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 85
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 85
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 85
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 85
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In 1886, Mr. Kiner married Miss Luella. daughter of John and Hannah (Neal) Cop- pock, natives of Ohio. The father built and operated a large flour mill and saw mill at Cop- pock, Iowa, and was a prominent and wealthy man. To Mr. and Mrs. Kiner the following children have been born, Sadie L., Maude O., Myrtle E. and Ruby E. Mr. Kiner has the fol- lowing brothers and sisters, James, Joseph L., Fred S., Edward A., Mrs. Rebecca J. Frazier, Mrs. Rose Frazier, deceased, and Mrs. Ellen Loonen. Mr. Kiner was road supervisor of districts number thirty-four, thirty-five and thirty-six, for six years. He is a man who has won the respect and confidence of all who know him and his standing in the community is ex- ceptionally fine.
SAMUEL M. JOHNSON resides about one mile north from Creston on a magnificent estate of nine hundred aeres which he has ac- quired by purchase, the result of his own earn- ings since coming to Lincoln county. He was born in Nevada City, California, October 26, 1858, the son of Alfred A. and Sarah (Fordyce) Johnson, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father removed to California in the early fifties and engaged in mining at Grass Valley. He made a fortune in the business and in 1899 returned to Ohio where he is now living. The mother is also living there. Our subject was favored with a good common school education in Ohio, and after the days of that training were completed,
he took up telegraphy. He soon mastered the art and was in the employ of different railroads until 1890, in the spring of which year, he came to Creston. He was installed soon as railroad operator. In 1897, he bought a section of railroad land and has added to it since until he has the amount mentioned above. Mr. John- son now gives his attention to the oversight of his estate and is known as one of the prosperous men of the county.
In 1891, Mr. Johnson married Miss Ella, daughter of John H. and Mary (Wynhoff ) Verfurth, natives of Germany and now farm- ing in Iowa. Mrs. Johnson was born in Iowa on December 4. 1871. To this union, one child, Odessa L. was born on April 26, 1892. Our subject has the following brothers and sisters, Hon. David B., an attorney in Minneapolis, and one of the best orators of the northwest. On account of his ability as a speaker, he has been styled the Demosthenes of America, and the Stephen A. Douglas of the northwest ; W. B. general live stock agent for the Gulf system of railroads in Kansas City, Missouri; F. E. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Johnson also has two sisters, Mrs. Luella Hannah, in Ohio; Mrs. Ida Allen, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
WILLARD STIMSON is one of the ven- erable and respected residents of Lincoln county, and is also entitled to the distinction of being one of the pioneers of Washington and the Big Bend country. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, August 20, 1825, being the son of Gilbert and Sarah ( Picksley) Stimson. The father was born and raised in New York, and later moved to Ohio, where he was sheriff of Huron county for a number of years. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, being fife major, and was at the blowing up of Little York, and was a prominent and influential farmer. His father. John Stimson, the grandfather of our subject, was a patriot in the Revolution and acquitted himself with distinction. The mother of our subject was born in New York and reared in Ohio. Her father. Paul Picksley, was a colonel in the Revolution and a member of the Boston Tea Party. He was wounded and was a pensioner for many years. Ile was a farmer. Descended from such ancestors as have been mentioned, we would expect that the
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
subject of this article would be a patriotic and stanch American.
When a child he came with his parents to Burlington, Iowa, and there received a lim- ited education in the subscription schools of that day. When grown to manhood he en- gaged in rafting on the Mississippi river, and in 1850 crossed the plains with ox teams to California. There he engaged in freighting. handling from six to eight mule teams, until 1857, when he returned to Iowa and took up farming. In 1872 Mr. Stimson came to Whit- man county, Washington, and took a home- stead fifteen miles southwest from Colfax. That was the scene of his labors until 1889, when he came to Lincoln county, Washington, locating about three miles south from Creston, where he and his son, George L., own three hundred and twenty acres. Part of the ranch is good land, and some scab land. They pas- ture over large amounts of government scab lands. They have usually about fifty head of cattle, and one hundred and thirty head of horses, including a fine Percheron stallion which cost $1,500. They raise fine draft horses many of which have been sold to farm- ers around.
