An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 230

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 230
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 230
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 230
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 230

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ELISHA J. WILSON resides two and one-half miles southeast from Santa on the Saint Mary's river, where he owns a good farmi of one hundred and sixty acres, which he secured from the government by home- stead right in 1890. The place has some excellent timber and contains a cultivated portion of twenty acres. Mr. Wilson has good improvements and is one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the county. Mr. Wilson is the son of James and Eliza- betli (Harboor) Wilson, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Ohio. They were married in Champaign county, Ohio, and there our subject was born on Att- gust 5. 1832. His great-grandfather on the mother's side was in General Washington's army and the son of this patriot served in the war of 1812. When Elisha was a child the family went to Defiance county, Ohio, but returned a few years later. In 1841 they went to

Jefferson county, Iowa. In these places this son was edticated and in 1859 he left home and returned to Ohio. At the breaking out of the war he was caring for his grandmother, a woman of ninety years, and he could not in honor leave her to enlist, although he desired to do so. At the close of the war this aged lady passed away and our subject returned to Iowa. In February, 1867, he married Miss Anna C. Nelson, a native of Sweden. She came to the United States when she was nine years old. Mr. Wilson farmed in lowa for several years and then removed to Blanchard county, Missouri. Three years after that he went to Beatrice, Nebraska, and farmed until 1888, in which year he located near Moscow. In 1890 he came to his present place, being one of the first men to settle here. He has done a noble work in opening the country and is deserving of the credit always due the intrepid and courageous pioneer. Mr. Wilson does general farm- ing and raises some stock. He has always been a pro- gressive and public minded citizen and now in the golden years of his life he is entitled to enjoy the good things which his industry and thrift have provided. Seven children have been born to this household and they are named as follows: Frank, in Kootenai coun- ty ; Mrs. Leticia Weigle, of this county ; Mrs. Ophelia McGuire, of Moscow; Edward, of Moscow; Mrs. Elizabeth Renfro, of Santa, Marion, Clarence.

HON. SAMUEL E. HENRY. This young and prominent attorney has made a name for himself, not only in Kootenai county, but throughout the state of Idaho, which grants him prestige and an enviable dis- tinction. This has been done by his masterly ability, not only in the practice of law, wherein he has gained a brilliant success, but also in the halls of state legisla- tion, where he has left a record that causes his op- ponents to fear him and his friends to give warm appro- bation.

Reverting to his personal career, we note that he was born in Findlay, Ohio, on December 27, 1865, be- ing the son of J. C. and Levina (Ferguson ) Henry, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. There were twelve children in the family, named as follows : C. W., married and living in Kansas ; Samuel E., the subject of this article: Cora, married ; Daisy, wife of W. P. Buell. in Shreveport, Louisiana ; Maggie, wife of James McKeever, in Fremont, Nebraska; G. A., married and living in Missouri Valley, Iowa: Albert, married and living in Deadwood, South Dakota; Francis, married and living in Omaha, Nebraska: J. C., Jr., married and living in Omaha, Nebraska ; Laura, married and living in Missouri; Tutsey, de- ceased : Turwines.

The parents came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1871, and there the father did business as one of the leading shoe merchants until he retired. He is now there, aged seventy-six, and the mother is sixty-four.

Samuel E. was educated in the schools of Council Bluffs and at Drake University, Des Moines. then completing his law course in the same university in

HON. SAMUEL E. HENRY.

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1889. He located in Council Bluffs and practiced nin- til 1800, and then came to Bonner's Ferry and opened an office, where he has done a lucrative business since that time.

In 1894 Mr. Henry married Miss Gertrude M., daughter of A. F. and Kate Annis, and to them one child has been born, Patrick Henry.

