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.

Kelley, Arthur Thomas – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Arthur Thomas Kelley, 88, of La Grande died Nov. 21 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Committal and burial with military honors will follow at 1 p.m. Monday at Grandview Cemetery. Mr. Kelley was born March 17, 1918, to Thomas and Ida Wright Kelley in Throckmorton, Texas. He was educated in Texas and attended Texas A&M before enlisting in the Air Force. He made the military his career and retired as a lieutenant colonel. In 1945 he married Jacqueline Wiese in California, … Read more

Biography of W. H. Puckett

The junior member of the well known law firm of Hawley & Puckett is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. He is still a young man, but has attained a position of distinction at the bar that many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born at Herndon Place, Ballard County, Kentucky, on the 8th of August 1869. His father, W. J. Puckett, was a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and became one of the prominent lawyers of Kentucky, where he practiced successfully for a number of years. He is now living retired in Denver, Colorado. … Read more

Bare, Benjamin Taylor – Obituary

Union, Oregon Benjamin “Ben” Taylor Bare, 76, of Union, died Aug. 12 at the Elks Hospital in Boise. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Union Cemetery in Union. An earlier notice incorrectly reported a service time of 2 p.m. Viewing will run from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Ben was born on March 10, 1931, to Joseph and Evelyn (Bostler) Bare in Los Angeles. He attended school in Pasadena, Calif. He joined the Air Force in 1950, and was a crew chief fixing fighter planes in Korea from 1952 … Read more

Huffman, Donald Wayne – Obituary

Union, Oregon Donald Wayne Huffman, 73, of Union died Aug. 10 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Boise. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the Union United Methodist Church. Burial at the Union Cemetery will be followed by a reception at the United Methodist Church. Mr. Huffman was born March 25, 1933, in Pyles Canyon. He attended school in Tolecaset until the eight grade. Don later graduated with the Union High School class of 1951. After high school, Don enlisted in the United States Army and after his honorable discharge he returned to the family ranch. … 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 Thomas Davis

The founders of a state are not merely the men who handle the reins of government and control the public policy, but are also those who carry civilization into hitherto wild regions and develop the natural resources of the state: Such an one is Mr. Davis, who came to Idaho in pioneer days and was the first to establish the fact that this is an excellent fruit-producing region. Thus he introduced a new industry and thereby largely promoted the material welfare of the region. His business interests have ever been energetically and successfully managed and his reputation in commercial circles … 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

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

Yates, Ellen Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Ellen Yates Dead At Boise Ellen V. Yates, resident of Baker for the passed four years, died at the home of her son, William Riggs, in Boise Tuesday morning. Mrs. Yates went to Boise to visit her son about six weeks ago. Mrs. Yates was born in Illinois, October 17, 1840. She crossed the plains in 1854 and located in Washougal, Washington. She then moved to North Powder, where she resided for a number of years, then located in Weiser and four years ago took up her residence in Baker. Besides her son in Boise, Mrs. Yates is survived … Read more

Biography of Joseph W. Huston

The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens, and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the genius or learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state’s prosperity and pride. Among the distinguished citizens of Idaho is Judge Joseph Waldo Huston, of Boise, who holds distinctive precedence as an eminent lawyer and jurist, as a … Read more

Biography of Judge John T. Morgan

The gentleman whose name heads this review has been a conspicuous figure in the legislative and judicial history of two states. Probably the public life of no other illustrious citizen of Idaho has extended over as long a period as his, and certainly the life of none has been more varied in service, more constant in honor, more fearless in conduct and more stainless in reputation. His career has been one of activity, full of incidents and results. In every sphere of life in which he has been called upon to move he has made an indelible impression, and by … Read more

Couch, Minnith O. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Minnith O. Couch, 74, of Toppenish, Washington, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 1983 in St.. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho. He was born Dec. 21, 1908 in Wallowa, to Leonard and Minnie (Fisher) Couch. He attended schools in Wallowa, graduating in 1927 from Wallowa High School. He attended Oregon State University; then he served in the Army during W.W.I, earning the Victory Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. In 1945 he was discharged and went to work in Portland, as an oiler in the Jones Lumber Company sawmill. He moved to … Read more

