Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Letters - March 3, 1906

A letter Fred sent on his mission on March 3, 1906 is informative. It gives details of how money was earned back home through renting property (ranch), and references a renter (St. Clair) back in American Falls, Idaho. Fred is concerned in letting his daughter know the joy he has in her daughter. He notes some of the success he had with the Kaufman's (Rufolf and Rosa) in Thun, and his prophetic fear of being moved to another region in the mission. We see the depth of sacrifice many missionaries had to make on their missions. This does not sound like current missionaries, but rather ones from his (or stories from his missionary company's) past, since it mentions them being "well off again now." Fred also seems to have deepened his appreciation of the restored gospel.


March 3, 1906

My Dear Ella,

Your letter of the 15th was received with much joy. I was pleased to hear that you got a renter for the ranch.[N1] I hope he will take good care of things. If St. Clair takes the reservoir field this summer, perhaps your renter can get the irrigation to tend to like I have when doing for watter.[N2] I was surprised to hear from you that Marie [Elizabeth Nash] did not get my letter with the thanks for that dollar. I answered right away. Perhaps I have made a mistake in the address I have forgotten wheather it is 955 or 595 W. Center I wish you would write and let me know which is right.[N3] I have just written to her again, thanking her again for the dollar. If she does not get the letter, you will have to thank her for me. When I wrote the first letter I sent two pretty cards with it. I am sorry that she did not get it. If she does not get the last letter you must congratulate her for me and kiss it for me, and I hope and pray that it will be blessed with long life and happiness, and that it will grow up to become a loving dutiful daughter.

Dear Ella, we are having interesting times here in the Oberlands. Three of my friends here in this Branch have ap[p]lied for baptisms lately, and there [will] be some more ready soon. I am waiting to baptize them all at the same time.[N4] They are shifting the missionaries around from one place to another a great deal since I have been here, I dont know what their object is. I would not be much surprised to find myself in Germany or some other part of the Schweiz some of these day’s.[N5] I was in hopes I m[ight] stay a year or so in this place, it is the cheapest place in the mission. I may stay, off course I can’t tell. The first thing an Elder knows he gets a letter from Zürich to go at once to such and such a place and labor. You know we are supposed to be minute men, ready to go when called.[N6]

But we must not worry about it. Missionaries have come here who have had to sell even their wagons horses farming machinery and every thing they had to keep them on their missions, and they have returned home, and are well off again now. The Lord has blessed them, and he will bless me if I do my duty. I realize the great importance of this great Gospel work, more since I have been out here than ever before. Give my love to Frederick, I hope he did well in school this winter. Give my love to all the rest of the children, and kiss Viva for Papa. hoping to hear from you soon. I remain Your loveing husband and father,

Fred. J. Kohlhepp.

Regards from Bro. Kunz.

He says the young Swise is a swell young man.


NOTES:

[N1] Presumably, the ranch they had on Warm Creek.

[N2] They also owned property in American Falls.

[N3] According to his daughter, this was actually 955 W. Center, based on another letter from Marie.

[N4] The three he mentions who have applied for baptism must be the Kaufmans, who did so in his 2 March 1906 journal entry. As for the others whom he believe will do so soon, that is unknown. However, since he wished to baptize them together, he may be referring to other members of the Kaufman family. If so, they were all baptized on 11 March 1906.

[N5] And such it was, when Fred received news to go to Freiburg, Germany, on March 20, two and a half week after writing this letter.

[N6] Frederick’s use of the term “minute men” reflects his Massachusetts upbringing. The term was used by his home state to refer to their militia who claimed to be ready for battle in a minute’s notice.

Old American Falls -- Locating the Kohlhepp Building/Block at the Old Town Site

The town of American Falls, Idaho, is not located today where it was founded. Referred to at times as "America's Pompeii," American Falls' original town site now lies buried, not underneath volcanic ash, but underneath the waters of a manmade reservoir resulting from a dam. Many other homes were flooded as a result of this project approved by the Department of Interior, including my great grandparents' (Herman and Minerva Kohlhepp Teichert) cabin at the Snake River bottoms. Minerva wrote of the flooded area in her short book, Drowned Memories.

