Ada County ID

Ada County ID, established in December 1864, is located in southwestern Idaho and serves as the state’s most populous county, with Boise as its county seat and largest city. The county’s establishment came during a period of significant expansion and settlement in the Pacific Northwest, spurred by the discovery of gold and the subsequent mining booms in Idaho Territory. Its geographic features, including the Boise River and surrounding foothills, have played a pivotal role in its development, influencing settlement patterns, agriculture, and the establishment of transportation routes. Ada County’s early records, crucial for genealogical research, begin in the 1860s and encompass land transactions, mining claims, and vital records that detail the lives of early settlers, many of whom were miners, farmers, and entrepreneurs drawn to the region by economic opportunities. The area was traditionally inhabited by the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, who utilized the river valleys and foothills for hunting, fishing, and gathering. For genealogists, Ada County’s historical records, including census data, marriage, birth, and death records, provide invaluable insights into the socio-economic dynamics of the region and the ancestries of families who have called it home since its establishment.

Singer, Carl Henry – Obituary

Carl Henry Singer, 88, of 130 Bryant Ave., No. 22, Walla Walla, Wash., died April 4, 2006, at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. Funeral service was held at Groseclose Funeral home at 315 W. Alder St. at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. The Rev. Albert Gillin of First Presbyterian Church officiated. Burial followed in Mountain View Cemetery, 2120 S. Second Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Senior Center through the funeral home. Mr. Singer was born Nov. 22, 1917, in Boise, Idaho, to Henry and Carrie Chandler Singer. He graduated from Baker, … Read more

Biography of John McClellan

John McClellan, one of the earliest pioneers of Boise, Idaho, is a native of Ohio, born in Licking County, March 16, 1827, of Irish and English extraction, his paternal ancestors being Irish, his maternal, English. John McClellan, his father, was born in Ireland in 1777, and in the year 1820 came to America, landing at New York, where he remained for some time and where he was married to Miss Amanda Reed, a native of New York and a daughter of English parents. From New York they removed to Dresden, Ohio, where they resided until 1850 in which year he … Read more

Biography of Benjamin and Hosea Eastman

Tales of heroism have been the theme of song and story throughout all ages. He who has gone forth to battle for his country, his home or his principles, has figured in history, in literature and in music, and his bravery has stirred the souls of men through all times. All honor to such an one, and yet his heroism is no greater or his daring more pronounced than that of the honored pioneers of the west. Men reared in comfortable homes, accustomed to all the conveniences and privileges of life in the east, have come into the wild western … Read more

Biography of W. F. Burns

W. F. Burns, who has engaged in general merchandising in Nampa since 1893, and is one of the successful merchants of the town, was born in McDonald county, Missouri, on the 25th of February, 1859, and is of Scotch and Irish line-age. His parents, E. F. and M. E. (Kennedy) Burns were natives of Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and several generations of the family lived in the south. The paternal great grand father of our subject was one of the heroes who fought for the independence of the nation. E. F. Burns was a prominent farmer, and successfully carried on … Read more

Biography of Peter J. Pefley

An Idaho pioneer of 1864, Peter J. Pefley, is now engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Lewiston, and has long been accounted one of the representative men of the state, for the active interest he has taken in promoting her welfare renders him one of her valued citizens. His childhood days were spent on the Atlantic coast. He was born in Roanoke County, Virginia, June 6, 1830, and traces his ancestry back to the Fatherland, whence John Pefley, his great-grandfather, came to America, sailing from Baden-Baden in 1730. He took up his residence in Virginia, and there occurred … Read more

Flanagan, Larry – Obituary

Larry Flanagan, 71, of La Grande died Oct. 11 in Boise. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Larry was born in Wilbur, Wash., on July 24, 1936. He grew up on a farm at the foot of Mount Emily in the Grande Ronde Valley and lived in the area most of his life. He worked at Boise Cascade for 46 years, retiring in 2002. He loved fishing, hunting and traveling. His last hunting trip was about two weeks ago. His last big trip was a cruise to Alaska. … Read more

Biography of R. W. Berry

A leading representative of the commercial interests of Hailey is R. W. Berry, the well known proprietor of a hardware store. He is an enterprising and progressive business man, whose well directed efforts, sound judgment and capable management insure him success, and today he is numbered among the substantial and valued citizens of Blaine county. A native of Maine, he was born in Augusta, on the 25th of March 1842 and is of Scotch lineage. His father, Arthur W. Berry, was born in Maine and married Miss Lucretia Jane Marble, also a native of the Pine Tree state. The father … Read more

Sasser, Myrna Karleen – Obituary

Myrna Karleen Sasser, 70, formerly of Wallowa County, died Aug. 6 at her home in Idaho. Burial will be at the Enterprise Cemetery. Summers Funeral Homes of Boise is in charge of arrangements. Miss Sasser was born Jan. 28, 1936, to Foy A. and Edna Byrle Sturm Sasser near Enterprise. She graduated from high school in New Plymouth, Idaho, and attended Nampa Business College. She worked as a legal secretary for attorneys in Boise and Eugene, and for U.S. Sen. Frank Church in Washington, D.C. She returned to Boise in 1980. She published the decisions of the Idaho Industrial Commission … Read more

Kehr, Ewald Albert – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ewald Albert Kehr, 84, of La Grande, died April 11 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. A funeral will begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church, 12th Street and Gekeler Lane. The celebration of life for Ewald will also be a celebration of what would have been Ewald and Edna’s 63rd anniversary. Burial will follow at the Grandview Cemetery. Ewald was born March 20, 1923, to Ernst and Hilda (Schroeder) Kehr in Wentworth, S.D., where he worked with his father farming. In October 1939 he moved to Minnesota, where he met Edna Gieseke. They … Read more

