USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 15
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EUGENE M. MILLER.
Eugene M. Miller is the president of the Miller & Gayle Company, Ltd., doing busi- ness at Dubois, Idaho, and at Lakeview, Montana, as general merchants. He occupies a most enviable position in commercial circles. It is true that he entered upon a business already established but in enlarging and controlling this, many a young man of less resolute spirit and of more limited business capacity would have failed. He took up the work with a sense of sureness that comes from well developed powers. His close application and indefatigable energy are manifest in the continued progress of the busi. ness, which is one of very substantial proportions.
Mr. Miller was born in Leesburg, Indiana, March 10, 1890, and is a son of David and Millie (Kaufman) Miller, the former a native of Lachute, Canada, and the latter of Utah. The father acquired his education in the schools of Utah and In 1882 removed to Idaho, settling on Birch creek, in Bingham county. He filed on land there and he and his brother Thomas were the first settlers in that locality. There he engaged in ranching until 1897, when he removed to Dubois and in connection with Mr. Pyke purchased a general merchandise store. The partners continued together until 1912, when Mr. Pyke sold hls interest in the business to Mr. Gayle and the firm name of the Miller & Gayle Company was then assumed. Mr. Miller continued in the business to the time of his death, which occurred November 5, 1914, after a year's illness. He was a very prominent and influential citizen in his part of the state, widely known and extremely popular because of his many substantial and attractive traits of character. His widow is still living and now makes her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Eugene M. Miller, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, was educated in the common schools of Dubois and in the Montana Wesleyan College at Helena, Mon- tana, and also in the Idaho Technical Institute at Pocatello. He was graduated from the Montana institution with the class of 1908 and from the Pocatello school with the class of 1911. He then entered his father's store and thoroughly learned the business, acqualnting himself with modern commercial methods and with all that has to do with the successful conduct of mercantile enterprises. Following his father's death he suc- ceeded him as president of the company. They carry an enormous stock of general mer- chandise and enjoy an extensive patronage. Their trade comes from a wide territory and in addition to their Dubois establishment they also maintain a store at Lakeview, Montana.
On the 16th of September, 1914, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Gladys Jackways and they have become the parents of two children: David C., who was born November 3, 1915; and Marjorie M., born June 5, 1917. Mr. Miller and his family occupy an enviable social position and their home is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. Politi- cally Mr. Miller is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and vital problems of the age. He stands for progress and improvement in all matters of citi- zenship and his support can always be counted upon to further any measure for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and religiously with the Episcopal church, and in these associations are indicated the rules which govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen.
THOMAS W. SMITH.
Thomas W. Smith, who recently retired from the offices of auditor and recorder and also clerk of the courts of Teton county, is by profession an attorney at law, and was engaged in practice at Driggs, but about the first of April, 1920, removed to Fairfield, Camas county, Idaho, where he is now engaged in farming and stock raising, being
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owner with P. E. and E. A. Neely of two thousand two hundred acres of farm land. His official duties were always discharged with marked promptness and fidelity.
Mr. Smith was born in Franklin county, Idaho, near Preston, July 31, 1884, and is a son of Thomas and Frances (Van Noy) Smith, who were natives of Utah. The father came to Idaho when eighteen years of age and took up land in Oneida county, now Franklin county, continuing the cultivation of the soil for some time. He later turned his attention to general merchandising at Preston, Idaho, carrying on business there until 1912, when he sold his interests and removed to Driggs, Teton county, where he conducted a general store under the firm style of T. Smith & Sons. He was actively engaged in that business until the spring of 1919 and is now concentrating his attention upon the produce business. The mother passed away in 1913. In the family were eight children, seven of whom are yet living.
