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 92
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On leaving that locality Mr. Holbrook went to Montana at the time of the Blackfoot excite- ment, and thence returned to Idaho by way of
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the Lolo trail. He opened a store at Long Bar, on the Salmon river, but the following year sold that and established a store on the main crossing of the Coeur d'Alene, and in connection pur- chased and operated the ferry there. He sold out the following winter and went to Lewiston, . where he secured the appointment to the position of deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served until the following July. He then resigned, and resumed prospecting in the Seven Devils country. He took up the Peacock lead and had it recorded in Idaho county, but finally let it go by default. Thence he went to Warrens, where he aided in building the first quartz-mill at that point. He remained in Warrens for five years, was there appointed deputy sheriff and while thus serving brought out four murderers through the then un- inhabited mountain districts. He spent the winter of 1870 in Portland, Oregon, and the next spring purchased a livery business in Lewiston, conduct- ing the same for fourteen years. He met with good success in the undertaking, having a very liberal patronage. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Nez Perces county, and so acceptably did he serve through the two years' term that he was re- elected. In 1884 he sold his livery barn and turned his attention to stock dealing. In 1885 he erected his flouring-mill in Juliaetta, where he has fine water power and a full roller-process mill, with a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. His special brand is called the "Pride of the Potlatch," and is of very superior quality. In 1896 Mr. Holbrook removed to Juliaetta, and has since managed the mill himself. Owing to the excellent quality of the product and his honor- able business methods he receives a liberal pat- . ronage, and is conducting a profitable business. He resides in a pleasant home of his own, a short distance above the mill, and from his resi- dence has a splendid view of the beautiful valley.
In 1880 Mr. Holbrook was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Armstrong, but she died two years later. In 1896 he wedded Eliza E. Cald- well, his present wife. They have three chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook are most highly esteemed and have a large circle of warm friends in the community. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for more than forty-five years, having joined the order in 1853, in Morning Star Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., of Seymour, Con-
necticut. He assisted in organizing the lodge at Lewiston and was one of its most active mem- bers. In politics he has been a lifelong Demo- crat, but during the war was a strong Union man. He has filled various public positions of honor and trust, and in every case has shown himself fully worthy of the confidence reposed in him. He was at one time county commis- sioner of Nez Perces county, and served as mayo1 of Lewiston. He ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelitv, and exercised his official prerogatives to advance all measures which he believed would prove of general good. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one, and he well deserves mention among the representa- tive citizens of Idaho.
JAMES AND THOMAS SURRIDGE.
The Surridge Brothers, of Bridgeport, Idaho county, came to the territory of Idaho in June, 1876, and are numbered among the most enter- prising and progressive citizens of the community in which they make their home. They are both natives of London, England, sons of John and Mary (Cochran) Surridge, who emigrated to America in 1859, bringing with them their three children. They located at Milan, Monroe coun- ty, Michigan, where the father improved a good farm and spent his remaining days. Mr. Sur- ridge died in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife is still living, in 1899, at the age of seventy-three. Five children were added to the family in Michigan and all the sons and daughters yet survive.
