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 71
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Dr. Clarke is a native of Ohio, her birth lıav- ing occurred in Circleville, June 1, 1861. She is of English lineage on the paternal side and of Scotch descent on the maternal, her mother's people tracing their ancestry back to Sir William Wallace, one of the greatest heroes and patriots that his land has ever produced. The Clarkes have for generations been residents of New York. To this family belongs Dr. Elisha Clarke, a grand- uncle of the lady of whom we write. Her father, William A. Clarke, was a native of Albany, New York, was a farmer by occupation, and relig- iously was connected with the United Brethren church. He married Miss Sarah M. Cleveland, and to them were born eight children, all of whom are living. The father passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife is now living, in her seventy-first year.
Dr. Clarke was educated in the Normal School and Business Institute, at Paola, Kansas, and in the Willamette University, in Oregon, graduat- ing at the latter institution in the class of 1879. She pursued her medical education in the Eds- worth Medical College, at St. Joseph, Missouri, where she was graduated with honors in the class of 1896, after which she spent a year in perfect- ing herself in her specialty in the New York Polyclinic. Thus well informed concerning the science of medicine, and particularly well versed concerning the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, she began practice in Topeka, Kansas, where she still has her office, which is now in charge of her partner, H. L. Akire. Slie is a val- ued member of the Kansas State Medical Society, also the City Medical Society and of the Acad- emy of Medicine and Surgery in Topeka. She came to Grangeville in October, 1898, to see her mother and sister, who were ill, and was by then induced to open an office in Grangeville, where she is meeting with very gratifying suc- cess. She is a close student of her profession, and her knowledge of the science of medicine is com- prehensive and accurate. Her zeal and devotion are manifest in the faithful performance of each day's duty, from which she also gains inspiration and strength for the labors of the succeeding day. She is very skillful in the diagnosing of a case, and lias effected some remarkable cures.
Dr. Clarke is a lady of fine physique and most pleasing manner, is an excellent conversational-
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ist and has a very sympathetic nature, which is manifest in her professional as well as social life. She deserves great credit for her success, for through her own efforts she has worked her way upward. By teaching she acquired the means that enabled her to pursue her professional edu- cation, and her resolution and zeal are most com- mendable. She has already won many friends in Grangeville and the surrounding country, and the medical fraternity accord her a leading place in their ranks.
HENRY W. CURTIS.
There is a sprinkling of English blood in Idaho which adds to the moral and financial vitality of the state. One of the leading citizens of Black- foot of English birth is ex-County Treasurer Henry W. Curtis, who was also the pioneer hardware merchant of that city. Mr. Curtis was born in London, England, August 9, 1854. His father, Joseph H. Curtis, of an old English fan- ily, married Miss Sarah Morrell, a native of Lon- don. They had seven children born to them in England, and in 1860 they came to the United States, to found a home in the New World. Mr. Curtis was a silk-weaver by trade and for about a year was employed at stocking-weaving in Philadelphia. In 1861 the family moved to Utah, and there the father died in 1877, aged sixty-four years. His wife has attained the age of eighty- four, and their children are all living.
Henry W. Curtis, the youngest of the seven, was educated in public schools of Utah and be- gan to earn his living at the early age of nine years. He has not only depended on himself since that time, but has helped others, and may be called a self-educated man. In his early efforts to get on in the world he engaged four years in freighting from Corinne, Utah, to different points in Montana. In 1874 he embarked in the hard- ware business and general manufacture of tin- ware, and in 1885 became the first hardware mer- chant of Blackfoot, where he met with well de- served success. He has proven himself a busi- ness man of first-class ability, and the favor with which he has been received and which has re- sulted in the building up of a large trade through- out all of Blackfoot tributary territory, has been won by honest methods and the policy of giving full value in every transaction, large or small.
Mr. Curtis has a genial manner and a hearty courtesy which gain him friends not only nume- rous but warm and steadfast. Possessed of a gen- erous disposition and much public spirit, he has interested himself in every movement for the public good, and he has been a useful citizen whose good offices are appreciated by the people of Blackfoot. He was twice elected, as a Re- publican, to the office of county treasurer and performed its duties to the satisfaction of every good citizen.
