USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 48
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At the end of that time Mr. Smith removed to the Walla Walla valley, arriving in 1889. and before long his mechanical abilities were discovered by H. P. Isaacs, who was in need
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of just such a man and who gave him a place a tract of eleven hundred acres in Adams coun- in his flour mill in Walla Walla. Mr. Isaacs ty. She sold the latter tract, but still retains the old home place at the confluence of Mill creek and the Walla Walla river. With the help of her brother, who acts as foreman, she farms this land together with about six hundred acres which she rents from other parties. She is an ambitious, enterprising lady, successful in whatever she undertakes, and possessed of the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. afterwards sent him to take charge of another plant located at Prescott, but he had become desirous of trying his hand at farming, so, in 1890, disposed of a place on Eureka flat which he already had bought, and purchased a farm at the junction of Mill creek with the Walla Walla river. From that time until the date of his death his energies were for the most part given to the cultivation and improvement of this land, though he also held the position of agent for the Pacific Coast Elevator Company at Whitman station. Ile was active, indus- trious, assiduous and possessed a force of char- acter which, combined with his splendid in- herent abilities, made him a success in any line of enterprise in which he might engage.
The manner of our subject's demise was rather peculiar and merits a brief narration. He had returned home to Prince Edward Island on a visit to his relatives, and appeared to be enjoying his usual good health. He retired on the 6th of May, 1897, without making any complaint or giving any sign that anything was the matter, but on the morning of the 7th he failed to rise at the usual hour and examina- tion proved that he had died in his bed some time during the night. Upon learning the sad news Mrs. Smith with her little daughter at once set out on the long journey and arrived in time to see his remains interred in the Mar- gate cemetery, which was the old family bury- ing ground.
In 1887 Mr. Smith married, in Charlotte- town, Prince Edward Island, Miss Margaret J. Gunn, a native of the island and one of his boyhood friends. They became the parents of one daughter. Emma M.
Mrs. Smith was left with a fine farm of four hundred and seventy-four acres, also with
BENJAMIN G. GUTHRIDGE .- Though now retired, the man whose life it is our task to here briefly review has been one of the prom- irent business men of the county for many years, and during the long period of his resi- dence here (for he has the honor of being a member of that respected class whom we call pioneers) he lias so ordered his life and rela- tions with those with whom he has had deal- ings or connections, as to win and retain the confidence and regard of all.
He was born in London, England, on June 27, 1832, and in that land he remained until about fifteen years okl, acquiring an elementary education. He then yielded to the adventurous spirit which was prompting him to seek ad- venture in other lands and embarked aboard a sailing vessel. 1 lis seafaring experience lasted about thirteen years, and finally terminated in a shipwreck on a bar in the Columbia river. From the scene of this disaster he went to Portland, arriving in 1861, and before the year was over he came thence to the Walla Walla valley. After a brief residence he removed to the Oro Fino mining region, where for two years he was engaged in the search for hidden treasure. Returning then to Walla Walla
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county, he utilized the trade he had learned in earlier life and engaged in the butcher busi- ness, but two years later he retired from this to try his hand in the restaurant business, tak- ing charge of what was known as the Donoval. lle was thus engaged for about two and a half years, then returned to his meat market indus- try, which continued to engage his energies un- til April 1, 1886, in which year he accepted a position as steward in the penitentiary, retain- ing the same for about two and a half years. On retiring from this he withdrew from active participation in the business activities of life.
On November 26, 1866, in the city of Walla Walla, he married Helen Goss, a native of county Carlow, Ireland, born December 25, 1832. She grew to womanhood before leav- ing her native land, but in 1857 came to Cali- fornia, whence she afterward removed to Walla Walla, where, on July 22, 1885, she died. Mr. and Mrs. Guthridge became the parents of two children: George W., now connected with the fire department of Walla Walla; and Ellen J., who, on April 22. 1900, became the wife of Albert E. Guichard, of that city.
