USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 109
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Jose Alastra was a youth of sixteen years when he first came to the United States. He spent the first fifteen years of his residence in America as a sheep herder and gen- eral ranch hand in Nevada and he also rode the range as a cowboy a part of the time. In 1902 he returned to Spain to visit his parents, spending seven months in that country. He then again came to the United States and on this occasion made his way to Idaho, where he entered the employ of "Uncle Billy" Howell, a prominent sheepman of Boise, mentioned elsewhere in this work. After a few months spent as herder he leased a bunch of sheep from Mr. Howell and managed them on shares, thus getting a start in the business on his own account. In 1903 he became associated in the
JOSE ALASTRA
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sheep business with John Archabal, who is one of the most successful of Boise's colony of sheepmen. Since that date the business association between Messrs. Alastra and Archabal has been continued and they now have six thousand sheep which they own jointly and they share equally in the profits. Mr. Alastra and Mr. Archabal also jointly own a valuable ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in Ada county, eight miles south of Boise, on which they raise alfalfa for their sheep. This, however, does not produce nearly enough to feed their sheep, as during the past year they purchased two thousand tons of alfalfa, to be used in addition to that produced on their ranch and for which they paid fifteen dollars per ton.
Mr. Alastra was married October 12, 1907, to Miss Escolastica Arriandiaga, who was born in Spain, February 10, 1890, her parents still being residents of that country, their home being near that of the parents of Mr. Alastra. She came to the United States in the year in which she was married. Three children have been born of this marriage: Aurora, born August 20, 1909; Lide, born April 18, 1912; and Ricardo, November 18, 1916.
Mr. Alastra is recognized as one of the leading sheepmen of his section of the state, having developed his interests along practical and progressive lines that have brought splendid results. He is a man of long experience and sound judgment and is thoroughly informed concerning everything that has to do with successful sheep raising in Idano.
JOHN H. TALLEY.
John H. Talley is a retired rancher residing at No. 1914 North Eleventh street in Boise. The story of Idaho's development is familiar to him through more than a third of a century's connection with the state. He removed from Georgetown, Colorado, to the northwest, but was born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 6, 1845, and was the first one of his family to come to this state. Later, however, his parents, Harmon Harrison and Hannah (Smith) Talley, removed to Idaho, together with a brother and sister of John H. Talley, these being Wesley and Jennie. The former is now deceased, while the latter is the wife of W. A. Carpenter, of Boise, mentioned elsewhere in this work.
John H. Talley spent his early childhood in Morgan county, Ohio, but was only seven years of age when he went with his parents to Ogle county, Illinois. There he re- sided from 1852 until 1869, or for a period of seventeen years, when he removed with his parents to Atchison county, Kansas. For two years he was a resident of that locality and then went to Osborne county, Kansas. While living there he was ap- pointed United States deputy marshal and filled the position for two years in the In- dian Territory under President Grant's first administration. Later he spent two years in Minnesota and in 1880 he removed to Georgetown, Colorado, where he remained until 1886, when he came to Idaho. After coming to this state Mr. Talley was for two years employed in a silver mine in Owyhee county. He then removed to Sweet, Idaho, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of desert land near the town. Thereon he lived for more than a quarter of a century, developing the once wild and desolate tract into a highly improved and productive farm. While upon the ranch he was one of five men who constructed what is known as the Squaw creek dam and ditch. In fact he was the principal mover in the project, owning four times as much stock in the enterprise as his associates and performing four times as much of the work as they. The construction of this dam and ditch was an enormous job for the five ranchers and required five years in its accomplishment, but the re sults fully justified the expenditure of time, labor and capital, for it not only irrigated their own ranches but also many others in the vicinity and has now been in good working order since 1896.
Soon after taking up his desert claim, Mr. Talley was united in marriage in Nampa, Idaho, on the 24th of January, 1890, to Miss Dena Ebbelmesser, who was born in Fayette county, Illinois, February 2, 1870, and is of German parentage, but both her father and mother died when she was a little girl. Thus left an orphan, she was partly reared by an aunt. She formed the acquaintance of Mr. Talley while he was on a visit in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Talley have become the parents of twe daughters. Gladys, born December 17, 1891, was married in 1913 to Wellington Wills and they reside on a ranch near Eagle, Idaho. Bernice, born September 2, 1897, is a graduate of a business college and is now employed in the state auditor's office.
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Mr. Talley continued to serve as president of the Squaw Creek Ditch Company for several years and also was president of the Boise County Milling Company, which operated a flour mill at Sweet, getting its power from the Squaw creek ditch. In boy- hood Mr. Talley joined the Independent Order of Good Templars and has ever been a man of strictly temperate habits, doing all in his power to advance the abolition of strong drinks. He is also a Master Mason and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. For thirty-four years he has lived in Idaho-years which have marked a marvelous change in the state and its development. He has recognized the problems connected with the agricultural development of the region, and his enterprise and in- itiative have enabled him to largely extend the work of improvement, while as the years have passed the careful conduct of his business affairs has brought to him a substantial competence that now enables him to live retired, ranking with the men of affluence in the capital city.
