USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 61
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
however, he, in company with the Bass Bros., purchased a tract of land on the Touchet river, and they have ever since resided there, en- gaged in stock raising and general farming. They are thrifty, industrious, energetic men, possessed of the good judgment and force characteristic of those who are really success- ful in any calling.
On July 25, 1875, Mr. Swaim was mar- ried to Mrs. Sarah A. Bass, by whom he has two children, Mary A., born August 2, 1876, and Leona M., born January 22, 1884. Mrs. Swaim also has two sons by her former mar- riage, Frank L., born January 20, 1871, and John L., born August 25, 1873. They are in partnership with Mr. Swaim in the farming and stock-raising business. Their father, Mr. John F. Bass, died in Vernon county, Mis- souri, February 11, 1873.
GEORGE R. CROWE, a retired house painter residing at 433 North Fifth street, Walla Walla, a pioneer of March, 1862, was born in London, England, April 27, 1836. He attended the public schools of his father- land until fourteen years old, then went to sea as an apprentice aboard the sailing bark "Harold," engaged in the East India trade. For five years thereafter he sailed continu- ously, visiting South Africa, Australia and all far eastern ports. He spent two years in South Africa, engaged as a shore whaler, his busi- ness being to take the whales when, at certain seasons, they came to the mouths of the rivers to calve. He also passed two years in Aus- tralia in the gold diggings of Ballaratt and Bendigo, and while there was often attacked by white bushrangers under the famous bush-
ranger chief "Black Pete." Fortunately, how- ever, lie escaped without a wound.
Mr. Crowe came thence to California, ar- riving at San Francisco in March, 1859, and went direct to Nevada City. He was engaged there and at Grass Valley and Forest City in the business of placer mining about two and a half years, then returned to San Francisco, and about three months later we find him en- listing as a member of Company A, First Washington Territorial Volunteers, for serv- ice under Captain Taylor and Colonel Stein- berger, in guarding the British frontier dur- ing the Civil war. He continued to perform this duty for three years, participating in sev- eral skirmishes.
After being discharged at Walla Walla, in 1865, Mr. Crowe opened a house painting shop on the corner of First and Alder streets, where he did business continuously until 1896, in which year he sold out and retired. Mr. Crowe has always proven a good neighbor and citizen, an industrious, thrifty man and a highly estimable member of society. He en- joys an enviable standing in the community in which he has lived so long. He is quite prominent in the A. Lincoln Post, No. 4, G. A. R., to which he has belonged for the past fifteen years, and of which he has been senior vice commander.
In Walla Walla, on April 19, 1875, Mr. Crowe married Miss Elizabeth Calvert, a na- tive of Illinois, and a pioneer of 1864. She is a leading member of the W. R. C., which hias bestowed upon her all the honors in its gift, and she also belongs to Lodge No. 48. L. O. T. M., of which she is a charter mem- ber and lady commander. Her father is a farmer on Mill creek, where she was educated and where she lived until the time of her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Crowe are parents of
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
three children living : John E., a clerk; Harry B. and Lizzie .A .; also of one, George R., who died at the age of three years and seven montlıs.
THOMAS J. FERREL. a farmer resid- ing about nine miles east of Walla Walla, is a native of Wayne county, Iowa, born in 1862. When he was but two years old his family started across the plains with mule-teams to Walla Walla county, so that he has been prac- tically reared in the west. The family located on Russel creek, and there Mr. Ferrel grew to man's estate and was educated. He early engaged in farming for himself, and has fol- lowed that industry continuously for many years. At present he is the owner of a splen- did little farm of ninety acres, and is raising wheat and horses. He is a progressive, enter- prising man, and enjoys the confidence and good will of all his neighbors. He was mar- ried in this county, in 1884, to Miss Percilla Edward, and they are parents of three chil- dren, Nettie P., Carrie E. and Elphie B.
WILLIAM L. MATHEW, a stock raiser near Clyde, is a native of Indiana, born Janu- ary 4, 1832. When thirteen years old he came with his parents to Iowa, where for many years afterwards his father, James D., fol- lowed farming as an occupation. Upon at- taining his majority Mr. Mathew set out across the plains to Walla Walla. He pur- chased a number of horses and engaged in raising that species of stock, a business which he has ever since followed. He takes great pride in the production of high grade road- sters and draft horses, and has a large num-
ber of fine animals, with which any connoisseur of thoroughbred horses would be delighted. To him belongs the honor of having been the first to engage in fruit raising in the Snake river country, thereby introducing an industry which has proved a great blessing to the entire Inland Empire. At present he is the owner of two hundred and ten acres of fine land on the Snake river.
