USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 37
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 37
USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 37
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 37
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D. FRANK PEFFLEY was born near the little town of Bainbridge, Putnam county, In- diana, on May 5, 1854. His father owned a sawmill and a small farm, and in work in and on these possessions, the youthful days of our subject were spent. Peffley Pere believed in the strenuous life for boys and followed his theories rather severely.
At the age of seventeen. Frank quit the pa- rental roof and began life for himself. He did various work and then learned the carpenter trade. Having always been inclined toward books, he began work in earnest to acquire a good education, and sought it until he was the proud possessor of his first certificate for teach- ing. Then he taught, went to school, and did private studying for some years.
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In the spring of 1880, he turned his face westward for the last time, having previously sojourned in trans-Mississippi territory and returned eaclı time to his native place. Loca- tion was made in Bourbon county, Kansas, and the following sixteen years were spent in or near Fort Scott, with the exception of one and one-half years in New Mexicco. He taught but gradually relinquished his hold on that profession for newspaper work, taking up reportorial and editorial labors on the Fort Scott dailies. Later he mastered the mechanical portion of the business. He also had some of the unusual experiences of the novice as pub- lisher of a weekly. In the spring of 1896, he left Fort Scott, which for years had been the scene of his labors and hardships, together with some degree of success. He engaged in teach- ing and in newspaper work in Iowa until the fall of 1899, when he journeyed on west to Lincoln county. Locating near Wilbur, he took up teaching for a year and then went to Cres- ton, where he filled the principal's chair for one year.
In August, 1901, Mr. Peffley began the publication of the Creston News, a venture of his own.
Mr. Peffley was married in 1883, at Fort Scott, Miss Susan Martin becoming his bride. Two daughters have been born to this union, Louise and Sara, now grown to womanhood.
Mr. Peffley has written much of a literary character, both in verse and prose, besides num- erous contributions to school journals and on political and other topics. He handles the pen with ease and fluency and many of his produc- tions have received the recognition of compe- tent literary people. But he has never had the ambition to write for money and has made no effort to get before more than his own little world in letters.
JAMES P. TUFTS dwells about four miles northwest of Sherman. He came to Lincoln county in 1885 and has been instru- mental in opening up the country and building up the county, which is one of the leading ones in the great state of Washington. From the time when Mr. Tufts settled in Lincoln county until the present, he has given his attention to farming and also to stock raising. In the form- er occupation he has made an excellent success
and is known as one of the substantial and in- dustrious agriculturists of the region.
James P. Tufts was born in Springfield, Illinois, and there gained his early education from the city schools. After. that, he went to farming and continued steadily in the same in that section of the country until he came west and took a homestead where he now resides.
In 1902, Mr. Tufts married Mrs. Artie Penix, daughter of James and Katherine (Benn) Unsell, natives of Missouri. Mrs. Tufts was born in Missouri, on December 2, 1862. Mr. Tufts has always taken an active interest in politics and has held a number of offices of trust, always discharging the duties encumbent upon him in a capable and faithful manner.
WILLIAM H.HOWARD is a well known business man of Creston, being at the head of a prosperous real estate and insurance business. He has demonstrated his ability to make a suc- cess of the enterprise and is considered one of the most capable men of this section.
WV. H. Howard was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on September 5, 1840, being the son of Henry C. and Cynthia A. (Bonner) How- ard, natives of Kentucky. In 1843, the father. moved with his family to Missouri and there was judge of Barry county, besides holding other offices of trust. After attending the pub- lic schools of Missouri, our subject completed his education in the Cherry Grove Seminary of Abingdon, Illinois. When rebels invaded Springfield, Missouri, our, subject was thrust through with a sabre and left weltering in his own blood for dead. His father and brother were taken prisoners and desolation reigned on every hand. Fate decreed that Mr. Howard should not end his existence in that untimely way. Recovering from his wound he enlisted in the Seventy-first Illinois Infantry. For three months, he was in active duty and re- ceived his discharge, his time being out. He immediately re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry for one hundred days and served the time with great credit to himself. As soon as those days were done he again enlisted, this time in the Seventh Illinois Calvary where he served with distinc- tion until the close of the war, then he gave his attention to farming in Iowa and South Dakota
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until 1880, when he came to what is now Cres- ton, Washington. This time stamps him as one of the early pioneers of this favored region and for nearly a quarter of a century, Mr. How- ard has devoted himself steadily in faithful la- bors in this county. He did general farming and stock raising until 1900, when he sold a portion of his interests and devoted himself to real estate and insurance. Mr. Howard has al- ways been a prominent man in this section, has held many offices, and at the present time is police judge.
