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 87
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 87
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 87
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 87
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In February, 1895, Mr. Gibson was mar- ried and one child, Bessie, was born to this union. In 1900 occurred the second marriage of Mr. Gibson, Amanda J. Jockers, a na- tive of Sedalia, Missouri, becoming his bride at that time.
In political matters, Mr. Gibson is liberal and has always taken an active interest in county affairs. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and stands well in the community. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Methodist church.
JOHN E. RUSSELL, who resides just east from Harrington, was born on October 7. 1865, in Lenawee county, Michigan. He was educated there and raised on the farm. In the fall of 1888, he arrived in Spokane and began work for wages on the Northern Pacific. Upon landing in Spokane. Mr. Russell found that he was possessed of two dollars in cash and no other property except a good strong appetite and willingness to work. He took hold with his hands immediately and prosperity began to attend his efforts. After quitting the railroad, we find him engaged as engineer in the electric plant at Sprague where he was occupied until 1895. In that year he went to Montana and engaged in the electric refinery for Marcus Daly at Anaconda. He rapidly
JOHN E. RUSSELL
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
grew in favor there and stood well with the company. In the spring of 1897, much against the wishes of his employers, he resigned his position for the purpose of coming to Lincoln county to look after the land that he had pre- viously bought here. He put in a large crop that spring and made a fine success of it. Since then he has every year farmed to wheat ex- tensively, having twelve hundred and eighty- eight acres planted to that crop. He owns and operates a combined harvester and steam- thresher, besides having the farm well supplied with ordinary implements. Mr. Russell has been favored with unbounded success in his labors here and when we consider that he started with but a small amount of capital and that now he owns, unincumbered, two sections of land besides a great many thousands of dol- lars in cash with other property, we are enabled to understand the telling way in which he has labored. Mr. Russell has an elegant residence of twelve rooms in the latest architectural de- sign and supplied with all the conveniences known to rural residences. It is situated in a sightly position, tastefully surrounded with shade trees and other things of beauty and is one of the best farm residences in the country. He has other buildings necessary on the farm and the whole estate shows marks of his thrift, wisdom and energy.
In political and local matters. Mr. Russell has always manifested a marked interest and is one of the progressive and substantial men of Eastern Washington.
CHARLES F. ROBINSON is one of the pioneers of this western country and for nearly thirty years has labored in different sections to open up and build up the communities. He is dwelling now about five miles northwest from Edwall on a nice estate which he handles and it is becoming a first class and thrifty farm.
Charles F. Robinson was born in Henry county, Iowa, on April 12. 1858, the son of James B. and Saralı (Ferguson) Robinson, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respect- ively. The mother died, aged sixty-four, in Linn county, and the father is still living here. having come to this section in 1883. He was a pioneer in Henry county, Iowa, and is a veteran of the Civil war and served in Company K.
Twenty-fifth Iowa, for three years. Our sub- ject is one of twelve children, seven girls and five boys. He was well educated in the com- mon schools of Iowa and remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, laboring on the farm, then he operated a farm for him- self one year and in 1879. came to Lonerock, Oregon. He engaged in freighting between The Dalles and Lonerock for some time, after which he came to Walla Walla in 1880. For two years, he was engaged in farming there and then journeyed to the Big Bend country. He took a homestead where he now resides and began grain raising. The country was new and many hardships were here to be endured but Mr. Robinson has gone steadily along, overcoming every obstacle and winning success each year. He is really numbered among the real pioneers of Lincoln county.
At Walla Walla, in 1882, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Robinson and Jessie Hesseltine, who died in 1884, having been the mother of one child, Fred, who is also deceased. In the spring of 1887 at Spokane, Mr. Robinson mar- ried Miss Harriet Reese, to which union, three children have been born, Madison, Ida and Henry. On June 24. 1892, Mr. Robinson was called to mourn the death of his wife. On June 18, 1899, at Davenport, Washington. Mr. Rob- inson celebrated his third marriage, Mrs. Anna Anderson becoming his wife on this occasion. To them have been born three children, Or- rin, Minnie and John. The last two are twins. By her former marriage, Mrs. Robinson has one child, Ray. Mr. Robinson is a member of the M. W. A. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters and is a man who thoroughly appreciates and understands the resources and advantages of this excellent country. The success he has won is the due reward of his labors and skill put forth. Mr. Robinson is counted one of the substantial citi- zens of this section.
