An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 224

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 224
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 224
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 224
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 224

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CHARLES G. WICKS. A capable and well-to- clo man, an upright and public-minded citizen and a farmer whose labors have demonstrated him to be both industrious and sagacious, and who has done a good part in developing the county and augmenting its wealth, it is fitting that the subject of this article should be accorded space in the volume that chronicles the history of Kootenai county.

Charles Wicks was born in Oskevek, Sweden. on December 21, 1869, being the son of Erik and Anna (Anderson) Larson, natives of Sweden, where also the father died in 1884, but the mother lives. being wealthy. Our subject was educated in his native land, remained with his parents until he was seventeen and then stepped out from the parental roof to meet the burdens and responsibilities of life for himself. He worked on the neighboring farms for two years, and in 1888 came to America, locating in Butte, Montana, where he chopped cordwood for one year. In 1889 he came to Oden, Kootenai county, and made ties for one summer, doing the same work in Trout creek coun- try, Montana, for one year after that. His next work was on the construction of the Northern Pacific be- tween Missoula and Wallace one year, after which he returned to Oden and cut poles for one winter and then worked on the Great Northern construction for nearly two years. In 1892 he took his present place as a homestead, which has been improved with good buildings and has eighty acres of fine meadow land. He devotes much attention to raising stock and does some farming.

In 1898 Mr. Wicks married Miss Sarah, daughter of Richard and Susannah ( Jackson) Palmer, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1870, and now live in Kootenai county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wicks : Cicel W., Maud and Ethel, twins. Mr. Wicks is a stanch Republican and takes a lively interest in the affairs of the country and community. He is a member of the M. W. A., of Sandpoint, Lodge No. 7191.

ROBERT M. GOOBY. About one mile east froni Kootenai we find the home of Mr. Gooby, which land he purchased from the railroad company and has im- proved in a comfortable manner. He has a good house, barn, out buildings, orchard and other improve- ments, and does general farming. Mr. Gooby is a man of popularity in his community, and has been

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for three successive terms elected road supervisor, being at the present writing in that capacity. He is a liberal Democrat, reserving for his own judgment the decision of men and principles rather than tying himself under the lash of any party. He is also com- mitteeman from his precinct.

Robert M. Gooby was born in Littleport, Cam- bridgeshire, England, on August 17, 1861, being the son of Robert and Mary (Walker) Gooby, natives of England, where the mother still lives, the father having died there in 1891. He was the owner of several canal boats on the Ouse river. Our subject was educated and remained with his parents until 1881, when he came to America, locating first in Illinois, whence six months later he went to Colorado. We see him next in Iowa, then in Dakota, and in 1885 he came west to Washington, thence to Oregon, remaining in the last named place until 1891. In that year Mr. Gooby went to Waterville, Washington, remaining until 1897. int which year he came to Kootenai county, where for a time he contracted timber work and then purchased his present home place, and here he has devoted his 'abors since that date.

On January 7, 1888, Mr. Gooby married Miss Ellen, daughter of William and Susannah Smith, na- tives of Southshield, England, and pioneers to America in the early seventies. The father is dead, but the mother still lives. Four children have been born to this household: Mary S., Robert W., Clifford and Bassil. Mr. Gooby is a member of the M. W. A., Sandpoint, No. 7191. He is a popular and highly esteemed man and is one of the real builders of this section of Kootenai county.

PETER LINDSTROM. This industrious and thrifty citizen is now following the calling which occu- pied his ancestors for many generations back, that of tilling the soil. He has added the industry of logging and is now handling a fine contract of three million feet of timber and three thousand poles.

Peter Lindstrom was born in Gustrickland, Swed- en, on June 11, 1861, being the son of John Pearson and Bretta ( Olson) Lindstrom, natives also af Sweden, where the father is still farming, but the mother has passed to the world beyond. Our subject received his education in the schools of his native land and re- mained working with his father until he was twenty- five, when he rented land for himself, and in 1891 bade farewell to home scenes and loving relatives and friends and set his face to the land of the west. He came direct to Spokane, and spent some time in view- ing eastern Washington to find a home place for him- self. In 1892 he decided to settle on his present place, four and one-half miles west from Sandpoint, and there he has bestowed his labors with wisdom ever since. He is a man of energy, skill and good business judg- ment, and the result is that he has been prospered, and is one of the men whose labors have resulted in de- veloping the country in a becoming manner. His farm

is well improved, and shows the marks of care and thrift. He has a fine large house built in 1900 and some fifteen or twenty head of cattle besides other stock.

