An illustrated history of the state of Idaho, containing a history of the state of Idaho from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and biographical mention of many pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day, Part 101

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1014


USA > Idaho > An illustrated history of the state of Idaho, containing a history of the state of Idaho from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and biographical mention of many pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day > Part 101


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FRANK T. MARTIN.


When, in 1871, Frank T. Martin first saw the Snake river valley, Idaho, it was a vast, desolate and unexplored wilderness, not so inviting to settlement as it might have been otherwise, be- cause of its arid, unproductive soil. Mr. Martin was then a youth of seventeen, and he came with thirteen others and drove seven hundred head of cattle across the plains from Saline county, Mis- souri. They were one hundred and eleven days on the way, and after they reached the Snake river valley the company separated, some of its members going to different points round about, and some to Montana. Young Martin passed the winter of 1871-2 at Helena, Montana, and in the spring returned to the valley and located on the island eighteen miles above Idaho Falls. At that time four men were the only persons on the island, which has now a population of fifteen hundred. He remained in the valley two years, herding cattle for Mr. J. M. Taylor, then went to Utah. In 1876 he went back to his old home in Missouri. In 1885 he returned to Idaho Falls, where he has since lived and where he is known as an enterprising business man and a public- spirited citizen. He conducted a meat market and later a livery business, and six years ago be-


came a dealer in coal, which he has since handled quite extensively. He is a member also of the firm of Martin & Mills, butchers, and wholesale and retail dealers in meat, and they do a large trade over a wide territory. Mr. Martin is well known in business circles throughout southeast- ern Idaho. He is a Democrat, but not an active politician nor one who has an itching for office, his business interests requiring his entire time and attention.


The following biographical items concerning Frank T. Martin will be of interest. He was born in Saline county, Missouri, September 6, 1854. His grandfather Samuel T. Martin, a na- tive of Virginia, was a pioneer in Kentucky and died there at the age of eighty-seven. Frank T. Martin's father, also named Samuel T. Martin, was born in Kentucky and married Miss Annie E. Jones, daughter of Captain Thomas Jones, who in his young manhood was an officer in the Revolutionary army in the struggle for Ameri- can independence. In 1849 they removed to Missouri, where Mr. Martin became a successful farmer, and where he is yet living, aged eighty years. Mrs. Martin died in 1866. They had twelve children, of whom Frank T. Martin was the eighth born. His boyhood was passed on the farm and in the public schools of Missouri, until, at the age of seventeen, he first came to Idaho, as has been stated. In August, 1880, he married Miss Susie Chowning, a native of Owen county, Kentucky, who bore him four children, --- Paris, Helen, Eva and Charles,-and she died in June, 1890. She was a true and faithful wife and loving and indulgent mother, being a woman o: beautiful Christian character, and her loss was keenly felt by the whole community.


HENRY D. BLATCHLEY.


Henry D. Blatchley came to Caldwell when it contained but one building, and has therefore witnessed its entire growth and development. In the work of progress and advancement he has ever borne his part and to-day is numbered among the pioneers and leading business men to whom the city is indebted for its upbuilding. A spirit of enterprise, so characteristic of the west, is noticeable in all that he does and has been manifest in his connection with Caldwell. He has ever merited the confidence and regard of his


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felllow men, which he receives in an unlimited degree, and in this volume well deserves mention among the representative merchants of Idaho.


Mr. Blatchley is a native of Idaho, his birth having occurred in Blanchester, March 2, 1854. He is of Welsh lineage and his ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania and Ohio. One of the number, David Blatchley, was an officer in the Colonial army in the war of the Revolution; and the Comstock family, from which our subject is descended on the maternal side, was also represented in the struggle for American independence. They settled in Ohio, and one of the towns in the Buckeye state now bears the name of Comstock, it having been founded by relatives of our subject. His father, Daniel W. Blatchley, was born in Pennsylvania and was married there to Sylvia Ann Comstock, of Scranton, that state, a daughter of Zebulon Comstock, a prominent land-owner of Scranton, and a representative of an old Virginian family. At a later date Mr. Blatchley removed with his family to Ohio, where for many years he suc- cessfully engaged in school-teaching. He de- parted this life in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and his wife was called to her final rest in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of five sons.