In the political realm Mr. Henry has done a fine work and has shown his ability to the satisfaction of all who reposed confidence in him. He is a stanch Re- publican and imbued with the patriotism of the prin- ciples which that party holds forth. In 1894 he was nominated to represent Kootenai and Latah counties in the state legislature, and although the Democrats and Populists combined against him in their candidate, William Vangaske, he beat his opponent by three hun- dred. In the house he at once began to act and as- sisted materially in passing the irrigation bill, which was strongly opposed. He was the father of the county division bill, which would have divided Kootenai coun- ty and made Bonner's Ferry the county seat. The bill passed his house by twenty-one to eleven but was killed in the other house. Mr. Henry killed the bill that would have taken the institution from Moscow and placed a portion of it at Weiser. The next fight was between the candidates for United States Senate, they being Sweet and Shoop. Shoop was finally elected after a sixty-day fight. In the fight regarding the changing of the boundaries of the county of Blain and Logan, Mr. Henry held the house for three days, the house being in committee of the whole. At the expiration of that period, the house resumed regular session and reported progress. Again the house went into committee of the whole and Mr. Henry was ap- pointed chairman. During this important sitting three of the most important bills of the entire session were prepared for passage and practically settled and the Idaho Statesman, commenting upon it, said if the house would allow Henry to act as chairman he would have cleared up the calendar in twenty minutes. In 1899 Mr. Henry was again before the people, but as his party was defeated, he went with it and since that time he has been paying his attention closely to the practice of his profession in which his native acumen. deep penetration, keenness, excellent fortification by constant and careful reading have made him eminently success- ful and he is sought after by a large clientage.

JOHN McLEAN, a farmer and miner near Santa, is the son of John and Ann McLean, natives of the highlands of Scotland. They came to the township of Erin, Wellington county, in the province of Ontario, in the early part of the nineteenth century, and there our subject was born on July 18, 1833. He was edu- cated there and grew to manhood, remaining with his parents until 1866. In that year Mr. McLean migrated to Whitecreek, Huron county, Michigan, and engaged in lumbering. There, on November 27, 1868, Mr. McLean married Miss Mary Self, who is descended from German and English ancestry. Thirteen children 6I

were born to this marriage: Charles A., William J., George, Walter, Daniel, Frank, Arthur, Laughlin, Fred, deceased. Mrs. Maggie Trader, Rachel. Mary and Lorilla. Walter enlisted in the late war from Michigan, but was mustered out in the south before he got into active service. William J. and George en- listed in the Philippine war from Washington and went all through the struggle in the Philippine islands. George is now in Oregon City and William went to Great Falls, Montana. Walter went to Portland, Ore- gon, after the war and then shipped to Liverpol as a sailor, having had some considerable experience before the mast previous to this time. Charles A., the old- est son, came to Spokane and thence to Camas Cove mining section and located a claim which he and his partner sold for four thousand dollars. He also owns several mining claims with his father and has a tim- ber claim which is valuable. He is also a heavy stock- holder in the Richmond Mining Company. Our sub- ject came to his present home in Santa in May, 1901, and located a homestead of one quarter section. He purchased another quarter and has some valuable prop- erty. Mr. McLean has always been an enterprising and progressive man, being one of the men whose labors count for development and upbuilding in all lines and whose walk is above reproach, being respected and es- teemed by all.

JOSEPH T. DUGAN. No mention of southern Kootenai county would be complete were there fail- ure to grant consideration to the well known gentle- man whose name is at the head of this article, since he is prominent in educational circles of the county and also had much to do in opening the Tyson camp and is a man of ability and excellent standing.

Joseph T. Dugan was born in Bond county, Illi- nois, on January 3. 1871, being the son of John W. and Sarah (Williams) Dugan. The father responded to the first call for ninety-day men and then enlisted in Company - for three years. He served out this time and then organized a company of Home Guards of which he was captain. In 1881 he went to Fayette county where he followed merchandising. until 1896 and then went to Winslow, Arkansas, where he died in March, 1902. Our subject gained his primary education in the common schools and then took his de- gree from Almyra, now Greenville College, at Green- ville, Illinois. After this he took a special course in Vandalia state normal and thus was especially well fitted for teaching. He followed this important oc- cupation for four years in Illinois and in June. 1894, came to Rathdrum, Idaho, where he had two brothers and one sister living. Mr. Dugan at once took up teaching there and in the fall of 1900 took charge of the school between Fernwood and Santa. During va- cations Mr. Dugan followed the highly interesting work of prospecting and has various claims in the vi- cinity. He was one of the very first to call attention to the pay dirt in the vicinity of Tyson and others went to work and the discovery was made. He located some of the first ground in the camp and now has a

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large holding there, including the Pittsburg Jane, V'andalia, Beauty and others, which he owns with his brothers in Rathdrum. Mr. Dugan located the Cedar Creek which he sold to D. C. Corbin of Spokane. Mr. Dugan has about as heavy interest in the camp as any individual and is one of the prominent men of the sec- tion. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Saint Maries Lodge No. 32, also of the M. W. A. of Rathdrum. Mr. Dugan is an enterprising and capable young man and has the esteem and good will of all.

