JESSE WILSON
PARSONS
Jesse Wilson Parsons, who follows farming in the
vicinity of Burley, was born at Versailles, Ripley county, Indiana,
June 24, 1861, and is a son of George and Eliza Ann (Hamilton)
Parsons, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born
in Indiana. The father spent his early boyhood in Kentucky and later
removed to Indiana, where he was living at the time of the outbreak
of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1861 as a member of the
Eighty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry and died from wounds at
Memphis, Tennessee, in September, 1862. His widow survived him for
many years and passed away in Florida. When the republican party was
formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he had joined its
ranks and was one of its stalwart advocates until his demise.
Jesse W. Parsons was but a year old at the time of his
father's death. His boyhood days were passed in Indiana where he
pursued his education and then took up the occupation of farming. He
left that state when twenty-one years of age, removing to Cass
county, Illinois, and again followed farming in the vicinity of
Chandlerville, where he lived for two years. He next went to
Richardson county, Nebraska, settling near Humboldt, and soon
afterward he accepted a clerkship in a hotel at that place. When
twenty eight years of age he went to Aspen, Colorado, where he
followed mining, and his next removal took him to Butte Montana,
from which place he came to Cassia county, Idaho, in 1891, settling
at Albion. Again he resumed the occupation of farming, which he
followed in connection with mining until 1907. IN that year he
removed to his present farm of eighty acres, securing a tract of
sagebrush land which has now been converted into rich and productive
fields, supplied with all modern improvements and equipments.
In 1896 Mr. Parsons was married to Miss Mattie Morris,
a daughter of William and Martha (Morgan) Morris and a native of
Wales. Her father engaged in mining. He made his way westward from
the Virginia coal fields in 1854 and settled in California, where he
followed mining, while later he became a resident of Albion, Idaho,
where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. Both he and
his wife have passed away. Their daughter became the wife of Mr.
Parsons at Albion and two children have been born to this union, J.
Wendell and Florence Margaret.
Mr. Parsons is a republican in his political views but
has never been an office seeker. He has always manifested loyalty
and progressiveness in matters of citizenship, however, and in
the various localities in which he has lived he has contributed to
the up building and development of the district and has stood for
all those things which have been most worth while for the community.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains 1920
Vol. 2 |
HON. IREL
J. GUDMUNDSEN
Hon. Irel J. Gudmundsen, actively engaged in farming in
Cassia county and a resident of Burley, where he is serving as a
member of the city council, is also a member of the state
legislature and his activity along public lines is an indication of
his deep interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the state. He was
born at Lehi, Utah, November 8, 1887, a son of Isaac and Fanny (Mulliner)
Gudmundsen, who are also natives of Utah and representatives of old
families of the Church of the Latter Day Saints who colonized that
state. The father is of Danish descent while the mother is of
English origin, and they now make their home in Burley, Idaho, the
father serving as bishop of Burley ward, a position which he
has occupied for a number of years. It was in the '50s that the
Gudmundsen family was founded in Utah by the paternal grandparents
of Irel J. Gudmundsen, who came from Denmark. The grandfather bore
the name of Gudmun Gudmundsen and was born in Iceland but went to
Denmark before coming to the United States.
In the year 1890 Isaac Gudmundsen removed with his
family to Idaho, settling first at Iona, near Idaho Falls, where he
engaged in merchandising and also in farming. In 1909 he took up his
abode at Burley, where he and his wife still reside.
Irel J. Gudmundsen supplemented his public school
training by study in the Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah,
where he pursued a commercial course on its completion he became
associated with his father in mercantile business and in its
completion he became associated with his father in mercantile
business and in farming and sheep raising. The business association
between them was long maintained and Irel J. Gudmundsen for six
years was the manager of the large retail general store of the firm
of Gudmundsen & Sons at Burley. They carried an extensive stock and
enjoyed a splendid patronage, remaining actively in the business
there until 1918, when they withdrew from mercantile circles at that
place. Irel J. Gudmundsen is now actively engaged in the commission
business and as a dealer in real estate and investments, and a
member of the Federal Land Company. He displays sounds business
judgment and indefatigable energy, and his perseverance and
determination have been the salient factors in the attainment of his
present-day success.
In September, 1912, in Salt Lake City, Mr. Gudmundsen
was married to Miss Elsie Taylor, who was born and reared in Cassia
county, Idaho, and they now have three sons: Irel Taylor, Decon Max,
and Dick D.
