William John Montieth
"Rev. Mr." William John Montieth of Mayfield, Montgomery county, New York, or Fanday's Bush New York. He was born 16 June, 1808 to Archibald Montieth and Mary McLaren [Ancestry.com]
He died 29 August, 1876, and is buried Spalding, Nez Perce County, Idaho [Spald;g.s.] Retrieved 2020.
He married Margaret Foote, daughter of Charles A. Foote and Maria DeHart Baldwin of Delhi and New York city, New York. She was born 26 March, 1814. They moved west, settling in Wisconsin, Oregon, and Idaho.
Children:
- Charles Edgar Monteith, born 6 Sep 1847 Broadalbin, Fulton County, New York; he died 18 Mar 1915 (aged 67) Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho, and is buried Normal Hill Cemetery Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho,
Masonic, Row 10, Lot 087, [findagrave;121000446]
DEATH CLAIMED C.E. MONTEITH. Highly Esteemed Citizen Passed Away Suddenly LONG PUBLIC CAREER Was engaged in Duties at the Court House When End Came City Grieves
C.E. Monteith, a pioneer resident of Lewiston, prominent in public life for 30 years and beloved by all, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon while performing his duties as clerk of the district court in his office adjoining the courtroom at the county building. The cause of death was probably a rupture of a blood vessel of the brain.
Mr. Monteith had been in ill health for more than a year, his malady being of a peculiar character due to too high blood pressure. He appeared in his usual health at noon yesterday and following the luncheon hour, conferred with Attorney George E. Erb relative to matters dealing with the future. He returned to his office shortly after 1 0'clock and was engaged in his regular duties until after 2 o'clock, the last time he was seen alive by friends.
His body was discovered about 2:20 by Ralph Thompson, senior clerk in the office of County Auditor R.N. Wright, who visited Mr. Monteith's office. Mr. Monteith had passed away while sitting at his typewriter preparing a legal copy of a record of the office.
He was last seen alive by Attorney E.W. Stephens, who visited the office in connection with court matters. At that time, Mr. Monteith was sitting at his large desk where the records are kept during office hours. Mr. Stephens concluded his business and left the office about 2:03 o'clock.
About a year ago Mr. Monteith was critically ill and for several weeks was confined at his home. After his return to his office, the recovery was slow but he was apparently gaining in strength, and yesterday he stated to friends that he was feeling much better and believed he was overcoming his trouble. He was visited in his office about 1:30 o'clock in the afternoon by Sheriff Lydon and at that time Mr. Lydon noted his face was flushed but Mr. Monteith made no complaint of feeling ill.
Mr. Monteith was beloved by his co-workers at the courthouse and since his illness of a year ago, they have taken occasion to visit him as often as possible because of his office being located in an isolated section of the building. His welfare has been an earnest concern of his co-workers and his death yesterday came as a shock that brought deep sorrow into every office in the building. During the afternoon the flag was unfurled half-mast over the building.
Mr. Monteith was about 67 years of age and had been a resident of Lewiston and the nearby country for about 45 years.
He was in public life for the greater portion of that time, having served the government as an assistant agent and later as an agent at Fort Lapwai. He was United States consul to Chatam, Ontario, under the McKinley administration, served the county as clerk of the district court for 12 years, and served Lewiston as mayor. He was a most capable official, with pleasing manners, accommodating and courteous to all with whom he came in contact, and thus won the love and high esteem of a friendship extending throughout the entire country. For a short period during the late 1880's he was identified with the White House in Spokane and after his return from Chatam, he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business for two or three years.
Mr. Monteith entered the office of district clerk for the first time in 1890 under former County Auditor H.K. Harnett. He served at that time for four years. In 1896, he was sent to Chatam as counsel and returned to Lewiston in 1905. He then engaged in the real estate and insurance business and in 1907 he again entered the office of the clerk of the district court under former Auditor W.L. Gifford and was continued in office by J.R. Lydon, who retired from the auditor ship this year. He had been reappointed and was beginning his thirteenth year under Auditor R.N. Wright.
Mr. Monteith was united in marriage forty years ago last fall to Miss Frances Whitman. His wife and son, Claire, of Portland, survive him. The latter will arrive from Portland this morning and the funeral arrangements will be completed today.
In the passing of Mr. Monteith, Lewiston loses one of her most highly esteemed citizens. Possessing a find mind, a strong and upright character with the quality of seeing good in his fellow men, and a ready hand to give assistance, Mr. Monteith filled a place in the community's affairs that will long be vacant. To the grief-stricken wife, son, and other relatives, Lewiston's people extend their most sincere sympathy.
Lewiston Morning Tribune, Friday, March 19, 1915
