Idaho Falls Idaho

Biography of Lorenzo R. Thomas

There are some men in every community who appear to have been born to succeed, but their success is not by any means a matter of chance. They are born with those qualities of mind and heart which, if cultivated and applied to the affairs of life, will produce success as surely as wheat well sowed and fertilized will produce its kind. Men who make vigorous and judicious use of these talents are the successful ones. Lorenzo R. Thomas, one of the enterprising men of Idaho who has continually advanced in the affairs of life, was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, … 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 Carlyle L. Pelot

It is worthy of note that a majority of the pioneers of Idaho Falls were young, or comparatively young, men. They did not come to mold a new community in accordance with antiquated precedents which had been worn out elsewhere. They came open-eyed, susceptible to conviction, ready to take conditions as they existed and shape them according to the logic of the time and the place. How they succeeded, every one knows who knows anything of the history of the town. One of the most far-sighted of these pioneers was the man whose name appears above; and it is the … 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

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 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 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 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

Lyman, Viola Elizabeth – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Viola Lyman Laid To Rest Viola Elizabeth Lyman, daughter of Peter L. and Nancy Ann (Bannon) Lingenfelter, was born August 12, 1889, in Bradshaw County, Nebraska where she spent her early life. In 1906, with her family, she came west to Idaho Falls, where on December 22, 1915; she was married to Henry W. Lyman. In 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman and family moved to Wallowa County which has since been her home. Mrs. Lyman passed away August 11, 1950 at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise after an illness of about three months. Mrs. … 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

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

Lyman, Viola Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Viola Lyman Laid To Rest Viola Elizabeth Lyman, daughter of Peter L. and Nancy Ann (Bannon) Lingenfelter, was born August 12, 1889, in Bradshaw County, Nebraska, where she spent her early life. In 1906, with her family, she came west to Idaho Falls, where on December 22, 1915; she was married to Henry W. Lyman. In 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman and family moved to Wallowa County which has since been her home. Mrs. Lyman passed away August 11, 1950 at the Wallowa Memorial hospital in Enterprise, after an illness of about three months. Mrs. … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Bennett

There have been few more impressive lessons of the value of faithfulness in small things than that afforded by the struggles and triumphs of Benjamin Bennett of Idaho Falls, Idaho, who is prominent in the commercial circles of Idaho and adjoining states and whose high position as a merchant and as a citizen has been gained by honest devotion to every interest entrusted to him as boy and man. Benjamin Bennett was born in the north of Wales, January 1, 1846. His parents, John and Jane (Roberts) Bennett, came to the United States in 1863, bringing with them their ten … 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 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

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

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

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

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 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