An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 60

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 60
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 60
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 60
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 60

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made a good success. He also dealt in real estate and later removed to Pendleton, whence he went to south- ern California. thence to Rossland, British Columbia, and then to Alaska, with his sons, and there did a thriving business in an eating house. In 1898, Mr. Wright came from Alaska to Idaho and at last set- tled in Culdesac. He owns an addition to the town site of Orofino. Mr. Wright took a homestead where Culde- sac now stands. He saw the advisability of platting the land for a town site and did so. He has labored since that time for the progress and up-building of the town of Culdesac rather than for personal profit and has done a commendable work here. Mr. Wright is now handling a general merchandise establishment and operating a real estate office. He has donated liberally to all institutions, as industries, churches and so forth, calculated to assist the town. Mr. Wright is a public minded and generous man and is universally esteemed and admired by all.

In Wisconsin, in 1852, Mr. Wright was married. He raised three sons, George, in Seattle; Charles, in Los Angeles: Chauncey, in Alaska. Mr. Wright is a Mason, and Chauncey is a member if the Chapter in Seattle. He is an active Republican. There is very much credit due Mr. Wright not only for the worthy labors done by him in the upbuilding and fostering of Culdesac, but also in the achievement accomplished in other places and the sound principles always put forth by him and his untarnished reputation, being a man of broad views and ever in the lead for the advancement of the country and especially the locality of his resi- dence.

LEE LUCAS. In the subject of this article we have a supporter of good schools, good morals, and a laborer for good roads and progress in all lines, and to just such men we owe the marked development and progress of the reservation portion of Nez Perces county, which has really been one of the finest examples of transformation from nature's wilds to the abode of civilization in the northwest.

Lee Lucas was born in Fremont county Iowa, on April 22, 1868, being the son of John L. and Lucinda (Keeler) Lucas. The father was born in Green county, Ohio, on April 22, 1819, and is still living in Palouse. He was one of the very first settlers in Fremont county. The mother of our subject was born in Indiana in 1842 and died in 1897, and her parents were also pio- neers in Fremont county. Lee grew to the age of fourteen and received his education in the public schools in his native place. Then the father sold out and in 1883. landed in Spokane, and then went to the vicinity of Steptoe Butte and farmed for one year. Then he bought land near Palouse and there he remains. At the age of twenty-three, our subject took up the occupation of his father, rented a farm in the neighbor- hood and labored there until the opening of the reser- vation : in April, 1896, he came hither and settled on his present place, about five miles southeast from Mel- rose. He has followed the diversified plan in handling his farm and has shown excellent results of his labor

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and skill. Mr. Lucas is highly respected on account of his excellent standing, his integrity, his wisdom and substantiality.

In Whitman county, on November 13, 1892, Mr. Lucas married Miss Sallie K., daughter of W. K. and Susan Lewis, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Lucas has two brothers and four sisters, Volney, John, Minnie, Susie, Jinnett and Nettie. Mr. Lucas has the following brothers and sisters, Henry, Riley, Ezekiel, Elizabeth, Clara, Ruth, Samantha. Four children have come to gladden the household, Ethel, Gay, Phelis and Irene. Mr. Lucas is a member of the W. W. and of the M. W. A., both at Melrose. He and his wife are consist- ent members of the Church of Christ at Melrose and are liberal in their support of the same. Mr. Lucas is road supervisor and in politics is a stern Republican, always ardent in the support of the principles set forth by that party.

WILLIAM P. GARNER is one of the substantial men whose labors have aided materially in improving the reservation portion of the county of Nez Perces. He is a man of good ability and excellent standing among his neighbors and has achieved a commendable success.

William P. Garner was born in Andrew county, Missouri, on November 21, 1848, being the son of Neri and Rachel ( Matticks) Garner, natives of Ten- nessee and Virginia, respectively. The father was born in 1815 and died in 1884. He was a pioneer in Andrew county, Missouri, settling on the old Platt purchase. The mother was born in 1810 and died in 1879. In 1861 the family removed to Doniphan county, Kansas, where the father went to farming and raising stock on an extensive scale. William was educated there and grew up on the farm, working with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age. The last years he was in partnership with his father. When twenty-seven, he went went to do for himself and continued in that section until 1885, in which year he sold out and came by team to Camas prairie, Idaho, settling west from Hailey. He secured a pre-emption and tilled it until 1889, and then removed to Josephine county, Oregon, which place was the scene of his labors in the agricultural realm until 1895. Then he returned to Idaho county, whence he came in 1897 to his present place three miles northeast from Melrose, which he secured as a homestead. His son, David, took a claim adjoining and they have devoted them- selves to improvement and advancement in general farming and raising stock since that time.