F. H. SPRINGER was born in Dyersville, Iowa, on July 5, 1872. the son of Fred and Bertha (Schoch) Springer, natives of Ger- many. The parents came to this country in early days and settled on a farm in the east. In 1889. the father brought his family to Lincoln county and continued in the work of farming.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
He remained here until his death in 1901. The mother is still living in this section. Our sub- ject has the following brothers and sisters, Au- gust G., Mrs. Anna Mckay, Mrs. Lucy Deven- ish and Mary. The public schools of Iowa and Lincoln county furnished the educational train- ing of our subject, after which he continued with his father on the farm until he was twen- ty-four years of age. Then he began farming for himself and continued steadily at the busi- ness until the present time.
In November, 1901, at Spokane, Mr. Springer married Miss Violet Riley, whose parents were pioneers of the Big Bend country and now live in Moscow. Mrs. Springer is a member of the Catholic church and Mr. Sprin- ger is an adherent of the same denomination.
In political matters, Mr. Springer takes a lively interest and has always labored steadily for the advancement of the country. He is known as a good substantial man and one of the prosperous farmers in this section.
JACOB J. BARTHOLOMEW is one of the best known men of the whole Big Bend country. He has been actively engaged here for nearly thirty years and has always manifest- ed in his career that spirit of enterprise, pro- gress and uprightness which characterize the true man and the real pioneer. At the present time Mr. Bartholomew is living about three miles east from Reardan on an estate which he secured partly by purchase and partly by tim- ber culture right.
J. J. Bartholomew was born in Springfield. Illinois, in June, 1860, the son of Morrison and Elizabeth (Phelps) Bartholomew, natives of Ohio and Grant county, Wisconsin, respect- ively. They were married in Wisconsin in 1854. The father was engaged in the tannery and labored in a manufactory at Galena, Illi- nois, which at that time was the largest in the United States. In 1868. he sold his interests and settled at Yankton, Dakota, engaging in banking and sawmilling. In the spring of 1875, he came to Milton, Oregon, and went into the hotel business. In 1879, they moved to Medical Lake, Washington, where he died in 1899. The mother also died there at the home place. Our subject received his educa- tion in Yankton and was with his father in busi-
ness and in his journeys until he came west to Oregon, which journey was made by team on the old emigrant road. From Milton our sub- ject started to Montana and when he arrived where Spokane now is, he was taken sick which detained him sometime and he then engaged in freighting for the government, from Walla Walla to Forts Sherman, Colville. Spokane and other points. For four years, he was engaged thus and then he embarked in the implement business, the firm being known as Russell & Company. They did business in Portland and throughout the northwest, then he was asso- ciated with Dodd & Company in the same busi- ness in the Inland Empire for nine years. About 1893, Mr. Bartholomew took up a timber cul- ture claim where he now lives and gave his at- tention to stock raising and grain farming. In Spokane county, in May, 1880, Mr. Bartholo- mew married Miss Maggie Hamilton, a native of Kentucky. To this union six children have been born, Bert, Gertrude, Elnora, Edith, Fran- ces and Jacob. On May 26, 1900, Mr. Barthol- omew was called to mourn the death of his be- loved wife.
Fraternally, Mr. Bartholomew is associa- ted with the W. W., and is prominent in those circles. He has ever taken a keen interest in educational progress and in the real upbuilding of the country and is firmly convinced that the Big Bend country is the finest portion of the state of Washington. In addition to his farm- ing interests, Mr. Bartholomew operates a threshing outfit. It is interesting to note that he was one of the first assessors in the Big Bend country and in 1877, he was appointed sheriff of Spokane county which took in almost the entire country now embraced in Douglas, Lincoln and Adams counties.
