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 50
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 50
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 50
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 50
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HARRISON S. HUGHES is at the head of a large mercantile establishment in Almira. He handles hardware, furniture, harness, paints, oils, and so forth, and has a large stock, his hardware stock being the largest in this part of the county. He is a young man of energy and ability. Having started in the Big Bend country without means, he has gained his en- tire holdings as the result of his keen business ability and industry. At the same time, Mr. Hughes has so conducted himself that he has won the respect and confidence of all who know him, and he stands in an enviable position in the community today.
Harrison S. Hughes was born in Iowa, on July 22, 1877. being the son of Henry and Ella ( Oplinger ) Hughes. The father was born in Wales and came to America when a young man, settling in Wisconsin. Later he removed to Chicago, then to Iowa. He was a smelter man in his early life and when he started in Iowa, he turned his attention to farming and became a very prominent citizen. The mother was born in Pennsylvania and her father, Peter Oplinger, was a veteran of the Civil War. The primary education of our subject was ob-
tained in the public schools of Chicago, this augmented at Sprague, and finally his training was completed at the Washington Agricultural College at Pullman. In 1889, he started for himself and soon bought a farm north of Al- mira. For three years he gave his attention to that, then sold it and purchased the interest of J. G. Jones, of the firm of Jones & Kunz. Since the time of his purchase he has continued in the business, devoting his entire energies to it and has achieved a fine success. Mr. Hughes came to Sprague, Washington, in 1885 and since has always been identified with the Ever- green State.
MILTON C. SALTER is the proprietor of the Almira livery stable, one of the leading business establishments in that town, and which has been conducted in such a manner that it enjoys a thriving patronage. Mr. Salter has a large establishment, excellent rigs, and a good stand of driving and riding horses, and leaves nothing undone for the comfort and safety of his patrons.
Milton C. Salter, was born in Michigan, on April 10, 1868, being the son of John W. and Emaline (Clendenen) Salter. The father was born in England and came to America when a young man and settled with his parents on a farm in Michigan. He learned the machinist's trade which he followed a portion of his life and also did contracting on the construction work of the railroad. He was in the shops of the leading railroads for over. thirty years and is now a retired citizen in Michigan. The mother was born in New England and died when our subject was an infant. Milton C. received his education in the district schools of Michigan, then went to work on his grandfa- thers' farm, where he remained until 1885. In that year he journeyed west to Iowa and worked some time for wages then returned to Michigan. In 1887. he went to Nebraska and engaged with a sheep dealer. His business was to make jour- neys to Nevada and other points and purchase' large bands of sheep and take them across the plains to Nebraska. In 1890, he came to Al- mira. Washington and spent two years working for wages. He then went into the horse busi- ness and turned his attention to raising horses until 1900, in which year he opened his present
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stable in Almira. Since then, Mr. Salter has been paying constant attention to his livery business and the result is a very fine patronage.
In 1900, Mr. Salter married Miss Florence Coley. She was born in Indiana and came to Washington with her parents in 1888. They lived sometime at Sprague and later moved to Almira and now dwell on the farm near Hart- line.
To Mr. and Mrs. Salter, two children have been born, Nila V. and Hazel M.
BENJAMIN F. RICHARDSON, a re- tired farmer of Wilbur is one of the heavy real estate owners of Lincoln county and an in- fluential and respected citizen. He was born near Walla Walla, Washington, on October 9, 1868. The father, James H. Richardson, was born in Illinois and crossed the plains in 1860, selecting a preemption near the present city of Waitsburg. Later, he secured other land by purchase until he had one thousand acres. He conducted that estate for nearly twenty years then built a flour mill in Huntsville and oper- ated it for thirteen years. Then he traded the mill for a large tract of land near Ritzville which he farmed for a short time then sold in 1892. He is now loaning money in Lind, Wash- ington. The mother of our subject is Tabitha (Hicks) Richardson. She is a native of Illi- nois and came to Washington in an early day. Our subject was educated in the district schools of Walla Walla county, then completed his training in the Washington seminary at Hunts- ville. After that he rented his father's farm and conducted it for a number of years. In 1891 he came to Lincoln county, Washington, and bought railroad land four miles south from Wilbur. To this he has added until he owns an estate of twelve hundred and eighty acres. When he purchased the land it was all un- broken prairie, but he has improved it until it is now in a high state of cultivation and one of the choicest estates in the county, and is a model Washington farm. In addition to this, Mr. Richardson has a commodious and palatial residence in Wilbur which is his home at the present time.
