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 31
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 31
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 31
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 31
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Our subject grew up amid the surroundings of the wild and undeveloped west, knowing from his birth the rugged existence of the pion- eer and frontiersman. He received his educa- tional training from the early schools of the Willamette valley and did much work to develop and bring out the resources of that country where he remained until 1873. He was engaged in the sawmill business after he arrived at manhood's estate and in the year last mentioned, removed his mill to the Palouse river in Whitman county, Washington. The mill furnished the lumber for the new buildings in that then pioneer section and also provided flour for the settlers even as far north as Spo- kane, which was then a small trading village. Later, Mr. Chase's father took charge of the operations of the mill and in 1886, our sub- ject came to Douglas county where he settled, taking a pre-emption and timber claim which are now well improved and producing abundant crops of the cereals. He also has a large herd of fine graded cattle and a good band of horses. Mr. Chase is a descendant of the family from whence came Salmon P. Chase, one of the able members of Lincoln's cabinet. He has one brother, Marshall C., and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Linn and Mrs. S. Miranda Stone- berger.
On November 26, 1891 at the farm home. Mr. Chase married Mrs. Alice E., daughter of William and Jane J. (Kashow) Parsons, natives of Ohio and of Scotch and German ex- traction, respectively. Her parents crossed the plains in 1865 and were settlers in Oregon. Mrs. Chase was born in Indiana on September 26, 1854, and has the following brothers and sisters, Thomas J., Lewis H., George W., Charles D., and Mrs. Sarah E. Day. She was reared in the Baptist faith. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have no children of their own and are giving their care and attention to the rearing of two orphans.
It is also to be recorded that Mrs. Chase came to Douglas county in 1888, accompanied by her brother. She took government claims, pre-emption, homestead, and timber culture, and the family is now residing on her homestead. The labors of herself and her husband are richly deserving of the recompense of a good estate of eight hundred acres which they now own. In the hardships of the pioneer life, they have both shown fortitude and pluck. Many
EDWARD S. CHASE
MRS. EDWARD S. CHASE
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
times in the winter, the hard trips to Coulee City and Waterville, were attended with great suf- fering and trial owing to the deep snow and cold.
JOHN F. HUNT is a member of the firm of Hunt & Towne, liverymen at Waterville. They own a large and well appointed barn, which is stocked with plenty of first class horses and supplied with abundance of modern facilities. The firm are doing a fine business at the present time, being well known as men of energy and wisdom and use every care for the comfort, convenience, and safety of their patrons.
John F. Hunt was born in Orange county, New York, on September 26, 1862. His par- ents, Hugh L. and Julia A. (Cortright) Hunt were natives of New York and are still living on the old homestead. The father was de- scended from Scotch ancestry and the mother comes from German extraction. Our subject received his education in New York and when twenty-one left the farm for the busy scenes of the great metropolis. For two years he was in the milk business in New York city and then went to Wisconsin and worked on a arm for two months. After that, he journeyed on to South Dakota where he was ill for half a year. He engaged in trading after that and bought a section of land which he rented. In the fall of 1889, he came to Ellensburg and a short time thereafter was at Orondo. After one winter at that point, he took up a location on the Entiat, remaining for three years. After that he returned to Orondo and took up grain buying. He also bought a tract of land and set out an orchard which is now one of the finest on the river, being all in bearing. It was in 1902 that Mr. Hunt came to Waterville and bought out Geddis and McClellan, being asso- ciated with Mr. Towne in this deal. They secured with the barn about forty-two head of horses and eighteen rigs to which they have added materially since. Mr. Hunt sold his Orondo orchard and South Dakota farm and is now giving his entire attention to the livery business and his Big Bend ranches. He has one brother, William H., and one sister, Eliza- beth Russell.
At Dartford, Wisconsin, on August 25, 1893, Mr. Hunt married Miss Emily Fordham,
a native of England, as were also her parents. Her father resides at Dartford, and the mother is deceased. Mrs. Hunt came to this country when fourteen. She has four brothers, Charles, William, John and David, and four sisters, Susan Tucker, Agnes Malcolm, Lizzie Malcolm, and Maude. To Mr. and Mrs. Hunt two children have been born, Hazel and Maude.
Mr. Hunt is a Republican, although not especially active in this realm and is one of the substantial business men of the town.
