USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II > Part 7
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
"Mr. Pinkham's fearlessness, his executive ability and the grand record he had made during his two terms, eight years, as United States marshal created a demand that he be again entrusted with that important office. He received his third appoint- ment as United States marshal for the district of Idaho, March 3, 1891, from President Harrison, thus becoming the first United States marshal for Idaho after her admission to statehood.
"Many and thrilling are the stories that might be told of the exploits and hair- breadth escapes of Joseph Pinkham during his service as United States marshal, were it not for the fact that he is singularly averse to relating accounts of his own experiences. No fear of personal danger was ever known to deter him from the performance of a duty. The signal achievement of his last term as marshal was his wholesale round-up of the notorious Coxie Army. These hoboes roamed over the state, taking possession of whole trains of cars and committing other depredations, threatening much violence and bloodshed. Marshal Pinkham with his deputies, ran them to Montpelier, and there captured the leader of the gang and put him in irons. The hoboes captured a freight train and escaped to Green River, where the marshal managed to have them coralled by the regular troops. The whole army, numbering two hundred and fifty-seven men, was brought to Boise, given trials, and turned over to the marshal for imprisonment for various periods, according to his discretion, up to six months. This was all accomplished without the loss of a drop of blood. During the A. R. U. strike, shortly afterwards, Marshal Pinkham used such good judgment in handling the crisis in his territory that he was especially commended by the officials over him. Attorney General Olney re- marked at one time, before a gathering of senators, that Marshal Pinkham had handled the Coxie Army and the strike affairs with better success than any of the other United States marshals in the other districts.
"After finishing his third term and several extra months as marshal, Mr. Pink- ham busied himself with his personal affairs, principally mining investements, until February 17, 1905, when he was deservedly appointed assayer of the United States assay office in Boise," assuming his duties March 3, 1905, which office he continued to fill creditably until his retirement on July 1, 1915, when he was succeeded by Curtis F. Pike; and since his retirement he has spent his summer months at Coeur d'Alene with his nephew, John P. Gray, a prominent attorney there, while his winters are passed
56
HISTORY OF IDAHO
at his home in Boise. "He owns some valuable real estate in Boise and some valuable mining properties, being interested in a group of mines in the Smoky and Wood River countries, which are now being worked on contract by New York parties.
"Mr. Pinkham has always been an aggressive republican, always active in political affairs and a warrior in every campaign since 1870. He has been known as a 'square fighter,' and his clean methods of warfare have made even the most stanch democrats his friends. He has several times been at the head of the republican state central com- mittee, and the present strength of the party in Idaho is largely due to his past efforts.
"Although now eighty-seven years of age, and notwithstanding the fact that not a few of the years of his life were strenuous indeed, Mr. Pinkham is well preserved. His step is firm, his eye is still keen, and his mental faculties are still alert. The spirit of progress is still within him and his patriotism for Idaho is still burning."
Mr. Joseph Pinkbam was married January 14, 1858, to Mary Elizabeth Gray, who was born in Jackson, Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, March 24, 1839, and studied in Sharon Academy, Missouri. She was a daughter of John F. Gray, a well known Methodist minister, and of Flora A. Young. She crossed the plains in 1853: "The best woman on earth," who passed away May 3, 1918.
MISS BRITTOMART WOLFE.
Educational advancement and a more efficient school system find a warm champion in Miss Brittomart Wolfe, who now holds the important position of county superin- tendent of schools of Twin Falls county. She is a native of Shelton, Nebraska, and a daughter of Wilson B. Wolfe, who was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, of New Jersey parentage. In early life the father removed to Iowa, where he married Ruth Allan Roberts, a native of that state and a daughter of John Roberts, who was a pioneer of Lucas county, Iowa. Later they removed to Nebraska, thence to Colorado, and sub- sequently to Idaho. During her childhood Miss Wolfe accompanied her parents on their removal to Greeley, Colorado, and for ten years she made that city her home. She next was for a year in Boise and subsequently took up her residence in Twin Falls. Miss Wolfe received her education in the high school at Greeley, Colorado, and also took special courses at Berkeley and Oakland, California. She received her busi- ness education in a commercial school at Boise. In 1916 she was elected to her present position as county superintendent and so well did she discharge her duties that in 1919 she was reelected. In her political affiliations she is a republican, and her re- ligious faith is that of the Christian Science church.
