Canyon County ID Archives Biographies.....Strunrnberg, Albert K. 1862 - 1907
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 10, 2012, 11:31 pm

Source: See below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

ALBERT K. STEUNENBERG, or "A. K," as he was generally known among his friends,
came of sturdy Dutch stock, his father and mother being natives of Holland, his
father emigrating to America in the year 1843 at the age of nineteen, first
settling at Keokuk, Iowa, but later moving to Knoxville, where A. K. was born
September 11, 1862. His father, Benardus Steunenberg, was a shoemaker by trade,
served his adopted country in the Mexican war and showed his native force by
educating himself through study in the intervals of his work. It is said that
his proficiency in the English language was attained through careful study of
the English Bible in connection with the text in his native language. The Bible
he used for this purpose is still a treasured heirloom in the family. He died at
Caldwell, Idaho, in April, 1907. This sturdy Dutch couple reared a family of ten
children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom moved to the west. Of these
John, Will, Frank, A. K. and Charles made their homes in Caldwell, as did all of
the sisters, Mrs. Delia Brobst, Mrs. Lizzie Van Wyngarden, Mrs. Grace Crookham,
and Josephine. George is a major in the United States Army. 

    A. K. graduated from the high school at Knoxville, Iowa, and then served a
three years' apprenticeship to the printer's trade. He early displayed literary
tastes which developed into love of books and a remarkable ability in the use of
the English language. Deciding to branch out, he came west and landed in
Caldwell in the year 1886 without money but with native force, ambition and
aggressiveness that soon won him a place in the new location. His genuine
kindliness and keen sense of humor made him many friends. He used to like to
tell that in his early days in Caldwell he slept under the band stand that was
built on a vacant lot where the Saratoga Hotel was afterward built. 

    His brother Frank, afterward Governor Steunenberg, came out about this time
and was associated with A. K. in the ownership and publishing of the Caldwell
Tribune that he purchased and edited for about seven years, and which was
afterward sold to R. H. Davis. A. K. became prominent in the Odd Fellows Lodge,
edited the Odd Fellows fraternal paper, and perhaps during his life did more
than any other one man for the upbuilding of the order in the state. He filled
in succession all the important offices and was signally honored in every way by
the lodge. 

    One of the pleasant things in his life was the close relationship and mutual
dependence that existed between A. K. and Frank, although their tastes and
abilities differed. Frank went into politics and won a place both in the state
and the nation because of his fearless stand for law and order, but to the day
of his death he went to A. K. for advice and counsel, as did A. K. to him. 

    After the sale of the Tribune Mr. Steunenberg, in the year 1895, in company
with John C. Rice, Sam Chaney, Robert Aikman, 
Jacob Plowhead, James Ballantyne and others started the Caldwell Commercial
Bank, of which he became cashier and the moving spirit. He threw the force of
his ability and capacity for work into this new line and the little bank under
his direction grew steadily and its cashier soon became known as a safe, careful
but thoroughly aggressive and resourceful financier. The bank soon outgrew its
quarters and was reincorporated with larger capital and a new building erected
in 1903. About this time he planned the establishment of a chain of banks
throughout the state and was successful in this because of his keen insight into
business opportunities. He established the first bank at St. Anthony, one at
Paris and one at Glenns Ferry in Idaho, and banks at Wallowa and Vale in Oregon.
He was a student, thoroughly mastering financial problems, and at the time of
his death — March 17, 1907 — he was recognized as one of the foremost bankers in
the northwest. 

    In the community Mr. Steunenberg was always a leader and took an active
interest in everything that tended to its betterment. He was clerk of the school
board for many years and mayor of Caldwell in 1902-1903. He was a keen thinker
along political, social and industrial lines, a student, but also a man of
quick, decisive action and sound judgment. 

    With his many duties and interests, Mr. Steunenberg never lacked time to
devote to his home and his family, and it was in the home that his life
centered. It was in 1890 that he married Miss Carrie M. Coulter, of Knoxville,
Iowa, bringing his bride to Caldwell. To these parents were born three children,
Bess, Ancil and Tom. With the increase of income their home became more spacious
and modern, but it never lost the homely feeling of simplicity and genuine
hospitality. 


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

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

1920


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