An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 119

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Washington > Kittitas County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 119
USA > Washington > Yakima County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 119
USA > Washington > Klickitat County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 119

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

Allen and Mrs. Medora Snyder. Fraternally, Mr. Cole is affiliated with the Masons, and in politics, he is a Republican, quite prominent in municipal af- fairs. In the fall of 1890, he was elected to the office of commissioner of the First district for a term of two years. At present he is acting as road supervisor, in the duties of which office, as in all other matters, he is displaying skill, good judg- ment and the ability to do the right thing at the right time.

GUY G. CROW is the affable and efficient druggist of White Salmon, Washington, and a westerner by birth and preference. He was born in Waitsburg, Washington, January 7, 1882, and is the son of Wayman and Nancy (McCoy) Crow, who were among the pioneers of the Northwest. Wayman Crow was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1850. In an early day he came west to Idaho, where he filed on a claim not far from Kendrick, on the Potlatch river. To say that this country was then unsettled by white men would be expressing the matter very mildly, in view of the conditions then existing. Indians were the only neighbors the few white settlers had, and their crooked trails were the sole avenues of travel. After farming his claim on the Potlatch for several years, Mr. Crow moved to Waitsburg. This was in 1882. He lived in Waitsburg for a few months only, how- ever, then returned to his farm in Idaho, where he resided until the time of his death. Nancy McCoy Crow died when Guy G. was but ten years old. hence he remembers but little of her. Thus left motherless, Guy lived with his uncle, Jacob Taylor, for several years, afterward going to Hood River, Oregon, where he worked as delivery boy in the store owned by C. M. Wolfard, another uncle. Later. when Mr. Wolfard established his mercantile con- cern at White Salmon, Guy accompanied him, as a clerk, and in this capacity remained until 1903. Then, in partnership with Dr. Gearhart, he opened a drug store in White Salmon, and this is his present business. Now, however, he owns the entire busi- ness, having bought his partner's interest soon after the partnership was formed. Mr. Crow has two sisters and one brother : Lydia, Virgia and Roy, all residing in White Salmon, and all of them western- ers by birth. Fraternally, Mr. Crow is an Odd Fel- low, a Modern Woodman and an Artisan. He is independent in politics, always giving his support to whatever issue is the most worthy, regardless of party lines. Mr. Crow and Miss Ethel I. Johnston were married at White Salmon, June 1, 1904. The bride is the daughter of George and Victoria (Woods) Johnston, the former of whom died when Mrs. Crow was but a year old, and the latter of whom is now Mrs. William McCoy, of White Sal- mon. Mr. Johnston was a native of Rego county, Iowa, where his death occurred, and was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Johnston was born in Indiana.

Ethel (Johnston) Crow is a native of Ringgold county, Iowa, born January 11, 1883. When four years old she was brought by her mother to Oregon, and in that state her school education was begun. She attended high school in Seattle, Washington, and previous to her marriage taught three terms. Mr. Crow is one of the successful and popular young men of the county.

RALEIGH ADAMS is engaged in the dual voca- tion of fruit raising and the real estate business, his home being half a mile west of White Salmon. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, May 2, 1870, the son of Henry B. and Luvenia (Hunter) Adams, both of whom are now residing at Keystone, Indi- ana. The elder Adams was a native of Ohio, born in 1806. Grandfather Adams was in Ohio not long after the close of the Revolution, the state then being, as Daniel Webster afterward said of Oregon, "a wilderness infested with wild animals and wilder men." He was killed in the War of 1812. Luvenia (Hunter) Adams was born in Yellow Bud, Ohio, in 1816. She was of German parentage, and her hus- band of English. The subject of this review grew to young manhood on the old farm in Ohio, dur- ing boyhood receiving such education as was avail- able in the common schools to which he had access. He left the parental roof when nineteen years of age, going to Green county, Pennsylvania, where he farmed for six years. Then he returned to his native state, and, after a few years spent there, came west, arriving at his objective point, White Salmon, May 12, 1893. During the journey he had charge of a carload of Jersey cattle for Judge Byrkitt, a prominent stockman of Klickitat county, by whom he was employed for three years after his arrival. In 1900, he decided to establish a home and business of his own, and accordingly began clearing and de- veloping the farm which he occupies at present. Such of the land as is now cleared is set out in apple and cherry trees and strawberries.

