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 50

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 50

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He is a native of Canada, born January 7, 1852, and is of Irish lineage. His parents, Jeremiah and Teresa (Regan) Shea, were both born on the Emerald Isle, and in early life crossed the Atlan-

tic to Canada, where the father died when quite a young man. His wife reached the advanced age of eighty-one years, and departed this life in Boise, Idaho. Our subject was only seventeen years of age when he first came to Idaho. In company with his brother, Con Shea, he brought a drove of cattle from Texas to this state, and here sold them. For three successive years they made similar trips and, although the long journey was often a trying one, they were unmo- lested by Indians and met with no loss. For a number of years they continued in the stock busi- ness, making Silver City their headquarters. Con Shea now makes his home in Santa Rosa, Cali- fornia, being one of the wealthy residents of that beautiful city. He of whom we write, however, has continued his residence in Silver City and has become an important factor in the business life of Owyhee county. In addition to his proprietor- ship of the Idaho Hotel, he is also the senior partner in the mercantile firm of Shea, McLain & Grete, proprietors of an extensive store, and has an interest in the Monmouth mine, which is located twelve miles from Silver City.

In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shea and Miss Lizzy Conners. They reside in the hotel and in this community they are widely and favorably known. Mr. Shea has a wide ac- quaintance throughout the state, and is very popular with the traveling public. In politics he is a "silver" Republican, but has neither time nor inclination to seek office. His energies are largely devoted to his business interests, and he is a man of excellent business and executive abil- ity, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He forms his plans readily, is determined in his execution, and his regard for the ethics of commercial life, combined with his enterprise, has won him success and the unqualified confidence of the community.

EDWARD C. HELFRICH.

The superior business ability of Mr. Helfrich has been an integral factor in the commercial ac- tivity whereon has rested much of the prosperity of southern Idaho. The world judges the char- acter of a community by those of its representa- tive citizens, and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the ability and accomplishments of those whose works and actions constitute the

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record of the state's prosperity and pride. There- fore it is proper that a just celebrity should be given to those men who are prominent in their day and generation, that the living may enjoy the approbation of their contemporaries as well as that of a grateful posterity.

Edward G. Helfrich is one of the leading and pioneer merchants of southern Idaho, and is now successfully and extensively carrying on operations at Mountain Home. He has, how- ever, been the originator of many other enter- prises which have contributed not alone to his individual prosperity but have also promoted the general welfare. He was born in North San Juan, Nevada county, California, March 11, 1858. His father, Conrad D. Helfrich, was a native of Germany, and when a young man emigrated to the United States, becoming a resident of Cali- fornia in 1850. Two years later he returned to Maryland and was married to Miss Elizabeth Gaynor, bringing his bride with him to his Cali- fornia home. For many years he was engaged in the manufacture and sale of soda water. He died in 1876, at the age of fifty-four years, and his wife, who still survives him, is now sixty-two years of age. Both were members of the Cath- olic church and by their marriage they became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are yet living.

Mr. Helfrich of this review, the second in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of California, and when fifteen years of age went to Utah, where he engaged in clerking in the store of his uncle, J. W. Guthrie, a prominent mer- chant of that territory. He continued in that service for seven years, acquiring a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the business, both in principle and detail. Later he began merchandising on his own account, conducting stores in both Corinne and Ogden. In the fall of 1882 he came to Shoshone, Idaho. The rail- road was then being constructed through this section of the state, but the now promising and progressive towns found along its line had not then been founded. Mr. Helfrich formed a part- nership with Sam Holt and Howard Sebree in the ownership of stores at Shoshone, Mountain Home, Caldwell, Weiser and at Ogden and Salt Lake, Utah. This connection was continued until the spring of 1886, when the property was

divided, Mr. Helfrich becoming owner of the stores in Weiser and Mountain Home. In 1887 he consolidated the two stores and has since re- mained at Mountain Home, where he has a large and well appointed store and is regarded as one of the most reliable and successful merchants of the town. He has built a double store, fifty by sixty feet, in which he carries a large line of gen- eral merchandise, and in addition he has a large warehouse adjacent to the railroad track, in which he stores his surplus stock, also utilizing it for the storage of wool, Mountain Home being an extensive wool market.

