An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 209

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 209
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 209
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 209
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 209

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).

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

time but is at present retired from this and gives his attention to the management of his estates. He has also a blacksmith shop in Rathdrum which he rents and also has considerable other property, and recently sold his livery barn to W. M. Cleland. He also does a draying business with the farming.

In 1873 Mr. Wood married Miss Mary K., daugh- ter of Fredrick and Margret Post, natives of Ger- many. Mr. Post built the first mill in Spokane and is well known all through this country, being a man of prominence. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born three children, May, deceased; James M., now working in Postfalls: Eva, deceased. James M. was the first white child born in Kootenai county. Mrs. Wood died in February, 1881, and is buried in the Postfalls cemetery. Mr. Wood is a member of the F. O. A., Court No. 14, of Rathdrum. He still lives on the old home place where his son was born and he is to be congratulated on the brilliant success that he has achieved and the prestige won by his faithful en- deavors and uprightness and no one can say that Mr. Wood ever dealt with him in anything but an honest and upright manner.

ROBERT C. BORTHWICK. This enterprising farmer and worthy citizen of Kootenai county lives two and one-half miles south from Rathdrum where he has a fine rural home and a valuable estate, while personally he is a man of good standing among his fellows and worthy of the confidence reposed in him. He was born in Prince Edward Island, on June 22, 1832, being the son of John and Catherine (Glover) Borthwick, natives of Scotland who came to Prince Edward Island when they were young and there lived until their death, being buried at Bedque. The father was a miller. Our subject was educated in his native place and his mother died when he was nine and his father when he was eleven. Then he went to live with a friend of the father. Two years later he started for himself, learning the wagon maker trade. After one year at it, he quit, not liking the business and went to work on a farm at eight dollars per month. Then he went to Minnesota and lumbered for five or six years then bought a farm in 1857, which he tilled for seven years. In 1862 he volunteered to fight the Indians in the Sioux war in Minnesota, and in 1864 he stepped forward and enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Minnes- ota, under General Thomas. He served until the close of the war, about one year or more, doing guard duty most of the time. Being honorably discharged, he re- turned to his home and sold the farm and bought another in Wright county, where he remained until 1888. Then he came to Kootenai, having one son here, and rented a place for one year. He returned to Minnesota and sold his farm and then moved to this county and purchased the farm where he now lives. He has fine buildings and one and one-half acres into or- chard. In Minnesota, Mr. Borthwick held the office of town supervisor and town treasurer for a number of years. He is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and active in politics.

In 1862 Mr. Borthwick married .Miss Mary J., daughter of Harvey and Salley J. (Ellenwood) Hicks, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. The mother died in Minnesota and the father in Rathdrum. His remains were taken to Otsega, Minnesota, where they were buried beside his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Borthwick there have been born eight children, four of whom are living, as follows: Harvey J., married to Edith J. Green, in Rathdrum; Cora J., wife of John Crenshaw in Rathdrum; William R., with his parents ; Annie, wife of Benjamin S. Wood, in Rathdrum. Mr. Borthwick is a member of the G. A. R., Lawton Post, No. 29, of Rathdrum, and also of the W. R. C. He and his wife are members of the A. C. church.

AMEL ULBRIGHT. The excellent qualities ot this stirring business man have made themselves felt in all the lines in which he has operated and he has demon- strated that he is capable of manipulating the resources of the country in a successful manner and although the fiend of flames has destroyed at times much of his holdings, he immediately set to work with renewed vigor and has accomplished much in again placing himself in a leading position.

Mr. Ulbright is a native of Saxony, Germany, being born on February 13, 1858, the son of Ernest and Mary (Annstore) Ulbright, also natives of Saxony. In 1869 they came to America and in 1892 the father came to Spokane, and in 1895 the mother followed and they live now in Kootenai county. Amel was educated in the common schools of Germany and also in Ameri- ca and remained with his father until twenty-two years of age. Then he came west and after four years of labor took a homestead, built fine buildings, a barn, outbuildings, and a three thousand dollar house, bought another quarter adjoining and platted it into five and ten acre tracts and then sold. He had previously sold portions of the tracts. He then went to the vicinity of Hauser, seven miles west from Rathdrum and there bought two hundred and forty acres of land. He erected a saw mill, bought land at different times until he now owns the magnificent domain of twelve hun- dred acres of land, a good saw mill. fine buildings, and all the improvements that are needed both on an agricultural as well as timber tract. He has sawed over three hundred thousand feet of lumber and con- stantly employs a force of hands. Mr. Ulbright has a fine orchard with every variety of fruit represented that will successfully grow in this latitude. He has a band of stock in addition to all of his other interests.

