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 84
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 84
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 84
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 84
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Michael Tanner was married in 1886, to Caroline Kaeser, a native of Wabasha county. Minnesota. Her parents were John J. and Barbara Kaeser, both natives of Switzerland. Her father is now living in Spokane, where Mrs. Kaeser died in the fall of 1003.
The issues of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Tanner have been five in number, as follows, Cora C., Evalyn, Libby, Joseph W., and Ray- mond M.
WILLIAM G. DUNCAN. farmer. mer- chant and postmaster at Egypt, Washington. is a native of Western Ontario, Canada, born August 26, 1857, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Journeying to the United States in the spring of 1884, he came direct to Spokane, thoroughly inspected the country, and sent for his family, which consisted of a wife and three children. He located his present homestead July 4. 1884. and has continued to make that place his home since. He came here with limited funds, and was compelled for a time to work at day labor for the necessary money with which to care for his family and improve his homestead. He has now 320 acres, divided equally between agricultural and timber land, good buildings, all modern improvements and conveniences. and all necessary stock and farm implements to successfully carry on his business of farm- ing. The panic of 1803 was especially severe with Mr. Duncan, so much so that he lost about all he had accumulated, and for a time he was compelled to haul cord wood to Davenport to trade for provisions and clothing for his family. What he has now he has made since 1897. In the spring of 1809 he purchased the general merchandise store of Moore Brothers, at Egypt, which is about a quarter of a mile dis- tant from his home. He started in the business with a small stock which he has enlarged until he now carries a complete line of goods usually found in the general store, and has built up a good trade among the settlers round about. He has been the postmaster here since buying the store.
William G. Duncan was the son of John and Elizabeth (McKensie) Duncan. the former a native of North Ireland, reared in Glasgow, Scotland, and born eighty-three years ago, and the latter of Canada, and of Scotch descent. The mother is now deceased. Mr. Duncan has one sister. Mrs. Elizabeth Yingst, living in Spokane.
On February 19. 1878, occurred the mar- ringe of William G. Duncan and Mary Hemp- hill. also a native of Ontario. Her father. James Hemphill, is dead : and her mother. Mar- garet (Watson) Hemphill, is still living in
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Ontario in her eighty-fourth year. In Novem- ber, 1901, Mr. Duncan was enabled to send Mrs. Duncan and her youngest daughter on an enjoyable visit to her aged mother in Ontario.
To this union eight children have been born: James N., who has taken a course in a Spokane business college; Lena M., wife of Joseph Lennon, of Egypt; Ethel M., a student in the Spokane Conservatory of Music, and also a teacher of instrumental music : Sadie M .; John R .; Regina M .; Joseph H., and Katie A.
Mr. Duncan is a charter member of the A. O. U. W., of Davenport, and of the Fra- ternal Army of Loyal Americans, of Egypt. He and Mrs. Duncan are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE THOMAS LOGSDON. A pioneer of 1877, George T. Logsden is now one of the foremost business men of the city of Davenport, Washington. He was born in Pulaski county, Missouri, March 10, 1859, the son of James O. and Sarah E. (Lemons) Logs- don, both natives of Kentucky. The father of James O. Logsdon. James Logsdon, was a Methodist minister, and lived to the age of ninety-seven years. James O. and Mrs. Logs- don were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are still living. all in the state of Washington. The family crossed the plains in 1877 by means of a team and wagon, five months being consumed in the journey. They came direct to Walla Walla, settling on a home- stead near the town. Here the father lived until his death, which occurred while on a visit to Yakima, during January. 1903. He was, at the time of his death, in his seventy-ninth year, and from boyhood had been a consistent member of the Methodist church. The mother is still living on the old farm in her 'seventy- seventh year. '
In 1880, George T. Logsdon settled on a farm near what was then known as Cottonwood Springs, Spokane county : the name since being changed to Davenport, and Lincoln county created from a portion of Spokane. At that time only one house stood on the present site of Davenport, and the surrounding country was but sparsely settled. Mr. Logsdon re- mained on this farm until the fall of 1897 when he removed to Davenport, purchased a small
stock of goods and opened a general merchan- dise store. As time went on his trade increased and he has continued to add to his stock until he now carries a complete line of gents' fur- nishings, dry goods, groceries, feed, et cetera, and is doing a good, profitable business. He owns half a block of property in Davenport, improved by one of the best residences in the city, surrounded by fruit and shade trees, lawn, shrubbery, et cetera. He is interested in min- ing properties in the Meteor camp in Ferry county, in Cedar Canyon prospects, and is a director of the Black Thorn and the Little Joe mining companies.
