Biographies
"G"
 CHARLES V. GENOWAY, M.D.
Although a resident of Boise for only a comparatively short period, Dr.
Charles V. Genoway has gained such a firm hold upon the confidence of
the people of his adopted city as to be ranked with some of its oldest
professional men. A man of wide experience, proved ability and
unblemished character, he has already made himself a welcome addition
to Boise's best citizenship and a sketch of his varied and useful
career will, no doubt, prove of general interest.
Dr. Genoway was born October 27, 1863, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father,
Daniel C. Genoway was brought to that city from Kentucky, during the
early 'forties, by his parents, and there learned the trade of cabinet
maker, which he followed for many years. During the latter part of his
active business life, he turned his attention to farming, but at this
time is living a retired life in Pierre. South Dakota, being past
eighty years of age. Daniel C. Genoway married Ruth MacGuire, a native
of Ohio, who died in 1865, having been the mother of two children,
Charles V. and Elmer, the latter of whom is a resident of St. Louis,
where he is engaged in a successful insurance business.
Charles V. Genoway was reared by his paternal grandmother until he was
eighteen years of age and received his education in the public schools
of the suburbs of Cincinnati. As a youth he had decided upon a
professional career, but was forced to earn the means wherewith to
attend college, and took up school teaching. At the age of twenty years
he was principal of a school, and when he had accumulated enough money
he entered the medical department of Cincinnati University, from which
he was graduated in 1888, subsequently taking a post-graduate course of
one year in the Cincinnati Hospital. He then entered upon the general
practice of his profession in that city, but one year later removed to
Nashville. Tennessee, which was his field of endeavor until 1892, when
he removed to Wallace, Idaho, and continued to follow his professional
labors for eight years. At that time he went abroad for post-graduate
work, visiting Vienna and Paris, and returning in 1902, when he located
in Spokane, Washington. He remained in that city until 1908, and during
this time served three years as health officer and was instrumental in
securing the passage of the dairy laws of the city and state.
In 1908 he again left this country and took an extended trip around the
world, visiting numerous foreign countries, including China, Japan, and
Asia and studying the methods of the various hospitals in Europe. While
in London, he took a post-graduate course of four months. Returning to
the United States, he spent four months in post-graduate work in
Bellevue hospital. New York and a short time in St. Vincent's and then
passed a short period in Memphis. Tennessee. In May, 1912, the doctor
established himself in practice in Boise, and now has well-appointed
offices at 222-225 Mode Building, where he has already built up a large
practice, specializing in X-Ray and Electro-Therapeutic work. For
fourteen years Dr. Genoway has been a member of the American Medical
Association, and he also holds membership in the Physicians &
Surgeons Club of Boise and the Idaho State Medical Societies.
Fraternally he is connected with the B. P. O. E., at Wallace, Idaho, of
which he was exalted ruler for three years. His religious belief is
that of the Roman Catholic Church.
While a resident of Spokane, Washington, Dr. Genoway was married,
August 25, 1908, to Miss Helen Curran, a native of Montana, and a
member of a family who were pioneer settlers of that state. They have
no children. The pleasant residence of Dr. Genoway is situated at
Thirteenth and Washington streets, and is a center of hospitality and
social refinement. Dr. Genoway belongs to that class of professional
men who have risen because of inherent talent, constant application and
native intelligence. He holds an undisputed place in the medical
fraternity and as a citizen is proving his interest in his adopted
city's welfare by his connection with all movements tending to benefit
it or its people.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
CHARLES W. GIBSON
Numbered among the representative younger members of the bar of Boise,
the capital city of Idaho, Mr. Gibson has here built up a substantial
professional business and the personnel of his clientage is of an order
that indicates alike his ability as an exemplar of the science of
jurisprudence and also his personal popularity in the state in which he
was reared.
Mr. Gibson was born in the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, on the 29th of
September, 1872, and is a son of James R. and Sarah Frances (Jeans)
Gibson, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, in 1827 and the
latter of whom was born in Missouri, in 1837.
