USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 68
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ROBERT E. B.AU'ER .- This respected pioneer was born and reared in La Belle France, receiving a good common school edu- cation. With the advent of manhood cante also the desire to try his fortune in the new world. and in 1870 he emigrated to Walla Walla, where he found employment with his brother, who had come to this city as a soklier in 1856. He worked in the latter's wholesale and retail tobacco house until 1890, except for about three months of the year 1873. dur- ing which time he maintained a barber shop of his own at Baker City, Oregon. His brother died in 1890. For the past few years our sub- ject has been living in comparative retirement. though he has been frequently called upon to serve as court bailiff. He is a public-spirited man, always solicitous for what he conceives to be the best interests of the city and county and quite active in politics.
JHILTON EVANS, of Walla Walla, a pio- neer of August 31. 1861. is a native of Pike county, Ohio, born November 9. 1833. He was reared on a farm in Scioto county. receiv- ing only a "log cabin" education. On arriv- ing at the age of twenty-six, he went to Fre- mont county, lowa, where he farmed a year. but in 1851 he set out across the plains with a mixed team, consisting of cows and oxen. Arriving in the Walla Walla valley in the fall of 1861. he forthwith engaged in farm- ing. renting land for the purpose at first. but afterwards purchasing four hundred acres, to which he later added another tract of two hun- dred acres.
Mr. Evans was a farmer and stock raiser on a quite extensive scale until 1883. but he then sold the four-hundred-acre tract and
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moved into Walla Walla, locating on a three- acre garden spot within the city limits. Dur- ing the past fifteen years Mr. Evans has de- voted a considerable portion of his time to introducing and experimenting with different varieties of ornamental and forage grasses, his purpose being to encourage the beautify- ing of farms and to render diversified farm- ing pleasant and profitable, by finding a species of grass which will do well on lands of which little use can be made at present except for wheat raising.
Mr. Evans remained on the garden spot above mentioned until 1889, when he moved to his present comfortable home at 216 S. First street. He is the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres of land in this county, be- sides real estate in Seattle and Ballard, and stock in the Farmer's Savings bank of this city.
Mr. Evans has been a valuable man to this county in many ways, but his greatest service consisted in what he has accomplished for the reduction of freight rates. To effect an equitable reduction in transportation charges he has exerted herculean efforts, both in the courts and in the legislature. As a re- sult of a two-years legal battle with the O. R. & N., he succeeded in reducing their charges for transporting wheat six and one-half cents per bushel, thereby putting millions into the pockets of the farmers. He attended the leg- islature during the session of 1896-97 and personally interviewed each member of that body on the freight rate question, thereby se- curing material reductions on farm products shipped from this section. Mr. Evans has also filled many important local offices, among them that of justice of the peace, school clerk, county commissioner, and city councilman. He is a prominent member of the Masonic
order, having joined Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, as early as 1870. Religiously, he was reared a Methodist, but for many years past he has affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is very liberal in his theological views, as he is in politics and every- thing else.
In this county, in June, 1871, Mr. Evans married Miss Alice Braman, a native of Mas- sachusetts, and a daughter of Palmer and Julia Braman, pioneers of their section of this state. To the gentle influence and ever kind- ly sympathy of Mrs. Evans he attributes what- ever success he has made of his life, and ad- vises all young men to select a good and noble woman and marry. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are both passionately fond of music and dancing, and in a social way are ever surrounded by a coterie of congenial spirits, young and old, and are thus passing the afternoon of their lives in a manner delightful to themselves and their friends.
CHIARLES McINROE, a farmer resid- ing six miles north of Walla Walla, was born in Steuben county, New York, and there the first nine years of his life were passed. In 1855, however, he went with the remainder of the family to northern Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and completed his edu- cation. His father was a farmer, but Mr. McInroe early engaged in logging, lumbering, river-driving, etc., an occupation which he followed until, in 1879, he started for the west. Ile came to Walla Walla, via San Francisco, and for the first three years after his arrival here he worked as a laboring man. . At length. he managed to accumulate enough to buy a small farm. To this he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of a full
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section. all well improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. He produces wheat and harley principally, but also handles quite a large number of cattle and horses. He deserves an honored place among those who. by industry and toil, have worked their way to positions of comfort and respectability in their communities, and who, in working out their own destinies, have also contributed no small amount to the general progress. For a long time he has held the offices of road over- seer and school director. In fraternal connec- tions, he is identified with the 1. O. O. F., the K. P. and the Elks.
