The Funeral Of Pioneer Tomorrow

Remains of S. Wildenthaler Will Be Laid to Rest - A Sketch of His Career.

The funeral of S. Wildenthaler, whose death occurred yesterday morning, will be held at two o'clock tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon from the family residence, 302 Fourth Avenue, Normal Hill. The deceased was a member of the Masonic lodge and that organization will be in charge of the funeral, the services being conducted by Rev. Lattimore of the Presbyterian church.

Seraphin Wildenthaler was among the oldest pioneer of Lewiston as well as one of its most substantial citizens. He was born in Baden, Germany, on July 1, 1827. His family sailed from Havre, France, in 1852, and settled in Sandusky, Ohio. Soon thereafter he went to New York and thence by Panama to San Francisco. For eight years he prospected and mined in the golden state and came thence to northern Idaho in 1862. Hostile Indians attempted to stampede their horses while they were enroute and one morning they found the ground filled with arrows that had been shot at them in the night, the weapons being buried by their force. In due time they arrived at Lewiston, a city of five thousand, all living in tents. A crossing was effected on the Snake river where the ferry is now operated. Every day a pack train wound its way out from Lewiston and the tinkle of their bells was a familiar sound of the day. For three years Mr. Wildenthaler mined at Orofino and in the autumn of 1865, in company with Nye and Harness, took a pack train of flour to Kootenai and there sold it for sixty-five dollars per hundred. Later in the same year he opened a bakery in Lewiston with C. Baker. But the freedom of the hills again called him and he sold out to his partner and went to Montana. He mined on Harvey and Ten Mile creek and then went to Arizona, California, Nevada and finally joined the workers on the Union Pacific and operated a bakery along the line, moving sixteen times to keep abreast of the road. He witnessed the laying of the silver rail and the driving of the golden spike that celebrated the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, which act was done at Promontory Point. Mr. Wildenthaler visited Ohio at this time and two months later came back to Walla Walla. In 1870 he selected Lewiston as his home and bought a half interest in a grocery and bakery business of Conrad Wintsch. This partnership continued until 1878 when Mr. Wildenthaler bought the entire business. He conducted it alone until 1901 when he sold a share to Joseph E. Kincaid. The next year Mr. Kincaid sold his interest to D. O. Powell. The latter retired a few years ago, his interest being secured by O. E. Norberg, present manager of the business. the firm still occupies the same place on West Main street, but the wooden structure of pioneer days has given way to a modern brick. Thus Mr. Wildenthaler has for forty years been steadily engaged in business in Lewiston, maintaining throughout a record for the strictest honor and integrity and attracting him to the confidence and esteem of every person who enjoyed his acquaintance. He was a kindly man who felt good character was life's noblest asset.

In 1878, Mr. Wildenthaler was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Palmer and they became the parents of four children. Of these three daughters survive, they being Mrs. J. E. Kincaid, of Lewiston; Mrs. Jessie Raines, of Grangeville, and Miss Harriett Wildenthaler, of Lewiston. A son, Charles, died a few months ago.

The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)
Friday Morning, April 15, 1910