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 90

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 90

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The Oregon Short Line Railroad passes . through the county north and south, crossing the Snake river at Idaho Falls.

The principal towns of the county are: Idaho Falls, Blackfoot (which is the county seat and location of the United States land-office), Basalt, Shelly, Iona; with the settlements of Riverside, New Sweden, Tilden, Bryan, Presto, Leorin, Taylor, Ammon, Fairview, Gray, Coltman, Rosa, Goshen and Prospect.

The population of the county is about eight thousand.

In regard to schools Bingham county is not behind any of her sister counties, and she has reason to be proud of her facilities in this line. There are in the county thirty-four districts and thirty-six school-houses, the total value of build- ings and other property aggregating nearly forty-four thousand dollars.

BLACKFOOT.

The attractive village of Blackfoot is located on the Oregon Short Line Railroad, distant to the north twenty-four miles from Pocatello and one hundred and fifty-eight miles from Ogden, Utah; while the city of Butte, Montana, is two hundred and thirty-nine miles northward.

Its population is one thousand, grown this from its birth in 1880, but a conservative forecast of its population five years hence is two thou- sand. It is the capital of Bingham county, and was formerly the mother county seat of this, Bannock and Fremont counties, before their segregation, and a twenty-three thousand dollar court-house is here. It is the home of the State Insane Asylum since 1885, in whose one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand dollar structure some one hundred and seventy-five unfortunates

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are kindly kept captive. The original asylum was destroyed by fire in 1887, only to be replaced by a much better one. Since 1887 the United States land-office has been located here, and the following facts hint the magnitude of its transac- tions and its vital import to Blackfoot: In May, 1898, there were of homestead entries 84, with an acreage of 12,766; June, 95 entries, acreage 13,996; July, 122 entries, acreage 18,330. In the corresponding period of homestead proofs there were in May, 1898, 36, acreage 5,475; June, 22, acreage 3,776; July, 35, acreage 5,404.

Industrially there are here: A fifteen thou- sand dollar roller flouring mill, fifty barrels daily capacity, and as an adjunct a five thousand dol- lar elevator with a storage capacity of thirty thousand bushels ; a creamery is completed, which will give a high cash market price for milk, but- ter and cheese; the town has one hundred busi- ness and professional representatives, and its yearly trade transactions are about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Its trade territory is twelve miles north and south and one hundred and eighty miles west, beyond even the great Custer county mining district, one hundred and fifty miles distant, whose gold, silver, lead and copper propositions sometimes employ four thousand men, supplies for all of whom are bought in Blackfoot, a daily stage line running between here and Challis, the center of the famous camps. A tri-weekly stage also runs from here to Tilden, thirty-five miles southwest. A goodly quota of trade is likewise drawn from the Indian industrial school, nine miles east- ward, where one hundred and fifty students are under the supervision of thirty government em- ployes.

The immediate environing country is agri- cultural, prodigal in its products, though as yet but in the infancy of its development and utility.

Blackfoot maintains an advanced position in regard to educational and religious advantages. Its attractive brick school-house was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars and is an endur- ing monument to the zeal of the citizens for the mental uplifting of the rising generations. Of the religious societies the Methodists, Baptists and Episcopalians have attractive houses of wor- ship here, and the Mormon church also has an

organization here. The various fraternal or- ganizations are well represented and are in flour- ishing condition.

The business portion of Blackfoot is of attrac- tive brick and stone structures, the stone being quarried near by. The town is tented in trees, hence is called "Grove City." The great Snake river is but a mile to the west, and the largest canal in Idaho is near by, supplemented by four others. Both business and resident lots are 25×125 feet; the former sell at from two hundred to four hundred dollars; the latter at from twenty-five to seventy-five dollars. Blackfoot's altitude is four thousand six hundred feet, and one can see with a nude eye seventy-five miles to the west. Blackfoot is the seat of government of Bingham county, with a population of one thousand wide-awake, prosperous, happy and contented people, surrounded by the comforts of life. The history of Blackfoot has been one of steady growth and development. Its streets are dotted with cozy cottages and handsome homes, which form the border for substantial brick and stone business blocks, and it has the general ap- pearance of solidity and commercial activity. Vigorous and strong, its future growth is as- sured. The city has a good system of water- works and a well organized fire department, which affords protection to life and property.