BENJAMIN F. NAIL. About six miles north from Edwall lies a very choice estate of nearly one section. It is finely improved with good residence, barns and other buildings, fences and so forth. The same is owned by the gentleman whose name initiates this article and has been gained through his own personal la- bors and thrift, as he came to this country with very limited means. During the winter time of each year, Mr. Nail resides at Medical Lake, where he has a fine dwelling. The summer seasons are spent upon the farm.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Benjamin F. Nail was born in Fulton coun- ty, Arkansas, on May 1, 1869, the son of An- drew J. and Eliza ( Brown) Nail, natives of Mississippi and now deceased. The father died when our subject was one year old and he early learned the responsibilities of life. He was the youngest of the family of eight children, five boys and three girls and remained at home un- til eleven years of age. His education was ac- quired in the common schools and some few years after starting for himself, we find him in Texas, then he journeyed to Arkansas, and in 1888 came to Adams county, Washington. One year later, he was in Spokane and there re- mained until 1897, when he secured the estate in Lincoln county mentioned above. Since that time he has given his attention to overseeing the farm and also to other business.
On December 25, 1894, in Spokane, Wash- ington, Mr. Nail married Miss Eunice Zech, a native of Michigan. She came to Washington with her parents when a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Nail, two children have been born, Floyd and Lela.
Mr. Nail is a thrifty and progressive man and a citizen who always takes an interest in the affairs of the community and the welfare of the county.
WILLIAM S. FRY is one of the younger men of Lincoln county and is known as a pro- gressive and patriotic citizen. He was born on June 16, 1873. being the son of William and Louis L. (Brown) Fry. The mother was a native of Massachusetts and was married in Binghampton, California, in 1871. The father was a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and there received a good college education. He taught school two years in Ohio then went to Califor- nia in 1860, going around Cape Horn. He con- tinued the work of the teacher there and finally took land in Salina county. He was on the board of education for years in his section and also devoted considerable time to teaching. He is the possessor of a life diploma from the state of California. They are members of the Meth- odist church and Mr. Fry has been active in Sunday school work as superintendent for over twenty-five years. They were the parents of four children, Rollin H., Ralph E., William S .. the subject of this sketch and Clara L. The parents are still living on a fine fruit and stock
ranch in Almira, California, being highly re- spected and prominent people. Our subject received a good education in California, com- pleting the same with a college course. After leaving school, he worked for his father for two years then went to Mendocino county and worked in the mill. In 1896, on October 6, Mr. Fry married Miss Carrie Carter, a native of California. After that they came to Lin- coln county and bought a quarter section which has been their home since. The same' is well improved, with buildings, orchard, fences and so forth, and has been made a valuable place through the labors of Mr. Fry. Two children have been born to his household. Winifred and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are very active in the advancement and interest of education and school facilities. Mr. Fry takes an active in- terest in political matters and is a progressive and wide-awake man. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and an enthusiastic admirer of the resourceful country of the Big Bend.
HENRY B. CARSTENS was born in Germany on February 24, 1870. His parents, Peter and Anna Carstens, are now living at 829 Nettie Avenue, in Spokane. They are na- tives of Germany and came to the United States about 1870, locating twelve miles from Albany, New York. Later, they journeyed west to Iowa where they spent three years. From that place, they came by wagon to Walla Walla, arriving there in the fall of 1878. One year later they came to Spokane and are now living retired in that city. Our subject re- ceived his education in Iowa and Walla Walla and came with his parents to Spokane county in the fall of 1879. He remained with his fa- ther on the farm until twenty-two years of age; then purchased three-quarters of a section in the edge of Lincoln county, which is now his home place. The farm is one of the model places in the county and is supplied with com- modious and first class buildings, a windmill and other improvements and in addition to this, Mr. Carstens owns other property.
On March 16. 1892. Mr. Carstens married Miss Minnie Keplinger, a native of Salt Lake City, whose early life was spent in Idaho. She came to Washington in 1890. To this mar- riage five children have been born, Peter, Ha- zel, Avery, Albert and Beulah.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Mr. Carstens is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife belongs to the Rebekahs. He is greatly interested in politics and is one of the broad minded and progressive men of the county.
