USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 49
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Mr. Hill was married in Walla Walla coun- ty, in 1876. to Lucinda H. Berry, and their union has been blessed by the advent of five children: Dorsey M., now with Blackman Brothers & Company; Harry B., who looks after his father's farm; and Bertha, living, and Harvey and Florence, deceased.
BENJAMIN D. CROCKER, a pioneer of 1879, is a native of Washington county, New York, born September 8, 1854. He received his education in that state, graduating at Union College, at Schenectady, in 1876. He then turned his attention to civil engineering, and in 1879 came out to Walla Walla to engage in land surveying for the United States govern- irent. Until 1884 he was in its employ, as-
sisting in the subdivision of all lands in eastern Washington, and for about a year thereafter he worked for the N. P. R. R., selecting their lieu lands. He then accepted a position as gen- eral agent for the Oregon Improvement Com- pany, by whom he was engaged until 1899. Since that date he has devoted his attention to the occupation in which he is now engaged, namely, acting as financial agent for corpora- tions residing outside the state. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Savings bank, and served as a member of its executive com- mittee.
Mr. Crocker is one of the public-spirited and progressive men of Walla Walla, wide awake to all the best interests of the city, and ready always to contribute his full share to its material advancement. In politics he is now and always has been active, and during the recent campaign was a member of the State central committee. He is a prominent Knight Templar and thirty-second-degree Mason. On July 25, 1880, he married, at Lewiston, Idaho, Miss Mary P. Truax, a native of Oregon City, Oregon. They have two sons, Porter and Sewall.
Mrs. Crocker's father, Major Sewall Truax, a pioneer of the coast of 1850, was very promi- nent as a soldier, as a surveyor, and as an ex- tensive farmer, and his life history forms a part of the military and civil annals of the In- land Empire. He died in 1893, leaving a wife and family of six children, all of whom are filling honorable stations in life.
MAX BAUMEISTER, real estate and in- surance agent, was born in Germany, in 1840. He attended the public schools there until four- teen years old, then came to America. He lo-
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cated on Long Island, following the barber trade there until 1859, when he came via Pan- amna to California. He spent some time in the mining region, but soon returned to San Fran- cisco, and to the pursuit of his handicraft. After maintaining a shop for two years he re- turned to New York, going thence to Europe. He traveled extensively over the old world, returning at length to San Francisco. In 1862 he removed to Portland, Oregon, and a month later to Walla Walla, where he again engaged in the practice of the tonsorial art, at first as an employe and later in a shop of his own. Since 1882, however, he has devoted his en- ergies to real estate, loans and insurance, though he was formerly also a very extensive farmer, and he still gives considerable atten- tion to that business. A man of unusual energy and executive ability, he has attained a high ciegree of success in the various enterprises in which he has been engaged, and he commands the respect always paid to those who have the courage and sagacity to take advantage of every opportunity which may offer. He is thor- cughly public-spirited, and ever ready to do what he can for the general good. In fra- ternal affiliations he is a Mason. He was mar- ried in Walla Walla, in 1866, to Anna Hauer, since deceased. In 1880 he was again married, in Long Island, New York, to Albine Schwieker, and to them have been born five Olga S. and Werner W.
children, Charlotte, Alvin, Garfield, Max E., us numerous energetic and progressive citi-
FRANK BRZEZOWSKY, a farmer on Spring creek, two miles west of College Place. a pioneer of 1875, was born in Bohemia. Aus- tria, August 17. 1825. He resided in the land of his nativity until twenty-six years of age,
acquiring a public school education, and after- wards following farming as an occupation. In 1853 he came to the United States, land- ing in New York, and from that city went to Wisconsin, making the trip by team and sleigh in the winter season. Ile located in the vicinity of La Crosse, where for many years he was engaged in farming.
Subsequently, however, our subject came to Walla Walla, rented land on Dry creek and resumed, under new conditions, the business in which he had so long been engaged. After a year had passed he moved onto the place on which we now find him. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, a school-quarter sec- tion, and is engaged in raising wheat, barley and fruit. He was married in Bohemia, Aus- tria, in 1850, to Miss Mary Frana, a native of that country, who died August 16, 1899, after having attained the ripe age of eighty- four years. Of their marriage three children were born: Theresa, wife of Loren Kroll, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Frances, wife of Charles J. Heffner, a farmer on the Oregon side of the state line; and Mary, now Mrs. Charles H. Eichler.
