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 127
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successful breeder of horses and hogs, and also raises large quantities of grain and hay. He has gained the reputation of being an experienced and successful stockraiser, and by his individual efforts has acquired a good property.
Mr. Buhl was married to Miss Carrie B. Tay- lor, on the 12th of May, 1887. She was a native of Kansas and a daughter of S. H. Taylor, of Salubria. Four children were born of this union: Dollie, Ilse, Lester H. and Mabel. The mother departed this life August 19, 1897. She was spared to her family only a little more than ten years, and her loss was keenly felt, for she was an excellent wife and an indulgent, loving mother.
In politics Mr. Buhl is a silver-Republican, but he gives his attention almost exclusively to his business interests, and by his diligence, care- ful management and straightforward business methods has won prosperity. He started out for himself with no capital save strong determination to succeed, and has steadily overcome all obsta- cles in his path and gained a place among the prosperous agriculturists and stock-raisers of the Salubria valley.
HENRY H. ABERNATHY.
There are few of the representative and re- spected men of Idaho whose residence in the state antedates that of Mr. Abernathy, who came to the territory thirty-seven years ago and has. been identified with the development of the Salubria valley since 1868. The old Indian trails, the uncultivated lands, the unopened mines and the uncut forests then to be seen, all told that the work of civilization lay in the future, and the subject of this review has been one of the advance guard that has carried forward the work of progress and improvement until Idaho is, in- deed, the veritable "Gem of the Mountains."
A native of Indiana, he was born September 10, 1834, and is of English and Scotch lineage, his ancestors having left the land of hills and heather and taken up their residence in Ken- tucky. John Abernathy, father of our subject, was born in Virginia, but when a young man removed to Ohio, where he married Sarah Mun- kester, a native of Pennsylvania. They removed to Indiana, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years, and then took his family
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to Wapello county, Iowa, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, at the age of seventy years. He was an honest and industrious man who lived peaceably with his neighbors and never sued or was sued by any one in his life. He was seventy years of age at the time of his death, and his wife passed away in 1849, in her fifty-fifth year. They were consistent members of the Methodist church, and reared a family of ten children, seven of whom are living, the eldest being ninety years of age. After the death of his first wife the father was again married and by that union had four children.
Henry Harrison Abernathy was the ninth in order of birth of the children of the first marriage. He acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Iowa, and in 1862 started across the plains, driving an ox team and traveling with a train composed of three hundred wagons. They were five months upon the road, but met with no misfortunes and experienced no hardships save those common to travel across the long stretches of hot sand. Arriving in Idaho, Mr. Abernathy and his brother Andrew engaged in mining on Pine creek, at a place which became known as the Abernathy mines, and each took out gold to the value of one thousand dollars. In 1864 they removed to the lower Weiser, where they entered land from the government. They built upon- it and otherwise improved the property, and there made their home for some time. For a number of years while residing there our subject en- gaged in freighting from Idaho City to Umatilla, and also engaged in conducting a hotel at Far- well Bend, on Snake river. In 1868 he came to the Salubria valley and located one hundred and sixty acres of the rich and productive land, since which time he has devoted his energies to farming and stock-raising. His home is -pleas- antly located three miles northeast of the town of Salubria, and he has one of the valuable farm- ing properties in this section of the state, the well tilled fields surrounding substantial buildings, while all the latest improvements and accessories of the model farm are there found.
On the 14th of February, 1877, Mr. Abernathy was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth South, a native of California and a daughter of Samuel South, of Oregon. They have a son and two
daughters: Martha Ellen, wife of Alex Allison, of Salubria; Harry, who is his father's assistant on the farm; and Rhoda Jane, who acts as their housekeeper.
Mr. Abernathy exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, with which he has affiliated since attaining his majority. His life has been well spent. He has met every obligation devolv- ing upon him, has faithfully performed every trust and by his fidelity to principle has com- manded the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He has been prominently identified with the history of southern Idaho from its earliest development, when wild animals were far more numerous than the domestic stock of the farm-yard, when the Indians outnumbered the white settlers, and when pack horses provided the only means of transportation used. He takes just pride in the wonderful transformation which has since been wrought, placing the new state of Idaho on a par with many of much older growth.
TEXAS ANGEL.
