Statement by Sara
Margaret
Cobb Ailshie was born into prosperity, her father was a newspaper publisher in
Chicago and he moved the family to Boise when Margaret was only six. Ailshie
began publishing the Idaho Statesman in 1928 after her father’s death and grew
the publication substantially, merging it with the Boise Capitol in 1942.
She remained the sole publisher for 31 years. Along with the paper she created
an empire, establishing a large department store and spearheading numerous
community projects. Julia Davis Park and Bronco Stadium got their start through
her efforts and she was involved in numerous community efforts. I have chosen
to focus my print on her because I was inspired by her spirit and influence
during a male dominated time. She was very influential and became a pillar in
Boise society ausing her money and power to change Boise for the better and
create a city we a proud to live in.
Wonderful choice Sara! I am 2nd cousins 3 times removed from Margaret. I've been doing family research for 11 yrs. and enjoy reading about this fabulous line! Her father, Calvin, owned a bookstore in Chicago which he inherited from his father, Lucius M. Cobb, called Cobb's Library (fyi); that I haven't seen correctly recognized in any Idaho online history articles yet.
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