During the early days of Walla Walla Mr. Mathew, like other raisers and dealers in horses, was greatly harrassed and suffered frequent loss by a gang of horse-thieves which scoured the country in the pursuit of their nefarious vocation. At length, when patience ceased to be a virtue, a committee was organ- ized, of which Mr. Mathew was a leader, and which soon proved successful in driving out the obnoxious intruders. At one time thirty renegades were driven into Montana, where they afterwards suffered death at the hands of a vigilance committee.
NELSON CASTLEMAN was born in Canada December 21, 1849. Both of his par- ents died within a few years after his birth, and he was taken into the home of an uncle, but the cruel treatment he received drove him away when ten years old. He came to the United States and located at Massena Springs, in New York, where he made his home with various families as he could find opportunity to work for his board and schooling. He fol- lowed this life for seven years, but in 1866 went to Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked in the cotton mills there. also, by special effort, learned the painter's trade. He remained in the mills for several years and by close applica- tion to business secured promotion after pro-
NELSON CASTLEMAN
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
motion until he held the second highest posi- tion in the mill.
In 1870 Mr. Castleman moved to Denver, Colorado, and a few days later found em- ployment as a quarryman at Golden, twenty- eight miles from Denver. Here he remained a year and a half, after which he returned to Lowell, passing through Chicago a short time after the big fire. He again took employ- ment in the mills, working in them during winter and following painting and paperhang- ing in summer. In April, 1877, he came west again, landing in San Francisco. A few days later he started north to Oregon and located in Portland. where he worked at his trade until August of the same year, when he came to Walla Walla. He has been engaged ever since ir painting and paperhanging.
In March, 1898, Mr. Castleman was seized with the Klondike fever and made the then dangerous journey to Dawson City, where he remained for eleven months. When he came out in the spring of 1899 he walked all the way from Dawson to Skagway over the ice on the Yukon river, a distance of six hundred miles, making the journey in thirty-three days, but actually traveling only thirty, as they stopped three days to rest. One day when the thermometer registered sixty-five degrees below zero his party traveled thirty miles.
Mr. Castleman is an Odd Fellow of thirty years standing. At present he is identified with Enterprise Lodge, No. 2. of Walla Walla. Ile belongs also to the city volunteer fire depart- ment, and has done so constantly since its or- ganization, being a charter member of Vigi- lance Hook and Ladder Company. He has some real estate interests in Seattle and three houses and lots on West Chestnut street, Walla Walla, in one of which he himself resides.
HENRY KUHL, a farmer nine miles east of Walla Walla, was born in Germany in 1854. He was, however, practically reared in this. country, having come to America with his par- ents when seven years old. His first home in the United States was in Indiana, thirty miles east of Chicago, and there he resided for twenty-eight years, engaged, after he be- came old enough, in farming. He also ope- rated for three years the first creamery ever erected in Indiana, and for some time was landlord of a hotel. Coming west in 1889, he became a farmer on the Hudson Bay farm, nine miles east of Spokane, where he resided for three years. He then moved to Walla Walla county, bought land near his present home and engaged in wheat raising. At pres- ent he is the owner of a very fine farm, on which he produces wheat, barley, oats and corn. He also handles considerable stock.
Mr. Kuhl is one of the best farmers in the county, and the evidences of his industry and thrift are everywhere to be seen on his prem- ises. His farm is highly cultivated and is improved with good buildings, fences, etc. Ile was married in this county in 1896, to Nancy, daughter of Henry Smith, one of the early pioneers of the state of Oregon. They have three children, Mabel, Jessie and Ber- ner T.
CHARLES F. CUMMINGS, postmaster and merchant at Wallula. a pioneer of 1862. was born in Kansas September 5. 1861. He was, however, reared and educated in this county, his parents having brought him across the plains when he was only one year old. Upon attaining years of maturity, he engaged in the livery business at Wallula. He was
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
in that line for a number of years, then tried. farming a while, but finally entered the em- ploy of the W. & C. R. R. R. Company as stationary engineer in their shops. Upon re- tiring from that he embarked in the mercan- tile business, and to this his energies have been given ever since, his location being Wallula. He is the proprietor of a fully equipped and nicely arranged establishment, and commands a good trade. He also has a fruit farm in the vicinity.
