Everything about the premises of this leading farmer and fruit raiser indicates the prosperity and plenty that comes from industry and thrift bestowed with consummate intelligence and sagacity. There is no mistaking the surroundings, and the pleasant home, bright family and charming wife of our subject are but proper crowning to his integrity, untiring care and uprightness.
John C. Larkee was born in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, on February 6, 1865, being the son of Frederick and Anna (Anderson) Larkee, natives of Denmark. The father came to the United States in 1848, sailed on the lakes for two years and now lives with our subject. The mother was married in Wisconsin and is at the present time in Minnesota visiting with a son. Our subject was raised in Wisconsin until thirteen and gained a common schooling, then came with parents to Nebraska, where he wrought for nine years.
In 1888 he came to Washington, traveled about and in 1890 went to the Baptist College in Colfax. In 1892 he came to Leland and was elected road overseer. On November 19, 1895, Mr. Larkee filed on his present place, five miles northeast from Lenore and since then he has bestowed his labors with wisdom here. He has four hundred fine bearing fruit trees and some of the finest pears and apples of the state are his to enjoy as the result of his skill.
Mr. Larkee has a beautiful and commodious barn, one of the finest in the County and it is kept in an orderly manner. He owns doubtless the largest horse in the state, the mammoth animal standing eighteen and three-fourths hands. The mate to this animal is only about one inch shorter. Mr. Larkee’s brothers and sisters are mentioned as follows: George, James, Steena Hall, Nettie Standard, Emma Ross, Esther Standard.
On January 14, 1892, at Kendrick, Mr. Larkee married Miss Ella I., daughter of Henry D. and Mary E. (Johnson) Peden, natives of Ohio. They now live near Leland. The father was born on January 12, 1838, and served three years in the Civil war in Company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded seriously in the thigh in the battle of Missionary Ridge. They came to Whitman County in 1888. The mother was born on June 2, 1842, and is an invalid. Mrs. Larkee has six brothers and one sister, Dora, William M., John, Henry W., James, Frederick and Walter. Mr. Larkee is a member of the M. W. A., and they both are members of the Christian Church. Six children are the fruit of this happy marriage, Dora, born November 17, 1892; Ralph, born February 10, 1894; Maude M., born March 2, 1896; Esther, born July 15, 1898; Mary, born February 21, 1900; Helen, born December 3. 1901.
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