In 1889, Mr. Richardson married Nellie Fudge, a native of Waitsburg. Her parents
are David and Melissa ( Hammer ) Fudge. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in Missouri. They were among the early settlers in eastern Washington and are wealthy agricul- turists now. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson four children have been born, Itha F., Ross E., Beatrice M., and Harold C. Mr. Richardson has the following brothers and sisters, James H., Charles E., Noah, Byron, Martha, wife of David Bridgman, Mary L., wife of Edward Laing. Sarah L., wife of Charles Harsh, Min- nie, wife of Dennis Mckay, Anna, wife of Jo- seph Moulton, and Mida, wife of Edward Mc- Caffey.
JOSEPH B. KENNEDY is a fine example of what a man can do in the Big Bend coun- try, who is possessed of energy and wisdom. He came here in 1896 and settled on a home- stead twelve miles south from Wilbur. He had nothing but the raw bunch grass sod as his capital and he has wrought from these resources a fine holding and is now considered one of the wealthy men of the county. He owns over one-half section of land in a high state of cul- tivation, well improved and supplied with. fences, orchards and so forth.
Joseph B. Kennedy was born in Ireland, on November 14, 1860, the son of John and Mary (Conn) Kennedy, natives of Ireland. The mother came from Scotch ancestry while the father boasted his descent from the rich Irish blood. The family came to America in 1863 and settled in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. where the father came to be a prominent and well-to-do citizen. The school adjoining the home place furnished the educational training of our subject and also in his younger days he learned the important art of cheese making, becoming very proficient therein. After fol- lowing this some time, he came to Washington in 1885. For a time he was employed in the Cascade tunnel, then went to Spokane and oper- ated as an engineer for seven years. In 1894 he entered the mercantile business and had a store on Sprague avenue, near Division. This continued for two years and in 1896 he sold out and moved to his present location. Ile now owns four hundred and eighty acres of ex- cellent farm land.
Joseph B. Kennedy was married in 1895 to
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Maggie S. Stauffer. She was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Jacob R. and Marie (Sanburn) Stauffer, natives of Ontario and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents came to Washington in 1892 and are now living a retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have adopted two children, Albert and Alberta, twins. It certainly is greatly to Mr. Kennedy's credit when we know that since 1896 he has gathered a fine competence in worldly goods entirely as a result of his labors and careful management. He also is secure in the esteem and confidence of his fellows and is known as one of the sub- stantial men of the county.
GERHARD T. B. JURGENSEN is one of the earliest settlers in what is now known as Lincoln county. He resides about one mile west from Wilbur and owns and controls an estate of nearly two thousand acres. He was born in Denmark on August 21, 1834, the son of Rev- erend Peter and Sophia C. ( Brondstand) Jur- gensen, natives of Denmark and noted for their Christian philanthrophy and charitable works. In the Kolding Latin school, at Kolding, Den- mark, our subject received his early education and during young manhood went to sea on a Danish vessel. He visited many portions of the globe and finally the ship was lost at sea. Returning home, he was apprenticed to a, farmer and later rented the land, after which he bought a farm in Denmark. The portion of the country where he lived was taken pos- session of by the Germans, who forced every Danish resident to swear allegiance to their. government or leave the country. They were not allowed to dispose of their property and through corruption of the government, Mr. Jurgensen, with others was so harrassed by the Germans, that he was obliged to leave, and was practically driven from home without a dollar of his hard earned property. In 1872, he landed in America and worked for a time in Iowa and Nebraska. In 1884, Mr. Jurgensen came with his family to the Big Bend country and took a homestead and timber culture claims, which were the nucleus of his present large estate. By dint of hard work, careful management, and with the co-operation of his family, Mr. Jur- gensen has accumulated his magnificent estate, as mentioned above. The same is very beauti- ful, well improved, and productive.
In 1859, Mr. Jurgensen married Miss J. D. Prysse, who died on March 4, 1900. Recently, Mr. Jurgensen contracted a second marriage, Mrs. Elsie Christenson becoming his wife on this occasion. It is interesting to note in this. connection that Mr. Jurgensen learned the Eng- lish language by his own personal efforts, with- out instruction, making himself proficient both in reading and speaking the same. By his honesty, integrity, and wisdom, Mr. Jurgen- sen has won the respect and esteem of all who know him and he is looked up to by the whole community as one of the most substantial and upright of men. Mr. Jurgensen has three sons and two daughters living namely, Holger, Viggo, Aage, Mrs. Peter Lyse, Mrs. Agnesta ยท Downey, and Sarah, deceased.
