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 97
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
On the 14th of March, 1862, Mr. Pearcy, with a party of fourteen, set sail in a large bateau for a prospecting tour up Snake river. This was a perilous trip, because of the numerous ice jams, but notwithstanding the fact that the river was so full of ice they reached Lewiston safely. They prospected up Salmon river twelve miles and then, with packs upon their backs, went into the country, but found nothing of value. After this they went to Pittsburg Landing on the Snake river, twenty miles above the mouth of the Sal- mon river, where they hired horses of the Indians and went up Little Salmon to the head of Salmon valley, whence they started for Snake river. They camped at the big canyon and discovered the Peacock country copper and gold mine, which afterward sold for sixty thousand dollars. That was the first discovery of the Seven Devils. The party camped out, killed mountain sheep to sup- ply their table with meat, and enjoyed life there, although they celebrated the Fourth of July with snow, six inches deep, upon the ground. When their provisions gave out they returned to Lewis- ton and then went up the Clearwater river and made a large drive of logs for the agency at Lap- wai. All through the winter Mr. Pearcy made shingles for the government, working in his shirt sleeves, and with his partner, Mr. Allen, manu- factured shingles and cord-wood for the govern- ment. In 1866 Mr. Allen lost his life by drown- ing in the big eddy of the Clearwater, but Mr. Pearcy continued to operate his sawmill, at the Lapwai agency, in the manufacture of lumber for the government until 1871.
In the meantime he had purchased a fourth in- terest in the ferries, and in that year began to operate them. He made his headquarters at the ferry six miles below Lewiston, there remaining until the spring of 1872, when he commenced the road north to the Palouse country. About this time an ice jam carried away the ferry boat at Lewiston. It drifted a mile down the river and lodged upon the ice fifteen feet high. Mr. Pearcy undertook the arduous and dangerous task of se- curing the boat, and brought it safely back to Lewiston, after which he managed the ferry across the Snake river at this point. Becoming convinced that Lewiston would one day be an important commercial center, he took up two government claims on the west side of the river
about a quarter of a mile above the ferry, made a number of improvements upon the place and sub- sequently sold it to the Vineland Company for nine thousand dollars. It is now subdivided and has become very valuable, bringing high prices. . Through all the years Mr. Pearcy continued his connection with the ferry. In the early days that business brought high prices, three dollars being received for taking a team and wagon over and back; a man on horseback paid one dollar for the round trip; on foot fifty cents; and sheep and hogs were transported for twenty-five cents each. Mr. Pearcy also built the road to Asoten, putting in twelve hundred dollars of his own money in the enterprise, which has proven of great practical benefit to the town. He has al- ways taken a deep and active interest in the development and growth of this section of the state, is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and his labors have been an important factor in the substantial progress and improvement of northern Idaho. In politics he has been a Jeffer - sonian Democrat from the time he reached ma- ture years.
Mr. Pearcy was married, in 1881, to Miss Jane Davis, a native of South Carolina, and they have one daughter, Edna G., who is now fourteen years of age, and is attending school in Alameda, Cali- fornia. Mr. Pearcy has erected a good residence on the bank of Snake river, near the ferry land- ing, and there lives in the enjoyment of peace and plenty, held in the highest esteem by all as one of the bravest and best pioneers of Idaho.
ROBERT J. ANDERSON.
A glance at the history of past centuries will indicate at once what would be the condition of the world if the mining interests no longer had a part in the industrial and commercial life. Only a few centuries ago agriculture was almost the only occupation of man. A landed proprietor surrounded himself with his tenants and his serfs who tilled his broad fields, while he reaped the reward of their labors; but when the rich mineral resources of the world were placed upon the mar- ket industry found its way into new and broader fields, minerals were used in the production of thousands of new articles of trade and in the production of hundreds of inventions, and the business of nations was revolutionized. When
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
considering these facts we can in a measure de- termine the value to mankind of the mining inter- ests. One who is now prominently connected with the development of the rich mineral re- sources of the northwest is Mr. Anderson, whose name heads this sketch, the promoter and the organizer of the Twin Springs Placer Mining Company.
