An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 37

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 37
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 37
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 37
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 37

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university, where he had made many warm friends, buoyed up his native courage, and desiring to try his fortunes in the undeveloped far west, where merit and ability win, he accordingly came, via New York and the isthmus, to the Pacific and in 1868, we find him in Walla Walla with a few thousand dollars in his pockets, saved from his own earnings, and a let- ter of recommendation from General Harrison, after- wards President of the United States. He was soon engaged with a company manufacturing high wines. His former thorough education and consequent know- ledge of the new modes of distilling made him in- valuable to the house and he was soon installed man- ager of the concern, although he was but twenty years of age. He continued in this until 1870, then left for Lewiston. Here he formed a partnership with Wallace Scott in the wholesale liquor and grocery business. Later he abandoned the liquor business, on account of conscientious scruples, although it had been profitable. Mr. Vollmer began private operations outside of the firm with a capital he had reserved. From the outset he was remarkably successful as he has since been in all of his large and varied business relations. Doubt- les no man of the Inland Empire has ever had more diversified interests and more varied experience in business lines with an equal number of successes at the end of each new venture. Many superficial observers attribute it to "luck." But business men of experience know that it is due to consummate breadth of comprehension, keen discrimination and foresight, coupled with practical knowledge and a will that brooks no defeat.

To the original business established by John P. Vollmer and Company at Lewiston, have been added branch houses at Grangeville, Mt. Idaho, and Genesee, in Idaho, and Uniontown and Asotin in Washington. The Vollmer Clearwater Company, a creation of our subject, operates at eighteen different points, named as follows: Lewiston, Sweetwater, Bosalt, Lenore, Weippe, Stuart, Lapwai, Culdesac, Agatha, Peck, Ka- miah, Stites, Genesee, Kendrick, Clyde, Spar, Nez- perce and Asotin.

Among the earlier business movements of Mr.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

Vollmer, was the organization by him of the First National Bank of Lewiston, the first house of its kind in northern Idaho. The National Bank of Genesee and the bank at Grangeville, followed in regular order. Mr. Vollmer pays taxes on over fifty sections of agri- cultural land, which requires about three hundred miles of fence to divide it into quarter sections. He is president of and owns the controlling interest in the Lewiston Water and Light Company. He is also presi- dent of the board of trustees for the State Normal School.

Mr. Vollmer has also been interested in and identi- fied with several transportation companies. He was connected with the Walla Walla & Columbia River R. R. Company and in 1877, was made agent for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. He then acted for Henry Villard in the deal by which the last named company was absorbed by the O. R. & N. Co., which latter company Mr. Vollmer represented until 1883, when he became financially interested in the Northern Pacific and was one of the leading pro- moters of that line which is now extended to Lewiston. Since that time, he has been the representative of that line for the state of Idaho.

In addition to all the above named enterprises, with which Mr. Vollmer has been connected for the improvement and betterment of the country, he was also the one to construct the first telegraph line in northern Idaho, in 1874. Four years later, he es- tablished the first Bell telephone exchange on the Pacific coast. He was also prominent in the organ- ization of the Sweetwater Irrigation & Canal Company, with which he is still connected.

It is interesting to further note, as testimony to Mr. Vollmer's high standing in financial circles, that in "American Successful Men," of New York city, which contains a history of the most prominent citi- zens of America, he is given a prominent place, be- ing the only banker mentioned in Idaho. Such is the brief outline of the financial history of this in no wise common or ordinary career.

In political matters, Mr. Vollmer is a stanch Repub- lican, but has never been an aspirant for office, pre- ferring to promote the political interests of his friends. In fact, he has repeatedly declined preferment at the hands of his friends even when the tempting offer of the highest political office in the state was the reward of his acceptance.

In his home life Mr. Vollmer has been as greatly blessed as he has in his masterful business career. His well appointed home is a model of family felicity and home attachments. This is largely due, as are many of the pleasant phases of his life, to the wisdom and painstaking care of Mrs. Vollmer, who has the happy faculty of making a home in the true sense of the word.

