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 84

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 84

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man descent and were early settlers of the Mo- hawk valley.

In 1849 Reuben B. Moore crossed the plains to California with oxen, being the first to arrive at Sutter's Fort that year. He mined on Feather river, but was principally engaged in construct- ing ditches and flumes to convey water to the miners. He met with a satisfactory degree of success during his ten-years residence in Cali- fornia, and then returned to Illinois. Soon after- ward he removed to Rochester, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm. In 1859 he married Miss Adele Buckland, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and to them were born four children.

Frank Latham Moore, their eldest child, was educated in the public schools of Rochester, Minnesota, was graduated in the high school with the class of 1879, and was graduated in the law department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, in 1888. Soon afterward he came to the Pacific coast and practiced his profession for four years in Palouse City, Washington. In April, 1893, he came to Moscow, and in November, 1894, the present law firm of Forney, Smith & Moore was organized.

In March, 1893, Mr. Moore married Miss Vina Deavitt, a native of Canada, and they now have two children, Gladys and Latham.

C. A. S. PROSSER, M. D.

For six years a distinguished member of the medical profession of Boise, honored and re- spected in every class of society, Dr. C. A. S. Prosser is numbered among the leading citizens of his community. In the great competitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or else be over- taken by disaster of circumstance or place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. This Dr. Prosser has done and his high standing in his profession is an unmistakable indication of his ability.

A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born in Lunenburg, on the 29th of January, 1864. For three generations the family has resided in Can- ada, but the ancestry can be traced back to Eng- land. The great-grandfather of our subject located in New England, but during the war of

the Revolution, owing to his loyalty to the king, he removed to Canada, accompanied by his fam- ily, which included Jesse Prosser, the Doctor's grandfather. The latter fought on the side of Great Britain in the war of 1812, and his son, Henry Calvin Prosser, participated in the war of 1837, in Canada, fighting at Prescott, at what was called the Windmill battle. He married Ann Eliza Wade, of Fort Covington, New York, a lady of English ancestry, who died in 1863. Henry Prosser, however, is still living, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-nine years, and through his active business career successfully carried on agricultural pursuits.

Dr. Prosser is the youngest of a family of six children, and was reared on his father's farm, while in the common schools of his native land he acquired his elementary education. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Le Mars, Iowa, where he began the study of medicine under the direction of his brother, Dr. W. O. Prosser, a graduate of McGill Medical Col- lege, of Montreal, Canada. He also won the de- grees of L. R. C. P. and L. R. C. S., of Edinburg. In March, 1887, C. A. S. Prosser was graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York city, after which he practiced his profession for six months in Potsdam, New York. He then took charge of his brother's business while the latter tooka much needed rest and upon the return of his brother, Dr. Prosser, of this review, opened an office on his own account in Marcus, Iowa, where he soon built up an excellent business. In 1893 he entered the Post-Graduate Medical School, of Chicago, and then, on account of his health, he determined not to return to Iowa, but to try the climate of Idaho. Accordingly he came to Boise, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He holds rank with the ablest physicians and surgeons of the state, and by his study and investigation and the perusal of the medical journals he keeps in constant touch with the profession and the advance which is carrying it forward toward perfection. In con- nection with his private practice, he also occupies the position of physician and surgeon to the Wes- leyan Hospital of Boise.

The Doctor occupies a pleasant suite of rooms in the Pioneer Building, and has a beautiful resi- dence at No. 316 Bannock street. He was mar-

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ried July 3. 1889, to Miss Clara Raymond, of Ontario, and they now have two daughters, Beatrice Gertrude and Laura Clarissa. The par- ents are valued members of the Methodist church and take an active part in its work. Dr. Prosser inspires personal friendships of unusual strength, and all who know him have the highest admira- tion for his good qualities of head and heart.

WILLIAM A. CALDWELL.

