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 69
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 69
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 69
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 69
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Mr. Childs is a member of the W. W. and his wife of the Women of the Woodcraft. They are highly respected, have an umtarnished repu- tation, and have shown marked uprightness and industry as well as wisdom in their labors.
GEORGE M. SPARKS, who lives five miles southwest from Reardan, is one of the successful farmers of Lincoln county. He came here with very little capital and has now gained a good holding in real estate, besides personal property. He was born in Adrian county, Mis- souri. on March 23. 1871. being the son of George W. and Susan ( Tubbs ) Sparks, natives of Canada and Missouri, respectively, and now dwelling at Reardan. For about forty-three years, the father was a farmer and miller and came west to this country in 1903. Our subject has three brothers and two sisters living and four sisters and one brother deceased.
George M. received his education in the pub- lic schools of Missouri and spent his youthful days on the farm. In 1889, he left Missouri for Spokane, being then eighteen years of age. For a while he was a teamster in that city. then came on to Reardan and worked on a ranch for one year then began farming for himself until
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1897. when he sold out and took an interesting overland journey to California. He drove the entire distance with teams and visited various portions of the state especially the Sacramento valley. He finally returned to Reardan and opened a livery business in that town. He con- tinued the same for one year then purchased land where he now resides. Since then, he has devoted himself continuously to general farm- ing and has won excellent success in this enter- prise.
On February 7, 1897, Mr. Sparks married Miss Kate Surber of Lincoln county. Her fa- ther, John S., resides at Reardan. To this union, two children have been born, Dorothy, aged five, and Annie M., aged one. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks are enterprising and substantial people and are worthy of the success and es- teen which they are now enjoying.
GEORGE W. RAKE lives five miles northi from Reardan on an estate of one fourth section which has been so improved that it is one of the finest places in the section. He has a nice, large brick house, outbuildings, and other improve- ments which help to beautify his home place. Mr. Rake is a first class financier and has gained a good holding in property through his labors in this county. He was born in Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, on December 29, 1855. His fa- ther, John G. Rake was a native of New Jersey and a pioneer of Hancock county, Illinois. Later he moved to Sullivan county, Missouri, being a pioneer there also. In 1903. he came to Wash- ington and is now living at Reardan, being sev- enty-six years of age. The mother, Minerva (Wallace) Rake, is a native of Illinois and is now living with her husband, retired in Rear- dan. Our subject has one sister, Alice, and one brother, John A.
George W. received his education in Mis- souri in the district schools and when twenty- one years of age, went to work on the farm. In 1884. he moved from Missouri to Washington, locating first in Spokane county. Four years later, he bought the place where he now lives which is principally devoted to grain raising.
In Missouri, on May 19. 1878. Mr. Rake married Miss Minerva Smith, a native of that state. She was born in Schuyler county, Illi- nois, in 1862, the daughter of J. P. and Valeria
(Herbert) Smith, natives of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Rake three children have been born, Mrs. Ivy Tramm, living near Reardan; Mrs. Amy Rapp of Spokane, and Guy at home.
Mr. Rake is a member of the I. O. O. F. and his wife of the Rebekahs. He is a good substantial citizen and has done his share to im- prove the county.
HENRY MAHRT was born in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, on January 10, 1868. His parents. John and Margaret ( Jaeger) Mahrt, were natives of Germany and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. At the early age of seven, our subject was called to take up the re- sponsibilities of life and everything he has gained has been through his own labors since. He secured a good common school education and then labored in various places until eight- een. At that age, it being 1886, he came to what is now the town of Reardan and after in- vestigating, bought a quarter section of railroad land. This he traded for the relinquishment to a homestead right and afterwards bought a half section more which today forms his estate, about a mile north from Reardan. He has an elegant eight room house, commodious barn, windmill, the land all fenced and under culti- vation. a good orchard, and other improve- ments. Since settling here, Mr. Mahrt has given his undivided attention to the improve- mentand cultivation of his estate and he has been exceptionally well prospered. He is one of the stable and enterprising men of the com- munity.
