Owyhee County ID

Owyhee County, Idaho, stands out for its vast, rugged landscape, encompassing a significant portion of the state’s southwestern corner, including part of the Snake River Plain. Established on December 31, 1863, from a portion of Boise County, it is Idaho’s second-largest county by area and was the first county to be created by the Idaho Territory. The county’s unique name is derived from an early anglicization of “Hawaii,” commemorating three native Hawaiian (Owyhee) explorers who disappeared in the area in 1819 while working for the North West Company during its fur-trading operations. Owyhee County’s history is deeply rooted in its rich mineral deposits, leading to a mining boom with the discovery of silver in 1863. This legacy of mining and the subsequent development of agriculture and livestock raising have shaped its economy and cultural heritage.

Biography of George O. Sampson

George O. Sampson, of Silver City, was born in Siskiyou, California, on the nth of December 1853, and is of English lineage, the original American ancestors of the family having settled in Maine on their emigration from the Old World. Jonathan Sampson, the father of our subject, was born in the Pine Tree state and engaged in the lumber business there. In 1850, however, he came to the Pacific coast and engaged in mining in California, also in lumbering in Siskiyou County. In 1855 he removed to Ashland, Oregon, and later took up his abode in Portland. He lived to … Read more

Biography of Richard Z. Johnson

Perhaps there is no part of this history of more general interest than the record of the bar. It is well known that the peace, prosperity and well-being of every community depend upon the wise interpretation of the laws, as well as upon their judicious framing, and there-fore the records of the various persons who have at various times made up the bar will form an important part of this work. A well known jurist of Illinois said, “In the American state the great and good lawyer must always be prominent, for he is one of the forces that move … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alvin S. Moss

This enterprising and substantial stock man and farmer of Malheur County is located nine miles northeast from Rockville. Idaho, and is one of the pioneers of this section and has labored with assiduity and sagacity here since the early eighties and is now rewarded with abundant prosperity and a goodly showing, gained by his thrift and careful labors. Mr. Moss was born in Illinois, on September 10, 1857, the son of Sardus B. and Ceria E. Moss. At the age of eight years he went with the balance of the family to southeastern Kansas and there grew up. He gained … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles H. Crete

A member of the firm of Shea, McLain & Crete, prominent dealers in general merchandise at Silver City, our subject is a native of that place, born April 7, 1866 and is the son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Kornmann) Crete, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work. Charles Crete attended the public schools of Silver City during his boyhood and began his business life in a store of William Hardman with whom he remained five years, during this time becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of the business and acquiring an enviable reputation as … Read more

Biography of John Hallenbeck

In March 1864, John Hallenbeck became a resident of Silver City, and from that time until his death, throughout the period of pioneer development and latter-day progress, he was prominently identified with its upbuilding and interests. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Albany, October 24, 1830, and was of Holland lineage. His ancestors were among the early settlers of New York and participated in the events which form the colonial and Revolutionary history of that state. The maternal grand-father of our subject was also one of the heroes of the war for independence, and his wife … Read more

Biography of Abel A. Berg

For twenty-five years Abel A. Berg has been a resident of Silver City, has devoted his energies to prospect mining, and is the principal owner of the Lone Tree group of mines, located near the Trade Dollar mines. He is a native of Sweden, his birth having occurred near Arvika, on the 19th of December, 1846. His parents, Anderson and Mary (Danilson) Berg, were also natives of that country, and were members of the Lutheran church. The son acquired his education in his native land and there remained until twenty-five years of age, when he resolved to seek a home … Read more

Biography of Thomas C. Fletcher

One of the earliest pioneers of this region of the country, a man whose life has always been dominated by wisdom prudence and upright principles,. having ever manifested also stanch virtues and a reliability that are becoming a good citizen and faithful man, the subject of this article is vie of the leading men of Malheur County, and a prominent resident of Ontario. Thomas C. was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, on October 11, 1841, being the son of Jewett and Elizabeth Fletcher. When our subject was six years of age he had the misfortune to lose his father and … Read more

Henderson, Caroline Vivian – Obituary

Caroline Vivian Henderson, 92, of Forest Grove and formerly of Union County, died Oct. 2. A celebration of her life will be held in early November. Caroline was born Dec. 18, 1916, to Fred D. and Carrie M. Henderson at Castle Creek, Owyhee County, Idaho. She grew up on a ranch with her brother and sister. She graduated high school as the class valedictorian. She then graduated cum laude from The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree. She taught school before marrying Athol R. Sayre June 14, 1939. She and Athol had five children: Steven, Fred, Lewis, Leah and … Read more

Biography of J. J. Plumer, M. D.