HOLGER JURGENSEN is one of the younger men of Lincoln county, who has gained a fine competence by his industry and wisdom manifested during his residence here. He was born in Denmark on November 5, 1867, being the son of G. T. B. and J. D. (Prysse) Jurgensen, natives of Denmark and named elsewhere in this volume. While Holger was still young, he came with his parents to Iowa, thence to Nebraska and later, in 1884, to the Big Bend country. Owing to the fact that he left his native country when too young to attend school and lived on the frontier where there were no opportunities to attend school he never gained but eighteen months of educa- tional training. Being a young man of energy and determination, Mr. Jurgensen decided to secure an education through his own personal efforts. He has succeeded admirably well, mak- ing himself proficient in the ordinary branches of study and becoming master of the English language. In so doing, he has acquired a taste for the best literature and has become familiar with the writings of the best authors. Mr. Jurgesen remained with his father until twenty- two years of age then began life for himself. At that time he purchased six hundred acres of raw land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and improved in fine shape. The estate produces an annual dividend which makes Mr. Jurgesen one of the wealthy men of this vicinity.
On June 25, 1901, Mr. Jurgensen married Miss Gunheld, daughter of Gunder and Martha
GERHARD T. B. JURGENSEN
HOLGER JURGENSEN
SIMON PETERSON
WILLIAM W. HOWELL
BENJAMIN KING
EDWARD ENGELSEN
HANS M. HANSEN
MARCUS A. HANSEN
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(Foetene) Felland, natives of Norway. Mrs. Jurgensen was born on October 31, 1871. Mr. Jurgensen is a man of uprightness and has won the esteem of all who know him. In the summer of 1904, Mr. Jurgensen was nomi- nated on the Democratic ticket to represent his district in the state legislature.
SIMON PETERSON. For over twenty years the subject of this article has been one of the arduous laborers for the development and upbuilding of Lincoln county. He has wrought here in no uncertain way and has accomplished excellent results. Someone has said that the strength of the nation is measured by the strength and substantiality of its homes. Ac- cording to this true standard no one can give too strong an endorsement of those who have built up beautiful and substantial homes in this frontier country. Mr. Peterson resides about eight miles north from Wilbur where he has a. fine estate, comfortable and valuable residence, outbuildings, fences, and other improvements. which make his place an ideal farm. He came here in 1882, took a homestead from the raw prairie, to which, later, he added a preemption and then bought railroad land. Since that time, Mr. Peterson has continued uninterrupt- edly in his labors here and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, being a highly esteemed citizen.
Simon Peterson was born in Denmark, on August 2, 1850, being the son of John and Katherine (Steen) Peterson, natives of Den- mark. During his youthful days, he gained an educational training in the public schools and then turned his attention to learning the art of blacksmithing. Becoming proficient in this trade, he determined in 1869, to come to the United States. He readily found employ- ment as a skilled blacksmith in Minnesota ; later he was in Wisconsin, and then in Colorado con- tinued beating the anvil to the tune of honest industry until 1882, when he came to Wilbur as stated above.
In 1886, Mr. Peterson married Miss Annie Berthelsen, a native of Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson came to this country withont any money and now have a very comfortable competence. To them have been born five children. John B., Christ J., Kate, Marguerette. and Albert.
WILLIAM W. HOWELL deserves to be mentioned in any volume that speaks of the leading citizens of Lincoln county, since he has demonstrated here his ability to handle the re- sources of the country in a successful manner and has during these years, shown himself to be a progressive and capable man. He is now spending the golden years of his life retired from active business in the town of Wilbur where he has a beautiful residence.
