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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
676
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
tucky. She is making her home with Lewis A., her son. Our subject attended the common schools of Greene and Union counties, Iowa, and remained on the farm until seventeen. In the spring of 1880, he went to the Black Hills and farmed for two years. At the expiration of that time, he returned to Iowa and for two years was farming near Creston, Iowa. After that, he took a trip with a team into Arkansas and soon returned to Iowa. In March, 1885, he came west to Washington. For a year he was occupied in the sheep business in Walla Walla and in the spring of 1886, settled on a home- stead where he now resides. His filing was made in June of that year, and since then he has added three quarters of a section by pur- chase. From that time until the present Mr. McNaught has given his attention strictly to farming and has made an excellent success in his labors. He has a fine nine room residence beautifully finished and supplied with every convenience which makes it one of the best dwellings in the entire county. Other buildings and improvements are in evidence and alto- gether, Mr. McNaught is one of the most thrifty and progressive farmers in the state. He has the following brothers and sisters, Will- iam F., Mrs. Lillian Emerson, Mrs. Julietta Brannon, Mrs. Theresa Gertson, Mrs. Ersula Downing, and Elizabeth.
Mr. McNaught is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment and the Maccabees. In political matters, he has always taken an active part and is well informed; holding strongly to the old Jeffersonian principles of Democracy. He was raised under the influ- ence of the Baptist church. Although he is not a member of any denomination, still he is a supporter of the churches.
JACOB FARLEY has a model farm three miles northwest from Hartline. . Every detail of the estate shows the marked wisdom, taste, and executive ability of the proprietor. It is. one of the best places to be found in this part of the state. Mr. Farley has put his whole soul into his farm and has certainly achieved a suc- cess in which he may take pride, and which has stimulated many to better work in this country.
Jacob Farley was born in Tipton county, Indiana, on March 15, 1852. His parents,
Matt and Mary (Stroup) Farley, were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. Like the ordinary American boy, our subject was edu- cated in the common schools and then gave his attention to farming in his native place until 1882, when he came to Colorado. He remained one year farming, but lost the entire crop by hail, then he went to Montana and later, March 15, 1884, we find him in Walla Walla. It was 1888, when Mr. Farley came to Douglas county and took a pre-emption and homestead where he now dwells. The place is provided with comfortable improvements and is a model specimen of energy and thrift. He handles some stock, but his attention is almost entirely given to producing grain. Mr. Farley has one brother, two half brothers, and two half sisters, Henry, John, Matt, Mrs. Mary McCool, and Mrs. Naoma Nesbit.
At Palmyra, Iowa, on May 25, 1875, occur- red the marriage of Jacob Farley and Miss Martha A., daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Paul) Farley, natives of Virginia and Indiana. respectively. Mrs. Farley was born in Ma- haska county, on February 7, 1858, and has one brother and two sisters, Joseph H., Mrs. A. Talbot, and Mrs. Mary Webster. To this couple, three children have been born : Myrtle E., wife of Richard Heathman; Altha M., and Royal J. The last two are living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Farley are members of the Methodist church and are known as good, up- right people.
LUKE MELIN is one of the best known stockmen in Douglas county. He resides about nine miles north of Coulee City, where he has about four hundred and eighty acres of good farm land and two hundred head of fine graded cattle. Mr. Melin has been very active in pro- ducing better grades of stock as Hereford and Durham and has done much for the stock in- dustry of Douglas county.
Luke Melin was born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, on March 8, 1840, being the son of Patrick and Bridget (Corrigan) Melin, also natives of Roscommon county. The schools of his home place afforded the training for young Melin and he remained there until 1862 in which year he sailed from Cork to Melbourne, Australia. The vigor of his young manhood was well directed by abundant wis-
677
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
dom and he soon gained a large holding in property but on account of ill health was com- pelled to leave Australia. He arrived in San Francisco, in July, 1868, and soon settled in Placer county, where he wrought in the mines for two years. Next we find him in Vir- ginia City, Nevada, following mining in the Yellow Jacket properties. Seven years were consumed there and his next venture was at Tombstone, Arizona, where he mined for three years. After this, he went to Mexico and was engaged in the Maria silver mines as foreman. For five years, he held that position then re- turned to Virginia City and one year later made his way to the Grand Coulee in the Big Bend country. He soon selected a portion of his present estate as a pre-emption and began the stock business. He bought his first cattle from Philip McEntee and has steadily followed this industry with magnificent success since. The broad acres of his estate are utilized for hay to feed his stock during the winter and Mr. Melin is certainly one of the most prosperous men in Douglas county. He has with him at the pres- ent time, a nephew, John M., who assists him in the care of his large properties. This young man is a son of Mr. Melin's oldest brother and is a native of Ireland. Mr. Melin was raised in the doctrines of the Catholic church and is an adherent of the same institution at the pres- ent time. He has hosts of friends throughout the county and is considered one of its good citizens.
