Boise Mayor. Lemp served as the Mayor of Boise, Idaho, from 1875 to 1876.

John Lemp - Boise Brewer and Builder
John Lemp was born April 21, 1838, in Neiderweisel, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He came to the United States in 1852, alone, at the ripe old age of 14. After landing in New York, he made his way to Louisville, Kentucky where he clerked in a store until 1859, when he headed west to the Colorado gold fields. Not finding much success there, he, and a group of prospectors, headed for the Idaho strikes. He arrived in Boise On July 8, 1863, one day after the town was surveyed and platted.
He mined for awhile in the Boise Basin, then returned to Boise and built a small brewery which became one of the largest producers in the territory, turning out 1200 barrels a year. He owned several saloons and had a hand in building many of the early business houses. In later years, Mr. Lemp invested heavily in ranch property and livestock. His ranch holdings, in both Ada and Canyon county's, included 5000 acres. In 1905, john was the proprietor of Lemp's dry goods store at 809 to 811 Main street; was proprietor of Boise brewery at 311 Main; and had a saloon at 621 Main. In addition to his real estate investments, Lemp had a large farm where he produced grain, fruit, and livestock. He became involved in the construction of the Settlers Canal in 1887 and owned the canal until 1901. He was also a major stockholder in the First National Bank of Idaho, of which he served as president of from 1882 to 1889. He also served as president of the Boise Rapid Transit Company. Lemp also served as mayor of Boise from 1874 to 1876, and was a city councilman for about twenty years. He was president of the Boise Turnverein Club and a strong supporter of the city's volunteer fire department.
John Lemp married Catherine Kohlhepp (or Kahlhapt) on May 7, 1865. She was also from Germany and had come to Boise with her parents in 1864. She died January 7, 1908, in Boise.
The Lemp's first home in Boise was on the east side of Ninth street, south of Grove street. In 1875 Lemp's moved into their new home at 507 Grove street (now a parking lot). They had thirteen children, including Emil, George, Elizabeth, Augusta, Ida, Ada, Albert, William, Edward, Herbert, Bernard, and Louise. John Lemp died July 18, 1912, in Boise.
(Founding Fathers of Boise, Hugh Hartman)
(History of Idaho Territory, W. W. Elliot)

Courtesy: Bob Hartman.