USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 16
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Mr. North was united in marriage to Peronne Hall Church, a native of Mankato,
GEORGE NORTH
MRS. PERONNE H. NORTH
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Minnesota. Her father, Joseph A. Church, was born in the state of New York and became one of the early pioneer residents of Minnesota hut afterward removed to the Pacific northwest and passed away in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1916. In early manhood he wedded Minerva Johnson, a native of Kentucky, who has also departed this life and who was descended from a long line of Kentucky ancestors. The great-great- grandfather of Mrs. North in the paternal line was a first lieutenant in the Revolu- tionary war and thereby she is eligible to membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution, with which organization she is now identified. Before removing to Idaho her father was engaged in merchandising at Evanston, Wyoming. The two brothers of Mrs. North are: D. W. Church, the former president of the Bannock Bank of Pocatello and now commissioner of insurance of the state; and H. J. Church, who is employed in the shops of the Oregon Short Line at Pocatello. To Mr. and Mrs. North were born but the two sons, Carlyle and Gordon, who are already mentioned and who conduct the business left by their father. Mrs. North also possesses splendid
business ability and established and owns a controlling interest in the Oriole Candy Company of Pocatello. She is devoted to the welfare of her home and sons and her chief interest centers at her own fireside. However, she is a recognized leader in the social circles of the city and is a prominent member of the Study Club and the Civic Club and served as a member of the canteen committee during the World war. Her splendid qualities make for social leadership, for she possesses executive ability, kindli- ness and that ready tact which enables her to understand and adapt herself to any cir- cumstances, combined with a musical talent that insures her a welcome wherever she goes.
Death entered the North household in 1918, when the husband and father was called to his final rest. He had a very wide acquaintance throughout the state and was honored and respected by all who knew him. Whatever Mr. North undertook he carried forward to successful completion, for he recognized that when one avenue of opportunity seemed closed, he could carve out other paths wherehy to reach the desired goal. Moreover, his life measured up at all times to the highest standards of integrity and honor in business, and on the occasion of his death, every mark of respect possible was shown to him, including the closing of all the stores in Pocatello during the hour of the funeral services. Arriving in Pocatello in 1888, there was perhaps no man who did as much for the upbuilding and development of the town. He stood at all times for progress in public affairs and his cooperation could always be secured in behalf of any plan or project that looked to the improvement of the city, and on many occasions he was the prime mover and factor in advancing inter- ests of public worth.
L. F. COOK.
L. F. Cook, deceased, was a pioneer settler of Idaho, becoming a resident of Owyhee county in 1869, while in 1879 he took up his abode upon the farm in Canyon county that is still in possession of his family. Throughout all of the intervening years to the time of his death he was closely associated with the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and was ever a most patriotic citizen.
He was born in Greene county, Illinois, September 16, 1834, and in his early youth went to Texas, where he was reared. He was one of the first to volunteer for service in the Confederate army after the outbreak of the Civil war and in 1862 he was made a second lieutenant, while in 1864 he was promoted to the rank of captain. Although he fought against the Union at that time, he became a stanch and patriotic American and would have gone to France in defense of world democracy in the great war had not his age proved a barrier to his enlist- ment.
