Polvi, Allan “Al” – Obituary

Allan “Al” Polvi, 66, died Nov. 9, 2005, at his home at Walla Walla, Wash., after a long battle with cancer. At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment will be at Hopewell in July 2006. Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt Cremations & Funeral Services, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Wash., is assisting the family with cremation arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Regional Cancer Center or Walla Walla Community Hospice, through the funeral home. For condolences or additional information the family may be reached through this email address: [email protected]. Mr. Polvi was born on Jan. 31, … Read more

Biography of James Bishop Thomas

“Faith without works” has never accomplished much. Religion that is practical and applicable to the everyday life of any people is good for them, regardless of any peculiarities of creed. Bishop Thomas, of the Eagle Rock ward of the Church of Latter Day Saints, must be recommended as a man of the highest quality of business ability, one who makes a business of religion and does not attempt to do business except by the rule which is the rule of his private life. Bishop Thomas is a native of Wales and a son of John and Mary (Roberts) Thomas. He … Read more

Biography of Addison V. Scott

Addison V. Scott is well known throughout southern Idaho as a shrewd and public-spirited financier and real estate operator, and Mrs. Adelia B. (Dugan) Scott, his wife, has wide distinction as having been the first women in Idaho elected to the office of justice of the peace, the important functions of which she is discharging with admirable ability. They were married in 1883 and are among the prominent families of Idaho Falls. Addison Scott was born in Madison County, Iowa, January 14, 1858, and is descended from English-Irish ancestry. His forefathers settled early in Indiana, and Joseph Scott, his grandfather, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Ruel Rounds

Ex-Senator Ruel Rounds, postmaster and prominent citizen of Idaho Falls, was born in Rutland, Vermont, September 3, 1841, a son of William M. and Maria (Sanderson) Rounds, both natives of Vermont, where his ancestors were early settlers. Forefathers of his in both lines fought for American liberty in the Revolutionary war. His parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and wielded an influence for good upon all who knew them. His father, who was a successful farmer, died in his fifty-eighth year. His mother died ten years younger. Of their eight children, five are living and Ruel was the … Read more

Christopherson, Fennell, Harpole – Obituary

Ethel June Jeppsen Christopherson, 83, of Idaho Falls and formerly of Union, died June 16 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Idaho Falls Eagle Rock LDS Stake Center, 2020 S. Charlotte Dr. with Bishop Anthony Passino. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at Milo Cemetery. Coltrin Mortuary in Idaho Falls is in charge of arrangements. June was born Feb. 11, 1925, to Ethel Mirriam North and Cleon Jeppsen in Brigham City, Utah. On June 29, … Read more

Biography of Nathan H. Clark

Nathan H. Clark, though yet a young man, has had a busy and useful career at Idaho Falls, where he has served the people as mayor and member of the town council, and he is now serving as prosecuting attorney of Bingham county. In Idaho Falls he was for three years a prominent member of a leading mercantile house, and here he has in many ways shown himself to be a public-spirited citizen, devoted to worthy local interests. Mr. Clark is a son of Hon. Joseph A. Clark, present mayor of Idaho Falls, and was born at Amo, Hendricks County, … Read more

Biography of Gilbert G. Wright

One of the most prominent businessmen of Idaho Falls is Gilbert G. Wright, manager of the Cooperative Wagon & Machine Company and of the Idaho Falls Milling Company. Mr. Wright is a native of Ogden, Utah, and was born September 28, 1867. His father, Gilbert J. Wright, was born in England and came to New York, whence he removed to Ogden, Utah, where he married Miss Annie Odell, also of English birth. He became a successful hardware merchant, and late in life he retired to Idaho Falls, where he and his wife are now living. The family are devoted members … Read more

Biography of William T. Reeves

William T. Reeves, a prominent lawyer of Idaho, residing at Pocatello, was born at Kinkleville, Kentucky, January 21, 1855, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a combination which everywhere and always produces good citizens and has given to America many of her best and greatest men. George Reeves, Mr. Reeves paternal grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and brought his wife with him. They had four sons and three daughters. William Harrison Reeves, Mr. Reeves’ father, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and married Miss Penelope B. White, a native of Tennessee. While he was a mere boy his father removed with his family … Read more

Biography of Frank T. Martin

When, in 1871, Frank T. Martin first saw the Snake River valley, Idaho, it was a vast, desolate and unexplored wilderness, not so inviting to settlement as it might have been otherwise, because of its arid, unproductive soil. Mr. Martin was then a youth of seventeen, and he came with thirteen others and drove seven hundred head of cattle across the plains from Saline County, Missouri. They were one hundred and eleven days on the way, and after they reached the Snake river valley the company separated, some of its members going to different points round about, and some to … Read more

Bingham County

While not one of the most populous nor one of the most wealthy counties in the state, Bingham county does not by any means stand at the foot of the list. In 1891 the Idaho Register, published at Idaho Falls, in giving a description of Bingham County, stated that it was the largest county in the state. Its length was one hundred and seventy-six miles, its width ninety miles, and it contained about fourteen thousand square miles, or about eight million acres of land; it extended from the Montana line on the north to within about twenty-one miles of the … Read more

