History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III, Part 11

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

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In 1865, at Idaho City, Mr. Chapman was married to Eliza Clark, who is still living. She was born at Quincy, Illinois, and came to Idaho with a sister and a brother-in-law in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have one son, Newton Chapman, now a man of middle age, who is a skilled violinist and musician, and an expert in the repairing of musical instruments.

Mr. Chapman has lived in Boise for over twenty years, coming in the first instance to fill the office of deputy sheriff of Ada county under Sheriff Reuben Robbins. He has served in this position for a greater number of years than any other official who filled the office, serving under both democrats and republicans. He is himself a republican. In the discharge of his official duties he has ever had the entire confidence of all sections of the community. Among the sheriffs with whom Mr. Chapman has served may be mentioned, Reuben Robbins, Clay Branstetter, Joe Oldham, Mont Oliver, James Agnew, James A. Bennett, James Roberts and Emmett Pfost-the present custodian of the office. Mr. Chapman states that so many years have elapsed since he first took over the duties of deputy sheriff, that he is unable to place the exact date when he was appointed. For a man of his advanced years, he is remarkably vigorous and active, and his interest in the duties of his office has in no way abated. Popular with all classes in a community where he has spent so many years, he is in a general seuse regarded as something in the nature of an institution, and the wish on every side is for all that should accompany old age-love, honor and troops of friends.

WILLIAM A. FOSTER.

William A. Foster, most efficiently serving in the onerous position of chief of the Boise fire department, has for almost three decades resided continuously in this city, to which he removed from Decatur county, Kansas. He was born at Grinnell, Poweshiek county, Iowa, January 28, 1870, and is a son of John and Janie Foster, who in 1885 removed with their family to northwestern Kansas, where their son, William A., remained until 1890 and then came alone to Idaho. Here he drove a team used in hauling lumber and later he was engaged in the transfer business. Subsequently he became connected with the Shaw Lumber Company, which he represented for five years, and about twenty years ago he left Boise to spend a year in Kansas and another in Denver. With the exception of that period he has continuously resided in Boise for the past three decades and was a young man of about twenty-one years when he took up his abode here.

Mr. Foster became connected with the Boise fire department in 1903 and has been identified therewith almost continuously since. He served for a time in the ranks but has gradually been advanced, acting for a period as captain and later as assistant chief for five years, while during the past three years he has been chief of the depart- ment. His advancement has been regular. He has won his promotions through merit and ability and has thus reached the top. When he joined the department it numbered but seven regular paid men. There are now thirty-nine members of the department, which is one of the best equipped and most efficient in the northwest. Horses have been superseded by auto trucks and engines of most modern design have been secured. There are now four fire stations and eight auto trucks and engines. Mr. Foster is keenly interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of the department and he belongs to the Fire Chiefs Association of the Pacific Coast.

In Boise, on the 2d of October, 1892, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Martin, who was born in Missouri, July 3, 1871, and they have become the parents of five living children. Raymond L., the eldest, was born September 28, 1893. He served in the World war, being for several months at Camp Lewis. Florence E., born December 24, 1894, was married in January, 1918, to William McIntosh, a resident of Ohio. Hazel M., born July 27, 1896, was married in January, 1918, to George E. Ganz, of Baker, Oregon. Melvin William, born March 17, 1911, and Martin N., born June 2, 1917, are at home. They also had one other child, John H., who has passed away, his death resulting from an operation when he was but sixteen years of age.

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On the 8th of November, 1918, Mr. Foster while out deer hunting in the mountains met with a severe accident caused by the blow-out of the breech block of his rifle, which struck him in the right eye, destroying the sight. This organ has since been replaced with an artificial eye which is so true to nature that an observer can see no difference. Fraternally Mr. Foster is an Odd Fellow and an Elk and his wife belongs to the Ada Circle of the Woodmen of the World, of which organization Mr. Foster is a member, and she is likewise connected with the ladies' auxiliary of the Odd Fellows, known as the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Foster gives his political endorsement to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never aspired to elective office. He has done splendid service in his present con- nection, however, being most true and loyal to every duty that devolves upon him.