Following the close of the Civil war, Mr. Cook returned to his farm in Texas. He was married on the 18th of April, 1866, to Miss Ellen Mcintyre, a native of Ohio, and in the following year they started across the plains with mule teams, driving from Texas to Owyhee county, Idaho, and afterward to Ada county, where Mr. Cook engaged in farming. In 1879 he sold his property there and removed to the present family home in Canyon county, which district, however, was at that time still a part of Ada county. The farm originally comprised three hun-
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dred and twenty acres of land, but Mr. Cook afterward sold all but eighty acres. He was largely interested in stock raising and most carefully and successfully directed his efforts along that line. He annually handled a large amount of stock and the enterprise which he displayed and the sound judgment which characterized his business affairs brought to him a measure of success that enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He also became one of the organizers and stockholders of the Franklin Ditch Company. In the early days he and his family had many narrow escapes from the Indians and several times were compelled to take refuge in Boise and at Silver City to escape being massa- cred. They passed through all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and lived to see notable changes. Mr. Cook contributed in substantial measure to the work of transformation as this district was reclaimed for the uses of civilization.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born ten children: Walter S., now fifty-one years of age, living at Silver City; George T., deceased; Ira C., forty-eight years of age, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Anna Hunt, residing in Vancouver, Washington; C. M., forty-two years of age, living at Silver City; Birdie M., a twin sister of C. M .; Mrs. Cora Fuller, a resident of Caldwell; Mrs. Margaret Fluke, of Red Lodge, Montana, who had a twin sister that died at the age of three years; and Mrs. Grace Sterling, of Big Arm, Montana. Birdie M. is a gradu- ate of the Caldwell high school and of the Lewiston Normal and taught school for nearly fifteen years at Emmett and Caldwell. She is the vice president of the Good Cheer Club, in conjunction with which much Red Cross work was done during the period of the World war. She is also active in church work and is a member of the Rehekah Lodge at Caldwell.
The death of the husband and father occurred January 12, 1919, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret because he had long occupied an en- viable position in the community as a progressive farmer and representative busi- ness man and a loyal and valued citizen. He donated the land on which was built the old Marble Front school, in the Marble Front district, and served on the school board for many years. He lost no opportunity to assist in advancing the welfare of his community, in promoting its civic betterment and contributing to its prog- ress. Mrs. Cook is one of the well known pioneer women of this section of the state, having for a half century lived in Idaho, so that she has witnessed its emer- gence from pioneer conditions and its advancement to one of the most progres- sive and prosperous states of the northwest.
G. D. SHAKE.
Thirty years have come and gone since G. D. Shake, now deceased, became a resident of Payette county, and through the years in which he lived in this section he developed an excellent farm property, on which his family still resides. He was born at Glen Spey, Sullivan county, New York, August 22, 1863, his parents being George and Katherine Shake, who were also natives of the Empire state. The son was educated in the common schools of New York and learned the carpenter's trade but by chance became a farmer. In the latter '70s he went to Minnesota, settling at Faribault, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and while there residing he married Miss Kittie Covert, a native of that place and a daughter of Joseph and Frances (Ogden) Covert. Her father was a native of Glen Spey, New York, while her mother's birth occurred at Jersey City, New Jersey. Mrs. Shake is a graduate of the high school of Faribault, Minnesota, and is a lady of culture and refinement.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shake were identified with farming interests in Minnesota for ten years and in 1890 removed westward to Idaho, set- tling at Payette, where Mr. Shake worked at carpentering for five years. He then purchased an interest in the Payette flour mills, of which he became the manager, but in 1908 sold the business and purchased a farm of forty acres in the Fruitland district, eight miles south of Payette. Upon this property his widow still resides. The land was in alfalfa when he purchased it, but eleven acres has since been planted to apples, which yielded their first commercial crop in 1919, producing over two thousand boxes. They are raising Jonathan, Roman Beauty and Delicious ap-
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ples and their orchard is now in excellent condition, being cared for in the most scientific manner.
Since the death of Mr. Shake on the 1st of April, 1917, his widow and son Rodney have conducted the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Shake were the parents of seven children. Homer H., twenty-nine years of age, married Ada Chaboya, a native of California, and they now reside at Fresno, that state. Homer H. was educated at Corvallis, Oregon, and is an electrical engineer. Harold R., twenty-six years of age, married Fern Calvert, a native of Kansas, and they have one child, Donna Marie. Harold R. was educated at Corvallis, Oregon, and is a pharmacist in Rezac's store at Payette. Rodney H., twenty-four years of age, is the active assistant of his mother in the development and conduct of the home farm. Helen Frances is teach- ing school at Payette and both she and Rodney were educated at Corvallis, Oregon. Dorothy M. is teaching school at Caldwell, Idaho. Lola J. is a junior in the Fruit- land high school. Irene Alice, nine years of age, is a pupil in the fourth grade of the Fruitland school.
