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 50
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 50
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 50
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 50
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
to call attention to the fact that it is not some turn of "luck" as some state when a man gets the reward of his labors, but it is the result of his farseeing wisdom and improvement of the opportunities that presented themselves and which he sought out. Mr. Thompson has won the admiration and respect of the people and stands well at this day. He is one of the lead- ing and influential men of the county and has gained this distinction by reason of his worth and his integrity.
JACOB KASPER is handling the largest general store in Lind, where he has been es- tablished for some years. He is a merchant of wide experience and his success here has demonstrated his ability to be of a high order. His establishment is located on the main street of the town and is a one-story brick, which is entirely occupied with his merchandise. The basement is utilized for storing goods and the stock carried here is worth more than thirty- five thousand dollars. Mr. Kasper has shown marked wisdom in selecting his goods for he has a fine variety of all kinds adapted to this trade, and the motto, "Well bought, half sold" is one which he heeds well, for he is a care- ful and shrewd buyer knows how to get bar- gains for his customers. This has drawn a very large patronage to his store, which his careful business methods have held.
Jacob Kasper was born in Poland, on Jan- uary 7. 1855, the son of Jacob and Sarah Kas- per. His boyhood days were spent in his na- tive country and there he was favored with a good educational training. When he had ar- rived at his majority, he determined to try the larger and more inviting fields. of the new world and accordingly came hither ready for business. He located in San Francisco and there secured employment as salesman in a general store. He made the most of his oppor- tunities and soon was well acquainted with the lines of business here and had made good head- way in mastering the English language. Then he started a store for himself. This was eighteen months after he landed. Soon he re- moved to Forest Hill. California, and con- ducted a mercantile establishment there for two years. His next location was in Walla Walla, where he opened a dry goods store in com-
pany with W. Rudee. He soon bought out his partner and continued the store until 1890. Then he removed to Farmington, Washington, and there conducted a general store until 1893. On account of the panic that then swept the country he lost heavily. After that, he opened business in Kendrick, Idaho, the largest store in the town, and did business there until 1901. In that year he and his brother opened a whole- sale woodenware and basket house in San Francisco, under the firm name of Kasper Brothers & Company. Leaving the manage- ment of the concern to his brother he came to Lind and started the business which has grown to the present large dimensions under his super- vision. The business has the form of a large department store and would do credit to a city, and Lind is to be congratuated that Mr. Kasper has been induced to make this his head- quarters. The building utilized is owned by Mr. Kasper and is fifty by one hundred feet. It is packed from roof to basement floor with the choicest goods and is the center of great activity. In 1904 Mr. Kasper sold his San Francisco venture and is giving his entire at- tention to the management and building up of his Lind store. Believing that the country will justify it, he has led in the mercantile business in his town, and determines to make his the best store in the county in due time.
Mr. Kasper is a strong Republican and takes a keen interest in every movement, both political and educational, as he is very pro- gressive and public minded. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a leading citizen of Lind.
At San Francisco, on April 27, 1890, Mr. Kasper married Miss Esther Lewis, a native of Poland. She came to this country with her parents when six years of age and lived in San Francisco, where she was reared and edu- cated. Her parents died in that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Kasper, one child has been born, Sylven L., aged thirteen.
SAMUEL KASPER is one of Lind's lead- ing business men and is well known both in the town and the surrounding country. He stands at the head of a large mercantile busi- ness and has gained the success with which his efforts are now crowned by virtue of busi-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
ness ability and industry, dominated by wis- dom. He has the happy faculty of providing the people with the goods they desire and at the prices which can but receive their approval. This is not a matter of chance, but is the re- sult of his long training in the commercial world, that but developed the talent with which he is richly endowed.
