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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
and so forth and is devoted largely to the pro- duction of hay. He has a fine alfalfa field, irrigated, and raises in addition to that some grain and hay. He also has a very fine orchard of select fruit. Mr. Smith has two brothers, William J. and Arthur L., and two sisters, Mrs. Lou Mitchell and Mrs. Bertha Sims.
Near Hartline, on January 1, 1890, Mr. Smith married Miss Melissa, daughter of Alex- ander and Polly ( Helton) Osborne, natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. Mrs. Smith was born in Missouri, on August 27, 1871, and has two brothers, Willis and Medley, and one sister, Mrs. Maggie Wallock. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith five children have been born; Mabel, on January 13, 1891 ; Elbert L., on June II, 1892; Altha L., on November 3, 1894; Elsie M., on December 10, 1896; and Charles F., on October 17, 1898.
Mr. Smith was raised under the influence of the Salvation Army but at present is not a member of any denomination.
OSCAR F. OSBORNE AND CHARLES L. OSBORNE. The firm of Osborne Brothers composed of the gentlemen, whose names ap- pear at the head of this article, is one of the largest stock concerns of the Big Bend country. They reside about five miles northwest from Lincoln where they have a very large estate, fitted up as a first-class Washington stock farm. They are known as very progressive and ca- pable men and have demonstrated their ability in achieving a success that has placed them among the leading stock men of the state. They have at the present time about one thousand head of choice Red Durham and Hereford cattle, besides very much other property. They were born in Loudon county, Tennessee, in 1859 and 1866, respectively, being the sons of Thomas and Eveline ( Matlock) Osborne, na- tives of North Carolina and Tennessee, re- spectively. Oscar F. came to Washington in the spring of 1882 and settled in the coulee in the fall of 1883, where he took a homestead and timber culture claims. The following spring, his brother Charles joined him and took up some more land. They joined their labors in improving the estates and in stock raising and since that time, they have been together in all of their ventures. The home place is on the
homestead taken by Oscar. It is well supplied with fine buildings, corrals and all the conven- iences needed to make it both valuable and at- tractive. Osborne Brothers were among the first to introduce thoroughbred stock and their brand is on some of the most valuable animals in this county. When they first came here all supplies had to be freighted from Spokane and Sprague and in going this distance they would pass but five or six settlers' cabins on the road. Their first cattle market was at Fort Spokane. Afterward they sold in Seattle, having to drive to Ellensburg for shipment. They crossed the Columbia river at the mouth of Moses Coulee on a hand ferry. They continued steadily at their labors and have now become wealthy and leading citizens. Our subjects have two brothers and five sisters, John W., Wilbur J., Mrs. Louisa Blair, Mrs. Annie Kaylor, Mrs. Addie Robinson, Mrs. Florence Penland, and Hattie.
Oscar Osborne was married in 1896, to Miss Lillie Scheibener, the daughter of F. M. and J. E. Scheibener, who are mentioned else- where in this volume. Two children have been born to this union, Floyd and Joannah. Our subjects were both received in the Presbyterian church and are upright and substantial men.
WALTER C. COX, M. D., stands at the head of a large and increasing practice in Doug- las county. He is located at Hartline where he has been actively engaged in his profession since 1902. His skill, erudition and integrity have placed him in the front ranks of pro- fessional men in this part of the state.
Walter C. Cox was born in Montgomery county, Missouri, on June 16, 1868, being the son of Milton and Mickey ( Helms) Cox, na- tives of Missouri. The father was a judge in Montgomery county for eight years, was prom- inent in the county affairs and was a soldier in the late war. After completing a course in the state university of Columbia, our subject entered the Marion Sims school of medicine in St. Louis. In due time he graduated from this institution with especially high honors,
being leader of his class. Following that, he took a post graduate course in the Chicago Post Graduate Medical College and received an excellent diploma
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
from that also. He began the practice of med- icine in Shamrock, Missouri, in 1892, where he remained for ten years. Then he came west and settled at Hartline and opened an office where he has been busily engaged since. Dr. Cox has the confidence of the people throughout the country and is well known in the profession as a man of skill. He has four brothers and one sister, James A., William H., John, Samuel S., and Mrs. Lucretia M. Jones.
