History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II, Part 21

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HARRY S. BETTIS, D. D. S.

Dr. Harry S. Bettis, who for a third of a century has been engaged in the practice of dentistry in Boise, having arrived here on the 11th of February. 1886. from San Francisco, was born at Jamestown, Toulumne county, California, February 11, 1864, the only son of Otis John and Fanny Maria (Cheshire) Bettis. The father was born in Utica, New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Manchester, England, and in her girlhood days she came with relatives to the United States. In 1850 Mr. Bettis went to California as one of the gold seekers. He was a blacksmith by trade, but the gold discoveries drew him to the Pacific coast and there he continued to reside until called to his final rest February 28, 1898. His widow survived him for a considerable period, passing away September 5, 1918. There were but two children in the family, Dr. Bettis being the only son. His sister, Mary Louise Bettis, is now living in Berkeley, California.

Dr. Bettis spent his early life chiefly in San Francisco and in his youthful days studied dentistry, believing that he would find it a congenial field of effort. In October, 1885, he was graduated from the dental department of the University of California and for a short time practiced in San Francisco but in 1886 came to Boise, where he opened an office. He is today the pioneer dentist of Boise, no other member of the profession in active practice having been here at the time of his arrival. His skill and ability rank him with the foremost dentists of the northwest. He keeps in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries and employs the most advanced methods in his operative work.

On the 30th of August, 1894, Dr. Bettis was married to Miss Alice Moore, a daughter of the late C. W. Moore, a prominent citizen of Boise. They have one son, Laurence Moore Bettis, who was born July 9, 1895, and is now at Fort Stevens, Oregon, having become a member of the heavy artillery service of the United States. He is a graduate of the Boise high school and later prepared for college in the east, pursuing his col- legiate course in the University of Virginia. He was called to the colors early in September, 1918.

Dr. Bettis gives his political support to the republican party. He belongs to the Elks Club of Boise and greatly enjoys hunting and fishing when leisure gives him opportunity to indulge in those sports. During the long years of his residence in Boise he has gained a wide acquaintance and his circle of friends is almost coextensive therewith, while his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession entertain for him the highest respect and regard.

W. T. PLOWHEAD.

W. T. Plowhead, president of the State Bank of Middleton, was born in this town, on what is now known as the Ed Rutledge ranch, which at that time was owned by his father and was the family home. The father was born in the mountains of Switzer- land, in the land of William Tell, and came to the United States in 1855, taking up as a claim in 1863 the farm upon which his son was born. He afterward returned to Switzerland, where he wedded Magdalena Luthi in 1871, bringing his bride to the new world. He died in 1905, but the mother now resides at Middleton.

W. T. Plowhead acquired his education in the common schools and subsequently attended the State University at Moscow, where he completed his education in 1905. He then turned his attention to farming and also worked in the mines of Silver City, at that time called Flint. In 1904 he purchased his present home site, consisting of an acre in an orchard and garden, located in the town of Middleton and within a block of the old home place. He is closely and prominently associated with the business development of Middleton as president and a director of the State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He was formerly associated with his father in the develop-

172

HISTORY OF IDAHO

ment of several farms when the country was new and owned a forty acre tract of land two miles east of Middleton, which he sold in 1908. He is now associated with J. H. Mabee in the operation of two modern threshing outfits, and in all things his business affairs are most carefully conducted and result in the attainment of legitimate and substantial profit. Today he owns some of the best property in Middleton in addition to his fine residence. He also conducts a repair shop for mechanical work, equipped in the most modern manner, and he possesses much mechanical skill and ingenuity. He has invented and patented a device called the vise clamp, which is used for holding bolts in a vise so that the thread can be cut much farther down on the bolts than ordin- arily and it also saves the heads from being crushed. It will undoubtedly become of general use wherever it is necessary to put bolts in a vise. Mr. Plowhead has also invented a mobile gasoline woodsaw and has recently constructed a working model of a steam tractor for moving and operating threshing machines.