HON. CHARLES P. MCCARTHY.
Hon. Charles P. McCarthy, judge of the third judicial district of Idaho, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 7th of August, 1881, a son of Michael and Mary A. (Penderghast) McCarthy, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in the old Bay state. The Judge obtained his education in the public schools of Massachusetts, in Harvard University and in the Harvard Law School. He won his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1902 and the degree of LL. B. upon the completion of his law course in 1904. Thus equipped for active pro- fessional duties, he came to Idaho in 1905 and opened an office in Boise, where he has since resided. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and he ever prepared his cases with the utmost thoroughness and care, so that he was ready to present his cause in clear and logical form, his ability being attested by the court records. In 1907 he became assistant city attorney of Boise and in 1908 was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney for Ada county; was reelected in 1910 and served until 1912, when he was appointed district judge by Governor J. H. Hawley. In 1914 and 1918 he was elected to the office and has continuously served upon the district bench since 1912. His decisions are characterized by a marked fairness and impartiality in his rulings. He belongs to both the Idaho State and the American Bar associations.
On the 29th of September, 1909, Judge McCarthy was married to Ethel C. Stewart, a daughter of the late Justice George H. Stewart of the Idaho supreme court, and
57
HISTORY OF IDAHO
they have become parents of two daughters, Marion and Elizabeth. The religious faith of Judge and Mrs. McCarthy is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Elks. He also belongs to the Boise Rotary Club, of which he is the vice president, and his political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party.
THOMAS E. HARPER.
Thomas E. Harper, probate judge of Cassia county and a resident of Burley, was boru at Calls Fort, Boxelder county, Utah, August 18, 1857, his parents being Thomas and Hannah (Jones) Harper. While spending his boyhood days in his native state he pursued his education in the public schools and afterward went to southern Utah to assist in the development of a cotton plantation and vineyard for the Brigham City Cooperative Mercantile Institution. There he remained for two years. He afterward returned to his old home in northern Utah, where he followed farming until the spring of 1884, when he removed to Albion, Idaho. He then invested in one hundred and sixty acres of farm land, which he cultivated and improved until 1889. In that year he bought the contract of J. E. Miller to carry the mail from Minidoka to Albion and spent three years at that work.
In November, 1898, after having in the meantime spent a short period upon the farm of Mr. Harper was elected probate judge of Cassia county and has served con- tinuously since save for the period of 1908-9. His frequent reelections are unmistak- able proof of the capability and fidelity which he has displayed in office. He is most systematic in his work and has made an excellent probate judge. He has also served as a member of the city council of Alhion and at all times gives loyal support to every plan or measure for the general good. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, and he does everything in his power to promote its growth and secure its success.
In 1878 Judge Harper was married to Miss Ellen Van Orden, a native of Utah and a daughter of Peter and Martha (Knight) Van Orden. Mrs. Harper passed away in 1882, when but twenty-seven years of age, leaving three children: Thomas E., Edmond and Albert. In May, 1888, Judge Harper was married to Miss Celia A. Phippen, a daughter of Joseph F. and Mary J. (Hudson) Phippen and a native of Coalville, Summit county, Utah. There are eight children of this marriage: Ella May, Bernice Jane, Joseph Free- man, Leslie T., R. E., Ora C., Loretta and Rulon J.
The religious faith of Judge Harper is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. His has been an active and useful life in which he has improved his oppor- tunities wisely and well, not only in the advancement of his individual fortunes but for the benefit of the community at large. He has a wide acquaintance and all who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard.
ALVA D. STANTON.
