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 71
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 71
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 71
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 71
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JOHN A. HANSEN, although a young man, is one who has by energy and superior business sagacity amassed a competence and is one of the influential citizens of Reardan, Lin- coln county, where he is engaged in the lumber paint, oil and feed business. He was born Feb- ruary 24, 1870, in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin. His parents, John and Doris (Friedrichsen) Hansen, are natives of Germany, the father coming to Wisconsin at the age of thirty-four years. In 1886 he came to the vicinity of Rear- dan where he cultivates a section of land. The mother of our subject was married in Wiscon- sin and at present resides with her husband at Reardan.
John A. Hansen attended school in a log ยท cabin and worked with his father in Wisconsin, came to Washington, Spokane county, in 1886, and located on a ranch. He remained with his father until 1900, when he came to Reardan and engaged in the lumber. planing mill and feed business, to which he afterward added a stock of paints and oils. He has one brother and one sister, Peter, aged thirty-three, married to Lena Jahn, and living at Rocklyn, Washington ; and Emma, aged twenty-five, the wife of Otis Car- stens, residing on a ranch near Reardan. Our subject was married December 27, 1903, to Miss Annie Mahrt, of Reardan. Although Mr. Hansen came to Reardan with limited means he now carries a large stock of goods and has es-
tablished a very profitable business, becoming one of the influential citizens of Reardan. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Maccabees. W. O. W., and F. O. A. He at one time served as Chief Ranger of the Foresters, Court of Big Bend. No. 55, and is at present treasurer. He is building a handsome residence in Reardan, and is in every way prosperous and successful.
In connection with the business mentioned, Mr. Hansen is operating a planing mill and handles lime, lath, cement, and in fact all ma- terial used in building, with the exception of hardware.
HON. D. M. DRUMHELLER. It is im- possible within the limits of a few pages to do justice to, and make mention of, all the inter- esting facts which are necessarily bound up in the details that mark the career of the subject of this sketch. It is still more difficult for the citizens of today to realize what the early set- tlers endured when they were compelled to meet danger and want, and to give up the accustomed comforts of life. Were it within the purpose of our story to reveal the trials of the old pioneers, we must certainly say first that it was an act of heroism to undertake the long and wearisome transcontinental journey unavoidable to those early settlers, who made their home in Wash- ington when it was a wilderness and practically an unbroken country.
Probably no one man in the state is more deserving of space or personal mention in a his- tory of this character than Mr. Drumheller. His achievements and successes have been a part of the growth and development of the state and there are few, if any, better known or more highly respected throughout the entire north- west. Throughout this broad range of coun- try he has marked the impress of his individu- ality without really knowing it himself.
He was born March 25, 1841 in Sumner county, Tennessee, and when a child accom- panied his parents to southwestern Missouri where he resided until he was fifteen years of age. At that time he crossed the plains and located in California, remaining there until 1859. Soon after his arrival in California. he secured employment as a cattle herder and with the money he earned while thus engaged, he probably laid the foundation that marked his successful career in life.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
In 1859 Mr. Drumheller, decided to go to that part of Utah which is now a portion of the state of Nevada. Here he secured employment with the Pony Express business that was oper- ated by Ben Holliday. He remained in this position until 1861, when he decided to come to the territory of Washington and on June 16, of that year, he landed in the town of Walla Walla where he remained until 1865 when he moved to Umatilla, Oregon. Here his capa- bility, sound judgment and logical sense were soon recognized by the people who elected him to represent them in the legislature of the state. In 1887 he returned to Washington and located in the Crab creek country, Lincoln county, where he engaged in the cattle business. His busi- ness assumed gigantic proportions and for many years was conducted on an extensive scale and operated successfully. When Mr. Drumheller first settled in Lincoln county it was included within the boundary lines of Spokane county, but since then population and emigration have caused it to be separated from Spokane, yet Mr. Drumheller is as popular and well known in Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin coun- ties as he is in the city of Spokane. He still owns over twenty thousand acres of land in these counties, and is one of the organizers and directors of the Davenport National bank and the Reardan Exchange bank. Both of these banks were instituted with his direct co-oper- ation and advice.