The idea for the dam had been discussed, but was formally proposed in 1919, the year Fred died. It was approved in 1920, and over 6 years plans were put in place and executed for the compensation of businesses (OSL, electric), raising of the railroad bridge, and the relocation of residences from the old town site to nearby higher altitude land. It cost the government $2.85 million to execute this migration and compensation project. If we account for inflation, that's $40,993,098.50 in 2019. Not a cheap endeavor.

The migration chiefly happened between 1925 to 1926, and involved homes being transported on steam powered engines, while some smaller structures were transported by horse teams. Imagine church buildings, large agricultural buildings, and so on, being carted away on wheels to new locations. That's what happened. Of course, not every structure could be (or was practical) to move. Some were demolished, others left simply to be flooded by the reservoir. The drowned town site, while typically submerged, is sometimes visible when the water levels of the reservoir recede. They can be seen in some videos, like the one below.

Given the relocation of the town in its young age, it is hard to document and imagine American Falls in its original town site. Yes, there are some pictures, but they do not exist aplenty. The records I've come to appreciate the most are the Sanborn fire insurance maps that were conducted in 1907 and 1911 respectively. The 1911 maps, in particular, give a fair layout of the town, with the railroad bisecting old American Falls:

The task I took upon myself was to determine if I could locate the Kohlhepp's commercial building, where they leased space, Fred worked for a while as a real estate agent, and where the second hand store was located. I believe the answer, surprisingly, is yes. There are enough documents giving the location of the Kohlhepp building relative to other businesses and buildings that its location can be fairly affixed. Here's the general section of town (section 4 in the Index above) to which the Sanborn fire insurance maps cover where Fred's building resided:

I'm actually quite lucky that it existed in a region that was indeed covered. Several key data elements helped me zero in on the location:

(a) Several ads mentioning it was off of Railroad Avenue:

(b): Several ads mentioning it was south of the railroad depot by 1.5 blocks:

(c): An article noting that it was adjacent to 1 lodging house (only 2 feet away), very close to another lodging house (with a vacant lot separating the buildings), and near the Cottage Hotel:

(d) The Cottage Hotel had burnt down in May 1911, just six months prior to the 1911 Sanborn fire insurance maps being made, suggesting that some indicator of burnt down structures should exist.

(e) The Cottage Hotel was off of Chestnut Avenue:

(f) A meat market was near the Cottage Hotel:

I was able to account for all of these facts. So here is a detailed shot of the Kohlhepp building with the surrounding businesses that I identified (notice the vacant lot in between the Iowa Rooming House and the Kohlhepp building too), which was indeed 1.5 blocks south of the railroad depot:

If you go back to the 1907 Sanborn fire insurance maps, you can see the Cottage Hotel was still around then as would be expected. You can also see a restaurant that had been in business before shutting down in the 1911 vacant spot next to the Kohlhepp building.

It's fun to locate my ancestors' building in this map of the drowned town. I am curious if the building was relocated or left to be flooded when the American Falls dam was built. If left to be submerged, could its foundation be found amongst those that appear when the water recedes? See this fun video of the exposed old town site:

Fred & Ella -- Businesses Part 3 (1915 - 1919)

This is my third post in a series on Fred and Ella's employment following the return from Fred's mission in Germany and Switzerland. We looked at Fred's work in real estate and land location, the leasing of commercial property, Fred's run for Power County assessor, and the beginnings of the first and second hand goods store in the end of 1914. This store was run out of the property they owned off of Railroad Avenue. I've successfully determined where this property would have been located in old American Falls (prior to the relocation of the town with the flooding of the land by the dam), which I'll cover in my next post. From 1915 to 1919 when Fred dies, the Kohlhepp's primary enterprise was in collecting from the property they owned (which included a rooming house), and the sales made from their store.

1915.

This year marked many different ads appearing, showing the ups and downs of the clothing and goods business. An ad on April 15 stated, "We have bought at bankrupt sale a stock of Clothing, Millinery and Household goods, which we can offer at from one-half to one-third regular price." What follows is a list of price ranges for goods including suits, dresses, waists, hats, mop sticks, china plates, and clothes pins. They also sold stoves and furniture. Here the business is called F. J. Kohlhepp & Co., suggesting Fred's participation in the business.

General ads for the store appear in the March 11, April 1, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, August 26, September 2, September 9, September 16, September 23, October 7, October 14, October 21, October 28, November 11, November 25, December 9, and December 16.