In 1886 Mr. Ulbright married Miss Mary H., daughter of Joseph and Margaret Bauer, natives of the boundary between France and Germany. In 1874 they came to America, locating in Wisconsin, then made their way to Kansas and in 1882 came to Koot- enai county, where they now live. To Mr. and Mrs. Ulbright four children have been born, Amelia, going to school in Spokane; Amel A., Anna A., and Elsie, at home. Politically, Mr. Ulbright is allied with the Populists and served in the county convention in 1896

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and in 1900, while he has frequently been director in the school district. He is a member of the K. of P., Rathdrum Lodge, No. 13, and also of the F. O. A., Rathdrum Court, No. 14. Mr. Ulbright has made a commendable record as a business man and has suc- cessfully acquired property which renders him one of the prominent and substantial men of the county, being respected by all.

HENRY VIEBROCK. The industry, energy, tenacity of purpose and integrity of this well known young agriculturist of Kootenai county are very com- mendable and have given him an enviable standing among his fellows, being classed as one of the most reliable and substantial of our population. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on December 5. 1867, be- ing the son of Thevies and Anna Viebrock, natives also of Germany, where they are now farming and keep- ing a hotel. Our subject was educated in his native place and then made some personal research on his own account and at the age of sixteen came to America. He settled in Polk county, Wisconsin, and worked for wages for three and one-half years, then went to Mis- souri and one year later came to Ritzville, Washington, then to Spokane, where he put in three years in making brick. Next we see him in Kootneai county. where he labored for four years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. He has broken and cleared half of this and is handling five hundred acres of well cultivated land besides, which he rents from a neigh- bor. He raises as much as eight thousand bushels of grain and over one hundred tons of hay annually, mak- ing his farm a profitable venture. He is breaking fifty acres more of his own land and is improving his place is a good manner. Mr. Viebrock is one of the leading agriculturists of the county, having demonstrated his ability to handle very successfully the large bodies of land that annually return to him excellent dividends as reward for his skill and industry. He is a member of the K. of P., Panhandle Lodge, No. 13, and also of the F. O. A., No. 14. He also affiliates with the German Lutheran church and is a man of a high sense of honor and maintains an untarnished reputation.

WILLIAM D. RINEHART. Enterprising, in- dustrious, possessed of the happy qualities that make a genial and successful business man, stanch and up- right, the gentleman, whose name is at the head of this sketch deserves to be prominently represented in the history of his county. He was born in Steuben county, New York, on June 8. 1845, being the son of John and Liddie (Zemmer) Rinehart, natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to Minnesota in 1854. settling in Goodhue county, where they remained until the time of their death, the mother passing away in 1861 and the father in 1863. They are buried in Pine Island, Min- nesota. Our subject was educated in New York and in Minnesota and at the age of eighteen enlisted in Company H, Eighth Minnesota, under Captain George

B. McCoy. He went on an expedition to quiet the Indians then returned to Fort Snelling and went south to Murfreesboro, where he fought in the battle of that place, also fought in the battle of Gold- boro, then went to Raleigh, North Carolina, thence to City Point, then to Chesapeake bay and was hon- orably discharged on June 15, 1865, having made a very creditable military record. He returned to Min- nesota and farmed there until 1880, then went to Wilmot, South Dakota, and farmed for eight years, then in 1888 he came to Kootenai county. He worked for one year and then bought forty acres of railroad land and in 1893 bought a quarter adjoining. He built a fine house in 1899 and a commodious barn in 1900 and he has his place well improved and excellently tilled. Mr. Rinehart has threshed for twenty-seven years and now his sons are taking up that business and also saw milling.

On April 18. 1865, Mr. Rinehart married Miss Emeline, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth ( Ander- son) Smith, natives of Ohio, who came to Dakota in 1880 and to Kootenai county in 1901 where they now live. To Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart there have been born fifteen children, the following named ones still living : Ernest ; Isabel, wife of H. E. Thompson, liv- ing in Raleigh, North Carolina: M. E .: Eva. wife of Charles MacDonald, in Rathdrum; Myrtle, Ida, Gertrude, Lila, Roy, Ethel, Vivian. Mr. Rinehart is one of the substantial men of the county, is well and favorably known and his friends are numbered from among all classes and he enjoys the confidence of all.