Mr. Gudmundsen has always remained an active worker and
earnest supporter of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and from 1908 until 1911 was a missionary of the church in France
and Switzerland and whil abroad he also traveled as a tourist
through Italy, Germany and England. Ever keenly interested in
community welfare, he is now serving as a member of the Burley city
council in the capacity of street commissioner. His political
endorsement has always been give to the republican party and upon
its ticket he was elected to the state legislature in the fall of
1918, being accorded a good majority. He is now chairman of the
committee on railroads and other corporations, is a member of the
committee on state affairs, fish and game, irrigation, reservoirs
and reclamation and educational institutions. He closely studies
plans and projects which come before the legislature and his
endorsement of a measure rests upon a firm belief in its efficacy as
a factor in good government or in the material upbuilding and
development of the state.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains 1920
Vol. 2 |
HENRY D.
DURFEE
Forty-one years have come and gone since Henry D.
Durfee became a resident of Idaho and he is now engaged in ranching
near Almo. He was born at Mound Fort, Utah, now Ogden, February 6,
1859, and is a son of Henry and Jane (Barker) Durfee, the former a
native of Ohio, while the latter was born in England. The father
crossed the plains to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1848 and afterward
made several trips; assisting immigrants on the long journey over
the plains to Utah. After a time he settled at Ogden and
subsequently removed to the Cache valley, where he took up
government land, built a log house and began the development of a
ranch upon which he lived for ten years. He then went to Beaver Dam,
Utah, in Boxelder county, where he resided for a period of six
years, giving his attention to farming during that period. He next
went to Connor Springs, Utah, and in 1882 removed to Almo, Cassia
county, Idaho, where he took up school land. He proved up on this
property and spent his remaining days thereon, his death occurred
when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was a
democrat in his political views and his religious faith was long
that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. the mother
is still living at the age of eighty-one years.
Henry D. Durfee accompanied his parents on their
various removals and in 1879 came to Idaho, where he took up a ranch
at Shirley's Cove, north of Almo, obtaining one hundred and sixty
acres which he tilled and improved. Year after year he continued the
work of cultivating and managing his ranch and resided thereon until
fifteen years ago, when he sold that property and obtained his
present place under the desert act, acquiring two hundred and thirty
nine acres. He has largely given his attention to stock raising.
Thirty-two years ago Mr. Durfee was united in marriage
to Miss Ida Nicholas, a native of Willard, Utah, and a daughter of
Joseph and Nancy (Allen) Nicholas, who went to Utah from Ohio at an
early day in the development of the former state. Mr. and Mrs.
Durfee have become parents of ten children: Ivy N., Jennie, Joseph,
Vere, Hazel, Myrtle, Melvin, Ralph, Ada and Clifford.
The family adhere to the teachings of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in politics Mr. Durfee is a
republican. He has served as as school trustee and as water
commissioner and he is keenly interested in all that has to do with
the welfare and progress of his section of the state, lending hearty
aid and support to all measurers and movements which he believes
will advance the general welfare.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains 1920
Vol. 2 |
BENJAMIN P.
HOWELLS
Benjamin P. Howells, attorney at law practicing at
Oakley, was born April 23, 1866, at Tooele, Utah, his parents being
Benjamin P. and Hannah (Brown) Howells. He remained a resident of
Utah until he came to Cassia county, Idaho, in company with P.M.
Niles, a school teacher originally from Oswego, New York. It was
through Mr. Niles that he obtained the greater part of his education
and later he took up the profession of teaching himself, dividing
his time between that work and cow punching. He was employed as a
cow puncher by various cattle outfits and his experiences made him
familiar with all the conditions of pioneer life in the west.
On the 22d of March, 1891, Mr. Howells was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Cummins, a native of Utah and a daughter
of Francis M. and Desert (Severe) Cummins. After his marriage he
taught school for a time and later purchased a ranch west of Oakley.
He afterward sold that property and took up his abode in Oakley,
where he began the study of law under John Rogers. He also gave much
time to reading law at home and after thoroughly qualifying for
practice was admitted to the bar on the 23d of April, 1897. He has
since engaged in practice, making steady progress in a profession
where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and
ability. For six years he filled the office of prosecuting attorney
in a most capable and effective manner. He has figured quite
prominently in connection with criminal law and has specialized to a
considerable extent in litigation having to do with water rights and
irrigation interests. He has been connected with the principal law
suits of this character, acting as local counsel for the Twin
Falls-Oakley Land & Water Company, and his wide study and broad
experience have made him largely an authority upon questions
relative to this branch of litigation.