Simpson, Dr. Charles D. “Chuck” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Dr. Charles D. “Chuck” Simpson, 66, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 23, 2003, at his home. His memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. Pastor Susan Barnes will officiate. There will be a reception afterward in Rogers Hall. Charles Daye Simpson was born July 29, 1936, at Montrose, Colo. The family moved to Idaho in his early years and he was raised and received his schooling at Caldwell and Idaho Falls, Idaho. He continued his education at Idaho State at Pocatello and then went on to … Read more

Johnson, Roger Dale – Obituary

Roger Dale Johnson, 55, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande and Union, died March 22 after an extended illness. Services are planned for a later date. Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho is in charge of arrangements. Roger was born Nov. 9, 1952, to Burnies and Metta (King) Johnson in La Grande. He attended schools in Union and graduated from Union High School in 1971. He then served in the Army. Roger moved to Idaho Falls in 1988 and worked for Anderson Lumber until his health began to decline. He took great pride in his son, Tanner. He … Read more

Biography of Ed. F. Winn

No work that might attempt to tell the story of the settlement and civilization of Idaho would be complete if it should contain no account of the hard, brave work performed by Deputy Sheriff and Deputy United States Marshal Ed. F. Winn, in ridding the country of the gangs of thieves, cut-throats and outlaws that once infested it. A book devoted to the exploits of Winn and other Federal and civil officers in this part of the country would be of thrilling interest. Ed. F. Winn is a native of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and was born October 29, 1857. His parents, … Read more

Biography of Clarence W. Brooks

A little thoughtful consideration of the career of Clarence W. Brooks, proprietor of the Brooks House, Idaho Falls, brings one to the conclusion that he has in most of his business operations been impelled by the spirit of the pioneer. He has sought out new plans and new conditions likely to favor his projects, and after he has made them available and profitable, he has sought out still others, and after those others. The wisdom of his selection has been proven by the success which has crowned his efforts. Not only is he one of the boldest, most venturesome and … Read more

Biography of William H. B. Crow

William Henry Byron Crow was born in Greene county, Illinois, June 16, 1S52, and came of English ancestors who emigrated to America before the Revolution. His paternal great-grandfather was born at Bennineton, Vermont, III 1754 and with his son, Mr. Crows grandfather, went to Ohio in 1818, where the elder Crow died in 1844 aged, ninety years. Stephen Crow, father of William H. B. Crow, was born in New York in 18 16, and was two years old when the family removed to Ohio. He married Miss Elizabeth Prater, a native of Indiana, born in 1823, who was brought up … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Dippel

Our German citizens of American birth are among our best citizens. Most of them are industrious, frugal, enterprising, progressive and strictly up to date. There is a strain of blood, perhaps something in the atmosphere in which they were born, which makes them good pioneers. They have an unerring scent for localities for profitable investments and improvements. Following is one of the many life stories which go to prove all this: Henry Clarence Dippel, a prominent pioneer farmer and fruit-grower of Blackfoot, Idaho, is a native son of California, having been born at Lincoln, Placer County, October 26, 1859. His … Read more

Biography of Louis Elg

The man who first used gas for illumination at Idaho Falls, who put in the first telephone and who set up the first soda fountain in the town, is Louis Elg, druggist. Front and Maine streets. In other respects Mr. Elg has been a pioneer as well. His life has been a busy and eventful one and its important details are well worth the writing and the reading. He was born in Sweden, June 8, 1853, and is descended from a long line of Swedish ancestors. His father, also named Louis Elg, was an ironworker and was frozen to death, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Samuel F. Taylor

Hon. Samuel F. Taylor was not a pioneer of Idaho Falls simply. He was one of a very few who were pioneers at that locality before the town had a beginning, and was active in an enterprise which was influential in locating a town at that point on the Snake river. He came to the place in 1870 with his cousin, J. M. Taylor, who with the firm of Taylor & Anderson, built the bridge across the Snake river at the falls. It was the first bridge in this part of the state, was a great aid to immigration and … Read more

Biography of George H. Storer

The roster of state officials of Idaho for 1898 embraced the name of George H. Storer as filling the responsible position of treasurer. He is a practical, progressive businessman, of sound judgment and keen executive ability, and upon the basis of a practical business experience he conducted the financial affairs of the state. His history is in many respects remarkable. From an humble position he has risen to one of prominence, and the success which has attended his efforts is the outcome of his own unaided labors. A native of England, he was born on the 17th of February, 1860, … Read more

Christopherson, June – Obituary

Union, Oregon June Christopherson, 83, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and formerly of Union, died June 16 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Idaho Falls Eagle Rock LDS Stake Center, 2020 S. Charlotte Dr., with Bishop Anthony Passino officiating. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at Milo Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com. La Grande Observer – June 17, 2008