In 1872, Mr. Howard married Miss Mari- etta 1. Wilson, of Sidney, Iowa. In 1881, he was called to mourn her death. In 1894, Mr. Howard married Mrs. Desdemona Dearling of Davenport, Washington. By his first wife, the following named children have been born to Mr. Howard : J. Edgar, an abstractor in Dav- enport, Washington, and representative to the legislature for his district; Mrs. Ena Fergu- son, living on the ranch; George L., a profes- sor in the Western Iowa College at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Howard is secretary and part owner of the Silver Hill mining company.
NATHAN E. WALKER. This respect- able and esteemed citizen, who is also to be classed as one of the early pioneers of Lin- coln county, is now dwelling just south from Sherman where he has four hundred and eighty acres of land. As early as 1886, he settled in this vicinity and has since given himself to the basic art of agriculture. He has always labored for those measures which have tended to upbuild and improve these sections and is known as a progressive man. He is an advo- cate of good schools, better roads and all those things that make an enlightened and advanced community.
Nathan E. Walker was born in Virginia, on February 26. 1857. being the son of Garrett B. and Adeline V. (Skinner) Walker, natives of Virginia and tillers of the soil. The first twenty years of our subject's life were spent in his native state, during which time he gained an education, then he journeyed west to Kan- sas. For about six years he remained in that country then came on to the more favored sec- tion of Washington, taking his present place as a homestead.
In 1887, Mr. Walker married Miss Flor- ence M., daughter of John W. and Mary E. ( Kees) Highland, natives of lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are highly respected people owing to their uprightness and real worth.
CHARLES A. STRAUB is proprietor of the O. K. livery stables at Creston, Washing- ton. He has a nice assortment of rigs, keeps fine horses, and does a good business. Mr. Straub is known as a man who never leaves undone anything that will enhance the comfort and safety of his patrons and is ever alert in the interest of his business.
Charles \. Straub was born in Ohio, on October 1, 1861, being the son of George and Elvina (Coffman) Straub, natives of Ohio. The father was a wagon maker and followed that business during his life. He was a vet- eran also of the Civil War. Our subject re- ceived a good common school education in his native state and resided there until 1890, when he turned to the west and traveled in every state and territory west of the Mississippi val- ley. Having thoroughly satisfied himself as to the resources of every portion, he finally se- lected Creston as his stopping place, settling here in 1891. He took a homestead just south from town which he proved up on. In 1898. Mr. Straub built the O. K. Stables and since that time has been engaged in the livery busi- ness.
In 1893. Mr. Straub married Miss Ida Gol- lur, a native of Illinois. They are highly re- spected people having hosts of friends in this part of the country.
FRED L. WATSON is owner and man- ager of the Creston roller mills. This is one of the important industries of Lincoln county and has been built by the subject of this article. The plant is fitted with all the latest improved milling machinery and has an output capacity of four hundred barrels per day. Mr. Watson is a practical business man and has demon- strated his ability to handle large industries, being possessed of the happy faculty which en- ables him to grasp the outlines of business yet allows no details to escape his notice.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Fred L. Watson was born in Michigan, on March 5, 1862, the son of J. B. and Kate ( Fryant ) Watson, natives of New York. The father was a prominent and influential citizen in Michigan and held various offices of trust. Our subject received his education at Valpa- raiso, Indiana, there gaining the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1885. After finishing his college course he went to the farm in Michigan and turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil until 1892. when he came to Wash- ington. He soon located at Creston and com- menced buying wheat. In this business he was prospered until 1892, when he erected the mill spoken of above and continued in buying wheat and handled the milling business also.
Mr. Watson is one of the well known busi- ness men of Lincoln county and has established for, himself a very enviable reputation.
In 1895. Mr. Watson married Miss Anna, daughter of August Lillengreen, a native of Minnesota. To this union one child, Beatrice, was born in 1899.
