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 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129
When hostilities had ceased the Doctor return- ed to Lewistown, Pennsylvania, where he prac- ticed his profession for five years, when he re- moved to Vevay, Indiana, making his home there for ten years. In 1882 he went to Denver, but during his year's residence there he found that the altitude was too high for him, and he removed to Morgan, Utah, where he remained until 1887, when he came to the new town of Nampa. Here he has resided continuously since, and in his drug store and in the practice of medicine he has re- ceived a liberal patronage. He has always been a close student of his profession, and his skill and ability have made him very successful.
Soon after the war, Dr. Kohler was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Carson, who died four years later, leaving two sons, William Henry and B. Rush, both practicing physicians. The Doctor has never married again. He is a Democrat of the old school, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, although he does not aspire to official preferment. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and among those who wore the blue, as well as his associates in busi- ness and social life, is held in high esteem.
MESERVE M. GETCHELL.
The popular postmaster of Silver City and one of the proprietors of the Idaho Hotel of that place is Mr. Getchell, who was, born at Baring, Maine, January 5, 1868. His ancestors were na- tives of Wales, who emigrated to this country at an early day. His great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Getchell, was born February 4, 1753, married Mehitable Meserve and moved to St.
211
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
Stephens, New Brunswick. He assisted in the capture of the English schooner Diligence and her armed cutter Tatmagouch July 14, 1775, be- ing a volunteer in Captain John Preble's com- pany, the colonel of the company being John Allen. The great-grandfather, Joseph Getchell, and his son of the same name, fought in the Revolutionary war and were members of the vol- unteer crew on the sloop Unity, which, under the command of Captain Jeremiah O'Brien, cap- tured the English armed schooner Margaretta, June 12, 1775.
The grandfather of our subject, Daniel Get- chell, was born in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, January 24, 1785, and married Miss Elizabeth Grimmer, who was born May 6, 1806. He died January 10, 1876. Their son, Asher B. Getchell, the father of our subject, was born at St. James Mills, New Brunswick, September 3, 1829. When he was ten years old he removed to Baring, Maine, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Julia F. Smith, a daughter of Dr. S. M. and Mary Ellen (Nickerson) Smith and a de- scendant of one of the Pilgrims who came over in the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Getchell are still living, as are five of their six children.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of his native town and spent his boyhood days upon a farm. For several years he followed various lines of business, being em- ployed in a sawmill, then as a clerk in a store and also in a shoe factory at Northwood, New Hamp- shire. In July, 1889, he took up his residence in Silver City, being engaged as a clerk in the drug store and also in the post-office under his uncle, S. T. N. Smith. When the latter .pur- chased the Idaho Hotel, December 1, 1889, Mr. Getchell became clerk in the hotel, holding that position until assuming the duties of postmaster. Although always a stanch Republican, Mr. Get- chell's popularity with all parties was shown by his appointment as postmaster under President Cleveland and his continuance in office under President Mckinley.
Under the efficient management of Mr. Get- chell the post-office at Silver City now holds rank as a third-class office, and he has made various improvements and changes which add greatly to the convenience and comfort of the public. The assistant postmaster, Asher A. Getchell, is a
brother of our subject, and by his accommodating and genial manners has made himself very popu- lar. Both gentlemen have a large circle of friends and are among the most useful and progressive citizens of Silver City.
Mr. Getchell was united in marriage Decem- ber 27, 1891, to Miss Ida Maud Hays, born in Silver City July 16, 1870, a daughter of Hon. C. M. Hays, district attorney and one of Idaho's most prominent citizens, whose sketch will be found on another page. They had one child, who died September 3, 1893. Mrs. Getchell passed away August 7, 1897, deeply mourned by all who knew her. She was a woman of amiable disposi- tion and kind heart, devoted to her husband and her home and beloved by every one. December 28, 1898, Mr. Getchell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Hutchinson, daughter of James Hutchinson, of Silver City.
Mr. Getchell is past noble grand of Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., at Silver City. He is chairman of the Republican central committee of Owyhee county, and is a leader in his party.
JAMES P. GRAY.
Thirty-five years have passed since James P. Gray came to Idaho to cast in his lot with its pioneers. People of the present end-of-the-cen- tury period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and con- veniences. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one, and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energies and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and successfully fought its battles under such circumstances as prevailed in the northwest.
James P. Gray was a young man of eighteen years when he took up his residence in the min- ing canıp at Idaho City. His early life was spent in Illinois, his birth having occurred in Peoria county, that state, December 10, 1846. He is of
212
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and his grandfather, Will- iam Gray, emigrated from the north of Ireland with his wife, taking up his residence in Indiana, where occurred the birth of Thomas Gray, the father of our subject. In the Hoosier state Thomas was reared, and having attained years of maturity was married there to Rebecca Coch- ran, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are yet living. In 1864 the father, accom- panied by three of his sons, including James, crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. They left Atchison, Kansas, on the 6th of May, with twen- ty-two wagons in their train, loaded with freight and drawn by oxen. Near Fort Laramie they were attacked by Indians, and William Gray, who was with another part of the train from the other members of his family, was killed.