JEFFERSON JENNINGS, a pioneer of 1865, is a native of Iowa, born in 1856. When only eight years old he accompanied the re- mainder of the family on the long journey across the plains, traveling with ox-teams. They located in Walla Walla valley, and en- gaged in farming. Mr. Jennings received his education in the public schools and in Whitman College, then followed farming for about twelve years.
Coming to the city of Walla Walla at the end of that period, he embarked in the grocery business, a line which engaged his energies for
the ensuing six years. He then followed the insurance business a while, then went into the business of handling second hand furniture. He is now engaged with Mr. U. G. Bean, pro- prietor of one of the leading house furnishing stores in the city. Mr. Jennings also served a term on the police force and as constable, and has since been deputized for special service on several occasions.
AAs a man and a citizen Mr. Jennings stands high in the community, enjoying the esteem and good will of all. His fraternal affiliations are with the I. O. O. F. and the Modern Wood- men of America, of the latter of which orders he is venerable consul. He has been twice married. In 1877 he wedded Sarah E. Cork- rum, and they became the parents of three chil- dren : Olive Belle and Mary Minerva, living, and Rose Frances, deceased. This Mrs. Jen- nings died in 1884, and in 1886 Mr. Jennings married Miss Clara Buckner, who now has one child, Hazel.
HUGH P. ESTES, dealer in cigars and tobacco, No. 1012 South Third street, is a na- tive of Arkansas, born December 1I, 1854. When six years old he accompanied his father on the long journey across the plains. They located on Dry creek, six miles north of Walla Walla, and there Mr. Estes grew to manhood, receiving such education as the primitive schools afforded. On reaching the age of eight- een he went to Oregon and, subsequently, en- gaged in stock raising. Returning to Walla Walla after three years' absence, he engaged in farming on Eureka flat, where his home was until 1898. In that year he sold his eight- hundred-acre farm and moved into town, in order to secure for his children the advantages of the city schools. He has since given his
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attention to the line of business in which we abeth; Sarah; and Irene, wife of Frank Gif- now find him. fons, of Ritzville. Mrs. Estes died about two
Mr. Estes is considerably interested in years after the decease of her husband.
Walla Walla real estate and is one of the stockholders in the Statesman; also still owns a farm and stock in Benton county, Oregon. He has long taken a very active interest in the political affairs of the county, and may well be ranked among its political leaders. As a man and a citizen he stands well wherever he has lived, enjoying the confidence and good will of all. In fraternal affiliations he is an Odd Fellow. He was married in Walla Walla, December 25, 1882, to Miss Mary Woods, a native of Missouri, and they have four chil- dren. Mertie. Hazel, Mabel and Lloyd.
His father, Thomas Estes, deceased, a pio- neer of 1860, was born in North Carolina, and in that state grew to manhood and was educated. On attaining his majority he re- moved to Tennessee, and while there he met and married his first wife. He subsequently went to Arkansas, where for a number of years he was engaged in tilling the soil. In 1860 he set out across the plains to Washing- ton, and finally settled at Dry creek, where he lived about eighteen years, afterward moving to Walla Walla. After living a retired life there for several years he took up his abode on a farm on Eureka flat, and this continued to bc his place of residence until August 20, 1886, when he died.
While in Arkansas he was married the sec- ond time, the lady being Miss Irene Malone. a native of that state. Their union was blessed by the advent of thirteen children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Thomas, at Baker City : Hugh, whose name heads this article ; L. W. a farmer: C. T., a carpenter: Sydney, a miner: Nancy, wife of J. T. Wiseman: Han- nah, wife of William Cope. of Arkansas; Eliz-
MICHAEL B. WARD .- In this compila- tion it is signally consistent that we incorpo- rate a brief review of the career of the honored pioneer whose name initiates this paragraph, and such a memoir can not but prove of inter- est to the readers of this volume. Mr. Ward was a native of the old Buckeye state, born near Zanesville. Licking county, Ohio, on the 11th of June. 1818. He remained in his native county until he was about nineteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Squaw Grove, DeKalb county, Illinois, where he continued his educational discipline and grew to maturity. He had grown up under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, and to the basic art of agriculture he contin- tied to devote his attention after attaining his majority, continuing on the paternal home- stead in Illinois until 1842, when he engaged in: farming on his own responsibility, in the same county, his father having deeded him a quarter section, to which he added, by individ- ual purchase, another tract.