At Spokane, in April, 1892. Mr. Mahrt married Miss Annie, daughter of John and Mary S. McCrea, natives of Scotland. The mother died when Mrs. Mahrt was four years old and the father came to Lincoln county in 1887 and is still living here. Mrs. Mahrt was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahrt six children have been born. Henrietta. Edward A., Elsie, James, Henry W .. deceased. and Roy. Mr. Mahrt is a member of the W. W .. while his wife belongs to the circle. He has always taken the interest in politics that becomes a good citi- zen and has held various offices. The Big Bend country with its boundless resources has strong-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
ly appealed to Mr. Mahrt and after carefully considering and investigating thoroughly, he has come to the conclusion that it is one of the finest places in the country to make a home. When he landed here, he had but very little capital but his industry and thrift have given him a good holding and he has done a great deal to build up and develop the country.
HENRY C. TRAMM is one of the pio- neers of Lincoln county, although still a young man. He now resides about two and one half miles east from Reardan, where he owns one half section of land. The farm is nearly all laid under tribute to the production of the cer- eals and is well improved and in a high state of cultivation.
Henry C. Tramm was born near Milwaukee on October 19, 1871, being the son of Peter and Mary (Jenson) Tramm, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Our subject received his education in Wisconsin and Washington and labored on the farm with his father and also in handling a threshing machine until he be- came of age. The family came to what is now Lincoln county in June, 1881. The father took a homestead and our subject later bought the half section where he now lives. He has been here steadily since with the exception of one trip, taken to the east in 1897.
On October 27, 1897, Mr. Tramm married Miss Iva Rake, a native of Missouri. Her fa- ther, George Rake, was born on December 29. 1859, in Illinois. He moved to Missouri and later came to what is now Lincoln county and settled five miles north from Reardan, where he has steadily resided. Mrs. Tramm is the old- est of three children, the others being, Guy, at home, and Mrs. V. A. Rapp, living in Spokane. Mr. Tramm has one brother, Peter and two sis- ters, Mrs. T. G. Stevenson and Mrs. William Schultz.
Mr. Tramm belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, and the Unique Encampment. To Mr. and Mrs. Tramm one child was born, on June 6, 1889, Merel E.
WILLIAM HENRY CAPPS is a native of Yolo county, California. He now resides one mile north from Reardan, on a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, which has been
his home place for nearly twenty years. The farm is devoted to grain raising and pasture and he handles considerable stock together with his other work. Ile has come to be one of the in- fiuential and respected citizens of this country, with the distinction of having assisted with the worthy band of pioneers to open up this fertile region.
William H. Capps was born on May 6, 1858. His parents, J. S. and Elizabeth ( Mor- ris) Capps, were pioneers to Lincoln county and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The. earlier days of Mr. Capps' life were spent in California and he remained with his father until twenty-one, then worked out at various occupa- tions in the northern part of his native state until 1882, when he went to Nevada, taking up the stock business. From there, he came to Lincoln county, Washington, taking a home- stead where he now resides. He has added more by purchase since and has improved the farm until it is one of the valuable and desirable ones of the county.
In 1890, in Reardan, Mr. Capps married Miss Mary, daughter of J. Q. and Nancy ( Kidd) Reynolds, natives of North Carolina. The father came to Missouri in early day and from there in 1888, journeyed with his family to Lincoln county. He was a veteran of the Civil War. Mrs. Reynolds died several years since. Mrs. Capps was born in Missouri. Mr. Capps came to this country with very little means and has gained his present holding by his industry since. With excellent, practical judgment, he has decided that the Big Bend country is one of the best sections to be found in the west, and he has become one of the sub- stantial and respected men in his precinct. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and past grand.
PETER WALSH. Before Lincoln county was organized, the gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure to speak, had made his home in the territory now embraced within its pre- cincts. He took a homestead about two miles northeast from Reardan and devoted himself to farming. Realizing the great future of this country he continued to hold his land although he took numerous journeys to other sections. In 1888 he went to Summit county, Colorado, and engaged in mining and sawmilling. For
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
several years, he followed this industry but fin- ally in 1893, came back to the old homestead, which he considers one of the choice places of the county. Mr. Walsh has given his attention to farming since returning here and is now one of the prosperous and well-to-do men, highly respected and of excellent standing in the com- munity.
