Salt Lake County UT

Biography of Charles Hoff

The sturdy German element in our national commonwealth has been one of the most important in furthering the substantial and normal advancement of the country, for it is an element which takes practical values into account, and one of higher intellectuality which appreciates educational advantages and applies classical and special knowledge to the common affairs of life. Idaho has no citizens more patriotic than those of German-American birth, nor has it a citizen whose influence is better directed than that of one of the leading citizens of Montpelier whose useful career is here outlined. Charles Hoff was born in Philadelphia, … Read more

Biography of John A. Holman

JOHN A. HOLMAN. – To the esteemed and enterprising citizen who is named above we are constrained to accord a representation in this volume since he has wrought with vigor and intelligence for the development of this county, and stands today one of its leading and substantial agriculturists and stockmen. Mr. Holman was born in Tortuna, Vestmanland, Sweden, on December 8, 1857, the rural districts being his home. He received a good education attending school regularly nine months each year for a period of seven years. Then he gave his whole attention to assisting his father on the farm, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Bottoms

John Bottoms was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1812, and came to America in 1840; he landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was a member of the Mormon Church. He remained there until 1845, when he went to Cincinnati and worked in a bucket factory for about three years. In 1848 he went to Council Bluffs and remained there until 1852. He then went to Salt Lake City and remained there until 1858, when he came to California. During this time he had had prolonged trouble with the Mormons and concluded to stand … Read more

Biography of Leon Misslin

The career of any pioneer is interesting. An account of that of Leon Misslin will be found especially so to the many who know and respect him for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came into the “wilds of Idaho” eight years before the government surveyed the land, and as a pioneer had many thrilling experiences and encountered numerous hardships and over-came many obstacles. The story of his struggles and triumphs, could it be given in full, would be of the greatest interest. Leon Misslin was born at Nantes, Loire, France, a son of J. A. and … Read more

Rice, Marie Bendixen Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Marie Rice, 98, a longtime Halfway resident, died Oct. 13, 2004, at the Cascade Care Center in Caldwell, Idaho. Her graveside service was Saturday at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends joined the family after the service for a reception at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marie Caroline was born on Aug. 26, 1906, at West Jordan, Utah, to Caroline Webster and Ephriam Bendixen. Her early years were spent in Utah and Idaho. As a child her family moved to California and it was during that time that she watched the ashes from Mount Shasta … Read more

Biography of Samuel Alder

Samuel Alder is one of the pioneer mechanics of Riverside, having established the first carriage making, and general blacksmithing ever founded in the city. No history of the manufacturing and business enterprises of Riverside could be considered complete without a mention of Mr. Alder, and his association with the building up of the city and colony. The subject of this sketch was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1845, son of Samuel and Ann (Chivers) Alder, both being natives of that county. His father was a weaver by occupation and the family was dependent upon his wages alone for support. The … Read more

Westenskow, Carol – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Carol Westenskow, 83, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 6. A funeral service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Island City. Dedication of the grave will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Mrs. Westenskow was born Dec. 28, 1923, in Provo, Utah, to Newbern Isaac Butt and Ethel Cutler. She graduated from high school in Provo and went on to attend Brigham Young University. On Mar. 10, 1944, she married Ronald Westenskow of Imbler. Following World War II, they returned to Union … Read more

Biography of James H. Riggs

JAMES H. RIGGS. – One of the capable and esteemed gentlemen of Union county is named at the head of this article and is deserving of representation in the history of his county, since he has labored here with assiduity and energy for the development of the county and its resources and has manifested meanwhile both ability, sagacity, and integrity in his endeavors, being one of the leading agriculturists of the county. Mr. Riggs was born in Roachdale, Lancashire, England, on December 18, 1837, being the son of Levi and Elizabeth (Standring) Riggs, natives also of England. The father was … Read more

Biography of George W. Sparkes

George W. Sparkes, living two and a half miles southeast of San Bernardino, came to California in June, 1857. He was born April 19, 1819, in Monroe County, Mississippi, a son of Aaron and Mary (Stipson) Sparkes. His father, a native of South Carolina, moved to Mississippi in an early day, and died there when George was sixteen years of age. His mother was a native of Virginia. He was married in that State, August 26, 1842, to Miss Lorena Roberds, a native of Alabama, who was principally reared in Mississippi. Her parents were Thomas and Annie (Nix) Roberds, of … Read more

Biography of Nathan Brobst

Nathan Brobst, who died May 3, 1910, was one of the sterling pioneer farmers of Shawnee County, Kansas. In a lifetime of nearly seventy years he had experiences that identified him closely with many of the interesting phases of the history of the Middle West. He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, on a farm November 13, 1840, one of ten children, two of whom died in infancy and two of whom still survive. Their parents, Henry and Susan (Fullwieler) Brobst, were born in Pennsylvania, but moved to Ohio and took their part in the activities of the wilderness, where … Read more

