- Camila and Caleb Hale…… Fifth Great Grandfather (GR GR GR GR GR Grandfather)
- Neeva and Isabella……….. Fourth Great Grandfather (GR GR GR GR Grandfather)
- Donna, David, Julie, Jay…. Third Great Grandfather (GR GR GR Grandfather)
- Donna, David, Julie, Jay…. Third Great Grandfather (GR GR GR Grandfather)
- Barbara, Jeanne, Sue…….. Second Great Grandfather (GR GR Grandfather)
- Vina Smith Spence………… Great Grandfather
- Grace May DePartee………. Grandfather
- Joseph Nelson DePartee… Father
Joseph C. DePartee was described as an enterprising farmer and miner who “manifests diligence and vigor” in the care of his property. His life was one filled with adventure. He crossed the plains with the Mormons chased the dream of silver and gold in many, many mines in the Western Frontier, and ultimately settled on a farm a few miles northeast of Moscow, Idaho.
Born in Oct, 1844 in Pottawattamie, Iowa, and in 1846, moved with his family to Rockport, Missouri. At 18, with his Mother, Uncle and siblings he crossed the plains to Utah with a wagon train of Mormons.
The 1,300 mile-long Mormon Trail was first walked by the Mormons who fled from Nauvoo, Illinois in search of refuge in the Salt Lake Valley. Beginning between 1846 and 1847 the route was followed by the Mormon faithful for 20 years until the completion of the transcontinental railroad made migration faster and easier.
Our ancestor, Joseph C. DePartee, made this crossing twice. Once with his Uncle, Mother and Siblings in 1862 (age 18) and again in 1866, when he worked as a wagon guard.
He left his family numerous times to work in the mines of Nevada, Montana, Utah, Idaho and California. Gold, silver, zinc and lead discoveries drew thousands of eager prospectors from around the world.
Although born into the Mormon lifestyle, traveled with them and married one, he must have become disenchanted at some point. In the History of North Idaho, his biography is concluded with: “He was not allied with the Mormons in their religious belief in Utah and hence he preferred to leave their section.”
At the time of his death in 1915, he had been married to Jane Holden, 44 years, with whom he had 4 children.
Obituary
The Star-Mirror, Moscow, Idaho, May 31, 1915: “Moscow Mountain.–In the death of J.C. DePartee, at the age of 71 years, Latah county has lost one of its oldest pioneers. He rode across the plains horseback in 1861 and he and his esteemable wife came to Moscow in 1877. Thirty years ago they settled on a homestead six miles northeast of Moscow, which is now known as the Haddin place. For some years past he and his wife had been living at Orofino. Besides his wife, he leaves three children. His daughter, Mrs. Al Draper, lives near Moscow.”
There is always more learn and more to tell.
Ancestor Sleuth 