Mr. Melnroe was married in Wisconsin. in February. 188 ;. to Miss Maggie White, and they have two children. Charles and Blanchie.
Mrs. MeInroe was postmistress of the Valley Grove postoffice, which has since been discontinued, for a period of seven years.
PATRICK RUSSELL. a farmer four miles north of Walla Walla, was born in Ire- land in 1849. He acquired his education in a national school in his fatherland, receiving a degree at the conclusion of his course. When twenty-one years of age he emigrated to Waila Walla, coming via San Francisco, From the date of his arrival until isso he was employed as a teacher in the various public schools of the county, but in that year he purchased land and began farming. He kept increasing his real estate holdings from time to time until in 1894 he had sixteen hundred acres. Since then he has been disposing of his lands, until his farm is now reduced to six hundred and forty acres. He raises wheat as his principal crop, but also produces the other cereals in
considerable quantities, and gives some atten- tion to stock raising.
Mr. Russell takes an active interest in po- litical matters, and is quite a leader in his party. He was chairman of the Walla Walla county delegation to the state Democratic convention of 1900. Fraternally he is identified with the Catholic Knights of America. In May. 1883. in the city of Walla Walla, Mr. Russell was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Poi- riora. a native of Umatilla county, Oregon, and their union has been blessed by the advent of nine children: Mary E .. Catherine. Annie. Francis J .. Gertrude. William P .. Agnes and James E., living : and Margaret. deceased.
WILLIAM P. STURGIS. a pioneer of ISTI, was born in Gorham, Maine, on Septem- ber 4. 1818, and in that town he grew up and was educated. His father died in 1826, and he. like the rest of the family, had to begin life's battle young. When fifteen years old, he en- gaged in general trading, and from that he later went into the real estate business, which he fol- lowed continuously for the ensuing thirty- seven years. But in ISto he set out for the Walla Walla valley, and upon his arrival he formed a partnership with A. S. Le Grow for the purpose of engaging in the sheep business on Wild Horse creek, about twenty miles south of Walla Walla, where they purchased a quar- ter-section of land. They afterwards moved to the vid Hudson's Bay trading post. about twelve miles south of the city.
Mr. Sturgis was in this industry for twen- ty-three years, but when the tariff was removed during Cleveland's administration. the profits of the business were so materially reduced that he decided to try something else. Accordingly.
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
he moved into Walla Walla with his family, and engaged in the money loaning business.
Mr. Sturgis has always been a very efficient force in the development and up-building of the city and county, subscribing liberally to all worthy charitable organizations and educa- tional projects. But he is not ambitious politi- cally, and never has accepted any office, though frequently urged to do so. In January, 1842, he married Miss Susan M. Creassy. a native of Maine, and a schoolmate of his. They had two children: Helen, afterwards Mrs. A. S. Le Grow, deceased : and Samuel P., who died in Pendleton, where he was serving as cashier of the first bank ever opened in the city. He was a very prominent Mason.
It may be of interest to record that Mr. Sturgis' birthplace, Gorham, was named after his grandmother's brother. Capt. John Gorhanı. Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis adhere to the Congrega- tional church of Walla Walla.
DALE PRESTON, of the Preston Grocery Company, of Walla Walla, is a native of this county, born December 15. 1879. He has al- ways resided in the valley, acquiring his educa- tion in the public schools. Waitsburg Academy and Whitman College. Shortly after complet- ing his studies he entered into partnership with his brother. Herbert, for the purpose of opening a grocery store in Walla Walla, and they have been in business together since April 6, 1900.
The brother, Mr. Herbert Preston, is also a native of the county, born December 21. 1876. His early life was much the same as was Dale's, except that he completed his education in Bishop Scott's Academy, of Portland, Oregon. He was with the Schwabacher Company for a
few years after leaving the Academy, and went from their employ directly into the grocery business in which we now find him. ' The broth- ers are sharp, quick and decisive young men, thoroughly business like, and their success in commercial life seems in no sense problemati- cal. Herbert Preston was married in this county in 1894 to Miss Josephine Corliss. In fraternal affiliations, he is identified with the A. O. U. W.
