USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 16
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 16
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 16
USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 16
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Mr. Young has five brothers and one sis- ter, Charlie W., Adolph, Jacob, William, Louis, and Mrs. Louise Henning.
In Howard county, Iowa, on December 26, 1873, Mr. Young married Miss Louisa Stand- ard, whose parents, John and Julia (Shutt) Standard, were natives of Denmark. Mrs. Young was born in Denmark, on June 13, 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Young the following children have been born; Edward H., on November 9, 1874, now a sugar manufacturer in Waverly, Washington ; Ida C., on January 24, 1876, now teaching school ; and Francis J., on October 7, 1880, now teaching school. The children were
all born in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Young are ad- herents of the Lutheran church and are exem- plary citizens.
JOHN C. BROWNFIELD, who resides four miles south from Farmer postoffice, is one of the best known men in Douglas county. He has lived here since the early days of set- tlement and has ever taken a leading part in all enterprises of a public nature, which are for the benefit of all. Mr. Brownfield has been exceptionally successful in handling stock, es- pecially the Clyde horses, specimens of which can now be seen on almost every farm in Doug- las county.
John C. Brownfield was born in Cooper county, Missouri, on September 12, 1841, the son of John and Mary (Potter) Brownfield. The father was born in Virginia, becoming a pioneer settler of Illinois and in 1832 moved to Missouri. The mother was a native of Ken- tucky. Our subject was trained in the early schools of Cooper county, Missouri, and there remained until he grew to manhood. On April 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty- seventh Missouri Volunteers under Captain Parker, the same being for ninety days, but he served nine months before he was discharged. On the same day that he was mustered out, he re-enlisted in Company D, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, of the State Militia, under Captain Tarley and served for three years and two months or until the close of the war. Mr. Brownfield never participated in any heavy bat- tles but was in that most annoying of all war- fare, constant skirmishing with the bushwhack- ers. His general was E. B. Brown, a brother- in-law of General Price, the enemy. In April, 1865, Mr. Brownfield received his honorable discharge and returned to the duties of the civilian. He settled in Bates county, Missouri, and there farmed for seventeen years. In 1884, he came west to Spokane, locating on Five Mile prairie, just out from that city, whence two years later, he came to Douglas county, locating near Waterville. He took a farm about a mile northeast from the town, which was sold later. Afterwards, he took a homestead where he now lives and to which he has added until he now has four hundred and twenty acres of fertile land. This esatte is near-
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ly all under cultivation and is improved in first class shape, with good wells of water, fences, outbuildings, barns, residences and so forth. Mr. Brownfield has some very excellent Clyde horses and is giving his entire attention to gen- eral farming and raising stock. He has the following brothers and sisters, Jasper, Daniel, Mrs. Elizabeth Weedin, Mrs. Susan Weedin, Mrs. Ann Stanley, and Mrs. Minerva Tur- ner.
The marriage of Mr. Brownfield and Miss Emily Thomas occurred in Pettis county, Mis- souri, on April 17, 1864. The wife's parents are Joel and Christiana (Comer) Thomas, na- tives of North Carolina. They came to Mis- souri in 1832 and are still residing there. Mrs. Brownfield was born in Pettis county, on Feb- ruary 29, 1840, and has three brothers and two sisters, Henry, Joel, U. S. Grant, Mrs. Syntha Carver, and Mrs. Eliza Greer. The names of children of Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield, together with the dates and places of their births are given herewith: John T., Pettis county, Mis- souri, June 24, 1865 ; George W., Pettis coun- ty, Missouri, November 5, 1866, now living at Waterville; Mary C., Bates county, Missouri, August 22, 1868, now living in Lincoln coun- ty : Joel J., Bates county, Missouri, May 15, 1870; Robert H., Bates county. December 5. 1872; Daniel L., Bates county, February 6, 1876; and Rose M., Spokane county, Washing- ton, May 3, 1884.
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Mr. Brownfield is a member of the G. A. R., and quite active in this realm. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and have always exerted a good moral influence where they have dwelt, being people of integ- rity and good principles.
