An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 93

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 93
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 93
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 93
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 93

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

been justice of the peace ; is a Republican in politics and always labors for good schools. He is a substantial man and stands well in the community.

OSCAR NELSON. Although Mr. Nelson has had plenty of opportunities to secure land in other places, still after a long travel over the country in va- rious portions, he has never found any place that is quite equal to the reservation portion of Nez Perces county. He owns a valuable farm about nine miles southeast from Peck, which he secured from the wilds by homestead right and has improved in a fine manner, thus manifesting not only his industry but wisdom and skill also. Oscar Nelson was born in the southern part of Sweden, on July 21, 1874, being the son of Peter and Kate Nelson. The father was a jeweler and a musician. This son was reared on the farm and in town, securing a good education. In 1891, he started for himself, and at once embarked for America. He had inherited his father's talent for music and at that youthful period had mastered seven instruments. His best instruments are the fife, violin and accordion. When he landed in New York, he had only one five cent piece. The passengers who had been enter- tained by his music on the voyage made up a purse and so he started out for the future. Coming to Fargo, North Dakota, he at once found a position where he could earn his board and tuition by his instruments and so went industriously at it, gaining also a good knowledge of the English. In 1892 he was in La- grande, Oregon, then cut wood in the Palouse and so traveled around and sought land. Finally he came to the reservation in March, 1896, having a pack horse. He footed it over the county and finally selected the homestead where he is now dwelling. He has im- proved it in good shape, has a fine spring and his farm produces abundance of grain and general crops. Mr. Nelson had the first contract of carrying the mail from Peck to Steele. This was before the road was graded up the hill or bridges put across the creeks. It was an arduons undertaking and some times he was obliged to pack on his own back eighty pounds up the hill. These were trying times, but Mr. Nelson stood the test and to-day he has one of the most valuable pieces of land on the reservation, owes no debts, and is en- joying the rewards of his worthy labor. During the closing of 1902 and the beginning of 1903, Mr. Nelson is contemplating a trip to Sweden to visit his aged mother and doubtless much joy will be his to renew old acquaintances and live over again the happy days of youth. He is highly esteemed by all in this com- munity and has hosts of warm friends who wish him well.

RENNY J. BOFFERDING. It is our pleasure to now have the privilege to write concerning the esti- mable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph and who has wrought with a strong hand and enter- prising ways in the development of the reservation

country and who now has a fine farm, two and one- half miles south from Melrose.

Renny J. Bofferding was born in Minneapolis. Min- nesota, on November 1, 1864, being the son of John and Willemena ( Knapper ) Bofferding. The father was a carpenter. born in Luxemburg, Germany, came to America in 1856 and died in 1869. He was a soldier in Germany, and was married and had one child before coming to the United States. His wife was also born in Germany and is still living. When Renny was one year old, his parents went to Wisconsin and there his father died when this son was five years of age. The older children bore the expenses of the family until all were able to go for themselves. In 1881 our sub- ject went to Iowa and Nebraska and engaged in rail- roading. The next year he migrated to Idaho and continued railroading on the O. R. & N., with head- quarters in Boise. Then he mined in eastern Oregon. doing well Then he followed saw milling until 1896. the date when he settled on his present place. His farm is well improved and has an orchard of three acres, while he devotes himself to general farming and raising hogs and horses.

Mr. Bofferding has the following brothers and sis- ters : Anna Dell, Emuel, Louise Weigle, Lucy, and Terese, all in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Mr. Bofferding was reared in the Catholic faith. In the fall of 1902 he received the nomination for county commissioner on the Socialistic ticket. He is an enthusiastic member of that party and active in promulgating the princi- ples which he believes applicable to the questions of the day. Mr. Bofferding has never seen fit to retire from the pleasant and quiet life of the bachelor and is a man who receives the respect and esteem of all who know him.

FREDERICK M. MINERT. As a substan- tial and loyal citizen, an upright and intelligent man, a successful operator in the sawmill business and a good farmer and stockman, the subject of this ar- ticle is deserving of representation in the history of his county and we accord him such with pleasure.