The family is one held in high esteem throughout this section of the state. Mr. Shake was a representative and progressive business man whose labors enabled him to leave a good property to his family. In all relations of life he commanded the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen and enjoyed in large measure their friendship and warm regard.
C. T. MEECHAN.
C. T. Meechan, engaged in farming near New Plymouth, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 30, 1851, a son of Thomas and Catherine (McVey) Meechan, who were also natives of the Emerald isle. C. T. Meechan arrived in America on the 4th of March, 1863, with his mother and one brother, the family home being established in New York, where he attended school. After three years a removal was made to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where the family entered the lumber business as producers, but after nine years the widespread financial panic put them out of business. Farming was then followed through the succeeding four years, after which they removed to Omaha, Nebraska, and C. T. Meechan became foreman of the smelting works there, while his brother, Frank Meechan, was also connected with the same business. They were employed by Jack Crook, who at one time was a candidate for governor of Idaho.
After four years spent as foreman of the smelter C. T. Meechan homesteaded in Greeley county, Nebraska, securing one hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed until he came to. Idaho in 1902. He then took up his abode at Washoe, in Payette county, where he followed farming for four years, and later he worked for Dan Ruby as foreman of a grading gang, spending a year and a half in that connection near Caldwell. He afterward purchased his present place of twenty acres near New Plymouth and here carries on general farming and also raises some stock. He has a most attractive home and everything about the place is indicative of his pro- gressive spirit.
In 1875 Mr. Meechan was married to Miss Sarah Ann Crosby, of Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of thirteen children: Catherine, who is the wife of John Bagley and the mother of two children, Florence and Catherine, who are with their parents at Tacoma, Washington; Thomas, who is married and has two children, Thomas and Annie, and who is filling the position of foreman with Ar- mour & Company at Omaha, Nebraska; May, who is the wife of Frank Driscoll and the mother of five children-John, Cecil, Vincent, Catherine and Anna, their home being at New Plymouth; Helen, who is the wife of Ellis Snow and has four chil- dren-Nettie, Florence, Byron and Edward; James, who was employed in the ship- yards at Portland, Oregon, during the period of the World war; Frank, who was an instructor in the steel works in the service of the government and is still in the service at Newark, New Jersey; Charles, who worked in the shipyards at Seattle during the war; Emmett, who was a member of the Twentieth Engineer Corps and was on active overseas duty in France; Robert, who was a meat inspector in France and is still in the service; Louis, who was at Fort Stephens for two and a half years; Veronica, the wife of John Walker, of Tacoma, Washington; Viola, a teacher at New Plymouth; and Loy, who was but three days in the service when
1
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the armistice was signed. Seven of the sons were thus in the service-a most cred- itable military record.
Mr. Meechan is truly a self-made man. Having lost his father when but six years of age, he has been dependent upon his own resources from early youth and by reason of his unflagging industry and perseverance he has won substantial suc- cess. He possesses a jovial temperament and genial disposition and wins friends wherever he goes.
ADAM SAUER.
Adam Sauer was actively identified with farming interests and later with the real estate business, in which he continued to the time of his death. Idaho Falls numbered him among her progressive and representative citizens. He was born in Hessen, Ger- many, July 2, 1865, of the marriage of John and Catherine (Knapp) Sauer, who were also natives of that country. The father died in Germany in 1870 and the mother afterward married again and in 1883 came to America, settling in Utah. Later a removal was made to Idaho and her remaining days were spent in Bonneville county, where she passed away in 1894.
When Adam Sauer was but two years of age he fell from a window, which left him a cripple for life. He acquired the greater part of his education in Germany and In 1883 came to America with his mother, after which he was employed as a bookkeeper. He afterward engaged in the real estate business in Idaho Falls and was thus active throughout his remaining days. He also purchased and homesteaded land and carried on farming for a long period before actively entering the real estate field. Utilizing every opportunity for judicious investment, he became the owner of two thousand acres of Idaho land. At one time he was a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank. He was also secretary of three canal companies while upon the farm and he established the Coltman postoffice and for nine years acted as postmaster while living on the farm.
