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 45
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When in Silver City, in 1876, Mr. Ensign was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Reid, and they now have three children. Henry F., the eld-
est, is a bright young man, now studying law in his father's office. The two younger children, Edith and Arthur, are at home. The mother is a valued member of the Methodist church and a most estimable lady. Mr. Ensign was made a Mason in Fort Wayne, Indiana, many years ago, belongs to the lodge, chapter and commandery and at one time was grand master of the grand lodge of Idaho. He has erected a commodious and very pleasant residence in Hailey, and he and his family enjoy the highest respect of all who know them. He is a man whose life experiences have been broad and varied, and as the years passed he has learned the lessons of life and be- come imbued with humanitarian principles. His strong intellectuality, his generous sympathy and marked individuality have rendered him one of the honored pioneers and valued citizens of his adopted state, and his record now forms an im- portant chapter in its history.
RICHARD H. BRITT.
This gentleman is the present capable manager of the Poorman mines, near Silver City, and for a number of years has been connected with the development of the rich mineral resources of the northwest. He was born in the state of Mis- souri in 1861, and is of English descent. His father, J. W. Britt, was born in Kentucky, and in 1855 removed to Missouri, locating on a farm in that state. There he married Miss Margaret Horn, also a native of Kentucky. At the time of the civil war he entered the Confederate ser- vice under General Price, and since the close of hostilities has successfully engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. In religious belief he is a Bap- tist, while his wife is of the Methodist faith. They have five sons and a daughter, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Richard H. Britt, of this review, their third child, was reared to manhood in the state of his nativity and studied civil engineering in the Missouri State University, in which institution he was graduated in the class of 1888. Thus well qualified for an active business life, he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, as an examiner of land, and later was engaged in inspecting the lands of the Willa- mette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company, inspecting the lands from Al-
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bany, Oregon, to the Snake river. In the winter of 1890-I he was engaged in railroad work on the lower Columbia river, and in 1892 came to Boise, where for a number of years he was em- ployed as a civil and mining engineer. On abandoning that work he became identified with the mining interests of Silver City, and for several years has served as manager for the Poorman Gold Mines, limited. He is particularly well qualified by collegiate training and practical ex- perience for this position and has given the great- est satisfaction by the prompt and able manner in which he has discharged his duties.
In politics Mr. Britt is a Democrat and is a member of the Idaho state board of arbitration, to which he was appointed by Governor Steunen- berg. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, yet has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. His life has been one of activity and usefulness and he is highly respected and accounted one of the valued citizens of the community.
JONAS W. BROWN.
Jonas W. Brown, of Boise, is an honored pio- neer both of California and of Idaho. He crossed the plains with ox teams to Shasta county, Cali- fornia, in 1853, and since that time his life record has been inseparably interwoven with the history of this section of the country. At all times he has been the advocate of those measures tending to- ward the advancement and development of the region, and his influence is that of an honorable, upright man, whose force of character stamps itself indelibly for good upon the public life.
This work would be incomplete without men- tion of Jonas W. Brown, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present his sketch to our read- ers. A native of Ohio, he was born in Roscoe, Coshocton county, on the 27th of June, 1825, and is descended from New England ancestry. His father, Samuel Brown, was a resident of North Danvers, Massachusetts. His mother, Mrs. Lydia (Warren) Brown, was a relative of General War- ren, who won fame at the battle of Bunker Hill. They were members of the Methodist church and were people of much worth. The father was a farmer and also engaged in the manufacture of brick. He departed this life in 1871, at the age
of eighty-four years, and his wife was called to her final rest in her fifty-sixth year. They had a family of ten children, of whom two are now living.
Upon the homestead farm, in Ohio, Jonas W. Brown spent his boyhood days and early became familiar with the various duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He obtained his education in the common schools of Ohio, and when seventeen years of age started westward. He first located in Iowa, where he found employ- ment in a flouring mill, there remaining until 1853, when he joined a party en route for the gold fields of California. He drove an ox team in order to pay his passage, and also gave the leader of the party fifty dollars in money. The journey across the wild, unpeopled plains was a long, tedious and often perilous one. On arriv- ing at Honey Lake valley, one of the oxen was stolen by the Indians, and when James Macklay, the owner, started in pursuit ne was hit by an arrow, the wound causing his death. The com- pany carried his remains for ten days and buried him at their destination in what is now the old town of Shasta.
