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 27
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James Wilson
CHAPTER XVI.
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS.
JAMES WILSON.
J AMES WILSON, deceased, was for many years one of the leading farmers and stock- men of Idaho, and during his residence in this state did as much as any other man in the commonwealth in the interests of agriculture and stock-raising. He is properly classed among the pioneers of Idaho, for his residence dated from 1864, and from that time until his death he took an active part in the conduct of business interests that resulted to the benefit of the state, as well as to his individual prosperity.
A native of Washington county, Indiana, he was born May 15, 1826, his parents being Jesse and Sarah (McCoy) Wilson. The father was born near Morgantown, Virginia, May 17, 1800, and removed to Washington county, Indiana, during the pioneer period in the history of that state. His death occurred in Grande Ronde valley, Ore- gon, in the fall of 1863, but his wife, who was likewise a native of the Old Dominion, died in Washington county, Indiana, in 1828. When seven years of age James Wilson removed from his native county to Vigo county, Indiana, where he resided until 1854, when he took up his abode in Wayne county, Iowa, making his home there until the spring of 1862. At that date hie crossed the great plains and located in Oregon, whence he came to Idaho in March, 1864, locating in the section that was then in Boise county but is now in Ada county. In 1887 he took up his resi- dence about twelve miles west of Boise city, on the farm where his death occurred March 20, 1899. At the time of his demise he owned in Ada and Elmore counties ten hundred and twenty-six acres of land. He was one of the leading and progressive stockmen of the state, his ventures in that respect, however, being con- fined almost exclusively to the cattle industry. He introduced into Idaho many thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, thereby greatly improving the grade of cattle raised and thus adding to their value on the market.
Mr. Wilson was married May 27, 1849, in In- diana, to Miss Nancy Perkins, who was born in Indiana, October 15, 1832, and died in Ada county, Idaho, July 30, 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born six children, namely: Jesse, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, July 5, 1850; Charlotte, born in the same county, Sep- tember 19, 1852, and now the wife of D. C. Cal- houn; Emily J., born in Wayne county, Iowa, October 7, 1855; Elizabeth M., who was born in Wayne county, Iowa, February 15, 1858, and is now the wife of Phelps Everett; James Lloyd, who was born in Wayne county, Iowa, August 4, 1860, and was drowned in the Boise river, in May, 1865; and William E., who was born in Oregon, December 29, 1862.
In politics James Wilson was for many years a supporter of the principles of the Democracy, but in the latter part of his life he voted for the men who, in his judgment, were the best quali- fied for the positions to which they aspired, re- gardless of their political affiliations. As early as 1869 he was made a Mason in Boise Lodge and ever afterward continued a worthy exemplar of the lofty teachings and purpose of that fra- ternity. His labors in behalf of the farming and stock-raising interests of the state were most effective and beneficial and therefore his death proved a loss to the entire commonwealth. Something of the success which crowned his ef- forts may be inferred from the fact that when he came to the Boise valley he brought with him only five yoke of cattle and had a cash capital of only two dollars and sixty-five cents, and at the time of his death left an estate valued at more than sixty thousand dollars, which is a very con- servative estimate. This he divided by will among his relatives. At all times loyal to truth and right, fair and just in liis dealings, and faith- ful to the duties of friendship and of citizenship, he won and retained the confidence and respect of all with whom he was brought in contact.
Jesse Wilson, the eldest child of James
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and Nancy (Perkins) Wilson, is a native of In- diana, and is now residing upon the family home- stead near Boise. His education was acquired in the early schools of Ada county, and, like his father, he has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits and the raising of fine cattle. He is regarded as one of the best au- thorities on stock in the entire state. He has made a close study of the best methods of raising cattle of the best breeds, and of their qualities and fitness for domestic market purposes, and his opinions carry weight in all agricultural and stock-raising communities. He has never mar- ried, but makes his home on the farm which was left him by his father, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, and in addition he inherited a valuable tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Kendall county. He has some of this under a very high state of cultivation, and everything about his farm bespeaks the thrifty, enterprising and progressive owner. Socially Mr. Wilson is connected with Boise Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., and in politics he is independent.