JOSEPH W. HANDY. This gentleman is one who has done much work to promote the advancement and the development of Kootenai county, taking out of the primitive forests much of their wealth and pre- paring the virgin soil to produce abundant crops. He resides at the present time three miles east from Rath- drum where he has one hundred and sixty acres of land all fenced, with good buildings and productive of abundant crops. He owned a homestead at first, which he improved in good shape and then sold, pur- chasing a farm on rim rock, which he also sold after improving it in good shape and then bought his pres- ent home, in the meantime keeping up a constant labor in the forests, producing timbers, ties, wood and saw- logs.

Speaking more particularly of the domestic chap- ter in Mr. Handy's life, we note that he was born in Gentry county, Missouri, on January 11, 1850. being the son of John W. and Alzada A. (Redford) Handy, natives respectively of Illinois and Wisconsin. They removed to Missouri in an early day and in 1849 the father went to California and made a fine fortune and then lost the same on an investment. He tusseled with the fates there until 1871 then returned to his family and died five years later in Gentry county, Missouri, where the mother died in 1898. Our subject received but scant opportunity to gain an education ; however he improved what he had until fourteen and then

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started the battle of life for himself. He did various kinds of work and contracted until 1889, when he came to Kootenai county and allied himself with its development as stated above. Mr. Handy has always been an industrious man and has done a lion's share in the hard labor incident to the development of the county.

In 1876 Mr. Handy married Miss Margaret F., daughter of John and Mary A. (Ross) Shaffer, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively, who removed to Gentry county, Missouri, where they both are buried in the same cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Handy there have been born eleven children, ten of whom are liv- ing, as follows: John M., married to Arena Vels, and living at Fish lake, Idaho; Joseph H., with par- ents ; Cora D., wife of James Morris, living on the rim rock : Rosa A., Maud M., Zilla, Gertie A., Dora A., Richard, Arthur W., all at home. Mr. Handy is a member of the I. O. O. F., Rathdrum Lodge, No. 73. and is a good solid Republican.

WALTER R. TOWLE is a venerable and highly respected citizen of Kootenai county, living about one- half mile east from Kootenai, where he has a good home, a fine orchard and does a general gardening business. He is a man of substantial qualities and of a stanch character, possessing many virtues and dis- playing integrity, uprightness, and wisdom.

Walter R. Towle was born in Rochester, Vermont, on February 23. 1832, being the son of Samuel and Lucinda (Washburn) Towle, natives of New Hamp- shire and of Vermont, respectively. They came to Iowa in 1869, locating in Sac county, where they were farmers until their death, the father's being in 1890. and the mother departing this scene in 1896. They were the parents of seven children, Truman, Ezra, Walter R., our subject, Hannah, Harry, Percis and William W. Walter received a good schooling in his native place and remained with his father until he reached his majority. Then he worked out a year and the desire to see the west and try his fortune in the golden sands of California led him to take the trip. via the Isthmus to San Francisco, where he landed on February 4, 1854. He mined until 1862 and then en- listed in Company G, Fourth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Foreman and Captain Grant. They went to southern California and thence to Ari- zona, in which place they fought the Indians. He served in the United States army fifty-two months, being discharged in 1862, when he made a visit to Vermont. Six months later he went to Iowa and farmed until 1878, then went to Stafford county, Kan- sas, where he was numbered with the industrious agri- culturists until 1898. In that year he sold out and came to his present place. He built a fine house, as well as other buildings and has forty acres in garden stuff and farm products. He also has some stock. Mr. Towle is a well-to-do citizen of this county and a good sub- stantial man.

In 1867 Mr. Towle married Frances E. Taylor,

widow of Levi W. Taylor, and daughter of Joseph Stott, a native of England. Six children have been born to this happy union, named as follows: Edwin S., with parents ; Harry, deceased ; Nettie, wife of W. N. Shawver, living in Kansas; Minnie, wife of John Mawhirter, in Kansas; Chapin, with his parents, and a member of the I. O. O. F .; Lillian, wife of Arthur Shawver, in Kansas. Mr. Towle is a stanch Republi- can, having served a term in Stafford county, Kansas, as chairman of the Republican county central com- mittee, and has held offices of justice of the peace, trusteeship on the school board, and road overseer. His wife is a member of the Latter Day Saint's church. Mr. Towle is one of the leading men of this section and is looked up to by all.

