An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 91

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 91
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 91
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 91

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

In 1889 he came to Washington and took up a pre- emption claim in Cedar valley, but later he sold his improvements, and relinquished it, having previous- ly purchased his present place, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted himself con- tinuously since. He practices diversified farming, always keeping some stock, especially hogs.

Mr. Mesecher was married in Missouri, March 25, 1888, the lady being Miss Alice J. Stith, a na- tive of Jasper county, born in 1869. Her father, H. B. Stith, at present resides near Goldendale, but her mother died in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Mese- cher have had eight children, Amos A. and Alice, the youngest, being now deceased. Bertha is the oldest child; the other children are Charles, Dacy, Rebo, and Harry and Paul, twins. Mr. Mesecher has two brothers, Hartwell E., residing in Cedar valley, and Charles W. Fraternally, Mr. Mesecher is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and in politics, he is a Republican. A public spirited man, he has discharged faithfully the duties which have devolved upon him as a citizen, having served as road supervisor, and being at present a member of the school board. He is a vigorous advocate of everything tending to increase the efficiency of the public school system. His standing in the com- munity is an enviable one, he being regarded by his neighbors as a man of integrity, honor and up- rightness.

JAMES W. JACKSON is a well-established and widely known farmer and stockman residing five miles west of Goldendale, Washington. He is a North Carolinian, born in Davidson county, near Thomasville, April 20, 1841. His father, Solomon Jackson, born in the same county and state, in 1808, was of English parentage. William Jackson, the father of Solomon and grandfather of James W., of this biography, fought in the Revolutionary war, and died many years ago in North Carolina. The mother of James W. was Sarah (Osborn) Jackson, a native of North Carolina, born in 1823. She was of Scotch-English descent.

James W. grew to young manhood on the North Carolina farm. He received his education in the common schools, but owing to the many reverses to which he and his parents were subjected during his youth, his schooling was insufficient. When the Civil war broke out his people were of pronounced Union sentiments and feared not to uphold their views. Though but twenty he refused to yield to the Secessionist demands, and fought a duel with an officer of the Confederate army, in which shots were exchanged and the officer severely wounded. For his impetuosity James was imprisoned and ordered to be shot, but, fortunately, managed to escape. During the time of his imprisonment he was compelled to work for eighteen months in a paper factory. In 1866 he started afoot from North Carolina to Tennessee with a dollar and a half in

his pocket and the clothing he wore his sole posses- sions. He tarried but a short time in Tennessee, proceeding thence to Kentucky, where he stayed for two years. He then spent a short time in Indi- ana and Missouri, each, and then, in 1871, came west to Oregon, settling in Clackamas county, where he stayed for three years. His final move was to Klickitat county in 1874, and, upon his arrival, he found only three buildings in what is now the pros- perous town of Goldendale. He immediately took up land on Spring creek, but later his filing was canceled. He then bought a four hundred acre tract known as the Crevling place. This property he improved, and in 1882 sold to Mr. Crevling, the former owner. After the sale he visited for a year in the east, and in 1883 returned to Klickitat county and took up land in Horseshoe Bend. In addition to acquiring a pre-emption, a homestead, and a timber claim by filing, he purchased six hun- dred and forty acres of railroad land, which prop- erty he improved and built upon till the spring of 1903, when he sold out and purchased his present place. This farm he is making into one of the finest in his community.

Mr. Jackson was married June 15, 1882, in North Carolina, to Miss Ruth E. Pope, a native of Davidson county, that state, born in 1855. Miss Pope was the daughter of Elijah Pope, also of North Carolina, born in 1836. He served in the army during the early years of the Civil war, but died in 1864, near its close. The mother was Nan- cy (Kennedy) Pope, who was born in North Caro- lina in 1837. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jack- son are three, Earl Branson, Bessie and William Carlos. Both parents are members of the Baptist church. By election as the candidate of the Repub- lican party, Mr. Jackson has served two terms as sheep inspector ; he has been school clerk of his district for twelve years, and has had eight years of service as road supervisor. He is prominent in the politics of his county, always attending the conventions, and taking an active interest. He owns the place he now occupies, and this, with other property interests and his unimpeachable standing as a citizen, gives him an enviable position in his community. Though claiming no literary talent, he has written a number of very interesting papers on his experiences during the war, and considering the nature of his experiences, the papers have proved most worthy of publication. Mr. Jackson's life during the war, and at times since, has been stren- uons and stormy, but he now rejoices in being able to live more peaceably.

