An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 94

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 94
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 94
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 94
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 94

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Thomas B. Beall was born in Washington, D. C., on December 28, 1834, being the son of Colonel Benja- min L. and Elizabeth ( Taylor) Beall. His father was a commander in the United States army, and was born in Washington, D. C., in 1802. He was a grad- uate of the military academy at West Point, acted as lieutenant in the Florida war and a major in the Mex- ican war. During the Civil war he acted as mustering officer until his death in September. 1863. The mother was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1802 and died De- cember 25. 1899, being the daugliter of George Taylor, a merchant in Alexandria. Our subject remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age and was finely educated in William Jewell's College in Mis- souri, at the Chapel Hill College in Lafayette county, Missouri, at the State University of Missouri, and at the University of the state of Illinois. His father was commander at Fort Leavenworth for many years, be- ing there from 1846 to 1854. He built Fort Tejon, in Los Angeles county, California, and commanded at Vancouver in the department of the Columbia. Our subject came to California in 1854 and was in the employ of the goernment, being but nineteen. He built Lapwai under A. J. Cain, agent, in 1860, and re- mained with the government until 1861. He owned a ferry at the mouth of the Potlatch and on the Clear- water for years. He mined in British Columbia and in Montana and took up his present place in 1900. His brothers and sisters are Lloyd, in the regular army for years ; George, born at St. Louis, and in the medical department of the army ; Alexander, deceased ; Alfred,

county surveyor of Nez Perces county, also civil engi- neer on N. P. and U. P. railroads for years, now dead ; Virginia, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Theodrick Porter, a brother of Admiral David Porter, but she is now dead; Fanny, died at Port Point. Mr. Beall is a Democrat and has been justice of the peace for years and is active in politics. He is affiliated with the K. of P. in Dayton, Washington.

It is of great interest that Mr. Beall was in the famous battle of Steptoe Butte and a few reminiscences are quite in place. The government was sending a party to locate a north parallel at that time and Colonel Steptoe was ordered to look out a site for a fort near the line. The expedition left Walla Walla on May 3, 1858, crossed the Snake river and got to about where the town of Spangle is now located and the Indians called them to halt. Colonel Steptoe seeing the odds so great against him, determined to return to Walla Walla, and they had gotten as far back as the vicinity of Rosalia, when Chief Saltese came for a conference and Father Joset was interpreter for the Indians. A Nez Perce Indian struck Saltese with a club in this interview and it ceased. The Indians fired on the de- tachment and as our subject was in charge of the pack train and in a gulch, the work of getting away was difficult. But he succeeded with some others in getting with Chief Timothy of the Nez Perces, and so es- caped. Mr. Beall declares that Saltese was not of as good intentions as is supposed, as he was seen to fire and afterwards was found with Lieutenant Gaston's clothes on. Chief Timothy, however, who was guide to the whites, he believes to have been actuated by gen- uine friendship.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Colonel Lloyd Beall, was in command of Fort McHenry, in the war of 1812 when the British fired on the fort. It was this incident that inspired Francis S. Key to write the famous Star Spangled Banner.

ANDREW SETLOW. Among the industrious and thrifty men who are laboring to develop the reser- vation country we are constrained to mention the sub- ject of this article. Mr. Setlow is a man of good habits and principles, has shown skill and wisdom in his labors and has won the esteem of his fellows. His farm is located five miles southeast from Peck, con- sists of a quarter section, provided with good build- ings, a seven room residence and a good orchard. He and his wife are members of the Seventh-day Adventist church and he is a stanch supporter of his faith.

Andrew Setlow was born in the central part of Sweden, on February 24, 1856, being the son of Erick and Anna B. Setlow, also natives of that country. He was educated there, learned the carpenter trade, and also received training in the regular army of Sweden. In 1881 he determined to try the United States and soon was in New York, whence he went to Pepin coun- ty, Wisconsin, and then to St. Paul. Minneapolis and Brainard, Minnesota, where he labored for two years

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and then returned to Sweden with the intention of set- tling there. But two years in this country spoiled life there and so he returned to Minnesota and wrought at his trade in different places. In the fall of 1886, at St. Paul, he married Miss Bertha Bolander, a native of Sweden, but an immigrant to the United States in 1882. To this happy union there have been born five children, Mabel R., Albert B., Nellie G., John C. and Charles R. In 1891 Mr. Setlow came with his family to Mos- cow and there followed his trade and built him a home. In 1894 he went to Boulder creek and four years later he came to his present place, which he purchased. Since that time Mr. Setlow has been known as one of the substantial men and public minded citizens of this section and he stands well today.

