USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 40
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land offices. Simultaneously he engaged in the practice of law. Although his business had now assumed such proportions as to require almost his entire time, he practiced one year in the United States district court, and became in- terested very successfully in politics, so con- tinuing until 1869.
During this time there was vigorous agita- tion of the question of annexing southeast- ern Washington to Oregon, the territory in question lying south of the Snake river and including what are now the counties of Walla Walla, Columbia, Asotin and Gar- field. The measure was favored by An- derson Cox and many other prominent men in both Washington and Oregon. Mr. Cox having been elected to the Washington legis- lature, instead of approaching that body, ap- peared at Salem, Oregon, and helped to secure the passage by the legislature of that state of a memorial praying congress that the territory mentioned might be annexed to the state of Oregon. Upon learning of this action Mr. Parker forthwith brought strong but secret forces to bear in opposition to the proposed scheme of annexation, and by his influence with the political leaders of Washington succeeded it: preventing this consummation. The direct import of this movement may not have been evident to those of less foresight, but had this portion of Washington been annexed to Ore- gon, strongly Democratic in its political com- plexion as it then was, it would have thrown Oregon into the Democratic fold, in which case the entire political status of the nation would have been changed, as the Democratic vote of Oregon, with such supplemental territory, would have elected Tilden to the presidency of the United States. For his services and zeal in behalf of the country and his party Mr. Par- ker received the consideration and confidence
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of the government, and it may safely be said that through such influence he could have pro- cured almost any office or position pertaining to the territory of Washington, had he so de- sired.
On the 4th of February. 1869. Mr. Parker started to attend the inauguration of Presi- dent Grant. By means of a stage coach, a sled and a mud wagon he succeeded in traversing a distance of eight hundred miles, reaching the western terminus of the Union Pacific Rail- road, at a little town called Wasatch, where he discovered that the railroad was blocked by snow. After a short delay the railroad com- pany transferred the party to Rawlins, where they found about two hundred other delayed passengers, many without provisions or money. From Rawlins they telegraphed to the Con- gressional committee on railroads at Washing- ton a repeated message for aid, the cost of transmission being forty dollars. The pas- sengers selected Mr. Parker as leader and as one of a committee of three to devise ways and means of transportation and relief. AAfter an unsatisfactory interview. the railroad of- ficials proposed that if the passengers would provide themselves with food for three days they themselves would furnish a carload of shovels for digging out the snow, and would thus send them on. This proved to be a gross deceit. for the engine was run into a snow- filled cut and the passengers were left without the implements for digging the snow, at the little coal mining place and station of Carbon. Realizing the danger of distress and even star- vation with their scanty provisions, the able bodied men left the bulk of the food for the women, children and old men and set out afoot for Cheyenne, a distance of over a hundred miles. After much distress (some having feet and hands frozen) they reached Cheyenne and
an open railroad and proceeded thence to Oma- ha. One passenger died from exposure before reaching Omaha. From Omaha they proceeded to Washington, where they arrived three days after the inauguration.
Mr. Parker was introduced by Horace Greeley, May 18, 1869, to the Farmers' Club American Institute, New York city, and before this body was given a hearing as to the Walla Walla valley and its various resources. The report which he thus entered was published in many of the leading papers throughout the east, in a circulation of over half a million (see report of said meeting in the New York Herald, Tribune, Sun, World, Times, Scientific Amer- ican, Independent. Rural New Yorker and many other papers), and this constituted the first legitimate advertising of the Walla Walla valley. As a result of this Mr. Parker re- ceived a great many letters from various parts of the United States, and these were faithfully answered. For two months or more he worked at Washington city, serving the public in his efforts to secure better mail facilities and to further other important measures. Realizing the immense value of such work to them, Le- land Stanford, president of the Central Pa- cific Railroad, the authorities of the Union Pa- cific Railroad and John Haley, Sr., of the stage lines, placed their transportation at the disposal of Mr. Parker, gratis. In the same year, in the month of May, Mr. Parker was an active member of the first national woman's suffrage convention, the same being held in New York city.