HIPPOLYTE DAVIN. - France, like many other countries of Europe, has furnished zens, not the least important among whom is the man whose name forms the caption of this sketch. Mr. Davin was born on the 23d of September, 1857, and remained in the land of his nativity until he became about sixteen years of age, receiving a good common school educa- tion. Landing in New York in 1874 he came thence directly to California, in which state he had his first experience in the sheep rais-
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ing industry, which he has followed so suc- cessfully and with so much profit to himself ever since. In 1883 he sold his stock in Cal- ifornia, came with the proceeds to Walla Walla county and invested the same in sheep here, and he has found the business under the conditions existing in this valley a very profit- able one to a man who understands as thor- oughly as he does the art of handling this species of stock in the most economical man- ner. He owns four hundred acres and leases over eleven thousand acres of grazing land for pasturing his flocks.
Mr. Davin has manifested a deep interest in the welfare of Walla Walla since he first established his residence here, and has contrib- uted materially to the development and growth of the city, especially by investing a portion of the profits arising from his business in erect- ing substantial buildings here. He is the owner of the Pearson building, a brick block, and other valuable property in the city.
Our subject was married in Walla Walla on August 14, 1893, to Miss Sidonie Gondre, also a native of France, born in 1871. They have three children, namely : Phinix H. M., Blanche M. R., and Lionel V. N. Mr. Davin and his entire family are members of the Cath- olic church.
HENRY C. TRUAX, son of Major Truax, is one of the prominent young business men of Walla Walla. He is a true son of the west, having been born at Fort Lapwai, Idaho, April 28, 1870, and having spent his entire life thus far in the occident. When two years old he was taken by his parents to Walla Walla, and in that city he received his education, which consisted of a complete public school course, supplemented by four years of hard
study at Whitman College. In 1888 he went onto his father's farm twenty-five miles from Lewiston, Idaho, on Snake river, and there he remained until in 1892 he was called to a position as clerk in the Spokane postoffice. He retained that situation until 1896, per- forming his duties faithfully and skillfully.
A desire to try his fortunes in the mines had seized Mr. Truax, however, and accord- ingly he now turned his attention to that in- dustry. In 1899 he opened a bookstore in Walla Walla, and began to build up his present flourishing business, but he still retains his interest in mining, and is helping to develop some very promising properties. He is one of the rising young business men of the Inland Empire, active, industrious and progressive, and it needs no prophetic eye to discern a very successful future before him. He was married in Seattle, January 10, 1900, to Miss Louise A. Fuller, a native of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
EZEKIEL SMITH, carriage maker, Wal- la Walla, was born in Canada in 1835, and in that country he was reared and educated. He learned the trade of a carriage maker at Brock- ville, Ontario, and worked at it there for some time, but at length removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, where for two years more he devoted himself exclusively and assiduously to his handicraft. The ensuing three years were passed in the same occupation in western Can- ada, and the next three in Berlin, Wisconsin. From that date until 1864, his place of business was Ripon, in the same state, but he then re- moved to Minnesota, arriving in time to par- ticipate in the closing operations of the Sioux war.
In 1873 Mr. Smith came to California,
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whence, four years later, he removed to Walla Walla. He entered the employ of the govern- ment here, but finding that all his time was not occupied, soon opened in business for him- self. For more than twenty years he has di- vided his time between the government, for which he works as a wheelwright, and his own carriage-making establishment on Alder street. Mr. Smith is one of the most highly esteemed and respected of Walla Walla's citi- zens, and though not ambitious for personal preferment, stands high in the community where he is known. He is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, hav- ing joined that denomination in 1862, and upon arriving in Walla Walla he deposited his letter with the local society, of which he has been a trustee. He also held the responsible office of Sunday-school superintendent for twelve years.
