History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II, Part 29

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 29

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).

HON. DAVID WILLIAM DAVIS.

Fighting the battle of life with exceptional courage and typical American grit, David William Davis, governor of Idaho, typifies in his career the ideal spirit which, fighting against and contending with handicaps, meeting and surmounting obstacles with the confidence of youth, enables him to reach the highest office in his state through his own unaided efforts and self-developed capacities. There are noble and immortal lessons in the story of the life of the man who without other means than a strong heart and clear head conquers adversity and achieves an honorable success, rich in the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. Such men rise into prominence and become objects of high consideration in public estimation only through the de- velopment of the best attributes of manhood, for the accidents of birth and fortune and the adventitious aid of chance and circumstance can do little to give them endur- ing place in history. The records of the lives of successful men who influence and mould events is always interesting and instructive and become even more so when they present in combined view the elements of material success harmoniously blended with completeness of moral attribute and unblemished reputation. Such characters stand forth as proof of human progress-the illustration of human dignity and worth.

Governor Davis is a native of Wales, born on the 23d of April, 1873, and a son of John Wynn and Frances (Lewis) Davis. The family came to America when the son David was but two years of age. locating in Iowa, where the father found employ- ment as a miner, later turning his attention to agricultural pursuits in Idaho, where he spent his remaining years, passing away in American Falls in 1913. He is still survived by his widow, who yet resides in American Falls and is vigorous and well preserved.

The early boyhood days of David W. Davis werc spent in the humble surround-

HON. DAVID W. DAVIS

241

HISTORY OF IDAHO

ings of a miner's home in Angus, Iowa. Little opportunity was afforded the youth in the way of educational advantages and when but twelve years of age he began work- ing in the mines, but such circumstances did not daunt the spirit of the youth who was later to rise so far above his early surroundings as to become an exceptionally successful business man and public servant, revered and trusted by the people. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk in the store of the company which operated the mine in which he had worked. At the age of twenty-one he had become the manager of a store at Rippey, and, a short time later, in recognition of his business acumen and fidelity to details, he was given the position of cashier of the bank there. It was there that he made his initial step in the banking business and gained a knowledge of the business which, with the passing years, has brought a substantial pecuniary re- ward and the honorable and responsible position of president of the Idaho State Bankers Association, which office he was filling when elected governor of the state.

Failing health caused him to retire from active business and, tempted by the lure of the west with its boundless opportunities, he spent a year in travel, chiefly through Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. These journeys were made by wagon and, by sleeping out in the open and "roughing it" in true western style, he succeeded in achieving complete restoration of his health and strength.

In the meantime he had also spent some time in the state of Washington, where he had some land interests, and in 1906 came to Idaho, settling at American Falls, where he continued to make his home until his removal to Boise following his election as governor. In February, 1907, he founded the Bank of American Falls and became its president, in which capacity he has since continued. In the fall of 1907 the bank was nationalized and has since been known as the First National Bank. Entering en- thusiastically into the upbuilding of the community in which he had decided to make his home, it may be said that largely through his far-sightedness and sound judgment the possibilities of the great dry farming district surrounding American Falls were first brought to the attention of the public. With unbounded confidence in the future growth and prosperity of his adopted state he evidenced the courage of his convic- tions by making liberal financial advances to those possessing the same brand of courage as himself and were pioneering a new country, and to many of whom this aid, extended at the vital moment, meant nothing more nor less than the difference be- tween success and failure. In short, it may truly be said that to Governor Davis, more than to any other individual, is due the credit for making the American Falls district one of the greatest dry farming communities in the country.