James R. Gibson was about thirteen years of age at the time of his
parents' removal from Tennessee to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1840, and
in that state he was reared to manhood. He was among the first to cross
the plains to California after the discovery of gold in that state,
being then twenty-two years old and few have endured more fully the
vicissitudes, hazards and varied experiences incidental to pioneer life
in the west than did he. He made six of these hazardous journeys from
St. Louis to California, and drove cattle through to the coast country,
where he disposed of the stock at high prices. He also became
prominently identified with mining enterprises, in connection with
which he prospected for gold from Montana to California, in the
meanwhile living up to the full tension of life on the frontier.
He took part in the early conflicts with the Indians, and, in company
with his cousin, George Hill, he traversed the various sections of the
great west, his career having continued to be one of such nomadic order
until he established his permanent home in Boise, Idaho, in 1889. He
has been actively identified with local business activities and also
with agricultural pursuits in this section of the state and, now
venerable in years; he is living practically retired, in the enjoyment
of the rewards of former years of earnest endeavor. At the time of the
Civil war he was loyal to the cause of the Confederacy and he served
with distinction in the command of General Price, with the rank of
colonel. He was a member of a Missouri regiment and participated in a
number of the important engagements marking the progress of the great
conflict between the north and south.
The marriage of Colonel Gibson to Miss Sarah Jeans was solemnized in
California, the latter having accompanied her parents on their
immigration across the plains from Missouri to that state in the
pioneer days. Mrs. Gibson, a woman of most gentle and gracious
personality, passed the closing years of her life in Boise, where she
was summoned to the life eternal in 1904, at the age of sixty-six
years. Of the seven children Claude W., of this review, was the sixth
in order of birth; O. L. resides in Boise; Alice M. is the wife of
Gideon B. Frazier, deceased, of Meridian, Ada county, where also
resides Delia P., who is the wife of James M. Jackson; James W., George
G. and Clifton F. all reside in Boise.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
ALBERT W. GIPSON
Albert W. Gipson has been cashier of the Peoples' Bank of Cambridge,
Idaho, since 1909, and he is qualified by years of banking experience
in every department to fill that important position. Born on May 22,
1876, Mr. Gipson is the son of Albert E. and Lina M. (West) Gipson,
natives of Wisconsin and Illinois, respectively. The father was a
pioneer of Colorado, removing there in the early seventies, where he
engaged in his profession, that of law. In later years he engaged in
fruit raising and is now resident of Caldwell, Idaho, where he settled
in 1892. and where he is engaged as editor of the Gem State Rural Live
Stock Journal. The mother, who was born in Kewanee, Illinois, also
lives in Caldwell. They were the parents of eight children, of which
number the subject of this review was the second born.
Albert W. Gipson was educated in the grade and high schools of Greely,
Colorado, and Denver, Colorado, his education continuing to the age of
eighteen years. At that time the family was residing at Boise, and the
father was engaged in the publishing business, being the editor and
publisher of The Commonwealth of Idaho and in the print shop Albert W.
learned the trade of a printer, under his father's supervision. He
followed that work in Boise and Caldwell for three years, giving it up
to take a position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank of
Caldwell, Idaho. It was there he learned the banking business in all
its details, and he remained in this connection for ten years,
occupying the position of assistant cashier at the time of his
resignation. He later served as cashier of the United States National
Bank at Vaile, Oregon and as assistant cashier of the Bank of
Washington county at Midvale.
It was in 1909 that he and certain of his associates purchased the
People's Bank of Cambridge, Idaho, which institution Mr. Gipson has
conducted as cashier ever since. This solid and substantial financial
institution is managed and upheld by citizens of tried integrity and
considerable wealth. In the six years of its existence it has shown
itself to be a most influential factor in the growth and development of
Cambridge. The bank has a capital stock of $20,000, deposits of
$150,000, with surplus and undivided profits of $3,000. Harry M. Coon
is president of the bank, Joseph Madison is vice president, and Frank
Haasch is assistant cashier. The bank occupies its own building, one of
the most attractive and substantial in Cambridge, and its equipment is
especially complete and modern. The policy of the bank is conservative,
but sufficiently progressive to keep well in touch with advanced ideas.