Henry D. Blatchley, the fourth in order of birth, was a little lad of four summers when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Vandalia, Illinois, where he was reared and edu -- cated. On completing his literary course he be- came a student in the Cincinnati Medical Col- lege, and later learned the druggist's trade, thus being well qualified for an independent business career. Coming to Caldwell he engaged in clerk- ing for a year and then began business on his own account, since which time he has success- fully conducted the leading drug store of the town. In 1894 he erected a good brick business block, twenty-five by one hundred feet, in which he now carries a large stock of drugs, paints, oils and notions. His business methods are miost commendable, his prices reasonable, and by his courteous treatment of the public and his straightforward dealing he has won a liberal pat- ronage.


In Caldwell he has also erected a very pleasant and commodious residence, which is presided


over by his estimable wife, who in her maiden- hood was Miss Carrie S. Gwinn. Their mar- riage was celebrated in June, 1887, and the lady is a daughter of Rev. Robert M. Gwinn, the pio- neer Methodist minister of Idaho. Mr. Blatcli- ley is prominent in fraternal circles. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Caldwell, its first presiding officer, and has filled all the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. For nine years he has been the representative to the grand lodge. He exer- cises his right of franchise in behalf of the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He is a valued member of the Presbyterian church, a teacher of ability in the Sunday-school, and a member of the Presbyterian session. He is also trustee and treasurer of the Idaho College, and takes a deep interest in its growth and prosperity. A loyal citizen, public-spirited and progressive, a successful merchant, and not unmindful of the holier duties of life which lead to man's best de- velopment, he commands the respect and confi- dence of all whom he meets.


JAMES A. LAUER.


One of the popular and enterprising young merchants of Payette is James A. Lauer, who is numbered among Idaho's native sons, his birth having occurred in Idaho City, on the 26th of February, 1872. His father, William Lauer, is numbered among the early settlers of the state, having located here in 1861, and is the pioneer hardware merchant of Payette. The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Idaho City, and with his parents came to Pay- ette in 1885. Here he accepted a position as clerk in the general mercantile store of Mar- quardsen & Lamme, acceptably serving in that capacity for seven years, during which time he mastered the business in every detail. Having gained an excellent knowledge of the methods of commercial life, in September, 1895, he began business on his own account, opening a general mercantile store in Payette. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of goods, is a most courteous and obliging salesman, and by means of moderate prices, fair dealing and reliability he has won success, his patronage constantly in- creasing.


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Mr. Lauer is an active and valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having taken the degrees in Payette Lodge, No. 22. He has passed all the chairs in the lodge, and in 1896 was its representative in the grand lodge of the state. In politics he is a silver-Republican, and is now serving as a member of the city coun- cil, so discharging his duties as to advance the best interests of the city. He is also a member and was one of the organizers of the Payette Band, a very creditable musical organization. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the material, political and social welfare of the city, and is a most courteous and popular young man, having the warm regard of a large circle of friends.


W. B. KURTZ.


It is given to few to attain prominence in poli- tics, honor in military affairs or fame in literary life, but respect and esteem await every man who lives worthily, who performs the duties of public and private life faithfully and promptly, and in business has strict regard for commercial ethics. Such an one is W. B. Kurtz, proprietor of the Weiser flouring mill, which was built in 1890, and represents one of the leading industrial inter- ests of the city in which it is located.


Mr. Kurtz is a native of Berks county, Penn- sylvania, born November 1, 1846, and is of Ger- man descent. His grandfather, Jacob Kurtz, was born in Germany and in his early boyhood crossed the Atlantic to America, becoming a resi- dent of the Keystone state, where he was reared to manhood and married Miss Mary Shingle, a native of Pennsylvania. He fought in the Revo- lutionary war on the side of the colonies, and lived to be seventy-seven years of age. His son, John Kurtz, was born in Pennsylvania, and hav- ing arrived at years of maturity married Miss Harriet Gabrial, a lady of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They had five sons and five daughters, eight of whom are now living. Through his active busi- ness career the father engaged in the milling business, manufacturing flour. In his religious views he was an Episcopalian, and he was highly esteemed for his sterling worth and devotion to duty.


