ADAMS, DAVE

ADAMS, DAVE, was born in Darwin, Clark county, Illinois, in the year 1843. Emigrated, with an uncle, to Pocahontas, Arkansas, in 1857. Left the uncle a year or so afterward and went to Fort Smith, in that state. There he started in to learn the printer's trade. Worked a year or so as "devil" in an office there, and then went to the Indian Territory for a short time, locating finally at Sherman, Texas, where he worked in printing offices until the fourth day of March, 1861. On that memorable day in American history, the day on which Lincoln took his seat in the presidential chair for his first term, when states were seceding from the Union and war clouds were gathering, he joined a party whose sympathies were with the North, and, with mule teams, went to Chihuahua, Mexico, thence to Arizona, and, late in the fall of that year, landed in Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, California. Here he worked at his trade until 1864, when he enlisted in the army, Company A, Eighth Infantry, California Volunteers, and served until the end of the war, being stationed most of the time at Fort Point, San Francisco, and the mouth of the Columbia river. Was discharged at the Presidio in 1865. Remained in California until the next spring, when he drove a horse team, loaded with flour, to Humboldt county, Nevada.

Here he engaged in various occupations, among which were "keeping station," operating pack trains and burring charcoal for smelting companies, until the spring of 1868, when, in company with seven or eight others, he walked from that point, through a portion of Oregon, to Silver City, Idaho, a distance of nearly 300 miles.

The greater portion of that summer was spent as a laborer on a farm in Snake river valley, known as the Ike Jennings ranch, on Catharine creek, and now known as Oreana. That fall he was employed with a government surveying party—surveying township lines and subdividing on both sides of Snake river, between Walter's Ferry and the mouth of the Bruneau river.

After being discharged at Boise City late that fall, he returned to Silver City, and soon afterward went to work on the Tidal Wave, a newspaper then being published by the Butler brothers. Quit the office in July of the next year (1869) and went on a prospecting tour into the Sawtooth, or Salmon river, mountains, in company with a man by the name of Henry H. Knapp, a printer and assayer. That fall the famous Loon creek placer camp was discovered, and the subject of our sketch and his partner were the first men on the ground besides the discoverers. They located several claims, and, as a town was soon started, they took in another man (M. A. Wentworth) as a partner; built some houses; bought in a stock of general merchandise on pack animals from Boise Basin, and started a store, and soon afterward started an express line between Loon creek and Idaho City---a distance of about one hundred and forty miles; carrying mail and express matter on horseback during the summer months, and on snowshoes in the winter time. Flour sold as high as fifty cents per pound. The charge for taking out or bringing in letters was fifty cents each; newspapers, fifty to seventy-five cents; magazines, one dollar, and small packages in proportion. No work could be done that first winter, and, supposing that everybody in camp had a bonanza, Dave (as he was then, and had always been, familiarly called) and his partners sold out their goods to the miners on credit.

The next spring, when mining operations commenced, it soon became apparent that the rich ground was not extensive. The miners could not make their claims pay expenses. Consequently, they could not pay their bills contracted during the previous winter, and the firm of Adams, Knapp & Wentworth was "broke." That fall (1870), Adams went to Boise City and again assumed the role of a typo. In 1871 he again returned to Silver City and engaged in mining on War Eagle mountain for a few months, when he got a situation on the Avalanche, then published by W. J. Hill, continuing thus employed until July, 1874. Then, being in poor health, he went to San Francisco and other coast towns in California. Speculated unsuccessfully in mining stocks and returned again to Silver City about the first of July, 1876. Went to Boise City a few days later and took a situation on the Statesman, as foreman; the paper being published at that time by Judge Kelly.

The next year, however (1877), he returned once more to Silver City, and worked one year on the Avalanche for Major Hay. The winter of 1878-79 was spent in an unprofitable mining venture on War Eagle mountain, but in the spring and summer of 1879 engaged in successful speculations in and about Silver City, and in October of 1880, in partnership with Guy Newcomb, he purchased the Avalanche plant from Major J. S. Hay. In May, 1882, he disposed of his interest in the Avalanche to Charles M. Hays. From the editorial tripod he entered other lists of trade, purchasing the Silver City iron foundry, engaging in the wood business and speculating in real estate, which he followed for several years.