In Missouri, on February 4, 1874, Mr. Garner mar- ried Miss Mary M., daughter of David and Isabella (Turner) Harness, natives of Virginia and now both dead. Mrs. Garner was born in Buchanan county, Missouri. in 1850. and has three brothers, James A., William T. and David H. Mr. Garner has two sis- ters, Martha A. Gentry and Nancy C. Harness. To our worthy subject and his estimable wife there have been born five children, David V., in Nez Perces county ; Mary I. Leeper, in Nez Perces county ; Rachel N.

Maxwell, in Idaho county ; Leda M. Pell, also in idaho county ; Neri, at home. Mr. Garner has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and does a general farm- ing business, having orchard and hogs, cattle and so forth, while his improvements are fine. He is an advocate of good schools and labors for general pro- gress. It is of note that Mr. Garner's mother was the first white woman that settled in Holt county, Missouri.

CALVIN BOYER. This well known gentleman is one of the leading stockmen of Nez Perces county. He has a broad estate of eight hundred acres, twenty- four miles southeast from Lewiston, and handles over two thousand head of sheep and some cattle. He has good improvements, is enterprising in his labors, stands well with his fellows, and is an upright and capable man of integrity and worth.

Calvin Boyer was born in Adams county, Penn- sylvania, on Nevember II, 1858, being the son of Martin and Hannah (Keekler) Boyer. The father was a shoemaker, born in 1830, in Adams county also, served in the Civil war and now is passing the riper years of his life in retirement in Lewiston. The mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1835 and is now living in Lewiston. Her mother lived to the great age of ninety years. When fourteen years of age, Calvin went with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, and four years later the family went to Ellsworth county, Kansas, and there tilled the soil for three years. An- other move was made, this time to Scotland county, Missouri, and there our subject went to work for him- self in 1879. In 1884 he removed thence to Ellsworth county again, and in 1887 he came to Idaho. He selected land on Waha prairie in Red Bird flat and there began operations in general farming and stock raising which have culminated so successfully.

On December 21, 1893, Mr. Boyer married Miss Naomi, daughter of Perry and Ann (Teel) Steen. The father is a sheep man in Asotin county, Washing- ton, and was born in Indiana, while the mother was born in Illinois. Mrs. Boyer was born in Walla Walla county, Washington, on January 8, 1871, and she has three brothers and sisters, R. R., Etta, May. Mr. Boyer has the following named brothers and sister, Martin, James, both in this county, Mary M. Dowd. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyer there have been born three children, Laurine Pearl, Richard M., Mildred M. In political matters Mr. Boyer is a Republican and he votes the ticket straight, having ever labored for the principles of his party.

JOHN F. STELLMON. The family residence of Mr. Stellmon, about one mile northeast from Nez- perce, is one of the happy and prosperous homes of the reservation country. His broad acres of well tilled land, which produce abundant harvests, have little appearance of the wilderness of the reservation when he came to this place to seek a home. His wisely be-

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stowed industry has transformed the face of nature until it is one of the pleasant and valuable estates of the county.

John F. Stellmon was born in Greene county, Ten- nessee, on March 21, 1867, being the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Brooks) Stellmon, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The mother died in Arkansas but the father still lives on the home place there. When John was twelve, his parents took him to Benton county, Arkansas, and there he grew to manhood and finished his education. On February 2, 1891, Mr. Stellmon marriel Miss Ellen, daughter of Stephen and Mary ( White) Graham, natives of Washington county, Arkasas. In 1893 Mr. Stellmon migrated to Latah county, Idaho, and farmed one year near Genesee. In 1894 he came to the reservation near Lapwai and leased land, where he toiled until 1896, when he came to his present place and commenced the labors of making a home, which have culminated so successfully. He has a good house, barn, ontbuild- ings, orchards, and so forth, while he raises abundant crops of the cereals and tlax, also handling some stock. Mr. Stellmon had a very scanty allotment of worldly goods when he came to this place but he is now one of the prosperous men of the reservation country. Two children have been born to this worthy couple, Mamie E. and Normal B. Mrs. Stellmon's mother died in Arkansas and her father is now living near Nez- perce. Mr. and Mrs. Stellmon had to endure many hardships in common with the other early settlers in this country and they have always manifested a wealth of courage and strength of character that have enabled them to outride the severest storm of adversity and have given them the sure confidence of the people and the good will of all.