JOHN EVAN WILLIAMS, who resides about three miles east from Hartline, is a man of excellent standing and possessed of a com- fortable competence. He has gained the former by his uprightness, integrity and kindness to all, while the latter is the result of continued labor and thrift, wisely bestowed in this coun- try. He was born in Anglesey, Wales, on De- cember 16, 1835, the son of William and Ann (Jones) Williams, natives of the same country. The mother died in 1882, at Oshkosh, Wiscon- sin. Our subject received a good educational training from the schools of his native land and there remained until 1856, when he sailed for the United States. Settlement was made in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and for four- teen years he was occupied in general farm la- bors. Thirty-two years were spent in that state
altogether. Then he sold his holdings, and in 1888, came to Sprague, Washington. A time was spent in labor at the round house there, after which he came on to Douglas county and secured a pre-emption which is his home at the present time. He has added a quarter since by purchase and this all is in a very high state of cultivation, the proceeds of which make a fine annual income.
At Sprague, on July 14, 1890, Mr. William married Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Evans) Davies, na- tives of Wales, and immigrants to the United States in 1872. Mrs. Williams was born in Llanarmon, Wales, on October 20, 1852, and came to the United States in 1884. By her former marriage, Mrs. Williams has two sons; David O. Hughes, born in Wales, September 6, 1878; and Owen Davies Hughes, born in Virginia, United States, on January 30, 1889. She has two brothers, David E. and Edward E., and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Morgan and Mrs. Ann Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams are devout members of the Calvinistic Methodist church and are highly respected people. They have labored faithfully for the years past and it is very pleasing at this time to note that they can enjoy the fruits of their toil now as the golden years begin to run apace.
JOHN J. PUGH is a fine example of what a thrifty, energetic man can do in the Big Bend country. About ten years ago, he came to this country from Wales and worked at various lines for three years, then took a homestead about six miles west from Hartline. He has a half section six miles west from Almira se- cured by purchase and it is one of the best farms of the entire country. It is improved in excel- lent shape, producing abundant returns of wheat and is kept in first class shape in every respect. By his labors and careful manage- inent, Mr. Pugh has come to be the owner of as good a home as any in this section. His entire holding has been gained on his estate here. John J. Pugh was born in Port Modock, Wales, on August 5. 1873, being the son of William and Catherine (Williams) Pugh, na- tives of Wales and pioneer settlers of Douglas county. In his native land, our subject was educated in the common schools, then learned
678
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
the plasterer's trade. At the age of nineteen, he came hither accompanied by his mother and joined the father, who had been here some years, preparing a place for his family. As stated above, our subject gave his attention to general work for sometime, being too young to take a homestead, but as soon as he had reached his majority, he took land and began laboring for himself. He has a very nice home and valuable farm and has gained a standing among his fellows which places him among the influential and substantial men in the commun- ity. Mr. Pugh has two brothers and three sis- ters, Robert, William, Mrs. Martha Jones, Jane and Ellen A.
At the Welsh church on January 5, 1898, Mr. Pugh married Miss Kate Williams. Her parents, Robert and Ann (Davis) Williams, were natives of Wales and she was born in Denbighshire, Wales, on July 31, 1868. To this marriage, four children have been born : Thomas J., on December 28, 1898; Hellan J., on July 10, 1900; Robert E., March 6, 1902; and William R., on February 3, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Pugh are members of the Calvinistic Methodist church and are highly respected people.
