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 46
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own labors. He is a man of strong purpose and resolution, who brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by determined and honorable efforts, and it is this laudable quality that has led to his success. He justly merits the high regard in which he is held, and his example should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
J. J. PLUMER, M. D.
Dr. J. J. Plumer, the physician and surgeon of the De Lamar Mining Company, also engaged in general practice in De Lamar, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Edina, April 8, 1860. He traces his ancestry back to England, whence in the year 1832 members of the family who belonged to the sect of Puritans crossed the Atlantic to America. They braved the dangers so common to ocean voyages in those days in order to have liberty of conscience in the New World, and they and their descend- ants were connected with the early history of the colonies. They were mainly farming people, whose upright lives commended them to the con - fidence and respect of all. The Doctor's father, William F. Plumer, was born in Marietta, Ohio, and married Miss Sarah F. Beswick, also a na- tive of that place. In religious faith they are Presbyterians and by profession Mr. Plumer is a civil engineer. He now resides in Hillsboro, Iowa, at the age of sixty-seven years, and all of the family, including three sons and three daughters, are also yet living.
The Doctor, the second in order of birth, spent his boyhood at his parental home, acquiring his literary education in Birmingham Academy, in Iowa. Determining to make the practice of med- icine his life work he prepared for his chosen calling in the Starling Medical College, in Co- lumbus, Ohio, where he was graduated with the class of 1882. He then opened an office in Bona- parte, Iowa, where he remained for two years, after which he practiced for six years in Kansas and one year in Baker City, Oregon. In 1890 he came to De Lamar to accept the position of physician and surgeon for the De Lamar Min- ing Company, and in addition to his labors in that capacity he carries on a general practice, having many patrons in this vicinity. He is a skilled and efficient representative of his chosen calling, and faithfully performs each duty as it
comes to him. He is also proprietor of the only drug store in the town, a well appointed estab- lishment.
On the 29th of June, 1897, the Doctor was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mar- garet C. DeQuette, whose father was one of the pioneers of the Boise basin. She is a valued member of the Episcopal church and a most esti- mable lady. The Doctor belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, being now a worthy Knight Templar and follower of the beauseant. He is a man of scholarly tastes and studious habits, and by his perusal of the leading medical journals and text-books he keeps thor- oughly abreast with the latest discoveries and theories advanced in connection with the science of medicine, and is very successful in applying these to the needs of his professional work in Owyhee county.
FRANKLIN P. AKE.
The historian Bancroft has said, "Taken alto- gether Idaho is the most grand, wonderful, ro- mantic and mysterious part of the domain en- closed within the federal Union;" and no one who has ever looked upon its beautiful and oittimes sublime scenery will doubt that it rightly de- serves to be called "The Gem of the Mountains." Its natural resources are probably more diversi- fied than any other state can show, for in the midst of its high hills, rich in their mineral de- posits, are fertile valleys affording ample oppor- · tunity to the agriculturist, horticulturist and stock farmer. The owner of one of the finest ranches and most beautiful homes in Elmore county is Franklin P. Ake, a man of excellent business ability, who has been prominently con- nected with many interests of this region, and now in addition to the capable management of his own affairs is acceptably serving as the cus- todian of the county exchequer in the capacity of county treasurer.