Peter Walsh was born in Depere, Wiscon- sin, in June, 1853, being the son of James and Ella (Dollard) Walsh, natives of Ireland and now deceased. The father followed gardening in Wisconsin until his death. Our subject re- ceived his education in his native state and then was apprenticed to learn the wagonmaker's trade. He followed this until he was twenty- four years of age then journeyed west to Chey- enne, Wyoming, and there wrought at his trade until 1882, the year in which he settled on his present homestead. Mr. Walsh is one of a fam- ily of four ; Michael, living in California ; Peter. the subject of this sketch; Patrick, living at Green Bay. Wisconsin; and Mrs. Mary Mc- Donald, living in Wisconsin. In addition to the farm, Mr. Walsh owns a residence and other property in Reardan. He has never seen fit to try the uncertainties of the matrimonial sea but is contented with the quieter joys of the celi- batarian.
JOHN MAHRT resides about two miles southwest from Reardan where he has a farm of seven hundred and ninety acres. In addi- tion to this, he has two hundred acres of timber land in the county. He is a well known agri- culturist and a substantial and progressive man and recognized as one of the worthy property owners of Lincoln county.
John Mahrt was born in Wisconsin, on February 25, 1857. being the son of John and Margaret (Jaeger) Mahrt, natives of Germany and who are mentioned elsewhere in this vol- ume. Our subject received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and after leaving school at the age of seventeen, worked with his father on a farm until they came to Lincoln' county in 1880. He took a homestead and en- gaged in grain and stock raising for himself and since that time he has acquired land until he has the estate mentioned above. In addition to other fine improvements, as barns. windmill, orchard and so forth, Mr. Mahrt has an ele-
gant nine room residence of modern architec- tural design which is one of the choice rural abodes of the county.
In June, 1881, Mr. Mahrt married Miss Julia Koopfmann, a native of Washington. To them, two children were born, Charles and Anna. Mrs. Mahrt died in 1890. In 1891 Mr. Mahrt celebrated his second marriage, Ulrecka Doering, a native of Germany, becoming his wife at that time. To them, one child has been born, Otto. Mr. Mahrt has always recognized the resources of this country and believes today that it stands second to none in the northwest. In his labors, he has done much to improve the country and to stimulate others in the same good work.
FRED MAHRT is one of the wealthy agriculturists of Lincoln county. His home place, which is a fine estate, lies four miles south west from Reardan and bears the marks of be- ing handled with skill, thrift, and wisdom.
Fred Mahrt was born in Wisconsin, on May 20, 1860, being the son of John and Margaret (Jaeger) Mahrt, natives of Germany. They came to the United States when young and set- tled in Wisconsin, where they were married. To them. eight children have been born, three boys and five girls. The parents are both de- ceased. Our subject was the third child and re- ceived his education from the public schools of Wisconsin. When fourteen years of age. he quit the school room for the farm and labored three years in Wisconsin. Then he journeyed to Sabula, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. It was ISSo, when he arrived in what is now Lincoln county and for one year was em- ployed on the Northern Pacific railroad then took up a timber culture claim and a homestead later. Very few settlers were in this section when Mr. Mahrt located and he is well ac- quainted with the life of the pioneer, its hard- ships and labors. He has given his attention to grain and stock raising since coming here and has achieved a most excellent success. In 1888 he went to Wisconsin and there married Miss Emma Steffen of Newburg. Washington coun- ty. To them eight children have been born, Annie and Margaret, twins; William. August, George. Florence, Alice, and an infant un- named. Mr. Mahrt has improved his estate with first class buildings, fences, orchard and so
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forth. About one hundred acres are devoted to pasture and the balance is all first class grain land. He started in the Big Bend country with very little capital and he has been rewarded for his thrift and industry and has a large holding at the present time. In addition to the other industries mentioned, Mr. Mahrt is handling a fifty cow dairy, probably the largest in the county.
OTTO WOLLWEBER, who resides about eight miles north from Reardan, is one of the progressive and well known men of central Washington, and is a man of broad experience in various lines. He has been a close student all his life and is now, in addition to handling his estate, carrying on various lines of enterprise. For eight years and more he has kept a correct weather report and for four years has been a regular government reporter of the weather bureau. He is also a regular appointed crop reporter and in addition to this, is deeply in- terested in searching out early historical rec- ords.