THE EASTMAN BROTHERS.
Tales of heroism have been the theme of song and story throughout all ages. He who has gone forth to battle for his country, his home or his principles, has figured in history, in literature and in music, and his bravery has stirred the souls of men through all times. All honor to such an one, and yet his heroism is no greater or his daring more pronounced than that of the honored pioneers of the west. Men reared in comfortable homes, accustomed to all the con- veniences and privileges of life in the east, have come into the wild western districts and braved danger and hardships untold. Cut off from all comforts and luxuries, they have also had to face death at the hand of the treacherous Indian, and in little bands and ofttimes singly they have had to fight for liberty and life. Volumes have been written, yet the story of the pioneers has never been adequately told. They deserve all praise and honor and the mighty states of the west with their splendid improvements, enterprises and to- kens of civilization are monuments to their memory.
The Eastman Brothers, Benjamin Manson and Hosea Bradford, are among those who have
founded the state of Idaho and brought about her present prosperity and greatness. They are now numbered among the leading business men of Boise, where many important business interests are found as the result of their diligence and executive ability. They are natives of White- field, New Hampshire, born December 30, 1830, and November 21, 1835, respectively. They are descended from good old Revolutionary stock, their grandfather, Ebenezer Eastman, having aided the colonies in their great struggle for in- dependence. He and his wife, Susan Eastman, were members of the Baptist church and were industrious farming people, noted for their in- tegrity and sterling worth. The grandfather died in his seventy-fifth year, and the grandmother in the ninetieth year of her age. The father, Caleb Eastman, was born on the farm at Lisbon, and having arrived at years of maturity married Tabitha Aldrich, who was born at Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, and was descended from one of the old New England families. They became the parents of fourteen children, of whom eight sons and four daughters grew to mature years, and one of the sons laid down his life on the altar of his country in the civil war.
Benjamin M. and Hosea B. Eastman received but limited educational privileges, but in the school of experience have learned many valuable lessons. While in the old Granite state, they engaged for a short time in the sawmill and lumber business. Attracted by the varied re- sources of the west they resolved to make their way to the Pacific slope, and on the 21st of October, 1861, sailed from New York, making the voyage by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to California. There were nearly one thousand pas- sengers on board, and on one occasion they had a very narrow escape from shipwreck at the "ninety-mile boulder." The long voyage ended, the brothers landed at San Francisco, and at Vallejo followed the plow for a time. In the spring of 1862 they went to Mendocino county, where they joined a party planning to go to the mines of Idaho. Not having money enough for both of them to make the trip, they drew "cuts" and it was thus decided that Benjamin should accompany the party. He located a claim at Canyon City, Oregon, and soon Hosea B. fol- lowed with a pack train, working his passage
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by driving mules. During the journey they had considerable trouble with the Indians, and night after night a guard had to be placed around their camp as they slept.
The mining camp at Canyon City did not prove a paying one, and thus obliged to seek another location they started for Owyhee county, Idaho. At night they slept on their arms for fear of Indian attacks, but at length reached their desti- nation in safety and secured good claims at Silver City, on Jordan creek.