Since the town of Hailey was hardly more than a collection of tents Texas Angel has been numbered among its citizens and has successfully engaged in the practice of law, winning many notable lawsuits wherein he has demonstrated the possession of legal powers of high order. A native of the Empire state, he was born in An- gelica, New York, October 19, 1839, and is a representative of one of the oldest families of New England. Hardly had the Mayflower de- posited its precious cargo upon the shores of America, at Plymouth Rock, when the ancestors of our subject, people of Welsh birth, also came to the New World, and Nathan Angel, from whom he traces descent, removed to Providence, Rhode Island, with Roger Williams, the apostle of religious liberty. William Angel, the grand- father of our subject, settled on Block Island, and there William Gardner Angel, the father, was born in 1790. In 1792 the family removed to Otsego, New York, where William G. Angel was educated, studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was twice elected to congress dur- ing the administration of President Jackson, and was a prominent figure in the public life of that locality. He also served as county judge and was
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surrogate of Albany county in 1852. In politics he was a stanch Democrat in early life, but was a lover of liberty, and when the question of slavery began to figure extensively in politics he joined the new Republican party, formed to pre- vent its further extension, and voted for Fre- mont in 1856. The family were Quakers and did not believe in war, but were strongly opposed to the oppression of human beings. Judge Angel was a man of the highest probity of character, honored and respected by all who knew him, and his death occurred in 1858, at the age of sixty- nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Clarissa English, was a native of New Eng- land. Her people were pioneers of New York and located near Buffalo. Her death occurred when she had attained the ripe old age of seven- ty-three years. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, all but two of whoni reached years of maturity, while five sons and a daughter are still living. All are highly respected and occupy prominent positions in the commu- nities in which they reside.
Texas Angel was the youngest of the family. His father was a warm friend and admirer of General Sam Houston, president of the republic of Texas, and when that gentleman was at the height of his fame our subject was named in honor of the republic which he governed. In the Angelica Academy, in his native town, Texas Angel acquired his education, and in 1861, when the war cloud burst over the country and President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers, he offered his services, on the 22d of April, and was enrolled among the boys in blue of Com- pany I, Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, under command of Henry W. Slocum. They were at once ordered to the front, and partici- pated in the first battle of Bull Run, in which the regiment lost one hundred and five men in killed, wounded and missing. This was followed by the battle of West Point, where two of their number were killed, and then came the seven- days engagement at Gainesville, on the penin- sula, where they lost one hundred and seventy in killed, wounded and missing. The Twenty- seventh was also at White Oak Swamp and guarded the right flank at the battle of Malvern Hill, after which they returned to Harrison's Landing, where Mr. Angel was taken ill. There
he was placed on a transport and sent to the West Philadelphia hospital. During his con- valescence he was granted a twenty-days fur- lough, but half of that time was consumed in making the journey to and from the south. He met his regiment between Fairfax and Alexan- dria, on the return from the second battle of Bull Run. They were then sent to Maryland and were on the left wing at the battle of South Mountain. After the battle of Antietam, they marched to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, and there Mr. Angel was appointed commissary sergeant and promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Company I, and later to first lieu- tenant, while during the march from Antietam to Fredericksburg he was appointed by the colonel as quartermaster of the regiment, contin- uing in that capacity until the close of his two- years term of service, which expired May 21, 1863. From that time until May, 1864, he was on recruiting service.
In May of the latter year Mr. Angel went to California by way of the isthmus route, and on his arrival in San Francisco read law with the Hon. Samuel M. Wilson, being admitted to the bar, in Sacramento, April 3, 1866. In the fall of the same year he returned to Angelica, New York, and after visiting his old home and the scenes of his boyhood, established a law office in Jamestown, New York, where he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he took up his residence in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he practiced his profession for ten and a half years, being for five years a partner of Levi M. Villars, brother of Senator Villars. He also served as district attorney and enjoyed an im- portant business, connecting him with the lead- ing litigation of the district.
Mr. Angel was married while in Eau Claire, February 25, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Goodrich, and because of her health was obliged to seek a milder climate. Accordingly he returned to San Francisco, California, where he arrived in Sep- tember, 1877, there practicing law for five years. He then came to the booming new town of Hailey, which had been started only sixty days before. Most of the people were living in tents, but the place gave promise of becoming an im- portant center, owing to the recent gold discov- eries on Wood river. The town site was a beau-
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tiful and picturesque one, and Mr. Angel decided to remain and practice his profession in Blaine' county. He has since materially assisted in the upbuilding of Hailey and is regarded as one of its most valued and progressive citizens. He has lived to see many of his hopes concerning the new town realized, and has here a delightful home, celebrated for its hospitality, while the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles. In the family are three children,-Richard M., the present county attor- ney of Blaine county; Mary Goodrich, at home; and Floyd D., who is attending school.