On June 10, 1894, Mr. Adams married Miss Marion Overbaugh, the ceremony taking place at The Dalles, Oregon. Miss Overbaugh was born in New York state, in 1874, and is the danghter of James W. Overbaugh, also a native of New York, born in 1826. The mother died many years ago, when Marion was a child. J. W. Overbaugh came west to California in 1877, and later to White Sal- mon, where he is at present living. Five children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Adams : Luella Mary, William Henry, Jesse and Andrew, twins, and Edward, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are both members of the United Artisans. In politics, Mr. Adams is a Re- publican, though not to the extent of being prej- udiced in municipal politics or in any line except where national issues are in contest. In the latter instances he adheres strictly to the Republican plat- form. Both he and his wife are strong advocates

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of good schools, and are ever ready to lend support to whatever improvements may be introduced.

JOHN PERRY is a pioneer stockman and rancher, residing four miles northeast of Pine Flat postoffice and thirteen miles northeast of White Salmon, in Klickitat county. He was born in Oswego county, New York, March 4, 1841, the son of George and Ann (Gravely) Perry, both of English descent. George Perry was a mer- chant. He was born in England in 1808, and came to the United States when twelve years old. Our subject's mother was born in St. Lawrence county, New York. John remained under the paternal roof in New York state till he was thir- teen years of age, then struck out to rustle for himself. He first went to Gardner's Island in Lake Ontario, and there had a chance to join the navy, but he disregarded the opportunity. Raft- ing on the Mississippi river suited him very well, however, so he engaged in this work for a time, then proceeded to Galveston, Texas, where he was at the beginning of the Civil war. About this time John concluded he could serve his country as well were he a thousand miles farther west. Accordingly, he put to sea on a ship under the command of one Captain Smith, and after hair- raising experiences in blockade running fully worthy of Captain John Smith of colonial fame, the ship made the journey around Cape Horn and landed at Portland in 1862. From Portland Mr. Perry made his way to the gold-producing sec- tions of California, and after a survey of the coun- try in which he saw nothing that suited him especially well that was within his reach he went to The Dalles, Oregon. He arrived at this place in 1866, and in the same year came to Klickitat county. For some time after arrival he worked at farming and in the timber, but in 1870 he filed on his present piace. The manner in which he came to choose his present location is worthy of note. A boat that capsized on the Columbia river emptied its occupant, James Cook, into the water. Cook would have drowned had he not been res- cued by Mr. Perry. After the rescue he and Cook were hunting together one day, and came upon the tract of land which Mr. Perry then and there decided he would make his future home. Mr. Cook is at present residing in North Yakima. In the development of his land into a crop-bearing farm Mr. Perry suffered, if anything, more than the usual number of hard experiences that fall to the lot of homeseekers in a new country. The Indians were his chief annoyance, but he also suf- fered for lack of fences to protect his crops. How- ever, by administering a sound trouncing to all Siwashes who dared to encroach upon his rights, and preserving a strict surveillance over his fields, he managed to get along very well. He has fol-

lowed stock raising principally-both sheep and cattle-since being in Klickitat county.

In 1874 Mr. Perry married Miss Julia Crate, a woman of French and Indian parentage. Her Indian blood she derives from the Wasco tribe through her mother, and French from her father. Children born to this marriage are John, Edward, William, Daniel, Mrs. Rosa Shellenberg and Mary. In politics Mr. Perry is a Democrat, but has no aspirations in the field of politics other than those of an every-day, law-abiding citizen. He bears a good reputation wherever known.

WILLIAM H. OVERBAUGH lives one mile west of White Salmon, his occupation being that of a fruit grower. He was born in Catskill, New York, April 15, 1863, the son of James W. and Ella F. (Comifort) Överbaugh, the latter now de- ceased, and the former now residing on his farnı near White Salmon. The eider Overbaugh was born in 1828 in Westcamp, New York, on the Hudson river. When a young man he went west to Wisconsin, which was then considered far west by the Atlantic coast people. Later, however, he returned to New York, not finding pioneer Wis- consin greatly to his liking. In 1873 he made another trip westward, this time going to Califor- nia. After spending two years in divers occupa- tions in California, he went to Oregon, where he lived two years near the Cascade locks. His final move was to Klickitat county in 1879, where, upon ·arrival, he filed upon the homestead near White Salmon where he is living at present. He is of German descent. Ella F. Comifort was born in Catskill, New York, as was her son, William H. She died at the White Salmon home sixteen years ago. Her parents were English. William H. Overbaugh grew to manhood and acquired an education in different portions of the United States : New York, California, Oregon and Klick- itat county. At the age of twenty-one, he left the paternal roof and from then until 1895 he worked in various sawmills much of the time. In the year mentioned he filed on a homestead which was his home during the next eight years. The fruit farm of forty acres on which he now lives. however, is a gift from his father.