After arriving in California Mr. Brown worked at the carpenter's trade and also engaged in min- ing at Deadwood, that state. In 1855 he was elected county clerk of Siskiyou county, Califor- nia, served in that position for two years, and afterward was deputy clerk for two years. He was then deputy sheriff under Dr. F. C. Horsley, and in 1862 he removed to Florence, Washing- ton, where he held the positions of clerk of the district court, clerk of the probate court, deputy county auditor, recorder, deputy sheriff and dep- uty treasurer of Idaho, all at the same time. In August, 1863, he took up his residence in Idaho City, Idaho, where he successfully practiced law for nineteen years. He is still engaged in active practice in partnership with Hon. Thomas Caha- lan, also one of the pioneers and a very able law- yer. They have a large clientage and their busi- ness is of an important character. During the greater part of the time since coming to Idaho, Mr. Brown has been a notary public and United States commissioner for the district of Idaho. In 1882 he came to Boise, and has since been numbered as one of its leading and influential citizens.
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For half a century Mr. Brown has been an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and is a leading representative of the society in Idaho. He was made a Master Mason in Eagle Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M., of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1849, under dispensation, receiving all three of the blue-lodge degrees on the same day and night. He has also taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees, is past worshipful master, past high priest and past grand master of the grand lodge of this state, having served in the last named exalted position in 1869 and again in 1871. He has served the grand lodge as grand secretary, and in his home lodge at Boise has been secretary for twelve years. He is true and faithful to the benevolent and fraternal teach- ings of the order and is held in the highest esteem by his Masonic brethren throughout the state.
He has likewise been prominent in church work through a long period. When only thir- teen years of age he was converted and joined the Methodist church, and at eighteen years of age was made an officer in the church. Since that time he has been most active and zealous in re- ligious work and by his faithfulness and labor has done much to advance the cause of Christ- ianity. He has twice served the church as a lay delegate to the general conference. In politics he has been a lifelong Republican, but now strongly favors bimetallism. He has studied the question closely and thoroughly and is now firm- ly fixed in his opinion. He belongs to the Pioneer Society of the state, has served as its president and is one of Idaho's best known and highly esteemed citizens.
Thus many honors have come to him in life and prosperity has attended his efforts in a con- siderable degree, yet his career has also been checkered by adversity and sorrow. He has been twice married and has lost by death both wives, and now has only one surviving son, James Edgar, who is a farmer residing near Prather, Indiana. Mr. Brown has now passed the seventy-third milestone on the journey of life, and for forty-five years has been identified with the interests of the far west. At all times he has endeavored to promote the best interests of this section of the country, has seen the greater part of its growth and development, and high on
the roll of the honored men of Idaho is found the name of this worthy pioneer.
JOSEPH F. WHITE.
Among the public officials of Lincoln county is Joseph F. White, who is now serving as sheriff. A native of Iowa, he was born in Alla- makee county, July 4, 1854, and traces his an- cestry back to the Emerald Isle, whence his grandfather, Andrew White, emigrated with his family to New Orleans. For many years he was engaged in merchandising in the Crescent City, and at an early day in the history of Ohio re- moved to that state, where Joseph P. White, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He married Sarah Heffron, a native of Ireland, and later they removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming and mer- chandising. He died in 1879, at the age of seven- ty-two years, and his wife departed this life in the forty-second year of her age. They were the parents of three children, all yet living.
Joseph F. White, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of his native county and reared to manhood on the home farm, in the development and cultivation of which he assisted from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. In 1875 he went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining and pros- pecting. In 1880 he became a resident of Mon- tana and engaged in the meat business in Dillon. He also spent some time in Deer Lodge and Silver Bow, and in 1883 came to Shoshone, where he again established a meat market and soon secured a liberal patronage in that line. He has also been identified with many other lead- ing business interests of the town and county. He has erected several residences in Shoshone and is the owner of an excellent ranch of four hundred acres near the town, upon which he raises hay for his extensive herd of cattle. These varied business interests are bringing him ex- cellent financial returns as the result of dili- gence, a careful management and honorable methods.
On the 3d of December, 1883. Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Keefer, daughter of Joseph Keefer, of Nebraska, and they now have two sons,-Gilbert and Walter,- the former now attending college in Salt Lake
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City, while the other is a student in the high school in Shoshone. The family are held in high regard in the community and the members of the household occupy enviable positions in social circles.
In his political views Mr. White has always been a stalwart Republican, and when Lincoln county was created he was appointed sheriff, since which time he has twice been elected sheriff, serving six years in all. He has been a brave and efficient officer, discharging his duties in a most fearless manner and thus proving a bulwark to the community, his efforts resulting in the replacement of lawlessness by peace and tranquillity. He was instrumental in breaking up one of the worst gangs of horse and cattle thieves that ever infested the state. They had their headquarters at Shoshone and he arrested them and later took a number of their leaders to the state penitentiary. Socially Mr. White is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has filled all the offices in the lodge and has been representative to the grand lodge. He has also passed all the chairs in the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. He is an upright and reliable citizen, true to all the duties of business, official and private life, and his sterling worth has gained him high regard.
WILLIAM CLARENCE HOWIE.