In 1880 he moved to the city of Spokane where he soon became a prominent factor in the commercial and general growth and devel- opment of the city. In 1884 he was elected councilman to the first city council ever chosen in Spokane and by his good judgment, keen foresight, and general knowledge of affairs and requirements, he was instrumental in formu- lating a foundation and operative basis whereby the young municipality had from its inception a practical business government. While he never was a politician in the full sense of the term, or ever sought political preferment, honors in this direction have been thrust upon him. In 1892 he accepted the nomination for mayor on the Democratic ticket, and while senti- ment and public opinion was largely Republi- can, the citizens realized his qualifications for the office and elected him. His administration was all that could be expected and was criticized generally as clean, upright, and judicious.
The Insane Asylum at Medical Lake stands as a monument to his business capacity and in- tegrity. As one of the commissioners under whose management this splendid institution was erected, he still further justified the universal esteem in which he is held.
Mr. Drumheller is vice president of the the Traders National bank of Spokane, one of the largest, most successful, and substantial finan- cial institutions in the state of Washington. He has filled the office of vice president from its inception and was instrumental in its organiza- tion. When the bank was organized he was a firm believer in its future advancement and be- came one of the heaviest stockholders. Its progress and success have resulted largely from his wise counsel and good judgment and have justified his opinion and resulted in the strength of the institution.
This brief sketch of the life of Mr. Drum- heller leaves untold much that would be in- teresting, but what has been said of him proves that he is a man of indomitable will and per- severance, and remarkable knowledge. His characteristics are simple, plain, and unostenta- tious. He holds an honorable position in busi- ness and social circles and is universally re- spected by all classes.
WALTER E. McGOURIN. No man in the county of Lincoln stands better among his fellows than the gentleman whose name is mentioned at the head of this sketch. During the years that are passed, he has labored as- siduously here in stock raising and general farming and while his labors have been re- warded with that generous bestowal of goods that Dame Fortune has seen fit to grant, he has. also gained a standing among his fellow men that indicates an uprightness that is very en- viable indeed. Mr. McGourin is governed strictly by principles. He resides about five miles north from Edwall on an estate of over twelve hundred acres which is in a high state of cultivation and provided with every thing necessary to such a magnificent domain. His place used to be the post office in earlier days before the rural free delivery system was inaugurated.
Walter E. McGourin was born in Waterloo,
CAPT. JOHN McGOURIN
MRS. CAPT. JOHN McGOURIN
ALEXANDER W. McDONALD
ROBERT MCLAREN
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Jowa, on October 17, 1866, being the son of John and Sarah (McGuire) McGourin. The father was born in the south of Ireland and came to the United States in 1851. He first settled in Ohio thence moved to Wisconsin where he followed merchandising, and later to lowa where he did farming. From that place he came to Lincoln county and took up a homestead where our subject now resides. He gave his attention to stock raising and farm- ing until his death in 1900. He was one of the first commissioners in Lincoln county and a man of influence and recognized capabilities. When the Civil War broke out. he organized a company of men and drilled them and was elected their captain. They were mustered in the service and were known as Company E, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served with distinction throughout the entire war. The mother of our subject was a native of Ireland and came to the United States with her parents when very young. She lived several years in Priladelphia and was married in Tiffin, Ohio, on September 22, 1853. She and her husband were the parents of nine chil- dren, five boys and four girls. She is still living with our subject, who was the fourth of the family.
John and Sarah McGourin are to be classed with the real pioneers and builders of Lincoln county and it is pleasant to see their memory perpetuated in this volume, where also, in another portion, are to be seen their engravings.
Mr. McGourin was educated in Iowa and when thirteen came to Washington with his parents. He remained on the farm with his father and labored faithfully with his until his death. Since then he has given his entire attention to the management of the estates and is a highly respected citizen.
At Edwall, Mr. McGourin married Miss Julia Crowley, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and to them, two children have been born, Mar- garita and John W. Mr. McGourin is not especially zealous in politics, although he is largely interested in all the measures that are for the welfare and progress of the county. Hc has always taken a great interest in educational matters and is a zealous worker for good schools. Their estate is known as the Fairview Farm and is one of the largest in the precincts of Lincoln county.