In 1898 Mr. Cummings was appointed postmaster, and he has since been performing his duties as such to the entire satisfaction of all the patrons of the office. He was married in the Puget Sound country, March 13, 1887, to Miss Mary J. Lindley, a native of Iowa. They have a family of five children, Leon E., Walter F., Flora E., Ula M. and Richard F.
Mr. Cummings' father, Gideon, a farmer three miles east of Wallula, a pioneer of 1862, was born in Indiana June 12, 1839. When two years of age he was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, and he resided in that state and Iowa and Linn county, Kansas, successively, for different periods of time until 1862, when he crossed the plains to Walla Walla. Having purchased an interest in the missionary farm of Rev. H. H. Spalding, he resided thereon until 1865. when he went to the Walla Walla river and engaged in the business of keeping stage station. For a while, also, he was him- self the proprietor of a stage line to Lewis- ton, but in the early days he opened a mer- cantile establishment at Wallula, in company with his brother Amos. They conducted this business successfully for a full decade. Mr. Cummings was also engaged for a number of years in the business of buying, selling and storing wheat. one season handling four thou- sand tons, all raised in Umatilla county. Ore-
go11. He was the first to attempt to farm the hills south of Wallula, and for many years has followed that occupation there with good success. He is the owner of about two hun- dred and sixty acres of land, on which he raises a little of everything, though hay is his principal crop.
In the state of Kansas, on January 1, 1861, he married Miss Lucy A. Whetstone, a na- tive of Illinois, and they have five children : Charles F .; M. Elizabeth, now wife of George J. Mcavoy, an engineer on the O. R. & N .; Amos G., a farmer: Rose E., wife of Mar- shall R. Hill, engineer on the W. & C. R. Railway; M. Catherine, wife of D. E. Smith. a fireman on the N. P. R. R., residing at Genesee, Idaho.
Mr. Cummings has long been one of the leading men of the county, and he is well known and very highly esteemed by all the older and many of the newer residents of this section. His life has been successful finan- cially, as well as in other ways, and in addi- tion to his farm he has some valuable prop- erty in Wallula, Walla Walla and Seattle.
JOSEPH W. FERREL. a farmer resid- ing about ten miles east of Walla Walla, was born in this county in 1872. He acquired his education in the public schools and in Whit- man College, then went onto his father's farm, where he remained until last year. He then bought a farm of his own. Heretofore he has given most of his attention to cattle raising. but he is now going into the production of wheat more particularly. He is a thrifty. en- terprising, industrious young man, and pront- ises to become one of the leading farmers of Walla Walla county. He was married in 1897
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
to Miss Belle De Baun, a native of Walla W'alla county, and a member of a family which crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1851. They have had one daughter, Bernice C., now deceased.
AUSTIN LYNN CAUVEL, who resides at 806 Alder street, Walla Walla, is one of the early settlers of this city, having lived here since January 1, 1880. He was born near Oil City, Venango county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 1, 1852, and there received his educa- tion and grew to manhood. In December, 1873, he removed to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. where he served an apprenticeship of two years, learning the trade of a carriage painter. Returning then to his old home he main- tained a shop on his father's farm, at the same time giving some attention to agricul- tural pursuits, but in 1879 he started for this valley, coming west over the Union Pacific and Central Pacific to San Francisco, thence by steamer to Portland, and thence by water and team to Walla Walla. Though the dis- tance from The Dalles to this city is only one hundred and ninety miles, it took them six days to make the journey, owing to the almost impassable condition of the roads and the scarcity of water. At one place a man who owned a well charged them twenty-five cents per head for the privilege of watering their horses.
