USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II > Part 48
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couragement to those who were lahoring under the heavy load of adversity. He bowed down in the home that was disconsolate and sorrowing for the member that had just 'gone to the long 'home.' He loved that Flag that we all honor and on public days often gave the children each one to carry when marching. He would often lock his store, hire a livery team, drive out to see the sick, pay all the ex- penses of such trips, furnish the medicine, and many such trips were made each year without the hope of monetary return. The weather was never too stormy, the roads never too bad for him to go. It did not matter where the call came from, he always went and gave what assistance he could. Was the call from a family in town here, he would say: 'Some of my neighbors are sick, I will go and see them.' Was the call from the other side of the river, he would say: 'I must drive over and help them,' and was the call from beyond the mountain, he would say: 'My people live over there, they need my help.'
" 'My neighbors, my friends, my people.' Grand old man! In works of charity I would be glad to end my labors where his began.
"Some years before he passed he went down, as he expressed it 'to the old Southland' to attend a convention. He had me print him a long silk badge, which he wore pinned on the lapel of his coat that all might know where he was going. When he started he told me that he would be gone a month. He returned in about two weeks and when I asked him why he did not stay longer and take a little vaca- tion after the work of the convention was over, he replied: 'Oh, the people here needed me, so I thought I had better come home.' Ready always to give up his own pleasures for the benefit of others.
"He could not say no, so extended credit to all who asked it, for medicine as well as merchandise, and of course suffered financial reverses. So then we say he was poor when he left us, considering what he should have been worth if viewed from a monetary standpoint, but he was not poor, he was rich-rich in the love of his people.
"He was a religious man and while he seldom went to church, his Bible was his constant companion. Often when asked a question or a reason for things, he would make no other reply than to quote a verse of Scripture. I have heard it said that when those who, 'possessing a hope of a glorious immortality,' were just passing through 'the shadows of the valley,' they would appear to he under the influence of a higher power than that of men, that they would speak of scenes or wonderful, and in the most beautiful language, and while they thus talked the air would seem to be filled with the grand harmony of song, 'Sung by the Angels when a redeemed soul enters the gate of that beautiful City.' Whether our old friend caught glimpses of the great beyond or heard the 'Angels sing that beautiful song' before he finally closed his eyes in the long sleep, we do not know, but we do know that all is well with him now, for he had 'Faith in God, hope of immortality, and charity for all mankind.' 'Faith is the violet of the soul; its fragrance soothes the human breast.' 'Hope is a bright flower that blooms along our pathway, from youth to age, from the cradle to the grave.' 'Charity is the sweetest, divinest plant of all, is crowned with love's bright diadem, but alas! We only see it here and there.'
" "There are gains for all our losses and a loss for every gain; There are crowns for all our crosses and a joy for every pain. By and by there'll be no crosses, by and by there'll be no pain; And for all our bitter losses there will be eternal gain.' "
ALVIN S. GREEN.
Alvin S. Green, cashier of the Jefferson State Bank of Menan, Jefferson county, was born in the town where he is now engaged in business on May 1. 1892, a son of Robert A. and Harriett E. (Shippen) Green, the former being a native of Utah and the latter of Idaho. In the late '70s Robert A. Green left his native state with his parents and accompanied them northward into Idaho, where his father homesteaded land in that part of Jefferson county which then was included in Oneida county. Sometime later he decided to begin farming on his own account and filed a claim on a tract of land near that of his father and after some years spent in improving it he sold it and bought another farm in the vicinity of Menan. Here Vol. 11-2G
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he and his wife, the mother of the subject of this review, are now living, respected and influential members of the community.