The history of pioneer life has long rivaled in interest the tales of battles and of life on the tented field. Without the roar of cannon and musketry or the inspiring notes of fife and drum, hosts no less brave and determined have gone forth into the wilderness to reclaim it for the pur- poses of civilization and have fought the hard battle of conquering the raw land, the sturdy forest and the rocky fastnesses of the earth, mak- ing each yield of its treasures such elements as can be utilized for man. This is an arduous labor and one towhich is due recognition and commen- dation, and therefore in preparing a history of Idaho it is with pleasure that we introduce the life records of such worthy pioneers as William A. Caldwell, whose identification with the state ante- dates the formation of its territorial government.

He was born in Newford, New York, Decem- ber 10, 1832, and is of Scotch lineage. His grandfather, William Caldwell, having emigrated from Scotland before the Revolution, settled first in New Jersey and later removed to Orange county, New York. By occupation he was an agriculturist, and in connection with general farming he conducted a dairy. He married Miss Maria Anderson, also a native of Scotland, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom Mr. Caldwell of this review is now the only male survivor. The father died in the sixty-third year of his age, and the mother departed this life at the age of fifty-eight.

In Tompkins county, New York, William A. Caldwell spent his boyhood days. His early edu- cational privileges there, acquired in the com- mon schools, were supplemented by study in Ithaca, New York, after which he learned the boat-builder's trade. He then served on the Pan- ama railroad survey and crossed the plains front St. Paul with Colonel Knobles. While en route he heard of the Fraser river excitement, caused by

the gold discoveries, and with four others con- tinued across the country to Walla Walla, where he arrived December 20, 1859. The government post was then in process of construction, and the pioneers of the northwest were but beginning their labors of reclaiming this section of the coun- try. Mr. Caldwell went with a pack train to Fraser river, taking to the mines provisions, con- sisting of bacon, beans, flour and sugar. Those commodities he bought for about twenty cents per pound and sold for ninety, thus realizing a handsome profit. He also sold his horses and cleared a large sum of money in that way. He made the trip to Carriboo, then returned to Walla Walla and from there made his way to Pierce City. The following year he secured a claim and in two years cleared two thousand dollars off that property.

On the expiration of that period he went to the Boise basin and took up a claim, but sold the property for six hundred dollars and engaged in packing to every camp in the territory. He had fifty-two packs, and between July and the late fall cleared four thousand dollars. In 1861 he was paid by Mr. Baker fifty dollars to carry a letter from Walla Walla to Lewiston, and made the journey of nearly a hundred miles with one horse in a day. Nor did he injure the horse by hard riding, but was able to ride it some distance the next day. Subsequently he sold his pack train and was engaged in furnishing hay and grain to the government, under contract. He had a sta- tion on the reservation, and met with most grati- fying and creditable success in that undertaking. His station was located at the foot of the moun- tains, twenty-two miles distant from Lewiston, and there he presided for almost a quarter of a century. He also engaged in raising cattle and sheep, having one thousand head of cattle and ten thousand sheep. By the wise direction of his business affairs and his undaunted energy and perseverance he has gained a desirable fortune, and is now the owner of six hundred acres of land in one farm, together with several lots in Lewis- ton. He has a beautiful and valuable block in the city in which he and his family now reside.

Mr. Caldwell was married in 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Maria Reddy, a native of Canada. They have four children: William, Solomon, Frederick and Moses. In his social re-

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lations Mr. Caldwell is a Master Mason, and politically he is a Democrat, but has never sought nor desired official preferment. He is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

JOHN Q. MOXLEY, M. D.

Dr. John Quincy Moxley, the pioneer druggist of Lewiston, and a successful practicing physi- cian, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, April 15, 1846, and is of English lineage, the original American ancestors having been early settlers of New England. His father, Thomas S. Moxley, was born in Vermont, and when a young man removed to Ohio, where he engaged in the prac- tice of medicine for fifty years. He married Miss Susan McConnell, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and to them were born six children, three of whom are now living. The father died in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-nine.