Alva D. Stanton, a director and the cashier of the Meridian State Bank of Meridian, Idaho, was born at Valley Mills, near Indianapolis, Indiana, September 11, 1876, and is the eldest of the four sons of William S. and Edith (Bowles) Stanton. The father, who in early life followed the occupation of. farming and afterward engaged in mer- chandising, died at Northbranch, Jewell county, Kansas, in 1893, when still under forty years of age. The mother yet survives and is now the wife of William W. Worth, of Wichita, Kansas. The three brothers of Alva D. Stanton are: Irvin J., who is with the United States Steel Corporation at Chicago and is married and has two children; Edwin M., a farmer of Colorado, who is married and has two children; and William L., who was recently graduated from the Friends' University of Wichita, Kansas, and is now a teacher in Guatemala, Central America. The Stantons are a Quaker family, the ances- . try long being connected with the people of that faith, as was the Bowles family.
When only eight years of age Alva D. Stanton removed with his parents from Indi- ana to Jewell county, Kansas, and was there reared upon a farm. He was educated in the public schools of that state and in a Quaker academy at Northbranch, Jewell county. He spent five years as a student and teacher in that academy, being engaged to instruct
58
HISTORY OF IDAHO
pupils in mathematics. He graduated from that school in 1898 and afterward taught for three years in a Friends' academy at Washington, Kansas, while later he engaged in business at that place. In 1907 he began his banking career as bookkeeper in the Wash- ington National Bank of Washington, Kansas, being thus employed for one year. Later he was cashier of the Hollenberg State Bank of the same county and in 1910 he came to Idaho, first making his way to Boise, where he was bookkeeper in a real estate office. Subsequently he became cashier of the Bank of Sweet at Sweet, Idaho, and thus served for five years. On the 20th of May, 1918, he became one of the organizers of the Merid- ian State Bank together with Frank I. Newhouse, who was chosen president of the bank and still fills that position, while John W. Hudson, also one of the organizers, remains as vice president, and Mr. Stanton was made cashier and yet continues in that office. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and is a member of the Federal Reserve System. Mr. Stanton still retains his interest and stock in the Bank of Sweet, of which he is vice president and one of the directors. The Meridian State Bank is a member of the American Bankers Association and of the Idaho State Bank- ers Association.
On the 4th of September, 1900, Mr. Stanton was married to Miss Gertrude Perry, a native of Wisconsin and a graduate of the Northbranch Academy of Kansas. She became a teacher in the public schools of that state, teaching for some time prior to her mar- riage. She and her husband were students in the academy at the same time. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanton has been born a son, Gilbert Lewis, whose birth occurred November 5, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton are members of the Meridian Methodist Episcopal church, although he was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and she in the Presbyte- rian church. They are much interested in school work and in all those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large. Mrs. Stanton takes a most active and helpful interest in church work. Mr. Stanton is a republican in politics but not an office seeker. He gives the major part of his time and attention to his increasingly important banking interests and has contributed in marked measure to the success of the institution in which he is serving as cashier.
MONTIE B. GWINN.
Intense and well directed energy have brought Montie B. Gwinn to the position of secretary of the Malheur Live Stock & Land Company, to official connection with various banks and, more than that, to a point of leadership in connection with vital problems of war service. He has been a resident of Boise since 1871. He was born In Boone, Boone county, Iowa, September 16, 1857, a son of the Rev. Robert M. Gwinn, a Methodist minister, who was born in Pennsylvania and at the time of the Civil war rendered active service at the front in defense of the Union cause. The mother died during the infancy of her son Montie B., and the father afterward mar- ried again, removing to Boise with his family in 1871 to accept the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city, which he thus served for two years. Later lie removed to California, where his death occurred.