In June came an ad for a 4th of July promotion, where men and boys could get a new hat, suit, and shoes all for $10. They also noted prices for women's and children's shoes. Another business decision is also called out here; they have a big supply of second hand goods as they "bought out the Updike business."

The Updike business would have been a reference to C. R. Updike's second hand store, which focused on second hand furniture and ran out of a building next door to the courthouse. Ads ran earlier in the year (from April to May 1915) where Updike solicited second hand furniture. He and E. M. Wagner had come in from Pocatello to sell furniture, and apparently did not have a good go at it.

But the Kohlhepp business also struggled in American Falls. In September they posted notice of a closing out sale where "all our new goods will be sold or given away during the Fair week." Price ranges for clothes are given, including "Ladies' clothes at your own price. Never such bargains before at American Falls. Call and get a share of the spoils."

1916.

The closing out sale would make one think this was the end of the Kohlhepp business, but it persisted through the following years. A notice appeared in March 1916 that, "Mrs. F. J. Kohlhepp [Ella] announces that for the first ten days of March she will sell more second hand goods for a less amount of money than can be had anywhere in the state. If in need of anything in the second hand line, don't forget to look up the Kohlhepp second hand store." Ads for the store appear in the January 6, January 13, February 10, February 17, February 24, March 16, and March 23 issues of the AFP.

An ad noting "Bargains" appeared in June and throughout July. It listed prices for a gasoline engine, a garden cultivator, an incubator and brooder, and prices for clothes. A new service offering is stated, "furnished rooms for housekeeping and batching from $5.00 to $10 per month."

1917.

It doesn't appear that Fred and Ella wanted to stay in business with the new and second hand store. An ad appeared in August 1917's Classified Ads "FOR SALE--or trade, a good business. Inquire at F. J. Kohlhepp's New and Second-hand store, half block south of depot."

1918.

Misfortune hit the Kohlhepp's in 1918, and this time it was fire to their real estate. In April, a notice appeared that "Iowa Rooming House Burned Last night. The Iowa Rooming House, conducted by Mrs. O. C. Hall, was destroyed by fire last night with all its contents. It was a two story frame building in the center of the block south of the depot, and has been operated as a rooming house for the past ten years. During the early days of the development of American Falls it was conducted by Mrs. M. A. Alvard, and was a popular place. It has always been well conducted and enjoyed a liberal patronage. The property has changed hands several times within the past few years, and is said to be owned by F. J. Kohlhepp. The loss is complete. The amount of insurance could not be learned." If not insured, this would have been a devastating financial loss for Fred. The Iowa rooming house had parlors in which couples were married.

Fire posed another issue later that same year, when the Virginia Rooming House was also destroyed by fire. This property was owned by James Hearne instead of Fred, but the fire at this rooming house caused a challenge for Fred's property as well. A newspaper article in September stated, "The firemen were slow in arriving, due to the earliness of the hour and the fact that they had to be called from their homes by phone, and by the time of their arrival the only thing that could be done was to save adjoining property. Fortunately there was no wind at the time. This enabled the fireman to save the Kohlhepp building, which stood about two feet away from the burning structure. A few months ago the Iowa rooming house, on the other side of the Kohlhepp building, was taken by fire."

The fire of the Virginia rooming house was nerve wracking, but the Kohlhepps received help. In the paper it noted, "Mrs. Ella Kohlhepp is very appreciative of the efforts of friends who carried her stock of goods to places of safety during the fire which destroyed the Virginia rooming house early Sunday morning. This is the third time her pace has been in danger of destruction from fire, the first time when the Cottage hotel burned; the second, when the Iowa rooming house was destroyed a few months ago, and again Sunday morning. The call was very close the last time, a space of only two feet separating the buildings, and it seemed certain that both would burn. The danger was not so great when the Iowa house was destroyed, as a vacant lot intervened, but both fires were very hot while they lasted."

Following the Virginia Rooming house fire, Ella posted another sales ad, as some of their goods were damaged. "Just before the Virginia rooming house burned Mrs. Kohlhepp bought out a stock of clothing of the best material made. Owing to the fire much was slightly damaged and will be sold at 1/3 regular price. Ladies all wool coas and suits from $5.00 up. We also have a good line of Stoves, Ranges, etc in our 2nd hand department and will grealty appreciate your trade."