Otto Wollweber was born in Weimar, Ger- many, in September. 1858. being the son of Franz and Caroline Wollweber. The father was born in the some place as our subject and is still living in Germany. During his life, he gave his attention to the business of brewing and farming. The Wollwebers came from a very old and prominent family traced back to about 1300. The mother of our subject died sometime since. Otto was kept in school until fourteen years of age at which time he was ap- prenticed to learn the locksmith trade. In two years, he became very proficient in this, then followed the same for two years more in Liep- sie and afterward in Bavaria where he was also occupied in the manufacture of scientific instru- ments. After this, we find him in Vienna stead- ily pursuing his trade but on account of failing eyesight he was forced to give it up and repair to the mountains for leisure and recuperation. He crossed the Alps, visited Italy and returned to south Germany through Tyrol. . After his vacation, he started in Bavaria again working on scientific instruments. AAbout that time he was conscripted but on account of failing eye- sight was discharged. AAfter this, he was ap- pointed agricultural inspector on a large estate at Posen, Germany, and four years later, came
to Muscatine, Iowa. Afterward, for a time he was occupied on a farm in Illinois, then came to Montana where he labored both on a farm and in the mines. After this, a year was spent in the Butte smelter and in 1885. he came on to Lincoln county and homesteaded a quarter sec- tion where he now resides. Except one year and in addition to doing general farming has experimented largely in various grasses and also in sugar beets, finding which is adapted to this climate. He raised sugar beets here in 1886, being the first produced in the territory.
On October 22, 1889, Mr. Wollweber mar- ried Miss Agnes Golland, a native of Michigan. and to them three children have been born, Gottfried. Henry and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Wollweber belong to the Lutheran church and are highly respected people.
HENRY HARDER, who was born in Hol- stein, Germany, on March 23, 1841, is now re- siding two miles east from Reardan on a fine estate of four hundred acres, which his labors have made a model farm, well improved and productive of gratifying dividends. He is a man of worth and stability and has the distinc- tion of being one of the earliest pioneers of the territory that is now embraced in Lincoln coun- ty. His parents, Hans Henry and Meta H., were natives of Germany, where they remained until their death. The father was a stone cut- ter by trade. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native land and remained at home until about twenty-three, variously employed, then went to Hamburg. When twenty-four years of age, it being the spring of 1866. he came to New York and journeyed thence to Chatsworth, Illinois. He was occupied in a sugar beet factory for a time and then went to St. Louis. Afterward, we find him again in Illinois, this time at Bellville in a coal mine. He leit there and came via St. Louis and the Nicar- agua route to California. In the spring of 1868, we find him farming in the San Joaquin valley where four years were spent. In 1872 he journeyed to Germany by way of Panama and New York, making there a visit of three months. He again went to California and for five years was in the San Joaquin valley. In 1878. in the fall, he took a homestead in what is now Lincoln county and the same farm is a
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part of his present estate. Since then, Mr. Harder has given his entire attention to dairy- ing and general farming and has won excellent success in his labors.
In New York state, on August 1, 1872, Mr. Harder married Miss Wilhelmina Hard, a na- tive of Germany. To them the following chil- dren have been born, Meta, Annie, Clara, Rosa, Henry, Hulda, Emma, Adolph and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Harder belong to the Lutheran church and have hosts of friends in this section.
CHARLES L. FISH, who resides at the corner of Fourth and C streets in Sprague, where he has a nice six-room cottage, is one of the pioneers of Lin- coln county and has shown his ability by the success he has won here in finan- cial matters. He came to the country in 1880, with no means, went to work for the Northern Pacific in construction and two years thereafter took the place which was later his headquarters for his farm operations, ten miles northwest from Sprague, which he sold in 1897. He pur- chased a farm three miles west of Sprague, and has improved it in becoming shape. It now consists of one thousand acres, having been increased by purchase. In addition to this amount, Mr. Fish farms two sections of school land and is one of the heavy wheat producers of this state. While the start in early days was hard and there were many things to labor against, still Mr. Fish persevered and has now a large holding to show for his labor as well as a first-class standing in the community.
