An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 231

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 231
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 231
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 231
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 231

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WILLIAM DAWSON. About a quarter of a mile from Emida postoffice we find the home of our subject and the thrift and industry that he has put forth have made the wild a fertile farm and given him a valuable and comfortable home place.

William Dawson was horn in Jasper county, Mis- souri, on March 14, 1866, being the son of Levi M. and Charlotte (Hays) Dawson. The father enlisted for a short service in the Confederate army and then returned to his farm. Our subject grew to manhood in the native place and received his education there, as well as a good training on the farm. In 1879. with his parents, he came to Walla Walla, crossing the plains with teams. Later we see him in Spokane, and in the vicinity of Waverly the father took a homestead and there engaged in general farming and raising stock.

On January 19, 1888, Mr. Dawson married Miss Martha J . daughter of Mordecai and Dora Griffith, of Rosalia. In the fall of 1890 he came to his pres- ent place and entered land as a homestead. Few set- tlers were in this entire region and our subject, being a real pioneer, was forced to endure the hardships and perform the trying and ardnous labors incident to mak- ing a fine farm from the wilderness. He has given his attention to general farming somewhat, but is mostly occupied in raising hay and stock. He has eighty acres seeded to timothy and has also some fine speci- mens of mutton sheep, as well as some cattle. Mr. Dawson is a member of the M. W. A. at Emida and is one of the leading and substantial men of this sec- tion. Four children have been born to this household : Corry William, Ollie, Bertha Pearl and Lillie May.

LEVI CROW. This well known business man is proprietor of a general merchandise establishment in Emida, where he is doing a thriving business and is both popular and sustains a reputation which has given him the confidence and good will of all.

Levi Crow was born in the vicinity of Carthage.

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Missouri, on May 17, 1868, being the son of William and Catherine ( Hays) Crow, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. The father enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Kansas Cavalry and served in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas all through the war and was honorably discharged at the close. He was married in 1866 near Carthage. In 1873 he was killed by the kick of a horse. Our subject remained with his mother until her death in 1879 and then in 1881 came across the plains with his uncle, George E. Ray, direct to Thurston county, Washington. He attended common school and finished his education in the Collegiate Institute at Olympia. Then he bought land and farmed until February 6, 1892, when he started for the Santa valley. He entered a homestead about two miles below the present Emida, where he has about sixty acres of timothy and here he gave his attention to raising stock until October, 1001, when he sold his stock and took a half interest in a general merchandise establishment with Mr. East. In August, 1902, Mr. Crow bought the interest of Mr. East and now has a fine store. The building is 24x40, well filled with a fine assortment for the trade and the entire establish- ment breathes of the business spirit and enterprise of the proprietor, while the community manifest their confidence and approval of Mr. Crow's methods by granting him a first-class patronage. Mr. Crow is a member of the M. W. A., at Emida, and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1893. He takes an active part in the educational advancement of the country and is a public spirited man.

On October 7, 1894. Mr. Crow married Miss Maud M. Davis, whose parents, Theodore and Sydney Davis, were among the first pioneers of the Santa valley. Three children were born to them: William G., Rosa M. and Myrton E. On June 20, 1900, Mrs. Crow was called away by death. On May 20, 1902, Mr. Crow took to himself a second wife, the lady being Mrs. Eugenia (Garton) Norton, who has, by her former husband, one child, Orla Norton. Our subject is one of the real builders of this section and his public spir- it and enterprise have done a lion's share in pressing the country to the front and in building it up and bringing it to its present prosperous condition.

THOMAS H. FENN. A worthy pioneer, who descended from one of the pioneer families of the northwest. a reliable and upright man, a public minded and progressive citizen, it is proper that an epitome of the career of our subject be granted space in the his- tory of Kootenai county.