CARL H. NORRIS.

Carl H. Norris, member of the Boise har and also serving as justice of the peace, was admitted to practice in the courts of Idaho, December 4, 1912. A native son of Iowa, he was born at Manchester, July 2, 1887, his parents heing William H. and Martha (Toogood) Norris. He was graduated from the Manchester high school with the class of 1905 and afterward spent a year as a student in Beloit College of Wisconsin, later completing both academic and law courses in the University of Washington, from which he was graduated in 1912 with the LL. B. degree. Following America's entrance into the World war he entered upon active duty at Camp Lewis and he is now a member of John M. Regan Post of the American Legion. He is a York Rite Mason and is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Acacia fraternity.

COLONEL AUGUST J. MORITZ.

Colonel August J. Moritz, who devoted more than three decades of his life to the military service of the United States, is now the veteran recording secretary of Ada Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., a position which he has steadily filled since the 10th of March, 1893. He came to Idaho in 1877 from Atlanta, Georgia, being then a member of the United States army. He is now on the retired list of non-commissioned staff, having been retired August 1, 1901, with the rank of post quartermaster sergeant, after having been connected with the army for thirty-one and a half years, having enlisted as a private at New York city, New York, on the 21st of March, 1870. His military connections have brought him wide and varied experiences.

Colonel Moritz was born in Germany, October 29, 1848, and his parents never came to the United States. In his youth he learned the trade of harness making under the direction of his father but never worked at the trade after coming to the new world. It was in 1868, when nineteen years of age, that he crossed the Atlantic and in 1870, as previously stated, he joined the American army. Unlike many thousands of others, he did not leave Germany to escape military duty. On the contrary he was anxious to serve in the German army, but his parents ohjected. Therefore after reaching the new world, the military spirit being strong within him, he joined the military forces of the United States and for thirty-one years marched under the nation's starry banner. He has returned to the fatherland just once since first crossing the Atlantic, that being in 1890, when he was granted a six months' furlough from the army. His parents had passed away in the meantime, but he visited many other relatives and old-time friends there. His father, August Moritz, had died in 1884, while the mother, Mrs. Barbara (Seltz) Moritz, died in 1887.

Colonel Moritz of this review had for seven years been a member of the army when he was transferred from Fort McPherson, Atlanta, to Fort Colville, Washington. He later spent six years at Fort Coeur d'Alene as sergeant major of the Second United States Infantry and from 1885 until 1890 he was post quartermaster sergeant at Fort Spokane, Washington. From October, 1890, until February 8, 1892, he was post quarter- master sergeant at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, near Portland, Oregon, and was later transferred to the Boise Barracks, where he continued as post quartermaster sergeant until he was retired in 1901.

In the meantime, or in 1893, Colonel Moritz had been made recording secretary of

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Ada Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., and he has since held the position. The records of the lodge throughout the intervening period are in his handwriting, which is as plain as print, he being a skilled penman. He was made an Odd Fellow, June 28, 1889, in Spokane, Washington, and has passed all of the chairs in the order. He belongs to the encampment and is now assistant adjutant general in the patriarchs militant branch of the order.

It was on the 21st of March, 1875, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, that Colonel Moritz was married to Miss Frances Stein, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, who passed away January 18, 1915, and is survived by a daughter and a son: Louise A., who was born September 16, 1887, and is now a graduate nurse of Boise; and Henry L., who is hold- ing a responsible position with the Northrop Hardware Company. He is married and has two children: August J., two years of age; and Eva.

Colonel Moritz is widely known in Boise and other sections of the state. He served on the staff of both Governor James H. Hawley and Governor John M. Haines, with the rank of colonel, filling the position with Governor Hawley, who is a democrat, while Governor Haines was a republican.

ALEXANDER ROSSI.

