Lewiston Idaho

Biography of J. D. C. Thiessen

One of the best known and most successful sheep-raisers and wool-growers of Idaho is J. D. C. Thiessen, of Lewiston. A native of Holstein, Germany, he was born February 16, 1843, and is of Danish ancestry, although his parents, John D. and Alary (Hanchild) Thiessen, were both natives of Germany. The father was a farmer and trader. In religious faith both he and his wife were Lutherans, and the former lived to be fifty-four years of age, while the mother departed this life in her fifty-sixth year. Mr. Thiessen of this review is the fourth in their family of seven … Read more

Wilson, Donna Rae Fine Mrs. – Obituary

Donna Rae Wilson, 59, of Joseph, a former Baker County resident, died Aug. 12, 2005. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, 1420 W. North St., in Enterprise. Burial will be at 11:45 a.m. Thursday at the Grangeville, Idaho, Cemetery. Donna was born on Feb. 23, 1946. She attended schools in Idaho at Clearwater Valley and Grangeville. She married Ray Wilson in 1961 and began her adventurous life on a sheep ranch in Hells Canyon. The couple had two sons and a daughter. After the Forest Service forced them off of their land … Read more

Biography of Isaac C. Hattabaugh

Prominent in the field of politics and in business circles, Isaac C. Hattabaugh has left the impress of his individuality upon the public life of Latah county, and is today numbered among the leading and influential citizens of Moscow. A native of Indiana, he was born in Salem, that state, December 24, 1851. His grandfather, Jacob Hattabaugh, was born in Germany, and crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Pennsylvania and from there to Indiana. He was a man of ability and an influential pioneer settler of southern Indiana. His son, George W. Hattabaugh, … Read more

Biography of George A. Frost

The horologe of time has marked off thirty-nine years since George A. Frost came to the Pacific coast, and thirty years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since his arrival in Lewiston. He is numbered among the esteemed and valued residents of this place, and as a representative citizen of northern Idaho well deserves mention in this volume. He was born in St. Auburns, Somerset county, Maine, November 14, 1836, and is of Scotch and English lineage. His parents were both natives of Kennebec County, Maine, and in 1852 the father came to the west, making the … Read more

Biography of Peter J. Pefley

An Idaho pioneer of 1864, Peter J. Pefley, is now engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Lewiston, and has long been accounted one of the representative men of the state, for the active interest he has taken in promoting her welfare renders him one of her valued citizens. His childhood days were spent on the Atlantic coast. He was born in Roanoke County, Virginia, June 6, 1830, and traces his ancestry back to the Fatherland, whence John Pefley, his great-grandfather, came to America, sailing from Baden-Baden in 1730. He took up his residence in Virginia, and there occurred … Read more

Biography of William Lauer

Since the establishment of Payette William Lauer has been identified with its development and upbuilding, and his labors have been most effective in promoting its welfare. He is the pioneer hardware merchant of the town, and still continues in that line of business, his well directed efforts bringing him success. He is among the worthy citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to the New World, his birth having occurred in Germany on the nth of November 1833. In his youth he crossed the Atlantic to New York with his father, Isaac Lauer, who made his home in the eastern metropolis … Read more

Biography of James Edwards

After a long period of active connection with the industrial interests of northern Idaho, James Edwards is now living a retired life in Grangeville. He was born in Richmond, Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 20th of June, 1838, his parents being George and Martha Sophia (Burr) Edwards, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The father was a farmer and a dealer in cattle and grain. He attained the age of only fifty years, but his wife lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years. They were Universalists in religious faith, and Mr. Edwards was a man of ability, … Read more

Prominent Cities and Towns of the State

Boise, The Capital City The following descriptive article is an excerpt from the souvenir edition of the Boise Sentinel, issued in June 1897: So much has been said and written and sung of “Boise, the Beautiful,” that the task of saying any-thing new seems utterly hopeless; and of this there is little need. While those who have made their homes here from the beginning, and those who from year to year have come to stay, might naturally be expected to be most fervent in their praises, they have not always been the happiest in laying appropriate tributes before the shrine … Read more

Biography of John Green

For the past four years a distinguished member of the Lewiston bar, John Green was born in Wythe county, Virginia, September 30, 1860, and is a descendant of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. His father, John W. Green, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Betty Newell Fulton, a native of Staunton, Virginia, and a direct descendant of the noted family of Stewarts. Her father, Andrew S. Fulton, was judge of the Supreme Court and presided over the fifteenth judicial district of Virginia for thirty consecutive years. He was a cousin of J. E. Stewart, a prominent cavalry … Read more

Biography of Ezra Baird

In the year which witnessed the arrival of so many of Idaho’s prominent pioneers. 1862 this gentleman cast in his lot with the early settlers, and through the period which has since elapsed he has been an important factor in the development and progress of the state. He is a native of Schoharie County, New York, born May 11, 1839, and is of Scotch and English descent. His ancestors came to America in colonial days and the maternal great-grandfather of our subject. Major Norton, fought throughout the struggle for independence. Joseph Baird, the father of our subject, was born in … Read more