GEORGE A. NOURSE.
George A. Nourse, engaged in farming near Meridian, was born in Boise, January 18, 1892. He is a son of Frank A. Nourse, a native of Illinois, who in early life took up the business of merchandising and, having removed to Idaho, became the owner of several stores in Boise. He likewise had a large forwarding house there and furnished supplies to the mines. He also conducted a large business with the government in furnishing supplies to the forts. He came to Idaho more than thirty years ago, taking up his abode in Boise, and before the railroad was built to the present capital city he had a large forwarding house at Kuna. He was one of the men early interested in and associated with the Idaho Building and Loan Association and is still a stockholder thereof, as is also his son, George A. Nourse. This is one of the strong financial in- stitutions of the state and has been an element of great value in the upbuilding and development of Idaho. In addition to his other interests Frank A. Nourse acquired a large amount of land, much of which he still owns today, although he has recently" sold three hundred and twenty acres opposite the place upon which his son, George A., now resides. However, he retains possession of four hundred acres, constituting a valuable and highly improved property. He has confined his personal attention to merchandising and with the assistance of hired help has conducted his farms, all of which have proven sources of gratifying profit. He is still a very active man and he. and his son George are closely associated in business. Frank A. Nourse has long been regarded as a most resourceful and enterprising merchant who has wisely, care- fully and profitably conducted his commercial interests and at the same time has won substantial success at farming and stock raising. His life record shows what can be accomplished through individual effort and ability. At one time he owned nearly the whole town of Meridian and still has in his possession a large amount of property there. In early manhood he wedded Frances Corker, of Mountain Home, Idaho, and they became the parents of three children: Frank C., residing in Boise; Lucy Ellen, who has passed away; and George A.
The last named was educated in the common and high schools of Boise, spend- ing his youthful days under the parental roof and early becoming associated with his father in business. This association has since been maintained and the experience and wisdom of the father have been of great benefit to the son, while the enterprise and energy of the young man have been of equal value to the father in the. conduct of his affairs. George A. Nourse is now giving his attention largely to farming and stock raising and has one hundred head of registered Hampshire sheep upon the home place, while his father has about seven hundred head of graded sheep. At one time they had two hundred and fifty head of cattle, but when they sold the three hundred and twenty acre tract of land they had no place on which to range their cat- tle and accordingly disposed of their live stock. They now have about seventy-five acres planted to orchards and one hundred and twenty acres in hay, grain and pasture upon the place of George A. Nourse, which is pleasantly and conveniently situated about two and a half miles north of Meridian. They likewise have one hundred and sixty acres under cultivation one mile north of McDermott, on the Interurban stub.
In July, 1917, Mr. Nourse was married to Miss Frances Kerr, daughter of T. N. Kerr, proprietor of the Dewey Palace Hotel at Nampa, and they have one child, Lucy
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Ellen, horn May 8, 1919. The young couple occupy an enviable position in the social circles of Meridian and have a wide and favorable acquaintance in the surrounding section of Ada county. Mr. Nourse seems to have inherited the business ability and enterprise of his father and is making rapid strides toward prominence and success in his chosen field of endeavor.
A. HENRY SIMMONS.
On the roster of county officials in Bingham county appears the name of A. Henry Simmons, who is serving as sheriff and who is a well known resident of Blackfoot. He was born in Houston, Missouri, February 4, 1871, and is a son of S. C. and Mary ( Baney) Simmons, who were natives of Tennessee. The father enlisted in the Con- federate army and served during the Civil war. After hostilities had ceased he went to Missouri, where he secured a homestead and there engaged in general farming until 1877, when he removed to Brigham, Utah, and worked in a sawmill for one year. He then came to Idaho and secured employment in sawmills, thus spending his time until 1885, when he removed to Blackfoot, Bingham county, and took up land about nine miles from the city. He then undertook the arduous task of clearing and developing it, transforming the once wild tract into rich and productive fields. He passed away in February, 1904, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife died in May, 1891.
A. Henry Simmons was reared and educated in Marsh Valley, Idaho, and remained with his parents to the age of fifteen years, when he hegan work in a hotel, making his initial step in the business world. When twenty years of age he took a position at the State Asylum at Blackfoot, with which he was connected for a year. He then turned his attention to the restaurant business and afterwards was engaged in the hotel busi- ness until 1909. He then took up draying and the transfer business and was active along that line until 1913, when he was made chief of police and occupied the position for a year. In the fall of 1914 he was elected sheriff of Bingham county and has since been reelected to that position, serving now for the third term.