E. C. LANTER, M. D. Creston is to be congratulated in securing as a resident this tal- ented and skillful physician. Just entering the prime of life, Dr. Lanter has demonstrated him- self to be a thoroughly proficient man and mas- ter of the arts of medicine and surgery. The high standard demanded by the public in phy- sicians is fully met in every particular in Dr. Lanter. A man of integrity and uprightness, thoroughly imbued with a high sense of honor and the deep responsibility of his stewardship, the doctor. has inspired in the public a confi- dence in his wisdom and ability as a success- ful physician. In addition to this, Dr. Lanter is a thorough student and possessed of a keen perception and force which he brings to bear in his studies. This has marked him as a man of excellent ability. In fact, Dr. Lanter is a man who is thoroughly abreast of the advanc- ing times in medicine. He has one of the finest equipped offices in the county and as is to be expected is handling a large practice.
E. C. Lanter was born in Green Forest, Ar- kansas, on June 16, 1878, being the son of C. F. and Mattie ( Ross) Lanter, natives of Knox- ville, Tennessee and Dardanelle, Arkansas, re- spectively. The father was mayor of Vernon
City, Texas, and held other offices of prom- inence, being an influential man. The mother's father was a professor in the Arkansas Indus- trial university. After graduation from the high school in Green Forest our subject en- tered the Marion Simms college at St. Louis. Due time was spent in training there and in 1896 he matriculated in the Vanderbilt Uni- versity of Nashville, Tennessee. He received his degree of Doctor of Medicine and at once entered upon the practice at Green Forest. He soon had a very large practice on his hands but in July. 1900, he determined to come west and accordingly in that year, located in Creston. From the beginning, Dr. Lanter had a good practice and is now considered one of the lead- ing physicians of this part of the county.
In 1903, Dr. Lanter married Miss Ella Vi- vian Frazer who was born in Slayton, Minne- sota, on May 30, 1879.
ALFRED E. STOOKEY is at the present time at the head of a lumber business in Cres- ton, where he has prospered as he has done in all his efforts since coming to the west. Mr. Stookey is one of the best known business men in Lincoln county. So well has his ability and wisdom been appreciated that he was chosen by the people for county commissioner of Lin- coln county, and served for six years. In all of this public service he has manifested the same wisdom, integrity and uprightness that charac- terized him in his private enterprises.
Alfred E. Stookey was born in Illinois, on March 4, 1845. being the son of E. and Jane (Parker) Stookey, natives of Ohio. The fa- ther was a farmer and settled in Illinois when a young man. Alfred E. was reared and edu- cated in Illinois and engaged there in farming until 1868 when he journeyed to Kansas and continued in the same occupation. He returned to Illinois in 1874 and farmed until 1882 when he came to Lincoln county, taking up govern- ment land. He gave his attention to the culti- vation of the soil and bought and sold land, having now an estate of five hundred and twen- ty acres of first class wheat land. Mr. Stookey was prospered in his labors in Lincoln county as a farmer and in 1898 bought a half interest in a general merchandise establishment at Cres- ton. He was engaged in this business and in
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
overseeing his estates until 1903, when he sold the store and opened a lumber business in which he is engaged at the present time. Mr. Stook- ey has a beautiful and commodious residence in Creston and other property in addition to what has been mentioned.
In 1868, Mr. Stookey married Miss Mary, daughter of M. F. and Elizabeth ( Harrison) Wooley, natives of Illinois. Mrs. Stookey was born in Illinois, on March 7, 1852. To this union the following children have been born ; Mrs. Lenora Wilcox, in Seattle; Mrs. Lizzie Huddleston, living at Creston; Elgin M .; and Edward B.
In 1892 Mr. Stookey was called to mourn the death of his beloved wife. She had always lived a devout Christian and died soothed and sustained by the faith which had been her, guide throughout life. Mr. Stookey is a con- sistent member of the Baptist church and a man of excellent standing.
JAMES ELLIOTT is proprietor of the Big Bend stables and city marshal of Creston, Washington. He is one of the progressive business men of this town and is always allied with the cause of advancement and progress, having demonstrated his ability in many lines of endeavor. Mr. Elliott has always been dwell- ing on the frontier and most of his life has been spent in sections where there were no railroads. In his career he has shown those stanch qualities of the true pioneer and has assisted materially in opening many sections that are now well settled.
