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 41
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 41
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 41
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 41
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Mr. Connery has done much railroad work and invariably he has received especial comment and approval from the officials on account of his excellent and thorough work. His is the motto, "What is worth doing is worth well doing."
Thomas Connery was born in Ogdensburg, New York, the son of Michael and Catherine (Meagher) Connery, natives of the good old Emerald Isle, whence they sought a home in the new world. The date when Mr. Connery first saw the light was May 14, 1854, and the good inheritance of the true Irish blood was his legacy, which has brought him many a success in his varied career. Our subject re- ceived his education in the schools of Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, and succeeding those days, he began his life's work in the capacity of farmer. Then he took up railroad work, and to his credit it may be said that although he has wrought in this capacity in many states of the union and on many roads and in many differ- ent departments, still he has never held a posi- tion in which he did not receive especial praise from the officials in charge. In the Centen- nial year, 1876, Mr. Connery came first to what was to be the Evergreen State, but his stay at that time was not long. He returned to his work in other parts of the country and again in 1882, he came to Washington. In 1893 he purchased a quarter section of land just out- side of Wilbur and settled to build a home. He has succeeded admirably and now has the fine estate mentioned above. In addition to this, Mr. Connery has property in Tacoma, Port Angeles, Puget City, and in other localities. He has seen much of the world and has been wise in his investments in various sections.
In 1889, at Tacoma, Mr. Connery married Miss Nora, daughter of Darby and Ellen (Quinn) O'Leary, natives of Ireland, and both deceased. Mr. Connery has two brothers, Patrick and John. On Mr. Connery's place is located the only plant for the manufacture of brick in the surrounding country. There is a large deposit of fire and tile clay on his farm, which is supposed to be the only bed in the Big Bend country.
ALMON J. SMITH is now the efficient and popular postmaster at Govan, which is one of the desirable sections of Lincoln county.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
He handles also a good mercantile establish- ment, carrying a well assorted stock of gen- eral merchandise, such as is called for in the surrounding country. Mr. Smith's wisdom in the commercial world and his skillful buying have placed before his patrons the best that can be procured at the price which competes with the large centers of commerce. He has had many years of experience in the mercan- tile world and the result is that he is well posted and a master in his business.
Almon J. Smith was born in Michigan, in 1850, the son of T. P. and Sallie ( Woods) Smith, natives of New York. The father was a minister in the Baptist church and preached the gospel for years, being highly esteemed and a man of influence. Our subject was edu- cated in the common schools of Michigan and after the days of that training were done, he engaged in farming in the Wolverine State. Later we see him in Minneapolis where he filled the position of salesman in one of the large department stores. Two years were thus spent, and in 1888 Mr. Smith came west to Lincoln county, being one of the pioneers of the county. He soon selected land and took a homestead and then turned his attention to commercial life again. He was engaged in one of the stores of Wilbur for a number of years, and in 1897, he opened his present busi- ness in Govan. His was the first store in the town and the following year he was appointed postmaster, which position he is still filling with acceptability. Mr. Smith does a good large business and is one of the prosperous men of the country.
The marriage of Mr. Smith occurred when Miss Elizabeth Tucker became his bride and to them have been born two children, Mrs. Mary Thompson, and Mrs. Lettie Scott. Mrs. Smith's parents are John and Elizabeth (Jefferes) Tucker, who came from England.
MATHIAS J. KELLEY. This gentle- man is a well respected and capable agricul- turist, who resides about three miles north- west from Wilbur on land he secured through the right of purchase. Mr. Kelley has devoted himself steadily to farming since he came to this county in 1898 and has a good place of one quarter section, well improved and productive of good crops.
Mathias J. Kelley was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, on August 17. 1862, the son of Hon. P. J. and Sarah J. ( Warren) Kelley. The mother was born in Missouri, while the father was born in Lee county, Virginia, in 1837. He migrated with his people to Mis- souri when a child and at the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted in Company C, First Mis- souri Cavalry, but was forced to take his dis- charge on account of a wound. He crossed the plains in 1865 and made settlement near. Walla Walla. Here he accumulated a large amount of property and then removed to Mil- ton, Oregon, where he is living at the present time, the owner of a fine estate of both town and country property. He is a prominent citi -. zen and has been chosen by his acquaintances to represent his district in the state legislature, where he acquitted himself in keeping with his wisdom and ability manifested through a long and successful career. Mathias J. was edu- cated in the public schools of the state of Oregon and then began to assist his father on the farm. For a number of years he was occupied thus and finally in 1898 he came thence to his present place, which he purchased, and settled to farming.