JOHN TINNER, who resides seven and one-half miles northwest from Almira, was born in Ray county, Missouri, on August I, 1847. His parents, William and Abbie (Odell) Tinner, were natives of Tennessee and early settlers of Missouri. The father was a veteran of the Mexican War. They died when our subject was but seven years of age and he was thrown out on the unsympathetic world to find his way from tender childhood up. The result was that he had very little opportunity to gain an education but is rich in experience in the ways of the world. He remained in his native country, engaged in farming and in vari- ous occupations until 1889, when he moved to Douglas county and settled on a pre-emption, where he resides at the present time. He has a fine stock of cattle and horses and does general farming, being one of the industrious men of that section. Mr. Tinner has one brother, Wil- liam.
In Missouri, on June 5, 1881, occurred the marriage of John Tinner and Miss Nancy Mul-
lennix. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (Powell) Mullennix, were natives of Tennes- see. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 4, 1861, and has two brothers and one sister, George, James B., and Mrs. Sarah Leach. To this marriage the following chil- dren have been born ; James W., on March 10, 1882; Mamie L., on November 5, 1883; John A., January 5, 1885; Ella O., December 30, 1886; Elizabeth, May 20, 1888; Leonard E., September 7, 1889; Earl C., June 8, 1891 ; Myrtle B., May 25, 1893; Beulah F., July 2, 1898; and Annie Violet, July 23, 1902.
Mr. Tinner has done his share to develop and build up the Big Bend country and is to be classed as one of its respected and progres- sive citizens.
.
ORSON P. SHEPARD, who resides three and one-half miles northwest from Hartline, was born in Erie county, New York, on Janu- ary 31, 1851. His parents, Ormon R. and Lu- cinda (Buck) Shepard, were natives of Erie county, also. Our subject was educated in the schools of Wisconsin, whither he went at an early age with his father. For thirty-three years he lived in that country, except two, which he spent in Hillsdale county, Michigan. In 1886. Mr. Shepard came to Washington, first settling in Sprague, where he remained three years carpentering and building. In 1889, he moved to Douglas county and took up a homestead on which place his family re- sided while he labored in the improvement of it and also in building in Sprague. He had very little means when he came here but has labored faithfully and has helped to build many of the finest houses in this county. He built the first house in Coulee City, which is now occupied by Hanson's blacksmith shop, also the first house in Almira. He has built five school houses in the vicinity and done much other work. Mr. Shepard has given especial attention to farming in addition to carpentering and has gained a fine estate of one entire sec- tion, all of which is in a high state of cultiva- tion, it being as choice wheat land as can be found in the county. During his residence here, he has also taken an active interest in political matters and local affairs, having held various offices, as constable, school director and so forth. He has one brother and three sis-
679
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
-
ters, Amos A., Mrs. Julia Cady, Mrs. Maggie Pelton, Mrs. Alvira Klutz.
On November 2, 1872, at Leone, Wiscon- sin, Mr. Shepard married Miss Ada Empy, who died in Wisconsin in 1880, leaving two children, Gertrude, who also died in Wisconsin, and Mrs. Lillie Porter, now living in Bernam- wood, Wisconsin. On July 2, 1882, in Au- roraville, Wisconsin, Mr. Shepard contracted a second marriage, Mrs. Ellen B. Dildine be- coming his wife. Her parents, Thomas and Catherine (Wilson) Campbell, were natives of Ireland and England, respectively, and the lat- ter of Scotch ancestrage. She was born in Wisconsin, in 1851, and has the following brothers and sisters: Thomas, James, Robert, William, Luke, Frank, Mary, Grace, Mrs. Kate Peterman, and Mrs. Jennie Summers. To this marriage three children have been born, Clyde, Jennie B., and Nellie V. Mrs. Shepard has three children by her former husband, Mrs. Kate Buchanan, Mrs. Mary Rice, and Mrs. Martha Carr, all living in the Big Bend country.
Mr. Shepard is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Maccabees. In religious persuasions he and his wife are members of the Salvation Army.
HENRY G. YEAGER is one of the pa- triarchs of Douglas county and a man whose fund of wisdom and experience, dominated by genialty and integrity, have made him highly esteemed by all. He is now dwelling with his son about three miles south from Bridgeport. He was born in Germany, on March 4. 1840, the son of Carl and Marie (Uitch) Yeager, also a native of Germany. The father was a soldier under Napoleon and later came to Wis- consin. Our subject attended the public schools of Germany until 1852, then came with his parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he finished his education. He remained there until 1865, then settled in Minnesota, Blue Earth county, in which place he farmed for twenty- three years. In 1885, Mr. Yeager moved to Washington, first stopping in the Palouse coun- try and finally settling on a pre-emption at the head of West Foster creek, in Douglas county, where he lived for twelve years, giving his at- tention to cultivating and improving his farm, then moved to his son's homestead as above
stated and there is dwelling at the present time. In 1879, through the malpractice of an incom- petent physician, Mr. Yeager had the great misfortune to lose his right limb. This has been a great blow to him, nevertheless he mani- fests a fortitude and spirit quite becoming the man. Mr. Yeager has three sisters. Louisa, Fredericka and Mrs. Augusta Miesner. He had one brother, Herman, who was killed in the war by guerrillas while on his way to the hospital.
