An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 79

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 79
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 79
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 79
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 79

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WILLIAM DESCHAMPS. A man full of en- ergy, snap, and those qualities of aggressiveness that make successful business men, also possessed of an agreeable way and genial manner that win many friends, and guided with wisdom and keen perception, the subject of this sketch is rightly classed with the leading men of business ability in the county of Nez Perces. At present Mr. Deschamps is owner of a first-class livery stable in Nezperce, which he has leased.

William Deschamps was born in Stevens Point, Portage county, Wisconsin, on May 7, 1872, being the son of Peter and Margaret (Tardiff) Deschamps. The father. a native of the province of Quebec, came to New York state when twenty-one and thence through various regions to Lewiston, where he now lives, aged sixty-seven. His brother lives on the old homestead in Canada, which has been in the family for three hun- dred years. The mother of William was of French de- sent and born in Upper Canada. Her brothers are well known railroad men in Wisconsin, John J. being superintendent of the Wisconsin Central shops for twenty years ; and George is a conductor on that line. William was educated in Wisconsin and North Dakota, whither the family went in 1882. The father took a half section of land and farmed there for ten years. The farm was an unsuccessful venture and although the father did well in contracting on the construction of the Great Northern, the losses on the estate ate up all profits and when they sold and came to Lewiston their finances were not of the best. This was in 1894, and when the reservation opened they were among the first to select land and secured a good tract for each one. Our subject sold his quarter for thirty-five hun- dred dollars and the father and sister sold a quarter for four thousand dollars. Mr. Deschamps has bought and sold some land since, among which is a stock farm in Whitman county, Washington. In 1901 Mr. Des- champs came to Nezperce and built a fine livery barn, it being a substantial structure, and since that time he has been conducting a first-class business there until January I, 1903.

Mr. Deschamps has one brother, Charles E., on the reservation, and three sisters, Mary, wife of John Rea- gan, on the Colville reservation, Washington ; Lizzie,

wife of Orrin Pixley, a stockman at Waha ; Meda, liv- ing with parents in Lewiston. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and stanch supporters of the faith. Mr. Deschamps is a charter member of the M. W. A., Nezperce Camp, No. 7498, being also manager. He is a Republican and a rustler in this realm, being a magnetic orator on the campaign and a zealous worker in the field.

On November 2, 1901, Mr. Deschamps married Miss Josephine M., daughter of Charles and Margaret ( Bulldell) Langer. The father was born in France and was one of the prominent architects in North Da- kota, Minnesota and Puget Sound, but was caused to retire from the work by a serious injury in North Yakima resulting from a fall. He is now residing on the reservation. He constructed the plans for a large residence of Z. A. Johnson, in Nezperce. Mrs. Des- champs' maternal grandparents reside on a ranch near Cold Springs, aged ninety. Mrs. Deschamps has five brothers: Fred, in Spokane; Louis, a farmer on the reservation ; Eugene, with his father ; Edward, in Cali- fornia ; Phillip, a school boy with his parents. William Deschamps has just bought one hundred and sixty acres, two miles northwest of Nezperce, and intends moving on it.

ELI A. LEACH. A man of integrity and sound principles and whose life has demonstrated his worth and ability as a stanch citizen, it is becoming that we accord him space in the history of his county.

Eli A. Leach was born in Greenview, Menard county, Illinois, being the son of Salathiel G. and Mary (Varner) Leach, natives of Indiana. The father was born in 1826 and died in 1862 from yellow fever, while in service in the Civil war in Tennessee. He was one of the earliest pioneers in Illinois and a capable and enterprising man. The mother was born in 1824 and her parents were among the earliest settlers in that state. They had to fight both wild animals and hostile Indians. Her father was also a forty-niner in California. Our subject remained in Illinois until fourteen and then went with his mother to northwest Missouri, where he and his brother farmed for her, their home being in Harrison county, where he was educated and grew to manhood. Later he studied and practiced medicine, and gained good laurels in this line. When twenty-seven he settled in Elk county, Kansas, and later in Pratt county, where he farmed and practiced medicine. Later he returned to Harrison county on a visit and in 1888 Mr. Leach came to Farmington, Washington. Here he leased land extensively and farmed. In the awful year of panic, 1893, Mr. Leach had one thousand acres of first class wheat which was entirely lost on account of wet weather. This broke him up financially and in 1895 he came to his present place, about two miles southeast from llo, made a filing and settled down. He now has a fine house of fourteen rooms, which he is completing, and has followed diversified farming with success since.

