Payette County ID Archives Biographies.....Nesbitt, John Franklin 1851 - 1935
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Cheryl Hanson ihansonb@fmtc.com January 19, 2006, 12:35 am

Author: James H. Hawley

History of Idaho, Gem of the Mountains
James H. Hawley
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1920

JOHN FRANKLIN NESBITT

John Franklin Nesbitt has contributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding 
and development of Payette and his section of the state through the important 
part which he has played in banking circles and in the development of 
agricultural and irrigation interests.  He was born in Greensboro, Vermont, 
February 4, 1852, and is a son of J. F. and Jennetta (Taylor) Nesbitt.  They 
came to America in 1830, having been married in Glasgow, Scotland, two years 
previously.  The father followed shoe-making in his native country but 
immediately on his arrival in the new world took up the occupation of 
farming.  He was at that time thirty years of age.  He passed away in 
Greensboro, Vermont, in 1862, while the mother, long surviving him, departed 
this life in 1883.

John F. Nesbitt attended the graded schools of his native city, from which in 
due course of time he was graduated.  When fifteen years of age he went to 
Mableton, Kansas, where he worked as a farm hand for seven years.  In the 
spring of 1874 he came to Idaho, settling near Mountain Home, where he was 
employed at farm work for two years and was then put in charge of J. B. 
Emery’s freighting outfit and engaged in teaming between Kelton, Utah, the 
nearest railroad point, and Idaho City.

Mr. Nesbitt dates his residence in Payette from 1880, at which time he 
purchased a squatter’s right to one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land.  He 
concentrated his attention upon farming and stock, raising and, meeting with 
success in his undertakings, added to his property from time to time until he 
is now the owner of four hundred acres of rich and arable land.  Extending his 
efforts into other fields he became one of the organizers of the Bank of 
Commerce at Payette and in connection with A. J. McFarland he built an 
irrigating ditch which supplies water to their respective places, which are 
adjoining properties.  He was also the organizer of the Payette National Bank 
and for many years its vice president.  His judgment is sound, his sagacity 
keen and his enterprise unfaltering.  These qualities constitute a broad basis 
upon which to build success, and as the years have passed Mr. Nesbitt has 
prospered in his undertakings.

In August, 1882, Mr. Nesbitt was married to Miss Mary J. Stuart, a daughter of 
John and Mary Jane (Scott) Stuart, who were natives of Ireland and came to 
America in 1846.  The father was a mechanic and farmer who settled at 
Pittsfield, Illinois, where the daughter Mary Jane was born.  She came to 
Idaho in 1880, making her way direct to Falk, where she lived with her uncle, 
William S. Stuart, and early settler and respected pioneer of that district.  
She taught school at Emmett, Idaho, for two years prior to her marriage and 
since that important event she has presided with gracious hospitality over 
their home.  To Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt have been born the following named.  John 
W., a farmer and stock raiser residing in the Pahsimari valley of Idaho, 
married Martha Beach, a native daughter of this state, and they have three 
children, Frank, Joseph and Comfort Gladys.  George F., who follows farming 
and stock raising at Big Willow, Idaho married Priscilla Higgenbottom and is 
mentioned elsewhere in this work.  Milton S. is also represented on another 
page of this volume.  Oscar died in infancy.  Elmer H., who is engaged in 
farming and stock raising, married Io Kenward, a native of Provo, Utah, and 
they have two children, Kenward and David.  Iva M. is teaching school at New 
Plymouth, Idaho, and is a graduate of the Idaho State Normal School.  Clarence 
S., a teacher at Eagle, Idaho, was graduated from the Agricultural College at 
Corvallis, Oregon.

In political views Mr. Nesbitt has always been a stalwart republican and 
served as county commissioner of Canyon county in 1900-2.  He was also for 
some years chairman of school district No. 20 near Falk, Idaho.  Throughout 
his life he has been actuated by a progressive spirit that has recognized and 
utilized each opportunity.  His labors have been wisely directed, and step by 
step he has advanced toward the goal of prosperity.  Winning a handsome 
competence through his farming operations, he then turned his attention to 
banking and again has made for himself an honored name and place in business 
circles.

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