USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II > Part 76
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It was there that Young H. Abercrombie of this review was reared. About the time that he reached Kansas his father gave him a six-shooter and a broncho, al- though he was but nine years of age, and set him to the exciting game of "cow punching and riding the range." The father was the owner of many cattle and in his youth Mr. Abercrombie of this review made three different trips to Texas to assist in driving cattle through to the northern ranges in Wyoming, South Dakota and Kansas. When nineteen years of age he went to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where he remained for three years, and there his business was that of furnishing wood for the government under contract. He was also employed in other ways and in 1882, when twenty-two years of age, he came to Boise, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the territory of Idaho. After his arrival in the north- west he was engaged in business as a logger and timber man in the employ of the late M. H. Goodwin. Twenty-three years have passed, however, since he turned his attention to cement and concrete work and his success in this field is most
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gratifying. He has been awarded many important contracts in this line not only in Boise but in various other places in southern Idaho, including Glenns Ferry, Shoshone, Hailey, Nampa, Weiser and Council. He did the foundation work for various important buildings of Boise, including the building of the Idaho Candy Company, of the Boise Milling Company, the Brand Hotel, the Bowers & Noble build- ing, the building of the Idaho Tent & Awning Company and the annex to the Federal building. He was likewise the builder of the Saxon garage and of various other garages and he has had the contract for laying many miles of sidewalks in Boise. He had the contract for the foundation work for the Roosevelt school in East Boise. His work is of such excellence and he is so prompt and faithful in meeting the terms of his contracts that he is accorded a very liberal clientage and his work is returning to him a most gratifying annual income.
On the 24th of December, 1885, Mr. Abercrombie was united in marriage in Boise to Miss Alice Lindsay, who was born and reared in this city, a daughter of Charles Lindsay, one of the pioneer residents here. They have become parents of two children, a son and a daughter. Carlton, who is associated with his father in the cement work, was born in Boise, November 17, 1886. He was married May 31, 1913, to Miss Bertha Mathias and they have two children: Don Royal, aged four years; and Doris Mabel, aged two. The daughter of the family is Mabel, who was employed as a stenographer in France by the United States government. For sev- eral years she had occupied a stenographic position in the law office of Samuel H. Hays. Mr. and Mrs. Abercrombie are widely and favorably known in the city in which they have now made their home for thirty-eight years. Their sterling worth is recognized by all and their friends are many.
JAMES A. BERRY.
James A. Berry, probate judge of Madison county, was born in Bristol, England, August 6, 1854, and is a son of James B. and Julia E. (Allen) Berry, who were natives of England. The father was foreman of a basket manufacturing plant in that country and continued in the business throughout his entire life, there passing away Decem- ber 25, 1870. His wife died in Salt Lake City in 1914.
James A. Berry was reared and educated in England, but when only nine years of age started out to provide for his own support, for his father was in ill health and it was necessary that he earn something and contribute to the family. He came to America when a youth of fifteen years, in company with his mother, four sisters and brother, the family home being established at Ogden, Utah, where James A. Berry took up railroad work. He acted as foreman of construction and also in the early days worked on the section. In 1879 he came to Idaho and was section foreman for the Oregon Short Line Railroad at different places for many years. He filed on land on which now stands the town of Dubois, hut on account of the hostility of the Indians in that section he gave up the land and removed to Rexburg, filing on another claim, which he developed and improved, continuing to carry on that farm for about thirty- five years, and it is still occupied and cultivated by his son.
In 1914 Mr. Berry removed to Rexburg and was appointed by Governor Haines to the position of probate judge of Madison county, in which capacity he is still ac- ceptably serving, his duties being discharged with marked promptness, fidelity and ability. He is the first and only probate judge that Madison county has had. He is likewise very active in support of irrigation projects and is the secretary of the Teton Island Canal Company, a position which he has filled for more than twenty years. At the same time he has been the incumbent in other offices, serving as justice of the peace and as notary public for a long time, while at present he is police judge. as well as probate judge. In the probate court he has had twelve hundred and forty- four cases and has also been called upon to try criminal cases. He has always sup- ported the republican party and is a stalwart champion of its principles. Aside from his active public service he is identified with business interests of importance in his community, being now a stockholder in the Rexburg Furniture Company, also in the Beet Growers Sugar Company of Rigby and in the United Mercantile Company of Rexburg. The farm upon which he resided for many years is still in his possession.
