Ada-Owyhee County ID Archives Biographies.....Noble, Robert 1844 - 1914
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 12, 2010, 3:44 am

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1920)

Robert Noble

ROBERT NOBLE had reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and
ten when on the 5th of November, 1914, death called him. He had been for many
years a most prominent, honored and valued resident of Idaho and within the
borders of the state had advanced from a humble position in the business world
to one of masterful leadership, being a leading figure in financial circles as
the president of the Idaho Trust & Savings Bank of Boise. He was likewise the
promoter of many other important business interests which contributed to the
welfare and development of the state in notable manner, so that his name is
indelibly impressed upon the annals of the commonwealth.

   A native of England, Robert Noble was born in Cumberland on the 19th of
October, 1844, being a son of John and Mary Noble, who were also natives of that
country, where was born to them a family of four sons and four daughters, Robert
being the fourth of those who reached adult age. Robert Noble was ten years of
age when in 1854 his parents left England for the new world, making their way to
Kingston, Ontario, where the mother died, being a victim of the cholera
epidemic. The family continued their journey to a point near Niagara Falls,
Canada, but in 1857 crossed the border into the United States, settling at
Tonawanda, New York, where they lived for many years.

   Robert Noble received somewhat meager educational advantages as he
accompanied his father from point to point and at an early age he started out to
provide for his own support. It was in 1870, when twenty-six years of age, that
he came to Idaho a stranger and practically without money. A few years later his
eldest brother, John, and his sister, Mrs. Eleanor Williams, also came to Idaho
but afterward removed to California. At a still later period, Robert Noble was
joined at his home on Reynolds creek in Owyhee county by his aged father, who
there remained until his death in January, 1905, being then in the one hundredth
year of his age.

   Ambitious to gain a start, Robert Noble scorned no honest employment that
would yield him a living and his first year in Idaho was spent as tender of a
ferry on the Snake river. He then secured a position on the Davis ranch near
Boise, where he remained for four seasons, carefully saving his earnings until
his untiring industry and strict economy enabled him to begin sheep raising in a
small way in 1875. He continued the business in the neighborhood of Reynolds
creek until 1906, when he disposed of his ranch and removed to Boise. In the
meantime his close application, indefatigable energy and sound business judgment
had enabled him to steadily develop his flocks and he had become one of the
prominent and successful sheepmen of the state.

   With his removal to Boise, Mr. Noble became a prominent factor in the
business life of the city and of the state. He purchased stock in the Idaho
Trust & Savings Bank and appreciation of his ability led to his election to the
office of president on the 2d of January, 1912. He continued at the head of the
institution until his demise. He largely financed the construction of the Boise
Valley Railroad and electric lines from Boise to Nampa and Meridian, the line
being completed and put in operation in 1909, with Mr. Noble as manager until
1911. He became also the owner of seven thousand acres of fine land in the Boise
valley and two hundred and forty acres was planted to fruit, making him one of
the foremost orchardists of the state. His real estate holdings in Boise were
most extensive and his property interests also included much valuable realty at
Nampa and Caldwell. He always did much to increase the value of his property and
thus promoted the prosperity of the community in which he had placed his
investments.

   In 1876, on Reynolds creek, Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Peters. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are yet living.
Nellie is the mother of two children, Thelma Louise Handy and Dorothy McDonald,
the former by her first husband and the latter by her second husband, Angus
McDonald. Robert is the vice president of the Idaho Trust & Savings Bank. Frank
looks after the Noble buildings and realty in Boise, Nampa and Caldwell and all
other interests lying outside of the capital city. Ernest, who is assistant
cashier in the Idaho Trust & Savings Bank, is married and has two children,
Margaret Eleanor and Elizabeth Lauretta. Lillian May is the wife of Scott M.
Banbury and the mother of one child, Bernice Noble Banbury. Rasella Noble is at
home.

   Mr. Noble displayed the democratic spirit characteristic of the western
pioneer. He was always ready to recognize true worth in others and he judged men
by their personal worth and not by their wealth. He left to his family the
priceless heritage of a good name and to the state the inspiration of a noble
character whose labors were crowned with successful achievement. The members of
his family were reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. He attained
thirty-two degrees of Masonry, taking his blue lodge degrees at Silver City and
being initiated in the chapter and the Shrine at Boise. He also joined the Odd
Fellows lodge at Silver City. Politically he was a republican but never sought
office. The family residence is a handsome home at No. 317 North Ninth street in
Boise.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

IDAHO
DELUXE SUPPLEMENT
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1920


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