On attaining his majority, Mr. Angel joined the ranks of the Republican party, and was one of its stanch advocates until 1892, when he sev- ered his allegiance thereto, on account of his op- posing views on the money question. He has since allied himself with the Populist party and has been an active and efficient worker in its interests. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workinen and was made a Master Mason in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1869. The greater part of his time and attention, however, are given to his professional duties. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial. His industry and honesty, coupled with his talents and ability, enable him to command a large clientage, and he has acquired a very extensive practice. He is well versed in all branches of the law, and his essentially clear mentality enables him to grasp at once the salient points in a case and to present them with unusual conciseness and directness.
FRANCIS L. WILCOX.
Francis Lazell Wilcox, a veteran of the civil war, is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Oneida county, and is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Preston. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born in the town of Jackson, Sus- quehanna county, April 1, 1840, his parents being Elan and Elvira (Bryant) Wilcox. The father was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, March 16, 1815, and in Jackson, Pennsylvania, married Miss Bryant, whose birth occurred April 13, 1821. He was an industrious, honest man, of good judg- ment and sterling worth, and for a number of years hield the office of justice of the peace. He died March 9, 1889, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife, who was a member of the
Presbyterian church, died February 9, 1889, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. They were the parents of eleven children.
Francis L. Wilcox, their eldest child, was edu- cated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and remained at home with his father, working on the farm, until twenty-three years of age, when, in answer to President Lincoln's call for volun- teers to put down the rebellion and hold aloft the flag which the Confederates would fain have trailed in the dust, he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-eighthı Pennsylvania Infantry, January I, 1862. He served until June 25th of the same year, when, on account of illness, he was honor- ably discharged. Still the need for volunteers continued, and on the 6th of September, 1864, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Infantry. During both terms he was with the Army of the Potomac, and shortly before the surrender of General Lee he was in a hotly con- tested engagement in which his clothes were pierced by eleven bullets, and a minie ball en- tered his leg. At the same time he was taken prisoner, and seven days had passed before his wound was dressed. The ball was then removed by a Confederate lieutenant, who cut it out with an old razor, causing the greatest pain. At length the Union men were recaptured by General Sheridan's cavalry and Mr. Wilcox was sent to the hospital in Washington, where he arrived on the day President Lincoln was buried. He was honorably discharged August 24, 1865, and with an honorable military record returned to his home. For two years thereafter he was forced to use a cane in walking, but he had the satis- faction of knowing that he had aided in the preservation of the Union and the perpetuation of the grandest republic the sun shines upon.
As soon as he had sufficiently recovered his health Mr. Wilcox resumed the peaceful pursuits of the farm, carrying on agricultural pursuits in his native state until 1877, at which time he sold his property there and came to the west. He assisted in building the railroad to Preston and located one hundred and sixty acres of choice land in the beautiful valley, three-fourths of a mile west of the now prosperous town. Nathan Porter was then the only settler in this part of the county, and from that time to the present
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Mr. Wilcox has been an important factor in the substantial development and progress of this sec- tion of the state.
On the 4th of April, 1866, Mr. Wilcox married Miss Secor, a native of Pennsylvania, who came with him to the west and has been to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney. Together they have improved a splendid farm and have planted a fine grove of trees about their home, affording a delightful shade in sum- mer and protecting them from the chilling blasts of winter. A large barn and other excellent farm buildings stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner, and his industry is attested by the well cultivated fields of wheat and other grains and alfalfa hay. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have been born the following named chil- dren : Bryan D., a farmer ; Cora L., who became the wife of James Maughan and died in 1897; Francis Elon, who died in Salt Lake City, Febru- ary 7, 1879, in his sixth year ; Herman Lazell, who died February 21, 1879, at the age of four years; Katie; Maggie Melvina; George; William Harvey and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were years ago converted to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and they and their family are now faithful members of the same. In politics Mr. Wilcox has been a lifelong Republican. He is a man of the highest re- spectability, and as a citizen is as loyal and true to the old flag to-day as when he followed the starry banner upon the battle-fields of the south.
JOHN B. WEST.
John B. West, the register of the land office, at Lewiston, was born in Leicester, North Caro- lina, July 31, 1861. The family to which he be- longs is of English origin and its founders in America became residents of the south in colonial days and participated in the development of that part of the country, taking part in many of the events which go to form its history. Erwin West, the father of our subject, was a native of North Carolina and married Miss Caroline Dover, who was likewise born in that state. They had a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom are now living. The mother departed this life in 1898, at the age of sixty-seven years, but the father still resides on the old homestead, highly respected throughout the entire countryside
where he has so long continued his residence. He owned an extensive plantation, and while not a slave-owner or a believer in slavery neither was he an abolitionist. His neighbors were slave- holders and he was willing that they should keep them, as he could see no feasible plan for doing away with the system. When the country became engaged in civil war, he was opposed to the severance of the Union, but such was the excite- ment and such was the pressure brought to bear on him that he was forced to join the Confederate forces. A number of his neighbors, however, who held views similar to his own, escaped to the north and joined the Union army to fight under the old flag. This so enraged the secessionists that they secured thirteen young boys, the sons of the Union men, stood them up in a row and shot them down. One of the boys begged not to be shot in the head, but his request was disre- garded, and the bullets pierced him in the same manner as they had the others. This so horrified and exasperated Mr. West that he resolved to fight on the side which had his sympathies and which he believed to be right. Accordingly at the first opportunity he escaped, and joined the Union forces, remaining as a follower of the stars and stripes until the close of the war. When peace was restored and his country saved, he returned to his southern home, where he is now_ passing the closing years of an upright and hon- orable life, a worthy and law-abiding patriot.
