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 51
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It was said of him by the United States at- torney general that he had been more successful than any other marshal in the entire service of the
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United States. With a keen appreciation of the great responsibility that rested upon him, with a full understanding of his duty, and without fear, he met every call without shrinking and made for himself a most creditable record. His name has thus become inseparably associated with the early history of the state, and Idaho owes not a little to him for the advancement which she has been enabled to make.
In politics Mr. Pinkham has always been a stalwart Republican, has taken an active interest in the work of the party, and has been chairman of the Republican state central committee. He served in that capacity for three years, and by his capable organization and wise management brought success to the party. His business inter- ests connect him with a number of good mines in the state. He buys and sells mining property on an extensive scale and is a mining expert, being rarely if ever mistaken as to the value of ores.
In 1857 Mr. Pinkham was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gray, a native of Missouri. She is the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Gray, a Meth- odist minister, and in that church she is a valued member. Socially Mr. Pinkham is a Mason, hav- ing taken the three preliminary degrees in Uma- tilla lodge, of Oregon, in 1864. He is now a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, is past master of the, blue lodge, past grand secre- tary and treasurer and past deputy grand master of the grand lodge of Idaho. He is also a mem- ber of the Order of Elks.
Such in brief is the life history of Joseph Pink- ham. In whatever relation of life we find him- in the government service, in political circles, in business or in social relations-he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uni- formly given him.
CHARLES R. KELSEY.
Among the more recent accessions to the town of Mountain Home is Charles R. Kelsey, a gen- tleman of large business experience, who, as a wholesale dealer in groceries and hardware and general merchandise, has already proved himself a potent factor in the business circles of his adopted county. Mr. Kelsey is a native of New York state, born in Delaware county, at Can- nonsville, November 2, 1857, and in his veins
flows the blood of French and German ancestors, who were among the early settlers of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. His father, Michael B. Kel- sey, was born in that city and counted among his relatives the distinguished family of Buchanans which furnished to the nation one of its presi- dents. Michael B. Kelsey was a prominent and successful farmer and stock dealer. He married Miss Phebe Galusha, who was also a representa- tive of a distinguished eastern family. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and in county affairs he was active and influential, holding a number of official positions, including those of county commissioner and county sheriff. His wife died at the age of forty- five years and his death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-four. Their three children are all living at this writing.
Charles R. Kelsey acquired his education in Poughkeepsie, New York. At an early age he was taught to depend upon his own resources and when only a small lad entered upon his busi- ness career, as a newsboy, employing other boys to work for him and furnishing their outfits. Thus early he became self-reliant and also mani- fested a strong commercial instinct, which in later years has made him a leader in mercantile circles. After discontinuing the sale of papers, he was for some time a member of the Engineers' Corps on the New York & Oswego Midland Railway. In 1875 he started for the Black Hills, but on reaching Cheyenne, Wyoming, he was in- duced to accept a position in the large business house of Max Meyer & Company in that city. For two years he was in Cheyenne, after which he was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, where he served in the capacity of bookkeeper and cash- ier for a number of years, or until 1881, when he returned to New York city on a vacation. How- ever, while there he became interested in a brok- erage business, which he conducted with suc- cess for some time ; but not desiring to remain in the east he again went to Omaha, where he once more entered the employ of the old firm, being at that time made manager of the extensive busi- ness.