ALBERT SCHULTZ was born in Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin on May 10, 1872, being the son of Charles F. and Anna Schultz. natives of Germany. The father came from Germany when young, settling in Wisconsin, and died in 1896 in Lincoln county. The mother also came to the United States when young and is now living at Reardan. Our sub- ject received his education in the log school houses of Wisconsin and labored on the farm with his father until eighteen, after which, he came to Washington in 1884 and bought a farm near Reardan. Later, he sold this and engaged in the livery business at Reardan, continuing in the same until the spring of 1899. Then he sold, having the finest stable in the town. After that he engaged in the retail liquor business with his brother, the firm being Schultz Broth- ers. Our subject has never seen fit to embark on the matrimonial sea. He is a member of the Foresters and the M. W. A. Mr. Schultz is well pleased with the Big Bend country and ex- pects to make this his home. He is always in- terested in the progress and development of the section as well as in political matters.
JAMES W. MOORHOUSE is a well known and prosperous man of Reardan. He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 24, 1865, being the son of George Moorhouse, a native of England, who died October 12, 1903. His occupation was that of cloth weaver. Our sub- ject studied designing in early life and followed that for a good many years. From 1887 to 1890 he was designer for the Montreal Woolen Co., in Montreal, Canada. Then he returned to England and was offered a position as overseer and designer in the raw material and finished products, which made him practically general manager of the mill. He was very successful in this work. In addition to following design- ing, Mr. Moorhouse had learned the tonsorial art and at different times and places was occu- pied in that business. We see him in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then he came west to Bran-
don, Manitoba, seeking a location as barber. After that he was employed on the Canadian Pacific Railway for a time, then drove logs on the Saskatchewan River for four hundred miles, after which he accepted a position in the woolen mills at Mordan, Manitoba. Later he sought outdoor employment, and was occupied in the harvest field. About 1899, Mr. Moorhouse came to Spokane, but not being favorably im- pressed, he found his way to Reardan, where he opened a barber shop. Meeting with success, he increased his business, fitted up elegant baths in connection, and gave his entire attention to this until recently, when he opened a saloon in con- nection with the same. He has the finest place in the town, and is very prosperous. In addi- tion to this he owns considerable property. In early life, Mr. Moorhouse married Miss Anne Beever, of England, who died on November 29, 1898.
TURNER A. WEADON, who, until re- cently, has been living two miles west from Reardan, on a farm is now dwelling near Wa- terville, in Douglas county. He sold his estate in Lincoln county but was so well pleased with the Big Bend country, he immediately settled upon land that he had purchased in Douglas county. He is one of the substantial men of the county and has been favored with prosper- ity since coming.
Turner A. Weadon was born in Loudan county, Virginia, February 15, 1866, being the son of Sarah K. and Almira W. Weadon, na- tives of Virginia. The mother is deceased. The father has spent his life in handling large in- terests, among which may be mentioned mer- chandising. tanning, farming and mining. He dwells at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and spends his winters in Florida, where he has property interests. He is a man of prominence and the riper years of his life are being passed in quiet contentment and enjoyment of his portion. Our subject was the youngest of four brothers. His education was received in Virginia and after a thorough training there, he went to San Diego, California, where he took up the hack business. From there he came to Pendleton, Oregon, and operated a stage from Portland to Heppner for one year. Then he journeyed on to Spokane, where he again took up the hack business. He did well for two years in Spokane, then engaged
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
as a clerk in the Coeur d'Alene Inn. After this, Mr. Weadon was employed by the Minne- sota & Chicago Commission Company as man- ager of their branch in Reardan. After one year in that business, he turned his attention to farming, settling on land he bought, just east of Reardan. This was sold on January 5, 1904, and he is now dwelling in Douglas county.
In 1891, Mr. Weadon married Miss Susie Slocan, a native of Iowa, and who recently came to Lincoln county. To them two children have been born, Maude and Aubrey.
Mr. Weadon is a member of the W. W., and his wife belongs to the circle. They are well respected people and what has been Lin- coln county's loss has been Douglas county's gain. Mr. Weadon has shown commendable enterprise and skill in his labors here and is en- titled to the respect and confidence which he re- ceives.
