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 21
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 21
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 21
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 21
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Alfred Pierpoint was born in Jasper coun- ty, Illinois, on August 5, 1858, the son of Charles and Margaret (Rollins) Pierpoint, na- tives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. He was educated in the public schools of Jas- per county and when seventeen, started with wagon train to Boise, Idaho. One year later, he went to Eugene, Oregon, whence in a year he returned to Illinois. He remained there until 1881 and again suffered a severe attack of the western fever which led him to take a trip through Texas, New Mexico, Old Mexico, Arizona, California, and the Willamette Val- ley which consumed a year. Soon thereafter, he came to Cheney then to Spokane. Thence he went to Crab Creek and wrought for a year on Biggham's stock ranch. It was in April, 1883, when the coyotes and red skins had full sway over the land where large wheat fields now stand that Mr. Pierpoint made his way to this section and took a squatter's right just one mile south from where Waterville now stands. To gain possession of the claim, he had forcibly to eject some Indians, which he promptly did. He built a cabin, the second in the county and which is still in use. Later he relinquished this claim and took another just north of it where he built a more elaborate house, which is now the property of A. L. Rogers and is still used as a dwelling. These claims, Mr. Pierpont sold and took another squatter's right on the Columbia river which he improved and sold to Senator Helm. Then he came to his present place and took pre- emption, timber culture and homestead claims in due time and improved them and has also added land until he owns more than a section. The whole estate is now in a high state of culti- vation and produces abundance of the cereals. The farm is supplied with comfortable dwell- ings, granary, large barn and other improve- ments. In addition to general farming, Mr. Pierpoint devotes considerable attention to stock raising and has one of the finest bands of cattle in Douglas county. He is also breeding a most excellent strain of draft horses, some of the best to be found in this part of the state.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
In 1884, Mr. Pierpoint was appointed to the office of sheriff of Douglas county, by the legislature, being the first sheriff of the county. He assisted to forcibly remove the old county seat from the old town of Okanogan to Water- ville and has had an many occasions sharp en- counters with the Indians.
Mr. Pierpoint had one brother, Frank, who was frozen to death on February 6, 1893. The marriage of our subject and Miss Estella Gard occurred at Waterville, on October 20, 1895 and to them have been born four children, Hazel, Gladdis, Alf C., and Dick. Mrs. Pier- point's parents are Washington and Eliza (Hand) Gard, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, respectively. She was born in California, on October 25, 1876 and has the following named brothers and sisters, Isaac, Joel R., James D., Arthur G., Mrs. Martha Kelsey and Mrs. Anna Corbaley. Mr. and Mrs. Pierpoint are well known and substantial people.
JOSEPH R. MITCHELL lives about one mile east from St. Andrews on land he secured from the government, and is occupied in gen- eral farming. He has gained good success in two distinct lines, that in which he is now en- gaged and also the work of a machinist, having spent many years in that interesting business.
He was born in the vicinity of Baltimore, Maryland, on June 18, 1843, the son of Abel and Elizabeth ( Howard) Mitchell, both natives of England and emigrants to this country in 1841. The common schools of Maryland con- tributed the early education of our subject and at the tender age of nine, he went to work in the cotton mills. His only opportunity then to continue his education was in the night schools where he studied with great diligence until seventeen, then he apprenticed himself to learn the machinist's trade, being in a marine shop in Baltimore. In 1864, he left Maryland for Ohio, whence six months later, he journey- ed to Quincy, Illinois and worked at his trade for five years. He then returned to Ohio, re- maining until 1874, working at his trade. After this, he journeyed to California and wrought two years in Hayward and two years in San Francisco. At the close of this period, he went to Oakland and opened a machine shop with a partner and operated successfully until
1889, in which year he came on to Douglas county and took a pre-emption and timber cul- ture where he now lives. Mr. Mitchell in- vented a straw burning boiler which is now in use with engines, as well as various other con- trivances which have been patented and are in itse. He is a man of modest and unassuming mien and has been asked on various occasions to run for the legislature but has always de- clined.
On May 1, 1872, at Salem, Ohio, Mr. Mitchell married Miss Sara E., daughter of John and Sarah A. ( Harlan) Trago, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, on July 27, 1846 and has one sister, Mrs. Hanna A. Platt. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell one child, Mabel E., was born, the date being April 20, 1878, and her native place San Fran- cisco. She died on April 27, 1898, in this county.
