The Blackfoot optimist., 1916-12-14
BIOGRAPHY OF 8. J. RICH.

Mr. oaih y. hlch, VINO gave up his
life in Los Angeles, CAL, on the 8sh
day of December in his 57th year, was
one of Idaho's early pioneers. The
early part of his life was spent in
Bear Lake county where he was con.
nected with many projects for the up.
building of his chosen state, also hold.
many positions of honor and trust in
that state.
About 20 years ago, with his family,
he came to Bingham county, and set
tied at Thorn Springs, now called Rich
in honor of his name. Here he fol-
lowed his old course of developing the
then sagebrush desert, and was one
Of the boosters and builders Of the Peo-
pies canal, which is one of the many
and lasting monuments of his pro-
gressive nature. About two years later
he moved to Blackfoot, and with his
brother, II. G. G. Rich, opened law of.
flee to practice his professin. This,
however, proved too slow for so progress
sive and active man as Sam Rich,
and he closed up this office and pur-
chased from the state 32O acres of
land one mile east of Blackfoot, which
he proceeded to improve. Here he
built modern, comfortable home which
he told the writer would be his only
home as long as he lived, and SO it
was.
He was appointed receiver Of the
Idaho canal, holding the position for
four years, and in that time did much
to put this great canal system an a
paying basis. Under his supervision the
High Line canal from Blackfoot to
Fort Hall was built and received by
the U. s. government, delivering at
that point 800 second feet of water,
thereby completing contract that had
been pending for years
| When that part of the Fort Hall res
ervation north of Pocatello was thrown
open to settlement Mr.. Rich secured
32O acres of choice land at Tyhee,
which he developed and improved and
today is in the very highest state of
cultivation. .
When James Hawley was elected gov
ernor Of Idaho he appointed Mr.. Rich
immigration commissioner, which Off
ce he filled with honor to himself and
tho ato<o HE off;n;ol .n,>o~% o,%:AIod
l"IdahO,' was the greatest work ever
got out Of that office, and is now seat
tered over the United States advertis.
ing the great resources of Idaho. He
was elected presidential elector in 1904
and given scat in the electoral col
lege, casting Idaho's vote for VIM. j
:. Bryan. In 1912 he was elected dele
gate to the National Democratic con
ventiOn at Baltimore. and was one OF
the big men who nominated Presiden,
Wilson. In politics he was Demo
crat, and too big a Democrat to lei
petty party differeno oes change hin
, from what he believed to be the prop
er course. During the anti Mormon day
. Mr.. Rich led one wing of the part,
I and Fred T. Dubois the other. In pOli
ties they were bitter enemies, but a
neighbors they were personal friends
Only last summer on his return from
California he was told Senator Duboi
enquiring about his health and wa
coming out to see him. when he re
marked: "I have just returned to Ida
no and l know of no man T woul
rather see than Mr.. Dubois remar
that was characteristic of the bignes
of Mr.. Rich.
His mother, over so years of ag.
still survives him: also several brotf
ers and sisters residing in this stat
and Utah. Among his other mourne,
is loving, faithful wife and seve
children consisting Of four boys an
three girls. as follows: Grover Ricl
cashier of the Burley State bank: Ro
coe, Walker and Elwood Juanitt
Irene and Genieve, now living on tn
home ranch near Blackfoot.
In the death of Samuel j. Rich hi
family has lost loving and conside
ate husband and father, and the stai
and county. a staUnch. subtantial an
honorable citizen. JAMES JUS
Samuel J. Rich, one of Idaho's mo.
prominent citizens. died in Los Ang
les last Monday.
Mr. Rich was the son of Charles
Rich and Emeline Grover Rich, the la
ter of whom is still living and in al
parent good health. His father bein
one of the early pioneers of Utah al
an apostle of the Mormon church.
Samuel J. Rich settled in Bear Lal
county, Idaho, with his parents in lS6