Mr. and Mrs. Howells have become the parents of six
children: Bertie, who died at the age of six years; Bernice, who is
operating a ranch; Byron, who is connected with the Farmers
Commercial Bank; Emily; Myrl; and Leland. Politically Mr. Howells is
a stalwart Republican and keeps well informed on the questions and
issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by
intelligent argument. He takes a progressive stand on all those
questions which are of vital importance to the community and is a
man of broad vision who looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to
the opportunities and possibilities of the future.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains 1920
Vol. 3 |
GEORGE CRANER
George Craner, actively engaged in farming in Cassia
county, Idaho, was born at Tooele, Utah, October 27, 1857, and is a
son of George and Sarah Emma (Jenkins) Craner. The period of his
boyhood and youth was passed in Utah, where he remained until he
attained his majority, and in February, 1881, he came to Idaho,
settling at Oakley, Cassia county. He preempted one hundred and
sixty acres of land, built a log house and began the improvement of
a farm which embraced the present site of Oakley. He continued to
reside there until 1908, when he sold his homestead and acquired the
ownership of his present farm of one hundred and eighteen acres near
Burley. Again a log house which he built gave him shelter until
opportunity and his financial condition made it possible for him to
build a brick dwelling, which he now occupies. Today he has a well
improved farm, bringing forth good crops, and in addition to his
place near Burley he has fifty acres in Pella township. He carries
on general farming and his labors are being attended with
substantial results.
In 1879 Mr. Craner was united in marriage to Miss
Mary C. Adams, a daughter of John and Mary (Howells) Adams, who were
farming people of Tooele, Utah, where Mrs. Craner was born and
reared. Ten children have blessed this marriage: Mary, now the wife
of D.A. Harding; George E., who wedded Maud Sandwick; Emma, now Mrs.
Dorrington; John, who married Loretta Wells; Ruth, the wife of Clark
Judd; Howard, who married Millie Spencer; Herbert, who wedded Lucile
Hanks, and Arthur, Annie and William under the parental roof.
Mr. Craner has always given his political allegiance to
the republican party since attaining his majority. Those who know
him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him a man of sterling
worth and he enjoys the respect, goodwill and confidence of all with
whom he has been associated.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains 1920
Vol. 3 |
BERT O.
MCCULLOCH
The development of the great sugar industry in the west
has elicited the cooperation of many alert and energetic young
business men who have become important factors in the upbuilding of
this great business interest. Among the number is Bert O. Culloch,
superintendent of the plant of The Amalgamated Sugar Company at
Burley, Cassia county, Idaho. He was born in Logan, Utah, November
19, 1883, and is a son of Robert and Ida McCulloch. His boyhood days
were passed at the place of his nativity and his early education was
there acquired in the public schools, while afterward he attended
the Utah Agricultural College and the Brigham Young College. In 1903
he entered the employ of the Amalgamated Sugar Company at Logan in
the capacity of mechanic in the sugar beet plant. There he remained
for six years. In 1903 he took up the work of sugar boiling as a
specialty and followed this until 1908 at Logan and at Lewiston,
Utah. In 1908 he became assistant factory foreman and in 1910 was
made general factory foreman, so continuing at the various plants of
the company until 1916, when he was transferred to Burley and took
his present position as superintendent for The Amalgamated Sugar
Company. In this important position he has since continued, making
an excellent record as supervising head of the factory at Burley.
In 1904 Mr. McCulloch was married to Miss Maud F.
Maughan, a native of Logan, Utah, and a daughter of Charles W. and
Jane F. (Farns) Maughan. They have become the parents of five
children: Vernon B., Verrell, Mildred, Harriett and Robert Boyd.
The religious faith of the family is that the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In politics Mr. McCulloch is a
republican, staunchly supporting the principles of the party, but
the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him.
