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 70
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rounding Hailey until it is very valuable. While devoting himself to general practice, Dr. Nourse has been an enthusiast in the study and treat -. ment of diseases of the eye, ear and nose, and in surgery he has won a wide reputation as a safe and skillful operator. He is the sort of phy- sician who would practice his profession for the love of it, even under less favorable environ- ments than those of Hailey: and he recognizes the fact that the physician, endowed with superior knowledge and skill, is under grave responsi- bility to suffering mankind regardless of any mere question of pecuniary gain. In May, 1899, he was appointed by the governor a member of the state board of medical examiners for six years, and was elected secretary and treasurer by said board for two years.
In 1889 Dr. Nourse was married to Miss Marie Crawford, daughter of Dr. S. K. Crawford, an eminent practitioner of Chicago. They have two children, Robert L., Jr., and Norman Craw- ford. Dr. and Mrs. Nourse are Presbyterians, but, there being no church of their own denom- ination in Hailey, attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute lib- erally toward its support. Dr. Nourse is a mem -. ber of the American Medical Association and of the Idaho State Medical Society. He was made a Master Mason in Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 210, of Ashland, Wisconsin. He is an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman. He is one of the most popular men in Hailey and has a wide acquaintance among the leading men of the state.
LOUIS N. B. ANDERSON.
Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he whose lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. In person, in character and talents, Mr. Anderson is a worthy scion of his race. Though his life has been one rather of modest reserve than of ambitious self-seeking, he has shown him- self a peer of the brightest men of his adopted state, and his mental talents led to his selection for the important position of superintendent of public instruction of Idaho for the years 1897 and 1898, in which capacity he served with dis- tinction. For several generations his ancestors have devoted their energies to the advancement of intellectual acquirements among their fellow
men. His great-grandfather, a native of Den- mark, followed school-teaching in his native land prior to his emigration to America. The latter event occurred, however, in the colonial period of our country, and he aided in the struggle which brought to the nation her independence. He afterward erected a school-house, and conducted a private school throughout the remainder of his life. He was born December 22, 1747, and died in 1834, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His son, Allen Anderson, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, in 1777, and he likewise devoted his life to educa- tional work. He married a Miss Evans, and died in 1847, at the age of seventy years. Of his three sons, Watson Gates Anderson was born in North Carolina in 1815, and when seventeen years of age removed to Indiana. He was among the pioneer school-teachers of that state, being of the third generation of the family to devote his en- ergies to that profession. He married Miss Beu- lah Jane Jeffrey, a native of Indiana, whose father was born in New Jersey and was of Eng- lish descent. He also loyally served the colonies in the war of the Revolution. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born nine children, three sons and six daughters, four of whom are living. The father and one son aided in the defense of the Union during the civil war and the latter died of disease contracted in the service. Mr. Ander- son and his family were all devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Professor Anderson, whose nanie intro- duces this review, was born on the 16th of August, 1850, in Spartansburg, Randolph county, Indiana, and was given the name of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. When a child of seven years he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to southern Kansas, a set- tlement being made near Neosho Falls, in Wood- son county, where they lived during the troublous times which preceded the war and during the great struggle between the north and the south. At the age of ten years Professor Anderson be- came a member of the church, and his whole life has been guided by the lofty principles of Chris- tianity. He acquired his early education under the direction of his father, who instructed him by the light of a hickory fire, in the wilds of Kansas. From 1872 until 1881 he engaged in teaching in
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Woodson county, and with the capital he had thus acquired he pursued a classical education in Hanover College, in Indiana. In 1882 he was ordained an elder of the Methodist church, and has since been a very acceptable minister in that denomination, preaching in Kansas, Washing- ton, Oregon and Idaho. In 1879 he began a five years' course in history, literature, science and theology, and was graduated in 1884. The previous year he had located in Idaho, where he has made his home almost continuously since. He resided in Boise county for one year, and has since lived in Latah county.
In 1888 Professor Anderson began the study of law, which he pursued at intervals for a num- ber of years, acquiring a thorough and compre- hensive knowledge of the principles of jurispru- dence. On the Ioth of February, 1897, he was admitted to practice by the supreme court of the state. In 1894 he was elected probate judge of Latah county, serving two years in that capacity, during which time he passed judgment upon as many cases as most of the district judges, and his decisions were never in a single case, civil, crim- inal or probate, reversed on revision by a higher court. He was absolutely fair and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and his judicial career was most commendable. In 1896 he was nominated by the People's Democratic party for superintendent of public instruction, to which office he was elected, serving in that capacity for the years 1897 and 1898.