On December 26, 1864, at Watertown, Wisconsin, Mr. Yeager married Miss Louisa Koch. Her parents, August and Christina (Guirbe) Koch, are natives of Saxony, Ger- many. Mrs. Yeager was born on April 10, 1848, in Sinderhousen, Saxony. She has one brother, Frederick, and one sister, Mrs. Teresa Scherer. To Mr. and Mrs. Koch, eleven chil- dren have been born, Charles, Augustus M., Henry C., Mary A., Lena B., Fitz Albert, France F., Henrietta W., Louisa T., John W. ยท
and Stephen J.
Mr. Yeager was raised under the influence of the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM RUBLE PASLAY is one of the very skillful fruit growers in the Columbia valley. In 1903, grapes raised on his ranch took the first prize at the Spokane Interstate Fair. He has twenty-one acres put out to all kinds of fruit that does well in this section such as apples, pears, peaches, grapes and prunes. His ranch is two miles east from Pateros and adjoins a nice steamboat landing, whence he ships his fruit to Wenatchee and to the coast towns. Mr. Paslay is a very pro- gressive and energetic fruit man and_is one of the rising men in this industry in this portion of the state.
William R. Paslay was born in Benton county, Arkansas on September 13, 1858, the son of Thomas and Susannah ( Ruble) Pas- lay, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, re- spectively. He was educated in the district schools of Barry county, Missouri, and re- mained there until 1878, when he moved to Washington and settled near Uniontown in Whitman county. With others, he crossed the plains by teams and owing, to the Bannock Indians, being on the war path, they had much
680
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
trouble. However, they arrived-safely at their destination and took up farming on a pre- emption until 1886, when he moved to Doug- las county and secured his present home place. His improvements on the farm show his thrift and skill and he is one of the prosperous men of the section. Mr. Paslay has two brothers and two sisters, George W., Thomas, Mrs. Eliza Tutle and Mrs. Aneliza Adams.
In Barry county, Missouri, on April 9, 1876, Mr. Paslay married Miss Mildred, the daughter of Berry and Pyrleey J. (Yandell) Tuttle, natives of Illinois and Tennessee, re- spectively. The father was a soldier in the Rebellion. To Mr. and Mrs. Paslay nine chil- dren have been born, named as follows: Vol- ley, Walter, Thomas, William T., Oscar, Bes- sie, Pearl, Ruth, and Herbert. Mrs. Paslay was born in Kentucky, in 1858. Mr. Paslay's father was a strong Union man and was forced to remove from Arkansas during the troublous times. He settled in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Paslay are adherents of the Christian church. *
TONY F. RICHARDSON, who lives four miles west from Wilson creek, is one of the best known stock men in the state of Wash- ington. He has operated over the whole range of country from the Cascades to the Missouri river and has been connected with some of the largest deals and drives in this wonderful stock country. To give a detailed account of his life
*Since the above was written it has been. learned that Mr. Paslay had been for some time suffering with heart disease, which indirectly caused his death on September 13, 1904. He was then aged forty-six years, one month and twenty-eight days. Too much can scarcely be said in commendation of the hearty spirit and worthy efforts displayed by Mr. Paslay during his life here in Douglas county. With his brother, Mor- gan, now also deceased, he braved the dangers and hard- ships of pioneer days, overcame all obstacles and diffi- culties that were in the way, and they were not few, and lived to show forth the one thing which he had done so much to demonstrate, namely, that Donglas county can produce fruit second to none in this fav- ored state of Washington. He made a success of life. He was warmly beloved by his friends, who were many, and respected by all who knew him. As he lived, so he died and his works remain to show the manner of man he was. In his death Douglas county lost a noble citizen, his friends .a stanch companion, and his family a loving and wise father and husband.
would be to write a volume, therefore, we can only append the more salient points, which will be found very interesting.