ALEXANDER W. McDONALD resides about three miles north from Edwall and does general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 28, 1844, the son of Daniel and Mary McDonald, natives of Scotland. The father came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1847 and farmed in that state until 1866, when he journeyed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and there dwelt until death. The early schooling of our subject was gained in the little log cabin on the frontier of Wiscon- sin, and the young Chippewas were his school- mates. He labored with his father until the 8th day of October, 1861, when he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Infantry and served his country for three years. He was in the army of Cumberland and later in the Fourteenth army corps. Part of the time, he was with General Thomas in Tennessee and participated in the battle of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge. Perryville, and numerous others. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea and in 1864 was mustered out of the service as sergeant. His colonel was J. C. Starkweather. Follow- ing his discharge, our subject joined the navy and served for six months on Farragut's flagship, Mississippi, and six months on the gun boat Benton. At the end of this service he was honorably discharged from the navy and returned to Jowa and took up farming. While farming in Iowa, he traveled over the country considerably on different occasions and in 1879 came via San Francisco to Portland, then to Walla Walla. He explored the coun- try and finally took a homestead where he now lives and took up stock raising. He also did considerable contract work on the Northern Pacific but gave his attention mostly to hand- ling stock, which he continued until the coun- try was well fenced up. Since then, Mr. Mc- Donald has given his attention to raising grain.
In Black Hawk county, lowa. Mr. McDon- ald married Miss Emma Lemley, a native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. To this union ten chil- dren have been born, Flora, wife of Hugh Haynes at Harrington, Sadie, Archer, John, Jessie, Effa, Daniel. Mahel, Maude, and Robert.
Mr. McDonald belongs to the G. A. R. and is a highly respected member of society. His long career in Lincoln county has made him thoroughly acquainted with both the pioneer
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
days and later development and he has hosts of friends, both among the old settlers and the newer emigrants.
ROBERT McLAREN dwells about five miles north from Edwall and has been a resi- dent of the Big Bend country for many years. He is now the owner of a fine farm, well im- proved and provided with substantial outbuild- ings and a modern residence of twelve rooms. Mr. McLaren has been a man of wide and varied experience, having traveled all over the world and wrought in various capacities. He is now enjoying the competence gained by his labors and he is one of the most popular and highly esteemed men of his portion of the coun- try. Robert McLaren was born in Forres, Mo- rayshire, Scotland, on February 27, 1844, be- ing the son of Robert and Jessie ( Wallace) McLaren, natives of Scotland, where also they remained until their death. The father fol- lowed farming. Our subject was the second boy of a family of five children and had one sister. He studied in the schools of Scotland until thirteen years of age, then came to Bos- ton, Massachusetts, and entered the employ of a sewing machine company, working in the factory. For two and one half years, he con- tinued in the same, then returned to his native country and learned ship carpentering thor- oughly. In 1865, he went to sea but three months thereafter, his vessel, the Bedford, was wrecked on the reef as they were coming down the Gulf of Finland. They took to the boats but the weather was extremely cold and their suffering was intense until picked up by the light-house keeper. We next find him sailing from Liverpool to Calcutta and in 1871 he came to Boston. Soon thereafter he went to New York and shipped again, this time on a cruise around the world, landing in Massachusetts on his return. For fourteen months he wrought in the shipyards, then went to sea again, stop- ping at Frisco. He worked for the Pacific Mail and Steamboat Company of that state for three years, then went to the Sandwich Islands where he built a ship. Returning to Frisco, he built the steamer Alexandria, one the Skeena river in Alaska, for the Dunsmuir Brothers and the ship is still in commission. We see him next in Victoria and in 1877, he made his way to
the Black Hills of Dakota by way of Cheyenne, by wagon and packtrain, having a journey filled with terrible hardships. The Sioux Indians were then on the war path and times were dan- gerous. After a summer there, he came to the Big Horn country prospecting and then landed in Butte in the fall. He prospected all through Montana and in the spring of 1878 was in Idaho, where the Bannock Indians were on the war path. Two years later, Mr. McLaren came to Ainsworth, now Pasco, and worked for the Northern Pacific in bridge building. In the fall of ISSI, he bought one half section of land in Lincoln county and still continued in the employ of the Northern Pacific, as locomotive carpenter at Sprague. In March, 1897, he re- tired from the service of the company and came to his farm. Since then he has been ac- tively engaged on the ranch improving it in very fine shape, and handles stock and raises grain.