Judge Berry was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Doul and to them were born three children, two of whom have passed away, the living daughter being Jane,
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ANDERSON
JAMES A. BERRY
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the wife of Robert Widdeson, who follows farming near Newdale, Idaho. Mrs. Berry passed away in 1874, and Judge Berry afterward wedded Jane Elizabeth Christy, hy whom he has six children: Arthur, a resident farmer of Madison county; Charles C., who follows farming at Hibbard, Idaho; May, the wife of Rex Latham, living at Herbert, Idaho; Ruby Pearl, the wife of Ira O. Spencer, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Earl C., who is operating his father's farm; and Lucille, at home.
In religious faith Judge Berry is connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He filled a two years' mission to England, from 1905 until 1907, and is now ward clerk of the second ward of Rexburg and is also high priest. His has been an active life, contributing in marked measure to the material development and to the political and moral progress of the community in which he makes his home.
OSCAR H. ALLEN.
Mercantile interests of Boise find an able and prominent representative in Oscar H. Allen, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Allen-Wright Fur- niture Company. The great volume of business which this firm now does is largely the result of the untiring labors, the progressive methods and the honorable policy which Mr. Allen has laid down for the conduct of the business. A native of Alton, Illinois, he was born October 19, 1869, of the marriage of William K. and Mary E. (Hill) Allen. The father was born in New Jersey and the mother in Blooming- dale, Indiana. In 1855, William K. Allen, at the age of nineteen years, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, crossed the continent to California, in company with an older brother, covering the entire distance from Omaha by walk- ing. During most of his life, however, he followed farming in Illinois. His widow is still living and is the mother of four sons and a daughter. Harry F. is a resi- dent of Twin Falls, Idaho; and William G., of Salem, Oregon, while the sister Edna is now the wife of Guy E. Metcalf, of Wenatchee, Washington.
When he was but five years of age Oscar H. Allen accompanied his parents on their removal from Illinois to Kansas City, Missouri, and there he began his edu- cation. At the age of twelve, however, he accompanied his parents to Douglas county, Kansas, where they settled on a farm. There he received a public school education and later entered the University of Kansas at Lawrence, also attending Penn College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, the latter being a Quaker institution. He was largely induced to enter this college because of the fact that his mother's people were of Quaker origin. Weighing his opportunities in the various sections of this wide land, he decided upon the growing west as a suitable field for his life's endeavors and in 1891 removed to Oregon, where he remained for thirteen years. While in Portland he was connected with steamboating, being in positions from purser to captain on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. In 1904 he came to Boise, where he at once became one of the organizers of the present large mercantile establish- ment known as the Allen-Wright Furniture Company. He has been secretary- treasurer and general manager ever since its organization and it is now one of the largest as well as oldest furniture houses in the state of Idaho. Its present officers are: W. E. Pierce, president; O. H. Allen, secretary-treasurer and manager; and L. H. Cox, vice president. The retail store of the firm is located at 817-819 Ban- nock street. The Allen-Wright Furniture Company is one of the widely known and old established mercantile houses of the city and much of its reputation is due to Mr. Allen, who has ever seen to it that the most reliable methods have been followed in the conduct of the enterprise. A certain conservatism which is the safeguard of any reliable business is maintained, and the latest ideas find rep- resentation in the curriculum of the management.
Mr. Allen was married in Boise to Mrs. Mary D. Averil, née Thompson, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. There is a step-daughter, Nellie, who is the wife of Robert Sproat, of Elmore county, Idaho.
Mr. Allen belongs to the representative clubs of his city, including the Boise Commercial Club, in whose projects he is ever interested, and the Country Club. He is prominent in Masonry, being a Knight Templar and Shriner and is also well known as an Elk. The cares of the business are practically thrown entirely upon his shoulders, as Earl Wright sold his interests several years ago, and it may be said that Mr. Allen's chief recreation consists in hard work and close attention to
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his business affairs. It is therefore but natural that success has attended his labors, and none can say that his prosperity, which is expressed in the substantial business firm of the Allen-Wright Furniture Company, is not justified.