At length the father and his other two sons arrived in Idaho City, and engaged in mining and teaming there, but not meeting with very great success in placer mining, they came to what is now Washington county and turned their at- tention to stock-raising. The father took up three hundred and twenty acres of government land near the city of Weiser, and devoted his attention to the management of his ranch until 1881, when he one day went out in search of a bear that he had seen prowling around the place. He was accidentally shot by a man who, catching sight of a moving object, thought it was the bear and fired. Mr. Gray was taken to Boise for medical treatment, but after lingering for some months he passed away, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at the capital city. The stream which bordered his ranch is known as Gray's creek, for he was the first settler in that locality. He was one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of the community, and served for two terms in the territorial legislature, thus taking an active part in shaping the early policy of the state. The sons inherited the farm, but afterward sold it, and George D. Gray now resides in the old town of Weiser.
James P. Gray of this review aided his father for some time after coming to Idaho, but event- ually entered upon an independent business career, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land on Weiser river, where he carried on farming and stock-raising for some years, meeting with excellent success in his undertak-
ings. In 1898, however, he sold that property and purchased eighty acres a short distance north of the city. Erecting thereon a good residence he devoted his energies to the cultivation of his fields and the care of his stock, and is regarded as one of the most progressive, practical and en- terprising farmers in southwestern Idaho. He is one of the best known stock-raisers of Washing- ton county, and for the past twenty-seven years has threshed most of the grain in this section of the country. He displays great diligence and sound judgment in the management of his busi- ness interests, and has thereby become the pos- sessor of a competence.
On the 31st of October, 1871, Mr. Gray mar- ried Miss Clarissa E. Brassfield, a native of Mis- souri, and to them have been born eleven chil- dren, ten of whom are living, namely: Laura, wife of David Jones; Elizabeth, who died at the age of two years; Sarah, wife of Nathan Kimble; and Lucetta, Thomas, Josie, Ethel, James, Alba, Emma and Edward, who are still under the pa- rental roof. The daughters are valued members of the Baptist church, and the family enjoy the friendship of many of the best people of this lo- cality. In his political views Mr. Gray is a Dem- ocrat, and on that ticket was elected sheriff of Washington county, in which office he served most acceptably for four years. He is well and favorably known by the citizens of the county and the pioneers of the state, and merits honorable mention among the representative men of Idaho.
ALMON S. SENTER.
An eventful career was that of Colonel Almon S. Senter, who for some years figured conspicu- ously in connection with the mercantile and of- ficial interests of Lincoln county. At the time of his death, March 6, 1899, he was serving as district-court clerk and ex-officio auditor and re- corder of Lincoln county, and he was also an enterprising and prominent merchant of Sho- shone. A native of the old Granite state, he was born February 18, 1845, and is a representative of one of the old and honored families of New Hampshire, of English descent. His ancestors were early settlers of Londonderry, that state, and one of his great-granduncles served in the Col- onial army during the Revolutionary war. The grandfather and father of our subject, both of
بـ
213
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
whom bore the name of Thomas Senter, were natives of New Hampshire, the latter born in Petersboro. He wedded Miss Mary C. Gid- dings, a native of Temple, New Hampshire, and also a descendant of one of the prominent col- onial families. Mr. Senter was an industrious farmer, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife were Methodists in religious belief, and the father lived to be sixty-four years of age, while the mother departed this life in her forty-seventh est but seventeen years of age, the youngest only three months old.
year, leaving a family of eleven children, the eld- . In 1874 Mr. Senter received the government contract to transport supplies to the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Indian agencies, and had two hundred and twenty-five oxen to convey the goods. He handled during that year over three million pounds of supplies, and lost on the con- tract about twenty thousand dollars.
Colonel Senter was at that time a little lad of five summers. He was reared to manhood in Hudson, New Hampshire, was educated in the public schools, and when thirteen years of age began to earn his own living by working on a farm at six dollars per month. He was but six- teen years of age when the country was plunged into civil war, and in the following year he re- sponded to the call for aid, enlisting August 29, 1862, as a member of Company G, Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He served in Virginia and North Carolina, participated in the battles of Plymouth, Little Washington, Golds- boro, Fort Fisher, Smithfield and various other engagements, and received an honorable dis- charge, September 5, 1865. He was always found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the cause represented by the starry banner, but was never wounded or taken prisoner, and returned to his home a veteran and a victor.