ALBERT L. ROGERS, of the firm of Rogers & Howe, leading general merchants of Waterville, is one of the men whose efforts have resulted in great good for the county of Douglas and who stands at the present time a real leader in commercial enterprises and cheer- fully participating in all movements originated for the advancement of the country. He is heavily interested in different lines of property, among which may be mentioned merchandis- ing, farming, irrigating and so forth.
Albert L. Rogers was born in Waterville, Minnesota, on June 19, 1859, being the son of Caleb E. and Jennie (Shouts) Rogers. The father was born in Orleans, Massachusetts, coming from a very old and prominent colon- ial family, who first came to the new world on the Sparrowhawk shortly after the Mayflower had landed. The mother was born in New York, descending from a Dutch family. They both' are living in Waterville. Our subject was early trained in the public schools in Min- nesota and later completed his education in the Shattuck college of Faribault, taking a special course in civil engineering. At the early age of seventeen, Mr. Rogers entered the employ of the M. & St. L. railroad under his uncle. A. B. Rogers, chief engineer. He continued in railroad work, being with various companies until 1881, when they went to Canada and joined the force of the Canadian Pacific. Mr. Rogers was the first white man to come through the Rogers pass in the Selkirks and he now possesses a fine watch presented by the directors for his meritorious service in this work. After the completion of the road he had charge of the mountain division for nearly a year. In 1886 Mr. Rogers entered the em-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
ploy of J. J. Hill of the Great Northern and made a reconnaissance of the country from Montana to the Sound, spending about two years in this work. After the completion of this labor, Mr. Rogers decided to get married and settle down to commercial life in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, M. B. Howe. They were the pioneer merchants of Water- ville, and have conducted a thriving business here since those days. In addition to this the firm has conducted a milling, banking and farming business with their merchandising. They have a one half interest in the Entiat Improvement Company, which owns one thou- sand acres of valuable land on the Entiat, wat- ered through a seven mile ditch. The company does a large business in raising stock and al- falfa. Mr. Rogers also promoted the tram- way to the Columbia river, made the survey, and sold the terminals to the present owners.
The brothers of our subject are mentioned as follows, John G., James E., Milton E. The · marriage of Mr. Rogers and Miss Mary N. Howe was celebrated at Faribault, Minnesota, on December 14, 1887, and to them two chil- dren have been born, Emily, aged fifteen, and Jennie, aged thirteen.
Mr. Rogers is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the W. W., and the K. T. M. He has served at various times on the school board and is now chairman of the county central committee, having also been frequently dele- gate to the conventions. Mr. Rogers served as representative from his county to the World's fair and did excellent work in bring- ing to the notice of the public the resources and wealth of the Big Bend.country.
ALBERT L. EURICH is a genial and obliging host of the Thomas Hotel in Water- ville which he has conducted since July, 1901. when he bought the business and furnishing of the house. Mr. Eurich-is well adapted to the hotel business and makes a first class host, making many friends with the traveling public.
Albert L. Eurich was born in Michigan on July 14, 1859, the son of John and Dora (Stryker) Eurich, the father was born in Ger- many, came to the United States in 1856, set- tling in Michigan and now lives at Cedar Springs in that place. The mother was born
in Ohio and came from an old Pennsylvania family. She died in Michigan in 1902. Our subject was reared and educated in his native state and remained with his father until 1881, in which year he journeyed to Jamestown, North Dakota, continuing at various employ- ments for four years. It was 1885, that he came to Washington and engaged in hard work in the Cascades. Later, he spent a year in Seattle and the same length of time in Kit- titas county, whence he came to Waterville and after a time at general employments, rented land. He also operated a freight team and then in July, 1901, as stated above, bought the Thomas House. Mr. Eurich has four brothers, William, Edward, John and Fred and one sister, Icelia Felice. At Waterville in 1895 Mr. Eurich married Miss Rose Hardin, and to them one child was born, Lotta. In 1900, Mr. Eurich married Mrs. Tedy Crounse, a daughter of Hinkley McCarty. Of her form- er marriage, Mrs. Eurich has one daughter, Ethel Crounse. Mrs. Eurich has two sisters, Midge Groggins, and Della Ford.
Politically, our subject is allied with the Republicans and takes an interest that every good citizen should in that realm.
