USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 104
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
T. C. PEARSON
.841
HISTORY OF IDAHO
six by one hundred feet and covered with a gable roof. All around it is a twenty foot shed, under which the stock can stand when feeding. The shed has concrete floors and the mangers are arranged so that the stock put their heads through the broad openings but cannot waste the hay. He can feed under cover one hundred and fifty head of cattle in the winter. He is planning now to build a residence that will be in keeping with the barn and when that is completed will have fulfilled his promise to himself to have the finest eighty in the state. The interior of his barn is so arranged that one can drive into it, unload and drive out on the other side. He is actuated by a most progressive spirit in all that he does and his unfaltering industry and sound judgment have enabled him to most carefully and profitably direct his efforts.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have been born five children: Mary C., who is the wife of Ira E. Vassar, a farmer of Canyon county; Joseph H., seventeen years of age, who is a partner with his father in the ownership of ninety-five head of sheep and is asso- ciated with him in the farm work; Jamie C., twelve years of age; Loe L., ten years of age; and Glenn T., aged eight years. The daughter Loe is one of the banner spellers of the state and was the recipient of the first prize, consisting of a purse and a two weeks' vacation at Payette lakes, for the eastern part of Canyon county.
Mr. Pearson has never found time to take active part in politics or to figure prom- inently before the public in any way. He has given his attention and energy to his busi- ness affairs and has ever been actuated by a laudable ambition. At the same time his nature is such that he has constantly extended a helping hand where aid has been needed, and in all of his relations with his fellowmen he is actuated by a broad humani- tarian spirit.
THOMAS J. KEOGH.
Thomas J. Keogh, who with his brother Stephen A., is extensively engaged in farming, having a large ranch property in Raft river valley, located at Bridge, Cassia county, was born in San Francisco, California, June 13, 1881, and is the son of Thomas and Hannah (Lagan) Keogh, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ireland. The father was born about 1843 and emigrated to the United States when a young man. He later found his way into South America but was forced to return to the States on account of fevers, and later in company with his brother Jack crossed the Isthmus of Panama and set sail for California with Sacramento as their destination. Here Thomas Keogh, Sr., and his two brothers, Steve Keogh later joining the party, opened a carriage shop and conducted the business until late in the '60s, when they went into the sheep business. They began trailing sheep from southern California, through Nevada, past where Tonopah and Goldfield stand today; through Idaho to Wyoming anu Fiatte river points. Sometime later they engaged in the butcher and live stock raising business in Butte valley, near Cherry Creek, Nevada, and while residing in the latter place Thomas Keogh, Sr., was married. The Keogh brothers hegan trailing cattle from Texas points to Wyoming and Montana sections, and while on the trail in 1871 passed through the Raft river valley and first saw the property which the song now own and acquired it in 1881, securing some fifteen hundred acres of land and several hundred cattle and horses. The property was developed, improved and added to and incorporated under the name of the Raft River Land & Cattle Company. Ad- ditional lands were acquired, developed and improved until 1907, when the company was reincorporated under the name of the Raft River Land & Live Stock Company, with holdings of about nine thousand acres of land, several thousand head of cattle. forty thousand sheep, and a few hundred grade draft horses. In the spring of 1916 some five thousand acres of land and the cattle were sold, leaving the present holdings of the company, over forty-two hundred acres. The sons have erected new buildings, on the property, carefully developed and improved the land and are at present growing hay, grain, various other farm products, and breeding pure bred live stock. They have disposed of their range sheep and cattle.
Thomas Keogh, Sr., passed away in 1906 and the other brothers interested with him in the earlier days are also deceased. The widow and mother of the present Keogh Brothers is living at Ogden, Utah, while the sons make their homes on the ranch.
