Biographies
"E"
ROBERT H. ELDER
Robert H. Elder is an attorney of Coeur d'Alene and a most prominent
and influential citizen of Idaho, especially active in political
circles, having since 1912 been a member of the democratic national
committee. He was born in Marion, Kentucky, September 7, 1877, and is a
son of J. T. and Mary (Dowell) Elder, who are also native Kentuckians.
The father was a farmer and tobacco raiser who devoted his life to the
cultivation of his land until 1909, when he retired from active
business and is now enjoying well earned rest in an attractive home in
Coeur d'Alene. He, too, has always been a zealous supporter of
democratic principles and active in local affairs. His religious faith
is that of the Presbyterian Church.
Robert H. Elder, the eldest of a family of eight children, attended the
schools of his native city and afterward went to Kansas, where he
devoted his energies to farming. Realizing the value of further
educational training, he entered the University of Kansas and was
graduated there from with the class of 1902. During his college days he
took a most active interest in athletics and was a member of the
football team in 1899, 1900 and 1901, when Kansas won the championship
of the Missouri valley. He also was keenly interested in track events
and made a record in the one hundred and two hundred and twenty yard
dashes. His activity and popularity in his college days foreshadowed
his later life. Having prepared for the bar, he entered upon the
practice of law at Pratt, Kansas, in 1903, and in December of the same
year came to Coeur d'Alene. Here he entered upon the practice of law as
a member of the firm of Elder & Whitla, that association being
maintained for a year. He is now practicing in connection with his
brother under the firm style of Elder & Elder, with offices in
Coeur d'Alene and St. Maries.
He continues in general practice, being well versed in all departments
of law, and his ability is attested by the many important cases with
which he has been connected and the many favorable verdicts which he
has won for his clients. His preparation of cases is always thorough
and exhaustive and he has the ability to bring out with notable
clearness the salient point upon which the decision of every case
finally turns.
On the 21st of June, 1903, Mr. Elder was married to Miss Martha J.
Noble, of Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Frank and Mary Noble,
the father formerly a merchant who is now living retired in Coeur
d'Alene. Mr. and Mrs. Elder have three children: Constance, Margaret
and Robert N.
Mr. Elder is very prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge,
chapter and commandery. Throughout the period of the World war he took
a most helpful interest in promoting those activities which had to do
with war work and the enlightenment of the public concerning the real
conditions. He served on the local and state Councils of Defense and he
has long been a prominent figure in the activities of the state. From
the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been
a most earnest supporter of the democratic party, served as chairman of
the democratic county central committee in 1910 and in 1912 was made a
member of the national democratic committee from Idaho and has since so
served, thus aiding in shaping the policies of this great political
organization. He keeps in close touch with the trend of thought,
particularly in the northwest, and his powers as an organizer, his
executive skill and his oratorical ability have all figured in winning
democratic successes in this section of the country.
[Source: History of
Idaho: the gem of the mountains, Volume 4; Edited by James Henry
Hawley; Publ. 1920; Transcribed and submitted to Genealogy Trails by
Andrea Stawski Pack.]
CAPTAIN JAMES CAWSTON EVENDEN
Whose title is the recognition of the military aid which he rendered to
his country in the World war and who is now connected with the United
States department of forestry, with office in Coeur d'Alene, was born
at McMinnville, Oregon, June 19, 1889, his parents being John and Anna
(Cawston) Evenden, both of whom are natives of England. The father is
now a resident of Astoria, Oregon, while the mother is living in
Seattle. The father was an apprentice machinist in England and in 1882
became a resident of Oregon, since which time he has engaged in
accounting and in banking and has become a large landowner, following
general farming and stock raising in connection with his landed
possessions. He has held several offices and has taken an active and
helpful interest in public affairs. His religious faith is that of the
Episcopal church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Success has attended his efforts in substantial measure and he
is now living retired at Astoria.
Captain Evenden was a pupil in the public schools of his native city
and afterward attended the Oregon Agricultural College, from which he
was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1914, having
completed a course in forestry. In 1919 the honorary degree of Master
of Science was conferred upon him in recognition of work done. In 1914
he entered the forestry service at Portland as entomologist and in 1915
became scientific assistant of the bureau of entomology of the
department of forestry, his work in this connection covering the entire
northwest. His thorough collegiate training and his broad practical
experience have made his labors of much value in connection with the
forestry -department, where his work has been uninterrupted save for
the period of the World war. At the same time he has been as active as
possible in support of civic affairs and his aid and influence are ever
on the side of progress and improvement. He belongs to the Chamber of
Commerce Regatta Association and his religious faith is that of the
Episcopal church.
On the 15th of May, 1917, Mr. Evenden went to the officers' training
camp at the Presidio in San Francisco. Prior to going to camp, however,
he had taken the examination and was commissioned a second lieutenant
of the Infantry Reserve Corps. At the Presidio he was commissioned
first lieutenant of Company F, Three Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry
of the Ninety-first Division. He was sent to Camp Lewis, August 29,
1917, to Camp Merritt, June 22, 1918, and on the 6th of July sailed for
overseas, landing in England on the 23d. The division went to the
vicinity of Langres Haute Marne for training and thence to Gondre
Court, taking part in the St. Mihiel offensive from the 10th to the
12th of September and proceeding thence into the Argonne, which was the
most intensive engagement in which the American troops took part, the
Ninety-first being one of the divisions which was thrown into the
forest there and in the face of the most murderous machine gun fire
pushed its way forward, driving the enemy back until the woods were
cleared and the Germans were on the run.
On the 4th of October, 1918, Captain Evenden went into Belgium
with the Eighth French Army, where he remained until January, 1919, and
was then sent to the Le Mans area for preparation for embarkation home.
While in France, on the 2nd of September, 1918, he was promoted to
captain and was assigned the command of Company G, Three Hundred and
Sixty-third Infantry. On the 17th of April, 1919, he sailed from St.
Nazaire, landing in the United States on the 24th of April. The Three
Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry was cited four times. In all of the
engagements Captain Evenden commanded the forces under him, well
meriting the promotion that came to him. Following his return home he
reentered the United States department of forestry and has since been
engaged in the work.
In June, 1918, Captain Evenden was married to Miss Ella Bishop, of
Coeur d'Alene, daughter of Frank and Hattie (Hays) Bishop, the former
now deceased, while the latter is a resident of Coeur d'Alene. The
Bishops were early pioneers of Kootenai county, where they have lived
for thirty years. Both Captain and Mrs. Evenden have an extensive
circle of warm friends in Coeur d'Alene and the hospitality' of the
best homes is freely accorded them. A young man of progressive spirit
who has made excellent use of his time, talents and opportunities, the
future career of Captain Evenden undoubtedly will be such as will
greatly interest his associates, showing forth the sterling traits of
character that he has already manifested.
[Source: History of
Idaho: the gem of the mountains, Volume 4; Edited by James Henry
Hawley; Publ. 1920; Transcribed and submitted to Genealogy Trails by
Andrea Stawski Pack.]
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