In 1906 Mr. Plowhead married Elizabeth Kohlhepp, a native of Middleton, and they have become parents of two sons, Henry J. and Gerald W., aged respectively eleven and twelve years, and both now in school. Mr. Plowhead's record is one of successful achievement in everything that he has undertaken, for he has fully measured pos- sibilities and opportunities, and his sound judgment has enabled him to make no false step. Each advanced step that he has made has brought him a broader outlook, and his persistency of purpose has enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles.

OLIVER O. HAGA.

Oliver O. Haga, a prominent representative of the Boise bar whose business en- terprise is also manifest in extensive connection with banking, farming and live stock interests in the state, was born in Luverne, Minnesota, November 19, 1872, a son of Oliver O. and Julia (Emerick) Haga. In the acquirement of his education he attended public and high schools of Minnesota and afterward entered the Valparaiso University of Indiana, from which he won the degree of A. B. in 1894 and later the degree of A. M. In the meantime he had taken up the profession of teaching and was principal of the graded schools of Mount Sterling, Wisconsin, in 1892 and 1893. Following the completion of his course in the Valparaiso University he made his way to Idaho and from 1894 until 1896 was principal of the public schools of Salmon City. The two succeeding years were passed as principal of the schools of Glenns Ferry and in 1898 he accepted the position of principal of the high school of Boise, in which position he continued for three years. In the meantime he had devoted much of his leisure outside of the schoolroom to the study of law, reading independently or under the direction of local attorneys in the winter seasons, while the summer vacation periods were devoted to study in law schools of the east. He was admitted to the bar in 1898 and with his retirement from the position of principal of the high school of Boise he entered at once upon active practice, in which he has since continued. Since 1901 he has been a law partner of Judge J. H. Richards and the firm enjoy a most extensive and important practice, representing as corporation counsel or in litigated interests many leading corporations, including the Electric Bond & Share Company, the Idaho Power Company, the Utah Power & Light Company, the Bradstreet Company, the Equitable Life Insurance Company, the American Surety Company, the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago and the Chicago Title and Trust Company. Mr. Haga maintains a position as one of the foremost representatives of the Boise bar and is a member of the State and American Bar Associations. Important and ex- tensive as is his practice, he has also become largely interested in banking, in farm- ing and in live stock, dealing especially in registered shorthorn cattle, and is a director of the Boise City National Bank and vice president of the Boise Title & Trust Com- pany.

On the 28th of August, 1900, Mr. Haga was married to Miss Jennie E. Bartlett, a daughter of Elijah Bartlett, of Dryden, Michigan, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Eleanor Louise and Margaret Virginia, who are pupils in the city schools.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church and fratern- ally Mr. Haga is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Commercial and Country Clubs of Boise and is a supporter of the republican party. He turns to farming for recreation, also

OLIVER O. HAGA

175

HISTORY OF IDAHO

to motoring and fishing, but has comparatively few leisure hours, for aside from his professional and business interests he has been called upon for much public service. The school system of the city has ever found in him a stalwart champion and one whose efforts in its behalf have been far-reaching and resultant. The worth of his work in this connection is indicated in the fact that since 1906 he has been the president and a trustee of the Boise city school board. In 1910 he was appointed by the governor as president of the board of trustees of the State Industrial School of Idaho and occupied that position for two years. In 1912 he became a member of the state irrigation securities commission and served as such until 1914. In the latter year he was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane as a delegate at large to the national irrigation conference. These questions of public concern have ever been of the keenest interest to him and his efforts in behalf of progress along these lines have brought tangible results.

L. C. COLLINS.

One of the progressive young business men of Blackfoot is L. C. Collins, the cashier of the First National Bank, who since April, 1915, has been a resident of the city and who in January, 1917, was called to his present position, after having previously served for two years as assistant cashier. He was born at Lathrop, Missouri, January 28, 1884, and is a son of Frank and Mary F. (Evans) Collins, who were natives of Clay county, Missouri. The father was a farmer who culti- vated his fields throughout his entire life, remaining a resident of Missouri until his life's lahors were ended in death in June, 1912. The mother yet survives and now makes her home at Lathrop, Missouri.