Mrs. Sallie E. Vollmer, nee Barber, a native of the state of Kentucky, is a true southern lady and a granddaughter of Judge Duvall. They were united in marriage at Walla Walla, September 27, 1870, and to them have been born seven children, five of whom are still living, namely; Ralston, now in charge of

the bank at Genesee; Bessie, who was married Sep- tember 4, 1901, to Arthur E. Clarke of the New York Life Insurance Company, and now residing in New York: Genevieve, who is attending school; Norman and Norma, twins, at school in Lewiston.

Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Vollmer is one of the very busiest of men, he is of a pronounced literary turn, as is also his wife; and their home is supplied with a first-class library and all the leading magazines and periodicals of the day, which they find time to read and enjoy. He is a thirty-second de- gree Mason.

Mr. Vollmer is an enterprising, public spirited citizen, and takes great interest in the affairs of the county and state and especially in the advancement of the community where he lives. He is at the front and promoting all enterprises that are for the general bene- fit. His career is marked by display of energy and profound ability and insight into matters that have to do with the business and social world. He is known as a stanch friend and has as few enemies, probably, as any man living, of his active, agressive temperament and extensive business interests.

GARRET H. FERRALL, M. D. Among the leading citizens of Nez Perces county the name of Dr. Ferrall is surely to be placed. In business ventures, he has been signally successful. As a professional man, he has manifested skill and talent that have given him the reward due to the true and eminent physician. As to his personal qualifications, Dr. Fer- rall is a loyal friend, an affable and genial man, a true and faithful member of society and a patriotic and influential citizen.

G. H. Ferrall was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on November 11, 1844, being the son of Elihu and Mary A. (Hart) Ferrall. The father was born in Ohio, in 1814, was a pioneer of Columbiana county and also in Hinsdale county, Michigan, and is now liv- ing in Michigan. The mother was born in Ohio, in 1814, and is still living in Michigan. Her father was a pioneer of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was a sol- dier of the war of 1812. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years of age, gaining his educa- tion from the schools of his place. Then he was stirred by the spirit of patriotism and enlisted in Com- pany G. Fourteenth Michigan, under General Sher- man. He participated in the battles of Goldsborough, Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga, Atlanta and many other engagements. He transported seventeen hun- dred troops from New York to Morehead, South Caro- lina, and then rejoined his command under Sherman and was in the famous march to the sea. When the time came to lay down the arms of warfare, Mr. Fer- rall returned to his home and went to the study of medicine in Cleveland, and in 1870 he graduated with distinction. Then he repaired to Fayette, Ohio, and there practiced for five years. Then a move was made to Ransonı, Michigan, where he practiced for seven years. He followed his profession in Ithica, Michi-

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gan, for several years. Then he came to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and practiced there and handled a ranch for ten years. Between the oversight of the farm property and his profession the Doctor was a very busy man and reaped the reward of his industry in that he gained a good financial success. Then he went to Walla Walla and engaged in the manufactur- ing business for a couple of years; in 1898 he took up the place where he now lives, two miles north from Winchester. He has a fine body of land and some excellent timber. The Doctor is one of the in- fluential men of the county, is on its school board, has promoted the telephone system from Culdesac to Nez- perce City, also the mail line from Culdesac to Dublin. He is justice of the peace and is looked up to by all as especially deserving.

On February 12, 1873, in Fayette, Ohio, Dr. Fer- rall married Miss Orcelia, daughter of Truman L. and Harriett (Van Branken) Scofield, natives of New York. The father was born in 1821 and died in 1900. The mother was born in 1820 and died in 1875. Mrs. Ferrell was born in Williams county, Ohio, in 1845. Her parents were pioneers of that county and Fulton county, Ohio. She has one brother and one sister, Edwin and Ellen Sails. Dr. Ferrall has the following named brothers and sisters: Barzillai F., Elizabeth, Oliver P., Jennie E., John W., James E., Taylor S. and Lucy I. To Dr. Ferrall and his wife there have been born three children, Harriett E., wife of Charles R. Howard, a telegraph operator for the Western Union; Ellen M., wife of Homer King, in Coeur d'Alene : Lee E., in the fire department in Spokane. Dr. Ferrall is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife affiliates with the Presbyterian church. Dr. Fer- rall is a stanch Republican and active in this realm. Mrs. Ferrall was married first to Morris J. Dodd. who lived but fifteen months after his marriage. One son, Fred N., was born to this union. He is passenger con- ductor on the Spokane and Northern Railroad, which runs from Spokane to Rossland. Dr. Ferrall is a warm advocate of good schools and is doing much for the cause of education in his community.