AMOS D. VAN ORSDAL. Just south of Tyson is the home place of our subject. This was acquired from the government by honiestead right and is one of the choice pieces of land in this vicinity, being both timber and hay land. Mr. Van Orsdal has labored here with enterprise and wisdom and has done a good- ly share in developing the country.

Amos D. Van Orsdal was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on June II, 1867, being the son of Valencourt and Louisa (Wright) Van Orsdal. The mother died the year of his birth. His father was born in Missouri and cross- ed the plains in the early fifties, taking part in the min- ing industry in California. He also raised stock and speculated in stock considerable. He returned to Keo- kuk via Panama and New York, and there married. He was one of the early settlers in Keokuk, owning a farm where part of the city now stands. He operated a livery there and also had a towing boat on the Miss- issippi and was well known in Iowa and Missouri until his death in 1892. Our subject gained his edu- cation in Keokuk and in 1888 came to Baker City, Oregon and later went on to Malheur county, where his brother-in-law, Charles Becker, lived near Westfall, engaged in the stock business. Mr. Van Orsdal rode the range until 1894 and then came to Grangeville and followed freighting until 1899, when he came to his present place, and since that time he has been identi- fied with the interests of this section. Mr. Van Ors- dal has good improvements and a valuable home place. He owns the Goldbug quartz and the Last Chance placer claims, being deeply interested in min- ing here. Mr. Van Orsdal is a member of the M. W. A. of Santa. He is a man entitled to and the recipient of the respect and confidence of the entire community.

SAMUEL B. RITCHEY. A well-known busi- ness man of Tyson, being the pioneer merchant and hotel man of the camp, while he also now handles, in addition to these industries, a feed stable and is post- master.

Samuel B. Ritchey was born in Lane county, Ore- gon, on May 31. 1859, being the son of Matthew B. and Mary G. (Craig) Ritchey, natives of Indiana and Ohio, respectively. They were married in Iowa and in 1853 crossed the plains with ox teams and located on a donation claim in Lane county. There they remained until their death, the father passing away

in 1801 and the mother in 1899. They were among the carliest pioneers of that section and were well known and highly respected people. Our subject was educated in his native place and came to Farmington, Washington, locating a homestead across the line in Latah county, Idaho. There he resided and did gen- eral farming until 1901, when he sold out and came to Tyson, taking up the industries mentioned above. He has proved himself a capable business man and is achieving a gratifying success in his labors. Mr. Ritchey was one of the first locaters of mining prop- erty here and now has one placer claim, interests in others and a portion of the stock of the Richmond Gold Mining and Milling Company. He is a member of the Maccabees, and when in Latah county was jus- tice of the peace, and was also constable for three years.

On December 31, 1889, Mr. Ritchey married Miss Emma B., daughter of John and Martha Cummings, who were among the earliest pioneers of Latah county. They put out the first orchard of that county. At present their home is in Alberta, Canada. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey-Melvin D., deceased : Hettie May. Mr. Ritchey has always shown himself to be a progressive and enterprising citizen, and has done a good part in the development of the country, being a man of public spirit and gen- erosity. He has several valuable quartz claims and is secretary of the Miners' Association of the camp.

JOHN Q. TYSON. Among the pioneers of Kootenai county it is right that we should make espe- cial mention of the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, being a man of energy, integrity and sagacity, as his works and walk will show.

John Q. Tyson was born in Lane county, Oregon, on January 6, 1866, being the son of James B. and Mary A. (Price) Tyson. He remained with his par- ents near Eugene, Oregon, until 1877, and then they all moved to Farmington, Washington. He was educated here and in Oregon, and in 1886 took a trip to Santa Rosa, California, where he lived until 1890. Then he returned to Farmington and the same year he came to the section of country where he now resides. Mr. Tyson was pleased with the country and at once bought the relinquishment of a man by the name of Ritchey, who was the only settler here then, and the country was wild and new. Mr. Tyson went to work at farming and raising stock, and more or less he has continued at this since that time. He now owns eighty acres adjoining the town of Tyson and has it well improved. In addition to the labors men- tioned he has paid considerable attention to mining and was one of the first to locate claims in the now well known Tyson camp. He has interests in several valuable quartz and placer claims and was one of the incorporators of the Wasco Mining and Milling Com- pany, being one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of this country whose labors have done a great deal to bring it to its present development.