On August 16, 1874, Mr. Leach married Miss Lucinda, daughter of William R. and Sarelda (Croff)

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Smith, born in Kentucky in 1827 and 1829, respectively. The father still lives in Missouri but the mother died in 1884. The nuptials of our subject were celebrated in Harrison county, Missouri. Mrs. Leach was born in Missouri on November 14. 1855, and has the following brothers and sisters : Sarah, Jeremiah, Mary, Richard, Susan, Jasper, Rena, Ison, and William. Mr. Leach has the following named brothers and sisters : Engene, a soldier in the Civil war; Edith, Robert, deceased ; Salathiel. Eleven children have been born to our worthy couple : Theophilus, Floyd, Cloyd, Theodore, Rosa, deceased, Mary E., Eugene, Mattie, Edith, Dol- lie, Ida. Mr. Leach is an elder in the Christian church and has been an active member of that church since he was seventeen. Mrs. Leach has been a member of it sinee 1889. Mr. Leaeh is a Republican and has al- ways been active. He is a strong supporter of good schools and labors intelligently for their betterment constantly. He was forced to undergo much hardship when he came here, but has been prospered and now has a fine bunch of stock and is well-to-do.

ALAXANDER POLLOCK. It is a pleasure to grant to Mr. Polloek consideration in the history of Nez Perees county, sinee he is one of the most enter- prising and capable farmers of the entire reservation county. His ranch is about one inile southeast from Dublin and is known as the Idaho Model Farm, No. I. And surely it bears this name out in reality, for it is one of the best places in the country and bears the marks of the skill, wisdom, industry and careful plan- ning of the owner. Mr. Pollock took the land in 1895, being one of the first here, thus securing a choice farm. It is well watered and fenced hog tight with twenty- six ineli wire netting. Mr. Pollock is devoting him- self largely to raising hogs, finding them very profit- able. He also raises flax for the market in addition to the large amounts of grain which is consumed by his stock. He has good, tasty buildings and an orchard, with many other improvements of value.

Alaxander Polloek was born in Gray county, On- tario, on November 18, 1869, being the son of Alex- ander and Elizabeth (Cook) Pollock, natives of northern Ireland and Canada, respectively. The father was married in Ontario and still lives in Gray county. He and his wife are devout members of the Methodist church. Our subject had seanty opportunity to gain an education, but improved it well and by personal research is a well informed man. In 1888-9 he was on the Indian Peninsula in Canada, lumbering. In 1890 he came to Chippewa county, Michigan, then went to Duluth, thence to Cumberland, Wisconsin, and other portions of the country. Later he was in Kaslo, British Columbia, and there mined for a time. In 1895 Mr. Pollock came to Spokane, thenee to Lewiston and then to the reservation, seleeting a choice spot. He then returned to Spokane and later, when the reser- vation opened, he was on hand to take his place. He raises stock in addition to the hogs .mentioned and also has some fine poultry. His house, barn, ont buildings,

as granary, chicken house, hog barn and so forth are all made and kept in a model manner and it is the purpose of Mr. Pollock to make one of the finest farms in the state.

On March 26, 1899, Mr. Pollock married Miss Minnie A., daughter of Willard and Julina Birehard, natives of Vermont. They came to Mandan, North Dakota. In 1800 they came to Marion county, Oregon, where they now reside, engaged in fruit raising and general farming. Mrs. Pollock was born in lowa in August, 1879. Two children, Howard M., born May 28, 1901, and Earl A., born December 5, 1902, have come to gladden this home.

JERVIS R. CRAWFORD. Judge Crawford is one of the prominent and popular residents of Nez- perce and is entitled to especial representation in the volume of his eounty history, being a man of excellent business qualifications and possessed of a goodly hold- ing of property and withal a man of sound principles and first-elass standing among the people.

