An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 202

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 202
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 202
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 202
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 202

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George E. Andrews was born in Exeter, Maine, on April 2, 1867, being the son of Elkana and Subrina (Whitaker) Andrews, also natives of Maine. The mother died in 1880, and the father the following year. Our subject was thus early left to his own re- sources. He had received a good schooling at Levant, whither the family had removed after his birth, and thus fortified, he went forth to do for himself. He wrought in the saw mills and spool factories for five years and then spent two years in a pulp mill. It was in 1892 that he came to the west, locating first in Spokane, whence two years later he came to his present place. He purchased railroad land, and then added continually each year more by purchase, also taking a homestead, until he has the mammoth estate mentionel above. He cuts about three hundred tons of hay annually, raises one hundred head of cattle and does a general farming business. Mr. Anderson has manifested his skill and ability in the management of his interests here and is one of the leading spirits of the valley.

In 1901 Mr. Andrews married Miss Maggie J., daughter of Malcolm and Izabella ( Roberts) Gillis, mention of whom is made in this volume, elsewhere, and to this happy union one child has been born, George W. Mr. Andrews is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Milo, Maine. He is a man whose life com- mands the respect of all and he has done very much for the advancement of the interests of this conutry.

JOHN CALDWELL is one of the men who has recently been attracted to the fertile valley of the Koote- nai, where he is now located on a homestead. about two miles northeast from Copeland. Mr. Caldwell is one of the substantial men of the valley, has demon- strated his ability and shown marked integrity and real worth of character and is held in high esteem by his fellows.

John Caldwell was born in Rochester. New York, on February 16, 1867, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (McClain) Caldwell, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. They came to America when young and lived in New York state for forty years. Then they went to Manitoba, in 1898, where the fa- ther died in 1809, the mother preceding him. Our subject was raised in Rochester, and there gained a good city schooling and at the age of sixteen went to do for himself. He went to Michigan and engaged on

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

the railroad. He fired for two years then operated an engine for five years, holding positions on the Duluth and Lake Shore, and Northern Pacific. Later he went to North Dakota and acted as expert for the Doyle & Smith Threshing Machine Company. In 1898, we find him in Lewiston in a similar position for the W. Codd company. He then came to the Kootenai valley and freighted for the construction of the K. V. railroad after which he took his present farm as a homestead. He handles some stock, puts up hay, does a general farming business, and is making a good orchard. Mr. Caldwell has done well in improving his farm and is one of the enterprising men of the valley. He is a member of the M. W. A. at Port Hill, being banker and manager of the Camp, and he is also Camp lect- turer. Mr. Caldwell is still in the thraldom of bachelor- dom, being content with its quieter joys rather than the uncertainty of the matrimonial sea. He is a man who is entitled to the respect of his fellows and it is but right to say that in a generous measure he enjoys it as well as the admiration and good will of all.

MALCOLM GILLIS. It is a pleasure for us to grant to the esteemed and capable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, a representation in the history of his county, since he has done much for the development of the same, has maintained an untar- nished reputation and is one of the public minded and stable men of the Kootenia valley.

Malcolm Gillis was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, on February 15, 1854, being the son of Archie and Catherine (Mckinnon) Gillis, natives of Cape Breton, where they still reside on a farm. Our sub- ject has two uncles who are editors of literary journals in Scotland, one cousin who is a member of the par- liament from North Territory and another cousin who is editor of the Scotch Echo, in Sidney, Cape Breton. Our subject received a common schooling in his native place and he remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years old. Then he railroaded in Nova Scotia for three years, after which he followed the same business in Winnepeg for three years. Returning to Nova Scotia, he bought land and farmed for four- teen years. His next move was to Colorado, where he mined six years and then we find him in Kablo, British Columbia, acting on the police force. He was on the Crow's Nest Pass railroad for two years and in 1899, he came to the Kootenai valley and after one year on the railroad, he located his present place, two miles north from Copeland. To this land he added one hun- dred and twenty acres of meadow land and he handles stock, putting up the hay on this land for them. Mr. Gillis is active in political matters and in Cape Breton he was county commissioner for five years and in Kaslo was a member of the police force.