It was through Mr. Parker's efforts while in Washington, in 1869, that the commissioner of the general land office so changed the rules of the department for all the United States land offices that the settlers on government land could prove up by deposition instead of
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1
the personal appearance of witnesses, thus say- ing the cost of their journey to the land office, which was over one hundred dollars for each. witness. Mr. Parker also succeeded, by the aid of Senator Wilson of Massachusetts, after- wards vice-president of the United States, in securing the enactment of a provision of law whereby veteran soldiers could receive the hun- dred dollars bounty to be paid to each by draft on the United States treasury without the ex- pense of a journey to Oregon City, where the paymaster was located.
For nearly two years the judges of the supreme court of Washington Territory, the delegate to congress and others of unmistak- able influence had made efforts to have ap- pointed for the territory registrars in bank- ruptcy, under the United States bankrupt law. All these efforts had resulted in failure, but Mr. Parker, through his private influence with Chief Justice Chase, succeeded in having three lawyers of his own selection appointed to fill the positions noted. For five consecutive years the Walla Walla Board of Trade elected MIr. Parker delegate to the Columbia river water- way conventions, which were held at various places, the object in view being to aid and en- courage the movement to open the Columbia river to navigation, and it was through his efforts that much was done toward agitating this important question. Its importance may be understood when we revert to the fact that the people now living in the great Columbia basin, which is drained by the Columbia river, and whose area is more than two hundred and fifty thousand square miles,-equal in extent to the whole area of New England, New York and Ohio, and a portion of Pennsylvania,- could not but receive untold benefit by the opening up of the river to navigation, as this
area is opulent with the wealth of mines of gold, silver, copper, iron and other metals, also of timber and other products-an area capable of supporting many millions of people. (See Smalley's Magazine, St. Paul, Minnesota, Au- gust, 1887. for information in regard to this.) In this connection Mr. Parker was on the com- mittee for memorial to congress, the most im- portant committee, and in October, 1890, he was unanimously elected its president, whichi incumbency he has since retained.
After nearly a quarter of a century of close application to sedentary business Mr. Parker found it necessary to seek employment in the open air, accordingly taking to the saddle and for four years superintending the fencing and cultivation of several thousand acres of land which he had acquired in various counties. His diligence rewarded him by a return of from thirty to forty bushels of wheat to the acre on land upon which ten years before he would not have paid the taxes. Wheat at this time was bringing only thirty cents per bushel, owing to exorbitant transportation charges, and eight- een per cent. interest paid on money secured from the banks. Mr. Parker has since con- tinued to devote his attention to the superin- tending of his farming and various other prop- erties, his success in temporal affairs being ex- ceptional and entirely the result of his own well directed efforts. After his arrival in the beautiful Walla Walla valley, although he had traveled extensively throughout the United States, in almost every latitude, the various and wonderful attractions of the valley, the mild, healthful. invigorating climate, the various prolific resources, implying the produc- tion of almost every kind of vegetable, fruit and grain,-have kept him so charmed since first he found the Eureka of his travels that
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10 place on Puget sound, or in Oregon or Cali- fornia, or in any part of the United States, has induced him to change his home.
Among the tourist experiences of Mr. Par- ker's life that which he recalls with the keenest pleasure is his tour to Alaska in August, 1899. in what was known as the "Presbyterian ex- cursion." There were some two hundred ex- cursionists, and when they reached that marvel of marvels. Muir glacier, only fifteen of the number dared to scale its icy cliffs and cross its treacherous crevasses. Mr. Parker, active in spite of his years, was one of the fifteen to accomplish this feat. He regards the Muir glacier and its surroundings as the most sub- lime and awe-inspiring of all the scenes that he has witnessed.