Ať' Middleton, Missouri, on October 15, 1892, Dr. Cox married Miss Lena M., daughter of Lucien and Anna Savage, natives of Mis- souri. Mrs. Cox was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, on September 20, 1870. She has two sisters, Bell and Maude. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox, the following children have been born : William A., on July 18, 1893; Anna M., on Janary 10, 1896; Lucien M., on April 10, 1899 and Champ C., in Hartline, on March 5, 1903.
The doctor is a member of the A. F. &. A. M., the I. O. O. F., and the M. W. A.
CALVIN R. STEELE is the efficient and successful manager of the Hayden Lumber Company at Hartline. He has won his present prominent position among business men of this town by industry and manifestation of ability. He is one of the leading citizens of this part of Douglas county.
Calvin R. Steele was born in Burlington, Iowa, on April 25, 1872. When an infant, he was adopted by his grandparents, Samuel and Rebecca Steele, to be raised and remained in their family until he reached manhood. He is a self educated man, having gained his own training both in the common school and the commercial college of Western Iowa. In that state he was in the employ of the state deaf and dumb institution and in other capacities. In 1895, he came west, settling near Hartline on a homestead. For the first year, he was en- gaged on a farm, working for wages, and then began the improvement and cultivation of his place, after which he opened a barber business in Hartline. He added, later, confectionery and jewelry. After a successful time in this line of business, Mr. Steele was engaged by M. E. and E. T. Hay in handling the lumber de- partment of their business. Finally in 1902, he took entire charge of the business of the
Hayden Lumber Company at Hartline, in which capacity we find him operating at the present time.
At Council Bluffs, Iowa, in September, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Steele and Miss Cleora, daughter of John I. and Margaret (Elliott) Fulton, both natives of Ohio. The father was a veteran of the Rebellion, having served in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry under Gen- eral McCook and is now a member of the G. A. R. Mrs. Steele was born in Jefferson coun- ty, Iowa, on June 6, 1874. She has the follow- ing brothers and sisters, Orlander E., Simon, Dwight, Pearl, Mrs. Charles Blanchard. and Mrs. James Clark. To Mr. and Mrs. Steele, three children have been born, named as fol- lows : Lester W., on June 17, 1896; Vivian M., on March 30, 1899; and Lloyd, on June 6, 1901. All are natives of Hartline. . Mr. Steele is master and senior warden of Lodge No. 120, A. F. & A. M. ; is recording secretary of Lodge No. 201, I. O. O. F .; is charter mem- ber of the Maccabees and belongs to the M. W. A., all in Hartline.
Mr. Steele and his family are adherents of the Methodist church.
JOHN F. DUNCAN is a gentleman of first-class standing in Douglas county and is one of the pioneers of the Big Bend country. He has a fine estate of one section about two miles north from Hartline, which is all laid under tribute for the production of wheat. In addition to this, he owns real estate in different sections of the county, besides various other property holdings.
John F. Duncan was born in McDonough county, Illinois, on August 25, 1862, being the son of John and Margaret ( Chapin) Duncan, natives of Illinois and Ohio, respectively. The father was a veteran of the Civil War. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Hancock county, Illinois and there remained until he grew to manhood, taking up farming after he arrived at his majority. In 1886, he came to Lincoln county, Washington, settling near Wilbur, where he made his home for five years. After that he took a homestead near Baird postoffice, Douglas county and improved the same in good season. Then he purchased his present home place and since then has de-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
voted his energies largely to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, and in stock rais- ing. He has a fine band of well graded cattle and horses. Mr. Duncan has two brothers and one sister, Elmer E., Ralph J., and Mrs. Loretta B. Fry.
At Wilbur, Washington, on December 27," 1891, Mr. Duncan married Miss Minnie, daugh- ter of Samuel C. and Louisa (Davis) Hyde, natives of Wisconsin and New Hampshire, re- spectively. Mr. Hyde is a veteran of the Civil War. Mrs. Duncan was born in Pierce county, Wisconsin, on September 9, 1869 and has one brother, Fred and one sister, Mrs. Nellie Lewis. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born Pearl Fern, on December II, 1897 and two children, a girl and a boy, who died when six months of age, and one son, Glenn E., on November 29, 1903.
Fraternally, Mr. Duncan is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the Mac- cabees and the M. W. A. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Hart- line and are the center of a large circle of friends. In addition to his other labors, Mr. Duncan is now serving as deputy treasurer and delinquent tax collector of Douglas county, in which capacity he gives entire satisfaction.