John B. West, whose name introduces this record, having acquired his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of North Carolina, sup- plemented it by study in the Weaverville Col- lege, and in the Wesleyan University. He studied. law with Mayor W. H. Malone and J. S. Adams, of Asheville, North Carolina, and was admitted to the bar, having carefully prepared himself for the labors of his chosen profession. He received an appointment as internal revenue collector, and held that position until August 8, 1891, at which time he started for Moscow, Idaho, arriving at his destination on the 16th of the month. There he engaged in the practice of law with good suc- cess until April, 1898, when, through the instru- mentality of Senator Shoup, his warm personal friend, he was appointed by President Mckinley to the position of register of the land office. He has always been a stalwart Republican, unwaver-
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ing in his allegiance to the party, and unfaltering in his support of its men and measures. He en- tered upon the duties of his office May 16, 1898, and is now filling the position in a most capable and acceptable manner. He served as chairman of the Latah county Republican central commit- tee for eight years, devoting much of this time and energy to the advancement of his party's interests, and his labors were most effective. In the discharge of his official duties he has ever been prompt and faithful, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.
Socially Mr. West is connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and he and his wife are members of the United Artisans. Mrs. West formerly bore the maiden name of Susan M. Henderson, and their marriage was celebrated May 17, 1889, at Car- lock, Tennessee. Their marriage has been blessed with a son and daughter, Bonnie Lee and James Everett. They have a nice home of their own in Moscow, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends.
KEITH W. WHITE.
Keith Wood White, a retired farmer now re- siding in Grangeville, is a native of the far-off state of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in the town of Ashford, Windham county, on the 15th of May, 1838. His ancestors came from old England and settled in New England at an early epoch in the history of this country, and there the family remained for several generations. Keith W. White, the father of our subject, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and married Catharine Farnum, a native of Connecticut. They became the parents of two children, and the father provided for their support by working as foreman in a cotton mill. He died in the thirty- eighth year of his age, and his wife passed away in her forty-eighth year. She was a member of the Congregational church.
The subject of this review is now the only sur- vivor of the family. When six years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and was reared upon the home farm near Cleveland. He obtained his education in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen years began to earn his own livelihood, since which
time he has been dependent upon his own re- sources. He removed to Ottawa, Illinois, and thence, in 1856, went to Nebraska, and in 1859 was among the first to cross the plains to Pike's Peak at the time of the gold discoveries there. His party arrived at their destination on the 28th of November, and Mr. White engaged in mining there, meeting with fair success. He afterward went to Montana, thence to British Columbia, then returned to Walla Walla, and in 1862 arrived in Elk City, Idaho, so that heis now numbered among the pioneer settlers of the state. He engaged in placer-mining there until 1873, in connection with five others, all of whom have now passed away. He dug the ditch in the Moose creek diggings, and his efforts at mining were crowned with gratifying success. In 1873 he came to Camas prairie, took up a government claim and engaged in stock-raising. He has four hundred acres of rich land on this beautiful prairie, and has transformed it into a fine farm, planting large orchards and making many other excellent improvements on the place. For a number of years he personally superintended the operation of his farm, but is now living a retired life in Grangeville, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
In 1886 Mr. White was elected sheriff of Idaho county, and during his incumbency made his home in Mount Idaho, the county seat. He was also county assessor and also served for one term as deputy sheriff, during which time it was his unpleasant duty to aid in the execution of Walleck, who had been sentenced to death for the murder of a man at Warrens. He has always taken a deep and active interest in the upbuilding and improvement of his county and state, has given his support to all measures for the public good, and was especially zealous in maintaining order at a time when a lawless element infested this then new region.
He is one of the valued representatives of the. Masonic fraternity in his county, having been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Mount Idaho Lodge, No. 9, in 1873. He at once became an earnest and intelligent worker in the order, has filled nearly all the offices in the lodge, for two terms served as its master and for a quarter of a century has exemplified in his life the beneficial and uplifting principles of the
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