SAMUEL R. MANSON, retired farmer, a pioneer of 1859, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, January 7. 1843. He attended school there until fifteen years old, then accom- panied his parents to Omaha, Nebraska, where he lived for two years, attending school and farming. In the spring of 1859 he and the rest of the family crossed the plains with ox- teams intending to go to Pike's Peak, Colora- do. but learning that the gold excitement was groundless, they changed their course a little, and came on over the old Platte river trail to Walla Walla valley.
The family settled on a pre-emption, but, though he made his home with his parents for the first four years, Mr. Maxson engaged in freighting from the Columbia river to all in- land points, using ox-teams. He afterwards purchased a quarter section of land and became a tiller of the soil, continuing in that occupation constantly until 1898. In that year. however, he came into town, intending to retire, but he still retains his farm which consists at present of two hundred and thirty-five acres on Rus- sell creek, six miles east of Walla Walla. It is one of the best improved farms in the neighbor- hood, and has on it a splendid orchard of choice fruits.
Mr. Maxson was long regarded as one of
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
the must enterprising and industrious farmers in the county, and the general air of thrift which is perceptible about his premises goes far to convince ne that this is not a mistaken esti- mate. He has borne his share of the public burdens at all times, serving as read overseer for three years and as school director four terms. He married, in this county, in July. 1864. Miss Mary Elizabeth Paul, a native of lowa, and their uni n has been blessed by the advent of ten children: Lnellen, now Mrs. D. G. Ferguson: Charles: Alice: May. now Mrs. Glen Harris : Stephen : Myrtle : Waiter : Ralph. all living in the county; also Benjamin and Samuel, deceased. Mr. Maxson affiliates with Lodge No. 4. A. O. U. W., of Walla Walla. and the entire family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mr. Maxson's father. Stephen, died in Walla Walla in September. 1870. and his mother. Lois Maria, in Spokane Falls in 1882, and both are interred in the Wal- la Walla cemetery.
WILLIAM S. MALLOY, one of the most extensive and successful wheat raisers in the county, a pioneer of 1870, was born in New Brunswick, June 17, 1844. When nine years old he accompanied his parents to Saltwater. Minnesota, where he completed his education and grew to maturity In 1854 he crossed the plains to Virginia City. Montana, and engaged in mining in that leeality, and at Deer Lodge. becoming interested in several valuable proper- ties. Ouring west in 1870. he settled in Whit- man county, and engaged in the business ci stock raising. In ISTo, however, he moved into Walla Walla, having sold his stek and ranch in Whitman courty, but. though his home was in that chy, he was, for a short time. occupied chiedly in mining in Utah.
At length Mr. Mally again engaged in farming and the stock business, securing land for the purpose twenty-four miles northeast of Walla Walla (in Columbia county). where he now has a tract of ab at nineteen hundred acres. His residence is No. 702 Whitman street, Walla Walla, but he spends envugh time on the farm each year to care- fully supervise all operations.
Mr. Malloy does not seem to be especially ambitious for preferment in politics, and in that respect is not a leader, but he has been a power- ful factor in the industrial development of the county, and deservedly ranks among the pro- gressive forces. In fraternal circles, he is also quite prominent, being identified with the F. & .A. M .. and the .A. O. U. I.
In the city of Walla Walla in May. 1874. cur subject married Miss Mary P. Lyons. daughter of Daniel Lyons, a prominent pio- neer, when came to California in 1854. and to Walla Walla in 1805. He was proprietor of the Lyens ferry on Snake river until his death. which occurred in 1803. His remains He bur- fed beside thuse af his wife, who passed away in 1870, and was interred in the Walla Walla cemetery. Both of Mr. Maboy's parents died in Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Malloy are parents of six children : William. a farmer : Raiph : Elizabeth : Minnie: Th mas and Ange- line.
