USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 51
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abilities, and the force of character necessary to carry whatever he undertakes to a success- ful conclusion, if that is within the range of possibility. His standing in the town as a man and citizen is of the highest. His fra- ternal affiliations are with the Knights of Fythias, in which he is very active and pop- ular. He was married, in Waitsburg, August 21, 1900, to Miss Bertha Foster, a native of this county.
DR. Y. C. BLALOCK, physician and sur- geon in the Rees-Winans building, was born in Mitchell county, North Carolina, August 3, 1859. He was early taken by his parents to central Illinois, where he resided until 1873, attending the public schools. He then started across the plains to Walla Walla, driving a four-mule team all the way from Macon coun- ty. Illinois. For a number of years after his arrival he worked on his father's farm during the summer months, attending school in win- ter, and at last, by dint of hard, patient effort in the face of difficulties which would have overwhelmed a less resolute man, he prepared himself for entrance to Jefferson Medical Col- lege.
Immediately after graduation Dr. Blalock began practice in Walla Walla, opening an office on April 1, 1884. Since that date he has devoted his energies assiduously to his profes- sion, building up a large practice, and attain- ing a high standing among his fellow practi- tioners. At present he holds the office of county coroner, and for four terms he was health of- ficer of the city. His interest in the welfare of Walla Walla is manifested in many ways, but finds more particular expression in his activity in connection with the Volunteer fire depart- inent, of which he has served as chief for six
years. The Doctor is very active in politics. In 1898 he was elected chairman of the Re- publican County Central Committee, and in the present year he was again chosen to fill that office.
In fraternal circles the Doctor is intensely active. He has held many high offices in the Masonic order. both in the grand and sub- ordinate lodges, and is also very prominent in the K. of P .. and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married, in April, 1883, in Walla Walla, to Julia Sanderson, a native of that city, who died in October. 1885, leaving one son, Jesse N. In 1890 he again married, the lady being Lillian Ballou, who resided just across the Oregon line from Walla Walla, and to this marriage was born one daughter, Phœbe I.
ALONZO GILLHAM, a farmer on the state line, southwest of Walla Walla. a pio- neer of the northwest of 1860, was born in Devonshire, England, March 30, 1834. He passed his first sixteen years in his fatherland, then was a sailor on the St. Lawrence river for two years, after which he settled in Lon- don, Ontario, where for some time he was manager of a hotel.
When Mr. Gillham first came to the United States he engaged in the lumbering industry, but he afterwards accepted a commission from the American Fur Company as "wagon boss." He brought, at the instance of this company. the first wagon train which ever crossed the plains by the northern route. The winter of 1860 was passed by Mr. Gillham at the com- pany's trading post. at the mouth of the Poplar river, and in the spring it was his good for- tune to witness the famous fight between the Crow and Gros Ventre Indians, in which each
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side lost forty-five warriors killed, and which ended in a treaty of perpetual peace between the two tribes, a treaty never broken. Early in 1861 he made a trip with dispatches down the Missouri river in flat-boats to St. Joe, where he arrived the day Fort Sumter was fired upon, thence by rail to St. Louis, Missouri. From that city he went back to St. Paul, Min- nesota.
The next spring our subject entered the employ of the government, which sent him to Fort Benton, Montana, to lay out a military road to Fort Abercrombie. He did not re- main with the party until this was completed, however, but joined a prospecting company for the purpose of searching for hidden treasure in the Prickly Pear and Bannock creek districts.
Selling out his interests in this company in 1863, he removed to Virginia City, Montana, where he was quite successful during the three years of his stay. He was employed from 1866 to 1870 as a contractor in quartz mining, but in the latter year he took a squatter's claim · in Montana and turned his attention to farm- ing, stock raising and freighting. In the fall of 1873 he drove his stock through to Boise City, Idaho, from which town, shortly after- wards, he came to the Walla Walla valley. He followed freighting as a business until 1888, then took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on Basket mountain and again en- gaged in farming. He has ever since made his home on this tract, on which he is at present raising wheat and hay.