Montie B. Gwinn, however, remained in Boise and practically his entire life has been spent in Idaho and Oregon, in which states he is widely known as a representative of banking and financial interests, of real estate dealing and the sheep industry. His education has been largely acquired in the school of experience. Removing with the family to Boise when he was a lad of fourteen years, he entered a store, in which he remained as clerk until he attained his majority. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and the years 1879 and 1880 found him actively connected with the lumber trade in Boise as proprietor of a yard. In the latter year he took up merchandising at Caldwell, Idaho, having in the meantime opened a store at Middleton, while later he also became connected with mercantile interests at De- Lamar, Idaho, and was thus engaged until 1893. From 1894 until 1898 he was managing director of the New York Life Insurance Company for Idaho and eastern Oregon, with headquarters at Boise, and for the past third of a century he has been prom- inently identified with the sheep industry and with the banking business in Idaho and Oregon. In 1906 he became the owner of a bank at Pendleton, Oregon, which he na- tionalized under the name of the American National Bank. He continued its conduct until 1908, when he sold the bank and returned to Boise. While at Pendleton he served for one year as president of the Oregon State Bankers Association, a position
MONTIE B. GWINN
61
HISTORY OF IDAHO
which indicated his high standing in the banking fraternity there. He was likewise chosen president of the Idaho State Bankers Association in 1918, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Governor Davis from that position. This was another recognition of his business standing and gives him the added distinction of having been at the head of the state banking association of two states. He is now a director of the First National Bank of Boise but at the present time is giving the greater part of his attention and energy to the management of the business of the Malheur Live Stock & Land Company of Boise, of which he is the secretary. This company operates extensively in Malheur county, Oregon, where it has large landed interests. Mr. Gwinn was one of the organizers of the company in 1903 and for many years has made the conduct of the business his chief concern, with offices in the Overland build- ing in Boise. The company owns and controls fifty thousand acres of land in Malheur, Grant and Harney counties of Oregon and its operations are leading to the upbuilding and development of that section of the country.
The live stock feature of the business has made Mr. Gwinn an authority upon the subject of sheep raising and he was called before the Idaho Bankers Association at its convention held in Pocatello in June, 1918, to speak upon the subject of the future of the sheep industry in the state. His figures, gleaned from statistics, in- dicate a decline in the sheep industry, with an increased consumption of mutton in the United States, while the annual imports of the country were over one-half of the wool consumed. In this connection Mr. Gwinn said: "Recognizing the need for a sub- stantial increase in the sheep industry in Idaho in the future, it occurs to me that one of the most needed things to bring this about is to have a thorough revision of public sentiment. The people of our communities must look upon. it with friendly interest and discard absolutely any attitude of suspicion or doubt or antagonism. It must be recognized for what it is, an upbuilder of our state and nation, an industry to be fostered and encouraged, and not as an intruder in our communities or a menace to our farmers and other residents, for that it is not. And here, perhaps as much as any- where, the banker can serve an important part, not only to the sheep industry but to his community as well. Bankers are really the hub around which everything revolves in the small communities. From time immemorial it has fallen to the lot of the banker to pass upon all matters of importance, not only financially but in most every civic way, in his community. The sheep industry is one of the staple industries of the state of Idaho and should receive the bankers' attention and support, not only because of the opportunities of loaning money on the sheep and the wool, etc., but because he should be interested in the things that will improve and develop any industry that is a material source of revenue, one of the best, to his confmunity. He should, therefore, encourage it, and he can do much, perhaps more than any other, to mould public senti- ment and direct it along the right channel and bring about an attitude of interest, encouragement and appreciation of one of Idaho's greatest industries.
"The great ranges, being practically occupied at the present time, could and should be made to yield their maximum, and this could be accomplished by 'range classifica- tion.' There was a time in Idaho when the cattle industry occupied the greater part of the range; now the sheep do, for a flock of sheep can go into the nooks and the by-ways, eating weeds and covering a range that has no value for cattle. A thorough classification of ranges, so that they might be utilized scientifically and to their ut- most capacity, would increase the sheep industry and be of lasting benefit. The banker can aid in the work of bringing about such classification.
"A plan whereby the banker may help his community in the promotion and advance- ment of the sheep industry, which has been tried out in other western states is known as 'The Bank Sheep Club.' Our bankers can be of tremendous assistance in encourging the farm flock idea. A bank may purchase a band of sheep and distribute them in lots of twenty-five, fifty or one hundred to the farmers residing nearby, and these will consume weeds, feed around fence corners, etc., that could not otherwise be utilized. There is no opportunity in this paper to deal extensively with the subject, but every Idaho banker should investigate the matter of a Bank Sheep Club and see if he cannot put it into practical operation in his community.