TRAUSDELL M. COOPER, who lives at No. 1151 West 20th street, Los Angeles, California, is one of the well known pioneers of Lincoln county. He still owns an immense amount of property in this and adjoining coun- ties and has only recently secured a dwelling in California for his winter residence. He was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on April 9, 1848, the son of John and Louisa A. (Dye) Cooper, natives of Rutland, Vermont and Oneida county, New York, respectively. The father was born in 1804 and followed farming and merchandising in early days and was a captain in the State Militia. He was an active politician but never sought office, and was a prominent man. He died in 1872 at Bushnell, Illinois. The mother was born in 1809 and died in Bushnell, Illinois, at the age of eighty-seven. Our subject received a com- mon school education at Bushnell and at the age of nineteen, started in life for himself. Ile first occupied the position as foreman on a thousand-acre farm in Illinois and a year later went to Marshall, Iowa, where he worked for a year. For a time he was in the dairy busi- ness and in 1876. came to Portland and fol- lowed the same business there for three years. Then he journeyed in 1879 via the river and stage to Spokane and arrived in the latter place in December. 1879. Mr. Cooper states that there were about one half dozen dwellings in
that now prosperous city and the only bridge across the river was Cowley's, some miles up, and Lapray's as far down the river. The next spring he came to the Big Bend country with D. R., and Jessie Cole, Walter Hazeltine George and Frank Simon, and Tom Grinstead. They located in township 27, range 34, being the first settlers in that location. The last day of May, 1880, was the date of their loca- tion and in the fall of that year, the two Troger brothers and Daniel Snyder and Mr. Bush came in. Spokane was the nearest post- office, seventy miles away. For five months these settlers never saw any one from outside and the next year everybody fled on account of the Indian scare. Mr. Cooper was obliged, like the others, to go to Walla Walla and work in the harvest fields to gain money to improve the place and he labored along steadily, gaining property until he now owns over three sec- tions of grain land in Whitman, Adams and Lincoln counties, every bit under cultivation. He also has five dwellings and two business lots in Sprague, besides his residence in Los Angeles, which is worth over eight thousand dollars. In 1884 Mr. Cooper was the Demo- cratic candidate for county auditor but owing to the county seat fight was defeated by P. K. Spencer, Republican. At the next election, he was chosen on the Democratic ticket for county treasurer and in 1888 was elected county audi- tor. He has been very prominent in politics and with but two exceptions has attended every state convention and was also an alternate at the national convention at Kansas City in 1900.
On September 1, 1888, Mr. Cooper mar- ried Miss Alice M. Barrett, the wedding oc- curring at Spraguc. Mrs. Cooper's parents, Peter and Bridget ( Ward) Barrett, were na- tives of Ireland. The father came to Sprague in 1890, and followed railroading until 1902, when he died. The mother is living in Spo- kane. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, three chil- dren have been born, Telford M., Bazel D. and Elbur L. They are very bright and precocious children and at the contest in Los Angeles in which several thousand children were com- peting. Elbur L. was chosen as the most beau- tiful child. the judge being the famous child painter, Walter Russell. Mr. Cooper is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees and the Grand Fraternity. Mrs. Cooper belongs to the Episcopal church.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Mr. Cooper has completed a brick business block in Sprague. He has been councilman several times in Sprague and was mayor in 1902 when he resigned and took up his resi- dence in Los Angeles, California. Although Mr. Cooper, now resides in Los Angeles, still he is not lost to Lincoln county as this is largely the place of his triumphs and success. He is well known and has the esteem and con- fidence of all.
HENRY W. TURNER. was born in Maine, on April 8, 1855. He now lives about three miles west from Hesseltine on an estate of one half section, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and made one of the choice farms of Lincoln county. Like many others, he came here in very early days and knows from experience, what it is to be a pio- neer and to open up a new country. His par- ents are Isaac and Mary (Grant) Turner, both born in Maine and come from German extrac- tion. They were good substantial people and reared our subject as becomes the American citizen, giving him an education in the schools adjacent. When young he went to sea and labored before the mast for two years then he learned the blacksmith trade, entering the em- ploy of the United States government and con- tinued three years in that capacity. In 1875, he came to San Francisco and went to work at his trade. From that time until 1887, he wrought at his trade and traveled all over the west and northwest. In the year last men- tioned, Mr. Turner came to Lincoln county and took a homestead where he now resides. He bought another quarter section and has given his attention to general farming since. He lo- cated as most of the pioneers did here and lived in the ordinary dugout until his labors brought him their reward. He has now im- proved his farm in excellent shape and has a very valuable estate. Mr. Turner has four brothers, Robert. Isaac, George, and Charles. and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary A.
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