Biographies for Ada County Idaho

FRENCH, JOHN

FRENCH, John Robert, (1819 - 1890) FRENCH, John Robert, a Representative from North Carolina; born in Gilmanton, Belknap County, N.H., May 28, 1819; received an academic education in Gilmanton and Concord, N.H.; learned the printer’s trade; publisher and associate editor of the New Hampshire Statesman at Concord for five years; editor of the Eastern Journal at Biddeford, Maine, two years; moved to Lake County, Ohio, in 1854; editor of the Telegraph, the Press, and, in 1856, of the Cleveland Morning Leader; member of the State house of representatives in 1858 and 1859; appointed by Secretary Chase to a position in the Treasury Department, Washington, D.C., in 1861; appointed by President Lincoln in 1864 a member of the board of direct-tax commissioners for the State of North Carolina; settled in Edenton, N.C., at the close of the Civil War; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1867; upon the readmission of the State of North Carolina to representation was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth Congress and served from July 6, 1868, to March 3, 1869; was not a candidate for renomination in 1868; elected Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate March 22, 1869, and served in that capacity until March 24, 1879; appointed secretary of the Ute Commission in July 1880; returned to Washington, D.C.; moved to Omaha, Nebr., and thence to Boise City, Idaho, where he was editor of the Boise City Sun until his death October 2, 1890; interment in Boise City Cemetery. (Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)

HARRIS, MARTHA

Martha Jane (Ritchie) Harris.

Martha was born 15^th October, 1883 in Yale, Johnson County, Arkansas, the daughter of Miles Ritchie & Vicy Jane Acord, she died 8th January, 1968, Boise, Idaho. She married John Henry Harris in June 1901 in Pettigrew, Madison County, Arkansas. John was born 30^th October, 1883, the son of John N Harris and Mahala Catherine Upton.