GEORGE D. BROWN, who resides about eight miles northeast from Toler, is one of the well-to-do farmers of Douglas county, who adds to the good work of raising the cereals and handling stock, the business of the pro- moter. In all these capacities, he has been suc- cessful and is one of the widely and favorably known men of this locality. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, being born on February 23. 1869, the son of George and Margaret (Wig- gans) Brown, both natives of Canada. In the excellent schools of Ontario, our subject was
trained and remained in his native place until grown to manhood. At Orangeville, he was engaged for two years as apprentice in the Flemming flour mills, learning the art of the miller. In 1890, he came west and after due search and investigation located on the place he now owns, buying the right to the same from Sarah Morgan. His location here was in 1891, and the year previous was largely spent in the Fraser river valley. Since coming here, Mr. Brown has continued steadily in operating his farm, which is handled largely to the cereals. In 1898, he organized the M. M. & B. Co., for the purpose of handling and developing the water power in the Chelan river. They have about thirty thousand horse power in the falls and will develop it to a higher amount by the addition of machinery. Mr. Brown has the following brothers and sisters, John A., Will- iam J., Robert A., Samuel J., Joshua, Levi, Alfred G., Frederick W., Mrs. M. Mckenzie, and Mrs. Thomas J. Manley.
The wedding day of Mr. Brown was on July 19, 1893, and his marriage to Miss Amelia Marshall occurred in this county. The parents of the wife are Robert and Hester (Timney) Marshall, natives of Canada. She was born in Ontario, Canada, on March 1, 1868, and has three brothers and two sisters, Henry, John, James, Mrs. John Brown and Mrs. Eliza Mar- shall. The children born to this worthy couple are named as follows with the dates of their respective births : Margaret H., July 17, 1894; Mary G., June 1, 1895: Lillian A., August 4, 1897; Anna L., January 7, 1899 ; Marshall W., July 18, 1901. All of the children are natives of Douglas county except the last one, who was born in Chelan county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Presbyterian church and have always evinced a great interest in the moral as well as the material welfare of the community, being progressive and capable peo- ple.
WILLIAM BAKER is one of the wide awake and well-to-do farmers of Douglas county. He resides about twelve miles north- east from Waterville, upon an estate of a half section, part of which he acquired by pur- chase and part by government right. The farm produces cereals, mostly. The few years he has resided here, Mr. Baker has been known as
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
one of the thrifty and wise farmers, whose suc- cess proclaims his ability and tenacity, better than words can tell.
William Baker was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on September 8, 1855. The father, Alexander B., was born in London, England and came to the United States quite young, settling as a pioneer in Indiana, where he married Martha Boggs, a native of Ohio. Our subject was educated in a log cabin school house in Indiana and there remained until he had arrived at manhood's estate. In 1881, he went to Missouri, settling in Atchison county and was known as one of the industrious tillers of the soil there until 1888, which was the year that marks his advent to Douglas county. He at once took a homestead where he resides at present and since that time has remained con- stantly engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Baker has one sister, Ella, and one brother, David.
In Atchison county, Missouri, on February 4. 1882, occurred the marriage of William Baker and Miss Laura Smith. Her parents were Abner and Ersley (Bovee) Smith, natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. Mrs. Baker was born in Atchison county, Missouri, July 2, 1866 and has the following brothers and sisters, Frank, Tulley, Mrs. Ella Jackson, Mrs. Nancy Payne, Mrs. Mary Jackson, Mrs. Matil- da Mutchlor, Mrs. Cora Randles and Mrs. Minnie Van Dusen. The children born to our subject and his wife are named as follows : Jennie M., born on July 1, 1885 and now the wife of J. M. Shepperson, both residing in this county ; Catherine C., born on February II, 1888. Both daughters are natives of Atchison county, Missouri.
In religious persuasion our subject belongs to the Baptist denomination but is not an active cummunicant with any church.
JOHN M. FLETCHER, who resides about four miles northeast from Toler, is one of the heavy real estate owners of Douglas county. His total holdings recently were near- ly two sections but at the present time he has sold some to four of his sons and has not quite so large an acreage. He dwells in a fine, large two story, eleven room house, which is sur- rounded by pleasant grounds, barns, outbuild-
ings and other improvements. His attention is devoted entirely to general farming and some stock raising. His labors have been so success- ful that he has gained a liberal competence of this world's goods and he is known as a leading and reliable citizen.
