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 99
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the state of Maine. The father died in 1875, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother spent her last days in the home of her son John, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Four of the children yet survive, one being a resident of Maine, one of Oregon, one of Silver City and one of Wagontown, Idaho, and thus they are separated by the width of the continent.
John Scales was a youth of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the briny deep. He attended school in his native land and pursued a commercial course in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York. His residence in Idaho dates from 1868, when he took up his abode in Silver City and began work in the mines. At that time miners were making from five to twenty dollars per day. He also ·became part owner of the Casco mines near the De Lamar mines, and while milling for others also took out ore from his own claims, thus gaining a good start in business life. He sold the Casco mine to William F. Som- mercamp, who later sold the property to the De Lamar Company, who now have the largest and best paying mines in Owyhee county. At the present writing Mr. Scales resides at Wagon- town, two miles west of De Lamar, on the famous Jordan creek. In 1891 he conceived the idea of building a dam and inpounding the tailings of the great mill of the De Lamar Mining Com- pany. He also built a flume to convey the tailings to his reservoirs and thus has he in- pounded a large quantity of the tailings, which have been found on second working to produce seven dollars to the ton. Formerly Mr. Scales owned a custom mill at Silver City for several years, had run ore to the value of millions of dol- lars and had become a miner and mill man. He turned his knowledge to practical account in the establishment of his present business, and his new enterprise will doubtless net him a handsome profit, for the tailings yield three ounces of silver and five dollars and a half in gold to the ton, and he now has seventy thousand tons of the tailings, the gross income from which will be about a half million dollars. He has recently equipped his mill to a capacity of one hundred tons per twenty-four hours, and used the pan-amalgama- tion method. His efforts are therefore being
crowned with success-a prosperity which is justly deserved. In connection with Mr. Wagoner he is also owner of the Trook and Jennings mines, one of the valuable mining prop- erties of Silver City.
In 1879 Mr. Scales was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Crowell, of China, Maine, and they now have two sons, Henry C. and Wilbert G., both of whom are attending school in Cali- fornia. Mrs. Scales is a cultured and entertaining lady, presiding with gracious hospitality over the commodious residence which Mr. Scales has erected at Wagontown, and in which they have resided since 1891. She is also a valued member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Scales is a Royal Arch Mason and has served as high priest of Cyrus Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., of Silver City. His political support is given the Democracy and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to intelligently advocate the principles in which he believes. He has served for several terms as county commissioner and also as county school-superintendent, and has been a most capable and efficient officer. He and his family are very highly esteemed in the county in which they have so long resided, and their history is deserving a prominent place in this volume.
A. F. WOHLENBERG, M. D.
Dr. Wohlenberg, a practicing physician and surgeon of Kendrick, is a native of Lyons, Iowa, born April 27, 1862. As the name indicates, he is of German descent. His parents, Ludwig A. and Maria (Vollbehr) Wohlenberg, were both natives of the Fatherland and came to America during their childhood. After their marriage they located on the farm where Ludwig Wohlen- berg is now living, retired from active business life, enjoying the handsome competence which came to him as the result of arduous toil in former years. He has held various township offices, discharging his duties in a most accept- able manner, and has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. The Doctor's mother died in 1864, when he was but two years old, and the father afterward married again. By the first union there were two children and by the second four, and of the number four are yet living.
Dr. Wohlenberg was educated in the public schools, and in his boyhood worked on a farm
C. m. stays
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and clerked in a store, thus entering upon his business career. Determining to devote his at- tention to the medical profession, he began preparation for his chosen life work in the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1894. He began practice in Seattle, Washington, and thence came to Kendrick, where he has since enjoyed a profit- able and constantly increasing business, his skill and ability winning him the public confidence and likewise the public patronage. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the science of medi- cine, keeps thoroughly informed concerning all the new theories and discoveries which are ad- vanced, and shows most discriminating judg- ment in the selection of such of these as he believes will aid him in his practice. He studies closely the leading medical journals and keeps in close touch with his professional brethren through his membership connection with the State Medical Association of Idaho.
In 1886 Dr. Wohlenberg was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia Canfield, a native of Marshall- town, Iowa, and a daughter of Dr. Mosley Can- field, of that place. The Doctor and his wife have made many friends in Kendrick, and are in every way worthy the high esteem in which they are held. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World, is a member and trustee of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, but has neither time nor inclination to seek office, preferring to devote his energies to his professional labors, whereby he is gaining a position of distinction.
WILLIAM H. SEBASTIAN.