William W. Howell was born in Kentucky, on January 31, 1838, being the son of Thomas and Sarah (Morris) Howell, natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a worthy agriculturist and an influential citizen. His father, John H .. the grandfather of our subject. fought in the War of 1812. The mother's father was killed in the same war. The district schools of Kentucky contributed to the educational train- ing of our subject and in 1854 he moved with his parents to Illinois where they took up farm- ing. It was in 1862 that they bought ox team conveyances and made the weary journey across the plains to eastern Oregon. Our sub- ject spent sometime in washing the golden sands of Placerville, Idaho, and in portions of Oregon, then in 1853 made the trip to Illinois on horseback. After farming in that state for some time, he went to Missouri, but in 1872 returned again to Illinois and there made his home until 1884. when he came to Lincoln county. He took a homestead about five miles northwest from Wilbur and later bought two hundred acres of land and has improved the entire estate in a becoming manner and it is now one of the choice farms of the Big Bend coun- try. Mr. Howell has an excellent orchard and all the conveniences of machinery and buildings on his estate. He now resides in Wilbur and oversees his estates from that place. He owns a fine residence in Wilbur and is one of the es- teemed citizens of the town.
In 1864, Mr. Howell married Miss Sarah Bumgardner. In 1888, he was called to mourn the death of his wife who left three children : Orlando, and Vilasco, wealthy farmers near Wilbur, and Mrs. Mary Parker.
BENJAMIN KING is a retired farmer re- siding in Davenport, Washington. Born July 23, 1839. in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Margaret (McClaren) King,
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
both deceased, at an early age he migrated with his parents to Jackson county, Iowa, in the territorial days of that commonwealth. The family was among the first to settle in this county. going there in the days when Indians and wild game were so numerous as to render farm life extremely unpleasant. The father of Benjamin enjoyed the distinction of having cast a vote for the first governor of Iowa. After growing to manhood on the farm our subject enlisted in September, 1861, in Com- pany M. Second Iowa Cavalry, and for three years was engaged in the Civil War, fighting for the most part in the states of Missouri. Tennessee and Mississippi. During this time he was engaged in some hotly contested battles. among which might be mentioned the Corinth and Iuka ( Mississippi), as well as in numerous skirmishies and brushes with the enemy. He was given an honorable discharge at the close of the war and returned to Iowa, where he engaged in farming, and where. on January 26. 1865. he was married to Margaret A. Dupuy, a native of Jackson county. Mrs. King's parents were Lemuel and Nancy Dupuy, pioneers of that locality.
In the spring of 1870 Mr. King fitted up a "prairie schooner" and started west with his wife and two children. The family remained one year in Richardson county, Nebraska, and from there went to Jewell county, Kansas. where he was among the first of the early set- tlers. Here Mr. King took a homestead and a pre-emption, five miles from his nearest neighbor, in a country where wild buffalo were so numerous that more than once he has stood in his door and killed these animals at short range. While in this county, where the fam- ily lived in a primitive plains "dug-out" a pair of twins was born to Mr. and Mrs. King. These children were known far and wide throughout the state as "the Centennial Twins." for the reason that they arrived on the fourth day of July, 1876.
In the spring of 1882 the family started again with the covered wagon, to Colorado. and in the fall of that year they came to the Black Hills. In the spring of 1884 they drove to Umatilla county, Oregon, where Mr. King farmed until the spring of 1888. when he came overland to Davenport. Three years later he removed near Wilbur, where he owns 320 acres
of choice grain land. He also owns a beautiful home in Davenport where he lives. Mrs. King died April 22, 1899, leaving the subject of this sketch and seven children: Elmer E., married to Dilla Charlton; William W., married to Grace Phar ; Clara C., wife of C. A. Bryant ; David D., married to Viola Alley: Alva A .; Alma A., wife of Charles McKennon-the two last named are the "Centennial Twins," and Arthur.
The brothers and sisters of Mr. King are : Marinus. J. H., Mrs. Rebecca Sweesy, Mrs. Sarah E. Jenkins, Mrs. M. M. Phillips, Mrs. Martha J. Lydell, living, and Robert M. and Elizabeth M. King, deceased.
Benjamin King is a prominent member of the G. A. R. of Wilbur, and one of the foremost citizens of Davenport.
EDWARD ENGELSEN is a prosperous farmer living three miles west from Hesseltine. He owns a good estate and in addition to his farm has bought and sold considerable land since coming to the Big Bend country. Through his wise labors, he has gained wealth and is one of the influential and leading men of the section.