Biography of Bishop Wilford W. Clark

Wilford Woodruff Clark, bishop of the Montpelier ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has risen by successive steps from deacon to elder, from elder to one of the seventy, thence to the office of high priest and finally to that of bishop. As a member of the seventy he performed a mission in the south, principally in North Carolina, where he met with great success in establishing churches. In civil life he is known as Hon. Wilford Woodruff Clark. He was elected, as a Republican, to the third Idaho state legislature, of which he was … Read more

Biography of Hon. John S. Barrett

The pluckiest men, those who may go down temporarily in the world’s great battle, but who will never give up the fight and are certain to overcome all obstacles and win the victory sooner or later, are those who have gone into the battle while yet in their childhood, and as boys have done the work of men, and have been men before their time. An illustration of this fact is afforded by the career of Hon. John S. Barrett, of Montpelier, Idaho. John S. Barrett was born in London, England, February 8, 1854. In 1860, when he was eight … Read more

Rogers, Vernon Irving “Vern” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Vernon Irving “Vern” Rogers, 84, of Baker City, died Sept. 9, 2004, in Boise, Idaho. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop David Richards will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the services. Vern was born on Aug. 23, 1920, at Maquon, Ill., to Irving Holt and Vivian Lois Burroughs Rogers. He was the eldest of nine children. Vern’s father, … Read more

Harkey, Helen – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Local Funerals and Visitations Oct. 16 – Helen Harkey, celebration of life, 2 p.m., Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center La Grande Observer – October 14, 2009 Helen E. Harkey La Grande 1940-2009 Helen Elaine Harkey, 69, of La Grande, died Oct. 10 in Boise. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Helen was born April 22, 1940, to Henry B. and Donna (Paulfurman) Mortensen in Salt Lake City. She was the youngest of 14 children. The family later … Read more

Biography of Samuel C. Parkinson

The name of Parkinson is so inseparably interwoven with the history of southeastern Idaho and its development that those who bear it need no special introduction to the readers of this volume. He of whom we write has long been accorded a place among the leading businessmen and progressive citizens of Franklin and Oneida County, where he has made his home since his boyhood days. His father is the honored Samuel Rose Parkinson, one of the founders of the town and a leader in the Church of the Latter Day Saints. A history of his life is given elsewhere in … Read more

Bilyeu, Vera Coon – Obituary

Vera L. Bilyeu, 66, of Lebanon, died Saturday [May 20, 1989] at Lebanon Community Hospital. She was born Vera Coon on Sept. 18, 1922 in Pleasant Green, Utah. She married Raymond M. Bilyeu in 1944 in San Diego, Calif., and they moved to Lebanon in 1960. He died Aug. 17, 1979. Mrs. Bilyeu was a member of the Lebanon Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She also belonged to the Sweet Adelines of Lebanon, and enjoyed oil painting and sewing. Surviving are sons Kelly of Lebanon and Mike of Spokane, Wash. and daughter Connie Bracy of … Read more

Biography of Stephen Kelsey

Few men are more familiar with the pioneer history of this section of the great republic than Stephen Kelsey, who before the days when the emigrants flocked to the gold-fields of California crossed the plains to Utah in company with the colony which went with President Brigham Young to Utah. They made their way over the hot and arid plains and through the mountain passes until they reached the Salt Lake Country on the 22d of July 1847, and on the 24th of the same month they arrived on the present site of Salt Lake City, so that that date … Read more

Biography of Glenn A. Smith

Glenn Smith, postmaster of Horton, and for many years engaged in the drug business in that city, had lived most of his life, a period of forty-seven years, in Kansas and had well earned a position of esteem as well as material prosperity. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish people who early settled in New York State. It was in New York State that his father, Nathan C. Smith, was born in 1819. Nathan C. Smith spent his early life in New York and afterwards removed to Western Pennsylvania, in that historic region associated with Washington’s exploits during the French and Indian … Read more

Biography of James Bishop Thomas

“Faith without works” has never accomplished much. Religion that is practical and applicable to the everyday life of any people is good for them, regardless of any peculiarities of creed. Bishop Thomas, of the Eagle Rock ward of the Church of Latter Day Saints, must be recommended as a man of the highest quality of business ability, one who makes a business of religion and does not attempt to do business except by the rule which is the rule of his private life. Bishop Thomas is a native of Wales and a son of John and Mary (Roberts) Thomas. He … Read more

Talbott, Mary Ann – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Mary Ann Talbott Mary Ann Talbott, 92, of La Grande died Feb.2 at a local care center. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Mrs. Talbott was born Sept. 27, 1914, to Matthew and Matilda (Matijevich) Svetich in Bingham Canyon, Utah. Her father had come from Yugoslavia to Utah in 1910 and two years later was joined by her mother and eldest sister. After her father died as a result of working in the copper mines, her mother met and married … Read more