USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume II > Part 81
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Mr. Neal is not only connected with the St. Anthony institution but is also the president of the First State Bank of Drummond, Idaho, and is the treasurer of the Ashton-St. Anthony Power Company, which is the largest independent com- pany in the state. He likewise has farming interests in Fremont county. Politi- cally he is a democrat hut not an office seeker. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and his life has at all times measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.
ALBERT K. STEUNENBERG.
Albert K. Steunenberg, or "A. K.," as he was generally known among his friends, came of sturdy Dutch stock, his father and mother being natives of Holland, his father emigrating to America in the year 1843 at the age of nineteen, first settling at Keokuk, Iowa, but later moving to Knoxville, where A. K. was horn September 11, 1862. His father, Benardus Steunenberg, was a shoemaker by trade, served his adopted coun- try in the Mexican war and showed his native force by educating himself through study in the intervals of his work. It is said that his proficiency in the English language was attained through careful study of the English Bible in connection with the text in his native language. The Bible he used for this purpose is still a treasured heirloom in the family. He died at Caldwell, Idaho, in April, 1907. This sturdy Dutch couple reared a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom moved to the west. Of these John, Will, Frank, A. K. and Charles made their homes in Cald- .well, as did all of the sisters, Mrs. Delia Brobst, Mrs. Lizzie Van Wyngarden, Mrs. Grace Crookham, and Josephine. George is a major in the United States Army.
A. K. graduated from the high school at Knoxville, Iowa, and then served a three years' apprenticeship to the printer's trade. He early displayed literary tastes which developed into love of books and a remarkable ability in the use of the English lan- guage. Deciding to branch out, he came west and landed in Caldwell in the year 1886 without money but with native force, ambition and aggressiveness that soon won him a place in the new location. His genuine kindliness and keen sense of humor made him many friends. He used to like to tell that in his early days in Caldwell he slept under the band stand that was built on a vacant lot where the Saratoga Hotel was afterward built.
His brother Frank, afterward Governor Steunenberg, came out about this time and was associated with A. K. in the ownership and publishing of the Caldwell Tribune that he purchased and edited for about seven years, and which was afterward sold to R. H. Davis. A. K. hecame prominent in the Odd Fellows Lodge, edited the Odd Fellows fraternal paper, and perhaps during his life did more than any other one man for the up-
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building ot the order in the state. He filled in succession all the important offices and was signally honored in every way by the lodge.
One of the pleasant things in his life was the close relationship and mutual depend- ence that existed between A. K. and Frank, although their tastes and abilities differed. Frank went into politics and won a place both in the state and the nation because of his fearless stand for law and order, but to the day of his death he went to A. K. for advice and counsel, as did A. K. to him.
After the sale of the Tribune Mr. Steunenberg, in the year 1895, in company with John C. Rice, Sam Chaney, Robert Aikman, Jacob Plowhead, James Ballantyne and others started the Caldwell Commercial Bank, of which he became cashier and the moving spirit. He threw the force of his ability and capacity for work into this new line and the little bank under his direction grew steadily and its cashier soon became known as a safe, careful but thoroughly aggressive and resourceful financier. The bank soon outgrew its quarters and was reincorporated with larger capital and a new building erected in 1903. About this time he planned the establishment of a chain of banks throughout the state and was successful in this because of his keen insight into business opportunities. He established the first bank at St. Anthony, one at Paris and one at Glenns Ferry in Idaho, and banks at Wallowa and Vale in Oregon. He was a student, thoroughly mastering financial problems, and at the time of his death- March 17, 1907-he was recognized as one of the foremost bankers in the northwest.
In the community Mr. Steunenberg was always a leader and took an active interest in everything that tended to its betterment. He was clerk of the school board for many years and mayor of Caldwell in 1902-1903. He was a keen thinker along political, social and industrial lines, a student, but also a man of quick, decisive action and sound judgment.
