An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 222

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 222
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 222
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 222
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 222

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COLON SPENCER SMITH. This esteemed gentleman is one of the earliest pioneers of the Koot- enai valley and he had the distinction of being one of the settlers here when there were but two houses in the entire valley. Since that time, Mr. Smith has given himself to the excellent work of developing and up- building and he is now one of the prominent and in- fluential men of the valley.

Colon S. Smith was born in Henderson county,

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Illinois, on October 15, 1855, being the son of Midel- ton W. and Jane (Foster) Smith, natives of Virginia. They emigrated to Illinois in 1852 and farmed there six years and then went to Missouri, where they re- mained until 1870. Then the father went to Colorado and mined for twelve years. He failed to make a suc- cess in this venture and so returned to farming. He is now living near Mount Rose, aged eighty-four, on November 4. Nine children were in the family, Will- iam K., Benjamin F., Granville R., Susan, de- ceased, Samuel WV., Elizabeth Hampton, Mary A. Tapping. Colon S., our subject, Charley. Our subject received his education in the vi- cinity of St. Joseph, Missouri, and then went with the family to Colorado. At the age of seventeen, he went to mining and in 1881 he came to the Wood river region in Idaho. Thence he went to Montana and in May, 1883, he came to Kootenai valley. Thence he went to Mexico, then to South America, being in Panama and other points there. From that place he next went to the Sandwich Islands and later we see him in Arizona. He mined in all these places and in 1884 Mr. Smith returned to Missouri. Again we see him in the Kootenai country and he was also one of the foremost in the Coeur d'Alene excitement. He con- tinued in the mines there two years and then settled on the Pend d'Oreille river and raised stock for five years. In 1892 Mr. Smith located his present home- stead, three and one-half miles south from Port Hill. He has a good place and improved in a becoming man- ner. He has also bought other land and he owns over half a section. Mr. Smith pays much attention to raising stock and puts up about one hundred and fifty tons of hay each year. Mr. Smith grub staked Will- iam Houston and the latter located what is now known as the Continental group of mines. This valuable property is twenty miles west from Port Hill and con- sists of three claims, of which Mr. Smith owns a one- sixth interest. The property is bonded for a large sum and is considered one of the valuable properties in this country.

On October 29, 1884. Mr. Smith married Miss Su- sie, daughter of Peter and Margarett (Piper) Klein, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father came to America when young and now lives in Schuyler county, Missouri. The mother died when Mrs. Smith was young. Three children have been born to this happy marriage, Ethel, Mary L., and Florence C. B., all at home. Mr. Smith is a Republican, but is also an independent thinker and is of liberal turn of mind. He is active and influential in the cam- paigns. In Montana, he was elected to the territorial convention and was also nominated for sheriff, but de- clined it. Mr. Smith is one of the prominent men of the valley and is the recipient of the esteem and good will of all who know him.

DELBERT H. BENTLEY. The young and ac- tive men who are stepping to the front in the noble work of developing the almost boundless resources of Kootenai county are deserving of great credit and

among the number we desire to mention as one of the most thrifty and wide awake and enterprising, the subject of this article.

Delbert H. Bentley was born in Emerald, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, on November 17, 1878, being the son of Edmond J. and Theoda (Sluyter) Bentley, natives of Michigan. Later they removed to Wiscon- sin and about 1800 came to Kootenai county, where they are numbered among the prosperous farmers now. Our subject received his education in Wisconsin until eleven and then came with his parents to Kootenai county, where he also studied some in the district schools. He labored with his father until he was about of age, and then he inaugurated independent action and soon demonstrated his excellent business qualities and executive force, both in the achievements accomplished and also in selecting some fine railroad land which he bought, which together with a homestead taken, makes him a fine estate of about one-half section or a little more. This body of land lies about one mile south from Granite and is improved in a good manner. The tire- less labors of Mr. Bentley are making it better each year and bestowed, as they are, with excellent wis- dom, it is evident that he will soon have one of the finest farms of this section. Mr. Bentley is one of the intelligent and active Republicans of this section, al- ways to the front in county affairs and manifesting a diligence in the investigation of principles and ques- tions of moment that makes him one of the well posted men in his community. Mr. Bentley is a member of the M. W. A., Granite Camp, No. 10875 and is now holding the office of banker. He has not yet seen fit to desert the ranks of the jolly bachelors and rejoices in the quietness and comforts of celibacy. Mr. Bentley is among the highly esteemed men of this section and has the good will of all.