Thomas W. Smith was reared at Preston, Idaho, where he pursued his early educa- tion. He also attended the Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah, and afterward entered upon the study of law at the University of Chicago and completed his law course in the George Washington University at Washington, D. C., being there graduated with the class of 1912. Returning to the west, he entered upon the practice of law in Preston, Idaho, where he remained until the fall of 1912, when he removed to Driggs, where he continuously and successfully practiced until August, 1913. He was then appointed prosecuting attorney of Madison county and was elected to the office in 1914, Teton county being at that time a part of Madison county. He served for three and a half years, at the end of which time the county was divided. On the expiration of his term of office he removed to Driggs and resumed the private practice of law, in which he was engaged until November, 1918, when he was elected to his present office, becoming auditor and recorder of Teton county and also clerk of the courts. He has likewise served as city attorney of Rexburg and as city attorney of Driggs, and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His public service has covered still another line of activity, for he was secretary of the County Council of Defense during the period of the World. war. He is now government employment agent and he was one of the Four Minute men during the war and a member of the legal advisory board of Teton county. As secretary of the County Council of Defense he became connected with every project for the furtherance of national and military in- terests and was an active factor in all the Liberty Loan campaigns. He has always voted with the republican party and his endorsement of its principles has been mani- fest in many tangible ways.
On the Ist of November, 1916, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Neeley and they have become the parents of a sou, Thomas W. Jr., who was born August 4. 1917. In religious faith Mr. Smith is connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has held various offices in the church. He is a broadminded man, keenly interested in vital questions and problems that affect the individual and the com- munity at large, and his aid and influence are always on the side of progress and improvement.
P. A. LUNDBLAD.
P. A. Lundblad is now living retired at Idaho Falls but for many years was actively connected with agricultural and industrial interests and by reason of his close application and enterprise in business won the success that now enables him to rest from further labors. Mr. Lundblad is a native of Sweden. He was born August 13, 1849, of the marriage of John and Stena (Pearson) Lundblad, who were also natives of that country. The father engaged in the manufacture of flour in Sweden throughout his entire life and passed away in 1873, while the mother died in 1898.
P. A. Lundblad was reared and educated in Sweden and there learned the miller's trade of his father. He also learned the carpenter's trade and followed it until 1881, wlien he came to America, making his way to Iowa, where he engaged in carpentering. He afterward removed to Nebraska, where he worked at his trade, but later he took up a homestead, which he owned and cultivated until 1895. In that year he arrived in Bonneville county, Idaho, and purchased land. He also took up a desert claim, which he developed and improved, continuing its cultivation until 1915, when he retired from active business life and established his home in Idaho Falls, where he erected a fine modern brick residence. This he has since occupied, and his attention is now given
P. A. LUNDBLAD
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merely to the supervision of his invested interests. His diligence, energy and enter- prise in former years brought to him a substantial measure of success that now classes him with the men of affluence in his part of the state.
In March, 1872, Mr. Lundblad was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Larson and they became the parents of eight children, six of whom have died, while those living are: Hilda, now the wife of Carl W. Peterson, a farmer of Bonneville county; and Arthur W., who is farming his father's land. The wife and mother passed away No- vember 12, 1917, after an illness of two years.
Mr. Lundblad is a member of the Mission church, a branch of the Lutheran church, and is one of its deacons. His political support is given to the republican party but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He worked diligently and energetically for many years at carpentering and at farming, and in his industry is found the source of the success which now enables him to live retired and yet enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, and his record should serve to inspire and encourage others.
DAVID M. FARIS.
David M. Faris, carpenter contractor and farmer, formerly of Boise, where he lived for fourteen years, and since 1915 residing on his ranch on the Boise bench about one mile north of the County Hospital, has thus for a period of almost two decades been closely associated with the industrial and agricultural interests of Ada county. He was born in Iowa, January 23, 1865, and is a son of Samuel and Frances (Montgomery) Faris. He was reared upon an Iowa farm and in his youth began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, who was active in that field of labor. David M. Faris continued to work at the trade for several years in Iowa and Nebraska and in 1901 came to Idaho, taking up his abode in Boise, where he continued to engage in carpentering and contracting for fourteen years. While thus engaged he employed from fifteen to twenty men and built many of the substantial structures in Boise. In recent years, however, he has given his attention mainly to his ranch, which is pleasantly and conveniently situated on the Boise bench, not far from the city. He also rents adjoining ranches In the vicinity and is specializing in the production of red clover.