ANTHONY B. COURTWAY, a large prop- erty and sheep owner of Klickitat countv, at pres- ent engaged in the livery business in Goldendale, was born in Essex county, Canada, June 26, 1857. Francis X. Courtway, his father, was likewise born in Canada, in 1834, and was of French and German

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

descent. He left Canada in 1861 and went to Cal- ifornia ; after a two years' residence in the Golden state, he once more crossed the line to his home. Returning to the United States in 1880, he settled in Klickitat county, but at present he makes his home in Chelan county, Washington. His wife, whose maiden name was Judick Gilboe, was born in Canada, in 1832, to French parents, and passed away in 1873. The subject of this review moved to Pontiac, Michigan, with his parents at the age of ten and received a common school education in that city. He spoke nothing but French at that time, but was an apt pupil and soon learned the language and customs of this country. He started out to make his own living two years later, work- ing first in a boot and shoe store and later with a grocery firm. In 1875 he came west to California, where he farmed four years, coming then to Klicki- tat county. After farming a piece of school land for three years, he secured a farm some twenty-two miles southeast of Goldendale, in the Goodnoe Hills, of which he is still the owner. He resided on the property from 1884 to 1903, engaged in raising cattle and horses, and in general agricul- ture. He had unlimited range for stock ; the bunch- grass was plenteous and he made money. In 1903 he moved into the city and traded a half interest in his band of 3,000 sheep to Oscar Vanhoy for a livery barn, which he still conducts; he also ex- changed his cattle for some Goldendale property, which he still owns. He has been in the sheep business only a short time.

In Klickitat county, in 1885, Mr. Courtway mar- ried Miss Addie Venable, a native of the county, born in 1864, the daughter of Francis M. Venable, one of the earliest pioneers of the county. Her father crossed the Plains to the Willamette valley in the earliest days and came to Klickitat county at the time of the first settlement. He was engaged in the cattle business and suffered heavy losses during the severe winter of 1861-2. At present he resides in Sherman county, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Courtway have a family of seven children, namely, Amelia May, Anna Eva, Lillie Irene, Ruth, Naoma Jane, Isabel Lucile, and Anthony B. Mr. Court- way has a brother, Francis, living at Sand Point, Idaho, and another brother, Albert N., in Wenat- chee, while his sisters, Mrs. Amelia McKillip and Mrs. Lizzie Taylor, live near and in Goldendale, and another sister, Mrs. Annie Williams, makes her home in Silver City, in the Okanogan district. Fra- ternally, Mr. Courtway is connected with the Ma- sons, the K. of P., the A. O. U. W., the Woodmen of the World and the Grange. Though a Socialist, he was in 1896 the candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of sheriff, but with the rest of the party suffered defeat. Besides his livery busi- ness and half interest in a band of 3,000 sheep, he owns a modern residence and 1,545 acres of land. His farm is well improved, about 550 acres of it being cultivated, and the rest devoted to the pastur-

ing of his horses and cattle. Certainly few in cen- tral Washington, where material success is usually found to await the man who seeks it earnestly, are more worthy of congratulation for industrial achievements than Mr. Courtway, and the value of his wealth is enhanced by the fact that it was won without sacrifice of integrity or of the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

ERNEST O. SPOON, deputy auditor of Klickitat county, a member of the firm of Smith & Spoon, abstracters, and one of the county's pop- ular young men, was born in Plumas county, Cali- fornia, September 24, 1872. He is, therefore, a Westerner by birth as well as by rearing. His parents are Abram J. and Josephine (Alexander) Spoon, natives of New York and Missouri respect- ively. They now live in Bickleton. Mr. Spoon is at present county commissioner of the third dis- trict. Ernest O., who is one of three children, was nine years old when his parents settled on the prai- rie near Bickleton. He attended the public schools and assisted his father until eighteen years of age, when he commenced teaching school. His first school was at Oak Flat, on Rock creek. For eight years he followed this profession (with the excep- tion of six months spent in a business college at Portland), teaching at various points throughout this section of the state. However, in September, 1899, he entered the auditor's office under James W. Butler and served as deputy until Mr. Butler's death, March 29, 1902. He was then appointed au- ditor to fill the unexpired term, a trust that he ful- filled with credit. In 1902, at the request of the new auditor, Mr. Spoon remained in the office as deputy and he is responsible in no small degree for the splendid record Auditor Smith is making. Roy M. Spoon, a brother, resides at Bickleton ; also a sister, Mrs. Alice Mabel Flower.