Thomas H. Fenn was born in Springfield, Illinois, on March 29. 1845, being the son of John and Eliza- beth (Jory) Fenn, natives of Illinois. In one of the most noted trips that a pioneer ever took, we refer to the train that Dr. Whitman led across the plains, our subject was brought by his parents from his native place to Oregon City. This was accomplished by ox teams about 1847. The father made a trip to Cali- fornia and was one of the fortunate ones in mining.

and. returning, he took a donation claim near Albany, which was the home until the carly seventies, when he came to where Rosalia now stands, took land and made a home, where he died in 1877. He was a vet- eran in the Indian fights in Oregon and had the hard- ships of hauling all his supplies from Walla Walla when at Rosalia. Our subject remained in the vicin- ity of Rosalia until 1887 and then came to the St. Marys river. The following year he came to the pres- ent site of Fernwood, where he took a squatter's right and began improving. He continued in raising general farm products until 1902. when he platted a portion of the land and established the town of Fernwood. The original name was Fennwood, from Mr. Fenn, but the postoffice department mistook and printed it Fernwood, and refused to rectify the mistake. It is a bright little hamlet and promises a prosperous fu- ture. Lumbering and mining are the principal indus- tries and agriculture will be more pronounced in the future. The little log cabin where Mr. Fenn spent the first few years stands yet. It is a goodly specimen of the pioneer architecture and with its spacious fire- place, its smoke-begrimed walls and its diminutive size, speaks with eloquent voice of the pioneer's struggles and the charm even of the bare little hut which goes by the name of home. Mr. Fenn weath- ered all the hardships, made pilgrimages to the Pa- louse country. packing his blankets, to earn money to buy food and is now entitled to the prosperity that has come and is coming to crown his faithful labors. All honor to the intrepid pioneers, all honor to the cour- age that could pass the lonely winter nights and the ionelier days sometimes, and endure all the hardships of the rugged frontiersman with never a complaint or a sigh, that the grand new country could be opened up to the settlement and for the homes of the more timid one to follow. Such a worthy labor has been accom- plished by Mr. Fenn and he is now privileged to see the crowning of the enterprise by the gathering set- tlers and opening industries.

CLARENCE CHAMBERS. Among those who deserve mention in the history of Kootenai county we are constrained to name the subject of this article and it is with pleasure that we can speak of him as an upright, capable and reliable citizen whose labors have done much for the development of the country.

Clarence Chambers was born in Knox county, In- cliana, on January 2, 1870, being the son of William Carey and Mary (Maxwell) Chambers, natives of In- diana and North Carolina, respectively. In the fall of 1872 the family came to Linn county, Oregon, and in the spring of 18;7 they came to Whitman county, where the father took land and improved it. This was near Moscow and in 1888 he sold the farm and moved to the Hoodoo mines in Latah county. Three years later he went to California and thence he re- turned to Palouse, where he remained until his death. November 10. 1001. The widow went back to San Francisco, where she still remains. Our subject early

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went into the lumbering business and also devoted considerable attention to trapping the various game of the mountains. He spent three winters thus in the Clearwater country and was successful in the enter- prise. Next we see him engaged on the Saint Mary's river in the same occupation and many is the lusty bear and cunning cougar that have fallen into his snares, Mr. Chambers has been speculating in timber and has gained a gratifying success in this line. He is at pres- ent living in Fernwood, where he has a comfortable residence of five rooms and some other property.

On August 13. 1899, Mr. Chambers married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Annie ( Piper) Rusnell. Mr. Rusnell is now living in Fernwood. One child has been born to this happy union, Ray, born March 15, 1900. Mr. Chambers came to this country when it was wild and uninhabited and has remained continuously in the excellent labors of devel- opment and building up with a courage and enterprise that are worthy to be recognized and which have done much good for this section, not only in the actual la- bor accomplished, but in stimulating others to action and in leading many settlers here.

JOHN C. BOWMAN. Among those who have done excellent work in the development of southern Kootenai county we are constrained to mention the agriculturist and stockman whose name appears above.

John C. Bowman was born in Stone county, Mis- souri, on January 2. 1850, being the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Dewey) Bowman. Our subject grew up on a farm with his parents and during the awful times of the war the family were forced to flee from their home on account of the dire destruction that resulted from opposing armies, who were sweeping back and forth over the stricken country. All the settlers of this region were also forced to flee for their lives. Our subject and his parents went to Dallas county and when the smoke of strife ceased they returned to the farm only to find blackened ruins of all their im- provements. Two uncles and one brother of Mr. Bowman were killed in the war. The father settled on his farm and went to improving it. Our subject remained there until 1873 and on December 24th of that year he as married in Taney county to Miss Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Martha May, who removed to California, where the father died, but the mother is still living in San Bernardino county. In 1875 Mr. Bowman started across the plains with ox teams. His family consisted of wife and one child when he started and two children when they landed in Crook county, Oregon, six months after the start. Soon they went to Lane county and thence in 1877 they journeyed to where Fairfield, Washington, now stands. He entered a homestead and improved it and was one of the prosperous farmers there until 1899, when he went to Mexico for the health of one of his hoys. One winter was spent there and Mr. Bowman came to Saint Maries, purchasing his present place,