On the 10th of November, 1903, in Boise, Mr. Faris was married to Miss Dora Cox, who was born in Troy, Kansas, November 1, 1878, and is a daughter of Isom and Emily (Edwards) Cox, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Faris came to Boise in 1901 and it was in the capital city that they became acquainted and were married.
Mr. Faris belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife is connected with the ladies' auxiliary, the Daughters of Rebekah. He is a Modern Woodman and both are connected with the American Yeomen. Their political support is given to the republi- can party and both are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Faris has been frequently solicited to become a candidate for public office but has always refused, pre- ferring to concentrate his time and efforts upon his business affairs, and his diligence, determination and energy have constituted the foundation upon which he has built his present prosperity.
JOHN E. PAUL.
John E. Paul, filling the position of postmaster at Dubois, has here made his home since 1914 but has been a resident of the northwest since 1890, at which time he took up his abode in Oregon. He is, however, a native of Virgil City, Missouri, born December 23, 1870. Hls parents, Valentine and Adeline (Boggs) Paul, were natives of Wisconsin and Missouri respectively. The father became a farmer of Missouri and there carried on agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he removed to Oklahoma, where he took up land, which he improved and cultivated for several years. He then retired from active busi- ness and afterward resided in Geary, Oklahoma, throughout his remaining days, passing away on the 16th of October, 1915. His widow survived him for two years, her death occurring November 3, 1917.
John E. Paul, after attending the public schools of Virgil City, Missouri, pursued a business course at Sedalia, that state, and then accepted a position as stenographer Vol. III-9
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in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was employed until 1890. Believing that the west furnished better opportunities, he made his way to Oregon and became a time-keeper on the Oregon Railway & Navigation Railroad, with which he continued until 1900. He then turned his attention to merchandising at Huntington, Oregon, and successfully conducted his store at that point until 1914, when he removed to Dubois, where he and a brother purchased a threshing machine, which they operated for two seasons. On the 20th of May, 1918, he was appointed postmaster of Dubois and has since occupied that position, giving general satisfaction by the prompt and careful handling of the mails and his courteous treatment of the patrons of the office. He has made judicious invest- ments in property and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of ranch land about five miles from Dubois. He filed on eighty acres, constituting a grazing tract, so that he has altogether four hundred acres of land. He personally farms this place and makes his home thereon through the summer months.
Mr. Paul has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, and the nature of the rules which govern his conduct is further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Christian church. He has a wide acquaintance in Clark county and those who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard. There have been no unusual, no exciting and no esoteric phases in his life's history. He has pursued the even tenor of his way, making the most of his opportunities, using his time to good advantage, and has therefore gained the confi- dence and goodwill of his fellow citizens.
S. CLYDE IDOL.
S. Clyde Idol is editor and manager of the Clark County Enterprise-Banner and is widely known throughout this section of the state. He was born in Grayson county, Virginia, October 25, 1879, and is a son of Daniel C. and Nancy (Ross) Idol, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. The father is a newspaper publisher and is now residing in Cass county, Missouri, where he publishes the Pleasantville Local and the Belton Herald. The mother is also living. Prior to his removal to Missouri Daniel C. Idol was engaged in newspaper publication in Virginia, but made his way westward to Missouri in 1881.
