USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 67
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JOHN D. LAMB, a farmer residing at 304 East Sumach street, Walla Walla, is a native of this county, born March 8, 1861. He has passed his entire lifetime thus far in the valley, receiving his education in the local public schools. On arriving at years of ma- turity he entered the hardware and furniture business in this city, but in 1893 he sold out and invested in a six-hundred-and-forty-acre farm on Eureka Flat. He has farmed this ever since, though his residence is in the city. He also owns considerable garden land in the vicinity of Walla Walla, and has, in addition to his elegant home, considerable city real es- tate of value.
Mr. Lamb is a man of unusual ability, as is evinced by the fact that he has been re- markably successful, both as a business man and a farmer, while others with opportunities as good or better have failed. He is quite prominent in political circles, and may well be ranked as one of the leaders of the local Democracy. He served two years on the city council, and in the current year. 1900, was
the nominee of his party for the responsible office of police judge. Mr. Lamb was mar- ried in Walla Walla, July 2, 1887, to Miss Alice Morrison, also a native of this county, born November 1, 1864. Mrs. Lamb's father, John Morrison, was a native of Michigan, but came to Walla Walla in very early days. He died in February, 1866, and his remains lie buried in the city cemetery. Her mother is now Mrs. E. G. Riffle.
CARRICK H. BARNETT, a pioneer of Walla Walla of 1877, was born at Athens, Tennessee, July 17, 1836. When quite young he was taken by his parents to Wright county, Missouri, where his mother died and where he resided until twelve years oldl. The father, who was for four years sheriff of the county, died before completing his second term, and our subject removed to Dallas county, to the home of his uncle, Mr. Frederick Hale. He remained with that gentleman until seventeen, working on the farm and receiving such edu- cation as was obtainable in a frontier public school.
Mr. Barnett, in 1854, crossed the plains, having been employed to drive a band of four hundred head of cattle to Marysville, Cali- fornia. Ile made the trip in four months. That task accomplished, he went to Napa val- ley, where he worked on a wheat farm for ten months. He then rode on mule back to Oak- land, Douglas county, Oregon, and secured from the well-known Dr. Dorsey S. Baker a job of freighting from that town to the south- ern Oregon mines. He soon became a third owner in the teams and equipments.
Mr. Barnett participated in the Rogue river Indian war of this period, serving under Cap-
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
tain William Chapman, who organized a com- pany of his own. In 1858, he, in company with other parties, bought a flour mill from Dr. Baker, and he was engaged in the dual oc- cupation of milling and farming until about 1862, when he sold his interest and gave his exclusive attention to agriculture and stock raising. In 1877. he came to the Walla Walla valley, bought two hundred and forty acres of land on Russell creek, and again engaged in farming. Being an ambitious man and possessed of those qualities which insure suc- cess in farming or almost any other business, he naturally increased his realty holdings from time to time, until he became the owner of nearly one thousand acres. This mammoth farm he and his sons are now cultivating for wheat and barley, raising large crops an- nually.
Mr. Barnett made his home on the farm until 1890, but since that year he has been living on a fine tract of city land comprising about four lots, upon which he erected a con- venient and elegantly furnished modern home. He and Mrs. Barnett both belong to the M. E. church of Walla Walla. Mr. Barnett was married first in Oakland. Oregon, in Octo- ber. 1858, to Miss Sarah E. Reed, who died in that town March 13. 1870, leaving four children : William H., Walter S., now on the farm. Ida, deceased, and George E., a dentist in Walla Walla. On May 25. 1873. Mr. Barnett married Mrs. Sarah E. Brown, a na- tive of Illinois, who is also one of our early settlers, having come to Walla Walla valley in June, 1871.
JUDGE JOHN A. TAYLOR is a pioneer of Walla Walla, of 1876, but he has taken an important part in the development of the West
for nearly half a century. He was born in New York, September 12, 1825. When thirteen years old, he came with his father to Lancaster. Wisconsin, and there he resided until 1852. In that year he set out with ox-teams on the long journey across the plains, landing in Portland, Oregon, October 6. after a six months' trip. His first undertaking in the new country was the establishment of a ferry about eleven miles south of Portland, on the Tualatin river. This he operated until 1863. in which year a toll bridge was built by him at a cost of four thousand dollars.
