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 Richard H. Britt

This gentleman is the present capable manager of the Poorman mines, near Silver City, and for a number of years has been connected with the development of the rich mineral resources of the northwest. He was born in the state of Missouri in 1861, and is of English descent. His father, J. W. Britt, was born in Kentucky, and in 1855 removed to Missouri, locating on a farm in that state. There he married Miss Margaret Horn, also a native of Kentucky. At the time of the civil war he entered the Confederate service under General Price, and since the … Read more

Baird, Thos. Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Thos. Baird’s Death The sad news of the death of Mrs. Lyda B. Baird, wife of Thos. Baird and mother of George Baird, the Union Merchant, was received here yesterday. She passed away at Boise City, Monday night at 10:30 o’clock. She was nearly 71 years old and raised a family of five sons and three daughters. She came to Union with her family in 1863 and resided here until about six years ago, when she removed to Woodriver, Idaho. She had been in Union for some time, visiting, until about two weeks ago, when … Read more

Biography of T. J. Jones

On the roll of Idaho’s distinguished lawyers is the name of T. J. Jones, of Boise. Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man’s interests than wealth or adventitious circumstances. The successful men of the day arc they who have planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been attained only through their own efforts. This class of men has a worthy representative in T. J. Jones, who began life amid unfavoring circumstances in the coal mines … Read more

Allen, Norman “Norm” – Obituary

Norman “Norm” Allen, 86, of Baker City died Feb. 19, 2006, at Settler’s Park. At his request, there will be no service. In the spring his family will gather privately to celebrate his life and to scatter his ashes with his beloved wife’s. Norm was born on Jan. 26, 1920, at Smyrna Mills, Maine, to Thomas and Delia Allen. He was the 13th of 13 children. He attended school at Smyrna Mills and after graduating from high school enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Idaho and Washington. While in Idaho he met his life’s partner, Yvonne … Read more

Biography of Isaac W. Pfost

The Virginians have given to nearly every state in the union much of the good blood and good citizenship, for, wherever his lot is cast, the Virginian is patriotic and does honor to his environments. Idaho has many well known citizens of Virginian birth, but not one who is more highly regarded for integrity and perseverance and all the other qualities which make for real success than Isaac W. Pfost, of Boise, who, having been born in Virginia prior to its division, is literally a native of the Old Dominion. Isaac W. Pfost, proprietor of the Bancroft Hotel, Boise, Idaho, … 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

Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Jones

It is gratifying to be privileged to put in print an epitome of one of the brave men who fought, as did the subject of this sketch for the honor of the stars and stripes and the safety of our free institutions when the foul hand of treason sought to deface all and destroy the homes of freedom. In addition Mr. Jones has always shown himself in the walks of life to be upright and capable and has done a noble part in the advancement and development of the resources of the country. Speaking more particularly of his personal history, … Read more

Guyer, Erma Gladys Mrs. – Obituary

Erma Gladys Guyer, 93, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 4, 2004 at Boise after having lived a long life filled with simple pleasures. Her funeral will be Monday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. PDT at the Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave. in Boise. Interment with graveside services will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery on Monday at 2:30 p.m. PDT. Erma was born Oct. 23, 1910, at Richland. She grew up on her parents’ sheep ranch on the Powder River and attended Sunnyside School in Eagle Valley. As a teenager, Erma worked as a cook at the … Read more

The Mining Fields Of Idaho

The following excellent monograph by W. C. Austin was issued in pamphlet form early in the present year (1899) by authority of C. J. Bassett, state commissioner of immigration, labor and statistics, and as a valuable contribution to the history of the great mining industry of Idaho is held to be worthy of reproduction in this work: There is no other country on God’s green earth that has encompassed within her borders such vast and varied mineral wealth as Idaho. The position that Idaho occupies in the western mineral world is like a wagon wheel, of which Idaho is the … Read more

Biography of Norman M. Ruick

This distinguished practitioner at the bar of Idaho has been connected with the leading interests of the state for some years, and in all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men by his fidelity to duty and his devotion to the interests entrusted to his care. He comes from the far east, being a native of Connecticut. His birth occurred in Granby, that state, on the 4th of October, 1854, and his ancestry includes both Irish and Puritan stock. His paternal great-grandfather, a native of the Emerald Isle, emigrated to the New … Read more

Halliday, Grace Bertha Viergutz Mrs. – Obituary

Grace Bertha Halliday, 75, of La Grande, died Sept. 25, 2007, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. A celebration of life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Viewing will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Halliday was born Oct. 26, 1931, the daughter of Raymond and Anna (Gritzmacher) Viergutz in Wausau, Wis. When she was young she played semi-pro softball on an all-women’s team and loved … Read more

Weaver, Elizabeth May VanSlyke Mrs. – Obituary

Elizabeth May Weaver, 96, passed away on March 9, 2007, at Boise, Idaho. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at 11 a.m. at the University Christian Church, 1801 University Drive, Boise. Elizabeth was born May 25, 1910, in Stevenson, Calif., to Asa and Blanche Prescott VanSlyke. The family moved to Idaho in 1912. Elizabeth graduated from Nampa (Idaho) High School in 1927. She attended Lewiston Normal School, earning a “life certificate” to teach in Idaho. She taught for several years in the Nampa area, during which time she met Harry A. Weaver. The couple married on … 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 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

Childers, LeRoy – Obituary

1924-1998 LeRoy Gray Childers, 73, of La Grande, died Tuesday, Jan. 13 at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. A service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with the Rev. David Paulson of Zion Lutheran Church officiating. Mr. Childers was born March 22, 1924, to Lee and Bessie (Gray) Childers, at the family home on Lower Cove Road. He graduated from Cove High School and later from Eastern Oregon University. He later earned a master’s degree in education and continued working toward his Ph.D. In 1950 he married Clarice Gayle “Gay” Conklin in Cove. … 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

Jose D. “Joe” Zamora – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jose D. “Joe” Zamora 72, of Baker City died Sept. 23, 2001, at the Veterans Nursing Home in Boise. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. Vault interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with military rites accorded by Baker City Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3048. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral home. Mr. Zamora was born Dec. 24, 1928, at Morrell, Neb., a son of Horacio and Fidela Moya Zamora. He was … Read more

Garner, B. Joyce Colter – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon B. Joyce Colter Garner, 59, of La Grande died Nov. 15 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. No public services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Joyce was born March 21, 1947, in Birmingham, Ala., to Hermit and Opal Garner. She was educated in Alabama and moved to Oregon in 1970. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and talking with her family living in the South. She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Survivors include her daughters, Erica Garner, Lillian Keeling and Kelly Thweatt, all of La … Read more

Quarles, Paul B. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Paul B. Quarles, 63, of Baker City, died Oct. 31, 2004, at his home after a long illness. His graveside funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. PST at Fairview Cemetery near Weiser, Idaho. Charles Rich will conduct the service. Visitations will be today until 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. in Baker City. Paul was born Aug. 2, 1941, at Lexy Crossroads, Tenn., to William Randell Quarles and Viola Estella Vines Quarles. His family moved to Hermiston when Paul was still in grade school. He graduated from Hermiston High School. He married his … Read more

Jewell, Robert “Mike” – Obituary

Robert “Mike” Jewell, 65, of Boise and a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 16, 2005, at Capital Care Center. He died of Alzheimer’s disease which he battled for more than eight years. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Calvary First Assembly of God Church, 102 N. 18th St. in Boise. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Visitations will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Accent Funeral Home, 1303 N. Main St., Meridian, Idaho. Mike was born at Boise on Aug. 11, 1939. He attended grade school at Franklin Elementary … Read more