In Goldendale, October 17, 1900, Mr. Spoon married Miss Mary L. Allvn, a daughter of Rev. James H. Allyn, one of Klickitat's pioneer Meth- odist ministers. Mrs. Spoon is one of Klickitat's daughters, born July 2, 1881. Her education was obtained in the public schools of this county and in Klickitat Academy, at Goldendale. She was nine- teen years old at the time of her marriage. Mrs. Spoon is one of a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living, namely, Joseph H., Rufus C., H. Oscar, Jessie G., and Mrs. Abbie Miller, in Klickitat county ; Mrs. Charlotte Peringer, at Bell- ingham, Washington. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Spoon is blessed with the presence of one child, Jennie G., born in Goldendale, September 26, 1902. Mr. Spoon is a member of the I. O. O. F., being a past noble grand of Excelsior lodge, No. III. at Bickleton, the Modern Woodmen and the United Artisans. He is an energetic worker in the Meth- odist church, being treasurer and recording steward of the Goldendale society. Politically, he is a Re-

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

publican and that he is retained by a Democratic officer speaks well for his work. Besides a half interest in 'the abstract business, Mr. Spoon owns some city property. He is an able, respected and popular young man, rapidly winning his way to greater success.

ISAAC HINSHAW, one of the oldest pioneers of Klickitat county, a carpenter by trade, although he now follows gardening, a fitting occupation for an old man, was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, in the year 1831, making him now sev- enty-three. He is the son of Benjamin and Mary E. (Lawrence) Hinshaw. His father, who was likewise a native of North Carolina and born in 1804, was of English descent. He died at the age of thirty-six. Our subject's mother passed most of her life in North Carolina, where she was mar- ried and where she brought up her family. She died ten years after her husband passed away. Our subject received his education in the common schools of his native state, remaining at home until he was eighteen years old, when he took up the carpenter's trade. He worked as an apprentice for two years. In 1850 he migrated to Morgan county, Indiana, and for the ensuing seventeen years he followed his trade in various parts of the county. Removing to Douglas county, Kansas, in 1867, he followed farming in that locality for eight years, then in the winter of 1875 moved to Califor- nia, settling eventually in Sonoma county. In 1877, he again moved, this time to Washington. After spending six months in Ellensburg, he came to Klickitat county and settled on a piece of railroad land. This was in the fall of 1877, and in November of the same year his family came to stay with him. From that time until 1893 he gave himself ener- getically to the cultivation and improvement of this land, then, however, he moved into Goldendale, where he has since lived, following gardening as an occupation.

In Indiana, on the 20th of April, 1856, Mr. Hin- shaw married Elizabeth M. Hadley, a native of North Carolina, daughter of John L. and Elizabeth (Bray) Hadley. Her father, who was of English descent, but a native of North Carolina, born in 1809, was a farmer by occupation. He moved to Indiana in the early days and settled in Hendricks county, whenice, in 1855, he removed to Iowa, in which state he died some years afterward. Mrs.

Hinshaw's mother was likewise of English descent, a North Carolinian by birth, the junior by three years of her husband. She passed away when Mrs. Hinshaw was but a few weeks old. Mrs. Hinshaw was born on the 8th of February, 1837. She was educated in the public schools of Indiana. Married at the age of nineteen, she became the mother of nine children, of whom all are living but one, El- don S., who was born in Indiana on Independence Day, 1865, and died at the age of sixteen. The

other children are: Tunis T., born in Indiana, May 3, 1857; Vernon T., born in the Hoosier state April 1, 1859; Elmer E., born in Indiana, August 18, 1861 ; Mrs. Mary E. Chapman, born in Indiana on the IIth of July, 1862, now living in Golden- dale; Mrs. Ora A. White, born in Kansas, June 20, 1867, now in Newberg, Oregon; Mrs. Laura A. Wright, born in Kansas, March 16, 1874, also a resident of Newberg; Mrs. Ella G. Lee, born in Kansas on the 14th of July, 1869, now in Golden- dale ; and Ida M., born in Klickitat county, Septem- ber II, 1878, residing at home with her parents and engaged in teaching music. In religion, Mrs. Hin- shaw is a Free Methodist, while Mr. Hinshaw is a Quaker. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist. Some time after moving to Goldendale from his ranch, which was situated a mile and a quarter from town, he disposed of the property. Mr. Hinshaw is a very pleasant old gentleman, greatly respected by his many friends in the city and by very many in all parts of the county, for, being an old pioneer, he enjoys a wide acquaintance.