On the 17th of September, 1895, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Inez Wright and they became the parents of seven children, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are Myrle, Zelma F., Darwin W., Carroll H., Herbert S. and Theodore H.
In his political views Mr. Simmons is a republican and aside from serving as sheriff he was a member of the city council for four years, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. In these associations are found the rules which govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen. He is a man of high purpose and sterling worth who merits and en- joys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
WASHINGTON W. TAYLOR.
Washington W. Taylor, president of the First National Bank of Driggs, was born in Salt Lake City on the 27th of February, 1868, his parents being William W. and Emily M. (Blackburn) Taylor, who are natives of England and came to America with their respective parents during their childhood days. The families had become converted to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In crossing the plains the Taylor family used a yoke of oxen and a yoke of cows, traveling by slow and weary stages across the country to cast in their lot with the people of their faith at Salt Lake City. William W. Taylor became a teamster and also worked at different jobs in early life. After his son Washington had reached adult age they became en- gaged in sheep raising, William W. Taylor taking up land in Parley's canyon which he improved and developed but later sold to the city of Salt Lake. On removing to Idaho he purchased land near Rexburg and again gave his attention to sheep raising for several years. Eventually he returned to Salt Lake City, where he has since resided He is still the owner of the homestead which he first acquired in the city of Salt Lake. He has now reached the age of seventy-five years, while the mother is sixty- eight years of age.
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Washington W. Taylor was reared and educated in Salt Lake City, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he became the active associate of his father in sheep raising. He had previously saved three hundred dollars and with this he purchased one hundred head of sheep. He has since been connected with the sheep industry and his success, which is now of a substantial character, has been gained entirely through his activity along that line. In 1894 he came to Idaho, settling in the Teton basin, at which time he bought land a mile and a quarter from Driggs. Here he has since been engaged in the raising of sheep and cattle, making a specialty of handling pure bred shorthorn cattle and Cotswold and Rambouillet sheep. He has developed his flocks and his herds and is today one of the prominent live stock raisers of the state. He has a nice home at Driggs and divides . his time between his city residence and his ranch. A resourceful and progressive man, he has proven his capability of successfully handling various interests and is now president of the Teton Milling Company and also the president of the First National Bank of Driggs. The banking company has erected a modern business block, which was completed in January, 1919, and would be a credit to any city in the country. The bank is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and has deposits amounting to two hundred and eighty thousand dollars. The other officers of the bank are R. C. Kimball, vice president, and C. B. Walker, cashier. Mr. Taylor owns the half of the bank building which is not used for banking purposes. His agricultural interests embrace one thousand acres of land, of which he cultivates eight hundred acres. He is a man of marked business capability and resourcefulness. The door of opportunity has ever swung open to his demand and, wisely using his time and his talents, he has built his fortunes up to substantial proportions.
On the 5th of September, 1892, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Mary D. Driggs, by whom he has four children, as follows: Jean D., who is a sheepman of the Teton hasin; Florence, the wife of Earl Floyd, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Teton county; Vivian, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Driggs, Idaho; and Laurence, who is attending school.
In religious belief Mr. Taylor and his family are connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Politically he is a republican but has never been ambitious to hold office. He belongs to the National Wool Growers Association and to the Fremont County Wool Growers Association and he is keenly interested in every- thing that pertains to sheep raising and the development of the industry in the northwest. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Driggs and throughout this section of the state than is Washington W. Taylor. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is de- termined in their execution, while his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. He represented Teton county in the state legislature in 1914 and it was through his efforts that this county was separated from Fremont.
JOSEPH HEWITT.
Joseph Hewitt, one of the proprietors of the townsite of Ririe, Jefferson county, who has done much for the development of that village, was born in Liverpool, England, on January, 1859, a son of Francis and Margaret (Dean) Hewitt, both of whom were natives of the old country. The father spent much of his time on the high seas as a marine engineer in which occupation he achieved much success and consequent advance- ment. At one time in his career he was connected as commodore-in-chief for a number of years with the Guion Steamship Line, which operated out of Liverpool. In this capacity it was his duty to take a new ship of that company on its maiden voyage out of Liverpool to New York, and on his return to the home port he would turn the ship over to others for the regular carrying work. He never left his native land and his death occurred in that country in 1889. The mother of our subject came to America after the death of her husband to join her son, but after a sojourn in this country for seven years, she returned to England, where she died in 1909.
