months of age and he knew but the hand of strangers to guide and shape his life. Umphry May raised him until eleven and then he went to work for James H. Garner, in the vicinity of Chicago, where he was born, and to this last man much credit is due, for Mr. Feely says, "He raised me and made a man of me." Ten years were spent with this good man and then young Feely went to Iowa. He had received but little schooling and has had to gain his knowledge by careful personal obser- vation and digging in the books alone. He worked eleven years in Iowa and married Miss Alice M. Kemp in 1875. She was raised by an uncle and knows but little of her parents, so when this worthy couple started out in life it was pretty well alone and they had learned to prize a good home. Mr. Feely rented land in Iowa and then bought eighty acres in Shelby county, and two years later sold it and came to Wash-

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

ington. He located at Rockford on a homestead, where he was for eight years. Then he sold and came to Kootenai county. He located first on the Pend Oreille river and for five years tried the stock business, but not being successful, he came to Rath- drum prairie and rented land. Later he bought his place described above and he has gained his present holding by his faithful labor and wise management. To Mr. and Mrs. Feely there have been born eleven chil- dren, named as follows: James J., Charles W., Clar- ence H., Effie L., Irvin E., Gracy G., Adda A., Cor- bon P., Austin L., Guy R. and Irma G. All are single and live at home or in the vicinity.

ERNEST E. REINHART is a promoter of sub- stantial industries in Kootenai county, having been handling a steam thresher for some time, while also he has a fine sawmill six miles east from Rathdrum, and also gives considerable attention to lumbering in the woods. He is one of the first-class men of the vicinity, has done good work and is held in esteem? and approval by all the people, having displayed both commendable characteristics in the business world, while his integrity and uprightness are manifest to all.

Ernest E. was born in Pine Island, Minnesota, on August 3, 1868, being the son of W. D. and Emeline (Smith) Reinhart, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. They came to Minnesota in 1860, remain- ing there until 1879. Then they removed to North Dakota and in 1888 they came to Kootenai county. They purchased two hundred acres of good land one and one-half miles east from Rathdrum, where they live now and where also are the headquarters of our subject. Ernest E. began his educational training in Pine Island and completed the same in Wilmot, South Dakota. He remained with his father until he was thirty years of age, then started threshing with his brother, which they have followed since that time. In 1900 they erected a mill known as the Reinhart saw- mill, six miles east from Rathdrum. He employs eighteen men and cuts as high as forty thousand ties in one year, besides other lumber and timbers.

Mr. Reinhart is one of a large family of children, named as follows: Isabel, wife of H. E. Thompson, in Raleigh, North Carolina : William E .; Eva, wife of C. A. McDonaald, m Rathdrum; Cora, deceased ; Myrtle, Ida, Delia, Gertie, Lila, Roy, Ethel, Vivian, and Ernest E., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Rein- hart is a member of the I. O. O. F., Rathdrum Lodge No. 73. He is allied with the Democrats in political affairs and is keenly interested in the issues of that realm. He is a man of activity, good practical judg- ment, sound principles and has conducted himself in a becoming manner before his fellows.

CHANCEY EDWIN GUTHRIE. This young and enterprising farmer and stockman of the vicin- ity of Copeland is entitled to representation in the county history on account of his labors for upbuild-

ing and improvement, because he is one of the sub- stantial and reliable man of this section, and because lic is possessed of integrity and sound principles.

Chancey Guthrie was born in Tama county, Iowa, on July 31, 1879, being the son of R. J. and Eliza J. (Poland) Guthrie, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. While our subject was still young he was taken with his family to Boulder, Montana, where he received a good high school education, grad- uating from that institution in 1897. Following that he was salesman in a store for two years and then he came to this county. He at once homesteaded the land where he is now located, one mile north from Copeland. He has a quarter section, half meadow and the balance upland. He has an orchard of two hun- dred and fifty trees and raises considerable stock.

In 1901 Mr. Guthrie married Miss Anna L., daughter of V. W. and Anna ( Siverson) Washburn, mention of whom is made in this volume.

Mr. Guthrie is fraternally affiliated with the M. W. A. at Porthill and in this as among his fellows generally he stands well.