Out of the depths of his mature wisdom Car- lyle wrote, "History is the essence of innumerable biographies," and Macaulay has said, "The his- tory of a nation is best told in the lives of its people." It is therefore fitting that the sketches of Idaho's eminent and distinguished men should find a place in this volume, and to the number belongs William Clarence Howie, a prominent lawyer of Mountain Home. A native of Iowa, he was born in Davis county, near the Missouri state line, November 27, 1860. The Howie fam- ily originated in France. Two brothers, who were French Huguenots, were driven out of that country on account of their religious views and fled to Scotland, one locating in the highlands, the other in the lowlands. From the latter our subject is descended. He founded a family in Scotland that became renowned in the history of that country, many representatives of the name occupying prominent positions in public life.
John Howie, the father of our subject, was born on Prince Edwards island. His parents had started for America, and in a storm the vessel on which they sailed sought refuge in the harbor of the island, whereon occurred the birth of the son. On reaching the New World the grand- parents located in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, and later the grandfather removed to Illi- nois, where he died in the eighty-ninth year of his age. John Howie was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and there married Miss Hannah Evans, who was of English and Holland ances- try. Mr. Howie was a farmer, and with his fami- ly removed to Michigan. Later he returned to Pennsylvania and thence went to Iowa, where he died in 1898, at the age of seventy-six years. His good wife still survives him and is now sixty-two years of age. They were Presbyterian in religious faith and their upright lives exemplified their Christian belief. Of their four children three are living.
William Clarence Howie, the second in order of birth, accompanied his parents on their removal to the west and was educated in Bloomfield, Iowa. He took up the study of law in the office of Good & Good, in Wahoo, Nebraska, as a prep- aration for a life work, and later continued his reading in the office and under the direction of Reese & Gilkeson, of Lincoln, Nebraska, very prominent attorneys of that city. The senior partner is an ex-supreme judge and is now dean of the Nebraska State Law School. He was ad- mitted to the bar and then practiced for some time under the guidance of his last preceptors, gaining a practical knowledge of their methods.
On the 8th of October, 1890, Mr. Howie ar- rived in Idaho and opened a law office in Moun- tain Home, where he has since enjoyed a large business. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods he has followed. To an understanding of uncom- mon acuteness and vigor he has added a thor- ough and accurate preparatory training, and ex- emplifies in his practice all the higher elements of the truly great lawyer. He invariably seeks to present his argument in the strong, clear light of common reason and sound logical principles, and his fidelity to his clients' interests is a matter of uniform acceptance. Everything pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of the town also re-
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ceives his approval, and co-operation and his la- bors for the public good have been most effective. Since coming to Mountain Home, he has served as a member of the school board for a number of years, was a prominent factor in the building of the splendid public-school building, which is an ornament to the town, and he is an active and helpful friend of education.
In political circles Mr. Howie is also promi- nent. He has always been a stalwart Republican, and is now the state Republican central com- mitteeman for his county, and the candidate of his party for the office of district attorney.
On the 9th of June, 1891, Mr. Howie married Miss Ada Eunice Harris, a native of New York. Her father died when she was a child and she was reared by her uncle. Hon. L. C. Blanchard. a district judge and state senator. They have one of the most beautiful residences in Mountain Home. It was erected under the direction of Mr. Howie and stands in the midst of an acre of ground, which is planted with fruit and ornamen- tal trees. Socially Mr. Howie is connected with Elmore Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master. also belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, the Home Forum, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His pleas- ant, genial manner renders him a favorite with all classes, while his sterling worth commands uniform esteem.
FRANK HARRIS.
Hon. Frank Harris, the leading lawyer of the bar of Weiser, and a member of the state senate of Idaho, is a native of California, his birth hav- ing occurred at Placerville, on the 20th of June, 1854. He is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were William and T. E. (Saltzman) Harris. The Har- ris family is of English descent and was founded in Virginia in colonial days. William Harris, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the Old Dominion, and when the Revolutionary war was inaugurated aided in the struggle for independ- ence. His son, William Harris, was born in Vir- ginia, in November. 1809, and after attaining the age of forty years he married Miss T. E. Saltz- man, a lady of German lineage. In 1849 William Harris removed to California, where he engaged in mining for a number of years, but later devoted
his energies to farming in Humboldt county. where his death occurred in 1886, in the seventy- seventh year of his age. His estimable wife still survives him, and is now seventy years of age. All of their seven children are also living.
Frank Harris acquired his literary education in the public schools of California, and on determin- ing to make the practice of law his life work entered the office of Buck & Stafford. well known attorneys of Eureka. He completed his studies under the preceptorage of the firm of Chamber- lain & De Haven of that place, and in 1880 he came to Weiser and was admitted to the bar. Here he has since made his home, and in the prac tice of his profession has met with gratifying success, to-day holding rank as the leading mem- ber of the legal fraternity in his county.