JOHN M. McGEE is an enterprising and thrifty farmer and stockman in the vicinity of Steele, in Nez Perces county. He selected a fine piece of land in 1896 and since that time has bestowed his labors in a commendable manner, making it now one of the best farms of the section. He was one of the real pioneers in this region, his wife being the first white woman on Central ridge for a number of months. Mr. McGee makes a specialty of good stock, cattle, hogs and horses and feeds all his farm products to them.

Mr. McGee was born in Taney county, Missouri, on January 18, 1867, being the son of John O. and Samantha ( Friend) McGee. The father was a far- mer, born in Tennessee in 1837, and now lives in Ok- lahoma. He was a soldier in the Union army for four years and received a wound at the battle of Pea Ridge. The mother was born in Missouri and is still living. The family came to Iowa when John M. was small, and thence they went to Nodaway county, Missouri. There the subject of this article was educated and remained until thirteen. The fam- ily then went to Cloud county, Kansas, where the father bought land. When fifteen Jolin M. started on life's pilgrimage for himself. First he went to Solo- mon City and worked at various callings and next we see him in Beatrice, Nebraska, railroading. From this he went on a trip through western Kansas and Nebraska and into Colorado. Then he returned to Nodaway county. After a visit he came to Waits- burg, in Washington, also staying in Walla Walla. He railroaded on the Hunt system, then went to the sound with an outfit of mules for Mr. Hunt. He came back to Huntsville, got married and settled down to farming and one year later removed to the Potlatch country. He remained there until February, 1896, when he came to his present place.

At Dayton, Washington, in 1891, Mr. McGee. married Miss Mattie, daughter of Jackson and Lu- cinda ( Walters) Mckay. The parents are farmers at Huntsville and are both living. Mrs. McGee was born In western Kansas, in 1870 and has one brother and ( ne sister, Ella B. Pearson, in Cottonwood, this coun- ty : Allie William. Mr. McGee has the following named brothers and sisters, Martin, in Oklahoma ;

Anna Green, also in Oklahoma; James, in Nez Per- ces county ; Reason, Monroe, May, all three in Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs McGee have three children : Maria, deceased ; Thelma, Ada Myers, the last one is an adopted child. Mr. McGee is an ac- tive Republican and often is committee man and holds other influential positions. He is general manager and stockholder of the Cooperative Telephone Company ; being the prime mover in barb wire telephoning in this county. Mr. McGee has donated much for good roads and schools, being an advocate for these things. He has been road overseer and built the Peck grade on Central Ridge.

ALBERT MUSTOE is an enterprising young farmer and carpenter dwelling about two miles north- east from Chesley, having taken his land from the wildness of nature and improved it so that it is a pleas- ant and valuable place.

Albert Mustoe was born in Adair county, Missouri, on Match 28, 1875, being the son of Henry and Martha (Heuett) Mustoe, mention of whom is made in an- other portion of this work. He grew to manhood in his native county and there received his education. In 1891 the father came to Tekoa, Washington, on ac- count of his health, and the next year our subject and his mother came also. Albert remained in that section of the country until the spring of 1896, when he came and took as homestead the eighty acres where he now lives. He erected a house in the fall and then worked in various places and when he had gained a sufficient start, came and dwelt steadily on the farm, which he has improved in good shape. He has a fine orchard, raises cattle and also breeds excellent Poland China hogs. He is successful in this and has some good spec- imens.

On October 30, 1895, in Tekoa, Washington, Mr. Mustoe married Miss Anona, daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Walker. The father, a carpenter, born in Illinois in 1852, was a pioneer in the vicinity of To- peka, Kansas, then migrated to California, and in 1882 hie settled in the Palouse country. His wife was born in Sanford, Ontario. Mrs. Mustoe was born in Shaw- nce county, Kansas, on November 7, 1876, and was well educated. She has two brothers and one sister, Fountain, Minnettie Thompson, and Jesse. Mr. Mus- toe has one brother and two sisters, Loretta Page, Dora Wilson and William, all in this county. Ruth M .. a bright girl, born on May 24. 1897, is the fruit of the happy marriage of our subject. Politically Mr. Mustoe is a Democrat and is actively interested in the welfare of the community and in questions of general import. Mrs. Mustoe has been clerk of election for a number of years.