Alvin S. Green spent his boyhood on his father's farm near Menan, receiv- ing his elementary education in the local schools. Desirous of supplementing this by more advanced training, he entered Ricks Academy at Rexburg, Idaho, and there pursued his studies until graduation. On the completion of his academic course, he decided that banking should be his vocation and to acquire a practical knowl- edge of the same entered the employ of the Rigby State Bank, now the First Na- tional Bank of Rigby, as a bookkeeper. Because of his strict attention to busi- ness, his promtion was not delayed and he was made head bookkeeper, which posi- tion he held for four years. At the end of this period he tendered his resignation to his employers in order to participate in the organization of the Jefferson State Bank of Menan, a financial institution which now has a capital stock of twenty- five thousand dollars. At the time of organization Mr. Green was made cashier, the duties of which office he still performs. The other officers of the bank at present are Hon. John W. Hart, president, and Charles A. Smith, Jr., vice presi- dent. Since the bank opened its doors for business in November 1918, it has en- joyed a substantial growth which has been in large part due to the courteous serv- ice rendered its patrons by the cashier, the bank's most recent financial statement showing deposits to be sixty thousand dollars. The business is carried on in a new bank building which was completed in time for the opening in November, 1918. The growing clientele of the bank, along with its sound, conservative prin- ciples, augurs well for its future.
In addition to his interest in the Jefferson State Bank, Mr. Green is a stock- holder in the First National Bank of Rigby. He is also a stockholder in the Hart- Ellsworth Auto Company of Rigby, a firm which deals not only in motor vehicles and their accessories but also in gasoline driven farm machinery. Furthermore he Las farming interests in Jefferson county and owns a section of land in the neighboring county of Fremont.
On March 22, 1916, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Elizabeth E. Hart of Rigby whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Green are the parents of two children, namely: Marian, born November 17, 1916; and Ethelyn, who was born February 12, 1918. Both the father and mother adhere to the teach- ings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mr. Green is at present a member of the official board of the Rigby stake Sunday school. He is a republi- can in politics and he takes a good citizen's interest in the policies and problems of his party. His skill in the administration of financial affairs he has twice placed at the disposal of the public; first for two years as treasurer of the city of Rigby and secondly as a member of the village board of Menan, in which capacity he is now serving. Although comparatively young in years, the good judgment and sound principles with which Mr. Green does business would do credit to a man many years his senior. The foregoing attributes added to the energy of his youth insures for him a success in the future which will transcend by far that which he has achieved already.
WILLIAM ALBERT COUGHANOUR.
It would be to give an inadequate and one-sided picture of William Albert Cough- anour to mention him merely as a banker and stockman, active and successful though he has been in these lines. While his business interests have been and are extensive and at all times have been most carefully and wisely conducted, he has at the same time found opportunity to assist in promoting public interests and has done valuable service for his city and state as mayor and as senator.
Mr. Coughanour was born at Belle Vernon, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1850, and acquired his education in the common schools of that place, after which he followed the profession of teaching for two terms. In March, 1870, he made his way westward to Quartzburg, Idaho, where with his uncle, David E. Coughanour, he purchased the Goldhill mine, Mr. Coughanour, however, not securing his interest until after he had earned sufficient money to make the investment. The company was organized under the name of the Goldhill Gold & Silver Mining Company and during Mr. Coughanour's association with it they took out three million dollars in gold He
WILLIAM A. COUGHANOUR
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disposed of his interest in 1886, but the mine has continued to be a big producer and only recently bodies of ore which are very rich have been opened up.
In 1886 Mr. Coughanour went to Boise and a year later came to Payette, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber for twelve years, his mill having a capacity of twenty-five thousand feet in ten hours. The timber for this mill was secured in the Garden valley, one hundred miles distant, and was driven down the river to Pay- ette. The market for lumber at that time was limited and the greater portion of his output was sold in eastern Idaho. It was in payment of a debt that Mr. Coughanour was forced to take this mill and thereby entered upon the business of lumber manu- facturing. A man of keen sagacity and foresight, profiting by his milling operations, he made investment in real estate and in this way has accumulated considerable property, including farm lands, of which fourteen hundred and forty-seven acres are located on the North Powder river, Oregon. Twelve hundred acres of his land are under cultivation and he has stocked his ranch with cattle. His son is now manager of the ranch, upon which Mr. Coughanour raised the largest range steer in the world. The animal, hay and grass fed, weighed thirty-two hundred and thirty pounds. Mr. Coughanour also owns ranches. comprising twelve hundred acres or more in the vicinity of Payette and thereon is engaged in raising horses, mules and cattle, having about one hundred head of each. He likewise raises Shetland ponies and his extensive operations in this direction have made him one of the most prominent stockmen of the state.