In 1874 Mr. Taylor became proprietor of a hotel at Amity. Yam Hill county, but this he disposed of in 1876, to come to Walla Walla, where he has since resided. Upon his arrival here, he engaged in selling farm ma- chinery for the Hawley-Dodd Company. He remained with them nearly three years, then with Paine Bros. three years, and then with William Jones for fourteen months. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace and police judge of the city, which offices he retained for the ensuing twelve years. For the three years prior to 1899. he maintained a gents' furnishing store in Walla Walla, but since that date he has been enjoying a well earned re- tirement.
Judge Taylor has long been active in the councils and campaigns of the Republican party, and to him belongs the honor of having been the first Republican elected to the legis- lature from Walla Walla county. He was also elected a member of the city council in 1878. and. being reelected the next year. served two terms. He is a man of probity, independence. and force of character, and well fitted to oc- cupy a position of prominence among his fel- low men. For forty years he has been an active and esteemed member of the Masonic
JOHN A. TAYLOR.
MRS. JOHN A. TAYLOR.
J. J. ROHN.
JAMES M. DEWAR.
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
fraternity. He was married in Lancaster, Wisconsin, October 25, 1846, to Miss Sarah McKinzie, a native of Kentucky, and to their union have been born six children, namely : Lucetta, now Mrs. S. C. Kelley : Frank : Annie, deceased; Ella, now Mrs. R. F. Mead, a banker in Spokane: Jennie, wife of Daniel Wann, and John E., a traveling salesman for a Seattle firm. Mrs. Taylor was born June II, 1825, in West Liberty. Morgan county, Kentucky. While a small girl she left her native state with her parents and removed to Lancaster, Wisconsin, where she was educated in the common schools (the only available schools at the time). There she met and mar- ried Mr. Taylor, with whom she removed to this country. She has been his life partner fifty- four years, sharing with him all his trials and hardships and enjoying with him his suc- cesses.
J. J. ROHN. one of the thrifty farmers and pioneers of the county, residing nine miles east of Walla Walla, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1835. He was left an orphan when ten years old: but was cared for and educated by his uncle. When seventeen years old, he emigrated to the United States, realiz- ing that the opportunities for a young man of energy and ability were far superior here to those offered in the old world. He worked at his trade, wood gilding, in New York for a while, and then spent ten months in Balti- more. in the same occupation, subsequently en- listing in the United States army as a mem- ber of the First Dragoons. He was sent to California at once, and before long found him- self engaged in Indian warfare. During the five years of his army life he was almost con- stantly in conflict with the red men, not only
in California, but in Oregon and Washington. as well.
Upon receiving his discharge at Vancouver ir 1860. Mr. Rohn proceeded direct to Walla Walla county, took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Mill creek, invested five hun- dred dollars, which frugal living had enabled him to save out of his soldier's pay, in stock, and engaged in the business of cattle raising. He was unfortunate at first, and lost heavily. but, with commendable perseverance, moved further down the creek, purchased more land, and started again. He has prospered ever since, adding to his real estate holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred and seven acres, highly improved and most of it in an excellent state of cultivation.
Our subject is entirely a self made man. Starting in a new land, without even a knowl- edge of our language, he has, by his own un- aided efforts, wrought his way to a competency. and to a rank among the leading farmers of the county. Few men enjoy a greater degree of the esteem and good will of their neighbors. than does Mr. Rohn. He married, in 1866. Miss Sarah E. Sanders, a most estimable lady. who unfortunately died in 1872. She left four children : Katie, wife of Thomas Bryant: Ma- line, now Mrs. Harry Gilkerson ; Fred. now liv- ing on his father's old homestead on Mill creek ; and Sarah J., who died in 1874.
HON. JAMES M. DEWAR, deceased. was a native of Scotland, born February 12. 1824. in the county of Perth, near the ancient castle of Donne. His parents were farmers on the northern slope of the Grampian hills, and he was cradled among the scenes of Scottish legend, and passed his early years by the banks
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
of the waters of the beautiful river Teith. which is fed by the pure waters of Lakes Cath- erine and Vennacher, where Fitz James, the Scottish king, first met his "Lady of the Lake." Not less adventurous by nature than the storied heroes of Scottish romance. Mr. Dewar early conceived the desire to look beyond the scenes of his native hills, and to have a part in the struggles of the new country to emerge from barbarism to civilization. This desire grew in intensity with the advent of manhood until. in 1853. it forced him from the home roof and across the ocean to America.