In 1882, Mr. Gillis married Miss Isabella, daughter of Duncan and Margaret (McDonald) Robertson, na- tives of Capt Breton, where they still live. To this happy union there have been horn four children, John A., living in Coeur d' Alene : Maggie J., wife of George

E. Andrews, in Kootenai valley; Annie and Collin H., both at home with their parents. Our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are reliable and highly respected citizens, being esteemed by all.

CHARLES B. WILLIAMSON was born in Ber- gen, Norway, on December 14, 1847. His father was a merchant near that place. The son was educated in Bergen and then went to sea, which he followed four years, commencing as a green hand and working up to the position of first mate. In this arduous under- taking, he manifested great skill and talent and worthily gained the prominent position on board ship which he held at the time he quit the sea. He has personally visited every port of any importance in the known world and has had great experience among all nations. In this long seafaring life, Mr. William- son had many thrilling adventures and some exciting times. Dangers of all kinds have confronted him and hardships have been endured. Once on the coast of France, while sailing in a Norwegian vessel, he suf- fered shipwreck with total loss of the ship. Once on the coast of Oregon, he was wrecked. This last oc- curence was in 1884 and he was sailing in the steamer Victoria. At this juncture, Mr. Williamson deter- mined to quit the dangerous life of the sea, and so came to Riparia, Washington, and there went to herd- ing sheep. Thence he came to his present location, two miles above Emida, on Santa creek, where he took a homestead and commenced to raise stock. Mr. Williamson had never been favored with any experi- ence in this enterprise and therefore he had much to contend with, but despite all that, he has gone forward with great wisdom and has been successful. He has a fine holding of stock, owns a quarter section of good land, mostly timothy land and has eighty acres of timber land. Mr. Williamson began his land career with but little of this world's goods, but has now in- creased until he is one of the substantial men of this community.

THOMAS F. WILLIAMSON, who is now numbered among the prosperous farmers of the Saint Mary's river valley, lives one mile southeast from Emida, where he has a quarter section, which he se- cured by homestead right and which is improved and made into a model farm, producing large quantities of timothy. Thomas F. Williamson was born near Bergen, Norway, on November 8, 1850, being a de- scendant of the fearless Vikings of historic fame. The father was a merchant and this son was reared and educated in his native place. When fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to a ship building company to learn the machinist's trade, completing the term when he was twenty-one. Then he took a position in the merchant marine as fireman and by his close attention to business and merit he won by steady degrees the responsible position of assistant chief engineer and in this capacity he served for six years, visiting nearly

CHARLES B. WILLIAMSON.

THOMAS F. WILLIAMSON.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

every known port of any importance in the world. Then he left the sea and came to New York, taking a position as machinist, resigning six months later to accept a position with the Northwestern line as ex- pert in their engine shops. Sixteen months later we see him in Carthage, Missouri, in charge of the en- gine. department of the Cartage woolen mills. After the mills burned down he went to the Indian Terri- tory and was engineer on the M. K. & T. line, where he remained until he came west. Mr. Williamson visited Portland first then bought the ferry at Eureka, Washington, which he operated for a year. Selling at that time he came to his present place and took the homestead mentioned and since Mr. Williamson has devoted himself exclusively to improving and han- dling his farm. He has the place well stocked and re- ceives annual returns in abundant crops, principally timothy. Mr. Williamson has manifested great wis- dom and industry in his labors and in the good work of making his land a valuable farm and he is to be congratulated on his success. He is one of the sub- santial and popular men of the neighborhood and is in first-class standing.

JAMES H. GUTHRIE. This substantial and well to do agriculturist and stockman has a good estate one mile north from Copeland, where he is engaged in gen- eral farming and raising stock and also does dairying. He is a man of energy and good ability and has made worthy achievements since he settled in this county.

James H. Guthrie was born in Iowa City. Johnson county, lowa, on February 6, 1863, being the son of R. J. and Eliza J. (Poland) Guthrie, natives of Ohio and West Virginia, respectively. They came to Iowa in 1852 and later lived in Montana for sixteen years and then came to this valley, where they now reside. They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom are living. James H. received a good common school education in his native place and remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old and then went to work on the neighboring farms. He remained thus engaged for five years when he removed to Boul- der, Montana, and there served one year as apprentice in a blacksmith shop. After that, he did contracting for ties, lumber and so forth with his brother. In 1891, they came to the Kootenai valley and engaged in the butcher business. Later he bought out his brother and took W. A. Nail as partner, conducting the shop until April, 1902. In May, 1892, Mr. Guthrie located the quarter section where he now resides, and since that time he has continually been adding improvements and now has a fine farm. Part is meadow and part is upland. He has a fine orchard and raises about thirty head of cattle.

