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 38
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 38
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 38
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 38
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To Mr. and Mrs. Geer the following named children have been born, Fred E., Henry R.,
Stella May, Walter T., Charles V., Eva A., Ida R., Hattie F., Lester G., and Annette .1.
By way of reminiscence it is interesting to note regarding the worthy pioneer, Francis X. Matthew, that, in the trying times of the strug- gle between the Hudson's Bay Company men and the American settlers as to who would have the supremacy in the early days, he was a stanch worker for the American interests. When the curcial test came in the meeting called in the Willamette valley, it was found that one hundred and two were there, fifty for the es- tablishment of a provisional government by the Americans and fifty solidly for the Hudson's Bay Company, which was trying to hold the territory for the kingdom of Great Britain, and two who were doubtful. Mr. Matthew was successful in influencing these two for the American cause and so the day won, in the glory of which he should receive no small share.
EDWARD DUNHAM, M. D., is well known in Lincoln county, having been identi- fied with its interests for years. During his stay here, as well as before, he has been occu- pied in the practice of medicine together with dispensing drugs and at the present time he stands the owner and operator of a good drug store and a large practice in medicine.
Edward Dunham was born in New York, on October 17, 1827, being the son of Daniel and Harriet ( Sturdevant) Dunham, natives of Connecticut, and both active and prominent members of the Baptist church. Our subject received his education in Michigan whither the family moved when he was a child. Upon com- pleting school life he gave himself to the study of medicine, operating under different precep- tors until he received his degree. 11 1871, he began the practice in Michigan and continued there successfully until 1889, when he came to Lincoln county. In 1898, he settled in Creston and established a good practice besides hand- ling a first class drug store and the doctor is well known throughout this part of the coun- try and has shown himself to be a strictly pro- fessional gentleman.
In 1882, Dr. Dunham married Miss Emma Schram, a native of Canada and the daughter of William and Sarah Ann Schram.
In 1849, Dr. Dunham was united in mar-
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riage to Miss Susan Ellis. a native of New York and the daughter of James and Triphosa Ellis, also natives of New York. To this mar- riage were born Mrs. Addie Jones, of Dayton, Washington, and Mrs. Francelia J. Green, of Canada.
WILLIAM H. EVANS is master of the king of trades, blacksmithing, and has so con- ducted his labors that he has wrought out a first class success. He has shown himself a natural mechanic and in addition has so closely followed the art, that he has gained a skill which places him in the lead in all kinds of work turned out of a blacksmith shop. At present he owns a large shop, twenty-five by seventy feet, on Second street in Sprague, and it is well equipped with a full supply of all kinds of tools and appliances for modern black- smithing. He has secured and holds a large patronage and has the reputation of being as fine a workman as there is in the country.
William H. Evans was born in Dodge coun- ty, Wisconsin, on September. 7, 1866, the son of Robert T. and Annie ( Prichard) Evans, na- tives of Wales and immigrants to the United States when young. The father is now living retired in Columbus, Wisconsin. The mother died in 1889. William was sent to the common schools until he had acquired a good education and then gave his time to the assistance of his father on the farm until twenty. At that age he came to Sprague and for a time wrought in a dairy here, after, which he worked in the railroad shops. Six months later, he returned east to attend the funeral of his mother. He remained there for some time and then re- turned to Sprague and entered the blacksmith shop of Snider Brothers, and after learning the trade worked at it until four years had passed by. The next year was spent in the rail- road shops, after which he bought a half in- terest in the shop of Gill, Jack & Company, where he wrought until the fire swept this un- fortunate town. Following that he wrought in the shop of Van Allen until 1898, when he started a shop of his own. Here he has con- tinued steadily until the present, increasing his equipment and patronage all the time. Mr. Evans is one of the good citizens of the town and has the confidence of the people.
At Spokane, on July 19, 1892, Mr. Evans
married Miss Gina, daughter of James A. and Christina ( Peterson) Sievertsen, natives of Norway. The father was a sea captain and died thirty-one years since. The mother is now dwelling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To our subject and his wife, four children have been born, Annie, Ethel, Nellie, and Raymond. Mr. Evans has a pleasant and comfortable home on Second street and other property be- sides what has been mentioned. He came here without capital of any kind and has made every dollar he now possesses, besides winning his success by dint of hard and honest labor, and his anvil sings out each day the merry chimes of honest industry. Mr. Evans is a member of the K. P. and the M. W. A. He is also chief of the fire department and was first ser- geant of the National Guards, Troop A., during the Northern Pacific strike in 1886.
