An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 44

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 44
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 44
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 44
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 44

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The marriage of Mr. Morgan was to Miss Alice A., daughter of W. B. and Martha L. (Swift) Reed, natives of Kentucky and immigrants to Minnesota in 1867. where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have been blessed with five children, Eli C., Arthur H., Edith M., Charles W., and Ruth. Mr. Morgan has demonstrated his ability and wisdom in the suc- cess that he has achieved and he fully deserves the prominent place he holds in the esteem and respect of his fellows.

ANDREW O. CHRISTENSON. This well-to- do and enterprising farmer of Nez Perces county is richly deserving of consideration in this volume of his county's history since he has labored faithfully and deservingly in this section for its improvement and upbuilding, maintaining meanwhile a good reputation and doing good work on his estate of three hundred and twenty acres, four miles southwest from Genesee, where he operates a first class farm in a commend- able manner. He was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, in May, 1859, being the son of Andrew and Tona ( Olson ) Christenson, natives of Norway, but immigrants to Wisconsin in 1854, where the father engaged in farming and the mercantile pursuit. He wrought there until the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1884. The mother died in 1888 in Latah county, whither she had gone to live with her children. At the age of seventeen our subject came to the west, landing in Walla Walla in the centennial year. Two years were spent in lumbering and then he went to Nez Perces county and took a homestead and timber claim,. one and one half miles distant from his present abode. He afterward sold the improvements on these places and returned to Walla Walla to lumber in the Cas- cade and Blue mountains. For five years he followed this stirring industry and then in 1884 bought back

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one of the places he sold ; then, having married, he settled down on their present place, which was given to his wife by her father. Thus our subject is hand- ling one half section of land and gains abundant re- turns of crops, while he also pays considerable at- tention to raising stock, being successful in both lines of industry.

On July 14. 1881, at Lewiston, Idaho, Mr. Chris- tenson married Miss Johana, a native of Wisconsin and daughter of Benjamin and Johana Thompson, natives of Norway. To this happy marriage there have been born three children, Emma E., Clarence E., and Harvey G. Mr. Thompson came west with his family in 1878, his wife having died in Wisconsin in 1859, being buried in Winnebago county, and here he homesteaded the place where our subject now lives, and at the time of his death, which occurred on Oc- tober 16, 1884. he gave the farm to Mrs. Christenson. His remains were buried in the Genesee cemetery ; he was a good man and a patriotic citizen. Mr. Chris- tenson is a member of the W. of W., Grenadier Lodge No. 249. He has served for fourteen years on the school board, also as road supervisor and is one of the substantial and prominent men of his section, being highly esteemed and manifesting those qualities of worth that characterize the true man and the loyal citizen.

WILLIAM R. GIBBS. While there are some excellent stockmen and agriculturists in Nez Perces county, it is fitting that the subject of this sketch be accorded position with the leaders, for he has mani- fested a stirring energy, wisdom and progressiveness in his career which has been fraught with abundant success, especially in this county.

William R. Gibbs was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, on February 24, 1861, being the son of Thomas L. and Adeline (Howell) Gibbs, natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1832, be- ing one of triplets. He and his two brothers were so near alike that people could not tell the difference. They are all carpenters and living in Wilkes county still. The mother of our subject was born in 1839 and still lives. Her parents were pioneers of North Caro- lina. Our subject was educated in his native place and remained there with his parents until he was twenty- two. At that age he went to the Pocahontas coal mines in Virginia and wrought for one year, when he returned home. Then the desire to see the west was the main thing that led him to Nez Perces county and in 1886, he engaged in the stock business here and two years later he took land. Since that time he has been one of the active factors in building up this country and he is to-day one of the heavy land owners in the vicinity. He has three farms, one all under cultivation and well improved with buildings, while another has one hundred acres under culti- vation and the third is all fenced and used for pasture. Mr. Gibbs is investing more and more in land and stock. He also handled a mercantile business and a hotel and livery stable in Morrow, but recently sold

them all and is now devoting himself to his stock and land. At present he is making his home in Morrow and is one of the leading citizens and a man who com- mands the respect of all. Mr. Gibbs is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a stanch Democrat with energy and able to give a reason for his political faith. His party nominated him for sheriff of Nez Perces county but with the ticket he suffered defeat. Mr. Gibbs has the following brothers and sisters : Maggie Davis, who died in this county two years since; Nancy Walker, Sarah Gibbs, Ellen Davis, Martin, Thomas, all in North Carolina. Mr. Gibbs is one of the most active workers for good schools in the district and is always allied on the side of advancement and those measures which are for the general welfare.