Samuel Kasper was born in the northern part of Poland, on October 17. 1848. There he was well educated in the public schools after which he learned thoroughly the tailor trade. This has been of inestimable benefit to him in his later years of business, as it placed him in possession of a practical knowledge with which nothing else can vie. In 1862, he came to the United States and for three years wrought in New York city. Then he journeyed to the Golden Gate and in the metropolis of the Pacific coast, he opened an art store, handling also paints and glass. Later he sold this business and opened a clothing store. In the prosecu- tion of this business he continued until 1887, when he came north to Pomeroy and there en- tered into business as a dry goods merchant. Here he continued until 1896, and then re- moved to Kendrick, Idaho, in the same busi- ness. Later he returned to San Francisco and in connection with his'son and son-in-law, he opened a wholesale wood and willow-ware es- tablishment. This was handled successfully by our subject until 1901, and in that year he sold and came to Lind. In partnership with his brother, he opened a store in this town and together they operated until March, 1904. when they dissolved partnership, and since then Mr. Kasper has been at the head of the busi- ness where we find him at the present time. He is established on the prominent corner of Lind, on both sides of the bank, and has a frontage on two streets. The sightly and com- modious store is well filled with a choice as- sortment of the goods adapted to this market and Mr. Kasper is favored with a fine patron- age. He is well known all through the coun- try and has many warm friends. He has so conducted his business that he has won the confidence of the people and the. result is his trade is constantly increasing. Mr. Kasper carries a stock of general merchandise, cloth- ing, men's furnishings, dry goods, and in fact everything to be used in this section. He has at present over twenty thousand dollars' worth
of goods and is contemplating increasing his business.
At San Francisco, on August 18, 1872, Mr. Kasper married Miss Mena Sellick, a na- tive of Poland. Her family came to this coun- try when she was a child four years of age. She was reared and educated in New York city and is an accomplished lady. To this marriage four children have been born, Etta, wife of A. Green, a well known traveling man in San Francisco, Rose, H. H., and Jacob.
Mr. Kasper is a public minded man, and always takes a great interest in the welfare of the community. He is a member of the K. P. and the B. B.
FRANK H. BENGE is well known in Adams county as a man of force and ability and has shown, as well, commendable upright- ness in his pilgrimage here during the years. past. He d'wells about sixteen miles northeast from Washtucna, and owns a farm of nine hundred acres. Farming and stock raising occupy him and he handles about one hundred and fifty head of stock each year.
Frank H. Benge was born in Davis county, Iowa, on November 9, 1861, the son of Dr. Louis and Cyntha A. (Sheffer ) Benge, natives of Iowa. The father was a practicing phy- sician of repute and in 1862 crossed the plains, bringing his family with him. Enroute, he was obliged to ferry his goods across the treacherous Snake in a wagon box, which was no small undertaking. A stop was made at Milton, Oregon, and then settlement was made in Walla Walla, where the father maintained a good practice until his death in 1877. The mother is still living, her home being in Lex- ington, Oregon, at this time. They were the parents of the following named children, Mrs. Mattie M. Henderson, Mrs. Cora Mack, Frank H., Ralph L., Mrs. Ruth Barnette, Fred J., and Mrs. Rose Eskelsen. Mr. and Mrs. Mack are both deceased and four chil- dren survive them. Our subject received a good common school education in the Walla WValla valley and after his father's death as- sisted his mother to support the balance of the family until he was twenty-five. Then he married and went to Heppner, Oregon, where he spent five years. After that came a move to Dayton, Washington, and two years were spent
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
in the hotel business there. In 1892, Mr. Benge came to Adams county and took up stock rais- ing, which he has continued to this date. He has achieved a good success in this line and is a man of prosperity.
In 1888 occurred the marriage of Mr. Benge and Miss Mary J., daughter of E. C. and Angeline ( Mayse) Crouch, natives of Illi- nois. They came to Washington in 1880 and now dwell in Adams county. Five children have been born to that family, Joseph L., Mary J., J. Edward, M. J., and G. T. Mr. and Mrs. Benge have two children, Sarah R. and Annie L.
Mr. Benge has always displayed a great interest in political matters and pulls in the Democratic harness. He has served as school director and clerk, as constable and as justice of the peace. On April 30, 1904, Mr. Benge was nominated by his party to represent his county in the state legislature. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and while he does not belong to any denomination, he is a liberal supporter of churches and church institutions.
