Indian Wars

Biography of Capt. Thomas Smith

CAPTAIN. THOMAS SMITH. – Captain Smith, the intrepid Indian fighter and pioneer, has seen the beginning of every Indian disturbance in Southern Oregon; and his narratives are therefore of peculiar interest. He was born September 14, 1809, in Campbell County, Kentucky. At the age of seventeen he removed with his recently widowed mother to Boone County, and learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1839 he went to Texas, and in 1849 formed a party designated as the Equal Rights Company, to cross the plains by the southern route via El Paso and the Gila River to California. The journey … Read more

Biography of Hon. James Harvey Slater

HON. JAMES HARVEY SLATER. – Mr. Slater has ever borne a conspicuous part in the public affairs of Oregon; and no one has preserved a more honorable name. His mental qualities are solid rather than brilliant, and his operations weighty rather than keen. He is a man whose integrity has never been impeached; and he has ever been relied upon as a friend of the people. In his two terms at Washington, once as congressman, once as senator, he has performed some very effective work for our state; and all Oregonians hold him in high esteem. The following brief sketch … Read more

Biography of N. K. Sitton

N.K. SITTON. – This pioneer of 1843 was born in Calway county, Missouri, in 1825. As a boy in school he read Lewis & Clarke’s travels, and being an active and intelligent youth seventeen years old, at the time of the great interest that prevailed in the border states respecting Oregon, was moved to join the party of Applegate Or Burnett, and made the journey with these noted men across the plains. he remembers meeting with Whitman on the Sweetwater, and recalls his services in guiding the emigrants from Fort Hall. Arriving in Oregon he found employment on various farms … Read more

Biography of Dr. Alden H. Steele

DR. ALDEN H. STEELE. – “Olympia will always be a place for pleasant homes,” says one of her citizens well qualified to render an opinion, – the gentleman whose name appears above. The wide streets, magnificent shade-trees and comfortable residences of the capital of Washington Territory, together with her delightful climate, an extensive view of water and mountains, fully justify the remark; and no place could have a more pleasant recommendation. The Doctor has also examined the facilities of the place for a naval station, and finds that the location is most desirable from the following particulars: Safe anchorage and … Read more

Biography of Harrison B. Oatman

HARRISON B. OATMAN. – This gentleman, a pioneer of the early days, and at present one of the capitalists of Portland, was born at Cortland, New York, in 1826. As a child he moved with his parents to Ohio, and at the new home in Bellevue attended school, laying a good foundation for his later study and information. At twelve he removed with his parents to Rockford, Illinois, and was married there in 1847 to Miss Lucena K. Ross. In 1853 he made with his family the toilsome journey to Oregon, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and establishing his home … Read more

Biography of General Edward McConville

In the recent trial of arms in which America won recognition and admiration never before accorded her by the older “powers” of Europe, there was no more distinguished or valiant soldier than General McConville, of Idaho, who went forth as one of the commanders of the Idaho troops and laid down his life on the altar of his country. His was a noble life and a glorious death, and his name is enduringly inscribed on the roll of America’s heroes. Though his loss is deeply mourned by his many friends, his memory will ever be cherished by all who knew … Read more

Biography of Relf Bledsoe

The days of chivalry and knighthood in Europe cannot furnish more interesting or romantic tales than our own western history. Into the wild mountain fastnesses of the unexplored west went brave men, whose courage was often called forth in encounters with hostile savages. The land was rich in all natural resources, in gold and silver, in agricultural and commercial possibilities, and awaited the demands of man to yield up its treasures, but its mountain heights were hard to climb, its forests difficult to penetrate, and the magnificent trees, the dense bushes or the jagged rocks often sheltered the skulking foe, … Read more

Biography of John Cuddy

In western Idaho is located Cuddy mountain, which will ever stand as a monument to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, one of the honored pioneers of the state. More than a third of a century has passed since he came to this part of the Union, and few if any of the early settlers are more widely known than he, while none are held in more genuine regard. In almost daily fear of Indian attack, he planted his business interests near the mountain named in his honor and there maintained his home while civilization slowly advanced toward him … Read more

Biography of Joshua G. Rowton

One of the prominent farmers of Camas prairie is Joshua Graham Rowton, who was born in Benton County, Missouri, June 16, 1850. He is of English descent, his ancestors having been early settlers of Kentucky, where the family was founded by John Rowton, the grandfather of our subject. He afterward removed to Missouri and was numbered among the pioneers of that state. William Willis Rowton the father of Joshua, was born near Louisville, Kentucky, and when a young man accompanied the family on their emigration to Missouri. He made his home in Benton County but died at the early age … Read more

Biography of James N. Stacy

One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Lewiston is James N. Stacy, who has also attained distinction in political circles and is now the honored state senator from his district. He is president of the Gold Bar Mining Company, a director in the Golden Gate Company and is also extensively engaged in real estate dealings. In studying the lives and characters of prominent men we are naturally I inquire into the secret of their success and motives that prompted their action. Success is not the result of genius, as held by many, but is the outcome … Read more