A native of Minnesota, Mr. Anderson was born in the town of Eden Prairie, February 19, 1856, and in 1894 came to Idaho, since which time he has been engaged in developing the great mining enterprise. of which he has since been the man- ager, and which he has brought to successful completion, attracting to it a capital of a half a million dollars, furnished principally by wealthy men of Philadelphia. The plant of the company is located forty miles northeast of Boise, where they have a flume six feet and two inches in the clear, and having a decline of ten and eight-tenths feet to the mile. It carries ten thousand miners' inches of water, which, it is believed, is the larg- est water supply in the world used in connection with placer mining. The siphon, made of steel pipe, is four feet in diameter and seventeen hun- dred and eighty feet in length. It crosses the Boise river on a single-span bridge, ninety feet above the stream, and the depression in the siphon is three hundred and seventy feet in depth. there being thirty-two feet difference in elevation between the intake and its discharge. This is the largest siphon ever constructed, in diameter, in length and in head. The water was turned through it on the 15th of August, 1898, and it worked perfectly, fully meeting the highest ex- pectation of the company. The siphon and flume are considered marvels of engineering skill, and were planned by the celebrated engineer John O. Bousc, of San Francisco. The company owns four thousand acres of very rich placer ground, has thirty-two miles of the river bars, thirteen hydraulic giants and has constructed twenty- eight miles of good wagon road. The water is supplied in vast quantities and every modern and improved appliance for successfully carrying on the work is found in connection with the plant.
This is a vast enterprise, which will undoubt- edly produce ore to the value of many millions of dollars and will furnish employment to many men, thus greatly contributing to the wealth and
prosperity of Idaho. When the siphon was com- pleted the governor of the state drove the last rivet, which was four inches in length and made of gold. Many prominent citizens were invited to attend the ceremony and the occasion was made a very important one in the history of mining interests in the northwest. The Twin Springs Placer Mining Company has also purchased a large number of placer claims in the Boise Basin and is now engaged in working and developing the vast property. The great works have been completed in less than two years and Mr. Ander- son and the company are to be congratulated on what has been so successfully accomplished.
Mr. Anderson has moved his family to Boise, and in social circles they occupy a very prominent position. He was married in 1887 to Miss Mary Douglas, of Chicago, and their children are Edna C. and Ruth E. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a gentleman of marked business and executive ability, of keen foresight and discrimination, forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution, and is rarely mistaken in a matter of business policy. He is a valued accession to mining circles in Idaho, and with pleasure we present this brief record of his career to our read- ers.
FRANCIS MARION DAVIS.
The history of Idaho would be incomplete if the biographies of two of her pioneers, Francis M. and Thomas Davis, brothers, and old resi- dents of Boise City, were omitted. They were always believers in the great future which was in store for the state, and were influential factors in the development of its resources. When death summoned Francis M. Davis to lay aside his many enterprises, to leave to other hands his uncompleted work, the whole community mourned; and, though nine years have rolled away, the memory of his goodness, his many worthy deeds and fine traits of character, is un- dimmed in the minds of his numerous friends.
A native of Warren county, Illinois, born July 7, 1838, Francis M. Davis passed his boyhood in the Prairie state, and gained a fair education, as he made the best of his limited advantages. (For his ancestral history the reader is referred to the sketch of his brother, Thomas Davis, printed elsewhere in this work.) Having com-
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
pleted his education in the schools of Monmouth, Illinois, our subject determined to seek his for- tune in the west, and in 1863, in company with the brother already mentioned, he crossed the plains. They settled at Boise City, and were thus among the first of the permanent citizens of this place. For many years the brother, George D. Ellis and William L. Ritchey (who now re- sides in Polman, Washington) were in partner- ship in the management and ownership of a ranch, and they planted the first apple orchard in this state. Very large returns were had front this venture, and others hastened to follow the good example set, and thus to-day one of Idaho's sources of income lies in the fine fruit raised here. At length F. M. Davis sold out his interest in the ranch and for some time engaged in the hard- ware business in Boise City. In the Centennial year he purchased a quarter section of land near the city limits on the west and embarked in dairy- ing, which business he had formerly followed to some extent. He erected a fine farm-house and substantial barns and dairy buildings, and as long as he lived kept everything about the place in ex- cellent condition. As a just reward for his in- dustry and good management success crowned his efforts, and he was well off at the time of his death.