L. C. Collins was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and com- pleted a course of study in the William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri. He started upon his business career as an employe in the First National Bank at Lathrop, where he remained for two years. He then went to South Dakota, took up a homestead and proved up on the property, after which he sold it and removed to Kansas City. There he accepted a position with the Commerce Trust Company, which he represented for two years. Returning to his old home in Missouri, he was made assistant cashier in the Lathrop bank and so continued for four years. In April, 1915, he arrived at Blackfoot, Idaho, and accepted the position of assist- ant cashier in the First National Bank, acting in that capacity until a favorable opportunity came for his promotion. He then received recognition of his ability and fidelity in appointment to the position of cashier in January, 1917. He has also become a stockholder and director of the hank and likewise of the First Na- tional Bank of Firth, Idaho, and the First National Bank of Dubois, Idaho. The First National Bank of Blackfoot has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, with surplus and undivided profits amounting to forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, while its deposits have reached one million dollars. The officers are: Alex- ander Younie, president; E. M. Kennedy, vice president; and L. C. Collins, cashier. The hank was organized in 1904 by Messrs. Younie, Kennedy and others and from the beginning has enjoyed a prosperous existence.

In March, 1911, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Gretchen Pope and they have become the parents of three children: Jean, Margaret and John P. Politically Mr. Collins is a democrat and for a time served as deputy city clerk of Blackfoot. He is a Mason and a member of the Shrine and also of the Knights of Pythias, and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church.

HON. ROBERT O. JONES.

Hon. Robert O. Jones, secretary of state and commissioner of law enforcement, has been a resident of Idaho since 1904, when, removing westward from Macon county, Missouri, he arrived at Wardner-Kellogg in Shoshone county, a youth of nineteen years. He was born on a farm in Macon county, Missouri, December 14, 1885, a son of Evan T. and Mary J. (Black) Jones. The father, a farmer hy occu- pation, responded to the country's eall for troops at the time of the Civil war and

176

HISTORY OF IDAHO

joined the Union army as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Infantry. In the hotly contested Battle of the Wilderness he lost his left arm. He afterward removed to Missouri, where he died a number of years ago. His widow has since become a resident of Idaho and now lives at Wardner-Kellogg. The family numbered nine children, four sons and five daughters.

The boyhood of Robert O. Jones was spent upon the home farm up to the age of six years, when his father removed with the family to La Plata, Macon county, and retired from active business life. The son there attended the public schools until graduated from the high school at the age of eighteen years. In the following year he came to Idaho, attracted by the opportunities of the northwest, and was employed in the lead mines at Wardner-Kellogg. He carefully saved his earnings until he was able to meet the expenses of a course in the Univeristy of Idaho, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909. He won several medals in debate and oratorical prizes while in the university and with the completion of his collegiate work accepted a responsible position in the office of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mining Company at Wardner-Kellogg, a company owning the largest lead and silver mines in the United States and second in size in the world. There Mr. Jones remained until 1914. In the meantime he was called upon for public service, being elected a member of the lower house of the state legislature in 1912 on the republican ticket. Late in the year 1914 he became private secretary to United States Senator James H. Brady in Washington, D. C., and continued in that position to the time of the senator's death in January, 1918. He afterward held a clerical position in the office of the alien property custodian in the national capital. In the meantime, or soon after his arrival in Washington, he took up the study of law in the National University there and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in June, 1917. He returned to Idaho with the intention of practicing his profession but on the 3d of October, 1918, his name was placed on the republican ticket as that of candidate for secretary of state to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of W. W. Von Cannon of Bonner county. He was chosen at the following election, defeating the non-partisan candidate by approximately fourteen thousand votes, and entered upon the duties of his position on the 6th of January, 1919. His previous training and experience as a legislator and his work in Washington, bringing him a knowledge of many questions and interests of public concern, have well qualified him for the position that he is now filling and he is meeting the full expectations and hopes of his many friends and supporters.

