| Little is known about Theodore
until he and Martha Alice Thompson were married in Brownsville, Linn County, Oregon on
April 18, 1869. It might be assumed that Theodore followed The Oregon Trail to Linn
County, Oregon. Perhaps he passed through Canyon County, Idaho, where he later
returned to settle. Martha was born in Adel, Iowa November 18, 1849 or 1850, a
daughter of Enoch and Mary A. Kinsey Thompson. Martha and her family were living in
Adel, Iowafor the 1860 Federal Census. In 1862, when Martha was twelve, the
family" crossed the plains” by wagon train, traveling first to California, then
on to Linn County, Oregon.
Theodore,
Martha and their three month old child, Ernest, were living on the John Thomas ranch in
Canyon County, Idaho Territory, for the 1870 Census. Theodore was listed as
”works on farm,” and Martha was listed as “Mattie” and “house
keeper.”
By 1885, Theodore had purchased a land patent for 123.06
acres in Canyon County, Idaho, part of the Homestead Act of May 20,1862. He and Martha had
eight children by now. As only one of his sons became a farmer, it can be assumed
that well before 1885 Theodore was more than a laborer on someone else's ranch. By 1893,
and likely before, the family was living in the town of Caldwell, and the last child had
been born. All of the children attended
the public schools, and the six youngest attended the College of Idaho, which was
established in the late 1890’s in Caldwell.
During the years he lived in Caldwell, Theodore made many, extended summer prospecting
trips to Alaska, leaving his ranch in the hands of an overseer. On June 7, 1899, the
North West Mounted Police recorded T. W. Boone of Caldwell Idaho, as arriving on boat #92
and entering the Yukon.
By the 1910 census, Theodore was living in Homedale, Owyhee
County, Idaho, just over the southern border of Canyon County. This was a well known and
profitable silver mining area. Theodore was listed as divorced. Martha was still
living in Caldwell, and was listed as head of household and a widow. It is
certain that she was not a widow, and doubtful that he was divorced.
Theodore died November 2, 1917, in Tulare, California. He had
been living there with his oldest surviving daughter, Gertrude Boone Beatty, her husband
and their two young children. Theodore is buried in the Tulare Cemetery, East Block 10,
Lot 3, Grave 4. There is no stone or marker of any kind. |
Click
photo to enlarge
COLLEGE
OF IDAHO CLASS OF 1901
Pictured here are the twin daughters of Theodore Warner and Martha Alice
Thompson Boone.
Front row (seated), L to R:
Hessie Ward, John Will Callaway, Minnie Boone (b12-18-1882), Bertha
McKee, Walter R. Cupp, Blanche
Bishop
Standing, L to R:
Lenabel Whiffin,
Estella Cupp, Ethel Beers, May Boone (b12-18-1882)
These are the
published spellings.
Photo and identification kindness of:
Jan Boles, Archivist,
Albertson College of Idaho,
Caldwell ID, Dec. 2000
(Submitted by Geraldine Ingersoll) |