Mr. Curtis was made a Mason in Grove City Lodge, No. 33, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has passed every chair in the local Odd Fellows lodge and is a Modern Woodman of America.
In 1870 Mr. Curtis married Miss Luella Ben- son, who bore him a son, Harry B. Curtis, who is one of Blackfoot's most prominent young men and is a valuable assistant to his father in liis business. Mrs. Curtis died in 1881. She was a woman of great ability and of the truest worth, and her loss was felt keenly not only in her own household, but throughout her large circle of acquaintance. After the expiration of nine years, in 1890, Mr. Curtis married Miss Agnes E. Mil- len, who was of Scotch parentage and a native of Minnesota. She died in March, 1895, leaving two daughters, Lola and Sadie. She had proven herself a loving wife and mother and a woman of value to the community, and her death caused sorrow to all who knew her. Mr. Curtis has since lived a single life, comforted by the affec- tion of his children.
EPHRAIM W. BAUGHMAN.
Few men are more widely known in the north- west than Captain E. W. Baughman, of Lewis- ton, who for forty-eight years has sailed on the rivers in this section of the country. His circle of friends is indeed extensive, and his genial manner and social disposition win him the regard of all. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, May 18, 1835, and is of German lineage, liis an- cestors having long been residents of Pennsyl- vania, however. His father, John Baughman, was born in that state and married Miss Jane Murphy, a lady of German descent. In an early day they removed to Illinois, settling in the west before the Black Hawk war. The father secured a
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farm in Fulton county and there reared his family of nine children, four of whom are yet living. He departed this life in the eightieth year of his age, and his wife passed away when about the same age.
Captain Baughman, their fifth child, was reared in the state of his nativity until his sixteenth year, and then crossed the plains with ox teams to California, in 1850. The party with which he traveled took with them a year's provisions, but found they had more than they needed, and on reaching California they sold their surplus sup- ply of flour, bacon, beans and sugar for two dol- lars per pound. The Captain engaged at placer mining at Hangtown and on the south fork of the American river, and after spending a brief time in the mines he went on a sailing vessel to Portland, Oregon, paying fifty-five dollars for the passage. The voyage lasted for a month, and on reaching his destination Captain Baughman worked at whatever he could find to do, being principally engaged in "packing" things on his back from one place to another in the town. After a winter spent in that way his employer wanted him to take city lots at fifty dollars each in payment, but he declined, wanting money in- stead. The man, however, failed and in conse- quence he got nothing, and the lots which he refused are now of great value.
That spring Captain Baughman suffered a severe attack of rheumatism, during which he was cared for and treated by Dr. Baker. When our subject had recovered and asked for his bill, expecting to be charged a very large sum, the doctor responded that he would make no charge except for the actual cost of the medicine, about forty dollars. Thus Captain Baughman realized the truth of the old adage: "A friend in need is a friend indeed!" Removing to Oregon City, he soon became well and strong again, and accepted a position as fireman on a steamboat. Later he was engaged in the sawmill business and subse- quently went to Yamhill county, Oregon, where he operated a farm for a year. In 1851 he ac- cepted a position as fireman on the Lot Whitman and was thus employed until 1853, when he went to the Cascades and became captain of a little sailboat, carrying lumber and merchandise on the Columbia river and also taking emigrants down the river to Portland and other points. He
received eighty-four dollars per ton for loading freight. He next became captain of the steamer Hasalo, running between the Cascades and The Dalles, and in May, 1861, he was sent by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company to explore the Snake river from Caldwell to Lewiston. In 1862 he was in command of the Colonel Wright and made the first trip up the Snake river. He made for his company over twenty-one thou- sand dollars, the trips averaging about fifteen thousand dollars. In August, 1862, in partner- ship with Henry Corbet (now ex-senator) and others, he built the steamboat Spray, at a cost of thirty-three thousand dollars, and in five months he earned on her trips fifty-two thousand dollars. He then sold the vessel to the Oregon Steanı Navigation Company for sixty-three thousand dollars. While running that boat the Captain made seven hundred dollars per month. After selling the Spray he went to the Willamette river and was a director of the People's Navigation Company and captain of one of the boats, but the starting of an opposition boat proved a failure and he lost money.