Few men have seen more of pioneer life and hardships than has Mr. Gillham, and few have done more than he to develop new regions and blaze the way for the advent of civilization. He has been active in several Indian wars, serving as a teamster to haul government sup- plies in both the Nez Perce and Bannock wars, partment, a connection that has never been per-
and as a guide to a train sent from Lewiston through the Palouse country under Colonel Whitten, for the purpose of heading off Chief Joseph. Mr. Gillham was married, in Walla Walla, April 30, 1876, to Miss Mary C. Frice, a native of Iowa, and an old pioneer of the Walla Walla valley. They have four children : Elizabeth E., wife of Charles Stribe: Harry J., a farmer ; Alonzo C., a farmer ; and Lidia, who resides with her father.
HARRY DEBUS, whose connection with Walla Walla county dates back to 1875. was born in Baden, Germany, December 3, 1825. He grew to manhood and was educated in his fatherland, remaining there until 1849. In that year he emigrated to Philadelphia, where he secured employment as a tailor (that being his handicraft ) from Wannamaker & Brown. He worked for this firm about twelve years. In 1875 he came out to Walla Walla and re- sumed work at his trade, giving some attention also to farming. At present he is engaged in business on Fourth street, that city. Mr. Debus was married, while in Philadelphia, to Miss Elizabeth Besserer, a native of Baden, Germany, and to them have been born three children : Harry : Freno, wife of J. W. Wahn; and Lena, wife of William Ruddock.
Harry Debus, Jr., was born in Philadelphia November 7, 1869. He came with his parents to Walla Walla, where he received a good ed- ucation in the public schools and in St. Pat- rick's Academy. He early learned the trade of a blacksmith, and for ten years worked at that craft in Walla Walla, but for the past five years he has been engaged in the liquor business. In 1879 he became connected with the fire de-
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manently severed, and he is at present acting secretary of the department. He is very active in politics, having served as delegate to every Democratic county convention since he be- came of age. He also has the honor of having served in the Spanish-American war, and is now a leader in Lawton Post, Spanish -. \mer- ican Veterans. He was married. in Walla Walla. August 27, 1891. to Miss Dora Picard, a daughter of one of the old pioneers of this county, and they now have a family of three children, William R., Henry L. and Erma.
GEORGE E. BARNETT. dentist. 3 and 4 Post Office block. Walla Walla, was born in Oakland, Oregon, in 1866. He attended both public and private schools there until eleven years old, then came with the remainder of the family to Walla Walla. Here he completed his public-school education and took a course in Whitman College. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania as a student of dental surgery, graduating with distinction in the class of 1889. Returning home, he prac- ticed in Walla Walla one winter, then spent two years as a practitioner of his profession in Seattle. Subsequently, however, he located in Walla Walla, where his home and his business have ever since been.
Dr. Barnett is a thorough student of his profession, and has attained the skill and pro- ficiency in it which concentration and assiduity. coupled with good natural ability, are sure to bring. Hle is justly regarded as one of the leading dentists in the city, and enjoys a large patronage. The Doctor gives some attention to mining. l.cing quite extensively interested in Lake Chelan properties. His fraternal connec- tions are with the 1. O. O. F., Washington
Lodge. No. 19, in which he is quite active. In 1890, in the city of Walla Walla, our subject married Miss Maude Kirkman, a scion of an old pioneer family, and to them has been born one son. John Edward.
ADRIEN MAGALLON. a pioneer of 1882, was born in France August 10, 1860. When fourteen years old he emigrated to San Francisco, California, whence he moved to Los Angeles to secure a job as a shepherd. He was thus employed there and at Santiago for about nine years, during which time he ac- cumulated considerable money, his ambition being to start in the sheep business for him- self. He then came to Walla Walla and herded for Mr. Sturgis a year and a half, at the end of which time he was master of sufficient funds te warrant him in embarking in the industry on his own account. So he purchased a num- ber of sheep, and started in the business in which we now find him. He has been re- markably successful, and is at present the owner of about thirteen thousand sheep. He also has about eight thousand acres of land on the Snake river, besides some very valuable Walla Walla real estate. He resides in a magnificent home at 313 N. Sixth street, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of life.
But above all Mr. Magallon is so fortunate as to enjoy the unwavering confidence and hearty good will of all who know him, and to command the respect always bestowed upon those who work their way by industry and thrift from obscure beginnings to competency and comfort. In fraternal affiliations Mr. Ma- gallon is identified with the I. O. R. M. He married, in Walla Walla, November 26, 1889, Mary Charrier, a native of Quebec, Canada,
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and they have four living children, namely : Adrien, Marie, Lucy and Armand; also one, Bertha J., deceased.