Their son, John Quincy Moxley, completed his literary education in the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, and in the Miami Medical College, of Cin- cinnati, prepared for his profession. Subsequent- ly he engaged in the practice of medicine in the Buckeye state, and in 1873 emigrated westward, locating in Mount Idaho, this state, where he practiced for six months. He then came to Lew- iston and bought of Dr. Kelly the pioneer drug store of the town. Since that time he has con- ducted the store and attended to a large practice, which is steadily increasing in volume and in im- portance. He is a competent physician, with a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the science of medicine, and his professional labors have been followed by excellent results. He has also built up a good trade in the store, and has the good will and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

In addition to his other business interests the Doctor was for twelve years a director in the Lewiston National Bank, and is a stockholder in various mines in British Columbia, Pierce City and Florence, and in the Iron Crown mine on Newsom creek, where they have an inexhaustible supply of rich ore, having taken out as high as twenty-one hundred and eighteen dollars in one hundred hours' run. He owns a fine business block,-a brick structure at the corner of Main

and Third streets, the very center of the business district. He has always taken a deep interest in the educational affairs of the city, has been di- rector of the Lewiston schools, and has efficiently served as county superintendent of schools. He is a most progressive and public-spirited citizen, advocating all commendable improvements and lending an active support to all measures for the public good.

EDWARD S. JEWELL.

Edward S. Jewell dates his residence in the Salubria valley from 1869, and is therefore num- bered among its pioneer farmers and stock-rais- ers. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Dodgeville, Iowa county, that state, on the 9th of October, 1846, and is of English extraction. His father, Edward S. Jewell, Sr., was born in Cornwall, England, and after his marriage came with his wife and five children to the United States, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained until 1852, when he went to California to secure gold in the Eldorado of the west. It is believed that he was killed by the Indians, for no news was ever afterward received of him. His wife survived him two years and died in 1854, leaving a family of six children, three of whom are now living in Idaho. She was a devout member of the Methodist church.

In the public schools of his native state Edward S. Jewell, the subject of this sketch, acquired his education. He was only sixteen years of age when he drove a team across the hot and arid plains to California, in company with his uncle, U. E. Rowe, and S. B. Dilley. They continued their travel to Auburn, Oregon, where Mr. Jew- ell learned the blacksmith's trade. The following year he went to Idaho City, there continuing to work at his trade, at which there was more money to be made than at mining. The price for shoe- ing a horse was ten dollars, for setting a tire on a wagon from twenty-four to thirty dollars, while a miner's pick sold for sixteen dollars and every- thing else was proportionately high. In 1869 Mr. Jewell came to the Salubria valley, entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, built upon it and otherwise improved it, and from time to time ex- tended its boundaries by additional purchase, until he now has seven hundred and seventy-five acres of highly cultivated land, the well tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return

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for the care and labor he bestows upon them. His home is pleasantly located just a half mile west of Salubria, so that the conveniences and ad- vantages of town as well as country life are easily accessible. Upon his farm are located the Wash- ington county fair grounds. Throughout his residence here he has engaged in stock-raising, and he is now breeding Hereford cattle and Ham- bletonian horses, having some of the best stock in the county. He is also engaged in raising Berkshire hogs, and has met with very desirable success in his stock-raising ventures. He was the first to introduce Norman and Hambletonian horses in Salubria valley, and in this way has aided in improving the grade raised in this local- ity. Nor are his efforts confined alone to the labors connected with his farm. He is a stock- holder in the Creamery Company and the Tele- phone Company, and is not slow to co-operate in any movement which he believes will advance the material welfare of this section of the state.

In 1868 Mr. Jewell was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Markham, who, in 1864, came to Idaho with her father, David Markham, now a resident of Arizona. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have had ten children, namely: William E., who is en- gaged in merchandising in Arizona; Mary Grace, wife of W. H. Eckles, a farmer of Salubria valley ; Edgar D., who assists in the operation of the home farm; Maud May, who is engaged in teach- ing music and makes her home with her parents; James Edward, who entered his country's service when war was declared against Spain and is now in Manila; Edna Salome and Esther T., who are successful school-teachers; and Sarah E., Fred Markham and Earl C., yet under the parental roof.