HON. JOSEPH L. MEEK will live in the mem- ory of the northwest as long as worthy descendants of noble pioneers are interested in the achievements of those intrepid men and women who gave to us this grand country. He was one of the most unique and daring characters in the entire northwest and his name is indissolubly linked with its history as his deeds and accomplishments are with its subjugation and civilization. Since it is utterly impossible for us in this capacity to give a complete history of a man of national reputation and so prominent as he, as it would take a whole volume to accomplish this inter- esting undertaking, we will give an epitome.

Joseph L. Meek was born in Virginia on Febru- ary 9, 1810, and was a cousin of President Polk. He inherited the stirring spirit of the old Virginia cheva- liers and in March, 1829, went to the Rockies and for eleven years was a hunter and trapper. Personally, he was a man above six feet in his stockings, well formed and active as a deer, while his spirit never knew fear. These qualities coupled with his love for adventure and the wilds of the west led him to take hold of his chosen life with a zest and keen relish and he was always known as one of the most daring of frontiersmen, skillful and sagacious, unconquered by fatigue or hardship and always ready for the most dangerous exploit or expedition. Being well endowed with natural talent and passing a life of constant ad- venture and thrilling escapes, his bright memory could give the exact accounts which Frances Fuller Victor wove into the entrancing volume, River of the West. Later in life, Mr. Meek delivered a very in- teresting and taking lecture, entitled "From the Wig- wam to the Whitehouse :" being accounts of his various experiences. At one time he held a seat in the lower house at Washington and on August 14. 1848, was appointed by President Polk United States Marshal of Oregon, it being then organized. He re- turned to Oregon and filled the office with efficiency until 1853 and then he retired to private life. At the time of the Whitman massacre, Jo Meek was sent by the provincial legislature to Wash- ington to announce the tidings and lay the matter before the president and also to gain such legislation

HON. JOSEPH L. MEEK

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as could be given for the benefit of the west. He ac- complished the trip across the Rockies in the dead of winter and on to Washington in an incredibly short time, where he was a guest in the Whitehouse. His stay there is a matter of history and when the early days of autumn came, he bade farewell to the scenes of the nation's capital, accepted the commission from President Polk, and turned his face toward the weary trials of the west and bivouacked later where rolls the Oregon, in the land where he had achieved and was to achieve much for the advancement of the country and the making of a state.

Adapting himself to the cause he had taken. up, Mr. Meek married a native woman, who was murdered by the Indians. He married a second time and later took as his wife a maiden of sixteen years, whom he named Virginia, in honor of his native state. She was born in the year 1820 on Clearwater river near the present site of Kamiah and was a full blood Nez Perce. To this couple were born the following issue, Courtney W., Olive L., wife of Wm. Riley, Jennie, wife of Chas. Newhard, Joseph L., Stephen A. D. They all have good allotments of land in Idaho and possess the spirit of their father.

On January 20, 1875, Mr. Meek was called to depart this. life and his last hours were spent on the old donation claim in Washington county, Oregon. His wife died March 5, 1000, aged eighty ; she had been a faithful companion in all his labors and achieve- ments in Oregon.

JOHN LIVENGOOD is one of the pioneers of the reservation, having located on his present farm on November 18, 1895, the day the reservation was thrown open for settlement. He has devoted himself to farming and stockraising since that time and has had abundant success in it all.

John Livengood was born in Indiana, on March 19, 1854, the son of David and Elizabeth (Tilery) Livengood, of German descent and natives of Penn- sylvania and Kentucky, respectively. Our subject was educated in the public schools in his native place and in 1874 he moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he farmed and raised stock for seventeen years. In 1890 he crossed the plains to Moscow, and there farmed. Soon, however, he was at Leland in the freighting business. This was the home of the family until the reservation opened and then he came to his present place about two miles northwest from Mohler and took a homestead. At this time Mr. Livengood had a race to secure his land but his skill and grit gave him success and he got the prize. Among other im- provements. he has doubtless the best well on the reservation, it costing over five hundred dollars. The estate is one of great value and has been improved in excellent shape. He and his sons farm this with enough rented land to make nine hundred acres and last year their threshing bill alone, exclusive of all other expenses was thirteen hundred dollars, which indicates the mammoth business they are handling.