In 1892, Mr. Kelley married Miss Mary, daughter of William W. and Anna E. ( Jones) Davies, who was born in Walla Walla county, on April 17, 1873. The parents are of Welch descent and her father now. resides in Cali- fornia and the mother died in 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley there have been born four children. Claud H., Lloyd H., Susie G., and Hugh H.
DAMIAN WAGNER is certainly to be classed as one of the early pioneers of Lincoln county, since he located here in 1883, over twenty years ago. He has labored assiduously since those early days of settlement in all the stages of development through which the country has passed, ever doing well his part in development and upbuilding as a capable and faithful citizen. Mr. Wagner now dwells about six miles south from Wilbur where he has a magnificent estate of eight hundred acres. The nucleus of this was taken as a homestead and a timber culture claim in the days when the coy- otes were the chief companions of the hardy pioneers who weathered the rebuffs of nature
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to bring under the pale of civilization this fer- tile country. Mr. Wagner wrought with wis- dom and continuity of purpose and the result is that he is now one of the highly respected citizens, possessed of a fine competence, and a man of influence.
Damian Wagner was born in Baden, Ger- many, on May 27. 1845. being the son of Leanhard and Katherine ( Wagner) Wagner, both natives of Germany. The former came to Illinois when our subject was an infant and there the father was soon recognized as one of the prominent men as he had been in his native land. Our subject received his early education in Belville, Illinois, and at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company H. Ninety-seventh Illinois, being in the Thirteenth Army Corps of the Second Brigade. He served with distinction under General Andrews in the Mobile and Red River Campaigns and at the close of the war re- ceived an honorable discharge. He then gave his attention to the quieter occupation of till- ing the soil in Illinois, then came on to Mis- souri, and finally in 1883, as stated above, he located in Lincoln county. Washington. In addition to general farming. Mr. Wagner gives considerable attention to raising first class blooded stock and has a fine herd at the present tinie.
In Missouri, in 1874. Mr. Wagner married Miss Christine Beck, a native of Germany, and to them have been born the following children, Katherine, Caroline Drumheller, George, Ledwine, Lenhard, Annie, deceased, Robert, deceased, Charles, deceased, and Frank.
WILLIAM J. VANSKIKE was born in Kentucky, on August 3, 1865, being the son of Samuel and Jane (Lyle) Vanskike, natives respectively of Missouri and Kentucky. The father was a veteran of the Civil War and brought his family to Walla Walla when our subject was a child. In that city William J. was educated and remained until 1890 when he moved to the vicinity of Wilbur. After prospecting the country thoroughly, Mr. Van- skike purchased a section of land where he now resides about four miles northwest from Wii- bur and immediately set himself to the pleas- ant task of making a home. He has ac :om1-
plished this in a commendable manner and has a very valuable and pleasant place. Mr. Van- skike has given his entire attention to the int- provement of his estate and to general farm- ing since coming here and is one of the skill- ful and successful wheat producers of the Big Bend country.
In 1893. Mr. Vanskike married Miss Ruby, daughter of Frank and Mary (Wilson) Hire, natives of Illinois, where Mrs. Vanskike was born also. The fruit of the marriage has been one child, Carl E. It is of interest to note that when Mr. Vanskike came to Lincoln county his assets were less than nothing, he being in debt ; but owing to his energy and the wise management of the resources here, he has accumulated a fine property and a good com- petence.