Subsequently Captain Baughman engaged in boating on the Puget Sound for two years, and was also on the Fraser river for two years. In 1873 he returned to the Willamette river and urged the building of the locks at Oregon City, helped to organize the company for this purpose and was elected its president. He was in com- mand of boats on the Willamette until 1876, and has been connected with the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company longer than any other of its employes. His long service on the rivers of the northwest has gained him a very extensive acquaintance, until in this section of the country not to know Captain Baughman is almost to argue oneself unknown.
In 1864 was celebrated the marriage of the Captain and Miss Lizzy Thomas, a native of St. Louis, and a daughter of John Thomas, an Eng- lish gentleman who was brought to America when a child by his parents. Mrs. Baughman crossed the plains to the Pacific coast in 1850. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Hattie, wife of H. A. Thatcher; Henry, who was a steamboat captain for a num- ber of years, and is now a leading business man of Lewiston; Ralph, who is a pilot on the steam-
,
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er Lewiston; and Frank, who died of typhoid fever in his nineteenth year, while attending school in Portland. The family is one of prom- inence in the community. Mrs. Baughman is a valued member of the Episcopal church and also of the order of the Eastern Star. The Captain belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has at- tained the fourteenth degree of the Scottish ritc. His many excellent qualities, uniform courtesy and genuine worth have gained him high and uniform regard, and he well deserves mention in the history of his adopted state.
BISHOP JAMES THOMAS.
"Faith without works" has never accomplished much. Religion that is practical and applicable to the every-day life of any people is good for them, regardless of any peculiarities of creed. Bishop Thomas, of the Eagle Rock ward of the Church of Latter Day Saints, must be recom- mended as a man of the highest quality of busi- ness ability,-one who makes a business of re- ligion and does not attempt to do business except by the rule which is the rule of his private life.
Bishop Thomas is a native of Wales and a son of John and Mary (Roberts) Thomas. He was born at Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, April 29, 1848. His parents were converted to the faith of the Church of Latter Day Saints that same year. His father, who was a tailor, came with his wife and seven of their sons to America, twenty years later, and settled at Salt Lake City, Utah. There he devoted himself to his trade until his retirement from the active life. He is living at Smithfield, Utah, aged eighty-four years. His wife died in 1885 aged sixty-five. John, Thomas, William, James, Lorenzo, Dan and George, their seven sons who came with them to the United States, all settled in Utah and were ardent adherents to the Mormon faith. Dan alone has died.
James Thomas, fourth son of John and Mary (Roberts) Thomas, was educated in Wales, where he learned the tailor's trade with his father and worked at it before he came to the United States. He followed it successfully at Salt Lake City, Utah, from the date of his arrival there until 1882, when he came to Idaho and opened a tailoring establishment at Idaho Falls. Later he added a millinery department, and in 1892 a
ready-made clothing and men's furnishing department. As a practical tailor of almost life- long experience, he has an advantage over ordi- nary merchants in selecting ready to wear clothing. Not only is he able to judge instantly the quality of the cloth and trimmings, but a glance suffices to inform him if garments are artistically cut and properly tailored, and he car- ries no goods that do not in every way come up to his high standard of quality and finish. He has built up a large trade, for the public has come to know that anything bought at his estab- lishment is exactly as represented.