On May 16, 1888, Mr. Overbaugh married Miss Loreta Dawson, a native of Kansas, born May 15, 1871. Mrs. Overbaugh does not remem- ber her father, he having died when she was an infant. The mother, Serena Osborne Dawson, was born in North Carolina, in which she grew to womanhood and was married. She is at present making her home with her daughter and son-in- law, the latter of whom is the subject of this biography. Mr. and Mrs. Overbaugh are the par- ents of six children: Bert C., Ethna C., Robert, Hazel, Mildred and Doris, all of whom were born at the home near White Salmon. Mr. Over-

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baugh's fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, the Artisans and the Grange. In religion, he is a Methodist. He is one of the many resi- dents in this part of Klickitat county who are devoting attention to the raising of fruit, berries, etc., and in this enterprise he is winning deserved success. The farms in this locality are not, as a rule, very large, but it is noticeable how extremely well kept they are. Each small ranchman seems to vie with his neighbor in keeping his property up in the best possible condition, this spirit un- doubtedly being more characteristic of fruit rais- ers than of any other class of agriculturists.

· NATHON M. WOOD, a prosperous fruit- grower residing two miles north of White Sal- mon, was born in Crawford county, Indiana, April 19, 1831, the son of Lewis B. and Mira ( Hall) Wood, both now deceased. Lewis B. Wood was born in Kentucky, and after reaching manhood went to Indiana, a state then in the earliest stages of settlement. His death occurred there in 1864. Mary (Hall) Wood, mother of Nathon M., was also a native of Kentucky, in which state she grew to womanhood. Her marriage to Mr. Wood, the elder, occurred in Kentucky, after which she,

with her husband, went to Indiana, there residing till the time of her death.

Nathon M., the subject of this review, received his education in the common schools of Indiana. When twenty-one years of age he accompanied his parents to Kentucky, where for two years he was engaged at the carpenter trade, and later conducted a butcher shop in Cloverport. After two years spent in the butcher shop he sold out and returned to Indiana, where, for the twelve years following, he farmed. From Indiana he went to Illinois, in which state he farmed for seven years, after which, in 1885, he came west, his objective point being Klickitat county. The year after his arrival he filed on his present farm, which, since the time of filing, he has resided upon continu- ously.

Mr. Wood was married in Crawford county, Indiana, April 5, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Sheck- ells, the daughter of Silas and Elizabeth (Walker) Sheckells. Silas Sheckells was born in Kentucky, and after attaining his majority followed farming there. He moved from his native state to Indiana, where he resided till the time of his death. Eliza- beth (Walker) Sheckells was born in the Hoosier state and lived there till her death. Her parents were among the earliest pioneers of Indiana. Mrs. Wood was born October 17, 1835. During girl- hood she received a common school education in her native state, and at the age of twenty-one she married Mr. Wood. The children born to this union are Mrs. Maggie Cooper, in Indiana, June 22, 1862, now residing near Tacoma; Mrs. Vic- toria E. McCoy, born June 23, 1864, in Indiana,

now residing near White Salmon; John M., in Il- linois, now living in Iowa; Silas and Ellen, de- ceased at the ages of three and two, respectively. Fraternally, Mr. Wood is affiliated with the Odd Fellows, and in religion, he adheres to the Chris- tian church. He has been a stanch Republican ever since he reached the age at which he began to understand politics, and his first vote was cast for General Winfield Scott, then a nominee for the presidency. During 1864 he served in the Union army. After retirement from the service he acted as city marshal in the town of Alton, Indiana. Mr. Wood's property interests comprise one hundred and sixty acres of land with the stock, buildings and machinery upon it. Thirty acres of the land is under cultivation, fifteen acres of the cultivated tract being set out to orchard and one and one-half acres to strawberries. He is one of the most worthy citizens of Klickitat county, highly respected wherever known, and commonly called "a fine old man."