JAMES P. SCHROCK has labored in Douglas county with becoming energy and wis- dom since the earliest days in which the white men settled 'here. He now dwells about six miles north from Hartline on an estate of nearly one thousand acres which he has secured and the place is in a high state of cultivation. It is devoted to hay and the cereals and im- proved in excellent shape. Commodious and tasty buildings, fences, orchard, well and so forth, are in evidence, and in fact everything needed on a first class grain and fruit farm. Mr. Schrock divides his attention between general farming and stock raising, having now over three hundred head of choice Durham cat- tle besides horses and so forth. Mr. Schrock is one of the real pioneers of the country, whose labors have done much to open up the country and stimulate others in these excellent enter- prises. He has introduced choice Shorthorn and Durham cattle into this country and it is pleasant to see one who has labored thus hard
and skillfully for wealth, to make a home, and develop the country, enjoy the fruits of his toil in abundance as does Mr. Schrock.
James P. Schrock was born in Linn county, Missouri, on September 14, 1850, being the son of Joseph and Mary (Gilmer ) Schrock, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Mis- souri. From the common schools of his native state, our subject received his education and there remained until twenty-three years of age. Then he traveled to Idaho and Nevada, re- maining until 1876, when he returned to Mis- souri, and in 1883 came to Douglas county. He took government claims and soon added by purchase until he possessed the large estate mentioned. Mr. Schrock has the following brothers and sisters, Andrew J., Davis G., Samuel, Lee, Edward F., Willis E., Joseph, Mrs. Dora Street, and Mrs. Mary Gibbon.
In Linn county, Missouri, on September 16, 1883, Mr. Schrock married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Elias and Annie (Owen) Coker- ham, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Schrock was born in Linn county, Missouri, on September II, 1859 and has two sisters, Mrs. Frances Ogle and Mrs. Eveline Williams. To our sub- ject and his wife, these children have been born, Charles, Edgar. Clara M., Elsie M., Joseph W., Davis L'. and Vera G.
Mr. Scrock was raised a Methodist and with his family belongs to that denomination at the present time. Like the other pioneers that wended their way into this unbroken do- main of nature, Mr. Schrock was obliged to travel to Spokane and Sprague for his supplies, each trip consuming a week or more; but he labored faithfully on and has made a brilliant success in financial matters.
JOHN FRANKLIN HARRIS, 'M. D., who is proprietor of the drug store in Hartline is also at the head of a large practice of medi- cine in and around the same town. His equip- ment for this profession is as good as money can buy and his library is as fine as there is in eastern Washington. Dr. Harris has met with excellent success in his profession, owing to his skill and erudition as a physician. His standing in the community is of the best and the confi- dence inspired by his uprightness and ability is widespread.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
J. F. Harris was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, on April 1, 1853, being the son of John Q. and Emmeline (Shelton) Harris, natives of Indiana and Ohio, respectively. The parents were pioneers to Iowa and the father was a member of the Second Missouri State Militia and also served three years and four months during the war of the Rebellion. Our subject received his literary training in Missouri and then en- tered the American Medical College in St. Louis, graduating in 1882 and being one of four to receive honorable mention out of a large class. Immediately subsequent to receiving his degree, he began the practice of medicine in Mercerville, Missouri. One year later, he went to Goldsberry of the same state. In 1890, Dr. Harris sought larger fields in the west and came to Washington. For three years he practiced at Medical Lake, then went to Harrington. Later, we find him in Northport, Stevens county, where he followed his pro- fession for five years. He was a member of the first city council of that town and the second mayor elected. In 1901, Dr. Harris came to Hartline, opened a drug store and began the practice of medicine. Since that time, he has been closely identified with the interests of the town and gained in addition to a large practice, an excellent patronage in his store. He has also been a foremost man in every effort and movement to build up the country. His store is well stocked with a choice selection of drugs and sudries and is a first class establishment. Dr. Harris is now coroner of Douglas county, having been elected on the Republican ticket against P. J. Fresinger, of Waterville. Our subject is one of five children, the other four being mentioned as follows, James W., Mrs. Laura Boyles, Mrs. William Easley, and Mrs. William Wright.
At Macon, Missouri, in 1872, Dr. Harris married Mary B., the daughter of William and Matilda (Gunnells) Griffin, natives of Ken- tucky. To this union the following children were born, Wilbur A., Oma E., E. Verna, who died at Harrington, Lucretia, who died when an infant, and Otha WV. The latter was born in Washington and the other four first saw the light in Missouri. Dr. Harris is a prominent man in fraternal circles, being a member of the A. F. & A. M., of the I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs in this latter order, the Maccabees, the W. W., and the Foresters.