The history of Bishop Thomas's religious de- velopment would be most interesting in a work devoted to the spiritual side of life, but it will scarcely be looked for in a history of the material growth and prosperity of Idaho and her people. Suffice to say that he showed such zeal in church work and developed such conspicuous talent as an expounder of the word of God, as it was re- vealed to him through the teachings of the dis- ciples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that, as one of the ministers of the church, he was sent to England to preach and to make converts. He was so successful in this work and in other important duties which were entrusted to him, that in 1885 he was ordained a bishop and in that high and responsible office is serving his people with rare ability and fidelity, with authority over the Eagle Rock ward. His duties are many and diverse. Aside from his ministerial office, he has a business-like super- vision over the temporal affairs of the church in his ward, and is especially charged to see that the poor, of any religion or no religion, do not suffer for food or other absolute essentials to continued existence which may be supplied by the charity of the church. The members, elders and bishops of the Church of Latter Day Saints are all enjoined to work, and they are more than self-supporting in their relation to the work they are given to do. At Idaho Falls a fine meeting- house of sandstone has been erected, and the church is thrifty and progressive.
Politically Bishop Thomas is a Democrat, and as such he has twice been elected a member of Idaho Falls town council, and in that capacity has served with the practical, business-like effec- tiveness that characterizes everything he does,
James thomas Bp
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holding the welfare of the whole people in view at all times. In every way he has shown himself public-spirited and deeply concerned for the growth of Idaho Falls and the advancement of its every important interest. Personally he en- joys the friendship of the best and most patriotic citizens of southeastern Idaho, and is highly re- garded in business circles throughout Idaho and adjoining states.
Bishop Thomas was married, in Wales, in 1866, to Elizabeth Richardson, daughter of Charles and Mary (Harvey) Richardson, this event occurring before he came to America, and his wife came with the family party, as did the wives of some of his brothers. They have a son and a daughter. Lorenzo R. Thomas, the son, is a prominent citizen of Bingham county, and is now filling the office of register of the United States land office at Blackfoot. Mary E., the daughter, married S. H. Jacobs and has five children.
JAMES C. HANSON.
The Danish citizens of the United States are more nearly identical with our Anglo-American race than any other citizens of foreign birth. They possess the spirit which we call "go-aheaditive- ness" in as large measure as any of our citizens, and they become Americanized and assimilate with the older population of our country sooner perhaps than foreigners of any other race. They are industrious, take to business on broad prin- ciples and are about as certain to make successes as any people among us. James C. Hanson, one of the prominent farmers of Latah county, Idaho, is not by any means one of the exceptions that prove this rule. He belongs rather to the large majority whose progressive and intelligent industry is having an influence more and more marked on our general prosperity as we approach the beginning of a new century.
Mr. Hanson was a pioneer in Latah county and is one of its most prominent citizens. He located in Idaho in 1872, before there had come into existence anything to so much as foreshadow the inception and development of the city of Genesee, and he not only witnessed but has as- sisted in the opening up and improvement of Latah and her sister counties.
Mr. Hanson was born in Denmark and was educated and began his active life there. His
father, Hanse K. Hanson, married Miss Paulson, and the worthy couple lived and died in their native land, Mr. Hanson passing away in 1889, aged seventy years, and Mrs. Hanson in 1899, aged eighty. They were devoted members of the Lutheran church. They brought into the world five children, of whom four are living. James C. Hanson, the subject of this review, caine to America in 1868 and located in Wis- consin. He had six hundred dollars with which to begin life in a new world, but no knowledge of the language and ways of the country in which he sought success and fortune. He determined to begin cautiously and carefully, and he found employment in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, as a farm laborer, first at sixteen, and later at twenty dollars a month. He saved his money and acquired a knowledge of English as well as much other information that he has since found useful. Besides this, he saved his money.
In 1872 he came to Lewiston, Idaho. There were then but few settlers in this part of Latah county, and Lewiston was the only town within the county limits. He entered government land, built on it, farmed it profitably and sold it in 1880, for two thousand five hundred dollars, and then bought a settler's right to another pre- emption. Later he bought his present property, near Genesee, and he now owns one hundred and seventy acres. He has put this property under advanced improvement and has every facility for thorough and successful farming and many con- veniences and up-to-date luxuries not possessed by farmers generally in this vicinity. From a somewhat distant spring, water is brought to his house, barns and stock-yards, pure, cold, health- ful and always available. In 1898 he raised two thousand two hundred bushels of wheat and cut sixty tons of hay. He has bred many Norman- Percheron horses and has some fine specimens of this celebrated breed on hand at this time.