Mr. Helfrich was happily married, in February, 1888, to Miss Nellie G. Mallison, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Samuel Mal- lison, now of Kansas. She is a lady of refine- ment, possessing many estimable characteristics. Theirs is one of the delightful homes in their lo- cality and they are justly entitled to the high esteem in which they are held by the citizens of the town. In his political views Mr. Helfrich has always been a Democrat, and has taken a prom- inent part in promoting the interests of that or- ganization. He represented Alturas county in the territorial legislature in 1886-7, but is not an office-seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business, whereby he has ac- quired a good property. His mercantile career is above reproach. He has met every obligation most fully and honorably, is courteous and fair with his patrons, and his reliability commends him to their confidence and good will.

THE VENDOME HOTEL.

Among the enterprises of Weiser which are alike creditable to the city and to their proprie- tors is the Vendome Hotel, which was built by its present owners and managers, Messrs. Mc- Gregor and Coakley, and by them opened for business in February, 1891. Since that time the hotel has gained a very favorable reputation with the traveling public and enjoys a large patron- age. It is a brick structure, two stories high, and contains twenty-eight rooms, well finished, well furnished, well ventilated and nicely kept. Great care is given to the perfection of all arrange- ments which will contribute to the comfort of the guests, and from the daintily spread tables, supplied with all the delicacies of the season, to

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the tastefully appointed parlors, all is harmonious and attractive.

Malcolm McGregor, the senior member of the firm of McGregor & Coakley, was born in Pic- ton, Nova Scotia, on the 14th of January, 1845, and in his youth learned the machinist's trade. He afterward operated a stationary engine and worked at his trade both in San Francisco, Cali- fornia, and Virginia City, Nevada. In 1871 he removed to Silver City, Idaho, where he accepted the position of chief engineer of the Ida Elmore mine and mill. He also conducted the Idaho Hotel there for some time, but came to Weiser in 1885. Here he engaged in raising sheep, also conducted a hotel, but abandoned both of those interests on joining Mr. Coakley in the erection of and conduct of the Vendome Hotel. He is an obliging and courteous landlord, well fitted by nature for the duties which rest upon him, hav- ing a social, genial disposition. He is also num- bered among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of the county and withholds his support from no movement intended to advance the gen- eral welfare. He is a stockholder in the Tele- phone Company and the Creamery Company, and his sound business judgment has contributed in no small degree to his success. As a hotel man he is widely known and has many friends all over the country.

James B. Coakley, the junior member of the firm, is a western man by birth and possesses the true western spirit of progress. He is a native of San Francisco, California, his birth hav- ing occurred on the Ioth of October, 1856. His parents, John J. and Maria (Hanley) Coakley, were both natives of Ireland, and in early man- hood the father came to the United States. He was married in San Francisco, where he now re- sides, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was custom-house inspector at New Orleans for a number of years, and for a considerable period engaged in merchandising in California. His wife died in her fifty-ninth year. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are liv- ing.

James B. Coakley acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of New Orleans, and afterward attended the Soule Commercial College. He dates his residence in Idaho from 1875, at which time he took up his abode in Sil-

ver City and entered upon the duties of book- keeper for William Hardiman, in whose employ he remained for six years. Later he engaged in merchandising on his own account in connection with William Sommercamp, of Silver City, and while there was twice elected probate judge and ex-officio county auditor and recorder, accept- ably filling the position for six years, when he re- signed to come to Weiser, in 1890. Here joining Mr. McGregor they inaugurated their new enter- prise, and the Vendome Hotel now stands as a monument of their progressive spirit and busi- ness ability.