W. P. ACKERMAN.
W. P. Ackerman, secretary of the Farmers Cooperative Irrigation Company and a resident of New Plymouth, where he also handles real estate, insurance and loans, was born in Adams county, Wisconsin, September 29, 1857. His father, W. H. Ackerman, was a native of New York and in 1856, accompanied by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Alzina L. Amans and was also a native of New York, went to Wisconsin, making the trip in the year in which they were married. Mr. Ackerman there followed the occupation of farming and also spent some time upon Lake Michigan as a sailor. In 1864 he sold his place there and with his family moved back to New York, where he enlisted for service in the Union army, parti- cipating in the Civil war until its close. He then returned to his farm in New York, carrying on agricultural pursuits there until 1880, when he removed to Nebraska and purchased a farm four miles from Hastings. In the meantime his old farm property which he had sold in Wisconsin became Adams Center postoffice. He and his wife died at Hastings, Nebraska, the former in 1898 and the latter in 1896.
W. P. Ackerman acquired his education in the schools of New York. He was twenty-three years of age when he married Miss Hattie Luther, a native of the Empire state, and removed with his bride to Kearney county, Nebraska, where he carried on farming for five years. On the expiration of that period he entered the hardware business at Juniata, Nebraska, and when two years later a railroad was built from Fairfield to Alma, and the town of Norman was established on that road, he divided his hardware stock with his partner and removed to the new town, there continuing in the hardware business until 1898. He then came west to Payette, Idaho, and soon afterward purchased a farm on the bench, which he later traded for a store in Payette, conducting his commercial interests for two years. At the end of that time he entered the fruit business on a commission basis. In 1915 he took up his abode at New Plymouth, where he is secretary of the Farmers Co- operative Irrigation Company. In addition to his duties in that connection he also handles real estate, insurance and loans.
Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman have become the parents of three children, as follows: Mrs. W. A. James, of Baker, Oregon, who has three children-Albert V., Harriet and Lillian; Lillian L., at home; and Paul A., who is deceased.
Politically Mr. Ackerman is a republican and on one occasion was offered the nomination for sheriff of Canyon county but refused it. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias and his religlous faith is that of the Christian Science church, his membership being at Payette. He is much impressed with the work of the church and its high purposes. In matters of citizenship he stands loyally for progress and improvement and was secretary of his district for the Council of Defense during the period of the World war and was very active in furthering the interests of the government and in doing everything in his power to promote the welfare of the soldiers at the front.
CLARENCE J. TAYLOR.
Clarence J. Taylor, attorney at law successfully practicing at Rexburg, was born in Centerville, Davis county, Utah, November 13, 1893, his parents being Peter and Margaret (Cannel) Taylor, who are natives of Scotland and of the Isle of Man respectively. It was in 1884 that Peter Taylor arrived in the new world, making his way across the country to Utah, where he worked at his trade, that of iron molder. He had previously been employed along that line in Scotland and after some time spent in Utah he entered the service of a railroad company, with which he was connected for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he took up the occupation of farming, in which he engaged for two or three years. In 1904 he removed to Madison county, Idaho, then Fremont county,
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and purchased land three and a half miles from Rexburg. This he improved and has continued its cultivation to the present time. His wife is also living and they are highly esteemed residents of Madison county.
Clarence J. Taylor was reared in Utah and in Rexburg, Idaho, being but ten years of age when his parents removed from Utah to this state. He had begun his education in the schools of the former state and continued his studies in the public schools of Rexburg, while later he attended Ricks Academy, being gradu- ated therefrom with the class of 1914. He afterward taught school through two succeeding winters and took pre-legal work at the University of Utah and then entered the University of Idaho, from which institution he was graduated with the law class of 1919. While still a university student he enlisted on the 5th of November, 1918. He had previously attempted to enlist in Seattle in 1917 but was not accepted. When he attempted to join the army at Rexburg he was put in class 3 and remained at home to assist his father on the farm. Later he was assigned to the Student Army Training Corps at the university and was discharged on the 20th of December, 1918, after being in the service for only forty- five days.