JAMES A. GREEN. A capable and enterpris- ing man whose labors are manifesting a worth and in- dustry that properly place him among the leading men of the section, it is fitting to grant especial mention to him in the history of Kootenai county.

James A. Green was born in Flint, Michigan, on November 30, 1871, being the son of Alphonso and Nancy L. (Clark) Green, natives of Michigan. The mother died in 1883 and the father then went to Wis- consin and in 1888 came to Kootenai county where he now lives. Our subject went with his parents to Lud- ington, Michigan, and there received his education. When fifteen, he went to do for himself and at once learned the lumber business. He operated in the woods in winter and drove in the spring. In 1898 he came to Kootenai county and took his present place as a homestead. It lies one-half mile south from Granite and there Mr. Green devotes himself to general farm- ing and raising stock.

In 1893 Mr. Green married Miss Alta B., daughter of William and Levina (Bentley) Starr, natives of Emerald, Wisconsin, where they now reside and do farming. Two children have been born to this couple,

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Cora B. and Myrte Y. Mr. Green is a member of the I. O. O. F., Pine Lodge, at Athol, and of the M. W. A., at Granite, being manager.

ERNEST F. FISCHER. Among the enterpris- ing farmers who are making Kootenai county one of the prosperous divisions of the state, we are con- strained to mention the subject of this article, who re- sides three miles north from Granite.

Ernest F. Fischer was born in Bernick, Germany, on June 28, 1848, being the son of Ernest and Christina (Deitrick) Fischer, also natives of the Fatherland. The father died there in 1887 and the mother came to America in 1891 and died in 1902. Our subject was educated in his native place and when fourteen went to work for himself, farming. In 1868 he joined the army and went through the Franco-Prussian war. He received a wound in the eye which necessitated the taking out of that important member. In 1871 he was discharged and immediately went to railroading. 1890 was the year in which he came to America and for a year or so he worked in Oakesdale, Washington, whence he came to Kootenai county, 1893 being the year in which he landed here. He soon selected a homestead, and since that time he has given his atten- tion to cultivation of the soil and raising stock. His place is situated well and is good land.

In 1872 Mr. Fischer married Miss Pauline, daugh- ter of August and Elenora Hofler, natives of Germany. Four children have been born to this happy marriage, who are named as follows: Lonie, Amelia, Pauline and Eliza.

Mr. Fischer contracted a second marriage four years ago. The lady becoming his wife was Mrs. T. Kastner, who came all the way from the old country to enter this relation. Mrs. Fischer has one child by her former husband.

EDMOND JOHN BENTLEY. This sturdy pi- oneer is also one of the real builders of Kootenai county and during his stay here he has manifested the true nimrod qualities and his trusty rifle has gotten him many trophies of the chase.

Edmond J. Bentley was born in Jasper county, Pennsylvania, on March 21, 1854, being the son of Armis and Minerva (Sharp) Bentley, natives of Penn- sylvania. Thence they went to New York state, later to Michigan, then to Hudson, Wisconsin, and finally to Emerald in the last state. There the father died in 1886, the mother having died six months previous. Our subject was educated in Hudson, Wisconsin, until sixteen and then he spent some time in Boardman, Wisconsin, where he finished a good education. When twenty-four, Mr. Bentley stepped forth to do, on the plain of life's activities, for himself and in the course of three years he purchased a farm, which later he sold and came west to Spokane. In 1886 he came to Gran- ite and made ties for one year. Then he worked on

the Northern Pacific and in 1888 he went to Wisconsin. The following year saw him in Kootenai county again and since that date his home has been here. He fol- lowed contracting in various timber work until 1898. when he bought his present place of one quarter sec- tion, seven miles north from Granite. The place is timber and meadow land and is quite valuable, yield- ing good returns of hay each year. He does general farming and also raises cattle. Mr. Bentley also raises vegetables for the markets and this year had a cabbage weighing over twenty pounds.

On August 1, 1877, Mr. Bentley married Miss Theoda N., daughter of Westol H. and Wealthy (Barnes) Sluyter, natives of Michigan. The mother died in Travis, Michigan, in 1866 and the father now lives in Kootenai county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, Delbert H., in Granite; Bertha, wife of O. L. Marrow, in Pennville, Indiana. Mr. Bentley is a stanch and active Republican and does good service in the campaigns. He is one of the trustees and gave money to start the first school in the district.