BARNETT J. GANO, a prosperous Klickitat county ranchman living in Goldendale, the owner of a farm of three hundred and twenty acres three miles northwest of the city, was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, on the 29th of August, 1833, the son of John and Mary (Hartsock) Gano. His father, who was also a native of West Virginia, was descended from a French family that set- tled in the state in early days. He removed to Greene county, Illinois, in 1840, and farmed there until 1859, then moved to Missouri, locating in Henry county. He passed away in the early sev- enties. The mother of our subject was of German parentage, but born in Maryland. She died in Mis- souri in 1865. The subject of this review received his education in the common schools of Illinois. He remained on his father's farm until he reached man's estate, then started to farm on his own ac- count, on an eighty-acre tract given him by his father. He was thus engaged until 1871, when he migrated to Missouri, and settled in Cedar county, in the northwestern part of the state. He remained for a twelvemonth on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres there, given him by his father, afterward returning to Illinois for a year's stav. He then spent a year in Henry county, Missouri, whence in 1875 he came to California. For five years after his arrival he followed farming in Sonoma county, but in 1880 came to Klickitat county and took a homestead three miles northwest of Goldendale. He has ever since devoted his time to cultivating and improving the land thus secured and other land acquired later, combining agriculture with stock raising. Although he moved into Goldendale a few vears ago, he still owns and cultivates the place. Mr. Gano is an energetic, progressive agriculturist, successful in an unusual degree.

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

In Greene county, Illinois, on the 20th of No- vember, 1854, Mr. Gano married Clarenda, daugh- ter of John and Amelia A. (Boyles) Hoffman. Her father, a native of Kentucky, and a farmer by oc- cupation, became a resident of Greene county, Illi- nois, at an early date and there raised his family. He was of German descent. His death occurred in 1858. His wife was likewise a native of the Blue Grass state, but moved to Illinois, and died there a number of years ago. Mrs. Gano is a native of Illinois, born August 29, 1834, and received her education in its common schools. She and Mr. Gano are parents of six children, Amelia, now Mrs. George Mattox, born in Greene county, in 1856, at present a resident of Douglas, Idaho; Mrs. Mary O'Neil, a year younger than Amelia, also born in Greene county, now in Portland, Oregon; Laura and George B., both born in Greene county, Illi- nois, in the years 1860 and 1863 respectively, now at home; Toinett, now Mrs. Dunn, born in Mis- souri in 1866, at present living at The Dalles, Ore- gon ; and Edmonia, now Mrs. William Stith, born in Missouri in 1868. Mr. Gano is a member of the Christian church and politically, a Democrat. He has filled the office of school clerk in district No. 25 and in many other ways has manifested his willingness to discharge such duties of a public nature as may devolve upon him. Industrious and capable in his business, public spirited and upright, he enjoys an enviable standing in his community and county.

JOSEPH C. MOREHEAD, one of the oldest pioneers of Klickitat county, Washington, and a stockman, living in the city of Goldendale, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1843. His father, Andrew Morehead, was born in Eng- land, but early came to the United States and set- tled in the Quaker state. He brought up his fam- ily in Pennsylvania, where he died some years ago, being stricken with the cholera. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Ann Mckay, was likewise born in England, but she died in her native country.

Joseph C., whose life is the theme of this review, received his education in the public schools of Iowa, to which state he came when twelve years old. His father died when he was eleven and he soon after left his home and friends and went to Iowa, where he got his public school training. In 1870 he moved to California by train. After remaining in San Francisco for a brief period, he took the boat to Portland, Oregon, and from that city went to Albany, whence the same fall he came to Klickitat county. At that time there were few settlers in the county, not over twenty families altogether. He set- tled on a homestead a mile and a half east of Gold- endale, upon which he lived for twenty-four con- secutive years, putting most of the land under cul- tivation. In 1894 he removed to Goldendale, and

opened a meat market, establishing a business which he conducted successfully for the ensuing seven years. He also bought and sold cattle and stock during this time. In 1901 he sold the market to Hail & Files, and since that time he has been en- gaged in the stock business alone, buying cattle for the Union Meat Company of Portland, Oregon. He owns a farm of 120 acres just outside of Gold- endale.