In Topeka, Kansas, on November 2, 1877, Mr. Livengood married Miss Emma A. Ferguson, a native of Cass county, Missouri, and to them have been born the following children: Arthur T., Walter W., Ella M., wife of Robert Read, at Prescott, Washington; Otto, Nora P., Urban, Ernest. The two eldest sons are married. Mr. Livengood is a Democrat in national politics but in other matters he always votes for the man.

ANDREW E. ROBBINS is one of the industri- ous and stirring men of Nez Perces county and by his skill in handling the resources of the country and by his thrift he has accumulated a good holding in this world's goods in the years in which he has domiciled here. He was born in Overton county, Tennessee, in 1863, being the son of Preston and Sinda (Rucart) Robbins, both of whon died when he was small. He was then placed with relatives and to use his express- ion, "I had to dig for a living" and continued in this strenuous line until grown to manhood. Being thus associated with others his education was neglected and he has had to secure training in later years. When eighteen years old he came out in the world for himself and commenced to work for wages. Then he teamed and later farmed for himself. After some time in these two occupations he came to Seattle and there teamed for some time. Next we see him in Prescott, Wash- ington, where he farmed for four years, and then lo- cated a homestead in the Weippe country, which he relinquished back to the government later, and in 1898 he came to Leland and located one hundred and forty- four acres three miles south of this place. He devoted himself to improving and developing it and has a good place. He also handles considerable stock and in January. 1903, he came to Leland and bought the only hotel in the place and since that time he has been managing it. He made this last move for the purpose of giving his children schooling.

On November 13, 1879, Mr. Robbins married Miss Sarah, daughter of V. V. and Frankie (Ashburn) Vaughn. The wedding occurred in Overton county, Tennessee, and Mrs. Robbins is a native of the same state. Nine children have been born to this union, named as follows: Laura A., Minnie A., Emma L., Addie A., Echo H., Idaho V., Zelma F., Granville, deceased, and an infant son not named. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are members of the Presbyterian church and are devout and exemplary people.

F. B. PRINE is one of the early pioneers in Ore- gon and his name is immovably printed in the history of the state and his works, as a courageous and hardy frontiersman, have accomplished much for the up- building and civilization of the state. He was born in Missouri, in 18441, the son of Frank and Elsie (Dealey) Prine. In 1853, he came overland to Oregon and settled in Linn county. There he received his edu- cation and remained until 1868, in which year he came

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where Prineville is now situated, settled, located the town and named it. He remained there until 1875 and then went to .Silver City and mined, later sought the precious metal in Boise, after which he settled in Weston, Oregon, and opened a shop. Mr. Prine had previously became a skilled blacksmith and for twenty-five years he beat the anvil in Weston to the time of honest industry and skillful work, being one of the substantial and re- spected citizens. Then, it being 1902, he became animated with the spirit of migration and Lapwai was the fortunate town to receive his residence. He opened a shop and at once had a good business and since that time he has continued here giving his atten- tion to his trade. In 1862, Mr. Prine had passed through this section and in 1865 he soldiered here for eleven months.

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Mr. Prine and Miss Eliza Sylvester, a native of England, and to them have been born two children, Frank D., the first white child born in Prineville; Cora Bell, now the wife of Clifford Tucker, at Weston. The son is married and lives in British Columbia. Mr. Prine is a man of good substantial qualities and has made a first class record and done a worthy labor in his vari- ous capacities on the frontier and in building up the country.

FRANK E. HARRIS. The excellent ability and industry of our subject coupled with integrity and geniality have lead him to give strict attention to a thriving business guided by a skillful hand, and have given him the excellent prestige which he enjoys at this time together with the good will and esteem of all.