In his political faith Governor Davis has ever been an earnest advocate of the principles of the republican party. In 1912 he was elected to the state senate, where he made an enviable record for sound judgment, though he declined to again become a candidate for the office. He served as a delegate to the republican national con- vention in Chicago in 1912. In 1916, members of his party recognizing in him a leader of undoubted strength, made him its nominee for governor, and, though he was de- feated in this campaign, it is a striking commentary upon his popularity with the people of Idaho, irrespective of party affiliations, that he lost by the narrow margin of five hundred and seventy-two votes, while the democratic nominee for president, Woodrow Wilson, carried the state by twenty thousand. Again, in 1918, he was the party's choice for governor and the huge majority given him indicated him as the people's choice. He was inaugurated as the chief executive of Idaho, January 6, 1919. During the war with Germany Governor Davis was extremely active in war work, speaking in all parts of the state and acting as state chairman of two liberty loan drives.

Governor Davis has been twice married. When twenty-one years of age he married Florence O. Gilliland, who died in 1903; and on April 5, 1905, he wedded Miss Nellie Johnson, a native of Illinois, who was reared, however, in the Hawkeye state. They have become the parents of three children: Margaret Ruth, David William, Jr., and Donald J. The Governor holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church and for many years has served on the official board of the First Meth- odist church of American Falls. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, an Odd Fellow and an Elk.

The fifteenth session of the Idaho legislature, which closed March 6, 1919, pre- sented the largest completed program of results, based upon the suggestions of its chief executive, of any legislature in the history of the state and perhaps in the Union. By its action Idaho's system of government has been completely remodeled. Vol. II-16

242

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Nine commissioners, appointed by and directly responsible to the governor, will supervise the civil administration of the state government under a centralization of powers heretofore scattered between forty-eight state divisions, an arrangement which will save to the tax-payers of the state vast annual sums, while promoting greatly in- creased efficiency in the dispatch of the public business.

At the age of forty-six Governor Davis faces a term as chief executive during the state's reconstruction period, and in the minds of those who know him best-even in the minds of his political opponents-there exists no doubt but that the record he makes will mark an epoch of businesslike methods in the conduct of the affairs of the state.

O. H. PARKER, M. D.

Dr. O. H. Parker, state medical director of the Modern Woodmen of America and an active practitioner of medicine and surgery in Boise since 1912, was born in New York city, March 15, 1872. He removed with his parents to Arkansas City, Kansas, in 1885 and in 1891 he became a student in the department of pharmacy of the University of Kansas, from which he was graduated on the completion of a three years' course in 1894. He next matriculated in the Kansas City Medical College and thoroughly mastered the three years' course, so that he is numbered among the alumni of that institution of 1897. For fifteen years he engaged in the active practice of medicine and surgery in Kansas City, Missouri, and was in charge of the Kansas City General Hospital from 1899 until 1902. He also served as coroner of Jackson county, Missouri, from 1904 until 1908.

With his removal to Boise in 1912, Dr. Parker opened an office in this city and recognition of his ability has come to him in a constantly increasing practice which is also of steadily growing importance. Broad reading and investigation have kept him in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and research and the soundness of his judgment is manifest in the excellent results which attend his labors.

In 1901 Dr. Parker was married in Kansas City to Mrs. Pauline St. John. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and of the last named he is state medical director. He is also a member of the Boise Physicians Club. He is conscientious in the per- formance of all of his professional duties, patient under adverse criticism, a thor- ough student and one in whom keen sympathy as well as scientific knowledge con- stitute a source of success.

DOW WILLIAMS.

Dow Williams, a well known real estate dealer of Idaho Falls, was born in Polk county, Iowa, January 4, 1878, and is a son of Patrick William and Johanna (Mullin) Williams, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Troy, New York. The father came to the United States in 1859, settling first in Vermont, where he remained until 1865 and then removed to Des Moines, Iowa, before the railroad was built to that place. He bought land at what is now Ninth and Walnut streets in Des Moines and later traded the property for a team of mules, a fact indicative of the unsettled condition of the country. He then removed to Humboldt, Iowa, where he purchased land, which he cultivated and improved, continuing the further development of the property until 1909, when he came to Idaho Falls with his son Dow. He is now living on the latter's ranch four miles from Idaho Falls. The mother, however, passed away in February, 1909. Her father and her brothers were soldiers of the Civil war.

