The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-08-27
Andrew Jackson Crook.

OLD AND New.
Andrew Jackson Crook.
The peoples party nominee fol-
Governor of Idaho was born in
Putnam county, Indiana, in l849,
of German and Irish parentage,
and is direct lineal descendant Of
Andrew Jackson-"Old Hickory
-on his mothers side. His parents
moved to Pottawatomie county,
Iowa, in 1856. There he grew up
on a farm, working with his father
till 1870 when, at the age of Fl, he
started out to seek his fortune in the
far West. Reaching Fort Bridger,
Wyoming, he engaged in "bull-
whacking" for Messrs. Coe & Carter.
From Wyoming he went to Amer
lean Fork Canyon, Utah, where
he commenced burning charcoal.
His partner proved dishonest and
he was LETT penniless. He was
next found at West Jordan, Utah,
pulling Stag pots" for the Germa-
MIA Smelter. From his adverse ex-
perience in Utah he returned to the
employ of Coe & Carter in Wyom-
ing, for whom he engaged in cut
ting ties. After a time he again
tried his fortune in the territory of
the Mormons, and beginning in the
humble position of a ''roust-about"
at the Davenport Smelling works,
Cottonwood Canyon, he soon was
promoted to "shift boss" and in
rapid succession to foreman and
then superintendent Of works, all
within the short space of fourteen
months. At last fortune had recog-
nized his merits and began to smile
upon him. The next step was to
the Omaha SHELTERS, October Z,
1877, as foreman of the works, fol-
lowed by his becoming manager of
the whole smelling department. In
1878 he married Miss Tena Myers.
In April, 1880, having saved little
means, he determined to again try
his fortunes in the mining states
and removed to Bayhorse, Custer
county, Idaho, where he established
the first smelling plant in Custer
county, if not in Idaho. Selling
out his business interest at Bay
horse, he entered into a partnership
with ]. D. Woods and Fred Phillips |
and purchased the smelling plant
1t Clayton built by c. D. Rustin,
where be has since been operating.
He has had as high as 500 men
N his employ, and has never had !
my labor troubles.
Mr.. Crook has always been a
,taunch republican, until led by
he irresistible logic of facts into
he peoples party movement. He
has never been an office seeker, but
has served two terms as county COM
missioner of his county and also
served as a member of the Idaho
state constitutional convention.
His school education was that Of
he common school only. From
he education of rugged experience
md an earnest part in every day
work and life he has become, while
n the prime of life, an excellent
business manager with fine execu-
i've ability, and "a man loved by
ILL.,"
The above biographical facts,
modest in their brevity, speak more
'loquently than extended comment
could of the glory of American
citizenship that elevates from poor
,oyhood to the highest honor and
numberless of it's free
'orn sons, and show that in its
lominee for governor the peoples
,arty of Idaho, by good fortune and
happy instinct, have chosen to
cad them in their first campaign
or political possession of their
owed mountain state. man of the
people, by the people, and for the
people. A plain yet able man,
whose history, eloquent of hard
work, early struggle, and honestly
Won success, explains the unaf-
ected and large simplicity of his
character and the infallible instinct
# sympathy that without seeking
Wins respect and affection of men.
These qualities in a leader chosen
" the people in this popular crisis
# American political affairs are
to elicit a growing en-
husiasm, in it's way and degree, not
mike the recognition by the peo-
lie of the great hearted, simple
''rail-splitter" of Illinois,
Who was called by true instinct of
he great plain people to meet the
great issue then. There is greater
ssue now: The people vs.. plutoc-
'acy. In Mr.. Crook the peoples
party in Idaho have man at the
read of their ticket who represents
! true Americanism, that means to
1eep republic and have forever a
democracy.