Mr. Gipson is secretary of the Commercial Club of Cambridge and
treasurer of the Town of Cambridge. He is a Progressive Republican, and
takes an active interest in the political affairs of his district.
Fraternally, Mr. Gipson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Woodmen of the World of Cambridge.
On June 12, 1907, Mr. Gipson was united in marriage with Miss Anna
Christenson the daughter of James Christenson, a native of Nebraska,
while Mrs. Gipson was born in Omaha, that state. Two children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Gipson— Dorothy, born in Caldwell, Idaho, and
Helen, born in Cambridge, Idaho.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
 ANTON GORECZKY
One of the most successful business men of Boise, Idaho, is Anton
Goreczky, sole proprietor of the Boise Sash and Door Factory, one of
the largest and best equipped establishments of its kind in the state,
who is also one of the large property owners of Boise. His life story
furnishes a striking example of what industry, pluck and determination
can accomplish in Idaho.
Born June 8, 1861, in Austria, near Vienna, he was orphaned of his
mother while very young. Later his father, a representative of a
well-to-do family, remarried and as is so often the case under such
circumstances, uncongenial conditions arose, in consequence of which
young Goreczky left home when but thirteen years of age. Becoming
apprenticed to a cabinet maker, he devoted himself for about four years
to mastering his trade and following it as a journeyman cabinet maker,
visiting the principal cities of Europe and educating himself in the
meantime in night schools.
On the 5th of March, 1878, he was drafted as a soldier, but not wishing
to serve under the Austrian government he ran away and came to America,
landing in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 9th of July. From there he
removed to Calumet county, Wisconsin where he worked at his trade four
and a half years in the employ of Henry Woelker. Possessed of not only
an earning capacity but also of those tendencies of thrift and
frugality so characteristic of his nationality he had at the end of
that period saved $1,350 and had decided to try farming.
Locating in Morton county, Kansas, he preempted a homestead there on
which he remained two and a half years, being also employed in cabinet
work during this time. The grasshopper plague, coupled with the
extensive drought that scourged Kansas about that time, left him with
nothing but his land. During his farming experience there he suffered
many of the hardships and privations that tried the courage of men in
those earlier days in Kansas and his fare a good portion of the time
consisted of food made from home ground corn meal and coffee brewed
from parched barley. Placing the farm in charge of his father, who had
emigrated to this country several years later than his son, he went to
Trinidad, Colorado, where he worked at his trade one year. After a
visit to his father on the Kansas farm he went to Denver, Colorado, and
followed carpentering and cabinet making there four years, saving
carefully of his earnings the while.
In February, 1891, he came to Boise, Idaho, and began contracting,
building many of the Boise business blocks and residences, and was so
successful that after a little more than two years he built a planning
mill and has had one in operation ever since. In 1901 misfortune again
overtook him when fire destroyed his entire plant at a total loss to
him. With a never-failing courage and an unconquerable determination to
succeed, he rebuilt the mill, this time a two-story modern brick
structure with 10,000 feet of floor space and located on his own
ground.
Everywhere about it there is the all-pervading evidence of system and
of perfect equipment of the latest kind. The mill yard covers nearly an
entire city block and has adequate switching facilities for its
shipping department. Indomitable energy and strength of character have
been the foundation of Mr. Goreczky's accomplishment, for amid
discouragements that would have stopped a less dominant man he has
struggled toward success he has won. Today, besides his factory
business, he is the owner of city realty that is valued at
approximately $150,000, and resides in one of the fine homes of Boise.
Politically he is a Republican but he is independent in his views and
yields no party allegiance when it conflicts with his convictions.
Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and his
religious faith is expressed as a communicant of the Roman Catholic
Church.