JULIUS ELDOR CURTIS was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, on September 26, 1847, being the son of James and Alzina ( Hill) Curtis, natives of the same place. The grandfather of our subject, David Curtis, was a captain in the war of 1812. In 1853, the parents came to Mitchell county, Iowa, with teams and settled while the Indians were thick and treacherous. At the time of the Pikes Peak excite- ment, Mr. Curtis sold his farm, moved his family to the village of Mitchell Center and went with his oldest son for that mecca. The train turned aside to Cali- fornia and he went with it and mined for two years in Placerville, with indifferent success. Then he re- turned to Iowa and his son remained, going into the stock business and is now one of the wealthiest stock- men of his section, Modesto, California, his largest in- terests being at Reedley, Fresno county. Our subject received little opportunity to gain an education, but steady application and personal studiousness gave him a good training. In 1869 the parents went to Cali- fornia, via train, and Julius and his younger brother went via New York and the Isthmus, being twenty-one days on the journey. He was afflicted with typhoid fever during the trip. Having learned the harness

trade, he wrought at it in California but as his health was poor there and he failed to recuperate it in the hot baths. he came in 1879 to Douglas county, Oregon, and 311 1882 came on to Spokane county, Washington. His trouble was rheumatism and by bathing in the waters of Medical lake in this last mentioned county, he was fully cured. Then he wrought at his trade in Cheney with Mr. Walters and later bought a farm and did clairying. He then moved to Colfax and gardened. In the fall of 1899, he came to the reservation and took a homestead five miles north from Russell. This has been improved and is producing abundant fruits and vegetables for his business in Nezperce. Mr. Curtis operates what is known as the Equity fruit store. He sells fruits, vegetables and dairy products, having a fine cold storage plant which enables him to handle his products all seasons of the year. This was opened in July, 1902. Mr. Curtis has a vegetable wagon and runs a barn for the stage, while the express office is in his building. He has built up a good trade and is prosperous and well esteemed by all.

On October 26, 1869, Mr. Curtis married Miss Sarah L .. daughter of Alvin and Climena (Wash- burn) Skinner. The father was a merchant in Maine and died in 1855. The mother came to California in 1869, where she now lives. Mrs. Curtis was born in Corinth, Maine, on October 25, 1850. Eight chil- dren have been born to them, Gertrude L., wife of Charles F. Munz, in Maysville, Missouri : Fred M., a farmer in the Big Bend country ; Charles C., study- ing for the ministry in Divinity College in Eugene, Oregon : Mary A., saleslady in Spokane department store; Nellie E., wife of Walter Collison, a school teacher in Garfield, Washington ; Grace, died in Cali- fornia ; Floyd, died at Cheney ; Guy E., at home. Mr. Curtis and his wife and all their children are members of the Christian church. He has always taken an active part in the progress of the country where he has lived and especially has he wrought for the advance- inent of educational facilities. His children have all been well educated and are all prosperous in the walks of life, which reflects great credit on Mr. and Mrs. Curtis.

ANDREW C. JOHNSON. From the land of Denmark came the subject of this article and since his arrival here he has thoroughly espoused the cause of the patriotic American citizen and is one of the valu- able additions to Nez Perces county, being a substantial and thrifty farmer located five miles southeast from Melrose.

Andrew C. Johnson was born on March 23, 1847, and his parents were Christ and Mary (Hanson) Johnson, natives of Denmark, and born in 1818 and 1819, and died in 1804 and 1895, respectively. The father was a soldier in Denmark in 1849-1850. Our subject went to work for himself at the early age of sixteen and wrought in Copenhagen and other points until he was twenty-five, when he determined to see the world and accordingly embarked for Greenland, where he worked in the crockery mines for eighteen

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months and then came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, whence he came to Omaha, and then to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he wrought on the Union Pacific. He fired for three years and then went to San Francisco and shipped on the Pekin as fireman and sailed to China and other places. In 1876 he settled in San Jose and farmed for nine years. Then came a journey to Portland where six years were spent in the service of the O. R. & N., inspecting ties and so forth. Then Mr. Johnson settled near Palouse and farmed for ten years. In the spring of 1896 he came to the reservation and selected his present place, and to the cultivation and improvement of this Mr. Johnson has devoted himself with wisdom and energy. He does a general farming business and also raises 'stock.

