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 29
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 29
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 29
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 29
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JOHN O'NEIL, who resides seven miles northeast from Hartline, and is one of the lead- ing citizens of Douglas county, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1844. His parents, John and Ann O'Neil, were natives of Ireland. The first twenty-seven years of our subject's life were spent in Canada, where he received a good education. In 1871 he came to the United States, settling in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where his cousin lived and where he worked for several years. In 1875 he came on to Puget Sound, Washington, and labored variously for six years. Then he journeyed to the Yakima country and did log driving for a couple of years but finally in 1883, he came to Douglas county. He immediately located a pre-emption and a timber culture claim and later took a homestead. To this he added eighty acres by purchase, making nearly five hundred and sixty acres of choice land in his estate to-day. It is nearly all in cultivation, is well improved and skillfully handled. All buildings needed are at hand, including a modern and commodious dwelling, and everything about the premises in- dicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. O'Neil passed all through the hardships and trials incident to the pioneer life of the west and he has so faithfully continued in his labors that he is one of the wealthy men of the section to-day and is a respected citizen.
On January 15, 1903, Mr. O'Neill married Miss Lizzie Cassiday, the daughter of Michael R. and Catherine Cassiday, natives of Ontario, who are mentioned in another portion of this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil are members of the Roman Catholic church and are very highly respected people. Their settlement here was cotemporaneous with various others such as Andrew and Charles E. Flynn, Patrick Kelley, Michael Cassiday, David Wilson, the Schrock brothers and many more. It is very difficult for one at this time, traveling through the Big Bend, to picture the conditions of pioneer life. Fifty and one hundred miles had to be traveled to get mail and provisions ; the country was a barren prairie, dry and uninhabited; fuel had to be obtained from distant points, hard to be reached; crops were then not nearly so good as now; and every force of nature seemed to try and drive the settler out. Notwithstanding all these things, Mr. O'Neil labored along con- stantly, never knowing the word fail and his industry, determination, and carefulness finally brought the success of which he is fully worthy.
i WILLIAM E. JONES is the son of Will- iam G. Jones, a native of Wisconsin. In 1883, he brought his family to Douglas county, Washington, and three months later was taken away by death. He had married Alice Owens, a native of the Badger State and to them seven children had been born, named as follows: Griffith ; Maggie, wife of T. J. Allen, living in Spokane; Clara, wife of Perry Sargeant, of Hartline; William E., who is the subject of this sketch; Nellie, unmarried; John, a farmer in Douglas county ; and Phoebe. William E. was born in Wildrose, Wisconsin, on October 31, 1874. For one year, only, he had the privilege of attending school, but he made the most of that as lie has also of his opportunities for study and investigation since. Early in life he became very skillful in handling stock and learned the business thoroughly. When his father came west, this son was one to assist in the stock business which the father took up. His sudden death, however, changed matters much and William was forced to meet the stern realities of life while very young. He took advantage of his knowledge in the stock busi-
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ness and followed it with energy and wisdom, and has been occupied with that and farming continuously since coming to this country. He now resides on a choice estate, which lies about four miles east from Hartline, one of the best in this part of the country, and which has been rendered valuable by the wise cultivation and improvement bestowed by Mr. Jones. The other members of the family are also heavy property owners in this county and elsewhere and are progressive people.
Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Martha S. Pugh, the daughter of William Pugh, of Hartline, and one of the well known and estimable young ladies of the county. The fruit of this union is one child, a charming little lass of three years, named Mabelle.
Mr. Jones is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a man of sound judgment and excellent executive ability. He has so walked in his life that he has won the esteem of all who know him and is a man of worth and influence.
MILTON B. HOWE is a member of the firm of Rogers and Howe, pioneers and leading merchants of Waterville. The firm does a large business and in addition to merchandise have been leaders in various other enterprises in this county.
Milton B. Howe was born in Faribault, Minnesota, on October 27, 1860. His father, George G. Howe, was a native of New York and the paternal grandfather of our subject was born in South Farmingham, Massachu- setts, and the wife of that gentleman was born In New York state. The father was a surveyor and for many years followed his profession in Minnesota, doing a large portion of the govern- ment surveying in the southern part of that state. He was several years in the land depart- ment of the Great Northern railroad. Leaving there in 1800, he came to Waterville and joined his son. The mother of our subject was Emily A. (Nutting) Howe, a native of South Am- herst, Massachusetts, and descended from the original noted family that was prominent in colonial times. She was killed in an accident on the Great Northern railroad, while enroute to her husband at Waterville, in 1890.
