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 86

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 86

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She was born in the state of Nebraska, of American-Irish parents of no mean attainments. Inheriting a fine mental but frail physical consti- tution, her parents with wise foresight saw the necessity of an early training in business, its management and methods. They placed her in one of the colleges of her native state, where her general education was well rounded and followed by one of the most complete and thorough busi- ness courses extant.

Since coming to the state of Idaho, where the enfranchisement of women gives them equal rep- resentation with their brothers, she perceived the necessity of a wider business education for the young of both sexes, and, associated with James W. Mckinney, established the Boise Business and Shorthand College. Two years later Miss Doyle became sole proprietor of the present success- ful and well known institution, which is a daily tribute to her business ability, energy and skill as a teacher. The educational enterprise of this young woman is one of which the state of Idaho may be justly proud, and it has met with hearty appreciation and support of the business people of Boise and southern Idaho. The following tes- timonial reflects the general sentiment of the business men of Boise:

Boise, Idaho, May 29. 1899. Miss Grace E. Doyle. Proprietor Boise Business and Shorthand College. Boise, Idaho:

Miss Doyle: Boise may well be proud in possessing such an institution as the Boise Business and Short- hand College. The Boise Chamber of Commerce unhesitatingly gives your college and its proprietor its most hearty endorsement.

BOISE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Fred. R. Reed, President. Attest: S. M. Coffin, Secretary.

Janet Bush

CHAPTER XXXII.

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS.

JAMES H. BUSH.

J AMES H. BUSH, deceased, was one of the prominent and widely known business men of Boise, where he spent the greater part of his life. He was born in White Lake, Oakland county, Michigan, July 29, 1842, and was a son of Elias Oliver and Mary Jane (Fife) Bush, both of whom were well-to-do farmers and early settlers of Michigan and members of the Baptist church.

James Bush was educated in Flint, Michigan, and in early manhood was a purser on a steam- boat. In February, 1865, he sailed from New York for the Pacific coast by way of Panama, reaching Boise Basin in April, and there engag- ing in mining with William Law. In the summer of 1874 he came to Boise and purchased the Cen- tral Hotel, which he personally conducted for fifteen years in a most successful manner. He was one of the organizers of the Capital State Bank, was elected its first vice-president and filled that office up to the time of his death, de- voting his time and talents during his incum- bency to the task of making it the prosperous institution it became. As a business man he was enterprising, capable and energetic, and in 1892 built one of the beautiful and commodious houses which adorn the city of Boise. As an early set- tler of the state he took a great interest in its de- velopment and progress and did everything in his power to advance its interests. During the Ban- nack war he was captain of a company, and on one occasion, with forty-five men, he gallantly rescued a train of sixty wagons which was be- sieged by the Indians near Cold Springs.

On January 5, 1876, Mr. Bush was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Kelly, a daughter of the late Judge Kelly, one of Idaho's distinguished citizens, and three children were born to them: Mabel, now the wife of George S. Lindsey, of Blackfoot; Florence and Milton. Mrs. Bush sur- vives her husband and is a most estimable lady,

who now resides in the beautiful home provided by Mr. Bush.

Mr. Bush departed this life on November 22, 1897, and his loss was deeply felt not only by his family but also by all the citizens of Boise, to whom he had long been endeared. He was a valued member of the Masonic fraternity and was made a Master Mason in 1868, at Idaho City. He was also made a Knight Templar, at Flint, Mich- igan.

CHARLES A. THATCHER.

Identified with pioneer life in Oregon, Wash- ington and Idaho, Charles Albert Thatcher fig- ured long and prominently in the development and progress of the northwest and in the events which form its history. He lived an honorable, upright life, won prosperity through determined purpose and indefatigable energy, and at all times enjoyed the esteem of his fellow men, by reason of those sterling qualities of manhood which in every land and every clime awaken admiration and regard.