John M. Fletcher was born in Carroll coun- ty, Ohio, on September 17, 1840, the son of Thomas J. and Susannah (Leslie) Fletcher. The latter was born in Ohio, and the former in England and came to the United States while young. The district schools of Ohio con- tributed the educational training of our subject for a short time, he not being privileged to spend many years in study. The family migrated to Iowa in 1848, one year later to Missouri, and thence in two years the entire family crossed the plains with ox teams to Clarke county, Washington. It was the family home for nineteen years. In 1870, our subject went to Polk county, Oregon, dwelling near Independence for three years. After that, he removed to the vicinity of Pilot Rock, in Uma- tilla county and three years later went thence to Pendleton and engaged in the butcher busi- ness. He operated in Pendleton and Weston until 1887, when he journeyed into the Big Bend country and settled on his present place as a pre-emption. He took a timber culture and has also added as stated above until he has a very large estate, part of which belongs now to other members of the family.
In 1855-6, Mr. Fletcher served with the Washington Territory Volunteers against the Indians, under Captain Kelley. Mr. Fletcher has six brothers and three sisters, named as fol- lows, William, Arthur J., Thomas L., Eli H., Robert A., George L., Mrs. C. Gibbons, Mrs. Sarah Gibbons and Mrs. Mary Pendleton.
In Clarke county, Washington, on July 21, 1867, Mr. Fletcher married Miss Nancy A., daughter of James and Delila (Thompson) McAllister, natives of Pennsylvania and In- diana, respectively. Mrs. . Fletcher was born in Wayne county, Indiana on Feb- ruary 18, 1847, and the next year was brought by her parents across the plains to Clarke county, Washington. She has five brothers and one sister, named as follows, Alexander, Garrison, Joseph, Jasper, Walter F., Mrs. Ester Clark, and two half sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Negley and Mrs. Anna M. Tucker. To Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, the following chil-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
dren have been born : Esther E., in Vancouver, Washington, May 4, 1868, and now the wife of David Gillespie, and living at Brewster, Washington; William H., in Vancouver, on August 23, 1869, now residing at Greenlake, Washington; Charles E., in Vancouver, on September 10, 1870, now at Waterville; Walter J., in Pilot Rock, on July 17, 1874, died Feb- ruary 28, 1888; Albert F., in Weston, Oregon, on June 25, 1877; Ralph A., at Weston, Ore- gon, on November 17, 1879, now at Greenlake; Olive I., in Weston, Oregon, on March 4, 1882; Carrie E., at Weston, Oregon, on April 21, 1886; Fred T., in this county, on March 25, 1889; Ruby E., in this county, on February I, 1891; Crystal M., in this county, on October 26, 1892; and Royal Pearl, in this county, on June 27, 1895.
Mr. Fletcher is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and takes a keen interest in political matters and the questions of the day.
SANFORD E. JORDAN. About eight miles northeast from the town of Waterville, we find the estate of the subject of this article, which consists of one-half section of fertile prairie land. The same is in a high state of cultivation and produces annually bounteous returns of the cereals and other crops, under the skillful husbandry of the owner. Mr. Jor- dan has devoted himself to the improvement and cultivation of his farm continuously since his settlement here and is now considered one of the best farmers in this vicinity. He is a man of broad public mind, generous to a fault and stands exceptionally well with all who know him.
Sanford E. Jordan was born in Crawford county, Iowa, November 21, 1862, the son of Abel W. and Mary (Palmer) Jordan, natives of Iowa and Illinois, respectively. His youth- ful days were spent assisting his father and gaining an education from the public schools of Crawford county and he remained on the old home place, until he had grown to manhood. It was in 1884, that he journeyed to Plymouth county, Iowa, where four years were spent in farming. In 1888, he came to Douglas county, taking a portion of his present estate by home- stead, the balance has been added later by pur- chase. In addition to raising grain and other
crops, he also handles a band of cattle and has some nice grades at the present time. Mr. Jordan also raises a good many fine hogs.
Our subject has the following sisters, Mrs. Ida Dobson, Mrs. Lura Griffin, Mrs. Eva Arnold, and Mrs. Lovina Winn. Mr. Jordan is not a member of any religious de- nomination although he is strictly in sympathy with the work of the church. He is ready to aid materially in building up good schools and in the general improvement of the country and has always been an industrious laborer for the general good.
JOHN H. WITTE resides about eighty rods south from Southside Postoffice, where he has an estate of one-half section of good farming land. All of this land is under culti- vation and produces excellent crops of small grains. The place is provided with a comfort- able residence, barns, and so forth and shows in every detail the skill and thrift of the owner. Mr. Witte has gained considerable distinction in breeding Poland China hogs. He raises excel- lent animals and is becoming a very expert producer. He also handles good cattle and some horses.