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On June 10, 1894, Mr. Tyson married Miss Mary J., daughter of Hughes and Susan East, of Emida. Three children have been born to them-Guy, Rich- ard Dewey, Ruth. Mr. Tyson has always been active in promoting educational facilities, as he has also in the general progress and building up the country and he is one of the substantial and well respected citizens.

PETER DESGRANGES, JR. A miner with the true spirit of '49, as will be developed in what fol- lows, a man of energy and ability, well experienced in the ways of business, a public minded and progres- sive citizen, one of the leading promoters of the Tyson mining region, the subject of this article should be represented in this history and with pleasure we grant him this consideration.

Peter Desgranges was born in Buffalo, New York, on May 14, 1858, being the son of Peter and Sophia (Dushan) Desgranges. Our subject received his edu- cation in the schools of his native place and in 1870 he came with his parents to Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, where he remained until 1880. In that year he came, via San Francisco, Portland, and Walla Walla to Rockford, Washington, the trip from Walla Walla being with teams. Two small houses were then the sum total of Rockford. Mr. Desgranges took a home- stead and later was connected with his brother, H. W. Desgranges, in handling a newspaper in Rockford. At one time they were burned out and securing a small outfit, they continued the paper without the loss of a single issue. Mr. Desgranges was active and capable in the newspaper world and brought out a sheet that was prized and approved. On March 1, 1900, the dis- covery of gold was made at Tyson and our subject promptly locked the door of his office, bestrode a cay- use, packed another and made his way to the new fields. He was one of the first on the ground and swam the raging flood of the St. Marys river in his trip. He se- cured some of the most valuable claims in the vicinity and has stayed with the camp since that date. He was one of the organizers of the Richmond Gold Mining and Milling Company, it being the first company or- ganized here. Mr. Desgranes is the heaviest stock- holder and is also a stockholder in the Wasco com- pany, which is very promising. The former company has the original discovery claims and Mr. Desgranges is secretary and treasurer. Mr. Desgranges is doubt- less the man whose energy and interest has done more for Tyson than any other one man and he is deserving of great credit for his labors. On March 5, 1903, he married Elizabeth Evans, who was born August 21. 1870, at Belmont, Ohio.

PINK C. MASHBURN. This worthy and enter- prising citizen, whose labors have wrought out an abundant success in the financial world of Kootenai county, is entitled to a place in its history because of his success, his ability, his standing, and his sterling integrity and intrinsic worth.

Pink C. Mashburn was born in Cherokee county, North Carolina, on July 29, 1849, being the son of Joshtia and Saralı ( McMahan) Mashburn. The father died in 1862. Our subject grew up on a farm and was married February 1, 1887, to Miss Allie, daughter of Henry and Mary (Hamphill) Whitener. The ances- tors of both Mr and Mrs. Mashburn were early pio- neers of the county of Cherokee, North Carolina. In 1892 Mr. Mashburn came west with his family, settling near Oakesdale, Washington. One year later he came 10 Indian creek, Kootenai county, near what is now Sanders. He took a squatter's right and improved the land until 1900, when he sold the property and bought his plesent place, at the mouth of Santa creek. He has a half section of fine land in that place and enough more in other places to make over seven hun- dred acres. He raises much hay and also handles and raises many cattle. Mr. Mashburn is one of the most prosperous men of this community and it is due to the great wisdom and industry that he has manifested in the manipulation of his business affairs in the time in which he has domiciled here. When Mr. Mashburn first came to the county, he was possessed of but little of this world's goods and his entire holding of stock and land which will doubtless aggregate twenty thousand dollars, has been gained here. When in Sanders, he was postmaster for some time. In politi- cal matters, he has evinced the interest that is becom- ing the intelligent citizen and is a progressive and public minded citizen. Seven children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife: Charlie, de- ceased, Florence M., Benjamin L., Luther W., Jessie L., Quincy I., deceased, and Olive B.

FRANCIS M. GUNN. In 1897 we find that Mr. Gunn came to the Santa and since that time he has been one of the leading stockmen of the country, now having a large band of cattle, numbering between one and two hundred. He is a substantial and esteemed citizen and has the good will of all.