By way of reminiscence it is interesting to note a little fray Mr. Bentley recently had with some bears. He met a couple of cubs, and having only a small twenty-two rifle, succeeded in getting one of them when the dam made her appearance. Even the ammu- nition of this toy gun was exhausted and the savage dam was hurrying to the fray. Mr. Bentley remained calm as the seasoned hunter should and when the brute rushed upon him, he succeeded in jamming the rifle barrel down her throat. This was too much, even for her vigorous palate, and she retreated in disgrace and Mr. Bentley won the field and the fight.

ABNER CURTIS. The long time which Mr. Curtis has spent in this section entitles him to the wor- thy name of pioneer of Kootenai county and as such we grant him representation in the history of his county.

Abner Curtis was born in Shiawassee county, Mich- igan, on October 2, 1855, being the son of Isaac and Sarah (Smith) Curtis, natives respectively of Ohio and Canada. The mother came to the United States with her parents when seven years of age and in Michi- gan met and married Mr. Curtis. For fifteen years they lived in Shiawassee county and then moved to Travis county. The father died in 1870 and the mother nine years later. Our subject received his education in the places mentioned and when fifteen he went to do for himself. He wrought in the lumber region until 1880, then went to Emerald, Wisconsin, and lumbered for six years more and then came the journey to Koot- enai county and since the day he first landed here he has remained. Mr. Curtis contracted ties for four years and in 1890 he took his present homestead, six miles northeast from Granite. He has comfortable buildings, the land all fenced, cuts from eighty to one hundred tons of hay and does a general farming busi- ness. Mr. Curtis has introduced some of the finest

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Red Pole cattle into the county that there are in the west and he has some excellent breeding animals in- cluding one male that is very valuable. Mr. Curtis lias a dozen or more of these fine animals and also han- dles about thirty other cattle. He is one of the pros- perous and well-to-do men of the community.

In 1882 Mr. Curtis married Miss Inez, daughter of Westol and Wealthy ( Barnes) Sluyter, natives of Maryland. They came west to Kootenai county and the father now lives on a farm near Granite. The mother died in 1866. Mr. Curtis is a prominent and influential Democrat and takes an active part in the campaigns. He has been school trustee for a number of years. Mr. Curtis has the following brothers and sisters living: Adalade, wife of Oren Case, in Travis county ; Milo, in Frankfort, Michigan; James A., in Ann Arbor, Michigan ; Mary, wife of Charles Welch, in St. John, Michigan.

ALBERT D. EATON. About three miles east from Hope is the estate and business place of Mr. Eaton. He owns two hundred acres of good land and upon this he does both a general farming business and also operates a sawmill. He is a man of upright- ness and good business ability and is doing much to assist in building up the country and to augment the wealth of the county.

Albert D. Eaton was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, on December 1. 1872, being the son of Theophilus and Angeline (Watrous) Eaton, natives of Indiana. They came to Iowa in pioneer days and there remained until 1900, when they pressed further into the west and now dwell in Kootenai county. They had one child, the subject of this article. Albert received his education in his native place and at the age of twenty he started in life for himself. He worked on a farm for five years and then worked with his father until 1900. In that year Mr. Eaton bought eighty acres of his present es- tate from the railroad. The next year he purchased one hundred and twenty acres more and now has a fine body of land.

In 1899 Mr. Eaton married Annie Gronn, daughter of F. D. and Amelie (Lucia) Ordway. In political matters Mr. Eaton is a Republican and is active in the campaigns.

ALBERT R. CASE. To this intelligent and ex- perienced gentleman, whose travels and various occu- pations in the industries and callings of business and education have fitted him to be a leading citizen, we accord representation in the history of Kootenai county and feel assured that a detailed account of his career will be interesting reading.