ROBERT H. BANDY, who is one of the heavy real estate owners of the county of Lincoln, is also one of its most substantial and capable citizens. He has won for himself the distinction of carrying unsullied the priceless legacy from worthy ancestors of a good name and a high sense of the responsibilities of his stewardship in this world. He is a son of the Old North State, and his birth occurred on April 17, 1856. The parents are Rufus and Letty E. ( Abernathy) Bandy, natives also of North Carolina, being descended from promi- nent and wealthy planters. The father served with distinction in the Civil War under Lee. During the war his property was largely de- stroyed and as the schools were neglected. our subject had little opportunity to gain the edu- cational training that is available usually to the rising generations in this land. Owing to this, he was forced to gain by personal application and by constant reading the information with which he is so well fortified at this time. At the age of twenty, he purchased a plantation of two hundred acres, to the cultivation of which he devoted himself with energy and wisdom. In 1888 the western fever attacked Mr. Bandy and the only cure was to come to the fertile region of Lincoln county. He soon selected land where he now lives, two miles west from Wilbur, and which is now one of the elegant and valuable estates of Lincoln county, and which is handled with becoming wisdom. Mr. Bandy has in this farm fourteen hundred acres.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
of fertile wheat land and also owns other prop- erty. The nucleus of his estate was taken as government land, the good old homestead right being utilized to secure the same. He has im- proved his estate well and has an elegant home.
In 1877, while still in North Carolina, Mr. Bandy married Miss Amy E., daughter of Marcus and Betsy E. (Keener) Beal, planters of North Carolina. Mrs. Bandy was born in that state and has shared the successes of her husband along the journey of life until the present, being a true helpmeet in achieving their goodly competence. To them have been born the following named children : George, a pharmacist in Wilbur and proprietor of a first class drug store; Mary A. Johnson; William G .; Edward; and Robert E. Mr. Bandy has given his children the advantage of a good edu- cation, thus fortifying them for the battle of life in exceptionally good manner.
FRED VAN BUREN who lives about four miles northwest from Wilbur is one of the industrious and progressive agriculturists of Lincoln county. He was born in Minden, Germany on April 20, 1867, the son of Chris- tian and Caroline (Shirfner) Van Buren, na- tives of Germany. He was educated at his home place until fourteen, when he came to Peoria, Illinois. He landed there with five dollars in his pocket and was soon at work on a farm for wages. In 1885, he came to Walla Walla where he continued work on the farm for three years, then he went to Baker City, Oregon, and bought a farm which occu- pied his attention for some time and later was sold. It was 1892 when he came to Lincoln county and bought half a section of land where he now resides. From that time until the pres- est, Mr. Van Buren has given his attention to the improvement of his estate and to general farming, having now one of the valuable places of this part of the country. He has shown himself to be a thrifty and wise farmer desery- ing the esteem and credit generously accorded him by his fellow citizens. It is very gratify- ing to see the fine competence that Mr. Van Buren has gained since he started in this new country with less than sixty-five dollars ..
In 1892, Mr. Van Buren married Mrs. Mary McDaniel, the daughter of Michael and
Sarah ( Banning) Whitesides, natives of Illi- nois, and to this union one child, Caroline, has been born. By her former marriage, Mrs. Van Buren has one child, Downey.
WILLIAM STOOKEY is one of the pioneers of Lincoln county and has shown him- self possessed of those stanch qualities of in- tegrity and energy which have wrought out for him in this vale a fine competence, while his standing in the country which has grown up around him, is of the very best.
William Stookey was born in Illinois, on March 24, 1872, the son of Allen J. and Susan ( Louderman) Stookey, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His opportunity for education was very limited as he came with the family to this section when still young and the frontier is not usually filled with schools. This spot in Lincoln county was as well favored as is usual, and young Stookey was enabled to secure a few weeks of educational drill during some winters. The rest of his time was spent in handling the farm work with his father and later in life he worked the estate for his father. Being guided by sound wisdom and the coun- sels of a sagacious father, Mr. Stookey in- vested in land, buying three-fourths of a sec- tion about four miles southeast from Wilbur, where his home is at the present time. He has a fine farm, good improvements, some stock, and is a prosperous and well to do citizen, who has the high esteem and good will of all.
In 1898, Mr. Stookey married Miss Phoebe, daughter of John and Susan ( Waters) Mc- Carty. natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, re- spectively. The father was a pioneer to Illi- nois and a substantial citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Stookey two children have been born, Trilby L., and Allen V.