For several years he has been an active factor in the politics of Idaho. He gives a stanch sup- port to the Populist party, believing that its prin- ciples are more in accord than those of any other party with the sentiment of a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." He also holds firmly to the opinion that remoneti- zation of silver would be of immense benefit to the country, both in the east and in the west. He gives to all political questions his earnest and careful consideration and his views are the result of logical deductions. He is now engaged in the active practice of the law, with headquarters at Moscow.
In 1876 Professor Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Taylor, a native of Mis- souri, and a daughter of George M. Taylor, a well known ranch-owner and a representative of
Revolutionary ancestors. To Professor and Mrs. Anderson were born five children, three of whom died in childhood, while in Kansas. Those now living are Ella and Paul. The family have a pleasant home in Moscow and enjoy the friend- ship of many of the best people of the state. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing the Professor to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shad- owed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as dom- inating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained to him the respect and confidence of men.
JAMES M. STEVENS.
In a new state like Idaho the really prominent men who are native to the soil are comparatively few, for the reason that few men are able to at- tain prominence young enough to take this dis- tinguished position. James M. Stevens, junior member of the firm of Detrich, Chalmers & Ste- vens, of Blackfoot, one of Idaho's law firms, has the distinction of being one of Idaho's native sons. He was born January 30, 1873, at his father's home on the bank of the Snake river, in what was then Oneida county, near where the city of Blackfoot has since come into being. He is of Scotch-English ancestry, and his forefathers settled early in New England, where four gen- erations of the family were born, at Lynn, Mas- sachusetts, and was there reared and educated. While yet a young man, he went to California. Not long after his arrival there, the war of the states being in progress, he enlisted in the United States army, with the expectation that the regi- ment would be sent south to take part in aggres- sive fighting. To the bitter disappointment of Judge Stevens and his comrades-in-arms, the regiment was, instead, sent into Utah to keep the Indians in subjection and defend emigrants and settlers against their attacks. At the expiration of his term of service he settled on a government ranch, which he improved and to which he added until he had one of the large and fine farms of the state, comprising five hundred acres, fitted
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up with first-class buildings and appointments. His home here is a beautiful one, and it was amid its refined surroundings that he reared his fam- ily. As a farmer he has given much attention to stock-raising, which he has prosecuted with much success. He has been a lifelong Republi- can, stanch and active, and, in recognition of his effective work for the success of the party, was appointed by President Harrison postmaster at Blackfoot, a position which he filled four years to the entire satisfaction of every one concerned, and in any locality everyone is concerned in the local post-office and will criticise its management if there is any chance for criticism. Later he was elected judge of probate for his county, and filled that office six years, with credit to himself and honor to his fellow citizens. Judge Stevens married Miss Finnetta E. Garrett, a native of England. They had four children : Emma, James M., Abbie and Richard.
James M. Stevens was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools. He ob- tained his education in the law in the law depart- ment of the Leland Stanford University, Califor- nia, and was admitted to practice by the supreme court of the state of Idaho, at Boise, and soon afterward became a member of the law firm of Detrich, Chalmers & Stevens, a very strong pro- fessional combination which has a wide reputa- tion for honorable methods and substantial suc- cess. Mr. Stevens has proven that he possesses not only knowledge of the law but real talent for its practice. He is an honest advocate, respects himself and the court, and does credit to any cause with which he identifies himself. He is a Mason, a Modern Woodman of the World and an Odd Fellow, and has passed every chair in the lodge of the order last mentioned.
EDWARD H. MOFFITT.
Edward H. Moffitt, secretary and treasurer of the Coeur d'Alene Hardware Company, of Wal- lace, Idaho, is numbered among the native sons of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Allegheny City, August 22, 1845. His parents were Rev. Thomas and Maria L. (Patterson) Moffitt. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and for many years devoted his energies to the work of the ministry in connection with the Methodist Episcopal church. His death oc-
curred in 1878, when he had reached the age of sixty years. His wife, who was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1818, is now a resident of Cañon City, Colorado. The family resided in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, until 1857, when they re- moved to central Illinois, where they remained until 1870,-the year of their removal to Kansas. It was in the latter state that the father died, and since 1881 the mother has made her home in Colorado.
Mr. Moffitt, whose name introduces this re- view, acquired his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Illinois, and in January, 1864, when eighteen years of age, loyally offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union, and was assigned to Company F, Second Illinois Cavalry. He served until Jan- uary, 1866, and was mustered out at San An- tonio, Texas, for the war had ended and his aid was no longer needed.