Mr. Hanson was married January 14, 1869, to Miss Carrie Beck, a native of Denmark. They have had five children, two of whom are living. Alonzo, the elder son, is married and his father has built him a cosy residence near his own. He is assisting in the management of one of the farms. The other son, Ira D. J. Hanson, is a member of his father's household. Mr. Hanson is an influential Republican. He has passed all
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the chairs in both branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been representa- tive in the grand lodge and holds an important office in that lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are active and helpful members of the Congrega- tional church of Genesee.
JAMES W. POE.
James W. Poe, a distinguished lawyer and Idaho pioneer, residing at Lewiston, is a native of Jackson county, Missouri, his birth having there occurred on the 15th of January, 1838. His father, William B. Poe, was born in North Caro- lina, and married Mrs. Nancy Mulkey, nee Johnson, a native of South Carolina, by whom he had four children, two of whom are yet living. He valiantly served his country as a soldier in the Mexican war, and in 1853 crossed the plains to Oregon with his family. Our subject accom- panied his parents on their westward emigration, and acquired his education at Forest Grove and in the Portland Academy. He has the honor of being the first male graduate of that then new institution of learning. Well fitted by superior educational advantages for the practical duties of life, he then entered upon his business career, and in 1861 came to Idaho. He engaged in min- ing at Oro Fino, Florence and Warren, and also conducted a mercantile establishment for a time, but wishing to enter the legal profession, he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the law firm of Williams & Gibbs. The senior partner, George L. Williams, after- ward became United States attorney general, and Mr. Gibbs held the office of governor of Oregon.
In 1869 Mr. Poe was admitted to practice in the district court. His partner was the discoverer of gold at Warren's, and they operated and sold goods there for some time. Mr. Poe was elected the first district recorder of the Warren's mining district, and practiced law at Warren's and Mount Idaho until 1876, at which time he was elected attorney for the district comprising all of north- ern Idaho. He then established his office in Lewiston, where he has since made his home. He had served for six years previously as deputy district attorney, filling that position in all for ten years. He was elected and served in the territorial legislature in 1879-80, and took an active part in shaping the destiny of the territory
during that period. Other public service of a very different nature also fell to his lot, as he was a participant in the Clearwater battle with the Nez Perces Indians, the conflict resulting in driving the Indians back into Montana. He was a leading member of the state constitutional con- vention, his knowledge of constitutional law ren- dering him an important factor in framing the organic law of Idaho. He also had the honor of presiding over the first mass meeting which was called for the purpose of adopting measures to secure statehood for Idaho, and is now, 1899, city attorney of Lewiston, and attorney for the board of education of the independent school district of Lewiston.
Such in brief is the history of his public service, -- a service in which at all times and under all circumstances he has shown himself worthy of the trust and confidence reposed in him. He has studied closely both the conditions and needs of his state, both locally and otherwise, and at all times has manifested a inost loyal and public- spirited interest in the common good. He is now engaged in the private practice of law, as the senior member of the firm of Poe, Anderson & Anderson, one of the most able and prominent law firms in this section of the state. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice and his clientage has been secured through his marked ability in handling the intricate problems of jurisprudence. He is careful in the preparation of his cases, clear in argument and logical in his deductions and has gained many important cases.
Mr. Poe has also been the promoter of the horticultural interests of northern Idaho. He planted a large fruit orchard at Lewiston, and as the seasons passed gathered large crops, thus adding to his income and at the same time dem- onstrating the adaptability of the soil of this region for the production of choice fruits.
In 1877 Mr. Poe was united in marriage to Mrs. Fannie L. Turpin, a sister of Judge More- land's wife and a daughter of Colonel John L. Cline, a Mexican war veteran. She had' two children by her former marriage, the elder, Serena, being now the wife of Dr. C. W. Shaff, a prominent physician of Lewiston; and Sarah E., who has been a successful teacher in the state university at Moscow since its organization.
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