The Kohlhepp's were not successful in selling the business as they continued to post ads in the paper to stimulate business. One such in September was for a sale, which stated, "a big line of new goods will be on sale at Kohlhepp's New and Second Hand Store." Price ranges are given for wool coats, dresses, and shoes. The business is noted simply as "south side." This time Ella's involvement in the business is called out distinctly -- "Mrs. Ella Kohlhepp, Prop." Ella seems to have been the focus and primary person running the business, at least by this time. We know Fred suffered much in his last couple years of life, and may not have been involved for health reasons, at least not as the main business contact.

1919.

Despite setbacks from the fires, the Kohlhepp business continued. An ad for a sale in the paper on June 20 noted, "We bought Bradshaw's Summer Hats and have a few left at bargain prices, best quality. Also leadies' white waists from 50c up. Our second hand department has been lately replenished and we are prepared to buy and sell everything."

Bradshaw's was a new clothing business in American Falls, which advertised frequently large sales.

This was the last ad in the paper for the Kohlhepp's store. Fred passed away only months later. Ella got in her accident. Given Minerva Wade Hickman had passed away earlier in the year and Annalee's baby too, it was a year of loss for Ella and the Kohlhepp's.

Fred and Ella -- Businesses Part 2 (1911 - 1914)

While Fred and Ella moved to Lehi, Arizona, in Spring of 1911 with the Nash family, it isn't clear when they returned back to American Falls. Not much is mentioned of the Kohlhepp's in the paper from 1911 to 1913. There is notice of roads being built through or by property.

Fred's daughter, Minerva Teichert (my great grandmother), filed notice of her intention to offer final proof for her homestead in American Falls, which she failed to do in 1913. Fred's other daughter, Annalee, graduated from high school in North Ogden in 1914, showing how the family had already been scattered apart. And Fred's sister, Amelia Piquet, moved back to American Falls in that same year. Fred's own activities only start getting documented in 1914.

1914.

In July of this year, Fred ran for the position of assessor in Power County, a county which had been formed in January 1913 and named after the electric power generated in American Falls, presumably while he was still in Arizona. American Falls was the county seat of the new county. An assessor was responsible for determining the value of each parcel of real property (land plus any structures) in the county, which had implications on how the property was taxed and could also impact sale value. Fred no doubt saw this as naturally building on his familiarity with the country, his work in real estate and land location. However, his time away in the crucial forming of he county was not in his favor. Fred announced his candidacy in the following manner:

"FOR ASSESSOR. I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of county assessor subject to the Progressive party at the primary election to be held Sept. 1st, 1914. I am one of the oldest settlers here and have always tried to deal justly with all mankind. Can speak the German as well as the English language, and if nominated and elected to this office will try to give all a square deal. 

Respectfully,....

FRED. J. KOHLHEPP"

Fred keyed in on his experience, multicultural background, and his fairness (extending ideally beyond a Mormon audience) in his general business dealings. As mentioned before, Fred no doubt resonated some with the Progressive Party platform. He ran on that party's ticket for the election, and competed against the following individuals within and without his party:

Republican -- O. F. Crowley (American Falls, ID)

Democratic -- J. I. Allen (Rockland, ID)

Progressive - O. O. Ogden (Rockland, ID)

Notice for the Primary Election was posted in the American Falls newspaper in 1914:

Following the primary on September 1, results were shared on September 3 that showed that Fred received the fewest votes for this county office. In general, not just for this office, the Republican party received more votes for offices than the Democratic and Progressive parties combined. O. O. Ogden advanced beyond the primaries for the office of assessor for the Progressive Party.

Crowley - 331

Allen - 133

Ogden - 133

Kohlhepp - 78

The following week an abstract was given of the actual results by city for the candidates. I've clipped the relevant portions.

From it we can see that Fred got a first choice vote from 2 Republican voters in Neeley, Idaho; 3 Democratic voters in Neeley, Idaho. These were likely friends from the LDS church in that town. Then, for the Progressive Party, while Fred received the most votes in American Falls itself, he struggled in the outlying cities. He received 2 votes in Arbon, 3 from Bonanza Bar, 6 in Igo, 2 in Landing, 2 in Little Creek, 2 in Neeley, 2 in Pleasant Valley, and unfortunately only 19 in Rockland (v. O. O. Ogden's crushing 78 votes there).