Frank T. Harris was born in Highland, Wisconsin, on June 21, 1874, being the son of William and Catherine (Sleep) Harris, natives of England. They were married in Wisconsin and the mother died in Darlington, in that state, in June, 1884, aged twenty- nine. The father of our subject came to the United States with his father when he was a boy, settled in Wisconsin and there learned the shoemaker's trade. He now owns and operates a shoe store in Pullman, Washington. Our subiect attended school in Wis- consin until eleven and then came to Genesee, where he studied some more. The father operated a drug store and Frank early learned the apothecary's art. In 1893 he went to Spokane and engaged with the Spokane Drug Company, a wholesale and retail con- cern. He served a proper time there and then spent one year in surveying. When the call came for troops in the Philippine struggle, he pressed to the front and enlisted in Company D, First Idaho Volunteers, under Captain Edward Smith of Moscow, and Colonel Fig- ginson. Mr. Harris participated in the first battle of Manila and continued in the conflict until its sur- render. He was in thirteen battles and skirmishes. On August 25, 1899, he returned and in the same year he bought the business which his father was conduct- ing in Ieland, he having come thither from Genesee. Our subject has two brothers and one sister, William,

in North Dakota; Frederick, in Spokane; Cora, wife of H. Sampson, at Harrison, Idaho. He also has two half-brothers and two half-sisters, John, in North Yakima : Herbert, in Pullman ; Beulah and Ethel, with their parents.

On April 30, 1901, Mr. Harris married Mabel, daughter of Mary (Johnson) Chapman. The father died in Dixie, Washington, in April, 1899. The mother is still living in Washington. Mrs. Harris was born in Iowa, on June 15, 1884. and her wedding occurred in Lewiston. She was educated in the graded and high school in Lewiston. Mr. Harris is a member of .the I. O. O. F., Leland Lodge No. 90.

GEORGE A. CHAPMAN, a farmer and stock- man, whose efforts of industry and thrift have been rewarded with a good property' holding, lives one fourth of a mile west from Fletcher, and is one of the substantial and leading men of the section. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, on June 9, 1874, being the son of Thomas C. and Matilda J. (Hall) Chap- man, whose efforts of industry and thrift have been parents were pioneers of that state and Iowa. The mother of our subject was born in 1848, in Penn- sylvania, and her parents were pioneers in that state and Iowa, and her mother is living in Iowa aged over eighty. When George was ten the family came to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and there he completed his education. In 1893, he came with his parents to Troy, Latah county, and in April, 1896, took his present place as a homestead .. This has been the home since that time and it is a well improved and valuable place, sixty acres being under cultivation, while he also farms eighty acres adjoining. He handles many hogs, hav- ing fine thoroughbred Poland China and Berkshire. On July 11, 1900, Mr. Chapman married Miss Norah E .. daughter of Richard C. and Mary E. (Tip- ton) Young. Mrs. Chapman was born in Dayton, Washington. on September 3. 1879, and has the fol- lowing named brothers and sisters: Jonathan T., Frank, Edward R., Alexander, David H., John W., Charles C., James J., India Dove, Amelia E. Clark, Rosie B. Young, Maggie J. Davis. Mr. Chapman has seven brothers and sisters, Agnes S. Willoughby, Will- iam E., Roy T., Irene Nichols, Lola, Minnie Regan, Jessie. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, Ivan S., born April 7, 1901 ; Edna, born May 17, 1902. Mr. Chapman is a Republican and active in the campaigns. Fraternally he is affiliated with the W. W., Phiney Camp, No. 492, of Fletcher. Mr. Young was born in Rush county, Indiana, on June 1I, 1831, and his wife was born in Ohio, October 28, 1834. Mr. Young's father, Alex Young, came came from his native land, Scotland, to Virginia, thence to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, thence to Fleming county, Kentucky, where he married. He took part in the war of 1812 and received a forty acre tract of land in Washington county, Iowa, for his services. Thither the family came and Richard was reared and educated there. He enlisted in the Eighth

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Iowa Infantry on August 10, 1861, and was honorably discharged on June 11, 1864, having done excellent service. He was in Missouri under Fremont and Mc- Kenzie, participated in the conflict of Pittsburg Land- ing, was captured and languished at Macon, Georgia, for sixty days before he was exchanged and his company reorganized at St. Louis. He fought through the battles on the Mississippi, was at Champion Hill and Vicksburg. His company was after Johnson when he retreated. He was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, on account of sickness and continued to live in Iowa until 1869. Then came a move to Kansas, whence he came to Oregon, in June, 1877, following which he went to Columbia county, Washington, and finally to Whitman county. In June, 1897, he removed to Fletcher, where he now resides.