Mrs. Mitchell is a well educated lady, being a graduate of the high school in Salem, Ohio. She belongs to the Society of Friends, some- times known as Quakers. Mr. Mitchell does not belong to any denomination, although he strongly adheres to the Presbyterian faith. They are both excellent people and stand ex- ceptionally well in the community.
EDGAR M. BOGART has won distinction in various lines in Douglas county. He owns a half section of fertile land near St. Andrews, which is all cropped to small grain and well improved with good residence, barns, and other buildings. In addition to overseeing this, Mr. Bogart has taught in various places in the coun- ty and for three years was principal of the Wil- bur schools. In 1892, he was elected county superintendent of schools here. His name was on the Peoples Party ticket and he gave a fine administration, continuing until 1895. In 1900, Mr. Bogart was elected county treasurer, his name appearing on the Fusion ticket. He ful- filled the duties of the office in a good manner and to the entire satisfaction of all.
Edgar M. Bogart was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on November 17, 1859, the son of William T., and Hannah J. (Smock) Bogart, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, re- spectively. The other children of this family
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
are Joseph WV., Morton A., Lorin E., and Mrs. Mary D. Pope. After our subject had com- pleted the common school course of Pottawat- tamie county, Iowa, he took a course in the Omaha Business College. Later he studied in a private academy. He then resumed teaching and in 1884 settled in Wayne county, Nebraska and taught until 1888. Then he removed to Douglas county and pre-empted a quarter and took a timber culture claim. Since then he has been active here as stated above and is now one of the leading citizens of the county.
At Avoca, Iowa, on August 23, 1881, Mr. Bogart married Miss Ada A., daughter of James A. and Martha (Adkisson) Sinclair, who were born in Indiana and Kentucky, re- spectively. The parents were pioneers to Iowa and later came west to Douglas county. Mrs. Bogart was born in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, on January 13, 1861 and has three broth- ers and two sisters, James L., Frank E., Foy W., Mrs. Cora A. Palmer, and Mrs. Emma M. Randall. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bogart; Wendell D., on May 12, 1883; Adella M., on November 6, 1889; Ber- tha A., on July 29, 1891. The first one is a native of Iowa and the latter two of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bogart are active members of the Presbyterian church and have exerted a wide influence for good. He is considered not only one of the leading business men of the county but one of the best educators in this part of the state.
PETER ANDERSON is an industrious and prosperous farmer, residing about two miles southwest from Baird. He was born in Sweden, on February 14, 1854, the son of Andrew and Carolina ( Anderson) Larson, na- tives of Sweden. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native land, where he remained until 1881. In that year, he came to the United States and settled in New Britain, Connecticut, and there was occupied eight years in the Stanley works. In1 1889, he removed to San Francisco and one year later, came to Spo- kane. His family soon came and he located them in Spokane, after which he came to Doug- las county, securing a location. He took up land where he now resides and improved the same while the family remained in Spokane for the purpose of schooling the children. In those
early days, Mr. Anderson used to pack his blankets and provisions and walk all the way from his homestead to Spokane to visit the fam- ily. Many other trials and hardships were un- dergone by him but he persevered and has pros- pered until he now has a large estate, all under cultivation and producing fine crops. He also has a large band of cattle, good improvements on the place, plenty of farming implements, be- sides other property. Mr. Anderson has one sister, Mrs. Matilda Kalin 'and one brother, Andrew.
The marriage of Mr. Anderson occurred in Sweden, on December 18, 1879, when Johanna C. Nyberg became his wife. Her parents are Andrew and Johannah ( Erichson) Nyberg, na- tives of Sweden, where she was born on Feb- ruary 29, 1852. The other children of her father's family are Andrew, Mrs. Annie Linden, Mrs. Matilda Larson and Mrs. Hada Lundin. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, two children have been born, Carl Alben on June 29, 1881 ; Annie Victoria, on March 1, 1884, both natives of New Britain, Connecticut.
Mr. Anderson has held various offices where he has lived and is a man of reliability and in- tegrity. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
LEWIS JENSEN. Douglas county has her full share of wide awake and progressive farmers, who have taken hold with their hands and have developed the country to such an ex- tent that the claims taken years since are now well tilled and valuable farms. Among this class of excellent citizens, we are constrained to mention the subject of this article, whose labors and life are exemplary and who has not only done much to build up the interests of the county but has also stimulated many others in this good work.