IDAHO FALLS.

Idaho Falls is an old and a new town. Away back in 1865, when the Indians had possession of nearly all of this country, parties who had gone up the Missouri river and discovered mines in Montana, the trail from these mining camps to Salt Lake City, and to connect with the great overland stage line to California, was opened through this section and Snake river was crossed here. A bridge was built, and in order to get required bolts, one hundred and fifty dollars was paid for an old freight wagon, for the iron it contained.

When the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads were completed, a few years later, there was considerable travel between Corinne, about thirty miles west of Ogden, and Montana points. This place was then known as Taylor's bridge. It was afterward changed to Eagle Rock, on account of a large rock in the river, a

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short distance above the present town, where years ago, but it was found entirely inadequate eagles built their nests.

When the Utah Northern Railroad was com- pleted, in 1881, this was made a division and the machine and car shops were located here. In 1882 and 1883 the town grew rapidly, and in 1885 the population was fully fifteen hundred, and it was one of the best towns in the south- eastern part of the territory.

In 1887, however, the railroad company re- moved the shops to Pocatello, and at least sixty other buildings, mostly dwellings, were removed, and the population of the town was greatly de- creased, leaving it not to exceed three hundred.

With the completion of some of the irrigation canals, however, the county began to settle up and the town began to grow. In 1890 the name was changed to Idaho Falls, and a new impetus given it. It was advertised throughout the east, until to-day it is one of the best business points in southern Idaho, and we doubt if there is an- other town in the state of equal population that can show the volume of business that Idaho Falls can.

Its growth has been substantial. Fine brick or stone buildings have taken the place of shacks. The dwellings are more commodious and pretentious. The population is about one thousand four hundred and is steadily increasing.

Idaho Falls is situated on the east bank of Snake river, where the Oregon Short Line Rail- road crosses on a substantial iron bridge. There is also a first-class iron wagon-bridge. At this point there is a succession of rapids in the river, the fall being twenty-two feet in a little over a quarter of a mile, making one of the grandest water powers in the Rocky mountain region. Competent engineers have measured and placed it at twenty-six thousand horse-power.

In respect to schools and churches Idaho Falls is well supplied. The first society to build a church was the Baptist, who have a commodious building that will seat about two hundred per- sons comfortably. The society also has a fine parsonage. The Presbyterians were the next to build, but eventually they found they were short of room, and built a large addition for a Sunday- school room, which is shut off from the main room by folding doors.

The Mormons built a small church several

to their needs, and in 1896 they erected a large stone building capable of seating four hundred.

The Methodist society started to build in 1895, but many things retarded the completion of the building, which is the finest church edifice in the town. The Episcopal society has been organ- ized for some time and in 1896 a handsome brick church was completed except seating. The Cath- olic society has been organized for some time, and on the west side of the river, where there is a large Swedish population, a fine church was built in 1895. Services are held every Sunday.

The public schools of Idaho Falls are second to none in the state. A large two-story brick building stands in the center of a block and pre- sents a commanding view. The various secret societies are well represented in the village.

Idaho Falls is incorporated as a village. The affairs are conducted by a board of five trustees, elected every year on the first Tuesday in April.

There are probably few towns of the size that can boast of as good a system of water-works, which supplies a large portion of the town with fine water from Snake river. There are about three thousand feet of four-inch mains, with a large amount of one-and-a-half-inch connections and four large hydrants for fire purposes. The power is supplied by steam and a wind-mill. There is also a chemical engine, which is always kept ready for use, but Idaho Falls has been very fortunate regarding fires. Only two fires, where there has been any considerable loss, have oc- curred.

The United States weather bureau is located here. Reports are received from all over the state during the summer months and a regular monthly bulletin published. Reports of the weather forecasts are received and sent out every day.