Mr. Kurtz of this review was educated in the public schools of his native state, and in his boy- hood learned the miller's trade, which he has fol-


lowed as a life work. By close application he soon mastered the business, and for four years carried on operations along that line in Rock Falls, Illinois. In 1878 he came to Idaho, locat- ing in Boise, where for fourteen years he had the management of the Ridenbaugh mill. His long connection with that enterprise plainly indicates his reliability and his effective service,-qualities which won him the entire respect and confidence of his employer. In 1890 he came to Weiser and in connection with others erected the Weiser flouring mill, of which he has since had charge. It is a full roller-process mill with a capacity of one hundred and twenty barrels of flour per day. The main building is forty by forty feet, and in height three stories, attic and basement. The elevator is fifty by forty feet and forty feet in height, and has a capacity of fifty thousand bush- els of wheat. There is also a brick engine-room, and the entire plant is complete in every appoint- ment and detail. They manufacture the Lily of the Valley brand of flour, for which there is a great home demand, and an excellent market is thus furnished for the wheat raised in this local- ity. Mr. Kurtz, who is one of the owners as well as the manager, is a practical miller of many years' experience, and under his direction the enterprise has become a profitable one and has proven of great importance to the community.


On the Ioth of July, 1887, Mr. Kurtz was united in marriage to Miss Lenora B. Babcock, a native of Galesburg, Illinois, who prior to her marriage was a most capable and successful school-teacher of Boise. They now have a daughter, Hazel. They are valued members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Kurtz is serving as trustee, while his wife is a teacher in the Sunday-school. He also belongs to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and he and his wife are highly esteemed citizens of Weiser.


JAMES FLANAGAN.


Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is character- ized by intelligence and force; it comes only to the man who has the foresight and keenness of mental vision to know when and where and how to exert his energies, and thus it happens that but a small proportion of those who enter the


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"world's broad field of battle" come off victors in the struggle for wealth and position.


James Flanagan, a worthy pioneer and suc- cessful business man of Boise, is one of the many good citizens that Ireland has furnished the United States. He was born near Dublin, in July, 1837, a son of William and Mary (Burns) Flanagan, also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father died of cholera, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and his widow lived to the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Both were devout mem- bers of the Catholic church. Of their chil- dren-four sons and four daughters-five are still living.


Their son James, the subject of this review, received his education in his native country, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age. He then sailed for America, to make his own way in the world and to enjoy the civil lib- erty denied to him in his own land. Arriving in New York city, he secured employment and re- mained there for a number of years, part of the time working as a brick-maker. Later he re- moved to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farm- ing. On the 18th of July, 1864, he arrived at Boise, Idaho, where at first he worked for wages and did anything that offered whereby he might earn an honest living, and for some time he was employed by a brick-maker, who later failed in business. Mr. Flanagan then embarked in the same line of manufacture and for twenty-two years followed it successfully, his business being so conducted that it brought not only financial prosperity to him but also gave general satisfac- tion to his patrons. Being a man of industry and general reliability, he was liberally patronized by the people of this vicinity, and many of the fine buildings of Boise stand as monuments to his enterprise. During his career here he has ac- quired considerable property, and at one time owned fifteen acres of land in what is now the very best residence portion of the city. Some of this land he platted and sold, and many beautiful homes have been built upon it, but he still re- tains enough to insure him a good income and a competency for the rest of his life. He took great pleasure and pains in building the residence which he and his family now occupy. It is mod- ern and convenient, exemplifying the good taste, not only of the fortunate owners but of the dec-


ade, as well. Mr. Flanagan also has valuable mining interests, and for the past five years has given much attention to the same. Several of his excellent quartz claims, in the Hornet and McIntire districts, are situated but six miles from Boise.


Mr. Flanagan was happily married, in 1861, to Miss Catherine Murray, a native of county Meath, Ireland, and they have had two children, a son and daughter. The son is deceased and the lat- ter, Mary Ellen, resides with her parents, and with them holds a membership in the Catholic church.