On the 20th of April, 1896, Mr. Sauer was married to Miss Viola Hall, a daughter of William and Ruth (Oyler) Hall, who are natives of Virginia, and there, on the banks of the Potomac river, Mrs. Sauer was born on the 17th of February, 1873. Her father was a farmer and coal miner of Virginia and Oklahoma. In 1902 he came to Idaho, settling at Idaho Falls, and engaged in farming for several years but is now living retired, making his home in the city. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Sauer became the parents of nine children: Irvin A., Hazel C., Florence V., Sanford W., Edna J. and Lucy, aged respectively nineteen, seventeen, fourteen, twelve, ten and seven years; Bessie, who died June 20, 1904, at the age of seven years; Hilda, who was born October 20, 1903, and died on the 18th of August, 1904; and Ruth, who was born in June, 1906, and died on the 27th of July following.
In politics Mr. Sauer was a republican and for twenty years filled the office of justice of the peace, acting in that capacity while upon the farm and also after taking up his residence in the city. He was likewise a member of the city council and served on the school board. His religious faith was that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he was on the financial committee at the time of the building of the auditorium in Idaho Falls. For ten years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school and at the time of his death was secretary of the Quorum of Seventy. Not being able to do missionary work himself, he furnished the means for someone else to engage in missionary labors. He at all times stood for those things which he believed to be true and right, and his life was guided by high principles.
C. H. LANFEAR.
Over a broad roadway shaded by beautiful trees which interlace overhead one reaches the home of C. H. Lanfear, a valuable tract of land of twenty acres pleas- antly and conveniently situated six miles south of Payette. The place is devoted to the raising of alfalfa and fruit and is a splendidly developed property, supplied with all modern improvements. The fine appearance of the place is indicative of the care and enterprise of the owner, who was born in Oneida county, New York, Sep- tember 4, 1854, a son of William J. and Solanna Jane (Carr) Lanfear. The
ADAM SAUER
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father was a native of New York and in 1857 removed to Illinois; there he followed farming until his demise in 1877.
C. H. Lanfear acquired his education in the common schools of Illinois and then went to Nebraska, where he carried on farming until 1902. In that year he sold his property and made his way to the Payette valley, where he turned his attention to fruit raising. He originally owned forty acres of land across the road from his present place, but ultimately sold that property and purchased his present farm of twenty acres. He has seventeen acres of this planted to apples and his orchard in 1919 produced about two hundred tons. Upon the farm is an attractive little residence and fine outhuildings and there is every modern facility for caring for the fruit and protecting and cultivating his trees. He raises alfalfa between the trees in his orchard, thus making the land yield a double crop.
On the 25th of December, 1888, Mr. Lanfear was married to Miss Elnora Acker- man, of New York, a sister of W. P. Ackerman, of New Plymouth, Idaho. They are the parents of three children. William F., twenty-nine years of age, married Aphie Shamberger, a native of Missouri, and their family now numbers four chil- dren: Charles E., Louis A., Helen L. and Forest V. Grace is the wife of Lee Ader and the mother of two children. Hazel is at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lanfear are widely and favorably known in this locality and his life record illus- trates what may he accomplished through a spirit of enterprise supplementing un- faltering diligence and industry.
SPENCER V. RAYMOND.
Spencer V. Raymond, a retired farmer living at Rexburg, was born at Luke Fork, Wyoming, while his parents were crossing the plains on their way to Utah, his natal day being July 12, 1852. His parents were William W. and Almira (Cut- ler) Raymond, natives of New York. The father was a farmer hy occupation and drove across the plains from New York to Utah in 1852. On the night on which Spencer V. Raymond was born the Indians stole all the horses from the party and they had to harness their cows to the wagons in order to complete the journey. They settled at Lehi, Utah, where the father took up land, which he cultivated and developed, and after living in that locality for some time he removed to Plain City, Utah, where he again engaged in farming, spending his remaining days there. He was the president of a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a number of years and was a most devout and consistent churchman. He died in 1882, while his wife passed away in 1900.