In 1882 Mr. Coakley was happily married to Miss Myrtle Stacey, of Pennsylvania, and they have three children: Raynor J., Verna S. and Donna D. Mr. Coakley is connected socially with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he has filled all the chairs of the local lodge, and also belongs to both lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In both branches he has taken a prominent part and has been representative in the grand lodge. His ex- tended circle of acquaintances includes many warm friends, and, like Mr. McGregor, he is popular with the traveling public. Both are men whose success is attributable to their own efforts, capable management, perseverance and consecu- tive effort, and it is to such citizens that the northwest owes her rapid and substantial devel- opment.

CHARLES H. GRETE.

A member of the firm of Shea, McLain & Grete, prominent dealers in general merchandise at Silver City, our subject is a native of that place, born April 7, 1866, and is the son of Fred- erick and Wilhelmina (Kornmann) Grete, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work.

Charles Grete attended the public schools of Silver City during his boyhood and began his business life in a store of William Hardman, with whom he remained five years, during this time becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of the business and acquiring an enviable reputa- tion as a faithful clerk and good salesman. He afterward spent five years with the firm of Baxter & Company, in Jordan Valley, after which he re- turned to Silver City and was for nine years in the employ of Dave Adams in the store of which

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he is now one of the proprietors. His ability and diligence in the discharge of his duties, his wide experience and his unfailing courtesy have se- cured him the esteem not only of the citizens of Silver City but also of the surrounding country.

Mr. Grete was married September 6, 1893, to Miss Helen Thompson, who was born in Lin- wood, Nebraska, May 19, 1875, and is a daugh- ter of R. C. and Elizabeth Thompson. They have three children-Bessie, Gladys and Mirriam Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Grete are active and valued members of the Odd Fellows fraternity, in which he has passed all the chairs, and Mrs. Grete has the honor of being past noble grand of the Daughters of Rebekah. They have a pleas- ant home, in which they delightfully entertain their many friends.

W. F. BURNS.

W. F. Burns, who has engaged in general mer- chandising in Nampa since 1893, and is one of the successful merchants of the town, was born in McDonald county, Missouri, on the 25th of February, 1859, and is of Scotch and Irish line- age. His parents, E. F. and M. E. (Kennedy) Burns, were natives of Georgia and Tennessee. respectively, and several generations of the fam- ily lived in the south. The paternal great-grand- father of our subject was one of the heroes who fought for the independence of the nation. E. F. Burns was a prominent farmer, and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. He belonged to the Methodist church and took an active part in public affairs, being called to many positions of honor and trust. He served as United States marshal for a number of years and discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. At the commencement of hostilities in the civil war he espoused the cause of the south, joining the Confederate army, but early in the struggle he was made a prisoner of war and incarcerated in Indiana until the war was al- most ended. He departed this life in the sev- enty-fourth year of his age; and his wife, who had died some years previously, was sixty-six years old at the time of her demise. They were the parents of eight children.

WV. F. Burns, a member of their family and the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Missouri and received such educational

privileges as were afforded by the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1881 he determined to try his fortune in Idaho, and after his arrival drove a mule team and performed other labor that would yield him an honest living. Oppor- tunity for advancement, however, is not wanting to one of ambition and determination. He was industrious, saved his money, and in 1889 went to Boise, where he engaged in business on his own account as proprietor of a hotel, which he conducted for four years, meeting with satisfac- tory success. In 1893 he came to Nampa and opened a general mercantile establishment. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of goods, and by close attention to business and honorable methods he has acquired a good busi- ness and won the good will and confidence of the citizens of Nampa and the surrounding country. He erected a good store and residence, the for- mer twenty by ninety feet, and is now enjoying a large patronage.