In July, 1858, Mr. Stimson married Miss Nancy C., daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Ping) Barnes, natives of Kentucky. Elijah Barnes was in the war of 1812 and fought with General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. Mrs. Stimson was born in Indiana, in 1839. Two children have been the fruit of this union, George L. and James H., both liv- ing on the home place. George L. was born in Des Moines county, Iowa. He is a mem- ber of the Woodmen of the World. James H. was born at the same place. The wife died at Carroll county, Missouri, before the family came west.
THOMAS GRINSTEAD. Among the worthy pioneers of the Big Bend coun- try there ought not be failure to mention the subject of this article, because he has certainly done his part in bringing about the development and upbuilding of this country and has achieved for himself a standing among the substantial citizens here.
Thomas Grinstead was born in Washington county, Virginia, on July 7, 1860, the son of
Frank and Catherine (Ingram) Grinstead, na- tives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. The father moved to Virginia, when a young man and there followed his trade of milling until his death in 1898. Our subject was one of the following named children: Jacob, Han- nah, Andrew, Edward, Dorcus, Parker, Ann, Eunice, William, Newton, Thomas, Robert, Florence, and Charles. Thomas grew to man- hood in the Old Dominion State, and there received his education from the public schools. In 1877, being a lad but seventeen years of age, he journeyed west to Oregon and hired out as a farm hand. Two years were thus spent then he came on to Walla Walla, where he remained two years more, and, it being then 1881, he took a pre-emption in the Brent's country, just north of Creston. Like many another stanch frontiersman of this section, he was obliged to go each year to the more populous section of the state to earn money for the improvement of his government claim. In 1886, he sold this land and took a homestead four miles east from Wil- bur. He bought a quarter section a little later from the railroad company and in 1903 bought one quarter section more, which makes him three hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat land. In addition to this, Mr. Grinstead has a fine residence in Wilbur where he lives during the winter season.
Mr. Grinstead was married in 1887, to Miss Noley, daughter of Allen J. Stookey. To this. union three children have been born, Allen E., Benjamin F. and Williard W.
WILLIAM H. McQUARIE who resides in the vicinity of Wilbur, was born in Argyle, New York, on June 6, 1840. His father, John McQuarie, was a native of the British Isles and came to America when a boy. The mother, Diana (Jaycox) McQuarie, was born in Can- ada. Her father was a captain in a British Regiment and was born in England. Our sub- ject came with his parents in 1848 to Canada and then to Illinois in 1852. In this last place he received his education in the district schools and remained with his father until twenty-one. He then enlisted in Company G. Second Illinois Light Artillery, being mustered into service in 1861 at Camp Butler, Illinois. On the 3Ist of March, following, he had his first en-
THOMAS O. GRINSTEAD
WILLIAM H. McQUARIE
MRS. WILLIAM H. McQUARIE
JOHN MARKEY
MRS. JOHN MARKEY
JOHN C. COLE
SYLVANUS PAGE
MRS. SYLVANUS PAGE
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
gagement at Union City, Tennessee. They drove out the Confederates and captured all of their stores and fifteen prisoners. On June 9, he started south with his command and at LaGrange, Tennessee, joined the Third Divis- ion, Seventeenth Army Corps, under General Grant in his expedition toward Vicksburg. He participated in the battle of Coffeeville, Lake Providence, and Millikan's Bend, Louisiana. He had other engagements and arrived at Memphis on January 21. On April 17, 1862, he marched with his expedition to cross the river below Grand when the steamer sunk and the soldiers barely escaped with their lives. Mr. McQuarie participated in the siege of Vicks- burg to its close and was with General Stephen- son in his expedition to Monroe, Louisiana, and also went to Brownsville, Mississippi. He was in numerous encounters and did some ex- cellent service. He participated in the siege of Mobile, then went to Montgomery, Alabama, and on September 4. 1865. was ordered to Springfield where he received his honorable dis- charge. Following the war, he farmed in Hli- nois until 1868, then moved to Iowa. It was November, 1883, when he moved to Spokane county. In April. 1884. he came to Lincoln county and took a homestead where he now lives. He has a fine residence, excellent or- chard, and all other improvements necessary.
In 1861. Mr. McQuarie married Miss Har- riet, daughter of Luke and Maria (Goodale) Nichols, natives of Vermont and New York. respectively. Mrs. McQuarie was born in Aurora, Illinois, on May 4, 1844. To this couple three children have been born. Eddie. Mrs. Ellen M. Tester, and Paul A.