Mr. Thatcher was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1826, and was a repre- sentative of an old American family. He acquired his education in Harford University and in Ober- lin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, but, his health fail- ing him, he was obliged to abandon his studies before the day of graduation arrived, and spent two years in the pine forests of Wisconsin. He was much benefited by his sojourn in that state, and afterward engaged in teaching school in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, starting early in the season with a party en route for the Pacific coast. They were fortunate in escaping the cholera and at- tacks from the Indians, safely reaching their destination after some months of travel. The fol- lowing year the territory of Washington was or- ganized and Mr. Thatcher was made its first school superintendent. He formed the first school districts, and filled that office for nine years, dur-

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ing which time he placed the educational system of the state on a firm basis and gave it a progres- sive impetus whose influence is still felt. Thus he engraved his name deeply on the record of Wash- ington's intellectual advancement.

In 1854 Mr. Thatcher was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Huntington, a daughter of Jacob Huntington, who with his family crossed the plains in 1852. Mrs. Thatcher was born in In- diana, and was a maiden of fifteen summers when she came to the west. Her father secured a dona- tion claim on the Cowlitz river, where he made a good home and there lived until October, 1897, when he was called to his final rest, at the age of eighty-five years. His good wife passed away many years previously. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher continued to reside in Cowlitz county until the time of the mining excitement at Florence, Idaho, when our subject made his way thither, in company with Judge Langdon. They did not, however, meet with the success which they had anticipated, and in consequence went to Lewiston, where Mr. Thatcher was appointed superintendent of farming at Lapwai. He con- tinued in that capacity among the Nez Perces In- dians for six years, and during that time he and Mrs. Thatcher were intimate friends of that noble man, Rev. Spaulding, the Presbyterian mission- ary, who labored so earnestly among the red men and established the mission at Lapwai at a very early day.

In October, 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher re- moved to Lewiston, and he was appointed by President Grant to the position of postmaster, acceptably serving in that office for two years, when he resigned and engaged in general mer- chandising. Later he opened a book and station- ery store, which he conducted until 1896, when, his health failing him, he turned over the business to his son and retired to private life. He had built up an excellent trade, and his business was constantly increasing in volume and importance. Mr. Thatcher never recovered his health, his strength gradually failing him until the end came, September 18, 1897, and he was at rest. In poli- tics he was a stanch Republican. A public spir- ited man and valued citizen, his loss was felt throughout the entire community. He was a de- voted husband and father, and as the result of his well directed efforts in business he was enabled

to leave his family in comfortable circumstances.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher were born six children: Eva, who died in 1870, at the age of fourteen years; Charles, who in 1879, when in his thirty-ninth year, was robbed and killed at Lap- wai, where he was engaged in business; Emma, wife of John L. Chapman, who is postmaster at Lewiston; Harry A., who married the daughter of Captain E. W. Baughman and resides in Gen- esee; Katherine, wife of B. B. Bravinder; Cur- tis, who is conducting business in partnership with Fred A. Kling, in Lewiston; and George, who is likewise at home with his mother. Mrs. Thatcher still makes her home in Lewiston. She is a Christian Scientist, a most intelligent lady and one of the honored pioneer women of the state.

JOHN HANSON.

John Hanson, who loyally served this country as a member of the navy, is now successfully en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on Camas prairie, in Idaho county, where he owns four hun- dred and eighty acres of land. He is a native of Denmark, his birth having occurred in that land on the 9th of June, 1827. At the age of fifteen he bade adieu to home and friends and went to sea, eventually sailing to New York, in 1849. While there he joined the United States Navy and served for sixteen months, at the expiration of which period he received an honorable dis- charge. He then sailed on merchant vessels on the Pacific ocean and on the Mediterranean sea, and became a well informed seaman, his ability and worth winning him promotion from time to time, until he became a first mate. During his seafaring life he passed through many dangers and hardships, which if written out in full would make a most interesting volume. He was ship- wrecked twice off the coast of San Francisco, where the ship was driven ashore, and was also in a fearful typhoon in South American waters, the ship being lost, but the crew escaped with their lives. When the United States became in- volved in the greatest civil war known to modern history, he determined to aid in the perpetuation of the Union, and enlisted in the navy, March 28, 1862. He became acting master of the Cayuga, a gunboat in the gulf squadron, under Admiral Farragut. They had several engagements up the Mississippi river and were engaged in forming

Residence of Mrs. James H. Bush, Boise, Idaho.