In 1894, Mr. Guthrie married Miss Martha A., daughter of V. N. and Anna ( Sievert) Washburn, na- tives of New York and Norway, respectively. The mother came from Norway with her father, her mother having died in that country. The father later came to Kootenai valley and died here in 1901. To Mr. and

Mrs. Guthrie there have been born five children, Chaney E., Della R., James H., Eliza J., William R. Mr. Guthrie is a member of the M. W. A. of Porthhill. He is not connected with any church but practices the rule of doing to others as you would wish them to do by you.

MARION GUTHRIE. Among those who have opened the way into the wilderness of nature in the Kootenai valley portion of our county, we are con- strained to mention the estimable and industrious young man whose name is at the head of this article. He dwells adjacent to the village of Copeland, where he is improving a piece of land which he has taken with his homestead right from the government.

Marion Guthrie was born in Tama county, Iowa. on February 17, 1870, being the son of R. J. and Eliza J. (Poland) Guthrie, natives of Ohio and Virginia. respectively. The mother came to Ohio when young, then she and her husband came to Iowa. Thence they went to Montana, where they dwelt for sixteen years and in 1899 they came to the Kootenai valley, where they now reside, being with their son, the subject of this article. Marion received the beginning of his edu- cation in Iowa and after the move to Montana, he was favored with four years of good training in the public schools. He has always remained with his parents. being thus far in his career content to quietly follow the celebatarian's life, rather than venture on the matri- monial sea. He does considerable traveling in the course of his labors, having been twice to Oregon in the last year. Upon coming to the valley, Mr. Guthrie took land which later proved to be an Indian allotment, and then he took the land where he now re- sides adjoining the town of Copeland. In addition to this, he and his brother have bargained for four hun- dred acres of railroad land .! Mr. Guthrie has four brothers and one sister, M. J., living in Union, Oregon ; John W .. living in Montana ; Emma B., wife of Perry Tefft, of Boulder, Montana: Henry, living in Cope- land ; Chaney E., in Copeland. Mr. Guthrie takes an active interest in the questions of the day and is allied with the Democrats in political matters.

HENRY R. EDWARDS is one of the younger men whose labors are developing the fine natural re- sources of Kootenai county and he is an industrious and upright citizen, his home being one and one half miles north from Bonners Ferry, where he has a fine piece of timber. He is devoting his energies to its im- provement, also placing on the market ties, poles, and so forth.

Henry R. Edwards was born in Woodbury county, Iowa. on March 14, 1872, being the son of John J. and Harriet (Said) Edwards, who removed to South Da- kota in 1901, where they reside now. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are still hving, named as follows: Mary, wife of John Kee- gan. in South Dakota : Matlida, wife of James Rich-

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ards, in Iowa: John M., single, living in South Da- kota : Lizzie B., single and also living in South Dakota ; Edgar, there also; Bessie : Raymond; Rosemond; Cy- rus ; Christian : Henry, the immediate subject of this article. Henry received a good common schooling in Iowa. utilizing the winters for that training while his summers were spent in vigorous exercise on the farm with his father. When he reached his majority, he rented a farm in Woodbury county for two years, but success did not crown his efforts as he desired, and so he went to work by the month, continuing in that line until 1800. In that year he determined to see the west for himself and accordingly set out. He landed in Kootenai county in due time and after proper explora- tion and investigation, he settled on his present farm. To the improvement and clearing of this, he has de- voted himself since that time and is one of the respected and promising citizens of this wealthy county.

It is interesting as a reminiscence that Mr. Ed- wards' maternal grandfather was a prisoner in the Black Hawk war. His mother had two brothers in the Civil war and his father had many relatives in the same conflict.

