Biography of Aaron Freidenrich

Aaron Freidenrich, one of the most prominent merchants of Grangeville, and the managing member of the firm of Alexander & Freidenrich, wholesale and retail dealers in general merchandise, is in control of the largest establishment of the kind in the town, and perhaps no town of equal proportion in the entire country can boast of a better or more extensive store. The success of this enterprise is due to him whose name begins this sketch, a most energetic and progressive man, whose sound judgment is supplemented by industry and honorable methods. These qualities have brought to him a most creditable … Read more

Biography of John Krall

Few lives have been more active or more thoroughly filled with incidents of interest and of unusual nature than has that of John Krall, one of the pioneers of Idaho, and for about thirty-five years a resident in the vicinity of Boise City. Now a wealthy man, he is indebted to himself alone for his fortune, for he started out in youth to fight the battle of life, a poor boy, and by the exercise of industry and perseverance, in the face of great difficulties, he came off victor over all. Mr. Krall is a native of Germany, born December … Read more

Biography of John Lane

Colonel John Lane, the senior member of the law firm of Lane & McDonald, has long resided on the Pacific coast, but has made his home in Lewiston for only two years. In that time, however, he has gained prestige as one of the ablest members of the bar of this locality, and is therefore a valued addition to the professional circles of the city. A native of the state of Indiana, Colonel Lane was born in Evansville, May 17, 1837. His ancestors were of Irish and French stock and were early settlers of North Carolina, where they founded the … Read more

Biography of Neri L. Ackles

NERI L. ACKLES. – A man of broad experience in the business world, gained by practical contact with the different lines of enterprise in the northwest, the subject of this sketch is today one of Union county’s prominent and capable farmers and stockmen, whose ability has wrought for the advancement of the welfare of all, while he has prosecuted with vigor the industries that have come to his hand, gaining the reward of wisely bestowed labor in the land of resources and fertility. In Linn county, Missouri, Neri L. first saw the light and July 30, 1860, was the time … Read more

Biography of Charles F. Leland

Charles F. Leland, coming to Lewiston in his boyhood, has spent almost his entire life in this beautiful and prosperous city of northern Idaho where he is now serving as general stage agent and also as agent for the Northern Pacific Express Company. He was born in Portland, Oregon, November 5, 1858, and in 1864 removed to Lewiston with his parents. His father Alonzo Leland, was born in Springfield, Vermont, July 12, 1818, and in the public schools acquired his education. At the age of sixteen he began to earn his own living by teaching, which profession he followed for … Read more

Carpenter, Erwin H. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Erwin H. Carpenter Erwin H. Carpenter, 80, of Lewiston, Idaho, and formerly of Grangeville, Idaho, and Union County, died Feb. 20 at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Grandview Cemetery. Erwin was born Jan. 13, 1927, to Earl and Ida Carpenter in La Grande. As a child he lived on the family farm near Elgin. He and his sister, Doris, rode their horse three miles to attend … Read more

Hooker, Frances Harriet – Obituary

Union, Oregon Frances Harriet Hooker, 92, of La Grande and formerly of Union, died April 4 at a local care home in La Grande. A life tribute and celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at the Union Cemetery in Union. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Through the last 92 years, those who knew Frances say she touched many lives and helped many people as a volunteer at senior meals and the local food bank at the United Methodist Church in Union. She was usually the first one at church on Sundays and would turn … Read more

Biography of John L. Chapman

John L. Chapman, the postmaster and city treasurer of Lewiston, is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Evansville, Rock County, that state, on the 27th of December 1850. He is a representative of one of the old American families. His father, Timothy S. Chapman, was a native of New York, and married Minerva Hurlburt, who was also born in the Empire state. He was a vocalist of superior ability and a teacher of both instrumental music and singing. In 1844 he removed to Illinois, and there his home became a station on the famous underground railroad. He … Read more

Humes, Bill – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Bill Humes Dies Lewiston, Idaho Bill Humes, until recently a resident of North Powder, died in a hospital at Lewiston, Idaho, last week, was the information received yesterday morning by William Denton of this city. No particulars of the demise were given, nor as to the funeral arrangements. Mr. Humes had been at work, it is said, on a mining project on the Salmon river in that section. Mr. Humes conducted a shoe repair shop in North Powder for a number of years, the place being destroyed by fire some months ago. The News is … 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

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

Biography of John P. Vollmer

One of the ablest and best known businessmen of Idaho is John P. Vollmer, of Lewiston. In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; today it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. John P. Vollmer is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an … Read more

Biography of James C. Hanson

The Danish citizens of the United States are more nearly identical with our Anglo-American race than any other citizens of foreign birth. They possess the spirit which we call “go-aheaditiveness” in as large measure as any of our citizens, and they become Americanized and assimilate with the older population of our country sooner perhaps than foreigners of any other race. They are industrious, take to business on broad principles and are about as certain to make successes as any people among us. James C. Hanson, one of the prominent farmers of Latah County, Idaho, is not by any means one … Read more

Biography of Charles W. Shaff, M. D.

Holding marked prestige as a member of the medical profession of Idaho is Dr. Charles W. Shaff, of Lewiston, now the honored president of the State Medical Association. In the learned professions advancement depends upon the man, his talents, his skill and his ambition. The physician’s power is especially his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to this knowledge by close study and earnest application, and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain the highest … Read more

Kiilsgaard, Marco – Obituary

Marco Kiilsgaard, 84, died April 12, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Care Center after a long illness. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop David Richards will preside and Dick Hindman will conduct the service. Marco was born on Oct. 13, 1920, at Rockland, Idaho, to Chris and Martha Hunsaker Kiilsgaard. She was their second child. She attended elementary school at Inkom, Idaho, but the family moved north to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, when Marco was in junior high school. After high school, she attended Lewiston Normal … 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 Robert E. McFarland

Robert E. McFarland, late incumbent of the responsible position of attorney general of Idaho, by his faithful and capable discharge of duty won the highest commendation. Thoroughly versed in the principles of jurisprudence, he was well fitted to handle the intricate problems which presented themselves for solution, and his success affords the best evidence of his capabilities. He is a native of Missouri, born in Independence, November 21, 1857. The family is of Scotch lineage, the first American ancestors having crossed the Atlantic in colonial days and actively participated in the events which form the history of that epoch. They … 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

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

Biography of Noyes B. Holbrook

Mr. Holbrook dates his residence in Idaho from 1862, and is therefore one of its pioneer settlers. He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the state, and has largely aided in its progress and advancement, neglecting no duty of citizenship and withholding his support and cooperation from no measure for the public good. He is now proprietor of the roller-process flouring mill at Juliaetta, and is an enterprising business man whose honorable methods commend him to the confidence and secure him the patronage of a large portion of the community with which he is connected. Mr. Holbrook … Read more