JOSEPH E. BITTNER, M. D., is a prac- ticing physician of good repute in Sprague, who has won the esteem and confidence of all because of his meritorious work and kindly qualities. In addition to being possessed of a natural ability of high order, fitting him es- pecially for the work that he has taken up, he had fortified himself in the best courses before he began action and in addition thereto keeps thoroughly posted in the times by careful and extensive reading. Dr. Bittner has had ample experience in practice in addition to the pre- paration mentioned above and this combined with his other chances, places him high in the school of physicians in the state of Washington.
Joseph E. Bittner was born in Quebec, Can- ada, on October 10. 1862, being the son of Joseph G. and Domitilde ( Ioncas) Bittner, na- tives of Quebec. The father was in the em- ploy of the Canadian government until his death, in July, 1894. The mother, died in 1903. Joseph E. was first placed in the Que- bec seminary where he graduated with honors, receiving the degree of B. A. in 1881. Imme- diately subsequent thereto, he had matriculated in the college of physicians and surgeons at Quebec, from which institution he was grad- uated in due time, having followed the most extensive course in the curriculum. Then Dr. Bittner removed to Newport, Tennessee, where he entered general practice and was physician
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
for a large company for some time. After that, he entered into partnership with Dr. R. C. Smith in Newport and together they practiced until February, 1889, when our subject came to Pasco, Washington. That was the scene of his labors until 1896, when he removed to Sprague where he has been ever since. He re- ceived excellent patronage here, and now has as much work as he can handle. He has shown himself a man of ability and in addition to his general practice is medical examiner for the local insurance orders in Sprague, for the New York Life Insurance Company, The Mutual Life of New York, The Etna of Hartford, The Fidelity Mutual of Pennsylvania, The North- western of New York and The Banker's Life of Des Moines, Iowa.
On November 25, 1886, at Newport, Ten- nessee, Dr. Bittner married Miss Minnie J. Clark, who died in 1892, leaving one child, Godfrey E., now attending Gonzaga college in Spokane. In 1894. Dr. Bittner contracted a second marriage, Miss Lillian M. Henry becom- ing his bride at this time. Her parents are Marshall M. and Mary (Ottinger) Henry, both deceased. By the second marriage, Dr. Bittner, has two children. Joseph E. and Ber- tha D.
The doctor owns a beautiful residence at the corner of Third and D streets, which is sur- rounded with a lovely lawn, supplied with or- namental trees, shrubs and so forth. The house is modern in every respect. He has recently furnished more extensive offices and operating rooms, which are supplied with the most up-to- date appliances known to the science.
ELLSWORTH M. THORP, who now re- sides about nine miles east from Sprague, is one of the first pioneers to the Big Bend coun- try. His labors here for thirty years have been commendable, both in improving the country and in making for himself a comfortable for- tune for the golden years of his life, now soon beginning to run apace. He is also to be highly commended as one of those brave men who hazarded their lives that there might be pre- served to those who now enjoy them, the free institutions of our beloved country, and save unsullied from treason's minions, the stars and stripes, which now, thanks to those same
brave men and their fathers who fought be- fore them, float over the proudest and grand- est nation the sun ever shone on.
