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 29

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 29

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In 1890 Mr. Gunn was elected a member of the Idaho senate from Alturas county and served on several important committees. He was an active adherent of the Republican party and its principles until 1892, when, on account of the position taken by the party on the money ques- tion, at the Minneapolis national convention, he severed his connection therewith and became one of the organizers of the Populist party in Idaho. He was nominated for congress at the first state convention held by the party. At that conven- tion but six counties were represented, but though the contest was known to be a hopeless one from the beginning Mr. Gunn made a strong canvass, speaking in nearly every precinct in the state, with much power and earnestness. In 1894 he was again nominated by the Populists for con- gress, and materially increased his vote over that of the previous election, but was again defeated. In 1896 a union was effected between the Popu- lists and Democrats, at which time he was once more nominated for congress and was elected, carrying the state by a plurality of forty- five hundred votes, there being but twen- ty-nine thousand votes cast in the state. He has recently completed his first term and the people of his state have no reason to regret that they chose him as their representa- tive. When the Populist party was organized it was clearly seen that in order to win success it should have an organ to voice its sentiments and advocate its principles; accordingly the "Senti- nel" was launched upon the journalistic sea. This was a mere venture. Work was begun on a

small scale, for there was no strongly organized party back of it and no capital save that contrib- uted by the people, many of whom were poor in purse, but rich in principles and in the sublime faith that these would finally triumph. Captain Gunn early became associated with the Sentinel as its editor, and continued his connection there- with until his election to congress, in 1896. Owing to his untiring efforts and his signal ability as an editorial writer the paper was carried through the critical period and became a recognized force in the politics of the state, its influence on the political mind being immeasurable. The Cap- tain is thoroughly honest in his convictions and is an earnest and fearless champion of what he believes to be right. He is eloquent and convinc- ing in argument and has made an excellent rec- ord in congress, while his true manhood and many admirable qualities have made him pop- ular in Washington, as well as in Boise and the state of his adoption.

JOHN S. WHITE.

The subject of this review has been long and conspicuously identified with the history of the great west, and in varied official positions has proved a wise and discriminating factor in the public life. He is at the present time the incum- bent of the important office of judge of probate of Elmore county, retaining his residence at Mountain Home, the flourishing and attractive little city which is the capital of said county.

Judge White is a native son of the old Empire state, and may look with satisfaction upon a line- age which traces back to the stanchest of old New England stock. He was born in Cortland county, New York, on the 10th of August, 1830, the son of John K. and Sally (Griffin) White, both of whom were born in Connecticut. The ancestry is traced back to Puritan representatives who founded the family in America, having come to the rugged but hospitable shores of Massachu- setts on the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Rock, famed in history and story. The original American ancestors are supposed to have been of Irish and Welsh extraction.

The parents of Judge White removed from their native state to Cortland county, New York, where for many years the father was engaged in contracting and building, having previously

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learned the trade of a mason. He was a man of vigorous intellectuality and sterling rectitude of character, and left the record of a long and useful life. He lived to attain the age of seventy years, and his wife was of about the same age at the time of her death, which occurred in Minnesota, at the home of her son, the subject of this review. Both were worthy and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, exemplifying in their daily walk the faith which they professed and in that faith going forward to the eternal life which they felt was assured them. They became the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom Judge White is the only survivor.

John S. White was reared to maturity in his native state, and there received an excellent ed- ucational discipline in the public schools. In 1855, at the age of twenty-five years, he deter- mined to try his fortunes in the west, and accord- ingly removed to Minnesota, where he contin- ued to reside for nearly a quarter of a century. He was there honored with official position, hav- ing served as deputy sheriff and deputy United States marshal. In 1879 he again turned his face westward, casting in his fortune with what was then the comparatively undeveloped territory of Idaho. The Judge may be consistently classed among the pioneers of the commonwealth which is so appropriately christened the "Gem of the Mountains," and that he has been a valuable citi- zen is evident from his tenure of offices of dis- tinctive trust and responsibility, as accorded through the suffrage of the people. He first lo- cated in Boise, where he entered the employ of the United States marshal, E. S. Chase, and was given the position of warden of the territorial penitentiary. In 1884 he removed from the cap- ital city of the territory to Shoshone, where he entered the employ of the railroad and stage com- pany, also becoming a justice of the peace, in which office he served with signal ability, his rul- ings being so well taken as to gain to him the confidence and respect of the people. Here he entered claim to a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, which he improved, erect- ing substantial buildings and making the place a valuable one. This property he still owns.