S. Clyde Idol was therefore reared and educated in Missouri and in early life he learned the printer's trade under his father's direction. He has since followed that line of business and has been employed on various papers in different parts of the United States. At the time of the Spanish-American war, however, he put aside all business and personal interests to join the army and was with the Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry as a private and musician. He afterward worked on the Kansas City Star for a number of years and in 1907 came to Idaho, settling at Idaho Falls. There he worked on the Daily Post for two years and then removed to Blackfoot, where he conducted the Blackfoot Courier for two years. He afterward returned to Idaho Falls and was receiver for the Idaho Falls Daily Post until October, 1918, when he removed to Roberts, Jefferson county, and purchased the Roberts Sentinel, but he sold his interest in Roberts Sentinel January 1, 1920, to W. C. Adams.
In November, 1905, Mr. Idol was married to Miss Virginia Crumley and they now have a daughter, Virginia, who was horn July 12, 1907, in Cass county, Missouri. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles. He has made good use of his time, his talents and his opportunities as the years have passed and has gradually advanced along the line of business which he has chosen as his life work, so that he is now conducting a profitable business at Dubois.
HENRY JONES.
Henry Jones is a partner in the firm of Jones Brothers, prominent cattlemen of Hollister, Twin Falls county. The record of his career is the story of earnest thrift and endeavor and of effort intelligently guided. He was horn in Sullivan county, Missouri, September 23, 1849, and is a son of Nathaniel and Tamzy Jane ( Meadow) Jones. His boyhood days were passed in the state of his nativity to
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the age of nineteen years and in the public schools he pursued his education. He then left Missouri and made his way to Albion, Idaho, thus becoming identified with the development of the northwest. For a time he operated a freighting out- fit to Boise, Idaho basin and the Wood river country and later he rode the range. Thus he became familiar with all the phases of frontier life in this state. He afterward purchased a ranch on Rock creek and began its improvement, continuing its further cultivation until 1907, when he took up his present ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. He fully knew the arduous work that confronted him, but his powers were equal to the task and as the years have passed he has carried forward the work of development and improvement. He has fine buildings upon his land and he has altogether three ranches on Rock creek, one near Bruneau on Big flats. His holdings embrace altogether three thousand acres and he has twelve hundred head of cattle upon his place. He is likewise a prominent figure in finan- cial circles, being the president of the -State Bank of Kimberly and a stockholder in the Banks of Hollister and of Rogerson. The Jones Brothers are also the owners of the Lucky Strike mine at Stanley Basin, a gold mining property thoroughly equipped with the most modern machinery.
In 1885 Henry Jones was united in marriage to Miss Wilmoth Gray, a native of Montana and a daughter of Thomas and Susan Gray. They have become the parents of nine children: Cora, Ora, Thomas, William Perry, John, Norah, Pansy, Norris and Truman. The son John is now a member of the United States navy, doing duty near China.
Fraternally Mr. Jones is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is keenly interested in the vital questions and problems of the day but has never been an aspirant for office as his attention has always been concentrated upon his business affairs. He is a forceful and resourceful man who has worked his way steadily upward, his sound judgment enabling him to avoid all unwarranted risks, while his progressiveness has carried him steadily forward. He has displayed the keen- est intelligence in placing his investments, and today the Jones Brothers are among the oldest settlers in this part of Twin Falls county and are the largest landowners and cattlemen. What they have undertaken they have accomplished. When one avenue of opportunity has seemed closed they have carried out their plans along other lines, thus reaching the desired goal. Taking advantage of opportunities and realizing the value of existing conditions, they have progressed step by step until they have long since outdistanced many who started out ahead of them in a financial way and are today among the most prominent business men of their sec- tion of the state.
PROSPER AVELINE.
Prosper Aveline, one of the pioneer citizens of Boise, who formerly was engaged in the fuel business for many years but who since 1898 has devoted his attention mainly to various realty investments in Boise and vicinity, came to the capital in 1881 from Leadville, Colorado. He had, however, resided in the latter place for but three years, removing to Colorado from the province of Quebec, Canada. He is a French Canadian by birth, having been horn near Montreal, Canada, January 15, 1862. His parents were Joseph and Angeline (Dumolin) Aveline, also natives of Quebec, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and passed away ten years ago, while the mother's death occurred about twelve years ago. Both came of French Canadian families, which have been represented in Canada for several generations.