Mr. Ake, whose residence is pleasantly situ- ated about four miles from Mountain Home, was born in Muscatine, Iowa, July 6, 1857. During the colonial epoch in our country's history his ancestors left their homes in Holland and be- came residents of Pennsylvania, taking part in many of the events which form the annals of that
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state, and also participating in the war of the Revolution. John H. Ake, the father of our sub- ject, was born in the Keystone state and mar- ried Margaret Tediker, a native of Ohio. He removed with his bride to Iowa and became an extensive land-owner and dealer in real estate. His wife died soon after the birth of her son Franklin, when only twenty years of age, but Mr. Ake reached the age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this review, an only child, was reared and educated in Iowa and Nebraska, and in 1877 went to Colorado, where he was engaged in freighting. He made money rapidly, invested in real estate in Leadville, Colorado, and when prices declined lost nearly all that he had saved. In 1882 he came to Idaho, and making his head- quarters at American Falls again engaged in freighting and contracting from Kelton to Boise, Rocky Bar and Hailey. He also took contracts for supplying and delivering wood and charcoal to the mines at Rocky Bar and later contracted to haul mining timbers. He also built the tele- graph line from Mountain Home to Rocky Bar, and subsequently became the promoter and builder of the reservoir and canal of the Moun- tain Home Reservoir & Land Company. They have thus supplied water to three thousand acres of land, and have a reservoir with an irrigating capacity for five thousand acres, and fifteen miles of ditches. Mr. Ake, in connection with others, now owns the system, which is one of the most valuable enterprises ever inaugurated in this section of the state. It is not only a profitable investment for the stockholders, but has proven of incalculable benefit to the farmers, making cultivable many thousand acres of rich land. Mr. Ake is now the owner of a splendid ranch of six hundred and forty acres. He has greatly im- proved this property, making it one of the most attractive and desirable country seats in Elmore county. There is now a fine orchard, containing two thousand bearing fruit trees, mostly prunes. The home is a most tasteful and commodious dwelling, creditable alike to the owner and the county. In addition to the cultivation of his orchard, Mr. Ake is extensively engaged in rais- ing stock and is proprietor of an excellent meat market in Mountain Home, where he supplies the citizens with choice beef and other meats.
In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Ake and Miss Laura Ford, of Salem, Oregon, a daughter of Colonel Ford of that city. They now have two daughters,-Mary Frances and Clara Lail.
Mr. Ake has been a lifelong Democrat. In 1896 he was appointed treasurer of Elmore coun- ty, and in 1898 was the nominee of his party for the same position. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having been raised in Elmore Lodge, No. 30, of Mountain Home, in which he served as master in 1898. He has also taken the Royal Arch and commandery degrees and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. A man of marked busi- ness and executive ability, he forms his plans readily, is determined in his execution and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His methods command uniform con - fidence and respect and the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity, so worthily has it been won.
BARRETT WILLIAMS.
This venerable citizen of Boise City is be- lieved to be the oldest man in the state of Idaho, as on the 7th of March, 1899, he celebrated the ninety-sixth anniversary of his birth. He was sixty years of age when he came to this place for the first time, in 1862, and during the years. which have intervened he has maintained his. earnest interest in the development of the town and the resources of the surrounding country. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, has led an active, industrious life, and is reaping his reward in the evening of his career, for he enjoys very good health, being sound in mind and body. possesses his senses of sight and hearing almost unimpaired, and still takes long walks about the town with perfect ease.
The birth of this worthy old pioneer occurred in Wales, March 7, 1803, and in his native land he learned the saddler's trade, in his youth. He never attended school a day, with the exception of Sunday-school, where he learned to read, and when he grew to manhood he wished to be able to sign legal documents and so learned to write his name. In 1840 he came to the United States and for about a year worked at his trade as a harness-maker in Utica. New York. He then removed to Ohio and purchased a farm in Lick- ing county, not far from Granville. After four years of farming operations there he removed to
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Iowa county, Wisconsin, and during the next twelve years successfully carried on a farm.
The praises of the great and growing west had · been so long heard that at last Mr. Williams con- cluded that he would see something of it for himself. In 1861, in company with two of his sons, Thomas and Richard, he crossed the plains to Oregon. They spent the winter in the town of Auburn, and in the spring returned to Idaho, arriving in Boise City May 22. He was one of the first white men here, though the Bannack Indians were numerous. However, the red men treated him well and he has often camped with them and shared their hospitality. With his sons he went to the Boise basin and discovered gold on Willow creek. He mined there for several years and later was located on Dry creek, where he and his companions each took out about an ounce of gold a day. The rheumatism finally made him seek other employment and for eight years he engaged in farming on Dry creek. Later, he purchased a block and a quarter on Jef- ferson street, Boise City, and built ten houses on the property. For eight years he was in the lumber business in the mountains, and built two :sawmills, which he afterward gave to his sons. In 1886 he deeded his real estate in Boise to his children, retaining a life lease on it. He has always affiliated with the Democratic party since he became a voter but has never been an aspirant to public office. Without exception, all who have known him or been associated with him in busi- ness relations speak in the highest terms of his honor and integrity, his kindliness and helpful- ness toward those less fortunate than himself.