Submitted by Susan Christine Fahnstrom

JOHNSON, RICHARD

One of Idaho’s First Citizens Dies Abroad
Richard Z. Johnson of Boise Expires in Germany Following a Stroke He lingered five days Instructed That News of His Death Be Not Cabled to Sons Here Mother Brings Message Shocking Intelligence Conveyed on Her Unexpected Arrival from Europe Hon. Richard Z. Johnson, one of the best known men of this state, who gave to Idaho, especially during it formation period, an unmeasured civic zeal and devotion and the benefits of a broad Legal training, died at Wasserburg, Germany, on September 10. News of his death did not reach his sons in Boise, Henry Z. Johnson and Richard H. Johnson, the latter his law partner, until their mother arrived unexpectedly from Germany yesterday, accompanied by her grandson, Kendrick Johnson, son of Henry Z. Johnson, who had gone to Germany to round out his education at an institution in Switzerland not far from the villa of his grandparents on Lake Constance. Mr. Johnston suffered a stroke of paralysis on September 5. During the five days preceding his death he was unconscious much of the time, but during a period when he recognized the loved ones at his bedside he indicated his belief that his end was near and instructed that no cablegram be sent to his sons. As nearly as he could make himself understood, with the power of speech all but palsied, he wanted to spare them worriment over their bereaved mother, who had been ill. No word of his death was to be delivered to them until from her lips and she was not to advise them of her departure for Boise. As nearly as he could make himself understood, with the power of speech all but palsied, he wanted to spare them worriment over their bereaved mother, who had been ill. No word of his death was to be delivered to them until from her lips and she was not to advise them of her departure for Boise. Thus the shocking news to the sons was associated with what in its absence would have been a joy some surprise at the unexpected homecoming of their mother. Had Been Ailing Some Time The last letter received by either of the sons from their father was dated August 15. It was written in a firm, clear hand, of itself indicting physical robustness, but in the course of some statements relative to business matters a paragraph was injected evidently for the purpose of denoting the failing health of the writer and still couched in such terms as to allay anxiety. Mr. Johnson said he had been ailing for some time but spoke hopefully of probable restitution. His lifelong habit of presenting every possible buffer between worriment and his family was again disclosed, though less tragically than in his final instructions. He had always said a cablegram gave him such a shock he hesitated to open the envelope, and on the eve of his departure on one of his trips abroad, he urged his son, Richard, never to cable him any bad news. The remains of Mr. Johnson were laid to rest near Lindau, not far from Count Zeppellins estate. The entire city government and many citizens attended the funeral. The newspaper accounts reveal the high esteem in which the people of that section held him, although he was not one of them in point of nationality. Came To Idaho in Sixty-Four Richard Z. Johnson was born at Akron, Ohio, May 21, 1837. He was educated in the schools of Ohio and New York and pursued his professional studies in the law department of Yale College, where he graduated in the class of 1859. He was admitted to the bar at St. Paul and commenced his practice in Winona, Minnesota. Subsequently he moved to Virginia City, Nevada, where he became identified with the stirring events of that western mining camp and formed associations with the notable group that carved history all over the northwest. In 1864 Mr. Johnson came to Idaho, locating at Silver City, where he practiced his profession for 14 years. In 1878 he moved to Boise, which was his home from that time, although much of the time in later years he spent in Germany. Mr. Johnson was a potential factor in shaping public policies in Idaho and in Boise, especially during their earlier constructive period. He was a member of the territorial legislature in 1880 and again in 1882. He served as attorney general for two terms and occupied that office when Idaho was admitted into the Union, performing noteworthy service with relation to a variety of legal complexities connected with the transition. He was one of the commissions that revised the Idaho statutes in 1887. Identified with a variety of civic movements in Boise, Mr. Johnson’s first concern was the public schools. He was the author and secured the passage of the law creating the independent school district here and for 15 years was a member of the school board, active in every movement for the up building of the institution that is one of Boise’s chief glories. Although pressed by an expanding legal practice, being a representative of some of Idaho’s largest interests, Mr. Johnson devoted much time to the promotion of public affairs, which he made a personal matter and prosecuted as energetically as any feature of his private business. Mr. Johnson retired from active practice in 1892, although continuing to act until his last illness in an advisory capacity. Beginning with 1892 he made annual trips to Germany, the former home of his wife, and finally purchased a villa there on the shores of the beautiful lake that forms part of the northern boundary of Switzerland. His last visit to his home in Boise was during the winter of 1910. In Many Notable Cases Mr. Johnson was connected with many of the notable litigations in Idaho, although few of a sensational nature such as to foment popular demonstration. He preferred the subdued character of practice; but if the sum total of the considerations involved in cases in which his name appeared were computed it would present surprising figures, while the public policies growing out of several of them bear more important relationship to present conditions in Idaho that is generally known. He won the distinction of being a close student, and incisive and effective pleader and an orator of powerful influence. While he avoided personal reference to his practice an his public endeavors, there were two accomplishments of which he was undisguised proud and to which he often referred in his reminiscent moods. On one occasion he defended a man on trial for murder who was his enemy. Although he took occasion to express his feelings against the defendant with considerable acerbity in his address to the jury, he succeeded in clearing. “I am proud of the fact that even my enemies employ me,” he has often said. On another occasion Mr. Johnson attacked the integrity of an Idaho judge, and made such a showing against him at Portland, Oregon then the real seat of Idaho bar association, that the judge was driven from the bench and isolated. “He was either corrupt or an ignoramus on the face of the record,” Mr. Johnson said, “and I considered that I was doing a public duty in exposing and undoing him.” Probable Value of Estate Practically all of Mr. Johnson’s investments are in Boise. He always lived well and was liberal with is purse. The popular conception has been that he was worth at least half a million dollars. Those in the best position to estimate the value of the estate place it as $100,000. Idaho Statesman – October 6, 1913

Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley

DAY, ALICE
RITCHIE, ZED PORTER

ZED PORTER RITCHIE AND ALICE DAY.

Zed Porter Ritchie grew up in the hills of Arkansas on Little Mulberry. He worked for a sawmill hauling logs around wolfpen Hollow above Clarksville, Arkansas. Zed and Alice married 14th October, 1917. He worked in the woods hauling logs to the mill and Alice cooked for some of the workers. They lived in a tent. Zed was inducted in the the Army during World War 1 at Clarksville, Arkansas on 15th September, 1918. He was sent to Camp Pike, New Jersey to await shipment overseas. Alice moved her home with her family up in the hills of Dutton, Madison County, Arkansas.

When the War was over, they worked awhile in Nebraska harvesting corn and finally rented a farm in Murphy, Oklahoma on 22nd August, 1920. they moved to a farm house at Locust grove, Oklahoma, where sons’ Lloyd G and James Haskell were born.