Our subject received his education in Fari- bault, Minnesota, completing there the high
school course. After his graduation he entered the employ of J. B. Wheeler a wholesale and retail merchant, and for seven years continued in that capacity, five of the years being spent in the management of the office. In March, 1888, he came to Waterville and soon opened his present business with his brother-in-law, A. L. Rogers, who is named elsewhere in this work. Since that time, the firm has been doing a large business and now own a great deal of property in this part of the city.
In June, 1897, at Spokane, Mr. Howe mar- ried Miss Bessie L., daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Lockwood) Armstrong, natives of New York and now residing in Spokane. The mother's father was an Episcopal minister in China for two years and is now deceased. Mrs. Howe has two brothers, Edwin and Henry, and one sister, Josephine. To Mr. and Mrs. Howe, two children have been born; Margaret, aged five; and Laurence, aged six months. Mr. Howe is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being a past master.
Politically, he is a Republican and has been delegate to the conventions and he is now serv- ing as director of the high school and chairman of the school board of Waterville. He was several years city councilman. Mrs. Howe is a member of the Episcopal church.
GEORGE W. HOLLINGSHEAD is dis- tinguished as having established the first drug store in the town of Waterville, which he is still operating. He has gained a good success in this business and stands among the leading business men in this city. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 31, 1859, being the son of Eli Hollingshead, a native of Canada and a practicing physician now in Waterville. Our subject was educated and reared in Mich- igan, remaining there until twenty-eight. Then he came to Spokane and in 1888, on to Water- ville. He brought with him a stock of goods and opened the first drug store in the town. In addition to handling this successfully since, Mr. Hollingshead has also been engaged in stock raising. He owns sixteen hundred acres of land. Immediately after his school days, our subject entered the employ of Dr. Weirs, a druggist in Oscoda. Michigan, and with him he learned to be a skilled druggist. After serving
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due time in this store, he opened business for himself, and there remained until he came west. Our subject has one brother, Herbert A., and one sister, Jennie Elliott.
In 1884. Mr. Hollingshead married Miss Carrie M. McFarland, a native of Michigan. Her father, Andrew McFarland, was a native of New York and married Mary Winchell, a native of the same state and now living in Michigan. When the war broke out, he en- listed in Company C, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served three years and nine months. At the battle of Gettysburg, he was shot through the left lung and died from the effects of the wound ten years later. The paternal grand- father of our subject came from Nova Scotia and the McFarland family is prominent in com- mercial and professional circles in the state of New York at present.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hollingshead, one child, Ethel, has been born, aged eight. Mr. Hollings- head is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. O. T. M. He is a good staunch Republican but not especially active, although interested in everything which is for the advancement of the community.
FRANK M. ALEXANDER. A twenty years' residence in Douglas county entitles the subject of this article to be classed as one of the pioneers, and the fact is he was one of the very first settlers in the prairie where Water- ville now stands. Since those early days, Mr. Alexander has remained here and he has shown himself a man of integrity and ability, always laboring for general upbuilding and material advancement. He located two miles northeast from where Waterville is now located, in 1883, and there acquired an estate of two hundred and forty acres. His attention was directed to the improvement and culture of this farm until recently he sold the place and built a residence in Waterville, where he is now making his home. He also owns a large block of lots in town besides other property. Having can- vassed the field thoroughly before, on October I, 1903. Mr. Alexander embarked in com- mercial life, opening a general merchandise establishment in Waterville. He carries a full and complete stock and is doing a good busi- ness at this time, being highly spoken of and known as a substantial business man.