Subsequently Mr. Kelsey opened a store of his own on the corner of Sixteenth and Cass streets, Omaha, and did a good business, but as compe- tition was very strong and he had an excellent
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opportunity to sell out at a good profit, he dis- posed of his stock. In 1883 he went to Camp Clark, Nebraska, where he opened up a stock of general merchandise and from the start met with good success, his partner in the enterprise being Dennis Sheedy, vice-president of the Colorado National Bank and head of the Globe Smelting Company and the Denver Dry Goods Company. After two years spent there Mr. Kelsey removed to Miles City, Montana, and engaged in the manufacture of harness and saddlery, securing a large patronage and conducting a profitable business until 1887, when a severe winter caused the death of ninety per cent of the cattle of that state and changed the fortunes of many a man. This consequently brought on hard times, and Mr. Kelsey accordingly closed out his business, returned to Omaha, and again entered the em- ploy of Max Meyer & Company as manager. Later he became a resident of Wyoming, where he engaged in the coal business at Rock Springs until his removal to Mountain Home in 1896. Here, in September, 1897, he established his present business, and as a wholesale dealer in hardware, groceries and general merchandise, he has built up an excellent business which enables him to furnish employment to ten men. He also has a branch store at Rocky Bar and at that place is engaged in gold-mining, being superin- tendent of the Commonwealth Gold Mining and Milling Company, which has a large and valuable plant. They employ fifty men and secure a high- grade gold ore from their mines.
In Omaha, Nebraska, January 1, 1881, Mr. Kelsey was united in marriage to Miss Althea Houck, a native of Pennsylvania and a relative of the Harrison family, to which two of our presidents have belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey have two children,-a son and daughter,-Her- bert and Mary, the former, although still in his minority, having charge of the store at Rocky Bar and displaying excellent business ability in its management. Mr. Kelsey and his family are identified with the Episcopal church. They have a delightful home, celebrated for its hospi- tality and good cheer, and with their many friends it is a favorite and popular resort.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Kelsey is a Ma- son and has taken all the degrees of the York rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
rite. He is deeply interested in the political questions of the day, closely studies the issues which concern the state and nation, and gives a loyal support to the Republican party. He was the chairman of the first Republican state con- vention of Wyoming, held at Laramie, and was for seven years county commissioner of Sweet- water county, Wyoming. He is also distin- guished as a parliamentarian, and has written and published a volume on parliamentary usage. He is in the best sense of the term a self-made man. Starting out to earn his own living when a mere boy he has steadily worked his way up- ward, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles and taking advantage of all favorable opportuni- ties for acquiring an honorable fortune. Tire- less purpose, keen perception, honesty of pur- pose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to every- day common sense, guided by great will power, -these are the chief characteristics of the man.
GEORGE SPIEGEL. -
Among the enterprising young business nien of Boise is the subject of this review, who is now at the head of an extensive wholesale and retail grocery house. His marked ability has done much to promote the commercial activity upon which the welfare of every community depends, and in trade circles he enjoys an tinassailable reputation.
Almost his entire life has been passed in Idaho, and he is numbered among the native sons of California, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 6th of April, 1861. His father, David Spiegel, is numbered among the pioneers of California, Oregon and the Gem of the Moun- tains. He was born in Poland, Russia, in 1831, and when a young man came to the United States, locating in San Francisco when it was only a small town, where he began merchandis- ing. In 1863 he came on foot to the Boise Basin, and in the manner of the old-time peddlers sold his goods throughout the new territory, traveling through the wild region when it was infested with savage Indians and white men ready to commit any crime for the sake of booty. Many times Mr. Spiegel walked from Umatilla to Boise Basin in all kinds of weather, sleeping in his blankets on the ground and enduring
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many discomforts; but he persevered in his labors, and when civilization had founded enter- prising towns he was ready to take his place among the progressive merchants in these new centers of commerce.
In 1867 he came to Boise and opened a fruit and cigar store. Prices were very high in those days; he often paid ten dollars a box for apples. By close attention to business he secured an ex- cellent patronage, constantly extending the field of his labors until he became one of the enterpris- ing general merchants of Boise. After some years he was joined by his son George, and to- gether they carried on the general store until there seemed to be a demand for a wholesale and retail grocery, and the present enterprise was accordingly inaugurated. For many years Da- vid Spiegel was prominently associated with the commercial interests of the capital city and did much to promote the business activity. The well deserved success which ultimately crowned his labors enabled him to put aside business cares in 1898, and since that time he has traveled ex- tensively along the Pacific coast, visiting the scenes of his early ventures.