two and one-half miles above the town. He has a quarter section, comfortable buildings and gives his attention to general farming and raising stock. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, named as follows: Alvin, James Pope, deceased, Ada, wife of Levi Laird, an engineer on the steamer Schley ; William, Elsie, deceased, and Earl. Mr. Bowman and his estimable wife are important additions to the society of this region and have made many warm and true friends and are highly respected, having the good will of all.

HENRI ROCHAT is one of the earliest pioneers of the Saint Joseph river country, coming here in 1884. His fine hay ranch is located nine miles above Saint Maries on the north side of the Saint Joseph liver. We are especially pleased to grant him a repre- sentation in this volume, as he has always been an up- right and loyal citizen and a valuable member of the community, having ever voiced and demonstrated the principles of truth and uprightness.

Henri Rochat was born in Le Pont, Switzerland, on July 5, 1828. He gained his educational training in the schools of his native place and then learned the watchmaker's trade. At the age of fifteen he com- menced at this trade and more or less since that time he has continued it. In 1852 he emigrated from Switz- erland to New York, then went to Virginia, but as the climate was too warm and he was opposed to slavery from principle, he returned to the banks of the Hud- son and there wrought at his trade and also gave much of his time to the instruction of the free negroes. Two years later he returned to Switzerland. Soon aft- erward he came again to the United States, but desir- ing to seek his life helpmeet from his own country- women, he returned to Switzerland and there on Sep- tember 2, 1856, Mr. Rochat married Miss Fanny Ros- selet. She shared his life and faithfully walked with him until September 14, 1874, when she went to be with the Lord. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Rochat came to this country again and settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. He engaged there in the jewelry business and was favored with a fine patronage and abundantly prospered, but when the wife died he deemed it best to return to the old country, and, ac- cordingly, in 1875. he took his little flock of six chil- dren and made the journey to Switzerland, settling in his old home place, which was known as the French Port. About eight years were spent in different places in the old country and then he brought the fam- ily back to this country and went to Walla Walla. His daughter, Matilda, had learned the watchmaking trade and started a jewelry store in Walla Walla and Mr. Rochat wrought with her. She was well known as the lady watchmaker. During that time Mr. Rochat went to the Sound country, taking his son, Paul. The latter remained there and the father came back to Walla Walla. Later he made another trip. taking his son William that time. As stated above, Mr. Rochat came to the Saint Joseph river in 1884 and in June, 1885, located his present place, which doubtless is one

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of the best places on the river. He and his two sons now own one section of land. He has a good six-room house, large barns and a band of cattle. Mr. Rochat is one of the thrifty and substantial men of the com- munity.

The children born to Mr. Rochat and his devoted wife are named below: Eugene ; Mrs. Eva Thonney, of Walla Walla ; Mrs. Anna Berney, of Walla Walla ; Matilda, now deceased ; Paul, married to Miss Leah Jacot, to whom have been born five children, Mark, August, Helene, Rose and Emily ; William, married to Helene De'Lepine, and to them has been born one child, Matilda.

Mr. Rochat was formerly a member of the Pres- byterian church, but being exorcised as to the correct- ness of denominations, he gave the matter careful con- sideration in the light of the Scriptures alone and be- came thoroughly convinced that the church spoken of in the Bible. "The body of Christ." was a very differ- ent thing from the sects of man's organization. Be- lieving this. he was forced to withdraw from his church membership, and since that time he has been without the "camp" gathered "unto His Name" alone. This position has of course brought him face to face in opposition to the popular teachings in religious mat- ters of the day. While he firmly believes the truth of the principles that his stand bears a testimony to, how faithfully he has made his works show his faith is a matter in which all who know him may testify. Mr. Rochat has brought his children up in this faith of the Bible, always firmly believing that the Scriptures meant what they said and said what they meant. He is held in esteem by all who know him and the golden days of the years of his life are being spent in rest on the strong "Rock" where he has builded. in the se- · curity of the "strong tower" wherein he has run, and in the sweet consolation of the words spoken to the separated ones, "I will be a Father unto you."

