Biographies
"R"
FRED R. REED
John Greencalf Whittier, in one of his delightful poems, refers to
Oliver Wendell Holmes as "That delightful optimist" This striking
characterization may very fittingly be applied to Major Fred R. Reed,
the present Commissioner of Immigration, Labor and Statistics, and the
Executive Commissioner for Idaho to the Panama-Pacific International
Exposition to be held at San Francisco in 1915. There is no more
genial, sunny, optimistic and, altogether inspiring, personality in the
west than Major Reed. He unites with all this sunnincs a most solid and
substantial character. He has been one of the most potent factors of
late years in the upbuilding of Idaho. As the executive manager for the
Kuhn interests, and in connection with their great irrigation
enterprises he has succeeded in bringing over 1500 families into this
state, and it is an open secret here that amid the hard times that
befell many of these families during the last few years Major Reed has
been the guardian, protector, and helper to many, and his name is
cherished by them with tender affection.
Fred R. Reed was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, August 9. 1858. His
people were the old Blue Stocking type of Massachusetts, among the very
best people in New England. Mr Reed is one of our self-educated men in
the true sense of that term; he began life as a sailor, and did not
attend school a single day after he was thirteen years old; he has
studied not so much in books, although he is well-read in general
literature, but he has made a study of nature and of man. He came west
in 1877, and to Idaho in 1888. He started in as a cowboy and rode the
range for three years; he then became interested in railroad building,
starting in as the foreman of a Chinese gang of construction of the
Northern Pacific Railroad and ended as the assistant of the manager of
construction of that road.
In military matters he was a member of the Seventh Regiment of New York
and when coming west he enlisted as a private in the National Guard of
Washington, and when he resigned as Major of the Cavalry Squadron,
National Guard of the State of Washington. Mr. Reed is a member
of the Sons of the American Revolution, a Knight Templar, and a member
of the B. P. O. E.
His work as Commissioner for Idaho of the Panama-Pacific Exposition has
been most satisfactory. His rare executive ability and his enthusiasm
for the west make him a power in massing and illustrating the vast
resources of his adopted state. In 1882 Mr. Reed married Miss Carrie M.
Budd, daughter of D. E. Budd and cousin of Governor Budd of California.
Source: History of Idaho by Hiram T. French - Volume 3 - Lewis Publishing -1914
Submitted and transcribed by Christine Walters
ROY R. ROBERTS
Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the
individual, or whether they are quickened by a process of
circumstantial development, it is impossible clearly to determine. Yet
the study of a successful life is none the less profitable by reason of
the existence of this uncertainty and in the majority of cases it is
found that exceptional ability, amounting to genius, perhaps, was the
real secret of the preeminence which many envied. So it appears to the
student of human nature who seeks to trace the history of the rise of
Roy R. Roberts, a typical American of the best class. He is a very
young man but has achieved a success that many an older resident of
Boise might envy.
At Sanborn. Iowa, June 20, 1888, occurred the birth of Roy R. Roberts,
who is a son of James W. Roberts, a member of the Payette Valley Land
& Orchard Company and a heavy stockholder in several orchard
companies. James W. Roberts married Miss Tacy Davis, a native of Spring
Green, Wisconsin, and to this union have been born six children, a?
follows: Florence is the wife of Fred Jewett, of Eagle, Idaho; Jewell
H. is a prominent druggist in Logan, Iowa; Roy R. is the immediate
subject of this review; Lloyd S. is assistant cashier of the Bank of
Redmond, at Redmond, Oregon; and Beatrice and Otis are at the parental
home" in Payette.
Roy R. Roberts was graduated in the Sanborn (Iowa) high school as a
member of the class of 1905 and in the fall of that year was
matriculated as a student in Grinnell College, in which he was
graduated in 1910, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1910 he was
graduated in the commercial law course in the University of Iowa. After
leaving college he entered the book business as traveling salesman, and
a little later as division manager for King. Richardson & Company,
of Chicago, remaining in the employ of that concern until October 15,
1911.
His next work was with the Guardian Casualty & Guaranty Company, of
Salt Lake City as traveling representative. March 1, 1912, he was
advanced to the position of district manager for the above company in
the state of Idaho. In this position Mr. Roberts has met with
unexcelled success, having greatly increased the business of the
company in his territory. He is the owner of a fine fruit farm in
Payette valley and intends to make Idaho his permanent home, believing
firmly in the future greatness of this state.
