An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 88

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 88
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 88
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 88
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 88

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engaged in firing on the railroad for a time. In 1895, on account of the sickness of his brother. Charles, who died in September, 1898, he came west and re- mained with him on American Ridge for a time. In 1895, at the opening of the reservation, Mr. Woodin took a claim near Nezperce, but becoming involved in a contest, he abandoned the claim and came to the vicinity of Peck. Here he found a settler on his present place who was willing to abandon for a horse and saddle that Mr. Woodin had, and the trade was soon was consumated. Mr. Woodin then went to work to get a little start, for he had scanty capital at that date, and for two years he worked in the neighborhood. He has steadily devoted himself to the improvement of his farm and now has a good place. Mr. Woodin has brothers and sisters as follows : Bessie Pearl, is one of the successful educators of the county and keeps house for our subject ; Charles E., deceased; Bertha L., in Toledo, Ohio, holding the position of stenographer for the Cressor Company, ladies furnishers ; William M. S., in this county with our subject; Elizabeth M. E., in Toledo, Ohio, with her father. Mr. Woodin is a member of the M. W. A .. at Peck, and a Republican in politics and is a good citizen possessed of many friends. His uncle, Captain Ira Ennis, was a volunteer from Michigan in the Civil war, and is now superintending a railroad in Cuba. His uncle, Al Beorry, was in the Civil war and languished a year in Libby prison.

EDWARD E. WATTS, M. D., is one of the lead- ing professional men of Nez Perces county. Naturally endowed with the talent and ability requisite for the medical profession-and in this profession it must be understood that an enlightened public require in- tegrity, talent, skill, erudition and thoroughness in keeping abreast of the rapidly advancing science of medicine,-being naturally endowed, we remark, in a generous manner and aided by a careful and thorough course in general and technical education, also skilled by a long and thorough practice, Dr. Watts is emi- nently fitted to handle the large and ever increasing practice that his skill and worth are daily bringing him.

Edward E. Watts was born in Columbia City, Louisa county, Iowa, on February 22, 1854, being the son of John M. and Sarah (Gunn) Watts, natives of Ohio and of Scotch extraction. The father was a pioneer of the territory of lowa from Indiana and was a faithful preacher for the Christian church for twenty-five years, and also did farming. When Ed- ward was eleven his parents both died and he was thus early left to try the hardships of a cold world. He worked for farmers and gained schooling in the winters and his industry is manifest in that he joined the ranks of the educators when he was but seven- teen, and for five years he taught, studied medicine and perfected himself in higher education. In 1875. by dint of hard labor and careful study he had been enabled to pay his own way through the American

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

University at Philadelphia and with credit to him- self he graduated there in that year. The next year he located in Unionville, Missouri, and for five years he enjoyed a good practice. Then he located at Bige- low, Kansas, and for seven years he practiced there. It was 1888 that he came to Juliaetta and in 1891 Dr. Watts determined to enjoy and bring to the west the results of a thorough post graduate course and accordingly he spent one year in the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving additional di- plomas from that institution, which is the very father of eclecticism in the entire world. After this excel- lent course, in which as in other investigations and training the Doctor had paid especial attention to surgery, he came to Southwick, Idaho, and established himself there. In April. 1901, discerning the excellent location of Gifford, he came hither and has since his coming enjoyed an exceptionally good practice, his skill and success having already preceded him hither.

Dr. Watts has two brothers and two sisters : James M., Edwin O., Elizabeth M., widow of David Grif- fiths: Mary A .. wife of James M. Osborne. James lives in Pullman and the others live in Kansas and Iowa. Dr. Watts takes the proper interest in politics and is allied with the Democratic party and has been a delegate to nearly all the county conventions. He is examining physician for the W. of W.

Dr. Watts was married and has three children : Victor, in Kansas; Charles E. and William A., at Southwick, Idaho. His brothers James M. and Jona- than W., were in the Union army under Sherman. Jonathan was killed in Georgia while he was assisting to build breastworks. They were both privates. Dr. Watts has hosts of friends wherever he is known and is a man of sterling worth and commanding ability.

DEXTER D. MERRITT. A man of wide ex- perience in the ways of life and who has wrought with wisdom and energy in the occupations of his hand and is now one of the substantial and respected citi- zens of Melrose, it is consistent with the province of this work to incorporate the salient points of his career in its pages.