THOMAS J. LEMON. The subject of this re- view is a veritable pioneer of the pioneers and one whose worthy labors have done much for the develop- ment of Kootenai county, having been within its pre- cinots for over twenty-two years. How much credit should be granted to such as blaze the way and endure the hardships and perform the labors so that their fellows may come and make homes and populate the country. It is with pleasure that we are permitted to give an epitome of the career of this estimable gentle- man.

Thomas J. Lemon was born in Monroe county, Indiana, on June 25, 1850, being the son of W. W. and Mary E. (Pickel) Lemon, natives of Vermont, but immigrants to Indiana in a very early day. They came to Monroe county in 1843 and there lived until their death, the mother's occurring in 1855 and the father passing away in 1862. They were the parents of four daughters and three sons, named as follows: Eliza- beth, wife of A. Smallwood, in Lawrence, Indiana ; Laura J., wife of M. E. Driscol, in Bedford, Indiana ; Catherine, wife of A. J. Jones, in Vermilion county, Illinois ; Millie, deceased ; Lucinda, deceased ; John A., in Santa Cruz county, California; Jones, deceased. Our subject was educated in his native place and at the tender age of twelve years started in life for himself. He worked on a farm for twelve years and then went to railroading, which he followed three and one-half years. Then he came west to Clarke county, Washing- ton, and thence to eastern Washington with Wheaton's army in 1877. He was at Spokane during the peace commission and then settled on a piece of unsurveyed land near Cheney, from which he afterwards removed, coming to Kootenai county in 1880. He took a con- tract for making ties for the Northern Pacific, then fol- lowed hunting and trapping for twelve years. Then came another tie contract from M. D. Wright this time and in 1899 he settled on his present place, about eight miles northeast from Granite. He has a good place with about eighty acres of natural meadow and he is now devoting his attention to doing farming and rais- ing some stock. Mr. Lemon has the respect and con- fidence of all and stands exceptionally well among the residents of this vicinity.

WALTER R. TOWLE.

THOMAS J. LEMON.

WESTOL H. SLUYTER.

WILLIAM EHLERT.

MRS. WILLIAM EHLERT.

MRS. ALFRED BOYER.

ALFRED BOYER.

ALPHONZO A. GREEN

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WESTOL H. SLUYTER. This venerable pio- neer of Kootenai county is now living about one mile west from Granite, where he is engaged in the stock business. He is a man of sterling integrity and worth and has always manifested these qualities in his walk.

Westol H. Sluyter was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on March 29, 1830, being the son of Walter and Nancy Sluyter, natives of New York, but pioneers of Michigan, where they remained until the time of their death. Our subject grew up in his native land, received his education in the public schools and re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-five. Then he inaugarated independent action and wrought in the agricultural art in Michigan until he was forty years of age. Tlien he went to St. Croix, Wisconsin, and farmed for fourteen years. It was in 1888, when he pulled up stakes in that place and came with his family to his present location in Kootenai county. He operated in the timber business for three years or so and then took up raising stock. This has been his occupation, with general farming, since that time and he has a good herd of thirty head.

In 1855 Mr. Sluyter married Miss Welsy A., daughter of Nathaniel and Jane Bams, who settled in Michigan in early days and remained there until their death. Mrs. Sluyter is a native of New York. She died in Michigan December 16, 1868. She was the mother of four girls, all living in the country.

WILLIAM EHLERT. This esteemed citizen and well respected man, whose industry, integrity, and up- right walk have given him the esteem and confidence of the people, is a man of great experience in the ways of the world and has traveled to all parts of the globe.

William Ehlert was born in the vicinity of Stral- sund, Germany, on September 9, 1858. and before he was eighteen, had attended school seven years. At the age last mentioned, he embarked on the Prussis, a man of war, and for four years was steadily drilled in all the ways of a sailor, gunner, and other departments on such a vessel. He drilled with Prince Henry for two years, and went with him around the earth. They started from Kiehl, thence to Plymouth, South Africa, Madiera, Capetown, passed through the straits of Ma- gellan and was also at St. Helena at the time Napoleon's remains were taken to France, visited Honolulu, Aca- pulco, St. Vincent. Valparaiso, also the capital of Brazil, Yokohoma, Siberia, thence again to Yokohoma, experiencing a cyclone on this last trip. Then to Nagasaki, various islands, Singapore, to south Africa again and so on to their native land. They started out in October. 1878, and returned in October, 1880. The trip was a hard one as is seen by the fact that when he started he weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds and when he returned he weighed ninety-four pounds. He sailed some further and in the fall of 1881, returned to his native place. At that time prep- aration was being made for war and as he desired to escape further military service he came to New York.