Lewis Jensen was born in Sjaelland, Den- mark, on May 12, 1843. the son of Jens and Kersten (Larsen) Andersen, natives of Den- mark. The parents removed to Illinois in 1869 and the father died in Nebraska, in 1887. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native place and when he had arrived at young manhood's estate joined the regular army where he served for eighteen months. In 1869, he came with his parents to Illinois and
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
farmed in that state for eleven years. Next he spent seven years in tilling the soil in How- ard county, Nebraska, whence in 1887, he came to this county and took land where he now lives. The next year he brought his family to dwell on the land and has since resided here. Mr. Jensen has since bought considerable land and he now owns about a section and one half of well improved and fertile land. In addition to general farming, he has given considerable at- tention to raising stock and has some fine ani- mals, among which may be mentioned a mag- nificent Shire stallion, which weighs eighteen hundred pounds. Two or three others are as- sociated with Mr. Jensen in the ownership of this animal and they take a pardonable pride in the fact that he has won several blue ribbons.
Mr. Jensen is one of three children and the other two are Martin and Mrs: Secilia Mark. The marriage of our subject and Miss Anna M. Nelson occurred in Illinois, on April 22, 1876. Mrs. Jensen was born in Denmark, 011 November 18, 1855 and has one brother, Jens Nelsen. To our subject and his wife the fol- lowing named children have been born : Maria, in Illinois, on January 24, 1877, and now the wife of J. Brownfield ; Jens W., in Illinois, on December 14. 1879: Nels G., in Nebraska, on March 1, 1881 ; Martina O., in Nebraska, on January 4, 1883; Christian W., in Nebraska, on February 12, 1885 ; Louis J., in this county, on October 26, 1888; Carl M., in Douglas coun- ty, on April 3, 1891 ; Ella G., in this county, on October 5. 1895 ; Pearl M., in this county, on May 26, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and stand well in the community.
NIELS PEDERSEN is one of the indus- trious and intelligent agriculturists of Douglas county and his present residence, which is one half mile north from Farmer postoffice, is on land which he secured from the government by homestead and timber culture right. He has a good farm, which he has made very productive and upon which he has bestowed his labors for all the time since coming here. He does general farming, raising mostly, however, the cereals. but also handling some stock.
Niels Pedersen was born in Jutland. Den- mark, on August 26, 1863, the son of Peter and
Mary (Petersen) Pedersen, natives of Den- mark. He was educated in his native place and there remained until he had grown to young manhood. It was 1882, that he came to the United States, settling first in Nebraska, where Harvard county was the scene of his labors for a time. Thence he removed to Umatilla coun- ty, Oregon, and there he farmed for a time, also. It was from that place, Mr. Pedersen came to Douglas county and took his claims as stated before. He has in addition to his farm property some fine graded cattle and horses and is one of the skillful breeders of stock in this vicinity.
The marriage of Mr. Pedersen occurred in this county, on November 13, 1890, when Miss Christina, daughter of Niels Peter and Mary (Jensen) Hanson, became his bride. Her parents are natives of Denmark, where they still live. The father served for considerable time in the Danish army. Mrs. Pedersen has one half brother, James Christensen. To Mr. and Mrs. Pedersen the following children have been born ; Mary N., on July 26, 1891 ; Emma O., on December 14, 1894; Albert P., on Jan- uary 15. 1896; Ellcie C., on August 27, 1897, now deceased; Walter M., on March 1, 1901 ; and Rosa M., on June 17, 1903. The children were all born in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Pedersen are members of the Lutheran church and are good people.
JOHN MOHR is a farmer and stockman . dwelling about two miles southwest from Farmer, where he owns a good large estate. On this place of one section he raises mostly the cereals, although he handles diversified crops somewhat. In addition to this work, Mr. Mohr has some excellent horses, among which may be mentioned three stallions, all thorough- bred. One is a Percheron, weighing two thou- sand pounds ; another is a Cleveland Bay, the only one on the prairie ; and the other is a fine Clyde animal. He also owns about one hun- dred and fifty brood mares on the range and a band of Durham cattle. Mr. Mohr has shown good ability in handling the large enterprises at the head of which he stands and he is occounted one of the most successful stockmen in the county.