Among the pioneers who came to northern Idaho in an early day to secure homes and open up this region to civilization is William H. Sebas- tian, now an enterprising farmer of Camas prairie. He located on the prairie in 1871, fought for the protection of the settlers in the Nez Perces Indian war, and has ever labored for the advancement and upbuilding of the section. He was born in Missouri, December 31, 1851, but has practically spent his entire life in the north- west. His father, Daniel Smith Sebastian, was born in Missouri, November 21, 1819, and was there reared to manhood and married, and in 1852, with his wife and three children, made a safe journey across the plains to Oregon. He located
in Clackamas county, where he secured a govern- ment donation-claim of six hundred and forty acres. At the time of the gold excitement, how- ever, he went to Elk City, Idaho, in 1861, and engaged in mining there for some time, after which he returned to his family. In 1871 he took up his abode on Camas prairie, on land on Three Mile creek, and there resided until 1875, when he sold out. He died in March, 1896, at the age of seventy-seven years. When the Nez Perces In- dians went on the war-path he was among the volunteers who aided in defending the settlers and their homes. He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1853. By their union there were four children, and three by the second mar- riage. The second wife died in July, 1896.
William H. Sebastian was only four months old when his parents crossed the plains. He at- tended school in Oregon and in 1871 came with the family to Camas prairie. In 1877, when the Indian war broke out, he also volunteered, con- tinuing on duty until all danger was past. Subse- quently he secured from the government a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1886 he further completed his preparations for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Thamer Mc- Kerlee, a native of North Carolina and a daughter of E. B. McKerlee, who was also born in that state and came to Camas prairie in 1883. They now have one daughter, Cloah. The mother is a valued member of the Baptist church and is a most estimable lady. In his political affiliations Mr. Sebastian is a Democrat. In 1896 he built a very comfortable residence, and there makes his home, giving his time and attention to his farm- ing pursuits, in which he is meeting with credit- able success.
CHARLES M. HAYS.
A well known lawyer and pioneer of Idaho is Charles Marshall Hays, of Boise. Almost his entire life has been passed on the Pacific coast and he has therefore been a witness of the mar- velous development of this section of the coun- try. He was born in Saline county, Missouri, on the 22d of April, 1845, and is descended from Irish ancestry. Members of the family were early residents of Virginia and Kentucky and were participants in the struggle that brought to the nation her independence. The grandfather of
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our subject removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky during the pioneer epoch in its his- tory, and there the birth of Gilmore Hays occurred. The latter married Mrs. Nevina Knox Montgomery, and to them were born seven chil- dren, of whom three are living. In 1848 the father crossed the plains to California, in 1852 went to Oregon, and in 1855 came to Idaho, when it was still a part of the territory of Wash- ington. He was the first recorder of Owyhee county and held various offices of trust and honor under the territorial government. He was a man of unwavering integrity and ability, and lived to be seventy-one years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of thirty-five years.
Their son, Charles Marshall Hays, was edu- cated in the schools of California and Washing- ton. When a boy he crossed the plains with his father, following the old emigrant road on the south side of the Snake river and passing under the shadow of what is now known as War Eagle mountain, never even dreaming then that thir- teen years later he would return to pass a quarter of a century at its very base. In the fall of that year he reached The Dalles, then a military post. whence he proceeded down the Columbia river and on to Portland, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 he made his way to Puget sound, and in 1857 removed to California, where he made his home until August, 1865, when he started for Ruby City, then the county-seat of Owyhee county, arriving on the 8th of Septem- ber. He filled the office of deputy county recorder under his father until 1866, when he became deputy district clerk under Solomon Hasbrouck, now the clerk of the supreme court of Idaho.
In the fall of 1866 Mr. Hays removed front Ruby City to Silver City, and in 1868 was appointed deputy United States internal-revenue collector, which position he filled until the follow- ing year. In 1868 he was nominated on a Citizens' ticket for the office of recorder, but was defeated at the general election. In 1870 Hill Beachy, the proprietor of the railroad stage line from Boise to Winnemucca, Nevada, a distance of two hundred and sixty-five miles, appointed him agent at Silver City, with full power and authority to conduct all business connected with that office during the absence of the superintend- ent. When Mr. Beachy sold the line to the North-
western Stage Company, Mr. Hays was retained as agent and also remained with that company's successor, John Hailey, holding the position until 1880.
In 1871-2 he read law in the office of Richard Z. Johnson, afterward attorney-general of Idaho, and in 1873 was admitted to practice as an attor- ney and counsellor at law and solicitor in chancery in all the courts of record in the then territory of Idaho. He has ever acknowledged his indebtedness to his preceptor for the kindness and assistance he received at his hands, and has ever pointed to him as an example that all young lawyers might well emulate. Thus Mr. Hays entered upon his career at the bar, and by his marked ability in the line of his profession has won distinction as a legal practitioner. In 1874 he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of county sheriff. Having so recently begun practice, he was loath to accept the can- didacy, but finally did so. He was nominated 011 the first ballot, and then followed a hotly con- tested campaign, which resulted in Mr. Hays receiving a majority of two hundred votes, al- though the county was regarded as a strong Democratic stronghold. He carried every pre- cinct but one, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He made a most capable officer, was entirely fair and impartial in per- forming his duties, and displayed the utmost courage in their discharge.