Mr. Smith has been thrice married. On July 4, 1856. in Ogdensburg, New York, he married Miss Juliette E. Ilall, who died in De- cember, 1867. On Christmas, 1872, he was married in Mankato, Minn., to Mrs. Fannie Shourds, who passed away at Walla Walla on May 3. 1892, and his third marriage took place in Walla Walla, the lady being Mrs. Sarah E. Ping.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM D. LYMAN .- The prominent educator, whose life history it is the purpose of this article to briefly outline, is a son of the west, and he has long been con- sidered among the intellectual leaders of the Pacific coast. His father and mother were among the earliest settlers of Portland, Oregon, having come thither in 1849 from an eastern state, making the journey by vessel, via Cape Horn. In the metropolis of Oregon, then a
small village, Professor Lyman was born, the date of his advent upon the stage of action be- ing December 1, 1852. His parents removed to Forest Grove when he was quite young and in the Public schools of that town he took his initial steps in the pursuit of a liberal educa- tion. In due time, he matriculated at Pacific University, from which institution he received the B. S. degree in 1873. He was not, how- ever, satisfied with his scholastic attainments, so engaged in public school teaching with a view to securing funds necessary to enable him to further prosecute his studies. In the fall of 1875. he enrolled as a student in Williams College, where for the next two years he stud- ied with assiduity and zeal. graduating in 1877, with the degree of bachelor of arts.
He was thereupon appointed to the chair of history and literature in his alma mater, Pacific University. Ile taught there nine years, but failing health forbade his longer remain- ing in the class room, so he sought recuperation in the mountain regions of California and New Mexico. Ile traveled for two years, his facile pen contributing the while to numerous maga- zines and newspapers. In December. 1888, he accepted a position in Whitman College, and that institution has profited by his scholarship and ability almost continuously since, not a little of the credit for its phenomenal progress being due to him. The retrenchment necessi- tated by the hard times, however, left him free for one year. and this he passed in Finney College. At present he has charge of the his- tory and civics in Whitman College, and to his work there the major portion of his time is given, though he is also quite a prolific writer for the various leading periodicals.
Indeed. Professor Lyman's reputation as a literary man is quite as extensive as is that which he has acquired as a result of his labors
W. D. LYMAN.
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as an educator, and articles written by him fre- quently appear in the Overland Monthly, the Inter-Ocean, the Spokesman-Review, the Seat- tle Times, the Oregonian and other publica- tions both east and west. He was one of the contributors to the History of the Pacific Northwest, and some of the most interesting chapters of this volume were written by him. The professor is also widely known throughout this state and Oregon as a lecturer and public speaker.
In 1882, in Forest Grove, Oregon, the mar- riage of Professor Lyman to Miss Martha Clark was solemnized, and they have become parents of four children, namely : Hubert, Mar- jorie. Willena and Harold.
Mrs. Lyman, who also belongs to one of the oldest and most widely known and respected of Oregon's pioneer families, takes an active interest in many of the ladies' organizations of Walla Walla, contributing not a little to the social and intellectual life of the city.
THOMAS MOORE, one of the leading farmers of the county, was born in Franklin county, New York, near Fort Covington, in 1848. He resided there until sixteen years old, receiving most of his education in the academy a1 Fort Covington. In 1864, he came to Cali- fornia, via the isthmus, and after spending a year in the employ of his brother, went into the mining region of Nevada, where he realized excellent results ont of transactions in mining stock. He later went to Virginia City, Ne- vada, and entered the employ of the Pacific ( quartz ) Mill.
Mr. Moore worked there nearly four years, having charge of the engine during the last two, then returned to the east, making the
trip on the first through passenger train, and taking six days to go to Omaha, Nebraska, where the passengers received a royal welcome. Three months were passed in his old home, then he started on an extensive tour, on which he paid out over one thousand, six hundred dollars in railroad fare, and traversed all but three of the states of the Union. He finally ended his journeyings in 1869, in the city of Walla Walla, and turned his attention to farm- ing and stock raising, a business which he has followed continuously since with great success. He is the owner of four hundred acres in Spring Valley, and two hundred more across the Touchet river, upon all of which he is now raising wheat.