James Surridge was born July 3, 1847, and Thomas Surridge in October, 1849. When they became young men they went to California and thence removed to Camas prairie, where they now reside. They took up government land and successfully and extensively engaged in stock- raising, being the first to introduce Clydesdale horses and Berkshire hogs into this section of the county. They also graded their cattle with the Durham breed, and thus did much to advance the interests of the stock-raisers of Idaho by im- proving the grade of cattle, horses and hogs raised. They have become large land-owners, their possessions aggregating two thousand two hundred acres, of which fifteen hundred and sixty acres belong to James, while six hundred
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and forty acres belong to Thomas. The land lies on the south fork of the Clearwater river, at the old Jackson bridge, and there they have platted a town site of forty acres, which they have named Bridgeport. It is on the Clearwater river twelve miles from Grangeville and on the road between Elk City and Newsom creek. The business lots are twenty-five by one hundred feet and the resi- dence lots fifty by one hundred feet, with an alley in the rear. The town site is a beautiful one, be- ing located on high ground adjoining the river. There is fine water-power and two quartz leads on the property, with a five-foot vein at the sur- face and ore which shows fifty dollars per ton at the shaft. There are also a school-house, store and other buildings on the town site, and the Surridge brothers, being men of the highest in- tegrity of character, will spare no pains to make it for the interest of people to join them in mak- ing Bridgeport one of the most thriving towns in the county. They conduct a stage line and have the mail contract from Grangeville to Elk City. Their business interests are. varied and comprehensive. They own eight hundred head of cattle, one hundred head of horses, and they pack from seventy-five to one hundred head of hogs annually. Their brand is "70," and they brand all of their products. They supply the miners with beef and pork, and thus add materi- ally to their income. They are both men of great industry and enterprise, and their keen sagacity, judicious investments and capable management have brought to them splendid success, which they well merit.
In 1876 Thomas Surridge was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia Pequay, a native of Rutland, Vermont, and they have four children: May, Katie, John and Georgie. In politics the broth- ers are both stalwart Democrats and James has served as justice of the peace in his township for a number of years. They also belong to the Masonic fraternity and are active and valued members of the order. In 1877 James Surridge made a trip to the east and was absent at the time of the Nez Perces war, but Thomas volunteered and served as a scout and guide. They also par- ticipated in the Bannock and Sheep-eater Indian wars, doing guard duty and performing all the service necessary in the protection of the fort at Mount Idaho. They are very widely and favor-
ably known throughout Idaho and are held in high esteem by all with whom they have come in contact. Their efforts have been attended by a most creditable success, and their business policy has ever commended them to the confidence of those with whom they have had dealings.
JOEL M. WALKER.
In all the walks of life Captain Joel M. Walker has so acquitted himself as to be re- garded as a most valued and honorable citizen, and as a representative business man and a leader in political circles he well deserves mention among the prominent residents of Idaho. Through the civil war he loyally served his coun- try upon the field of battle, and has ever dis- charged his duties of citizenship with marked promptness and fidelity. It is pleasing in- dulgence to write the biography of a man who has been so prominent in the civil and military affairs of the nation as has Captain Walker. This country has brought forth many heroes, states- men, financiers and brilliant men in all spheres of life. Its annals teem with the records of good lives and noble deeds. Most of our noblest and best men are "self-made," and a worthy repre- sentative of that class is the subject of this re- view, who deserves prominent mention in this volume by reason of his broad sympathies and public spirit. He has left the imprint of his in- dividuality on each place in which, for any length of time, he ever resided, and Kendrick owes much of its advancement to his efforts. His patriotism is clearly shown by his quick response to the call to arms, when his country was in need, and to-day he is numbered among the loyal and progressive residents of Moscow.
Captain Walker is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Pickaway county, November 8, 1835. He is a representative of an old Vir- ginian family, and from the Old Dominion his paternal grandfather removed to Ohio in 1805. Thomas Armstrong Walker, the father of the Captain, was born in that year and was given his mother's maiden name, Armstrong. She be- longed to an equally old Virginian family, and of the Walker family, Mrs. James K. Polk was a member. In 1840 Thomas A. Walker removed with his family to Iowa, where he resided until 1882, when he went with his son to southern
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Kansas, where his death occurred in 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. In their religious faith both he and his wife were Presbyterians. Mr. Walker was a man of marked ability and wide influence and held a number of positions of public trust. During the administration of Presi- dent Polk he served as postmaster of Fort Mad- ison, Iowa, and was register of the land office at Des Moines during the presidency of Franklin Pierce and a portion of President Buchanan's ad- ministration. His wife died at an early age, leav- ing two children, but the Captain is the only one now living. The father afterward married again and had a family by the second union.