Dow Williams was reared in Humboldt, Iowa, and attended the district schools. He was a classmate there of Frank Gotch, the wrestler. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to South Dakota, where he was employed in a hotel for four years. At the age of eighteen he went upon the road, selling barbers' supplies for Fred Dolle, of Chicago, for three years. He then removed to St. Paul, Minne- sota, and became a representative of the Inter-State Land Company, with which he continued until 1907. He then again went upon the road, representing the

243

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Koken Barher Supply Company of St. Louis, Missouri, with which he was asso- ciated until 1909, traveling in twenty-nine states of the Union as representative of that firm. In 1909 he came to Idaho Falls, where he has since made his home. Before his removal to the west he was in St. Paul for three months out of the year for four years, acting as manager for Frank Gotch, and in 1905 they toured the west.

With his removal to Idaho Falls, Mr. Williams engaged in the real estate busi- ness and in farming, and in 1919 he had nine hundred acres of land planted to wheat. He was the originator of the "round-ups" in this part of the country. He has put on round-up shows in Idaho Falls, also two in Blackfoot, two in Salt Lake and one for the Wizards of Wasatch in 1916. He likewise put on one for the Rotary Club of Salt Lake in 1919 and assisted in staging one at the old Cub hall park at Chicago in 1917. He put on shows at Idaho Falls from 1912 until 1916 and the last one was one of the largest ever held in the world, there being over two and a half miles of moving pictures taken at that time. Mr. Williams is the owner of twelve hundred acres of land in Idaho in partnership with his brother. His business affairs have heen wisely and carefully managed and have brought to him a notable measure of success. He is interested in the One Thousand Springs Land & Irriga- tion Company and also in the Bryan Union Oil Company and is president of the Continental Kelly Mining Company.

Politically Mr. Williams is a republican and in 1918 was a candidate for the legislature hut was defeated hy twelve votes. He assisted in electing James H. Hawley governor of the state. He has always been active in politics and does every- thing in his power to advance the interests of the party whose platform in his belief contains the best elements of good government. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he has membership with the Knights of Columbus and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a past exalted ruler in the local lodge. He remains an active factor in real estate circles, and his own investments are of an extensive and important character, bringing to him a splendid financial return.

HON. ARTHUR HODGES.

Hon. Arthur Hodges, who has heen mayor of Boise and is the secretary and general manager of the Boise Motor Car Company, is a western man by birth, train- ing and preference and his entire career has been actuated by the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section. He was born in Benton county, Oregon, March 14, 1865, a son of Monroe Hodges, who was a farmer and pioneer of Oregon. Born in Ohio, he re- moved to the west in 1847 and spent his remaining days in Oregon, where he passed away in 1905, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rhoda Wilson, was born in Kentucky and died in Oregon in 1898. In the blood of Arthur Hodges flows a mingled English and Scotch strain, for his father was descended from the English cavaliers, while his mother's ancestry were equally distinguished in Scotland. On both sides, too, he comes of Revolutionary war ancestry, indicating that his forehears came to the new world at a very early period. His paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Hodges, served under Francis Marion with those southern troops who endured such untold hardships in the swamps in order to aid in winning American independence. He lived in South Carolina, where he was the owner of a plantation and a number of slaves. His son, Jesse M. Hodges, was born in South Carolina and served under General Jack- son in the Creek Indian war and also at the battle of New Orleans. In 1847 Jesse M. Hodges brought an emigrant train across the plains to Benton county, Oregon, and hecame one of the pioneers and an extensive farmer of that district. His son, Monroe Hodges, then a boy, was a member of the emigrant train, which numbered eighty wagons. Jesse M. Hodges held a captain's commission hy reason of his service in the Creek Indian war, in which he participated with General Sam Hous- ton and David Crockett. In 1871 Monroe Hodges removed from Benton county to Crook county, Oregon, and became the founder of the town of Prineville, of which Arthur Hodges, whose name introduces this review, was elected mayor when but twenty-one years of age. He was also at the same age elected county clerk of Crook county on the republican ticket and occupied the latter position for four- teen consecutive years.