He was married in San Francisco, during the days of his early residence there, to Miss Rosa Dux, a native of Bohemia, Austria, and of their children we may state that Leo is also engaged in the grocery business in this city. The sons are active business men, and Joseph is now in the employ of Franklin MacVeagh & Company, of Chicago. The daughters are Fannie, now the wife of Charles Stoltz; Julia, wife of Lee Hirch- land; and Rebecca, wife of Leo P. Greenbaum. The mother departed this life in 1895, at the age of fifty-seven years.
George Spiegel was reared and educated in Boise, and in 1890 became associated with his father in the ownership of a general mercantile establishment. It was at his suggestion that the business was merged into the wholesale and re- tail grocery, of which he is now sole proprietor. He is a business man of great energy and execu- tive ability, following the most systematic meth- ods, and conducting his store along the line of the strictest commercial ethics. His trade ex- tends throughout Idaho and into Oregon and Nevada. His earnest desire to please his pat- rons, as well as his known reliability, has been
an important feature in his success and made him one of the leading merchants of Boise.
Socially Mr. Spiegel is a Mason, having taken the three preliminary degrees in Boise Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., in 1882, since which time he has been exalted to the degree of a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the Beth Is- rael congregation, and in politics is a Republi- can. During the years of his residence in Boise he has steadily· worked his way upward to a position among her most prominent merchants.
S. D. McLAIN.
The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its in- dustrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Among the prominent representatives of com- mercial life in Silver City is S. D. McLain, who as a partner in the firm of Shea, McLain & Grete is at the head of the most extensive mer- cantile establishment of the town. This well ap- pointed store, with its large and carefully se- lected stock, is a credit to the proprietors as well as to the city, and in its management Mr. Mc- Lain displays that executive force and able man- agement that rank him among the leading busi- ness men of the community.
Mr. McLain was born at Chariton, Iowa, Jan- uary 3, 1869, and is of Scotch descent. His father, Clinton J. McLain, is a native of Ohio, and now resides in La Grande, Oregon, where he is engaged in the sale of farm implements. He married Miss Eva Hollingsworth, a daughter of M. Hollingsworth, a farmer living in Iowa. Six children were born to them, of whom five are living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest.
In the public schools our subject acquired his education, and as soon as old enough to engage in business on his own account went to Kamela, Oregon, where he was engaged in general mer- chandising for two years. He then removed to La Grande and organized the firm of Coy & Mc- Lain, remaining there for two and a half years. In 1896 he removed from that place to De La- mar, Idaho, where he was in business with T. Shea until May 1, 1898, when he came to Silver City, and the present firm of Shea, McLain & Grete was established. They purchased the
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large general mercantile business of Dave Ad- ams, and now carry an extensive stock of salable goods to meet all the tastes and requirements of the public. Their able management and honest dealing, combined with their courteous and ac- commodating manner to all, have secured to them a liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing.
Mr. McLain was married August 30, 1895, to Miss Lizzie Ormand, who was born in Braid- wood, Illinois. In politics he is a Republican, and favors the free coinage of silver, but has never been active in political work, his time be- ing occupied entirely with his business and social duties.
COLUMBUS M. HIXON.
Many articles have appeared in the press of our land on the "corruption in politics," but, while this may be found to some extent in the largest cities, the majority of our American citi- zens are too practical and public-spirited to wish to entrust their affairs in unscrupulous hands, and especially in the selection of one to manage the financial interests do they show great dis- crimination in choosing a man of known integ- rity and unimpeachable honor. It was these qualities which secured to Mr. Hixon election to the responsible position of county treasurer of Washington county. His record in the walks of public and private life had been as an open book, and his honesty, combined with excellent busi- ness ability, led to his selection for the office which he is now so acceptably filling.