Dexter D. Merritt was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, on June 10, 1848, being the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jewett) Merritt. The father was born in Connecticut in 1787, settled in western New York in 1807 and died in 1870. The mother of our subject was born in New York in 1814 and died in 1851. When eleven years old Dexter went from the parental roof for the stern duties of life. He was educated in New York after this and then came to Iowa when he was fifteen. He settled in Clayton county, and farmed until 1873, then came a migratory journey to Colorado and for ten years he delved in the mines of that state, working in Clear Creek, Lake, and Boulder counties, where also he did carpentering work. Then he journeyed to Idaho and wrought at his trade for a year or more, after which he came again to Colorado and farmed in Rio Grande county.

In 1891 he came to Cassia and Freeman counties, in Idaho, and wrought for a couple of years, also oper- ated a general merchandise store there for a time, at Rock Creek. In 1899 Mr. Merritt came to Lewiston and wrought for Small and Emory in the lumber busi- ness, and in September, 1902, he came to Melrose and took the position of bookkeeper in the concern of Snyder & Company, where he is engaged at the present time. Mr. Merritt is a man of excellent qualities and has won the approbation and confidence of all. He has ten brothers and sisters and nine half brothers and half sisters. Politically Mr. Merritt is allied with the Republicans. His brother, Charles C., was a captain in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment in the Civil war and for nine months languished in a war prison of the enemy. Another brother, Barton M., who died at Folly Island before Charleston, was in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Regiment.

AARON BRADBURY. Our subject early learned the exciting "way of the west" and is a typi- cal frontiersman, having done his part in opening for settlement California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Aaron Bradbury was born in New York City on April 9, 1831, being the son of Lewis and Maria (Smith) Bradbury. The father, who came to Illi- nois in 1836, was born in Ulster county, New York, on June 6, 1804, and died in 1838. His grandfather, Amirhuhama, was born in Maine on March 1I, 1762, and served two years and eight months in the Revo- lution, enlisting in July, 1781, in a Massachusetts regiment under Captain Leonorde and Colonel Will- iam Shepard and was in the siege of Yorktown and at the surrender of Cornwallis. His ancestors settled in Biddeford, Maine, in 1638. The mother of our sub- ject was born in New Jersey in 1807 and died in 1898. Her ancestors were of the Holland Dutch stock and were very early settlers among the colonists. Our subject's parents removed to Ogle county, Illinois, when he was a lad, in 1836, and they were among the very first settlers there. There he grew to young manhood and received his education in the district school. He was a studious youth and gleaned much information from reading outside of the school course. He also learned the carpenter trade and studied law. He also gained good training in the postoffice at Ore- gon, Illinois. He was at home much of the time, but really independent action for him began at the age of fifteen. In 1850 he was taken with a severe attack of the gold fever and no cure was found but a trip across the plains and years of delving for the precious metal in the mines in different parts of California. Ten years were spent in this way and he then came to The Dalles and joined an expedition for exploration into central and eastern Oregon under Captain Smith. Many encounters with the Indians were participated in and then he returned to the Willamette valley and taught school and followed other vocations until 1878, in which year a journey was made to Whitman county.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

He took lien land below Pullman and lived on it until 1897, when he made his way to the reservation and secured his present claim, five miles southeast from Melrose. Mr. Bradbury married in 1866 and three sons were born to him: Jolin W., in the Lewiston National Bank; Edward G., a school teacher in New York City: Lewis, at Walla Walla. Mr. Bradbury has one brother living, Lewis, of New York, and one sister, Mary Mitchell, also in New York. Mr. Brad- bury was justice of the peace in Whitman county for fifteen years and is a stanch and active Democrat. He was made a Mason in California in 1855 and has a dimissory letter dated 1857 from his home lodge. A typical pioneer, a genial companion, a well informed man, a sturdy and patriotic supporter of the govern- ment and withal one esteemed and highly respected by his fellows, Mr. Bradbury is justly worthy of the encomiums he enjoys and the prestige granted him.