Mr. Moore has always taken an active in- terest in politics, and ever proved himself a true friend of progress. He has been especially earnest in his efforts to secure good roads throughout his county, thus giving his enthusi- astic support to one of the most needed of re- forms. In fraternal connections, he is an Elk, and a Catholic Knight. He was married in Bridgeport, California, to Nellie Bannon, who died in 1897, leaving four children, Corleen, Walter, Camille, and Clarence. In 1900 he was again married, the lady being Miss Maggie Pannon, a sister of his former wife.
RICHARD A. BOGLE, proprietor of the tonsorial parlors at No. 3 Second street, was born in the West India Islands, September 7, 1835. When about twelve years old, he emi- grated to New York, and a year later, in com- pany with one John Cogswell, he removed to Michigan, whence, after but a brief residence, he and Mr. Cogswell crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving in the "land of promise," Oc-
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tober 15. 1851. He stayed three years, then moved to Yreka. California, where he learned the trade of a barber, under a man named Na- than Ferber, for whom he worked for the en- suing three years. During the next three he was proprietor of a restaurant and barber shop in Deadwood, California, but he subsequently engaged in mining. Returning at length to Roseburg. Oregon, he resumed his trade, and until 1862 he maintained a shop there. In that year, however, he emigrated to Walla Walla, whence he made an extensive mining tour, visiting Florence, Elk City, and Oro Fino. Upon his return, he bought an interest in a barber shop, and he has been engaged in that business unceasingly since, except for a brief period, during which he was in Oregon.
Mr. Bogle has been quite successful finan- cially and is interested in the Walla Walla Building and Loan Association, and other busi- ness enterprises. He resides in a very pleasant and comfortable home at 122 E. Poplar street. In Salem, Oregon, in January, 1863, he mar- ried Miss A. Waldo, and they have become parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Arthur Belle Warren, now in the Sandwich Islands; Kate, wife of C. M. Duffy. Pullman, Washington; Porter, at St. Paul; and Waldo, with his father.
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CHARLES H. EICHLER, a farmer, a pi- oneer of 1870, was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 11, 1849. When eleven years of age he embarked as a cabin boy and visited Australia, Africa, Japan and the East Indies. In 1861 he disembarked at Norfolk, Virginia, and, though only twelve years old, began the struggle for existence alone. He worked as a butcher until
1869, then came west to the Walla Walla val- ley, arriving early the following year. He enlisted in the United States army in the First Calvary, Troop H, under command of Cap- tain J. G. Trimble, and served in the Modoc war of 1872, also participated in several scout- ing expeditions among the Piutes.
In 1875 Mr. Eichler was discharged at Fort Walla Walla, and he thereupon entered the employ of Adams Brothers, as a clerk in their general merchandise store. He was with them continuously until 1882, then embarked in the grocery business for himself. In March, 1884, he closed out and again became a clerk, following that work uninterruptedly until 1889, when he was appointed steward of the peni- tentiary, a position which he retained for a year and a half. From that until 1898 he was clerking again, but at the outbreak of the Span- ish-American war, he offered his services, and was placed in charge of a government pack train of mules and sent to Jefferson barracks. From that point he was ordered to Tampa. Florida, thence to Cuba, arriving at Guanta- namo, below Santiago, June 28, 1898. He carried ammunition to the firing line at Qua- simo and San Juan Hill, encountering as many dangers in both these battles as the soldiers en- gaged. He became well acquainted with The- odore Roosevelt, for whom he has an ardent admiration.
After his return to Walla Walla he served one year as driver of the chemical engine on the city fire department. then, in 1899, took charge of his father-in-law's farm, on which he has since resided continuously. Mr. Eich- ler is widely known in this county, and enjoys the confidence, esteem and good will of a very large circle. In religious persuasion he is an Episcopalian, and fraternally he is identified with the I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W.
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He was married in Walla Walla, July 23, 1877. to Miss Mary Brzezowsky, a native of Austria.
OSWALD BECKER, a farmer on Pine creek, fourteen miles southwest of Walla Walla, was born in Baden, Germany, February 25, 1854. He remained there until eleven years old, attending the public schools, but in 1865 he accompanied the remainder of the family to the United States. The parents engaged in farming in Calhoun county, Illinois, where they lived until 1877, when they removed to Greene county, in which they continued to re- side until their death. The mother died in January, 1898, and the father in June of the following year.