In 1891 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary Sutty, who was born in
the same Austrian town as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Goreczky have two
children: Oscar, now bookkeeper and general manager for his father, and
Elsie, who is at home with her parents. The parents of Mr. Goreczky
were John Goreczky who died in Boise, Idaho, in 1896, and Katherine
(Douchon) Goreczky, whose death occurred in Austria in 1868. There were
three children born to their union: Karl Goreczky, who passed away in
St. Louis, Missouri; Jeannie, now the wife of Emil Schkovski, a wealthy
farmer in Kansas; and Anton, the subject of this biographical sketch.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
EMILE GRANDJEAN
A varied and interesting career has been that of Mr. Grandjean, who
occupies the important governmental post of supervisor of the Boise
National Forest, in the State of Idaho, and who maintains his home and
executive headquarters in Boise, the capital city.
He has a broad and accurate knowledge of scientific and practical
forestry, his initial experience in this connection having been gained
through effective discipline received in Denmark, the land of his
nativity, and Idaho may esteem herself fortunate that his efforts have
been enlisted in the safeguarding of part of the fine forests of the
state, for the protection and perpetuation of these great resources
have a great significance touching upon the genera! welfare of this
progressive Commonwealth of the American Union.
Emile Grandjean was born in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, on the
31st of October, 1867, the son of Daniel Lublau Grandjean and Nathalia
Grandjean. The father was the owner of a large landed estate in Denmark
and was a citizen of prominence and influence, having been granted the
title of King's Counselor. It is a very old Protestant family, having
migrated to Denmark from France in 1625.
Under the direction of an efficient private tutor Emile Grandjean
gained his early educational training, after which he entered the high
school of his home city. In the meanwhile he had initiated his study of
forestry, under the direction of his uncle, who was in this department
of the government service.
In 1883 Mr. Grandjean severed the gracious ties which bound him to home
and native land and came to the United States. He spent a few months in
Omaha, Nebraska, and thence came to the Wood river mining district in
Idaho, where the mining excitement was then at its height. He soon
identified himself with the mining operations in that section of the
state, and also engaged largely in hunting and trapping in the Salmon.
Wood river and Lost river countries.
In 1896 he went to Alaska and other Northwest territories, where he
passed three years in exploring, prospecting and hunting, and for a
time engaged in the fur trading business under the Hudson Bay Company
principally along the MacKenzie river and its tributaries. But
his efforts in searching for gold in that section of the country were
met with negative success on the whole and his sojourn in the Far North
netted him little more than the manifold and hazardous experiences
which he there encountered, though it was an extremely interesting
trip.
Soon after his return to the United States he again came to Idaho and
engaged in mining operation on the headwaters of Salmon River. He
continued these operations with measurable success until 1905, when the
Sawtooth National Forest was created.
He then entered the government forest service as a ranger, and in 1906
Mr. Grandjean assumed charge of the Sawtooth and Payette National
Forests. At that time these forests embraced what now comprises the
Sawtooth, the Boise, the Payette, the Idaho and portions of the Challis
and Lemhi National Forests, with an aggregate area of nearly 5,600,000
acres. His practical knowledge of forestry now served him well, and he
proved a most efficient and valued official.
In 1908 the Sawtooth and Payette National Forests were divided into the
above named forests, and Mr. Grandjean took then and has now charge of
what is now the Boise National Forest, with headquarters at Boise.
Of this vast reserve Mr. Grandjean is the government supervisor, and it
has been largely due to his earnest and indefatigable efforts, often in
the face of bitter local opposition, that the integrity of the
magnificent domain over which he has charge has been maintained. At the
time when he assumed his present office the Sheep-Growers of Idaho in
general manifested a very bitter antagonism to the government policy of
restricting the use of the national forests for grazing purposes, but
this antipathy has ceased since they have become informed upon the wise
and cohesive plans evolved for the careful conservation of the forest
areas in such a way as to provide perpetual grazing facilities,—a
provision that cannot but inure to the benefit of the state at large.