Mrs. Magallon has been a resident of Walla Walla for twenty-two years, coming via San Francisco . with her parents, who inade this county their home.
WINFIELD D. SMITH, undertaker and embalmer, 130 E. Alder street, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, December 22, 1850, and there the first fourteen years of his life were passed. From that time until ISSo he was a resident of McLean county, Illinois. He received a thorough public-school education, supplemented by a course in the Wesleyan Uni- versity, located at Bloomington, Illinois, then engaged in teaching, which profession he fol- lowed for the ensuing five years. He then came west with a car-load of horses. These he disposed of at The Dalles, Oregon, where for the next three years he was engaged in stock raising.
Coming to Walla Walla in 1883, Mr. Smith turned his attention to the manufacture of woven wire matresses, and in 1885 he became a shipper of fruit and produce. In 1890 he built the first fruit evaporator in the county, and this he still owns and operates. He has recently begun the manufacture of cider vin- egar, and in November of this year he began the erection of a factory for that purpose, which will have a capacity of thirty-five hundred bar- rels per annum, and which, he says, will be the first and only pure cider vinegar factory in the state.
In addition to his extensive fruit business our subject has, since 1889, been the owner and operator of a suite of undertaking parlors on
Alder street. He is also interested in mining in the Rocky Bar district in Idaho. Mr. Smith is one of the most enterprising and progressive business men in the county, and a man who stands high in the esteem of his fellow towns- . people generally. In fraternal affiliation he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was married in Portland, Oregon, in 1893, to Miss Nathalie Grenier, a native of Ohio, and they have two children, Madeline and Laura.
CAPTAIN JOHN E. BOYER is a native of the city of Walla Walla, born December 29, 1866. He received unusual educational ad- vantages. In 1887 he took the degree of bachelor of arts from Whitman College, grad- uating in the second class ever sent out by that institution. He then went to the University of Michigan and spent two years in the study of political science, history and law, taking the first year's work in the law department and receiving the degree of bachelor of arts from their liberal arts department. He next went to Columbia University, where, in 1891, he finished the law course. He was admitted to the bar in New York city, but began practice in Seattle in partnership with the Hon. E. Heister Guie, with whom he was associated until the death of his father called him to Walla Walla in 1897. He then gave up the practice temporarily to act as one of the executors of his father's estate, the affairs of which engaged his attention until, in April, 1898, the outbreak of the Spanish-American war called him into the military service of his country. For this service Captain Boyer had fitted himself by close study and application to military duties in the national guard of Washington. While
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in Seattle he was identified with Company E. his practice of law in Seattle. He has recently N. G. W., of which he was first lieutenant been appointed judge advocate for the depart- ment of Washington of the Spanish-American War Veterans. at the time his removal from the city led him to resign his commission.
At the first call of the president on the na- tional guard for volunteers, however, he ap- plied to Governor Rogers for reinstatement as an officer in the N. G. W., but was refused, there being no vacancy. Ile thereupon enlisted as a private in the Walla Walla company and proceeded to the state rendezvous. Here, how- ever, while the First Washington Regiment was in process of formation from the N. G. W., the governor found one of the companies so disorganized as to necessitate its disband- ing. and Captain Boyer was called on to or- ganize a new company from the material on the grounds. This company was mustered into the service of the United States as Company M. First Washington Infantry, United States Volunteers, on May 13. 1898, with Captain Boyer as commanding officer. It made a splendid record for itself both in garrison duty on the Pacific coast and campaigning in the Philippines until mustered out in San Francisco November 1, 1899.
Captain Boyer was on duty constantly with his company except from September 29, 1898. to February 8. 1899, during which period he was disabled by an operation for acute ap- pendicitis. His military service was of the most worthy character throughout. He re- ceived special mention in orders from the head- quarters of the army for "especially meritorious conduct in service." in saving, at the risk of his own life, a soldier from drowning in the Pasig river.