On March 4. 1886, Mr. Logsdon was mar- ried to Miss Anna McCoy, a native of Summer- ville, Texas, the marriage taking place while he was on a visit to his brother who resides in Wise county, Texas. The fruit of this union is one child. Elmina W., whose birth occurred April 4, 1894. Although only ten years of age little Elmina is now in the fourth grade in school and is among the foremost in her class. She also exhibits exceptional natural talent in music.
Socially, Mr. Logsdon holds membership in the Maccabees, the W. W. and in the A. O. U. W. Besides the beneficiaries of these orders, he carries a two thousand five hundred dollar insurance policy in California Mutual.
GEORGE H. SIMONS. No more perfect type of the real pioneer, the progressive and capable citizen, and the builder of the Big Bend country. can be found, than the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article. A Pennsylvanian by birth. the county being Erie and the date, September 9, 1851, he inher- ited the patriotism of the real American and learned the thrift and wisdom that have made him a prominent and influential man. from worthy parents. William and Eliza J. ( Brown ) Simons, natives of New York and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. His primary education was received in the common schools of the Key- stone State and then, being seventeen, he came to Nebraska with the balance of the family. He finished his education and then engaged to work on a farm, where he remained for eight years. This is an index to the man, faithful. tenacious, and dominated by keen wisdom. In
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
1877, we find Mr. Simons in California and after two years on a rented farm, he came up to Weston, Oregon. A year later, in 1880, Mr. Simons came on to what is now Lincoln county, he and his party being the very first settlers in the section known as the Brents country, near Creston. He took a squatter's claim and la- bored along with his brother, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Together they held down the claims and one or the other would go to the Walla Walla country and earn money for the provisions. Thus he continued, pur- chasing land as opportunity offered, until now Mr. Simons has an estate of two sections, one of the very finest to be found in the Big Bend country. His land is in a high state of cultiva- tion, is supplied with all conveniences, imple- ments, and so forth, while the imposing resi- dence, beautifully and tastefully set, is one of the best in this banner county. Mr. Simons has not attained this distinction and accumu- lated this magnificent holding without plenty of hard and trying labor, numerous deprivations, and tenacious weatherings of tough places in stringent times. He has succeeded and is to- day one of the most substantial men of the county.
In 1877. Mr. Simons married Miss Eliza- beth J., daughter of M. M. and Virginia Apper- son, natives of Indiana. Mr. Apperson was one of California's earliest pioneers and a man of priminence. Mrs. Simons was born in Cali- fornia, on September 9, 1859. To our subject and his estimable wife, there have been born sixteen children, William W .. Bertha, deceased, Harry S., Olive M., Elmer F., Carrie L., Hat- tie A., deceased. Milton A., Fosco G. and Rosco R., twins, Earnest C .. George F., Eliza- beth J., Minnie B., Chester M., and Violet H. On November 1, 1902, Mr. Simons and his children were called to mourn the death of the beloved mother and wife, who had always been affectionate and devoted. A brave and noble woman, whose sons and daughters lived to perpetuate her memory, she can hardly be too highly spoken of as the grand work she did on the frontier to rear and care for this large fan- ily entitles her to first place both in the hearts of her loved ones and in the esteem and deep respect of all.
Mr. Simons assisted to organize the first school district in the county. He was then ap- pointed director and has since been constantly
in office by the election of the people. He has served as judge of election in his precinct and is one of the progressive and leading men of the county. Mr. Simons started here with little funds, practically nothing, and the excellent success that has now crowned his efforts is the result of sagacity, industry, and thrift. In ad- dition to the property mentioned, he has a fine fruit ranch in Orchard valley, this state.
SAMUEL C. RINKER lives about one mile east from Hesseltine where he owns an estate of one-half section. It is good land and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Rinker has a good residence, buildings and all other improvements needed on the farm. He is one of the earliest settlers in this section and he has labored incessantly for the improvement and upbuilding of the country and stands now a man of influence in the community. He is well respected by all and has gained this by a life of straightforwardness and industry.
