John Keller of Longview, Wash. recently spent a few days in Plainview, including around 14 hours at the 1880 Depot Museum in search of genealogical history of his family.
His family – as it turns out – was quite prominent in the early days of Plainview, but is most well known for the “Phinney Journals” as recorded by the Plainview 1880 Depot Museum, and used in the Q125 book for reference.
Keller’s great-great grandfather, Edwin N. Phinney, had once lived in Plainview, and Keller contacted the museum, planning a two-day visit on August 28-29. He was able to see the large memorabilia display about his family, which has been at the museum since the early 1970s.
Also of special interest was all the journals that had been written by Edwin Phinney’s son, Frank.
Starting in 1873, while living in Maine, Frank Phinney journaled daily up until his death in 1925.
This obituary of Edwin N. Phinney, gave a detailed summary of his life, and years living in Plainview. Frank Phinney and his wife, Hattie, including his two children, are buried in the Plainview Pleasant View Cemetery.
Edwin N. Phinney was born in Winterport Main, December 21, 1839. On May 20, 1858, he was united in marriage to Julia A. Howse of Dixmont, Maine.
To this union were born six children: Frank W. Phinney, who preceded him in death a few months ago; Snow H. Phinney of Kelso, Washington; Elisha I. Phinney, who died in 1884; Mrs. Katie M. Taylor of Campbell, Calif.; William C. Phinney of Huston, Idaho; and Don C. Phinney of Melba, Idaho.
In 1872, he immigrated to the west, locating near Rochester, Minn., and in 1874 he came to Nebraska, and took a homestead two miles south of Plainview.
In the early days, he took an active interest in local and political affairs, and in the building up of the community.
In 1891 he sold his farm and moved to town, and for a number of years, was one of the leading contractors of Pierce County.
Among the buildings which he erected were Plainview’s first brick schoolhouse. The brick block containing the First National Bank, and when Pierce County needed a man to superintend the construction of the new courthouse, he was the man chosen for the position.
In 1909 he moved to Chadron, and two years later, Caldwell, Idaho where several of his children were living. Here, he bought and improved a farm in the irrigated country.
The death of his wife in 1915 broke up his home, and since then he has made his home with his children in Idaho, Washington and Colorado, and since 1918 with his son, Frank W. Phinney of Plainview, Nebraska.
Desiring to see his children in the west, and thinking that it would be better to spend the winter in a warmer climate, he left here the last of August for Idaho.
After a few weeks with his sons there, he went to Kelso, Washington. It was while there at the home of his son, Snow, that he was taken with a stroke, and after a short illness, passed away on November 5, 1925.
His body was taken to Caldwell, Idaho, where he was placed beside the one who had been his companion through life. He leaves to mourn his loss, his four children, 13 grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren, besides other relatives and a large number of friends and acquaintances.
Grandpa Phinney, as he was generally called, was a grand old man in many ways, held in high esteem by neighbors and friends. A man of high ideals, and Christian character, he was known by all and loved by all. He will be greatly missed. The bereaved family will have the sincere sympathy of the whole community.