MICHAEL KOUNI. To this industrious and wise farmer have come the emoluments of honest toil and good management in financial affairs and he is one of the most prosperous men of the section where lie resides. Mr. Kouni has an excellent farm, very

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fertile land and well tilled. It lies two miles south- east from Peck and was taken by him as a homestead.

Michael Kouni was born in Switzerland, on Feb- ruary 5, 1863, opening his eyes in the presence of everlasting snows of the Alps and for three years he breathed the pure air of free Switzerland. In 1866 his parents, Mathias and Mariah Kouni, came to Peoria, Illinois, and there the father wrought in the coal mines until 1869, when they all went to Marshall county, Kansas, and there the father took a homestead where he dwells at the present time. The mother died in 1892. Our subject spent the years of his child- hood, gaining his education from the common schools and learning the ways of excellent farming from an industrious and thrifty father. In 1885 Michael stepped forth into the world for himself and journeyed to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he dealt in stock, buy- ing and shiping horses to the east. In 1887 he made his way to Moscow and engaged in the nursery busi- ness, operating the Mix nursery until 1891. Then a move was made to Kendrick and Mr. Kouni operated a nursery for himself until 1897. That was the year when he came to the reservation and bought the re- îmquishment of the place he now owns and here he has bestowed his labors since that time. He has the farm well under cultivation, owns a commodious barn, a good house and in addition to the general products of the farm Mr. Kouni raises hogs and hors- es and is operating a nursery. He is a thrifty and in- dustrious man, well esteemed by his neighbors and a good citizen.

On December 25, 1902, Mr. Kouni was married to Miss Nancy Bell Goalder, daughter of Ward and Mary (Wilcox) Goalder, natives of Kentucky and now residents of Adams county, Washington. Mr. Goalder lives near Lind. Mrs. Goalder died March 28, 1892. Mrs. Kouni has the following named broth- ers and sisters: Mrs. Mary Ann Gray, Benj. W. Goalder, M. P., and Edw. G.

SWEN I. SWENSON. All honor is given to those who have done the herculean task of opening the wild countries for settlement. Among the worthy pioneers of the reservation portion of Nez Perces county we are constrained to mention the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. He came here in 1896 and took a homestead to which he could not come with a wagon. The wife and chil- dren had to walk up the hill, which is two thousand feet above the Clearwater, while Mr. Swensen pulled the cook stove on the front wheels of his wagon. He built a small log cabin, got the family settled and then went to work in the harvest fields to get bread. Mr. Swensen has been a great worker and has a fine farm, now all under cultivation, except the timber lot, while good buildings and improvements, as fences, orchard and all implements for use, testify strongly his industry and great excellence in labors.

Swen I. Swenson was born in central Norway, on August 18, 1863, and his parents, Iver and Ingri

Swenson, were natives of the same place. The fami- ly came to the United States in June, 1866, and soon they were settled in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. In 1868 they went to Swift county, Minnesota, and there Swen grew to manhood, receiving his education, and there also, on November 21, 1887, he married Olive, daugh- ter of Helge and Ingeborg Hillerud, natives of Nor- way, and who lived then in Kandiyohi county, Min- nesota, where Mrs. Swenson was born, on May 21, 1869. In 1890 Mr. Swenson came with his family to Latah county and there worked for a salary until February, 1896, the time that he came to his present place. He was one of the very first settlers on Cen- tral ridge, and since that time has labored inces- santly for progress and improvement. Seven chil- dren have been born to this home: Helmar I., born June 22, 1888; Stener, born May 31, 1890; Emil and Julius, twins, born April 8, 1893, and died December 9, 1899, and May 29, 1894, respectively ; Simon O., born April 28, 1895; Julius, born May 26, 1897; Emil Joseph, born October 27, 1899. On February 22, 1901, Mr. Swenson was called to mourn the death of his wife, consumption being the dread disease that took her away. Mr. Swenson has six brothers and two sisters, he being the oldest of the family. The youngest sister, who is also the youngest member of the family, is now keeping house for Mr. Swenson. Mr. Swenson's parents are now living in Latah county.

REUBEN ROGERS. Four miles southeast from Peck, on the Central Ridge wagon road. one comes to the pleasant home place of Mr. Rogers. The estate consists of a fine quarter section of fertile land, which was taken by Mr. Rogers as a homestead from the wild country. He has bestowed his labors with such wisdom and industry that it is now one of the finest farms of the vicinity and a standing evidence of his thrift and progressiveness. The residence is a seven-room structure of modern design, while a large and substantial barn with outbuildings to match and all fences and so forth needed are other evidences of the prosperity and emoluments of industry.