F. M. Minert was born in Montgomery county, Iowa, on January 29, 1862, being the son of James and Nancy J. (McClure) Minert. The father was born in Vermillion, Indiana, in 1830 and died in 1898. He was a pioneer to Wisconsin in 1837 and to Iowa in 1855. The mother was born in Johnson county. In- diana, in 1840. Her father, Thomas McClure, was born in Kentucky and her mother, Mary A. Wag- goner, was born in Virginia in 1820 and died in Spo- kane, October 3, 1902. Our subject grew to man- hood in Iowa, also gaining there his educational training. When he was twenty-five, he determined to see the west and accordingly he came to Nebraska, the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, working in all these places and finally, in 1890, he came to Latah county and settled. He went into the timber indus- try and soon acquired skill and mastered the saw- milling industry. In the spring of 1896 he came to the Nez Perces country and took his present place,

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three miles southwest from Kippen. He bought an interest in the mill now owned by him and Mr. Taber, mention of whom is made in this volume. Since that time he has given his attention to the improving of his estate and operating the mill. He assisted in erecting the first mill put up by white men on the reservation.

On September 3, 1899, Mr. Minert married Miss Brunettie, daughter of Selby H. and Margaret (Thompson) Kreisher, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, and pioneers of Indiana. Mrs. Minert was born in Clinton county, Indiana, on July 3, 1875, and has the following brothers and sisters: Lydia M., Zeningles, William A., Minnie M., deceased, George, Rosa M., Annie E., Selby D., Zelma L., and Louie, Mr. Minert has brothers and sisters named as fol- lows : Henry T., deceased, Anna E., Martha and Mary, twins, Louie, deceased, Hattie, deceased, Horace, twin to Hattie, Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Minert are members of the Methodist church. He is a Repub- lican. Mr. Minert's uncles, Virgil and Miner Mc- Clure and John and William Minert fought for their country in the Civil war. Mrs. Minert's father was also in the Civil war. Mr. Minert is an advocate of thorough and extended educational facilities and has been on the school board since the organization of the district, being a moving spirit in the organization.

STAAS SPEKKER. This patriotic citizen and leading business man was born in Hanover, Germany, on March 4, 1841, being the son of Peter and Annie ( Dresman) Spekker. The father was a farmer, born in Bingusta, Germany, in 1800, and died in 1876, hav- ing been a prominent man and the incumbent of a number of public offices of honor. The mother was born at Eppingavcht, Germany, in 1810; her father was an officer in Germany and died in 1852. Our sub- ject was educated in his native country and also learned the English language there, attending the agricultural college. He had practical experience on a farm and at the time of his majority he assumed charge of a nobleman's estate, which occupied him until the time of the retirement of the nobility and then he deter- mined to come to free America. This journey was taken at the close of the Franco-Prussian war, in 1871. He landed in Ackley, Iowa and was employed for some time on a farm and then came to Linn county, Oregon, taking charge of Judge Geary's farm, where he re- mained eight years. Prosperity attended his industry and thrift and then came the black rust which de- stroyed his crops. This led him to eastern Oregon, where he established a country hotel and stage on Butter creek. After two years of prosperity he came to Uniontown in Washington, taking up a homestead, which he sold in 1886 for four thousand dollars. Then he came to Nez Perces county and bought his pres- ent estate of two hundred and eighty acres, three and one-half miles north from Leland.

While in Iowa, in 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Spekker and Miss Mary, daughter of Gottlieb and

Henriette (Jacobs) Latzsch, who were natives of Saxony, the father being a contractor. Mrs. Spekker was born in Pennsylvania in 1852. Mr. Spekker has brothers and sisters as follows : Temmens, Amos, Anna, Heans- man, and Ida Mansholt. To Mr. and Mrs. Spekker have been born the following children : Edwin, twenty- eight years of age and well educated, now acting as deputy county assessor ; Peter, at home, road supervi- sor and well educated, now acting as member of school board ; Clay, at home ; Amos, in Colorado ; Arthur, six- teen and at home ; Manon, fourteen and at home : Ida, twelve, at home; Clara, married to Hogo Valdman, a merchant in Lewiston : Minnie, Emma, and Clarence, at home. Mr. Spekker was elected county assessor for 1899 and 1900 on the Republican ticket and then refused to take office any more. He was an active worker in his party and a champion of good govern- ment and good schools. He was a member of the Ma- sons in Pendleton until his death, which occurred No- vember 6, 1902, of paralysis. The farm now comprises about four hundred acres, all told, including fine build- ings, orchards and so forth. Mr. Spekker's brother Amos was in the Franco-Prussian war and his health was broken. Also two nephews fought in that war.