Samuel C. Rinker was born in Indiana on June 1, 1844. His father, Washington Rinker. was born in Tennessee and a worthy farmer. He was a pioneer to Indiana, and later moved to Iowa and finally journeyed west to Kansas where he died. The mother, Mary ( Haselton) Rinker, was born in Missouri. Her brother, William C. Haselton was a noted orator. Our subject was educated in Iowa and Kansas. He remained with his parents until the death of his father, and then conducted his mother's farm. During the Civil War he saw considerable sery- ice in the state militia. After the war, his mother sold the property and they returned to Missouri, where he farmed for some years. In 1876, he returned to Kansas and took land. It was 1883, when Mr. Rinker came to his present location, took a homestead and later bought a quarter section. Since coming here, he has devoted himself entirely to farming and the result of his labors are the well tilled and valuable estate that he now owns. When first settling here, Mr. Rinker was obliged to meet the hardships of the real pioneer and each summer had to go to Walla Walla to earn money for the support of his family. He he- gan to raise wheat as soon as possible and threshed it out by the horses treading it and winnowed it in the old fashioned way by throwing it against the wind.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
In 1867, Mr. Rinker married Miss Cale- donia, the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Keys) Askins, natives of Tennessee and Indi- ana, respectively. The father was a well-to-do farmer before losing his property in the Civil War. Mrs. Rinker was born in Arkansas, June 12. 1853. She received her education in Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Rinker the fol- lowing children have been born, Washington, a farmer at Hesseltine: Philip, a farmer in Douglas county; Mrs. Ida Tucker, on a farm near Hesseltine; Harvey and Valley.
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CHARLES FEIL was born in Massachu- setts, June 18. 1861. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Drouncer ) Feil. were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1849 and settled in New York. The father was a millwright and mechanic. From new York they moved to Massachusetts where he did some very excellent mill work. The mother came from a prominent and wealthy family. Charles was educated in Massachusetts and at the early age of fourteen, started in life for himself. We find him soon after at Carson City, Nevada, where he studied some and then began work in a quartz mine. He wrought in California. Montana, Nevada and British Co- lumbia until 1883. the year in which he located his present place, which lies about one mile south from Tipso. 'He took a government claim: then bought land and his estates now comprise four hundred and eighty acres. It is good fertile land and well improved. The farm is well supplied with plenty of machinery and stock and an air of thrift prevades the en- tire premises. When, Mr. Feil first came here there were no railroads and the settlers took turns in going for their mail, twenty miles away. The trips were generally made on snow shoes in the winter. Like many of the old set- tlers. Mr. Feil had no means to improve his land, consequently he had to seek the fields of Walla Walla and the Palouse country. Some years, he went to the mines at Wardner in- stead of the harvest fields. In this way. he continued to improve the place until it was self supporting, and then he gave his entire atten- tion in his farm, which is now one of the very choicest places in Lincoln county. Mr. Feil has the distinction of being one of the very
first settlers in the county and the wealth that he has gained here, he is distinctly deserving of. He has won the admiration and respect of those who know him and he is a good citizen.
RICHARD J. STEPHENS is one of the younger business men of Lincoln county whose energy and ability have assisted very materially in the upbuilding of the county, and the prog- ress of the same. At the present time, he is conducting a large grain and implement busi- ness at Almira, achieving a success that his worthy efforts deserve in this business. He has a large circle of acquaintances throughout Lincoln and Douglas counties and is known as an upright and honorable business man.
Richard J. Stephens was born in Pennsyl- vania. August 2, 1872. His father, Daniel M. Stephens, was born in Wales and came to Penn- sylvania when a young man. He was one of a committee of three who were sent out from Chicago to Washington to search out a loca- tion for a Welsh colony. He recommended Pardise Valley, four miles west from Almira, while the others in the community recom- mended a location in West Virginia. Acting under his advice, a great number of Welsh came and settled near Almira. He is now liv- ing in Wilbur. a very prominent man among his country men. The mother of our subject, Mariam (Williams) Stephens, was, also, born in Wales and came to America when young. Her father, Isaac W., came from Wales to California in 1849, where he was engaged in mining. He was well known among all the old timers on the Pacific Coast.