JACOB NOSBISCH. The success that has at- tended the subject of this sketch is evidence sufficient of his ability, thrift, industry and energy. He owns a fine farm about three miles southwest from Nezperce, and here he has shown excellent qualifications to handle the resources of the country in a winning manner.

Jacob Nosbisch was born in Huttingen, the vicinity of Trier, in Prussia, Germany, on April 3, 1868, being the son of Nicholas and Mary Nosbisch, also natives of the same country. The mother died in January, 1898. but the father is still living on the old home place, leading a retired life and being well-to-do. Our subject is the eldest of a family of seven children and the only one in the United States. From the age of six to fourteen he attended public school in his native land, and at the age of seventeen started from Bremen on the steamer Nurenberge. The date of his voyage was October 28 and the landing in Baltimore was November 13, 1885. He came direct to Eagle Grove, Iowa, and attended school the first winter to learn English. He worked in different places in Iowa and in 1893 went to Chicago and worked in a garden and also attended the World's Fair. That winter was spent in St. Joseph College, at Teutopolis, Illinois. In 1894 he returned to Iowa and farmed for himself until 1897. In September of that year he came to Uniontown, Washington, and in October to his present place. Here he has lived and labored since. His flax crop alone this year was nearly one thousand bushels, and he has other crops in proportion. Mr. Nosbisch also has stock and his is a fine and well kept farm. He has maintained a clean record here and is well thought of by his neighbors and all who know him, being a man of excellent qualities and sound principles. He is a consistent member of the Catholic church.

ROBERT M. CLEVELAND. One of the pop- ular and esteemed citizens of Gifford is named at the head of this article and his geniality and public spirit

have won for him hosts of friends in all sections where he is known.

Robert M. Cleveland was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, on March 6, 1866, being the son of Lar- kin J. and Minerva (Parker) Cleveland. He was edu- cated in the public schools at Golden City, Missouri, and then took a complete course in civil engineer- ing. Three years were spent after he was twenty in railroad work, and then he was engaged in buying poultry and in the nursery business for a year. In 1889 Mr. Cleveland came west to Colfax, Washington. Then he operated as baggageman, express messenger, brakeman, fireman, and so forth for three years and after this returned to Whitman county and rented land for a time. We next see him in the Potlatch country, and there he bought a quarter and when the reser- vation opened Mr. Cleveland came to his present place, one-half mile south from Gifford, and on October 19, 1895, filed on it. He has made a fine farm which is very valuable and a good dividend producer. Mr. Cleveland is one of the substantial and leading men of the community.

On March II. 1890, Mr. Cleveland married Miss Minnie C., daughter of Jacob E. and Myra ( Baldwin) Brake, the wedding occurring in Colfax. Mrs. Cleveland was born in Newton county, Missouri. on March 3, 1869. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Canada. She has one sister : Ella, wife of Harvey W. Doolen, of Missouri. Mr. Cleveland is a member of the M. W. A. and of the 1. O. O. F., while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland there have been born four children : Clarence C., Alfred H., Harry B., and Minnie C. Mr. Cleveland is one of the men whose labors have made the beautiful Beeman Flat country prosperous and productive of great wealth, and he is a leader in excellent farming and is a man of ability and stands well with his fellows.

ROBERT E. MOSER. The reservation country has been the scene of the labors of this gentleman for some years, and here he has shown his ability to handle the resources of the country in a winning man- ner, for he has increased his holding from a very meager showing at the time of his immigration here to those of a substantial and prosperous, thrifty farmer.

Robert E. Moser was born in Catawba county, North Carolina, on February 7, 1866, being the son of Jolin P. and Catherine M. ( Roseman) Moser. The father was born and reared in Tennessee and served through the Civil war. The mother of our subject was a native of Catawba county. Robert was the fourth of a family of six children, and when a child they all removed to Monroe county, Tennessee. and when he was twelve they returned to North Carolina. He was educated in Concordia College, in Catawba county, and afterwards taught school for a few terms and held a first grade certificate. In 1889 he came to Oakesdale, Washington, and there took up farming. On October 30, 1894, Mr. Moser married Miss

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Florence M., daughter of Frank M. and Eleanor S. (Bellinger) Brown, natives of St. Lawrence county, New York, where also Mrs. Moser was born. They came to Whitman county in an early day. Mrs. Moser is a niece of Jacob Bellinger, of Colfax. Soon after his marriage Mr. Moser went to the Potlatch country, and in the spring of 1896 he came to his present place. one-half mile southwest from Nezperce. He has a first-class farm. well improved, having a two-story, eight-room residence, a commodious barn, out build- ings, and other improvements as orchard, fences, implements and so forth. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moser: Marion L., Eleanor C., Maggie M., Ollie I. Mr. Moser is a member of the K. O. T. M., of Nezperce. He is a reliable and up- right man, who has hosts of friends and has done a worthy part in the development of the reservation country.