The boyhood days of Thomas J. Keogh of this review were passed in San Francisco, where he pursued his early education, while later he continued his education at the Ogden high school and All Hallows College, Salt Lake City. His mother first moved
842
HISTORY OF IDAHO
to what is now known as the Keogh Ranch, in 1886, where Stephen A. was born. and later moved to her present abode, where the later education of her family took place. When their text books were put aside the sons concentrated their efforts and atten- tions to the development of their ranch properties, Thomas J. looking after their sheep interests in Nevada until 1908, when they sold out those interests, and have since handled their live stock interests in Idaho, Stephen A. giving his attention to the cattle and farming.
In 1912 the company sheep were sold and replaced by Texas cattle shipped to Idaho that fall and they continued in the live stock business until 1916. when they sold all their range stock and began breeding for quality rather than quantity. The Keogh Brothers have a very valuable property, well improved and highly cultivated, which they are farming at present under the tenant system. Their important and extensive stock raising interests in former years and their present farming interests have brought them substantial success, their position today being that of the leading ranchers of the Raft river valley in Cassia county. Stephen A. is president of the company; Thomas J. secretary, treasurer and general manager. The latter in 1915 was married to Miss Jessie D. Lewis, a native of Salt Lake City, the daughter of Hyman and Annie (Davis) Lewis, early Idaho pioneers.
In politics Mr. Keogh maintains an independent attitude, never allying himself with either of the old parties, and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus of Ogden, Utah. He has always lived in the west and the spirit of western enterprise and progress that has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this great and fast developing section of the country is manifest in his career. The business interests which his father and uncles instituted, he and his brother have developed and directed, and in all things they have displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination bringing them to a position of leadership among the prosperous ranchmen of their section of the state.
CAPTAIN EVERETT M. SWEELEY.
Captain Everett M. Sweeley is a member of the Idaho public utilities committee, the duties of which require him to spend much of the time in Boise, although he makes his home in Twin Falls, where he previously served as mayor and where he ranks as a leading and valued citizen. He was born in Adel. Dallas county, Iowa, March 4, 1880, and is the only child of the Hon. Marlin Sweeley, who is one of the leading residents of Twin Falls. A lawyer by profession, he figures prominently not only in professional circles but as a law maker, serving as a legislator in both Iowa and Idaho, being elected in this state to the senate.
Captain Sweeley, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood days in Sioux City, Iowa, and was there graduated from the high school with the class of 1899. Previous to that, in 1898, he volunteered for service in the Spanish-American war and after its close he was in the Chickamauga training camp. In 1899 he en. tered the University of Michigan, where he pursued a classical course, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1903. He afterward spent two years in the law depart. ment and in 1906 he arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he entered upon the practice of law, remaining to the present time a representative of the bar of that city. A large and important clientage has been accorded him, connecting him with much of the leading litigation heard in the courts of his district. The thoroughness with which he prepares his cases and the clearness with which he presents his argument are salient factors in the attainment of his success. In 1915 his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to the office of mayor of Twin Falls, in which position he served for two years, being elected on the republican ticket. During the recent World war he served at Camp Pike, Arkansas, with the rank of captain and was discharged on the 15th of January, 1919. He was appointed a member of the pub- lic utilities committee on the 23d of May, 1919, and is now acceptably serving in that connection.
In 1907 Captain Sweeley was married at Spokane, Washington, to Miss Hazel J. Browne, a daughter of J. J. Browne, one of the pioneers of that state, who passed away in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeley have two daughters, Jean and Anna, aged re- spectively nine and six years.
In Masonic circles Captain Sweeley is prominent. having attained the Knights
843
HISTORY OF IDAHO
Templar degree in the York Rite. He Is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of most progressive spirit who in the country's crisis proved one hundred per cent American and who in his present official position is giving the most earnest and thoughtful consideration to the ques- tions which are of deepest concern to the commonwealth.
HENRY W. BAKER.