March 23, 1912, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Roberts to Miss Alta Lois Warner, of Denver, Colorado.
In his political convictions Mr. Roberts is an uncompromising supporter
of the principles and policies for which the progressive Democratic
party stands sponsor and while he is not an aspirant for public office
of any description he is ever on the alert to forward all measures and
enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. In the
time-honored Masonic order he is affiliated with Blue Lodge, Free &
Accepted Masons, Boise, Idaho, and in religious matters he and his wife
are devout members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Roberts is a man of
splendid executive ability and his success in life is the direct result
of his own well applied efforts.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
IRA A. ROHRER
One of the prosperous and flourishing business enterprises of Boise,
which was established twelve years ago, its founder being at that time
the proud possessor of a capital of $11.00, illustrates the
opportunities that lie open to the shrewd, alert and progressive youths
of today, who are capable of recognizing and grasping them and who have
the ability to carry them through to a successful conclusion. This
business, the Pioneer Tent and Awning Company, is now the largest
business of its kind in the state, and its founder, Ira E. Rohrer, is
recognized as one of his adopted city's ablest business men. Mr. Rohrer
is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born in Elkhart County, a
son of John and Katherine (Turner) Rohrer. The former, a native of
Ohio, moved to Indiana during the early forties, and was there engaged
in farming until his death, in 1907. His widow, who survives him and
resides at New Paris, Indiana, is also a native of Ohio, and they had a
family of nine children, Ira A. being the youngest.
Ira A. Rohrer received his education in the public schools of the
little villages of his native county, which he attended until the age
of seventeen years, and then, began to work on his father's farm. At
the age of twenty years he left the parental roof, and in March, 1887,
arrived at Boise, Idaho, where he learned the trade of engineer and
followed it for a period of ten years. In 1900 Mr. Rohrer established
his present business with A. H. Rawitzer as a partner, the Pioneer Tent
and Awning Company being a co-partnership, and its name was singularly
appropriate for it was the first business of the kind in the state.
Starting in a humble manner, it rapidly grew from year to year, until
it is now the largest establishment of its kind in the state, employing
on an average of twenty persons. In addition to the manufacture of
canvas goods, the firm conducts and maintains a first-class, fully
equipped harness and saddlery department, manufacturing extensively in
this line, and disposing of its goods all over this and other states.
This is also the leading business of its kind in Idaho.
In 1910 Mr. Rohrer erected a modern store and factory at the corner of
Sixth and Main Streets, a building two stories in height, 50x122 feet,
modern in every respect and thoroughly equipped for the business of the
company. Mr. Rohrer is an able and progressive business man, keen,
shrewd and resourceful, and ready at all times to take advantage of new
discoveries or inventions. He has always been connected with business
enterprises of a strictly legitimate nature, and as a result he bears a
high reputation among his associates and the public at large.
Politically a Republican, he has only taken a good citizen's interest
in public matters, but has found time from his business activities to
assist in movements having for their object the welfare of his adopted
city. He is a popular member of the Commercial Club and of the Odd
Fellows of Boise, and has many friends throughout the city.
On October 28, 1904, Mr. Rohrer was married in Boise, Idaho, to Miss
Delia Hearne, daughter of John W. Hearne, of Birmingham, Iowa, and
three children have been born to this union, namely: Ross, Florence and
Ira A., Jr. The family home of Mr. Rohrer is at No. 519 Washington
Street, in addition to which he owns valuable timber lands in Oregon
and 160 acres of farming land in Ada County. As one of his community's
self-made men he fully deserves the respect and esteem in which he is
universally held.
[HISTORY OF IDAHO VOLUME
II; BY HIRAM T. FRENCH, M. S.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed and submitted to
Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
 ALEXANDER ROSSI
"A truly great life," says Webster, "when Heaven vouchsafes so rare a
gift, is not a temporary flame, burning bright for a while and then
expiring, giving place to returning darkness. It is rather a spark of
fervent heat as well as radiant light, with power to enkindle the
common mass of human mind; so that when it glimmers in its own decay,
and finally goes out in death, no night follows, but it leaves the
world all light, all on fire, from the potent contact of its own
spirit." February 22, 1906, occurred the death of Alexander Rossi, Sr.,
a pioneer in the west and a prominent and influential citizen in Boise,
where he resided from 1865 until his demise.