Returning to his home in Illinois Mr. Moffitt was for two years engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Monticello, and in 1868 he went to Colo- rado, where he engaged in mining and prospect- ing until 1887. He first visited Idaho in 1879 and was for some time in the Wood river coun- try. In February, 1884, he came to Shoshone county and was one of the first settlers in the Coeur d'Alene section. In 1887 the hardware business with which he is now connected was established in Wallace, under the firm name of J. R. Marks & Company and later passed into the hands of the firm of Holley, Mason, Marks & Company. Upon the reorganization of the firm, in 1882, the business was incorporated under the firm name of the Coeur d'Alene Hardware Com- pany, with J. A. Fitch as president; A. B. Camp- bell, vice-president, and Edward H. Moffitt, sec- retary and treasurer. They deal in mining and mill supplies and all kinds of general hardware and have one of the most extensive hardware stores in the west. They enjoy a very liberal patronage, and not a little of the success of the enterprise is due to the energetic and capable secretary, whose executive ability and keen fore- sight are most marked.
In 1888 occurred the marriage of Mr. Moffitt and Miss Effie J. Colborn, of Iola. Kansas, and to them have been born two sons. They have a pleasant home in Wallace, and the household is
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celebrated for its hospitality. In his political views Mr. Moffitt is a Democrat and socially is connected with the Masonic fraternity. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, lending his aid and co-operation to every movement for the public good, and is a reliable business man, who fully merits the confidence reposed in him.
WYLIE A. LAUDER.
Among those who have been distinctly con- spicuous in connection with the substantial up- building and legitimate progress of the attractive little city of Moscow, the county-seat of Latah county, very definite recognition must be given to him whose name initiates this paragraph. It was his fortune to be on the ground when the town practically had its inception, and with every advance movement he has been prominently iden- tified, being recognized as one of the leading and most enterprising business men of the place and as one who has contributed liberally and with enthusiasm to every cause which has had as its object the growth and prosperity of Moscow.
Mr. Lauder traces his ancestral line through many generations of sturdy Scottish stock, he himself being of but the second generation on American soil, since his father, William Lauder, was a native of bonnie Scotland, the fair land of "brown heather and shaggy wood." Wylie A. Lauder is a native of Canisteo, Steuben county, New York, where he was born in July, 1857, the son of William and Mary (Cameron) Lauder, the former of whom was born in Scotland, as has already been noted, while the latter is likewise of Scottish ancestry. William Lauder came to the United States in the year 1845, locating at Duanesburg, New York, where was eventually solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary Cameron. In the year 1869 they removed to North Caro- lina, where the father of our subject devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1885, when he made a visit to Moscow, Idaho, becoming so impressed with the attractions of the place that when he returned to his home in the south he determined to dispose of his prop- erty there and to make his home in the little city where his son was located. Accordingly, in 1891, he closed out his interests in North Caro- lina and came to Moscow, where he passed the residue of his days, his death occurring on the
24th of November, 1897, at the age of seventy years. He was a Republican in his political pro- clivities, was a man of strong intellectuality and so ordered his life as to gain and to merit the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. His widow is still living, having reached the venera- ble age of seventy-six years, and makes her home in Moscow, where she is accorded the utmost filial devotion by her children, who are three in number.
Wylie A. Lauder, the immediate subject of this review, was the second in order of birth of the three children, and his educational discipline was secured in the public schools of North Caro- lina, where he was reared under the invigorating influences of the parental farmstead. He contin- ued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he came to Colfax, Washington, where he was placed in charge of the store which furnished supplies to those engaged in the con- struction of the line of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. When the line had been completed to Moscow Mr. Lauder determined to make this his permanent abiding place, foresee- ing that the natural advantages of the location would in time make it an important point. His confidence in the future of Moscow has been justified by results, and his faith in its still greater precedence is unwavering. His first distinctly local business venture was made in company with Fred S. Clough, with whom he became asso- ciated in the manufacture of brick, in which im- portant line of enterprise they were the absolute pioneers in the place. They made the first brick ever manufactured in Moscow, and supplied the material in this line for all of the many fine brick structures which have made the town so attract- ive and substantial in its upbuilding. The first building erected of brick was the Bank of Mos- cow, and for this the firm supplied the material, as well as for all other structures both public and private. The association of Messrs. Lauder and Clough continued for three years, after which, in 1886, our subject entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, T. J. Taylor, who is now sher -. iff of Lemhi county, Idaho. They continued the manufacture of brick up to the year 1895, con- ducting an extensive business in this line and also in that of contracting and building. The firm erected the building for the Washington
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State Agricultural College, at Pullman; the splendid building of the Idaho State University, at Moscow; all of the public-school buildings of this city and all but three of Moscow's fine busi- ness blocks. They manufactured more than twelve million brick, having shipped over a mill - ion to Spokane, and the firm had a reputation for the highest integrity and for scrupulous honor in every business transaction.