While still in Sweden, in 1886, Mr. Lindstrom married Miss Anna, daughter of Peter Anderson and Anna (Pearson) Pearson, natives of Sweden, where they remained until their death. Six children have blessed this happy union, namely: Volfred. Oscar, . Mark, August, Angus, Iruns. Mr. Lindstrom was elected on the school board when the district was organized, and has constantly served since, being an ardent supporter of good schools.

ORSON WARNER, a man of stability and self- reliance, who has made the way of life in a successful manner in the western country, is now one of the established and thrifty farmers one-half mile west from Wrencoe. He was born in Fillmore, Millard county, l'tah, on May 15, 1858, being the son of Orange and Mary L. Tyler, natives of New York. The family came to Utah in 1852 and settled in Millard. The father died there in 1881 but the mother is still living there. Our subject received a common schooling and when sixteen went to mining. He has in almost all of his labors so contracted that he has always been working for himself. In 1876 he went to work at Fort Hallick, Nevada. Then he took a contract of cutting wood at Tibo, and later went to Fillmore again. He did timber work, bought a farm, later sold and logged, then contracted freighting and grading on the railroad, after which he went to Bullionville, Nevada, and did timber work on contract. After an- other visit to Fillmore he came to Wood river, in Idaho, in 1885, and thence on to Boise, then to Min- eral and for a year he prospected in the Seven Devils country. It was in April, 1892, that Mr. Warner came to Wrencoe, building the first cabin in the town and taking a homestead. He has some land under cultivation, and does a great deal of timber work. He is making a fine farm, and is one of the prosperous men of the section. He had been two years in Koot- enai county previous to this time and had taken tie and timber contracts. Mr. Warner has three brothers and three sisters: Cyrus A., Emily M., Rhoda F., Jeddiah G., Levi M., and Eliza A. Mr. Warner is a Democrat in political views, and is active in the cam- paigns. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace but refused to qualify.

ANDREW LEAF. A pleasant and genial gen- tleman with a decided turn for business, who has won and retains the esteem and confidence of his fellows, and who is faithfully following the noble work of de- veloping the country, being now a resident on his estate of two hundred acres, four miles west from Sandpoint, the subject of this article is one of the

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men whose career should be published in the county history.

Andrew Leaf was born in Guistuckland, Sweden, on December 27, 1855. being the son of Andrew and Christena (Anderson) Leaf, natives also of Sweden. where the father died, but the mother still lives, aged eighty-seven. The father of our subject was a ship carpenter in his young days, and his father was an officer in the Swedish army for twenty-five years. Our subject was liberally educated in his native land, being a graduate of one of the leading colleges. His commencement day was in 1877, and then he took a position as bookkeeper in a commercial establishment. He also acted as salesman and later farmed his father's estate for five years. Then he did carpenter work for five years, and the last employment in the old country was piloting on a steamboat. In July, 1891, he came direct to Spokane, and soon thereafter came to the vicinity of his present home. He settled on unsur- veyed land, and when the survey came it proved to be railroad land, and Mr. Leaf removed to the next section, where he resides now. He purchased forty acres from the railroad company, and devotes himself to general farming and raising stock. He has a com- fortable home and is one of the leading men of his section.

On April 28, 1880, in Sweden, Mr. Leaf married Miss Catherina, daughter of Lars and Annie ( Olson ) Larson, natives of Sweden, where the father died in 1874. but the mother still lives. Four children were born to the happy union, namely: Andrew R., Jennie C., Conrad L. and Annie C. Mr. Leaf is a stanch Republican, and is able to put forth intelligently the tenets of his party. He is active in county matters and is frequently on the school board.