At Walla Walla, in 1884, Mr. Johnson married Miss Margaret, daughter of Anders and Sine Mik- kelsen, natives of Denmark, but immigrants to the United States in 1890. Mrs. Johnson was born in Denmark. Mr. Johnson has the following brothers and sisters, Henry and Nels, in the United States ; Ann, Christina, Mary, all in Denmark. Five children have been born to this household, Julia, Mary, Chris- tina, Albert, Mabel. Mr. Johnson and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church. He is a Republican and is active in the support of those prin- ciples, while also he is a staunch supporter of good schools and general advancement.

JAMES LAMBERT. This heavy real-estate holder and prominent man of Nez Perces county lives twenty miles southeast from Lewiston upon his fine estate of seventeen hundred acres of land. This is laid under tribute to produce annually excellent crops of barley and wheat and Mr. Lambert also gives attention to handling stock, although at the present time he has sold many of his herds. He has just now finished a beautiful residence of nine rooms, with all modern im- provements and of tasty architectural design. He has all the improvements, as barns, out buildings, corrals, fences, machinery and equipment needed on his large domain and Mr. Lambert is considered one of the most substantial men of the county.

James Lambert was born in Washington county, New York, on April 5, 1848, being the son of Peter Lambert. who was born of Scotch-Irish ancestors, in Ireland, in 1832, and died in 1894. Mr. Lambert lost his mother by death when young, and has but little re- membranec of her. He was educated in the common schools and when seventeen stepped forth to encounter the battles of life alone. He went to Chatauqua county, in his state, and worked on a dairy farm until 1878. Then he sold out and came to San Francisco. Thence he went to Oregon, later to Walla Walla and finally came to Lewiston. He purchased a portion of his present estate from the owner and took some from the government. He at once commenced stock raising, handling cattle principally, and to this he devoted such skillful effort that he won the finest success.

On March 20, 1872, Mr. Lambert married Miss

Elizabeth. daughter of David Rauch, in Chautauqua county. New York, and to them one son, John J. Lam- bert, was born. Mrs. Lambert died in 1890.

In 1804, Mr. Lambert married Mary, daughter of Andrew and Esther ( Marshall ) Sherburn. The father was born in Portland, Maine, in 1830, and the mother was born in Perry county, Indiana, in 1843. Mrs. Lambert was born in Wisconsin, in 1871. Mr. Lam- bert has one brother, John, who lives in Fredonia, New York, and is judge of the supreme court of that state. Mr. Lambert is an advocate of good schools and has done much for the advancement of the cause of educa- tion in this county. He is a Democrat, but is not bound by party lines to bias his judgment in voting for the men whom he believes to be the best and for those principles that are salutary. Mr. Lambert is a man of excellent standing, has gained a success that demon- strates his ability better than words can do, has ever maintained a high sense of his stewardship and is to- day one of the prominent men of his county.

ORVILLE G. THORNTON. A westerner by birth and so entitled to the legacy of snap, energy, push and progression that imbue the residents of this fron- tier land, our subject has come no whit behind in mani- festing his ability to keep abreast of the times and secure for himself a place both in the financial world and in the confidence and esteem of his fellows.

Orville G. Thornton was born in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, in 1867, being the son of William E. and Susanna (Chinoweth) Thornton, natives of Mis- souri and born in 1842 and 1840, respectively. The father is a Baptist minister, also handles stock and came across the plains to Oregon in 1855. The mother crossed the plains in 1853. When Orville was two years old, he was taken with the balance of the family to California, where they remained two years, when a return trip was taken and settlement made near Rose- burg, Oregon. Here our subject was educated and the father raised stock and farmed. When eighteen, Orville G. went to do for himself and rode the range for a time and then settled down to the dray business in Palouse, Washington. Then he farmed in Latah county until 1897, the date when he settled on his present place, about two miles northeast from Mel- rose. He has added to his original quarter eighty acres by purchase and also owns a quarter of land near Lewiston.

In 1896, Mr. Thornton married Miss Josie, daugh- ter of James and Mary Nifond, who reside west of Moscow on a farm. The wedding occurred in Latah county. MIrs. Thornton was born in 1862 and has five brothers and five sisters. Mr. Thornton has the following named brothers and sisters, Samuel G., Ella Ladro, Sarah M. Wiley, Ollie A., Murray and Bertha. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, Anna Pearl and James L. Mr. Thornton is a member of the school board and is act- ive in his efforts to have good schools. He is a Re- publican and intelligent in the issues of the day. He

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has sold his homestead and bought land one mile and a half northwest from Melrose. He also sold his farm near Lewiston and bought property in Melrose.