He continued his operations in this line until 1851, when he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, making the trip with horses. He re- mained until December of the following year, when he returned to Illinois and purchased an- other farm, of which he disposed at the end of a year and again essayed the long overland journey to the Pacific coast. ox-teams being utilized at this time. He located in Linn county, Oregon, where he arrived in Novem- ber, 1853. settling on a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, one-half of which he had pur-
MICHAEL B. WARD.
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chased, while the remaining quarter section had been taken up in the name of his wife, the privilege of thus holding having been at that time accorded by the land laws. Mr. Ward here engaged principally in the raising of live stock, cultivating sufficient land to provide fod- der for the stock.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Ward came with his family to Walla Walla county, arriving in No- vember, with a drove of cattle. The winter proved to be one of exceptional severity, and Mr. Ward lost the greater portion of his stock by reason of this condition. The winter in question was passed on the farm of Lewis Mc- Morris, and the following spring Mr. Ward returned to Oregon, disposing of his interests there and bringing the remainder of his stock to Walla Walla county, where he bought a half interest in the farm of Mr. McMorris, purchas- ing the remainder of the place two years later. To this tract he added by subsequent purchase until he was the owner of a valuable place of seven hundred acres. The family rema'ned on the farm until the centennial year, 1876, when they took up their abode in the city of Walla W'alla, locating in a beautiful home, at the head of Poplar street, where our honored subject continued to reside until the hour of his death, which occurred on the 12th of April, 1893, at which time he had attained the venerable age of seventy-four years. He was a man of strong intellectual and physical powers, and it is worthy of note that his final illness was of but two hours duration, He passed away in the fullness of years, secure in the esteem and af- fection of the community where he had lived and labored so long.
The home place in Walla Walla comprised originally a tract of ten acres, but of this sev- eral lots have been since either sold or deeded to the children of the family. Mr. Ward never 22
aspired to political preferment, though such was his popularity and such the confidence re- posed in him by the public, that he was called upon to serve in the important office of county commissioner, of which he was the incumbent for a period of six consecutive years. He was a man of inflexible integrity in all the relations of life, and as one of the worthy pioneers of the northwest his name will be held in lasting honor.
In DeKalb county, Illinois, on the 20th of October, 1842, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ward to Miss Amelia E. Harmon, a na- tive of Wilkes county, North Carolina. In early childhood she accompanied her parents to Illinois, where she was reared and educated. Her father was by trade and occupation a gun- smith and blacksmith, and it was in his shop that she made the acquaintance of Mr. Ward. She accompanied her husband on his second trip across the plains, and during all the years of their married life she proved his devoted helpmeet and companion. Mr. and Mrs. Ward became the parents of one child, Agusta M., who is the widow of Major R. R. Rees, the pioneer newspaper publisher of Walla Walla, in which city she still maintains her residence. Mr. Ward was a devoted member of the United Brethren church, as is also his widow, both having contributed liberally to the support of religious work and all other worthy causes.
Mrs. Ward is a woman of refinement and gracious personality, and has been prominent in the social life of her home city for many years. She is a member of the Ladies' Relief Asso- ciation of Walla Walla and was one of the lady commissioners to the world's fair at New Orleans, in 1885, she and her husband remain- ing in the Crescent city for a month, in the interests of the Walla Walla valley. Mrs. Ward contributed five hundred dollars to the
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building fund for the boys' dormitory of Whit- man College. She has at all times had a lively interest in the welfare of the city and county. ..
DELOS H. COFFIN, farmer, a pioneer of the Walla Walla valley of 1877, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 1, 1854. In 1855 he was brought by his parents across the plains to the Willamette valley, where his fa- ther. George D., bought a squatter's right and engaged in farming. The family resided there seven years, then after proving up on their place as a donation land claim, went to Marion county and again engaged in farming and stock raising.