MORDECAI JONES is a popular citizen of Klickitat county, residing at "Hunter's Hill," near Husum postoffice, eleven miles north of White Salmon. He was born in Brecon, Wales, September 17, 1865, and was the only son of Mor- decai and Margaret (Price) Jones, both of whom are now deceased. The elder Jones was magis- trate in his native county for some forty years, and in addition performed other public duties in - volving equal responsibility, at one time being so- licited to enter parliament, but absolutely refusing to do so. He died in 1880, having spent the greater part of his life in public service. Margaret (Price) Jones was born in Wales in 1824, and died in 1885, her entire life-time having been spent in the land of her nativity. Her mother was a direct descendant of King Prydach, a ruler fa- mous in the history of Wales. Mordecai grew to the age of eighteen in Wales, receiving an excel- lent education at Christ College, Brecon, which was calculated to fit him for service in the army. When he was eighteen his mother died, after which he decided to renounce the military career open to him and come to the United States. Being in pos- session of means he did not find it necessary to engage in business in America, but gave himself to the pursuit of pleasure. For five years follow- ing his arrival he hunted continually. His hunt- ing expeditions led him from Montana to the Pa- cific coast, and thence into British Columbia, where he spent some time on the Canoe river. Discontinuing this pastime he returned to Eng- land, where for several years he was busily en- gaged in making disposal of property, the care of which devolved upon him. After effecting adjust- ment of these affairs he was prevailed upon to enter the army. Thus it happened that, in spite of the decision of his youth not to mingle in mili-

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tary affairs, he experienced six years of service with the First South Wales Border Volunteer Battalion, receiving a commission as an officer, and at the time of discharge being captain. Im- mediately upon his release from service he re- turned to the United States, arriving in October, 1896. Though his predilection for hunting was as strong as ever, he did not this time engage in the pastime on quite so large a scale as formerly, but purchasing his present farm, he immediately began to get it into shape for cultivation. He now has fifty acres cleared, and a fine apple orchard set out, the fruit being of the valued commercial varieties.

Mr. Jones was married, November 23, 1892, to Miss Gwennllian Price, residing at the time of marriage in Wales. She was born in Wales in 1863, the daughter of Rev. John Price, a clergy- man of the Church of England, and Harrett (Parry) Price. The father was born in 1836 and is still living, being at present the rector of Llan- veigan parish. He traces his ancestry as far back as the fifteenth century, several of his progenitors being persons well known in the history of Eng- land and Wales. Harrett Price, the mother, was born in 1846, and is living today. Children that have been born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are Ion, born November 23, 1893; Felix Temple, April 9, 1895; Guy G., July 31, 1896. Fraternally, Mr. Jones is affiliated with the Ma- sons, and in religion with the Church of England. He is somewhat independent in politics, usually granting his influence to that cause which he deems most worthy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones are naturalized citizens of the United States, Mrs. Jones being the first woman to take out naturali- zation papers at The Dalles, Oregon. Though a farnier and horticulturist, Mr. Jones is a hunter as well, never having in the least relinquished his preference for this pastime. He keeps a kennel of hounds, and is always on hand when a hunt is projected. Mrs. Jones is a marksman of no mean ability, and has personally slain two bears. Her husband has a little the best of her on this score, however, he having killed one hundred and forty-three.

CHRISTIAN GULER is a genial native of Switzerland at present keeping a summer resort and hotel at Trout Lake, Klickitat county. He was born in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland, at the foot of the famous Glacier Silvretta, March 3, 1866, the son of Christian and Margarita Guler, both of whom are now deceased. The elder Guler was born in 1819 in the little hamlet of Klosters, which nestles amid a world of mighty peaks four thousand feet above the level of the sea. He was a harness-maker and farmer from early manhood till the time of his death in 1886, and spent his entire life-time in Switzerland. The Guler family