Biography of Alfred Damas

The career of Mr. Damas has been a very eventful and interesting one, and now, at the age of sixty-four, he is the possessor of a handsome competence, the fitting reward of his well spent life. For twenty-six years he has been prominently connected with the mercantile interests of Lewiston and his efforts have been an important element in the progress and advancement of this section of the state. He was born far from his present home, being a native of Brussels, Belgium, where his birth occurred on the 18th of July, 1835. He attended school in his native country … Read more

Biography of James and Thomas Surridge

The Surridge Brothers, of Bridgeport, Idaho County, came to the territory of Idaho in June 1876, and are numbered among the most enterprising and progressive citizens of the community in which they make their home. They are both natives of London, England, sons of John and Mary (Cochran) Surridge, who emigrated to America in 1859, bringing with them their three children. They located at Milan, Monroe County, Michigan, where the father improved a good farm and spent his remaining days. Mr. Surridge died in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife is still living, in 1899 at … Read more

Biography of William H. Sebastian

Among the pioneers who came to northern Idaho in an early day to secure homes and open up this region to civilization is William H. Sebastian, now an enterprising farmer of Camas prairie. He located on the prairie in 1871, fought for the protection of the settlers in the Nez Perces Indian war, and has ever labored for the advancement and upbuilding of the section. He was born in Missouri, December 31, 185 1, but has practically spent his entire life in the northwest. His father, Daniel Smith Sebastian, was born in Missouri, November 21, 1819, and was there reared … Read more

Biography of John J. Bingman

For twenty-two years this gentleman has carried on agricultural pursuits on Camas prairie and is now the owner of one of the finest farms that adorn this section of the state. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1853, a son of Jacob and Mary Louisa (Swarts) Bingman, also natives of the Keystone state. The father was a farmer and a charcoal burner, and at the time of the civil war he enlisted in his country’s service as a defender of the Union. He was a drum major and belonged to Company E, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served … Read more

Biography of Alexander D. McKinlay

The west is peopled with brave men, as men’s bravery is measured, but it has some notable citizens whose experiences extend back into the days of constant adventure and ever present peril. Could the exploits and dangers of such men of the west be written down and put into book form, they would form a series of narratives of more absorbing interest than the most exciting romances of western life and adventure that have ever been penned. A fair representation of this class is Alexander D. McKinlay. He is a son of Henry and Barbara Clarke McKinlay, natives of Scotland, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Cain

Jesse Cain settled on Charrette creek, in now Warren County, about 1812. He joined Nathan Boone’s company of rangers, and served with them during the Indian war. He was an eccentric character, and generally managed to afford his associates a great deal of amusement. His children were Polly, Sally, Paulina, Vina, Jack, James, Jesse, Jr., Harvey, and Eli.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Andrew Fourt

Dr. Andrew Fourt was born in Maryland in 1780. When he was fourteen years of age his parents removed to Kentucky, where, in 1807, he married Sarah Wyatt. In 1810 he came to Missouri with his wife and two children, on pack horses, and settled near Charrette village in (now) Warren County. When the Indian war began he joined Capt. Callaway’s company of rangers, and served twelve months. When Montgomery County was organized, Dr. Fourt was appointed one of the commissioners to locate the county seat, and Pinckney, near the Missouri river, was chosen as the place. The Doctor subsequently … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin James

Benjamin James married Nancy Fourt, of Kentucky, and settled in (now) Warren County in 1811. He joined the rangers during the Indian war, and saw some active service. His children were William, John, Walter, and Peter. John fell from a mill dam on Charrette creek, and was drowned. Peter lived in St. Louis County, and never married. Walter married Sally Wyatt, and they had Frank, Mary A., William J., John, Elizabeth, Walter R., Joseph, and Lycurgus.

Grewell, Thomas Clayton “Clate” – Obituary

Veteran Of Indian Wars Passes Away. Clate Grewell Made First Trip Through This Valley In 1878. Clate Grewell, 75, pioneer resident of Washington and a veteran of the Indian Wars, passed away Friday night, April 1, 1938, at the Pasco Hospital after a brief illness. He had suffered a stroke on March 27. Funeral services were held at Kennewick on Monday, the service being read by Rev. Stanley Grewell of Ellensburg, a cousin of the deceased. Burial was in the Mabton cemetery, pallbearers being C. I. Wright, Matt Wiehl, Henry Young, Colburn Anderson, Archie Borden and Paul Schicka. He is … Read more

Biography of Edwin Hart

Among the leading horticulturists of Riverside colony none are more deserving of mention than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Hart is a native of Cortland County, New York, born in 1835, and reared and received his education in his native place. At the age of eighteen years he started for the great West, and located in Beloit, Wisconsin. His boyhood days, when not attending school, were spent in his father’s store, and was somewhat schooled in mercantile life, but upon his advent in Wisconsin he engaged in farming. He spent eight years in that State, and in 1862 moved … Read more