CAREY CARR. The subject of this review is descended from one of the oldest families in the United States, his ancestors coming hither nearly three hun- dred years ago. They settled on what was known as the Vanransler tract of land, securing a lease which said they were to have possession of the land as long as water runs and grass grows and they paid a certain rental of grain. The parents of Mr. Carr, Peleg and Jane E. (Genung) Carr, met in Ohio and there were married, later moving to Wisconsin, which was still a territory. In 1846 they located in Jefferson county, whence ten years later they went to Sauk county, and there remained until their death. Our subject was born on November 15, 1857, in Ironton, Sauk county, Wisconsin. There he received an education from the public schools and remained with his parents until he was twenty-one. His next venture was to work on a farm and make cheese for eight years, then he went to Chicago and entered the works of an electric com- pany. Six months later he started in the coal, wood and feed business, continuing for one year. In 1888 Mr. Carr came to Douglas county, Washington. and after four and one-half years in that locality made his

way to his present abode, seven miles west from Sand- point. He settled on unsurveyed land, and is making a good farm and improving it in a becoming manner. He does a general farming business and raises some stock.

· In 1887 Mr. Carr married Miss Adaline A., daugh- ter of Roswell and Anna ( Bennett ) Neff, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and France. Two chil- dren have been born to this union, Ada E. and Ben- jamin C. Mr. Carr always takes an active interest in the affairs of the county, and in educational matters has given of his time on the board of trustees, being an advocate of good schools.

CHARLES SMITH. In promoting large enter- prises in the west and successfully carrying them out, Mr. Smith has certainly shown remarkable talent and enterprise. As a substantial man, a thrifty farmer, a public-minded citizen and a stanch, upright man, he stands well in the community.

Charles Smith was born in Brunswick, Chariton county, Missouri, on June 10, 1856, being the son of John and Mary Smith. The father was an officer in Company H. First Missouri Cavalry, in the Federal army, and among the many battles in which he partici- pated we may mention Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Bull Run, Gettysburg. Spottsylvania, and the siege of Vicks- burg, besides many skirmishes. Being so crippled with rheumatism after a terribly trying and hard service, he was discharged on account of disability and came home only to find the bushwhackers destroying every- thing. One night they surrounded the house and as he arose to get his gun a shot crashed throught the door and seriously wounded his brother, who was sleeping with our subject. Those were trying times and hard to endure. The family suffered terribly and lost nearly all they had. The father never recovered from his sickness and finally died a few years later. Our subject took a trip when a young man to Arkansas and Texas and then back to Missouri. In 1879 he went to Leadville and there freighted and mined, being very successful. In 1880 he fitted utp eighteen wagons with eight miles to each one and went to the Black Hills to freight and did exceptionally well. being skilled in handling heavy mining machinery. In 1881 he built an irrigating canal, five miles north of Fort Collins. Colorado, known as the Pooder Valley High Land Canal. It was forty-five miles in length and opens up a vast agricultural territory. In 1882 he trans- ported his outfit to southern Idaho and contracted on the Oregon Short Line. In 1884 he came to Rath- drum and fitted up his mules to pack and operated the largest train into the Coeur d'Alene country, having eighty-three head of stock. He handled all the freight of the Eckard & Wardner Company and did general packing to Eagle City and Murray. In the spring of 1885 he went to Spokane and contracted to move six hundred tons of freight from Spokane to the Little Dalles, on the Columbia river, a distance of one hun-

CHARLES SMITH.

FRANK DAHLGREN.

JAMES P. CASEY.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

dred and fifty-six miles. Then he took a contract of cutting and baling several hundred tons of hay for the government at Old Mission. Afterwards he took another contract of cutting and baling hay for the gov- ernment. In 1887 he went to farming and opened a livery stable and in 1800 Mr. Smith came to the reser- vation and prospected. He located a valuable claim which, however, he did not develop intich until . 1899 ; it is known as the Hidden Treasure, and Mr. Smith owns the controlling interest of stock. In 1891 Mr. Smith located his present place, one mile below Lane, on the south side of the river. He does general farm- ing and handles cattle, being prospered in all his labors.