Spencer V. Raymond spent his youthful days in Plain City and there acquired his education. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and then took up a homestead in Plain City, or rather preempted land, which he continued to till until 1879. In that year he removed to Menan, Jefferson county, Idaho, where he entered a homestead claim and at once bent every energy to the develop- ment and improvement of the property. He remained thereon for fifteen years and then sold his farm, purchasing another tract of land. His attention was given to general agricultural pursuits until 1913, when he removed to Rexburg, where he has since carried on dairying. While upon his farm he made a specialty of handling pure bred Jersey cattle. During the period of his residence at Menan he conducted a store and butcher shop for a time, and he is now the owner of cattle and farming interests at Blackfoot, Idaho. His husiness affairs have been wisely and carefully managed. His diligence and industry have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path, which indeed have seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.
On the 23d of December, 1873, Mr. Raymond was married to Miss Mary A. Ells- worth, a daughter of Edmund and Mary A. (Dudley) Ellsworth, who were natives of New York and New Hampshire respectively. The mother drove an ox team across the plains when but twelve years of age. She died December 14, 1916. The parents are mentioned more at length in connection with the sketch of Edmund Ellsworth on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond became the parents of thir- teen children, hut only one is now living, Vanness S., who is a physician practicing at Pocatello, Idaho, and residing at Blackfoot. He is married and has eight chil-
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dren. Aside from Dr. Raymond, the other children of the family all died when but two or three weeks old.
Mr. Raymond and family belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he is a high priest. At Menan he served as bishop's counselor for thirteen years, and he has also been Sunday school teacher and ward teacher. His political endorsement is, given to the republican party, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he has never sought nor desired office. He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business interests and for a long period was a successful farmer and stock raiser but is now con- centrating his energies upon dairying and is meeting with good success in this connection.
CHARLES ROBERTSON.
Charles Robertson, who has contributed in substantial measure to the hortl- cultural and agricultural development of Canyon county and now makes his home in the vicinity of Caldwell, where he owns a valuable property, was born in Louisa county, Iowa, October 28, 1844. He there attended the public schools to the age of fourteen years, after which he assisted his father in the work of the home farm for two years, when he joined the Seventh New Jersey Infantry and served through- out the Civil war, being a lad of but sixteen at the time of his enlistment. He participated in various campaigns, marches and battles and proved his loyalty to the cause wherever he was found. After the war he went to California, where he remained for a short time and then removed to the Boise valley of Idaho. For a year he engaged in prospecting and then devoted two years to farming. He after- ward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for ten years in the Boise valley and at Silver City, at the end of which time he once more resumed agricul- tural pursuits and through the intervening period has owned several fine ranches besides one on which he resides. The farm adjoining his home he owned for twenty years and it is now the property of his son. For some years Mr. Robertson engaged in raising fruit and has done his full share to develop the fruit industry of the state. He has grown and pulled up three orchards and the land is now seeded to grain. He has recently disposed of ten acres across the road from his home for two hundred dollars per acre, a fact indicative of the increased value of property in this section of the state.
In 1867 he prospected all through the Salmon River country and over its ninety miles of Malad lava beds, and in that distance he and his partner killed one hundred and fifteen rattlesnakes. They were on their way to Leesburg, a mining camp which had just been located, but when they arrived they found that the camp was not proving remunerative. On the return trip they took a short cut in order to avoid the snake infested country and undertook to cross the Thousand Spring valley by a trail which was recommended to them. They found so many game trails, however, that they were unable to tell one from the other and wandered about in a fruitless attempt to gain the right path. For three days they had been without food when finally they struck the old emigrant road and met some parties who divided their supply of food with them and would accept no pay for it. Mr. Robertson and his companions then made their way to Boise without further trouble, and through the intervening period to the present Mr. Robertson has de- voted his attention to general farming and fruit raising and has met with a sub- stantial measure of success.
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