On being mustered out he returned to Walla Walla and to his duties as executor of the Boyer estate, on the settling of which, in the latter part of 1900, he expects to resume
JOHN HOFFMANN. a farmer residing at 621 South First street, a pioneer of 1878, was born in Weinheim, Germany, March 18, 1852. Ile was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools until sixteen years old, then came alone to the United States. He spent five years in the city of New York. employed in a piano factory. afterwards going to San Francisco, where he followed the same occupa- tion for five years longer.
At the end of that time Mr. Hoffmann came to Walla Walla, arriving in August, 1878. He was engaged in freighting here for several years, but in 1883 took a pre-emption of one hundred and twenty acres on Eureka flat with a view to becoming an agriculturist. He proved to be an unusually successful farmer. and his real estate holdings have kept increas- ing until he is now the owner of 2.560 acres, all except one quarter in one tract and adjacent to the original pre-emption. He also has an ele- gant home in Walla Walla, and two fine ware- houses of his own on Eureka flat. On his place is a well 945 feet deep, drilled, but the water rises only 245 feet. so that it has to be elevated full seven hundred feet by artificial means.
Mr. Hoffmann has achieved that for which all are striving and which comparatively few attain, namely, success in life, and he has done so, too, under the most unfavorable circum- stances. Coming to this country when a mere boy, without means, without influence, without even a knowledge of our language, and with- out experienced relatives to advise and direct, he has worked his way to a high standing in
JOHN HOFFMANN
MRS. THERESA HOFFMANN
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the social and financial world. He is a promi- nent fraternalist, being identified with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 13. F. & A. M., all the chairs of which have been occupied by him ; with Tribe No. 23. I. O. R. M .; with Integrity Lodge, No. 4, A. O. U. W., and with the Sons of Her- man. He also belongs to the Royal Arch and Commandery, branches of Masonry. Mr. Hoff- mann married in Walla Walla, on April 25, 1881. Miss Theresa Kirchner, a native of Min- nesota, who was brought by her parents to the valley when four years old. Her father, Mel- chior Kirchner, died in Florida, to which state he had gone for his health, in 1891, and her mother now lives at Uniontown, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann are the parents of nine children : Edward. Bessie D., Annie, Valline, Philip and John, all at home and pupils in the public schools; Joseph, Henry and Lena, all deceased. The family affiliate with the Cum- berland Presbyterian church of Walla Walla.
JAMES CUMMINS, of Cummins Bros. Livery Company. Walla Walla, was born in Henry county, Indiana. January 6. 1859. When three years of age he was brought by his parents to this county. He acquired a pub- lic-school education, then engaged in raising, buying and selling horses and cattle near Touchet Station, on Touchet river, where he still owns seven hundred acres of land, fifty head of dairy cattle and five hundred range horses. Of this ranch his son, John R., is now foreman, Mr. Cummins giving his time to the management of the livery business owned by himself and brother in Walla Walla.
Mr. Cummins is a man of ability and good judgment, possessed of the energy and de- termination requisite to carry whatever he may
undertake to a successful issue, and his stand- ing in Walla Walla and wherever he has lived is an enviable one. His interest in the cause of education is manifested by the fact that for fourteen years he was school director in his district at Touchet Station.
In Walla Walla county, on September 14, 1879, Mr. Cummins married Miss Addie E. Byrnes, a native of Minnesota, who died Att- gust 16, 1900. Their children are John R., foreman of the ranch at Touchet; Lizzie, a student in Whitman College; Evelina, Albert. Lillie and Mary L., all in the public school; James H., the baby, now with his grandpar- ents : and Floyd, deceased.
In fraternal circles Mr. Cummins is a mem- ber of the F. O. E., of Walla Walla.
JOSEPH L. HARPER, secretary of the Preston-Parton Milling Company. of Waits- burg, was born in Iowa May 3, 1860. After completing his education he followed the trade of a carpenter and the profession of teaching in his native state until 1882, then came to Waitsburg and turned his attention to farm- ing. He was in that occupation until 1886, when he accepted a position in the mill. by which he is now and ever since has been em- ployed. He is one of the silent partners in the business. Mr. Harper has always manifested a deep interest in the general development of Waitsburg, and ever shown himself willing to do his share for the promotion of the general welfare. For the past three years he has repre- sented his ward in the city council. He was married in Waitsburg. November 21. 1888. to Miss Anna Cox, who was born on the Cox homestead, six miles south of the town, March 30, 1867. They have one son. Wayne. Mr.