He is a substantial, progressive and leading man, and has won the esteem and confidence of all, being known as one of the influential men of the county.
CHARLES E. FLYNN has the distinction of being one of the early pioneers of Douglas county and is now one of its well to do citizens. He resides about six miles north from Hartline on an estate of one half section which he se- cured by homestead right and by purchase. He has comfortable improvements on the farm and devotes his attention to stock raising and farm- ing.
Charles E. Flynn was born in Huntington county, Canada, on June 9, 1858, being the son of Bernard and Katherine (Bennett) Flynn who now resides in Oregon. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Canada, Iowa and Oregon, and in the latter place he lived fourteen years. In 1884, he moved to Yakima where one year was spent. Then came the journey to Douglas county and he selected his present place as a preemption, taking it later also as a homestead. Here he has remained since, always laboring with energy and wisdom in the accumulation of a good holding and in the worthy labors of for- warding the interests of the country. Before leaving Oregon, he was section foreman on the Southern Pacific, being the first one in charge of the section out of Roseburg. Mr. Flynn has three brothers and three sisters who have been mentioned in another portion of this work, and also a half brother, P. A. Flynn, now in Cal- ifornia
On August II, 1902, Mr. Flynn married Miss Winifred Dwyer. Her parents, John and Julia ( Murray) Dwyer, are natives of Ireland. Mrs. Flynn has three brothers in this country, Michael, Patrick and William T., and three brothers and four sisters in Canada.
The conditions obtaining at the time of Mr. Flynn's settlement here were so different from what they are to-day that one must draw upon his imagination to realize them. In place of fertile farms in every section, it was barren prairie covered with sage brush, and crops for the first few years were almost nothing.
Whatever trading was to be done, had to be done in Spokane or Sprague, over one hun- dred miles away. Being possessed of but little
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capital, he was forced to go to the Palouse country and Walla Walla to work in the har- vest fields to gain money to improve his farm. This continued until it had become self sup- porting and since that time, he has labored here with proper returns of prosperity and wealth.
WILLIAM W. HIGGINBOTHAM re- sides about six miles north from Hartline and was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, on Feb- rury 13, 1848. His parents were J. and Pris- cilla A. (Cullum) Higginbotham, natives of Kentucky. The common schools of Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri contributed to the education of our subject and in 1881, he crossed the plains with two teams of horses and mules, to Oregon, settling in Union county. In 1885, he came to Douglas county, Washington, and took up a homestead where he now resides. To this he has added a quarter section that adjoins his place. The whole estate is under cultivation and supplied with all the improve- ments needed on a first-class grain and stock farm. He gave his attention to general farm- ing and stock raising and although he landed here with but forty dollars cash and a team and wagon, he is now one of the prosperous and leading men of the section. He has some fine bands of cattle and horses and in addition to his farm, has other property. Mr. Higgin- botham has five sisters and brothers, John C., George C., Thomas, Mrs. Mary Alexander, and Mrs. Ellen Darr.
In Linn county, Missouri, on September 2, 1875, Mr. Higginbotham married Miss Mag- gie, daughter of John and Historian (Run- nells) Gier, natives of Madison and Gillespie counties, Kentucky, respectively. The mother died in 1862 and the father now resides with our subject. Mrs. Higginbotham was born in Linn county, Missouri, on May 21, 1857 and has one brother and five sisters, Henry, Mrs. Ellen Lambert, Mrs. Fanny Jenkins, Mrs. Nannie Long, Mrs. Elizabeth Stanton, and Mrs. Sarah Lambert, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham five sons and five daugh- ters have been born, Estes E., William A., de- ceased, J. Alva, Mrs. Ada B. Stinebaugh, Della M., Hattie A., Odis A., Linneaus W., Maggie J., deceased, and Eva B.
Mr. Higginbotham was raised in the faith
of the Christian church and he and his wife are now members of the Salvation Army, which has the local headquarters at Spokane. They are substantial people and have the respect and confidence of all.
