Among the pioneers of Idaho is Timothy Regan, of Boise, who came to the territory in 1864, and has since been largely instrumental in developing the rich mineral resources of the state. He is a native of Rochester, New York, born November 14, 1843, and is of Irish extraction. His parents, Morgan and Mary (Burk) Regan, were both natives of the Emerald Isle, whence they emigrated to the state of Maine, in 1831, bringing with them their two infant daughters. At a later date they removed to New York, thence to Chicago and afterward to Wisconsin, where the father secured a tract of land and industriously carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, surviving him some time, departed this life in 1897, at the age of eighty-four years, in Wisconsin. They were devout members of the Catholic Church and were people of the highest respectability. Nine children were added to their family in America, of whom seven are still living, one being a resident of Boise, namely, Timothy. Philip, who for many years was a leading grocer of the city, died February 9, 1899.
Timothy Regan, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin, and was reared on his father’s farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties of field and meadow. When nineteen years of age he started out in life for himself. Leaving home, he made his way to New York, whence he sailed for California, going by way of the isthmus. After reaching the golden state he traveled by wagon to Humboldt, Nevada, and on to Silver City, Idaho, where he engaged in mining in the employ of others for a short time. He then engaged in teaming and in furnishing supplies to the miners. He also conducted a hotel, and as time passed his financial resources gradually increased. Having acquired some capital he invested his money in various mines and found this most profitable. He is regarded as an expert in his judgment of ore, and his knowledge in this particular, combined with sound judgment in all business transactions, has brought to him most gratifying success. He is the owner of the celebrated Oro Fino mine, from which were taken seventy tons of ore, that yielded eight hundred dollars to the ton. He also owns the Golden Chariot mine, and formerly owned a mine at De Lamar which he sold to the De Lamar Mining Company for eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. These mines all have seven thousand feet on one, or the mother, lode. He sold the Oro Fino mine to an English company for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but after making a large payment, this company, through mis-management, allowed it to revert to the original owner.
As he has met with success in his mining ventures, Mr. Regan has extended his field of operations into other lines of business and has been the promoter of many industries, which have largely promoted the material interests of Boise. He was one of the organizers of the Hot and Cold Water Company, which supplies the city with both hot and cold water from artesian wells, many of the best buildings and residences being heated with this natural hot water. This enterprise has proved of great value to Boise, as have others with which Mr. Regan is connected. He is a stockholder and director of the Boise City National Bank, one of the strongest and best financial institutions in the state, now occupying a splendid bank building, which was erected by the company. He is a stockholder in the Weiser Land and Improvement Company and in many other enterprises, and his capable management and wise judgment in business affairs have proved of great benefit in the control of many of these interests.
In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Regan and Miss Rose Blackinger, of Buffalo, New York, and to them have been born two sons, William and John, who are now attending college in Santa Clara, California. They have a beautiful home at the corner of Fourteenth and Bannock streets, surrounded with well kept grounds, tastefully adorned.
Mr. Regan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the first three degrees in Silver City Lodge, of which he is past master. He has also taken the royal arch and knight templar degrees, and now belongs to the lodge, chapter and commandery of Boise. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, but has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. His life has been one of untiring activity, and has been crowned with a degree of prosperity attained by comparatively few men. He is of the highest type of a businessman, and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose hardy genius and splendid abilities have achieved results that are the wonder and admiration of all.