John H. Witte was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on August 17, 1872, the son of August H. and Sophia (Shiroder) Witte, natives of Germany. The father served in the Franco-Prussian war. Our subject came with his father to the United States in 1876, and was educated in the public schools of Iroquois coun- ty, Illinois where he remained until nineteen. 1891 marks the year in which he came to Doug- las county, choosing the homestead where he now resides as his place of settlement. Since that time, he has wrought here without inter- ruption in general farming and stock raising and is known over the county as one of the sub- stantial men who is ever laboring for the gen- eral advancement as well as the forwarding of his own business enterprises.
Mr. Witte has two brothers, August H. and Charles J., and one sister, Lena Dohmeyer.
The marriage of Mr. Witte and Miss Maud Johnson occurred at Waterville, on January 31, 1895. The parents of the bride are J. M. and Eliza (Andrews) Johnson, natives of Missouri and living in this county. Mrs, Witte was born
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
in Butler, Missouri, on October 1, 1878 and has four brothers and one sister, Buford C., Ed- ward B., Gilmer, William, and Mrs. Jessie M. Atkinson, all living in this county except the first one, who resides in Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Witte have been blessed by the advent of two children: John Keith, born January 7, 1896; Mabel May, born on January 22, 1900.
Mr. Witte was raised under the influence of the Lutheran church and is a supporter of that institution and of public enterprises for the good of the community.
RICHARD J. WATERS resides about five miles north from Waterville on an estate of two hundred acres, the title to which he secured by homestead right and by purchase. From the raw prairie, Mr. Waters has made one of the best farms of the section. It is now all under cultivation, well fenced, wisely laid out and is provided with all necessary improve- ments. In addition to general farming. Mr. Waters has gone very extensively into fruit raising and has now at least thirty-five acres set to leading varieties of trees. This is one of the best orchards in central Washington and is kept in most excellent shape, Mr. Waters going on the motto, that what is worth doing at all is worth well doing. The fruit is largely apples, apricots, and cherries. The leading varieties of apples are Black Ben Davis, Missouri Pip- pins, Winesaps, Jonathans, Senators, Apples of Commerce, and of cherries Royal Ann, Rag. and General Wood. Without doubt, Mr. Waters has shown himself one of the leading orchardists of the country and we may well look for large returns from his labors.
Richard J. Waters was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on March 4, 1857, the son of Aron P. and Eliza (Stroup) Waters. The former born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. Aron P. Waters was one of the pioneer settlers in Kansas and in 1862, when the call came for men to fight for the stars and stripes, he enlisted among the volunteer troops under Captain Harlow. His service was largely in Missouri, against General Price and he received his hon- orable discharge at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, at the close of the war. Mr. Water's regiment made a good record and for days did much hard fighting. Our subject was educated in
the common schools of Illinois, and in Kansas completed the high school course. At the age of fifteen he departed from home and soon thereafter began work on a farm in Pike coun- ty, Illinois, where he remained until 1877, then journeyed to Minnesota, settling in Stillwater. Sawmilling occupied him for some time there, after which he moved to Kansas City and tilled the soil until he went to Wyoming a year or so later, where he took up railroading. He re- mained there until July, 1881, then came on to Idaho then settled across the river from where Payette now stands, being the locator of the town. In the spring of 1884, he came to this county and took a portion of his estate as a homestead. In addition to the property above mentioned, he has some lots in Waterville and is a very prosperous farmer and orchardist.
Mr. Waters has the following brothers and sisters, Thomas, James, Charles, William, Mrs. Lincoln Hamilton, Mrs. William Frederick, and Mrs. Frank Lyon. The marriage of our subject and Miss Hattie L. Clement, occurred at Payette, Idaho, on December 27, 1882. Mrs. Waters' parents are James and Lucy ( Hayes) Clement, natives of Michigan and Ohio, re- spectively. She was born on July 12, 1866 in Allegan county, Michigan and has one brother, Roswell, and one sister, Mrs. Edna Boyd. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waters, Grace D., on September 27, 1887; Belva L., on June 12, 1889; Madge H., on September 30, 1893 ; Richard J., on September 10, 1895; and Newton D., May 27, 1897. All are natives of this county.
