USA > Idaho > History of Idaho, the gem of the mountains, Volume III > Part 93
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Politically Dr. Fisher is and always has been an ardent democrat. His father was prominent for thirty years in Idaho politics. His brother George H. Fisher has been a member of both houses of the Idaho legislature from Bannock county; chair- man of Idaho State Asylum board, and chairman of Idaho Industrial Accident Board, and at present is a member of the last named body. This brother is considered one of the most eloquent public speakers in the state. In the fall of 1916. Dr. Fisher was chairman of the democratic central committee of Jefferson county (a democratic year) and has also been a member of the democratic state central committee.
Dr. Fisher is an adherent member of the Latter-day Saint church. He has served in various capacities for his church and takes an active part especially in its Sunday schools. He has always been interested in promoting education about him and build- ing up his home, city and surrounding territory. To this end he has spent much of his time in public speaking, making various patriotic addresses over this section of the country; addresses before the schools and churches, on behalf of civic bodies of Rigby, etc. He has been especially interested in helping the young people to secure a better education and develop a deeper love and regard for American ideals and institutions.
The Doctor is a great lover of "God's great out of doors." Much of each summer he spends in southeastern Idaho's, western Montana's and northwestern Wyoming's won- drous wilds, being an ardent devotee of rod, gun and camera. He has found life very interesting and is very happy in his home with his good wife and two darling youngsters. To this spot his friends are ever welcome, and he hopes that no one in need will ever knock at his door in vain.
FRANKLIN BRENAMAN SMITH.
Franklin Brenaman Smith, who is identified with ranching and makes his home at Boise, is the eldest son and the namesake of Franklin Brenaman Smith, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the Boise valley and who passed away in 1894, when his son Franklin was but three years of age. Franklin Brenaman Smith, Sr., was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1837, and became prominently iden- tified with the northwest. He was one of the organizers of the Boise City Canal Company, of which his son and namesake is now vice president. He was also one of the first school teachers in the Boise valley, having taught in a building which formerly stood on the present site of the Carnegie library. He was descended from Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and inherited their traits of frugality and enterprise. In fact he possessed many admirable characteristics and his life commanded the re- spect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a charter member of the Methodist church of Boise and he contributed generously to all projects and movements for the benefit of the city and the advancement of the interests of its early residents. In 1888 he wedded Martha A. Neff, who was born in Salt Lake City, August 8, 1858. She sur- vives and makes her home with her son Franklin. They occupy a fine modern bunga- low which now stands on a part of the old Smith homestead, consisting of several hundred acres of land which the father acquired and left to his family.
It was upon this homestead that Franklin Brenaman Smith of this review was born on the 15th of February, 1891. A part of the father's estate is now within the city limits of Boise and thus his home is in the capital. Upon the death of the father the family removed to Salt Lake, leasing their property here, and Franklin B. Smith was educated in the Latter-day Saints high school of Salt Lake City, being graduated
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therefrom with the class of 1911. From June 23, 1911, to March 12, 1915, he spent as a missionary of the church in Belgium and in France, learning to speak the French language fluently. His travels took him through Germany, Switzerland, France, Bel- gium and Holland. Upon his return to the United States he again took up his abode in Boise and has since given his attention to the management of his father's estate, which includes several hundred acres of land of the old homestead. The further de- velopment of this property claims his entire time and attention.
Mr. Smith belongs to the Boise Chamber of Commerce and is keenly interested in the purposes of that organization to upbuild the city, to extend its trade relations and to uphold its civic standards. He was chosen secretary of the Associated Industrles of Boise in April, 1920. He also belongs to John M. Regan Post of the American Legion, for he is a veteran of the World war, having spent several months at Camp Lewis, where he was located when the armistice was signed.
On the 12th of June, 1918, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Carmen Ben- son, who was born at Preston, Idaho, and is a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer families of the southeastern section of the state. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mrs. Smith spent two years as a missionary for the church in the eastern states, with headquarters in New York. She is an accomplished musician and a lady of innate culture. The sterling worth of both Mr. and Mrs. Smith has won for them the esteem and respect of all who know them.