There is no other man perhaps to whom Payette owes her upbuilding and develop- ment along modern lines to a greater degree than to Mr. Coughanour. He is the possessor of two of the largest brick business blocks in the town and is also interested in the First National Bank building. He has likewise built and owned a great many residences here which add to the beauty and attractiveness of the city. In banking cir- cles, too, he is a prominent figure and is now the vice president and chairman of the . board of directors of the First National Bank of Payette, is president of the Lower Payette Ditch company and otherwise has business connections with the city which have proven of great value and benefit thereto.
For a long period Mr. Coughanour has maintained his residence in Payette. He was married in 1874 to Miss Galena Bunting, of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, and they have two children. Emma L. is the wife of Dr. W. R. Hamilton, the present mayor of Weiser, in which office he is serving for the second term. He is also a past grand master of the Masonic fraternity of Idaho and is a recognized leader in democratic circles, having served as chairman of the democratic state central committee. The son of the family is William M. Coughanour, who has charge of his father's ranch.
Mr. Coughanour is also a well known figure in fraternal circles. In 1904 he served as grand master of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows in Idaho and since that time has been grand treasurer. He is the seventy-sixth member of Lodge No. 310, B. P. O. E., of Boise, which now has a membership of thirteen hundred. Mr. Coughanour is well known to many of the most prominent and distinguished men of the state. He is an old and fast friend of Ex-Governor Hawley and it was Mr. Coughanour who nominated James H. Hawley for the office of governor on two different occasions, although he was elected but once. He has in his possession a letter from Governor Hawley expressing his friendship and stating that he very much regretted his inability to appoint Mr. Cough- anour to the United States senate owing to the latter's lack of some of the essential requirements for that office yet assuring him that from a point of friendship and in- tegrity he was really his choice. He served as a member of the governor's staff, the chief executive giving the grounds for his appointment in the fact that "he was invin- cible in peace and invisible in war." There is no feature of public progress and im- provement in the state that has not received the endorsement of Mr. Coughanour and to the extent of his ability he has cooperated therewith. He presented the city of Payette with an electric lighted drinking fountain for animals, of which a life-size oxidized copper elk is the ornamental and central figure. This gift was made at a cost of one thousand dollars and is the visible evidence of his love for animals. It is located on Fourth street near the depot. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his high personal worth and ability, elected him seven times to the office of mayor within a period of eleven years and to the city he gave a most businesslike and progressive administration that brought about various needed reforms and substantial improve- ments. In 1896 he was elected to the fourth senate of Idaho and while thus serving promoted the state horticultural inspection bill, while for six years he served as pres- ident of the state horticultural inspection board by appointment of Governor Steunen-
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berg. While conducting his mining operations Mr. Conghanour filled the office of com- missioner of Boise county for two years. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. His loyalty is one of his most marked character- istics and he has ever fully recognized and met the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship, while at the same time he has fully enjoyed the privileges of being a one hundred per cent American.
PAUL PENNEY FRENCH, M. D.
Dr. Paul Penney French, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Boise, was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, July 17, 1874, being the only son of Seth B. and Emma (Penney) French, who are still residents of Rudd, Iowa. Reared and educated in his native state, he was graduated from the high school at Osage, Iowa, in 1892 and in preparation for a professional career was a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago from 1894 until 1897, when the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. He then engaged in the active practice of medicine and surgery at Rudd, Iowa, for nineteen years, or until 1918. In March of the latter year he came to Idaho, settling in Boise, where he has since made his home, and through the intervening period of two years he has steadily progressed in his chosen calling, being now accorded a large and distinctively representative practice.