FRANK DAHLGREN. This enterprising and industrious young man has wrought faithfully and skillfully in an active and stirring career, wherein he has gained a suitable success to the excellent vigor and sagacity displayed. He was born in Erbrue Lane, Sweden, on November 15, 1860, being the son of Charles and Greta (Carlson) Dahlgren, natives of Sweden, where the mother resides now, but the father died in 1895. Frank was educated in the schools of his native place and at the age of fourteen quit school and went to learn the art of the puddler in the iron works, confining his efforts to the puddling mill. He labored at this until he was twenty and then came to America, landing here in 1881. He at once went to work at his trade in Trenton, New Jersey, and one and one-half years later came to Pittsburg, then to Mc- Keesport, in each of which places he wrought in the iron works. Next we see him in Des Moines, lowa, where he spent one year in the coal mines. Then he visited Boulder and Denver, Colorado: Salt Lake City, Utah; Anaconda and Butte, Montana, then in 1890 le came to Spokane. He labored there and also prospected on the Colville reservation, then went to the Palouse country, later to Kalispell, Montana. and finally came in 1893 to his present location one mile northeast from Ramsey in Kootenai county. He took a homestead and bought another quarter from the railroad and built a house and barn and did other improving. He has about fifty acres under cultiva- tion at this time, and has made many improvements so that his place has enhanced much in value.

In political matters Mr. Dalhgren takes an active and intelligent part, supporting the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the F. O. A., Court No. 14. Rathdrum. He is also a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, and in every way is an exemplary citizen and an upright man.

JAMES P. CASEY. Few men have the skill to handle successfully as many industries as the subject of this sketch carries on, achieving a good success in them, while also he is a man of good standing and is one of the leading citizens of the county of Kootenai.

James P. Casey was born in Waukesha, Wiscon- sin, on March 19, 1862, being the son of Daniel and

Johanna (Carroll) Casey, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1840. They settled in Waukesha and there the mother died in 1872, but the father still lives on the home place. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native place and was reared on the farm. At the age of seventeen he went to work for wages and in 1884 he came to Fairfield. Washington. He worked there for wages some and then rented a farm for four years. Next we see him in Kootenai county, and he took a homestead where he now lives, nine miles north from Coeur d'Alene. He has improved it in good shape and made it a fine place. In addition to general farming and raising stock, Mr. Casey handles a fine steam threshing out- fit. Also he has a steam hay bailer. In 1899 he bought a steam sawmill which he operates at Heyden lake. All of these enterprises he carries on in a successful and becoming manner and has manifested great skill and ability as well as energy and industry in his career.

The marriage of Mr. Casey occurred in 1897 and the lady becoming his wife was Mary, daughter of Edwin and Jessie (Reid) Crockett. The father was a native of Maine and the mother of Scotland. She came to America when young and they were married in Ohio, where they lived for twenty years and then removed to Missouri. Ten years in that state and we find them in 1890 locating at Heyden lake in this county. Recently they removed to Hoodoo valley and there they reside at this time. To Mr. and Mrs. Casey there have been born three children, James C .. Hilda A. and Mary. Mr. Casey was called by the franchises of his fellows to the position of justice of the peace in 1898 which office he filled acceptably for one term, two years. He is a member of the Catholic church and is a consistent supporter of the faith.

JOHN W. RILEY is one of the early pioneers of the northern Kootenai country, and is at the present time operating his farm, one mile west from Laclede, being one of the substantial and highly respected men of this section.

John W. Riley was born in the Willamette valley on January 4. 1857. being the son of Joseph B. and Caroline. (Brewer) Riley, natives of Georgia, but im- migrants across the plains to western Oregon in 1856. Shortly afterward they went to Thurston county, Washington, where the mother died in 1863. The father moved to Colton, Whitman county, where he (lied in 1890. Our subject received a common school- ing and at the age of fifteen started out in life for himself. He had been raised by his uncle after his sixth year, the time when his mother died. His first venture on the sea of business was work in a saw mill for a year. Then he farmed for the summer and went to the woods for the winter, where he contracted tv- phoid fever and spent his earnings in recovery. In 1876 he went to Portland to celebrate the fourth of July, and thence he came to Lewiston to see his father. whom he had not visited for ten years. He went to

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work on a fruit farm for a year and then with his father he bought horses and for twelve years he rode the range. Selling out he went with a partner to Kootenai valley but stopped in Colville. This was in 1886, and being taken with the ague he went to Medical lake to recruit. Thence to Seneaquoteen for one winter, and in the spring he went with the first pack train to Priest Lake, but as one man died they brought him back to Sandpoint. He prospected an- other season and then took his present homestead, which has been his home since. In addition to doing general farming he operates the mail from Laclede to Valley, having a four-year contract.