SILAS A. PEARL resides about three miles northwest from Waterville, where he has a nice large estate which is devoted entirely to small grains and hay for his stock. Mr. Pearl handles from fifty to one hundred head of stock annually and owns over a half section of pasture land on the mountains. He also has a good residence in Waterville where the fam- ily live a part of the year.
Silas A. Pearl was born in the Willamette valley, Oregon, on September 16, 1856. His father, James Pearl was a native of Ohio and descended from English ancestors. He crossed the plains with ox teams to the Willamette valley in 1852, settling on a donation claim near Brownsville. Our subject was educated in the public schools of the valley and when the parents moved to town, operated the home place until 1886. That was the year in which he came to the vicinity of Waterville and took a portion of his present place as a homestead. Since that time, he has been actively engaged in general farming and stock raising and in
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
addition to the cattle mentioned, he has a band of horses and about fifty hogs. Mr. Pearl also owns a threshing outfit and does threshing, for the valley.
He has two brothers, Redman and Sher- man and two sisters, Florence M. Steward and Henrietta McDaniels.
At the home of the bride in Halsey, Ore- gon, on March 4, 1882, Mr. Pearl married Miss Ella R. Raider, a native of Linn county, Oregon. Her father, Archibald Raider, came across the plains in 1846 with ox teams and is now deceased. He married Drusilla Summers, who still lives at Halsey. Mr. Pearl has one brother, Thomas and two sisters, Martha Irv- ing and Linnie Tyler. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearl three children have been born, Ethel I., aged twenty ; Arlie A., aged eighteen, and Riley M., aged three.
Mr. Pearl is a member of the I. O. F., and the W. W., while in political matters, he is a strong Republican, active and well informed. They are good people who have labored faith- fully and successfully to make Douglas coun- ty what it is today, also gaining good compe- tence for themselves.
ALBERT T. GREENE has probably been more intimately associated with Waterville and its immediate vicinity than any other man now residing here. He owns a half section of land northwest of the town and in addition to doing general farming and stock raising, he has been considerably interested in handling real estate, being now one of the prominent men of the county.
Albert T. Greene was born in Tremont, · 'Illinois, on March 15; 1854. While still an in- fant, he went to New Hampshire with his mother and there received his education from the public schools. When thirteen he began the carpenter trade and later studied law, not, however, with the intention of prac- ticing. In the fall of 1878 he came to the Pacific coast via the Isthmus and after some time spent in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, California, came to the Willamette valley, Oregon. After three years of carpentry and farm work there, he came to the Big Bend, then on through to Clark's Fork, Idaho. Returning to Davenport, he did car- penter work until March 23, 1885, when he
came to where Waterville now stands and pur- chased a squatter's right from Stephen Boyce. The idea of founding a town in the west had been a picture in the mind of Mr. Greene from his boyhood days and when by act of legisla- ture, Douglas county was formed, he saw the opportunity. The county seat was located at Okanogan, some six miles east of Waterville. but it was unsatisfactory on account of lack of water. So Mr. Greene in company with J. M. Snow, laid out a town site of forty acres of the former's farm. Mr. Greene had a very ex- cellent well from which many people hauled water for miles in every direction and it seemed very appropriate to call the place Waterville. In 1886, the new town entered the race for the county seat and after a hot contest, it was awarded the prize. A small wooden structure had been built in Waterville to which the coun- ty records were moved and the rent of which Mr. J. M. Snow paid for two years. Later Mr. Greene devoted a site and building for the county court house. In due time, he ac- quired title to the other one hundred and twen- ty of his quarter section and later gained a half section northwest from Waterville, where he lives at the present time. During the panic of 1893, Mr. Greene suffered heavy financial loss but was enabled to retain his land and is now again one of the prosperous men of the section. He has always been very active in building up the country and especially labor- ing for better educational facilities. He is president of the board at Waterville and a live supporter of good schools.
On November 6. 1886, near Davenport, Mr. Greene married Miss Florence A., daugh- ter of George P. and Sarah J. (Dotson) Tur- ner, and to them one child, Albert D., has been born. Mrs. Greene was born in Lucas coun- ty, Iowa. Her father was a native of London, England, and her mother of Pennsylvania. The mother now lives at Davenport, Wash- ington, the father having died in 1894. Mr. Greene is a member of the I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs in that order. On Jan- uary 30, 1898, Mrs. Greene was called away by death.