WILLIAM A. INGLE. Among the pioneers of this portion of Nez Perces county should be mentioned the estimable gentleman and thrifty farmer and stock- man whose name is at the head of this article and who has labored for the development of the resources of the country in a becoming and wise manner for a good many years, having now the need of a good property which his industry and thrift have accumu- lated. Mr. Ingle was born in Benton county, Arkansas, on May 25, 1856, being the son of James T. and Nancy J. ( Brantley) Ingle, natives of Ten- nessee. They emigrated to Arkansas and there, in 1900, the mother died and was buried in the Bloom- field cemetery, and the father still lives in Bloomfield. William A. received a common school education and remained with his father until the age of eighteen, when he married Miss Malinda P. Voding, and the same year, 1874, came with his bride to Walla Walla, where he remained for one year and then removed to southern Idaho, remaining one year, when he went back to Arkansas. That state was his home until 1883, when he again came west, purchasing eighty acres where he now lives, about three miles south from Genesee. He has added since one hundred and thirty acres by purchase. His estate is one of great fertility and is in a high state of cultivation, pro- ducing abundant crops. In addition to general farm- ing and raising fruit, he handles a bunch of cattle, having about forty head and he sells a number every year. Mr. Ingle has fine and comfortable buildings and is a wise farmer, having everything cared for in good shape.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ingle there have been born the following children: Charles S., married to Tilda Tunning and living in this county ; Maud L., wife of James Willows and living in this county ; Thomas E., living in Genesee; Bonnie E., Minnie J. and Iva, the last three living at home and attending school. Mrs. Ingle's parents, Elga and Jane (Gleen) Voding, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, moved to Arkansas where the father died and is in- terred in the Decatur cemetery. The mother is still living, her home being in Maple City, Kansas. Mr.

Mr. Ingle is a member of the W. of W. and also of the Christian church, while his wife affiliates with the Methodist church. Mr. Ingle is one of the substantial men of the county and has demonstrated his ability and worth in his walk, both in business operations and in social life, as well as in manifestation of true Christian uprightness and candor.

ELECTUS M. FROST. A pioneer of various sections, a veteran of the terrible war of the Rebellion, a capable and public minded citizen, and now one of the well to do farmers in the vicinity of Melrose, the subject of this article is granted consideration in this volume by right.

Electus M. Frost was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 1841, being the son of John O. and Jane ( Wilsie) Frost, natives of Connecticut, and died in 1857 and 1859, respectively. The father was born in 1808. Electus received his education in Pennsylvania and when sixteen his father died and he and his older brother were called upon to support the family. Two years later the mother died and our subject went to do for himself. He learned the shoe- maker's trade and wrought at it until the breaking out of the war, when he laid all aside and enlisted in Company I, Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under General Meade. He also served under General McClellan. He participated in the battles of Gaines- ville and some skirmishes and in 1862, he was dis- charged for disability. Returning home he wrought at his trade until 1879. having taken a journey to California in the meantime, the year of that excursion being 1872. In 1879 he bought a farm and tilled it until 1887, when he came west to Latah county and bought a farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres. He did general farming and raised horses, and did well. In 1893 he was pinched in the crash and sold one hundred and twenty-five acres of land. He made that his home until 1901, when he came to the reservation and secured a quarter where he now lives, one and one half miles south of Melrose. He also owns the quarter in Latah county.

In 1864 Mr. Frost married Miss Mary J., daugh- ter of Joseph and Eliza A. (Bryan) Warren. The father was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, being the first male white child born there. His parents were pioneers there from England in 1796 and for one year they did not see a white woman. The mother of Mrs. Frost was born in Pennsylvania, in 1808, of English extraction. Mrs. Frost was born in Pennslvania, Sullivan county, in 1844 and in her younger years was a teacher in the schools. She had one sister and one brother, both being dead. Mr. Frost has one sister and three brothers, Mary Nichols, in South Carolina; Clayton, John O. and Henry. The brothers were all through the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Frost there have been born six children : Frank, at Ithica, New York, conductor on a railroad : Cora Collins. in Latalı county : John, deceased ; Emma Fritz and Maud Thomas, in Nez Perces county ;

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 44

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