Albert R. Case was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on May 17, 1863, being the son of H. W. and Hannah (Brink) Case, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. They settled in Madison, Wisconsin, and remained twenty years. Later they removed to Platte- ville, Grant county, the same state, and remained there

until their death. The mother died in 1889 and the father passed beyond the next year. He had served as a blacksmith in the Civil war. Our subject received a liberal education in the state normal at Platteville and when twenty he took up the educator's calling. He taught in Lancaster and in 1886 came west to San Francisco, where he served a time in the freiglit office of the Mariposa Steamship Company, having a line of boats from Sidney, Australia, to San Francisco. Thence he came to Colville, Washington, where he taught school and then mined for six years. Returning to Wisconsin, he taught there and in Illinois and then he married and farmed for four years, after which he made the arduous journey to Alaska, where he spent two years in mining after which he returned once more to civilization, brought his family from Wiscon- sin and settled in Kootenai county on a homestead, where we find him at the present time, just south from Dufort. He built a house, barn, outbuildings, and other improvements and is devoting himself to general farning and raising stock.

In 1893 Mr. Case married Miss Mamie, daughter of George A. and Mary J. (Heard) Utt, natives of Illinois. They removed to Lancaster, Wisconsin, where the father died ; the mother now lives in Coulee City, Washington. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Case, Ruth. Mr. Case is one of a family of six children : Asa, Hosea, Charley, Albert, Eliza and Rose.

CAPTAIN JOHN J. O'BRIEN. What better encomium can be given of our citizens than to say that he has served through the terrible war of the Rebellion with credit, and for thirty years thereafter he has in a meritorious manner served in the regular army ? Such is the record of the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article and it is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant space to outline his career in this history of the county of Kootenai.

To Christopher and Jane (Kelly) O'Brien, natives of Ireland, John J. was born in Kildare county. He came to America when he was young, and true to the blood that coursed through his veins, he at once took part to help uphold the government and wipe out the insult that had been offered the banner of the free. He enlisted as a private and so meritorious was his conduct and marked with such intrepidity and valor, that he was promoted to a captaincy before the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Win- chester under Sheridan and fought through all the struggle until the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Being honorably discharged, he re-enlisted in the regular army as a private and soon was promoted to a second lieutenancy, and in due time had again the position of captain, which his worth and experience and courage demanded for him. In 1886 he came west from Omaha with his regiment, being located at Coeur d'Alene. Since that time he has constantly been in the west. It was in 1896 that the Captain was retired and since that time he has made his home at Coeur d'Alene. He has manifested great wisdom in

US.

CAPT. JOHN J. O'BRIEN.

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the business world as also in his other lines of activity and is now possessed of a competence of this world's goods. He has one of the most valuable additions to Coeur d'Alene, which is known as O'Brien's addition. The plat contained one hundred and fifty-nine acres and he has handled it in a commendable manner. The Captain is possessed of one gold medal which was be- stowed by the membership of the McDowel Post and is a beautiful emblem, which is greatly valued by the owner not only for its beauty but for its association. Captain O'Brien is a member of the G. A. R., Lafayette Post, New York. The days have come when the golden time of his well spent life is beginning to dawn upon him and it is with pleasure that amid real friends, enjoying the meed of his financial sagacity, and with the memories of a well spent life in valued service for his country, we can state that Captain O'Brien is passing the days of his sojourn here in real happiness and as becomes a retired veteran.

MEAD VAUGHAN. This veteran on life's bat- tle plain as well as a real veteran of the terrible strife that rent this fair land in the sixties, is now dwelling in Kootenai county and is one of the reliable and faith- ful men, upright, and possessed of integrity and worth.

Mead Vaughn was born in Manchester, Indiana, on September 17, 1828, where he was educated in the district schools. He started in life as a farmer and went to Iowa, remaining until 1859, in which year he removed to Illinois. There in 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, serving under Colonel Stewart and participating in arduous and faithful military duties until 1865, when he was mustered out in New Orleans. Then he went to southwest Missouri and mined until 1882, in which year he removed to Fre- mont county Colorado. In 1885 he went thence to Silver City, Idaho, and from there later to the coast. He was soon in Spokane and thence he came to Koote- nai county, where he has remained since. Mr. Vaughan has been occupied in farming and is to be credited with much worthy labor in building up the county. He is the father of two children, Don F., and Eva, who died in 1879. Mr. Vaughan is a member of the G. A. R., is a stanch Republican and takes the keen interest of the intelligent and patriotic citizen. He is also a devout member of the Baptist church and a faithful supporter of the gospel.

FRANK SCHUSSMAN. Everything about the premises of the subject of this article manifests the thrift, thoroughness, and wise industry of the pro- prietor and it is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant him special mention in the history of Kootenai county, both because of his real worth and because of his excellent works.