Many of the most sterling traits of manhood were manifest in the career of Alexander Rossi, who was for many years a prominent business man of Idaho, where he located in pioneer times. He was born at Zybrechken on the Rhine, Germany, March 10, 1828, and was only eighteen years of age when he left that land and came to America, becoming thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country and a loyal defender of everything that stood for America's welfare. For three years he remained a resident of New York city and Philadelphia and then, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to the Pacific coast, spending several years in that state. He afterward removed to Oregon, again becoming a pioneer, as he had been in California. During his residence in the Sunset state he served in the Indian wars, acting as quartermaster in the army. In business life he became well known as proprietor of a machine shop at Oregon City and had gained a substantial measure of success when a disastrous flood swept away his business.

The year 1861 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Rossi in Idaho and at Lewiston he turned his attention to the sawmill business, taking charge of the Roby Mills. In 1862 he removed to Idaho City, where he conducted an assay office and engaged in the lumber business until 1865. In that year he became a resident of Boise, where he erected the first sawmills of the city, becoming a member of the well known firm of Roby & Rossi. The partnership was maintained until the death of Mr. Roby, when Mr. Rossi purchased the interest of his partner in the business and remained a prominent figure in lumber circles until his death. He was a man of ready discrimination in business affairs, saw and utilized the possibilities of the state and did everything in his power to advance Idaho's development and upbuilding. He it was who planned and con- structed the famous Ridenbaugh ditch. He was also the first assayer in charge of the assay office at Boise and was largely connected with surveying in Idaho and Oregon in early days, having acquainted himself with the profession of civil engineering and of assaying while still in his native land. He gave to the government an entire block in Boise, to be used as a site for the United States office.

In February, 1873, Mr. Rossi was united in marriage to Mrs. Adeline Mullen, who has lived in Boise since 1872 and is therefore numbered among the best known of the pioneer women of the city. She is a daughter of Jasper W. Seaman, who was born in New York, April 2, 1811. He went to California in 1849 and afterward became one of the pioneer settlers of Idaho. He passed away in Spokane, Washington, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He had contributed in marked degree to the devel- opment and upbuilding of the west, having been identified with pioneer interests not only in California but also in Portland, Oregon; Walla Walla, Washington; and Boise, Idaho. His daughter Mrs. Rossi was born at Fort Smith, Arkansas, January 8, 1846. Her first husband was Lewis Mullen, who passed away leaving two daughters: Addle, the wife of George Bennett, of Denver, Colorado; and Birdenia, the widow of Frank Callaway and now residing at home with her mother. Mrs. Callaway has one son, Jack Callaway, a young man of twenty years. Since the death of Mr. Rossi his widow has continued to occupy the family home in South Boise at the corner of Boise avenue and

HISTORY OF IDAHO

Rossi streets, the latter thoroughfare having been so named in honor of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Rossi were born two sons and a daughter: Alexander, who is a prominent lumberman of Boise and was married in February, 1903, to Miss Lola Lindsey, of the capital city; Kirk, who died in infancy; and Anna, who passed away at the age of seventeen years.

The death of Mr. Rossi occurred February 22, 1906, and in one of the Idaho pub- lications-The Critic-appeared the following mention of him: "Nature endowed this man with the essential qualifications of a pioneer. Practical, self-reliant, sturdy and strong, nothing daunted him. Going to California in the '50s, thence to Oregon, he settled in the Boise Basin in 1862. Wherever he went he immediately identified him- self with the men who did things. He was essentially a business man but one of large affairs. Petty things were not to his liking; he was an empire builder. If this man ever stumbled or was tempted there was no record of it. To the lurings of incense rampant in the mining camps of his youth-he yielded not. Like the water lily that lifts its head above the stagnant pool, he was uncontaminated by environment; but .out of everything he got the good.

"The old pioneers, like the old soldiers, have been liberalized and softened by observation and experience. By mixing with all sorts of men and through acquaintance with every condition of life, they have become slow to judge and quick to forgive. And this is why that we who have come after hasten to pay our tribute of love at every passing of a pioneer.