ALBERT B. ALLEN. The valley of the Saint Joseph and the Saint Maries river has been opened as has the other frontier countries of the west, by the hardship and sturdy efforts on the part of the stanch pioneers who made their way hither in the early days and who fought and overcame the forces of nature con- gregated against them. Mr. Allen is one of the wor- thy number who has a goodly part in this development work and is to be mentioned with the pioneers of this section.

Albert B. Allen was born in Piketon, Ohio, on Sep- tember 24, 1869. being the son of George W. and Cath- erine (Socks) Allen. The father served in the Union army. Our subject attended the common schools of his native place and grew up on a farm. Later he was favored with the training of the high schools. His mother died when he was twelve and his father is now living at Decatur, Illinois. In 1891 Albert came to Spokane. Washington, and shortly afterwards made his way to Harrison and thence in January, 1892, came over the ice to his present place. His farm is located

near Saint Joe and consists of three hundred acres of fine meadow and timber land. It was a very siffer- ent country when Mr. Allen tramped over the ice to take a home place and his labors have made a great change. He has good timothy meadows, fields and so forth and ltis residence is a fine new eight-room house. He has a large barn and handles Jersey and Short- horn cattle. Mr. Allen owned and operated the De- fender in 1898, but sold out.

On May 21, 1902, Mr. Allen married Miss Grace, daughter of Arthur A. and Cora E. Harvey, natives of Michigan. Mrs. Allen was born at Maple Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey now live on the Saint Joseph river near Saint Joe. Mr. Allen is a member of the I. O. O. F., Coeur d'Alene Lodge, No. 34. He is a well respected man and stands well in the community.

GEORGE L. HAYS. The name of Captain Hays is familiar to all dwellers in the regions of Saint Joe and the Coeur d'Alene lake. He is favorably known also wherever he is acquainted. His home is situated on the Saint Joseph river, a quarter of a mile above the town of Saint Joe. He has a fine meadow of ninety acres in timothy, good residence, commodious barns, and all outbuildings needed. and is one of the substan- tial and prosperous men of this section. In addition to the industry of raising hay Mr. Hays has a band of Jersey cattle.

Reverting to his personal career, we note that it began in Pike county, Ohio, on September 27, 1834, his parents being James and Margaret Hays. His native place was in the Scioto valley. He grew up on the farm and attended the public schools, some times held in the log cabins. On August 6, 1856. he married Miss Emily E .. daughter of Joseph and Matilda Cole- man, who came front Virginia to Ohio.

In September, 1862, Mr. Hays enlisted in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio, and his regiment was afterwards transferred to the First Ohio Heavy Artillery. He went in as private, was promoted to a second lientenancy in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio, was mustered out and received a commission as first lieutenant. was mustered out again and commissioned captain. He was in the Army of the Cumberland and served under General Sher- man most of the time. He participated in the battle of Wataga river, was in many close places and hot skirmishes, where he did hard fighting, but was never wounded. Mr. Hays now has a copy of every return that he made as a commissioned officer and can give an account of every man in his company. He also has his muster out roll. Three years and twelve days he served and then took his honorable discharge and went to Ohio. He organized a couple of militia companies and drilled them, holding the position of captain in each one for five years. At the time of the riot on the Haymarket square in Cincinnati his company was called out to quell the affair. Captain Hayes has been commander of the Hibbens Post of the G. A. R. at Piketon, Ohio, for two terms. He is now a member

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of the A. T. McReynold's Post, No. 34, at Coeur d'Alene. In 1856 Mr. Hays was made a member of the I. O. O. F .. Piketon Lodge, No. 323, and since that time he has held his membership there. He has never been behind in his dues and has taken a benefit but once.

In 1872 Captain Hays built a roller mill at Piketon and operated it until 1883. In 1889 he came to Spo- kane and in March, 1890, he came to his present loca- tion, taking one hundred and forty-eight acres as a squatter on the south side of the river. Few settlers were here then and the Captain has been a real pioneer in this section.