At other times, however, they were engaged in serious encounters with the red men, and their deeds of valor form part of the early history of the state. Throughout Idaho and other sections of the west were wild districts not yet explored by the white men. The Indians regarded the ad- vance of civilization as an encroachment on their rights and rose in hostility, making raids against the pioneers, carrying off their stock and goods and often killing the men. In 1864 they made a raid on Silver City and drove off fifty mules and horses. Twenty-one men, including H. B. East- man, started in pursuit. They rode all one day and part of the next, and then came up with the Indians in a rocky canyon. Jordan, Henderson, and Mr. Eastman were in the advance. The In- dians challenged them to come into the canyon. They rode, however, to a bluff on the left, and saw that the other side would be best for the attack. While crossing over they shot at the Indians and killed some of them. At the top of the bluff was a large juniper tree, from which point Mr. Eastman saw an Indian, two hundred yards away, trying to drive a horse. He ran his own horse toward the savage, who left the horse he was driving, but himself dodged behind trees and rocks so dextrously that Mr. Eastman could not get a shot at him. He captured the horse, how- cver. The white men tied their horses to the tree; Henderson, Edgerton and Berry took their station behind rocks, while Mr. Jordan and Mr. Eastman got into a little thicket of bushes, from which vantage point they fired on the red men. Mr. Jordan had a breech-loading rifle, and just after Mr. Eastman had shot at the Indians skulk- ing behind the rocks he raised his gun to shoot, with the remark, "See the d-d Indian jump in the air." The Indian did jump, but Mr. Jordan also fell dead, shot through the heart. Mr. East-
man then took his papers and his gun, drew the body into the bushes out of sight, and returned to the other men and the horses. There were more than three hundred Indians, who were grad- ually closing in around the white men. Mr. East- man was shot just below the hip, but never men- tioned it until the fight was over. Without water, their mouths became so dry that they could not wet the patches to load their guns, and they were finally ordered to retreat. By this time the In- dians had come very near. The pack-horse had strayed off some distance, but Mr. Eastman man- aged to capture him and was rushing him along a rocky path when he fell, and our subject's horse got his foot in a loop of the rope and was strug- gling. Henderson saw the trouble, drew his knife from his boot and cut the rope. Mr. East- man had fallen from his horse and in the tumble had lost his hat. He started to get it when Mr. Henderson with an oath bade him to let the hat go for the Indians were in hot pursuit. Soon they came to some water and Mr. Eastman said he would drink if the Indians were on top of him, so he and his horse took a few swallows of water from the same pool. That night the party camped thirty miles from Silver City. The next day Mr. Eastman was in much pain from his wound and was forced to ride standing in his stirrups. On their return the surgeon, a man of very little ability, said that the ball was so near an artery that he was afraid to cut it out. Three weeks passed in which he constantly grew worse, and at last he said the bullet must be gotten out. The surgeon, therefore, after much probing and cutting secured the ball. The operation was a most painful and difficult one, but Mr. Eastman took no anesthetic nor uttered a word, although he afterward said it required more nerve than to fight the Indians! A piece of his trousers, which had also been carried in with the ball. was taken out, and after that the wound rapidly healed.
On another occasion Mr. Jennings, who was a renowned Indian fighter, with a party of twenty men, were surrounded by Indians in the South mountain country, where they were prospecting. They built a fort and fought the Indians off as best they could. At length two of the party made their escape in the night and brought the news to Silver City, arriving at two o'clock in the
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night. The next morning at sunrise one hun- dred and fifty men started to the rescue, and when they arrived the Indians at once fled. Both the Eastman brothers were with that party.
In 1868 H. B. Eastman returned to Vallejo, California, and on the return trip, with a six-horse team, the wagon was put on runners in order to cross the snow of the Sierra Nevada moun- tains, on the 10th of May. They had reached Jordan valley, fifty miles from Silver City, when Mr. Eastman, with his three companions in the wagon, was attacked in passing through a nar- row track between rocks. One of the men shouted "Indians!" and jumped from the wagon without taking a gun or other weapon of defense. The man who sat beside Mr. Eastman was shot in the breast, the other man had a ball across the back of his neck, while a third ball crossed Mr. Eastman's arm and the off wheel-horse was slightly wounded. Mr. Eastman started the team on the run. Looking back he saw the man who had jumped running after them, and giving the reins to the wounded men he started to the defense of the other. As he advanced he fired, and the nearest Indian fell into the bushes. On the run he reloaded and then shot the other In- dian dead. With the rescued man he then got into the wagon and drove as fast as possible four miles to a little station where there were a few soldiers, hoping that the stage would be through a little later; but on reaching the station they were told the stage had arrived, the driver had been shot dead by the Indians and a ball had struck the blinder of the leading horse, which in fright had left the road and broke one of the wheels of the stage. There were eleven passen- gers in the stage, one of them a woman. Mr. Eastman afterward drove his team back and as- sisted the soldiers in taking up the dead driver. The man who had been shot in the breast after- ward recovered, and Mr. Eastman learned that the Indian he had first shot had his leg broken. Those days of peril are now over, and a debt of gratitude which cannot be paid is due to the sturdy pioneers who braved the dangers of the west and steadily advanced in the work .of re- claiming this wild but rich region from the sav- ages.