On the 15th of July, 1919, Mr. Taylor opened a law office in Idaho Falls, forming a partnership with Alvin Denman under the firm style of Taylor & Den- man, but on the 11th of August, he removed to Rexburg and opened an office there. The office in Idaho Falls is still maintained under the charge of Mr. Denman.
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Alpha Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity of the Uni- versity of Idaho and of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Politically he is a democrat and in religious faith is connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is the president of the Young Men's Mutual Improve- ment Association and in all things is actuated by a progressive spirit. While one of the younger representatives of the bar, he is well qualified for the duties of the profession and is making steady advancement in a calling where progress depends entirely upon individual merit and ability.
DUNCAN S. LOWRIE.
Duncan S. Lowrie is the well known traveling auditor of the Oregon Short Line Railroad and for half a century has been in railroad service, taking up that line of work when he made his initial step in the business world as a Scotch lad of fourteen years. He was born near Glasgow, Scotland, August 23, 1856, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Mckellar) Lowrie, who came with him to the United States in 1882. His ancestors had lived in Scotland for many generations His father was a railroad man and was also for eighteen years in the military service of the country as a member of the Ninety-first Regiment of Highlanders in the British army.
Duncan S. Lowrie pursued his education in the schools of his native country and when fourteen years of age took up railroad life in Scotland as a weigh clerk on the North British Railroad. This was on the 12th of December, 1870, and he continued to serve as clerk and station agent for a period of twelve years. He was married in Scotland on the 3d of May, 1882, to Miss Sarah Watson, a native of Belfast, Ireland, but of Scotch-Irish descent, and through the inter- vening period, covering thirty-seven years, they have traveled life's journey hap- pily together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. It was just two days after their marriage that they started for the United States accompanied by Mr. Lowrie's parents. All made their way to Topeka, Kansas, where they took up their abode. At a later period, however, the father returned to Scotland and there passed away in 1885. The mother while en route for Scotland, passed away on a vessel in midocean in 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan S. Lowrie remained for some time in Topeka, Kansas, he being employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as chief clerk in the bureau of station accounts. Later they removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway until 1897. He then went to Salt Lake City, Utah, as representative of the Oregon Short Line in the capacity of chief clerk of station accounts, there remaining until the 1st of September, 1900, when he was appointed agent at Kemmerer, Wyoming. He continued at the latter place until
Vol. 11-41
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1903, when he became freight and passenger agent at Pocatello, Idaho, where he remained until 1907. In the latter year he became traveling auditor and resided at Pocatello until 1914, when he removed to Boise, where he now makes his home. He and his wife occupy a beautiful residence at No. 512 North Thirteenth street, which was purchased by Mr. Lowrie a year or two ago. It is built of cut stone and is thoroughly modern in its equipments.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie have been born two children: Annie, now the wife of Dr. H. H. King, a practicing physician of Montpelier, Idaho; and Benjamin Har- rison, a man of thirty years, who is now a conductor on the Oregon Short Line Railroad and makes his home at Pocatello.
Mr. Lowrie is well known in Masonic circles. He has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. They are a most highly esteemed Scotch couple, exemplifying the best traits of the Scottish character, and during the period of their residence in Idaho they have gained many friends in the different sections of the state in which they have lived.
. HON. HENRY CHILES RIGGS.
With events which have shaped the history of Idaho during territorial days as well as in statehood, Henry Chiles Riggs was in many ways closely connected. Arriv- ing here in early pioneer times, he supported all plans and measures for the general good, aided in framing the laws of Idaho as one of her legislators and did whatever lay within his power to do for the upbuilding of the state.
He was born in Mount Sterling, Montgomery county, Kentucky, May 14, 1826, and in June, 1846, joined Company A, First Missouri Mouted Volunteers for service in the Mexican war under Colonel Doniphan, and was mustered out in June, 1847, at New Orleans. While at the front he participated in the battles of Brazeto, in the state of New Mexico, and Chihuahua, in the state of Chihuahua, in old Mexico. After the latter engagement he was exempt from duty in the regular army but continued to act as scout during the remainder of the war, being at times as much as two hundred miles ahead of the regulars. The scouts traveled by night and seldom lighted a fire lest the blaze and smoke would attract the attention of the enemy. This was a very trying time for the party. The trip was made to Brownsville, Texas, at the mouth of the Rio Grande river, unmolested and Mr. Riggs deserved great credit for the daring and bravery which he displayed during that campaign.