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the blockade off Galveston and Mobile. Mr. Hanson continued in the service until December, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge, after which he located at Vineland, New Jersey.

There he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed for nine years, but the business was entirely new to him, and after nine years of hard work, in which he gained much valuable experience, he was glad to get out of his farm what he had put into it. He then came west, locating first at San Francisco, and in 1876 took up his abode on his present farm on Camas prairie, where he secured three hundred and twenty acres of land, to which he has added an- other quarter section, now owning a valuable tract of four hundred and eighty acres. He has erected there a comfortable residence, good barns and outbuildings, and has all the latest improved ma- chinery necessary in carrying on his farm after the most approved modern methods. He raises grain, hay, cattle, horses and hogs, and has had as high as two hundred head of cattle at one time. He is a successful stock-raiser, and has acquired a handsome competence through his well directed efforts.

In 1859 Mr. Hanson was married to Mrs. Anna Savage, widow of James Savage. She had no children by her first marriage, but by the second union has become the mother of the following named: Henry, a farmer and miner, residing at White Bird, Idaho; George, who carries on farm- ing and stock-raising ; Frederick, an agriculturist ; William and Charles, who are at home with their parents.

Mr. Hanson is a Republican in politics and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1857. Both he and his estimable wife hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the friendship and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Hanson has ever been a loyal citizen since first entering the naval service of his adopted land, and no native-born son is truer to her inter- ests and welfare.

CHARLES F. LELAND.

Charles F. Leland, coming to Lewiston in his boyhood, has spent almost his entire life in this beautiful and prosperous city of northern Idaho, where he is now serving as general stage agent

and also as agent for the Northern Pacific Ex- press Company. He was born in Portland, Ore- gon, November 5, 1858, and in 1864 removed to Lewiston with his parents. His father, Alonzo Leland, was born in Springfield, Vermont, July 12, 1818, and in the public schools acquired his education. At the age of sixteen he began to earn his own living by teaching, which profession he followed for two years, in the meantime doing what he could to fit himself for a higher educa- tion. He subsequently spent three years as a student in the New Hampshire State Academy, and for a similar period continued his education in Brown University, graduating with honor in the class of 1843. During the acquirement of his education he maintained himself by working dur- ing vacations at the carpenter's trade. After the completion of his collegiate course he engaged in teaching in Maryland and in Massachusetts for a number of years, but becoming aware of the great possibilities of the growing west he re- solved to try his fortune on the Pacific coast. By way of the isthmus of Panama he proceeded to Portland, Oregon, where he arrived in October, 1850, and having acquired a knowledge of civil engineering he was employed on the work of surveying and platting that city, which was then being builded in the bushes along the banks of the Willamette river. Subsequently he turned his attention to journalism and had the honor of establishing the first daily paper, the Portland Standard, in that then rapidly growing town. He was appointed and served as postmaster of Port- land, and also held the office of judge of the pro- bate court. In the meantime he had devoted much of his leisure time for several years to the study of law, and in 1861 was admitted to the bar.

It was not long after this that discoveries of gold were made at Florence and Warrens, Idaho, and with the hope of more rapidly acquiring wealtlı Alonzo Leland made his way to the terri- tory of Idaho, where for some time he was en- gaged in placer gold mining. In 1862 he opened a law office in Lewiston, and was prominently connected with the important litigated interests in those early days. In addition he was also con- nected with the Lewiston Journal and was the founder of The Teller, which he conducted as a neutral paper, devoted to the best interests of his town and surrounding country. He made this

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

one of the leading journals of the state, and through its columns he advocated and promoted many movements of great public benefit. He continued to edit and publish this paper until 1891, when he sold out. His death occurred in October of the same year, and thus was ended an important life work. In early manhood he mar- ried Miss Rachel Bliss, a native of Springfield, Vermont, and to them were born five children, four of whom are yet living.

