USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 107
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Mr. Kessler was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent in the paternal line and of English on the maternal side, his parents being Henry W. and Sabina (Harple) Kessler, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania. John F. Kessler was born May 24, 1853, and in 1867 accompanied his parents on 'their removal from the Keystone state to Wayne county, Ohio, where he spent six years and then made his way westward to Burt county, Nebraska. For thirty-two years he resided in that state and in 1904 came to Idaho, first settling in Boise, where he lived for several years, while later he purchased a large tract of wild prairie land in the Payette valley. He has made his home in this valley since 1907 and is now de- voting his attention to the further development and improvement of what will soon become one of the finest ranches of the valley. Mr. Kessler made quite a fortune in land in Nebraska but lost it all in cattle raising before he left that state, so that he came to Idaho with practically nothing, in fact he had to borrow money in order to make the trip to the northwest. Here he made a new start and already has gained a place among the men of affluence in his community. The large drainage canal which has recently been put through his ranch will make it worth at least two hundred and fifty dollars an acre and his enterprise and diligence are constantly contributing to his growing prosperity. His eldest son, Harry S. Kessler, a prominent and distinguished lawyer of Boise, is the owner of four hundred and forty acres of the same kind of land, and has equally benefited by the establishment of a drainage canal.
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Mr. Kessler has been married twice. In 1876 he wedded Catharine Snader and they became the parents of eight children, but only three are living: Harry S., of Boise; Grace S., who resides in California; and Walter J., who in June, 1919, returned frem eighteen months of overseas' service, being in the thickest of the fighting in France. The wife and mother passed away in 1913 and in 1914 Mr. Kessler married Mrs. Jessie MacDougall, of Boise, whe is his present wife. She was born in Scotland, October 18, 1869, and bore the maiden name of MacLean. She first became the wife of Donald MacDougall, who passed away, leaving three children: Allen S .; Jennie, now the wife of E. E. Smith; and Clarissa M., of Boise. Mrs. Kessler is a member of the Columbian Club of Boise.
Mr. Kessler belongs to the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder for many years. His political allegiance Is given to the democratic party and while living in Nebraska he served as a member of the legislature of that state in 1892. Since com- ing to Idahe he has not been active in politics, preferring to concentrate his undivided attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely and capably managed, placing him among the substantial and prominent ranchers of Gem county. His life record should serve te inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through determination, his diligence having unlocked for him the portals of success.
CHARLES VOGT.
One of the finest and best improved farms in Canyen county is that owned by Charles Vogt in the Huston district. The story of his life is a record of earnest endeavor in which he has won the reward of persistent and intelligently directed in- dustry. Mr. Vogt was born in Iowa, March 14, 1860, a son ef Nichols Vogt, a native of Germany, whe arrived in Kentucky in 1847 and fellewed the trade of blacksmithing in Louisville for a time. On removing te Iowa he located first at Muscatine, later lived in Johnsen county and eventually in Shelby county, where he purchased a farm and in connection with its cultivation continued to engage in blacksmithing. He died July 1, 1892, at the age of seventy-one years. His sens, Jacob, Robert, Charles and George, operated the farm in Iowa while their father carried on work at his trade. Their mother, whe bere the name of Catherine Miller, was also a native of Germany and she and Mr. Vogt became acquainted while crossing the Atlantic, their marriage being celebrated after they reached the United States. The mother passed away in Nebraska at the age of eighty-one years.