The following pen picture was written by a citizen of Butte after he had passed a few days in Idaho Falls:

"Standing on the terraced foothills of the Teton range, seven miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho, the wondering eye is met by a scene unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. The towering mountains are behind you, rising high above the foothills, high above the timber line, until their hoary peaks are bathed in lofty regions of perpetual

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snow. Standing thus, you have laid out before you the rich and fertile valley of the Snake river, with her three million acres of farming lands, like a great map. The solemn magnificence of mighty crags and peaks is above you, while the sound of rushing torrents from many waterfalls is sweet music to your ears. Numerous rivu- lets and streams of water, all carrying the wealth of Ophir in their pure and limpid depths, wend their way to the verdant plain below, and in the

western distance, some seven miles away, there stands in all her newness, beauty and promise, Idaho Falls, the 'Orient of the West,' upon the banks of the mighty Snake river, containing oceans of water, and beyond to the westward, across the broad and level valley, the purple mountains rise again in majesty and grandeur, while the afterglow of the sun's reflection turns the waters of the irrigating canals throughout the valley into liquid gold."

John Lamp

CHAPTER XXXIV.

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS.

JOHN LEMP.

M ORE than a third of a century has passed since John Lemp came to Idaho, and throughout this long period he has been most actively connected with the business interests of Boise. His labors have contributed largely to its growth and upbuilding, and its commercial enterprise is due in no small measure to his investment in industries and business con- cerns which have contributed materially to its prosperity. He is one of the highly esteemed residents of the city, whose history would be in- complete without the record of his life.

A native of Germany, John Lemp was born April 21, 1838, and belongs to an old family of the Fatherland. There he was reared and edu- cated. In 1852 he came to the United States, landing at New York, whence he made his way to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was principally engaged in clerking until 1859, when he removed to Colorado. There he owned a claim and was for some time engaged in mining, but not meet- ing with the success he anticipated lie abandoned the claim and came to Idaho in 1863. The city of Boise was just springing into existence. The post had been located there, and a few residences and business houses had been erected, but its development was a work of the future in which Mr. Lemp was to bear an active part. He first went to Idaho City, in the Boise basin, then the center of mining excitement, but after a short time returned to Boise, where he has since re- sided. Here he began the brewing business on a small scale, but by good management and in pro- portion to the growth of the city his trade has grown and for many years the manufacture of beer in this city was profitable. In 1864 he erected the brewery, which he still conducts, but being a man of resourceful business ability his efforts have by no means been confined to one line of endeavor. Many of the fine buildings of the city stand as monuments to his enterprising

and progressive spirit. He erected the Capital Hotel, a fine building containing one hundred and twenty-three rooms and having a frontage on Main street of one hundred and twenty-five feet. There are three stories and a basement, and the entire building is supplied with modern acces- sories and conveniences, constituting it one of the best hotel buildings in the state. Mr. Lemp also erected the Shainewalt block, thirty-six by one hundred and twenty feet, together with many other buildings. In fact, he has been one of the most extensive builders in the city. He was, for years, a stockholder and director of the First National Bank, one of the leading and reliable financial institutions in the state; is a stockholder of the Boise Electric Railway Company, and a stockholder in the Hot and Cold Water Com- pany. He has probably done as much as any other one individual toward advancing the varied interests of the city and is numbered among its most liberal and progressive men.

In 1866 Mr. Lemp was married to Miss Cath- arine Kohlhept, who was born in Germany, but was reared in this country. To them have been born the following children. namely: John Emil, who died in 1895; George William, who is nian- aging his father's farm; Elizabeth, wife of W. B. Conner; Augusta, wife of Roderick Grant; 1da and Ada, twins, the latter now the wife of H. Hunt; William, who died in 1881; Albert, who is connected with his father in the management of the hotel and dry-goods business; Edward, Herbert and Bernard, who are attending school: and Marie, who died in 1896, at the age of four years. The family is one of prominence in the community, and the members of the householdl occupy enviable positions in social circles.

Mr. Lemp has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, having been made a Master Mason in Shoshone Lodge, No. 3. which has since been consolidated with Boise Lodge, No. 2, and of which he is a past master. He also

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belongs to the chapter, commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He has also been a member of the Odd Fellows society since 1868, has filled all of its chairs, was noble grand, and for thirteen years served as its grand treasurer. The Ancient Order of United Workmen likewise numbers hin among its valued representatives. In politics Mr. Lemp has always been a stanch Republican and an ardent worker in the ranks of the party. In 1874 he was elected by his fellow townsmen mayor of Boise, and for about twenty years he has been a member of the city council. He has ever used his official prerogatives to advance the welfare of Boise, to aid in its improvement and promote its best interests. At all times he is possessed of that progressive spirit which seeks not his own good alone, but is alive to the ad- vancement of city, county and state, and his place in Boise would be difficult to fill.