Charles L. Fish was born in Eaton county, Michigan, on August 12, 1860, the son of John and Caroline (Lavaherty) Fish, natives of Michigan. The father died in 1881, at Dimon- dale in his native state, and the mother died in Lincoln county, this state, in 1885. Our sub- ject studied in the public schools until eleven, then went to work out, being occupied on the construction of railroads for some time. When seventeen, he went to California and worked on a ranch there for three years. Then came the journey overland by teams to Lincoln county, and since then he has been engaged as related above. However, during the years he has been here, he has done considerable work
in buying wheat, and is now one of the large operators in that line.
On Christmas day, 1884, Mr. Fish married Miss Hattie M. Smith, the wedding occurring at Sprague. She is the daughter of Jacob A. and Mary (Graham) Smith. The mother died many years since. The father resides in Sprague and is one of the prominent and wealthy men of the section. He is greatly in- terested in Grand Army matters, having been a veteran of the Rebellion, as well as a pioneer of this state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fish seven children have been born, named as follows: Minnie, the first white child born on Little creek, and now car- ing for her father's business when he is absent or called away; John J., deceased; Julia E., Luella, Emma A., Carrie H., Charles, Jr. Mr. Fish is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the W. W. His wife belongs to the Eastern Star, the Women of Woodcraft, and the Rebekahs. The daughter, Minnie, also belongs to the last named order. Mrs. Fish also is a member of the Lutheran church. They are highly re- spected people and have many friends. Mr. Fish is one of the old pioneers who stayed with the country until he received the fruits of his labors.
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AARON MILLER lives eight miles north- west from Sprague, on Crab Creek. His home is a seven-room house of modern architectural design, elegantly furnished and beautifully sit- uated in a very choice valley. It is supplied with pure spring water and surrounded with barns, outbuildings, and other improvements. The estate consists of eight hundred acres of grain land and his wife has two hundred and forty acres in her own name. The whole farmi is very skillfully handled and Mr. Miller is to be congratulated as one of the most progres- sive and energetic farmers in this portion of Washington. He has accumulated all this property since the panic of 1893, which shows remarkable ability. He is a genial, whole souled man, who has won and retained the friendship of all who know him. His entire career shows his uprightness and progression and he is a typical American farmer.
Aaron Miller was born in Branch county, Michigan, on November 14, 1846, the son of James and Polly (Heimbaugh) Miller, natives
CHARLES L. FISH
AARON MILLER
JOHN R. HARDING
HARRY JENSEN
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1889 and the mother is now living near Portland, Ore- gon, at the age of eighty-four. Aaron received his training from the common schools then at- tended a college at Ontario, Indiana. He re- sided on a farm and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age then farmed for himself in Michigan until 1872 when he journeyed to Kansas. Later, we find him in Contra Costa county, California, farming, and in 1884 he came to Lincoln county. In the spring of 1885, he settled near where he now lives and since that time, has been continuously employed in stock raising and general farming in this part of the county. Mr. Miller has four sisters, Mrs. Melissa Heinbaugh, de- ceased, Mrs. Mary Sharp, Mrs. Adaline Stephens, and Mrs. Rhoda Green, deceased.
In 1870, Mr. Miller married Miss Ellen Green, who died 'on March 15, 1882. On De- cember 31, 1893, Mr. Miller married Mrs. Drusilla Thompson, the daughter of William and Phoebe (Greenstreet ) Ward, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father died in 1876 and the mother in 1887. Mrs. Miller has the following brother and sisters, Mrs. Martha Chastine, John Ward, and Hannah Ward. Mr. Miller has the fol- lowing named children, Fred, James, Mrs. Mabel Thompson, and Mrs. Mary Green. Mrs. Miller has the following named children by her former husband, Mrs. Martha L. Hard- ing, William B., Mrs. Georgia Miller, and Mrs. Agnes Thompson.
Mrs. Miller belongs to the Ladies of the Maccabees. Mr. Miller has given each child a farm and in all his career has shown himself a generous and public spirited man.
JOHN R. HARDING, who is entitled to the distinction of being one of the earliest pio- neers in the Big Bend country, is now dwelling ten miles west from Sprague, where he owns a valuable estate of two sections of grain and hay land. His place is well improved and sup- plied with all machinery and buildings neces- sary for its successful operation. He also han- dles considerable stock, having a good band now.
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