In 1898 he received the appointment of judge of probate of Elmore county, whither he came in the spring of 1897, and where he has since re-

sided. His administration of the affairs of the office is careful and discriminating and gained to him the commendation of the public. Thus it was but natural that he should become a candi- date for that office in November, 1898, his name having been placed on the silver-Republican fu- sion ticket. The votes were a tie and by lot he won, the drawing being done by the county com- missioner.

The marriage of Judge White was solemnized in Cortland county, New York, on the 7th of April, 1857, when he was united to Miss Laura E. Wheeler, who, like himself, is a native of that county. She is the daughter of Johnson Wheeler and is the only survivor of the family. Judge and Mrs. White have one daughter, Katie E., who became the wife of Harry C. Mollison. She was honored with the office of president of the Ladies' Silver Club, of Mountain Home, and proved a most capable presiding officer, taking a deep interest in the work of the club.

In the concluding paragraphs of this sketch we must revert to another important and hon- orable chapter in the life history of Judge White. His patriotism and loyalty have ever been above question, and the heroic manifestation of these at- tributes came at the time when the integrity of the nation was threatened by armed rebellion. In March, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Second Minnesota Battery of Light Artillery, with which he served until the expiration of his term, covering a period of two years. The san- guinary struggle was not yet ended, and the ster- ling characteristics of the man prompted him to veteranize and to again enlist. Thereafter his military record of active service continued until victory crowned the Union arms and the great- est internecine war of history was terminated. The government which he had served so faith- fully in her hour of need granted him a discharge in September, 1865, and he returned to his home, once more to take up the pursuits of peace in a country whose integrity he had helped to pre- serve.

From the time of attaining his majority Judge White was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its policies, but in 1896, believing that the party platform did not represent the best in- terests of the nation and that certain of its planks were calculated to work injury to that great sec-

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tion of the west with whose interests he is identi- fied, he joined the silver wing of the party, with motives as purely in the interest of the country as those which animated him when he went forth to face hier enemies on the field of battle. He has not wavered in his belief in the elemental principles of the Republican party, but believes that the platform of 1896 stands as a blot on the 'scutcheon of an organization whose record has theretofore been one of the brightest and wisest. Judge White keeps green the memory of the days passed on the tented battle-field and manifests his abiding interest in his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, whose ranks are rapidly being deci- mated by the ravages of time, the great and final promotion having come to the greater portion of the brave boys in blue. He holds member- ship in U. S. Grant Post, No. 8, at Shoshone, and has filled all of its offices, having served sev- eral terms as its commander. Judge White is uniformly honored and esteemed, and his record is one which reflects credit upon himself and does honor to the vital young commonwealth in whose progress and welfare he is so deeply con- cerned.

JAMES D. MCCURDY, M. D.

In an analyzation of the character and life work of Dr. James Darwin McCurdy we note many. of the characteristics which have marked the Scotch nation for many centuries, the perseverance, re- liability, energy and unconquerable determina- tion to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained to Dr. McCurdy success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Idaho. He now resides in Bellevue, Blaine coun- ty, and while he has retired from the practice of medicine he is still actively interested in mining, being the owner of a valuable group of mines in the Wood river valley.

Mr. McCurdy was born in Kentucky, March 22, 1820. The family originated in Scotland, al- though the grandfather of our subject came to America from the north of Ireland and took up his residence in Virginia. He loyally served the colonies in their struggle for independence, and afterward emigrated to Kentucky, becoming one of the pioneers of that state. He was a Pres- byterian in his religious belief, and lived to an

advanced age. The Doctor's father, James Dar- win McCurdy, Sr., was an only son and was born in Virginia. He married Miss Livenia Sharp, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Thomas Sharp, who also removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky during the early history of the lat- ter state. Unto James D. and Livenia McCurdy were born eleven children, two of whom reached years of maturity. The father died at the age of sixty-three years, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away at the age of eighty-seven.