Thence he came to Lansing, Illinois, and later to Louisville, Kentucky, where he learned the plow mak- ing trade and assisted to make plows for one of the world expositions. He traveled to various sections of the east and then went to Chelsey, Wisconsin, where he was married to Miss Adelgunde Goltz, on December 6, 1887. After this they removed to North Dakota and in 1891 to Salem, Oregon. They traveled to Cali- fornia, thence to Salem again and in the spring of 1898 they went to Sitka and other parts of Alaska where Mr. Ehlert mined. Returning to Washington, he came to his present place, one and one-half miles east from Lane and took a homestead. eighty acres of which are good meadow land. Three children have been born to this marriage, Arthur, aged fourteen, Emma, aged twelve, Martha, aged nine. He is now prospecting for quartz gold in his own place and has fine prospects.

ALFRED BOYER is the present incumbent in the postoffice at Kootenai, where he has served with ac- ceptability and faithfullness since the office was estab- lished. He is a man of intelligence and stability an.l has won many friends in all parts where he is ac- quainted.

Alfred Boyer was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on April 1, 1854. being the son of Wesley and Elizabeth (McNalley) Boyer, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. They were married in Scioto county. and there the father conducted a charcoal business until 1880, then followed farming until his death in 1899. The mother died in January, 1902. They were the parents of nine children : David. deceased ; Alfred. the subject of this article: Calfernia, wife of John Dressler, in Ohio: Addie B., wife of Jeff Haney, in Portsmouth, Ohio; Ida, deceased; John, in Kootenai county ; Frank, in Lawrence county, Ohio; Alex, living in Scioto county, Ohio. Our subject attended school in the winter and labored with his father until he was twenty-three years old. Then starting for himself he engaged with a farmer for three years, after which he spent eight years in railroading. It was 1889 that he made his way into the Sandpoint region, being a pioneer here. He worked a year at tie making and shingle manufacture and in 1892 took his present homestead. He has a good orchard and a portion of the farm under cultivation. In 1895 the postoffice was established and Mr. Boyer was selected as postmaster, which he has filled in a becoming manner since.

On November 25, 1881, Mr. Boyer married Miss Ella, daughter of David and Martha Haney, natives of Ohio. The father conducted a boiler shop there until his death in 1881. The mother still lives in Ironton, Ohio, being seventy years of age and healthy and hearty. Mr. Boyer and his estimable wife are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: Grace V., Roberta, Charles A., George W .. Charlotte I. and Lester. Mr. Boyer is a charter mem- ber of the Sandpoint Lodge, No. 59. of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Rebekahs. They both

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are devout members of the Baptist church and are exemplary and upright people, being held in high re- spect and esteem by all.

ALPHONZO A. GREEN. A worthy pioneer of Kootenai county, whose sturdy and arduous labors have done much to open the wilderness of this coun- try, and now one of the prosperous and substantial citizens, we are pleased to grant him consideration in the volume of Kootenai's history.

Alphonzo A. Green was born in Allegany county, New York, on December 14, 1851, being the son of Harlen C. and Sarah A. (Barnes) Green, natives of New York. They located in Lucas county, Ohio, in 1857, and ten years later removed to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and thence to the northern part of the state, where the father died in 1885 and the mother in 1899. Five children were born to this worthy couple, Sylvia P., Mortimer, Harvey E., Marion N., and the subject of this article. Our subject received his education in Shiawassee county and when seventeen he started to do for himself. He followed the woods for seven years and then wrought in the lumber trade for E. B. Ward until 1886, the year in which he came thence to Wis- consin. Two years were spent in that state and then Mr. Green came to Kootenai county. A couple of years later he returned to Wisconsin and after four years in that section he returned to Kootenai county, and this has been his home since that time. Contract work in the timber has occupied Mr. Green much of the time since then. In 1898 he purchased a quarter sec- tion and then took a homestead, which gives him a half section in his home place, six miles north from Granite, where we find Mr. Green at this time. He does general farming, raises hay and stock and also does timber work.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 209

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