In his political views Mr. Jewell has always been a Democrat and was twice elected county commissioner of Washington county. He also served as a member of the territorial senate-and of the convention which framed the present state constitution, and was a member of the first state senate. He has studied closely the questions af- fecting the welfare of the commonwealth, and has given his support to all measures which he be- lieves to be for the public good. His course has ever been most commendable, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of this portion of Idaho. Socially he is con-

nected with the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Master Mason in Idaho City, in 1868. He is a charter member of Salubria Lodge, No. 31, and has filled all the offices therein. All who know him, and his acquaintance is extensive, esteem him for the possession of most sterling traits of character.

JAMES R. STRONG.

James Russell Strong, judge of the probate court of Latah county, was born in Sullivan, Ash- land county, Ohio, September 24, 1849. His great-grandfather, Russell Strong, was a resident of Vermont and participated in the events which go to form the early history of the Green Moun- tain state. His son, Alvah Strong, grandfather of our subject, was a participant in the war of 1812 when but a boy, and for one year served in the Union army during the civil war as a member of Company F, First Nebraska Volunteer Infan- try. He participated in the battle of Fort Donel- son and after the battle of Shiloh received an honorable discharge on account of his advanced age. He spent his last days with his son, Orrin R. Strong, and his grandson, James R. Strong, and had passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest.

Orrin R. Strong, father of our subject, was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, September 30, 1823, and having arrived at years of maturity married Miss Amanda Gibbs, who was born in Rutland county, Vermont, a daughter of Elijah Gibbs, of that state. Mr. Strong was a farmer, but at the time of the rebellion he put aside all business cares and per- sonal considerations to enter his country's serv- ice, as a member of Company C, Fourth Regi- ment of Missouri Cavalry. On the expiration of his first term he re-enlisted, and continued at the front until the close of the war. He now resides in Garfield, Washington, at the age of seventy- six years, and his wife is seventy-one years of age. They celebrated their golden wedding in October, 1898, having traveled life's journey to- gether for half a century. They are members of the Methodist church, in which they have for many years been faithful workers. In their fan- ily were eight children, six of whom are living.

James Russell Strong, the eldest of the family, acquired his preliminary education in the public

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schools, and later was a student in Amity Acad- emy, in Page county, Iowa. He entered upon his business career as a school-teacher and farmer, performing the labors of the school-room through the winter season, while in the summer months lie worked in the fields. In 1877 he removed to Kansas, where he purchased a cheese factory, which he operated for five years. He was also engaged in merchandising for five years in Rip- ley, Kansas, but in 1889 sold his business inter- ests in that state and came to Idaho, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of land in the north- ern part of Latah county, his post-office being Cora. He has also acted as salesman, book- keeper and time-keeper in connection with a large sawmill in the neighborhood.

In politics Mr. Strong has always been a Re- publican and has been honored with a number of positions of public trust. He has served as postmaster and justice of the peace, and in 1898 received the Republican nomination for judge of the probate court of Latah county. Being elected, he is now ably serving, discharging his duties in a most prompt and able manner. The cause of education ever finds in him a warm friend and he has rendered effective service as school trustee.

In 1876 Mr. Strong was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Putnam, a native of Canton, Ful- ton county, Illinois, and they have four children : Alvah, Eunice, Ettie and Alice, all yet under the parental roof. Mrs. Strong holds membership in the Methodist church, and for many years Mr. Strong has been a valued member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, passing all the chairs in the encampment. He is a gentleman of ability and is an obliging and painstaking officer.

JOSHUA G. ROWTON.

