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.

Biography of George Pettengill

The subject of this review is one whose history touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of the state of Idaho, and whose days form an integral part of that indissoluble chain which linked the early formative period with that of latter day progress and prosperity. Not alone is there particular interest attaching to his career as one of the pioneers of Idaho, but in reviewing his genealogical record we find his lineage tracing back to the colonial history of the nation and to that period which marked the inception of the grandest republic the world has ever known. Through … Read more

Lehman, Holly Jean – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Holly Jean Lehman, 51, of La Grande died Sept. 1 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. A celebration of life and potluck reception will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 9 at the home of her mother, Jean Enderlin, 277 W. Bryan St. in Union. Ms. Lehman was born April 18, 1955, to Ernest and Jean Smith Lehman in San Francisco, Calif. She graduated from high school in Colton, and lived in Berkley, Calif., until 2002 when she moved to La Grande. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, astrology and cats. Survivors include her companion, Dan Nelson of … Read more

Spears, Claude Allen – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Claude Allen Spears, 75, of Boise and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 22 at a Boise hospital after a short illness. A memorial service took place Feb. 26 at Redeemer Lutheran in Boise. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise. Mr. Spears was born Jan. 18, 1932, to Leonard and Frances Katherine (Berry) Spears in Eugene. He grew up and attended school in La Grande and later worked for Boise Cascade Corp. Drafted in 1952, he served two years … Read more

Biography of Hon. Zenas Ferry Moody

HON. Z.F. MOODY. – Zenas Ferry Moody, ex-Governor of the State of Oregon, was born on the 27th of May, 1832, in Granby, Massachusetts. His father was Major Thomas H. Moody. His mother was Hannah M. Ferry, an aunt of ex-Senator T.W. Ferry, of Michigan, formerly vice-president of the United States. Governor Moody comes of good old New England Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Gideon Moody, having borne arms as a soldier during the Revolutionary war. He has proved himself worthy of his lineage; and the principles which he imbibed on New England soil have been the guide of his whole … Read more

Biography of William H. Redway

Business enterprise and success at Caldwell, Idaho, have an able representative in the subject of this sketch, William H. Redway, dealer in hardware and groceries. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1858, son of A. G. Redway, an honored pioneer of Idaho, whose history is referred to at length on another page of this work. William H. was very small at the time the family came west and settled on the Idaho frontier, and here he was reared, his education being received in St. Michael’s school at Boise and St. Mark’s school at Salt Lake City, both institutions … Read more

Lee, Eileen Cochrane Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Eileen Lee, 91, a longtime Baker City resident, died at her home on Jan. 27, 2003. Her memorial service will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. The Rev. Susan Barnes will officiate. At Mrs. Lee’s request, a private interment of her cremated remains will be at the North Powder Cemetery. Eileen was born June 24, 1911, in Baker City, the only child of Edgar and Susan Browning Cochrane of Haines. Eileen attended school in Haines until 1924, when her parents moved to Baker City. She was a 1929 Baker … Read more

Crooke, Bill Jack – Obituary

Union, Oregon Bill Jack Crooke, 81, of Pendleton and formerly of Union, died Feb. 27 at his home after a long illness. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Berean Baptist Church (formerly Calvary Baptist), 8 NW Ninth St., Pendleton, with Pastor Carl LeTourka officiating. Arrange-ments are under the direction of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton. Mr. Crooke was born April 4, 1925, to Ruth Ester and Jack Crooke in Meridian, Idaho. He was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. White, in the Meridian area and attended school there until he went to live with his father and stepmother … 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

Driskall, Thelma Doris – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Thelma Doris Driskell, 91, of La Grande, died Jan. 11 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. A celebration of life begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Visitation will be allowed for family and friends for one hour prior to the services. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery. A reception will he held in the hall of the United Methodist Church, 1612 Fourth St., after the graveside service. Doris was born March 15, 1916, to Leslie Duncan and Christine Weatley in Parma, Idaho. She was the oldest … Read more

Stevens, Jena Louise – Obituary

LaGrande, Oregon Jean Louise Stevens, 54, formerly of La Grande, died July 11. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Haven Cove Ward LDS Chapel in Meridian, Idaho. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday before the service. Burial will follow at the Cloverdale Cemetery. Mrs. Stevens was born Sept. 9, 1951, to LaRue and Beverly Budge Bevington in Fairbanks, Alaska. She graduated from Capital High School in Boise in 1969, and later earned an associate degree in business administration … Read more