ALEXANDER WATSON, JR., is to be classed as one of the wealthy land owners in Adams county. By his thrift and wisdom he has gained possession of a nice estate and through his labors, has assisted very materially in building up Adams county to its present prosperous condition.
Alexander Watson, Jr., was born in Ontario, Canada, on August 19, 1855. His parents, Al- exander and Catherine ( Baird) Watson, were natives of Scotland and are mentioned more fully in this work elsewhere. They moved from Canada to Illinois then to Nebraska and in 1888, to Washington, locating in Adams county where they now reside. Our subject re- ceived his education in Ontario and Illinois and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, then he worked out for wages one year, after which he married, and five years later moved to Nebraska and farmed for three years. In 1888, he came west and sought out a homestead in Adams county where he now resides, the same being one mile south from Delight. To this he has added by pur- chase until he has nine hundred and sixty acres, six hundred and fifty of which are producing
wheat. He has erected good buildings and made other improvements among which may be mentioned an orchard, choice buildings and fences. In addition to general farming, Mr. Watson also raises some stock.
On December 4, 1879, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Watson and Margaret Culbert. Her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Mc- Clanegan) Culbert, were natives of Ireland and came to America when young. They first located in Pennsylvania and later removed to Illinois where the father remained until his . death. The mother still lives there. They were the parents of eight children, named as follows: Alex, Eliza, Mary J., Maggie, Bell, John, Ellen and Levina. To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, five children have been born, Ralph C .; A. T., Girtie, Mary and Gladis.
The principles of the Republican party have appealed more strongly to Mr. Watson than any other, consequently he is numbered with the stalwart war horses of this section. He has taken a keen interest in educational matters and has given of his time to serve on the board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are people of excellent standing in the community.
ISAAC RIGG, who resides about two miles southwest from Fletcher, is one of the pioneers of Adams county and has wrought with a display of industry and wisdom here since the days of hard times and much de- privation. His estate consists of one-half sec- tion and all under cultivation. It is well im- proved with barn, other buildings, orchard, plenty of fine water and is a valuable place. Mr. Rigg is in a favored locality and has a choice farm.
Isaac Rigg was born in Madison, Wiscon- sin, on October 12, 1858, the son of John and Agnes (Bennett) Rigg, natives of England. They came to America in 1856 and made set- tlement in Wisconsin, where they dwelt two years. Then came the journey to Kansas, where their home was until 1882. In that year they determined to see the Evergreen State, and accordingly came to Washington and are now living in Adams county. To this worthy couple, six children have been born, named as follows, Sarah, Isaac, George, John, Eliza and
MR. AND MRS. ALEXANDER WATSON, JR.
ISAAC RIGG
ANDREW S. NEWLAND
ELIAS L. BANTA
825
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
William. Isaac was educated in the common schools of Pottawatomie county, Kansas, study- ing until he was nineteen years of age. Then he began the broader studies of real life and since that time has wrought with display of energy and wisdom. He worked on a farm for some time and then came west, the year being 1881, and followed railroading and min- ing in Oregon. The next year he came to Washington and in 1887, settlement was made in Adams county. He took a homestead at once and gave his attention to improving and developing the same. Later he added another quarter by purchase and this comprises his estate to-day.
In 1895, Mr. Rigg married Miss Lillie M., daughter of Elliott and Elizabeth (Haliday) Rucker, natives of Illinois. Later the parents removed to Missouri and now are dwelling in Whitman county, Washington. Seven chil- dren were in their family, named as follows: Lillie M., Laura, Laurance, Leonard, Myrtle B., Claud, and Leroy. On November 18, 1899, Mr. Rigg was called to meet the death of his beloved wife and she was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Rigg has always evinced a becoming interest in the affairs of the community and politics, being allied with the Republicans. He is a member of the M. W. A. and also belongs to the Christian church. He has two children, David B., born March 27, 1897; and William D., born February 21, 1899. The last named son is living with his grandparents in Whitman county, while Master David is with his father.
