Clifford Wayne England, was born at Kendrick, Idaho, on April 26, 1923 to LeRoy and Mable

(Kimberling)England. Wayne's earlier school years started in Princeton and Moscow, Idaho. In the Spring of 1931, Wayne came into Salmon City, Idaho as the only passenger on the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad. Wayne's parents and Sisters had arrived in Lemhi County the year before. Wayne was unable to travel with them because he was in Shiner's Hospital in Spokane, Washington for over a year having surgery and grafting on his left leg and foot which was badly crippled from Polio.

The England family settled in the North Fork area on the upper end of the Ted Slavin Ranch. The England family lived there for over two years when Mr. England had an opportunity to homestead a place on the Salmon River at Hale Gulch. It was here that Wayne, his brothers and sisters, grew up and lived through the remainder of the depression years. Times were hard and there was little food and so many mouths to feed, fourteen children–seven girls and seven boys. Wayne being the second oldest, had lots of responsibility fall on him to help his parents. He and a sister would cut wood with a cross-cut saw, haul it across the river on a cable car, split and stack it to sell for $5.00 a cord. They would also hunt game to help feed the family. Summers were a little better as the family raised a large garden, hauling water from the river to water it.

Entertainment through those hard times were the Saturday night dances held at the school houses in Shoup and Gibbonsville, usually lasting into the early morning hours. Cold weather did not seem to keep the families from coming. Wayne attended several schools in the area, Spring Creek, Hull Creek, Gibbonsville and Indian Creek. He completed the 8th grade in Shoup

In the early 1940's the England family left the river home and moved to the North Fork area as it was easier for the children to go to the school by bus. Wayne joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's) to help build roads and trails down the Salmon River. It was during this time that he learned carpentry and welding skills that served him the rest of his life. At this time Wayne left Lemhi County to go to Portland, Oregon to work in the shipyards during World War II. Wayne then returned to North Fork and purchased the Bartle homestead. Wayne gave his parents half of this acreage with the house and kept the rest for himself.

In 1944 Wayne met Margarette McCorvey and they were married in Vancouver, Washington, on Aug.14, 1944. The first summer they manned West Horse Lookout for the Forest Service. They returned to the North Fork property and built their home. It was here that they raised their three children, Waynette, Gary and Michael. All three graduated from Salmon High School.

In 1945 Wayne and Margarette started their Outfitting and Guide Services. Wayne excelled at taking hunters and fishermen on pack and float trips that were unparalleled adventures of a lifetime. They remained in this business for nearly thirty years. Wayne helped to develop the first jet boat to run the wild rivers of North America. He worked alongside Ralph Rhoda, the main engineer for Berkeley Pump Company. He perfected the Berkeley Jet Drive propulsion system for the Berkeley Pump Company. He held a U.S. Patent for that work. Wayne also ran the North Fork of the Clearwater during the construction of the Dworshak Dam. This feat involved clearing acres of alpine timber and ferrying them down the river (the last log ride), which was very dangerous and life threatening.

Wayne also held a contract with the US National Geodetic Survey to map and survey the wilderness from Corn Creek down to Riggins. Frank Lantz was one of many that he worked alongside to accomplish this task. He always broke and trained his own horses and mules. At one time he ran over 200 head with skill. He could shoe an average of 20 head of mules/horses per day. Wayne built his own pack and riding saddles.

During the "off season" Wayne helped run his family's sawmill at North Fork in conjunction with his sons. The timber industry ran like sawdust in their veins. In his Golden Years he enjoyed raising his Simmental cattle on his place at North Fork. He also built silver bits and spurs that he sold and gave away to friends.

Wayne had many memories of Lemhi County's old days. He was fortunate to have lived to see so many changes, not only in Lemhi County but also the world. He had an amazing memory and could recite all the old timers names and the properties they owned. He was well known for saying, " You go that way and I'll go this way and meet over there on the hogback ridge".

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Margarette L. England in 2005; his grandson, Zaak Campros and several siblings. Out of 14 children the last two surviving are

Marvin(Butch) England and Linda England Conklin. Survivors include daughter Waynette Campros (John deceased), Gary England (Polly) and Michael England(Esther). Granddaughters Kathy Swanzy (Chris), Meg Niple (Jim), Katie Johnson(Gust) and grandsons Lewis England and Raymond England (Christine). There are numerous surviving nieces and nephews. He also has 3 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on his 100th birthday, April 26, 2023 in the Gibbonsville Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. then a potluck and story telling time will be at the North Fork Fire House at 2:00 p.m. All family, friends and "old timers" welcome.
Contributor: Glynn Myers (47198077) • [email protected]