In his early manhood Mr. Williams married Miss Elizabeth Griffith, a native of Wales, and before they left that country their son John was born. Two children were born in Ohio to this worthy couple and five were born in Wisconsin. All but one of the number are living. Mrs. Williams, who was a devoted wife and mother, an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and loved by all who knew her well, departed this life in 1885. At present only two of the children are residents of Boise City, namely : Rachel Williams and Elizabeth Ann, the latter being the wife of Charles May, whose history is printed upon another page of this volume. Mr. Williams is being tenderly cared for in his declin-
ing years by his daughter, Mrs. May, with whom he is making his home.
WILLIAM H. MANION.
Elmore county figures as one of the most at- tractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of Idaho, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is cer - tain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The county has been and is sig- nally favored in the class of men who have con- trolled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review demands representation as one who has served the county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsibility. He was the incumbent of the office of clerk of the district court, and was ex- officio auditor and recorder of Elmore county for the years 1897 and 1898.
A native of the state of Missouri, Mr. Manion was born on the 28th of January, 1844, the son of James and Mary Ann (Wood) Manion, both of whom were born in Virginia, the famous Old Dominion of our national annals. The ancestry on either side traces to stanch old Irish stock. The parents removed from their native state to Missouri, where the father engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and where both resided until death. They were people of sterling integrity, industrious and God-fearing, and were held in the highest respect in the community. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist church, in whose cause they were zealous workers. They. became the parents of two children, both of whom are living,-William H., the immediate subject of this review: and Charles G., of Kan- sas City, Missouri. Death claimed the devoted wife and mother. and the father subsequently consummated a second marriage, of the fruits of which union three of the children still survive. The father died in 1854, at the age of fifty-four years.
William H. Manion received an excellent edu- cational training in his native state of Missouri. and that he made good use of the opportunities thus afforded him is evident from the fact that he put his acquirements to the practical test in mak- ing his initial personal effort. He engaged in teaching school for a year in Missouri, after
Finis nice
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which he went to Nevada, where he became con- cerned in quartz mining, meeting with a fair measure of success in this line of endeavor. Re- moving later to Utah, he there continued mining operations for a number of years, having been the original locator of the Rebel mine, in the Star district of that recently admitted state. From this mine he secured quite an appreciable product of gold. He eventually sold the mine and in 1889 came to Camas Prairie, Idaho, where he entered claim to a homestead of government land, prov- ing up on the same in due course of time. This place he still owns, having erected buildings thereon and made other substantial improve- ments.
'In 1897 Mr. Manion was appointed clerk of the district court by the board of county commis- sioners, and he discharged the manifold duties of this office, with its adjuncts noted, with such care, fidelity and discrimination that in the fall of 1898 he was again nominated by his party for the same office, but was defeated by six votes. His official position practically demanded that Mr. Manion should take up his residence at the county-seat, and thus he has maintained his home in Mountain Home since 1896, when he assumed his official duties.
In his political proclivities Mr. Manion is a stanch and enthusiastic adherent of the Demo- cratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, of the lodge of which latter he has rendered ef- ficient service as vice chancellor.
As a public officer our subject has been cour- teous, obliging and thoroughly capable, and these facts have not lacked for recognition on the part of the people, who have accorded due commen- dation. His popularity in the community is un- mistakable, and he is clearly entitled to consider- ation in this work as one of the representative citizens of his county.
LUCIUS COZZENS RICE.
Lucius Cozzens Rice, state treasurer of Idaho and one of the leading business men of the com- monwealth, is a native of Riceville, Fulton coun- ty, New York, where he was born June 10, 1867, being the only son now living that was born to the marriage of Harvey P. and Sarah C. Rice.
