George W. Bashor is one of the leading business farmers on the reservation. He handles his whole affairs with a wisdom and execution that have made him especially successful, while his standing among his fellows is of the very best and his popularity wherever he is known makes him hosts of friends.
George W. Bashor was born in Washington County, West Tennessee, on September 6, 1856, being the son of Michael M. and Susan (Garst) Bashor. The parents were born in Rockingham County, Virginia. George remained with his parents until twenty-one, gaining a good education.
When he was sixteen the family went to Colorado, and in Apishapa, Mr. Bashor made his first venture in purchasing a general merchandise establishment. Two years were spent there and during this time, July 18, 1878, being the date, Mr. Bashor married Miss Mary A., daughter of James K. and Marv A. (Whistler) Gwin, natives of Virginia. The father is deceased but the mother lives with her son Tames P., three miles southwest from Summit. Mrs. Bashor has the following sisters and brothers: Jacob M., deputy assessor at Lewiston; Joseph A., in Walla Walla County farming: James F.; Phoebe I., widow of Robert G. Sipe, in Colorado; Emma, wife of William H. Whitney, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Bashor’s mother’s brothers are William Garst, killed in the Civil war. John Garst, both of them in the Union army. Mr. Bashor’s brothers and sisters are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Bashor there have been born the following: children: Lester W., Oscar E., Archie A., Horace, Ernest G.. Charles, Clara E. Mr. Bashor is a member of the German Baptist Church and his wife belongs to the Methodist denomination.
In the spring of 1883, Mr. Bashor and his family came to Garfield County. Washington, and there he preempted a claim near Pomeroy and for seven years he was numbered with the leading agriculturists of the section. In 1891 he came to Latah County, bought a quarter near Kendrick and tilled it until 1898. In that year he came to his present place. Miss Alma Camp had filed on it and before proving up, she married and her husband was holding a claim. Therefore Al Rockwell contested her right, but as Mr. Bashor held possession and had made the improvements, he contested the latter and the secretary of the interior gave him the decision. Mr. Bashor has a fine claim, is improving it in excellent shape and will make it a beautiful rural home as well as a good dividend producer. He does general farming and handles hogs, good graded cows and does dairying.
Politically, Mr. Bashor is a Republican and has been a delegate to all the County and some of the state conventions.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903