On the 18th of July, 1919, Dr. French was married to Mrs. Iva M. Kerlin, née Trembly. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and he belongs to the Commercial Club. His attention and interest, however have largely been concentrated upon his professional duties and for twenty-three years he has now been in active practice, reading and experience throughout this period constantly augmenting his skill and promoting his knowledge. He is very conscientious in the performance of professional duties, is most careful in diagnosis and is seldom if ever at fault in foretelling the outcome of disease.
GEORGE F. ZIMMERMAN.
George F. Zimmerman has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Emmett for the past fifteen years and has been accorded a most extensive and gratifying clientage. His birth occurred in Effingham county, Illinois, on the 8th of August, 1873, his parents being Jacob and Anna (Hickman) Zimmerman. The father, a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States in young manhood be- cause he opposed militarism. He had learned the trade of cabinetmaking and after arriving in the new world established one of the first furniture factories at Dayton, Ohio. When the Civil war broke out he joined the Union army, serving with the boys in blue until captured by Forrest's Confederate cavalry. He was a prisoner for eighteen months and spent the last six months of that period at Andersonville. Following the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south he took up the occupation of farming in Effingham county, Illinois, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, there passing away in February, 1917, when in his ninety-eighth year. George F. Zimmerman has in his possession several letters which were written by his father after he had reached the age of ninety-seven years, all of which mani- fest a steady nerve and hand as well as excellent chirography. The mother of Mr. Zimmerman of this review died in October, 1916, at the age of eighty-seven years.
George F. Zimmerman was reared on an Illinois farm and obtained his early education in the public and high schools of that state. In 1892, when a young man of nineteen, he made his way westward and entered the School of Law of the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he remained for one year. He next spent three years in the Colorado State Teachers College at Greeley, being graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1898. During his college days he earned the money with which to pay his tuition, scorning no employment that would yield him an honest dollar. After his graduation he became principal of the public schools of Antonito, Colorado, and ably served in that capacity for four years or until 1903, when he came to Emmett, Idaho. He had been married in Colorado and with his wife journeyed overland to this state in a wagon drawn by a pair of bronchos. Mr. Zimmerman held the position of superintendent of public
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schools at Emmett for two years. In the meantime he had studied law both in Colorado and after coming to Idaho, and on the 4th of May, 1904, he was admitted to the bar of this state. Since 1905 he has practiced continuously at Emmett, being accorded an enviable and growing clientage as he has demonstrated his ability in successfully handling many important cases.
On the 29th of August, 1900, at Antonito, Colorado, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Riley, who was born near Iola, Kansas, and became a successful school teacher. She also held a postoffice position prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are now the parents of three children, Elizabeth, Kathryn and Waldo, who are fourteen, eleven and eight years of age respectively.
Mr. Zimmerman is a republican in his political views but has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, while his recreation comes to him through bird and duck hunting and trout fishing. His wife has held the chairs in the Eastern Star and is also a consistent and devoted member of the Episcopal church. During the period of their residence in Emmett they have won many warm friends who esteem them highly for their excellent traits of character.
HON. NORMAN M. RUICK.
When the Hon. Norman M. Ruick was called to his final rest on the 24th of March, 1915, Boise lost one of her distinguished citizens. He had figured prominently as an able member of the bar and as United States district attorney and was long a recognized leader in political circles in the state and served for one term as a member of the state senate. Throughout his entire life he was ever recognized as a man loyal to his convictions and fearless iu defense of any cause which he espoused.