Our subject was educated in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio, and in Chicago. He came west to Lincoln county in 1886 to his parents, his father then being postmaster at Brents. Our subject took charge of the office at once and operated the same until 1890. when he moved with his parents to the farm near Almira. In 1883, he went to work for J. C. Keller, a merchant in Almira, continuing in that position for four years. In 1897, Mr. Stephens, in company with J. C. Johnson, bought a store and a stock of goods at Almira. They operated the same together with purchas- ing grain until 1900, when the business was sold. Our subject then went into the grain and
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
implement business and has continued in the same ever since. He owns a large grain ware- house, a fine residence and an excellent mill site. Mr. Stephens started in life with 110 capital and is now one of the prosperous men of the country.
In 1896, Mr. Stephens married Miss Edna, daughter of Stapleton and Hannah ( Jolins) Howard, natives of Virginia and Ohio, re- spectively. The father served in the Civil war under Morgan and was captured by the north- ern soldiers. He is one of the old settlers in Washington.
Mr. Stephens has two brothers, Isaac and John D, and two sisters, Annie and Mary. Mr. Stephens was born in Creston. Iowa. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephens. Richard.
FELIX A. IRVIN resides about one mile east from Tipso. being one of the leading ag- riculturists of his section. He owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of land which is well improved. His residence, barns, outbuildings. orchard, fences and other evidences of labor and taste have made his place one of the choice ones of the section and Mr. Irvin is known as a thrifty and energetic man. He gave his at- tention entirely to farming, doing some stock raising and has made the section what his worthy labors demand.
Felix A. Irvin was born in Arkansas, Sep- tember 18, 1863, being the son of Simon F. and Elizabeth J. ( Bates) Irvin, natives of Ten- nessee. The mother died when Felix was a small child. The father had come to Arkansas when a young man and become one of the prominent and well to do citizens of that state. Felix A. was educated in the district schools of Arkansas, and then went to farming. He came to Washington in 1887, and worked for wages one year; then selected his present place and took a homestead. Finally, he bought an- other quarter section which comprises the estate he owns at present. Mr. Irvin has the following brothers and sisters: Charles F., James H., John W., Mrs. Mary Miser, Laura L. Atterbury, Flora B. Irvin.
In 1883, Mr. Irvin married Miss Annie Shamblin, who died in 1886. In 1899, Mr. Irvin married Miss Minnie J. Johnson, who is a native of Minnesota and reared and educated
in Washington. Her parents were Faris and Anna (Guerina) Johnson, early pioneers of Lincoln county, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Irvin two children have been born. Fred M. and Freda 31.
Like many of the residents of Lincoln county. Mr. Irvin came here with very limited means. He is now one of the representative men and has gained wealth and standing by his upright life and careful labors.
THEOPHILU'S HATCH was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, August 13. 1852. His father, Curns Hatch, was born on the same place as our subject and was a'veteran both of the Mexican and the Civil wars. The mother, Elizabeth (Reno) Hatch was also born in the same place. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Indiana and early learned the blacksmith trade. After becoming proficient in that, he journeyed in 1874, to California, where he worked at his trade until 1883. In that year, he came to Washington and settled on a homestead four miles north from Almira. Later, he took preemption and timberculture claims : then bought land until he has now one thousand, two hundred and eighty acres of first class farming land. He also owns a beautiful residence in Almira and every thing that is needed to handle a large and first class estate. He owns twenty-five head of cattle, thirty head of horses, two headers and a steam thresher besides all other accessories. It is interesting to note that when Mr. Hatch stepped out for him- self from the parental roof, he had but three dollars and seventy-five cents. The last year the wheat productions of his estate alone sold for over six thousand dollars.
In 1888, Mr. Hatch married Miss Nellie E., daughter of William and' Rosa ( Webber ) Lea. The father was born in England and is now a farmer in California. The mother was born in Michigan and crossed the plains to California with her parents when she was a child, making the journey with ox teams. To Mr. and Mrs. Hatch, three children have been born, Rosa M .. Clarence C. and Henrietta. Mr. Hatch has one brother. John M. Mrs. Hatch was born in Reno, Nevada. September 20. 1870. She received her education in Walla Walla, Washington, in which state she was
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
married. She is well acquainted with frontier life and has shown herself a true woman and a pioneer. When Mr. Hatch first came to this country he had to go thirty-five miles for his mail and endured hardships and deprivations incident to a pioneer life.