James Elliott was born in Ontario, Canada, on October 28, 1859, being the son of Robert and Sarah J. (Young) Elliott. The father was a native of Ontario and a prominent citi- zen there, having held various offices of import- ance. The mother was born in Ireland and came to Canada when a child. Our subject re- ceived his education in the world-famous schools of Ontario and then came on West to North Dakota. He soon journeyed from there to Coeur d' Alene and just after Col. Wallace had completed his cabin in what is now Wal- lace, Idaho, Mr. Elliott completed the second. This was in 1885. Mr. Elliott operated the first pack train into Wardner and was well known throughout northern Idaho. In 1889.
he came to the Big Bend country and opened up a farm. For three years he was engaged in freighting into the Okanogan country. In 1891, Mr. Elliott first located in Creston and operated from that place as his headquarters. Later, he took up the hotel and feed stable business and has continued in the same since.
In 1890, Mr. Elliott married Miss Bettie J., daughter, of S. R. and Amanda ( York) Comer, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, re- spectively. The father was a veteran of the Civil War and was one of the earliest pioneers to California. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, two children have been born, Harvey L. and Carl V. Mr. Elliott is a member of the W. W.
JAMES J. DODD is one of the well known professional men of Lincoln county. On March 13, 1894, Mr. Dodd was admitted to practice law in the superior courts of the state of Washington. In January, 1899. he was admitted to the supreme court and to the United States district and circuit courts. At the time of his admission the Lincoln county papers contained the following paragraph : "J. J. Dodd, of Creston, one of the best known citizens of Lincoln county, successfully passed his examination for admission to the bar on Monday and was ordered admitted by Judge Mount. The examination was conducted by C. H. Neal and Judge Caton, and Mr. Dodd an- swered every question correctly with one excep- tion. He was highly complimented by Judge Mount who said that Mr. Dodd had passed the best and highest of any applicant ever admit- ted to practice law in Lincoln county."
J. J. Dodd was born in Jacksonville, Illi- nois, on February 8, 1831, the son of Uriah and Ally D. (Hutchins ) Dodd, natives of Vir- ginia. The father went to Kentucky when a boy and later to Illinois where he followed farming. He had two uncles of the Dodd fam- ily and three uncles on his mother's side, who fought in the Revolutionary war. The latter were named Cook. The two oldest were killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. The mother had two uncles also in the war of Independence. Our subject had very scanty opportunities to gain an education in his youthful days and the little log school house in Hancock county. Illi- nois, was the scene of his studies until four- teen when he started out to meet the respon-
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sibilities of life. In 1857 he commenced read- ing law under Judge Thomas S. Richardson, of Memphis, Missouri, having in previous years given himself to arduous personal research in literary lines. During this study his health broke down and he desisted to crossed the plains in 1859 to California. He remained at St. Helena, Napa county, until 1862, then re- turned to Illinois and in 1865 to Missouri. In 1876 he went to Kansas. In 1880, we find him in the Cherokee nation and in 1888, he came on to Lincoln county, with teams. Here in1890, he again commenced the study of law under Judge J. Brock of Davenport and was admit- ted to the bar as stated above.
In 1851, Mr. Dodd married Adeline A. Browning, who was a very scholarly lady. She was born in Tennessee, on December 31, 1830. In 1868, Mr. Dodd contracted a second mar- riage, his former wife having died, and Miss Mary A. Moss of Kentucky, then became Mrs. Dodd. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodd; Uriah E., Mrs. Adelina Ettenborough, Mrs. Allie L. Covey, John B., George H. and Moxey M. Mr. Dodd voted for. Franklin Pierce in 1852 and has voted for every Democratic president since. He is one of the stanch and stable men of the party and has ever manifested a keen interest in political matters. Mr. Dodd has certainly gained a marked distinction in fitting himself for the practice of law at the stage of life in which he did, as well as in having the successful practice he has conducted since.
HENRY HILLS resides about five miles south from Creston, where he owns a nice large estate, a part of which was secured through the government rights of homestead, preemption, and timber culture, and the bal- ance by purchase. He has labored faithfully here for more than twenty years and now has a good showing to demonstrate the wisdom and energy he possesses.