In 1895, at Rathdrum, Idaho, Mr. McLaren married Mrs. Eunice Hinkley, a native of Nova Scotia. She was married first in her native land, then went to California and in 1883 came to Spokane, where Mr. Hinkley died. After the death of her husband she came to Sprague, where she lived until married to Mr. McLaren. She had three daughters by her former marriage : Estella, at home; Mrs. C. R. McKinley, living at Brewster, this state; and Nita, at home. Mr. McLaren has always taken a very active interest in politics, and the Re- publican faith is his choice. In 1871, he was in Scotland and there was made a Mason, tak- ing the three degrees. The wife is a member of the Rathbone Sisters.
FRED HUESMANN, of the firm of Baske & Huesmann, dealers in lumber, paints and oil, resides in Davenport, Lincoln county, where he is recognized as a progressive and influen- tial citizen. He was born in Germany, June 21, 1869, the son of Ferdinand and Kathrina (Johnson) Huesmann. The father was a con- tractor for street work, and died in 1895. The mother still lives at Holstein, Germany.
Having been educated in the public schools of his native town, our subject learned the trade of a carpenter, and came to the United States in 1886, locating in Chicago where he
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
remained three years. He came to Davenport in 1889 and engaged in contracting and build- ing. He is a master of his profession, and erected the Catholic church, Lutheran parson- age and Auditorium, and many of the finest residences in the city. In 1898 he formed a partnership with Fred Baske, and they con- tinued the same business until 1900, when they decided to give the lumber business their entire attention. The firm has extensive yard facili- ties and they probably carry the largest stock of lumber in the Big Bend country. They also own a quarter section of wheat land near Ed- wald ; a section of state land in Douglas county ; their store building and lot; a half block for the purpose of a lumber yard; one and one-half blocks near the depot; and a half block up the track on which stands a frame warehouse 40by50 feet in size, which theyf rent. Mr. Huesmann owns a handsome two-story resi- dence in the city of Davenport.
Our subject has three brothers and two sis- ters ; John, in Chicago; Adolph, in Minnesota ; Ludolf, in Germany; Mary, wife of Charles Dappner, of Chicago; and Julia, now in Ger- many. February 4, 1892, at Davenport, Mr. Huesmann was married to Bertha Fortanier, born in New York city, the daughter of Robert Fortanier, a native of Germany, now retired from business and living in Davenport. Mrs. Huesmann has one half brother, Charles, and one half sister, Mary, wife of A. Kloster, a farmer living near Harrington. Mr. Huesmann is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the W. W., while politically he is a Republican, though not active. He is an energetic and sagacious busi- ness man, highly esteemed and popular with all with whom he is associated.
WILLIAM H. JAYNE, one of Lincoln county's most progressive and enterprising citi- zens, is a contractor and builder, residing at Davenport. He was born in Wyoming coun- ty, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1847. the son of Aaron and Mary C. (Luce) Jayne, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of New York. Aaron Jayne came from one of the oldest English families in the Keystone State. William Jayne, an ancestor. came to America several years before the advent of William Penn. Twenty-eight of his descendants were
grouped in one regiment during the Revolution. He lived and died on Long Island, where he was buried. His descendants settled in Con- necticut, New York and Pennsylvania. Aaron Jayne, the father of our subject, was a farmer. Owing to ill health he could not enlist in the Civil War, but was drafted and secured a sub- stitute without having been examined, which examination would have, undoubtedly, released him from all claims for military service. Oun subject, William H., attempted to take the place of his father, but was not permitted to do so. Aaron Jayne still lives on the old home- stead where he was born, in Wyoming county. He has been a life-long Whig and Republican, and is highly respected. The mother of our subject was born in Hackettstown. New York and now lives with her husband in Pennsyl- vania. Her father participated in the War of 1812.