Mr. Morehead was married in Iowa, in Septem- ber, 1865, the lady being Matilda, daughter of Rob- ert Larkin. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, of German extraction, was a farmer by occupation and a pioneer of Iowa, to which state he went when it was still a sparsely settled, wild country. He died there in 1863. Mrs. Morehead's mother, Re- becca, was born and married in Pennsylvania, and died in Iowa, after having become the mother of six children. Mrs. Morehead was born in Iowa and was educated in its public schools. She and Mr. Morehead have had six children, namely, Wii- liam, born in Iowa, March 20, 1866; Charles, also born in Iowa, two years later, now living in the Palouse country ; Frank, born in Klickitat county, where he still lives, in 1872; Mrs. Ada Lear, born in Klickitat county in 1875, now living in Golden- dale; Elmer, two years her junior, also living in Goldendale ; and Edna, born in 1884, the present as- sistant postmistress of Goldendale. Fraternally, Mr. Morehead is connected with the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Methodist church, and in politics, a Republican. His ranch, just outside the city, embraces 120 acres. An old pioneer of the county, he is very widely known among its citizens, all of whom respect him as a man of integrity and sterling worth.

CHARLES C. ALVORD, a hotel man in the city of Goldendale and one of the prominent citizens of that place, was born in Lake county, Illinois, October 23, 1859, the son of Wolcott and Sarah K. (Wilder) Alvord. His father was a farmer by occupation, born in New York state. He moved to Waukegan, the county seat of Lake county, when a small boy, and there grew to manhood and was married. He lived in the state until 1869, then removed to Minnesota, where he followed farming until his death. His wife was likewise a native of New York state and grew to womanhood there. While in Illinois on a visit to her brother, she met and married Mr. Alvord and thereafter she contin- ued to reside in Illinois until her death, which oc- curred when. Charles C. was eleven years old. She was of English descent. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Minnesota. At the death of his mother, the family home was bro- ken up, and, with his father, he removed to the latter state. He lived there until eighteen years old, working on the parental farm part of the time. But, in 1877, his father having married again, he

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left home and went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. In the spring of 1880, he came to Klickitat county and entered the employ of Mr. Waldron, who owned a large farm and stock ranch. He was with him two years. His next em- ployment was with the O. R. & N. Company, in the construction department, doing bridge work. He remained with that corporation for three years, then in the spring of 1886 went to work in the log- ging business for Pierce Brothers on Bowman creek, staying with them until the spring of 1889. Coming then to Goldendale, he bought a livery sta- ble and he has continued in that line of business the greater part of the time since. He operates a stage line between Goldendale and Grants, Oregon, at present. In June, 1903, with A. J. Ahola, Mr. Al- vord built "a fine hotel, the Central, in Goldendale, one of the best equipped in this section of the coun- try, modern in its appointments and lighted by the only electric light plant in the city.

Mr. Alvord was married some years ago in Goldendale, the lady being Lizzie B., daughter of Hon. Daniel W. and Belinda (Blake) Pierce. Her father, a native of Vermont, born in Danville, Au- gust 31, 1835, was a mechanic. A pioneer of Ne- braska, he took part in the Indian war in that state. He came to Klickitat county in 1879 and died there, April 28, 1899, after having exerted a powerful in- fluence in the county's affairs for many years. At the time of his death he was state senator from his district. Mrs. Pierce was likewise a native of Ver- mont, born September 19, 1830. She and Mr. Pierce were parents of six children. Mrs. Alvord was born in Vermont in 1866, and educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Washington. At the early age of seventeen she began teaching and for three years she followed that profession, then was married. She passed away in Goldendale, July I, 1899. Her brother, Daniel W. Pierce, lives in the city, and another brother, Elmer, lives in North Yakima, while her sisters, Mrs. Ella D. Adams and Mrs. Ruth Hayden, and her brother, Edward, all live in Goldendale, or near by. Mr. Alvord is a member of the K. of P. and in politics, a Republican. He was a member of the city council for one year. Besides his city property, he owns a ranch of 240 acres, all in cultivation, a mile from the town. He is a genial gentleman, a public spirited, progressive citizen, and a successful man of affairs.

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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 91

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