On his arrival in Walla Walla Mr. Canvel went to work for his brother and Mr. Gardner in the old Ritz nursery, where he remained six months. He then went into the service of William Kent, who owned a carriage shop in Walla Walla, remaining with him also six months; then, after working two months as an employe of Mr. Baxter, another carriage
painter, he purchased the latter's shop and started in business on his own account. A year later he sold out and removed to Pendle- ton, where he, with Messrs. M. B. Johnson and J. A. Ross, purchased eighty acres of rich land and started a nursery. The business did not, however, agree with his health, so he sold out within eight months and returned to Walla Walla, where he found employment as a hack driver for Small & Miller, with whom he remained about three years. He then vis- ited his relatives in Pennsylvania, and upon his return to Walla Walla bought a shop on East Main street and resumed work at his trade. Ile continued in this uninterruptedly for four- teen years, afterward selling out. Our sub- ject and Charles Kurdey afterwards bought the property, but the former removed the shop to 503 South Second street, where he still maintains a carriage painting establishment.
Shortly after his arrival here Mr. Cauvel took a timber culture of one hundred and sixty acres about nine miles northwest of the pres- ent Ritzville, retaining the same until Janu- ary, 1900, when he sold it for two thousand dollars. In 1888 lie purchased a fifteen-acre tract about seven miles south of Walla Walla, on which he planted a choice selection of fruit trees, and for which, in 1899, he received eleven hundred dollars.
Mr. Cauvel is identified with the Ancient Order of Foresters, Court Walla Walla, No. 8114, and was elected to represent that body in the subsidiary high court, which met at Oakland, California, in 1898, and in the one which met in San Francisco in May, 1900. He is also prominent in Odd Fellowship, be- ing a past grand of Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, and a past chief patriarch of Walla Walla Encampment, No. 3. He was married March 20, 1887, to Miss Mary E. Todd, a native of
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Indiana, who came to Walla Walla in 1879. They have two children, Grace Camille and Stanley M., both in school in Walla Walla.
Mr. Cauvel's parents reside near Oil City, Pennsylvania, and are enjoying good health, though aged, the father seventy-five and the mother seventy years. His grandparents were among the earliest pioneers of western Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Canvel's parents are old and respected pioneers of the Walla Walla valley.
Among the heirlooms of the Cauvel fam- ily is the staple of the ox-yoke used by Mar- cns Whitman when he drove into Walla Walla county. It was found in the ruins after the massacre and fire. Mr. Cauvel also has a stuffed mountain lion presented to him by the Walla Walla Volunteer Fire Department, in recognition of the fact that he served that or- ganization as president for a longer period than any other man. The lion had been pre- sented to the company as an appropriate mas- cot, the name of the organization being the "Tiger" engine company.
GEORGE W. BRADBURY, a farmer re- siding near Clyde, a pioneer of 1872, was born in Oldtown, Maine, October 8, 1846. While yet in infancy he was taken by his parents to St. Anthony, Minnesota, a town which has since been incorporated into Minneapolis, although at that time Minneapolis consisted of a gov- ernment grist mill, and a cabin with a blanket for a door. At the time of the Minnesota mas- sacre, perpetrated by the Sioux, Mr. Bradbury was a member of the expedition which was sent out from Fort Snelling against the In- chans, proceeding up the Mississippi river to Fort Ridgely.
He remained at St. Anthony until seven-
teen years old, attending the local public school, then went with General Sully on his campaign against the Sioux Indians, and during this campaign assisted in building Fort Rice, which stands on the Missouri river near the mouth of the Cannon Ball. He participated in a seven-days fight in which six thousand whites were pitted against three times that many red- skins. The loss of white men was, however, very slight, not exceeding ten or fifteen. On the Little Missouri river they also had a three- days fight, but without serious loss. The most distressing thing which happened here was the accidental shooting of a man by his owni brother, the latter mistaking the former for an Indian in the darkness of night. The Indian guide was also wounded in this battle, and, as might be guessed. he received careful nursing. for he was the only man in the expedition who knew where the command was. They con- tinued their journey across the Bad Lands of South Dakota to the Yellowstone river, forded. this where Glendive, Montana, now stands, losing many men and mules by drowning, fol- lowed the Yellowstone to the Missouri, forded that river, pushed on to the site of the present Fort Buford, and thence to Sioux City, Iowa.