Biography of James H. Richards

Among the prominent lawyers of Boise is Judge James Heber Richards, who has practiced at the bar of this state for nine years, winning an enviable reputation by his erudition, his ability to give to each point of a case its due prominence, his force in argument and his mastery of the intricate problems of jurisprudence. In a witty after-dinner speech Chauncey M. Depew once said, “Some men achieve greatness, some men are born great, and some men are born in Ohio.” The first and last clauses are both applicable to Judge Richards, who is a native of the Buckeye … Read more

Noland, William “Bill” Harold – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon William (Bill) Harold Noland, 83, of Enterprise, died Nov. 2 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. A 2 p.m. memorial service will be conducted Saturday at the VFW Post 4307 Hall in Enterprise, with private burial in the Enterprise Cemetery. Mr. Noland was born Feb. 2, 1923, in Boise. At 16 he left school to join the Civilian Conservation Corps for a year. He returned to high school in Idaho but left again during his senior year to join the Air Force in December 1941. He received his high school diploma while in the military. As … Read more

Biography of John Cuddy

In western Idaho is located Cuddy mountain, which will ever stand as a monument to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, one of the honored pioneers of the state. More than a third of a century has passed since he came to this part of the Union, and few if any of the early settlers are more widely known than he, while none are held in more genuine regard. In almost daily fear of Indian attack, he planted his business interests near the mountain named in his honor and there maintained his home while civilization slowly advanced toward him … Read more

Biography of James A. Pinney

The enterprise of our American citizens has given the nation a position among the powers of the world that it has taken other countries many centuries to gain. The progressive spirit of the times is manifest throughout the length and breadth of the land, yet even to our own people the growth and development of the west seems almost incredible. Less than half a century ago Idaho, California, Montana, Oregon and other western states were wild and almost unpeopled regions, without the railroad or other transportation facilities, without the telegraph or the varied commercial and industrial industries of the east. … Read more

Francis, Mary Jean Winkels Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Jean Francis, 69, of Boise, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2008, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. Her family was by her side and her passing was very peaceful. Mary was born to Frank and Eva Winkels on Dec. 28, 1938, in Nyssa, Ore. She later moved, with her family, to Baker, Ore. Where she attended and graduated from St. Francis Academy. Mary worked for the Democrat Herald as a young adult, until she married David D. Francis, also of Baker, and started her family. Mary was very devoted to her husband and son, … Read more

Owyhee, Idaho Mines previous to 1865

They were: Whiskey Gulch Oro Fino Morning Star Ida Elmore (Bannack) Golden Chariot War Eagle Minnesota Silver Bullion Hidden Treasure General Grant Noonday Centurion Golden Eagle Allison Blazing Star Montana Homo Ticket Floreta Silver Legion Eureka Calaveras Caledonia Empire Dashaway Red Jacket Poorman was discovered a little later than these.

Hunt, Thomas Aasa – Obituary

Thomas Aasa Hunt, 71, of Boise, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 1, 2005, after suffering from cancer for a brief period. His funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at the Shamrock and McMillan Road Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment was at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Tom was born on May 29, 1934, at Baker City to Thomas Clarence and Marie Aasa Hunt. He married Mariam Colleen Boley on Sept. 17, 1954, at the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day … Read more

Jasper, Ella – Obituary

Funeral Scheduled For Ella Jasper Funeral services for Ella Jasper, 80, who died Thursday at Meridian, Idaho, following a long illness, will be held at the graveside in Summerville cemetery Sunday at 2 p.m. Mrs. Jasper was a resident of Union county nearly all her life, having moved to Meridian in 1920. She was the daughter of the late pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. David Boswell of Cove. Surviving her are four children, Mrs. Ora Fairbanks of San Jose, Calif., Mrs. Gladys Jasper and Vina Jasper both of Meridian, and Terrell Jasper of Caldwell. She leaves one sister, Mrs. Jennie DeLaney … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Ridenbough

A business man of Boise engaged in the manufacture of lumber and flour, Mr. Ridenbough, is a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was born April 17, 1853. He has built a most palatial residence in Boise, and his home, with its beautifully arranged grounds, fittingly represents the good taste of its builder. In Boise Mr. and Mrs. Ridenbough possess a large number of friends, who are often the recipients of their cordial hospitality.

Kelso, Bonnie May Nedrow Scott, Mrs. – Obituary

Bonnie May Nedrow (Scott) Kelso, 73, lost her valiant battle with cancer on July 5, 2005, with her husband, Don, daughter, Michelle, and stepdaughter, Jan, by her side. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. at the Ustick Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Meridian between Linder and Ten Mile Road. A graveside service and dedication will be at the new Veterans Cemetery in Boise. Bonnie was born at Hilgard outside of La Grande on Aug. 17, 1931, to John Nathan Nedrow and Evelyn May Ashby Nedrow. She and her family lived in small towns around Baker City … Read more

Craig, Marcia Lareen Parker Mrs. – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Marcia Lareen Parker Craig, 69, died Dec. 12, 2005, at Boise from complications of a long, hard-fought and painful battle with throat and mouth cancer. At her request, there will be no funeral. A memorial service and celebration of her life will take place March 18 at the First Presbyterian Church in Baker City, with a reception following at the church, 1995 Fourth St. Services are under the direction of Gray’s West & Co. Mrs. Craig was born March 20, 1936, at Baker City to Gifford Henry and Elfleda Midde Maxwell Parker. She grew up … Read more