With his many duties and interests, Mr. Steunenberg never lacked time to devote to his home and his family, and it was in the home that his life centered. It was in 1890 that he married Miss Carrie M. Coulter, of Knoxville, Iowa, bringing his bride to Caldwell. To these parents were born three children, Bess, Ancil and Tom. With the increase of income their home became more spacious and modern, but it never lost the homely feeling of simplicity and genuine hospitality.
GEORGE W. SMITH.
George W. Smith, general manager of the Smith-Veatch Realty Company of Boise, is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Dewitt, October 8, 1878. His parents were Luther M. and Miranda L. (Burroughs) Smith, both of whom have passed away. They were born, reared and married in Vermont and on leaving New England took up their abode in New York state, whence they removed to Iowa in 1877. Their last years were passed in Nebraska, where the father had conducted business as a hardware merchant. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, while the mother was of Scotch lineage. The Burroughs family has long been represented in the United States, having been founded in the new world by a Scotchman who came on the first ship that followed the Mayflower.
George W. Smith was largely reared in the town of Ulysses, Butler county, Nebraska, and his education was acquired in its public schools. When eighteen years of age he secured a teacher's license but never followed the profession of teaching. In his youth when not in school he devoted his time to clerking in stores after reaching the age of twelve and thus acquainted himself with the grocery and hardware trades but never followed those pursuits on his own account. When nineteen years of age he enlisted for service as a private in Company L. Second Nebraska Regiment, for service in the Spanish-American war and with his com- mand was sent to Chickamauga Park but did not reach the firing line. When twenty years of age he became manager of a lumberyard in Nebraska and from 1899 until 1903 was a resident of San Francisco, California, where he occupied the position of cashier with the New York Life Insurance Company. Later he was transferred by that company to Boise, where he continued to act as cashier until 1906, when he was sent to Portland, Oregon, and after serving as cashier in that city for a year he resigned and returned to Boise. Since 1908 he has been promi- nently and successfully engaged in the real estate business and in 1910 became one of the incorporators of the Wilson-Smith Realty Company, of which he was
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elected secretary. He purchased the Wilson interest in the business in 1914 and was the sole owner until July, 1919, when John W. Veatch became associated with him under the firm name of the Smith-Veatch Realty Company. They have built up an extensive realty business, negotiating many important property transfers, and are thoroughly well versed concerning realty values throughout the city.
Mr. Smith was married to Mary H. Colby, of Boise, and their son, John Baker Smith, is now seven years of age. Mr. Smith is a member of the Spanish War Veterans and is also eligible, through the maternal line, to membership in the Society of American Wars. He has been dependent upon his own resources largely from the age of twelve years and through the steps of an orderly progression has reached a creditable place.among the business men of his adopted city.
JOHN L. BALLIF, JR.
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John L. Ballif, Jr., whose close connection with the interests of Rexburg is indicated in the statement that he is the proprietor of one of its leading mer- cantile establishments and is also mayor of the city, was born in Logan, Utah, August 9, 1887. He is a son of John L. and Emma (Smith) Ballif, also natives of Utah. The father worked for a clothing firm at Logan, Utah, for seven- teen years and in 1900 came to Rexburg, where he purchased an interest in the Flamm department store, with which he was thus connected until 1905. He then established business on his own account as a dealer in ladies' and men's furnishing goods under the firm style of Ballif & Thatcher. This association was maintained until 1911, at which time a change in the personnel of the house occurred and the firm name of J. L. Ballif & Sons was assumed.
John L. Ballif, Jr., was educated in the public schools, pursuing the work to the eighth grade in Logan, while later he spent two years as a student in the Agricultural College there and for one year was a pupil in the Ricks Normal Col- lege at Rexburg. In 1908 he was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served until 1911 in Switzerland and France. He there learned the French language. Upon his return in 1911 he engaged in busi- ness with his father and has since been identified with the store, being recognized as one of the progressive young merchants of Rexburg. He closely studies trade conditions, has displayed a most progressive spirit in the conduct of his business affairs, and through indefatigable energy and unfaltering effort has contributed in marked measure to the success of the business.