Prosper Aveline was reared upon his father's farm in Quebec and was educated in the schools of that locality. When eighteen years of age he left home and made his way to Leadville, Colorado, being attracted to that district during the mining excitement then prevalent. He was then a "strapping big youth of eighteen years, weighing one hundred and eighty-five pounds" and he could not speak a word of the English language, for French had always been the tongue used in his house- hold and among his neighbors. When fifteen years of age he began working on a farm at a wage of forty dollars per year. The next year he was paid forty-five dollars and the third year received fifty dollars. During his last year in Canada
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he was paid seventy-eight dollars for his farm labor. After spending two years in Leadville, Colorado, where he received a wage of two dollars per day, Mr. Aveline came to Boise in 1881, for glowing reports had reached him concerning the good returns to be made here in connection with the wood and timber industry. He was accompanied on his trip from Canada to Leadville and from Leadville to Boise by his elder brother, Gregoire Aveline, who is yet living in Boise, where he
is now in the employ of the Boise-Payette Lumber Company.
Still later another
brother, Eugene Aveline, came to this city from Canada and is still here. The Aveline brothers for many years were prominent in connection with the wood, timber and fuel business in and near Boise. All three were expert axemen and woodsmen and the two brothers of Prosper Aveline are still identified with the lumber and timber business, both connected with the Boise-Payette Lumber Com- pany. Prosper Aveline, however, has since 1898 devoted his attention to the con- duct of a realty business, caring for his own investments along that line. He has made judicious purchases and profitable sales and has greatly increased his financial resources thereby.
On the 6th of January, 1890, in Boise, Mr. Aveline was married to Miss Matilda Jane Lusk, then a resident of this city but a native of Missouri. They have two children: Thoana M., the wife of Otto M. Jones, the well known sports- man and writer, who is now game warden of Idaho; and Dhona P., nineteen years of age, who is in the United States navy, serving in the Philippines at the pres- ent time.
In his political views Mr. Aveline is a republican but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. The only time that he was ever a candidate for political office was when in 1919 he was elected a member of the city council, in which position he is now serving, exercising his official prerogatives in support of all plans and measures which he believes will prove of public benefit. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His business record has been marked by steady progress owing to his close application, bis industry and his fidelity to all the interests which he has represented. His popularity and the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow townsmen is attested by the fact that in the election to his present office he received the second highest number of votes cast for any of the aldermanic candidates.
GEORGE NORTH.
George North was for many years a most prominent, valued and honored resident of Pocatello. It was he who erected the first brick building in Pocatello, the location being on West Center street, and for a long period he conducted a clothing business, which since his demise has been carried on by his sons. His business operations also extended to various other localities. In 1889 he opened a clothing store at Sho- shone, Idaho, where at that time the railroad roundhouse was located. When the nar- row gauge was built into Pocatello and the shops were moved there, Mr. North removed his stock to that city, opening his store on South First avenue, where he remained for nearly three years. His next location was at the corner of Main and Center streets and there he became associated with Dan Church, another pioneer. They conducted the store at that place for about three years and in the meantime Mr. North became interested in the sheep business with Messrs. Valentine and Douglas. Finally, how- ever, he sold his interests in sheep and also his store and erected what was probably the first building on Main street, again opening a clothing store which he carried on at that point until 1915, when he built the present home of the House of North on the site of his former residence. His business judgment was manifest in each move that he made, for his trade steadily increased, and wherever he located, other build- ings immediately sprang up around him. He had the pioneer instinct that caused him continually to seek out new localities. He was a most enterprising and progressive business man whose sound judgment was manifest in the careful and successful con- duct of his interests. He left a large amount of property, including the Carlyle Hotel, which was thus named for the son who conducts it. He was also the owner of the Gordon Apartments, named for his other son, this being one of the most modern buildings of the city.
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