SOLOMON LEIGHTON resides three miles west from Baird, Washington. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on October
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13, 1845, the son of John C. and Alcesta ( Miller) Leighton, natives of Ohio also. In 1855, the family moved to Stark county, Illi- nois, where our subject was reared and edu- cated in the public schools. He made his home there until his thirty-seventh year, then jour- neyed west to Iowa where he remained until 1889. In that year, he came direct to his pres- ent place and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He has the same well im- proved and in a high state of cultivation, hav- ing made a very comfortable home here. Mr. Leighton is one of the thrifty and progressive men of Douglas county and has so conducted himself that he has not only won success in financial matters but has the esteem, confidence and good will of all who know him. He had two brothers, George W., a soldier in the Civil war who died during his term of enlistment and Albert, also deceased. He has one sister, Mrs. Eliza J. Douglas, now residing in Chicago.
In 1869, Mr. Leighton married Miss Sarah E. Snell, a native of Ohio and the daughter of William and Snell also natives of the same state. She has one brother, Alfred, now living in Nebraska and one sister, Alvoise Hunter, residing in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Leighton, four sons have been born, William E., in 1869; Arthur, in 1870; Roley, in 1875, and John C., in 1880. Mr. Leighton has se- cured what property he owns, since coming to the Big Bend country through his own labors and he is to be rated as one of the capable and substantial men of Douglas county.
HORATIO N. WILCOX is one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Waterville, and he has labored steadily here since the days of pioneering. He is now possessed of one thousand acres of fertile soil and has most of it rented. He personally oversees two hun- dred acres adjoining the town of Waterville and has shown himself to be one of the most skillful farmers in this section. Mr. Wilcox had an exhibit at the New Orleans exposition and received awards for the same. The winter of 1883-4 was the first one spent by Mr. Wil- cox in the Big Bend country and he was asso- ciated then with Mr. C. C. May at Davenport. It was June, 1883. that he came to where
Waterville now stands, and selected his present home. Stephen Boyce was his companion and he took the land where Waterville now stands.
Horatio N. Wilcox was born in Iowa, on October 3, 1853, the son of Harmon and Polly A. (Perry) Wilcox, natives of New York and Kentucky, respectively. The father died in Kansas in 1886. The mother was from a prominent southern family and still lives in the old Kansas home.
The family moved to a location about sixty miles south from Kansas City, in 1860, and there endured, all through the war, the hor- rors of border ruffianism. The father tried several times to enlist but was refused on ac- count of physical disability. Our subject was. reared in the Kansas home and educated in the log cabin school house, remaining with his fa- ther until twenty-one. Then he returned to. Iowa and worked out for a time, subsequently journeying to the Sacramento valley in Cali- fornia. From 1878 to 1883 he lived there and then came to Spokane and on to his present home as has been narrated. For twenty years, Mr. Wilcox has continued here and has been one of the substantial and leading men of the community. He has served several terms as ' county commissioner and one term as treas- urer. He always was ahead of his ticket and while he formerly was allied with Republican -. ism, he is now a firm Democrat. Mr. Wilcox has four brothers, Harmon, Perry, Otis, and Columbus, also has two sisters, Julia Williams. and Olive Stoker.
On January 20, 1893, at Waterville, Mr. Wilcox married Miss Eva E. Brown, a native of Wisconsin. Her parents are Isaiah and Marietta (Byers) Brown, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Wilcox has two brothers and two sisters, George, Frank, Elsie Wilcox, and Cora. One son has been born to this marriage, George H. - Mr. Wilcox is a member of the K. T. M.
DONALD URQUHART is one of the busiest men who own interests in Douglas county. His career reads like a fairy tale- owing to the rapidity of his movements and the abundant success that has attended him in all his efforts. Not that his life has been free from hardships and obstacles, for it will be-
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seen that he has met the rugged side of busi- ness activity, but the energy and sagacity that have led him to surmount that which others would have given up to stand all the more prominent in the light of prosperity that he has won.