In his official capacity Mr. Grandjean met the opposing forces firmly
but fairly, and he has won the confidence and good will of even the
most bitter of the original opponents of the government's policies in
connection with forest preservation.
He is well known throughout the state, and it may consistently be said
that his circle of friends is coincident with his circle of
acquaintances. He is a lover of nature, and finds enduring satisfaction
in holding "communion with her visible forms," for which he has ample
opportunity in his present executive capacity. He is fond of all
out-door life and, like Nimrod of old, is a "mighty hunter," many
splendid trophies in the line of big game standing to his credit
through his hunting expeditions, which have extended from the Arctic
regions to Nevada and other sections of the West. He is a member of the
Idaho Sportsmen's Club, and is president of the "See Idaho First"
Association, his interest in the fine state which is his home being of
the most loyal appreciative and insistent order. He is independent in
his political proclivities, and his religious faith is that of the
Lutheran Church.
Mr. Grandjean, buoyant, optimistic and strong of mind and body, finds
much to enjoy in life, which to him is well worth the living. He still
remains on the list of eligible bachelors.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
 GENERAL JOHN GREEN
One of our truly famous men, one of those who rise head and shoulders
above the status of the average, we commemorate in this record of
Lieutenant-Colonel John Green— more often called "General" Green—who
was and is personally dear to Boise, proudly honored by the state of
Idaho, notable throughout the west, and well known in the country at
large.
The military birthright that is claimed by every German' citizen was
the inheritance of John Green, who was born in the Teutonic Fatherland,
in that part of it known as the state of Württemberg, on November 20,
1825. At the age of six, he came with his parents, his three brothers
and his sister, to the United States and here for a time was surrounded
by varied influences, none of which, for a time, stimulated his real
and purposive individuality. In the rural community of Crawford County,
Ohio, where the family made their new home, John Green spent his
winters in the primitive school of that era and locality, giving his
summers to work on his father's farm. When he was fourteen years of age
it was decided that the boy should prepare himself for the independent
activities of mature life by learning a trade.
The occupation of a carpenter was selected for him by his elders and
arrangements were made for his living with a man who was skilled in
that trade. But it soon became evident that this was not the life-work
for which John Green was destined, for it did not appeal to his
interests and abilities sufficiently for him to overcome the qualms of
homesickness which beset him. Always warmly attached to his own home,
he could rot resist the impulse to return to it. After one month of his
apprenticeship, he braved the jeers of his companions, who taunted him
with being unable to "keep away from his mother's apron strings," and
returned to the paternal roof. Another two years passed and it was then
decreed by the family that a second trial at learning an occupation
should be made by the youth. He was sent to Columbus, this time to
attempt the vocation of a cabinet-maker. This he liked no better than
the work of a carpenter and after two weeks of apprenticeship he
returned to his brother. The latter, exasperated at this apparent
failure, told John he was a "good-for-nothing," and that he need expect
no more help from him.
Often such an experience puts a young man on his mettle, brings out his
latent strength of character and leads directly or indirectly to
ultimate success. Thrown on his own resources, young Green secured a
position with a store-keeper, who engaged him to open and close his
place of business, to sweep the store and when other duties permitted,
to wait upon customers. The young man soon revealed the characteristics
of promptness, faithfulness and courtesy, which have been so
conspicuous a part of his nature throughout his entire career. He
found, moreover, that this line of work was more to his liking than
that he had formerly attempted, and most desirable relations grew up
between his employer and himself. The connection continued for four
years, during which time young John Green established a most creditable
reputation in that community.
Then came the influence from without that gave to young Green's life
its vital motive. In the winter of 1845-6, congress had created a new
regiment to be known as the Mounted Rifles and to proceed to the newly
opened country in Oregon, where they were to engage in frontier
service. As it was expected that this regiment would be largely
recruited from young men of the farms who might wish to permanently
locate in Oregon, many youths of John Green's age and condition were
interested, particularly when an officer of the new regiment opened a
recruiting office in Columbus. It was on the first day of July in 1846,
that young Green had this matter brought to his attention by a young
fellow who was a special comrade of his. "Let's go to Oregon," his
friend insisted, and before noon of that day the two young men had
enlisted in the new regiment. When the deed was done, the amusement and
disapproval of some of their friends made both John Green and his
friend regret, for a day or two, the very definite result of their
enthusiasm.
