Collection: Ella Frances Knox Parrish papers

Summary

The collection contains a history of Emmett and a list of early Emmett pioneers and founders. Also included is Parrish's correspondence with the Idaho Historical Society and state and national government representatives, and personal momentos.

Dates

Creation: 1871 - 1957

Biographical Note

Ella Frances Knox Parrish was born July 11, 1868 in the Dry Creek area northwest of Boise, Idaho to Douglas and Margaret Knox, Idaho territorial pioneers. She moved to the Emmett Valley with her parents July 1, 1870 and resided there until her death October 6, 1964. Ella was the oldest of eight children, and assumed care of her sisters and brothers, in 1885, upon her mother's death.

On January 1, 1888, she married William Parrish who like Douglas Knox was active in the development of the Emmett Valley. Ella was also active in Emmett community affairs for many years. During her life she taught school, and was active in the Methodist Church, the Democratic party, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She was a member of the Idaho Pioneer Society, the Emmett Rebecca lodge, the Emmett Civic club, and the Emmett Hospital auxiliary. Ella was Gem County historian from 1939 to 1946 when the position of county historian was discontinued. In 1963, a year before her death, she was honored as the oldest living native in the Emmett Valley.