Frank Schussman was born in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, on March 14, 1864, being the son of Carl and Caroline ( Buhlitz) Schussman, natives of Ger- 59

many, but immigrants to America, where they settled in Waupaca county. They still live there and are the parents of ten children: William : Carl, deceased ; Frank, our subject ; Albert, deceased ; Emma ; Mary; Henry : Amelia, deceased; Edward; Carrie. Frank was educated in his native county and in Calumet, Fond du Lac county, until fourteen years old and then he went to work for his father exclusively until he was twenty. At that age he started out for himself, work- ing for the neighbors at common labor. In 1886 he went to Dakota, thence to Wyoming in a year or so, where he was occupied in the woods. Next we see him in Montana, and in 1888 Mr. Schussman made his way to Kootenai county. Here he has remained since and has bestowed his labors on his homestead, which he took after he had spent three years in pros- pecting. His farm lies a mile and a half west from Clarkfork and has been well improved. Mr. Schuss- man was a leader in inaugurating the industry of raising fowls and built the first fine structure for raising them in this section of the country. As said before, everything about the farm is done on the motto of what is worth doing, is worth doing well, and this is of great importance in building up a country. Mr. Schussman has some fine fowls, a goodly holding of stock and also does a general farming business. Mr. J. Nosker, his brother-in-law, with his family lives with Mr. Schussman. Mr. Schussman is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Myrtle Lodge No. 69, at Clark- fork.

VICTOR W. ROTH. In at least two distinct lines of activity has the subject of this article made a good success, being at the present time a minister of of the gospel in Clarkfork and Hope, where he lis- courses words of truth and encouragement to all. while he also carries on a successful farming business.

Victor W. Roth was born in Baden, Germany, on December 23, 1853, heing the son of Joseph and Anna (Hirsch) Roth, natives of Germany. The mother died there in 1858, but the father is still liv- ing, having been a school teacher for many years. Our subject received a liberal college education and at the age of seventeen years started out in life for him- self. He journeyed to Switzerland and thence to the United States in 1872, locating in New York. He went thence to Kentucky and in 1875 to the Black Hills, where he followed mining and prospecting for many years. In 1891 Mr. Roth came to Clarkfork, and since that time has been in this section. He was a real missionary in this place and did the first gospel preaching, and organized the first Sunday school there. Mr. Roth is preaching both at Hope and Clarkfork, and is a popular and highly esteemed man. In 1895 he bought a piece of hay land and moved to Hope, but being burned out there the following year he returned to Clarkfork, and this has been the family home since that time.

In April, 1881, Mr. Roth married Florence S., daughter of Marion and Mary Fraker, natives of Illi- nois. They came west to Colorado in 1873, where

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they reside at the present time. Seven children, six of whom are living, have been born to this happy union : Charles, Henry, Ruth, Victor, Frederick, and Marie, all living at home. Mr. Roth is an active Re- publican and takes an interest in the welfare and ad- vancement of the country. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Hope Lodge No. 23. In 1901 Mrs. Roth was appointed postmistress in Clarkford and is hold- ing the position with satisfaction to all at the present time.

FREDRICK M. OWEN, deceased. It is emi- nently proper that in the volume which records the history of Kootenai county there should be found a memorial of the esteemed gentleman whose name appears above.

Fredrick M. Owen was born in Greene county, Indiana, and thence came with his parents to Mis- souri when he was eighteen years of age. He served about four years in the Civil war in the Missouri militia .. His home was in Missouri until 1883, when he came to Kootenai county. This continued to be his dwelling place until his death, which occurred in 1897. Mr. Owen has always been an industrious and upright man and has made a career which is viewed with pride by his loved ones left behind. His grand- father, Thomas Owen, was a soldier under Corn- wallis, and at Gifford courthouse he was wounded by the Puritans. His kneecap was shot away. Our sub- ject married Miss Susanna Barron, who survives her husband and is now dwelling on the old homestead west from Clarkfork. Her parents were Thomas and Nancy Barron and she came to Missouri with them when she was small. There she met and married Mr. Owen. Ten children, six of whom are living. were born to them : Josiah, a geologist for the Southern Pacific, now being engaged in their coal fields; T. J., P. W., Calvin, Samuel, and Fred W., all in Kootenai. T. J. belongs to the Phi Kappa Psi college order.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 222

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