Mrs. McQuarie has always been a faithful helpmeet to her husband during all the years of deprivation and hardship of pioneer days. For weeks at a time she would stay with her little ones all alone on the claim while he was a hundred miles away earning their start. Thus by her courage and patient endurance she has done her full share in gaining their present comfortable competence.
Mr. McQuarie has won the respect and es- teen of all who know him and is one of those stanch men who fought all through the dark days, when treason's minions were attempting to tear down the stars and stripes. He and his wife have shown themselves to be capable and estimable people. Their uprightness and an un- 32
swerving integrity have won for them hosts of friends and they are always found on the side of those measures which tend to build up the morals in the community and advance the church and school interests.
JOHN MARKEY is one of the representa- tive citizens of Lincoln county and his labors have been crowned with abundant success. He resides about six miles south from Wilbur on an estate of eight hundred acres. The entire place is in a hight state of cultivation, well im- proved and supplied with commodious build- ings and a comfortable residence. When Mr. Markey first came here his entire capital con- sisted of but twenty-five dollars. He selected a homestead. his present location, and filed on it. Each year he made his pilgrimage to other por- tions of the state to earn money for food and other expenses and soon had enough of the land under cutivation so that he could give his.en- tire attention to labor on the farm. His wise management and industry soon brought him abundant returns and he purchased land from time to time until he has the amount stated above. Mr. Markey has proved himself a thorough and capable farmer and in addition to handling his estate, has operated a first class steam threshing outfit for a number of years.
John Markey was born in Wisconsin, on February 25, 1862, being the son of Michael and Mariah ( Gibbons) Markey, natives of Ire- land. The father came to America when a child and settled in New Jersey. He gradually journeyed westward, living in various places until he came to Wisconsin. After that, he went to Minnesota, then to Dakota and in 1888, came to Lincoln county and is now resid- ing at Creston. Our subject received his edu- cation in Wisconsin and Minnesota and labored on the farm with his father until 1888, when he came to Lincoln county, also.
In 1898, Mr. Markey married Miss Ada M., daughter of William and Alice ( Higgs) Allen, natives of Iowa. Mr. Allen is conduct- ing a fruit farm in western Oregon, while Mrs. Allen is operating a grain farm adjoining our subject's land. Mr. Markey has one brother, William, an engineer, and one sister, Mrs. Jen- nie Wood, in Creston.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
JOHN C. COLE has the distinction of be- ing a member of the first party that settled in the Brents country, the names of the settlers being mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He came with team from Walla Walla across the Lyons ferry on the Snake to Cottonwood Springs, now Davenport, and thence to Spo- kane. He had the opportunity to purchase lots then (it was 1879), on what is now Riverside, for twenty-five dollars per lot. Seeing nothing to warrant the investment of that amount, he refused, although he had the money to buy with. He returned to Walla Walla. In 1880, he came to the place where he now lives, about four miles north from Creston, and located land. For the first five years, he was obliged to go each summer to the wheat fields of Walla Walla and work harvesting to get means to improve the land the balance of the year. Working along this way, he built up a good place and now has a fine estate. In 1886, our subject and his cousin, D. R. Cole, built the first store in Wilbur and embarked in the general mer- chandise business which was conducted success- fully until 1889. all goods being hauled from Spokane. Then he turned his attention to his farm and since that time has labored assidu- ously for building up and improving the coun- try. having amassed a goodly holding and dem- onstrated that he is a man of ability and worth, who now is entitled to and generously receives the confidence and esteem of his fellows.
John C. Cole was born in Washington county, Virginia, on May 18, 1858, the son of Andrew and Polly (James) Cole, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was ed- ucated in the public schools and labored with his father until twenty years of age. In 1878, he came to Douglas county, Oregon, thence to Walla Walla, and later on through the Palouse country and to Lincoln county as mentioned above.
In 1889, Mr. Cole married Miss Nellie A., daughter of John and Nancy Gross, and a na- tive of Smyth county, Virginia. In 1897, this lady died and in 1900, Mr. Cole contracted a second marriage, Miss Sophia Olson, a native of Norway, becoming his bride on this occasion. Mr. Cole has two children. Grover C., and Norge L. The first one was one of the very first white children born in Wilbur. In 1888 Mr. Cole made a trip to Virginia, then back to Oregon, where he was married. Mr. Cole lias
experienced the trying path of the frontiersman, and among their other difficulties, they have had to endure the threatened attacks of the Indians, under Chief Moses. He has met and overcome these things in his career with a man- liness and wisdom that have placed him above obstacles and hardships and is now a substan- tial, respected man and patriotic citizen.
