Boise Idaho

Purdy, Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Purdy, 92, of Picabo, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 26, 2006. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Community Campus (old Wood River High School) Auditorium at Hailey, Idaho. Internment will be at the Picabo Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Ruth’s Life” at the Picabo Store immediately after the internment. The daughter of Clark and Lottie Rippey, she was born on June 29, 1913, at Portland. Soon after, the family moved to Baker City, where her father worked for the Railway Mail Service on … Read more

Biography of George Dabney Ellis

One of the founders of Boise City and one of the most active spirits in the upbuilding and progress of this thriving place during the past quarter of a century has been George D. Ellis, a pioneer of Idaho, whither he came in 1863. He is and has been the president of the Capital State Bank of Boise City for several years; is a stock-holder and general manager and treasurer of the electric street-car line of this place and is a stock-holder and a director of the Artesian Hot & Cold Water Company, besides having materially aided and fostered many … Read more

Biography of William Morfitt

To this worthy veteran of many a struggle with the savages on the frontier, as well as in many of the battles of life in the wild country, being a pioneer of the state of Oregon, and having led a life of activity in the forefront of the progress of civilization, having done well his part in all this good work, we are pleased to grant a consideration in this volume of Malheur County’s history, both because of this prominent part that he has taken in the County and in its leading industries and developments, as well as for his … Read more

Internal Improvements

In 1892 twenty thousand dollars was voted by congress for the improvement of Snake river, and one hundred thousand dollars for the Boise public building. The river and harbor appropriation bill, passed by congress in April, 1896, carried twenty-five thousand dollars for the improvement of the Clearwater River, and five thousand dollars for the Kootenai between Bonner’s ferry and the British boundary. The appropriation for the Boise public building was increased from one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to two hundred thousand dollars and a building site was selected which cost seventeen thousand and five hundred dollars. Of the special … Read more

Biography of John M. Haines

The wise system of industrial economics which has been brought to bear in the development of Boise has challenged uniform admiration, for while there has been a great advancement in all material lines, there has been an entire absence of that inflation of values and that erratic “booming” which have in the past proved the eventual death knell to many of the localities of the west, where “mushroom” towns have one day smiled forth with “all modern improvements” and practically on the next day have been shorn of their glories and of their possibilities of stable prosperity, so to remain … 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 Ervin W. Johnson

For many years actively connected with the development and progress of different sections of this state, Mr. Johnson is now the proprietor of the Overland Hotel, in Boise, and is regarded as one of the most popular and best known citizens of Idaho. A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, he was born March 17, 1857, a son of William W. and Eliza A. (Myers) Johnson. His father, a native of Indiana, born in 1829, died in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1867, and his wife, who was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, also departed this life in Iowa. By profession Mr. Johnson was … Read more

Wickham, Willis James – Obituary

Death Comes To Wickham Willis James Wickham, 73, long time resident of Elgin, Union County, died late yesterday evening in La Grande after a long illness. He was born July 25, 1878, in Carlton Center, Mich. He came with his parents by wagon train to the Grand Ronde Valley when he was about 12 years old. He operated butcher shops in Elgin, Boise and Star, Ida. He was also active in logging operations in Union County for several years. He was a past member of the Eagles Lodge, and a member of the Christian Church. Survivors include two sons, Fred … Read more

Fisk, Roy A. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Roy A. Fisk Passes After Heart Attack Roy A. Fisk passed away at the hospital Monday, Jan. 29, 1940. For several years he had realized that his heart was not strong and he had been careful not to over exert himself and he felt he was improving. However, he suffered a sever attack Sunday, after doing his morning chores on the old Jacob Bauer farm south of town, and he was taken to the hospital. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at two o’clock in the Christian Church. Mr. Fisk was born at Chippewa Falls, … 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

Biography of Jesse K. Dubois, M. D.

Dr. Dubois is one of the well and favorably known physicians not only of Boise but also of the entire state of Idaho. He is a native of Springfield, Illinois, where he was born November 16. 1848, and is of French descent. His grandfather, Dubois, came to America from France and was chief of the staff of General William Henry Harrison. Jesse Dubois, the father of our subject, was born in Illinois when that state was a territory. He married Miss Adelia Morris, of Kentucky ancestry. He was a prominent lawyer and a stanch Republican, having been a neighbor, friend … 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

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

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 Benjamin and Hosea Eastman

Tales of heroism have been the theme of song and story throughout all ages. He who has gone forth to battle for his country, his home or his principles, has figured in history, in literature and in music, and his bravery has stirred the souls of men through all times. All honor to such an one, and yet his heroism is no greater or his daring more pronounced than that of the honored pioneers of the west. Men reared in comfortable homes, accustomed to all the conveniences and privileges of life in the east, have come into the wild western … 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

Purvis, Rusty Gene – Obituary

Rusty Gene Purvis, 39, of Portland, died Oct. 27, 2002. A graveside service will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Ironside Cemetery. Floyd Cooper will officiate. Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is handling the arrangements. Mr. Purvis was born Nov. 17, 1962, at Baker City to Don and Carol (Hill) Purvis. He attended Harper and Unity schools, and graduated from Riddle High School in 1981. He also attended Boise State University. He was employed by Zilog in Boise and Fujitsu in Portland as a computer technician. He enjoyed fishing, football and NASCAR racing. Mr. Purvis is survived by … 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

Northcutt, Paul W. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Paul W. Northcutt, 84, of La Grande, died June 15 in Boise. A full obituary will be available later. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. La Grande Observer – June 17, 2008 _________________________________ Paul W. Northcutt, 84, of La Grande, died June 15 at a hospital in Boise with his family by his side. No services are planned. A celebration of life will be held in Arizona at a later date. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. Paul was born March 28, 1924. He was a veteran of World War … Read more

Biography of Richard Z. Johnson

Perhaps there is no part of this history of more general interest than the record of the bar. It is well known that the peace, prosperity and well-being of every community depend upon the wise interpretation of the laws, as well as upon their judicious framing, and there-fore the records of the various persons who have at various times made up the bar will form an important part of this work. A well known jurist of Illinois said, “In the American state the great and good lawyer must always be prominent, for he is one of the forces that move … Read more