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.

Minerva Teichert - 1969 Letter

While looking through some of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' archives, I came across MS 5224: Minerva Teichert papers, 1956, 1969, circa 1968. There's not much to this manuscript -- 2 letters, and a list of paintings she did up to 1968. However, one of the letters has an interesting description of Minerva's childhood. It was written to my grandmother, Laurie Teichert Eastwood, on February 12, 1969. Here is the transcription:

Dear Laurie,
I'm wondering if Nadine's story isn't much like mine.
My mother had a small store in American Falls, Idaho. My father was living six miles out on the ranch.
Mother took in garden stuff from all the farmers and I had to peddle them out, in the town -- not a tree nor a rose nor a green thing in it.
Little by little I was losing my sight and maybe my mind. It was a terrible time for me. I walked a mile out of town to get Mrs. [?]igler to come quick. The baby was coming!
When the baby came she was a little "doll" but I was fast losing my sight in that hot little desert town. When Annalee was a month old my mother took me down to North Ogden to grandma's and left me for grandma to raise me. She took a wagon load of north Ogden fruit and left me down there. It was almost time for school to start but I had drops put in my eyes so I could see again.
I was lonesome and almost blind and afraid of everything when grandma had to go to hot springs and deliver another baby.
School started and I could find my way round. I had read everything with squinted eyes. I started. "Fifth grade" was highest grade in American Falls so i tried it.
The master caught me copying from the little boy next to me so next time I copied from a little boy on the other side. The teacher caught me, and shook me very hard. I cried and went home to grandma's. She was gone, there was no one to play with. I heard only a bull bellowing up by the graveyard. Finally Mrs Zimmerman saw me from her place. She said, "What are you crying for." I answered, "Quince Blaylock shook me." "What did he shake you for?" "I copied." I don't know anything about arithmetic -- not anything! She said, if you will take care of Pauline, I will tell you about arithmetic and I can get my apples peeled.
What a wonderful teacher she was! I listened to the magic of ten fingers and ten toes, how numbers began, add, subtract multiply and divide.
It opened up a new world for me. I'll always bless that good neighbor. I didn't say "fiveteen" anymore. I loved numbers. Grandma took me to fast meeting. Bishop Ward administered to me and said "I command you to see." Gradually I sneaked back to school with Ines Dean[?]. I kept going. When no one else knew where a city was -- I did. I prayed, I ran, gradually I showed them I could jump over a chair back. I was happy. Before Christmas I was promoted into the big room, eighth grade in Arithmetic.
Most of the time grandma was gone. Some times I was hungry. I was very little but people took me in all winter. I graduated from the eighth next May and had filled all their books with drawings. I was promised .25 a piece but only a few got it paid, but I "graduated" in a lovely white dress in May. I always thanked my Heavenly Father and good sister Zimmerman for my sight and bringing me back to life and love and desire to do good. This life is a great experience. May our Heavenly father bless dear little Nadine to live! to see! to think! and happiness will come gradually. You'll hardly know when. I bless you to live, darling, live!
Grandma

This letter is a little treasure trove of information and insight into the Kohlhepp children's childhood. I'll call out items throughout the letter to consider:

(a) Nadine -- this is my aunt, Nadine Eastwood, who had very poor health when first born and as a kid. Apparently, she was really struggling, which made Minerva draw the comparison.

(b) Parents spread apart -- It mentions Ella running a store, and Fred out on the ranch. To make ends meet it appears they did not work together (and sometimes live together) that often.

(c) We see the kids were often sent to work to contribute to the home's funds. It was a poor life.

(d) The town without a green thing in it is clearly very dusty and sunny. It's not clear what caused the poor eyesight condition.

(e) Minerva goes a mile out on her own to get help for the birth of her mother's next child, Annalee. This means that Minerva was 10 at the time (turning 11 the following month). I assume the woman she looked for was a midwife.

(f) With her failing eyesight, it appears that Minerva was too much for Ella to take care of. This was the 6th living sibling. She is dropped off with Minerva Wade to be raised.

(g) It shows how a lot of times, Minerva did not get attention and she was forced to be independent. Minerva Wade is out as a midwife delivering children, and a 11 year old girl is often left by herself.

(h) Minerva sounds clearly behind on arithmetic. Her educated parents do not have the time to teach their own daughter in these matters. 

(i) Joys of physical violence in schools. Could be interesting to look up Quince.

(j) Who is the Mrs. Zimmerman referenced here?

(k) I bet the Bishop Ward here is the James Ward from the other article, whose wife Harriett had passed away.

(l) We see her already entrepreneurial with her art. Drawing art in other kids books for a quarter.