The Doctor is now the only surviving mem- ber of the family. He acquired his literary edu- cation in his native state and was graduated in Russellville, Kentucky, and in 1848 the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by the University of New York. Returning to Kentucky he there began the practice of medicine, but after a short time removed to Missouri, and in 1852 crossed the plains to Oregon. Many were the emigrants who in that year made their way over the hot sands and through the mountain passes to the Pacific slope, but many also fell by the wayside, stricken down with the dread disease, cholera. The services of Dr. McCurdy were in great de- mand by the sufferers, and keeping two horses ready for use he treated the emigrants in trains both ten miles in advance and ten miles in the rear of his own train. It was an arduous service, but one which was very gratefully received by those who were attacked by that strange and generally fatal illness.

In the year 1853 Dr. McCurdy was commis- sioned surgeon-general of the Oregon forces raised to suppress an outbreak of the Rogue river Indians, in southern Oregon. When these In- dians began to exhibit hostilities the white set- tlers made a requisition on the governor, George L. Curry, who promptly responded with a pro- clamation for volunteers, who with equal prompt- ness came forward, as Americans always do when duty and patriotism call. The governor appointed as commander in chief of these forces General Joseph Lane, who afterward was elect- ed one of the two first United States senators from Oregon when this commonwealth became a state, and was also candidate in 1860 on the Breckinridge ticket for the office of vice-president of the United States. The company raised in Salem elected James W. Nesmith as their cap-

James, A. M. Cundy. M. A.

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tain, who succeeded Lane in the United States senate; and also elected Lafayette F. Grover as their lieutenant, who was afterward governor of the state of Oregon two terms, and was United States senator one term. Dr. McCurdy served as surgeon-general of the army until peace was restored, when he returned to Salem and re- sumed the practice of his profession.

After five and a half months spent upon the journey, Dr. McCurdy arrived in Salem, Oregon, where he opened an office and engaged in prac- tice until 1857, when he returned to his old Ken- tucky home to visit his aged mother. He then went to Weston, Platte county, Missouri, where, on the 2d of September, 1858, he was happily married to Mrs. James H. Baldwin, nee Susan B. Thornton, daughter of Colonel John Thorn- ton, a pioneer of Missouri and a descendant of a prominent southern family. Mr. Baldwin in life was of the firm of Doniphon & Baldwin, leading attorneys of Missouri. The Doctor and his young wife went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he opened a drug store, which he success- fully conducted for seven years, when he sold out and removed to Denver. He conducted a drug store and also engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Virginia City for a year, and then again went to Salem, Oregon, where he resumed his professional duties. His wife joined him there, and they continued their residence at that place until December, 1876, when they removed to Walla Walla, hoping that a change of climate would benefit Mrs. McCurdy's health, which had become impaired. This desirable result was at- tained, and in addition the Doctor acquired a large practice there and also became interested in ranch property and in the raising of sheep. His wife also assisted him in the latter enterprise and prosperity attended their efforts. They still own the real estate at Walla Walla; but in 1882, hear- ing of the great mining excitement in the Wood river valley, the Doctor made a trip to this part of the state, found the mines rich and productive, and the country becoming the place of residence of an enterprising and progressive population. He therefore invested in mines, purchased land and built a good home in Bellevue and is now pleasantly located here. He continued to prac- tice his profession to some extent until 1896, when he retired altogether from professional life

in order to devote his time and energies to the care of his mining and other property interests at Walla Walla. He is part owner of seven silver and lead mines and of two gold mines. The group is located in the Camas District, No. 2, of the gold belt, and the mines are at present bond- ed by a syndicate of St. Louis men.