JACOB ALTMILLAR. Among the sturdy sons of the fatherland who have become stanch and pariotic citizens of the free land, we notice the subject of this article as one of the best of them and a man of ster- ling worth and integrity.

Jacob Altmillar was born in Germany in 1840, being the son of Joseph and Conna (Constantier) Altmillar, born in Germany in 1806 and 1811 and died there in 1896 and 1882, respectively. Jacob grew to manhood and received his education in his native place and wrought at the charcoal burner's trade until he was twenty-six, when he used the capital he had accumulated to start in the mercantile business. He was a careful buyer and a good salesman and attended to the details of the business with such care and wis- dom that he had a splendid trade and success in every way crowned his endeavors. In 1884 he desired to see the new world and accordingly sold his property and business and came to Juliaetta. He took land on American ridge, one mile from town, and went to pro- ducing the fruits of the field and raising stock. Eight years later we find him selling this property and an- other move was made. This time to the Potlatch country and there he bought school land. Five years covered the period of his labors in that place and Mr. Altmillar then came to his present place, three miles north from Melrose. He filed in 1898 and since that time has devoted himself to its improvement and culture. He has good buildings and the place shows the labors of a master hand in the art of agriculture. Eighty acres are under the plow and the balance of the property is devoted to pasture and wood lots. Fruit and stock, with general farm products, are the market dividends produced and Mr. Altmillar is one of the substantial men of the community.

While in Germany Mr. Altmillar married in 1866, Miss Tafara Constantia becoming his wife. Her par- ents were natives of Germany and she was born there in 1830. She has no brothers and sisters. Mr. Alt- millar has two brothers and two sisters in Germany. Two children have been born to gladden the house- hold : Constantia and Frank, both at home. Mr. Alt-

millar and family are members of the Catholic church and are ardent supporters of that faith. He was a public official in Germany and has served as justice of the peace here for three years. Politically Mr. Alt- millar is independent, reserving for his own judgment the qualifications of the man. He has educated his children well in the English branches and is a warm champion of good schools.

ALVAH T. ROGERS. The enterprising and industrious gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article, has made from the wild land that he took as a homestead in 1895, a model farm and one of the finest home places and productive farms in the vicinity of Gifford. It lies about one mile north from town and is a tasty and beautiful rural abode. Mr. Rogers devotes his attention to general farming. and also to raising stock He has a fine orchard, good buildings and is prosperous and a substantial citizen.

Reverting to the personal details of his life. we note that Mr. Rogers was born in Minnesota. on May 22, 1858, being the son of Samuel D. and Mary J. (Kerns) Rogers. The parents removed to Scott coun- ty, Iowa, when our subject was an infant and later went to Iowa county. For sixteen years Alvah re- mained there, working on the farm and gaining his education from the schools in winter. After leaving home he rentel land there and farmed until 1890, when he decided to try the west, and accordingly came to the vicinity of Gar- field, Washington, and there farmed success- fully for five years. The next move was to his present place, described above. Mr. Rogers and his wife are members of the Methodist church, while in political matters he is allied with the Republican party. He is not desirous of preferment in this line, although he has given his time on the school board for the pro- motion of good schools.

On July 3, -- , Mr. Rogers married Miss Mary B. Lewis, daughter of William R. and Nancy A. ( Bran- son) Lewis. Mrs. Rogers has two brothers: Benton and Joseph, living in Columbia county, Colorado. Her father was a captain in the Civil war. Mr. Rogers has one brother who is still living in Iowa. Mr. Rogers' father was a soldier for two years and one-half in the Civil war and received a wound in his head from which he is still suffering. He was reported lost, but afterward made his way home, having suffered greatly. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been blessed by the advent of six children: Oscar W., Mary P .. Roy S., Walter A., Arthur L., and Milton C.