In his political views Mr. Davis was con- servative, and his allegiance was given to the Republican party. An honored member of the Masonic order, he was buried under the auspices of the local lodge. In the Methodist church he was a member and took a leading part in the religious work of the denomination. The date of his demise was March 8, 1891, he then being but little past the prime of life. His influence for good in this community has been far-reaching, and no better example of sincere Christian man- hood can be found.
In January, 1865, Mr. Davis married Miss Hester A. Cory, who was born in Ohio, a daugh- ter of John and Susan (Carpenter) Cory, of that state. In 1864 she came to Idaho with her brother, and here made the acquaintance of her future husband. Two children blessed the union of our subject and wife. The son, Charles A., is with his mother at the old home, and the daugh- ter, Laura E., is now the wife of P. W. Porter. Mrs. Davis has ably managed the fine property
which was left to her at her husband's death. Her home is a beautiful one, and everything about the place is kept in good order; the grounds surrounding the house are especially lovely, and reflect much credit upon the good taste of the owner.
THERON J. SMITH.
Theron J. Smith, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, has influenced the settlement of more families in the Snake river valley than any two or three other men. He has been a factor in local real-estate transactions, and without doubt has been, in a general way, one of the most efficient promoters of the growth and prosperity of Idaho Falls and the settlement and development of its tributary territory. As immigrant agent of the Oregon Short Line Railroad, he has brought many ex- cursions to this part of the country from Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois, and these excursions have resulted in a marked increase of population at and near Idaho Falls. He began the work six years ago, and an idea of its value is afforded by the fact that in 1898 fifty-eight persons were set- tled by him in Bingham county.
Theron J. Smith was born in Wayne county, New York, July 22, 1844, and was descended from early settlers of Dutchess county, New York, many of whom were prominent in their time. His grandfather, Samuel Smith, together with his brothers, served the cause of the colonies in the American Revolution, and they were paid in colonial scrip, which was never redeemed, but they had the satisfaction of knowing that they had risked their lives in a good and triumphant cause. Late in life Samuel Smith represented his district in the assembly of the state of New York. Lewis H. Smith, son of Samuel Smith and father of Theron J. Smith, was born in Dutchess county, New York, and married one of the daughters of the county, Miss Phoebe Mott. He was a Qua- ker farmer, a good, intelligent, industrious man, and died in 1854, at the age of fifty, in Wayne county, from an attack of cholera, to which one of his sons succumbed at the same time. His wife attained the age of seventy-seven years. They had eight children, of whom five are living.
Theron J. Smith was the next to the youngest of this family of eight, and was about ten years old when his father died. He received a com-
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
mon-school and academic education in his native state, then gave his attention to farming, and lo- cated, when about twenty-five, at Lake City, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits un- successfully until 1885, when he sold his farm and removed to Idaho Falls, where he arrived No- vember 22. It was a little railroad town, in which he found a new home, a town which de- rived its importance from the railroad and the bridge and had no surrounding settlement that could bring much trade or support. Irrigation, real-estate operations, and a determined effort to bring a good class of settlers, changed the town into the commercial, financial and mechanical center of a thrifty and growing agricultural popu- lation. In this work of improvement settlement and development, Mr. Smith has taken a leading part. He induced settlement and fostered ac- tivity in real estate and this, in turn, encouraged investment along all industrial lines. He platted the Broadbeck addition to Idaho Falls and placed it on the market, and has handled real- estate extensively otherwise, on his own account and for others.