CHARLES F. BROWN.

Charles Francis Brown is the owner of a fine ranch of one hundred and sixty acres on Camas prairie, near Grangeville, where, in addition to farming and stock-raising, he owns and oper- ates a sawmill, manufacturing a large amount of lumber. His well directed efforts are bringing to him a deserved success, and he is accounted one of the substantial citizens of the community. He claims Wisconsin as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Monroe, Green county, on the 15th of November, 1846. His parents were William G. and Clarissa (Bartley) Brown, the former a native of Missouri, and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Wisconsin and were numbered among the pioneer settlers of that state. In 1849 the father crossed the plains to California, attracted by the then recent discov- eries of gold, and in his mining ventures met with success. He afterward returned to the east, but later again went to the Golden state. He was a man of ability and influence and held a number of public positions of honor and trust. He departed this life in 1898, at the age of eighty- three years, and his wife passed away in the spring of 1899, at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living.

Charles F. Brown, the eighth of the family, was only a small boy when he accompanied his

parents to California. He was educated in the public school at Dutch Flat, that state, and after- ward engaged in mining. When a young man, however, he came to Camas prairie where he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has since added until he now has a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He has erected thereon a desirable residence and has one of the most attractive and beautiful ranches in his sec- tion of the county. His land is mostly planted to timothy hay for the stock, and in his stock business he is meeting with signal success. Since coming to Idaho he has crossed his cattle until now the Hereford blood prevails. In 1892 he purchased his sawmill property. He has here a good water-power and a mill which turns out seven thousand feet of lumber daily. He has a large home demand for all the lumber he can manufacture, and this branch of his business therefore adds materially to his income.

In 1866 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lumis, and to them have been born four children: William G., who now assists his father in the mill; Jennie, wife of Harry Mark- ham, a resident of Grangeville; Ada, wife of Charles Keller, whose home is in Cadiz, Wiscon- sin; and Udora, now deceased. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1873. She was a most faithful wife and a loving and in- dulgent mother and her loss was deeply felt by her family and many friends. Four years later, in 1877, Mr. Brown wedded Miss Almira Tuck, a native of Maine, and they now occupy their pleasant home on the ranch.

Mr. Brown has always been a loyal and de- voted citizen of the republic, and when only seventeen years of age gave evidence of his patri- otic spirit by enlisting, in 1864, in the Union army as a member of Company D, Seventh Cali- fornia Infantry. The regiment expected to be sent to the south, but was put on the border line between Mexico and Arizona in order to keep the Indians in subjection. Thus our subject par- ticipated in several Indian skirmishes. He re- mained in the army until he received an honor- able discharge, in May, 1866. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics has been a stalwart Republican since attaining his majority. His time and attention are closely given to his business interests, and

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his industry, enterprise and capable management are the important elements in his success.

BENJAMIN F. MORRIS.

The prominent position which Benjamin F. Morris occupies in business circles is indicated by the honor that was conferred upon him by his election to the presidency of the Commercial Club, of Lewiston. He is a man of marked busi- ness and executive ability, of sterling worth and of great popularity, and is regarded as one of the most valued citizens of Lewiston. A native of Missouri, he was born in 1843, of English ances- try. The family was founded in America a cen- tury and a half ago, and from New York, where the first settlement was made, representatives of the name removed to Virginia, and later to Ken- tucky. One of the family signed the Declaration of Independence and others valiantly fought for the cause of freedom in the Revolutionary war. Benjamin Morris, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, and married Miss Amanda J. Hamilton, a native of West Virginia. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, and died of cholera, in the forty-eighth year of his age, while his widow, long surviving him, lived to be seventy-seven years of age. They had eight children, of whom seven are yet living.