Reuben Rogers was born in Allegany county, New York, on December 30, 1844. where also his parents, Orton and Jerutia (Hadsell) Rogers were born in 1815 and 1827, respectively. Reuben's grandfather, Stephen Rogers, was born in Connecticut, on May 12, 1786, and died in 1888, aged one hundred and two years, a remarkable length of life. He was a man of great powers and of considerable prominence in his place. He fought in the war of 1812 and was always a staunch supporter of the government. For sixty- seven years he dwelt on one farm, then in 1870 sold it and bought another two miles distant, where he re- sided until his death. He never would trust himself to the cars, and on one occasion made a trip from the old home in New York to Adams county, Wisconsin, by private conveyance rather than ride on the steam cars.

Reverting again more particularly to our subject,

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we note that he grew to manhood on the farm, re- ceived his education from the common schools and on October 13, 1864, he married Miss Mary L., daughter of Moses and Martha (Putney) Black, na- tives also of New York. Mrs. Rogers was born in Allegany county, on February 15, 1840. Mr. Rogers enlisted three different times in the war of the Re- bellion, but was refused each time on account of the loss of his right index finger. In 1873 he located in Huron county, Michigan, and in 1879 came to Pawnee county, Nebraska. In 1882 he removed thence to Beadle county, South Dakota, whence he came by train to Butte, Montana, and the remainder of the journey to his present place he made with team, lo- cating here in 1896. Five children have been born to this happy family. Melvin A., married to Lucena Rob- erson, living near Peck, and having two children, Edgar E. and Mary A .; Emma T., wife of Berney Powell, of Butte, Montana, and they have one child, Harold L .: Myrtle J., wife of Oscar D. Holmes, of Butte, Montana, and they have one child, Keith D .; Carrie I .; Elizabeth, who is teaching school in Peck. The three oldest daughters have taught much in Butte. Mr. Rogers is a man of good qualities and has done a real worthy labor in building up this sec- tion of the county, while he has maintained an un- sullied reputation, being of first class standing.

HENRY MUSTOE. The owner of a good farm with comfortable improvements, a man of industry and good wisdom in the business enterprises to which he has devoted himself, of excellent standing among his neighbors, it will be interesting to append a re- view of the salient points in the career of this sub- ject.

Henry Mustoe was born in Barbour county, West Virginia, in 1838, being the son of William and Nancy (Cash) Mustoe, natives of Bath county and Rocking- ham, Virginia, respectively. The father was a suc- cessful blacksmith. The mother was born in 1818. When Henry was a boy they came to Edgar county, Illinois, and four years later removed thence to Scot- land county, Misouri. There our subject grew to manhood, gaining a good common school education from the winter schools and also learning the black- smith trade. When Henry was twenty-two he started farming for himself and in 1868 went to Adair county, Missouri, and there he was one of the sub- stantial and successful farmers until 1891. Then he determined to see the west, and accordingly came to Tekoa, Washington, and soon to Farmington, in which places he farmed until the spring of 1896. In that year he came to the opened reservation and se- cured his present place. three miles east and one mile north from Chesley. Improving the place, doing a general farming business, and raising horses and cat- tle, have occupied Mr. Mustoe since his settlement here and he has achieved a good success.

In Scotland county, Missouri, on November 22, 1860, Mr. Mustoe married Miss Martha, daughter of

Hiram and Sarah (Wilson) Hetett. Mr. Heuett was born in Randolph county, Virginia, and was a pioneer to Illinois and also to Scotland county, Mis- souri. He had the distinction of being a captain in the Mexican and Civil wars. His wife was born in his native county from a pioneer family. Mrs. Mus- toe was born in Barbour county, West Virginia, in 1841, and has five brothers, Edwin W., William H., George, Jacob and Benjamin. Mrs. Heuett is still living, aged eighty-three. Mr. Mustoe has one sis- ter, Edna J. Yeager. Mr. and Mrs. Mustoe have four children, Loretta M. Page, Dora Wilson, Will- ianı and Albert, all in Nez Perces county. Our sub- ject and his faithful wife are devout members of the Methodist church : Mr. Mustoe is a zealous supporter of good churches and schools. He is a Democrat and is always in his place in the conventions, caucuses and at the polls. He is a man of good character, a fine neighbor and is always ready to give a hand to one in need.