Politically, Mr. Waters is satisfied with the principles of the Republican party and in local matters, he maintains an independent position, always preferring to vote for the man, not the party.
OSCAR W. NEELY is one of the younger men who have struggled for and gained abund- ant success in general farming and stock rais- ing in Douglas county. His home place, which consists of one quarter section of land, lies about ten miles southwest from Waterville. In addition to this, he has a section of school land rented, both of which places are well stocked and improved. His principal crops are cereals, while in stock raising he is handling the Short- horn and Hereford breeds. He has about sixty-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
five head of fine grades and he is producing some of the finest cattle in this section. It is very gratifying to see that Mr. Neely has achieved such success in breeding fine stock and it is sincerely hoped that his endeavors will stimulate others in the same line of enterprise, for it is well known that the thoroughbred cat- tle are far more profitable to the farmer than ordinary stock.
Oscar W. Neely was born in Decatur, Illinois on January 10, 1870. His father, George Neely, was born in Philadelphia and married Miss Mollie M. Hunt, a native of Illinois. The subject of this article was educated in the com- mon schools of Decatur, and came to Douglas county in 1890. He took his present place as a homestead and has added since a section of rail- roadland, by purchase, in addition to the school land mentioned above. Mr. Neely has labored continuously on his estate here since settling, and his efforts which have been wisely bestowed have brought about his present prosperous con- dition. Mr. Neely has one sister, Elma L. Neely, living in Chicago. The marriage of our subject and Miss Emma E. Lamb occurred at Fairmount, Nebraska, February 3, 1888. The wife's parents are George and Francis J. (Kelso) Lamb. The mother is deceased but the father is now living in this county. Mrs. Neely was born in Saline county, Nebraska, on January 20, 1872. She has one brother and one sister, Elmer E., and Mrs. Lou J. Waters. On November 27, 1892, one son, Claude W., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Neely. Mr. Neely is a member of the Maccabees and his wife belongs to the Ladies Auxiliary of the same order. They were both raised in the Christian faith and are greatly in sympathy with that denom- ination at the present time.
JAMES A. BUCKINGHAM was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on September 18, 1831. His father, John B., was a native of old Virginia, and his mother, Amanda M. (Eaton) Buckingham, was a native of Kentucky. Our subject attended the common schools of Illi- nois, which were very primitive at that time and when he grew to manhood remained in that state until 1852, then the family went to Pierce county, Wisconsin, where five years were spent in farming. In 1857, he returned to his old home in
Illinois, and farmed until 1867. At that time, he removed to Pike county, Missouri, stopping there for a short time, then went on to Audrian county, the same state, in which place he was a tiller of the soil for twenty years. After the expiration of that long period, Mr. Buckingham removed to Washington, spending his first year in the Evergreen State, near Cheney. Then he searched out a place in Douglas county and set- tled where we now find him, about four miles east from Buckingham postoffice. He took land under the government right and in addi- tion to improving the farm, he gave his atten- tion to stock raising. Like the other immi- grants to this country, he made annual. pilgrim- ages from this country for the purpose of gain- ing money for food. During the winter of 1889-90 he had a small band of cattle which he succeeded in saving although most of the cattle of the country died. His base of supplies was Spokane and the lumber of which his house is built was hauled from Cheney and the Bad- ger Mountains. His nearest neighbor was Mr. Downey, living six miles west. Mr. Bucking- harn labored faithfully and long during the hard years of early life in Douglas county and he is now one of the wealthy men of the section. His place is on the old trail to the mines and was known as one of the leading places in the. county. He has held various county offices and was appointed postmaster by John Wanamaker, wh .. . position he held for nine years. Mr. Buckingham has two brothers who died in the Rebellion and two others, John W. and Elisha, who are now living. He also has one sister, Mrs. Louisa Shannon.
At Trimble, Wisconsin, in July, 1855. Mr. Buckingham married Martha Ryan, who was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1830. For nearly half a century, she was his- faithful companion in all the reverses and suc- cesses on their pilgrimage journey until July, 1901, she departed this life, being aged seventy- one. She had one brother, Simeon, and one sis- ter, Katherine. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham, six children were born, named as follows; Mrs. Annie A. Smith, Mrs. Clara Merchand, Will- iam O., Albert J., Mrs. Regina V. Shamblin, and James A.
Mr. Buckingham was raised in the Method- ist church and although not a member of any denomination at the present time strongly leans. toward that faith.
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