For the five years following the date of his arrival, Mr. Dewar traveled over the northern states of the American union, and in 1858 we find him on the Pacific coast. While sojourn- ing at Champoeg, on the Willamette river. he met a relative of his named Archibald Mc- Kinlay, the man who is so well known to all the pioneers of the northwest as a fearless leader of trapping expeditions, and a valued employe of the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. Mckinlay advised his young relative to seek his fortines in the Walla Walla valley, point- ing out to him the many advantages and bright prospects for a grand future which that region possessed, but at the same time warning him that he could not enter the valley without for a time at least risking his scalp. But the man who had in his veins the blood of Bruce and Wallace, and whose ideas of manly courage had been developed by reading of the stirring deeds of his warlike ancestors, was not to be deterred by any possible danger from Indians. so on the 4th of January, 1850. he entered the valley which was his home until March 27. 1802. when death called him, as we believe, to a higher sphere of usefulness.
Ilis first home in this county was a log cabin on Cottonwood creek. The picturesque
surroundings of this primitive dwelling place had taken his fancy, and he had purchased it with the land claim on which it was built. paying the original owner fifty dollars for the whole. During the first years of his occupancy. he did not intend to make it his permanent home, but rather a temporary base of opera- tions, his business being to raise large herds of cattle and horses for the Pacific coast mar- ket. . As time went by. however. he grew to like the locality, and as the country was set- tled up and his range began to narrow. he sohl off his surphis stock, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. His farm originally comprised three hundred and twenty acres, but it was afterwards increased by the purchase of one hundred and seventy-four acres more near by. All of this land has been enclosed by fence and brought to a high state of cultivation. and, as may be supposed, the log cabin has long since given place to a cosy and comfortable modern home. The oldest orchard in the county, with one exception, is upon this farm.
.Although never an ardent partisan, Mr. Dewar always took such interest in political matters as becomes a good citizen, and he was more than once called upon to perform the duties of very important offices. In 1878 he was elected by the Republican party to a seat in the territorial legislature, and while there became the author of the celebrated rail- way freight bill which bore his name. He was again elected to represent the county in 1882. and yet again in 1888, but did not serve the last time as that legislature never met owing to the fact that in 1880 the territory was ad- mitted to statehood. He also served as a dele- gate to the convention which nominated can- didates for membership in the body to which the drafting of our state constitution was en- trusted. In all his public services he proved
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
true to those who had reposed confidence in him, discharging his every duty honestly and with an eye single to the general benefit, and earning for himself an honored place among the builders of the state.
Mr. Dewar was married in Walla Walla January 27. 1864. the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret McRae, who still survives, and who is fortunate in being the recipient of the esteem and respect of all. Seven children were born of this union, three of whom, .Alexander, Elida and Gorden M .. are living, but the re- maining four, John. James M., Elizabeth and David, have passed away, the last two having died of diphtheria on the same day. In re- ligious persuasion. the family are Presby- terians.
JOHN A. DAVIS. a farmer residing about eight miles southeast of Walla Walla, a pioneer of 1863, is a native of Owen coun- ty. Indiana, born in 1839. The first nine years of his life were passed in the state of his na- tivity, but in 1848 the family moved to south- ern Iowa, and there Mr. Davis completed his education. He worked on the paternal farm until twenty years old, then engaged in that occupation on his own behalf. In 1863, he started with ox-teams on the long and danger- ous trip across the plains, and on the 4th of September of that year he arrived iu Walla Walla. He experienced several Indian scares, but had no trouble with the red men.
Mr. Davis worked for wages here for a while at first, but in 1864 homesteaded a place nine miles east of Walla Walla, and be- gan farming. He resided on this quarter sec- tion continuously until 1882, then sold out and purchased a tract of six hundred acres eight miles southeast of the city. on Cottonwood
creek. This he farmed until about four years ago, but of late years he has been letting it out to renters. For many years he was an extensive producer of wheat and barley, and handled large numbers of stock every season, but he is now retired to his magnificent rural home to enjoy a well-earned rest. He has in addition to his real estate an interest in the Davis Kaser Furniture Company.