When their business success was at its height, the general financial depression of 1893 began to make its influence felt in this section of the Union, and the firm failed, as did many others within that memorable period. The loss entailed to the firm was such that they were compelled, though with great reluctance, to discontinue the business which they had labored so assiduously to establish. In 1892-3 they had brought about the organization of the Builders' Supply Com- pany, of which Mr. Lauder was president. Quite extensive investments had been made in real estate, and with the depreciation in values and the slight demands for investments in realty, re- sulting from the unsettled financial conditions of the country, they met with heavy losses.
Mr. Lauder is not, however, a man to be easily disheartened or discouraged, and he soon turned his attention to other lines of enterprise, confi- dent that energy, careful methods and hard work would insure success, even with many obstacles to be overcome. He accordingly organized the Idaho Fruit & Produce Company, of which he is manager. The company deals largely, at wholesale, in hay, grain and other agricultural products, and also handles fruits of all kinds in large amounts. The enterprise supplies a dis- tinct need in Moscow, and excellent success is attending it. The producers find here a ready cash market for their products, and to Moscow is thus attracted the business of a large tributary territory, practically comprising the entire north- ern section of the state. The value of such an enterprise can not be overestimated, and in this way Mr. Lauder is contributing to the progress and prosperity of the city while promoting indi- vidual success. He is public-spirited in his atti- tude, and is at all times ready to lend his aid and influence to whatever conserves the well-being of his home city.
In the year 1886 Mr. Lauder was united in
marriage to Miss Minnie Taylor, daugliter of William Taylor, the pioneer settler of Latah county, to whom specific reference is made on other pages of this work. To the article men- tioned the reader is referred for a detailed his- tory of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Lauder are the parents of two children,-Ralph Emerson and Alma. The family home is a most attractive resi- dence of modern architectural design, located on a ten-acre tract near the grounds of the State University, and here a gracious hospitality is ex- tended to a large circle of friends. Mr. Lauder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Lauder holds membership in the Christian church. Our subject is one of the trustees of his church and was prominently iden- tified with the building of the fine church edifice. In his political adherency he is arrayed in sup- port of the Republican party. An energetic, up- right and enterprising business man of Moscow, Mr. Lauder is one of the city's honored and rep- resentative citizens.
WILLIAM M. BROWN, M. D.
The medical fraternity is ably represented by Dr. William M. Brown, who is the leading phy- sician of Cuprum, whither he removed in June of the present year, 1899, from Salubria, where he had continuously and successfully engaged in practice from June, 1892. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 18th of November, 1860. His ancestors were early settlers of South Carolina, and his grandfather, James Brown, was born in Due West, that state. James Scott Brown, the Doctor's father, was a native of Preble county, Ohio, and having arrived at man's estate he married Miss Julia Robertson, of Brighton, Iowa, who was born at Spring Hill, Indiana. He spent his entire life, however, near the old homestead where his birth occurred, and was an industrious, prosperous and honorable farmer. He and his wife were valued members of the United Presbyterian church and exempli- fied in their daily lives their religious belief.
Dr. Brown, the eldest in their family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living, was lib- erally educated and thus fitted for the responsi- ble duties of life. Having attended the public schools of the Buckeye state, he further contin- ued his studies in the university at Oxford, Ohio,
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and in Monmouth College, at Monmouth, Illi- nois. He was graduated in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the class of 1888, having therein completed a course in medicine, after which he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Omaha, Nebraska, until June, 1892, when he came to Salubria. For seven years he made his home there and his practice constantly extended throughout the val- ley. In June, 1899, he removed to Cuprum, Idaho, where in connection with his practice, he conducts a drug store. He numbers among his patrons many of the best people of this section of the state, and his success is richly merited, for he is a close student of his profession and spares no efforts whereby he will be better fitted to min- ister to the needs of suffering humanity and check the ravages of disease.
Dr. Brown erected a good residence in Salu- bria and there resided with his interesting family until his removal to Cuprum. He was married on the Ist of October, 1889, to Miss Emma L. Sherman, of New York, a daughter of Jesse S. Sherman, of the Empire state. They have two daughters, Winifred and Mildred, and the mem- bers of the family are highly esteemed in the community. The Doctor is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political preferences and affiliations he is a Republican. He has served as coroner of Wash - ington county and takes a deep interest in every- thing pertaining to the welfare and advancement of town, county and state.
JESSIE K. CLARKE, M. D.
In no field of endeavor requiring intellectuality has woman failed to demonstrate her equality with man, and more and more the different lines of professional labor are opening to her, and therein she is winning successes that are most creditable. Dr. Jessie K. Clarke, although a re- cent acquisition to the medical fraternity of Grangeville, has already demonstrated her right to be classed among the foremost physicians of Idaho county, and her ability is indicated by the liberal patronage she now enjoys. She makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and her labors have been attended by most gratifying results to patient and practi- tioner.
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