In 1927 they moved to Davenport, Oklahoma, where Zed’s brother James Monroe Ritchie was farming. Betty Jean and Willam Everett were both born there, the address was Chandler, Oklahoma. They farmed in and around that area until 1935, the beginning of the dust bowl.

Zed and Alice Ritchie sold their crops in the field and lucky that they did as this was the beginning of the dust bowl, they hired a truck, loaded all their possessions to take the family to Kuna, Idaho. Zed’s mother Vicy Jane ( Acord) Ritchie, then 78 years old, came with the family in the back of the truck with a canvas top. Alice brought only her prized possessions as there was very little space with 8 of us in the back of the farm truck. The bed was 8 by 11 feet. I remember one small end table that was strapped to the top of the truck cab falling and smashing to pieces.

It was an exciting trip for our family as we had never seen mountains. The family arrived at Zed’s brothers place in early August 1935. Zed rented a house in Kuna, the family picked fruit ( prunes) that fall. Alice immediately started canning all the lush fruit growing in Idaho. Three children entered the schools.

In October 1935, Zed rented a small farm and milked cows on the shared basis. Later he bought a farm and had his own cows near Kuna. He bought and sold farms near Kuna for several years. He sold out in 1952 and Zed and Alice worked at the Weatherby’s sawmill at Atlanta, Idaho. They bought a home in Boise on Wilson street. Later they both worked at St Alphonus Hospital, Alice cooked and Zed worked in the store room. Zed retired in 1962. they bought a place in Kuna on Franklin street, where Alice presently lives, and zed remodeled it. Alice retired in august 1963 and they moved to Kuna.

They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary,14th October, 1967 and their 60th Wedding Anniversary 14th October, 1977.

Zed’s mother Vicy, passed away in April 1939 and his brother James Monroe Ritchie in 1961 and Zed Ritchie died 10th October, 1980, they are all buried in the Kuna Cemetery. Alice is 88 years old, she still lives alone on Franklin Avenue, she takes care of herself, makes a garden and weeds her flowers.

Zed and Alice have seen good and bad times. The bank closed in 1932 in Oklahoma and they lost their life savings. They started all over and had a happy fruitful life, they had five children, 16 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren and I Great Great Grandchild.

By Thelma ( Ritchie) Mulvania.

(Zed and Alice Ritchie’s Daughter.)

Submitted by Susan Christine Fahnstrom

STRODE, JOHN

     John Strode was born in Tennessee February 6, 1833. During his childhood his parents moved to Missouri, where he remained until he was 19 years of age. He then left for California, driving an ox team the entire distance. The company of gold seekers of which he was a member were four months and eight days making the trip, which was marked by untold hardships, some of the party dying en route. Young Strode engaged in mining for a short time and then in ranching in Contra Costa county. From there he went to Siskiyou county where he again turned to mining. Later he mined in Baker county, Cal. He was very successful, his clean-ups averaging $50 to $60 a day. In Siskiyou county one day he found a nugget worth $3033.
     In 1862 Mr. Strode left California and remained a short time in Oregon, coming the following year to Idaho. He engaged in mining in the Basin at Atlanta Gulch. His good luck had not deserted him. He continued to make money rapidly. He became interested in the Monarch mine, which proved to be a good property. He sold some of his stock in this mine for $15,000, retaining $50,000 worth.
     Leaving the mining business Mr. Strode located in Boise valley, engaging in farming and stock raising. Success crowned his efforts. Besides his stock his valuable home farm near Boise and some good city property, he owned several hundred acres of Idaho land, a 160 acre farm in Oregon, two grape orchards in Sonoma county, Cal., and a 30 acre orchard near Nampa. While unpretentious to a degree, it is believed he had accumulated much more wealth than the average man engaged in the stock and farming business in this state.
     In 1869 Mr. Strode married Miss Sophia Yost, who died in 1886. He then married Mrs. Flora A. Deeds, from whom he was divorced. Eight children were born to him by his first wife, Harvey, Lee, John, Sophia, William, James, Charles and George. They are all living. The daughter is the wife of Arch Cunningham of this city.

Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise City Idaho June 4, 1901

(Check out deaths page for obituary)