In 1889 Mr. Riley married Mrs. Mary Schneider, whose parents were natives of Switzerland, and came to Wisconsin in 1860. By her former husband, Mrs. Riley had one child, Della B. By the second mar- riage there has been one son born, Joseph H. Mr. Riley is a solid Democrat, and takes an active part in politics, as each citizen should. He was elected jus- tice of the peace in 1898, hut refused to qualify. He has frequently been school trustee. At the time of the Nez Perces war Mr. Riley was a bridge builder with General Howard, and for the entire service he received three dollars per day. Mr. Riley is a man of relia- bility and has the confidence and good will of all.

RUFUS H. GRAVES. This venerable and highly respected gentleman has been a pioneer in various sections and has labored faithfully here for a long time for the substantial development and material progress of the country. At present he is living in Laclede and owns a farm of forty acres near by, which he handles, while also he has various other property.

Rufus H. Graves was born in Hartford. Licking county, Ohio, on March 8, 1821, being the son of Clandias and Electia (Rose) Graves, natives of Massa- chusetts, hut immigrants to Ohio, in 1790. where they lived for forty-seven years. The father was born in 1788 and served in the war of 1812. His father served in the Revolution as a teamster. Our subject received his educational training in the public schools and at the age of twenty-seven went to traveling to various sections of the country ; he also did considerable raft- ing. Then he farmed, and in 1851 he moved to Wis- consin, where he bought a sugar maple farm and did well on that for all the intervening years until 1885, when he sold and came to Kootenai county. He used to make many hundreds of pounds of maple sugar and much syrup. In Kootenai county he turned his atten- tion to raising stock and hay and did well until 1901, when he sold his place and returned to Wisconsin, where he visited for one year and then came back to the west and bought his present place, which he han- dles now, dwelling in town.

In September, 1850, Mr. Graves married Miss Hester A., daughter of Henry and Jane Knoll, natives of New York and Canada, respectively. Seven chil- dren have been born to this happy union, four of whom

are living, named as follows: Henry, married and living in Laclede ; Effie, wife of John Campfield : Hat- tie and Nettie, twins, the former married to Lawrence Lutz, and the latter to Edward Lutz, both living in Appleton, Wisconsin. Mr. Graves is an active Re- publican, and always is influential in the campaigns. He is a man who has won, in his long residence here, the unbounded esteem and good will of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and he and his gracious life partner are now passing the golden years of their well spent life in the quiet enjoyment of the good things which their faithful labors have provided.

ANDREW CHRISTENSON. The town of La- clede owes its existence to the indefatigable and in- telligent labors of the subject of this article, and he is eminently fitted for representation in this volume.

Andrew Christenson was born on the Island ot Lolland, Denmark, on March 1, 1862, being the son of Hans and Johanna (Erikson) Christenson, natives of Denmark, where they remained until the time of their death. They were the parents of five children: An- drew, our subject : Martin, in Kansas ; Hilda Jorgen- sen, in Denmark; Christian, in Denmark; Thorvald, on the old homestead in Denmark. Andrew was edu- cated in the public schools until fourteen and then worked for his parents until he was eighteen, and then, it being 1880, he came to the United States. He railroaded for two years, then worked in a store tor six years and in 1888 came west, and after a visit to the Sound came to Kootenai county and located where Seneaquoteen was afterward established. He started a store in 1891 and was postmaster. For eleven years he continued there and then sold out and bought his present place, one-half mile south from Laclede. Through the efforts of Mr. Christenson the station was at last established, and he started a saw mill, which was sold two years later to J. M. Bunker, and a year or so afterward a stock company was formed, and Mr. Christenson took a large interest in it. During 1902 he was manager of the mill, and also the large store which the company handles in connec- tion with the plant. They also have a large shingle mill and are capitalized for one hundred thousand dol- lars. They are doing a good business and are known as the Laclede Lumber Company. Mr. Christenson has a fine residence on his land, which numbers nearly two hundred acres, and sixty acres are handled to meadow. In addition to their lumber, shingle. and mercantile business they deal in poles, piling and all cedar products, owning their own switch and all con- veniences for the carrying on of their extensive busi- ness.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 224

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