WALTER E. YAGER. The success achieved by this stirring young man is evidence of his worth and ability in the agricultural lines, while his excel- lence in the sawmilling business is equally as signal, having made himself an expert sawyer in following it for a number of years.

Walter E. Yager was born in Hancock county, Illi- nois, on November 2, 1870, being the son of Cornelius J. and Elizabeth (Pullian) Yager. The father was a farmer, born in 1844, in Illinois, and served under General Sigel in the cavalry of the Civil war. His wife was born in Illinois and did in 1875. Her parents were Kentuckians and pioneers in Illinois. Walter remained in Illinois, where he gained his education, until fifteen, when he came to Union county, Oregon, his father liaving come in 1882. He at once took up sawmilling and became expert as a sawyer. He followed this steadily until the reservation opened and in 1896 he selected a quarter section near Melrose, and proved up on it on December 7, 1901, having lived steadily there during the intervening time.

On December 31, 1901, Mr. Yager married Miss Lillian, daughter of Jacob and Lucy ( Palmer) Goble, the wedding occurring at Lewiston. Mr. Goble was a wagonmaker, born in Pennsylvania in 1822. He settled in Kansas in 1857, and his daughter, Naoma, was the first white child born in Marysville, Kansas. In 1862 they came to Walla Walla and took land, and Mr. Goble and his wife are still living. Mrs. Goble was born in New York in 1830. Mrs. Yager was born in Lehigh, Utah, in 1872 and was educated in Marshall county, Kansas. She has the following sisters and brothers : William, in Kansas; Ophelia, in Oregon; Sarah, in Oklahoma : Don, in Lewiston ; Anna, in Mount Idaho. Mr. Yager has two half sisters and one half brother.

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On January 14, 1898, Mrs. Yager took a claim four miles northwest from Culdesac, where they now live. Mr. Yager handles both this and his own claim. He does a general farming business and raises stock also. He is thrifty, industrious and capable, and is one of the men who has done much for the general upbuild- ing and progress of the country.

ALEXIS PICART. Like many of the well-to-do inhabitants of the reservation portion of Nez Perces county, our subject came here with very limited cap- ital and the fine possessions that are now his have been gained by his skill in manipulating the resources of the county and his industry in prosecuting the enter- prises of farming and stock raising. His farm is eight miles southeast from Peck, is good land and produces under his wise husbandry bounteous returns. Com- fortable and commodious buildings are a part of the improvements and the farm has an air of thrift and contentment that betoken the personality of the pro- prietor.

Alexis Picart was born in Belgium, on April 21, 1852, and there remained with his parents on the farm, attending school until he was twenty, when he en- listed in the regular army and served as corporal one year and as sergeant for two years, being personally acquainted in this time with every town of impor- tance in Belgium. Following his military career, Mir. Picart returned to the native place and on March 9, 1879, he married Miss Adle Thomson, a native of Bel- gium and a dressmaker. In 1884, they took passage on the steamer Paris, and went via Bordeaux, France, to New Orleans, being eighteen days on the ocean. Thence they made their way to San Antonio, Texas, and later settled in Seguin, where they remained until 1888. Then a journey was made to Los Angeles. whence they went to Kern county, California, and in 1800 we find them in San Francisco, following which they were in numerous places in the northwest coun- try. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Picart came to his present place, filed a homestead right and has dwelt here since. Four children have been born to Mr. Picart and his faithful wife, Virginia, wife of Charles Hutch- ins : Mary ; Augusta, born in Texas ; August, born in Kern county, California. The two oldest children were born in Belgium. Mr. Picart is a man of excellent judg- ment and business ability, while his walk manifests in- tegrity and uprightness, which have commended him to the good will and esteem of his fellows.

MAJOR J. STEELE. The subject of this article was one of the first settlers on the Central ridge and now he is the possessor of one of the finest ranches in the county. He owns two hundred and forty acres of well tilled and fertile land, all improved in good shape with fences, orchard, commodious barns and out buildings, while the modern ten-room residence is a structure of beauty and one of the best in the county.