But when young Green had donned his uniform, he was conscious of a
clearly defined change in his consciousness. Clothed with a soldier's
dress, his heart began to beat with a soldier's pride and ambition.
Drilling was to him a matter of veritable delight and his enthusiasm
was rapidly transmuted into a very evident proficiency in that line of
his duty. With the other recruits he spent a month in Columbus and then
was taken with them to Newport, where they joined the waiting major of
the regiment. It was not long before the major's attention was
especially attracted by Green's expertness and apparent pride in
military exercise. The officer thereupon made a point of promoting the
lad, who thus became Sergeant Green, his official appointment to that
rank dating from the day of his enlistment.
The new regiment was now diverted from its original plan by the fact
that the Mexican war was now in progress. After two days in Newport,
waiting for the steamers to be chartered, the young soldiers made ready
to obey the order to proceed to the Mexican border instead of to
Oregon. During those two days the recruits made their first
acquaintance with a soldier's ration of rough bread, salt pork and bean
soup, with the meat omitted for the evening meal.
This slight fare John Green and his friends at first supplemented by
going out for additional fare. Re presently made up his mind, however,
that if this was a soldier's prescribed diet, he would adjust his
appetite to it. He nevertheless asked for a more extended supply of
those simple articles of food, only to be refused with, "you have had
your rations." This adaptation of hunger to the supply of fare was not
too difficult a lesson for the sergeant recruit and after that
initiatory experience lie never questioned nor complained. "If this is
to be the ration, here's for it," he remarked, and in that spirit he
met every necessary privation of his long military career.
From Newport the regiment proceeded by boat to Jefferson Barracks, from
where, after a short period of drill and preparation, they sailed down
the river to New Orleans. At the Louisiana metropolis they went aboard
a steamer which was honored with the presence of General Scott and his
staff. In this company the regiment of which Sergeant Green was one,
went first to Brazos, Santiago, and then to Vera Cruz. In the siege of
the latter place young Green's regiment took an active part. They went
with General Scott to the city and Sergeant Green participated in the
battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec, and at
the siege of Mexico. The regiment early established its qualities of
courage, patience and determination— worthy and fitting characteristics
of young men looking to pioneer life in Oregon. Their organization was
a part of the historic Harney's brigade and was complimented by the
officials of that body for gallantry at Cerro Gordo. It again drew
praise at Contreras from General Scott, who complimented it for
exceptional bravery and faithfulness. The regiment remained in garrison
duty for nine months in the city of Mexico; and in recognition of his
especial bravery in the face of the enemy in Mexico, John Green was
made the sergeant major of his regiment.
After the close of the Mexican war. Sergeant Green was on duty in Texas
with four companies of his regiment in giving necessary attention to
the movements of the Indians there and in keeping open the roads of
that region. While stationed at Fort Fwell, on one occasion when all
the chief officers of the regiment were out on scouting parties heavy
train of Indians came up from Corpus Christi and moved on to Eagle
Pass.
Presently one of the drivers came back with the tidings that the
Indians had attacked their train, killed the wagonmaster and most of
the teamsters, and had taken alt the mules with them in their
subsequent Might. The four sergeants and the few men that were left in
camp set out to overtake the savages. Sergeant Green started at three
o'clock and after riding ninety miles through a region where not a drop
of water was to be found, he with his small handful of men, overtook
the Indians, re-captured the stolen mules and took possession of such
other animals as were in the barbarous enemy's possession. For his
courage and sagacity on this occasion John Green, receiving special
complimentary notice in the report of General P. F. Smith, commander of
the Department of Texas, was honored with the appointment of second
lieutenant in the Second Dragoons.