The foundry, which he still owns, was operated up to 1886. In the winter of 1884-5, Mr. Adams represented Owyhee county in the territorial legislature. In 1889, in partnership with Ira S. Allen, he opened a furniture store on Washington street, but in 1892 a full line of general merchandise was put in and the furniture closed out. The same year his partner, Mr. Allen, absconded. Mr. Adams is now sole owner of and conducts the largest mercantile establishment and business in Owyhee county. His fine store room, in Granite block, is 40x70 feet, and practically fireproof. He also owns two warerooms in the same block, and several other houses in different parts of the town. He is local agent for both the Hercules and Safety-Nitro powder companies, of California, handling three carloads of powder in 1897. Also superintendent of the Morning Star Gold Mining & Milling Company.

Silver City not having banking facilities, the deficiency has been supplied for several years past by Mr. Adams, in the way of buying and. issuing checks, receiving deposits, etc. For the year 1897 this branch of business (checks cashed and remitted to the Boise National Bank) has amounted, in exact figures, to $237,619.84. and has been of inestimable convenience to the mining companies operating here, as well as to the general public.

The foregoing sketch of Mr. Adams' life, while barely touching the passing changes and experiences of the same, will show to the rising generation the possibilities of reaching honored and successful positions in life, however humble the beginning may be. He very often met with discouraging reverses, and suffered innumerable hardships, but, with an energy that knew not fatigue, and with indomitable pluck and perseverance, he solved the problem and is now enjoying the reward. (97-99)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

ADAMS, DAVE

DAVE ADAMS. --- While "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong,'' the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability, a successful career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Adams, who, though he has met many difficulties and obstacles, has overcome these by determined purpose and laudable endeavor, working his way steadily upward to success. He is now accounted one of the leading business men of Silver City, and has been prominently identified with the development of many of the leading business interests of Idaho since his arrival in the territory in 1868.

Mr. Adams was born in Clark county, Illinois, on the 11th of April, 1843, and n's ancestors, who were of Scotch and German birth, were early settlers of Kentucky and Ohio. His father, Abner Adams, was born in Ohio, and in 1851 crossed the plains to California, engaging in mining at different camps in that state until 1860, when he returned to his old home for his family. He had gone to the Golden state by way of the northern route, but took his family by the south ern route, traveling through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, California, where he made a location. There his death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-one years, but his wife is still living and is now in her seventy-ninth year. Their children are Rebecca, deceased; Dave; Green, who resides in Silver City, Idaho; Amanda, Isabella, George and Albert, all residents of California.

Dave Adams received but limited educational advantages in his youth. He pursued his studies in a little log schoolhouse, but the instruction was of a primitive character, and in the school of experience most of the valuable lessons of his life have been learned. In 1857 he emigrated with his uncle to Pocahontas, Arkansas, and a year later went to Fort Smith, that state, where he was employed for a year or two as "devil" in a printing office. Subsequently he spent a short time in the Indian Territory and then located in Sherman, Texas, where he worked in a printing office until the 4th of March, 1861. On the day on which the lamented Lincoln took the oath of office as president of the United States, he started to join his father and family, who were then enrooted for California. They were frequently at tacked by Indians while in Arizona, and Mr. Adams accordingly learned something of the inhuman methods of warfare as practiced by the. savages. Late in the fall, however, they reached their destination in safety, and the subject of this review soon secured a position in a printing office. Such establishments have often been termed "poor men's colleges," and such they were to Mr. Adams. While working at his trade he gained a broad, miscellaneous knowledge that has made him a well-informed man, and he has ever maintained a deep interest in the living questions of the day and kept well informed thereon.

In 1864, however, Mr. Adams gave up his position in the printing office in order to enter his country's service as a member of Company A, Eighth Regiment of California Volunteers. It was expected that the command would be ordered to the front, but instead they were engaged in defending the coast until the close of hostilities. In the fall of 1865, at the Presidio, in San Francisco, Mr. Adams received an honorable discharge. He remained in California until the spring of 1866, and then, with a horse team, took a load of flour to Humboldt county, Nevada, where he engaged in various occupations, among which were operating pack trains and burning charcoal for smelting companies. In the spring of 1868, in company with seven or eight others, he walked from Humboldt county, Nevada, through a portion of Oregon to Silver City, Idaho, a distance of three hundred miles. That summer he was employed on the Ike Jennings ranch in Snake river valley, —the place now known as Oreana, and in the autumn joined a government surveying party engaged in drawing township lines and subdividing the land on both sides of Snake river, between Walters' Ferry and the mouth of the Bruneau river. Soon after his return to Silver City he accepted a position on the Tidal Wave, a newspaper then published by the Butler brothers, but in July, 1869, he left that office to go on a prospecting tour in the Salmon river mountains, in company with Henry Knapp, a printer and assayer. That fall the famous Loon Creek Placer Camp was discovered, and Mr. Adams and Mr. Knapp were the first men on the ground with the exception of the discoverers. They located several claims, and as a flourishing town soon sprang into existence, they admitted M. A. Wentworth to a partnership, built some houses, and on pack animals brought in a stock of general merchandise from Boise Basin and started in business. They also established an express line between Loon Creek and Idaho City, a distance of one hundred and forty miles, carrying mail and express, making the journey in summer on horseback, but in winter going on snow shoes. Flour sold as high as fifty cents per pound. The charge for carrying a letter either way was fifty cents; newspapers from fifty to seventy-five cents: magazines one dollar and small packages in proportion. The camp, however, proved to some extent a failure, the mineral deposit not turning out to be what was expected. The firm of Adams, Knapp and Wentworth had done much of their business on the credit system, and when the miners could not pay they in consequence suffered heavy losses.