WILLIAM YEEND. a farmer seven miles north of Walla Walla, is a native of England. born in 1830. He received his education in the public schools of his fatherland and in a private academy, then engaged in farming. an occupa- tion which he i Howel continuas'y for the en- suing eighteen years. In isto he emigrated to America, and her re the year was over be hal
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
located on the place on which we now find him. He homesteaded eighty acres and purchased another one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. and to this nucleus he has kept adding lands obtained by purchase from the railroad and from private individuals, until he is now the owner of over eight hundred acres. He raises wheat as his principal crop, but devotes some attention to other farm products, especially fruit.
Mr. Yeend is a thrifty, enterprising, indus- trious man, possessed of the courage and force of character well suited for overcoming diffi- culties and for winning success in any indus- try to which he may turn his attention. He has manifested his interest in the general welfare in every way in his power, and always shown a willingness to bear his full share of the pub- lic burdens. He has been the choice of the elec- tors in his district both for school director and road overseer. Mr. Yeend was married in England in 1853 to Miss Ellen Surman. Their children are William S., James Augus- tus, John Isaac, Surman N., Dessie M., Ellen S. and Mary Florence, living, and Roland, Ar- thur, Ernest, Anna Laura, Ocenia, Frank, and two unnamed, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Yeend und most of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
SEVERT O. SELLAND, one of the enter- prising business men of Walla Walla, was born in Norway, June 10. 1852. He passed his carly youth in his native land, receiving a pub- lic-school education, and learning the trade of · a house painter, then went to sea on vessels ply- ing between the United States and England. In 1877 he located at Waicca, Minnesota, where he followed his trade and farming until
1885. In that year he emigrated to Moscow, Idaho, and went to work as a laboring man for a while, but as soon as an opportunity offered he opened a paint shop, carrying also a line of wall paper. He soon succeeded in buikling up a flourishing trade, but in 1897 sold out and went back to Minnesota on a visit.
Returning shortly to the west Mr. Selland sought for a suitable location along the Pacific coast, but failing to find a place to his liking, he returned to Walla Walla, arriving in December, 1898, and entered the employ of Mr. Burt Owen. He worked for that gentleman contin- uously until quite recently, then bought the business, and again started on his own account. Hle in an energetic, decisive, business-like man. ever alert to anticipate and supply the wants of his customers, and he is making every effort to increase his stock and build up his trade along all lines. Besides his holdings here Mr. Stel- land is the owner of some very desirable prop- erty in Moscow, Idaho.
WILLIAM H. BUROKER, son of David and Sarah (Jenkins) Buroker, a farmer, a pioneer of 1864, was born in Champaign coun- ty, Ohio, in 1856. When only a few months old he was taken by his parents to Missouri, where he lived for about three years. Five years were then passed in Davis county, Iowa, after which the family made the long trip across the plains to Walla Walla county, Wash- ington.
Mr. Buroker finished his education in the public schools here, then went to the Willa- mette valley, where he lived on a farm for three years. Returning then to Walla Walla he took charge of a farm for his father, and he was thus employed for several years. Subsequently
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
he moved to Umatilla county, Oregon, took a homestead and pre-emption, and began farm- ing there. After a residence of seven years in that county, he returned to Walla Walla, and purchased a farm six miles northeast of that city, where he has lived continuously since. He is, at present. the owner of a fine tract. containing seven hundred and sixty acres, and is engaged in raising wheat and barley prin- cipally, though he also handles cattle and hogs. His place is splendidly improved, and well supplied with good buildlings, fences, etc .. in fact the evidences of his thrift and energy are everywhere to be seen around his premises.
Mr. Buroker takes an active and intelligent interest in the public affairs of his neighbor- houd, ever displaying a willingness to do his full share for the promotion of the general well being. Hle is especially interested in the main- tenance of a good public school in his district. and for the past ten years has faithfully dis- charged the duties of school director.
Our subject's marriage was solemnized at a place three miles east of his present residence, on May 14. 1882. the lady being Miss May Gallagher, who was born on the site of the present Dayton, now in Columbia county, but at that time a part of Walla Walla county. They have four children in their family, name- ly. Zenna M .. Ina J., Forest L. and Mary E.