On one occasion, a man having stabbed an- other at South Mountain, Mr. Hays mounted a fast horse and rode the distance of thirty miles in two and a half hours. He found the members of the Miners' Union wild with excitement, wish- ing to hang the murderer, but the sheriff resolved to make the arrest and save the man's life that he might have a fair trial. He appointed five deputies, armed them with double-barreled shot- guns, arrested the murderer and another man who was implicated in the affair and marched with them through a crowd of a hundred men who had been searching all night for the culprit in order to lynch him. He then put his captives in a wagon and took them to Silver City, where they were granted a trial in accordance with the laws of the land.
Mr. Hays discharged his duties with such abil-
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ity and fidelity that he was re-elected in 1876. and served for a second term. In 1881 he was appointed deputy district attorney for Owyhee county, which position he filled until elected county attorney in 1882. In 1884, in 1886 and a third time in 1888 he was re-elected, and in the trial of important cases manifested superior legal attainments. In the spring of 1882 he purchased a half interest in the Idaho Avalanche, the year following became sole proprietor and then con- ducted an independent paper, through the col- umns of which he strongly advocated the mining interests of the state. He was thus largely instrumental in sustaining the camps at Silver City and De Lamar, and in bringing capital to aid in the development, so that the mines of southwestern Idaho were soon brought to the attention of the mining world. It was through his influence that Captain De Lamar was induced to come to Silver City, and Mr. Hays acted as his attorney until he sold his interests to an English syndicate.
Further political honors came to him in 1889, when he was elected to the constitutional con- vention from Owyhee county, and in that assem- bly was appointed a member of the committees on election and franchise, on corporation, and on revenue, serving as chairman of the last. He was a very active and useful member of the con- vention, his knowledge of constitutional law en- abling him to aid greatly in framing the organic law of the state. At the first election after the admission of Idaho to the Union he was elected district attorney of the third judicial district, embracing Boise, Ada, Washington and Owyhee counties, and in 1894 was re-elected, to serve until January 1, 1899. During this time he prob- ably prosecuted more criminals and convicted more than any other attorney in Idaho. In the past two and a half years he has prosecuted eight murder cases, securing one conviction for murder in the first degree, three for murder in the second degree and four for manslaughter. Perhaps one- third of the convicts in the state prison are from the third district, yet Mr. Hays has never been known to abuse a prisoner, giving him every chance to introduce evidence and prove his innocence. If his guilt is once established, how- ever, he never signs a petition for pardon, believ- ing that the law should then take its course.
In 1898 he was elected to the state senate from Ada county, by a majority of six hundred. He was chairman of the judiciary committee and took an active part in the general assembly of 1899. At the close of the session he was appointed by the governor a member of the code commis- sion of Idaho, being the only Republican ap- pointed on the commission.
In 1868 Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca L. Dye, a cultured young lady, who was born in California, and is a daughter of Job F. Dye, a native of Kentucky. He went to the Golden state in 1832 and was also an honored pioneer of Idaho. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hays: Helen, wife of J. H. Hutchinson; C. D., who is mining in Silver City; Rebecca; Rowena; Irene; Elma; Mrs. M. M. Getchell, deceased; and one who departed this life in infancy. The family occupy a pleasant home in Boise, and in addition to this property Mr. Hays is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land, besides stock and other property, all of which has been acquired through his own efforts. He is a past master of the Masonic lodge and a Royal Arch Mason, also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a lifelong Republican. In all life's relations he has been true to the confidence and trust reposed in him, and so intimately has he been associated with the history of the state in various depart- ments that his life record is deserving of a prom- inent place in this volume.
JAMES S. ACKER.
James S. Acker, proprietor of the general mer- cantile cash store, at Mountain Home, is one of the successful business men of the town, and his enterprise and energy have given him rank among the leading representatives of commercial interests in Elmore county. A native of Ala- bama, he was born near Birmingham, on the 6th of August, 1865. His ancestors were natives of Holland and at an early day joined a Dutch colony that settled in South Carolina. His father, Dr. J. W. Acker, engaged in the practice of medi- cine throughout his business career and became a very prominent and successful physician, being for many years numbered among the distin- guished representatives of the profession in Shelby county. William Acker had removed
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at an early day from South Carolina, in which state the Ackers were well known planters and owned many slaves. Dr. Acker married Miss Sarah Caffee, a native of Alabama, and a de- scendant of one of the old southern families. Her people were connected with the Baptist church, while the Ackers were Methodists in religious" faith.