Jervis R. Crawford was born in Wisconsin on Oc- tober 1, 1854, being the son of Leonard and Lydia (Sweet ) Crawford, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father came to the vicinity of Pull- man, Washington, took land, and remains there still, being aged seventy. The mother of our subject came to Wisconsin with her parents, who are now dead, and the family resided there for fifty years. She died in 1874, aged forty. Jervis was raised in Missouri, and educated in the common schools and the College of Pharmacy in St. Louis. Aft- er he graduated he accepted a position in Oron- cgo, Missouri, and clerked in a drug store for two years and then bought the store and remained six years longer. A move brought him to Kansas and two years more were spent in a drug store. It was 1881 that he eame to Whitman county, took a half seetion of land and farmed for twelve years. The rust ruined him, and when the reservation opened he came to its fertile regions and at once entered the building and contract- ing business in Nezperce. He has erected one-third of the buildings in the town and is a skilled hand in the business. Mr. Crawford has been elected justice of the peace and he is especially fitted for this position, be- ing a man of logical turn of mind and given to careful weighing of evidence and condition. He is popular in this line and is a man of sound judgment. Mr. Craw- ford is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Hiram Lodge, Number 36; of the I. O. O. F., Morning Star Lodge, No. 56; of the W. of W. : and the M. W. A. He has one brother, Clyde L .. a farmer at Vollmer. Politically the Judge is a strong Democrat and can give a good reason for the hope within him.

On January 1, 1879, Mr. Crawford married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Edward E. and Melinda J. Richardson. She was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on April 1, 1861, and received a high school education. Her father was a physician from Louisville, Kentucky, and her mother was a native of Indiana. One son and

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three daughters were in the family besides Mrs. Craw- ford, namely: Harry J., in Nezperce ; Allie, wife of Edward Barber, in this county ; Edna, wife of Joseph Donaldson, also on the reservation. Two children have been born to Judge Crawford and his wife, Cora M., wife of Harvey J. Harris, a farmer at Mohler ; Gracie D., wife of Roy W. Adams, on the reservation. Mrs. Crawford is a member of the Rebekahs and also of the Methodist church.

Judge Crawford and his wife are prominent in the best social circles ; he is a progressive and substantial citizen, ever in the lead in lines of improvement and advancement of the town and county.

ERICK ERICKSON. At Kippen, in Nez Perces county, is located the complete saw mill and plant, for the manufacture of all kinds of building material, that belongs to the subject of this sketch. It is one of the most complete plants in the country and Mr. Erickson carries full lines of material and a large stock. He is an old saw-mill man and understands the business thoroughly in all its departments and the county is to be congratulated in securing his presence in this im- portant industry.

Mr. Erickson was born in Sweden on August 21, 1848, being the son of Erick and Breten Pearson. The father was born in that country in 1822, and has spent his life in farming and still lives there. The mother was born in 1822, and died in 1891. Erick was edu- cated in his native land and remained there until 1868, when he bade farewell to all early environments and associates and came to the United States. He stopped six months in Galesburg, Illinois, and then went to Clay county, Dakota, and took homestead. He worked as engineer in a saw mill for one and one-half years and did the same business in a grist mill for three years. Then he made the trip to Portland, Oregon, and thence came to Moscow, Idaho. He operated a saw mill for a time and soon erected one of his own. This was in the vicinity of Vollmer and for twenty years he continued in this line of business there. He also operated a general merchandise establishment at the same time, and did a good business. When the reservation opened up he came to his present location, and has also done a good business here, having a fine patronage. He is assistant postmaster at Kippen.

In 1874, at Vermillion, South Dakota, Mr. Erick- son married Miss Minnie Anderson, who was born in Norway in 1853 and came to the United States in 1869. Mr. Erickson has the following named brother and sister, Andrew, Annie, both in Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson there have been born the following children, Carl, deceased ; Ella, wife of Ernest Parkin, in this county ; Frank E., in Nez Perces county ; Min- nie, Annie, Enos, Lewis, all at home. Mr. Erickson is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the M. W. A., and he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Erickson is a Republican and is a familar figure in both the county and state conventions. He always

labors for good educational facilities. Mr. Erickson is a member of the Pioneer Association of Moscow. His grandfathers were both soldiers and officers in the army in Sweden.

ANDREW J. ERICKSON. Many hands have labored in many different lines to bring about the prosperity and high state of development in Nez Perces county and a faithful one who has done well in this line of advancement is named at the head of this article. Mr. Erickson is postmaster at Kippen and does a general merchandise business.