Henry W. Baker, of the firm of Baker Brothers, owners of the Star grocery store in Boise, lives on his ranch nine miles southwest of the city. He was born in Logan county, Illinois, February 15, 1869, a son of William and Catherine (Schriver) Baker. He spent the early years of his life in that county, and in Cloud county, Kansas, and on leaving the latter state in 1891, he removed to Idaho, taking up residence in the Boise valley, where he has been living ever since. He resided in Boise until 1916, when he moved to his ranch, but still retains his one-half interest in the Star grocery, his brother, James A. Baker, being his partner and the manager of the store, which is one of the leading establishments of its kind and is one of the oldest in Boise.
On December 24, 1891, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Mary Page, who was born in Cloud county, Kansas, June 23, 1872, a daughter of Carey J. and Josephine (Reed) Page, both living in Kansas. Mrs. Baker is one of a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, and is the mother of twelve children, all living, consisting of nine sons and three daughters, as follows: Arthur, born October 13, 1892; Glenn, February 24, 1894; Leonidas, March 7, 1896; Dewey, January 31, 1898; Catherine, September 4, 1900; Walter, September 27, 1902; Chester, September 28, 1905; Lawrence, January 5, 1908; Grace, December 19, 1910; Josephine, August 10, 1915, and Billy and Bobby, twins, April 9, 1918.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Yeomen, while Mrs. Baker is also a Yeomen. He is a republican in politics but has never sought office. He gave his personal attention to the affairs of the Star grocery for over twenty years, at the end of that period turning the manage- ment over to his brother, his object being to rear his sons in the country. Since tak- ing over the working of the ranch, he has been successful in his farming operations and is conducting his place with financial advantage. Mr. Baker and his wife have made many friends during their long residence in and near Boise and are recognized as among the best citizens of the district.
T. A. KING.
T. A. King, junior partner in the firm of Hartley & King, conducting a profitable automobile business in Caldwell, having the agency for the Studebaker cars, was born in Ontario, Canada, December 10, 1880. The first nineteen years of his life were spent on a farm with the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy and he then joined an uncle who was agent for the Massey Harris Company in the handling of farm implements at Tara, on the Grand Trunk Railroad. After six years spent in that connection he be- came traveling representative for the Massey Harris Company, which he represented for three years throughout eastern Canada. He then went west to Alberta and en- tered the livery business at Carstairs, where he continued for a year. He next removed to Calgary and worked for the firm of Calvin & Thorn in the selling of real estate. Eight months were there spent, at the end of which time he became traveling repre- sentative for the International Harvester Company, with which he was connected for two years. Returning to the employ of the Massey Harris Company, he was again with that firm for two and a half years and then went to Great Falls, Montana, where for seven months he served on the police force. The next scene of his labors was Seattle, Washington, where he remained for nine months and then went to Burns, Oregon, where he sold automobiles for James Lampshire for one year. His next move was to Caldwell, Idaho, where he became a member of the present firm of Hartley & King, agents for the Studebaker automobiles and trucks and for the Silvertown cord tire, their territory covering the Jordan valley and the Homedale country.
Mr. King was united in marriage in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, to Miss Ida
844
HISTORY OF IDAHO
Toth and they have become the parents of two children, a little son and a daughter, the former three years of age." Mr. and Mrs. King have made many friends during the period of their residence in Caldwell and as a member of the firm of Hartley & King he has gained recognition as one of the enterprising automobile salesmen of the northwest.
WALTER THOMAS.
Walter Themas is a splendid exponent of western life, its opportunities, privileges and advantages. Residing now at Middleton, he was born at Caldwell, Idaho, October 1, 1882. He lived through that period when the state was but sparsely settled, when there was the wide, open range, the days when a man's horse or his saddle or his purse were safe no matter where they were left, when one rode for miles across the country with only the stars above at night and no one disputed his right to range his cattle for any distance. Mr. Thomas rode the range over an area of hundreds of miles, ranging his cattle as far back as the Squaw mountains and even through that moun- tain district. He attended the Marble Front school in the Marble Front district of Canyon county and also the Franklin school and completed his education at the age of eighteen years. He then turned his attention to farming, stock raising and broncho busting and won a well earned reputation in the latter connection in the west. There was no phase of frontier experience with which he was not familiar. He worked for his father cn the old homestead of one hundred and twenty-six acres, which now con- stitutes a part of his present farm, although he has added to the property an adjoining tract of one hundred and seven acres. He thus has an excellent place which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He has fifty head of cattle, ten head of horses and twenty head of sheep, together with a few hogs, and he raises splendid crops of hay.