ARTHUR E. BUNTING. Among the earliest men to penetrate the wilds of the lower Kootenai valley, we must mention the esteemed gentleman whose name appears above. Mr. Bunting is one of the real pioneers of this country and has been one of the vigorous men whose labors have transformed it into the abode of civilization. He is of exceptionally good standing and is a man of sound principles and deserving of the encomiums of an appreciative people, which he en- joys in generous measure.

Arthur E. Bunting was horn in Woodstock, New Brunswick, on December 29, 1855, being the son of Robert and Mary A. (Weatherbee) Bunting, natives of England and New Brunswick, respectively. They are mentioned in another portion of this volume. Our subject received a good common school education in his native place, remained on the farm with his father until twenty-one and then removed to Rat Portage, and thence, in 1884, to the Kootenai valley. He at once entered the employ of the well known pioneer, Richard Fry, as salesman in the latter's store. He soon occupied the position of general manager of the establishment, and remained thus employed for four years. Then he took a homestead where he now re- sides, one and one-fourth miles west from Bonners Ferry, it being the first homestead taken in this portion of the valley, and Mr. Bunting was the pioneer of the important industry of farming in the now wealthy and fertile valley of the Kootenai. He has a fine place, raises hay and handles stock and also raises consider- able fruit.

In 1885 Mr. Bunting married Miss Christine, daughter of Richard and Jestine (Ira) Fry, especial mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Fry was a thorough frontiersman in the true sense of the word and that means in addition to cour-

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

age, physical powers of endurance, skill, wisdom and excellent practical judgment, a large heart and frank- ness, with a firm adherence to the principles of right. The mother of Mrs. Bunting is a descendant of the Colvilles and a beautiful romance attaches to her life in connection with her husband. His brother had been killed by the Indians and he was in great danger of being massacred, in fact, it was surely contemplated, and this faithful woman took a canoe and risking her own life, warned Mr. Fry of the impending danger and thus he fled and saved his life. He sought the noble woman who had thus befriended him and soon made her his wife. Mrs. Bunting is the oldest dangh- ter of Mr. Fry and she accompanied her father on many trips in the wildness of the country and has seen all the hardships and dangers of real pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting are among the leaders in this sec- tion and are prominent people, while their worth and integrity are well known to all. They are members of the Episcopal church.

GEORGE B. WHITNEY. One of the leading farmers and stockmen in the vicinity of Copeland, a man of intelligence and enterprise, this subject is ac- corded representation in the history of his county and we append an epitome of his career.

George B. Whitney was born in Marshall, Michi- gan to Kootenai valley in 1891. The father located and Ida (Ansley) Whitney, who came from Michi- gan, to Kootenai valley in 1891. The father located on a homestead in the valley and in 1898, he removed to Porthill and is now engaged in operating a hotel there. Our subject received his first educational training in his native place and then graduated in 1886, from the Detroit Business University. He came to this valley in 1891, located on unsurveyed land, which proved to belong to the railroad, and then he bought it and homesteaded another piece. In ad- dition to this half section, he owns in company with his father another quarter, making him a fine estate of four hundred acres. This land is devoted to gen- eral farm products, hay and the pasture of stock. Mr. Whitney owns and handles from twenty-five to fifty head of stock. He is a man of enterprise and is counted one of the substantial men of the valley.

In 1896 Mr. Whitney married Miss Nellie T., daughter of Volney and Anna (Siverson) Washburn, natives of New York and Norway, respectively. Mrs. Washburn came from Norway with her father in 1852, aged twelve, and met her husband in Illinois. After marriage they came west in 1884 and after a decade in Wardner, they removed to Kootenai valley, where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of two children, one of whom is living, Hazel L. Mr. Whitney enjoys the good will and confidence of his fellows and is to be credited with much done to improve and develop this country. He is a man of energy and has labored with assiduity and real perse- verance since coming here.

GEORGE E. ANDREWS is one of the leading men of the vicinity of Copeland, being located about two miles north from the village and the proprietor of seven hundred and sixty acres of fine meadow and up- land. This fine estate is the acquisition of his skillful and well bestowed labors, and is handled in a becoming manner. Mr. Andrews is personally a man possessed of a genial and affable spirit, dominated with a wisdom and keen perception which place him among the best finan- ciers of the valley and he numbers his friends from every quarter.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 201

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