THOMAS W. TARR.
Thomas W. Tarr, owner of the finest herd of thoroughbred shorthorns in Idaho, is living in the Fargo district of Canyon county, where he has a valuable and highly improved farm, although the land was a tract of raw sagebrush when it came into his possession. It is today the indication of his life of well directed energy and thrift, which has brought him to a position among the leading farmers and stock raisers of the northwest. Mr. Tarr is a native of Lee county, Illinois, and a son of S. A. and Jane (Hallock) Tarr, the former a native of New Hampshire, while the latter was born in Illinois, where they were married. The father followed the occupation of farming there but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the army as a defender of the Union. He was wounded at Perryville, Ken- tucky, and then returned home but never entirely recovered from his injuries. He passed away in 1914, at the age of seventy-two years, and is still survived by his wife, who has now reached the advanced age of eighty years. She became the mother of eight children: Rolla; Frank; Ralph; Reuben and Rupert, twins; Mary; Thomas W., of this review; and Lyda.
Thomas W. Tarr acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and started upon his business career as bookkeeper in the employ of the M. Conger Company, a live stock commission firm of Chicago, with which he remained for four years. He then removed to Iowa and for eight years engaged in raising live stock. In 1908 he came to Idaho and homesteaded eighty acres where he now resides in the Fargo district of Canyon county. The land was then a raw tract covered with the native growth of sagebrush, but he has brought it to a high state of cultivation. Together with the other settlers of the district, he had to wait three years for water for irrigation purposes, but when the irrigation project was put through he successfully undertook the work of general farming and believes this to be one of the best corn districts in the entire United States. He also has the finest herd of thoroughbred shorthorns in Idaho, con- sisting now of fifty head, and he was one of the big exhibitors at the State Fair, where he won eleven premiums. He brought a carload of shorthorns from Iowa which averaged eleven hundred dollars per head, all cows and heifers. He is perhaps the most ambitious stock raiser in the state and he has studied the question from the scien-
tific standpoint as well as from practical experience. The education of his children ' and the raising of shorthorn cattle are his two chief interests in life. He occupies an advanced position in connection with the cattle raising industry, but his example will in time doubtless be followed by others to their advantage. He is the owner of a pure white heifer, sixteen months old, which cost him twenty-one hundred dollars. She is from an imported heifer and bull and at present weighs about fourteen hundred pounds. He also has a two-year-old bull which weighs two thousand pounds, for which
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MR. AND MRS. THOMAS W. TARR
MISS MAE B. MERCER
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he paid fifteen hundred dollars and for which he has been offered three thousand dollars. His shorthorns are all registered stock. His highest priced cow was imported from Scotland and was purchased at a cost of twenty-nine hundred dollars. Not only is his herd of shorthorns the finest in Idaho but probably the finest in all the west. He is conducting this business as senior partner in the firm of Tarr & Mercer, his asso- ciate in the undertaking being Miss Mae B. Mercer, the sister of his wife and the owner of eighty acres adjoining the Tarr farm. Miss Mercer taught school in the Homedale district, of which she became principal. Her land was all covered with sagebrush when she homesteaded it and she taught school in order to earn the money with which to develop the property. She is considered one of the best judges of cattle in the west and is a young woman of rare business ability and enterprise, actuated in all that she does by a most progressive spirit. She has upon her farm eight hundred prune trees, which produced an extremely large crop in the year 1919.
On the 8th of August, 1900, Mr. Tarr was united in marriage to Miss Effie Mercer, of Iowa, a daughter of James and Anna (Stewart) Mercer. Her father was a member of the Iowa legislature for two terms and the last session of the general assembly of Iowa voted a memorial in his honor. He was not only a popular citizen and progressive statesman but a good business man as well, making wise investments and carefully conducting his interests, so that at his death he left an estate that included eight hun- dred acres of the best land in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Tarr have been born three chil- dren: Lucile E., Seth P. and Grace A., all of whom are at home.
