EDWIN DOUST was well known, highly respected and recognized as one of the capable business men and substantial agriculturists of Kootenai County, where he wrought as a millwright and contractor in addition to laboring on his fine farm.

Edwin Doust was born in Onondaga County, New York, on January 12, 1850, being the son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Heath) Doust, natives of England. They came to this country in 1845, farmed eight years in New York where Edwin was born, then returned to England to look after an estate and there died in 1873[1878]. Edwin was educated in this country and in England and at the age of thirteen he shipped on the Paraguay as ship carpenter and did faithful duty for six years. On April 26, 1869, he landed in New York and went thence to Syracuse to visit a brother. Two years were spent there and he married during this time. In 1872 he went to St. Louis and for five years labored at his trade there. In 1877 he went to Leadville, Colorado, and mined and built mills until 1883. Then he came to the Coeur d'Alene country and soon returned to Leadville, whence he traveled in Mexico and in 1887 came to Washington. A year later he returned to Colorado and in the fall of 1889 he came to Idaho and since that time he has remained here.

Mr. Doust was a Republican and was appointed deputy sheriff of Kootenai County in 1891, under W. J. McClure, Democrat, and two years later he was reappointed by John J. Costelo, Democrat, serving two years each time. At the end of this service he was appointed by W. Ryan, Republican, and served two years. He then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This was raw land when he look it and he built a fine house and other buildings and improved it so it was one of the handsomest places in this section. In 1900 Mr. Doust was nominated for sheriff of the county against Charles Dyer, Democrat and Fusionists, and he was defeated, and since that time he has given strict attention to his business. In September 1901, he went to Oregon and built a twenty-five stamp mill, returning in February 1902.

In 1871 Mr. Doust married Mrs. Martha Oger, widow of James Oger and daughter of Hezekiah and Mary McConnell, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Doust had two children by her former husband, James D. and D.[David] W.

Mr. Doust had the distinction of boarding the Kearsarge three days before she sunk the Alabama. He was shipwrecked in 1868 in the German Ocean and the same year he assisted to save the crew of a German ship which had foundered at sea and for this brave act he carries a silver medal presented by the German government.

1903 "An Illustrated History of North Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho"

History of settlers as well as Indians in the northern counties of Idaho including extensive biographical sketches of prominent citizens

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