Ellsworth M. Thorp was born in Boone county, Illinois, on December 6, 1846, the son of Edward and Phoebe ( Ellsworth ) Thorp. The father was born in Manchester, England, came to this country with his father when twelve, and died in Kansas, in 1869. The mother of our subject died when he was nine years of age. She was born in Indiana. Ells- worth was educated in the public schools in lowa and when only seventeen enlisted in Com- pany F, Thirty-eighth lowa Infantry, being mustered in at West Union, Iowa, in March, 1862, for three years or until the war closed. He was at the taking of Vicksburg, fought at Yazoo Pass, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely, then was at Mobile, and later was on duty at Gal- veston and Houston. At the expiration of his time, he was mustered out, having served as a faithful private in arduous and trying places for the entire time. He was mustered out at Keokuk, Iowa. After the war, he settled in Iowa for a time then went to Kansas, remain- ing there until 1868. In that year, he crossed the plains with an immigrant train, landing in the little mining town of Helena, Montana. For two years he sought the precious metal in that section, being in company with Dr. At- kinson, who is said to be the first discoverer of gold in Montana. His brother was with him and about 1870, they came to the Big Bend country. The brother stopped on Crab creek and our subject went on to the sound. Win- tering there and in the Willamette valley, he decided to return to this side of the mountains and accordingly came to Walla Walla. In the fall of 1873. Mr. Thorp came thence to Crab creek and took a piece of land. Ile cultivated the same but did not file on it. In 1875, he went thence to Los Angeles county, California, with an immigrant train, and there met his future wife. Seven years were spent in that country and in 1882, he came back to the Big Bend. He landed here with a four-horse team and twenty dollars. He homesteaded a place near where he now lives and bought more. His estate consists now of eight hundred and forty acres of choice hay land, which is well im- proved with excellent seven-room residence, barns, and other buildings, besides fences, and everything needed to make the place first class
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
and up to date. Mr. Thorp has been school director and road overseer at different times and he evinces a keen interest in the welfare of the country and its progress.
At Los Angeles, California, in 1876, Mr. Thorp married Mrs. Elizabeth Knight, the daughter of Simon and Deborah (Daily) Feeler, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The father followed farming in Missouri, and there remained until his death. The mother also died there. To Mr. and Mrs. Thorp the following named children have been born, Mrs. Eva Puls, who is the mother of two children and is living in Lincoln county ; Ed- ward, in Montana; Alice Gibson, with her par- ents ; and Mrs. Frances Bogle, in Lincoln coun- ty. Mr. Thorp is a cousin of Colonel Ells- worth, who was said to be the first man killed in the Rebellion.
LOUIS V. ALLEN, who resides about five miles southeast from Harrington, is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Lincoln county. He owns a half section of choice wheat land where he resides and his in- dustry and thrift have improved it in fine shape. His residence is a tasty cottage, beautifully sur- rounded with elegant shade trees and his en- tire place bears the stamp of the man. Comno- dious buildings are in evidence and all machin- ery and other accoutrements necessary on a first class farm are supplied in abundance. He also raises some stock.
Louis V. Allen was born in Moore prairie, Jefferson county, Illinois, on April 19, 1841, the son of Able and Prudence ( Wilkes) Allen, natives of Kentucky and South Carolina, re- spectively. The father was a pioneer of Illi- nois and a man of prominence, being especially interested in school matters. He died in the Prairie State in 1863. The mother died in Illi- nois in 1866. She was descended from the pa- triot stock which furnished fighting men for the Revolution and the War of 1812. Our subject received his education in the public schools of his native place and labored with his father on the farm until twenty. At that time, he was one of the young men filled with patriotism and love of country, so that when the call came for, men, true and brave, to beat back the hosts of treason, he promptly stepped
forward and offered his services, and life, too, if such need should be, to save our beloved in- stitutions and the land of the free. He was enrolled at McLeansboro as private, in Com- pany D. Sixth Illinois Cavalry, in General Sherman's command. Words are not needed to describe his service, as an outline of his ca- reer there is better encomium than words could possibly be. We append herewith a partial list of the engagements participated in by Mr. Al- len ; Dyersburg, Olivebranch, Coffeville, Boli- ver, Ripley, Covington, Belmont, an expedition for sixteen days in the midst of the confeder- acy, Port Hudson, Clinton Plains, Byhalis, Granada, Salem, Oxford, Pulaski, Franklin and Nashville, besides others. He was dis- charged on March 18, 1863, re-enlisted on the same day and was later promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. His honorable discharge oc- curred on October 16, 1865, at Salem, Ala- bama. Following that he came to Illinois and farmed there until 1869, then moved to another portion of the state and dwelt until 1872. Next we see him in Jasper county, Missouri, whence in 1877, he went to Salem, Oregon. It was in 1879, that he came to Waitsburg, Washington, that being his first trip to this state. One year later he journeyed to the territory now occu- pied by Lincoln county and located where he lives today. It was his lot to land here with- out capital, except a good stock of determina- tion and hands willing to labor. The success he has the privilege of enjoying at this time, is the result of his labors and of it, Mr. Allen may well be proud. In political matters, he has always taken a lively interest and has served the county as commissioner. for five years. His name appeared on the Republican ticket, the principles of which party he supports. He has also been school clerk.