Mr. Becker remained with them until twenty-one years old, completing his education in the district school, then went to work for wages in Greene county, of which he was a res- ident for the ensuing four years. In 1879, he went to Logan county, Arkansas, purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. Three years later, he sold this and returned to Illinois. He farmed there on rented land for another period of three years, then disposed of his stock and set out for Walla Walla valley, arriving in May, 1885. He rented a farm near the city of Walla Walla for one season, but the following fall took a pre-emption of one hundred and twenty acres in the foot hills near Waitsburg, where he resided continuously un- til 1898. In that year, he sold his holdings, came over to Pine creek and homesteaded the quarter-section on which he now lives. H also purchased a tract of two hundred and thirty acres near by, and upon the entire place he is raising grain, hay and stock. He has a fine herd of twenty-five Shorthorn dairy cows,
and possesses a plant for separating his own cream.
By dint of industry, perseverance and thrift, Mr. Becker has made for himself and family a very comfortable home, and has gained rank among the enterprising and successful farmers of his neighborhood. The fact that he is inter- ested in the educational well-being of the county is manifested by his having served faithfully in the capacity of school director for eight con- secutive years on Coppei creek.
In Illinois, on August 26, 1879, our sub- ject married Miss Annie M. Pranger, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and they became parents of eight children, Agnes, wife of Charles Strahm; Lucy E., Rosa A., Frederick, Gerty, Susan, Winnifrede, and Veronica S., at home with their parents. The entire family are members of the Catholic church of Walla Walla. Mrs. Becker's mother died July 28, 1897, while visiting at her daughter's residence on Coppei creek, and her remains lie buried in the family lot in the Catholic cemetery.
WILLIAM C. TOWNSEND, a farmer re- siding about thirteen miles southwest of Walla WValla, was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, October 20, 1865, and there the first five years of his life were spent. He was taken by his mother to Woodford county, Illinois, where, thirteen months later, he was left an orphan by the death of his mother, his father having passed away shortly before they left Vermont.
Mr. Townsend was reared and cared for by an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Kohl, with whom he lived until twenty-three years of age. They gave him a good public school edu- cation, and he rewarded them by working on their farm in Illinois and again in Iowa until
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twenty-two years of age. The last year he was with them, he rented his uncle's place and farmed on his own account.
In the fall of 1888. he came to Washington, took a homestead on Mud creek near Hudson Bay and began farming. To this he later added another quarter-section procured by pur- chase, and is now raising wheat as his principal crop. though he also gives some attention to other farm products. He is enterprising and industrious and ranks among the thrifty and successful farmers of his neighborhood. He does not seem to be ambitious for leadership among his fellows, and never has held any offices, except that of school director for one term, but his standing in the community is of the highest.
In Pendleton. Oregon. on November 30, 1896. our . ubject married Miss Flora Cummins, a native of .Appanoose county, Iowa, and they are the parents of one child, Luther C. Mrs. Townsend's parents came to this county in 1890, and her father now makes his home with her, but her mother died twenty-three days after their arrival.
HERBERT F. WALLACE .- One of the energetic and progressive mechanics of this city and one of her intelligent and respected citizens is he who bears the name which initiates this brief review. He was born in the state of Vermont on the 2d of July. 1860, but was reared in the sunny South, having gone to El Paso, Texas, when seven years old. He acquired a high education, not only completing the public school course, but also matriculat- ing in and in due time graduating from El Paso College.
After receiving his degree he learned the
trade of a painter and paperhanger, following that in Texas for a number of years. But the climatic conditions obtaining there seem to have undermined his heatlh, for in 1898 he re- moved to California for the purpose of better- ing, if possible, his physical condition. After remaining a short time in San Francisco under medical treatment. he came north to Seattle, removing thence to Spokane, where for five months he again gave himself vigorously to the pursuit of his handicraft. Finally, however, he disposed of his business interests there and removed to Walla Walla, in which city his home has since been and where he has again es- tablished himself in business. He is still the owner of property interests in El Paso, Texas.
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