"In his home Alexander Rossi exemplified the virtues of the Jew. Gentle and generous, patient and sympathetic, he attracted each and every member of his family like a magnet. No matter how trying the cares of the day, he never failed to greet his loved ones with a smile a smile that was a benediction and that was never forced. Always a student, he was never a bore. He liked to converse and was ready to argue, but if you needs must chatter, why chatter to yourself.

"He had not quite reached his seventy-eighth year when his soul and body arrived at the parting of the ways. In his death the community lost a superior citizen and a noble man. In the home that was his there will always be a vacant chair."

Mr. Rossi was long a devoted member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the thirty-second degree, and it was he who organized the first Masonic lodge at Payette. In politics he was ever an earnest supporter of the democratic party and for several terms served as county commissioner of Ada .county, yet could not be called a politician in the sense of office seeking. He did his duty as he saw it, was always loyal to his honest convictions and his position was never at any time an equivocal one. He was a man of most generous spirit and kindly impulses who gave freely where aid was needed and who believed in encouraging every worthy act and noble impulse in his fellow men. His life was characterized by many kindly deeds, was the expression of many noble virtues, and on the pages of Idaho's pioneer history the name of Alexander Rossi stands prominently forth.

JAMES WHITMER TANNER.

James Whitmer Tanner, now deceased, was a man of much influence in Twin Falls county. He was engaged in newspaper publication at Filer and was a prominent figure in political circles in that section of the state. His birth occurred at Nevada, Iowa, December 29, 1858, his father being Joseph Tanner. His boyhood days were passed at the place of his nativity and his education was acquired in the public schools there. He afterward took up the printer's trade, which he followed in Iowa until 1880 and then removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he worked on the St. Joseph Gazette. Later he went to Atchison, Kansas, where he spent five years as foreman of the Atchi- son Patriot. In 1885 he became a resident of Omaha and secured a position on the Omaha World. Subsequently he edited the Fullerton Post, published at Fullerton, Nance county, Nebraska, remaining in charge of that paper for twenty-eight years. His various newspaper connections made him widely known in journalistic circles and he exercised considerable influence over public thought and opinion in the dif- ferent states in which he lived. He was a clear and trenchant writer, bringing vividly to the minds of his readers the points which he wished to emphasize, and his writings were often most logical and forceful. In 1899 he was elected to the Nebraska legisla- ture and made so acceptable a record during his first term's service that he was re-

JAMES W. TANNER

MRS. JAMES W. TANNER

Vol. III-7

HISTORY OF IDAHO

elected and became connected with much constructive legislation passed during the two terms of his connection with the general assembly of that state.

On the 4th of March, 1910, Mr. Tanner came to Idaho, settling at Filer, where he began the publication of the Filer Journal. He soon made for himself a creditable place as a representative of journalism in the northwest, nor did he confine his efforts alone to this line. He was the owner of considerable valuable real estate, building a brick hlock and also the Gem theatre of Filer, together with a number of houses.

In 1885 Mr. Tanner was united in marriage to Miss Millie Grace Cook, a native of Afton, Iowa, and a daughter of Noah R. and Lavina (Hosea) Cook. Her father was a lawyer of Iowa who on leaving that state removed to Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession until his death. The mother long survived and passed away in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner reared an adopted son, Theodore L., who with his mother now occupies a beautiful home in Filer. The death of Mr. Tanner occurred on the 11th of February, 1918 when he had reached the age of fifty-nine years. He was a democrat in his political views. While residing in Nebraska, Mr. Tanner had filled the office of mayor of his town as well as that of legislator and he also held several local offices in Idaho. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, the Bene- volent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben Hur and his religious faith was indicated by his mem- bership in the Presbyterian church. He was a progressive buisness man, a loyal citizen, a faithful friend and a devoted husband and father, and his many sterling traits of character endeared him to all who knew him and have caused his memory to be enshrined in the hearts of those who were his .close associates. He always held to high ideals and he not only left to his family a very comfortable competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.

CHARLES W. IRWIN.