At Springfield, Illinois, on February 15, 1864, Mr. Allen married Miss Ruth M. Knox, who is the daughter of Thomas J. and Mary (Danley) Knox. The father was born in Wheeling, Virginia, and later removed to Illi- nois and for many years was treasurer of San- gamon county and also served as justice of the peace. He died in 1857. The mother was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and died in Illi- nois, in 1861. One child was born to then, Mrs. Estella Howard, who resides in Daven- port. Washington. Mr. Allen is a member of the G. A. R. and takes great interest in it.
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NOAH B. McKY has for eighteen years been a section foreman on the Northern Pacific railroad. He is a man of real worth and sub- stantial qualities, and his long service in this important capacity is abundant proof of his ability to handle successfully the labors en- trusted to him. His stand in the community is of the best and the nice property that he has accumulated shows his success in faithful en- deavors.
Noah B. McKy was born in Fayette coun- ty, on April 1, 1852, being the son of John and Sarah (Jackson) McKy, natives of Ohio. The father was sheriff of Richland county, Wiscon- sin for a time and served in the Civil War in the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, being an orderly sergeant. He died in Richland county, Wisconsin, in 1896. The mother died in Wisconsin, in April, 1898.
Our subject was educated in the schools where he lived and resided with his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, then began independent action, taking up stock buy- ing. He bought for one firm for five years then purchased a farm for himself and oper- ated the same until 1880, when he came to Ritzville, Washington. Shortly after, he en- tered the employ of the Northern Pacific and later was transferred to Sprague, having charge of the yards here and the section. His faith- fullness and reliability have won for him the confidence and good will of his employers and he has done well in the line for promotion.
In 1880, at Richland, Wisconsin, Mr. McKy married Katie A. Halin, who is the daugh- ter of Bernard C. and Guenney (Davis) Halin. The father was a marble cutter and also did farming. He served as auditor of Richland county, Wisconsin for some time and during the Civil War, was captain in the regiment. He died in the Badger State in 1890. The mother was born in Wales and came to Ohio with her parents when young. She died in Wisconsin, in 1895. Our subject has the fol- lowing brothers and sisters, John, Newton, Jasper. Jerome, Mrs. Mary J. Conkals, Mrs. Julia Ewen, and Mrs. Lucy Berrett. Mrs. McKy has nine brothers and sisters; Thomas J. ; Harry; Arthur; John; Edward; Emmett, with the United States army in the Philippines ; Mrs. Alice Person, in Chicago; Mrs. Lucy Costello in Richmond, Wisconsin ; and Mrs. Bertha Gunning, in Lincoln county.
To Mr. and Mrs. McKy the following named children have been born; Gertrude, teaching instrumental and vocal music in Whit- inan college ; Gwen, teaching music in Sprague ; and Oscar, at home. Mr. MeKy's daughters have shown marked talent in music and are building a fine reputation for themselves in this art. The family home is a beautiful seven room cottage, tastily surrounded with lawn and shade trees on the corner of Fourth avenue and C street. The good taste of Mrs. McKy is manifested in the furnishings of the beauti- ful home and she is known as a lady of refine- ment. Mr. McKy owns in addition to the prop- erty above mentioned, a section of wheat land, all under cultivation. Mrs. McKy is handling a fine dressmaking and millinery business in the building next to the postoffice in Sprague and has much patronage.
They are estimable people and have won their position in society by reason of their worth, uprightness and industry.
Mr. McKy is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has served on the city council for five years, being in office at this time.
WILLIAM BRADLEY is one of the well known pioneer citizens of Sprague. At the present time he holds a responsible position on the Idaho division of the Northern Pacific. He has risen to this position and held it for many years by reason of real worth and ability. An account of his life will be interesting and en- couraging to many who are laboring to obtain success and it is with pleasure that we append the same.