EDWARD J. WILLIAMS. deceased. a pioneer of 1863, was born in Bridgeport. Con- necticut. August 7. 1849. Ile was, when quite young, taken by his parents to New York, and some time later he moved with them to Chi- cago, where he witnessed the great fire. He received his education mostly in a private school. When sixteen years old. he started
across the plains with ox-teams to the west. and for a number of years after his arrival he was engaged in mining, packing and freight- ing. but he also kept a sutler's store in Walla Walla, and was post trader there. He was one of the substantial and respected citizens of this section and enjoyed the confidence and good will of all who knew him. In fraternal affiliations, he was a Mason. Ile was married in Walla Walla, in 1872. to Miss Mary Gavan. a pioneer of Walla Walla, and a daughter of a Hudson's Bay Company employe. Mrs. Williams has four children, Ida J., Kate H .. Edward J .. and Walter W. H.
NATHANIEL B. DENNEY. deceased. a pioneer of 1850. was born in Delaware. Febru- ary 20. 1840. He came to Illinois when thirteen years old, and a year later moved thence to Iowa, where he passed the ensuing five years and completed his education. He then crossed the plains direct to Walla Walla. traveling with ox-teams. He was engaged in mining at Oro Fino. Florence and other points until 1865. in which year he paid a visit to his native state.
Coming thence to Iowa, he married and set- tled down to the life of a farmer. He remained there nearly four years, then sold out and re- turned to Walla Walla county. Purchasing a farm on what is known as Whisky creek, east of Waitsburg, he started farming and stock raising in that locality, and, except for two years spent in Iowa, followed that industry continuously until his death, which occurred September 11, 1804. Mr. Denney was a man of energy and push, and contributed his full share to the material and social development of the vicinity in which he lived.
MRS. N. B. DENNEY.
N. B. DENNEY.
E. J. WILLIAMS.
JOHN M. SWAN.
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
His widow, nce Hawks, lives in a nice home in Waitsburg, and directs operations on her four-hundred-acre farm in Spring valley. She is a very active lady and quite a leader in the social life of the town. She is prominent in the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, and the United Artisans, also takes an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she belongs. She and her husband were par- ents of seven children, India AA., Addie E .. Annie M., Clarance L., deceased, Otis L., Rob- ert T., and Mary E.
JOHN M. SWAN .- In the town of Greenock, in Scotland, that little country whose sons are noted for their aggressiveness and in- tegrity the world over, the man whose name initiates this paragraph was born, the date of his advent upon the stage of this life being April 17, 1823. When his school education had been completed and his eighteenth year attained he began serving an apprenticeship to the trade of ship-building, continuing in the same until twenty-three years of age and learning all the details of his handicraft with a thoroughness which is seldom found in those who learn their trades on the American con- tinent. In the year 1843 he emigrated to the British provinces, and for two years after land- ing he worked as a journeyman ship-builder in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. In the latter part of the year 1845, he embarked aboard the Athol, that he might serve that ship in the capacity of car- penter on a voyage from St. Jolin, New Bruns- wick, to Valparaiso, Chili. While in the latter city, the ship was sold and his connection with it terminated.
After a brief stay on shore, Mr. Swan
shipped as carpenter on one of the British royal mail steamships plying along the west coast of South America. (This was an extension of the British mail line from England to the West Indies and extending to Chagres on the isthmus of Panama.) In this employ he remained un- til the exciting news of the gold discovery in California became the general topic of conver- sation along the coast, then, on January 13, 1849, took passage at the port of Callao on a vessel bound for San Francisco. Upon liis arrival he set out at once for the mines, but hc was not very successful in his search for treas- ure. He took sick and was compelled to re- turn to San Francisco in September. Finding that the brigantine Orbit, then in port, was go- ing to the sound, he took passage aboard her, sailing on November 2, 1849, and after a long, tempestuous voyage, delayed by a two weeks' stay in Neah Bay at Cape Flattery, a call at Victoria, British Columbia, and a pause of a few days under the lea of Protection Island, whither they were driven by the storm, they at length gained entrance to the inner waters of Puget sound, and arrived at Fort Nisqually on the Ist of January, 1850. On the 3d the vessel reached the head of the sound, the site of the present Olympia. There was no town then, but our subject, a la pioneer, at once set to work to erect a house with a view to build- ing one there. Thus to Mr. Swan belongs the honor of having taken the initial steps toward founding the first town ever laid out in the state of Washington.
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