ANDREW S. NEWLAND. For twenty years this worthy and estimable citizen of Adams county has toiled here for the general advancement and for the improvement of the country. He now resides some five miles southwest from Ritzville, where he has a fine estate of seven hundred and twenty acres of choice land. His attention is chiefly given to the production of wheat, although he also handles some stock. He has a good place, has made comfortable improvements, and is rated one of the leading men of the community. His labors have not only met with their deserved reward in a handsome property, which he now owns, but have stimulated others to effort,
which has resulted in great good to this county and the country in general.
Andrew S. Newland was born in Crab Orchard, Lincoln county, Kentucky, on Octo- ber 19, 1844, the son of J. W. and Esther (Whitley) Newland, both natives, also, of the Blue Grass State. In 1851, they removed to Louisville, where the mother died. In 1856, the father went on west to Missouri, and thence, in 1889, he came to the vicinity of Lind and there took a homestead. There his death occurred in 1895. Our subject and his two elder brothers, having secured their education in the schools of their native country, enlisted to fight for the confederacy. John, the oldest of the three, was killed in the battle of Altoona, Georgia, in 1864. The others saw rigorous service and know what it is to be in the carnage of the battlefield. Immediately after the war, Mr. Newland engaged in farming in Missouri, and in Cape Girardeau county, of that state occurred his marriage. The date is 1880, and the lady then becoming his wife was Fannie Hickman, daughter of Rev. Joshua and Martha (Dunnivant) Hickman. The father was a native of Kentucky but removed to Missouri when twenty-one. He took charge of the Fee Baptist church, in St. Louis county, the oldest Protestant organization west of the Mis- sissippi, and held the pastorate for twenty years. He now resides in St. Louis. In 1884, Mr. Newland determined to try the west and as he could find no other portion more attractive than Adams county, he came hither and took a home- stead where he now resides, and which has been his home ever since. He was one of the earliest settlers here and had his share in the hardships and deprivations suffered by the sturdy pioneers. Water had to be hauled for miles for the farm use ; squirrels were so numerous that it was almost impossible to raise a crop; settlers were far apart; and many other things com- bined to make the path of the frontiersinan a hard one. But Mr. Newland was not to be deterred from doing his work well and soon he was enabled to get more land under cultiva- tion and so when the prosperous years came along, he was so situated as to take advantage and soon was on the road to bright prosperity. He added to his homestead betimes until he has the large estate mentioned, and also has it well improved and is one of the leading property owners of this vicinity. For several summers
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
after coming, he was forced to go to Walla Walla to get work so as to bring the necessary support to the family, but he and his faithful wife labored steadily along and now have the good rewards of their toil and sagacity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Newland, five children have been born, Esther, Hickman, Emma, Robert and Charles. The parents belong to the Baptist church and are exemplary people and substantial citizens. Mr. Newland is a stanch and active Democrat and has always taken a lively interest in political matters.
ELIAS L. BANTA. Born in DeWitt county, Illinois, May 16, 1847, the son of Rice and Eliza (Ware) Banta. Elias L. Banta is now a prominent farmer residing six miles north- east of Hatton. His father, who was of Ger- man ancestry, was born in Kentucky and the mother in Virginia. They were married in Illinois, where they lived until removing to Missouri in 1855. In 1883 the father died, whereupon the mother removed to Iowa, and in that state died in 1893. They were the par- ents of nine children, Elias, William R., Per- melia, Franklin P., Daniel and Cornelia, twins, Sarah A., Mary F. and Charles W.
Mr. Banta received a common schooling in Dewitt county, Illinois, and at the age of twenty-two he started in life on an independent basis by working on a farm. When thirty-six he entered the railroad machine shops at Stans- bury, Missouri, where he remained until 1899. when he came to Washington and located in Adams county. He now owns a quarter-sec- tion of choice wheat land, all fenced and under cultivation. He has a good house and one of the finest appearing homes in his vicinity.
