Latah County ID

Prominent Cities and Towns of the State

Boise, Idaho’s capital, boasts a rich history that began with the arrival of French Canadian explorers in 1834, who named the area for its scenic woods. Established in 1863 alongside Fort Boise, the city grew steadily, supported by agriculture, mining, and a healthy climate. By the late 19th century, Boise had developed into a thriving center of commerce and education, featuring state institutions and a diverse population benefiting from local resources. It emerged quietly yet robustly, distinguishing itself as the heart of Idaho’s progress and prosperity.

Biography of James Harvey Forney

James Harvey Forney

James Harvey Forney, born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, has significantly contributed to education in Idaho as a prominent citizen and former U.S. district attorney. Educated at Wofford University, he practiced law after attending Hastings Law College and moved to Idaho in 1879. Forney served as district attorney for seventeen years and was involved in major criminal prosecutions, including the Coeur d’Alene riots. A cultured individual, he maintained a substantial library and held various community leadership roles, including grand master of the Odd Fellows and positions at the University of Idaho.

Biography of William A. Baker

William Alexander Baker, born in Virginia in 1855, is a prominent merchant in Moscow, where he has operated for twelve years. His background includes farming and early ventures in stock raising, followed by police work in Texas. After moving to Idaho, he transitioned to the retail business, establishing a successful store and accumulating real estate. Baker is involved in the Masonic fraternity and various community organizations and has served as Moscow’s marshal. His achievements reflect a commendable self-made success through hard work and sound judgment.

Biography of Joseph Geiger

Joseph Geiger, born on July 28, 1853, in Baden, Germany, immigrated to the United States at seventeen, determined to succeed despite initial challenges. After settling in various states, he established a profitable ranch in Idaho’s Genesee Valley and co-founded a brewery in 1888. A devoted family man, he remarried after the early death of his first wife and had three children. An active Democrat, Geiger contributed to local welfare and church development, showcasing his commitment to community service and public spirit.

Biography of James C. Hanson

James C. Hanson, a Danish immigrant, arrived in the United States in 1868 and settled in Idaho in 1872. A pioneer in Latah County, he successfully transformed his farmland near Genesee into a prosperous enterprise. Known for his industrious spirit and ability to assimilate, Hanson improved his property with modern farming techniques and amenities. He married Carrie Beck, also from Denmark, and raised five children. A prominent community member, he has been involved in local governance and church activities.

Biography of Wylie A. Lauder

Wylie A. Lauder, born in July 1857 in New York, played a pivotal role in the development of Moscow, Idaho. Arriving in the region during its formative years, he co-pioneered brick manufacturing, providing materials for key local structures. After a business setback due to the financial depression of 1893, he pivoted to manage the Idaho Fruit Produce Company, contributing significantly to the community’s growth. A dedicated public figure, he is noted for his integrity and commitment to Moscow’s prosperity, alongside his active family and church involvement.

Biography of Louis N. B. Anderson

Louis N. B. Anderson, born on August 16, 1850, in Indiana, comes from a lineage dedicated to education and public service. After moving to Kansas, he pursued teaching and later studied law, becoming a prominent figure in Idaho’s educational and judicial systems. He served as Latah County probate judge and Idaho’s superintendent of public instruction during the late 1890s. A minister and political activist, he supported the Populist Party, advocating for silver remonetization. He and his wife Ellen raised two surviving children in Moscow, Idaho.

Biography of Charles F. Burr

Judge Charles F. Burr, born March 31, 1857, in Momence, Illinois, was a notable early settler and influential community member in Genesee, Idaho. A descendant of Rev. Jonathan Burr, he contributed to the town’s development through real estate and local governance, including roles as city clerk and postmaster. Educated in Illinois, he initially pursued agriculture before relocating west in 1880. Burr’s family legacy includes significant public service and active participation in local business and civic organizations, reflecting the broader accomplishments of the Burr lineage.

Biography of Willis Arnold

Willis Arnold, born on April 29, 1862, in Kenton, Ohio, became a prominent sawmill operator in Kendrick, Idaho. After losing his father in the Civil War, he independently pursued carpentry and moved through various states, including Dakota and Montana, honing his lumber manufacturing skills. In 1897, he established a sawmill that became a key industrial enterprise in the area. Arnold married Mary Potter in 1896, and they have three children. He is recognized for his integrity and strong community presence as a Republican businessman.

Biography of Henry Dorsey

Henry Dorsey, born in February 1853 in Hancock County, Ohio, was a notable figure in Mountain Home, Idaho. The youngest of eight children, he moved to Idaho in 1872, where he engaged in various occupations, including operating a ferry and managing a meat market. In 1888, he established the Dorsey Cottage Hotel with his wife, S. J. Pattee, gaining a reputation as a dedicated host. Active in local governance and community welfare, Dorsey was highly regarded until his death on February 23, 1899.

