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 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 Walter E. Pierce

Walter E. Pierce, ex-mayor of Boise, is an energetic, enterprising young businessman who for the past nine years has been closely associated with the commercial, political and social activities of the city. He is a notable example of the self-made man who rising above the difficulties and drawbacks of early environment, makes a place for himself in the world and justly claims the respect and esteem of all. A native of Bell County, Texas, born January 9, 1860, Mr. Pierce is a descendant of an old and prominent Rhode Island family, many of whose representatives resided in Providence, where they … Read more

Biography of John A. O’Farrell

John Andrew O’Farrell was born in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, on the 13th day of February 1823. He pursued his education in the common schools until his thirteenth year, and was then placed in a naval school where he remained for two years. He went to sea in the Oriental Steamship line when fifteen years of age, sailing from the East India dock on the Thames, London, England, to the city of Calcutta, Hindustan, East Indies. The return trip occupied seven months time and the vessel delivered and received mails and passengers at the isle of … Read more

Biography of John S. White

The subject of this review has been long and conspicuously identified with the history of the great west, and in varied official positions has proved a wise and discriminating factor in the public life. He is at the present time the incumbent of the important office of judge of probate of Elmore County, retaining his residence at Mountain Home, the flourishing and attractive little city which is the capital of said County. Judge White is a native son of the old Empire state, and may look with satisfaction upon a lineage which traces back to the stanchest of old New … Read more

Carlson, Mardella Lee – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Mardella Lee Carlson, 56, of Coeur d’Alene and formerly of Summerville and La Grande, died Oct. 28 at Kootenai Medical Center. A memorial service is planned for Friday at 1 p.m. at the La Grande Nazarene Church. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Miss Carlson was born Feb. 8, 1950, in La Grande to Dale L. and Valera L. Robinette Carlson of Summerville. She grew up on the family farm and was active in local 4-H clubs and in Girl Scouts. As a child she loved picking huckleberries in the nearby mountains with her … Read more

Wright, Velma “Juanita” Deining Mrs. – Obituary

Velma “Juanita” Wright, 86, formerly of Baker City, died Aug. 19, 2007, at Valley View Retirement Facility in Boise, Idaho. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., in Baker City. Pastor Mel Harris of the First Lutheran Church will officiate. A reception will follow at the First Lutheran Church, 1734 Third St. Juanita was born March 7, 1921 in Portland to Alfred & Hilja (Taskinen) Deining. She attended school in Helix, Portland and Gresham. She married Earl Wright Dec. 8, 1949 in Baker City. … Read more

Pulliam, Ernest – Obituary

Two Die When Car Skids On Higway Ernest Pulliam was killed instantly and Herbert Mock fatally injured when Pullam’s car skidded in soft gravel near Unity, between Baker and Huntington Friday of last week. Mock died a few hours after the accident in a Baker hospital. Pullam was a resident of Boise, while Mock was known to have been a resident of Sardina, Ohio. Two other men riding in the car escaped with minor injuries. North Powder News Saturday, February 27, 1926

Biography of James I. Crutcher

One to whom has been entrusted important public service and over whose record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, is James I. Crutcher, of Boise. President Cleveland recognized his eminent qualifications for responsible duties when he appointed him United States marshal for Idaho, in which position he served for four years and two months, in a manner above suspicion. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of duty and his appreciation of the responsibilities that rested upon him were such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent of that office, and his … 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

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

Hendren, Neva – Obituary

Neva Hendren Passes in Boise Services for Neva Agnes (Engle) Hendren, 50, of 2213 Targee, Boise, who died Thursday of natural causes at a Boise hospital were conducted at 1 p.m. Monday in Baker at the Langrell Funeral Home. Buster Holcomb of the Boise South Unit of Jehovah’s Witnesses officiated and interment was in the Haines Cemetery. Mrs. Hendren was born July 22, 1920, at Haines and attended Muddy Creek and Haines schools, graduating from High School in 1938. She was married to Norman A. Engle in Baker, Dec. 7, 1939. He died in 1959. She has lived in Boise … Read more

Biography of George E. Gray

The profession of the law, when clothed with its true dignity and purity, and strength, must rank first among the callings of men, for law rules the universe. The work of the legal profession is to formulate, to harmonize, to regulate, to adjust, to administer those rules and principles that underlie and permeate all government and society and control the varied relations of man. As thus viewed, there attaches to the legal profession a nobleness that cannot but be reflected in the life of the true lawyer, who, conscious of the greatness of his profession, and honest in the pursuit … 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

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

Coles, Curtis Alan – Obituary

Curtis Alan Coles, 47, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 17, 2000, at his home in Wenatchee, Wash. His memorial service was Saturday at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Pastor Beuford Belcher officiated. Mr. Coles was born on Jan. 15, 1953, to William J. and Norma I. Snow Coles in Boise. He moved with his family to La Grande where he graduated from La Grande High School. He worked as a carpenter and later moved to Wenatchee, Wash. He enjoyed working and spending time with his friends. Survivors include his brothers, Steven Coles of Elgin, William J. Coles … Read more

Biography of Augustus Titus

AUGUSTUS H. TITUS is a man that has a wide range of experience both in the affairs of life in its ordinary occupations and also in pioneer experiences, having passed through practically all the various vocations usually met with in frontier life, as mining, camping, opening up a new farm, as well as the incidents of danger and adventure with which such existence is frequently attended, beside much fighting with the savages in various places; universally manifesting both a cool and wise judgment and capabilities and valor and courage that are the constituent parts of the true man and progressive … Read more

Dielman, Byrdie “Opal” Shropshire Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Byrdie “Opal” Dielman, 85, died Sept. 12, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Care Center, where she had been a resident for three weeks. Her memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Opal, the first of six children of Robert David and Hazel Viola Fox Shropshire, was born on Jan. 14, 1917, at the family farm near Ashland, Kan., 50 miles south of Dodge City. She obtained her education there graduating as valedictorian of the Ashland High School class of 1935. She married Raymond “Ray” Charles Dielman, who … Read more

Shoemake, Robert Goldman – Obituary

Robert Goldman Shoemake, 87, died March 26, 2008, at the Idaho State Veteran’s Home of causes incidental to age. A proud native of the Gem State, Bob was born July 26, 1920, to Albert and Nora Todd Shoemake in the rural community of Castleford, Idaho. As a child Bob and his family moved to Oregon and Bob grew up in Baker and La Grande, graduating from La Grande High School in 1941. Anxious for more education, Bob enrolled at Oregon State University that summer to study Soils Engineering. He was able to attend OSU for one year before World War … Read more

Biography of George Ainslie

Hon. George Ainslie is a western man by birth, training and choice, and possesses the true western spirit of progress and enterprise. He belongs to the little group of distinctively representative business men who have been the pioneers in inaugurating and building up the chief industries of this section of the country. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing country, and, acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he has garnered, in the fullness of time, the generous harvest which is … Read more

Biography of Philip F. Castleman

PHILIP F. CASTLEMAN. – Those who now make the trip in the palatial car across the continent from the populous cities and thickly settled districts of the union, and view the Pacific Northwest in its present development, can but faintly realize the dangers and privations the sturdy pioneers experienced in reaching here, nor yet understand the troubles they had with the red man who then roamed its confines at will, and knew no law save what pleased the savage heart the best. They often meet among its residents not a few upon whom the snows of many winters have fallen, … Read more