The Doctor has long been identified with the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in 1850. He is also a strong advocate of tem- perance and belongs to the Good Templars' So- ciety. His wife is an active member of the Chris- tian church. They occupy a leading position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. In his business ventures the Doctor has been very successful, his enterprise and energy over- coming all obstacles and enabling him to reach the plane of affluence.

WILLIAM H. TOWNSEND.

Since the earliest pioneer development of Owy- hee county, William H. Townsend has resided within its borders. Silver City had as yet no beginning when he arrived on its present site, in 1863, and De Lamar, Dewey and other towns were not heard of for many years afterward. The rich mineral deposits of this region, however, have attracted a large population, and with mar- velous rapidity villages have been builded and all the enterprises and business industries of older communities have been introduced. All honor is due to the brave band of pioneers who first opened up this region to civilization, among which number is William H. Townsend.

He is a native of New England and a represent- ative of one of the oldest American families, his English ancestors having come to the shores of the New World in 1630, only ten years after the planting of the colony at Salem. Among the heroes of the Revolution were some who bore the name of Townsend, the number including the great-grandfather of our subject. The grand- father, William W. Townsend, was born in Mas- sachusetts, and built the first block house in Shoreham, Vermont. In the Green Mountain state occurred the birth of our subject's father, Vernon Townsend, who on attaining his ma- jority married Eunice Haskins. In his early life he was a mechanic, but in 1844 he removed to

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Wisconsin, where he industriously followed farm- ing throughout his remaining days. His death occurred when he had reached the age of eighty- six years, and most of his family were long-lived people, few passing away before arriving at the eightieth milestone on life's journey. In reli- gious belief the Townsends were Congregation- alists. The mother of our subject was about sixty years of age at the time of her demise. Vernon and Eunice (Haskins) Townsend had five children, of whom three are now living.

William H. Townsend was born in Vermont, April 12, 1832, and when a youth of twelve sum- mers went with his parents to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1853, when he crossed the plains to California. On the long journey across the sands and through the mountain passes the party with which he traveled was attacked by Indians, and Mr. Townsend received a flesh wound in the thigh, but they succeeded in driving off the red men. On arriving in the Gold- en state our subject engaged in mining in Siskiyou, Trinity and Calaveras counties, and his placer-mining operations in Trinity county yielded him one hundred dollars per day on an average. Three of them took out three thou- sand dollars in one week. For nine years Mr. Townsend followed mining in California, and in 1862 went to Powder river, Oregon, near where Baker City is now located. Subsequently he came to Owyhee county with a party of thirty miners, who arrived on the present site of Sil- ver City in September of that year. This rich mineral district had been discovered the previous year by the celebrated Jordan, which fact, how- ever, was unknown to Mr. Townsend and his party. Our subject secured his claim in the Gulch, one mile below where the town of Dewey now stands, and during the first six weeks, in connection with H. B. Eastman and A. C. Hud- son, he took out three thousand dollars. When the quartz mines were discovered he and Mr. Eastman engaged in packing supplies to the miners and later became interested in the Morn- ing Star mine, in conjunction with Marion Moore and D. H. Fogus. They took considera- ble gold from that claim, the first ore yielding nine hundred dollars to the ton.

Since that time Mr. Townsend has followed prospecting and locating mines. He now has a

mill and good outfit on Jordan creek, three miles from De Lamar, where he has impounded a large quantity of tailings from the De Lamar mines. He has about thirty thousand tons of ore, and his mill has a capacity of twenty-five tons daily. A flume, a mile in length, conducts water to his mill for power, and he will furnish em- ployment to several men when his plant is in operation. His practical mining experience can- not but render his new enterprise a profitable one, and all of his friends wish him the greatest suc- cess.

Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Scales, a sister of John Scales, of Owyhee county. They have five children: Lottie, wife of Fred Grete, Jr .; Albert, who is his father's assist- ant in business, and Jennie, Harry and Alice, all under the parental roof. The family have until recently resided in Silver City, where Mr. Town- send owns a good residence, but are now occupy- ing a new home near the mill. Mrs. Townsend is a member of the Methodist church, and the subject of this review belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He has passed all of the chairs three times and is one of the most val- ued representatives of his lodge, which he has represented in the grand lodge. In politics he has always been a Republican, but differs with the main branch of the party on the money ques- tion. The success he has achieved in business is due entirely to his own efforts. He is a natural mechanic, being able to do any kind of work in wood or iron, and this is of great benefit to him in his new enterprise. He is industrious and energetic, and his capable management has re- sulted in securing to him a comfortable prop- erty, which will undoubtedly bring him better financial returns in the future.

PETER PENCE.

The life record of this honored pioneer, and his connection with many of the leading events in the history of Idaho, form no unimportant chapter in the annals of the state. He has been identified with its early development through the period when existence in the northwest was at- tended by many difficulties and dangers, and with its latter-day progress and advancement which have placed Idaho on a par with many of the older states of the east. His early years were spent far

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from this "Gem of the Mountains." He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1837, and is of German ancestry, the founders of the family in America having been early settlers of the Keystone state. The grand- father of our subject, George Washington Pence, served as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and lived to be one hundred years of age, while his wife reached the remarkable age of one hun- dred and seven years.

Their son, who also bore the name of George W. Pence and is the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, November 10, 1810, and is still living on the old family homestead where he first opened his eyes to the light of day. He married Deborah McKee, who was of Irish line- age. They were industrious farming people and were members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Pence has survived his fourth wife. By his mar- riage to the mother of our subject he had ten children, eight of whom are living, including Sarah Pence, who resides in the east and is presi- dent of the National League. Other members of the family are prominent in various walks of life and the Pence history is most creditable and commendable.

Peter Pence was reared upon his father's farm, assisting in the labors of field and meadow through the summer months, while in the winter season he attended the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he was living all through the troublous times concerning the adoption or rejection of slavery in that state. He had many thrilling ex- periences and narrow escapes, which if written in detail would form an interesting volume. He almost met death at the hands of border ruffians on several occasions, and at one time was way- laid by the "jayhawkers," who stole his team from him, but with dauntless courage he followed them and finally succeeded in recovering pos- session of his horses. With his team he hauled to Atchison the "Jim Lane cannon," with which they defended the town. In 1861 Mr. Pence made three trips to Denver. Colorado, freight- ing with oxen and hauling the goods that stocked some of the first stores built in that city. In 1862 he again started with an ox team on the long and perilous journey across the arid plains, leaving the Missouri river on the 9th of June. They were

harassed by Indians, lost some of their stock and saw the remains of many emigrants who had been killed by the savages. They arrived at the ford- ing place of the Malheur river, September 26, 1862, but were there delayed for a day by the death of one of the party. At that point they met the men who had just discovered gold in the Boise basin, but Mr. Pence was prevailed upon to go with the company to Baker City, Oregon. which was then a town of two unfinished houses. After two weeks passed there, he went to Auburn and thence came to the Boise basin, where he ar- rived on the Ist of November. He formed a part- nership with Samuel Kenney and they whip- sawed lumber, for which in the spring of 1863 they were paid three hundred dollars per thou- sand feet, the winter's work thus bringing them thirty dollars per day. Expenses, however, were very high, flour sometimes selling for a dollar a pound, and other things in proportion. In 1863 Mr. Pence began mining, but did not meet with success in that venture, and so followed freight- ing from Umatilla and Walla Walla to the Boise basin until 1866, when he operated a horse-power threshing machine in Boise valley, receiving fif- teen cents a bushel for threshing grain. He saw a man called Beaver Dick stake out the first ranch located in the Boise valley, the land being about five miles above Boise City. In 1867 he too became a ranch owner, in the famous Payette valley, ten miles above the present town of Pay- ette, turning his attention to the raising of stock, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He has had as many as two thousand head of cattle at one time, and his sales of stock, in 1887, amounted to forty-two thousand and five hun- dred dollars. For many years he has made his headquarters in Payette, and at various times has successfully conducted a meat market in connec- tion with the management of his large ranch, both in Boise City and other places.

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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 29

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

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