Biography of William Lauer
William Lauer, born in Germany in 1833, emigrated to the United States as a youth and engaged in various business ventures across the country, including hardware and mining. He settled in Payette, Idaho, becoming the town’s pioneer hardware merchant and contributing significantly to its development. Despite facing challenges, including a devastating fire that destroyed his store, he rebuilt and continued to prosper. A respected community member, Lauer has served on the school board and is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.