Mr. Thomas was the second child born in Caldwell and has lived on his present home ranch since his infancy, when the wild geese were as plentiful as barnyard fowl around his home and wild deer were almost as numerous. The Oregon trail runs through his place and on it is seen the wreck of an old prairie schooner-a mute em- blem of the days of '49.
In October, 1903, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Milliner, an accomplished young lady of Caldwell, and they have become the parents of three sons: Charles Ernest, fourteen years of age; Walter Barter, aged eleven; and George Arthur, a little lad of four summers. The two elder sons are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have a wide acquaintance in this part of the state and enjoy the highest regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. His reliability and his sterling worth of character are recognized by all and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
RUSSELL K. HOMER, SR.
Russell K. Homer, Sr., living a mile east of Idaho Falls, was born in Salt Lake City, July 6, 1859. and is a son of Russell K. and Eliza (Williams) Homer, who were natives of New York and of Michigan respectively. The father became a ranchman and in 1858 arrived in Utah, where he purchased property in Salt Lake and also farm land east of the city. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve this place and continued its cultivation for many years, very successfully transforming the tract into rich and productive fields. He owned land twelve miles south of Salt Lake and finally removed to the northern part of Utah, where he also owned several farms, while his investments likewise included a ranch in Idaho near Swanlake and also one at Oxford. His farming interests thus became extensive and important, and his careful management of his affairs brought him success. He finally retired from business and resided in Clarkston, Utah, until his death in February, 1893, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife died in Blackfoot, Idaho, in 1905 at the age of ninety-four years.
Russell K. Homer was largely reared and educated in Boxelder county, Utah, and re- mained at home until he attained his majority, when he purchased land near Clarkston,
WALTER THOMAS
847
HISTORY OF IDAHO
that state, and devoted his attention to the work of tilling the fields, carrying on farm- ing there until 1891, when he removed to Jefferson county, Idaho, where he secured a homestead. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation of that place and continued to further develop and improve it for ten years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Bonneville county and purchased land which he also improved and developed, continuing its further operation until the spring of 1919, when he sold the property and bought his present place of twenty-five acres a mile east of Idaho Falls. He now occupies this place and is most pleasantly situated. He is a stock- holder in the Idaho Falls National Bank and also the First National Bank at Ririe. It was Mr. Homer who hauled the first load of lumber used for building purposes in the town of Ririe.
In June, 1881, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Eleanor M. Atkinson and they have become the parents of nine children: Russell K., Jr., who follows farming in Bonneville county; Alfred R., a banker of Idaho Falls; George A. and Brigham E., who are resident farmers of Bonneville county; Eleanor A., the wife of John R. Grover, a farmer of Mad- ison county, Idaho; William H., a banker of Ririe; Edmund E., who is a mechanic en- gaged in the automobile business at Idaho Falls; John M., a farmer of Bonneville county; and Eliza L., at home.
Mr. Homer has been quite active and prominent in community affairs and served as school trustee while at Ririe. Politically he is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Salnts. He was counsel to the bishop of the church at Rigby, Idaho, for eleven years and was presiding elder of the Poplar branch for seven years, while for two years he was a member of the high counsel of the Rigby stake. He does everything in his power to advance the interests of the church and extend its influence and his life has at all times been guided by its teachings.
LEROY HILLMAN.