Fraternally, Mr. Flanagan is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, has filled all the offices in his lodge and, besides hav- ing been a representative to the grand lodge of the state, is now acting in the capacity of deputy grand master workman. Politically, he has al- ways been loyal to the Democratic party, and for three years he has represented his ward in the city council of Boise. For thirty-five years he has been sincerely concerned in everything affect- ing the growth and advancement of the city, and has performed his full duty as a townsman and patriot.


JAMES O'NEILL.


James O'Neill came to the northwest from the far-off Atlantic coast; nor have his travels been limited by his journey across the continent, for he spent some time among the mountains in the distant south. He was born in Rondout, New York, May 6, 1861, his parents being Patrick and Hannah (Mullroy) O'Neill, natives of Ir ?- land. Both crossed the Atlantic to the United States in childhood, and were reared, educated and married in the Empire state. The father, who was a tanner by trade, died when our subject was only about five years old, leaving the mother to care for her five small children. She lived to be fifty-five years of age, and departed this life in Jarmyn, Pennsylvania.


When a mere lad of seven summers James O'Neill began to earn his own living in the coal breakers of Pennsylvania, receiving forty-two cents per day for his services. His youth was one of hard toil and his entire life has been one of diligence. In 1879 he left the east and went to the Black Hills, settling at Lead City, South Dakota, where he engaged in mining for a year.


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He then went to Tombstone, Arizona, where he followed mining for a short time, after which he made his way to the Coeur d'Alene country 011 the discovery of the rich mineral deposits there. Later he was identified with mining interests at Butte, Montana, and thence went to Rocky Bar, Idaho, continuing his mining operations until November 3, 1896, when he was elected assessor of Elmore county and came to Mountain Home. Acceptably discharging the duties of that posi- tion, he won the public confidence, and in 1898 was elected sheriff of Elmore county.


While at Rocky Bar Mr. O'Neill was united in marriage, by Bishop Glorieux, to Miss Mary T. Donnelly, and to them have been born five chil- dren, namely: Anna Josephine, James Albert, Emmett John, Larkin Lucius and Allen Leo. The parents are both members in good standing of the Catholic church, and Mr. O'Neill also be- longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a good business man, an efficient and faithful officer and a popular citizen. The difficulties and obsta- cles which beset his path in youth he has over- come by determined purpose, and his life demon- strates what is possible of accomplishment to those who in early life are deprived of favorable privileges and opportunities.


JOSEPH C. GROSS.


This well and favorably known pioneer of Sil- ver City has been for many years the experienced and obliging clerk of the War Eagle Hotel, at Silver City. He is a native of the city of Neus- tadt, province of Hesse-Nassau, Germany, born February 18, 1835, was educated in his native land, and at the age of fourteen came with an uncle to the United States. For an occupation he worked at the shoemaker's trade for a time.


On the 22d of December, 1851, in company with his cousin, Charles A. Gross, he started for the Golden state, on the steamer El Dorado. Landing at the mouth of the Chagres, at the isthmus of Panama, they boated up that river to Gorgona and from there proceeded overland to Panama, which place they found filled with men en route for California, many of whom were at- tacked with the fever peculiar to the isthmus, and many died. Of course one can imagine how anxious the living were to get away from that


point. There was but one steamer, The New World, about to sail, and it was far from being adequate for the transportation of all who desired to embark. Mr. Gross sold his ticket, at a great profit, and took a situation in a restaurant there as a waiter until the following spring, when he secured passage on a French sailing vessel named Les Cinq Freres. Shortly after their departure from the port of Panama the tropical fever broke out on board and out of ninety passengers thirty- three were consigned to the deep.


After suffering many hardships the remaining passengers arrived at San Francisco, April 9, 1852. Mr. Gross, who had the advantage of a considerable degree of knowledge obtained from his cousin, who had previously been in Califor- nia, immediately engaged in mining, and fol- lowed it, with varying success, until 1864, when he struck out for Montana; but when he reached Silver City he met an old partner and decided to remain here. He followed mining on Jordan creek, with good results, and in 1867, in company with Christopher Stender, Jacob Dellenbach and Frank Schuster, purchased the Blue Gulch claim, for twelve thousand and five hundred dollars, and also the water rights of John Sullivan, for four thousand dollars. In 1876 he disposed of his interests to Stender and Dellenbach, Schuster having previously sold out; and then he was en- gaged in quartz-mining until 1881, when he ac- cepted a position in the office of the War Eagle Hotel, which he has since so satisfactorily filled.