John Mohr was born in Kiel, Germany, on
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
January 31, 1855, the son of John and Annie (Gail) Mohr, natives of Germany and now liv- ing in this country. The father served for thirty-five years in the regular army and par- ticipated in the war of 1848 and also the Franco- Prussian conflict. He was a major in the royal cavalry. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native place and later learned the drug business in Kiel. At the age of seventeen he joined the German army and served through the Franco-Prussian war. In 1871, he came to the United States and handled a delivery wagon for John D. Rockefeller in Cleveland, Ohio, for two years. Then a year was spent in the lumber business after which he went to Kan- sas in 1874 and raised stock in Washington county. In 1881, Mr. Mohr journeyed to Cal- ifornia and sixteen months later returned to Kansas, whence he soon came to Washington, selecting Douglas county as his permanent abode. He took a homestead, a pre-emption and a timber culture claim and also bought a quar- ter section. This is now his estate and it is well improved and valuable. Mr. Mohr has one brother, Henry.
In Washington county, Kansas, in 1883, Mr. Mohr married Miss Emma, daughter of Andrew and Caroline Olandt, natives of Ger- many and immigrants to Kansas. Mrs. Mohr was born in Lapeer county, Michigan, in 1863 and had one brother and one sister, Charles, and Mrs. Elma Thompson. To Mr. and Mrs. Mohr two children were born: John, in Kan- sas, on March 15, 1884; and Jessie, in Ellens- burg, on July 16, 1885.
In 1878-9, Mr. Mohr was county com- missioner of Washington county, Kansas, and he has always taken a great interest in political matters. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and are industrious and capable people.
HANS PETER LARSON resides about two miles southeast from Farmer postoffice and was born in Aalburg, Denmark, on December 12, 1856. His parents, Lars Christian and Karen M. (Pingel) Larson, were natives of Denmark. The father is deceased but the mother is still living. The father served in the war of 1848-9. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native land and remained there until he was twenty-two years of age. At
that time he enlisted in the regular army and served for sixteen months. In the spring of 1883, he came to the United States and settled in Menard county, Illinois, where he farmed for six years. In 1889, he moved to this county and settled on a homestead, where he resides at the present time. He added another quarter section by purchase and the whole estate now is farmed to small grains. The labor of Mr. and Mrs. Larson has been abundantly rewarded and they are now among the most prosperous people of this section. They have a comfort- able five room residence, large barn, fine well of water and many other improvements besides much other property. Mr. Larson has one brother and two sisters, Nels C., Mrs. Mary Christianson, and Mrs. Johannah Nelsen.
On January 17, 1885, while still in Illinois, Mr. Larson married Miss Lorine, daughter of Christian and Mary A. (Thomson) Sorenson both natives of Denmark. Mrs. Larson was born in Denmark, on October 9, 1862. Three children have been born to this union: Harry C., on July 18, 1885 ; Hannah M., in this coun- ty, on June 30, 1892; and Sena C., in this county, on June 13, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Lar- son are members of the Lutheran church and are very active laborers for the moral welfare of the community. They have been very suc- cessful in temporal matters, while also their upright walk has won for them the friendship and respect of the leading people of this section.
CHRISTIAN PETERSEN. Douglas county can produce some of the finest farms in the state of Washington as is evidenced by the well kept estates in various portions of the county. Among the best of them we are con- strained to mention that of Mr. Petersen, com- posed of a half section, and lying about one mile northwest from Farmer postoffice. Sagac- ity, wisdom and skill have been manifested in laying out the farm and directing the improve- ments. It is doubtless one of the best in this respect to be found in the Big Bend country. Mr. Petersen has made a study of his farm and brains as well as brawn have been brought into requisition to secure the gratifying results he has achieved. He raises abundant crops of small grain and also does some diversified farm- ing. He has a fine band of cattle and some ex-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
cellent specimens of well bred Clyde horses, be- sides other property.
Christian Petersen was born on the Island of Lolland, under the dominion of Denmark, on July 29. 1861. His parents, Morton and Bodel (Jorgensen) Petersen, were natives of Denmark and tillers of the soil. Christian was educated in the public schools and on the farm of his father. He remained thus engaged until 1881, when he came to the United States, set- tling first in Michigan. He was occupied three years in the lumber woods, then moved to Illinois where he did farming near Springfield, for a couple of years. After this he went to Nebraska and took a homestead but owing to adverse circumstances and surroundings, he abandoned the same and journeyed west to Douglas county. After due search in this sec- tion, as well as on the Sound and in Oregon, he finally located his present place, and took two quarters, one a preemption and the other a timber culture claim. Since the time of his lo- cation, Mr. Petersen began to plan the laying out of the estate and the improvement of the same and the result has been most gratifying, both in manifested skill and in financial returns.