In the fall of 1870 Mr. Adams went to Boise, where he again worked in a printing office. In 1871 he returned to Silver City and engaged in mining on War Eagle mountain for a few months, when he secured a situation on the Avalanche, then published by W. J. Hill, continuing in that position until July, 1874. His health failing him, he then made a tour of the coast towns of California, and at San Francisco speculated unsuccessfully in mining stock. He returned to Silver City in July, 1876, and a few days later went to Boise, where he secured the position of foreman on the Statesman, which was then published by Judge Milton Kelly. In 1877 he again returned to Silver City and worked for a year on the Avalanche for Major Hay, but the following winter he engaged in mining on War Eagle mountain and met with losses in the venture. In 1879, however, he conducted a number of successful speculations at Silver City and surrounding places, and in October, 1880, in partnership with Guy Newcomb, purchased the Avalanche plant, conducting the paper until 1882, when he sold his interest to Charles M. Hays. Mr. Adams then purchased the Silver City Iron Foundry, and in addition to its operation dealt in wood, conducted a number of speculations, and bought and sold real estate. In 1889 in connection with a partner he opened a furniture store, and three years later, closing out their furniture business, they put in a full line of general merchandise. The same year the partner absconded, but Mr. Adams continued the business, and such was the confidence of the people in him that he soon won a very large patronage, and carried on the store with excellent success, eventually having the largest trade in his line in the county. On the 1st of May, 1898, he sold out in order to give more of his time and attention to the conduct of a private banking business which he had previously established and which had grown to considerable proportions. In the year 1897 his operations in that line amounted to nearly two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the bank is considered a great convenience by the miners and business men of this section of the state. He still conducts a profitable banking business, and is regarded as one of the most reliable and trust worthy men of the county. His success is certainly well merited, as it has been won entirely through his own well directed and honorable efforts.

In his political views Mr. Adams was long a Republican, voting for the men and measures of that party until 1896, when not favoring its stand on the money question he gave his support to W. J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for president. He was elected to the territorial legislature in 1884, and therein labored with patriotic and untiring zeal for the adoption of many measures which he believed would advance Idaho's best good. He is still the owner of extensive mining interests, and his business career is one of which he has every reason to be proud. Starting out in life in the humble capacity of errand boy in a printing office, he has been connected with many business interests and has ultimately not only won prosperity, but through all has maintained a reputation for honesty and integrity of character that is unassailable. His connection with the journalistic, mercantile, mining and banking interests of the state has gained him a wide acquaintance and all who know him speak of him in terms of the highest respect. (168-170)

An Illustrated Story of the State of Idaho., 1899.

ADAMS, PETER

ADAMS, MR. PETER, was born in Dunkirk, New York, in February, 1837. In 1864 he crossed the plains to California, and came to Idaho in 1866. Mr. Adams is a carpenter and millwright by trade. From 1874 to 1878 he was engaged in the furniture business in Silver City. In 1876, in partnership with Mr. T. W. Jones, he erected a custom quartz mill at Wagontown. For the past fifteen years, Mr. Adams has followed mining, and is the owner of the valuable Garfield group of mines at Wagontown. These properties are opened by fully 3,000 feet of tunnels, and were the first to ship ore over the Oregon Short Line railway after its completion. (99)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

ADAMS, PETER

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. The father followed the business of stone-cutting and contracting, and died in the forty-seventh year of his age. His wife, surviving him many years, was called to her final rest at the age of seventy-six. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and were people of the highest integrity and respectability.