SYLVANUS PAGE is a retired farmer and grain buyer at Downs. He was born on March 21, 1854 in Columbia county, Wiscon- sin, the son of Abram and Louisa (Van Dure) Page, natives of Oswego, New York and Michigan, respectively. The mother was of French extraction and now lives at Odessa, this county. The father died in 1901, in Moh- ler, Lincoln county. His father served in the Revolution and came from a prominent family in the colonies. Our subject has the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Maggie E. Cunning- ham, Mrs. Josephine I. Kief, Mrs. Florence Browning, Eugene, Mrs. Gertrude L. Chollar, deceased, and Frederick R. The early days of Mr. Page were spent on the farm in Wisconsin and the schools in that county furnished his educational training. In 1878, the family came west via San Francisco to Tacoma, Wash- ington. They located on a farm sixty miles south of that city in the Chehalis valley and gave themselves to working the soil. In the spring of 1880, they came to Walla Walla and in the fall of the same year made their location in the Big Bend country, which was one mile east from where Mohler now stands. The country was very new then and there were only a few settlers in this vicinity. Walla Walla was their supply point and each year they went there to harvest to earn money for the neces- saries of life. Our subject worked on the Northern Pacific when it was built through and thus secured money to improve his home- stead which he had taken. Things were very unfavorable for an easy life in those days, in fact, the hardships were excessive. Then after a start was gotten, the panic of 1893 began and gave them much to endure ; but since then, Mr. Page has succeeded admirably and especially since 1897. He now owns eight hundred acres of choice wheat land, just adjoining Downs, which is improved in a first class shape.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
The same is cropped to wheat each year and brings in handsome returns. In the fall of 1901, Mr. Page rented his land and removed to Spokane. The next spring he came back to the farm, then built his present residence in Downs, which is a fine seven room structure provided with both hot and cold water and all other conveniences. It is tastefully situated in pleasant grounds and surrounded by shade trees and all conveniences and buildings needed. Mr. Page in addition to overseeing his estate, buys wheat for different concerns. He also has charge of his road district which is four townships.
On May 26, 1899, Mr. Page married Mrs. Iva Calavan and to them two children have been born. Gladys F. and Ruth Florence. By her former husband, Mrs. Page has two child- ren. Lela M. and Veda E.
The fact that Mr. Page came to this country without means and has now gathered such a large property is proof sufficient of his ability and his business methods. He has shown himself a progressive and public minded citizen and has done much to build Lincoln county to its present prosperous condition. He is a man of influence and integrity and is re- spected by all who know him.
MILO COX is a prosperous farmer in the vicinity of Hellgate, Lincoln county. He was born in lowa on May 13. 1854. being the son of Zimro and Abigail (Stanley) Cox, natives of Indiana. That great educator of the Amer- ican people, the public schools furnished the training for our subject while in his native state and then he took up farming, beginning life's work in Kansas where he remained until 1886. In that year he came to his present location, taking government land where he now lives. For nearly twenty years Mr. Cox has given himself to the improvement and cultivation of his farm and now has one of the valuable places in this portion of the country. Mr. Cox is a man who is not thoroughly given over to money making to such an extent that he neglects his mind, but has in all these years continued the careful reading and research until he has come to be a thoroughly well-informed man on the literature and improtant questions of the day. This has instilled an ambitious spirit and good
literary taste in his children and they, too, are great readers of good literature.
In 1874, Mr. Cox married Miss Lydia, daughter of Joseph L. and Phoebe ( Hlaines) Davis, natives of Ohio. Her father was a mer- chant in Opolis, Kansas. Mrs. Cox was born in Indiana in 1857. Mrs. Cox has the follow- ing named brothers and sisters, Joshua, Mrs. Julia Osborne, Mrs. John Camel, and Mrs. Clara Frazer. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox four chil- dren have been born, Mrs. Lucy Campbell, Mrs. Luella Wolf, Blanche and Charles, all literary people. Mr. Cox is a good strong Re- publican, and takes a keen interest in the cam- paigns. Besides doing general farming. he has between two and three thousand fruit trees and has developed his place in excellent shape.