Frank M. Alexander was born in Broome county, New York, on March 17, 1853, being the son of Peter and Eliza ( McClure) Alex- ander. The father was a native of New York as were his parents, but his grandparents came from England. The mother was also born in New York and her ancestors came from Scot- land. Her grandfather was prominent in the Revolution and received for his service as quar- termaster general a large tract of land. Our subject was raised principally în Wisconsin, whither the family migrated in 1856, being pioneers in the Badger State. He received his education in the primitive log cabin school houses and in the graded schools of Avoca, Wisconsin. Our subject remained with his father, who was a blacksmith, until he was about thirty, then came direct to the Big Bend country. Since then he has been known among us as one of the leading citizens. Mr. Alexan- der has been justice of the peace, being the first incumbent of that office, and has also been active in political matters, being allied with the Democratic party.
Mr. Alexander married Miss Agatha Lude- man, at the residence of her parents, in this county, on October 12, 1890, and to them have been born five children, Myrtle, Grace, Floyd, Edith, and Frances. Mrs. Alexander's parents are Benjamin and Grace (Seggerman) Lude- man, natives of Germany and now living east from Waterville, in this county. Mrs. Alex- ander was born in Illinois and has three broth- ers, Heiko, Henry. Dirk, and two sisters, Mar- garet Brownfield, and Jesena Schacht. Mr. Alexander has the following named brothers, Charles, Forrest. Spencer, Elmer and Fred. Charles served four years in the Civil war, being in Company I, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteers. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are both consistent members of the Christian church and he is deacon in that organization.
JOHN A. BANNECK. Among the worthy and strong men of Douglas county, it is fitting to mention the subject of this review. He resides about three miles south from Water- ville, where he owns an estate of three hundred and twenty acres all under cultivation. The farm is devoted to the production of the cereals and legumes. He has been very successful in
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agriculture and produces some of the very best crops of the county.
John A. Banneck was born in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, in December, 1849. His parents, Claus and Frederika (Moller) Ban- neck, were natives of the same place and died in 1873 and 1893, respectively. Our subject served in the regular army, participating in the Franco-Prussian war. He remained in his native country until 1873, gaining during those years, not only a good education but a splendid military training in the regular army. In the year last mentioned, Mr. Banneck came to Lyons, Iowa, and engaged there in sawmilling, later going to Minnesota, where he entered the flour mills, having thoroughly learned the art of the flour miller in Germany. After nine years in some of the leading mills in Minnesota, he came thence, the time being 1882, to Cheney, Washington. On May 12, 1883, our subject landed in Douglas county, which entitles him to be ranked with the very earliest pioneers in this part of Washington. He squatted on a piece of land which was later taken by the homestead right and is now a portion of his estate. He added to this by purchase until he has one-half section farmed as named above. In addition, Mr. Banneck devotes considerable attention to raising fruit and has a fine three acre orchard. He also handles a great deal of stock and owns about seventy head of cattle and horses.
Politically, he is now allied with the Pop- ulists, but formerly was a Republican.
Mr. Banneck has one half brother, Jurgen Nissen, and three sisters, Kathrina Schnack, Christina Jacobson, and Magretha. They are all in Germany. Mr. Banneck, to use his own laconic remark, has never yet met his wife, con- sequently, he is enjoying the freedom and pleas- ures of the celibatarian. In financial circles, he has made an excellent success and his standing in the community is of the very best, being a kind, genial and substantial man.
JAMES H. KINCAID, who is one of the earliest pioneers of Douglas county, is now in charge of a feed barn in Waterville, where he does a good business. He was born in Ohio, on January 3. 1851, the son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Cleary) Kincaid, natives of Ohio and
descendants from German and Irish ancestors, respectively. Both are now deceased. Our subject remained in Ohio until he was sixteen, there gaining his education from the district schools, and then came with his parents to Mis- souri. He remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, then was engaged in various occupations for five or six years. From Missouri he journeyed to Nebraska and there bought land which he tilled for four years. In 1884, Mr. Kincaid came to Garfield county, Washington, settling in the vicinity of Pome- roy. After renting land there for a time, he came in 1885, to Douglas county and squatted on a quarter section of government land. Eighty acres of this quarter are now a part of the townsite of Waterville. He still owns one block of twenty lots in the city limits. Until 1893, Mr. Kincaid was engaged in farming, then he took up freighting and teaming and continued in the same until August, 1903, when he built his present feed barn and engaged in the livery business. Mr. Kincaid is a Repub- lican but not active in the realm of politics. He has two brothers, William and John, and two sisters, Mary Weimer and Sarah Weimer. The marriage of Mr. Kincaid and Miss Alice Thornberry occurred in Missouri. Her parents were natives of Indiana and are now deceased. Mrs. Kincaid has two brothers, Joseph and Samuel, and also five sisters. To Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid five children have been born. named as follows : Robert, Fred, Otis, Jessie, and Mabel.