Taking up the pursuits of civil life, Mr. Senter engaged in car-building and had charge of the car shops at Reno, Pennsylvania, in the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Com- pany. On the 4th of August, 1886, he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed in the car shops until May 7, 1887, when he was sent to take charge of the car shops at North Platte, Nebraska. He continued in that position for six and a half years, during which time, in August, 1868, the Indians, under command of Chief Turkey Leg, the Cheyenne chief, derailed a train of freight cars at Plum Creek and plundered and burned them. Mr. Senter then organized a com- pany of thirty-eight men to go in pursuit and save the goods, if possible. The Indians had loaded
their ponies with all the goods they could carry and then fired the train, and as our subject and his men came nearer the smoke was carried by the wind far over the prairies, and the red men were seen galloping away in the distance, with pieces of high colored goods tied to the ponies' tails and streaming behind in the breeze for many yards as the bolts unrolled. About the time Mr. Senter reached the scene Captain Pollock, with a company of United States regulars, came up and took charge of the pursuit of the Indians.
In 1874 Mr. Senter also resigned his position in the railroad shops and established a general mercantile store in North Platte, where he car- ried on a successful business until June 1, 1882. He then sold out and began dealing in stock, to which enterprise he devoted his energies until March 7, 1883, when he came to Idaho, arriving in Shoshone, on the 15th of the same month. Here he engaged in merchandising, and erected a large store building, which he filled with cloth- ing, dry goods, boots and shoes. He had a lib- eral patronage and his honorable methods com- mended him to the confidence and good will of all. He also engaged in the fire-insurance, real- estate and undertaking businesses, and was the manager of the Shoshone Falls Stage Company, having been a prominent factor in the establish- ment of the route to the fine falls twenty-five miles distant. These falls, with the surrounding territory, form one of the most beautiful and magnificent scenes in all Idaho,-a state noted for the splendid scenic pictures it affords.
In public life Mr. Senter was long a prominent factor. He always supported the Republican party and on that ticket was elected clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and collector of Lincoln county, discharging his duties in a most capable and satisfactory manner. His life was a very busy one, yet no public or private duty was neglected by him, and his fidelity in all rela- tions won him uniform confidence and regard. He was appointed by Governor McConnell one of
214
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
the trustees of the Idaho Soldiers' Home and was commissary general of subsistence on the staff of Governor Shoup, with the rank of colonel of cavalry. He had a remarkable memory for dates, and could recall with accuracy the time of many incidents in his past life. Socially he was con- nected with the Masonic fraternity and served as master of the lodge. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he was past department commander of Idaho.
On the 14th of October, 1875, was celebrated, the marriage of Colonel Senter and Miss Emma Honn, a native of Ohio. They were married in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and by their union were born two children,-Kate Irene and Clyde A. The daughter is now the wife of Henry A. Brown, who assisted her father in the store. The son followed his father's example of patriotism, and with loyal spirit volunteered in his seventeenth year for service in the war with Spain, and after his discharge at Manila, March 17, 1899, he re- turned home, arriving May 5, 1899, having fought to establish the right of the United States to rule over the Philippines. Clyde A. Senter was mus- tered into the United States service May 12, 1898, went to Manila by way of San Francisco, and took an honorable part in seven battles in the Philippines.
Such in brief is the life history of Colonel Senter. The character of the man has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review, and in a summary of his career we note only a few of the salient points,-his activity and sound judgment in business affairs and his conformity to the ethics of commercial life, his loyalty to the old flag in times of war and likewise in days of peace, his faithfulness to public office, and his genuine friendship and regard for true worth of character. These are the qualities which made Colonel Senter a valued citizen in whatever com- munity he has made his home.
ALEXANDER S. ROBERTSON.
In the field of political life and commercial ac- tivity Alexander S. Robertson has won distinc- tion, and to-day is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Nampa. A young man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west, which has been the dominant factor
in producing the wonderful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until, having long since left the ranks of the many, he to-day stands among the successful few.
A native of Ontario, he was born in Elgin county, June 22, 1863, and when a child of two years was taken to Whiteside county, Illinois, by his parents, J. A. and Christina (McFarlane) Robertson. They made their home in Morrison and the father was accounted one of the indus- trious and leading farmers of that community. In 1878 the father removed with his family to Exeter, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he car- ried on agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he went to Custer county, Nebraska, and engaged in the banking business, being president of the State Bank at Arnold for several years. In 1890 he took up his residence in Boise, where he still makes his home. He has put aside all business cares, and now in his sixty-fifth year is enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. His wife is sixty-two years of age, and they have seven children, all of whom are yet living.
Alexander S. Robertson was educated in the public schools of Fulton, Illinois, and Exeter, Nebraska, and received his business training un- der the direction of his father, in whose bank at Arnold he served as cashier for six years. In 1890 he came to Nampa, where he established a drug store, which he still conducts. He has built up an excellent trade, for his establishment is well equipped with everything found in a first- class drug store, and his straightforward dealing and courtesy to his patrons have won him their confidence and regard. He is by all accorded the position of the leading druggist of Nampa, and the success which he is now enjoying is well merited.