JOHN E. JOHNSON. A sixteen years' residence in the precincts of Lincoln county en- titles Mr. Johnson to be classed as one of the pioneers of this region. Possessed of those staunch characteristics which go to make up the real pioneer, Mr. Johnson has demonstrated his ability to cope successfully with the issue and resources of the Big Bend country. He now has four hundred and eighty acres of land lying about six miles north from Wilbur and it is the family home. The estate is one of great value and is well improved and handled in a very becoming manner. In addition to operating this farm, Mr. Johnson also gives attention to handling a steam thresher, during the fall months of the year. He owns the out- fit and does excellent work.
John E. Johnson was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, on September 13. 1867. His parents were Engle and Martha ( Johnson) Johnson, natives of Norway. The father came to Wisconsin in 1860 and the next year enlisted in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, as a drum- mer boy and served through the entire war, be- ing engaged in some of the heaviest battles. He settled in Minnesota in 1866, where our sub- ject was born and later when the latter was ten years old, the entire family moved to lowa, and in that state John E. was educated. He came to Lincoln county with his father in 1887. and set- tled on a homestead and has since added to it a half section by purchase.
In 1899 Mr. Johnson married Miss Marie,
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
daughter of H. C. and Rachel ( Richardson) Anderson, natives of Norway. The father was a wealthy grain buyer of the Big Bend country. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, three children have been born, Ruth M., Raymond E. and Le- roy W.
JOSEPH SARASIN is a farmer residing five miles north of Davenport. He was born in St. Johns, Canada, January 16, 1850, the son of Levi Sarasin, also of Canadian nativity and French descent, and Mary (David) Sara- sin.
He was the third in age of a family of thir- teen children, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1868 he came to the United States, remain- ing for a time, respectively, in New York, Michigan and Minnesota. He worked on the construction of the eastern terminus of the Northern Pacific railroad, and came west to Virginia City, Nevada, in 1873. Here he was employed in the mines until he came to California the year following. In the latter state he worked for five years in the employ of F. A. Hihn, and in 1879 he came to Walla WValla from San Francisco by way of Portland and the Columbia river. He located on his present farm in the month of June, 1879, and was among the first settlers of the Big Bend. He came to the country with limited means, and embarked at once upon the business of tilling the soil and raising stock with such eminent success that he now owns an excellent grain and stock farm consisting of four hundred and eighty acres, a section of timber land on the Spokane river, and stock and cattle to an extent which places him on the list of Lincoln county's wealthy men.
In 1902 Mr. Sarasin took an extended trip back to his old home and other eastern points, to return to his adopted county with the firm conviction that this is the most desirable section on the American continent.
GEORGE SMELCER, whose death oc- curred July 1, 1900, came west from St. Joe, Missouri, in the spring of 1882, bought railroad land and took up the homestead comprising the present well-improved land owned by his widow about nine miles northeast of Mondovi.
Born in Indiana, January 1, 1835, he at the age of fifteen migrated to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he met Lucinda Nolen, to whom he was married. December 16. 1859. Mrs. Smelcer was born in Greene county, Indiana, May 11, 1845. At the age of seven she ac- companied her parents, Sangford A. and Eliza- beth (Taylor) Nolen, to Illinois, where her father died. Later she and her mother re- moved to Iowa, where she was married.
In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. Smelcer removed to St. Joe, Missouri, making this city their home until their departure in 1882 to the unsettled west. Though a miller by trade, having owned and run a flour mill in Missouri for fifteen years, Mr. Smelcer at once set about improving his land with most excellent results, as is at- tested by the comfortable home, fine grain land, and prolific orchard of his widow's heritage.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smelcer were born eight children : Mary E., wife of James Pilent of Deerpark: William R., married to Mary Glads of Spokane; Clara A., wife of T. T. Castle, of St. Joe, Missouri: Birdie A., wife of H. L. Williams, of Republic; George V., married to Amanda Dresser. of Deerpark: Sangford Al- len, married to Metta I. McClain, of Modovi; James Nestor and Chester Arthur, both of Mondovi. They are grandparents of twenty- two children.
Mr. Smelcer was a hard working man, enjoying the esteem of all who knew him, fairly well educated, with an active interest in educa- tional matters, and serving at one time as school clerk for a period of twelve years. He was a good, upright man. In his church affiliations he was a Lutheran, to which faith his widow also subscribes.
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