As the race moved beyond the primaries, the poor Democratic and Progressive showing led towards criticism of the prominence of the Republican party. One such criticism was of an "old Republican ring that has been in power so long that is leaders are using the offices for their own financial interests and are profiting from the expense of the people in general who pay the greater part of the taxes." In response, the Republicans pointed out the 21 month old county had hardly been around long enough to have old rings of any sort. If any ring existed, it was the same sort of ring that existed in all parts of society, extending far beyond the realm of politics. One point made included Fred:

"Before closing this article it may be well to go a little further into this ring business. No doubt many will be surprised to learn that there is a ring in the Mormon church. But such is the fact. It is composed of Charles Johnson, W. W. Becksted, Fred J. Kohlhepp, and a number of other thoroughly good citizens. They wield a controlling influence in that organization, and their influence is for good. There is the same kind of a ring in control of the Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran and Catholic churches. Those who compose those various rings are the real workers--the factors, the people who do things. Then there is a county fair ring. It numbers amongst its members M. E. Drake, Frank Kluck, George Sanger, E. E. Zaring, H. C. Allen, D. W. Davis, E. E. Geesey, D. T. Farnham, S. B. Rowe, Philbrick & Greenwood, T. E. St. John, L. L. Evans, David Burrell, M. A. Wones, Mrs. Benjamin Howell, and about a dozen others. These people have done practically all the work in getting up the fairs that have been held here, giving freely of their time and in the early days of their money, and not one of them has ever received a cent of compensation. Someone has to take the lead in every undertaking and it is the public spirited men and women who do so."

Fred does not attempt to run for office again after this attempt in 1914. Instead, we see him and Ella shift to different business matters. At the end of the year there is the first mention of the Kohlhepp's first and second hand clothing and general goods store. On December 10, 1914, a basic ad reads, "If you want $1.00 to buy as much as $2.00 go to Kohlepps New and Second Hand Store. Boys' suits from 12 years up $4.95. Boys and men's all wool new, up to date suits $5.95 while they last. Children's coats from $1.00 up. Ladies coats and suits $4.00. Wool and silk shawls from 25c up. Shoes $1.99 per pair. Stoves, furniture, overcoats, etc., In the 2nd hand department. One half block south of depot."

We'll see many more notices regarding this store in the coming years.

Fred and Ella -- Businesses Part 1 (1909 - 1911)

After Fred returned from his mission in Germany and Switzerland, he returned to earning a living. Besides ranching and farming, he and Ella ran different businesses in American Falls. In the spirit of entrepreneurship, Fred first tried his hand at land locating and real estate, trying to sell lands and help newcomers get on homesteads. Fred purchased buildings near the American Falls train depot, and while using some of the real estate for his own office, also leased out space to other businesses.

Fred's success there must have been marginal, as he and Ella migrated to Arizona in 1911, and then returned a few years later. After settling back in, Fred ran for assessor in the municipal government of the relatively new Power County in 1914. Fred was not elected. Ella and Fred then operated a new and second hand clothing and goods store. Advertisements and notices for these businesses were scattered throughout the American Falls Press, which I'll chronicle the development of in a short series of articles, with snapshots from the newspaper. This first post will cover through 1911, when the Kohlhepp's moved to Lehi (now Mesa), Arizona.

1909.

A professional looking ad first started appearing on March 27th. It stated simply in a box, "Anyone wishing to buy, lease, sell or locate land, apply to F. J. Kohlhepp, American Falls, Idaho."

This ad reappeared in many later issues: April (10, 17, 24), May (1, 15, 22, 29) June (5, 12, 19, 26), July (10, 24), August (21, 28), September (4, 11, 18, 25), November (27), October (2, 9, 16, 23, 30), November (6, 13, 20), December (4, 11, 18, 25).

The first example of space being leased from the Kohlhepp's city property in American Falls appears in the Spring of this year. On May 1, 1909, a notice in the paper stated that an "A. Kaiser, of Denver, has opened a photo studio in the Kohlhepp building, Railroad avenue. Up-to-date work and all the latest in high grade portraits. Ready for sittings April 25."

The following month, on June 12, 1909, Fred's real estate endeavors were noted. The AFP stated, "Mr. Kohlhepp has just located another man on a beautiful spring six miles from town. He located about twelve on water and has a few more places which can get water." Fred was helping folks locate homesteads where they could get water to irrigate their land and get water for livestock. This was not the first time, as it noted he'd located twelve individuals on water already, which would have been prior.