In 1892 Mr. Burns married Miss Fannie W. Morrison, a native of McDonald county, Mis- souri, and they have three sons and a daughter- Lloyd, Clarence, Thomas T. and Laura D. Mr. and Mrs. Burns are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is independent, voting for the men whom he regards as best qualified for of- fice. He is now serving as one of the trustees of Nampa and is an enterprising, progressive citi- zen. A self-made man, he deserves great credit for his advancement in life, for fate did not favor him in his youth. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well, placing his confidence in those reliable qualities of energy, industry and honesty which in the end never fail to bring the merited reward.

JOSEPH PINKHAM.

Canada has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the Dominion to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Pinkham. He has somewhat of the strong, rugged and persevering characteristics developed by his earlier environments, which, coupled with the livelier impulses of the New England blood of his ancestors, made him at an early day seek

South Parkham

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wider fields in which to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. He found the opportunity he sought in the free- dom and appreciation of the growing western portion of the country. Though born across the border, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is iden- tified with the history of Idaho, where he has ac- quired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen. Thrice has he served as United States marshal of Idaho, and is accounted one of her bravest pioneers.

Mr. Pinkham was born in Canada, on the 15th of December, 1833. and is a representative of an old New England family who were early settlers of Maine. The first of the name to come to America was Thomas Pinkham, a native of Wales, who established his home in the Pine Tree state. Henson Pinkham, father of our sub- ject, was born, reared and married in Maine, and a short time prior to the birth of his son, Joseph, removed to Canada. The latter was reared upon a farm near New London, and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1850, when seventeen years of age, he sailed from New York around Cape Horn for San Francisco, and was eight months making the trip, and after a short period spent in the latter city went to Shasta City, California, where he secured a situation as clerk in a store. Soon afterward, however, he went to Pitt river, where he engaged in placer mining, and next went on horseback to Jacksonville, Oregon, where he en- gaged in mining and farming, meeting with fair success.

On the 3d of August, 1854, he went to the Rogue river valley. The same day the Rogue river Indian war broke out, being precipitated by the killing of a white man near Table Rock. The war continued for a year and peace was procured by General Joseph Lane. In the fall of 1855, however, trouble broke out anew, and Mr. Pink- ham aided in its suppression. He was in the quartermaster's department and participated in the battle of Hungry Hill. He remained in Ore- gon until 1862, devoting his energies to mining and farming, and then removed to Umatilla, on the Columbia river, where he engaged in clerk- ing in the store of Z. F. Moody, who was after-

ward governor of Oregon. In 1864, in connec- tion with Ish and Hailey, he conducted a saddle train between the Columbia river and Boise. He was engaged in purchasing supplies and forward- ing the trains until 1866, when he assisted in the purchase of stage stock for the Mecham route to the Boise country, and also had charge of the road from Umatilla across the Blue mountains until 1868. In that year he removed to Idaho City, Idaho, and purchased the stage route across Boise Basin to Placerville, Pioneer and Quartz- burg; and in 1870 he bought the stage line from Idaho City to Boise, conducting the two lines until 1872, when he sold to the Greathouse brothers.

In 1870 Mr. Pinkham was appointed United States marshal for the territory of Idaho by Pres- ident Grant, and on the completion of his first term was again appointed by the same execu- tive. He filled the office in a manner indeed cred- itable to himself and satisfactory to the govern- ment. He entered upon the duties of his position at a time when the region was largely infested with a lawless element and when crime held sway in many districts. He was ever fearless in the discharge of his duty, and to his efforts is largely due the rapid transformation of the state to its present condition of advanced civilization. A brave officer, carrying out the laws of the land, is a bulwark of defense to the better class of citi- zens and a continual menace to the worst ele- ment. In 1890 President Harrison appointed Mr. Pinkham for a third term in the office of United States marshal, and he therefore carried forward the work which he had so splendidly be- gun, the work of ridding the state of all criminal characters, so that it might become the abiding place of a prosperous and happy people. He had several narrow escapes while discharging his duties, but his bravery was ever above question, and his reputation for fearlessness and loyalty to duty soon spread among those who were amen- able to law.