Joseph Hewitt spent his early life in England and, after he had acquired his ele- mentary schooling, learned the machinist trade, which he plied in the shops of his home city until he came to the United States in 1893, when he was thirty-four years of age. His first location in this country was Pocatello, Idaho, where his previous experience
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as a machinist gained for him a position in the railroad shops and he remained there until 1912. In that year he came to Jefferson county, Idaho, to look after some land which his wife had homesteaded prior to her marriage in 1889. He found the homestead thickly covered with cedar trees and immediately set to work to clear it and bring it under cultivation. Some time after his arrival in Jefferson county the railroad was surveyed through that section where the farm was located and Mr. Hewitt, who readily recognized that a part of the farm was ideally situated for a town site offered to the corporation a station site of five acres which was accepted. After the railroad bad purchased its right-of-way, he sold a part of the farm in town lots which now com- prise a large part of Ririe-the name given to the new town. Then in order to facilitate the development of the new community center, Mr. Hewitt organized the Hewitt Town- site Company of which he is now the president. He has not given up agricultural operations for he still continues to supervise the cultivation of his fine farm, now comprised of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, which is one of the best improved in his part of the county.
In January, 1898, Mr. Hewitt was united in marriage to Mary Miller. They have no children. Mrs. Hewitt is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Mackey) Miller, who left Scotland-the land of their nativity-fo emigrate to the United States in the early days and located in Salt Lake Valley, Utah. Prior to his coming to America, the father followed the occupation of machinist, but after he settled in Utah he opened a blacksmith shop and he worked at this trade in his adopted country the rest of his life. Finally, however, he left Utah to work in the railroad shops at Idaho Falls, Booneville county, Idaho, and it was there that his death occurred in 1889. Some years later his wife died in Pocatello in 1912.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt are members of the Methodist Episcopal church to which they give loyal and unstinted support. They built the first schoolhouse in Ririe at their own expense, in fact Mr. Hewitt was really the founder of the town. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World. In politics it has not been his practice to affiliate himself with any party, hence he renders his decision on public questions without regard to partisanship. a fact which in no wise impairs his usefulness to the community he has done so much to develop.
CHARLES LE MOYNE.
Charles Le Moyne, president and founder of the Le Moyne Farm & Live Stock Company of Boise, operating in the Wood river section of Blaine county, has found in the conditions of the west opportunities for the conduct of a most successful busi- ness enterprise. He has never been afraid to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way, and sound judgment has ever enabled him to readily discriminate between the essential and the nonessential in all business affairs.
The width of the continent separates Mr. Le Moyne from his birthplace, for he is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and was born June 13. 1876. His father, McPher- son Le Moyne, was born in Montreal, Canada, and came of both Scotch and French ancestry, the founder of the family in the new world being Charles Le Moyne, who came from France and settled in Montreal. The mother of Charles Le Moyne bore the maiden name of Mary Brooks Brigham and was born in Boston, Massachusetts, her parents being representatives of one of the old New England families. She is a cousin of Phillips Brooks, the noted Episcopalian divine, and she still makes her home in Boston, but Mr. Le Moyne passed away in that city ten years ago. Their sons are Charles and Harry Le Moyne and there are three daughters, two of whom are in Boston and one in France.
Charles Le Moyne was reared and educated in his native city and came to the northwest when a young man of twenty-one years as an employe of the Boston-Idalio Gold Dredging Company, which was entering upon extensive gold dredging operations in the vicinity of Idaho City. He there remained for three years, after which he gave up his position for the purpose of engaging in the live stock industry in Idaho. He has now been connected with that business for twenty years and within that period has become one of the best known live stock men of the state. He initiated his career as a live stock dealer by working as a sheep herder in 1900 in the employ of James E. Clinton. For a year he herded sheep and tended camp and in 1902 he purchased a bunch of sheep, becoming owner of about thirty-two hundred ewes, since
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which time he has engaged in the business on his own account and for many years has been one of the leading sheep and cattlemen of south central Idaho, operating chiefly in Blaine but also in Gooding and Lincoln counties. His younger brother, Harry Le Moyne, now a resident of Hailey, Idaho, became his partner in 1905 and is now general manager for the firm. Since 1917 the business has been conducted under the name of the Le Moyne Land & Live Stock Company, with Charles Le Moyne as president, Louis N. Roos, secretary and treasurer, and Harry Le Moyne as general manager. The company owns several thousand acres of land in Blaine county and keeps many thousands of sheep constantly. The firm also is engaged in dealing in cattle, and their business affairs have been most wisely and carefully directed, bringing to them a very substantial measure of success. They are now prominently known among the leading stock growers of their section of the state, and Mr. Le Moyne of this review is a member of the Idaho Wool Growers Association.
Twelve years ago, in Boise, Charles Le Moyne was married to Miss Clara Marcus, a native daughter of Idaho, born in Idaho City. They have three children: Charles, Jr., born in 1909; McPherson, in 1912; and Mary Brooks, in 1917.
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