JAMES A. GRAHAM. Two and one-half miles east from Porthill lives the subject of this article. Mr. Graham has shown the spirit and sturdy qualities of the real pioneer, has hewed liis home out of the forests of nature and has made all the improvements of his place with his own hands. This land was taken as a homestead from the government. It was not his first choice, however, as he settled in 1891 on an unsurveved quarter, but finding later that it was railroad land, he vacated it and took the present place. Mr. Graham does general farming, raises some stock and pays con- siderable attention to fruit. He is one of the intelli- gent and influential men of the community, is always active and takes an interest in the affairs of govern- ment and local matters. Mr. Graham finds the Demo- cratic party to be more nearly allied with his views than any other and therefore he is numbered among them. He was a delegate to the county convention at Coeur d'Alene this past year and is always found in the ranks working with zeal and enthusiasm.

Reverting more to his early history we note that James A. Graham was born in Blanket Hill, Penn- sylvania, on April 16, 1854, being the son of William and Catherine (Blaney) Graham, also natives of the same place, where they remained until the time of their death. The mother passed away in 1871 and the father followed in 1894. The grandfather of our sub- jeet was a veteran of the war of 1812. James re- ceived a good country schooling in the native place and remained with his parents until he was twenty- two. Then he migrated to Illinois and toiled on a farm for a couple of years, after which he traveled over the entire south. Not finding the country to his faney, he came to Ogden, Utah, in 1878. Later he was in Helena, Montana, until 1883, and then found his way to Coeur d'Alene in the time of the gold

excitement. There he prospected until 1886 and then came to Kootenai county. He labored there and in Washington until 1891 and then settled on the land as stated above.

In fraternal affiliations Mr. Graham is united with the I. O. O. F. Mr. Graham has four sisters and five brothers and the following ones are living: Nancy J., wife of W. A. Blose, in Blanket Hill; Margaret J., wife of W. J. MeConal, in Minnesota ; William A., married and residing in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; David A., also married and dwelling in the same place ; Joseph B., in Kalispell, Montana; Harry A., in Kootenai valley.

HENRY WANDEL lives five miles east from Porthill on a farm that he took in 1898 as a homestead and which he has improved with his own labors un- til he has a fine orchard and a comfortable home. Mr. Wandel has always manifested industry, thrift and wise management that are characteristic of his race and the result is that he is one of the prosperous and substan- tial citizens of our county who has won and retains the good will and esteem of all who know him.

Henry Wandel was born in Beyran, Germany, on May 17, 1870, being the son of Joseph and Anna (Buckberger) Wandel, natives of the fatherland where they remained until the father died in 1883. The mother is now retired and lives in Beyran, aged seventy years. Our subject received his education from the schools of his home place and remained with his parents until he was twenty and then entered the army, serving two years. In 1893 he cut all restraints that bound him and made his way to America, locat- ing in Chicago for four months. Then he went to northern Wisconsin and for seven years he was ocet- pied there. It was in 1898 that he made his way to Kootenai county and the advantages offered here led him to take a homestead as stated above. During the years since that time. Mr. Wandel has devoted him- self with assiduity and enterprise to make a good farm and a comfortable home from the wilds of the new country and he is to be credited with much worthy labor accomplished. He also handles some stock.

In 1895 Mr. Wandel married Miss Marv, daughter of Albert and Maggie Colbach. natives of Germany and Wisconsin, respectively. The father came to America in 1865 and located in Wisconsin and he and his wife remain there until this time. To Mr. and Mrs. Wandel there have been born three children, Henry. Joseph, Rudolph. The family adhere to the Catholic church.

ROBERT BUNTING resides one-half mile west from Bonners Ferry, where he owns a fine farm and devotes himself to gardening and general farming. He is a man of integrity and good habits and stands well with all who know him.

Robert Bunting was born in Ashover, England, Feb- ruary 2, 1826, being the son of John and Mary (Cook)

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Bunting, natives also of England. The father was a tailor and conducted a business there until the time of his death, which was in 1887, the mother passing away in 1890. Our subject learned his trade and also attended school in his younger days. When twenty the father gave him the opportunity to go for himself, wishing him well in his labors. From that day for- ward Mr. Bunting has been actively engaged in busi- ness and has done well. He farmed for a time in England and in 1850 came to Canada, settling in New Brunswick, where he was an industrious citizen until 1880. In that year he came to Rat Portage, Ontario, continuing there for nineteen years. It was 1899 that he came to the Kootenai valley, locating on his present farm. He owns forty acres of fine garden land and is doing a good business.