On one occasion he started in pursuit of a crim- inal. He was riding on the front seat of the stage with the driver, when, as they were passing through a narow defile in the mountains, they were waylaid by two men. From the brush at his side a rifle was pointed at Mr. Pinkham, so near that he could almost reach it as he sat lean-

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ing back with his arm across the seat. The ball from the gun passed just in front of him and lodged in the driver. At the same instant a man fired from the other side, using a gun loaded with nine buckshot. Every shot struck the beam of the coach just behind the driver, passed through the coach over the heads of the passengers and lodged on the beam in the opposite side. The driver, Charles Phelps, exclaimed: "I am shot." Mr. Pinkham then attempted to take the lines and whip, but could not wrench them from the grasp of the dying man; so, sitting in his lap, he swung the whip and urged the horses into a run toward Pocatello, a distance of two or three miles. There the driver was taken down and a doctor who was in the coach examined him, but said that the wound would prove fatal. So they put him in the coach, while Mr. Pinkham sup- ported his head and another man drove to the Black Rock stage station, where, soon after their arrival, the driver died. At this place the Mon- tana stage came down, loaded with bullion and accompanied by four well armed Wells-Fargo messengers. Mr. Pinkham proceeded on his way and arrested the man he was after and returned safely with him to the seat of justice.

On another occasion, in 1878, a man was killed at Ross' Fork by an Indian, whom the military followed up Snake river and arrested. Mr. Pink- ham then went after the offender and took him to Malad City, where he was tried, the sentence being that he should be hung at Boise. Mr. Pinkham then started with him in an open rig, putting him beside the driver, while he and his deputy sat behind. They learned that a large number of Indians were going to attempt his rescue, and accordingly they took another route. Mr. Pinkham instructed the deputy that if they were attacked to kill their prisoner and then fight for their own lives; but the new route selected prevented them from having an encounter with the red men. At length they arrived safely in Boise, where the Indian was hung.

In 1892, the time of the miners' strike and riots at Coeur d'Alene, the members of the Miners' Union were enjoined from interrupting the peaceable working of other miners. It was Mr. Pinkham's duty to serve the papers in these cases, which he served on about five hundred men in Shoshone county, where he and his depu-

ties arrested two hundred and fifty-seven of them for violating the injunction, holding them in Wallace under military guard. It was a time of great excitement and the miners were very des- perate. Those arrested had a hearing before the United States commissioner, and all were dis- charged except about thirty of the leaders, one of whom was the notorious Ed Boice. At a special term of court held by Judge Beatty they were sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the Boise jail. During the strike there were fifteen non-union men working in a mine near Burke. They were surrounded by union men, who threat- ened to capture the mine and kill the miners. Mr. Pinkham was ordered to take the men away from the mine. He knew it to be a very difficult and dangerous duty, owing to the desperate char- acter of the union men, and for a time he hardly knew how to accomplish the task, for the head- quarters of the union men were at that place and serious trouble was expected. Studying over the matter during the night, in the morning he had reached the determination to go unarmed, and, instructing his deputy to go likewise, they took a coach and engine to bring the men away. At Wallace, about three miles from Burke, they tel- ephoned for the guards to bring the men from the mine to the foot of the hill, about one hun- dred feet from where the cars would stop. From his station on the train he could see the men come down the hill. The yard was packed with union men. Mr. Pinkham and his deputy got out and walked through the crowd of desperate and angry men, all armed, reached the miners, and then our subject, starting toward the train, ordered the men to follow, the deputy bringing up in the rear. In this way they marched to the car, boarded it and pulled out in the midst of the most horrible abuse ever heaped upon any in- dividuals, but the daring feat was safely accom- plished and the lives of the miners were saved through the skill and courage of Mr. Pinkham.

It was also during his service as United States marshal that the American Railway Union strike occurred, and he also handled the Coxey move- mient successfully without the loss of life or the destruction of property.

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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 50

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