In the common schools Captain Walker ac- quired his preliminary education, which was sup- plemented by a course in the Denmark Acad- emy, a Congregational school, at Denmark, Lee county, Iowa. When only four years of age he was taken to the Hawkeye state by his father, and for many years made his home within its borders. After leaving school he spent some time in his father's office and then read law under the direction of Finch & Crocker, the latter being the distinguished General Crocker. He was ad- mitted to practice in the district courts before he was twenty-one years of age, and when twen- ty-two years of age was licensed to practice in the supreme court, but the great civil war was inaugurated and interfered with his professional labors. President Lincoln issued his call for troops and Captain Walker and a friend enlisted two hundred men, from among whom they chose one hundred to form Company B, of the Twenty- third Iowa Volunteers. Mr. Walker was offered the captaincy of the company, but declined be- cause he had no military knowledge, and his friend was then given command, while he was elected first lieutenant. With that rank he went to the front, serving first in Missouri against the guerrillas. The first engagement of import- ance in which he participated was the Vicksburg campaign, and his regiment was the first to cross the Mississippi river, April 30, 1863. They were under fire throughout the entire night and were in the battle the next day. They were also in the battle of Champion Hill, May 16, and led the charge on the enemy's works at Black river bridge, where three thousand Confederate sol- diers were taken prisoners, and the colonel and
several other officers and men were killed. After this battle the regiment to which Captain Walker belonged was detailed by General Grant to take the prisoners to Memphis, Tennessee, and place them in charge of the federal authorities there. When they had returned to Vicksburg a colored regiment was attacked by Texans and when hard pressed broke. The Twenty-third Iowa was then thrown in and stood the brunt of the fight. It was a desperate, almost hand-to-hand, encounter, but finally victory perched on the banner of the Union forces. After the surrender of Vicksburg the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, under General Banks, and with him they made the march through Louisiana and into the border of Texas, where they spent the winter of 1863-4. By this time their ranks had become very much depleted, and in the spring Captain Walker was ordered on recruiting service in order to fill up the thinned-out columns. When that task was completed Captain Walker received an appoint- ment on the staff of General Crocker, who had been appointed governor of Arizona. They made their way across the plains to New Mexico and the Captain remained on the Governor's staff un- til the close of the war, in 1865. Soon after en- tering active service in the Union army he was promoted to the rank of captain, and led his com- pany in all the engagements until he was ap- pointed staff officer. He rejoined his regiment at Mobile, Alabama, in June, 1865, and they were again sent to Texas, where he was appointed assistant provost marshal, and paroled many of General Kirby Smith's men. The regiment was mustered out in August, 1866, and Captain Walker immediately returned to his home.
Not long after this he was appointed by Presi- dent Johnson to the position of United States marshal for the state of Iowa, and when his term expired he engaged in farming in the central por- tion of that state, having a large stock ranch, whereon he engaged extensively in the raising of blooded cattle, owning many of the best in Iowa. In 1882 he sold out and removed to southern Kansas, hoping that a change of climate would benefit his impaired health. He engaged in loan- ing money in Howard, that state, and there re- mained for eight years, after which he spent three months in the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Michi- gan. In August, 1890, still in search of health,
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he took up his abode in Kendrick, Idaho, and established the Bank of Kendrick, opening it for business in October, of that year. He conducted it successfully until 1892, when he sold out to the First National Bank of Moscow. He had erected the bank building, which was the first brick structure in the town, and was prominent in advancing the interests of the town. He is still connected with business affairs there, he and his family owning all of the stock of the Lincoln Hardware & Implement Company, of Kendrick. They have a large store, carry a complete line of goods and do an extensive business. In connec- tion with his son-in-law, Captain Walker is inter- ested in a book and stationery store in Moscow.