Mr. Hixon was born in Ashland county, Ohio, June 3, 1854, and is the third in order of birth of the five children of Jacob and Casandre (Stonebreaker) Hixon, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Subse- quently they became residents of Indiana, and thence went to Holton, Kansas. The father is accounted one of the leading and influential citi- zens of the community and has been honored with a number of county offices. He is a man of the highest integrity, fully meriting the confi- dence reposed in him. Holton is still his home. He has been a successful farmer, following pro- gressive methods in the management of his agri- cultural interests. In the Presbyterian church he holds membership and takes a very active part in its work, having served as elder for many
years. His estimable wife lived to the age of sixty-eight years, and three of their children yet survive, the brother and sister of our subject be- . ing still residents of Kansas.
Columbus M. Hixon of this review acquired his education in the Holton graded schools, and for a number of years engaged in teaching both in Kansas and Idaho. His marked ability in that direction made his services very acceptable, and his labors were very effective in advancing the intellectual standard of the state. He ar- rived in Idaho in 1877 and conducted schools for about ten years, since which time he has been extensively engaged in stock-raising. This is one of the most important industries in the state, the rich and fertile valleys offering abundant pas- turage, and enabling Idaho to furnish large quantities of cattle to the markets of the coun- try. Mr. Hixon is also a stockholder and di- rector in the Weiser Bank, of which he is now assistant cashier, and in business affairs he mani- fests a persistence in the pursuit of his purpose, and an energy and sound judgment which read- ily account for the fair measure of prosperity which is attending his efforts.
Mr. Hixon came to Weiser to reside in 1878, and on the 13th of June, 1879, was united in inarriage to Miss Adrietta Applegate, a native of Oregon and a daughter of John Applegate, an honored pioneer of that state. The marriage of our subject and his wife was the first celebrated in Washington county after its organization, and was solemnized at Mann Creek. Their union has been blessed with two children, Clyde and Clarence B. The parents are valued members of the Congregational church, of Weiser, in which Mr. Hixon is serving as deacon and trus- tee. Socially he is a Mason, having received the degrees of the blue lodge in Holton, Kansas, in 1877. He there served as senior deacon, but his membership is now in the lodge in Weiser. In politics he is a Republican, and served as a mem- ber of the first state legislature of Idaho after its admission to the Union. That was a very im- portant session, and he took an active part in its proceedings, manifesting marked patriotism in his efforts to advance the best interests of the commonwealth. He was postmaster of Weiser during President Harrison's administration and was elected treasurer of Washington county in
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1894 and re-elected in 1896, a fact which indi- cates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. He is a man of broad general information, well informed on the issues of the day and a reliable, public-spirited and loyal citizen who withholds his support from no move- ment calculated to advance the moral, material, educational or social welfare of his city, state or nation.
GEORGE H. HANDY.
George H. Handy, probate judge and ex- officio superintendent of schools for Owyhee county, Idaho, resides at Silver City. He was born at Grand Island, Hall county, Nebraska, on the 20th of February, 1871, and is of Scotch and English ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Parker Handy, was a native of New York city, and for many years was prominently connected with the banking business, his death occurring at the advanced age of ninety years. H. P. Handy, father of the Judge, was also born in New York city, and throughout his active business career has followed civil engineering. He came to Idaho in 1894 and now resides in Nampa, where he is living retired. He married Miss Elizabeth Cassidy, who was born on the Emerald Isle but was of Scotch and English lineage. In their family were eleven children, six of whom are yet living.