For many years Mr. Davis was a very efficient force in the industrial development of this country, and he has certainly done his share towards redeeming the primeval. wild and unsubdued Walla Walla valley, and mak- ing it a fit dwelling place for civilized hu- manity. He was married in Iowa, in January. 1862, to Caroline Snoday, and they have be- come parents of twelve children, Margaret A .. James W., Mary M., Laura E., Frank .1., William M., Stella, Clara, Edna, Gertrude, and Elmer, living, and Nellie, who died in March, 1899.
JAMES CATION, deceased, whose con- nection with Walla Walla dates back to 1886, was born in Illinois, April 7. 1863. He re- ceived a good general education and took a very thorough course in the Gem City Business College. When twenty-three years old, he was tendered a position in the Walla Walla Business College, and he taught in that insti- tution a year, then, in connection with A. M. Cation and Prof. James F. Stubblefield. found- ed the Empire Business College, in which he was instructor in bookkeeping until about 1889. He then became bookkeeper and after- wards paying teller in the Baker-Boyer bank. with which he was connected until, in 1894. he was compelled by failing health to resign.
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
He afterwards andited the books of the city as an expert, but his health continued poorly. and on March 14. 1898, while trying the effect of a more southerly climate, he died in Phoenix. Arizona. His remains were sent back to Walla Walla, and lie buried in the city cem- etery.
Mr. Cation was a man of integrity and worth. highly esteemed by those with whom he came in contact, and his untimely demise was a cause of deep regret to hosts of friends and acquaintances. On April 22. 1891. in the city of Walla Walla, he married Miss Cora Lamb, a native of this city. daughter of James M. and Jane Lamb. early pioneers of the county. Mr. Cation was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his widow is identified with that denomination.
CYRUS T. NELSON .- AAmong those who are devoting their attention to the great basic art of agriculture in Walla Walla county is the gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph, his fine farm being located six miles north of the city of Walla Walla and the same being under excellent cultivation. As one of the representative agriculturists of the county. it is but consistent that we accord in this work a review of the life of Mr. Nelson.
Born in the year 1839. our subject is a native of Ohio, and he continued to make his home in the old Buckeye state until he had at- tained the age of twenty years, receiving his educational training in the public schools and early becoming familiar with the practical du- ties of life, in which connection it may be said that he was engaged in work on the farm and in a saw mill. Having determined to try his fortunes in the New Ellorado, Mr. Nelson
left his old home in the year 1859 and came to California by way of the isthmus of Panama. Upon arriving in the Golden state he made his way into the mining districts, where he con- tinued operations until November, 1861. when he made his way to Walla Walla and thence proceeded on a prospecting trip in Idaho, from Florence City as headquarters. In June. 1862, he went to the Oro Fino mining district, where he was engaged until 1879. having in the meantime passed the winters in Walla Walla, which he looked upon as his home. he having purchased land in the vicinity as early as 1870 and having rented the same until 1879. which year stands as the date of his permanent loca- tion in Walla Walla county. His ranch is lo- cated on Dry creek. comprises eight hundred acres and is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. his entire attention hav- ing practically been given to its improvement since he located on the place in the year men- tioned.
Mr. Nelson raises large crops of wheat and alfalfa and also devotes considerable atten- tion to the raising of live stock .-- principally cattle and hogs. Though his farming interests are of distinct importance and value, our sub- ject still maintains his association with the mining industry and passes the summer months in the Oro Fino mining districts, where he has a valuable quartz mine. He has recently erect- ed a five-stamp mill. which is now ready for operation. In connection with his farming op- erations Mr. Nelson owns a threshing machine. which during the harvest season is in requisi- tion throughout the farming districts con- tiguous to his home place. On the ranch is a fine orchard of about five acres from which an excellent yield is obtained.
The marriage of Mr. Nelson was solem- nized in Walla Walla county, in the year 1873,
C. T. NELSON.
HIRAM NELSON.
NEWTON ALDRICH.
J S. KERSHAW.