In this part of Oregon Mr. Coffin com- pleted his public school education. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years old, but thereupon started to do for himself, choosing as his occupation the one which he had previously followed at home, namely, farm- ing and stock raising. For the first three or four years he was compelled to rent land, but in 1879 he purchased eighty acres in the Walla Walla valley, where he now resides. This formed a nucleus for further acquisition until he is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine land, upon which he raises stock, cereals and, in fact, almost all kinds of farm products which thrive in this climate.
Mr. Coffin is a very active man in local affairs, holding many offices of trust in the county. For four years he was school director, for six, he served as road supervisor, and he is now representing his district in the board of county commissioners. He is one of the lead- ing and representative men of his neighbor- hood, enjoying the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
In fraternal affiliations, Mr. Coffin is identi- fied with the F. O. E. and the I. O. O. F. He was married at College Place, December 16, 1881, to Miss Stella E. Sickler, a native of Minnesota, but a resident of this county since she was three years old.
Mr. Coffin's father died in this valley in February, 1885, after a residence of eight years here, and his remains lie buried in the Walla Walla cemetery.
PHILIP A. BECKER, a farmer residing on the Little Walla Walla river, one-half mile southwest of the Whitman monument, a pio- neer of 1878, is a native of Dundass county. Ontario, born January 28. 1858. He received his education in the excellent public schools of his native land, also took a course in a busi- ness college there. When twenty-one years old he came via San Francisco and Portland to the Walla Walla valley, where he accepted a position as agent at Blue Mountain station, on the Blue Mountain division of the old Dr. Baker road, now a part of the Oregon Railway & Navigation system. He was thus employed for six months, after which he worked a year for the same road as brakeman, then for the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company.
Mr. Becker remained with the latter com- pany employed as a brakeman until 1882, then was promoted, becoming a conductor. In the fall of 1883 he decided to quit railroading. so he took a homestead where he now resides, also a timber culture. He afterwards purchased another quarter-section, so that he is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres in all, on which he raises cattle, cereals and other farm products of almost every variety suited to the climate. He is an industrious, thrifty and energetic man, possessed of the traits of char-
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acter necessary to insure success in any calling. He manifests his interest in the cause of edu- cation by serving as school clerk, though he might well claim that he had done his share of such work, having previously held that office for six consecutive years.
Mr. Becker was married in this county, in February, 1887, to Mrs. Martha E. Coffin, a pioneer of the valley of 1877. They have three children, Philip Ai, Dora May and George A., .students in the Whitman district school.
FRANKLIN B. MORSE .- A veteran of the Civil war as well as of the Indian struggles of later years, and a respected and esteemed pioneer of the county, the subject of this brief biographical review certainly merits representa- tion in a volume of this character, and it affords us pleasure to accord the same to one who has made so highly honorable a record both in peace and in war.
Mr. Morse was born in New York on July II, 1845, came thence to Ohio in 1853, and from that state to Iowa in 1856. He had no more than completed his public-school educa- tion until the necessities of his war-scourged country began to appeal to him, and in 1862 hie enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the goddess of peace again visited our land. Not long after his discharge he came from his old home in Iowa to Walla Walla county, ar- riving September 3, 1868, it being his fortune to become one of the pioneer agriculturists of this valley. He followed farming and stock raising for the first seven years, and during that time took a prominent part in securing the formation of Columbia county, which was formerly a part of Walla Walla county. He
subsequently removed to this city, where for the first three years he followed the dairy business.
During the Bannock uprising of 1878 he served as second officer in command of the Walla Walla volunteers, and to him belongs a large share of the credit for the fortunate outcome of the engagement on the Columbia river, the result of which was to prevent the redskins from crossing the river and doing un- told damage on this side. The Indian sup- plies were captured and their canoes destroyed.
In 1879 Mr. Morse sold his farm and ac- cepted a position with the firm of Paine Broth- ers & Moore as their shipping clerk, and on the completion of the O. R. & N. he entered the employ of the company, serving for two and a half years thereafter as their night police officer. In May, 1884, he was appointed by the county commissioners to the office of con- stable, and he retained that post until the state penitentiary building in this city was com- pleted, when his services were called into requi- sition in connection with the removal of the prisoners from Seatico, now known as Bucoda, to this city.