SAMUEL PATTERSON. It is fitting that es- pecial mention should be granted to this estimable gentleman, for he is one of the industrious workers who are building up the county and he is doing his share in a commendable manner. His family home is about two miles northeast from Slickpoo, where he owns a quarter section, which is devoted to all the various grains indigenous to this latitude. He has an orchard and also raises stock to consume his farm produce. He is an energetic man and operates a threshing machine in addition to the other employ- ments of his land. Mr. Patterson is well hked and is an influential and respected member of the community.

Taking an account of the details of his earlier life, we note that he was born in Marion county, Oregon, on January 1, 1860, being the son of John and Sarah A. (Stout) Patterson. The father was a farmer, born in Pennsylvania and died in 1867. He came to Cali-

fornia in 1847 and was an early pioneer of Oregon, taking a donation claim there. The mother died in 1865. Being thus left an orphan at a tender age, our subject was taken into the family of F. M. Thompson, where he received good treatment and remained until fourteen years old. He then went to work for him- self and at twenty he went to farming in Wasco county. He took a pre-emption there and tilled it for twelve years. In 1890 he sold that property and re- moved to Latah county and farmed for six years. Then a move was made to the reservation and he took his present claim. Since that date he has be- stowed his labors here continuously. He is being pros- pered and is one of the leading citizens of his section.

On July 4, 1880, he was married to Miss Henri- etta, daughter of George W. and Martha A. (Threld- keld) Wayne. The father is a farmer and lives on the reservation. He was born in 1837 and the mother was born in Missouri, and died in 1862. Mrs. Pat- terson is an only child and was born in Calloway county, Missouri, in 1862. Mr. Patterson has one

brother and one sister, Elizabeth Down, in Silverton, Oregon : Richard, also in Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Patterson there have been born eight children, named as follows: George W., Martha A., John, Ernest, Frank, Charles, Daniel B. and Minnie L. Mr. Patter- son is not bound by partisan ties in political matters but votes for the man. He is a warm advocate of good schools and labors for their establishment. He is edu- cating his children in the state normal at Lewiston.

PHILLIP S. SMITH. This pioneer and sub- stantial stockman and farmer of Nez Perces county is deserving of mention in this history since he has labored here for the advancement of the interests of the county and has done a good work in development since residing here. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, on February 17, 1838, being the son of George S. and Clarissa (Stockton) Smith. The father was a carpenter and millwright, born in Tennessee, in 1802. He went to California in 1849 and died there in 1852. He was a captain of the militia in Iowa. The mother was born in Indiana in 1812. Her father, William Stockton, was a pioneer of that country and an Indian trader, and she was raised among the Delaware In- dians until she was ten. Our subject came to Oregon with his mother in 1853, settling in Linn county. She died the next year, leaving him an orphan. He went then to California and mined in Siskiyou county for three years. Next we see him in Oregon learning the saddler's trade in Santiam, Marion county. Four years later, he came to Washington and thence to Idaho. In 1862, he was in Pierce City mining and in Florence, Warren and other camps he delved for the treasures of earth for a time and then went to pack- ing. In 1867 he secured a pack outfit for himself and operated it from Lewiston to Warren and ad- jacent camps until 1871. Then he sold the outfit and operated land, since which time he has largely de- voted himself to agriculture and stock raising. In 1896 he took up a claim on the Nez Perces reservation.

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He was in the country during the Indian war in 1877. In 1864 a band of renegade Indians went on the war- path and he was one of a company of citizens that formed to resist them. They were received as United States soldiers and served until the savages were re- pelled. He carried the mail from Lapwai to Magnolia for two years and from Lapwai to Slickpoo for three years, up to July, 1902.