Peter Adams, who was one of their family of seven children, was reared and educated in New York, and in 1864 crossed the plains to California, where he engaged in the butchering business for two years. In 1866 he went to Silver City, Idaho, and soon afterward formed a partnership with T. W. Jones, since which time they have done a large and profitable business as contractors and builders. They have constructed many of the hoisting works and erected many of the residences of Silver City and vicinity, and substantial and attractive structures stand as monuments to their skill and enterprise. For a number of years, they were also in the furniture business. Mr. Adams is now the owner of the Garfield group of mines, located in the Corson district, one-half mile from De Lamar. Here he has the Garfield, Gold Hill, North End, and Chief mines, and he was the shipper of the first ore sent from the De Lamar district over the Short Line Railroad to Salt Lake, Denver and Omaha. He also built the first quartz mill in the De Lamar district. He has three thousand feet of tunnels and has large quantities of gold and silver ore in sight, so that there is every evidence of continued prosperity.

In 1863 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Adams and Miss Etta Wells, and to them was born a daughter, Jennie, who is now the wife of James L. Napier. The mother died in 1891, at Salt Lake, and Mr. Adams has not remarried. In his political affiliations he re a silver Republican and has given close and earnest study to the issues and questions which now demand the public attention. He has been honored with office, having represented his district in the territorial legislature in 1872, while in 1898 he was again the nominee for that position. He is a progressive and public-spirited man, deeply interested in the welfare of his county and state, and withholds his co-operation from no movement for the general good. (456)

An Illustrated Story of the State of Idaho., 1899.

BABINGTON, JOSEPH

BABINGTON, MR. JOSEPH, was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1837. When at an early age, his parents settled in Illinois, and subsequently in Iowa. In 1862 he crossed the plains, settled at La Grande, Oregon, and engaged in farming. On March 11, 1864, he located at Reynolds creok, being one of the earliest settlers in that locality. He kept the stage station near Reynolds up to 1871, and subsequently was ranching about nine miles from Silver. Of late years has permanently resided at Reynolds, engaged in stockraising and farming. (99)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BACHELER, CHAUNCEY D.

BACHELER, MR. CHAUNCEY DARWIN, was born at Osceola, Livingston county, Michigan, December 8, 1835. Was brought up on a farm, and left home February 14, 1854, bound for California by way of the isthmus, and arrived at San Francisco March 25, 1854. He mined in the Secret ravine diggings, in Placer county, until 1861, when he left there for Virginia City, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he struck out for Owyhee county, reaching that place March 10, 1864. He first located a ferry on the Owyhee river, and in 1865 opened a livery stable at Ruby City, which he carried on for about two years. In 1867, he located a ranch in Jordan valley, which he disposed of in 1869, made a trip home to Michigan, and returned in 1870, and located the Goose ranch, in Jordan valley. In 1879 he disposed of this ranch and purchased the Trout creek station, which he continued until 1882, when he located at Camp Three Forks, where he engaged in the ranch and dairy business, and in 1891 he moved to De Lamar, where he at present resides, engaged in dairy business and teaming.

In 1876, he was married to Miss Martha E. Corp.

While ranching in Jordan valley in 1867, and on his way to Silver City with a load of hay, he was attacked by a band of Paiutes and shot in the side, the ball passing through his elbow, but was rescued by a friend, who carried him to shelter. The wound was a serious one, and he still suffers at this late date from the effects of it.

Mr. Bacheler is a crack shot and an old Indian fighter. He participated in the Jordan fight in Owyhee canyon, and since that date has had the felicity of accidentally transporting many a red devil to the "happy hunting grounds." (99)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BEATON, JAMES

BEATON, MR. JAMES, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, June 30, 1826. Left Scotland at the age of twenty-one for Canada, where until 1863 he was engaged in bush farming. Was for several years engaged in engineering in various parts of the United States, and finally brought up in Silver City, in 1872, since which date he has resided here, engaged in engineering, mining and prospecting.

He is well known to the residents of Owyhee county by his sobriquet of "Scotty Beaton." (100)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BEGGS, JOHN

BEGGS, MR. JOHN, was born in the County Tipperary, Ireland, June 21, 1823. Left Ireland in 1844, and worked as machinist in the Morgan Iron Works (New York city) up to 1864, when he went to San Francisco, and in the following year was engaged in mining in Idaho at Boise basin. Arrived in Silver City in 1868, and up to 1873 was engaged in mining, and since that date has been most of the time ranching. (100)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BERG, ABEL A.

BERG, MR. ABEL A., was born near Arvika, Sweden, on December 19, 1846. At an early age he followed the sea, until 1871, when he left Sweden for America, arriving at Sacramento, California, in the latter part of 1871. He worked on a ranch and in a beet sugar factory until the following year, when he struck out for Idaho, and landed at Silver City December 27, 1872. Since then he has been engaged in mining and prospecting, and has worked in all the prominent mines on War Eagle and Florida mountains. He is the prin cipal owner of the Lone Tree group, located in close proximity to the Trade Dollar mines, his partners being Messrs. Quinlan, Regan and ' Hays. He also owns other good mining properties on Florida mountain.