Biography of Mansfield C. McGrew

Mansfield C. McGrew, a prominent merchant in Kendrick and co-founder of McGrew Carmean, was born on July 11, 1862, in Clay County, Illinois. His lineage traces back to a Scotch-Irish immigrant. Educated in Illinois, McGrew initially worked as a teacher before venturing into merchandising, ultimately establishing a successful general mercantile business in Kendrick. Married to Aldorah S. Yockey, they have six children and actively contribute to their community and church, while McGrew also participates in local fraternal and civic organizations.

Biography of Math. Jacobs

Math. Jacobs, born on May 1, 1865, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is a prominent businessman in Idaho, currently serving as president of Kendrick State Bank. After moving to Idaho in 1884, he worked in retail before shifting to banking, demonstrating strong leadership and business acumen. Married to Cora Addison in 1891, he is active in the Catholic Church and local fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Pythias. A committed Democrat, Jacobs prioritizes his business over political aspirations.

Biography of Mason A. Cornwall

Mason A. Cornwall, a prominent citizen of Moscow, Idaho, is now seventy-seven years old but remains vigorous and active in business. Born in 1821 in New York, he comes from a distinguished lineage, with ancestors who contributed to America’s founding. Cornwall’s career spans education, farming, and various business ventures, including founding the Bank of Moscow and investments in mining. A respected community member, he has also contributed significantly to local growth and charity, exemplifying a life of integrity and dedication to public welfare.

Biography of James R. Strong

James Russell Strong, born on September 24, 1849, in Ohio, is a prominent judge of the probate court in Latah County, Idaho. He hails from a lineage of military service, with his grandfather participating in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. After working as a teacher and farmer, he ran a cheese factory in Kansas before moving to Idaho in 1889. A Republican, Strong has held various public roles, including postmaster and justice of the peace, and was elected probate judge in 1898. He is married to Mary M. Putnam and has four children.

Biography of Franz L. Koehler

Franz Louis Koehler, born on October 8, 1859, in Bavaria, Germany, immigrated to the United States in 1883. An expert in the brewing industry, he worked in breweries across the country before establishing the Moscow Brewery in Idaho, which he remodeled and modernized. Koehler’s commitment to quality, utilizing the finest local ingredients, led to a respected product rivaling eastern beers. He married Bertie Herman in 1891, and they have two children. Koehler is recognized for his integrity and contributions to his community, actively engaging in local advancement.

Biography of Donald S. McCrea

Donald S. McCrea, a hardware merchant in Kendrick since 1891, was born on February 10, 1862, in Minnesota. He established his first store in Warren, Minnesota, before moving to Rockford, Washington, and then to Kendrick, where he founded McCrea Brothers Company. McCrea is actively involved in local governance and community organizations and has built a successful business recognized for its extensive inventory and customer service. He was married to Dora M. Davies, who passed away, leaving him with a daughter. McCrea is a respected and industrious member of his community.

Biography of Frank L. Moore

Frank L. Moore, born on February 8, 1863, in Olmstead County, Minnesota, is a junior partner at the law firm Forney, Smith & Moore in Moscow. He comes from a Scotch-Irish lineage with deep roots in Canada and New York. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1888, he practiced law in Washington before moving to Moscow in 1893. Frank married Vina Deavitt, and they have two children, Gladys and Latham. He has a rich family history, including connections to early American settlers.

Biography of John J. Owen

John J. Owen, born in Birmingham, England, in 1843, immigrated to the United States in 1849. He served with distinction in the Civil War as a member of the Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the war, Owen settled in various locations, eventually becoming a pioneer in Genesee, Idaho, where he built the town’s first hotel and served as postmaster, appointed by President McKinley. A figure of community importance, he was involved in local governance and civic organizations, leaving a lasting legacy.

Biography of Michael C. Normoyle

Michael C. Normoyle, born on September 8, 1853, in Troy, New York, is a notable figure in Kendrick, Idaho, known for his significant contributions to the city’s development over the past nine years. A self-made businessman, he began his career at age ten and eventually became the proprietor of the St. Elmo Hotel. He played a key role in establishing the town’s first hotel and has invested in various enterprises, leading to local prosperity. Normoyle is also active in community initiatives and holds interests in agriculture and mining.

Biography of Michael J. Shields

Michael Joseph Shields, born in 1853 in New York, exemplifies resilience and determination in business. He began as a canal driver and quickly advanced, eventually moving to San Francisco and later Walla Walla, where he made significant investments. In 1879, he established a thriving trade in farm implements in Moscow, Idaho. Despite facing financial difficulties in the 1890s, Shields persevered and restructured his business, leading to notable success. A community leader and dedicated family man, he significantly contributed to public education in Idaho.