Mr. Petersen has one brother, John M., living in Michigan. On February 1, 1900, in Michigan, Mr. Petersen married Miss Maren Rasmussen, a native of Denmark, where also her parents were born. She has one brother, Hans, living in Muskegan, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen are members of the Lutheran church.
DAVID S. ARBUCKLE is rightly num- bered with the pioneers of Douglas county, since he came here when all supplies had to be brought from Spokane and no post office was nearer than Ritzville. He labored through all the years of opening the country. the result of which is that he is now one of the wealthy citizens.
David S. Arbuckle was born in Sterling- shire, Scotland, on February 3, 1870, being the son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Smith) Arbuckle, both natives of Lanarkshire, Scotland. The parochial schools of his native shire contributed the education of our subject for the earlier years of his life, then he studied in Glascow academy, after which he worked for four years in the designing department of the Napier ship
company on the river Clyde. In 1888 Mr. Arbuckle came to the United States, settling in Spokane. He remained three months there and witnessed the terrible fire in that city, then came to McEntee, the only settlement on the Grand Coulee. Here he worked for John Lewis, then took up a pre-emption just south- west from Coulee City. Later, he was in the employ of George Urquhart of Crab Creek, and of Mr. Blythe. He also labored for Phillip McEntee and Dan Paul. During all these years of hard labor, Mr. Arbuckle was very careful to husband his resources and the result was that he soon had a small band of cattle. By careful attention to business, he has increased his herd until he now has good graded stock of Short- horn and Hereford cattle, and Percheron horses. He owns about a section and one-half of excellent wheat land, supplied with good running spring water, and much other property. In addition to this, Mr. Arbuckle has recently opened a saloon in Coulee City. Mr. Arbuckle has one brother, Hugh, and one sister, Ellen. As yet he has never entered the matrimonial state and is one of the jolly bachelors of the Big Bend.
NICHOLAS C. WHITEHALL is a very stirring, capable and industrious farmer, hav- ing achieved excellent success in his labors in this county. He resides about three miles southeast from Farmer postoffice, where he has an estate of a half section. The same is all fer- tile land and under the plow. He harvests an- nually abundant crops of small grains and also handles some stock. He is part owner of a fine Shire stallion, weighing nineteen hundred pounds and the winner of the animal's prize at Spokane.
Nicholas C. Whitehall was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on March 4, 1864. His parents are James and Elizabeth (Clark) Whitehall, natives of Indiana, where the father did farm- ing and preached the gospel. Our subject was educated in the district schools of Mercer coun- ty, Illinois, and Greene county, Iowa, in which latter place he remained until he had gained his majority, having lived for twenty-two years there. In 1896 he pulled up stakes and traveled to Douglas county. Washington. After due search, he selected his present place, taking a homestead, and bought another quarter section.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Mr. Whitehall has four brothers and one sister, Barclay W., Henry T., A. Curtis, Charles A., and Carrie Badges. The latter died on October 6, 1901. The brothers live in this county, ex- cept Henry T., who is in Greene county, Iowa. Charles A. married Lura Smith, of Greene county, Iowa, who died on December 25, 1901, leaving one son, Lloyd, aged six, and one daughter, Helen, born December 25, 1901.
Mr. Whitehall was married in Green county, Iowa, on November 11, 1885 to Ella, daughter of James F. and Lodusky (Booth) Badger. Mrs. Whitehall's parents were natives of Ohio and she was born in Steuben county, Indiana, on February 26, 1868 and has one brother, Louis E., a farmer in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall are parents of the following named children : LeRoy, born in Greene county, Iowa, on December 22, 1886; Oris F., born in Carroll county, Iowa, on June 13, 1891 ; Edith E., born in Greene county, Iowa, on November II, 1894; Pearl L., born in Greene county, Iowa, on November 12, 1896; Ralph, born in Douglas county, Washington, on August 6, 1898; Harvey O., born in this county, on July 5, 1899; and James O., also born in this county, September 19, 1904.
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