Tony F. Richardson was born in Laurens county, South Carolina, on September 22, 1855. His father, David A. Richardson, was a native of South Carolina and graduated from the Medical College of Kentucky at Lexington and was a surgeon in the confederate army. His mother, Edna L. (Fuller) Richardson, was also a native of South Carolina. Turner Richardson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a state senator several years and was also colonel of a regiment in the Seminole war. David Anderson, the great-grandfather of Tony F., was auditor of Laurens county for years. Dr. A. C. Fuller, a maternal uncle of our subject, was a colonel in the confederate army, and this gentleman's brother, Dr. F. G. Fuller, was a surgeon in the southern army. Mr. Richardson's family and connections were among the largest slave holders prior to the war. A great uncle, Captain George Anderson, was the father of three daughters and fourteen sons. All of the latter served in the Civil war and the youngest was only sixteen when he was in the army. Our subject was well equipped with a fine education in his youthful days then studied for two years in the Wofford college, after which he completed a thorough commercial course in Baltimore. At the end of his studies he took up general merchandising, which, however, was not congenial to his tastes. A year later, he tried farming but that did not suit him, then he went to Tennessee and joined his cousin in the stock business for four years. The tempting rumors of the west stirred the adventurous spirit of young Richardson so much that he determined to see for himself and so started to Texas. In a very short time he was with the foremost of the ranchers and was soon in business with Sprolus Carothers, one of the large stock growers of Texas. He was well known to the leading stock men there and operated through that state, then assisted to drive two thousand nine hundred head of cattle to Wyoming over the old Chisolm trail. Swan Brothers bought the stock and Mr. Rich- ardson entered their employ for a time, riding through Utah and Wyoming, then he came to Oregon and finally to Washington. He worked in a butcher establishment for Mr. Gillice at Pomeroy, for a time, but not liking the work,
TONY F. RICHARDSON
CHARLES W. HENSEL
681
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
he engaged himself to the corps of United States surveyors, who were sectionizing Lincoln county. They were in charge by Truax & Briggs, and Mr. C. C. May of Davenport, was one of the party. Our subject quit this busi- ness as soon as he arrived at the Columbia river near where Barry now is located and at once entered upon his career of stockman for himself. He was engaged with Mr. Estes in handling cattle, and also drove for Austin & Hardy to Montana. In 1883, he purchased a bunch of Indian ponies and began horse breed- ing. He improved the stock and ranged with his horses to various sections of the Big Bend country, making his home much of the time with Wild Goose Bill and Philip McEntee. In 1884, Mr. Richardson took a claim, which is the nucleus of his present large estate. In 1882, he had assisted Platt Corbaley and Al Pierpoint to locate their claims near Water- ville, theirs being the first locations west of the Coulee. In 1896-7, Mr. Richardson sold his horses, about three thousand head, at three dollars apiece, then he gave his attention largely to handling cattle. He has now a very large herd of fine thoroughbreds. He also owns a great many sheep. Mr. Richardson's place is an ideal stock farm. It is located at the head of Brook Lake and is a very beautiful place. A large portion of the estate is under irrigation and last year he cut over six hundred tons of alfalfa.
Mr. Richardson has one brother and four sisters, Butler P., Mrs. Annie P. Brown, Mrs. Mamie Huff, Mrs. Lulu Profit, and Mrs. L. Stokes, deceased.
In Douglas county, on December 31, 1885, Mr. Richardson married Miss Lucy Smith, a daughter of one of the old settlers. They were the first couple to be married in Douglas county. To them four children have been born, Annie C., David A., Laura L., and Ruby A.
CHARLES W. HENSEL, who resides five miles north from Waterville, was born in Prus- sia, on August 25, 1839. His parents, Gott- fried and Christian Hensel, both natives of the same place, came to the United States in 1850. Settlement was made in Wisconsin where the father labored in clearing the land and there lived until his decease, in 1865. The mother died in 1900, being nearly ninety years of age.
Our subject gained a good education in Ger- many, before coming to this country and labored at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He went to Minnesota, bought land and farmed for nearly twenty years in Waseca county. In March, 1887, he came to Spokane, and October 10th moved to Douglas county and took up a pre-emption, where he now re- sides. He later changed it to a homestead and has bought a quarter section in addition.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.