Mr. Parker is now in the ripe fullness of a perfectly matured life and has reached that point along the journey where he may pause and glance with calm retrospection upon the labors and vicissitudes of his past life, noting the obstacles he has surmounted, the efforts which it has been his to render in the cause of humanity, the successes which have been worth- ily gained and the manifold blessings which have been his portion, feeling in the meanwhile the satisfaction which ever comes to one who has striven to do his duty to his fellow men. To him has come the tranquil leisure which is the crown of a well spent life, and in the com- munity where he has lived and labored he is held in high esteem by all who have apprecia- tion of honest, sterling worth and character. Ilis life has been exemplary,-his charity broad but discriminating, his benefactions to the pub- lic of wide scope and importance and his in- fluence ever arrayed in support of the right. He has lived a strictly temperate life, even through the years of early settlement, while in- temperance has hurried many of his acquaint-
ances and companions into untimely graves. He has ever kept in touch with the questions and topics of the hour, bringing to bear a ma- ture judgment and rare discrimination in con- sidering all matters of public polity, and his opinions as expressed through the press or by personal dictum, carry weight under all cir- cumstances.
Thoroughly convinced of the justice and value of the single tax principles as advocated by Henry George. Mr. Parker has given to the same the strongest indorsement, having given the matter careful and discriminating study and having become confirmed in the be- lief that through the operation of these prin- ciples, as practically applied. will result the greatest good to the greatest number. Never lacking the courage of his convictions, he made a very vigorous effort, in 1899. to secure a popular indorsement of this measure by the people of the state, and to provide for a better comprehension of it. His princely offers of financial contributions to the cause are a mat- ter of history, and he is still hopeful that his own state may be enabled to introduce the meas- ure in which he so earnestly believes. Mr. Parker, after forty years of actual litigation in the courts of the land, from the lowest to the highest, gives as his admonition to all the statement that it is far better if possible for all disputes to be settled by arbitration rather than in the courts. He has, however, been com- pelled in his extensive practice, to secure two mandamuses from the supreme court of the United States.
While residing in the east Mr. Parker identified himself with the time-honored fra- ternity of Free and Accepted Masons. Hle rose to the degree of Master Mason in Palmyra Lodge. No. 248. in Wayne county. New York. He also took three degrees in Lodge No. 463,
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I. O. O. F., in East Palmyra. Some years afterward he secured a dimit and traveling card from each of these lodges, but so pressing have been the demands upon his time and attention that he has not maintained an active affiliation with these bodies during his residence in the west.
On the 13th of January, 1872, was solen- nized the marriage of Mr. Parker and Miss Laura Glenn, of New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, she being a sister of the late Dr. J. G. Glenn, of Portland, Oregon. Of the three children of this union only one is living. Orrin Glenn Parker, who was born June 2, 1876, and who is now assisting his father in the management of their large interests. The beautiful twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Par- ker died of diphtheria in the winter of 1878-9. aged six years.
Among the mental characteristics of the subject of this review may be mentioned keen discernment of the meaning and measure of things about him, determination to accomplish whatever he undertakes, self-reliance, and in- dependence of thought and action, and an imagination fervid and yet signally tempered by good judgment. In religion he has a deep and abiding reverence for those fundamental principles which are the conservators of the welfare of men and the favor of the Deity. His faith in the Divine Master is fixed and un- wavering and in the declining years of his long and useful life he will have the solace and con- solation of the "faith that makes faithful."
GEORGE W. BABCOCK .- It is with marked gratification that we accord representa- tion in this work to one who has been so prom- inently identified with the affairs of the Pa-
cific coast region and who has so materially aided in its development as has the gentle- man whose name introduces this paragraph. A native of the far east, he is yet a pioneer of the far west, and his life has been one of cease- less endeavor in varied fields of activity, while his sterling worth has retained to him an un- wavering respect and confidence. As one of the leading citizens of Walla Walla, where he holds high prestige as an architect and builder, it is clearly consistent that a review of his life should be entered in this compilation.
Mr. Babcock, whose pleasant home is lo- cated at 109 Alder street, was born in the his- toric old city of Providence, Rhode Island, in the year 1832, and that place continued to be his home until he was a lad of six years, when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the Empire state, where he received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools, attending the same until the age of fourteen. His parents then made a second removal, this time locating in the state of Illinois, where the young man again took up his school work, completing the same by one year's attendance at Hillsboro College.