Charles Vogt acquired his early education in the commen scheels of Iowa and in 1888 went to Nebraska, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of improved land. Five years later his mother joined him there and he continued to engage in farming in that state for sixteen years. In 1907 he came to Idaho after having traveled over seven thousand miles seeking just the conditions he wanted. He has here eighty acres, which was a homestead relinquishment, seven miles southwest of Caldwell and which he purchased from the man who had entered the claim. It was in an unimproved condition when it came into his possession and today it is one of the best and most beautiful farms in the state. He has a splendid home of an attractive style of architecture, surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs and forming a most pleasing feature in the landscape. The seil of his place is especially adapted to the raising of potatoes although it is capable of producing any creps. His land has yielded frem three hundred to six hundred bushels of potatoes to the acre and they are the largest and best potatoes on the market, being ef that kind which has made the Idaho potato famous from coast to coast. He paid a thousand dollars for his place when it was covered with sagebrush and today he has refused three hundred and fifty dollars per acre and the year's crop. After refusing this sum he was asked to name his price but nothing will tempt him to sell. His home and improvements cost him sixty-five hundred dollars and today could not be duplicated for less than ten thousand dollars. He has one of the finest barns in the county and also a large stock barn. On his place is a big petate cave which will hold six carloads of the tubers, and several times it has been crowded to capacity. He also has a fine erchard for family use with every variety of deciduous fruit. He is regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of the state. He never allows his soil to callow by raising re- peatedly one kind of crop, but practices retatien and other scientific methods of farm- ing with splendid results.
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On the 1st of October, 1883, Mr. Vogt was married to Miss Rilda Thornton, a native of Iowa, and they have become the parents of seven children: Mary, who is the wife of Art Forman and has three children: Esther, Floyd and Richard; A. C .. twenty-eight years of age, who married Ethel McAdams; Ben F., aged twenty-four, who is now upon the home farm; Agnes, the wife of T. O. Wheeler and the mother of a son, Roy, six years of age: George L., twenty-two years of age, who married Alma Smith and has one child, Wilma; Harmon, twenty years of age; and Flossie E., who completes the family.
Such in brief is the history of Charles Vogt, who throughont his connection with Idaho has manifested the progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the northwest. Realizing the possibilites of this country, he early had the prescience to discern something of what the future held in store for it, and, taking advantage of the opportunities here offered, he has gained a most creditable and enviable position among the prominent and representative agriculturists of the state.
FRED C. MICKELSON.
Fred C. Mickelson, the well known and popular manager of the Boise-Payette Lum- ber Company and director of the First National Bank of Shelley, was born in Denmark, September 14, 1874, a son of Peter and Christina (Hanson) Mickelson, who were also natives of that country and came to America when Fred C. was a child of nine years. The father was a farmer by occupation. In 1883 he decided to try his fortune in this country and on his arrival in the United States he went to Draper, Utah, where he bonght a tract of land which he improved and placed under cultivation, finally bring- ing his farm to a point where it was regarded as one of the best in the district where he resided. He continued to engage in farming for the remainder of his life, his death occurring in October, 1914. His wife predeceased him by almost two years, dying in August, 1912. Mr. Mickelson was a high priest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was active in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community.
Fred C. Mickelson was nine years of age when his parents brought him to this country. He received his early education in Denmark and finished his school course at Draper, Utah. He started working at the age of nine and was employed on dif- ferent jobs. He later went to railroading and at the age of twenty-two he was appointed postmaster of Draper, serving for two years in that position, at the end of which time he began work for the Draper Cooperative Mercantile Company. remaining with that firm for three years. He then engaged in carpentering at different places until 1907, when he removed to Iona, Bonneville county, Idaho, going thence to Bingham county. He was employed by the Iona Mercantile Company at Elva, now Ucon, for six months. On his arrival at Shelley, Bingham county, he became interested in the Johnson-Sundell Mercantile Company and later joined the Weeter Lumber Company, with which he remained for one year. Mr. Mickelson then, in company with J. F. Shelley and others, organized the Shelley Real Estate & Investment Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, but later sold his interest in the real estate and investment business. About 1907 the Snake River Valley irrigation district was organized and of this project Mr. Mickelson became the first secretary. He was also city clerk and clerk of the school board and has otherwise been identified with the public affairs of Shelley. In the fall of 1910 he was called by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to fill a mission in Denmark and Norway and was thus engaged for three years, returning to this country in 1913. On his return home he followed contracting until September, 1917, when he became manager of the Boise- Payette Lumber Company at Shelley and has filled this position ever since, the com- pany and its patrons alike appreciating his zealous services.