Idaho, with its limitless opportunities, has drawn many progressive and enter- prising men to the state who have contributed in various ways to her development, and prominent among these is Thomas W. Tarr, whose progressiveness has given him leadership in the field of stock raising. Moreover, his efforts have been of a character which have contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual suc- cess and his example is at all times an inspiration to those who know aught of his career.
CHRIS MELTVEDT.
Chris Meltvedt has been a resident of Idaho only since 1917 but has formed a wide acquaintance and has become well established as one of the substantial and valued citizens of the Boise bench, his home being situated near Sixth and Garden streets. He was born in Norway, June 14, 1856, a son of Knud and Ragnild (Ravnaas) Melt- veldt. The father was born in Norway in 1828 and there spent his early life. The mother was born in 1829 and they were married in their native country in 1853. At- tracted by the opportunities of the new world, Knud Meltvedt came to the United States with his family in 1866 and made his way westward to Marshall county, Iowa, where he established his home and engaged in farming. For twenty years he resided in that locality and was, as the result of his thrift, economy and industry, enabled to purchase a tract of land. At that time he removed from Marshall county to O'Brien county, where he made investment in six hundred and -forty acres a mile east of Paullina. With characteristic industry he began developing the property. Not a fur- row had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but soon the land was plowed and planted, comfortable buildings were erected and all necessary im- provements made. Upon that farm Mr. Meltvedt spent his remaining days, passing away January 1, 1914, when well along in the eighties. His wife survived until Sep- tember 24, 1917, and, like her husband, had reached an advanced age, being eighty- eight years at the time of her demise. They had been married more than sixty years. Their son Chris now has in his possession a most interesting picture of his mother taken by her spinning wheel on the eighty-eighth anniversary of her birth. They were the parents of six children, of whom the following are living: Chris, who is the only one in Idaho; Martha, now the wife of Lars Stangland; Andrew; Inger, the wife of Ole Medhus; and Anna, the wife of Archibald Henderson. With the exception of Chris Meltvedt all reside in O'Brien county, Iowa.
Chris Meltvedt was a youth of about ten years when he accompanied his parents to the new world and he assisted in the work of the farm in Iowa and accompanied his parents on their removals till he reached the age of twenty-eight years. At that time he began farming for himself in Marshall county, Iowa, and not long afterward he removed to Paullina, O'Brien county, where he entered into partnership with Theodore
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Wiechner in the ownership and conduct of a general store. He was there actively en- gaged in general merchandising for seventeen years, establishing a substantial trade which won for him a gratifying annual income. He remained in the business until 1913, when he retired from active life and returned to the homestead of his father east of Paullina, owning one hundred and sixty acres of that property.
Mr. Meltvedt had been making visits to the Boise valley since 1909, coming once a year to look after large real estate and orchard interests which he had acquired near Parma, in Canyon county. He had become one of the principal owners of a two hun- dred and fifty acre orchard ranch near Parma and is still owner of a fourth interest in that tract, which, however, has since been converted into an alfalfa ranch. It was in the spring of 1917 that he came to Idaho to reside permanently. and after living for two years near Parma he removed to his present home near Boise on the bench. Here he has an attractive home near Sixth and Garden streets and is giving his attention to the further development and improvement of the property.
In 1884 Mr. Meltvedt was united in marriage to Miss Susan Jacobson, who was born in Norway in 1867. They became the parents of seven children: Vida, who is now the wife of Lewis Tjossen, of Boise; Silas, living at Sioux City, Iowa; Clair, a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Madeline, a professional nurse who was recently graduated from a Chicago hospital; Christopher, twenty'years of age, who is at home; and Kernel and Etta, hoth of whom have passed away. Kernel was married and died at Pocatello, Idaho, while removing from Iowa to Parma, Idaho. Just four days later his wife passed away, both dying of influenza. Their remains were brought to Boise and in- terred on the same day in November, 1918. During the second influenza epidemic Etta Black Meltvedt, who was a nurse, died on the 22d of February, 1920. The wife and mother departed this life February 19, 1901, and on the 27th of December, 1903, Mr. Melt- vedt was married to Martha Moen, who was born in Norway, May 9, 1869, and came to the United States with her parents in 1881, the family home heing established in Mar- shall county, Iowa. The Meltvedts were splendidly represented in the American army during the World war, of which both Silas and Clair are veterans. Both saw service in France, the former with a field hospital corps and the latter serving with the rank of sergeant in the trenches, participating in the Argonne drive, in which he was severely gassed.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and Mr. Meltvedt is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a progressive republican and he stands at all times for the best interests of community, com- monwealth and country. He has filled some local offices but he prefers to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business interests, and the thrift, energy and progressiveness which he has displayed in this connection have brought to him the high measure of success which is now his.