On the 3d of April, 1912, Mr. Ballif was married to Miss Cora Hansen and they have become the parents of one child, Marsha, who was born June 19, 1919. Mr. Ballif has held various offices in the church and has always been keenly inter- ested in the moral progress of his community. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and on the 27th of April, 1919, he was elected mayor of Rexburg. In this connection he is giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration, characterized by various needed reforms and improvements. He also occupies a prominent position in commercial circles and is now the president of the board of directors of the United Mercantile Company of Rexburg. He ex- emplifies in his life the spirit of western progress and improvement and a spirit of modern enterprise which is constantly reaching out along broadening lines in connection with the upbuilding of this section of the country. At the same time he has promoted his individual interests along well defined lines that have led to gratifying results.
HARRY F. WOOD.
For more than a decade Harry F. Wood has been a resident of Nampa and throughout this period has so directed his efforts that success in a business way has come to him and at the same time has has commanded the respect and con- fidence of all by reason of straightforward methods and undaunted industry. Mr. Wood was born at Cobden. Illinois, July 16, 1873, and there attended the graded and high schools, while later he pursued a three years' course in the Beloit
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College of Beloit, Wisconsin. Upon his return to his native state he entered the fruit package manufacturing house of H. A. Du Bois and working his way upward, became manager, his duties in connection with the business extending from the buying of the lumber in the tree to the selling of the finished product of the factory. His efficiency and reliability are indicated in the fact that he remained for eleven years with that company, after which he spent two years as traveling representative of the Morrison-Ricker Manufacturing Company of Grinnell, Iowa, and was the first man to introduce the ventilated gauntlet automobile glove made by that house.
In the spring of 1909 Mr. Wood arrived in Nampa, Idaho, and became book- keeper and credit man with the Robb Clothing Company, with which he remained until the death of Mr. Robb in ' 1913, when he was made business manager of the company's stores at Nampa and at Weiser, thus continuing until the business was closed out by Mr. Robb's widow. On the 1st of September, 1917, Mr. Wood entered into partnership with E. B. O'Donnell for the conduct of a real estate agency under the firm style of O'Donnell & Wood. They handle both city and farm property and have enjoyed large sales. Aside from this undertaking they are identified with mining interests and Mr. Wood is the secretary and treasurer of the Golden Sickle mine, in which capacity he has served since the ogranization of the company in July, 1916. He is also a member of its board of directors and he likewise owns a farm property situated a mile and a half from Nampa, while his real estate investments also include city property.
In February, 1898, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Anson, of Centralia, Illinois, and they have become the parents of four children. George Frederick nineteen years of age, was in the service of his country as a member of the Oil and Gas Unit in France, having enlisted on the 10th of July, 1918, and landing at Brest, France, on the 13th of October after having received a thorough course consisting of thirty lectures in the scientific handling of gas and lubricants in Washington, D. C. Norman W., sixteen years of age, is a junior in the Nampa high school. Harry Anson, twelve years of age, is also a high school pupil. John Scott, ten years of age, is yet in the grades.
Mr. Wood, while an active and representative business man of Nampa, has also found time to assist in promoting community interests and served for one term as a member of the city council and at the present writing is a member of the library board. He recognizes the opportunities and obligations in matters of citizenship and fully meets the latter just as truly as he utilizes the former.
DONALD S. WHITEHEAD.
Donald S. Whitehead is one of the proprietors of the Whitehead Drug Store, owned entirely by himself and father, the latter establishing the business in 1888, so that it is now the pioneer establishment of the kind in the city continuously conducted. William S. Whitehead, the father, was born in New Jersey, Septem- ber 10, 1866 and came to Boise from Three Oaks, Michigan. The son was born in Three Oaks, October 10, 1888, and was therefore but three months old when his parents removed to Boise in December of that year. Both parents are still living. The mother bore the maiden name of Louise M. Strehle and she, too, was born in Three Oaks, Michigan. She became the mother of but two children, the daughter being Alice, now the wife of Ernest Lang, of Detroit.
Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools of Boise, Donald S. Whitehead was graduated from the high school at the age of fifteen years and completed a course in the University of Idaho at Moscow in 1907, winning the degree of Bachelor of Science. Since 1908 he has been a partner of his father in the Whitehead Drug Store, owning a half interest. He learned the drug busi- ness in his father's establishment and brought to its conduct a progressive spirit and well formulated ideas which have been of practical worth in the development of the trade. An extensive line of drugs and druggists' sundries is carried and the reliable business methods of the house also constitute a basis upon which has been built the continued success of the firm. Donald S. Whitehead is a member of the Idaho State Pharmaceutical Association and his standing in trade circles is indi-
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cated in the fact that he was elected its secretary in 1914 and reelection continued him in the office for three years.
Mr. Whitehead has always voted with the republican party. While in the university he became a member of Beta Theta Pi, and his religious faith is evi- denced in his membership in the Congregational church, of which he served as treasurer. His chief recreation is motoring. He belongs to the Boise Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all of its plans and projects for the development and uphuilding of the city and the extension of its trade relations. He also has membership in the Boise Rotary Club and in Masonry has attained high rank. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Consistory Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also 'connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
On the 17th of November, 1909, Mr. Whitehead was married to Miss Muriel Gertrude Shaw, who was born in Emmetshurg, Iowa, and is a graduate of the Boise high school. They have one daughter, Elizabeth, whose hirth occurred De- cember 6, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead are well known in the social circles of Boise, where the number of their friends is almost coextensive with the number of their acquaintances.
JOHN FRANKLIN NESBITT.
John Franklin Nesbitt has contributed in substantial measure to the uphuilding and development of Payette and his section of the state through the important part which he has played in banking circles and in the development of agricultural and irrigation interests. He was born in Greensboro, Vermont, February 4, 1852, and is a son of J. F. and Jennetta (Taylor) Nesbitt. They came to America in 1830, having been married in Glasgow, Scotland, two years previously. The father followed shoe- making in his native country but immediately on his arrival in the new world took up the occupation of farming. He was at that time thirty years of age. He passed away in Greenshoro, Vermont, in 1862, while the mother, long surviving him, departed this life in 1883.
John F. Neshitt attended the graded schools of his native city, from which in due course of time he was graduated. When fifteen years of age he went to Maple- ton, Kansas, where he worked as a farm hand for seven years. In the spring of 1874 he came to Idaho, settling near Mountain Home, where he was employed at farm work for two years and was then put in charge of J. B. Emery's freighting outfit and en- gaged in teaming between Kelton, Utah, the nearest railroad point, and Idaho City.
Mr. Nesbitt dates his residence in Payette from 1880, at which time he pur- chased a squatter's right to one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land. He concen- trated his attention upon farming and stock raising and, meeting with success in his undertakings, added to his property from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred acres of rich and arahle land. Extending his efforts into other fields, he became one of the organizers of the Bank of Commerce at Payette and in connec- tion with A. J. McFarland he built an irrigating ditch which supplies water to their respective places, which are adjoining properties. He was also the organizer of the Payette National Bank and for many years its vice president. His judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering. These qualities constitute a broad basis upon which to build success, and as the years have passed Mr. Nesbitt has pros- pered in his undertakings.
