Latah County ID

Biography of John J. Owen

The history of the first things is always interesting. In any town the first settler’s is the name most carefully preserved. The places where he established his home and first worked at his primitive vocation are carefully noted, and his deeds and words are recounted often and with increasing interest as generations succeed one another. There lives in Genesee, Idaho, a man, now the postmaster of the city, who was its pioneer in more ways than one and it is the purpose of the biographer to record now a brief statement of the facts of his life and of his … Read more

Biography of Captain R. Pickering

The veteran soldier who risked his life in defense of the flag, all things else being equal, takes high rank as a citizen. This may be partly because of the quality of the patriotism of the American public, but there is another reason for the preeminence of the veteran. The man who has the form of character to rise to distinction as a soldier possesses the resourceful perseverance so necessary to success in other fields. Captain R. Pickering, who has been a prominent resident of Genesee from its earliest history, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 3, 1842, and … Read more

Biography of Mansfield C. McGrew

One of the prominent merchants of Kendrick, and the senior member of the large general mercantile firm of McGrew & Carmean, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, an enterprising, energetic man whose keen discrimination in business efforts and indefatigable industry have brought him a success which he well merits. A native of Illinois, he was born in Clay County, July 11, 1862, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His great-grandfather, James McGrew, having emigrated from the Emerald Isle to the New World, settled in Pennsylvania and became the progenitor of the family in the United States. He later became … Read more

Biography of Michael C. Normoyle

In the olden days the kings and rulers of countries erected palaces, temples or shrines in honor of themselves and to serve as monuments perpetuating their memory after they had passed away, but how much more does one do for civilization and his fellow men who aids in the substantial upbuilding of a city, the promotion of enterprises that add to its prosperity or the establishment of movements that produce progress and improvement along intellectual, social and material lines. Such Michael Charles Normoyle has done. No resident of Kendrick through the past nine years has done more for the city … Read more

Biography of Charles D. Armstrong

In a record of those who have been prominently identified with the development and progress of Latah county it is imperative that definite consideration be granted to the subject of this review, for not only is he a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of this favored section, but has the distinction of being one of the pioneers of the golden west, with whose fortunes he has been identified for fully forty years, concerned with varied industrial pursuits and so ordering his life as to gain and retain the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Charles Dexter Armstrong is … Read more

Biography of Charles Bomberg

Idaho owes much to her sturdy German and German-American population, whose thrift and industry have made success in every field of endeavor. Prominent among the businessmen of Genesee is Charles Bomberg, raiser and buyer of cattle and a butcher and dealer in meat. Mr. Bomberg is of German parentage. He was born in Huron County, Michigan, May 25, 1862. His father, also named Charles, was born in Germany and came to America with his parents in his childhood. He grew to manhood and established himself in Michigan, and there married Miss Kate Weaver, a native of Huron County, and also … Read more

George, Ella Mrs.

Death Takes Widow of Pioneer Minister (By Halfway Correspondent) Milton, Feb. 4. – Mrs. Ella George, widow of Rev. David George, who died 15 years ago, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C.D. Walters, here Monday night. Mrs. George was well known in the valley, having lived here the greater part of her life. She was born in Iowa in 1858 and crossed the plains when but a very small child coming with her parents first to California. In that state in 1875, she married the Rev. Mr. George, who was a circuit rider for the Methodist Episcopal … Read more

Biography of John W. Brigham

A large and well improved ranch eight and a half miles southeast of the city of Moscow, in Latah county, is owned by John Warren Brigham, who is regarded as one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of this part of the state. His business ability, untiring industry and capable management have been the chief elements in his success and have gained him a position among the substantial residents of the county. Mr. Brigham is a native of California, his birth having occurred in Placer County, on the 22d of March 1857. On the paternal side he is of … Read more

Biography of Sanford Evans

The self-made man, when he has made a place for himself in the world and installed himself in it, has done as much for the world as he has done for himself. The builder of his own fortunes is an active factor in advancing the best interests of the community in which he lives and flourishes, and every dollar he makes for himself becomes, in a sense, public capital. Such a progressive and helpful citizen is Sanford Evans, of Genesee, a prominent farmer and mill owner, who has done as much for the development of Genesee and its tributary territory … Read more

Fine, John Walter – Obituary

Death Clams County Stockman John Walter Fine, a resident of Wallowa county since 1906 and known as one of Wallowa county’s most prominent ranchers and stockmen, passed away early Friday morning, January 11, 1952 at the Wallowa Memorial hospital after an illness of three weeks. Son of Henry and olive Fine, he was born in Genesee, Idaho June 27, 1880. In 1882 his family moved to Whitman County, Washington, where they lived until 1894. From 1894 to 1906 he made Prescott, Washington his home, coming to Wallowa county in 1906. On December 27, 1910 he was married to Enterprise to … Read more