Not only has he won prominence in military circles and prosperity in business life, but he is also recognized as a leader in political circles, being a stanch advocate of the Democratic party. He is not an office-seeker in the usually accepted sense of the term, yet has been honored by his fellow citizens with positions of public trust. While in Polk county, Iowa, he was elected and served for two terms on the board of county supervisors, notwithstanding the district was largely Republican. He was also twice candidate for the state legislature and was once candidate for lieutenant governor,-facts which indicate his high standing in Democratic circles. Since com- ing to Latah county he has been the candidate for state senator. He was for two years chair- man of the Democratic state central committee of Iowa. He was a member of the Soldiers' and Sailors' national convention, which met at Phila- delphia, in 1866. He has always attended the state conventions of his party, wherever he has resided, and has exerted great influence in the affairs and deliberations of those organizations.
In October, 1857, Captain Walker was united in marriage to Miss Idie Marshall, a native of Iowa and a representative of a Kentucky family. Their union was blessed with three children, of whom two are living: Eliza Marshall, now the wife of J. R. Hall, of Moscow; and India, wife of James M. Pierce, of Kendrick. Both sons-in- law are associated with Captain Walker in busi- ness. After six years of happy married life Mrs. Walker was called to her final rest, and in 1865 the Captain married Miss Lou Ramsay, a native of Iowa. They have one son, Ramsay M., who
is now in charge of the large hardware business in Kendrick. Captain Walker and his wife have also reared two bright girls, the daughters of his half-sister, who died during their infancy. They were reared as members of the Walker household and both are now comfortably settled in homes of their own. They are Louise, wife of R. C. Sinclair; and Bessie W., wife of Robert Snyder, both residents of Kendrick. Mrs. Walker de- parted this life July 4, 1892, and her death was deeply mourned by her many friends. The Captain has since resided with his daughters, in Kendrick and Moscow, and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of this section of the state. He has been true to all the duties of life, meeting fully every obligation resting upon him, and his honorable career has gained him the re- spect, confidence and warm regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
ED. F. WINN.
No work that might attempt to tell the story of the settlement and civilization of Idaho would be complete if it should contain no account of the hard, brave work performed by Deputy Sheriff and Deputy United States Marshal Ed. F. Winn, in ridding the country of the gangs of thieves, cut-throats and outlaws that once infested it. A book devoted to the exploits of Winn and other Federal and civil officers in this part of the country would be of thrilling interest.
Ed. F. Winn is a native of Brownsville, Penn- sylvania, and was born October 29, 1857. His parents, Isaac and Mary Jane (Moore) Winn, came to the United States from Lancashire, England, soon after their marriage and settled in Pennsylvania, where they are yet living, Mr. Winn being still in the active practice of his profession, as a civil engineer. They are people of the highest worth, ornaments of the commu- nity in which they live, and have been lifelong members of tl the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They had three sons and a daughter. and Ed. F. Winn was their second child. He was educated and learned the carpenter's trade in his native state, and in 1875, when he was about eighteen, went to Iowa and thence to Nebraska. At Omaha he found work as a car- penter, in the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- road Company. He was sent out on the line of
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construction, while the road was being built, and worked his way to Helena, Montana, where he arrived July 8, 1879. He found employment in Helena until fall and then took up work for the Utah & Northern Railway Company, at Oxford, and was thus employed until the line had been constructed as far as Dillon. From Dillon he returned to Idaho Falls and worked on the rail- road shops, which were then being erected. When that work was finished he engaged in the saloon business, in which he continued successfully until he was appointed deputy sheriff of Oneida county by Sheriff Homer. Oneida county then comprised a large territory, and it was infested by cattle and horse thieves, escaped criminals and other out- laws. Deputy Sheriff Winn's work against this class was so aggressive and effective that it came to the notice of United States Marshal Fred T. Dubois, who appointed him deputy United States marshal. The office which Mr. Winn filled at that time required indomitable will, chilly nerve and the quality known as "clear grit." These he proved that he possessed. He had many gun fights and hand-to-hand "scrimmages" with the desperate men, often against fearful odds, but he invariably came out victorious. He was shot at many times and had to shoot men down in self- defence, but if he went out for a man he got him if he was to be found and brought him in if he once got his hand on him. In time the bad men with whom he had to deal found this out, and then his work was not quite so hard. He brought many to trial, many fled the country and in time Oneida county came to be a law-abiding place, and as such was gradually taken possession of by law-abiding people. This welcome change was due in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. Winn. He was kept at this good work under reappointment by Sheriff Wooden, in 1893-4, and during that period shot a burglar whom he had captured and who sought to escape from custody.
