Biography of Allen J. Shortlidge

A pioneer of the Central ridge country and one, too, who has made his labor manifest in the achievements in improving his farm, our subject deserves first rank among the worthy men whose labors have made this County a fertile and wealthy country.

Allen J. Shortlidge was born in Delaware. New Castle County, on December 31, 1861, whence the family removed to Philadelphia. His parents were Allen and Mary A. (Plumley) Shortlidge. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Civil War, going in as a private but coming out as a captain. He fought in many battles and skirmishes and was severely wounded through his hips at Antietam. He carried this ball to his death in 1899. In the early ‘seventies the father came to the Black Hills, South Dakota, and in 1877 our subject joined him there. They freighted and in 1878 went to Wyoming, working in the Sweetwater mines. In 1879 they went to New Mexico and there freighted until 1882 in which year they came to Pendleton and engaged in farming. In 1890 another move was made, this time Fairfield, Washington, being the objective point. Three years later they visited the Big Bend country and later our subject traveled in Alberta, Canada, but did not take land, not liking the country.

In April, 1896, we find Mr. Shortlidge on the reservation and as soon as he saw the country he determined to locate. A search soon found for him his present place, a fertile quarter ten miles southeast from Peck, where he has bestowed his labors with telling effect, making his farm one of the best in this section of the County. Few people were here and Mr. Shortlidge was forced to endure the hardships and deprivations of the pioneer and although he came with very limited capital, he is now one of the well to do men of the community.

On November 10, 1899, Mr. Shortlidge married Miss Carrie M. Wheat, who was born in Clay County, Illinois, on March 20, 1874. She graduated from the. Flora high school and took up teaching which she followed until her marriage. She came west and taught at Moscow some also before her marriage. One child has been born to this union, Florence Lucile, who celebrates November 6, 1900, as her birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Shortlidge are consistent members of the Christian church and they are leading and influential citizens in their community.

Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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