On the 22d of September, 1910, in Moscow, Idaho, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Florence Sprague, a native of Moscow, Idaho, and a graduate of the University of Idaho of the class of 1910. They have two sons: Robert S., who was born June 25, 1913; and Victor W., whose natal day was January 25, 1918.

Mr. Jones is a Master Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and his brother, Thomas R. Jones, of Wardner-Kellogg, is now grand chancellor commander of the latter order in Idaho. Secretary Jones is also a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His entire career has been one of steady progress, the indication of constantly expanding powers, and as he is yet a young man his future record will be well worth the watching. In providing the means for his university education he displayed the elemental strength of his character and foreshadowed coming events.

MISS EDITH BOWER.

Miss Edith Bower, the capable county treasurer of Cassia county and a resident of Burley, was born in Yampa, Colorado, and in 1905 became a resident of Twin Falls, Idaho. She attended school there and also pursued a business course. She was afterward employed by Thomas Potter, county superintendent of schools in Twin Falls county, and later was in the employ of the Lincoln Produce Company of Twin Falls. Afterward she was connected with the Studebaker interests, subse- quently with the Fidelity Abstract Company and afterward occupied a position in the office of the probate judge and of the county recorder. She came to the auditor's office as deputy, serving at Albion for two years, and on the 7th of November, 1918, she was elected county treasurer, entering upon the duties of the position on the 11th of January, 1919.

177

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Miss Bower is a daughter of Frank and Sarah (Yawger) Bower, who were natives of Iowa. Her father was engaged in the cattle business and, leaving hls native state, went to Colorado, where he resided until his removal to Twin Falls county, Idaho. It was thus that the daughter Edith became identified with this section of the country and in various positions she has proved her business ability, her efficiency and her fidelity to the trusts reposed in her. The splendid qualifications thus shown recommended her for office and she is regarded as a most capable county treasurer.

ALEXANDER YOUNIE.

Alexander Younie, president of the First National Bank of Blackfoot, occupies an enviable position in financial circles, not alone hy reason of the success to which he has attained but also owing to the straightforward, enterprising and progressive methods which he has always followed. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, February 22, 1841, and is a son of Alexander and Isahella (Laing) Younie, who were natives of Scotland. The father was for nine years a member of the British army, enlisting at the age of seventeen. After serving for nine years he went to Canada in 1829 and purchased a farm in the province of Quebec. This he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1857, while his wife long survived him, passing away in 1888.

Alexander Younie was a youth of sixteen when his father died. He pursued his education in his native country and remained with his mother to the age of twenty-four, when in the spring of 1865 he crossed the border and made his way to Chicago. He was there at the time that Richmond was captured and the surrender of General Lee, practically terminating the Civil war, was celebrated. He was en route to Fort Dodge, Iowa, when he heard of the assassination of President Lincoln. After a short time at Fort Dodge he joined Colonel Sawyer's expedition across the plains from Sioux City, Iowa, to Montana, traveling on horseback from Fort Dodge to Sioux City-a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, after which he joined the expedition as a teamster. They had twenty wagons with eighty mules and eighty wagons with six oxen each. There were two hundred and twenty-five men in the party and they went through some terrible experiences on their way to Montana, having much trouble with the Indians. Near the Black Hills they were surrounded by five thousand red'men, but the company fought them off for two weeks. After reaching Wyoming, Mr. Younie again battled with the Indians as a member of another company. He and others were night herders there and had to herd seven hundred head of mules. Afterward he went to Fort Laramie and was there pressed into the service to fight the Indians. Later he was started hack to Omaha, Nebraska, with another wagon train and while en route they lost many mules and oxen on account of the terrible storms, while the men underwent intense suffering. This outfit was owned by a Mr. Atwood, of Omaha. While on this trip near Julesburg, November 2, 1865, the party were taken unawares and surrounded hy one thousand Indians. They found that they had less than a day's round of ammunition and the Indians had sent word that they would scalp all of the party the next morning. One of the men, however, was able to steal away and rode four- teen miles to a camp of United States soldiers, whom he brought back in time to save his companions. The Indians, however, had driven away sixty head of their cattle.