For some years Mr. Winn had a stock ranch, where he was engaged somewhat extensively in raising and dealing in cattle, buying in the fall, feeding through the winter and selling in the spring, and in this enterprise he met with the same degree of satisfactory success that has at- tended his other business ventures. Not long after he came to Idaho Falls he took up twenty-
two acres of land adjoining the town site, which he platted as Winn's Addition to Idaho Falls, and which has been sold off and built upon quite extensively. He has built several good residences and has otherwise done his part fully in the development of the town from the day of small things to the present magnitude and prominence. In this connection reference should be made to the fact that Mr. Winn built the Odd Fellows Orphans' Home, at Idaho Falls, a fine large sandstone structure which is a credit alike to the order and to him.
In 1888 Mr. Winn went into the grocery trade, at the corner of Main street and Capital avenue, Idaho Falls, and his business has grown to such proportions that it is not only large locally, but extends throughout all of Idaho Falls' rapidly developing tributary territory.
Mr. Winn is a strong Republican and has always attended state and county conventions and otherwise aided actively in the work of his party. His standing as a man may be inferred from the fact that he has been elected to impor- tant offices on a ticket to which he was opposed, having been taken up in that way because he was logically the best man for the place. He has long been an active Odd Fellow, devoted to the order in all principles and in all phases of its work. As a citizen he is public-spirited and up- to-date, ready always to give his time and means for the furtherance of any public measure which commends itself to his judgment as being just and wise.
In January, 1885, Mr. Winn married Miss Katie Freeman, who was then living at Golden, Colorado, a native of England and a daughter of Joseph and Martha Freeman, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mrs. Winn is a member of the Epis- copal church.
STAAS SPEKKER.
As his name indicates, Staas Spekker, of Lewis- ton, the well known assessor and tax collector of Nez Perces county, is of German birth .- one of the representative citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to the New World. The German element is an important one in our national existence, for its men of sterling worth, of enter- prise and perseverance, have done much to pro- mote the industrial, commercial and professional interests of the land. In his business career Mr.
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Spekker has manifested the sterling character of his race, and is regarded to-day as one of the valued citizens of northern Idaho. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 4, 1841, was edu- cated in the schools of that country, and during the period of his scholastic training studied the English language, so that he was familiar with the tongue of the people among whom he cast his lot in 1871. Before coming to this country, however, he had had practical experience in farm- ing. Having attended a school of agriculture, he accepted the position of superintendent of a large estate owned by a German nobleman, and held that position until, tiring of the manners and . customs of the nobility, he determined to seek a home in the land of the free. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and located first at Ackley, Hardin county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand.
Mr. Spekker was married there to Miss Mary Lätzsch, and immediately afterward they removed to Oregon, renting a farm in Linn county, of Judge Geary. There he remained for eight years, and by untiring industry and close application he acquired considerable capital. Disaster overtook him, however, for the heavy rains caused the utter failure of his crops. In 1879 he removed to eastern Oregon, erected a country hotel and con- ducted a stage station. Prosperity attended his efforts in that direction, and after carrying on HENRY WAX. the business for two years he removed to the territory of Washington, in 1881. There he took up a homestead claim from the government, re- siding thereon for six years. He made many excellent improvements on the place and in 1885 sold the property for four thousand dollars. In 1886 he came to Nez Perces county and pur- chased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, two miles from Leland, where he has since been . arrival in the Golden state, where the father car- engaged in raising wheat, barley, oats and stock. This is a valuable farming property, and by his judicious methods and thrifty management lie has gained a well merited prosperity.
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