Here Mr. Bradbury quit the service and went on a trapping expedition. He had good success, but on his return was overtaken by a blizzard, which would have cost him his life had he not taken refuge in a sheltered spot and allowed himself to be covered over with snow. Returning at length to Minneapolis he engaged ir the lumbering industry with his father. He followed that business in winter and rafting in summer for three or four years, then en- gaged in saw-milling at Deer Lodge, Montana. but soon moved to Silver Bow, same state, and started a meat market for the purpose of sup- plying surrounding towns. He remained in
GEORGE W. BRADBURY
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
that business until 1872, then came, via the Mullen road. to Walla Walla. He farmed a rented place for one year. then began freight- ing. but as soon as the Nez Perce war broke out he again offered his services to the govern- ment. He was in the Pendleton fight, and though not present at the Cottonwood and Bird Canyon battles was on the ground in time to assist in burying the dead.
At the close of hostilities Mr. Bradbury en- gaged in freighting into Oro Fino, but subse- quently took a homestead and timber culture on Eureka flat, where he resided until 1893. He then sold out and purchased his present twenty-five-hundred-acre farm. He is now ex- tensively engaged in raising wheat, cultivating. for that purpose, not only his own mammoth farm but also twenty-nine hundred acres of rented land.
Mr. Bradbury is a typical pioneer, possessed of the indomitable courage characteristic of those who have occupied a place in civiliza- tion's van, and of a resourcefulness which has enabled him to conquer or find a way around all difficulties. He is now one of the most progressive and successful farmers in the coun- ty. bringing to his agricultural pursuits the same invincible spirit which he displayed in the stern battles of former days.
In Deer Lodge, Montana, in 1871, he mar- ried Miss Milly Harrison, a native of Missouri, who died in Walla Walla in 1882, leaving two children : Edward H .. now a resident of Walla Walla, and Maude, wife of Thomas Lyons, of Walla Walla.
EATHAN A. LINN, deceased, a pioneer of May, 1862, was born in Somerset, Ohio, August 25. 1832. He resided in the town of his birth until nine years old, then accompa-
nied his parents to New London, Iowa, where he completed his education and grew to early manhood. In 1852 his ambitious and venture- some spirit led him to undertake the long journey across the plains, though the route was beset with dangers and had to be traveled with ox-teams. He went to Salem, Oregon, and thence south to California, where for ten years he followed mining with varying for- tunes. In 1862 he visited Walla Walla on his way to the mines of Florence. Idaho, and in the fall he returned to this city. The next spring he decided to try his fortune in Boise basin, so went into that section and spent a year or two there, mining and packing. He returned to Walla Walla in 1864.
The next year Mr. Linn and his brother Homer came to Old Wallula for the purpose of starting in the livery business and in dray- ing. They met with excellent success in this undertaking, and followed it continuously for a fifth of a century. Mr. Linn then moved to his present place of abode, built two steam ferry boats on the Columbia river and estab- lished himself in the transportation industry at that point. He also followed stock raising for a number of years, but some time before his death he retired from active business and enjoyed a quiet evening of life.
Mr. Linn always took a lively interest in all matters of local concern, and was ever an active worker in political campaigns, his party affiliations being with the Republicans. He was a member of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7. F. & A. M. In Walla Walla valley, on · July 4. 1870, our subject married Caroline James, a native of Kansas, and an old pioneer of the coast. They became parents of six chil- dren : John E., manager of the warehouse at Wallula; Elizabeth, wife of W. F. Burger, of Dayton; William H., deceased; and three that
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died in infancy. Mrs. Linn passed away in he deeded to them before his death, also one 1882, and her remains lie buried in the Ma- of two hundred acres seven miles south of Walla Walla, in Oregon. sonic cemetery. Mr. Linn's death occurred at his residence in Wallula on December 4, 1900. Ilis demise was very sudden, his last illness being of but one hour's duration.
RICHARD GINN. deceased, of Walla Walla, was born in Fife, Scotland, January 4. 1820. His father died when he was quite young, and in 1836 he came with his mother to Cornwall. Ontario. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the com- mon schools. He followed the occupation of a farmer in Canada for twenty years, then removed to Fairpoint. Minnesota, purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and for ten years was engaged in wheat raising there.
Mr. Ginn then came to Umatilla county, Oregon, and located one hundred and sixty acres of land near the town of Weston. To this from time to time he added by purchase of school and railroad land and by taking a timber culture claim until he had six hun- dred and forty acres. He was the first farmer to raise wheat in the hills near Weston, and threshed his product by using horses to tramp it out on the ground. He afterwards sold part of his land and purchased four hundred and eighty acres in Sherman county, Oregon.
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