Edward Engelsen was born in Hardanger, Norway, in April .. 1862, being the son of Engel A. and Margreta (Lussand) Bjotvedt. The family came to Wisconsin in 1868 and there father was a farmer and gained wealth and influence in his latter years. Our subject was educated in the district schools in Wiscon- sin and in Cortland academy. He came to Washington at the age of twenty-one and took a homestead in 1883 at his present location. His home place has been well laid out and is supplied with good buildings, fences, orchard, and all other conveniences necessary on a first class farm. After taking his land, Mr. Engel- sen was forced to go to other parts of the coun- try to earn money for his support and the im- provement of the farm. He has the following brothers and sisters. Martin. Ole, Mrs. Helena Gullicksen, Mrs. Carrie Nash, Susan, and Mrs. Emma Merkey.
In 1893. Mr. Engelsen married Miss Bertha Spangle and to them three children have been born. M. Gladys, deceased: Gracie M., and Clare \V.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
HANS M. HANSEN was born in Den- mark, March 21, 1863. the son of Peter Han- sen and Sine Jespersen. He grew up on a farm and attended the public schools, later being graduated from the agricultural and normal courses of the agricultural college at Klank, Denmark. In the spring of 1889. two years following his graduation, he sailed from Copenhagen for the United States on the ship Denmark. The vessel was wrecked about fifteen hundred miles east of New Foundland. There were nine hundred passengers aboard, only one of whom was drowned, although the steamer was a total loss. The remaining pass- engers were taken aboard a passing ship, and after a hazardous voyage of fifty-six days suc- ceeded in reaching the port of New York. A short time was spent in New York, after which Mr. Hansen came west to Minneapolis, Min- nesota, and from that point came to Wilbur in the fall of 1890. The following spring he engaged as a section hand with the Central Washington railway, and was soon promoted to the position of foreman of his gang. He remained with the company four years, when, in 1894. he engaged in buying and selling grain. Three years later he embarked in the lumber business, at the same time keeping up his speculations in grain. He later sold his business and engaged with Peter M. Lyse in the mercantile business. In February, 1902, however. he disposed of his interests in this business and engaged in his present business. which is that of grain buying, real estate and farm loans, with his home and headquarters in Wilbur, where he has one of the handsomest residences in the city. He owns three large grain warehouses, one at Wilbur and two at Govan, the three covering a total of about nine thousand six hundred and forty square feet. Each branch of his business is in a prosperous condition and is yielding him good returns.
In the lodge circles of his town Mr. Hansen is identified with the Odd Fellows, the K. P .. and the K. O. T. M.
He was married in December. 1889. to Dorthea Bruhn, a native of Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have been parents of four children, whose names are, Jennie, Carrie, Alfred B. and Sigvard T.
The family's church home is in the Luth- eran denomination.
Although coming to Wilbur without means.
Mr. Hansen has, by his habits of thrift. busi- ness sagacity, and relentless toil. achieved suc- cess to such a degree as to place him in the foremost ranks of the business men of his town.
MARCUS A. HANSEN lives on a valuable farm two and one-half miles east and one mile south of Davenport. Born on the island of Bornholm, Denmark. May 23. 1853. he was the son of Diderek and Maren Christina ( Han- sen) Hansen, a brief mention of whose lives ap- pear in the sketch of James D. Hansen, who is a twin brother of our subject.
The two brothers were raised together and have always been in each other's company, so their biographies cannot differ in any material detail. Marcus A., with his brother, attended school until fourteen years of age, and the two came to the United States together in 1873. From New York, where they first landed. they went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in 1874 came to the coast. They went to Red Bluffs, Cal- ifornia, where they worked on farms until 1879, when they came by wagon to Walla Walla, from that city to the Palouse country. and to Davenport. then Cottonwood Springs, in 1880. Here each of the brothers took a homestead where they now live. On account of the newness of the country. which was then without road or fence and practically uninhabited. together with the stringent financial condition in which they found themselves after locating here. they had many and unusually severe hard- ships to endure before gaining a start, but both are now in a prosperous condition and greatly attached to the country in which they live.
Marcus A. Hansen was married to Lena Hansen on December 27, 1888. Mrs. Hansen though of the same name, was in no wise re- lated to her husband prior to their marriage. and was a sister of Hanna L. Hansen, who ten years later became the wife of Mr. Hansen's brother. James D. She was born in Lolland. Denmark, the daughter of Hans Jensen, a blacksmith by trade, who served in the war be- tween Denmark and Germany in 1864, and Anna M. Jensen, both of whom are living in the old country.
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