ANTOINE GUIBERT is among the prosperous and successful business men in Waterville. He is at the head of a large jewelry establishment and is doing a very thriv- ing business. His business is located in a hand- some brick structure, and the stock is the most complete in the Big Bend country. He also owns a residence in Waterville and one of the finest sections of land in the county. The land lies about five miles north from Waterville, and is all under cultivation.
Antoine Guibert was born in Paris, France, on January 17, 1861. His father, Antoine Guibert, was born in southwestern France and died when our subject was four years of age. He came from a prominent French family and was a very extensive traveler. He
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had married Miss Barthilda Honvanx, a native of Dunkerque, France, the marriage occurring in Paris. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Guibert married Charles Rousselle, paymaster of the army in the Franco-Prussian war and a man of abil- ity and education. He has since died and she is now living in Waterville. When twenty, our subject came with the balance of the family to the United States, settling in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he completed his education. Later they moved to San Francisco. Our subject came on to Ellensburg and the step-father came later. In the spring of 1886, Mr. Guibert came to this part of Douglas county and took land and in 1890 all of the family came hither. In 1891, our subject opened his present business and since that time has been steadily engaged in the same, with the exception of a short period immediately following the depression of the. early nineties. During those days, he and his wife visited in Belgium and on July 4, 1897, located a second time in Waterville.
Politically, Mr. Guibert is a Democrat and has been a member of the Waterville City council for some time. Fraternally, he belongs to the A. F. and A. M., having been secretary for two years.
At Brussels, Belgium, on May 30, 1891, Mr. Guibert married Miss Maria Michaels, George W. Roosevelt, uncle of our president, and United States consul at Brussels at that time, witnessed the ceremony. Mrs. Guibert's parents were natives of Belgium and prominent people.
SAMUEL C. ROBINS is and has been one of the prominent men in Douglas county, owing to the excellent manner in which he has handled the resources at his command here and the wis- dom displayed in laboring for the welfare of the county at large. He is now engaged in farm- ing and resides about two miles south from Waterville. He was born in Miami county, Indiana, on November 30, 1848, being the son of Samuel C. and Katherine (Ryan) Robins, natives of New Jersey. The father died on March 14, 1863, in Miami county, Indiana, and was descended from an old New Jersey family. The mother died in 1850, in Indiana. Her an- cestors were natives of Ireland. The first twenty-one years of our subject's life were
spent in Indiana, during which time he gained his education from the public schools and also in special training in farming and the ways of the world, having been left an orphan at the age of fifteen. From Indiana, he went to Minne- sota and for five years was in various employ- ments, then returned to his native state, remain- ing there until February 19, 1884, the date when he started west. On March 29th of the same year, he located where he now resides and since that time has been one of the substantial and wide awake men of the Big Bend country. In 1886, he was appointed sheriff to serve out the unexpired term of Mr. Jordan, deceased, and at the expiration of that time was formally elected to that office, his name appearing on the Democratic ticket. In 1890, he was elected county commissioner, running far ahead of his ticket. He has been school director of the dis- trict since its organization and has also been director of the Waterville high school since its establishment. In the fall of 1890, Mr. Robins was elected at a mass meeting of the citizens in Waterville and took charge of the Douglas county exhibit of the first Inter State Exposi- tion held in Spokane. His knowledge and wis- dom displayed in brining to the front the pro- ducts of this county and its resources, resulted in untold good to Douglas county.
Fraternally, Mr. Robins is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of the O. E. S. His wife also belonging to the latter.
Mr. Robins has two brothers, Charles E. and Ezekiel V., and one sister, Margaret N. Deeds, and one half sister, Katherine Brower.