is descended from a line of noblemen who were among the foremost fighters in the numerous wars incident to the forming of the nations, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, into independ- ent governments as they are today, their greatest achievements being in the strenuous conflict which resulted in the freeing of Switzerland from the dominion of Austria. During the thirteenth century the Gulers were Italians, really, since Italy was the land of their nativity, but after this date, they became identified with Switzerland, and in the course of several generations became thor- oughly Swiss. Margarita. Guler was born in Switzerland in 1825, and died in 1875, she too living all her life-time in Switzerland. When nine- teen years of age Christian decided to come to the United States. By this time he had learned the harness-making trade from his father. In Wi- nona, Minnesota, the point where he first stopped after arriving in the United States, he was em- ployed for two and a half years in a sash and door factory, also working part of the time in a black- smith shop. Next, he determined to come west. In La Grande, Oregon, he accepted employment in a logging camp, but shortly afterward he went to Seattle, where he was seized with an illness which caused him to be confined in the hospital for seven weeks. After recovery he proceeded to The Dalles, Oregon, where one of his brothers lived, and the two decided to take up homesteads. The homestead on which Christian Guler filed was in Bear Valley. Here he "bached" for four months, during the time possibly underging more hardships than are usual to the lot of celibates. There were no roads, and he was obliged to pack all his supplies; neighbors were few, and lived too far distant to be of benefit socially ; however, Mr. Guler "toughed it ont," the required four months. Then he returned to The Dalles, where he was employed for a year in the machine shops, then returning to his farm, taking with him his newly wedded wife. The first winter of their residence at the new home was fraught with trials sufficient to prove the mettle of the bravest. Potatoes and flour were the chief articles of diet; torches were used for lighting the humble cottage at night; Mr. Guler was obliged to deny himself the luxury of even an occasional pipeful of tobacco, and for months they did not have money enough to pur- chase postage stamps for letters. Common sense and determination prevailed over all adversities, however, and now Mr. Guler and his wife are in position to speak jokingly of these days of priva- tion and want. In 1896 the settlers succeeded in having a mail route established to White Salmon, and Mr. Guler got the first contract of mail-carry- ing, also taking charge of the first stage line that touched this point. Winter and summer he was obliged to leave home before five in the morning in order to make the arduous journey as mail car- rier, but as ever he was persevering. During the

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time of his service as mail carrier and stage driver Trout Lake and vicinity became popular as a re- sort for those desiring to hunt and fish. Mr. Guler saw his opportunity. First by renting and later by purchase he acquired property on Trout Lake, which he has since developed into the popular summer resort it is at present. The property in question was first owned by Peter Stoller, who filed on it some twenty-five years ago, this filing being the first recorded in the Trout Lake local- ity. Stoller was a Swiss, not inclined toward the summer-resort business. Since acquiring the property, Mr. Guler has erected a commodious hotel upon it, and in many other ways made the place attractive, till at present his hotel is reputed to be by far the most popular resort of the kind in Klickitat county. The brothers of Mr. Guler are Leonard, now a guide in Switzerland; Anton, residing at present in Portland. He has a sister, Burge, who is living in Switzerland. His wife, before her marriage, July 11, 1889, was Miss Phil- omena Hammel, who was born in the western part of Switzerland in the canton of Soloturn, July 5, 1868. When eleven years of age she came to the United States with her parents, settling in Minnesota. Later she moved to The Dalles, Ore- gon, where she married Mr. Guler. One child, Margaret, has been born to this marriage. Fra- ternally, Mr. Guler is affiliated with the Masons, and in politics is independent. He is at present justice of the peace at Trout Lake, and can be re- lied upon for strict justice in his decisions.

JAMES F. BLEW is a favorably reputed mer- chant of Trout Lake, Washington. He was born in Princeton county, Missouri, June 15, 1856, the son of Alfred and Isabella (England) Blew, the former deceased, the latter at present residing at Junction City, Oregon. Alfred Blew was a native of Missouri, born February 8, 1827, his parents being among the earliest pioneers of Missouri. In 1862 he crossed the Plains to Oregon, settling in Lane county. After spending several years on a farm there, he went to Umatilla, where he engaged in the sheep business. His death occurred Febru- ary 18, 1901. He was of Scotch-Irish parentage. Isabella (England) Blew was born in Tennessee, November 17, 1827, and as above noted, is still living.

James F. crossed the Plains with his parents in 1862, he at that time being six years of age. In Lane county, where the family settled, he spent the earlier years of his boyhood, during the time receiving a very good education in the schools near his home and in a business college of Port- land. After completing his education, he was en- gaged, with his father in the stock business until 1887. at which time he accepted employment in a store as clerk. This was in Umatilla county. In 1897 he came to Glenwood, this county, where he

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An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 119

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146