Delaney, Vennie Florence – Obituary

Union, Oregon Vennie Florence Delaney, 98, of Lewiston and formerly of Union, died Oct. 23 in Lewiston. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Union Cemetery. A luncheon and sharing time will follow at the VFW Hall in Union. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Vennie was born Sept. 7, 1909, to Ray Jordan and Mamie (Riggins) Oliver in Fossil. The family moved to Union where she met Roy Delaney. They married on March 27, 1930. They lived in Union and raised their children there. She cooked at three restaurants during the … Read more

Biography of Edwin R. Sherwin

This well and favorably known resident of Grangeville came to the territory of Idaho when the, flourishing city of Lewiston was but a collection of tents, and through the thirty-seven, years that have since come and gone he has been an important element in the business life of this section of the commonwealth. He was born in Onondaga County, New York, January 26, 1821, and is of English and German descent. His ancestors were early settlers of New England, and the grandfather. Captain Joshua Sherwin, was a resident of Hartford, Connecticut. He was one of a family of seven sons, … Read more

Biography of James N. Stacy

One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Lewiston is James N. Stacy, who has also attained distinction in political circles and is now the honored state senator from his district. He is president of the Gold Bar Mining Company, a director in the Golden Gate Company and is also extensively engaged in real estate dealings. In studying the lives and characters of prominent men we are naturally I inquire into the secret of their success and motives that prompted their action. Success is not the result of genius, as held by many, but is the outcome … Read more

Early settlers of Lewiston, Idaho

Ezra Bird, born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1839, came to California by sea in 1861, remaining in S. F. one year, when he removed to Idaho and engaged mining, express-carrying, and cattle raising. He was elected sheriff of Nez Percé County in 1873, serving 3 terms. He married Alice Odle in 1873. J. Clindinning, born in St Stephen’s, New Brunswick, in 1831, came to California overland in 1851, with a horse team, in company with H. H. Sloan, arriving at American Valley, Plumas County, in July. He mined in different localities for 3 years, when he settled at … Read more

Mahaffey, Maude Craig Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Maude Mahaffey Dies Suddenly Mrs. Maude Mahaffey, who had been ill for several months, passed away suddenly Tuesday morning, January 29, 1952 at her home in Enterprise. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, February 1, at 2:00 o’clock from the Community church with the Booth-Bollman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Rev. John Munsey, pastor, will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be John Simmons, Albert Wilson, Charles E. Crow, J.A. Eggleson, C.H. Zurcher and Alvin McFetridge, and acting as active pallbearers, will be W.S. Strickler, A.M. Pace, C.N. Miller, Elmer McFetridge, John McFetridge, and Glenn Russell, … Read more

Reynolds, Joe – Obituary

Troy, Wallowa County, Oregon Joe Reynolds, a Grouse Flats farmer, died of leukemia Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1992, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at Lewiston, Idaho. He was 67. He was born April 13, 1925, at Walla Walla, Wash., the son of Earl and Pansy Reynolds. He attended high school in Anatone. Mr. Reynolds moved to Grouse Flats in 1937. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service and also logged while farming there. On Jan. 6, 1947, he married Coralie Woodward of Lewiston, Idaho. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and horseback riding. Besides his wife Coralie at, their home on Grouse … Read more

Blang, Patricia M. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Patricia M. Blang, 63, of La Grande died Nov. 4 of natural causes at a care center in La Grande. There will be a celebration of life service at the Union County Senior Center at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Burial will be at Asotin Cemetery in Asotin, Wash. Loveland Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Mrs. Blang was born to William Murphy Watkins and Opal Marie Truitt on July 20, 1943, in Lewiston, Idaho. She married Richard J. Blang on June 28, 1980. She enjoyed teddy bears, stuffed animals and singing. … Read more

Hammond, Ruth – Obituary

Ruth Hammond departed this life while at the hospital at Lewiston, Idaho, January 30th, 1920, aged 18 years, 11 months and 2 days. Ruth was the daughter of Tim Gordon (deceased) and Eliza (Gordon) Backelman, a resident of Bartlett, where the daughter was born. She was married to T.B. Hammond on Dec. 30th. 1918, who, with the mother and one sister, Mrs. Dale Estes, of Troy remain to mourn her departure. Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday February 19, 1920

Biography of Alfred Damas

The career of Mr. Damas has been a very eventful and interesting one, and now, at the age of sixty-four, he is the possessor of a handsome competence, the fitting reward of his well spent life. For twenty-six years he has been prominently connected with the mercantile interests of Lewiston and his efforts have been an important element in the progress and advancement of this section of the state. He was born far from his present home, being a native of Brussels, Belgium, where his birth occurred on the 18th of July, 1835. He attended school in his native country … Read more

Huffman, Harry Wayne – Obituary

Services Held For Harry Huffman Harry Wayne Huffman passed away on September 3, 1967 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Baker, Oregon after being a patient their for several months. He had been in failing health for the past two years. He was born on March 23, 1882 in Pyles Canyon near Union, Oregon. He was the son of William H. and Sophia Catherine Huffman. He was the last member of the family of six boys and one daughter. Mrs. M. Etta Dobbin. Harry was an old timer in Union and Wallowa County. For many years he employed by Keltner and Skaggs … Read more