In the spring of 1864, before Mr. Smith was twenty-one, in personal response to the urgent demand of the United States government for men for military duty, in the suppression of the south- ern rebellion, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and served in Tennessee and Mississippi un- til he was discharged on account of ill health, in the fall of the same year. His regiment was de- tailed to guard railroads, and in connection with that work had many exciting encounters with guerrillas. This warfare was in many ways more harassing and dangerous than fighting in regu- lar order of battle. Mr. Smith is a Grand Army man and a prominent Silver-Republican. He was elected justice of the peace and served in that office with much credit and greatly to the satisfaction of his fellow townsmen, but he has declined all other offices which have been offered him, in deference to the imperative demands made upon him by his private business.
October 13, 1868, he married Miss Sarah E. Bradt, of Mohawk-Dutch ancestry, and a native of Herkimer county, New York, daughter of James Bradt. Her father lived to be eighty-seven years old and her mother also attained a ripe old
age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had six children, of whom four are living. Their daughter, Mary E., is Mrs. W. S. Jackson, of Idaho Falls, and Lewis M., Elva and Theron J., Jr., are members of their father's household. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DANIEL H. CLYNE.
A captivating address, a cheerful manner and a friendly interest in those with whom one comes in contact will not alone make success for any man, but all things being about equal, these three things will give their possessor supremacy over any competitors who do not possess them or possess them in a lesser degree. This means that some men are able to make many personal friends, well-wishers and helpers, and any warmı personal friend is a material assistance to any man in any business. Sheriff Clyne, of Bing- ham county, Idaho, has this faculty of binding others to him, a faculty which is none the less potent because it is exerted unconsciously, and to the kindly and helpful interest of his friends he attributes much of the success he has achieved. It should be added that a good deal has been expected of him and he has been equal to all demands placed upon him.
Daniel Henry Clyne is of German lineage on the paternal side and was born in Indiana, in 1857. Thomas Clyne, his father, married Miss Sarah A. Keeney, a native of Pennsylvania, and the father now lives in Kansas. They had seven children, four of whom are living. Daniel Henry Clyne, fourth in order of birth, was reared in Nebraska and educated himself in the school of experience. He began life as a cow-boy, and later embarked in the stock business on his own account. He came to Idaho Falls in 1890 and for a time was employed in a livery stable. Sub- sequently he was enabled to open a stable of his own, and by close attention to business and hon- orable and courteous treatment of all with whom he came in contact, he gained the favor of the public and in a few years built up a large and profitable trade. Indeed, his success in this and in every other enterprise with which he has had to do since coming to Idaho has been most flat- tering. His home in Idaho Falls is one of the best in that part of the county.
In politics Sheriff Clyne has been a Republican
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
even from the time when he had not yet attained sufficient age to exercise the right of franchise. He was elected town marshal of Idaho Falls and was re-elected three times, filling the office four successive terms, with ability and discretion. In 1898 he was elected sheriff of Bingham county. He was the only Republican on the ticket, and in his own town received three hundred and eighty votes out of a total of five hundred. After his election his friends in Idaho Falls had made and presented to him a beautiful gold badge, thus decorating him with the insignia of his office.
In 1881 Mr. Clyne married Mary Watson, a native of Missouri, and they have had seven · children: William H., Nettie E., Bessie A., Wes- ley T., Chase D., Frederick C., and Charles C.
WILLIAM N. BUCHANAN.
On the roster of county officials of Latah county appears the name of William N. Buchan- an, who is now serving as sheriff, and his fear- less and prompt discharge of his public duties has gained him the commendation of all law-abiding citizens. For twenty-one years he has been a resident of the"county, and has therefore wit- nessed the greater part of its growth and develop- ment. Throughout this period he has been con- nected with its agricultural interests, and is accounted one of the leading farmers of this sec- tion of the state.