On September 14, 1899, Mr. Mickelson was united in marriage to Hulda Garff and they have one child, Aslaugh, born February 3, 1907. The family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and earnest supporters of all its work. In 1914 the Shelley stake was organized and Mr. Mickelson has served as stake clerk ever since.
In September, 1919, Mr. Mickelson, in conjunction with others, organized the First National Bank of Shelley, of which he is a director as well as a stockholder. He is
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also a stockholder in the Ashton-St. Anthony Light & Power Company and is active in all matters affecting the public welfare. He is a supporter of the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time to his varied interests.
RAYMOND J. CLUEN, M. D.
Dr. Raymond J. Cluen is a prominent physician and surgeon, being a member of the firm of Springer & Cluen, of Boise, Idaho. He has heen in the active practice of medicine for twenty years, and for the last fifteen years of this period, he has divided his services between Parma, Canyon county, where he spent nine years, and the last six years in Boise, with the exception of from July, 1917, to January 25, 1919, during which period he served in the United States navy as an X-Ray specialist.
Dr. Cluen was born at Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, February 22, 1880, and is the only son of John Cluen, a railroad man, now living at Des Moines, Iowa. His mother, who was Sarah Thatcher hefore her marriage, died in 1913. There is one daughter, Mrs. Frances Lenard, of Chicago.
Dr. Cluen finished his high school course at the early age of sixteen years and was president of his class. He later entered Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1900, being then twenty years old, and in that year he obtained the degree of M. D. from that university. He then served in the public hospitals of Des Moines and Philadelphia as interne for two years. On starting in practice for himself, Dr. Cluen selected Des Moines, where he followed his profession for some time. During the past ten years he has been doing post- graduate work at Chicago and Rochester, Minnesota, specializing in X-Ray practice, at which he has become an expert.
On October 2, 1902, Dr. Cluen was married to Miss Neva Phyllis Leib, who was born at Pleasantville, Iowa, February 9, 1883. They are the parents of one son, John Raymond, horn on November 30, 1903. The Doctor is a member of the Idaho State Medical Association; of the American Medical Association and of the American Roent- genologist Society. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, also belongs to the Elks, and is a life member of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the American Legion, and his church affiliation is with the Methodists. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of which as well as in social and com- munity matters, she takes an earnest and active interest.
HONG KEE.
Hong Kee, a well known figure in mercantile circles in Pocatello and also pro- prietor of the Crow Hotel, was born in the Sunning district of China, August 7, 1868. He attended the high school there for two years and came to America with a cousin at the age of twelve. Arriving in San Francisco, California, he was first employed as a waiter in the office car of the Oregon Short Line Railroad, where he remained until the completion of the road. He then came to Pocatello and served as a cook in the depot restaurant for the Oregon Short Line Railroad for about six years, after which he returned to his native country. A year later he again came to America and as- sumed the management of the J. G. Brown Building restaurant, of which he had charge for ten years. On the expiration of that period he once more returned to China and for three years engaged in merchandising in Canton, after which he landed at Vancouver, British Columbia, this time having brought his family with him to the new world. He remained in British Columbia for more than a year, during which time he was engaged in merchandising. The year 1893 witnessed his arrival in Poca- tello, where he established a mercantile business under the firm name of Wah Yuen Company and is still interested in the business but has also extended his efforts into other lines, for in 1912 he built the Crow Hotel, a modern and up-to-date building forty by one hundred and forty feet, and in connection therewith conducts the restaurant in the establishment.
