Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-12-10
City of Montpelier

Montpelier, situated on the Ore
gon Short Line Railroad in the ex-
IRENE southeastern part of the state
was funded in 1868. 1t was on the
old "Oregon trail'' a stone monu-
ment in the eastern part of the
city marking the place, where,
many years ago, this thoroughfare
passed through the present town
site.
In April 1864, fifteen men and
their families members of the l.. p.
s Church, became the founders of
Montpelier and the earliest settlers
of the valley Among the faithful
pioneers were John Bunney, Chris
ton Hoganson, William Severn, J.
Cozzens and William Erwin. OF this
number only ono survives. he being
Mr.. William Severn, now past four
score mark in age. Other early set
lerts were Jacob Jones, Edward
Burgoyne and Charles Fl. Bridges
Tho town wGa called Glover Creek
and later Belmont, but President
Brigham Young finally visited the
place and gave the town its present
name in honor of city in his ma
tive state OF Vermont.
Montpelier is situated in rich
farming valley that is forty miles IN
length by eight in width, occupy
Ing one-fourth the territory Of Bear
Lake County. 1t was incorporated
al q village in 1891.
James Holmes, DR.. A. G. Hoover,
j. IL. O'Connor, J. II. Kinnersley ana
S. A. Mills composed the first vii
laga board OF trustees. They were
iappof 1ted by ,the county commits
sionerg and took office, July 18TH,
1891. TIL newly dreaded city
fathers" met in their first regular
session July goth, 1891 and chose
James Holmes as chairman, and
8. A. Mills as clerk. OF this origi
nal board, only one Is now living in
Mgntpel.er-tha being j. F. O'Con-
nor. Mr.. Mills and DR.. Hoover are
We. living but have not been resi-
den.a OF Montpelier for somo time.
In 1894 the village was incorpora-
~ das a city, and an election was
h Id for chO e. go .--.-..,'1' no
choice for mayor rested upon MT.
Edward Burgoyne while c. II. Toom-
or vas elected as the first city clerk.
since that time. Nontpelier has had
many mayors, but none more con-
scientious in their duty than was
Nj. Burgoyne.
Since Mr.. Burgoyne's admlnistra-
ton no less than fourteen men nave
served the city as m0yar-some OF
these gentlemen having served two
terms. AS a matter of interest, the
names are given as follows, in ord
er of their service.
Mesgrs. Edward Burgoyne, Tho
mas Douglas, P H. Murmane, j. 5.
Barrett (served a second term), +
7, Cruikshank fserved second term
James r.. Redman, T. L. eileen, Mil
ford williams, Frank Jones, IA. II
Hoff 1now serving second term that
expires next April) A. B. Cough and
r. N. Sheldon.
Some OF the city clerks who have
served Montpelier during the pas
thirty years ares. A. Mills, C. II
Toomers, c. E. 0'Connor c. e. Har.
ris. J. w. Wedell, w. R. Holmes
Henry Douglas, c. L. French, Rich
ard Groo, Thomas Barrett and Fred
L. Cruikshank the present incumi
bent.
Tho present mayor and council
are listed as Fl. II. Hoff, Mayor
w Woodruff Clark, Roy George, +
N. Dryden, ]. w. Jones, q. l.. Nc
Clave and e. A. Brough.
From the humble beginning es
tablished by these few pioneer fam
lilies has grown the present town
Today Montpelier has a population
of approximately three thousand
and during the last decade the gait
in population in the. county al
not equal the gain that the city o
Montpelier made. During the las
ten years the population of the cit,
has increased by more than thou
sand.
Montpelier is now a city Of tn
second class. 1t has a municipa
owned water system which was in
stalled at a cost of nearly thirt,
thousand, but now represent an out
Law Of over eighty thousand dollars
During the r. N. Sheldon admins
tratfon the sewer system was install
led at a cost of approximately forty
five thousand dollars. In 1916 tn
new city hall was built at cost Q
twenty-five thousand dollars, tn
money being raised by bond cleo
tion.
Mr. Burgoyne was the first mel
chant OF the town. In the earl
DAYS he opened up a store in part {
his log house which then stood 0
fourth street. The railroad cam
in 1882 and from that time the fui
ure Industrial growth OF the city wa
assured. In 1891 the Bank OF Mon
peIier was organized and to tn
: time this bank enjoys the distinl