Andrew J. Erickson was born in Sweden, on Octo- ber 7, 1866, being the son of Erick and Martha (Johnson) Erickson. The father was a farmer, born in Sweden in 1838 and was a tax collector for the government. His father, Andrew Erickson, was a sheriff. The mother of our subject was born in Sweden in 1839 and died in 1886. Andrew J. was educated in his native land; after graduating from the high school, he took a thorough business course. He worked with his father until 1889, and then deter- mined to start for himself in the world of business. He was also imbued with the idea of the opportunities in the new world and accordingly he came hither and settled at Troy, Idaho. He went to work in the saw mill there and soon had charge of the yards. At this he continued until 1895 when he went to Portland and worked for a couple of years. In 1897, he came to his present location, taking charge of Mr. Erickson's saw mill. He took a claim in 1888, which he still owns. In 1899 Mr. Erickson started in the merchandise busi- ness and in Igor he was appointed postmaster. He has done well in the merchandise business and has a fine residence besides other property. Mr. Erickson is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the M. W. A. In political matters. he is a strong Republican and his infinience is felt in upholding the principles of his party in no uncertain manner. Mr. Erickson is a warm advocate of good schools and is ready to pay the tax necessary to sustain them. He has five sisters and four brothers. Mr. Erickson has never seen fit to embark on the matrimonial sea and is now enjoying the con- tentment and happiness of bacholor life.

ORIE W. CLICK. One of the men who has re- cently come to Nez Perces county and who is now do- ing a commendable work in bringing the county to a still higher state of development, is named at the head of this article. and he is worthy of representation in the history of this county as he is a man of industry and energy, capable and upright and has manifested himself as a successful operator in the industrial world, having now a fine saw mill plant two miles southeast from Winchester. Mr. Click was born in Montgom- ery county, Indiana, on June 1, 1871, being the son of Jonathan M. and Lucinda (Cox) Click. The father is a saw mill man, born in Virginia, in 1841, now liv-

ERICK ERICKSON.

ANDREW J. ERICKSON

ORIE W. CLICK.

GEORGE G. STEVENS.

DeWITT STEVENS.

COURTNEY W. MEEK.

CHARLES S. PUNTENNEY.

ERICK HENDRICKSON

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ing in Missouri. His parents were pioneers in In- diana. The mother of our subject was born in Ken- tucky, in 1846, and now resides in Missouri. The family came to Vernon county, Missouri, when Orie was eleven years of age. He was educated there, com- pleting his traming by a good business training in a commercial college. He wrought with his father and gained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business in all its departments, as well as becoming a thorough machinist and engineer, thus being admirably fitted for the labors he is now prosecuting. At the time of his majority, he came to the west, landing near Mos- cow, where he operated an engine for a year. He re- turned then to Missouri and engaged in the saw mill and lumber business, continuing there until 1900. In that year, he came to Nez Perces county and located where we find him at the present time. He had as part- ners, Palmer and Hunter, but he bought these men out later and took as partner, Mr. Cope, with whom he is laboring now. They have a fine mill, do first class work, and are building up a good trade.

On October 25, 1894, in Vernon county, Mis- souri, Mr. Click married Miss Betsey A., daughter of J. M. and Elizabeth M. ( Ellis) Seybold. Mr. Sey- bold was a native of Missouri, but is now dead. Hon. J. D. Ellis, representative to the state legislature, is an uncle of Mrs. Click. Mrs. Click has one brother, William, in Winchester. Mr. Click has one brother and one sister, Quincy R. and Icy L. Mr. and Mrs. Click have been blessed by the advent of three chil- dren, Wellington B., Marion C., and Wardin C. Mr. Click is a warm advocate of good educational facili- ties and thus believes that the morals of all will be brought to a higher plain. He is a Democrat and ac- tive in political matters. Mrs. Click's father was a sol- dier in the Civil war, serving the entire time of the con- flict. Mr. Click and his wife are both members of the German Baptist church and are substantial people, highly esteemed and of good standing.

GEORGE G. STEVENS. A promoter of the industrial development of. Nez Perces county and a man of enterprise and intelligence, the subject of this article is worthy of representation in the history of his county, being also a man of integrity and excellent standing among his fellows.

George G. Stevens was born in Illinois, on Octo- ber II, 1869, being the son of George W. and Lydia E. (Dillingham) Stevens, natives respectively of Washington county, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He came to the coast with the family and settled on his father's ranch near Moscow. At the acquisition of his majority he went to Palouse City and engaged in a flour mill for two years. Then he returned to the farm for a year and after that operated a binder until 1898, which was the date of his advent to this sec- tion. He purchased the relinquishment of a settler and filed on his present place at the Star mills, which he erected and has been operating since. The mill has an output capacity of twenty-five thousand feet per

day. He has it equipped with fine Russell saws and Goodell & Waters planer, with all modern machinery for the manufacture of timber products, and the sup- ply on his farm with that of forty acres owned by his father will keep the mill in operation for ten years.

