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.

Owyhee County Its History, Towns, Industries

In 1862 the present county of Owyhee was a part of Boise County, which comprised all of the western portion of Washington Territory lying south of what was then called Idaho county, its area being nearly equal to that of Pennsylvania. When Idaho was created a territory by act of congress, March 3, 1863, Boise county became part and parcel of the territory of Idaho, and at the first session of the territorial legislature, held at Lewiston, Idaho, Owyhee County was created, December 31, 1863, out of all territory south of Snake River and west of the Rocky mountains. In … Read more

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 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 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

Bilyeu, Emma C. Brown – Obituary

The rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. June 16, 1994, followed by Mass at Holy Redeemer Church. Interment will be in Willamette National Cemetery. Mrs. Bilyeu, of southwest Portland, died June 10 of causes related to age. She was 99. She was born Jan. 8, 1895, in DeLamar, Idaho, and moved to Portland in 1915. She was a 50-year member of Holy Redeemer Church. Her husband, C. Lloyd, died in 1967. Surviving are her daughter, Cathryn M. Jiroch of Tigard; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Remembrances: American Cancer Society or American Heart Association. Arrangements: Zeller Chapel of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert J. Shea

While the older members of the pioneer staff are retiring one by one, it is pleasant to note that there are younger men of courage and enterprise to take up the worthy labors of these estimable men, who opened this country for settlement, and to prosecute them with an untiring zeal and a sagacity that is sure to win in the battle of life. Among this wide awake class, we are con-strained to mention the subject of this article, who has made a name and place for himself in the ranks of the leading stockmen of Malheur County, being justly … Read more

Biography of S. D. McLain

The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Among the prominent representatives of commercial life in Silver City is S. D. McLain, who as a partner in the firm of Shea, McLain & Crete is at the head of the most extensive mercantile establishment of the town. This well appointed store, with its large and carefully selected stock, is a credit to the proprietors as well as to the … Read more

Owyhee County, Idaho Cemetery Records

Idaho Cemetery records are listed by county then name of cemetery within the Idaho county. Most of these are complete indices at the time of transcription, however, in some cases we list the listing when it is only a partial listing. Owyhee County Cemetery Records (hosted at Idaho USGenWeb Archives) Bruneau Cemetery Surnames A-L Surnames M-Z Marsing-Homedale Cemetery Surnames A-G Surnames H-M Surnames T-Z Oreana Cemetery Reynolds Cemetery Wilson Cemetery Owyhee County Cemetery Records Hosted at Interment.net Fairview Cemetery  

Biography of Edward J. Curtis

Among the eminent men of the northwest whose life records form an integral part of the history of Idaho was numbered Hon. Edward J. Curtis. In his death the state lost one of its most distinguished lawyers, gifted statesmen and loyal citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public … Read more

Biography of Jacob Zuber

JACOB ZUBER. – Without doubt the subject of this sketch is one of the men whose name should be among the list of those who are accorded representation in the history of Union county, since he has wrought here with an energy and assiduity that have placed him in possession of a goodly competence, while also he has the distinction of always being allied with those enterprises that were for the benefit of the people of the county, and his life has been one of long and continued activity and manifestation of wisdom and ability, and having been in the … 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 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 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

Turner, James B. – Obituary

Graveside services for James B. Turner of Tacoma, Washington a former Haines resident were conducted at 10:00 a.m. Monday September 25, at the family plot in the Haines cemetery. Bishop J. LaRon Zundel of the LDS Church officiated. Vault interment followed. Arrangements were under the direction of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Mr. Turn died Thursday at his home in Tacoma. He was 73. He was born in Cheyenne, Oklahoma on December 18, 1904 and he was married to Ossie Davidson in Idaho Falls Temple. Mrs. Turner preceded him in death of January of 1976. He farmed in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Parks

One of the oldest pioneers of Malheur County and a man of excellent capabilities, being possessed of practical ability and judgment, and a keen discrimination that have made him a very successful business man and one of the leaders in the realm of finance in this section, the subject of this article is abundantly worthy of recognition and especial mention among the prominent men of Malheur County and this portion of Oregon, being also a man of worth and personal virtues. Mr. Parks was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 7, 1845, being the son of Abraham and Jane … Read more

Biography of Benjamin and Hosea Eastman

Tales of heroism have been the theme of song and story throughout all ages. He who has gone forth to battle for his country, his home or his principles, has figured in history, in literature and in music, and his bravery has stirred the souls of men through all times. All honor to such an one, and yet his heroism is no greater or his daring more pronounced than that of the honored pioneers of the west. Men reared in comfortable homes, accustomed to all the conveniences and privileges of life in the east, have come into the wild western … Read more

Biography of Richard H. Bennett

The proprietor of one of the fine sheep ranches of southern Idaho, Richard H. Bennett maintains his residence in Mountain Home and from that point superintends his extensive business interests, in which he is meeting with good success. He is truly a self-made man, for he came to America empty-handed and through his own labors has worked his way steadily upward. He was born in England, March 19, 1850, a son of James and Jane (Sanders) Bennett, also natives of that country. In 1868, at the age of eighteen years, he severed the ties which bound him to his native … Read more

Biography of John Scales

John Scales, a resident of Wagontown, is a native of the Emerald Isle, his birth having occurred in Kilrush, County Clare, on the 6th of May 1840. At the time of the protectorate in England members of the Scales family, natives of that land, went to Ireland as soldiers of Oliver Cromwell, and for their services were paid in Irish estates, called “sword-lands.” The parents of our subject were Samuel and Rachel Scales, who were distant relatives. They came to America in 1855, bringing with them their family of five children, and took up their residence in the state of … Read more