PEARL C. LACEY is a man of energy and in- tegrity and has demonstrated these worthy qualities with no uncertainty in his labors and achievements, which have placed him in the catalogue of the pros- perous and successful agriculturists in Nez .Perces county.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

Mr. Lacey was born in Adair county, Iowa, on August 15, 1871, being the son of Warnik S. and Martha (Chaney) Lacey, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. The former was born in 1831, was a pioneer in Ohio and now lives in Wisconsin, having passed an active life as a carpenter, while the latter was born in 1839 and died in 1886. Our sub- ject's parents removed to Sauk county, Wisconsin, when he was six years of age. In Reedburg. that county, he grew up and was educated and when he had reached the age of eighteen he began the labors of life for himself. About that time he came to Washington, settling in the vicinity of Sprague, where he worked on a farmi for two years. After that period he went to the Potlatch country and purchased a piece of land, devoting himself to its improvement for a number of years. It was in 1894 that he came to the reservation and leased land from the Indians and farmed it. He was engaged in this occupation when the reservation opened up and immediately secured a quarter section for himself. He has improved it in a good shape, has a good house, a fine orchard and raises flax, barley and timothy. The estate lies six miles north from Melrose.

In 1894 Mr. Lacey married Miss Martha, daughter of L. D. and Mary Porter. The father is a farmer and a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Lacey was born in Missouri in 1875 and has three sisters and one brother. Mr. Lacev has one brother and one sister : Edwin, in Buffalo, New York ; Nettie Adams, in Wis- consin. To our subject and his faithful companion there have been born the following children : Claude, Ernest, Nettie, Edgar. Mr. Lacey and his wife are members of the Baptist church and are devout sup- porters of the faith. He is a member of the school

board and is always striving for the betterment of educational facilities. Mr. Lacey had one uncle in the Civil war and Mrs. Lacey's father fought on the southern side. Our subject and his worthy wife are highly respected people and are the recipients of the confidence and esteem of their fellows.

OLIVER L. FAIRLEY. This enterprising and well known agriculturist and business man is at the present time handling the Monroe house, one of the leading hotels in the reservation portion of the county of Nez Perces. It is situated in Peck, adjoining which town Mr. Fairley owns a first-class ranch.

Oliver L. Fairley was born in Cherokee county. Kansas, on October 16, 1869, being the son of Edward and Martha (Sailing) Fairley, natives of Iowa and born in 1818. The father was a farmer and carpenter and pioneer to California in an early day. The father and mother are still living on the reservation. Our subject grew to the age of fourteen in Kansas and then the family removed to Salem, Oregon, and thence to Grant county, in the same state. Soon they re- moved to Montgomery county, California, and one year later journeyed to the Grande Ronde country in Oregon. After failing to get a filing on some land

they came to the Palouse country, settling near Viola. The next year they went to Douglas county, Wash- ington, it being 1887, and there they raised stock on a large scale. Our subject commenced to drive stage from Coulee City to Waterville and Wenatchee and continued for eight years. All the time he was in- terested with his father in the stock business. In 1896 they left that country and the following year they came to their present place adjoining Peck and settled, the land being then unsurveyed. They filed in June, 1898. Mr. Fairley has a nice lot of stock, cattle, hogs and so forth. He also raises much poultry and does a general farming business. Good build- ings adorn the premises.

At Peshastin, Washington, Mr. Fairley married Miss Martha G., danghter of Morgan and Mary E. (Adams) Lacey. The nuptials occurred on December 17, 1895. Mr. Lacey was born in Virginia and his wife in Iowa. Her father died when she was nine months old and her mother when she was seven years of age. Mrs. Fairley was born in Indiana, in 1866, and is an only child. Mr. Fairley has one brother : Earl E., at Peck. Mr. Fairley is a Democrat but not aggressive. He labors zealously for the promotion of good educational facilities and is a stirring business man.

ROBERT H. STEELE. An honorable and up- right man, a patriotic citizen, a first-class farmer and an enterprising business man, the subject of this sketch is eminently fitted for representation in the history of this county.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 88

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