Mr. Kee was twenty-eight years of age when he was married to Miss Lung See and three children were born to them in China: Kin Hong, who died in Pocatello; Gin Hong, who is twenty-one years of age and now in Montana; and George Hong,
HONG KEE
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who is in the eleventh grade in the high school in Pocatello and works in the Stock- holders Bank. The other children were born in this country and Mr. Kee is proud of the fact that they are Americans. These are: Jennie Hong, who was born in Van- couver, British Columbia, and is ten years of age; Frank Hong, born in Pocatello and now eight years of age; Nellie Hong, aged seven; Kee Hong, aged four; Helen Hong, aged two; and Tom Hong, who is a year old. The younger children were all born in Pocatello. The children of the family who are old enough are attending school and Mr. Kee says that they will all be good American citizens and glad to prove their allegiance to the country that has made the world safe for democracy. His own career is an illustration of the workings of the great American melting pot. He is proud of America and Pocatello, the city of his adoption, and has proven his loyalty and good citizenship by investing his money in the upbuilding of the city. He speaks the English language fluently, is a good conversationalist and is well posted on political . affairs of the state and nation. In fact he is a most highly respected resident of Poca- tello and one of its best business men, whose enterprise and honesty are proverbial.
LUCIEN NAPOLEON BONAPARTE CARPENTER.
Lucien Napoleon Bonaparte Carpenter has for a number of years followed ranch- ing in the vicinity of Boise and has recently sold a thirty-acre tract of valuable land known as the James Stott place. Upon this ranch he resided for some time and when he disposed of it secured nearly five hundred dollars per acre for the property. He yet owns other valuable realty interests in Idaho and it is probable that he will take up his abode again in the vicinity of the capital city. Mr. Carpenter was born near In- dianola, Iowa, March 1, 1874, and is a son of Norman A. and Mary E. (Parker) Car- penter, both of whom have passed away. He was reared upon an Iowa farm and has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits.
On the 13th of September, 1896, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Lillie E. Bales, who was likewise born near Indianola and is a daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth (Beals) Bales. In 1898 Mr. Carpenter and his wife removed to Idaho and for six months resided in the vicinity of Sweet, after which they returned to Iowa. In 1901, however, they again came to the northwest and have since lived in the Boise valley, in Ada and Canyon counties. The more recent years have been passed in Ada county and Mr. Carpenter became the owner of what was known as the James Stott place. an excellent tract of land of thirty acres on the Boise bench. Upon this farm were good improvements, while eleven acres of the land were planted to prunes that are now in full bearing. Having opportunity to sell at an advantageous figure, Mr. Carpenter disposed of the place for fourteen thousand five hundred dollars. In the meantime, however, he has made investment in other property in Idaho, including some in the vicinity of Boise. His former ranch is situated just one mile northeast of the Cole school. His holdings altogether comprise several hundred acres of ranch land in Ada and Canyon counties. .
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter had but one son, Earl, who passed away of diphtheria in 1907, when but nine years of age, his death being a great hlow to the parents. Mr. Carpenter is an Odd Fellow and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, while both he and his wife are members of the Royal Neighbors. In politics they are supporters of the democratic party, but Mr. Carpenter has never consented to fill public office. As the years have passed he has prospered in his business undertakings and is now financially independent, so that he and his wife expect to take life easy. They are people of genuine worth, enjoying the warm regard of those who know them, and they have won many friends during the period of their residence in Idaho.
CYRUS A. HARRIS.
One of the most important business enterprises of Rexburg is that conducted under the name of the Farmers' Implement Company. Its ramifying trade connections cover a wide territory, for branch houses have been established at various points. Thus at the head of this business are most enterprising men, active and alert to every op- portunity, and their labors have been productive of most substantial and gratifying
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results. One of the officers of the company is Cyrus A. Harris, who is the manager, secretary and treasurer. He was born at Salem, Madison county, Idaho, March 30, 1889, and is a son of George H. B. and Victoria J. (Sandgreen) Harris, who are men- tioned at length on another page of this work. The father was for many years a most prominent figure in agricultural circles in Madison county and is now in the employ of the Farmers' Implement Company, not from necessity but from choice, as through his farming interests he accumulated a valuable property that now returns to him a most gratifying annual income.