He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the line of
business in which he embarked in early manhood. Thoroughly
acquainting himself with the various phases of the business, he has
gradually worked his way upward by reason of his increasing
knowledge and advancing skill as well as his trustworthiness and
diligence. His salient qualities have been valuable assets in a
business way and his position is today one of large responsibility
in which he fully meets the requirements.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountain Vol. 3
1920
|
ROBERT S. STORY
Robert S. Story, filling the position of postmaster at
Burley, was born at Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, September 5,
1867, and is a son of Silas B. and Frances (Rush) Story. His boyhood
days were spent in Missouri and there he pursued a common school
education, after which he took up the occupation of farming,
following the work of the fields until 1904. He then removed to
Albion, Cassia county, Idaho, wishing to devote his attention to
other pursuits than farm work. Here he engaged in the drug business,
conducting a store for four years, at the end of which time he took
up his trade of carpentering and followed that pursuit for five
years in connection with the building of the State Normal School. In
1913 he removed to Burley, where he started in business as a
carpenter and contractor and was thus engaged until the month of
July, 1913, when he was made postmaster of the town and since
occupied the position. He is very systematic in the management of
the office and the care of the mails and is always courteous and
obliging to the patrons of the office, so that he is a popular
postmaster. In addition to discharging his official duties he
engages to some extent in the real estate business and is thoroughly
conversant with the property that is upon the market.
In October, 1912, Mr. Story was married to Miss Nellie
Anderson, a native of Moore, Idaho, and a daughter of A.N. Anderson,
who is well known rancher and cattle man. Mr. and Mrs. Story have
two children, Ruth G. and Fred L.
Politically Mr. Story is a democrat and he is also an
exemplary follower of the Masonic fraternity. He has always lived
west of the Mississippi and is possessed of the spirit of enterprise
and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of
this great western empire.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountain, 1920
Vol. 3 |
WILLIAM D.
CAHOON
William D. Cahoon is filling the position of United
States commissioner at Almo, in which city he was born May 17, 1882,
his parents being Henry R. and Anna (Durfee) Cahoon, the former a
native of Salt Lake City and the latter of Ogden, Utah, where he
father took up ranch land built thereon a log house. He worked
diligently to develop and improve the property and later he removed
to the Cache valley of Utah, where he carried on farming.
Subsequently he was at Beaver Dam, where he also engaged in farming
and afterward he took up a ranch at Connor Springs Utah, where he
engaged in raising cattle. In 1881 he removed with his family to
Almo, Idaho, and homesteaded land. He secured one hundred and sixty
acres which had been taken up by John Q. Shirley and who fenced the
entire place. The Indians were still numerous in the district and
every phase of pioneer life was to be encountered. His widow is
still living and yet occupies the old home ranch of one hundred and
sixty acres.
It was Henry R. Cahoon who named the town of Almo. He
was a carpenter and worked with his father near Salt Lake City,
where he is also engaged in driving a street car when mules
constituted the motive power. In 1879 he removed to Almo, Cassia
county, Idaho, and took up government land, securing one hundred and
sixty acres, together with an eighty-acre desert claim. He
built a log house and at once began the task of improving and
developing the ranch, which he largely devoted to cattle raising. He
continued to make his home thereon until his death, which occurred
in 1914, when he was fifty seven years of age. His wife, the mother
of William D. Cahoon, is still living on the old homestead west of
Almo and has reached the age of fifty eight years. Mr. Cahoon was a
consistent member of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints and in
politics was a democrat.
William D. Cahoon spent his boyhood in Almo, pursuing
his education in the public schools. He remained with his father up
to the time of his marriage and then took up his present farm. He
followed surveying and engaged in trapping for furs at an early day,
but his attention is now largely concentrated upon the further
development and improvement of his ranch property, which comprises
on hundred and sixty acres of land, in the midst of which stand a
nice home and substantial barns and outbuildings, furnishing ample
shelter for grain and stock.
On the 20th of July, 1904, Mr. Cahoon was married to
Miss Jessie Richardson, a native of Yost, Idaho, and a daughter of
Warren and Eliza (Singleton) Richardson. Her parents came from Plain
City, Utah, in the early '80s, settling at Yost, Boxelder County,
Utah, on the Idaho line. Mr. and Mrs. Cahoon have seven children:
William Roscoe, Warren Reynolds, Ilif, Alvin, Leatha, Ireta and
Woodrow Wilson.
William D. Cahoon and his family are connected with the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he is a leading
representative of the democratic party in his locality. He has
filled the office of constable for twelve years, was deputy sheriff
for six years and has been secretary and treasurer of the Almo Water
Company. He has likewise served as town clerk and on the 29th of
September, 1914, he was appointed United State land commissioner and
is still filling that office the duties of which he discharges with
promptness and fidelity. He has also been active in the work of the
church, serving for eight years as ward clerk. His life has thus
been a busy and useful one and he is keenly interested in everything
that tends to promote the material, intellectual, social and moral
progress of the community in which he makes his home.
History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountain 1920 Vol.
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