Leroy Hillman, who was formerly actively identified with the operation of coal fields in Teton county, is now connected with farming interests and the supervision of other property, in which he has made judicious investment. He resides in Driggs and is classed with the valued and representative residents of the district. He was born at Fort Harriman, Utah, in September, 1861, and is a son of Ira and Emma (Baker) Hillman, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of England respectively. The father came across the plains with ox teams to Utah at a very early period in its settle- ment, being among the first of the Mormons to aid in colonizing the west. He had been a stone-cutter in the east. After reaching Utah he took up land south of Salt Lake City and continued its operation throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1865. The mother crossed the plains with one of the handcart companies and con- tinued a resident of Utah until called to her final rest in 1884.
Leroy Hillman was largely reared and educated in that state, spending much of the period of his minority at Pleasant Grove. He took up the occupation of mining when sixteen years of age and for a number of years was actively identified with mining interests. He came to Idaho in 1884 and for a short time was at Rexburg, after which he went to the Salmon river country and for nine years was foreman of a mine in that district. In February, 1904, he came to Teton county, then a part of Fremont county. Up to that time he had mined leased properties and prospected all over the state. With his removal to Driggs he was made foreman of a coal mine, oc- cupying the position for a year, and during the succeeding summer he discovered a mine which he at once began to develop. Later he consolidated his interests with those of another company and afterward sold to Mr. Talbot. Mr. Hillman was the owner of twenty-five per cent of the stock and disposed of his interests in 1918, after having de- voted fifteen years to mining in the Teton mountains. He is now a stockholder and one of the directors of the Teton National Bank of Driggs and he also has farming in- terests. He likewise owns five residences in Driggs which he rents and derives there- from a substantial annual income.
In September, 1897,. Mr. Hillman was married to Miss Minnie Centurus and they now have two children, Dewey and Claude. The son Dewey enlisted at the age of eighteen years, in May, 1917, and was made a sergeant, being stationed at San Diego, California. He was discharged in May, 1919.
848
HISTORY OF IDAHO
Mr. Hillman was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but is not connected with the order at the present time. Politically he is a democrat but not an office seeker. He has always preferred to give his undivided time and at- tention to his business affairs, which he has carefully and wisely directed, and is today one of the men of affluence in his community as the result of his diligence and determination.
W. FRANK BERRYMAN.
W. Frank Berryman, cashier with D. W. Standrod & Company, bankers at Black- foot, was born in December, 1886, in the city which is still his home. He is a son of Charles W. and Mary A. (Toombs) Berryman, the former a native of Wisconsin, while the latter was born in England. The father became a pioneer of Idaho and of Utah. He made his way to the west about 1859 and engaged in freighting between Corinne, Utah, and.Butte, Montana. He afterward followed ranching in Bingham county for a number of years and in 1899 became one of the organizers .of the D. W. Standrod bank, of which he has since served as the president. The bank is one of the strong financial institutions of this section of the state. It is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, has a surplus of seventy thousand dollars and its deposits amount to two mil- lion dollars. The other officers of the bank are George F. Gagon, vice president, and W. Frank Berryman, cashier. Since the organization of the bank the father has devoted his attention to its management and direction. It has enjoyed a most profit- able existence, the business steadily growing, for its methods are recognized as such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and which further public progress and business development in every way.
The youthful days of W. Frank Berryman were passed in his native city and his early education, acquired in the public schools, was continued in the Academy of Idaho at Pocatello. He then entered his father's bank in the position of bookkeeper and has worked his way upward through merit and developing powers to his present position. He was made cashier in June, 1917, and in this connection has active voice in the man- agement and control of the business. He is also one of the stockholders of the bank and has become possessed of stock in various other banks in this part of the state. He likewise owns and operates two farms. He concentrates his efforts and attention, however, largely upon his banking interests and has contributed toward making the Standrod bank one of the strongest and most reliable financial institutions in this section of the state as well as one of the oldest.
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.