The Eastman brothers continued their mining operations for a number of years. From their
claims on Jordan creek and at Silver City they took out on an average an ounce of gold apiece each day, and soon had some seven thousand dollars. Later they purchased an interest in the Morning Star mine, the first quartz mine in the county. It proved very rich, yielding eight hun- dred tons which assayed five hundred dollars to the ton. Most of the bullion taken out at the time was sent down Snake and down Columbia rivers to Portland. In 1867-8 they abandoned mining and purchased a half interest in the Idaho hotel, of Silver City, which proved a profitable investment, and was successfully conducted by them until 1877. when they sold and purchased the Overland hotel, at Boise, a property which they conducted until 1891. They carried on one of the best hotels in the west, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories, and its splendid equipment secured it a very large pat- ronage. They found the water supply of Boise very poor and immediately set to work to secure better water. At a cost of ten thousand dollars they established a small plant, which became the nucleus of the present fine water system of the city, and which supplies both hot and cold water to many of the best homes and business houses of the city. The hot water is obtained from ar- tesian wells on the mountain side,-a novel fea- ture in the water supplies of cities. In connection they also conduct one of the finest natatoriums in the country. The Eastman brothers are heavy stockholders, both in this enterprise and. in the electric light and power company of Boise. The Artesian Hot and Cold Water Company have done more for the advancement and prosperity of Boise than any other one agency, and this has resulted largely from the progres- siveness and industry of the gentlemen whose names begin this review. They were also instrumental in the organization of the Boise City National Bank, in 1886, the officers of which are Henry Wadsworth, of San Francisco, president; H. B. Eastman, vice president: Alfred Eoff, cashier; and W. B. Bruce, assistant cashier. The board of directors comprise Alfred Eoff, W. S. Bruce, B. M. East- man, H. B. Eastman, Henry Wadsworth. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dol- lars. In 1891 the bank was built, of fine sand- stone quarried near the city. It is a large and
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substantial bank building, fifty by seventy feet, three stories in height with a basement.
The Eastman residence is a beautiful home, supplied with all modern conveniences and sur- rounded by most attractive grounds. In 1872 H. B. Eastman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Blackinger, who was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1850. They now have two sons, Frank M. and Ben S., who are being provided with lib- eral educational privileges. In politics the broth- ers have ever been stalwart Republicans. Their attention, however, is not given to political mat- ters, but to their extensive business interests, which have brought to them merited prosperity and have also advanced the welfare of Boise, and in the history of Idaho their names are found among those who have conferred honor upon the state.
WILLIAM J. TURNER.
The first resident of Mountain Home was Wil- liam J. Turner, and since the time of his arrival here his history has been inseparably interwoven with that of the town. He is now its postmaster and proprietor of its leading hotel, and from the beginning he has been most active and earnest in promoting and aiding its upbuilding and im- provement. A native of the Buckeye state, Mr. Turner was born March 17, 1854, and is of Eng- lish and Irish descent, his ancestors having been early settlers of Maryland and Virginia, where they located in colonial days. They were promi- nently associated with many events which go to form the history of that epoch and members of the family also aided in the glorious and effectual struggle for independence. The grandfather, Thomas Turner, served his country in the war of 1812. Thomas P. Turner, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Maryland, married Miss Ra- chel Linton, and with his family removed to Noble county, Ohio, in 1831. There he secured a homestead, erected buildings and otherwise im- proved the property, making it his place of abode until called to his final rest, in the sixty- third year of his age. His wife passed away in her fifty-fourth year. They were the parents of eight children, but only three are now living, Mr. Turner and two sisters.