MARQUIS RICHARDSON LOCKHART.
Marquis Richardson Lockhart, a well known lawyer of Pocatello, was born in Lex- ington, Kentucky, November 15, 1846. His father, Henry Lockhart, was a native of County Armagh, in the north of Ireland, but his parents were Scots. Henry Lockhart came to America when a young man, settling in the Mohawk valley of New York, where he remained for a short time and then removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in rais- ing horses and mules. He married Sarah Richardson, a native of Clark county, Ken- tucky, and her parents were also natives of that state.
Marquis Richardson Lockhart was educated in the State University of Kentucky and following his graduation from that institution entered the newspaper field and also took up the profession of teaching school. Later he entered upon the practice of law, but it was not until after the Civil war that he became a representative of the bar. At the age of sixteen years he joined the army, becoming a private in a Kentucky regi- ment in May, 1862, and for more than three years he was engaged in active duty, prov- ing a loyal defender of the cause which he espoused. When hls military aid was no longer needed he returned to his old home at Lexington and began teaching school, while later he studied law and entered upon practice at the Kentucky bar. In 1890 he was elected commonwealth attorney, after which he was appointed circuit judge by the governor, continuing in the office for several terms.
Mr. Lockhart's connection with Pocatello has covered a comparatively brief period.
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He arrived in this city in 1915 and it is a notable fact that within six months he was nominated for the office of prosecuting attorney and after a hotly contested fight was elected. While serving as commonwealth attorney in Kentucky he prosecuted and secured the conviction of two dentists, Walling and Jackson, for the murder of a young girl at Greencastle, Indiana. She was decapitated and the head never was found, the only clew to her identity being her shoes, which were identified by the merchant who sold them to her.
In 1870, in Covington, Kentucky, Mr. Lockhart was married to Miss Mary Wilson, a native of Fleming county, that state. They now have two daughters, Reba and Sally. The former is teaching school in Kentucky, while the latter is with her parents. They also have a son, H. W., who is a resident of Pocatello, where he is now practicing law, in partnership with his father.
Mr. Lockhart pased through all the hardships and vicissitudes of the reconstruction period in the south following the Civil war and during that time met with many thrill- ing experiences, while ofttimes these were of a sad nature. It was at this period that he was starting upon his professional career and in the field of his chosen labor he has made good. He possesses the old-time conrtsey so characteristic of the people of the south and his sterling worth and genial manner have ever commanded for him the confidence, high respect and friendship of all with whom he has been associated.