48 1
HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
when he was united to Miss Julia McInroe, who became a resident of the county in 1871. Of this union seven children were born and only one of the number is deceased. The names of the children, in order of birth, are as fol- lows : Carrie L., George U., Lawrence F., Lora A., Cyrus M., Edith Blanche (who died March 18, 1900), and Ruth. The family en- joy a distinct popularity in the community and represent the sterling element which enters into the makeup of the population of the favored county of Walla Walla.
NEWTON ALDRICII, deceased, a pio- neer of 1858, was born in New York state, June 28, 1833. When quite young he was taken by his parents to Michigan, where he received his public school training and where he lived until about nineteen years old. He then came out to California, via the isthmus, and engaged in teaming and mining. In 1858 he came to Walla Walla county with a band of stock, and before he disposed of the herd he had decided to make his home in this sec- tion. Accordingly he took a pre-emption about two miles southwest of Dixie, and settled down to the task of preparing a home for himself and family. He bought more land from time to time until he became the owner of five liun- dred and twenty acres in the locality of his home, and another farm two miles away. He was engaged in raising wheat and horses until the time of his death, January 26, 1888.
Mr. Aldrich was a good, substantial citi- zen of the county, and though he seems to have never been especially ambitious for leadership among his fellows, and never accepted any public office, he was, nevertheless, well thought of and highly respected in the community in
which he lived. He was married in this coun- ty, November 16, 1865, to Miss Annie Shoe- maker, who still lives on the original home place. They had three children, Minnie Serepta, Ida Estella, who died June 30, 1869, and Clara Etta.
HIRAM NELSON, a farmer, was born in. Stark county, Ohio, in 1836. He was reared on a farm in his native state, acquiring his education in the local public school. When nine- teen he went to work on the railroad. The next year, however, he went to California, via the isthmus, and for the four years following the date of his arrival he was engaged in mining. In 1861 he came to what is now known as Pierce City, Idaho, where he and his brother followed the business of putting in ditches until 1865.
Mr. Nelson then purchased a farm where he now resides, about six miles north of the city of Walla Walla, and settled down to. the life of a farmer. As a result of his. labors, he is now the owner of a fine eight- hundred-acre ranch, supplied with good build- ings and all manner of farming implements. He produces splendid crops of wheat, alfalfa, timothy and fruit, also raises and handles a great many hogs each season, and a number of cattle and horses. He is a very industrious, energetic, progressive man, and deserves a place among the leading farmers of the county. He is, moreover, a public-spirited man, ever ready to do what he can for the promotion of the general welfare, and he has at different times served as road overseer and school di- rector. In Walla Walla, on March 4, 1866, our subject married Miss Sarah Ann McInroe, a native of New York state, and to them have- been born five children: William T .; Addie,
31
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
wife of Frank Smith, of Walla Walla county : Ellery J .: Clark S., deceased; and Hyram G .. Jr.
Mr. Nelson has been interested to a greater or less extent in mining ever since his arrival in California and at present is the owner of some properties in the Oro Fino region.
JAMES S. KERSHAW, a pioneer of 1861. is a native of England, born July 5. 1836. His father died when he was quite young. and in 1841 his mother brought him to Amer- ica. They lived a while in Pennsylvania, then on the Hudson river and finally in Rhode Island, where Mr. Kershaw completed his ed- ucation and entered man's estate. In July. 1856, they went to Illinois, where, for the en- suing five years, Mr. Kershaw worked as a carpenter and builder. But in the spring of ISot he crossed the plains with ox-teams to Walla Walla valley and located on the site of the present town of Dixie. A couple of years later he took a homestead just east of the town and upon this he has been farming and rais- ing cattle ever since. He increased his real es- tate holdings by purchase from time to time. until he now has a farm of four hundred acres. A thrifty, industrious man, he has made for himself an excellent home, highly improved. and supplied with almost everything which has a tendency to render rural life pleasant and comfortable. As a man and citizen his stand- ing in the community is of the highest. and he enjoys an abundant measure of the good will and esteem of his neighbors.
In Dixie, December 8. 18;3. Mr. Kershaw married Mary .A. Cook, a native of England. ard t . their union have been born two children : Bessie, now Mrs. Ernest Cantonwine : and Ar- thur C., recently married.
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