James S. Acker is one of a family of six chil- dren, four of whom are yet living. He spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity, attended school there and was later graduated in the com- mercial department of the Kentucky State Uni- versity. He entered upon his business career in the capacity of a journalist, writing for the Evening Chronicle and the Birmingham Age- Herald; but circumstances caused him to enter other fields of labor and he began merchandising, for which work he is well adapted. He is a man of keen foresight, of pleasant and agreeable man -- ner and unimpeachable integrity, -- essential qual- ifications in those who would win success in commercial lines. His whole career has been permeated by the idea that debt is one of the curses of the world, and that a nice, clean cash business, such as is conducted by the railroads, is best for the buyer as well as for the seller; it does away with the expense of bookkeeping, of litigation and with the animosities that arise front an attempt to force payment. The goods can be sold cheaper and the honest customer is not an- noved by the debt or the merchant by the credit. There would be no failures and no suicides as the result of financial embarrassment, and the real result would be a much healthier condition in business life. Such has been the principle upon which Mr. Acker has conducted his busi- ness, and he has found it to be a practical one.
In 1888 he went to California for rest and in order to see the country, and after spending some time in the Golden state, made his way to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he engaged in the produce business for a short time. Subsequently he became a traveling salesman, learned much concerning the first cost of the goods and of the conditions of the retail trade. This led him to engage in business on his own account, and in 1895 he opened his cash store on a corner lot in Mountain Home, where his building is not ex- posed to fire, and where he keeps a very carefully
selected stock of general merchandise. By his promptness and honorable dealing, combined with his earnest efforts to please his patrons, he has secured a good trade and won the good will and confidence of the better class of customers, both in the town and surrounding country. He is numbered among the leading merchants at Mountain Home and occupies a prominent place in commercial circles.
Mr. Acker was married in 1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Allie S. Smithson, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage has been blessed with a daughter, Nydia Marie. Mr. Acker exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. His name is on the membership rolls of the Odd Fellows society, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Home Forum, and in his religious views he is liberal. He has, however, the strictest regard for the ethics of life, and he and his wife enjoy the high regard of many friends and receive the hospitality of the best homes in this section of Idaho.
CHARLES J. SINSEL.
Charles J. Sinsel, a wholesale fruit dealer of Boise and ex-county treasurer of Ada county, was born in Grafton, West Virginia, July 13, 1867, and is descended from Holland ancestry. Three brothers of the Sinsel family came from the little Dutch kingdom to America to aid Great Britain in her subjugation of the colonies, but were so well pleased with the land that they resolved to make their home in the new republic and located in Virginia. They and their descend- ants were planters and were Baptists in religious faith. The father of our subject, William F. Sinsel, was born in Grafton, West Virginia, and after arriving at years of maturity married Miss Fannie A. Holden, a daughter of Rev. Charles Holden, a Baptist minister. Through many years of his active business career Mr. Sinsel engaged in railroad contracting, but is now engaged in the stock business in Nebraska, where he is living at the age of sixty years. For a long period he has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.
Charles J. Sinsel is the eldest of a family of four sons, all of whom are living. In 1875 he went with his parents to Central City, Nebraska,
-
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where he attended school for a time, and then engaged in teaching in order to gain the means whereby he might secure a more advanced educa- tion. Subsequently he attended the Wesleyan University of Central City. He then spent some years traveling for a wholesale house in Omaha, and in 1891 he came to Boise, where for five years he was connected with the Idaho Saddlery Company. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the wholesale fruit business, and from the beginning his trade has rapidly and constantly increased. In 1897 he shipped two hundred car-loads to various markets. His relia- bility, the excellent line of fruits which he carries, and his enterprising business methods have brought him an excellent trade and made him one of the prosperous merchants of the capital city.
Mr. Sinsel early became identified with the Populist party and is one of its most active and
enthusiastic supporters. In 1892 he was the nominee of his party for state senator, but was defeated by the Republican candidate, Hon. George Stewart. In 1894 he was nominated for county treasurer, but again met defeat. In 1896, however, he was again awarded the nomination for that office, was elected and served his term most acceptably.
On the 4th of August, 1892, Mr. Sinsel was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Young, a native of Salem, Ohio, and they now have two children,-Alma and Frederick. The parents hold a membership in the Baptist church and take an active and laudable interest in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Sinsel also belongs to the Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, and has filled all the offices in that order. He is a young man of marked business and executive ability and Boise numbers him among her leading repre- sentatives.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
IDAHO SINCE 1890-POLITICAL.
L ATE in June, 1891, the state supreme court rendered a decision pronouncing the act of 1891, purporting to create the counties of Alta and Lincoln out of the counties of Alturas and Logan, to be unconstitutional, on the ground that the state constitution forbids the division of a county and the attachment of a part thereof to another county without a vote of the people in the portion to be separated.
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