In 1872 Mr. Smith married Susan, a Nez Perces woman, who was raised by Mrs. Craig, being a niece of that lady. To this marriage there have been born four children, William, in this county; an infant, de- ceased; Jackson, deceased; Lydia, wife of Paul Cor- bett, living in Kamiah. Mr. Smith is a Democrat but not partisan. He has brothers and sisters as follows : Mary A. Wood, Samuel, Nancy Crank and Rebecca Barton.

STEPHEN JACQUES. From the sunny land of France comes the enterprising and capable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and what was the misfortune of that land is the good fortune of this, for Mr. Jacques has been a first-class citizen of the United States for a number of years and has wrought for the advancement of Nez Perces county in various ways for a long time. His native spot is La Ca- nourgue, near Bordeaux, in southern France, and the date of his birth, January 1, 1854. His parents were Stephen and Rose (Vieillevigne) Jacques. The father was born near La Canourgue in 1825 and died in 1885 there. The mother was born in the same vicinity and died in 1897. Our subject worked with his father, who was a wealthy man of his section, and there gained his education, finishing the same by a course in college. After the days of schooling were over, he went to farming for himself and did well. He had a fine piece of land and could have sold it for a large amount as it was well set to choice vines, but later an insect destroyed the vines, and Mr. Jacques became discouraged. He then determined to try his fortune in the United States and accordingly came hither, landing in New York, having left his family in France. He labored for a time and then came to Lew- iston, where he worked for Louis Delsol. He went to Spokane in 1889, the year after the fire. He started a restaurant and did well. Four years were spent there and then Mr. Jacques came back to Lewiston, going thence to Camas prairie, near Grangeville. Re- turning to Lewiston, he remained there a few years to educate his children, and then came to Lapwai and started a general merchandise establishment. For three years he did well and then, the reservation open- ing, he located the land where he now lives, six miles east from South Lapwai. He moved his store to the land, erected all needed buildings and has continued in the mercantile business since that time. He handles stock in addition to the store and also does a general farming business. Mrs. Jacques made a visit to France and visited the native places.

On May 28, 1880, in France, Mr. Jacques married Miss Flavie, daughter of Francois Jarrousse. She

was born in 1858. To them have been born the fol- lowing children : Noeme, wife of Harry Walruth, in Pierce City ; Maria, Emile, Eugene, at home. Mr. Jacques has four sisters in France and one brother in South Africa. He and his family are adherents of the Catholic church.

WILLIAM A. CALDWELL is one of the prom- inent men among the old pioneers of this country. He has been essentially a pioneer in many lines, having done all the arduous duties that fall to the lot of that worthy class and also has opened up many lines of industry in this section, and is to be credited with ex- cellent ability and perseverance and keen foresight in these lines.

William A. Caldwell was born in Tompkins county, New York, on December 10, 1832, being the son of Gabrial and Maria (Anderson) Caldwell. The father was a farmer, born in Orange county, New York, and died in 1891. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and held the rank of lieutenant. The mother was born in Orange county, New York, and died several years since. William was educated and at the age of eighteen was ready to start in life for himself. He shipped to Panama and assisted to survey the Panama railroad. Seven months later he returned to New York and then came to Minnesota, entering the employ of a packet company. He went to St. Paul, where his brother was sheriff of the county, and there he remained for five years. He built a saw-mill and did well in the venture. Later he sold and engaged as wagon master for Colonel Noble to make a wagon road on the big bend of the Missouri. They made a trip to the Pacific coast country and visited Walla Walla, the Fraser river country, and the next spring after gold was discovered Mr. Caldwell went to Oro Fino. He mined at Oro Fino, Florence, Warren, Pierce City and all the camps of that section and also at Boise basin and then he returned to Lewiston. He took a government wood contract and then operated a pack train to Pierce City. He then bought the Cul De Sac stage station, now known as the Caldwell stage station, and erected a six-thousand dollar hotel, where he did business for twenty years. He was the first man to try wheat in the vicinity north of Lewiston. People laughed at him when he broke the first one hundred acres, but his wheat did well, and thus he opened a great source of wealth for the country. In 1883 Mr. Caldwell built a palatial home in Lewiston and later he acquired title to the Colonel Craig donation claim and also to the other half of the section, but he was obliged to carry it to the courts of last resort. Mr. Caldwell, in addition to his other activities, has al- ways been a large operator in stock. He handled about ten thousand stock sheep and vast herds of cattle and horses.