William Bradley was born in Ireland. in 1859. the son of William and Mary ( Feeley ) Bradley, both natives of the Emerald Isle, where also they remained until the time of their death. The common schools of his na- tive country furnished the educational training for young Bradley and when twenty he started for the New World, sailing for New York where he arrived in due time. After three months in that metropolis, he came on to Min- nesota where he worked on the Northern Pa- cific. He was in the construction department for three years and in the spring of 1883. came to Sprague, taking a position in the same de- partment and on the same road. For three
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months, he was an ordinary hand on the sec- tion, then was promoted to the position of sec- tion foreman. For six years he faithfully dis- charged the duties of that position before the next step of promotion came and during this time as during all the years of his service for the company, he had been making an especial study of everything connected with the con- struction department of the railroad. There was no detail too small to escape his notice nor was there any problem too great but that he ultimately solved it and the result was that when he was fully competent for his promotion, he was called to take up the responsible and im- portant position of road master .. He was duly installed in this position and since that time, has continuously served on the Great Northern Pacific railroad with ability and execution that have made him a very important factor on this division. Mr. Bradley has not only displayed a thorough knowledge of everything connected with his department but is also well acquainted with the railroad in general. In addition to the happy faculty of handling men to the best ad- vantage, he is a man of excellent judgment and very keen in observation. Very nearly a quar- ter of a century has elapsed since he first en- tered the employ of the Northern Pacific rail- road and he is practically the only one of the old railroad men with the company now who were here with them when he came to Sprague. It is not merely chance that Mr. Bradley has won and held the position that he occupies but it is the result of painstaking labor and stanch attention to business in every detail and those who would emulate such a career must banish the idea from the mind forever that it is "luck" and a "pull" that bring success in the indus- trial world. On the contrary it is merit and ability and a man who is handling large inter- ests today, learned yesterday to care for every detail of the affairs that were under his super- vision however small they might be. All of which is proof of the old proverb, "He that is faithful in the least is faithful in much."
On November 6, 1894, Mr. Bradley married Miss Mamie, daughter of Frank and Helen ( Morey) Wilcox. the wedding occurring in Sprague. The father was born in Wisconsin, followed merchandising, and now lives in Port- land. The mother died in Portland a number of years ago. Mrs. Bradley has the following brothers and sisters, Guy R., Paul D., Gert-
rude, Elmer. Mr. Bradley was one of a family of five children, those besides himself being, James, Robert, Mrs. Norah Finan, and Mrs. Annie Mahoney.
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley are both members of the Catholic church and are devoted and sub- stantial people. They own a handsome brick residence on the top of the hill near the Catholic church in Sprague and the grounds are beauti- fully laid out and supplied with lawn, flowers, shrubbery, trees and so forth. Mr. Bradley also owns a half-section of wheat land which is well improved and the land rented. He came here with no capital and is now a man of means.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, three children have been born. Robert, Marie, and Loretta, all at home and attending school.
CHARLES HOFFMAN has won a suc- cess in the Big Bend country of which he may justly be proud. He is to be classed as one of the pioneers of this section, as well as many other portions of the west, and the real pioneer spirit has been manifested in him during these days of labor and self denial. Intimately ac- quainted with mining in the well known camps, being associated there in the days when much lawlessness existed, Mr. Hoffman has seen much of the hard side of mining life.
Preferring the quieter life of the farm, he turned to that occupation and has worked with gratifying success which will be mentioned hereafter.
Charles Hoffman was born in Saxony, Ger- many, on January 14, 1846. His father, Charles Hoffman was a butcher and was born in Saxony where also he died. The mother, Teresa (Leudhoff) Hoffman, was a native of the same country and died when our subject was born. Charles received a fine education in the schools of Germany during eight succes- sive years, under the best of training, then was accepted as a reserve in the army but was never called into the service. In 1873. he started from Hamburg to New York and went thence to St. Louis, where he followed butchering for a year and half. Next we see him in Denver, Colorado, in the same business, then he went to the mining districts of Colorado and the adjacent territories, and was especially ac-
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quainted in Leadville in the early days of its excitement. Then he started for the Coeur d' Alene country, but owing to the heavy fall of snow, had to stop at Thompson Falls. There he followed butchering for three months then came on through to Washington. As Sprague was the more lively and promising of the two towns of Spokane and Sprague, he located there and opened a butcher shop. Two years later, he sold out his shop and bought a place where he now resides, eight miles northwest from town. Then he gave himself to stock raising and finding the hills productive of wheat, turned his attention to that and thus he has continued since.
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