Charles F. Leland, the fourth in order of birth, was a mere child when his parents came to Lew- iston. In its public schools he acquired his edu- cation, and in his father's office he learned the printer's trade, which he mastered, becoming an expert workman. He was admitted to a partner- ship in The Teller, and assisted in making it one of the most progressive and readable journals in this section of the state. In 1891 the paper was. sold and he has since devoted his energies to other lines of activity.

Mr. Leland has been somewhat prominent in the public service, having for two years accept- ably served as marshal of Lewiston. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat and warmly espouses the principles of his party. Since June, 1893, he has been general stage agent, and in May, 1894, was appointed agent for the Northern Pacific Express Company, serving both the com- pany and the citizens of Lewiston in a most satis- factory manner.

In 1892 Mr. Leland married Mrs. Helen Clin- dining, widow of John Clindining, a prominent citizen of Lewiston and a daughter of Joel B. Martin, a noted pioneer of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Leland now have one child, Evangeline Rudel. They have a delightful home in Lewiston and en- joy the esteem of many friends. Mr. Leland is an acceptable member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is widely and favorably known in this community, where he has spent almost his entire life.

JOHN GREEN.

For the past four years a distinguished member of the Lewiston bar, John Green was born in Wythe county, Virginia, September 30, 1860, and is a descendant of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. His father, John W. Green, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Betty Newell Fulton, a native of

Staunton, Virginia, and a direct descendant of the noted family of Stewarts. Her father, An- drew S. Fulton, was judge of the supreme court and presided over the fifteenth judicial district of Virginia for thirty consecutive years. He was a cousin of J. E. Stewart, a prominent cavalry of- ficer in the civil war. When a young man Mr. Green, the father of our subject, removed to Hillsville, Virginia, and became a successful mer- chant of the town, where he carried on operations along that line until his death, which occurred March 24, 1899, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. His wife still survives him and is now in her sixty-eighth year. They were prominent and leading members in the Presby- terian church, and in his political views Mr. Green was a Democrat. He held the office of treasurer of Carroll county, Virginia, for sixteen consecutive years and was a citizen of the highest integrity and worth.

John Green, of this review, was the second in a family of two sons and two daughters. He was reared to manhood in Carroll county, Virginia, completed his literary education by his gradua- tion in the Hampden-Sidney College, with the class of 1880, and pursued the study of law in the office and under the direction of his grand- father, Judge Andrew S. Fulton, and his uncle, Judge John Fulton, both eminent jurists of the Old Dominion. He began the practice of his profession in his native county, where he prac- ticed successfully for ten years. He then trav- eled quite extensively through the west, and after visiting many points he gave to the city of Lewis- ton his preference and located here August 15, 1895. From the beginning he has succeeded in his new field of labor and now has a distinctively representative clientage. It would be impossible for any one man to be perfectly familiar with every point of law, but it is possible for him to prepare for each case, and his careful study, ana- lyzation and plan of argument ofttimes bring the decisions for which he strives. Mr. Green is par- ticularly careful in informing himself on the law which applies to the questions in controversy, and this, added to his logical reasoning and ora- torical power, renders his efforts before court or jury most effective. The public and the profes- sion accord him a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fraternity. Since his arrival in Lewis-

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ton he has also been thoroughly identified with the affairs of the city and county and withholds his support from no measure which he believes will prove of public benefit. He is a stockholder in the Lapwai Placer Mining Company, owning a number of rich mining claims, which they are now preparing to work after the most approved methods.

On the 9th of September, 1896, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Annie Alice Russell, a native of Douglas county, Oregon, and a daughter of George Russell, who was born in Kentucky, but who for twenty years has been a resident of the Sunset state. Mr. and Mrs. Green now have two interesting little daughters: Ethel Alice and Lucile. They have a delightful home in Lewiston and are highly esteemed.