On July 5. 1871, in Lewiston, Mr. Caldwell mar- ried Miss Maria, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (O'Neil) Reddy, natives of Ireland. The father came to Canada when a large boy and the mother came

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when young. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Ontario, in 1849, and remained there until twenty and was edu- cated in the world famous schools of that province. Then she came with her parents to California and later to Idaho, where they died. She has two brothers and five sisters, Richard, Catherine Worden, Elizabeth White, Margaret Vennigerholz, Sarah Elliott, Jennie Parker and Owen. Mr. Caldwell has the following named brothers and sisters: Thomas, James, Isabelle, Nancy, all deceased, and Helen, Julia Mallory and Fan- ny Thorp. To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell there have been born four children, William A., in Montana; Solomon S., in Nez Perces county ; Frederick G. and Moses, at home. Mr. Caldwell is a member of the Masonic or- der. He is a Democrat in politics and active, as also are his boys. He owns a section of land where he now lives, four miles southeast from Lapwai, and raises wheat, barley, corn and handles stock to consume the products of the farm. Mr. Caldwell is a strong ad- vocate of fine schools and is a supporter of the churches.

HENRY H. SCHILDMAN. There are few men in the entire state, if any, who have won as brilliant a success in the business world by reason of meritorious work and real ability as has the subject of this brief article. He is at the present time one of the proprietors of the large mercantile establishments in Lapwai, Kamiah, Nezperce and Forest, operated by Lester Cof- fin & Schildman. They have an extensive trade at all these establishments. He has put his whole life and spirit into the mercantile world and being admirably fitted with natural talent, he has made a success that would be a crowning effort to a full life in this im- portant line and is still numbered with the young men of the county.

We will note the details of his career, as they will be interesting in the history of the county where he has wrought with such excellent wisdom. Henry H. was born in Warsaw, Illinois, on November 20, 1871, being the son of Henry and Josephine Schildman. The father was a farmer, born in Ohio, in 1838, and now lives in Warsaw. The mother was born in War- saw, her parents having come as early pioneers to that country. They both died when she was an infant and she was reared by her grandparents, who were pioneers of Illinois. Our subject worked at home, at- tended school in Warsaw, and later attended college two years. He remained with his parents until the time of his majority. In 1895 he longed for the west and accordingly came to Spokane. Six months were spent there, after which he repaired to Lewiston, ac- cepting a position in the mercantile establishment of Coffin Brothers, leading merchants of Lewiston. Dur- ing his stav with them, which was two years, they had opened a store at Lapwai when the reservation was thrown open for settlement. Mr. Schildman was installed as manager and soon his real worth and ability led the proprietors to take him as a partner. He has picked up the Nez Perces language and does a large business with the Indians.

Mr. Schildman is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Republican and active in good government, but will never have his name placed for office, as he is occupied with business. Mr. Schildman is a firm believer in broad education and thus is sure that the general morals of the people will be bettered, and he labors for good schools.

WILLIE E. KERN. This enterprising farmer re- sides twenty-one miles southeast from Lewiston and is one of the substantial stockmen and farmers of his section, having a nice place well improved and pro- ductive of good returns annually. W. E. Kern was born in Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1866, being the son of William C. and Roda R. (Cox) Kern. The father is a stockman and farmer, born in Indiana in 1810, and now lives in Oregon. He crossed the plains in 1845, 1852, and in 1866, and mined in California. He was county treasurer of Umatilla county, at Pendle- ton, for eight years and was sheriff in Iowa for two terms. The mother was born in Indiana in 1827, came west in 1878 and is still living. Willie E. was reared in Nebraska until thirteen years old and then came west with his parents in 1878, completing his educa- tion in Pendleton. At fifteen he started for himself and worked three years in Umatilla county at black- smithing. Then he went to the sound and labored in the timber. Four years later he went to Butte, Mon- tana, and opened a restaurant, where he did well for two and one-half years. He also spent some time in the Big Bend country in Washington in the stock business and in 1899 he came to his present place. January was the month and he has labored since with excellent success, being now one of the prosperous men of the county. He owns a half section, well im- proved.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 37

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