To Mlr. and Mrs. Hays there have been born the following named children: Margaret, wife of John J. Patterson, of Portland, Oregon: Emily, wife of John J. Ross, on the Saint Joseph river; Hattie, wife of Frank Bishop, of Coeur d'Alene : George W .: Kate M., wife of Harris McConaughy, of Portland, Oregon. The Captain and his wife are devoted mem- bers of the Methodist church and are upright and high- ly respected people.

GEORGE O. NEWCOMB. The valuable estate of Mr. Newcomb lies on the Saint Joseph river about two miles above the town of St. Joseph and consists of something over on half section. It is valuable hay land and two hundred and fifty acres will raise tim- othy, one hundred acres being now in timothy. It is one of the fine hay ranches on the river that is noted for raising excellent timothy. Part of this land lies in Shoshone county and part lies in Kootenai county.

Mr. Newcomb is the son of George O. and Cath- erine A. (O'Conner) Newcomb. They were natives of New York and our subject's grandfather New- comb was a native of Connecticut, while his great- grandfathers on both sides of the house were partici- pants in the Revolution. The parents came to Mexico from New York state, thence to San Francisco and thence to Sacramento, in which last place their son, the subject of this sketch, was born on March 24, 1857. The father kept the Orleans Hotel in Sacramento for fourteen years and also operated the Brooks Hotel on the beach in San Francisco. Our subject received his early education in California and soon started in life for himself. He traveled all over the western states and many portions of the eastern ones. In 1880 he went to Oregon, then to Utali and in 1891 he came to his present place. He took a homestead and added by purchase until he has his present estate. Mr. New- comb has a comfortable house, large barns, substantial ontbuildings and all the improvements called for on the ranch and his place bears an appearance of thrift that bespeaks the industry and good management of the proprietor. He also owns a band of good graded Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Newcomb is a Royal Arch Ma- son, having been made a Mason in New York. He has held and still holds the position of justice of the peace in his precinct.

On March 29, 1898, Mr. Newcomb married Miss

Rebecca J. Evans, of Buffalo, New York, and two children have been born to them, George Evans and Edward Revington.

EDWARD DIGHTON. Among the prosperous hay raisers of the St. Joseph valley is to be men- tioned the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. His fine place of one half section is located on the banks of the river at St. Joe and is one of the best hay ranches in the state of Idaho. He has three large hay barns, a good six-room house and all the im- provements that are needed on the place.

Edward Dighton was born in India, on December 30, 1851, being the son of John H. and Caroline Dighton. The father was a captain in the British army and was stationed in India. He is now retired and lives in the old home place, known as the Oak House, in Newland, Gloucester county, England. The mother lives there also. When Edward was a child he was taken to England and educated in some of the leading colleges of that country. After his school days, he gave attention to the oversight of his father's estates until 1879. when he came to the United States. Land- ing at New York he came thence to St. Peter, Minne- sota, and three years later went over the Northern Pacific to Rathdrum. Later he came to Coeur d'Alene and in 1884 he settled on his present place, taking a squatter's right. Mr. Dighton's place is not only a valuable place, but it is also a very beautiful place. He raises much stock, having some fine blooded cattle and also some good horses. Mr. Dighton came to this country with but very little of this world's goods, but now he has acquired a first-class holding of good div- idend paying property.

On April 30, 1893, Mr. Dighton married Miss Annie Machen, an old acquaintance from the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Dighton are highly resepected people and are esteemed by all and have hosts of friends from all classes and are valuable members of society.

WILLIAM O'NEAL. At the head of navigation on the Saint Joseph river, in a spot where the river forms the boundary of the grounds on three sides, stands the attractive and tasty hotel and summer re- sort of the subject of this article. He has a fine two- story building, twenty-one bedrooms, large and airy office. excellent cuisine and dining apartments, while his parlors are fitted up in exquisite shape and the buildings are provided with pleasant nooks and porches and verandas, which offer inviting retreats of refreshments in this salubrious climate. The es- tablishment is managed in a first class manner and all is provided for entertainment and comfort of guests that can be arranged and it is a pleasant place to re- tire from the worry of business and gain the joy and life to be had in the fresh air and charming surround- ings.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 231

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