LAURS NELSEN is one of the good sub- stantial farmers of Lincoln county who have made it what it is today, one of the banner counties of the west. Like those who do in- stead of dream, Mr. Nelsen has taken hokl with his hands and made for himself a good home place and competence in this favored re- gion.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Laurs Nelsen was born in Denmark, on July 12, 1849, being the son of Nels and Anna ( Andersen) Lorensen, natives of Denmark. The father was a citizen of prominence and held various offices of trust in his native coun- try. Our subject received his educational training from the public schools of his native country and as soon as his time with the days of school study were over he gave his entire attention to handling his father's farm, where he had also been engaged during the interims from his studies. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Nelsen had saved enough from his labors so that he was warranted in purchasing his father's farm, which he did. The old home- stead then became his property and it was his home until 1892, when he sold and came to this country. After due search in various por- tions of the west, he decided to take a home- stead in Klickitat county, in this state, and there he toiled with varying success until 1899, when he came to Lincoln county and here took up farming. He is located about three miles west from Wilbur and has a good place.
In 1875, while still in Denmark, Mr. Nel- sen married Miss Mary Sorensen, daughter of Soren and Meta M. (Miller) Rasmusan, na- tives of Denmark, where also Mrs. Nelsen was born and reared. To this marriage the fol- lowing children have been born, Nels. Soren, Marie, Anna, Christina, Hansena, and Mary.
J. N. JASPER BEAN is certainly to be commended for the wisdom; and thrift that has given him his real estate in Lincoln county. He resides about four miles west from Wilbur and owns two thousand acres of excellent wheat land. The estate is well supplied with commodious and substantial buildings and im- proved in a becoming manner.
Our subject was born in McDonough coun- ty, Illinois, on April 20, 1857, being the son of Marvel and Amelia (White) Bean, natives of Illinois. They are very wealthy and prominent people in their section of Illinois. Jasper was educated in Colchester in his native state and had the misfortune of losing his mother while an infant. After his school days were finished. he began farming in Illinois and remained at the same until 1883. In that year. he sold his place and came to his present location, taking
a homestead as the nucleus of his present fine estate. Since that time he has labored here with crowning success as mentioned above. In addition to that, Mr. Bean has won the esteem and confidence of all who know his upright- ness and excellent qualities.
On February 14, 1881, Mr. Bean married Miss Francina, the daughter of William and Katherine (Stookey) Lion, wealthy and pros- perous citizens of Illinois, where also they were born. Mrs. Bean has the following brothers and sisters, Haskel, Harley, Ira, Robert, Les- ter, Charles, Laura Cramer, Lella Brown, Maranda and Pearl. Mr. Bean has three broth- ers, Marion, Joseph, Robert, and one sister, Ethel. To Mr. and Mrs. Bean have been born the following children: Ray, Roy W., Ethel, Grace, Ina May, and Blanche V.
Mr. and Mrs. Bean had their full share of the strenuousness needed to endure and brave the life of the pioneer. They drove to their claims with two yoke of oxen, carrying their. provision from Cheney, which town afterward became their trading point, and is distant eighty-five miles. For five years they hauled all the water needed on the farm, a distance of five miles, in barrels. The squirrels were their, enemies and drove many of the settlers away from the county. For three years Mr. Bean lived with his family in a log cabin twelve feet square, with dirt floor, and thatched roof. De- spite all these hardships they persevered and have become leading and wealthy people of the country.
HANS HANSEN has an excellent farm about five miles northwest from Sherman. He is one of the early settlers of this part of Lin- coln county and has shown commendable in- dustry and tenacity in his labors here since. Mr. Hansen has one of the finest farms in this vicinity. He took part of the land as a homestead in 1886 and has added since by pur- chase until he has a large estate and the im- provements upon it have made him one of the most handsome places here. Mr. Hansen has displayed excellent wisdom and taste in improving his farm and the result is that he has a home place in which he may take pardon- able pride.
Hans Hansen was born in Denmark, on January 16, 1848, being the son of Hans
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Laursen, a native of Denmark. The mother of our subject was also a native of the same country and they spent their entire life there. Hans was well educated in the schools of his home place and then went to farming, con- tinuing the same steadily for sixteen years. It was 1886, when he came to the United States and located his present place and since then he has given his entire attention to farm- ing and stock raising.
