Augustine Haas

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AUGUSTINE HAAS
August 26, 1832 - Oberweier, Lahr, Baden, Germany
January 23, 1896 - Boise, Ada, Idaho, USA

August emigrated to United States with his parents in 1848. He lived in Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania for two years before his family moved on and settled in Caledonia, Racine, Wisconsin. Apparently wanderlust, and the fact that he was the youngest male child in the family of Joseph Haas and Josepha Maria Hug-Haas, prompted him to move on within a few years of arriving in Wisconsin. By 1864 he was firmly settled in Boise, Idaho.

IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY - REFERENCE SERIES
HAAS CANAL - Number 522 1974

The Haas Canal begins on the south bank of the Boise River near the northeast corner of Section 21, T5N, R4W. It runs in a generally westerly course through Sections 16, 17, 20, and 21, all in T5N, R5W.

The Haas Canal was built around 1864 by Augustin Haas and a Mr. Kane. In 1868, these men were raising grain and vegetables on their ranch. In 1874, J. M. Ross purchased the property and also raised grain and hay. The canal had a capacity of 1,000 inches, extended two miles in length, and irrigated 427 acres. By 1903, the property was owned by C. Ben Ross, the son of J. M. Ross and a future governor of Idaho (1931-1936). In 1906, the canal received water right (39) of 427 inches. -- Publications--450 N. 4th Street, Boise, ID 83702--208-334-3428

Augustine Haas married the 2x widow, Harriet Maria Carr Harr-Short on November 20, 1872, in Boise, Ada Co., Idaho. Per small notice in the Idaho Statesman:

IDAHO STATESMAN
MARRIED

In Boise City, Nov. 20, by W. W. Glidden, J.P., Mr. A. Haas and Harriet M. Short.

We have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of a splended cake etcetera and wish our old friend and his fair bride a pleasant and prosperous journey through life. It is a late start, but we read, that those who come at the eleventh hour shall receive as much as those who come in at the first.

Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho), November, 23, 1872, p. 3

Besides being a farmer and a miner in the earlier years, A. Haas served in several elected positions during his life in Boise Idaho and was a very prominent and respected citizen:

1865-1867 - Ada County Assessor
1868 - Treasurer - Boise City, Idaho, USA
c. 1870's - Judge and/or Probate Judge, Silver City, Owyhee, Idaho, USA
1891-1893 - Deputy City Marshall, Boise, Idaho, USA

A. Haas was also an active member of the Mason's in Idaho. He was active in the Lodges that he was a member and attended the Annual Grand Lodge Communication with fair regularity. He held membership in several Idaho Lodges while a Mason in Idaho. He started and helped found the Boise No. 37 (now Boise No. 2) then transferred to Owyhee No. 5 in Silver City which later merged with another Lodge and became Silver City No. 13. He was elected Senior Grand Warden at the forming of the Grand Lodge of Idaho in December 1867. He served as Junior Grand Warden in 1869. In 1894, 1895, and 1896 he was Grand Tyler.

IDAHO STATESMAN
OBITUARY
A. HASS DEAD

Note: his surname was spelled wrong

Passed Away After a Lingering Illness at the Age of 68.

Yesterday afternoon shortly after 1 o'clock A. Haas died in this city. (Boise) He had been ill for some time. The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock. It will be conducted by the Masons.

The deceased was 68 years of age. He was a pioneer of Idaho and one of the oldest Masons in the state. He participated in the organization of the first grand lodge of Idaho at Idaho City in 1868, at which time he was elected senior grand warden. At the time of his death he was grand tyler of the grand lodge, it being his third term in that capacity.

Idaho Statesman, January 4, 1896, p. 6

For more information contact Carole at cjhaas@msn.com.