In political affairs Mr. Robertson has ever taken a deep and commendable interest, studying closely the questions which affect the public wel- fare and influence the policy of the nation. He voted with the Republican party until 1896, in which year he was sent as a delegate to the na- tional convention at St. Louis. There the atti- tude of the party on the money question caused him, together with many other delegates from
215
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
the northwest, to withdraw, and since that time he has been an active "silver" Republican. His, influence in political life has been marked and has ever been exerted in be- half of the principles which he believes contain the best elements of good government. In 1893 he was elected a member of the state legislature, and later was chosen to represent his district in the state senate in the assembly of 1895-6. In every position of honor and trust which he has filled he has made a creditable record for himself and his constituents, and at all times he views broadly and patriotically the questions which come up for settlement.
On the 13th of March, 1885, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Robertson and Miss Lelia D. Gor- don, of Whiteside county, Illinois, and they now have four children,-two daughters and two sons: James D., Mary, Ada and Stewart. The mother is a valned member of the Presbyterian church and her many excellencies of character have gained her a large circle of friends. Socially Mr. Robertson is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Forum. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the state and is highly respected as a successful business man of integrity and ability.
WILLIAM L. RYDER.
Prominent among the business men of Payette is William Louis Ryder, who for eight years has been closely identified with the history of the city as a representative of one of its most important business interests. He is a man of keen dis- crimination and sound judgment, and his execu- tive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is con- nected a large degree of success. The safe, con- servative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all, and has secured to the company a patronage which makes the vol- ume of trade transacted over its counters of great importance and magnitude. The prosperity of the Payette Valley Mercantile Company, Limited, is certainly due in a large measure to its president and manager,-the gentleman whose name in- itiates this review.
Mr. Ryder claims Kentucky as the state of his nativity, and was born in Louisa, Lawrence coun- ty, February 5, 1847. His ancestors were early
settlers of the east and south. His grandfather, John Ryder, removed from Pennsylvania to Vir- ginia, and Levi Ryder, father of our subject, from Virginia to Kentucky. He married Miss Martha Burns, and was engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness, saddlery and other goods in that line. He died of pneumonia, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. His wife survived him for some time, and reached the age of seventy-six years. Her people were all representatives of profes- sional life.
William L. Ryder was one of two sons, but is now the only survivor of the family. He was only five years of age when his father died, and for a time lived with his grandfather and after- ward with an uncle, but when only twelve years of age began to provide for his own maintenance, following any pursuit, however humble, that would yield him an honest living. One of the first positions which he secured was that of driver of a cart nsed in hauling dirt for a railroad grade. Later he secured a situation in a drug store, working nights and mornings for his board and the privilege of attending school. In 1861, when the civil war was inaugurated, he was a slender youth of fourteen, but he made four different at- tempts to enlist in the Confederate army, and at length served without being mustered in, joining his regiment in 1863.
After the war Mr. Ryder went to Pikeville, Kentucky, where he opened a drug store, which he conducted until 1868, when he sold out and returned to Virginia. There he engaged in rail- roading for a year, and in 1869 entered the ser- vice of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, as brakesman. He was with that company for twen- ty-two years and steadily worked his way upward, gaining promotion from time to time until he was made superintendent. No higher testimonial of his efficient service could be given than the state- ment of his long connection with a corporation which demands fidelity and ability on the part of its employes. In 1891, however, he resigned and came to Payette, where he aided in the organiza- tion of the Payette Valley Mercantile Company. Limited, of which he was made president and manager, a position which he has filled continu- ously since. He devotes his energy almost ex- clusively to the conduct of the store, but has made investments in property, and is the owner of a
216
HISTORY OF IDAHO.
valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Parma.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ryder is a Sil- ver-Republican, and is deeply interested in the growth and success of that party. He has twice served as chairman of the board of trustees of Payette. He is also an exemplary Mason, thor- oughly informed on the teachings and practices of that benevolent fraternity. He has taken the York and Scottish degrees, has attained the thirty-second degree in the consistory, and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He was made a Mason in Bethany Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M., in Shoshone, and while residing in Pocatello passed all the chairs and was master for two terms. He is a charter member of Washoe Lodge, No. 28, in Payette, and has been its mas- ter for three years. He received the Royal Arch degrees in Ogden, was high priest at Pocatello for two years, and is now holding the same office in the chapter, in Payette. He is familiar with the ritual, and is also active in the work of the order which prompts the relief of suffering. He is a man of broad sympathies, and the poor and needy have found in him a friend. The difficul- ties which he had to encounter in his own busi- ness career have made him very ready to extend a helping hand to those who try to aid them- selves, and in his business he ever rewards faith- ful service on the part of his employes when opportunity offers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.