In 1855. Lieutenant Green went with his regiment to Kansas, where he
remained until 1857, actively engaged in the effort to keep peace
through that troublesome period in the Kansas region. From there he
marched in 1859 across the plains to Utah with the Sidney Johnson
expedition. After some degree of success in suppressing the activities
of Brigham Young, the lieutenant marched back to Fort Laramie. There he
received added recognition of his soldier-like behavior at all times,
in being promoted from the rank of second lieutenant to that of first
lieutenant of Company F of his regiment.
From Fort Laramie Lieutenant Green was ordered in the autumn of 1861 to
join the Army of the Potomac. On the way he was honored with the
appointment of captain of his company. That was a long march—seven
hundred miles in extent— which Companies D and F began in a snow-storm
from Fort Laramie and ended at Leavenworth. There they set sail under
way to join the remainder of the regiment at Washington. Captain
Green's company and the others of their regiment were then put on duty
with the troops in command of the provost marshal general of the Army
of the Potomac, being, therefore, close to headquarters through all the
battles and retreats of the peninsular campaign. They returned with
McGellan to Alexandria, after which Captain Green was ordered with his
squadron to join Franklin's corps and to march to the field of the
second battle of Bull Run. But Franklin did not reach the field.
Green with his squadron then rejoined the remainder of their regiment
and participated in the battle of South Mountain. Then they again
joined McGellan, with whom they were engaged through the terrific
fighting at Antietam. When Burnside took command, Captain Green's
regiment was continued with the force of the provost marshal general
and he was with that commander on the disastrous field of
Fredericksburg. When Hooker took command, Captain Green was relieved of
headquarter duty. Joining the regular brigade of cavalry under
Stoneman, his next experience was that of the famous "Raid" through
Virginia. When Meade assumed command.
General Pleasanton took the place of Stoneman and Captain Green was
appointed to his staff as acting inspector general. He was with
Pleasanton in his several cavalry battles immediately preceding
Gettysburg. Thus Captain Green, in his carrying of orders and
discharging of headquarter duty, was brought into the thickest of the
fight. From Gettysburg he was ordered to rejoin his regiment; but his
meeting General Stoneman on his first subsequent day in Washington
resulted in his being ordered into the service of inspecting inspector
of the Department of Ohio, with orders to report to General Scofield in
front of Atlanta. Green was in the siege of Atlanta and in the battles
of Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station.
A new cavalry corps was at this time organized and named the Cavalry
Corps of the Military Division of the Mississippi; of this corps
Captain Green was appointed special inspector. In that capacity he
participated in the battle of Nashville. On the completion of his
duties in that engagement, a letter warmly commending Captain Green's
conduct and urging his promotion was written by General George H.
Thomas. When Green left Nashville, he also received special thanks from
Lieutenant General Grant for his signal assistance in preparing the
cavalry for that campaign. After the Modoc war, General Grant sent
Captain Green's name to the senate with recommendation for promotion to
the rank of brevet brigadier general; but the proposal for that well
deserved honor was allowed to sleep in the committee-room.
Upon the close of the War of the Rebellion, Captain Green, in 1865,
joined his regiment at Fort Ewell, Wyoming, after which he was for
three years engaged in looking after the Indians of the plains. In
1868, he was made major of the First Cavalry and proceeded to Arizona,
where he whipped the "White Mountain" Apaches into good behavior—an
attitude this band of Indians has ever since maintained. He remained in
the latter state until the spring of 1872, during which time the
reports of Generals Ort and Thomas, his superior officers, made
frequent special mention and high commendation of the quality of his
service.
In the spring of 1892, Major Green was ordered with his regiment to
Oregon and Washington territory and was soon engaged in the Modoc war.
He was first on the ground after the massacre of General Canby, finally
capturing the Indians and securing peace. He was stationed at different
points in Oregon, Washington and Idaho and took active part in both the
Nez Perces and Bannock Indian wars.