Much credit is due Mr. Steele for the energy and push manifested in developing the country and he is a lead- ing citizen to-day. His parents, William M. and Nancy (Wallis) Steele, were early pioneers of Missouri and the father is living in Moberly now, aged eighty-four. He has been in the state seventy-two years and for thirty-four farmed near Moberly. He was born De- cember 30, 1819, near Lexington, Kentucky. The mother of our subject was born in 1822, in the Blue mountains and came to Howard county, Missouri, with her parents in 1830. She was married in 1840 and in 1853 they removed to Randolph county, where our subject was born on January 13, 1856. His mother died on August 28, 1873, having been the mother of nine children, five of whom are living. Our subject grew to be twenty in the native place, having received a common schooling and then he entered Mount Pleas- ant College and one year later began teaching. Follow- ing a period at this, he entered the State Normal School, taking a two years' course. This was at Kirksville, Missouri. He followed the calling of the educator for a number of years, then took the management of a wholesale lumber company in Kansas City. On account of failing health in subsequent years, he was forced to abandon this labor and in 1892 came west. He bought the paper afterward known as the Times-Democrat, which he operated in Moscow for a time and then sold. Then farming occupied Mr. Steele until 1895. The year previous to this he was nominated by the fusionist party as state superintendent of instruc- tion, but suffered defeat with the rest, although he was ahead of the ticket. In March, 1896, Mr. Steele loca- ted the present estate, which has been increased by purchase to two hundred and forty acres.

On April 10. 1890, Mr. Steele married Miss Cora B., daughter of Josephus and Jennie Lentz, in Rich- mond, Missouri. Two children were born to this happy union, but both died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz were early pioneers in Ray county, Missouri. Mr. Steele has done a commendable labor in upbuilding and developing this section of the country and he is marked by a progressive energy and a public spirit that stamp him a real leader.

WILLIAM FORD. In the industrial world, Mr. Ford has gained a good success, having a fine saw mill one half mile west from Kippen, where he does a good business. In addition to this he has a quarter section of fertile land and does a general farming bus- iness and in connection with his son, who owns a quarter of land also, raises cattle, having good success in all these undertakings, because of his thrift, skill and sagacity.

William Ford was born in Carroll, Penobscot county, Maine, on September 28, 1850, being the son of Charles and Philoma (McKinny) Ford. The father, who was a blacksmith and farmer, was born in Maine in 1810. He was a pioneer in Minnesota and died there in 1876. The mother was born in Maine also, in 1815 and in 1889 she passed from this earth. The

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family came to Minnesota when William was two years old. They settled in Minneapolis and the father wrought at his tradc. Three years later they removed to Anoka, where the father took land and there wrought at his trade also. Our subject worked with his father, attended school and by the time of his ma- jority had mastered in a skillful manner the king of all trades. Then he went to do for himself and in ad- dition to working at blacksmithing took up lumbering and became thoroughly acquainted with this business throughout. He remained in Minnesota until 1891, then he came west and sought out a place. He located near Tyler, in Washington, and his family came to him. Three years were spent there and when the Nez Perces reservation opened up he came hither and took tp his present farm as a homestead. Between the time of his residence at Tyler and his coming to Nez Perces county he had spent two years near Colfax.

On July 27, 1876, Mr. Ford married Miss Eliz- abeth J., daughter of Thomas and Angeline ( Caroth- ers) Hull. The father, a farmer, was born in Ohio in 18344. The mother was born in Indiana, in 1840, and died in October, 1891. Mrs. Ford was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, in October, 1858. Her parents were pioneers to that county and her grandfather Carothers was one of the first settlers in Wisconsin. Mrs. Ford has the following named brothers and sisters: John R., in Minnesota ; James E .. in Washington; Lillie. now Mrs. Z. M. Powell; Della Gilispie ; Gertrude ; Engene. Mr. Ford has broth- ers and sisters as follows: Philoma Varney, at Co- quille, Oregon ; Ruth Demorest, in Kippen ; Charles, at Grand Junction, Colorado, and was wounded in the Civil war, where he served; Frank, in Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford there have been born five children, Bernard M., living adjoining his father's farm and in- terested in the mill business with his father ; Effie, Clair H., Hugh and Cecil, all at home. Mr. Ford is a Re- publican and takes a great interest in having good gov- ernment and good schools. Mrs. Ford's father was a soldier in the Civil war, being in the Eleventh Wis- consin.