JOHN JONKE, an industrious and pro- gressive Douglas county agriculturist lives about one-half mile east from Lincoln county and devotes his attention to both general farm- ing and stock raising. He was born in Austria, in December, 1855, being the son of John and Cecilia Jonke, natives of Austria. Our subject received a good high school education in this country then learned the hat makers' trade. In 1870, he journeyed to the United States and settled in Philadelphia. Four years later, he came thence to Spokane Falls and wrought in various capacities there, being with Holly Mason Marks, and the Spokane Gas Company. He was one of the earliest settlers in Spokane county and after some years came to Douglas county, where he took a preemption on which he now lives. Later he took a homestead which is across the line in Lincoln county. He has improved his property in first-class shape and has a nice stock of well bred cattle and horses. Mr. Jonke is an enterprising and progressive man and has labored with the reward deserved for himself.
At Spokane, in 1897, Mr. Jonke married Miss Margaret Pasic and to them three chil- dren have been born : Joseph, on February 16, 1899; Antonio, on August 27, 1900; and Mar- garet, on April 2, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Jonke are adherents of the Catholic church and are well respected people.
JOHN QUINCY DRINKARD is one of the men who early invaded the wilds of Doug- las county and has fought steadily on through all sorts of reverses, overcoming obstacles and finally winning a success of which he is emi- nently worthy. He was born in Grundy county, Missouri, on April 1, 1857, being the son of William and Martha ( Wilson) Drinkard. The mother was born in North Carolina and the father in Missouri. He took part with the Confederates in the Civil War. In 1865. the family came across the plains to Linn coun-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
ty, Oregon, where our subject received his education and grew to manhood. In 1886 he left that country and located in Douglas county. He took a preemption and homestead. His land is well improved with good buildings and is farmed to small grain almost entirely. Mr. Drinkard also has some cattle and horses. He has won considerable property and is one of the well-to-do men in this portion of the coun- ty. The earlier years here were fraught with much hardship and self denial. Mr. Drinkard has five brothers and four sisters, James O., William J., Robert, George W., Homer, Mrs. Flora B. Taylor, Anne, Mrs. Etta Taylor and Mrs. Hattie Jenks.
At Colfax, Washington, on September 25, 1887, Mr. Drinkard married Miss Sarah, daughter of Silas and Mary Pearl Keeney, pioneers of Oregon. Mrs. Drinkard was born in Linn county, Oregon, on July 13, 1864 and died September 20, 1892. She had one half brother, Enoch, and one sister, Mrs. Laura Taylor. To Mr. and Mrs. Drinkard two chil- dren were born, Vera Grace, on November 6, 1888 and Ada Etta, on March 18, 1890, the former in Linn county, Oregon, and the latter in Douglas county. Mr. Drinkard contracted a second marriage on January 16, 1897, Anna McHargue, the daughter of Z. Taylor and Malvina (Boyce) McHargue, natives of Mis- souri, becoming his bride at that time. Mrs. Drinkard was born in Grundy county, Missouri, on March 15, 1873.
Mr. Drinkard is a member of the Macca- bees while he and his wife are adherents of the Methodist church.
JAMES DAY, one of the pioneers of Douglas county, who weathered the trying times of early days, is now one of the prosper- ous citizens here and lives eight and one-half miles north from Hartline. In the years he has remained here he has shown remarkable forti- tude, excellent wisdom and progressiveness and the result is that he has hosts of friends, a good competence, and has become one of the re- spected men of the county.
James Day was born in Susquahanna, Pennsylvania, on October 30, 1849, being the son of Edward and Mary ( Clark) Day, natives of Ireland and New York, respectively. The father died in New Orleans in 1849. Our
subject was educated in the common schools of his native country and remained in Pennsyl- vania until he reached manhood's estate. In 1878, he moved to Nebraska, settling in Valley county, where he engaged in farming for four years. In April, 1882, he moved to Idaho and later to Walla Walla. It was in 1884, when Mr. Day settled in Douglas county and took up a homestead where he now resides. He has improved the land in good shape and has a very nice home place.
Mr. Day has one brother, Frank, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret McCann.
At Spokane, on May 27, 1891, Mr. Day married Mrs. Mary Hayes, daughter of James and Ellen Hollarn, natives of Ireland and New York City, respectively. Mrs. Day was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1857, and has two brothers, Michael and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Day, three children have been born : James E., on May 1, 1893 ; Elizabeth A., on February 22, 1896; and John F. While in Pennsylvania, Mr. Day spent fourteen years in the Elkhill coal mines.
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