ROBERT L. INGHRAM, deceased. The es- teemed pioneer is gratefully remembered in Nez Perces county for he was a good man and manisfested enterprise and wisdom in his walk during his life. He did much to build up Nez Perces county, as he did also for other portions of the west ; his death was a loss to all, and sincere mourning among a large circle attended the sad event.

Robert L. Inghram was born in Holton, Maine, on December 16, 1838, being the son of Robert and Martha (Stuart) Inghram. The father was born in England and the mother in Ludlow, Maine, and died in 1892. Robert L. remained at home and assisted his brothers to care for his mother after the father's death, which occurred when this son was young. Up- on the breaking out of the war, the older brothers, John and Frank, enlisted, the former giving his life and the latter one limb for his country. Our sub- ject worked on the farm, the mother keeping the chil- dren all together, and attended school; when he be- came of age, he came west and was in Nez Perces county in 1872. He assisted to build Dr. Baker's railroad to Walla Walla, it being the first line into that city, running from Wallula to Walla Walla. After two years he went east and in 1876 came to Cali- fornia ; the following year he was in Lewiston, com- ing thither in the employ of the government. He also lumbered some on the Clearwater and in 1878, he went east sold out and brought his family to Walla Walla in 1880. He took charge of Baker & Com- pany's flume works and in 1882, came to Lewiston. He took up the land where the family now lives, and then went to work on the Northern Pacific. The family held the homestead while he labored; later he came to the farm and then took a pre-emption and also bought land until he left an estate of four hun- dred and eighty acres. He prospered in his labors but in 1891, he was suddenly taken with La Grippe and although rugged and had never been sick, he succumbed to the disease on April 26, and went hence to the scenes of another world. He had the following brothers and sisters, Amos, deceased ; John, died in the army ; Frank, Charlie, Mary, Joseph and Samuel.

On July 2, 1862, Mr. Inghram married Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Jane (Stevens) Small. The father was a farmer, born in Miramichi, Canada, and came to the United States when young. The mother was born in Canada, also, but her father was born in England and married in Scotland. Mrs. Inghram's paternal grandfather Small was born in New York and married a Miss Mitchell. Mrs. Inghram was born in Miramichi, Canada, on August 30, 1842, and her brothers and sisters are named as follows, Mary Stuart, Myra Smith, Nancy, Alfreta, all deceased ; Lydia Smith, Anna Cochran ; George Small and Ellis. To our worthy subject and his estimable wife there

were born the following named children, John, Ber- nard, deceased, Robert, Alfreta and David. Mr. Inghram was a member of the K. of P. He was a Republican and an active worker for the advancement of good principles and while he worked faithfully for his friends, he never accepted preferment for him- self. At his death, he left a good property for his wife and children and they have now a good place and a nice band of cattle.

JOHN F. INGHRAM. It is quite in accord with his life and meritorious actions, when we men- tion that Mr. Inghram is a public spirited man, an advocate of good schools and government and has done his share in producing these worthy ends, while his ability and industry have given him the meed of recompense in a good holding of a fine farm and plenty of stock and other property.

John F. was born in Aroostook county, Maine, on July 1, 1863, being the son of Robert and Eliza (Small) Inghram. The father was a lumberman, born in Ludlow, Maine, on December 16, 1838, and died in Lewiston, Nez Perce county, on April 26, 1891. The mother was born in the same place in 1843 and is still living in this county. Our subject worked at home and attended school, remaining with the family until of age. His father had taken several trips to the Pacific coast and finally in 1880, he brought his family to Walla Walla and two years later thence to Lewiston. He was foreman of a flume company in Walla Walla, and in this country he took land and en- gaged in farming and raising stock until the time of his death. He had achieved a good success and died be- loved by all who knew him. Our subject began doing for himself when he reached his majority. He bought a farm in 1887, and two years later sold it and removed to Lewiston, taking up the dairy business, making a success in this venture. He again bought a farm and later sold it. Upon his father's death, he managed the business of the estate. During this time he purchased his present farm, which his father had contracted for. It is situated nine miles southeast from Lewiston, and consists of three hundred and twenty acres of grain land. He raises wheat and barley, handles stock, raises hogs and breeds fine draft animals. He has some excellent specimens of registered draft horses and is a skillful hand with this stock. He then removed to Mrs. English's farm and lived there three years, settling the business left by her husband on his death. From there be moved to his present place and has made it his home since that time.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 60

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