The Rice family is one of the oldest in Cen-
tral New York; and in the old dwelling, which is still standing, and in which Mr. Rice was born, five generations have lived. This residence was built prior to the war for American independ- ence, by Colonel Oliver Rice, who was a soldier under Washington.
Mr. Rice prepared for college at the Clinton Seminary, at Clinton, New York, and subse- quently entered Union College at Schenectady, same state, where he took the classical course, was president of his class and a member of the college society, Alpha Delta Phi. Completing his college course, Mr. Rice came west and first lo- cated at Gunnison, Colorado, and later was en- gaged in merchandising at Sapinero, Colorado, for nine months, and then for some time at Delta, the same state; and in 1891 he came to Idaho, on horseback, looking for a location, and settled at St. Anthony, where, under the firm name of Rice & Findley, he opened a general merchan- dise store. This business venture has been a suc- cess from its inception and has been continually extended, so that to-day it is the most extensive general merchandise establishment in southeast· ern Idaho. In 1898 the firm of Rice, Findley & Company was incorporated, and to-day the name of this reliable firm has become a household word in the southeastern portion of "The Gem of the Mountains."
Mr. Rice, during his career in Idaho, has dem- onstrated that he is both an enterprising and a public-spirited man, and St. Anthony and Fre- mont county have particularly been benefited by his business ability and public spirit. He organized the First Bank of Fremont County and has been its president since its organization in 1893. Through his influence the Snake River Valley Telephone Company was organized and the line built. Of this company he is one of the directors and officers. He was the leader of the great reform movement and investigation in Fre- mont county which was the means of turning back many thousands of dollars to the county treasury. This was a long fight, some of the cases being carried through the district and su- preme courts of the state.
In August, 1898, he was nominated by the Democratic party for state treasurer of Idaho, and later was indorsed for the same office by the silver Republicans and the Populists, and at
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the November election of 1898 he was elected by the largest vote ever cast for any candidate for public office in the state. He has always been an ardent suporter of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and in 1896 was a delegate to the Democratic national convention that nominated Hon. W. J. Bryan for president. As state treas- urer Mr. Rice is prudent, careful and painstaking, and it is already conceded that he is the best state treasurer the state has ever had and that in his hands the public funds have been safe.
In 1896 he was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Tarr, of Gloversville, New York, and he and his wife are prominent in the select circles of Idaho.
FREDERIC IRWIN.
Frederic Irwin is the superintendent of the Idaho & Pittsburg Mining & Milling Company's Black Jack mines on Florida mountain, near Sil- ver City, Owyhee county. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born in Sewickley, Allegheny county, November 15. 1859. On the paternal side he is of Scotch lineage and on the maternal is of Scotch descent. His ancestors were among the early settlers on the Atlantic coast and repre- sentatives of the Irwin family aided the colonies in their struggle to throw off the yoke of British tyranny. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject served as adjutant general on the staff of General Wayne, and gallantly bore his part in the war which resulted in the establishment of the American republic. His son, John Irwin, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and became a large real-estate owner there.
John Irwin, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Sewickley, that county, and married Martha MI. Nevin. He became largely interested in the oil business and was one of the early operators on Oil creek, Pennsylvania. He later became con- nected with the firm of T. H. Nevin & Com- pany in the manufacture of white lead in Pitts- burg. He was also president of the Alleghany Insurance Company, treasurer of the Pittsburg Steel Casting Company and president of the Ida- 110 & Pittsburg Mining & Milling Company. He has now reached the age of seventy-six years and has largely retired from the active cares of life, but for many years was a most important factor in the business circles of Pittsburg, on account of his extensive and varied interests. His
wife departed this life at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are yet living. In religious faith the family has long been identified with the Presbyterian church.