Judge Handy, the fifth in order of birth, ac- quired his education under the direction of his parents, both of whom are people of high mental culture. He also attended the public schools of Fort Collins, Colorado, and was graduated with the class of 1888. He then matriculated in the Colorado Agricultural College, but left that in- stitution when in his senior year in order to ac- cept an insurance agency. He continued in that position for three years, and later occupied a number of clerical positions in the service of Larimer county officials. In 1892 he took up his residence in Nampa, Idaho, and in October of 1892 he removed to De Lamar, where he ac- cepted the situation of cashier for the De Lamar Mercantile & Banking Company, of De Lamar, serving in that capacity until the following June, when he resigned in order to accept the appoint- ment as deputy district clerk of Owyhee county. He filled that place most acceptably for two
years, under R. H. Leonard. Jr., and two years under E. L. Ballard, but resigned to qualify for the office of probate judge and ex-officio county school superintendent, to which he was elected in November, 1896. In 1898 he was made the nominee of all the parties in the county for re- election, so faithfully and ably had be discharged his duties, giving satisfaction to all concerned.
The Judge was happily married on the 24th of February, 1897, to Miss Sarah Brooks, a na- tive of Silver City and a daughter of Anthony Brooks, now of Butte, Montana. Judge and Mrs. Handy are valued members of the Episco- pal church at Silver City, and contributed liber- ally to the erection of the new church edifice, which is a credit to the town. The subject of our sketch is also a member of the Order of Maccabees and Modern Woodmen of America, and is the venerable counsel of the local camp of the latter. In politics he is a "silver" Repub- lican, well informed on the issues and questions of the day. In manner pleasant and agreeable, in business reliable and in office trustworthy, he has won many warm friends in this locality, and undoubtedly still higher political honors await him in the future.
CHARLES MAY.
When the roll of the pioneers of Boise, Idaho, is called the name which heads this sketch will be found well to the top.
Charles May was born in Berkshire, England, May 17, 1833, and was reared in his native coun- ty, learning in his boyhood the business of brick manufacturing and brick-laying, his father, Charles May, having been engaged in that busi- ness. Indeed, the family for centuries, or as far back as their history can be traced, were brick- makers in England. The younger Charles May remained in England until 1856, when he came to America, locating first in New York, and he put in the first gas retorts in the Harlen Gas Works. He remained in New York and Brooklyn until the spring of 1857, when he went to Chicago, where he was for a time engaged in contracting, and then he went to St. Louis and New Orleans. He was in Missouri at the time the civil war broke out, and about that time he went to Kan- sas, where he was a resident during the exciting times which marked the history of that state.
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He built the first brick house in Junction City, Kansas.
In May, 1862, he started across the plains for the far west, traveling with the regulation wag- ons, which were drawn by horses or mules. When his party arrived at Fort Laramie they learned that the Indians had attacked the pony stage and had massacred the passengers. Some of the trains which reached the fort about that time were poorly equipped with armed men, so they tarried for three days until a train from Denver came up, and thus re-enforced they all started on together. The company now con- tained eiglity young men well armed, beside wo- men and children. At Green river their horses were stampeded by the Indians. Mr. May and another man ran after the horses and succeeded in recovering them, escaping the shots which were fired at them by the red men. They came by the way of Lander's cut-off, and at Blackfoot creek stopped on account of the sickness of a woman in their party. The following day they saw a cloud of dust at a distance and supposed they were to be attacked by the Indians. Soon, however, as the dust cloud approached, they dis- covered a white flag, and it proved to be a signal from twelve California miners who were making their way back to the states to join the Union army. Continuing on, the next day Mr. May and his party saw behind them what this time proved to be Indians. They halted and got ready for a fight. The Indians stopped on a hill back of where the white men were, and a moun- taineer, who knew the country, said, "Boys, let us go to one of these hills quickly." No sooner had they reached the hill than the Indians gave the war-whoop and attacked them. The com- pany fell back, fighting bravely and working to- ward the camp. When they reached the camp they found the packs and pack animals were all gone. The women were badly frightened and objected strongly to the men going out to re- cover the property. Notwithstanding their ob- jections, however, the men went in search of the animals and when they got within a mile of where the fight had been they saw large quan- tities of feathers scattered over the ground and discovered that another depredation had been committed. Two wagons had been attacked and five men were killed and scalped and left on the
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