244

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Subsequently he engaged in merchandising at Prineville, where he resided until 1907, when he removed to Boise and turned his attention to the sheep in- dustry. His fitness for leadership, however, led to his election for mayor of the city in 1912 and endorsement of his first term's service came in reelection in 1914, so that he served for two full terms. In 1916, after retiring from the mayoralty, he became one of the organizers of the Boise Motor Car Company, of which he has since been the secretary and general manager. This company are distributors in southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon for the Pierce-Arrow, Hudson, Reo and Dodge Brothers motor cars.

On the 27th of January, 1900, Mr. Hodges was married to Miss Stella Gesner, of Salem, Oregon, and they now have a daughter, Rhoda, who was horn February 15, 1901. The family is prominent socially, while the position of leadership that Mr. Hodges has attained in business and official circles is attested by the consensus of public opinion on the part of his fellowmen.

JUDGE OTIS EDDY MCCUTCHEON.

Judge Otis Eddy Mccutcheon, an eminent member of the Idaho bar, who has proven an influential factor in shaping the political records of the state and in influencing public progress and the development of the commonwealth in many ways, now makes his home at Idaho Falls. He was born in Dryden township, Tompkins county, New York, August 8, 1845, and is a son of Rensselaer and Elvira (Bishop) Mccutcheon, who were also natives of the same locality. The great-great-grandfather and his son, George Mccutcheon, came to America in 1762, making the voyage across the Atlantic in their own ship, which they afterward sold in New York. They had outfitted in Belfast, Ireland, and after reaching the American port they proceeded up the Hudson to a point near.Saratoga, New York, where they spent their remaining days, devoting their at- tention to farming. The progenitor of the family in the new world was Andrew Mc- Cutcheon, and his son George Mccutcheon, served throughout the American revolution. He afterward returned to Saratoga and there Robert Mccutcheon, grandfather of Judge Mccutcheon, was born. In 1806 the family removed to Dryden township, Tomp- kins county, New York. In the maternal line the Judge is descended from James Bishop, a soldier of the Revolutionary war from Warren county, New Jersey, and a physician by profession. He went to Tompkins county in 1810, there spending his remaining days. In that county Rensselaer Mccutcheon followed the occupation of farming upon land that his father entered in 1806 and which is still in possession of the family. In 1846, however, Rensselaer Mccutcheon removed to Albion township, Calhoun county, Michigan, and settled on land that his father took up in 1832. He cultivated and improved the property and lived thereon until he finally retired and removed to the village of Albion, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in June, 1880. His wife passed away in February, 1895.

Judge McCutcheon was reared in Michigan and supplemented his public school education by study in Albion College of that state, in which institution he won the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He taught school for three years and, on the completion of his college course, entered upon the study of law under private instructors, being admitted to the bar in August, 1872. He afterward opened an office at Oscoda, Mich- Igan, where he remained in practice for twenty years, and then went to Saginaw, Mich- igan, where he followed his profession for a decade. In 1896 he came to Idaho Falls to look after the property of an eastern client and finally decided to remain. He has " since practiced law here and is accounted one of the eminent representatives of the Idaho bar.

In 1872 Judge Mccutcheon was elected prosecuting attorney of Iosco county. Mich- igan, 'and filled that position for two terms. He also filled other local offices there, including that of county superintendent of schools. In 1879 he was elected to the house of representatives of Michigan and was reelected in 1881. He likewise had a long period of service as secretary of the board of education. Following his removal to Idaho he was called upon for public service and in 1902 was appointed by Governor Morrison one of the trustees of the State Asylum at Blackfoot and served for two years as president of the board. From the beginning of his residence in this state he was recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party and served as chairman of the republican county central committee from 1904 until 1907. In 1906 he was

JUDGE OTIS E. MCCUTCHEON

247

HISTORY OF IDAHO

elected to the state senate, in which he served for a term. In the spring of 1907 he was appointed a member of the board of regents of the State University and so con- tinued until 1910. In the fall of 1908 he was elected to the house of representatives and served for one term and in 1910 hewas appointed dean of the law school, to suc- ceed Judge Mclain, at Moscow, thus serving until June, 1913. Business interests have taken him into every state in the Union save four and he has also visited Alaska, and twice he has been to Europe. He has been a very active man but in 1915 to some extent put aside the more strenuous duties to which he had hitherto given his atten- tion. However, he is still the owner of the Mccutcheon hardware business, of which his son, Robert B., acts as manager, and he is also president of the Idaho Farm Loan Company and a member of the board of trustees of the Carnegie public library. He remains an active factor at the bar, and his opinions constitute an influencing force in relation to many public interests.