William H. Jayne continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1890, where he attended district school and worked on a farm. When twenty-two years of age he engaged in wagon making, and subsequently conducted a stone quarry ten years. Having learned the trade of a carpenter he came to Spokane, Washing- ton, and six months afterward went to Daven- port. having, meanwhile, brought out his fam- ily from Pennsylvania. Ile built the greater number of the finer residences in Davenport. Mr. Jayne has served as a member of the city council, and as school director. He has three brothers and six sisters; Alexander, a farmer, living ten miles north of Davenport ; Lewis and Wilbur, in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, farmers; Phoebe A., wife of Peter Leipham, living near Davenport; Sarah E., wife of Elmer Evans, engineer and sawyer, living at Daven- port ; Ada, deceased, who was the wife of David M. Glasgow, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere ; Fannie, wife of H. C. Smith; Jose- phine, wife of Henry McMickens ; and Resetta, wife of Elmer Shannon. The last three are in Pennsylvania.
June 1, 1872, in Wyoming county, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Jayne was married to Augusta P. Russell, a native of Russell Hill, Pennsylvania, where she died November 15, 1881. She was the daughter of Wilbur and Susanna ( Smith) Russell, the former a native of Windom coun- ty, Connecticut, the mother of Wyoming coun- ty, Pennsylvania. The Russell family has been
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
distinguished in American history, and has furnished several governors of the northeastern states, while they are prominently connected with the bench and bar at the present time. Wilbur Russell at the age of sixty-five enlisted in the Civil War and served one year, dying from the exposure and hardships incident to the campaigns. He was a noncommissioned officer in Company B, Fifty-second Pennsyl- vania Volunteers.
The second marriage of our subject took place in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, when he was united to Sarah J. Evans, who was born there. She was the daughter of Zera and Han- nah ( Place) Evans, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jayne has two brothers, Elmer and Charles P .; and three sisters, Alvira, wife of John Woodruff ; Ella, wife of Frederick Fer- ris ; and Dora, wife of Wilmot Furman. Our subject has three children by his first wife, Susie, wife of W. J. Jayne : Stephen O., a grad- uate of Pullman college, and a civil engineer at Davenport ; and Towner S., also a graduate of Pullman college and a druggist at Daven- port. Two children have been born to the present Mrs. Jayne, Stanley E. and Augusta, both residing at home. Mr. Jayne is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. P. Politically, he is a Republican, though not active. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal, and his wife of the Baptist church.
JAMES S. INKSTER, a prominent grain dealer, and a progressive, enterprising citizen of Lincoln county, residing at Davenport, is a native of England. He was born February 6, 1859, the son of Jolin and Phillis ( Pottinger) Inkster, natives of Shetland Island, Great Britain, sketches of whom appear elsewhere in their work.
James S. Inkster, our subject, was reared in England and Shetland Island. In 1865 he came to the United States with his family, and resided in Chicago about one year. Remov- ing to Kankakee county, Illinois, they remained there until 1877, going thence to the Willa- mette valley, Oregon, where they lived three years. In 1880 our subject came to Lincoln county, Washington, and engaged in farming until 1890. He filed on homestead land, when he first arrived, located sixteen miles north of Davenport. In 1890 he began dealing in
grain in partnership with his brother Lawrence, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and James W. Dow. Since 1898 he has been alone in the business, which is one of the most extensive in eastern Washington. He operates two warehouses, one at Davenport and the other at Rocklyn, Lincoln county. He owns five hundred and sixty acres of land mainly devoted to wheat, in Douglas county. In partnership with his brother, Lawrence A., he is interested in residence property in Spo- kane and lots in Davenport, and a handsome one story and a half cottage in Davenport. He is, also, interested in a water power property at Hawk creek, Lincoln county.
September 5, 1894, Mr. Inkster was united in marriage, the ceremony being solemnized at Davenport, to Laura Gibson, a native of Mis- souri, the daughter of Oliver H. P. and Mary (De Atley) Gibson. The father is a native of Pennsylvania ; the mother of Virginia. The father served in the Mexican War and now resides at Wilsoncreek. Douglas county. The parents of the mother of Mrs. Inkster removed to Kentucky when she was six years of age, and later to Missouri. Her father and seven sons served in the confederate army and he died in a union prison. Mrs. Inkster has four brothers living, one of whom, Charles, is deputy treasurer of Lincoln county; mentioned else- where. Mr. and Mrs. Inkster have three chil- dren, Bernardine, aged eight, Winnefred, six, and Ruth, three years old.
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