Biography of Henry H. Hoff

The German character has impressed itself upon our American progress by the inculcation of lessons of thrift, industry and respect for the law. It has made itself felt in the development of our public educational system. In the possession of a goodly number of citizens of German parentage Idaho is fortunate. One of its leading representative German-American citizens is Henry Herman Hoff, of Montpelier. Henry Herman Hoff was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1849, a son of John G. and Catharine (Pfitzenmaier) Hoff, who were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1814, were married in the Fatherland, and came to … Read more

Biography of William Severn

An interesting book might be written about the early settlement of Montpelier, Idaho, to which no one could contribute a more edifying chapter of personal experiences than the man whose name appears above, and some account of his venturesome, busy, useful and successful career is necessary to the completeness of this work. William Severn was born in Hucknell, in Nottinghamshire, England, October 4, 1836, of an ancestry English in all known lines of descent. His parents were Enoch and Ann (Allen) Severn. They were married in England and were there converted to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ … Read more

Biography of Christian Wallantine

Christian Wallantine, one of the prominent farmers and old residents of Paris, Idaho, is a native of Denmark, having been born on the little island of Barnholm, in the Baltic sea, off the Danish coast, October 21, 184 1. He is a descendant of German ancestry on his father’s side, representing in this line very old Teutonic stock. His parents were Wallantine and Augel Margaret (Kofoot) Wallentinesen, who, having become converts to the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, decided to cross the ocean and live out the remainder of their days in Utah, … Read more

Biography of Hon. John S. Barrett

The pluckiest men, those who may go down temporarily in the world’s great battle, but who will never give up the fight and are certain to overcome all obstacles and win the victory sooner or later, are those who have gone into the battle while yet in their childhood, and as boys have done the work of men, and have been men before their time. An illustration of this fact is afforded by the career of Hon. John S. Barrett, of Montpelier, Idaho. John S. Barrett was born in London, England, February 8, 1854. In 1860, when he was eight … Read more

Biography of Stephen Kelsey

Few men are more familiar with the pioneer history of this section of the great republic than Stephen Kelsey, who before the days when the emigrants flocked to the gold-fields of California crossed the plains to Utah in company with the colony which went with President Brigham Young to Utah. They made their way over the hot and arid plains and through the mountain passes until they reached the Salt Lake Country on the 22d of July 1847, and on the 24th of the same month they arrived on the present site of Salt Lake City, so that that date … Read more