Mr. Ruick was born in Granby, Connecticut, on the 4th of October, 1854, and was descended from both Puritan and Irish ancestry. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Ireland and on coming to America established his home in Hartford county, Connecticut, where he resided for many years. When the colonies attempted to win independence and no longer acknowledged the sovereignty of Great Britain he joined the colonial army and gave valiant aid to the cause of liberty. The grandfather and the father of Normam M. Ruick both bore the name of William Ruick and were natives of Granby, Connecticut, the birth of the latter occurring on the 10th of July, 1828. He became a carriage maker by trade and followed that pursuit for many years. He married Miss Temperance C. Hutchinson, a native of Mansfield, Connecticut, and a representative of one of the old Puritan families of New England. For generations the Ruick family were connected with the Methodist church, Mr. and Mrs. William Ruick holding membership therein. The latter passed away in 1884 at the age of sixty- two years, while the death of Mr. Ruick occurred in 1886, when he was in his sixty-sixth year.
Norman Melville Ruick was one of a family of five sons and a daughter and upon the home farm of his father he remained until seventeen years of age, with the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy. The opportunities of the city, however, attracted him and he entered upon an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade and was connected with the Schenectady Locomotive Works at Troy, New York. He did not find that work congenial although he completed his apprenticeship thereto. His leisure hours, however, were devoted to reading law, for from an early age he seemed inclined toward the bar, and thus through private reading he mastered the fundamental principles of the science of jurisprudence. He afterward pursued a thorough course of study and was admitted to the bar before the supreme court of Indiana at Indianapolis in 1877.
Mr. Ruick then opened a law office in Indianapolis, where he engaged in practice for three years and then went to Tuscon, Arizona, but changing his plans of hecoming a resident of that city, he started for the northwest and by way of San Francisco proceeded to the Wood river country of Idaho, where he remained for a number of years, practicing his profession at Bellevue and Hailey. He also served as assistant district attorney for Alturas county for two years and hecame a prominent leader in the ranks of the populist party in this state. Three times he was the party nominee for the position of district attorney and filled that office in 1885 and 1886. In 1892 he was elected a member of the state senate and did active duty on the judiciary committee while a member of the upper house. He was also the author,
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of what became known as the Ruick law, making all obligations to be paid in money payable in any lawful money, gold, silver or greenbacks, notwithstanding anything in the contract to the contrary. In 1894 Mr. Ruick was elected chairman of the populist state central committee and conducted the campaign with marked ability during that memora- ble year. He possessed splendid powers of organization and it was said of him: "He marshals his forces with the skill and precision of a general on the field of battle and at the same time does it with such tact that the most harmonious working is secured within the ranks of the party. It was he who conceived the plan and was largely successful in carrying to a successful issue the combination between the populists and democrats in 1896, resulting in the election of the democratic-populist state ticket, giving a majority in the legislature and thus sending a populist to the United States senate." Upon becoming chairman of the state central committee Mr. Ruick removed to Boise and continued actively in the practice of law in the capital city until his death, enjoying the distinction of being one of the most able criminal lawyers in the state, his service as prosecuting attorney causing him to give special attention to that department of jurisprudence. His ability in that direction caused him in many instances to be employed by various counties as assistant prosecutor and almost invariably he succeeded in winning the suits. His contemporaries and colleagues dis- played the keenest admiration of his ability as a member of the bar and he became known throughout the entire northwest by reason of his skill in the work of the courts.
On the 17th of August, 1888, Mr. Ruick was united in marriage to Mrs. Manda D. Rieff, who passed away about 1904, leaving three sons and a daughter, Norman O., Eleanor, Melville H., and Everett, the youngest now eighteen years of age. The eldest son is a progressive young business man of San Francisco, California, and the daughter is the wife of J. E. Spaulding, of San Francisco, California. Melville H. is also at San Francisco, where at the time of the signing of the armistice he was in the aviation service of the United States army, having been commissioned a second lieutenant. At the time of America's entrance into the World war he was a student in the University of California.
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