Biography of John Brodbeck

One of the representative businessmen of Boise, Mr. Brodbeck, is a pioneer of Idaho, having come to this state in 1865. He is a native of Switzerland, where he was born April 4, 1833, and was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the brewing business. His parents were Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hagler) Brodbeck, the former of whom was a miller by trade, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and were people of high respectability in the old country. He died in his fifty-third year and his wife survived him until attaining … Read more

Biography of Isham L. Tiner

This well known citizen and successful fruit-grower of Boise was born in Williamson county, Illinois, July 14, 1827, and is of Welsh descent, his forefathers being among the early settlers of Georgia and South Carolina. His ancestry, both paternal and maternal, was represented in the Revolutionary war. Richard Tiner, his great-grandfather, was a loyal soldier in the war for independence, and while he was absent in the army his family suffered an attack by Indians. His wife was shot through the right breast, their youngest child was ruthlessly beaten against a tree until its little life was ended, and a … Read more

Planting, Clarence A. – Obituary

Clarence A. Planting, 76, of 3515 Pepperwood Dr., Boise, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1986, in a Boise hospital of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the Central Assembly Christian Life Center. Revs. Roy Strayer and Haskell Yadon will officiate. Burial will follow in Cloverdale Cemetery, under direction of the Alden-Waggoner Chapel. Mr. Planting, retired Ada County Clerk, was born Sept. 13, 1909, at his grandparents’ home in Astoria, Ore., a son of John W. and Mary Ring Planting whose home was at Helix, Ore. He attended schools in Pendleton, Ore., and graduated … Read more

Nalley, Francis Ilene Fleck Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Francis Ilene Nalley, 80, died March 26, 2004, at the home of her son in Baker City. At her request, there will be no formal service. Family members will have their own time of remembrance and sharing of fond memories. Francis was born on Nov. 28, 1923, to Otto August and Cora Bell Lee Fleck at Burley, Idaho. She was raised in a large family being the 13th in a family of of 13 children. She graduated from Burley High School. After graduation, she met Robert Nolan Nalley. They were married on Nov. 17, 1947, at Emmett, … Read more

Biography of David Heron

In a pleasant, attractive brick residence in a desirable section of Boise City, are living to-day David Heron and wife, esteemed citizens and pioneers of Ada County. Mr. Heron has frequently served his neighbors and friends in official positions of much responsibility and trust, and has won their highest praise for the able and conscientious manner in which he discharged the duties resting upon him. For a period of two years he was the recorder and auditor of this County, for a similar length of time was the County assessor and during some six years was one of the commissioners … Read more

Hammack, Amber M. – Obituary

Boise, Ada County, Idaho Funeral services for Mrs. Amber M. Hammack will be held this afternoon at 4 o’clock at the McBratney Funeral Home. The Rev. E. N. Murphy will officiate and internment will be in Morris Hill Cemetery. Idaho Statesman, Sunday, November 5, 1933. Contributed By: Sue Wells

Fulton, Arabella Clemens – Obituary

Arabella Fulton, Valley Pioneer, Succumbs Today. Mrs. Arabella Clemens Fulton passed away July 30 1934 at 3:45 a.m. at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Will German. She was born in Boone County, Missouri, on January 23, 1844. She crossed the plains in the spring of 1864 by wagon trains to Boise, Idaho. On November 24, 1864, she married Francis M. Fulton. Four children were born in Idaho; J. L., John Hugh, Della, and Isabelle. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Fulton moved by wagon train to Decatur, Wise County, Texas. In Texas the following four children … Read more

Holt, Thomas Martin – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Thomas Martin Holt Thomas Martin Holt, 72, died at his home Feb. 21. He was born Sept. 2, 1934, in Marquette, Kan., to John Charles Lucas and Eunice Louise (Johnson) Holt. The family intends to hold a memorial service for family and friends in the La Grande area sometime this summer. Details for this will be forthcoming. Memorials in Tom Holt’s name can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 902 Fourth St., La Grande 97850. Mr Holt was raised and educated in Marquette. He graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., with a BA in business administration … Read more