A native of Zybrechken on the Rhine, Germany, Alexander Rossi was born
March 10, 1828. He was educated in the public schools of his native
country and at the age of eighteen years immigrated to America. After
spending about three years in New York City and in Philadelphia he went
west to California as a "Forty-niner" and remained in the Golden state
for several years. Thence he went to Oregon where he served in the
Indian wars of that time as quartermaster. Subsequently he became
proprietor of a machine shop in Oregon City and was well on the road to
financial success when a disastrous flood swept away all his
belongings. In 1861 he came to Idaho, settling first in Lewiston, where
he engaged in the saw-null business, taking charge of the Roby mills.
In 1862 he located in Idaho City and there conducted an assay office
and engaged in the lumber business until 1865. In the latter year he
came to Boise and here erected the first saw-mills, becoming a member
of the well-known firm of Roby & Rossi. After the death of Mr. Roby
he purchased the latter's interests in the above business and conducted
the same very successfully until his own death, in 1906.
Among other important business ventures Mr. Rossi projected the
construction of the famous Ridenbaugh Ditch. He was the first assayer
in charge of the Boise assay office and he did a great deal of
surveying work in Idaho and Oregon, having learned the profession of
civil engineering and assaying in Germany. Mr. Rossi presented to Boise
one entire city block, one of the most beautiful and valuable spots in
the city, and this ground is used by the United States government for
assay offices. The block is covered with beautiful trees of all kinds
and is kept in splendid condition.
Mr. Rossi was a man of broad mind and most charitable impulses. Of a
quiet, reserved nature, he was generous hearted to a fault. In
politics, although never an aspirant for public office of any
description, he was a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies
for which the Democratic Party stands sponsor and was several terms
county commissioner of Ada county. In a fraternal way he was affiliated
with a number of representative organizations of a local nature, being
a thirty second degree Mason. It was he who organized the first lodge
at Payette.
In February, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rossi to Mrs.
Adeline Mullen, a daughter of Jasper VV. Seaman, a "Forty-niner" in
California and a pioneer in Idaho, having come hither in 1862. Mr.
Seaman purchased what was called the Island, a large tract of land just
south of the Boise River, now a part of the city proper. Mr. Seaman
died in 1898. By her first marriage Mrs. Rossi had two children, as
follows: Addie is the wife of George Bennett, of Denver, Colorado; and
Birdinia married Frank Calloway; she now resides in Boise with her
mother. Mr. and Mrs. Rossi became the parents of two sons and one
daughter: Alexander Rossi, Jr., a prominent lumberman of Boise, who was
united in marriage, in February, 1903, to Miss Lola Lindsey, of Boise;
Kirk, who died in infancy, and Anna died at the age of seventeen years.
Mrs. Rossi survives, her honored husband and now resides in Boise. She
is a woman of most gracious personality and is deeply beloved by all
with whom she has come in contact. Concerning Mr. Rossi's life and
character the following brief extract from the Critic, a monthly
magazine devoted to Idaho, is here inserted.
Nature endowed this man with the essential qualifications of a pioneer.
Practical, self-reliant, sturdy and strong, nothing daunted him. Going
to California in the fifties, thence to Oregon, he settled in the Boise
basin in 1862. Wherever he went he immediately identified himself with
the men who did things. He was essentially a business man, but one of
large affairs. Petty things were not to his liking; he was an empire
builder. If this man ever stumbled or was tempted there was no record
of it. To the lurings of license—rampant in the mining camps of his
youth—he yielded not. Like the water lily that lifts its head above the
stagnant pool, he was uncontaminated by environment; but out of
everything he got the good.
The old pioneers, like the old soldiers, have been liberalized and
softened by observation and experience. By mixing with all sorts of
men, and through acquaintance with every condition of life, they have
become slow to judge and quick to forgive. And this is why, that we who
have come after, hasten to pay our tribute of love at every passing of
a pioneer.
In his home Alexander Rossi exemplified the virtues of the Jew. Gentle
and generous, patient and sympathetic, he attracted each and every
member of his family like a magnet. No matter how trying the cares of
the day, he never failed to greet his loved ones with a smile—a smile
that was a benediction and that was never forced. Always a student, he
was never a bore. He liked to converse and was ready to argue, but if
you needs must chatter, why chatter to yourself.
He had not quite reached his seventy-eighth year when his soul and body
arrived at the parting of the ways. In his death the community lost a
superior citizen and a noble man. In the home that was his there will
always be a vacant chair.
[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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