In society relations Mr. Gross is a prominent and enthusiastic Freemason, a charter member of Silver City Lodge, No. 13. He was made a Mason in 1870, in Owyhee Lodge, No. 5. He is a past master of the blue lodge, having served as master for four terms, and he has served as high priest of the chapter three terms, and was grand warden of the grand lodge of Idaho in 1883. In the latter body he has filled the offices of junior and senior deacon. His lodge in Silver City is now in a flourishing condition.


SUMNER W. DEE.


Mr. Dee is the only clothing merchant who deals exclusively in everything that pertains to nien's and boys' wearing apparel in the city of Caldwell. . He was born in Holton, Jackson county, Kansas, November 26, 1862, and is a son


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of Chester Dee, of Burlington, Vermont, whose ancestors settled in Virginia in 1620. He is a direct descendant of the first colonial governor of Vermont, and members of the family were promi- nent in the early history of the colonies and in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, when a boy, saw the battle at Ticonderoga. Mr. Dee married Miss Elizabeth Blake, a native of Indi- ana, and of this union two children were born, a son and a daughter. the latter of whom is now Mrs. Charles West, whose husband is a dry-goods merchant. Mr. Dee was with General Fremont during the ascent of the latter to Pike's Peak, and he was a member of the Fifteenth Kansas Volun- teer Infantry at the time of the civil war, at the conclusion of which he settled on a farm in Iowa, where he now resides, with his wife, at the age of sixty-five years.


Sumner W. Dee received his education in the public schools of Brooklyn, Iowa, and at the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, after which he learned the trade of miller, taught school two years in Iowa and one in Nebraska, and for several years clerked in stores until he obtained a general knowledge of the mercantile business, having been for eight years a clerk in the large wholesale and retail establishment of T. C. Egleston & Company, at Caldwell, before opening his own store. He now has a large, complete stock of men's and boys' clothing and furnishings and is well known throughout the county as an honest, capable and reliable busi- ness man.


In 1893 Mr. Dee was united in marriage to Miss Isabella W. Bishop, of Chicago, and they have two children,-Nina Wilma and Dorothy Elizabeth. Mrs. Dee is a valued worker in and member of the Presbyterian church. Our sub- ject is a Republican and an active member of the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias.


JESSE K. DUBOIS, M. D.


Dr. Dubois is one of the well and favorably known physicians not only of Boise but also of the entire state of Idaho. He is a native of Springfield, Illinois, where he was born Novem- ber 16, 1848, and is of French descent. His grandfather, --- Dubois, came to America from France and was chief of the staff of General William Henry Harrison. Jesse Dubois, the


father of our subject, was born in Illinois when that state was a territory. He married Miss Adelia Morris, of Kentucky ancestry. He was a prominent lawyer and a stanch Republican, hav- ing been a neighbor, friend and co-laborer of Abraham Lincoln and other well known public men of that time. He served for a number of years as state auditor of Illinois. Mr. Dubois departed this life in 1876, at the age of sixty-six years, his wife surviving him ten years. To them were born three sons and one daughter, one of the former being ex-United States Senator Du- bois.


Jesse K. Dubois attended the public schools and later entered Yale College, at which he was graduated in 1872. He then attended the medi- cal college at St. Louis and was graduated with the class of 1875, after which he practiced his pro- fession in Springfield for five years, and then came to Idaho as the physician of the Indian agency at Fort Hall. In 1883 he moved to Boise, where he has since followed his profession most successfully, building up a large and re- munerative practice.


In 1884 Dr. Dubois was united in marriage to Miss Anna Curtis, a daughter of Hon. E. J. Cur- tis, one of Idaho's most prominent citizens whose biography appears in another portion of this work. Of this union one daughter, Susie, has been born.




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