Mr. Green was made a Master Mason in Ful- ton Lodge, No. 193, F. & A. M., which was or- ganized by his grandfather and named in his honor. He became actively interested in the work of the order and has served as junior warden of the lodge. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and to Tscemimcum Tribe, No. 8, I. O. R., of Lewiston, having the honor of being the present sachem of the latter. Both he and his wife are members of the United Artisans. In politics Mr. Green has been a lifelong Demo- crat and has taken an active part in the work and counsels of this party. In a recent campaign he was candidate for county attorney, but though he made a strong race was defeated by a small ma- jority. In Virginia he served as chairman of the Democratic county committee and a member of the state executive committee, and did a large amount of campaign work. He has studied closely the issues of the day and his intelligent support of the party measures has been effective in securing their adoption in the locality in which he resides. He is a young man of marked ability and strong intellectuality, and his honorable career adorns a profession that has furnished to the nation many of her most brilliant men.

MASON A. CORNWALL.

This honored citizen of Moscow has now attained the venerable age of seventy-seven years, yet largely possesses the vigor of a man in his prime. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one, and has been crowned with

a rich measure of success as the fitting reward of his labors and his well directed energies. He is still actively interested in business affairs and in all that is connected with the state's prosperity and progress, and is one of the most valued cit- izens of Idaho. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest as a matter of course want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience, and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of Mr. Cornwall, an encouragement to his associ- ates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.

Mason A. Cornwall was born in Truxton, Cortland county, New York, December 2, 1821, and is a descendant of an old English family that numbers many prominent men among its repre- sentatives. Four Cornwall brothers emigrated to New England in 1636, and founded the family in Connecticut and Rhode Island. William Corn- wall settled in Hartford, Connecticut, and became the progenitor of the branch of the family to which our subject belongs. Benjamin Cornwall, his grandfather, served as a captain in the colo- nial army throughout the Revolutionary war, thus valiantly aiding in the struggle for independence, and after the establishment of the republic he removed from Connecticut to Montgomery county, New York. He had a large family of boys, and with them he divided his landed pos- sessions in Truxton, Cortland county, and they all settled around him. There he resided, sur- rounded by the comforts of life, until called to his final rest, in 1835, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Esther Carrington.

Their son Enos Cornwall, the father of our subject, was born in the Nutmeg state, and located on a farm near his father in Cortland county, New York. Loyalty to his country prompted his service as captain of a company in the war of 1812, and at all times he was faith- ful to his duties of citizenship. He married Miss Betsy Fox, a native of Montgomery county, and they became the parents of ten children, six of whom reached years of maturity. The mother departed this life at the age of forty years and the

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father died in the seventy-fourth year of his age. They were Baptists in their religious faith and were people of the highest respectability.

Mason A. Cornwall, their youngest son, is now the only surviving member of the family. He was educated at Cornwall Hill, the place of his nativity, so called in honor of his father. Remov- ing to the Western Reserve of Ohio, he settled in Cuyahoga, and while there he worked in order to secure further educational advantages afforded in the Berea Seminary. After leaving that insti- tution he taught school for several years and then entered the Fredonia Academy, wherein he be- came a teacher of French. Subsequently he removed to Canada, where he was successfully engaged in educational work for more than twenty years, having the happy faculty of im- parting clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge he had acquired. From Canada he removed to Lorain county, Ohio, where he purchased a large ranch at a bargain, retaining possession of that property until 1864, when he sold the farm (for which he had paid twelve hundred dollars) for forty-seven hundred dollars. Mr. Cornwall also resided for about twenty years in the town- ship of Eagle, Richland county, Wisconsin, and became the owner of a number of farms there. He also purchased a portable sawmill, which was to be operated by another man, but the one who took charge of it did not make a success of the business, and Mr. Cornwall converted it into a store, carrying on merchandising there for sev- eral years. The confinement, however, made in- roads upon his health, and he went to New Orleans, where he became interested in sugar plantations and both made and lost money.

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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 86

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