The Just-Reid family is celebrating the Sesquicentennial Plus One of Nels and Emma Just settling in the Blackfoot River Valley near Blackfoot. We had planned to celebrate last year, but that got put on hold along with so much else when COVID hit.
In honor of Sesquicentennial Plus One, I’m devoting the Speaking of Idaho blog to my family’s history during August.
In honor of Sesquicentennial Plus One, I’m devoting the Speaking of Idaho blog to my family’s history during August.
Nels Just was elected in 1899 as one of Bingham County’s early commissioners. That was his only elected office, but he was involved in politics most of his life, attending several state Democratic conventions, and spending considerable time in Boise during legislative sessions.
Nels’ eldest son, James Just, was elected to the Idaho State Senate in 1934, serving through 1938. John Corlett, who wrote about politics for the Idaho Statesman for decades once told me that my grandfather, James Just, had a habit of putting his thumbs through his suspenders while speaking from the podium, and rocking back and forth on his feet. For this habit he was dubbed “Jumpin’ Jimmy Just” by reporters.
Both Nels and James Just were friends with Fred T. Dubois, who was a U.S. Senator from Idaho for many years. James also palled around a bit with Glenn Taylor, who served one term in the Senate from Idaho.
Rinda Just, my spouse served as a Boise city planning and zoning commissioner for ten years. I served for a time on that commission as well, and I’m currently running for the District 15 state senate seat. If elected I vow not to acquire a nickname for my antics on the floor of the senate. One Jumpin’ Jimmy is enough, though my first name is James. I go by my middle name.
Nels’ eldest son, James Just, was elected to the Idaho State Senate in 1934, serving through 1938. John Corlett, who wrote about politics for the Idaho Statesman for decades once told me that my grandfather, James Just, had a habit of putting his thumbs through his suspenders while speaking from the podium, and rocking back and forth on his feet. For this habit he was dubbed “Jumpin’ Jimmy Just” by reporters.
Both Nels and James Just were friends with Fred T. Dubois, who was a U.S. Senator from Idaho for many years. James also palled around a bit with Glenn Taylor, who served one term in the Senate from Idaho.
Rinda Just, my spouse served as a Boise city planning and zoning commissioner for ten years. I served for a time on that commission as well, and I’m currently running for the District 15 state senate seat. If elected I vow not to acquire a nickname for my antics on the floor of the senate. One Jumpin’ Jimmy is enough, though my first name is James. I go by my middle name.
Idaho State Senator James Just.
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