"I have dealt briefly with but a few of the things that can help the sheep industry of the future, more especially where the banker can be of assistance. The matter of educating the public to understand the sheep grower and know him as a friend, the matters of range classification, of a county agent or adviser, of thoroughbred sheep and of the Sheep Bank Club-these are all things in which you, Mr. Banker, can help the sheep growers of Idaho and increase their production and thereby better serve our
62
HISTORY OF IDAHO
country. And in closing I urge upon you that you not only give these things your thought, but that you likewise take home with you a determination to help carry them out. Our meetings, our conferences such as these, may develop ideas, they may give us new thoughts, but unless we put them into operation they are nothing, and we have gained nothing. So I give you the Idaho Slogan-'IDAHOANS, DON'T DEBATE IT! DO IT!' "
Mr. Gwinn's address awakened deep interest, for his position as a business man of keen sagacity and sound judgment is well known and, moreover, he is the vice president of the Idaho State Bankers Association, which he was addressing.
Many problems of public moment Mr. Gwinn has studied thoroughly, delving to the root of the matter and taking many an initial progressive step leading to desired re- sults. He early turned his attention to questions of irrigation and was chairman of the executive committee of the Fourteenth National Irrigation Congress, which was held in Boise from the 3d to the 8th of September, 1906. When matters of national concern demanded the attention and cooperation of leading business men of the country he gave of his time and energy as well as his means to support the interests of the government. He was made vice chairman for Idaho during the first, second and third Libetry Loans and chairman of the fourth Liberty Loan, held in October, 1918, and the fifth or Victory Loan in May, 1919. For a third of a century he has been a most earnest and generous supporter of all measures which have had to do with the upbuilding and progress of the state, and his broad vision and sound judgment have enabled him to readily recognize the possibilities of every situation and the value of every opportunity. People like men who do things. They also admire those who are always on the firing line who make opportunities, not wait for opportunities. In Idaho, as in other states, there are those who have been pathfinders so to speak- who have blazed the way for others who came later. Such pioneering has not been confined to any one line of activity, and it has sometimes fallen to the lot of one person to have been useful and prominent in several lines of constructive work. Such a man is Montie B. Gwinn. Coming to the then territory of Idaho when a mere lad, he did real pioneering from the first, and has never faltered when called upon to help in the development of the state's material resources or to assist in the things pertain- ing to its civic betterment.
On the 4th of May, 1881, Mr. Gwinn was married to Miss Della Lake, of Portland, Oregon. Matters of personal interest to him cover his connection with several fraternal organizations. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and in the first named he is a prominent figure, having served as the fourth grand master in Idaho and as one of the organizers of the order in the state in 1883. His work has been continued, he having served in the position of representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of that order for many years and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Odd Fellows Home, which is soon to be built at Caldwell, the site for which was donated by Mr. Gwinn. He is also one of the board of trustees of the College of Idaho, having given liberally to that institution, and is active in the effort to see it well endowed.
MAJOR ANDREW F. CALDWELL.
Major Andrew F. Caldwell, now living retired in Pocatello, has for thirty-seven years been a resident of Idaho. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, June 2, 1846, a son of Thomas Jackson and Mary (Allen) Caldwell, both of whom were natives of Greene county, Illinois. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Major Caldwell attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen years and then devoted his attention to farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he joined the Union army and served for a year as a private in Company A of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was engaged in what was then known as bushwhacking. Mr. Caldwell had responded to President Lincoln's last call and when the country no longer needed his services he returned to his home and again took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until 1882. In that year he came to Idaho on account of his wife's health and on the 1st of May, 1886, took up his abode in Pocatello. He began work in a. post trader's store, where he remained for five years and was then made deputy sheriff of the county, which position he filled for a period of four years. When President Mckinley was elected he appointed Mr.
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.