Dr. J. J. Plumer, the physician and surgeon of the De Lamar Mining Company, also engaged in general practice in De Lamar, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Edina, April 8, 1860. He traces his ancestry back to England, whence in the year 1832 members of the family who belonged to the sect of Puritans crossed the Atlantic to America. They braved the dangers so common to ocean voyages in those days in order to have liberty of conscience in the New World, and they and their descendants were connected with the early history of the … Read more

Biography of Dan Feour

Among the sons of the Pine Tree state who have found homes in the northwest and whose history forms an integral part of the record of the development of the rich mining interests of southern Idaho is Dan Feour. He was born in Aroostook County, Maine, June 9, 1850, a son of William and Catherine Feour. His father was born in Ireland, and when a young man came to the United States. He died in the fiftyfourth year of his age, and his wife departed this life at the age of fortyfour years. They were the parents of five children, … Read more

Biography of Peter Adams

For a third of a century Peter Adams has been a resident of Owyhee county, and has been identified with the important work of taking from the mountain side the rich mineral deposits and securing the valuable metals that they may be used in connection with the commercial activity of the nation. He came to the west from the far-off Empire state, his birth having occurred in Dunkirk, New York, on the 24th of February 1837. The Adams family is of Scotch origin, and the parents of our subject were Peter and Jane (Brodie) Adams, residents of Buffalo, New York. … Read more

King, Mary Mae Marshall Staley Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Mae Staley King, 88, of Blackfoot, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died June 18, 2002, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center at Idaho Falls. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Blackfoot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1650 Highland Drive. Gerald Humphreys will conduct the service. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. She was born April 16, 1914, in Nez Perce, Idaho, the daughter of George Allen and Molly Gertrude Humphries Marshall. … Read more

Biography of Robert H. Leonard

Into the bosom of the earth the hand of nature placed many rich mineral deposits, and the great value of these, together with the magnificent forests and rolling lands of Idaho, have gained for the state the well deserved title of the “Gem of the Mountains.” Its mines are now yielding a large output of gold and silver, which adds to the wealth and prosperity of the country as well as of the individual mine owners. Among the enterprising and prominent business men who are now engaged in the development of the rich mineral resources of the state is Robert … Read more

Biography of Robert Noble

This well known citizen of Reynolds, Owyhee county, is one of the largest sheep-raisers in Idaho and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised in the state. His efforts have therefore been of public benefit, for the improvement of stock adds to its market value, and the wealth of the agricultural class is thereby augmented. The rich pasture lands of the northwest provide excellent opportunities to the stock-raiser, and this industry has become a most important one in the commercial interests of Idaho. Mr. Noble, one of its leading representatives, is of English birth, a native … Read more

Murdoch, John – Obituary

North Powder, Oregon John Murdoch, 81, of North Powder, died Jan. 19, 2004, at his son’s ranch in Oreana, Idaho. His funeral will be Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at Haines Methodist Church. John was born Jan. 24, 1922, in Fruitland, Idaho, to John (Scotty) and Esther Hvidberg Murdoch. He graduated in 1940 from Haines High School. John married Barbara Daugherty on Feb. 13, 1943, in Weiser, Idaho. He joined the Navy in 1944, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, John ranched for several years, and then purchased the Chevron Service Station in … Read more

Biography of Tim Shea

Perhaps no one business enterprise or industry indicates more clearly the commercial and social status of a town than its hotels. The wide-awake, enterprising villages and cities must have pleasant accommodations for visitors and traveling men, and the foreign public judges of a community by the entertainment afforded to the strangers. In this regard the Idaho Hotel, of which Mr. Shea is proprietor, is an index of the character and advantages of Silver City, for the hostelry will rank favorably with those of many a larger place, and its genial proprietor neglects nothing that can add to the comfort of … Read more

Biography of Job Francis Dye

Among the figures who stand prominently forth on the pages of western history is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. His was a marvelous record of long connection with the events which go to make up the annals of the Pacific coast. He was one of those honored pioneers who blazed a path for future cavalcades to follow; who bravely turned their faces from the cities of the east, with all the advantages of wealth and civilization, and cast their fortunes with the western frontier, in all its wildness and primitive modes of life; who, rather than enjoy the … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah Shea

One of our early pioneers, whose worthy labors have done much toward the development of the resources and the substantial progress of Malheur County, is named at the head of this article and he is eminently fitted to he accorded consideration in this volume of his County’s history, since he is a man of good standing, influential and prominent, has always been a progressive and patriotic citizen, is possessed of integrity and a stanch character and is held in high esteem by all of his fellows. Mr. Shea was born in Canada on March 31, 1847, and there he was … Read more

Biography of James Hutchinson

Many theories have been advanced as to the best method of winning success, but the only safe, sure way to gain it is by close application, perseverance and careful consideration of the business problems that are continually arising. Investigation will show that the majority of men who have started out in life with little or no capital and have won a competency if not wealth, have to attribute their prosperity to just such causes, and it is those elements which have made Mr. Hutchinson one of the leading business men of his state. He is now superintendent of the Trade … Read more

Biography of Hon. Michael Carey

Hon. Michael Carey, a member of the Idaho state senate (session of 1899), and one of the leading mine-owners of the commonwealth, now residing at Ketchum, Blaine County, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born December 12, 1844, a son of Michael and Mary (Tracy) Carey, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850, bringing with them their family of seven children. They settled in Keweenaw County, Michigan, where the parents spent their remaining days. The father was a man of intelligence and a surveyor by profession. … Read more