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

Couch, Iris Faye – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Iris Faye “Bobbie” Skaggs Couch, 90, died Dec. 4, 2007, in La Grande. She was born Dec. 7, 1916, at Lenore, Idaho, to Charles and Ethel Skaggs. A 1935 graduate of Enterprise High School, she and David T. Couch were married Sept. 19, 1937, in Enterprise. They made their home in Wallowa on Holmes Street. While her husband served in World War II, she ran the family insurance and real estate business in Wallowa. After his return, she continued working. He died in March 1955. As Mrs. Couch continued running the business, she took over the position of … 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

Smith, Willard Hoffman – Obituary

Willard Hoffman Smith, 83, a former Sumpter resident, died May 26, 2005, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise. There will be a memorial service for him at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Idaho State Veterans Home. There will be a second memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday at the McEwen Church near Sumpter. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck dinner afterward. Willard was born on July 27, 1921, at Leland, Idaho. He moved with his family to Nyssa where his parents farmed. He was a Nyssa High School graduate and married his high school … 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

Biography of Charles A. Thatcher

Identified with pioneer life in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, Charles Albert Thatcher figured long and prominently in the development and progress of the northwest and in the events which form its history. He lived an honorable, upright life, won prosperity through determined purpose and indefatigable energy, and at all times enjoyed the esteem of his fellow men, by reason of those sterling qualities of manhood which in every land and every clime awaken admiration and regard. Mr. Thatcher was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1826, and was a representative of an old American family. He acquired his education … 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

Wilson, Corlynn Elaine Trindle Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Corlynn Elaine (Trindle) Wilson, 31, a former Baker City resident now of Nampa, Idaho, died on Aug. 3, 2004 in Canyon County, Idaho. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St., following the service. Corlynn Elaine was born on Nov. 6, 1972 in Portland. She was the oldest of Mike and Ann Trindle’s three children. Corey was raised in Baker … Read more

Nez Perce County, Idaho Census Records

1870 Nez Perce County, Idaho Census Free 1870 Census Form for your Research Hosted at Ancestry.com – 14 Days Free 1870 Nez Perce County, Census (images and index) $ 1810-1890 Accelerated Indexing Systems $ Hosted at Census Guide 1870 U.S. Census Guide Hosted at Nez Perce County IdahoUSGenWeb Census Project Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7 Hosted at USGenWeb Idaho Archives Part 1 of 7 Part 2 of 7 Part 3 of 7 Part 4 of 7 Part 5 of 7 Part 6 of 7 Part 7 of 7 1880 Nez Perce … 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

Judah, Carol Galbreath – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Carol Galbreath Judah, 57, formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 15 at a hospital in Meridian, Idaho. A memorial service will be held in Fox at a later date. Accent Funeral Home in Meridian is in charge of arrangements. Carol was born April 11, 1950, to Bruce and Colleen Reynolds Galbreath in Pendleton. She lived in the Long Creek area of Grant County. At 7, she moved with her family to Pendleton. She attended elementary school at West Hills in Pendleton and later La Grande High School. In 1966 the family moved to Springfield and she graduated … Read more

Chenoweth, Murrel Raymond – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Murrel Chenoweth Dies At Lewiston Memorial services for Murrel Raymond Chenoweth, who passed away in St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston Wednesday evening, October 4, 1972, were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Bollman Chapel with Rev. Lester Wells officiating. Organist was Wanda Sorweide and soloist was Clifford Collinsworth who sang: “The Old Rugged Cross” and “In The Garden”. Casket bearers were: Wayne Cook, Fred Lawrence Rowe, Marvin Simmons, George Meyers and Vernon Hays. Vault entombment was in the Enterprise cemetery. Mr. Chenoweth was born near Enterprise on July 31, 1892, son of James and Amanda … Read more

Political Secessionism And Crime

Before the mining period, commencing in 1862, Idaho was a comparatively unknown region belonging nominally to Oregon and afterward to Washington. During the years 1862-3 such was the rush of immigration to this section that Idaho was erected into a territory of the United States government. The enabling act to organize as such was passed by congress in the spring of the latter year, and on the 22d of September William H. Wallace, late delegate to congress from Washington, who had, on July l0th preceding, been appointed governor of Idaho by President Lincoln, issued his proclamation for organizing the territory, … Read more

Biography of James W. Poe

James W. Poe, a distinguished lawyer and Idaho pioneer, residing at Lewiston, is a native of Jackson county, Missouri, his birth having there occurred on the 15th of January, 1838. His father, William B. Poe, was born in North Carolina, and married Mrs. Nancy Mulkey, nee Johnson, a native of South Carolina, by whom he had four children, two of whom are yet living. He valiantly served his country as a soldier in the Mexican war, and in 1853 crossed the plains to Oregon with his family. Our subject accompanied his parents on their westward emigration, and acquired his education … Read more

Biography of John B. West

John B. West, the register of the land office, at Lewiston, was born in Leicester, North Carolina, July 31, 1861. The family to which he belongs is of English origin and its founders in America became residents of the south in colonial days and participated in the development of that part of the country, taking part in many of the events which go to form its history. Erwin West, the father of our subject, was a native of North Carolina and married Miss Caroline Dover, who was likewise born in that state. They had a family of fifteen children, eleven … Read more

Williams, Mary Mrs. – Obituary

Funeral services for Mary B. Williams 82, of Baker, formerly of Vale and Huntington, who died Saturday at the Baker Hospital, were held at 2 p.m. MST, Wednesday, November 2, 1977 at the Northam Jones Chapel in Weiser. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery. She was born June 19, 1895 at Forsyth, Montana. She was married to Raymond Williams April 16, 1914 at Forsyth. Shortly after the marriage the couple moved to Lewiston, Idaho. In 1935 they moved to Vale, Oregon and in 1943 to Huntington. Mr. Williams preceded her in death March, 1971. Recently, Mrs. Williams had lived at Baker … 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

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 Ephraim W. Baughman

Few men are more widely known in the northwest than Captain E. W. Baughman, of Lewiston, who for forty-eight years has sailed on the rivers in this section of the country. His circle of friends is indeed extensive, and his genial manner and social disposition win him the regard of all. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, May 18, 1835, and is of German lineage, his ancestors having long been residents of Pennsylvania, however. His father, John Baughman, was born in that state and married Miss Jane Murphy, a lady of German descent. In an early day they removed … Read more

Biography of George E. Erb

In the last half century, especially, it is seldom that one wins prominence in several lines. It is the tendency of the age to devote one’s entire energies to a special line, continually working upward and concentrating his efforts toward accomplishing a desired end; yet in the case of George E. Erb it is demonstrated that a leading position may be reached in more than one line of action. He is an able educator, a successful stock-dealer and business man and a recognized leader in political circles. By reason of his prominent connection with the public life and interests of … Read more