Biography of Francis E. Ensign

Holding marked prestige among the prominent members of the Idaho bar is Francis Edward Ensign, who is now engaged in the practice of the legal profession in Hailey. There are few-men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is uniformly accorded him; but through forty-five years” connection with the west his has been an unblemished career. With him success in life has been reached by sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. In his varied business interests his reputation has been unassailable and in offices of public trust he has displayed a … Read more

Pfeil, Charles Fred “Chuck” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Charles Fred “Chuck” Pfeil, 73, of Baker City, died Aug. 18, 2002, with his family by his side on his ranch at Sutton Creek after a courageous 10-month battle with cancer. His funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane in Baker City. Mr. Darold Parry, 3rd Ward, will conduct the service. Vault interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. A dinner at the church will follow the graveside service. Visitations will be today until 7:00 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mr. Pfeil … Read more

Biography of George Spiegel

Among the enterprising young businessmen of Boise is the subject of this review, who is now at the head of an extensive wholesale and retail grocery house. His marked ability has done much to promote the commercial activity upon which the welfare of every community depends, and in trade circles he enjoys an Unassailable reputation. Almost his entire life has been passed in Idaho, and he is numbered among the native sons of California, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 6th of April 1861. His father, David Spiegel, is numbered among the pioneers of California, Oregon and … Read more

Densley, Doyle Glenn – Obituary

Doyle Glenn Densley, 78, of Baker City died Feb. 10, 2006, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise from complications of a head injury. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. There will be a graveside serve at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Pastor Ralph Holcomb of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at Richland. Glenn Densley was born on Sept. 24, 1927, at Richland. He was the second son of Aaron and Edna Eidson Densley. He received … Read more

Lay, Louise Irene – Obituary

Union, Oregon Lois Irene Lay, 92, of Boise and formerly of Union, died Sunday in Boise. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Ginger Creek LDS ward 11918 W. Ustick Road in Boise. Viewing will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. before the service. A graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Union Cemetery. Mrs. Lay was born June 14, 1914, to Charlie Lewis Deardorff and Minnie Meyer in Baker City. She graduated from Baker High School, and married Guild Duel Lay April 1, 1938. They lived on a ranch near Medical Springs until … Read more

Pitman, Metta D. Perry Sater Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Metta D. Pitman, 85, a longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 8, 2004, at Haines. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St., after the service. Metta was born on June 8, 1919, to Elva Carl and Rosella Lewis Perry at Nampa, Idaho. She graduated from Meridian High School at Meridian, Idaho, and went on to … Read more

Biography of Joseph D. Daly

Among the officers of Ada County, Idaho, is Joseph DeWitt Daly, who is now acceptably filling the position of tax collector and assessor. He possesses that spirit of enterprise which has produced the rapid and wonderful development of the vast region west of the Mississippi, and in the discharge of his duties manifests a loyalty and faithfulness that has made his service most efficient, winning him the commendation of the best citizens of the community. A native of Missouri, he was born in Putnam County, on the 13th of January 1850, his parents being William and Permelia (Holland) Daly. His … Read more

Biography of William T. Reeves

William T. Reeves, a prominent lawyer of Idaho, residing at Pocatello, was born at Kinkleville, Kentucky, January 21, 1855, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a combination which everywhere and always produces good citizens and has given to America many of her best and greatest men. George Reeves, Mr. Reeves paternal grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and brought his wife with him. They had four sons and three daughters. William Harrison Reeves, Mr. Reeves’ father, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and married Miss Penelope B. White, a native of Tennessee. While he was a mere boy his father removed with his family … Read more

Poston, Marjorie A. – Obituary

Marjorie A. Poston, 81, long time Baker City, Ore., resident died Sept. 29, 2006, in Boise, Idaho. A private family service will be held at a later date. Cremation was done by Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory in Baker City. Arrangements are by Coles Funeral Home, Baker City, Ore. Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, October, 2006 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

Biography of Horace E. Neal

For the past six years this enterprising young businessman has occupied the responsible position of cashier of the Capital State Bank, of Idaho, and is rapidly acquiring the reputation of being one of the ablest financiers in the state. Prior to his connection with this well known banking institution, now regarded as one of the best in the great northwest, he had had experience in the handling of finances, having for several years been engaged in the loan business in this state and in Colorado, and having served as the first county treasurer of Kit Carson county, Colorado, after its … Read more