Abbott Brothers

The Abbott Brothers: Building Roads and Dreams in Early Idaho 

Written by: Dawna Booth (2025)

James Asahel Abbott (“Asa”) and Anna Maria Shelby married in Missouri in 1852 before heading west to Oregon, where they homesteaded 640 acres. Asa soon made a name for himself, serving as a captain of volunteers during the Rogue River War and later as County Sheriff.

Seeking new opportunities, the Abbotts relocated to Pine Grove—also called Morestown—one mile above Idaho City, Idaho, during the Boise Basin goldrush.  There, they ran a General Merchandise store while Asa acquired several mining claims and the 160-acre Coffman Ranch along the Upper Payette River, later known as the Tucker Place.

Asa’s brother, William (“Billy”) Abbott, a former Justice of the Peace in Pine Grove, settled across the river. Billy purchased the Peter Haubrick Ranch one mile below Ostner’s bridge. Together, the brothers employed several men growing and supplying fresh vegetables to miners, a much-needed service in the boomtown economy. They were community builders as well, constructing the first roads and founding the first school in Garden Valley.

Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. The Idaho World newspaper, on October 26, 1866, reported:

“ABBOTT’S NEW ROAD – the road sometime ago laid out by J.S. Abbott, from Placerville to the Valley of the Middle Fork of the Payette, is now completed and open for travel. It runs northerly from Placerville to the old Lewiston trail, crosses the Payette near Thomas’ bridge, and thence northwesterly to Ewing’s bridge… It is Mr. Abbott’s intention to complete the road to Round Valley early in the ensuing summer….The energetic and public spirited projector merits not only the thanks of the public for it, but also an adequate substantial reward.”

Asa, never one to miss an opportunity, introduced a bill in December 1866 during his time in the Territorial Legislature to authorize the road as a toll road. Rates were carefully structured: $3.00 for each wagon with one span of animals, 50 cents for each additional pair, and 50 cents for each riding animal and man, 25 cents for a loose unpacked animal and only 10 cents for each sheep or hog.  Return trips were half-price.

Interestingly, on January 8, 1872, the Idaho World reported:

“County Commissioners ordered that the road leaving from Placerville to the Upper Payette Valley with the bridge across the Main Payette River be and the same is hereby declared a County Road and Public Highway.”  Why?

Although James Asa Abbott envisioned connecting Upper Payette Valley to Round Valley, he never finished the road himself. It wasn’t until around 1882 that the Oregon Short Line Railroad completed a route through the area, shifting the course of development.

James’ story ended far from the Payette Valley he helped shape. While living in Denison, Texas, he tragically took his own life on January 1, 1873.  In the next edition, you will read of the tragic events that may have led to his suicide. 

James Asahel Abbott 1831-1872 

Anna Maria Shelby Abbott Spooner 1833-1926 

Photos from James & Anna Abbott FamilySearch.org