One of the prominent farmers of Camas prairie is Joshua Graham Rowton, who was born in Benton county, Missouri, June 16, 1850. He is of English descent, his ancestors having been early settlers of Kentucky, where the family was founded by John Rowton, the grandfather of our subject. He afterward removed to Missouri and was num- bered among the pioneers of that state. William Willis Rowton, the father of Joshua, was born near Louisville, Kentucky, and when a young man accompanied the family on their emigration to Missouri. He made his home in Benton county,

but died at the early age of twenty-seven years. He married Martha Graham, who was left a widow with two little sons. She was ever faith- fully devoted to her children and is still living, in her seventy-first year, her home being in Kansas. She has long been a member of the Baptist church and is a most estimable lady.

Mr. Rowton of this review was only a year old when his father died. He had little oppor- tunity for acquiring an education, and as the family lost all their property during the civil war his school privileges were necessarily more lim- ited than would otherwise have been the case. However, reading and experience in the practical affairs of life have added greatly to his knowl- edge, and he is to-day a very well informed man. When fourteen years of age he removed with his mother to Kansas, and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his own resources for his livelihood, so that whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. In the fall of 1872 he removed to Montana, and the fol- lowing year packed over the mountains to Camas prairie. Here he located the homestead upon which he now resides, a rich tract of land seven and a half miles northeast of Grangeville. Here, as the result of his industry and energy, he has now a fine country place, and from time to time has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises six hundred acres. His cozy home, attractive grounds, good orchard and many other improvements all indicate the pro- gressive spirit and good taste of the owner, who is regarded as one of the leading representatives of the agricultural interests in this part of the state. He follows general farming, but has given his attention chiefly to stock-raising, including cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. He has had as many as three hundred head of cattle at one time, and in this branch of his business is meeting with very gratifying success.

In 1877 Mr. Rowton was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Clarke, a native of Ohio, and three children grace their union: Eva, Homer C. and Jessie. Mrs. Rowton is a cultured and amiable lady, and presides very gracefully over their hospitable home, being to her husband a worthy helpmeet.

Since coming to this state Mr. Rowton has been actively connected with many of the events

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which form its history. At the time the Nez Perces Indian war broke out he was at Mount Idaho, and was one of the first to volunteer in the service of quelling the uprising. He aided in building the stone fortifications at Mount Idaho and was one of the party that routed a band of Indians in that vicinity. He also served with General Custer in Texas in following a band of Indians who had captured a white woman on the Red river. After a long and arduous chase they overtook the Indians and rescued the woman, a fact of which the participants in the affairs have every reason to be proud.

In politics Mr. Rowton has also been an active factor. He belongs to a family of Republicans, and had an uncle who was a slave-holder in the

south, but who nevertheless espoused the cause of the Union and fought in the northern army in support of the supremacy of the government at Washington. Our subject has always been a stanch advocate of the Grand Old Party, and in the fall of 1893 was elected on its ticket to the state legislature, where he served most creditably and was the chairman of the committee on roads and bridges. In 1896 he was again nominated, but the entire ticket met defeat in Idaho in that year. Mr. Rowton, however, has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. Socially he is a representa- tive of the Odd Fellows society. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance on Camas prairie and are very favorably known.

CHAPTER XXXI.

EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES IN IDAHO.

1 N THE character of her schools and the facili- ties for education Idaho has kept fully abreast with the other states of the west. Education in the Gem state has kept pace with her material developments. The future of Idaho as regards educational facilities and advantages is most promising. The munificent grant of land made to the state by the general government, coupled with the minimum price (ten dollars per acre) at which state lands may be sold, secures an endow- ment amply sufficient to defray all expenses of the public schools. The amount received from the sale of school lands goes into the general school fund, which is irreducible, the interest de- rived from its investment in state bonds and farm mortgages being alone available for the support of the schools. This interest, after but one year's operation of the law providing for sales of land, amounted to over forty thousand dollars per an- num. The first school land was sold November 27, 1891. When it is remembered that there are belonging to the state, under the grant for com- mon schools, nearly three million five hundred thousand acres, an idea of the magnitude of the school fund in the near future can be formed. Within a few years it is confidently expected that the common schools of the state will be entirely supported by the income from the state fund, and that local taxation, except for extraordinary pur- poses, will not be known in connection with the public schools.

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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 84

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