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 Hon. Fredrick H. Turner

Hon. Fredrick Hugh Turner, merchant, Idaho Falls, and grand master of the grand lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Idaho, has represented his district ably in the state senate, and is in all respects one of the leading business men and most distinguished citizens of southeastern Idaho. Mr. Turner was born at Janesville, Wisconsin, October 31, 1858, a son of John and Margaret (Jehn) Turner. His father was an English barrister, born in London, who came to the United States in 1838, and located as a pioneer in Rock County, Wisconsin, where he became a prominent farmer … 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

Biography of George W. Mills

A self-made man who has not despised the day of small things, and who has used obstacles as stepping-stones to higher successes, has a right to regard his advancement with pride. It is comparatively easy for a man of reasonably good ability to achieve a business success on capital borrowed or inherited, but it requires real force of character to earn the capital by hard, persistent work, and save it and invest it successfully. George W. Mills, who enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading butchers of southeastern Idaho, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1854, … Read more

Dennis, Seth Beal – Obituary

Seth Beal Dennis, 89, a Sumpter Valley resident, died Nov. 9, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. There will be a private graveside service. Mr. Dennis was born on Jan. 31, 1915, at Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Samuel and Sarah Smith Dennis. He was their 12th child. After graduating from high school at Idaho Falls, he became a railway mail clerk. He married Helen Fenn in 1941. He served in World War II in the African and Italian campaigns. When he returned from the service, he and Helen settled at Baker, where he worked as a railway postal clerk. … Read more

Hill, James – Obituary

James Hill, who sold his farm at Pine Grove a few weeks since and started by private conveyance for Southern Idaho, was taken sick at Idaho Falls and died the 26th of August. Deceased was a brother of John Hill, the well known pioneer rancher of the Flat, and came here from Southern Idaho a few years ago. He had long been afflicted with kidney disease and the hot, dusty journey by wagon proved too much for him and he succumbed to the disease before reaching his destination. A wife and several sons and daughters survive him. Elgin Recorder Friday … Read more

Biography of Joseph A. Clark

The Idaho canal is fed by Snake River, ten miles above Idaho Falls. It has three head gates, is forty feet wide and thirty-five miles long and irrigates one hundred thousand acres of land, the country which it waters being largely settled by prosperous farmers who raise hay and grain in large quantities. The productiveness of this stretch of country and the prosperity which flows from it are made possible by this great inland improvement, and the canal was made possible largely through the personal efforts of Joseph A. Clark, who advocated it, promoted it and was chiefly instrumental in … Read more

Biography of Hon. Burdice J. Briggs

There are few men in southern Idaho better or more favorably known than Hon. Burdice J. Briggs, a lawyer of ability and success, an up-right and patriotic citizen, and the constant promoter of the best interests of the state and its people. His effective work in the legislature in behalf of irrigation entitles him to a prominent place in any volume which purports to give an account of Idaho and her leading useful citizens. Hon. Burdice J. Briggs was born at Bellevue, Nebraska, November 21, 1859, a son of Alpheus N. and Harriet (Green) Briggs. The Briggs family in America … Read more

Willaims, Leanora – Obituary

Lenora “Nora” Ruth Williams, 93, of La Grande, died Saturday, Feb.19, 1994, at Mountain Vista Care Center. A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cove Cemetery the Rev. Kenton Thielen of the La Grande First Baptist Church officiating. Mrs. Williams was born on May 20, 1900, to Grant and Lucy Robin (Hayes) Gardner in Center, Colo. She moved with her family to Burntfork, Wyo., and then to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1910, and to Cove in 1912. On April 24, 1917, she married Edward W. Meroney. They divorced, in 1925. She married Raymond Williams on … 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

Brown, Wynona Eleen “Elaine” – Obituary

Cove, Oregon Wynona Eleen “Elaine” Brown, 75, of Cove died July 31 at her home. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 at the LDS Church in Union. Viewing will begin at noon at the Church before the service. Burial will follow at the Cove Cemetery. Mrs. Brown was born Nov. 16, 1930, to Norma Eleen Poormon in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1948, and married Gerald A. Brown of Joseph. They had a ranch on Upper Prairie Creek and moved to Union County where he worked for the General Telephone Co. … 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 Edward Fanning

The career of this prominent Idaho merchant illustrates the claim, frequently made, that a man of enterprise will inevitably get into and make a success of the business for which he has the most liking and aptitude, regardless of discouragements and obstacles which would direct weaker men permanently into other paths of endeavor. Edward Fanning was born in county Carlow, Ireland, February 23, 1844, a son of Patrick and Bridget (Murphy) Fanning. His father was a farmer, and both his parents were born in the Catholic faith and were reared and lived and died in it, Patrick Fanning passing away … 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 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 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

Karg, William Franklin “Bill”, Dr. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Dr. William Franklin “Bill” Karg, 75, of Eagle, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 7, 2004, at his home. The family had a private service to celebrate his life. Bill was born on April 18, 1929, at Baker City to Otto and Margaret “Pat” Karg. His father was a former Baker City fire chief. Bill attended Baker High School and then Pacific University at Forest Grove. He graduated with a degree in optometry on May 25, 1952. During college, he worked for the Forest Service where he was a firefighter. He married Ruby Lowe at … 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 Samuel J. Rich

A representative of the legal fraternity and a well known business man of Idaho Falls, Samuel J. Rich has spent his entire life in the west and is thoroughly identified with its interests and progress. He was born in Centerville, Davis county, Utah, May 1, 1860, his parents being Charles C. and Emeline (Grover) Rich, natives of Kentucky and New York, respectively, and pioneers of Utah of the year 1847. In 1864 they removed from Utah to Bear Lake county, Idaho, Mr. Rich being the pioneer and first while settler in Bear Lake valley. In the common schools of Bear … Read more

Biography of Benjamin A. Jenne

Character and ability will come to the front anywhere. As boy and man, many a man has been buffeted by fortune and had almost insurmountable obstacles thrust in his path, but per-severance has cleared them away and he has gone on to success. Such has been the experience of the subject of this sketch, one of the rising and popular citizens and public men of Bingham County, Idaho, a man with a heart for any venture, and a smile for friend and foe. Benjamin P. Jenne, deputy sheriff and jailer of Bingham County, Idaho, was born at Poor Man’s Gulch, … Read more