In 1886, Mr. Hansen married Miss Anna Nelson, who died in 1900. In 1901, Mr. Han- sen contracted a second marriage, Mrs. Anna Mortensen becoming his wife at that time. Mr. Hansen has two step children, Camilla and Kristian M. Kristensen. Mrs. Hansen and her children are natives of Denmark, and all belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Hansen is a man of integrity and has the esteem of liis fellow citizens.
JOHN McNEIL is one of the industrious farmers residing about four miles northwest of Sherman. He was born in Quebec, Canada, on February 14, 1866, being the son of Alex- ander and Mary (Cameron) McNeil. The former was a native of Scotland and came to Canada when a young man and the mother was a native of Canada. Coming thus of good stanch Scotch parents, our subject was well fortified for the battles of life. He received a good common school education in Canada and then engaged in the lumber business. He followed that steadily until 1885 when he came to Spokane. After locating in this western country, he decided to take up lumbering again and followed that for some time, after which he took a homestead near Sherman, the first filing being in 1886. After settling upon the place, Mr. McNeil gave his attention to im- proving his farm and now it may be said that he has one of the excellent home places in this part of Lincoln county. Buildings, fences, and other improvements are in evidence. His farm is well cultivated and he is known as one of the prosperous men of this section. It is to his credit to say that when he came here he had very little means but now has a goodly com- petence, owing to his thrift and wisdom.
Our subject had his share of the depriva- tions and hardships during the pioneer days when all supplies had to be transported from
Spokane, eighty miles away, and wheat sold at seventeen cents per bushel. By perseverance and industry, he weathered the storms, how- ever, and now, with the other substantial ones of this country, he is permitted to enjoy the rich rewards of his labors. Mr. McNeil has one sister, who with his mother, resides with him. The latter is eighty-two years of age. His father died in 1901. Mr. McNeil is a member of the K. P. and the W. W.
ALLEN J. STOOKEY, who resides about four miles east from Wilbur is not only one of the hardy pioneers of this portion of what is now Lincoln county, but is also one of the heaviest real estate owners in this section and a prosperous and highly respected citizen. He was born in Illinois, on April 23, 1843, the son of Elijah and Jane ( Parker ) Stookey, natives and pioneers of Ohio. The father followed farming and was an influential man in his regions. Our subject was educated in his na- tive state and farmed with his father after the days of school life were over. He was occu- pied there until 1883, the year in which he made his journey west. After due investiga- tion, he selected the spot where he now lives and soon had used his government rights of pre-emption, homestead, and timber culture. On account of there being no means of trans- portation in this portion of the country, there was no market, so Mr. Stookey went to work at carpentering at Wilbur and other points. His nearest neighbor was William Condin, who is better known as "Wild Goose Bill," a noted pioneer character of the Big Bend coun- try. All supplies at this time had to be brought from Spokane and Cheney and it took a num- ber of days to make the trip. Although it was difficult some times to make a livelihood, still, Mr. Stookey plodded along improving his es- tate and preparing for the times when he was certain that the products of the soil would find a ready market. He had great faith in the country and always bought real estate as he had opportunity, and now, when the Big Bend country is recognized as one of the most fav- ored and wealthiest portions of the great state of Washington, his wisdom is recognized and he is the fortunate enjoyer of the magnificent estate which he has acquired. He owns sev-
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eral thousand acres of valuable wheat land and it is improved with the same sagacity and good judgment that caused its acquirement. His residence is one of the most comfortable and valuable homes in the country and all other im- provements are in proportion.
In 1868, Mr. Stookey married Miss Susan Louderman, a native of Illinois. Mrs. Stook- ey's father, John Louderman, was a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Stookey five children have been born, Mrs. Nola Grinstead. Seth, William, Emma Alderson and Carrie Howell, the last two. deceased. Seth was educated in the Cheney normal and on October 7, 1900, married Miss Minnie Partridge of Missouri. He is now farming with his father. Mr. Stookey has two brothers, Thomas J. and Al- fred E., and two sisters, Rebecca J. Hunt, and Mariette Morris. Mrs. Stookey has three brothers and one sister, Phillip, Charles, George, and Mary Sawyer. Mr. Stookey al- ways takes a keen interest in political matters and has served his county as commissioner, and also was an official in various positions in Illi- nois.
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