SALLEE W. SALLEE was the editor of the Almira News, a bright paper of distinct merit which the business ability of our subject made a progressive and popular sheet. S. W. Sallee was born in Montgomery county, Mis- souri, June 30, 1885, being the son of W. V. and Virginia C. (Hunter) Sallee, both natives of Montgomery county, Missouri. The father was a veteran of the Civil war and participated in many hard actions. He died in 1902. Our subject received his primary education in the district schools of Missouri, and then entered the high school in Wellsville. Before he com- pleted the course, he came with the family to Sterling, Kansas, and there spent some time in the high school. Just before his graduation, the family again moved, this time to Hartline, Washington, arriving here in 1902. Shortly afterwards, our subject came to Almira and went to work for the Big Bend Outlook. Later, he bought the Almira News and the en- ergy, executive ability and literary talent of Mr. Sallee made a very marked improvement in the paper and he has thus early in life laid the foundation of a fine business and made an ex- cellent start in a business career. Our sub- ject has the following brothers and sisters, E. E., in Sacramento, California; W. G., in Ta- coma ; L. L., a' farmer near Hartline; Mrs. I. O. Smith, whose husband is a farmer near Hartline. When Mr. Sallee located in this country, he was without capital and although he has not been here very long, he has gained his entire holding through his own efforts and bids fair to take his place among the leading men of the county.
ALEXANDER JOSS, a native of Scotia's rugged hills and now a supporter of America's free institutions, lives about twelve miles south from Govan. He owns an estate of one half section besides one hundred and sixty acres in
Spokane county and is considered one of the substantial and thrifty agriculturists of Lin- coln county.
Alexander Joss was born in July, 1859, the son of Peter and Sophia (Man) Joss, natives of Scotland and agriculturists. The father died when our subject was a child. He re- ceived his education in his native land then worked on a farm until 1879, when he took a journey to America. In this country he gave himself to mining in Arizona, California, Ore- gon and British Columbia, then returned to Scotland and remained two years. In 1885, he came to Spokane county where he engaged in farming until 1894, in which year he took a homestead where he now resides. To this he added one-fourth section by purchase and has a very comfortable home place and nice estate. Mr. Joss is a man of industry and up- right principles and has won the respect and esteem of all. It is to his credit to say that when he came to this country he was without means and now is very prosperous.
In 1903, Mr. Joss married Miss Maggie, daughter of Joseph and Elspet (Skinner) Fin- nie, natives of Scotland. Mrs. Joss was also born in Scotland.
FRANK KINER. Although the subject of this article has not been a resident of Lincoln county as long as some of the pioneers, still, he has manifested such industry, sagacity and business ability that he has won an excellent holding for himself. He came to the country with no capital and now has a fine estate of four hundred acres about ten miles south from Wil- bur. Part of this he acquired by homestead right and part by purchase from the railroad.
Frank Kiner was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, December 27, 1865. His father Wil- liam Kiner was born in Pennsylvania and came from Dutch stock. He moved from his native state to Wayne county, Ohio, when a young man and a few years later, came to Burlington, Iowa, and was engaged in the hotel business; thence he moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a farm. In 1890, he came to Washington with our subject and his death occurred three years later. Frank's mother, Sarah A. (Uhler) Kiner, was born in Ohio. of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. An uncle of our
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
subject, Fred F. Kiner, was an officer in the Civil War, and, languished a long time in the prison pens at Macon, Georgia, and at Ander- sonville. Following the war, he took up the profession of the law and wrote a book, entitled "One Year Soldiering," which was quite popu- lar.
Our subject was educated in the district schools of Iowa and worked with his father on a farm until twenty-one years of age. Then he rented a farm for two years after which he came to Washington in the year mentioned above. He secured a homestead, bought rail- road land and went to work to become one of the substantial men of Lincoln county. He now has good buildings, fine orchard and other improvements of value.
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