In 1884 Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Oakes, a native of Wisconsin, and they now have three children, William, James and Emma. They have a delightful home in Weiser, erected under the direction of Mr. Har- ris, and they enjoy the high esteem of a large circle of friends. Socially our subject is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is now the efficient chancellor commander of the lodge. His political views are in accord with the principles of the Democratic party, and to that organization he has rendered valuable service during the campaigns, being a most effective, entertaining and instructive campaign speaker. His utterances are logical and convincing, and at the same time are never tiresome or pedantic. In 1889 he was elected a member of the conven- tion which framed the present constitution of Idaho, and his knowledge of constitutional law made him a valuable factor in framing the most important document in the state government. In 1896 he was elected a member of the state senate, where he served most acceptably to his con- stituents and with credit to himself. Thus in various departments of the public life he has rendered important service to his state, yet his greatest work is in the line of his profession. His preparation of cases is most thorough and ex- haustive; he seems almost intuitively to grasp the strong points of law and fact, while in his briefs and arguments the authorities are cited so extensively and the facts and reasoning thereon are presented so cogently and unanswerably as to
Frank Harris
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leave no doubt .as to the correctness of his views or of his conclusions. No detail seems to escape him; every point is given its due prominence and the case is argued with such skill, ability and power that he rarely fails to gain the verdict desired. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar Association, of which he is vice-president for Washington county.
Mr. Harris is also personally interested in min- ing in the Seven Devils district, and has a large clientage among the mine owners and miners of the now famous mining country just men- tioned. In March, 1899, he formed a partnership with R. A. Stuart, late of the Washington bar, and formerly a member of the law firm of Thomp- son & Stuart, of Iowa.
FRANK CROSSON.
Frank Crosson is now engaged in general mer- chandising in De Lamar and is one of the most successful and enterprising business men here. His life stands in evidence of the fact that am- bition, enterprise and diligence can cope with an adverse fate and ultimately reach the goal of prosperity. He came to Owyhee county on foot, reaching Silver City in June, 1889, and secured employment in driving a freight team. Since that time he has advanced steadily toward suc- cess and competence and is to-day accounted one of the most progressive, respected and well-to-do merchants of the county.
Mr. Crosson was born at Red Bluff, California, on the 24th of April, 1862, and is of Scotch- Irish lineage. His father, Samuel Crosson, was born in the state of New York, and in 1852 took up his abode in California. He was married in Sacramento to Miss Mary Burk, a native of Ire- land. For six years he lived the life of a sailor, making trips on the Sacramento river between San Francisco and Red Bluff. He died in 1893, at the age of sixty-four years, but his wife is still living and makes her home in San Francisco.
Frank Crosson of this review started out in life on his own account when but ten years of age and is truly a self made man,-a title of which he has every reason to be proud. . He has trav- eled in Oregon, Nevada and in Mexico, and came to Idaho on foot, without money, having resolved to settle down and win success if it could be secured through energy and industry. He
was first employed as driver of a freight team be- tween Nampa and Silver City, after which he went to Wood river and engaged in mining for six months. Then, in connection with five others, he leased the Potosi mine, which he continued to operate until March, 1890, when he came to De Lamar and was employed for a time in the De Lamar mine. Subsequently he purchased a half interest in the De Lamar and Silver City stage line, which he conducted until April 1, 1892, after which he spent a month in California. Upon returning to De Lamar he succeeded George W. Bruce in the meat-market business in Silver City, as a partner of J. C. Conners, and later be- came a partner in the De Lamar & Silver City Meat Company, with which he was connected un - til April, 1893, when he sold his interest in the business. Through the succeeding thirty days he engaged in mining and then established a confectionery store in De Lamar, but on the 8th of September, 1897, entered a new field of opera- tions by purchasing the general mercantile store of Shea & McLain in De Lamar. Here he is now carrying on business, having a large and well selected stock and enjoying an extensive and con- stantly increasing patronage. He is also a part- ner of John Grete, Sr., in several mines in the Florida mountains.
On the 15th of October, 1892, Mr. Crosson was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Bennett, nee Lane. She is a native of Iowa and a lady of culture and intelligence, who enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends. She was appointed postmistress of De Lamar by President Cleve- land in 1893, entering upon the duties of the of- fice on the 13th of November of that year. She appointed Mr. Crosson her deputy, and for four years and three months she discharged her duties in a most promising and creditable manner, and succeeded in raising the office to one of the third class. She now assists her husband in the store and he attributes not a little of his success to her efficient aid and business ability.
Mr. Crosson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife belongs to the order of Daughters of Rebekalı. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and has served as master of his lodge. From the early age of ten years his life has been one of ceaseless activity. and all that he has acquired is the reward of his
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