In that town also he gave inception to his business career, early proving his distinctive capacity for successful individual effort. For about five years he engaged in selling clocks, pumps, lightning rods, etc., at the expiration of which period he yielded to the western fever which animated him and in 1850 emigrated to California, making the long and weary journey across the plains with a team and wagon. the trip being of six months and nine days duration. A
Arriving in the Golden state, he was there engaged in mining pursuits for a decade. his headquarters being at Hangtown, now known as Placerville. From this point he proceeded
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to San Francisco, where he devoted his atten- tion to work as an architect and builder for some time, meeting with success and eventual- ly curtailing his operations to the functions of an architect only.
From "Frisco" Mr. Backcock came for- ward to identify his interests with those of the famed "Inland Empire," remaining in Spo- kane for six months and coming thence, in 1885, to Walla Walla for the purpose of lo- cating the Washington state penitentiary, for the buildings of which he furnished the plans and specifications and personally superintend- ed the erection thereof. He has ever since been a resident of this city, where he has erected many of the most important public and pri- vate buildings and where he has been contin- nously engaged as an architect.
Mr. Babcock has ever maintained a lively and discriminating interest in public affairs of a local nature, having been a member of the city council in Oakland, California, prior to his removal to Washington, while in 1899 he was chosen to a similar incumbency in Walla Walla, being chairman of the finance commit- tee of the council at the time of this writing. Fraternally he is very prominently identified with the Masonic order, in which he has at- tained the Knights Templar degrees in the York rite and has advanced to the thirty-second de- gree, as a sublime prince of the royal secret in the Scottish rite. He is also a noble of the Mystic Shrine. the social adjunct of Free- masonry. In connection with other business associations he is vice-president of the Farmers' Savings bank, of Walla Walla.
In Eldorado county, California, in the year 1856, Mr. Babcock married Miss Annie Shirley, whose demise occurred in 1864. In 1867. in San Francisco, he consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs.
Anna J. Crosby. By the first marriage there was one child. Camilla, who is now at home with her father.
JAMES P. GOODHUE .- The man whose life history it is now our task to briefly out- line is one whose connection with the Pacific coast dates back to the earliest times, so he has naturally witnessed a great deal of the pio- ncer development of this section, and has had an opportunity such as falls to the lot of com- paratively few men of assisting in the work of expelling the darkness of barbarism and usher- ing in the light of civilization.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1834, he was early taken thence to New York, from which city, at the age of eighteen years he came to California, making the trip by the Cape Horn route, on the clipper ship Siren, Capt. Ed. Silsbee. After a short stay in the Golden state and a residence of a year in the Sandwich islands, he returned to his native city to visit his parents. In 1855, he crossed the Columbia river bar as mate of the brig Kingsbury, soon after going to Corval- lis, Oregon, where he remained until the out- break of the Rogue river war, during the con- tinuance of which he served as an employe of the quartermaster's department, of the Ore- gon Volunteers. During a portion of the year 1856 he served as purser of the steamer Belle, and he subsequently spent some time with Captain Ingalls in the quartermaster's depart- ment of the regular army at Vancouver bar- racks. In 1857 he was sent by the govern- ment to the Cascades as transfer agent, and in 1860 he came to Walla Walla to become wagon master at the fort.
After his discharge from connection with the United States army he spent some years in
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the mining districts of Idaho and Montana, but between the years 1868 and 1874, he served at different times as purser on the steamers Active, California, Idaho, George S. Wright and Gussie Telfair, plying between Oregon and British Columbia points and Sitka, Alaska. For the ensuing seven years he was agent at Victoria, British Columbia, for the Oregon Steamship Company, and between the years 1881 and 1891 he held the position of ma- terial and transfer agent for the N. P. R. R. Company.
In the latter year he came to Walla Walla. where his home had been since 1860, though his work was such as to keep him absent most of the time. His purpose was to establish an express office in this city for the Northern Pa- cific Express Company, which he did and he has remained in charge of the same ever since.