On May 7, 1880, at Peru, Indiana, occurred the marriage of Mr. Robins and Miss Ida H. Steiner, a native of Lima, Ohio. Her parents, Gottleb and Mary M. (Steiner) Steiner, were natives of Germany and are now living in Waterville. Three children are the fruit of this marriage, Edwin S., Nellie M. and Flor- ence S.
A. E. CASE, who is well known in Douglas county as one of the financial leaders, is a man whose life has been largely spent in financial circles, in which he has won a good success, owing to his conservative and wise manipula- tion of resources. He is now at the head of the bank in Waterville, having established the enterprise in 1890, in company with Mr. Ford,
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a former associate in banking business in the east, and now one of the heavy property owners in Michigan and Ohio. Mr. Case has been the head of the bank here since establishment and its success is due to his sound principles and wise methods of operation.
A. E. Case was born in Michigan, on October 5, 1857. the son of A. E. and Chloe (Barton) Case. His ancestors on both sides were distinguished people in New England, and various members of the families have gained a wide distinction in business. They were identified also with the struggles of the colonies for independence as well as for their existence afterward when the coveted goal had been obtained. The father of our subject was born in New York state and died on the old homestead in Michigan in 1898. The mother was born in Vermont and died in 1873, at the Michigan homestead. Our subject was edu- cated in the graded and high schools of his na- tive place and later took a thorough course in the business college at Detroit, Michigan. After this, he taught for four years and then associated himself with a large lumber firm as bookkeeper, later becoming a member of the firm. The firm organized a bank in one of the Michigan towns and installed Mr. Case as cash- ier. Making a success of this venture, they soon organized and established two more banks and Mr. Case was associated with Mr. Ford, with whom he established a banking house, be- ing still cashier of the first one. In 1890, they disposed of their entire business and the same year came to Waterville, opening business here in November. Mr. Ford resides in Birming- ham, Michigan, and is one of the influential and prominent men of that portion of the state. Mr. Case owns a section of first-class wheat land, which produces abundant crops. He also has a handsome residence in Waterville, be- sides other property. Mr. Case has one brother and two sisters, Daniel, Mary Sylvester, and Kate Bower.
The marriage of Mr. Case and Miss Eva Stanway was celebrated at California, Missouri, on September 26, 1893. The parents of Mrs. Case are David and Maria Stanway. natives of England, and now residing in Warrensburg, Missouri, having been married in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The father served three years in the Civil war and was severely wounded in the battle of the Wilderness. Mrs. Case has one
brother and two sisters, Perry, Grace S. Pizer, and Minnie S. Thomas. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Case; Randall S., aged nine, and Austin F., aged seven. Mr. Case is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the R. A. M .. and the K. T. Politically, he is associated with the Democrats, but does not desire personal preferment, having refused to allow his name to be placed on the ticket. Mrs. Case is a mem- ber of the Christian church.
LUCIEN E. KELLOGG is at the present time the efficient and popular incumbent of the auditor's office in Waterville, having gained the office by running two hundred and thirty a head of his ticket. Previous to this incum- bency, Mr. Kellogg was receiver of the United States land office for four years. He is well known and one of the leading men of the county and has always labored faithfully for general development. Mr. Kellogg has been a very successful newspaper man as will appear in the following.
Lucien E. Kellog was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on August 3, 1850, being the son of Lucien H. and Amanda ( Harmon) Kellogg. The father was born in Ohio and his ancestors were from the state of Massachusetts, the fam- ily being prominent in early American history. The mother was also born in Ohio, and came from a stanch Amercian family. Our subject was well educated, finishing at the Grand River Institute in Austinsburg, Ohio. Immediately following his graduation he went to learn the printer's trade and in 1876, came west to Wash- ington and in company with Charles B. Hop- kins, now United States marshal for the state of Washington, with headquarters at Tacoma, started the Palouse Gazette at Colfax. Later he sold out and started the Northwest Tribune, which he removed to Cheney, one year later and there was active in the county seat fight. After that conflict had subsided, Mr. Kellogg sold his paper to George Schorr and removed to Spokane. In 1888, he came thence to Water- ville and established the Big Bend Empire which he conducted for eight years, making it one of the forceful factors in this section. Selling this to D. C. DeGolia, Mr. Kellogg bought a half interest in the Advance at Wenat- chee. One year later he sold his interest to O.
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