Charles W. Irwin, chief of police in Boise, has been a resident of Idaho for a third of a century, removing to this state from Eldorado, Kansas, when a young man. In fact he was a youth of but nineteen years at the time. His birth occurred in Kansas City, Missouri, October 16, 1867, his parents being William H. and Katherine (Yost) Irwin. The father was a farmer and live stock dealer and both he and his wife were repre- sentatives of old southern families, their respective fathers, John Irwin and George Yost, having been slave owners in Missouri at an early day.

Charles W. Irwin largely spent the period of his boyhood and youth in and near Kansas City, Missouri, attending the common country schools. Annie Ralston, who afterward became the wife of Frank James, was his first teacher and she used to board with his parents.

As stated Mr. Irwin arrived in Idaho when nineteen years of age. He was influenced to take this step by the fact that he had relatives living in the state, including the late John Strode, who was a well know cattleman of the northwest. For a year Mr. Irwin resided in Boise and then went to Silver Mountain, where he worked in a brick- yard. He afterward returned to the capital city, where he continued for a brief time, but has largely engaged in ranching during the period of his residence in this state and is one of Idaho's homesteaders. He was also a soldier of the Spanish-America war and at one time served as guard at the state penitentiary under Warden John Hailey. He was likewise a hailiff in the office of the United States marshal under Thomas B .. Martin, was' night watchman at the state house under Governor Alexander and finally became the chief of police of Boise. In addition to all the qualifications which he has manifested in his business and official connections he is recognized as a most excellent nurse, especially in the care of the sick in extreme cases which female nurses could not handle. When Ernest Eagleson hecame the mayor of Boise, he appointed Mr. Irwin captain of the Boise police force and three months later the latter was made its chief, proving a most capable official in that connection.

It was at Caldwell, Idaho, on the 10th of December, 1907, that Mr. Irwin was united in marriage to Mrs. Alice Harrington, of Boise, who was born in Iowa but was reared in Indiana and is a daughter of William and Clara (Stapleton) Coatney. Fraternally Mr. Irwin is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is connected with the Boise Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city,.

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the extension of its trade relations and the development of its civic standards. His service during the Spanish-American war was almost entirely at Honolulu as a member of the Engineers Corps. In every relation of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship and he is now giving to Boise excellent service in the matter of safeguarding the rights and Interests of those who hold themselves amenable to law.

DOW LORENZO SELBY.

Dow Lorenzo Selby, of the firm of Selby & Newman, dealers in real estate, insurance and in live stock, with offices at 117 North Tenth street in Boise, is a Hawkeye by birth and came to Boise about fifteen years ago from Iowa. The place of his nativity was a farm in Story county and his natal day February 27, 1866. He is a son of Charles and Hannah (Wise) Selby, both of whom have passed away. He was reared upon the home farm in Iowa, having the usual experiences of the farm-bred hoy. He acquired a high school and also a business college education and in early manhood took up the profession of teaching.

While still a resident of Iowa, Mr. Selhy was married in 1892 to Miss Mildred Passage and they have become the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters: Dorothy I., now the wife of Cartee Wood, a son of Judge Fremont Wood, of Boise; Loraine, the wife of Everett Barton, son of C. H. Barton, of Boise; John, who is a veteran of the World war, having served for about eighteen months in France; Avis, a student in the University of Idaho; Mildred, who is attending the Boise high school; and Lloyd, a pupil in the Whitney school.

Coming to Boise ahout fifteen years ago, Mr. Selby has since been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. For six years he has been associated with A. H. Newman under the firm style of Selby & Newman and has won a very large clientage, making his business a profitable one. He not only handles real estate and insurance but likewise deals in live stock. He is thoroughly familiar with property values in the city and surrounding country and has negotiated many important property transfers. He also writes a large amount of insurance annually and the livestock department of his business is also proving to him a gratifying source of profit. His home is on the bench near the Whitney school, where he owns a fine five-acre tract of land which is valuable.

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History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III, Part 11

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Hawley, James Henry, 1847-1929, ed
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 926