Frederic Irwin is a graduate of the Western University of Pennsylvania, and on completing the scientific course in that institution the de- gree of Ph. B. was conferred upon him. He then entered upon his business career and was engaged in mercantile and journalistic pursuits until 1891, when he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of the Idaho & Pitts - burg Mining & Milling Company, taking charge of the Black Jack mine in April, 1891. With characteristic energy and enterprise he ein- tered his new field of labor, and that the fame of the mine is so widespread is due to his efforts. He is also consulting engineer of the Poorman gold mines, owned by a London (England) syn- dicate, and is very popular in mining circles. He possesses marked business and executive ability. keen discrimination and correct foresight, and is exceptionally well qualified for the superin- tendency of the extensive mining interests now in his charge.
In his political affiliation Mr. Irwin is a "silver" Republican, and socially is connected with Capi- tal City Lodge, No. 310, B. P. O. E., of Boise. He is a gentleman of marked courtesy, genial disposition and agreeable manner, and in conse- quence makes friends wherever he goes.
OSCAR F. BRUNZELL.
Since seven years of age Oscar F. Brunzell has been a resident of Owyhee county and is now residing in Silver City, where he is faithfully dis- charging the duties of assessor and tax collector. A native of Sweden, he was born January 5. 1864, and is a son of J. M. Brunzell, who is now serving as postmaster of Reynolds, Owyhee county. In 1868 the father came to Idaho, and in 1871 sent for his family, who joined him. since which time they have resided continuously in Owyhee county. He is a stock-raiser and pro- prietor of a hotel and successfully conducts a good business. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death, and the three sons .- Carl, Oscar F. and John A.,-are all resi- cents of Idaho.
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The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of this locality and later continued his education in the Lincoln school in San Fran- cisco. He has since been engaged in general stock-raising and mining until called to public office. In politics he is a "silver" Republican, and at the election of 1892 was chosen by popit- lar ballot for the office of assessor and tax col- lector of Owyhee county, serving in that capacity until 1896, when he was again elected to that office. In 1898 he received the nomination of his party for county sheriff, and was elected by a majority of fifty-four.
Mr. Brunzell was married October 30, 1895, to Miss Laura E. Winchester, of Owyhee county, and they have two children,-Bryan William and Albert. Mr. Brunzell is a member of both branches of the Odd Fellows society, and is past noble grand and past chief patriarch, while he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge of the fraternity. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Both our subject and his wife were reared in the Lutheran church and are peo- ple of the highest respectability.
JULIUS ISAY.
Julius Isay is one of the most prominent busi- ness men of Owyhee county, being the senior member of the firm of Isay & Gombrig, dealers in general merchandise, both at De Lamar and Silver City. A country has but one chief ruler, be he king, emperor or president. Comparative- ly few men can attain to the highest offices in civil or military life, but commerce offers a broad and almost limitless field in which one may exer- .cise his powers unrestrained and gain a leader- ship as the head of a chosen calling. Drawing the lessons which we do from the life of Mr. Isay, we learn that the qualifications necessary for success are a high ambition and a resolute, hon- orable purpose to reach the exalted standard that has been set up. From an early age he has de- pended upon his own resources and has won the proud American title of self-made man.
Mr. Isay was born near Treves, Germany, Sep- tember 22, 1862, his father, Mark Isay, being a prominent cattle dealer in that country. He ob- tained a good education in the excellent schools of his native land, and when eighteen years of age determined to cross the ocean and see what fate
had in store for him in the land of freedom of which he had heard such favorable reports. He was well acquainted with the German and French languages, but knew no English; and although he had energy and ambition he had no capital. On the completion of the ocean voyage he made his way to Indiana, where he had an uncle living, to whom he stated his desire to become inde- pendent in life. This relative very kindly fitted him out with a peddler's pack of notions, and with these on his back he started out of the town, his uncle accompanying him as far as the cross roads and bidding him good-bye with the part- ing remark, "Take which road you like and don't come back until the end of the week." Thus be- gan the mercantile career of a most successful and enterprising business man. A stranger to the language and the customs of the country, his natural intelligence was brought into play and he soon learned enough to enable him to carry on a brisk trade. After three months spent in going from house to house selling his goods, he turned his attention to the butcher's trade, which he learned in Churubusco, Indiana; and in Sep- tember, 1882, he went to Chicago, where he worked in meat-packing houses until the latter part of March, 1884.
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