On October 10, 1896, Mr. Stevens married Miss Marie, daughter of John and Francis Waldher, natives of Germany. Mrs. Stevens' mother died when she was two years old and the father married a sister of his former wife. Mr. Stevens is a member of the W. of W. Lookout Camp, No. 607. Mr. Stevens las erected a story and one half residence with modern improve- ments, which is the family home, and his place mani- fests much labor and excellent skill in all its improve- ments. He is a Republican and takes the part of a good citizen in these matters. Mr. Stevens is deserv- ing of much credit for the manner in which he has labored for the upbuilding of this country and he is one of the potent factors in its advancement and is a progressive man.

DEWITT STEVENS is assistant manager and engineer in the Star mills, two miles southeast from Lookout. He has demonstrated himself a man of abil- ity and integrity and is one of the foremost men in the development of the country and labors for its progress.

DeWitt Stevens was born in Tennessee on Decem- ber 30, 1859, being the son of George W. and Lydia E. (Dillingham) Stevens, mention of whom is made in this work. He grew up with his parents, receiv- ing a common schooling, which was completed in the State Normal at Fort Scott, Kansas. Soon after the family came from Kansas to this country. DeWitt fol- lowed and he has been associated with his parents and brothers in business more or less since that time. He operated in sawmills with his brother George, and then, in 1893-4 opened in the furniture and undertak- ing business in Moscow. A fire destroyed their pro- perty and but slight insurance recompensed them, so it was almost a total loss. Then we find Mr. Stevens associated with Mr. McCarty in the flour and feed business under the firm name of Stevens & McCarty. Later he sold his business and came to take part in the sawmill business with his brothers, George.

On April 6, 1890, Mr. Stevens married Miss Ida E. daughter of Henry J. and Mary ( Ertle) Fry, natives of Germany. The father was a prominent business man in Moscow but is now deceased. Mrs. Stevens has two sisters, Elmina Fry, treasurer of Latal coun- tv, and Emma, wife of George Steward, of Moscow. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens there have been born the following children, Ray, Fred, Paul, Jesse, Ruth, Ha- zel, deceased, and Esther. James F. Stevens, a brother of our subject, was born in Tennessee and grew up in the various places where the family lived and two years after the family came to the coast he came also. He returned to Georgia and two years after that came back to Whitman county. Washington. He operated as section foreman until he was crippled by moving

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cars and then upon recovery he worked in Moscow. Finally, he went to Coos county, Oregon, and took a claim where he dwells at the present time, devoting his attention to his farm and the duties of a Dunkard preacher. He was married in Atlanta, Georgia, to Rhoda E. Quillen. They have six children. We de- sire to add that the subject of this sketch is one of the substantial and worthy men of this section and stands well with his fellows, being a man of enterprise, wis- dom and integrity.

COURTNEY WALKER MEEK, deceased. One mile and one half west from Fletcher is the home allotment where the widow and descendants of the subject of this article resides, and which was also the home of Mr. Meek before his death. His name is known all over the northwest, not only on account of the prowess of his father but also because of his own activities, achivements, and personal worth. He was a man of fine appearance, strong intellectual powers, well versed in law and history and in every respect a public minded and patriotic citizen. He did pioneer work all over the northwest, fought the warring Indians, and as occasion provided settled down to producing. the fruits of the field.

Courtney W. Meek was born in Idaho when it was a part of Oregon territory, on December 7, 1838, and his death occurred on May 13, 1896, being drowned in the Willamette river. His parents were the well known historical characters of Joseph L. and Virginia Meek, of whom especial mention is made in another portion of this work. Our

subject was brought up at Hillsboro and attended the district school as well as the Indian school, which was located where part of the Forest Grove institution is now situated. Mr. Meek was seventeen years old when the Indian war of 1855 broke out and he and his father fought with Captains Layton and Goff. Our subject endured al the hardships and dangers incident to such a posi- tion and was also with Colonel Steptoe at the Medical Lake fight. During the Civil war he enlisted, being in Captain E. Palmer's Company B of the Oregon First Regiment of Infantry, the date of taking his place being December, 1864. On December 26, he was promoted as Corporal and saw service against the Indians. He was discharged at Vancouver on July 23, 1866. Following this he farmed in Washington county, Oregon, took a prominent part in developing the country and held county offices. In 1895 he sold out and came to his allotments and did considerable labor in locating settlers.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 79

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