Mr. Morris of this review acquired his educa- tion in his native state and in Oregon. He crossed the plains to California in 1863, driving a mule team to Salt Lake City and riding a mule the rest of the way. He remained in the Golden state for a short time, but in 1864 went by water to Oregon, where he took pack horses from The Dalles to Warrens. In the latter place he also engaged in mining and took an active part in public affairs, serving for ten years as auditor and recorder and clerk of the district court. He filled that position for fifteen years, after whichi he was register of the land office for four years, and is now land attorney. He is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, and is a stock . holder in the Lewiston Mercantile Company, do- ing a large wholesale business, and has large tracts of land in Idaho county. He is a man of sound judgment, keen discrimination and un- abating energy, and his well directed efforts have crowned with prosperity the various enterprises with which he is connected. He also has the

honor of being president of the Commercial Club, of Lewiston, and is justly popular in business and social circles.

In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morris and Miss Harriet F. Graham, and their union has been blessed with three children: John Roy, William Graham and Zella A. They have in Lewiston a very attractive home, which was built by Mr. Morris, and the members of the household occupy enviable positions in social cir- cles and enjoy the friendship of many of Lewis- ton's best people.

In politics Mr. Morris has been a lifelong Dem- ocrat, unswerving in his allegiance to the prin- ciples of the party. He is also a very prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken all the degrees of the York rite and has attained the thirtieth degree in the Scottish rite. He is a past master and deputy grand mas- ter of the state of Idaho, and is not only eminent in that organization, but by his upright life has won a place among the representative men of northern Idaho.

WILLIAM H. B. CROW.

William Henry Byron Crow was born in Greene county, Illinois, June 16, 1852, and came of English ancestors who emigrated to America before the Revolution. His paternal great- grandfather was born at Bennington, Vermont, in 1754, and with his son, Mr. Crow s grandfather. went to Ohio in 1818, where the elder Crow died in 1844, aged ninety years. Stephen Crow, father of William H. B. Crow, was born in New York in 1816, and was two years old when the family removed to Ohio. He married Miss Elizabeth Prater, a native of Indiana, born in 1825, who was brought up and educated at Dowagiac, Michigan, where her father was a prominent pioneer settler. Stephen Crow and his wife are both living, he being eighty-three years old. she seventy-four. They are Baptists and have been almost literally pillars of the church, Mr. Crow having been one of its deacons for many years. They had ten children, nine of whom are yet living. William Henry Byron Crow, their fifth child, was educated in district schools in Iowa, in the Missouri Valley (Iowa) high school and at Lincoln University, and he was a pro- fessional teacher in Iowa and eastern Nebraska

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during the years from 1870 to 1880. A close student, a logical thinker and conclusive reasoner, he gained a reputation as one of the most suc- cessful educators in that part of the country. In 1880 he came to Idaho Falls and filed on one hundred and sixty acres of land and a desert claim, both adjoining the Idaho Falls town plat on the east, which he subsequently platted and sold and which tract has come to be known as the Crow Addition to Idaho Falls. Not finding an opening in his accustomed vocation, he found employment in the erection of the railroad shops, and as foreman for the railroad company directed their removal. From the day of his ad- vent in the town he has been active in the up- building of all its important interests. He was the organizer of the Idaho Falls Waterworks Company, which supplies water to the town from Snake river, and is now its sole owner. He is the owner also of considerable valuable ranch property and of other town property, including a fine home. His career as a teacher naturally inclined him to concern himself in the public schools of Idaho Falls, and he has been a tireless and very efficient promoter of their best inter- ests. Since the organization of the school board of the town he has been almost continuously one of its members. He helped to incorporate Idaho Falls and was a member of the first board of trustees. He was one of the organizers of the Bingham County Agricultural Fair Association and was influential in securing the location of the state experimental station at Idaho Falls. He is a charter member of Bingham Lodge, No. 14, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and had much to do with bringing about the building of the Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home, having been a member of the board of trustees that had the supervision of its erection at Idaho Falls. He is an active Republican and serves his party unos- tentatiously, as he does everything else, but al- ways effectively. In 1888 he was elected a mem- ber of the last Idaho territorial legislature. He was a useful legislator, especially active in the irrigation legislation, and represented Bingham county before the senatorial committee on irri- gation in 1890.

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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 90

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