Mr. Goodhue has been twice married. On April 29, 1860, he became the husband of Miss Anna Turnbull, a niece of Captain James Turnbull, the pioneer captain of the Columbia river. This lady died in Walla Walla in July, 1868, leaving three children. Frank, chief clerk in the quartermaster's department at Seattle, Washington ; James : and Edith, widow of Lieutenant William Moffat, Second United States Infantry. His second marriage was solemnized in Victoria, British Columbia, when Miss Fannie Cooper became his wife. To this union three children were born, namely : Charlotte H., Ada Putnam and Claude How- ard, the last-named of whom is ticket agent for the N. P. R. R. Company in Walla Walla.
Mr. Goodhue has the proud distinction of being a lineal descendant of the noted Israel Putnam, he being a grandson of Colonel Pur- ley Putnam of the war of 1812, who was a near relative of the man whose name is so well known in history.
ALVAH BROWN .- The esteemed and courteous gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article has been a resident of the Walla Walla valley for nearly twenty years, and during that time has held various positions both public and private which have brought him into personal relations with a great num- ber of men, and it is safe to say that he is one of the most widely acquainted of all the citi- zens of the county. His unfailing faithfulness in the discharge of every duty entrusted to him has won the respect of those who know of his record, while his uniform kindliness and af- fability have made him a universal favorite.
Mr. Brown, popularly known as "Jerry" Brown, is a native of Silverton, Marion coun- ty, Oregon, born October 20, 1855. His mental discipline was acquired in the public schools established in the vicinity of his home, while his physical man was developed to the fullest by vigorous early and late exercise on his father's farm. When his majority was attained, he received an appointment, signed by President U. S. Grant, to the office of post- master at Silverton, and the duties of that in- cumbency were discharged by him faithfully and well for a period of four years. When his successor, Mr. T. R. Hibbard, took charge, our subject was appointed assistant postmater. continuing in the same position for three years thereafter.
In May. 1883, he retired from the postal service and came to Walla Walla, where he en- tered the employ of J. Jones, whose place of business was on the corner of Third and Main streets, serving him in the capacity of a clerk for about eighteen months. He then took service as secretary of the Walla Walla Water Company, from which position he retired two years later to accept an appointment on the city police force under Chief T. J. Robinson.
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During the five years of his service as a police officer he made a record of which he has just cause to feel proud. When Chief Robinson died he resigned his appointment and became clerk and bookkeeper in the employ of H. Mc- Arthur, a cigar and tobacco merchant, and with him has remained uninterruptedly since. his personal magnetism and affability of man- ner making him an especially successful man in that business.
Mr. Brown's marriage was solemnized in Silverton, Oregon, on March 14, 1878, when Miss Viola Davis, a schoolmate and childhood friend of his, became his wife. They have two children living, Gertrude and Gladys, both in the public school, also had one. Stanley D., who was accidentally killed while hunting, his demise occurring August 1, 1899. Mr. Brown's father, James M., came to Oregon in 1846, and died at Woodburn in that state, January 8, 1886. His mother passed away in Silverton, on September 20. 1876. Mrs. Brown's father. Dr. P. A. Davis, arrived in Oregon in 1852, and still resides in Silverton.
EX-GOVERNOR MILES C. MOORE, president of the Baker-Boyer National bank, the oldest institution of its kind in the state of Washington, is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born April 17, 1845. When twelve years old he accompanied the rest of the family to Point Bluff. Wisconsin, and he was educated in the Methodist Episcopal Institute, there located. In1 1863 he came to Walla Walla, Washington. He was first employed as a clerk in the store of Kyger and Rees. Thereafter. at the age of nineteen, he embarked
in business on his own account in Blackfoot City. a mining town in Montana. He returned to Walla Walla in the fall of 1866 and became postmaster and a partner in the book store of H. E. Johnson & Company. In 1869 he opened a general store in company with Paine Bros., the firm name being Paine Bros. & Moore. This establishment was later convert- ed into an agricultural implement house. the first in eastern Washington.
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