In May, 1850, he made his first trip across the plains, starting from Independence, Missouri, and arriving in California in the following September, having been about five months en route. While in California he conducted the Comanche Hotel at Wash- ington, just across the river from Sacramento. He returned to the east by way of Cape Horn, arriving at Independence, Missouri, on the 17th of March, 1852, and on the same day he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Lipscomb, who was born at Richmond, Madison county, Kentucky, on the 23d of August, 1834.
In company with his wife, Mr. Riggs again crossed the plains to California in 1854 and upon once more arriving on the Pacific coast he purchased a section of land on Putah creek, in Yolo county, and began farming there. He was a prominent and influential resident of the community and served for two terms as county commis- sioner but left California on account of his wife's health upon the expiration of his second term in office. He removed to Corvallis, Oregon, and again his ability and worth as a citizen were recognized in his election to the office of mayor of the town in 1861.
Upon learning of the wonderful gold discoveries in Idaho, Mr. and Mrs. Riggs decided to remove to this state and on the 6th of July, 1863, he pitched the first tent in what is now known as Boise. Soon afterward, with others, he laid out the city, now one of the most beautiful cities of the entire west. Again his fellow townsmen desired him to serve in public office and he was appointed county judge but never qualified for the position. In 1864 he was elected a member of the house of repre- sentatives from Boise county and introduced the two famous bills of that session. The first was a bill changing the capital of the state from Lewiston to Boise and the second was a bill creating a new county in the vicinity of Boise, with that city as its seat of government. After a hard fight both bills were passed and in appreciation of the great work he had done it was unanimously decided to call the new county Riggs. Not caring to be thus honored himself, Mr. Riggs suggested to his colleague to name
HON. HENRY C. RIGGS
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the county Ada for his little daughter. At the time of the marriage of this daughter, in commenting thereon one of the local papers said in regard to the organization of Ada county: "Hon. H. C. Riggs and a Mr. Parkinson were but two of Boise county's numerous delegation in that session. Mr. Parkinson, of Boise, and the writer of this sketch, who then represented the great county of Shoshone, occupied the same table in the hall, when the question of naming the new county came up. Several names were proposed, those of Grant, Lincoln, Douglas being among the number. Some good- natured sparring ensued, during which Mr. Parkinson whispered to his deskmate that Ada was a pretty name, and that as it was the name of his colleague's little daughter, he, Mr. Parkinson, would esteem it a personal favor if his friend from Shoshone would offer Ada as the name of the new county. This was done and the motion carried promptly and unanimously. Mr. Riggs was one of the founders of Boise City and was one of the most devoted and efficient friends of the city and of the new county during the second session." Upon his return home from his second session in the legislature Mr. Riggs was tendered a most enthusiastic reception. Thirteen guns were fired upon his arrival and a reception was held at the old Overland Hotel. A paper, the Statesman of January 10, 1865, commenting on this occasion, said: "Assemblyman Riggs arrived in town by last evening's overland stage from Walla Walla. His neighbors congratulate him upon his return to his family after a laborious session, and themselves on having sent the best man to represent them at the capital. It is doubtful if any other man could have accomplished so much for his constituents at this session as has Mr. Riggs. No fraud, no trick, no device was left untried to defeat the just measures in behalf of this portion of the territory, introduced by him and fought to a successful issue. To accomplish them under such circumstances requires not only the highest order of talent, but a clearness that no attack can surprise and industry that no opposition can tire. These qualities he has exhibited in a good degree to the great advantage and lasting benefit of his constituents, for all which we but express their sentiments when we welcome him with, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" Not only did Mr. Riggs succeed in having Ada county organized by the state legislature but also during his second term in the general assembly he introduced a bill that made Boise an incorporated village.
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