Mr. Berg is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Miners' Union of Silver City. (100)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BERB, ABEL A.

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 (Danielson) 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 and fortune in America, believing that the superior advantages of this country would sooner enable him to acquire a competency. It was in 1871 that he sailed westward across the Atlantic, landing at New York city, whence he journeyed across the country to California. In that state he worked at farming, and in a sugar factory in Sacramento, but came from the latter place to Silver City and secured employment in the Minnesota mine on War Eagle mountain. That mine was then a large producer and its stock advanced from fifty cents to fifty dollars a share.

As his capital has increased Mr. Berg has made judicious investments in mining property, and is now associated in business with Mr. Quinlan, Tim Regan and Charles M. Hays. In addition to the Lone Tree mines he is now the owner of other valuable property on the Florida mountains, none of which is far from Silver City. He has made a three-hundred-foot tunnel in the Lone Tree mine, joining the Trade Dollar mine, and the ore from the former assays from ten to one hundred and fifty dollars per ton. Mr. Berg also has another claim below the Lone Tree, known as the Idaho mine, which has several tunnels in it, while its ore assays as high as the other. The Crown Point mine, just east of the Idaho, is also his property, and its ore has assayed as high as two thousand dollars per ton. He owns the American Eagle mine, immediately east of the others, and also has a tunnel there which is designed for a cross cut. He sold his Hammerson mine, near the Black Jack, for seventy-five hundred dollars. Mr. Berg has gained a broad and practical knowledge, and is considered a mining expert. His close study and application, and his energy and indomitable purpose, have made him successful.

Mr. Berg is a "silver" Republican in politics and served as a delegate to the "silver" Republican county convention. He is a member of the Odd Fellows society, has filled all the chairs in both branches of the order, and has twice been a representative to the grand lodge. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, —which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, —and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Owyhee county. (115-116)

An Illustrated Story of the State of Idaho., 1899.

BERNARD, JAMES C.

BERNARD, MR. JAMES CHARLES, was born on Prince Edward Island, November 25, 1842. He emigrated at the early age of four years, with his parents, to Iowa county, Wisconsin. His schooling was limited, and in his early manhood he became a craftsman on the Wisconsin river. In the spring of 1862 he crossed the plains with an ox team, and reached Powder River valley, Oregon, August 28, 1862. Wintered at Auburn, Oregon, and in the spring of 1863 he went to Centerville, Idaho, where he was engaged in mining, and, subsequently, packing between Umatilla landing and Idaho City. During the following winter he was snowbound at La Grande, Oregon, and when the spring opened he loaded fourteen packhorses with provisions and crossed the Snake river, bound for Ruby City, which he reached in March, 1864. and sold his outfit at high prices, realizing seventy-five cents per pound for flour, bacon and beans. He then engaged in ranching at Reynolds creek, until 1866, when he ran a hack-wagon at Silver City, and subsequently went to Boise City, where he engaged in farming and teaming. In 1867 he purchased the Lytle ferry, four miles above the well-known Central ferry, which he established five years later. Simultaneously he ran a stage line in connection with his ferry, and subsequently disposed of both stage line and ferry to the opposition line. He then engaged in ranching at Upper Reynolds creek, and in 1882 established the Central ferry.

He served a term as school trustee, and held the position of postmaster at Central Ferry for nine years, resigning and declining same in 1896, after which the office was abolished. (100-101)

A Historical Directory of Owyhee County, 1898.

BRUNZELL, OSCAR F.

BRUNZELL, OSCAR F. --- Mr. Oscar F. Brunzell, assessor and tax collector of Owyhee county, was born January 5, 1864, in Sweden. He came to the United States and to this county in July, 1871, with his parents, where he has since resided. He worked for several years on the range for different stockmen of the county, and accu mulated considerable stock on his own account, but during the severe winter of 1888 he suffered heavy losses in cattle. Mr. Brunzell served the county as assessor and tax collector for the 1893-4 term in a creditable manner. In 1895, in partnership with R. H. Leonard, Jr., he purchased and conducted the Owyhee livery stable in Silver City, they selling the same to Brown & Sampson in October of that year. At the general election of 1896 he was again elected assessor and tax collector, which office he now occupies. He was married October 30, 1895, to Miss Laura E. Winchester, of Silver City. Mr. Brunzell is a P. G. of Owyhee Lodge No. 2, I.O.O.F. (20)