The subject of this review was reared on the old home farm in Ohio, and pursued his educa- tion in a little log schoolhouse, wherein he
studied his lessons through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he assisted in the labors of the field. He was married in Ohio, in 1876, to Miss Maria Waller, a native of Ohio, and their union has been blessed with four child- ren: Fred A., who is now serving as deputy postmaster at Mountain Home; Bertha B .; Nel- lie and Everett.
William J. Turner dates his residence in Moun- tain Home from August 22, 1881. At the time of his arrival on the present site of the now flourishing town there were no houses within six miles of the place. Plans had been made for the building of the railroad, however, and with ex- 'cellent foresight he believed that the possibilities of establishing a thriving commercial center were very good. The town was platted by Robert E. Strahorn and from him Mr. Turner purchased five lots, which he still owns and which are now situated in the business section of the place. He is also the owner of other realty interests here, and has been a most important factor in pro- moting commerce and various industries. Mr. Turner erected the first building in Mountain Home,-the structure that is now being used as the post-office. He also erected the first hotel and is recently completing a fine hotel property, sixty by one hundred feet, three stories in height with basement, and containing sixty-eight rooms. It will be a credit to the town and to the owner. No enterprise calculated to advance the gen- eral good has ever failed to receive his support and co-operation, and educational, moral, social and material interests have found in him a friend.
In the early development of the town the resi- dents of Mountain Home were J. M. Hager, R. H. Tragiskis, James Justin, William Gibson, Gus Rikewyne and J. A. Tutwiler; but of this number Mr. Hager and Mr. Turner are the only ones still living in the town. The latter is now serving as postmaster. July 1, 1899, the post-office was made a presidential office. He has been a life- long Republican, and was appointed to his pres- ent position by President McKinley, since which time he has acceptably discharged his duties, his administration being most efficient. The growth and prosperity of Mountain Home bears the im- press of his individuality, and the beautiful and progressive little village largely stands as a mon-
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ument to his enterprise and ability in the active affairs of life.
GEORGE M. PARSONS.
Professional advancement in the law is pro- verbially slow. The first element of success is, perhaps, a persistency of purpose and effort as enduring as the force of gravity. But, as in every other calling, aptitude, character and indi- viduality are the qualities which differentiate the usual from the unusual; the vocation from the career of the lawyer. Less than fifteen years ago George Matthias Parsons was admitted to the bar, and within that time has gained an eminence for which older practitioners have striven a life time.
He was born in Cambridge City, Indiana, on the 15th of January, 1850, and is of English de- scent. His ancestors located in Massachusetts in colonial days, later removed to New York and were prominent factors in the early history of the country. One of the number, Commodore Deca- tur, became eminent in connection with the navy of his native land, and William Parsons, the grandfather of the general, participated in the war of the Revolution and the war of 1812. He lived to be eighty-three years of age. His son, George L. Parsons, father of our subject, was born in Syracuse, New York, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Miss Mary Elizabeth Matthias, of Ohio, who was descended from an old Virginia family that was early established in the south. Her father, Jacob Matthias, was born in the Old Dominion and removed to Ohio, be- coming one of the founders of the town of Ham- ilton, in which he long made his home, being numbered among its most influential and valued citizens. . George L. Parsons died at the age of sixty-four years, and his wife passed away when forty-four years of age.
In the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, Gen- eral Parsons of this review began his education, which was completed in the high school of Ham- ilton, Ohio. He was very large for his age, when, as a youth of fifteen years, he offered his services to his country and joined the "boys in blue" of Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry. This was in the last year of the war. Thousands of brave men had fallen and thousands of homes had been made desolate by
the loss of loved ones. The people realized now all that war meant with its sufferings, its horrors, and its sacrifices, and it required no small amount of courage for men to leave their homes and fam- ilies for the battle-field. With a patriotism which would have been creditable to a man of twice his years, General Parsons responded to the call for more volunteers, and with his company was engaged in scouting duty in the mountains of Alabama until after the cessation of hostilities, when he was honorably discharged, in October, 1865.
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