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and Mrs. Harper and their little boy live in a comfortable home of their own in Waitsburg. supplied with all the conveniences of life, and very pleasantly situated.
Mrs. Harper's father, Mr. Lewis Cox, is one of the oldest and most prominent settlers of this section. Ile was born in Illinois in 1840, but has been identified with the Pacific coast ever since he was about twelve years okl, having crossed the plains to Oregon in 1853. He farmed for a number of years in Linn county, Oregon, near Albany, but later moved thence to Waitsburg, where he farmed until failure of health compelled him to retire. In 1897 he sold his farm and moved into the town of Waitsburg. He was married .August 29. 1858. His children are Albert, deceased ; Grant U .: Bertie E. : Annie M .: Frank L., cleceased : Fred O .: Nathan B .; Anderson B .; Elmer E .: Lulu V .: Jennie E .; Tina J. and Grace.
ALFRED BACHTOLD is a native of Switzerland, born in 1870. When only twelve years oldl. however, he came to America, locat- ing first in South Dakota, where for about six years he was engaged in farming. He then went to Wisconsin and directed his attention to the plumbing business, a line which he fol- lowed until 1891. The ensuing twelvemonth was spent in Dakota. Coming theu to Port- land, Oregon, he remained a few months in that city, but before the end of the year 1892 he became identified with Walla Walla. For the following five years he was engaged in manufacturing wire fencing and in various other enterprises, but in 1897, in company with Charles Ackerman, hie opened a wholesale wine and liquor establishment. His trade extends over a large section of country, including Port-
land, Seattle, The Dalles, Astoria and many other cities and towns. Mr. Bachtold is an enthusiastic man in fraternal circles, and is connected with the Red Men, of which he is past sachem ; the Eagles, and the Sons of Her- man. He is also an active member of the fire department. Our subject was married, in Walla Walla, in 1897, to Mary Ganswig, and to them were born two children, the oldest now deceased.
PROFESSOR SAMUEL HARRISON LOVEWELL, director of the Conservatory of Music, of Whitman College, was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts, March 9. 1865. He took a thorough public-school course, then en- tered the New England Conservatory of Music, from which he graduated in 1891. A great part of his instruction was, however, re- ceived from George E. Whiting, Otto Bendix and other private teachers of note. His first experience in the practice of the musical profes- sion was acquired in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged as organist and choir master of St. John's Lutheran church, and in private teaching. Two of his pupils while there were members of the family of Francis .A. March, the great scholar and philologist.
Subsequently Professor Lovewell went to Georgetown, Kentucky, to become organist and choir master in the Christian church there located, and to further prosecute his work as a private instructor in music. In 1896 he re- moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and took charge of the Trinity Episcopal church choir, also became director of music in the Presby- terian College for Women, located in that city. He retained these positions until, in 1898, he was called to Walla Walla to take charge of the music teaching in Whitman College.
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The Professor is a thorough musician, fa- miliar with all the great composers, and in- spired with a great love for that which is higliest and best in this most sublime of all arts. He is doing much to elevate and improve the musical tastes of his pupils and of all who come under the influence of the college. Pro- fessor Lovewell was married, in 1893, in Easton, Pennsylvania, to Anna A. Sandt, and they have four children, Elizabeth, John S., Dorothy and Ruth.
JESSE CUMMINS, of Cummins Bros. Livery Company, at 318 Main street, a pioneer of 1862, was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, January 17, 1853. The first nine years of his life were passed there but he then started with his parents over the long trail to the west. He came in the Canada train, consisting of two hundred and seventeen wagons, and experi- enced no difficulty with the Indians. The family settled in this county, taking a home- stead six miles southeast of Walla Walla. They resided here for about seven years, then sold out and moved over onto the Walla Walla river, where they might have better pasture for their herds.
Mr. Cummins received such educational privileges as the public schools of those early days afforded, and when nineteen years old began to work for wages. Two years later he homesteaded land near Dayton, where for the ensuing thirteen years he was engaged in farm- ing. He then traded off his place and went to raising horses at Pine Tree Rapids, of Snake river. in Franklin county, at which he was em- ployed for four years. Thercafter he traded a tract of two hundred and twenty-eight acres on the Snake river, which he had bought from
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