Submitted by William Yates:

"Amasa M. Rich. The mayor of Paris, Amasa M. Rich is a distinguished pioneer of this region and a native of California, being the son of an even more distinguished pioneer father. Since he was eight years of age, Amasa M. Rich has lived in Paris, which became his home in 1863. His father was one of that party which migrated to the Salt Lake locality in 1847, and was so prominent among early settlers of the West that special interest is found in the details of his career. Charles C. Rich was an apostle of the Mormon church. He was a native of Kentucky and after coming west he led the first colony that settled in San Bernardino, California. He again became a leader, in the same way, of the party of settlers which he brought to Paris, Idaho. Charles Rich was an agriculturist, specializing in stock farming and also conducting both grist mills and saw mills. He lived to the age of seventy-three in Paris, where his memory is still held in unusual honor. Mrs. Charles C. Rich, nee Mary Phelps, was a native of Pennsylvania and was married in Missouri. She reached the age of eighty-two, her life closing in Paris in 1911.

"When Charles C. Rich and his family were living in San Bernardino, California, the son was born who was named Amasa, and who has lived to fill a place of prominence among Idaho's citizens of wealth and influence. The date of his birth was October 25, 1856. While he was yet an infant his parents removed to Centerville, Utah, where they remained for seven or eight years. In 1864 they settled in Paris, Idaho, the final and permanent home of the family.

"Educated in the public schools of Paris and later in the State University of Utah at Salt Lake City, Amasa M. Rich grew up amid the pioneer conditions of this section. As a very young man he became interested in the cattle and stock business, and to that line of activity he has devoted his interests ever since that time. He has worked independently on his own property and with his own stock, except for two years which he spent as foreman of the ranch owned by H. S. Woolley. At another time he spent a period of two years on a mission for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. While thus engaged, he was in various parts of Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The rest of his time has been devoted to the interests of his stock and land, which have been developed to a remarkable degree of financial productivity.

"Mr. Rich has not only attained wealth in his chosen line, but he has also been useful in civic affairs for many years. He has served several terms as a member of the city council and for a half dozen years or more was a member of the school board of Paris. He has held the office of sheriff of Bear Lake county, that of assessor and that of deputy game warden. At present he serves with ability in the highest office that is in the gift of the city of Paris, Idaho. Mayor Rich is a Democrat in political affiliation and takes an active interest in all political affairs.

"Aside from his business and political responsibilities, Mr. Rich is occupied with social and domestic interests. He is a prominent member of the Commercial Club of Paris. His church affiliation is with the sect of Latter Day Saints. His home was founded on September 30, 1880, on which date he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jacobs, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Haines Jacobs of St. Charles, Idaho. The children of Amasa and Mary Rich were seven in number, six of whom were boys and one a girl. The eldest, Amasa Marion, is now deceased. Errol has also passed from this life. Daniel C. Rich is now one of the married residents of Paris, where he is engaged in the duties and responsibilities of the pedagogical profession. Miss Myrtle Rich lives at home and is occupied with professional interests as a music teacher. The younger members of the family are Charles O'Niel Rich, Spencer Haines Rich and Reed Jacob Rich. The Rich family comprise a conspicuous and influential element of the citizenship of Paris". [History of Idaho: a Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress..., Volume 3 by Hiram Taylor French (1914)]