Biography of Joseph Geiger

The career of this successful businessman has been crowned with results which must be taken as another evidence of the progressive quality of the German-American character. Joseph Geiger was born in Baden, Germany, July 28, 1853, was educated in the Fatherland and came to the United States at the age of seventeen years, poor in purse and ignorant of the English language. After spending six months in New York city, he went to Texas, where he remained two years. Then he lived two years in Iowa. By that time he was pretty thoroughly Americanized, for he was a studious and … Read more

Biography of Collins Perryman

Among the most prominent and valued residents of his section of the state is Collins Perryman, of Juliaetta, a veteran of the civil war, and a citizen whose labors in behalf of the town of his abode have been most effective in advancing its interests. He was the pioneer hotel man, as a real-estate dealer has handled the greater part of its property, has done more than any other man in the locality to improve the roads through the surrounding country, and has always been watchful of the welfare and progress, doing all in his power to promote the growth … Read more

Biography of Marcus A. Means

The successful career of Marcus Asbury Means, of Genesee, is an illustration of the trite saying that brains and perseverance will make their way against all obstacles. Yet it is the multiplication of this illustration in all parts of our country that makes America one of the great powers of the earth. Mr. Means may be said to have been a child of war. He was born at Seabrook, Illinois, October 16, 1862, while his father was fighting for the preservation of the Union on southern battlefields, a service in which he yielded up his life in defense of his … Read more

Biography of Willis Arnold

Willis Arnold, proprietor of a sawmill at Kendrick, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Kenton, that state, April 29, 1862. His father, Samuel Arnold, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and after the inauguration of the civil war entered the service of the Union. He was wounded and held as a prisoner in Andersonville, and after great suffering he died from the effects of his wounds in 1866. Our subject was born when his father was at the front and was thus deprived of his care at a very early age. He was educated at Big … Read more

Biography of William N. Buchanan

On the roster of county officials of Latah county appears the name of William N. Buchanan, who is now serving as sheriff, and his fearless and prompt discharge of his public duties has gained him the commendation of all lawabiding citizens. For twenty-one years he has been a resident of the county, and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development. Throughout this period he has been connected with its agricultural interests, and is accounted one of the leading farmers of this section of the state. Mr. Buchanan was born in Newton County, Missouri, April 2, 1857, … Read more

Keefe, John – Obituary

Friday night last at Union Junction, Sheriff Hug shot and probably fatally injured a man named John Keefe, of Moscow, Idaho, who, it appears, was en route to Baker. The attention of the sheriff was called by a passenger to a man who dropped off No. 18, carrying a bundle and hastening toward some freight cars. The sheriff overtook the man and called to him, finally asking him what he had in the bundle, and for a reply the man threw the bundle in the sheriff’s face and started to run; the sheriff was soon out-footed in the race, and … Read more

Biography of Carmel C. Carpenter

One whose faith in the magnificent agricultural possibilities of Idaho was such as to lead him to become identified with this great basic industry is Carmel C. Carpenter, who is one of the prominent and representative farmers of Latah county. Results have amply justified his confidence, and he today maintains his residence on his fine farm, which is located seven and one-half miles south of the thriving town of Moscow. Mr. Carpenter is a native of the state of Iowa, having been born in Dubuque County, on the 27th of April 1845. His lineage traces back to stanch old English … Read more

Biography of Donald S. McCrea

Mr. McCrea, who is a hardware merchant of Kendrick, and one of the early settlers of the town, dates his residence here from August 1891. A native of Minnesota, he was born February 10. 1862, and is of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having been early settlers of New Brunswick. His parents were both natives of that country, and were reared, married and educated there. The father was Andrew McCrea and the mother bore the maiden name of Lydia Jane Murphy. Soon after their marriage they removed to Minnesota, where Andrew McCrea became a prominent lumberman. He was a gentleman of … Read more

Biography of Samuel J. Langdon

Samuel J. Langdon, one of the highly esteemed pioneer farmers of Latah County, is a native of Ohio, having been born at Granville, Licking County, May 4, 1829. He is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and his ancestors were early settlers of Connecticut and participants in the Revolutionary war and in the events which go to form the colonial history of the country. The family is noted for a patriotic spirit, and one of the Langdons served as commander of the colonial forces at the battle of Ticonderoga. Jesse Langdon, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Connecticut and … Read more

Collier, Rulen Frank – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Rulen Frank Collier, 86, of Union, died March 24, 2005, at his home. His funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Union. Don Baxter will conduct the service. Interment will be at the Union Cemetery. Visitations will be Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande and on Wednesday at noon at the church prior to the service. All are invited to bring a dish and attend a potluck after the service at The Hut in Union. Rulen … Read more