Donald Urquhart was born in Wevis, Scotland, on November 12, 1853, being the son of Ducan and Catherine ( McIntosh) Urqu- hart, both natives of Wevis. The schools of his native place furnished the educational training for Donald and he grew to young manhood surrounded by salutary home influ- ences and amid the rugged hills of Scotia's historic land. During the portions of the year when not occupied with his studies, he was as- sisting his father in his work as stock fancier. Soon after his eighteenth birthday, young Urquhart determined to bid farewell to the native heath and seek his fortune in the new world where opportunities were more in ac- cord with his progressive spirit. On March 13, 1871, he first set foot on American soil, New York being the gate of reception, whence he went soon to his brother's home in Fayette, Upper Michigan. This brother, Leo, had come to America some time previous to this. Our subject soon secured employment in the machine shop of the Jackson Iron Company, where he wrought for two years.' The next move was to wend his way to the Golden Gate and for a time on the Pacific slope he was numbered with the sheep herders, after which experience, we see him in Portland in the Web-Foot State. Here he joined his brother and after several months they went to Silver City, Idaho, Donald soon being installed as engineer in the coal mines there. We next find him in Boise, again in the sheep business whence he went to Carson City, Nevada and from there to Portland. He was then en- gaged by the O. S. N. Co. in their steamboat- ing work, and he gained the position of chief engineer, remaining six years with this com- pany. Mr. Urquhart still holds his marine engineer's license. Immediately subsequent to this extended service, Mr. Urquhart, in com- pany with his two brothers, Alexander and George, came to Douglas county and located on Crab creek, where they purchased a stock ranch and a large band of sheep. This venture was a success from the inception as also were the other enterprises that Mr. Urquhart had
in tow. In company with his brother, Alex- ander, our subject had a large ranch in Oregon, near the John Day river. A second cousin of the Urquhart boys was at this ranch and one day they were in bathing and getting beyond his depth he was in danger of drowning, when Alexander regardless of his own safety in the treacherous rapids, rushed to the rescue. The rushing water was too much, even for that young man's skill and strength, for he was drawn under and they were both drowned. Our subject hurried to the scene and for ten days and nights, he dragged the river with others and finally, when all were about ready to abandon the search, being worn almost to helplessness, they were rewarded by finding the bodies. This was a severe blow to Mr. Urquhart. Alexander was his twin brother and they had always pulled together and were partners in almost every venture. Nine years since, our subject sold his Crab creek interests to his brother, George, although he still owns much property in Douglas county. In 1897, Mr. Urquhart embarked in the retail and wholesale butcher business in Spokane with his brother, under the firm name of Urquhart Brothers. They did well until the fire de- stroyed their entire business and entailed heavy losses. Then they withdrew from that busi- ness. In 1901, Mr. Urquhart was one of the organizers of the State Bank in Wilsoncreek, Douglas county and is president of that insti- tution at this time. The bank was incorporated for twenty-five thousand dollars and is doing a large business at this time. On December 16, 1903, Mr. Urquhart organized the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Spokane and at the present time is launching that promising financial institution. The place of business is on the corner of North Monroe and Broadway and the bank starts out with a fine outlook. Mr. Urquhart is also president of the Farmers' Grain & Supply Company. He is giving his personal attention to the Farmers & Mechanics Bank and will spend considerable time in Spo- kane. Mr. Urquhart still personally manages his other large interests in Douglas county and in other sections, always manifesting that keen discrimination and foresight that always char- acterize the truly successful financier.
Mr. Urquhart was married to Miss Abbey McClennan.
In political matters, Mr. Urquhart is allied
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with the Republicans and he always manifests a keen interest in the campaigns, being a pro- gressive man and a hard worker for the good of the community and the general advance- ment.
SORAN C. CHRISTENSEN dwells about four miles south from Farmer postoffice. He owns there one-half section of choice wheat land which is well clutivated and improved. The homestead taken was on homestead and pre-emption rights in 1889 and since then has been the home of Mr. Chirstensen. When he settled here, he was practically without means and was obliged to leave his home and family during portions of the year and work in the harvest fields of the older settled portions of the state. By hard labor and much self denial, Mr. Christensen finally succeeded in making his home place productive and each year added more of the prairie to the cultivated portions until the whole farm was producing abundant crops of wheat. He has become very prosperous since, owing to his careful management of the farm and he is one of the well-to-do citizens of Douglas county.
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