Henry Hills was born in Minnesota, on March 12, 1859, being the son of James L. and Minerva (Thomas) Hills, natives of New York. The other children are : Adella Amoan, Charles C., and Mrs. Hattie Harmon. The father came to Minnesota in the early fifties and began to open up a farm. In 1862, during
the famous Sioux Indian raid, he and his fam- ily were driven from the home and were forced to flee to save their lives. In 1882, Mr. Hills came to Walla Walla and resided in different parts of Washington for a year. Our subject was educated in Minnesota, Nebraska and Kan- sas, where the family lived previous to coming to Lincoln county. Owing to the fact that they were on the frontier most of the time, opportiin- ity for education was scant, and young Hills had to gather as best he could from the early district schools and home study. In 1883, he came to Lincoln county and settled where we find hinh today. He was forced to make annual pilgrimages to the Palouse and Walla Walla countries to earn money during harvest seasons to purchase food supplies for the ranch. His labors were trying and his path beset with many hardships and obstacles, but he succeeded in spite of all opposing forces and now has a splendid estate in a fertile and rich country. Such reward to the sturdy pioneers is certainly very becoming and one is pleased to see those who bore the burden and heat of the day now enjoying the fruit of their labors in this favored region.
In 1880, Mr. Hills married Miss Rosetta, daughter of John P. and Eliza (Thompson) Harris. The father was a pioneer to Sullivan county, Indiana, and the mother was born in that state. They were the parents of the follow- ing named children : William, James, deceased, Nannie, Tyra, Herbert, John, and Elizabeth. From Indiana, the parents came to the Big Bend country and have materially assisted in its upbuilding. Mrs. Hills is a native of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Hills one child has been born, Mildred, now living and three deceased in in- fancy.
THEODORE D. GEER is not only a pio- neer but a descendant from ancestors who made worthy records in this land. He is closely re- lated to some of the leading men of the west and has done a lion's share in the development of the country. He now resides in Wilbur, Washington, and came to what is now Lincoln county, in 1880, nearly a quarter of a century ago and since that time has has been a progress- ive, prominent and capable citizen.
T. D. Geer was born in Illinois, on October 13, 1843. His father, Frederick W. Geer. was
HENRY HILLS
MRS. HENRY HILLS
THEODORE D. GEER
MRS. THEODORE D. GEER
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
born in Columbus, Ohio, and crossed the plains in 18446, settling in Oregon, where he engaged in lumbering. Later, he gave his attention to the mercantile business and also operated a hotel at Butteville, twenty miles from Portland. He died in 1900, aged eighty-one. The mother of our subject was Mary ( Prentice) Geer, a na- tive of New York. She shared her husband's journey across the plains and other pioneer labors and was a noble and faithful woman. Her death occurred in 1892. Our subject was three years of age when he came with his parents on the western trip and in Oregon he grew up and received his education. In ad- dition to working on a farm, he also labored with his father in the store and when twenty years of age went to farming for himself. For four years he conducted his father's estate and in 1867 went to the mines at Warren, Idaho. He labored there nine months and in 1868, went to work on a steamboat on the Willamette river. In 1876, we find him in eastern Oregon engaged in the stock business. Then he went to western Oregon again and finally came to what is now Lincoln county, settling about seven miles southeast from where the town of Wilbur now stands. He owns four hundred and forty acres of fine, well improved land, a good resi- dence in Wilbur, and a block of lots in the same town.
In 1863, occurred the marriage of T. D. Geer and Philomane Matthew, a native of St. Louis, Oregon. Mrs. Geer's father. Francis X. Matthew, was born in Montreal, Canada, and came to Oregon in 1842. He is still living on the old donation claim that he took that year, being aged eighty-six. It is right near Portland and he is one of the early pioneers of that now thriving state. During his earlier years, he was employed by The American Fur Company and was closely identified with the early history making incidents of Oregon. He was a very active participant in the settlement of Oregon and a strong and patriotic . American.
Mr. Geer is a full cousin of ex-governor Geer of Oregon and also of Davenport, the great cartoonist. He was the second post master in Lincoln county and is well known to all the old timers. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln and he has been a stanch Re- publican since.
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