Fred advertised his capacities and property to rent in July, posted an ad that stated, "If you wish to buy, sell, lease or locate, call on F. J. Kohlhepp. Business house and rooms for rent. Improved ranches from $15 to $35 per acre." Fred wasn't just helping general new property for a homestead to be located, but also selling already improved land.

A more detailed advertisement that stressed Fred's experience appeared on September 18, 1909. Here Fred noted, "$25 per acre buys an improved ranch with independent water right, from F. J. Kohlhepp, the land locator. Have lived twenty-two years here and can show you the best homesteads and relinquishments; also city lots for sale. Office on Railroad avenue; residence, brick house north of bridge." We see the reference to his 22 years in the area (this would put him at being in the area since 1887, or 1885, if removing his years in Germany).

1910.

Fred's general real estate ad repeated in January (1, 15, 22, 29), February (5, 12, 19, 26), and March (5).

A development of Fred's business was posted in March, stating how "[F]. J. Kohlhepp has established a real estate office in the building north of the First National bank. Mr. Kohlhepp has lived here for upwards of 25 years and is thoroughly familiar with the country." Notice the jump in 3 years of being in the area within less than 3 months (perhaps this time inclusive of his time in Germany). Fred's office is located relatively to being just north of the First National bank. There's some practical benefit to being so located -- one can go next door to get the loan to then purchase the land.

A couple weeks later an ad stated, "It costs nothing to list your property with F. J. Kohlhepp and may bring you a speedy buyer, as he has letters from all parts of the country and expects many buyers soon, so DON'T DELAY." Fred was allowing people to give free listings to help speed up his business. His language expressed the availability of buyers, which folks not making listings were missing out on.

Later in March, the ad evolved twice. First on, March 12, it called out "THE EARTH IS BEING DIVIDED. Don't come too late for your share. FREE HOMESTEADS, Improved Dry and Irrigated Land, City Property. F. J. Kohlhepp. Twenty-three years here and can show you the best."

The following week the ad became slightly modified: "Free Homesteads. The Earth is being Divided. Don't Come Too Late for Your Share. Kohlhepp & Co. Land Locator and Real Estate Agent. 23 years here. First dry land farmer in this location. Office, Corner West of U.S. Land Office. Residence, brick house north of bridge. American Falls, Idaho." This time Fred advertised his company, not just himself, noted his being first dry farmer in the area to further underscore his credibility in helping newcomers locate a homestead. It also further located his office as relative to the U. S. Land Office. This same ad appeared in the April (2, 9, 16) issues.

Later that year in December (starting December 10), notices appear of other businesses leasing space in his property. One notice read, "For Health and Beauty: Massage and Hairdressing Parlors, in the Kohlhepp block, Railroad avenue. Switches, Puffs and Curls made to order. Wrinkles rmeoved. Massage treatment for all ailments. Sea salt and medicated baths at your home, by appointment."

1911.

At the start of the year on January 21, 1911, there was a notice for the "Hammock Cleaning and Pressing Co. Kohlhepp Bldg. Railroad Avenue. All Work Guaranteed." This gives us a sense of some of the businesses that leased space from Fred.

American Falls Commercial Club Member -- 1909

The American Falls Press on April 24, 1909 (page 7) has an entry that Fred at a meeting on the prior Thursday (April 22nd) Fred was elected to Commercial club membership.

Commercial clubs at this time were generally male exclusive clubs for both social gathering and to coordinate stimulating of business in and growth of their respective communities. The American Falls Commercial Club generated both advertisements and pamphlets extoling the virtues of American Falls, focusing on the available land, farming capacities, and town features. This note above describes gaining funds to promote the town in Seattle. I have found some such ads in other community papers:

One such pamphlet published the year following Fred's joining the Club (1910), contained a note at the end stating, "The American Falls Commercial Club, which maintains a paid secretary, will be glad to answer inquiries concerning the town and its resources, and extend every aid within its power to prospective homesteaders and investors."

Fred was quite involved in assisting prospective homesteaders around this time (following the return from his mission in Switzerland and Germany), so participating in an organization with this mission was quite up his alley. 

The Department of Commerce's 1917 catalog of the Commercial Organizations of the United States on page 50 has this note regarding the American Falls Commercial Club:

It notes how it had 60 members at this time, which paid on a variable rate of $6 - $60.