JOHN H. GERTJE is one of the enterprising pi- oneers who are laboring to bring the country that was once embraced in the Nez Perces reservation to a good state of cultivation and make it productive of the fruits of the field. His place is situated four and one- half miles west from Ilo, and consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, well improved, having good buildings and so forth. Mr. Gertje does a general farming business and raises stock sufficient to con- sume the products of his land, which makes it more profitable. He also finds time from his other duties to operate a first-class threshing outfit in the fall and does a good business in this line.

John H. was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on April 23, 1869, being the son of John and Mate ( Kora- mer) Gertje. The father was a native of Germany, came to the United States in 1872 and now lives in Nez Perces county. He was born in 1836. The mother was born in Germany in 1836 and is still living. Our subject came with his parents to this land in 1872, being three years of age. They stopped a time in New York and two years later we find them in Waseca county, Minnesota, where the father bought land and farmed. There John H. received his edu- cation and in 1883 the family went thence to Rob- erts county, Dakota, where the father took a pre- emption, but at the end of two years he sold it and came to the Potlatch country, where he still lives. Our subject went to carpentering when he became of age, and then farmed. He did well until sickness came into his family and then he was forced to meet mis- fortune and hardship. He removed to Asotin county, Washington. and raised fruit for two years and when the reservation opened he took his present place as described above.

On December 31, 1891. Mr. Gertje married Miss Minnie, daughter of Andrew and Frances Jackson. Mr. Jackson was a captain in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Gertje one child was born, Ruby Fay. On November 12, 1897. Mrs. Gertje was called away by

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death. On July 22, 1901, Mr. Gertje married a sec- ond time, Miss Josephine, a daughter of John P. Voitte, then becoming his bride. Mr. Voitte is a bar- ber, in Davenport, Washington. Mrs. Gertje was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on September 16, 1879, and she has three sisters, Martha, Jennie, and Sadie, deceased. Mr. Gertje has four brothers and two sis- ters : George, Herman, Henry, Mary Tiede, Sophia and Edwin. Mr. Gertje is an active Republican, always la- boring for the principles of his party and good schools, and he is frequently found in the conventions.

BENONI PALMER. Since the opening of the Nez Perces reservation the subject of this sketch has been a resident of this county and is one of the pro- moters of industrial labor, while also he does a general farming business. He has a fine saw-mill on his place two and one-half miles southeast from Win- chester.

Mr. Palmer was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, on December 22, 1856, being the son of Benoni F. and Eliza J. (Denslow) Palmer. The father was a car- penter, born in Cincinnatti, Ohio, in 1822 and died in 1898. He was a pioneer in Wisconsin. The mother was born in Ohio in 1839, and died in 1897. Our sub- ject remained at home. learning the carpenter trade and working with his father until of age. Also dur- ing this time he received his education from the schools of his home place. Then he started in life for him- self. He went to North Dakota on the Northern Pa- cific Railroad, built a warehouse and did a contracting business. Returning to Cincinnati, he labored for seven years in contracting business. He then came west to Spokane, Washington, went prospecting for several years, meeting with varying success and then came to Latah county and wrought at his trade. Four years were spent there and then he went to Tacoma and labored at ship building for four years. It was 1897 when Mr. Palmer came to Nez Perces county and took his present place, where he erected a fine saw mill and does a good business.

In 1887 Mr. Palmer married Miss Sarah G., daughter of Henry Marston, a native of Wisconsin. Alrs. Pahner was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, in 1870. and her marriage occurred in Colfax, Wash- ington. She has no brothers nor sisters. Mr. Pal- mer has the following named brothers and sisters : Helen Sprague, Elenor Townsend, Franklin, Orson, Rose, Grant and Lillie. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, Pearl and Claud. Mr. Pal- mer is an active Republican and is often at the con- vention, where he is an influential factor. Mrs. Pal- mer's father was in the Civil war and Mr. Palmer had a number of uncles in the same struggle.

THOMAS F. REYNOLD. Perhaps no man in the county of Nez Perces has had a wider experience in the northwest than the subject of this article who has traveled in many capacities and has met the inci- cents of the frontier in every shape, being a man of great courage and stability and having conducted himself in this long time in a worthy and commenda- ble manner, ever manifesting courage, sagacity, en- durance and ability, which has been dominated with sound principles.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 94

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