W. H. McCONNEL.
W. H. McConnel, making his home in Caldwell, was born on his father's ranch, five miles west of the city, on the 10th of October, 1876. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. His father, Benjamin C. McConnel, located on one hundred and sixty acres of raw land in Canyon county, on which he raised cattle and cut wild hay, for there was no alfalfa grown here in those days. His brothers, John and Dave McConnel, were associated with him in this work and they had between five and six hundred head of cattle. Benjamin C. and John McConnel came to Idaho in 1869, traveling by. rail to Green River, Wyoming, and by stage the remainder of the way. Dave McConnel reached Idaho in the early '60s and settled at Emmett, on the old Merve Gill place of one hundred and sixty acres, which he afterward sold and then farmed with his brother Benjamin following the latter's arrival in Idaho. Benjamin C. McConnel, after about ten years in this state, removed to the mouth of the Boise river and the brothers each then went into business independently. Benjamin C. McConnel bought the old Judson place, while Dave Mc- Connel purchased the Harry Adamson ranch. There were one hundred and sixty acres in the former tract and two hundred and forty in the latter. Upon their re- spective places the brothers farmed and engaged in stock raising, while John Mc- Connel left Idaho for Colorado, where he passed away in 1918, while his wife and daughter both died there of influenza in 1919. Dave McConnel and his wife are now living in Boise, the former having reached the age of eighty years, while his wife is but a few years younger, and yet they are enjoying a fair measure of health. Ben- jamin C. McConnel was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hall, a native of Iowa, while her father was born in Ohio. They were married in the Hawkeye state and one child, William, was there born to them, being about three months old when they started for Idaho. As the years passed other children were added to the family to the number of nine. William married Zenlo Cole and has one son, Arthur, twenty-one years of age, who joined the United States navy and is stationed in China. Having lost his first wife, he married Ida Carns. Charley, the second son of the family, is unmarried. Harlan B. married Sadie Smith, who was born in Idaho City, a daughter of Macum and Sarah Smith, who were numbered among the pioneers of the state, locating at At- lanta, Idaho, in the early '60s. The next of the family is W. H., of this review. Arthur, the fourth son, married Minnie Kingsbury, a daughter of W. S. Kingsbury, one of Idaho's pioneers, and they had one child, Lorin D. Arthur was a graduate of Fremont College and for one term was assessor of Boise county. At the time of his death in 1917 he had charge of the S. & S. Store at New Meadows. He was also asso- ciated with his brother, W. H., in cattle raising, and at one time they owned over six hundred head. They were also engaged in the land business in Boise county. Roy C. married Alma Carlson and they have two children, Carl and Vernon. James E. married Ida Wheeler and they have five children: Paul, Pearl, Benjamin, Forrest
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and Idella. Bessie Elizabeth is the wife of Smith Gilliam and has one child, Velma. May is the wife of D. S. Raymond and has one child, Orin.
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded the members of this family. W. H. McConnel and his two brothers, Charley and Harlan, were students in Heald's Business College of San Francisco, California, in 1901 and 1902. W. H. McConnel then took up the occupation of farming, in which he has since continued, and for a time he was associated with his brother Arthur in cattle raising and they developed their interests until they were the owners of a herd of about six hundred head. They were also associated in real estate operations in Boise county, handling considerable land. W. H. McConnel still remains in active connection with farming interests and the careful management of his business affairs is bringing to him well earned success.
On the 21st of November, 1906, W. H. McConnel was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Vinson, of Nebraska, and they have become the parents of two children, Harry L. and Ardis Bessie. They make their home at No. 1817 Dearborn street in Caldwell and have many friends in the city, the hospitality of the best homes being freely ac- corded them. The McConnel family passed through all of the hardships of pioneer life. They lived in this section of the country when there was constant danger of Indian attack and some of the difficulties which they encountered and the hardships which they endured are almost beyond belief as one visits the highly developed region today. The father survives, an honored pioneer settler of Idaho, and is now located in the Twin Falls country. For a half century the name of McConnel has been insep- arably interwoven with the history of Idaho and throughout his entire life, covering a period of forty-three years, W. H. McConnel has lived in the state.
. STANLEY J. OSIKA.
Stanley J. Osika is the proprietor and manager of the Burley Theatre and is numbered among the most alert and energetic young business men of the town of Burley. The width of the continent separates him from his birthplace, for he is a native son of Brooklyn, New York. He was born February 8, 1886, his parents, Peter and Plagnar Osika. The first twelve years of his life were spent in his native city and he then accompanied his parents on their removal westward, their destination be- ing Park City, Utah. He there attended school and also continued his studies in Salt Lake. He took up the study of music under Antone Peterson, specializing in harmony and the trombone, and he has figured prominently in musical circtes at Salt Air resorts and in the Liberty and American theatres organized and maintained at various places throughout the country. In October, 1914, he came to Burley, Idaho, where he established a moving picture house where the Blue Bird is now located. In December, 1917, he removed to the Burley Theatre. securing larger and more com- modious and modern quarters. He today has one of the finest moving picture houses of Idaho and maintains a six-piece orchestra. He presents the finest attractions of the film world and has a liberal patronage, the business having long since reached profitable proportions.
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