Judge Mccutcheon was married in November, 1872, to Miss Mary Ella Goffe, a daughter of Jonathan and Ann (Barrett) Goffe, who were natives of Massachusetts. the latter being a daughter of Butler Barrett, of Three Rivers, Massachusetts. To Judge and Mrs. McCutcheon have been born four children: N. D., residing in Salt Lake City; Otto E., an attorney at law of Idaho Falls; Grace B., the wife of Arthur Lyons, of Lansing, Michigan; and Robert B., also residing at Idaho Falls.

Mrs. McCutcheon is a member of the Congregational church. Fraternally Mr. Mc- Cutcheon is connected with the Masons and the Elks and has always been a most loyal follower of the teachings of the craft. Throughout his life he has remained a close and discriminating student of all questions which are of vital interest and moment to the state and nation and has taken an advanced stand concerning many important public problems. The soundness of his judgment and his known patriotic spirit have largely made him a leader of public thought and opinion

CHRISTOPHER T. AND WILLIAM J. COUGHLIN.

Christopher T. and William J. Coughlin, brothers, were the founders and organizers of the business that is now conducted under the name of the Standard Furniture Company at Nos. 810 and 812 Bannock street in Boise. The business has been in existence for fourteen years, having been established in 1905 on North Eighth street. The brothers incorporated their interests' under the present firm name in 1906, with William J. Coughlin as president and Christopher T. Cough- lin as treasurer, while P. C. Ray was made secretary. On the 11th of November, 1910, the business was removed to No. 807 Idaho street and on the 11th of No- vember, 1912, to the present location on Bannock street, where the company oc- cupies a four-story brick building with basement, fifty by one hundred and twen- ty-five feet. They carry a stock which according to season is valued at from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars. chiefly handling furniture made by the Grand Rapids Furniture Company. They also have a warehouse on Railroad street in Boise. Their store is thoroughly attractive in the line of goods carried and the company also maintains the highest standards in the personnel of the house and in the treatment accorded patrons.

Christopher T. Coughlin, the treasurer of the company, was born in Mine- ville, New York, June 30, 1873, while William J. Coughlin, the president, was born in Connecticut, November 10, 1878. They are sons of William and Mary (Kehoe) Coughlin, both of whom were natives of the Empire state and have now passed away. The father was a carpenter by trade. The grandparents in both the paternal and maternal lines came from Ireland, William Coughlin being a son of Christopher and Katharine (Gorman) Coughlin, while Mary Kehoe was a daughter of Martie Kehoe. A removal was made by the Coughlin family to Colorado when the sons, C. T. and W. J., were small boys and they were reared at Silver Plume, that state, where they pursued a public school education. Both came to Boise in 1904 and the following year founded the furniture business which has since been conducted by them and which has developed into one of the important commercial enter- prises not only of the city but also of this section of the country.

Christopher T. Coughlin has been married twice. In 1903 be wedded Winifred Townsend, of Cripple Creek, Colorado, who passed away in 1910, and in 1916 he married Miss Gussie Kingsbury. He is a Catholic in religious faith, a member of

248

HISTORY OF IDAHO

the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Wood- men of the World. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and in 1915 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. He helongs to the Boise Commercial Club and his interest in the welfare of the city is mani- fest in his active cooperation in the plans and measures of that organization for the city's good. He is fond of fishing, to which he turns for recreation. C. T. Coughlin is a director of the Boise Valley Traction Company.

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 29

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