In 1851 Mr. Bunting married Miss Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wright) Weather- bee, natives of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, re- spectively. They came to the United States in 1848, locating in Boston, Massachusetts, where both died. Mrs. Bunting has two brothers who were in the Civil war, one of them being lieutenant. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting have become the parents of ten children, named as follows: John S., married and living in New Brunswick: Arthur E., married and residing in this valley : Mary E., deceased ; James R., married and living in Rat Portage ; William H., living with parents ; Alice, deceased ; Annie E., wife of Nelson Mc- Cracken, in Seattle ; Benjamin T., deceased ; Evelin, de- ceased ; Aubrey A., maried and living in this valley.

Mr. Bunting has always taken an active part in local politics. He and his estimable wife belong to the Episcopalian church and are devout supporters of the faith. Mr. Bunting has a good home place pro- vided with good buildings and fitted in an excellent manner, everything displaying good taste and thrift. The golden years of his life are now beginning to run apace and he is secure in the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

RUDOLPH DRAVES is one of the agriculturists and stockmen of the county of Kootenai, his home and farm being three miles east from Porthill, where he has good improvements and is prospering. His birth occurred in Mishicot, Wisconsin, on May 11, 1858, his parents being Fred and Annie Draves. natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1852, locating in Mishicot, and in 1861 the father enlisted in the Civil war, where he did hrave and faithful serv- ice for three years. After the war he worked in the saw mills for fifteen years and then bought eighty acres of land which he has farmed since, both he and his wife living there now. There were the following children in the family: Henry, married and dwell- ing in Mishicot ; Richard also married and living there; Josephine. married to August Stick, living in Cooperstown. Wisconsin ; Rudolph, the immediate sub- ject of this article; August, married and living in

Mishicot : Otto, married and living in Cooperstown. Wisconsin ; Annie, married and living in Mishicot. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Mishicot and remained with his parents until he was seventeen and then he learned the harness trade. Three years were spent in this and then he went to Medford, Wisconsin, and there wrought in a harness shop and a saw mill for four years. Selling out there he went to Eagle river, into the lumber woods. He also worked as cruiser for seven years for a company and then later kept a hotel. At Tomahawk lake he kept a hotel for four years and in 1897 came west. He located in Porthill and in the fall of the same year took up his present home place as a homestead. In addition to other industries he is raising many flocks of different varieties of poultry, wherein he is success- ful.

Mr. Draves married Miss Frances Buckbager. a native of Germany. He takes part in political matters and while in Wisconsin he served as road supervisor for three years, and also as assessor, when in Eagle river. Mr. Draves and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

JOSEPH SMITH. The list of early pioneers to the lower Kootenai valley would not be complete without mention of this esteemed gentleman, whose labors have been wisely bestowed in the development of this country and the advancing of his own business in- terests.

Joseph Smith was born in Canada in 1848, be- ing the son of Prespere and Harriett ( Jollie) Smith. natives of Canada, where they remained until their death. The father was an engineer on a steamboat from Montreal to Quebec. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native place and at the age of fourteen years he started from the parental home and inade his way to the United States. He went to Massachusetts and worked in a shoe factory for ten years. In 1878 he came thence to California and there wrought at his trade and driving team until 1886. when he came to Spokane. Farming occupied him for a couple of years and then he took one hundred head of cattle from a stockman on shares. Each was to have half at the end of five years. The first winter was disastrous, as it was hard and scanty feed could be cut. Mr. Smith was forced to face the hardship of seeing many of his cattle die. However, he be- gan to prosper after that but the stockman with whom he dealt came and took two hundred and fifty head of stock in three years from the beginning of their deal and two years later came and took the entire number, two hundred and fifty, remaining. Thus Mr. Smith was left with but one lame cow and all his work and hard labor was stolen by another. He did not lose courage, but went to work putting up hay and getting stock as he could and he prospered well, for last year he sold forty head. He has some stock left, owns nearly three hundred acres of land, raises hay and also

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 202

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