In August, 1882, Mr. Nesbitt was married to Miss Mary J. Stuart, a daughter of John and Mary Jane (Scott) Stuart, who were natives of Ireland and came to America. in 1846. The father was a mechanic and farmer who settled at Pittsfield, Illinois, where the daughter Mary Jane was born. She came to Idaho in 1880, making her way direct to Falk, where she lived with her uncle, William S. Stuart, an early settler and respected pioneer of that district. She taught school at Emmett, Idaho, for two years prior to her marriage and since that important event she has presided with gracious hospitality over their home. To Mr. and Mrs. Neshitt have heen horn the following named. John W., a farmer and stock raiser residing in the Pahsimari valley of Idaho, married Martha Beach, a native daughter of this state, and they have three children, Frank, Joseph and Comfort Gladys. George F., who follows farming and stock raising at Big Willow, Idaho, married Miss Priscilla Higgenbottom and
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is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Milton S. is also represented on another page of this volume. Oscar died in infancy. Elmer H., who is engaged in farming and stock raising, married Io Kenward, a native of Provo, Utah, and they have two chil- dren, Kenward and David. Iva M. is teaching school at New Plymouth, Idaho, and is a graduate of the Idaho State Normal School. Clarence S., a teacher at Eagle, Idaho, was graduated from the Agricultural College at Corvallis, Oregon.
In political views Mr. Nesbitt has always been a stalwart republican and served as county commissioner of Canyon county in 1900-2. He was also for some years chairman of school district No. 20 near Falk, Idaho. Throughout his life he has been actuated by a progressive spirit that has recognized and utilized each oppor- tunity. His labors have been wisely directed, and step by step he has advanced toward the goal of prosperity. Winning a handsome competence through his farming opera- tions, he then turned his attention to banking and again has made for himself an honored name and place in business circles.
WILLIAM F. BEE.
William F. Bee, proprietor of the Overland Pharmacy of .Boise, was born in Provo, Utah, April 15, 1881, a son of Robert and Lillian (Clive) Bee. The father, a native of England, came with his parents to the United States when a little lad. He was a son of Samuel B. and Grace Bee, who were among the pioneer settlers of Utah. Robert Bee, the father, is still living at Provo, Utah, and is enjoying good health at the age of seventy-three years. He is now living retired after long connection with mercantile interests and is also a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank. His wife was born in Salt Lake City and passed away several years ago. Their family numbered six children, four sons and two daughters.
William F. Bee was graduated from the Proctor Academy of Provo, Utah, with the class of 1910 and afterward spent two years in a drug store at Salt Lake City. When nineteen years of age he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in which he pursued his studies for three years, winning the- Doctor of Pharmacy degree upon his graduation with the class of 1904. Returning to Salt Lake City, he then spent two years in the drug store of Druehl & Franken, whose establishment is the leading one of the kind in Salt Lake, afterwards becoming a member of the firm. In 1906 he removed to Boise where they pur- chased the Overland Pharmacy. Mr. Bee later purchased the interests of his Salt Lake associates and is now president and manager of the concern, having today the leading drug store of the state. Neat, tasteful and attractive in its arrangement, the stock includes everything known to the drug trade, and the progressive methods of the house and the thorough reliability of the proprietor are strong elements in the continued growth of the business. Mr. Bee's stand- ing in trade circles is indicafed in the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Idaho State Pharmaceutical Association.
On the 17th of October, 1905, Mr. Bee was married to Miss Marjorie Ivie, of Salt Lake City, and they have one son, William F., Jr., born December 25, 1912. The parents are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Bee during his college days became a member of Phi Theta Sigma. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, is a member of the Boise Commercial Club, and in his political views is a republican, giving stanch support to the party yet never seeking or desiring office. He is particu- larly fond of the arts, is well known in local musical circles and for the past five years has been the president of the Boise Symphony Orchestra.
JOHN W. HENRY.
John W. Henry, one of the partners in the house furnishing goods store of John Henry & Sons at Idaho Falls, was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in Septem- ber, 1897, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Blackburn) Henry, who are natives of England. They came to America soon after the Civil war and for a time resided
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in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after which they returned to England. Mr. Henry made seven trips back and forth between America and his native land and in 1872 finally took up his abode in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad. He continued with that corporation in Wyoming and with the Utah Northern until 1893, when he came to Idaho Falls and engaged in the house furnishing goods business, continuing active in the management and control of the store until 1907, when he sold the business to his two sons, John W.
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