Mr. Younie returned from Omaha to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and there remained through the winter, studying law. He afterward located at Humboldt, Iowa, and following his admission to the bar in 1867 engaged in law practice for two years. Later he bought land in Palo Alto county, Iowa, near Emmetsburg, and improved the place, continuing its cultivation until 1900, when he sold the property and removed to Loveland, Colorado, where he resided for two years. He next came to Blackfoot, Idaho, and bought land eight miles north of the town. This he improved but eventually sold it, taking up his abode in the city of Blackfoot. In 1904 he joined D. A. Dobell in the establishment of a private hank, which later was trans- formed into the First National Bank, and Mr. Younie has continuously served as president, devoting his time to his banking interests and to the real estate business. He has owned several thousand acres of land in this section of the state and has

Vol. 11-12

178

HISTORY OF IDAHO

negotiated many important realty transfers. He is also the president of the First National Bank of Firth and president of the Blackfoot Farmers Milling Company. He is likewise interested with his son-in-law, Neil F. Boyle, in the hardware business at Blackfoot, Firth, Shelley and Rexburg and has thus won a place among the prom- inent and progressive business men of Idaho whose labors have contributed in marked measure to the upbuilding of the state.

On the 28th of January, 1870, Mr. Younie was married to Miss Laura E. Eliot and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Nettie, who is now the wife of Neil F. Boyle, of Blackfoot; Isabella, who gave her hand in marriage to E. M. Kennedy, of Blackfoot; and William A., who resides in California.

Mr. Younie is a republican in his political views, has served as a member of the city council and has also been mayor of Blackfoot, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, laboring untiringly for public benefit, and his relations to his fellowmen are indi- cated in the statement that he is a most exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, thus recognizing the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby im- posed. His experiences have indeed been of a broad and varied character and there is no phase of pioneer life, with all of its attendant hardships, privations and perils, with which he is not familiar. He has lived to see the marvelous development and growth of the west and has borne his full share in promoting the work of progress.

FRANK UEHREN.

Frank Uehren, who at the time of his demise was president and manager of the Pocatello Cold Storage Company, was born at Galena, Illinois, December 31, 1855. His father, Andrew Uehren, was also a native of Illinois and for some time was a well known druggist of Galena. He married Sophie Kasten and in 1903 they celebrated their golden wedding. Five years later the wife passed away and in 1912 the death of Andrew Uehren occurred.

Frank Uehren was a pupil in the public and high schools of Galena, Illinois, which he attended to the age of eighteen years. He went to Nevada in 1876, making Carson City his headquarters, and was engaged in mining in that state for one year. He next removed to Placerville, Eldorado county, California, where he resumed mining opera- tions, and in 1878 he went to Grant county, Oregon, where he engaged in stock raising. He was there during the Bannock Indian war and he and his men were run off the ranch by the red men, who killed the Chinaman in their employ. About a week later Mr. Uehren and his men returned to the ranch and found that the Indians had gone. They were not again molested by them, although they took the precaution of never going anywhere alone, always traveling in couples or in groups. In the spring of 1879 Mr. Uehren and his companions drove their cattle from Oregon to South Dakota and spent the winter in Bannock county, Idaho. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Uehren returned to this state and for twenty-seven years resided in Custer county, being there engaged in stock raising and also in the lumber and implement business at Mackay. Not only did he control important business interests but was also active and prominent in public affairs and served as county commissioner for two terms and also as a member of the city council of Mackay. In 1910 he left that place and for four years was a resident of Weiser, while in 1914 he came to Pocatello, where he purchased the Franklin & Hayes brewery building. This was converted into a cold storage plant, which has since been conducted under the name of the Pocatello Cold Storage Company, of which Mr. Uehren was president and manager at the time of his death. In this connection he developed a business of large and satisfactory proportions.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II, Part 21

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1024