Francis M. Gunn was born in Cass county, Mis- souri, on September 17, 1860, being the son of Jaines M. and Eliza (Wallace) Gunn. The father, who was in the Union army, was killed in battle. Our subject grew up on a farm and in the spring of 1880, started across the plains with teams and wagon. His sister and brother-in-law, Perry Prettyman, accompanied him. They came direct to Whitman county and lo- cated near Oakesdale, taking a homestead and engag- ing in raising stock and general farming.

On February 16, 1882, Mr. Gunn married Miss Cora, daughter of Nathaniel L. and Angeline Strenge. who came from the state of Missouri. Mr. Strenge came to California in 1849, then went to Oregon where he was married. He lived in Linn county some time and there Mrs. Gunn was born on April 24, 1864. Soon after that date the family moved back to Missouri and later returned to the west by team. This time they located near Oakesdale where the parents now live, retired. Our subject remained in the vicinity of Oakes-

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dale until 1897. He was engaged in general merchan- dising in Oakesdale for a long time and in the year mentioned he came to his present place on Santa creek. He is living in the town of Emida and attends to his stock business from there. Mr. Gunn is considered as one of the substantial and capable business men of the country and has always been in the front in any line of improvement. Four children have been born to this happy couple, Stella Frances, Maude Pearl, deceased, Claude Earl, Nina Pearl.

HUGHES EAST. The esteemed and. substantial gentleman and public minded citizen of whom we now have the pleasure of speaking was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on December 11, 1842, being the son of Hughes and Rosa East. He grew to manhood and was educated in his native place. On September 20, 1861, lie enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, going in as a private and rising by merit to the position of corporal. He first served under General Buell in the Army of the Tennessee, then was transferred to Grant's army. He served in the sieges of Vicksburg and Memphis, was in the battle of Hel- ena and many skirmishes in Mississippi and then was transferred to General Steele's army in Arkansas. He participated in the battle of Little Rock, fought Price several times and took part in the Red river ex- pedition. From Camden his regiment was ordered to Pine Bluff and there he fought at Mark's Mill and received a wound in his leg. He languished in prison for a month and then was paroled. On his way home he volunteered to assist in driving out Morgan, who was troublesome, and having done that he went home,

whence he soon returned to the front and served con- tinuously until June 20, 1865, when he was mustered out. Mr. East's first battle was at Madrid, Missouri, and he also fought at Island No. 10, besides many conflicts not mentioned and numerous skirmishes. During the war Mr. East was forced to endure great hardships, was in the heat of battle or on the march almost constantly and was always found to be a faith- ful, courageous and unflinching soldier. He is now a member of the G. A. R. at Garfield.

While on the furlough home Mr. East married Miss Susan, daughter of Valentine and Harriet Rain- bolt, the date of the wedding being July 12, 1864. Mrs. East was born in Greene county, Indiana, on February TI, 1842. In 1867 they removed to Jasper county, Iowa, then to Shelby county, where they farmed until 1879. In that year they started across the plains, having a family of six children. They came to the Palouse country and camped where Garfield now stands. They located a homestead about two miles south and commenced to improve. Mr. East, on a prospecting tour, came to his present home place in the vicinity of Emida in 1881. Being so well pleased with it he determined to make it his permanent home. In the spring of 1885 he came thither with two others and since that time he has constantly been in the good work of improving and building up the country. He

has a valuable ranch, has handled considerable stock and is a leading citizen. In May, 1900, Mr. East en- gaged in general merchandise and in August, 1902, lie sold out to his partner, Mr. Levi Crow. At pres- ent Mr. East is leading a retired life in Emida and is fully entitled to enjoy the good things his labor has provided, for he has materially assisted in building up this section and was one of its very first settlers. Mr. and Mrs. East are the parents of nine children : Annie 1 .. , wife of Joseph Gill, of Kootenai county; Lela, wife of Edward E. Dawson, of Emida ; Louisa, wife of Guy Davis, of Harrison : Thomas J., married to Bessie Sherman, of Emida: Luther: Mary, wife of John Tyson, of Tyson ; Katie, Jennie A., Grover. Mr. and Mrs. East have always evinced a great interest in religious and educational work and have done much toward uplifting the community and placing it on a better plane.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 230

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