In 1889 he was appointed a police officer, and in the discharge of his duties as such found their field of operation. Mr. Morse has proven signally faithful to every trust, public or pri- vate, in peace or in war, which has ever been reposed in him, and he is maintaining his good record in the work in which he is now en- gaged.
Mr. Morse has been twice married. On November 14, 1869, in the city of Walla Walla, his first wedding was solemnized, and to this union two children were born : Charles F., now in DeLamar, Idaho; and Cora D., now Mrs. Edward Stanfield, of Walla Walla. On March 15, 1900, he was again married, the lady being
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Mrs. Emma J. Weathermon. a native of Bel- mont county, Ohio, who came to Oregon in 1883. She lived near Milton, in that state, until 1807, then moved to Walla Walla, where she has ever since lived.
SAMUEL P. YOUNG .- This energetic confectioner and cigar merchant was born in Tennessee on the twenty-fifth of December, 1862. He grew to manhood in the state of his nativity, completing his education in the community in which he was born, and in 1887 came to Walla Walla. He engaged in farm- ing. an industry to which his best endeavors were given for the first seven years of his res- idence in this valley, but he thereupon moved into the city and engaged in the business in which we now find him.
He conducts his business on sound prin- ciples, ever watching alertly to conserve the best interests of his patrons, and always keep- ing on hand a full stock of everything in his line. His life and all his relations with his fellow man have been so ordered as to win the respect and esteem of all those with whom he comes in contact. Fraternally he is iden- tified with Court Evening Star. No. 35, For- esters of America, located in Walla Walla, also Trinity Lodge. I. O. O. F., of Walla Walla of which he is inside guard. He owns a com- fortable home in this city and other property of value, including a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Eureka flat.
J. M. HILL .- Prominently identified with two of the most important industries of the county. banking and railroading, the subject
of this review has earned an honored place among the benefactors and builders of this section. He is a son of the west, having been born in Yamhill county, Oregon, in 1849. He was educated in the public schools of his na- tive state and in Portland academy, and when lie completed his academic training, he en- tered a commission house in Portland, where lie worked for the ensuing five years.
In the spring of 1872 Mr. IIill came to Walla Walla and went onto a cattle ranch for Baker, Green & Company. A few months later, however, he and Dr. Baker's son engaged in a mercantile business in Weston, Oregon, but through the fault and failure of another firm and without any dereliction on their own part, they were forced to retire.
Mr. Hill then turned his attention to rail- way construction as an employe of Dr. D. S. Baker, taking charge of a supply store at Wal- lula. When the road was completed he became the first conductor, and he afterward served as agent at Wallula and still later became sti- perintendent of the entire Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad. This last position he retained until the road was sold to the Ore- gon Railway & Navigation Company. He then built a railroad to Dudley and Dixie for Dr. Baker, afterward operating the same until it also became a part of the Oregon Railway & Navigation system.
His great energy and constructive abili- ties were next utilized in the organization of the Blue Mountain Flume Company, the pur- pose of which was to transport lumber and wood for the supply of the market and fort at Walla Walla. He assisted in the organiza- tion of the Walla Walla Street Railway Com- pany, which had the benefit of his supervision until it went out of business. In 1892 he en- tered the Baker-Boyer National bank '(of
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which he was already a director), as book- keeper. and shortly afterward he was given his present position, that of assistant cashier. Mr. Hill has also been for a long time connected with and is now treasurer of the Interstate Building and Loan Association. He is more- over, extensively interested in farming, being the owner of four hundred acres south of town, besides considerable real estate in other places. His holdings also include much city property of value.
For two terms our subject served as a member of the board of county commissioners, and for a like period he was one of the city councilmen of Walla Walla, discharging the duties of both offices with characteristic skill and good judgment. He is one of the many men in the Inland Empire who have worked incessantly for the development and upbuilding of the country, and very few anywhere have displayed greater capacity than he for manag- ing large and intricate undertakings.
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