JOHN W. HELT. Two miles south from Melrose is the home place of Mr. Helt. It consists of a fine quarter of land that he secured from the government by his homestead right and which he has transformed from the wilderness of nature to a fertile and productive farm, supplied with comfortable buildings and a good orchard. Mr. Helt is personally a man of good qualities, industrious and progressive. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on July 2, 1869, being the son of John and Margaret ( Cahill) Helt. The father was a cooper, born in Germany and came to the United States in an early day. The mother died when Jolin was four years old. He then went to live with John J. Mc- Namara, in Jones county, Iowa. This man was a brother to the well known Bill McNamara, who built one of the finest blocks in Butte, Montana. Mr. Helt was one of the family and re- ceived equally good treatment from his foster parents

as did their own children and he remained contented with them until he was twenty-one. Then he began doing for himself and in 1896 he made his way to the reservation and took his present place. He has devoted himself to its culture and improvement and the result is that he is prosperous.

On January 1, 1896, in Sioux City, Iowa, Mr. Helt married Miss Georgianna, daughter of George and Celia (Brown) Pitts. Mr. Pitts was born in Otisco, New York, in 1838 and died in 1888. He was a soldier, serving in Company F, First Michigan of Engineers and Mechanics, where he enlisted under Sherman and went to the sea. Captain Bilton and Colonel Evans were his immediate commanders. His wife was born in Cortland county, New York, her folks being pioneers from Massachusetts. Mrs. Helt was born in Flower- field, Michigan, in 1876, gained a good education in the University of Sioux City, Iowa, and taught for a few years previous to her marriage. She was an only child. Mrs. Helt has the distinction of carrying the first mail in the Melrose section, handling a pony route twice a week from Beeman, before there was any Mel- rose. At first they went twenty-five miles to Juliaetta for mail. Mr. Helt has the following brothers and sis- ters: Edward, Mary E., Fannie, Rosa and Jessie. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Helt. Mary Ellen and John E. Mr. Helt is a member of the M. W. A., also of the Masonic order. He is a Republican in politics, has been director in the school matters and is zealous in his endeavors for good schools. He is a man of stanch character and stands for the develop- ment and progress of the country.

THOMAS J. BURNS. This prominent citizen of Nez Perces county is the vice president of the Pioneer's Association and is one of the substantial and prosper- out farmers and stockmen three and one-half miles south from Kippen, in this county. When the great excitement of the gold discovery in California spread like wild fire over the land in the memorable year of forty-nine, our subject was an infant, having been born on May 6 of that year, being the son of Francis and Mary (Clarcey ) Burns, natives of Ireland. the fa- ther being born in 1815 and dying in 1899. The mother was taken from this life in 1853. Thomas J. was born in Livingston county, New York, and in 1852 the parents came to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, being pio- neers there. Our subject received his education there and lahored with his father until he was twenty-four. at which time he got married and started for himself. He farmed for six years, then came to the west, taking a position as car foreman for the O., R. & N. He wrought at The Dalles, Tekoa, Albino, and Riparia. being with this company for seventeen years. Upon the opening of the Nez Perces reservation, he came and secured the place where he now lives. It is a fine piece of land and contains one hundred and twenty acres. is well tilled and improved in a becoming manner. Mr. Burns raises stock, cattle, hogs and horses, and does a general farming business.

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On September 23. 1873. Mr. Burns married Miss Annie, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Ader) Fillers, natives of Belgium and Germany, respectively. Mrs. Burns was born in Pensylvania, in 1855, and has five sisters and two brothers. Mr. Burns has one brother, John, living at Pomeroy, Washington. To this worthy couple there have been born eight children, named as follows: William, Frank, Rosella, Emma, Charles, Mark, Monica and John, all at home. Mr. Burns and his family affiliate with the Catholic church. In po- litical matters, he holds with the Democrats and takes a deep interest in politics, and is frequently a potent factor in the conventions. Mr. Burns always labors for good schools and is a director in his district.

THOMAS B. BEALL. No compilation which en- deavors to outline the careers of the pioneers would be complete were there omission of the gentleman whose name heads this article; therefore we accord him rep- resentation in this place as one of the real builders of the west, being especially conversant with its history. and a participant in the leading actions that form the chief items of its history. Personally, Mr. Beall is a inan of fine intellectual powers, well educated, con- versant with the affairs of the day and dominated by integrity and principles of uprightness, being highly esteemed by all and his name deserves to be among the very leaders of this northwestern country.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 93

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