In the acquirement of his education Cyrus A. Harris attended the schools of Salem and the public schools at Sugar, Madison county. He completed a high school course in the Ricks Academy and was graduated with the class of 1909. He then went upon the road for the Spaulding Manufacturing Company, traveling in Idaho and Utah in 1910. He afterward became timekeeper for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company at the factory in Sugar, where he remained during the winter of 1910-11. In the spring he was appointed manager of the Utah Implement Vehicle Company at the branch at Rexburg and occupied that position until the spring of 1912, when the Farmers' Implement Com- pany was organized, he being a factor in the organization. He became one of the stock- holders and in fact the business was promoted by Mr. Harris and Mr. Mckinlay, who is the president, while Mr. Harris became the manager, secretary and treasurer. Since then a business of very substantial propertions has been developed, the trade interests covering a wide territory, and the enterprise is today one of the foremost commercial concerns of this section of the state. In partnership with his brother George, Cyrus A. Harris owns and operates four hundred acres of dry land four miles east of Rexburg and recently they have installed a 15-30 Titan tractor on the farm.
On the 19th of June, 1912, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Zina Cole and to them have been born four children, namely: Ross C .; Don C .; Zina F., who passed away September 11, 1916, at the age of three months; and Arthur Paul.
Mr. Harris is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served as counselor to Bishop H. J. Flamm of the second ward and has held various other offices in the church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for two years he served as a member of the city council. In community affairs he is deeply interested and lends the weight of his aid and influence to every movement calculated to benefit the community and promote the upbuilding of the district. His worth as a business man and citizen is widely acknowledged
JOHN E. HEIZER.
John E. Heizer, engaged in ranching ten and a half miles west of Emmett on the south slope, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 2, 1842, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Heizer, the latter a second cousin of James Buchanan, who was president of the United States from 1857 until 1861.
John E. Heizer was reared in the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the public schools. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company K, Fifty-second Indiana Regiment, with which he served for three years, three months and twenty-seven days, first as a private and afterward as corporal. He participated in many hotly contested battles and made an excellent record for valor and loyalty, returning home unharmed to resume the pursuits of private life. He continued a resident of Indiana until 1872, when he removed to Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, where he worked as a bricklayer and plasterer.
While there residing Mr. Heizer was married in Tipton on the 15th of February, 1877, to Miss Eliza Godden, who was born at that place, March 8, 1855, a daughter of John and Hannah (Cowell) Godden. On leaving Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Heizer became residents of Kansas and in 1891 made their way to Portland, Oregon, where they lived for a time and then became residents of eastern Oregon, where they resided until 1907- the year of their removal to Blaine county, Idaho. In 1913 they took up their abode upon their present ranch property in Gem county, which is situated about ten and a half miles west of Emmett.
To Mr. and Mrs. Heizer have been born two children who are yet living. Mary Elizabeth, born May 23, 1878, was married November 21, 1906. to David Alexander Sanderson, who was born at Santaquin, Utah, May 24, 1877, and is a son of Samuel and Marie (Pierson) Sanderson, who were of the Mormon faith. Mr. Sanderson served
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in the Spanish-American war as a private in the Second United States Cavalry. He afterward joined the regular army and served for three years in California and Wash- ington, being a sergeant when discharged in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson now reside with Mr. and Mrs. Heizer on the ranch, of which Mr. Sanderson has charge, relieving his father-in-law of the active management of the property. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have been born two children who are yet living: Ed Alexander, born July 26, 1909; and Cleo G., who was born November 6, 1916. They also lost a son, Bert Andrew Sanderson, who was born August 19, 1911, and died March 14, 1919, of an accidental gunshot. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Heizer is Roscoe Conkling Heizer, who was born May 26, 1882. He was married April 16, 1908, to Susan C. Hedden and they reside in Canyon county, Idaho. They have seven children: Eva May, who was born March 3, 1909; Walter O., born December 6, 1910; Wallace, January 7, 1912; Clinton, December 5, 1913; Vera Eliza, March 7, 1915; William, February 21, 1918; and Olive Parthena, August 19, 1919. Another child was born to Mr. and Mrs. John E. Heizer, a daughter, Olive W., whose birth occurred September 19, 1880, and who passed away January 16, 1886.
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