Mr. Buchanan was born in Newton county, Missouri, April 2, 1857, and is descended from Scotch ancestors, who were pioneer settlers of Indiana. His great-grandfather removed to that state at a very early period in its history, and his grandfather and father, each of whom bore the name of Nathan Buchanan, were there born. The latter was a native of Putnam county, and was married there to Miss Diana Sutherland, a native of that locality. They were faithful members of the Christian church, and Nathan Buchanan, Jr., was a man of ability and influence, having served his fellow citizens in the position of county assessor. In the fall of 1878 he came to Idaho with his wife and six children, and he now re- sides in Moscow, at the age of sixty-four years. Three of their sons are still living.
The subject of this review is the eldest of the family, and was reared on his father's farm in Missouri, the family having removed to that state
in his early childhood. He attended the public schools there, and in 1878 came with his parents to Idaho. Latah county and this section of the state were just opening up to civilization, and he secured from the government a claim seven miles south of the city of Moscow. The following year he was married to Miss Mary McKensie, and then located upon his farm, which he has trans- formed into a richly improved and valuable prop- erty. The home has been blessed with four chil- dren, Etta, Hazel, William and Willard. Mr. Buchanan has been a practical farmer, has fol- lowed advanced methods, and through his indus- try has succeeded in raising large crops of wheat, barley, oats, flax and fruit, whereby he has added largely to his financial resources.
In politics he is a zealous Republican, and on that ticket was elected to the office of county sheriff. This public trust was well reposed in him, for he is most true to every duty and obli- gation and is a most capable official. His wife is a worthy member of the Christian church, but he has never affiliated with any organization. He is a loyal citizen, a reliable business man and stanch friend, and in the history of his adopted state he well deserves representation.
COLLINS PERRYMAN.
Among the most prominent and valued resi- dents of his section of the state is Collins Perry- man, of Juliaetta, a veteran of the civil war, and a citizen whose labors in behalf of the town of his abode have been most effective in advancing its interests. He was the pioneer hotel man, as a real-estate dealer has handled the greater part of its property, has done more than any other man in the locality to improve the roads through the surrounding country, and has always been watch- ful of the welfare and progress, doing all in his power to promote the growth and prosperity of the thriving little place.
A native of the Empire state, Collins Perryman was born in Cattaraugus county, April 28, 1847, and is of English lineage. His grandfather sailed from England for the New World and was wrecked off the coast of Rhode Island, which led to his settlement in that state. His son, James Perryman, the father of our subject, was born near Providence, Rhode Island, and married Miss Lucinda Kerkendall, who was born near Roches-
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HISTORY OF IDAHO.
ter, New York. In 1866 they removed to Michi- gan, where the father died October 6, 1872, at the age of sixty-five years, his wife surviving him until 1882, when she, too, was called to the home beyond, at the age of seventy-five years. They were farming people and were members of the Baptist church, Mr. Perryman being a powerful exhorter in the church.
Our subject is now the only survivor of their family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of his native state, and after the inauguration of the civil war, he patriotically re- sponded to his country's call, enlisting December 22, 1863, in Company M, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, when only sixteen years of age. He served with the victorious Army of the Po- tomac under General Hancock, and participated in all the engagements of the command until the surrender of General Lee. This included the hard-fought battle of the Wilderness. Through the exposure sustained in snow, sleet and mud he contracted inflammatory rheumatism to such an extent that he has entirely lost the sight of his right eye. He won for himself an honorable military record and was discharged on the 13th of June, 1865, but for three years thereafter he was in an invalid condition. When he had suf- ficiently regained his health to engage in busi- ness, he became connected with the lumber trade in northern Michigan and later removed thence to Missouri.
In the latter state, on the 4th of October, 1871, Mr. Perryman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Nichols, a native of Kentucky. Hc resided in Missouri from September, 1870, until April, 1883, when he crossed the plains and se- cured a homestead two and a half miles west of where the pleasant town of Juliaetta now stands. He obtained one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and erected thereon a good residence, but when Juliaetta was laid out, he removed to the new village and became one of its most energetic and zealous promoters. He has aided in promoting all the enterprises of the town, and no movement for the public good has solicited his aid in vain. He is a most pro- gressive and public-spirited citizen, and his labors have advanced the welfare of Juliaetta to a great- er degree than those of any other man.
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