It was on the first of July 1877, that Captain Green was first
stationed at Boise barracks. At that time he remained but twenty days,
for at the end of that time he was called upon to participate in the
Bannock war. In November, he returned to Boise, leaving in the spring
to go to Walla Walla. Early in the year 1879, he commanded a camp in
Washington territory, being located near Ellensburg. In November of
that year he came again to the barracks at Boise, which he left a
second time in the following spring to take charge at Walla Walla.
After another return and short stay at Boise, he was for two years
stationed at Jefferson Barracks. November of 1882 saw Captain Green in
Boise; in June of 1884 he went with his regiment to Fort Maginnis,
Montana; and in December of the last named year he was granted a leave
of absence of eight months—almost the first since his enlistment.
The captain spent his leave in the east and the following June he
received the well-deserved promotion of an appointment to the rank of
lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment of Cavalry. He was ordered to
join that body at Boise barracks. He arrived on the twenty-eighth day
of July, 1885, and this remained his permanent post.
For the greater part of the time since 1877, Colonel Green has,
therefore, been the commandant at Boise barracks, where he has been a
favorite alike with soldier and citizen. It is a most significant fact
that Colonel Green, although born under the flag of another country,
has revealed a fidelity to that of his adoption in the days of the
rebellion, which would put to shame many a native son who sheathed his
sword in the face of rebel guns. Rising from the ranks to position of
official authority, Colonel Green's care of his soldiers has been like
that of a brother; and his whole career from the day of his enlistment
has instituted an example that all young soldiers might proudly emulate.
In 1889, Lieutenant Colonel John Green of the Second United States
Cavalry, having reached the age designated by law, passed from active
service after having honored it for a period of forty-five years. In
response to orders he reported to Columbus, Ohio, his place of
enlistment in 1846, and was mustered out of active service.
On his retirement from the regular army, Colonel Green arranged for a
season of travel for himself and his family. On the occasion of his
departure he was honored by an elaborate demonstration of a
complimentary nature, in which figured prominently such Boise citizens
as Governor Shoup, Ex-Governor Stevenson, Mayor Pinney, Secretary
Curtis, General Straghan, Honorable D. F. D. Pride, Editor French, and
many of the officials of the military post. The colonel was escorted to
his train by the above-named gentlemen in carriages, by a troop of
cavalry and by the governor's band. Salutes from men, women and
children throughout the city and every possible courtesy from both
soldiers and civilians made his leave-taking a memorable one to him.
This tribute to his endearing human qualities was no less an honor to
him than was the handsome gold medal he had won in earlier years for
his bravery in the Modoc war in the lava beds of California.
As the echoes of the troopers' and citizens' parting cheers echoed
through the streets of Boise, the colonel's train pulled away and in a
few days he took passage for Europe. Landing in the Old World, his
first longing was to see again the place of his birth, which he had
left fifty years before. He toured Germany and the continent, making
several trips back to America and spending in all thirteen years
abroad. In 1908, he again turned his face toward the adopted land he
had served so well. From Genoa he sailed with his family to New York.
There they again took passage, this time to Colon on the Isthmus of
Panama, en route to San Francisco, by another steamer. From the isthmus
they stopped at every point on their way. spent some time at San
Francisco and then made landing at Portland, from there proceeding to
Boise, the home of his retirement, greatly impressed by the progress
the six years since his last visit had shown in the United States and
particularly in the west.
It was in Boise that the end of this nobly useful life came, suddenly,
on the twenty-second of November in 1908. He had been walking about but
a few minutes before his response to the silent bugle call that called
him to another world. The last reverend service said over his remains
was characterized by all the dignified ceremonies of a military funeral
honoring an official of distinction.
Although Colonel Green belonged to the nation and his service was such
as to identify him with the broad west, Boise claims his memory as
peculiarly her own. His long residence here had made familiar indeed
his tall, erect military figure, his alert step so eloquent of cheerful
health, his friendly salute to every passer-by. Boise loves him for his
personality; takes pride in his hero's part in great events which go to
make up the history of our country.
Source: HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914
Transcribed and submitted to Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack
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