Mr. Banta was married in 1883 to Laura Wilson, daughter of R. B. an'd A. E. ( Hughes) Wilson, natives of Illinois, and parents of twelve children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Banta have been born four children, three of whom are living : Robert L., now in the United States army and sta- tioned at Fort Wright ; Joseph C., and Lulu I.
Mr. Banta is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the political affairs of his county. He has held the office of road super- visor with satisfaction to all.
Mrs. Banta is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1875 Mr. Banta enlisted in the United States army from Sacramento, California, and served five years, during the greater portion of which time he was engaged in fighting Indians in Oregon and Idaho.
JOHN W. GOODYKOONTZ owns one half section of fertile wheat land about three miles southwest from Fletcher. Through his industry and good taste the estate has been im- proved in first class shape. He has plenty of good water and a fine orchard for home use, with good buildings, the land well fenced, be- sides various other improvements. Mr. Goody- Koontz gives attention to raising stock some- what, in addition to wheat farming and is a prosperous man.
John W. Goodykoontz was born in Alama- kee county, Iowa, on March 2, 1860. His pa- rents, William and Nettie ( Bair) Goodykoontz, were born in Virginia, in 1826, and in Indiana, in 1838, respectively. They were married in Iowa, in 1856 and there remained until 1877, when they journeyed west and settled in Kan- sas, where the father now lives. The mother died on May 21, 1904. Seven children were born to them, M. A., T. B., J. W., Emma J., C. A., Alice, and Carrie E.
John W. studied in the common schools of Hardin county, Iowa, until about man grown, when he gave his entire time to assist his pa- rents until twenty-four years of age. At that time, he started out to do for himself and be- gan by farming in Kansas. Four years later, it being 1888, he moved to Washington and located on a homestead where he now resides. - From that time until the latter 'nineties, he had considerable hardship to endure passing through the hard times and it required no small amount of determination to stay with the proposition. However, he succeeded and is now rewarded by a good holding in property.
In 1884, Mr. Goodykoontz married Ninnie L. Wooters, the daughter of L. H. and Phoebe (Arbaugh) Wooters. The father was born in Maryland in 1839, while the mother was born in Indiana, in 1843. They were married in Indiana, in 1861, and became the parents of ten children, Charles R., Rose M., Ninnie L., Emma B., Lena D., E. M., W. L., J. F., Z. N., and Carrie A. To our subject and wife one
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
child has been born, E. M., now attending school at Ritzville.
Mr. Goodykoontz has always been a Re- publican and takes an active interest in politi- cal campaigns. He also serves frequently on the school board and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
In November, 1904, Mr. Goodykoontz was elected justice of the peace at Washtucna, his name appearing on the Republican ticket.
MADISON L. BURKHART has without doubt shown very commendable labors in Adams county. Owing to the fact that during the earlier years of his residence here and until 1897, various influences militated against his success it is all the more praiseworthy that he has won a nice holding and made himself one of the prosperous and leading men of the coun- try. Madison L. Burkhart was born in New- ton county, Missouri, on August 18, 1852. His parents, J. D. and Louisa ( Parsons ) Burkhart, were natives of Indiana and settled in Missouri in May, 1838. In 1875, they moved to Kansas and in 1886 to Day- ton, Washington. They were the parents of eleven children, who are named as follows : Elijah H., M. L., A. J., J. W .. Campbell, Sigel, Anna P., D. G., Lulu E., Charles L., and Lidia. In the country schools of New- ton county, our subject gained the primary part of his English education and there, too, continued his studies until he was well favored with a good common school training. At the age of twenty, he stepped out from under the parental roof and began labors for himself. After working on the farm for sometime, he bought a piece of land and tilled it until 1875, then went to Cherokee county, Kansas, and farmed until 1888, when he came west to Day- ton. A year later, he left that country and settled in Adams county, where we now find him about five miles northeast from Delight. In the spring of 1890 he moved his family here and the next seven years were years of hardship and disappointment and much suffer- ing. However, Mr. Burkhart was not the man to be discouraged and he continued until 1897 and began to reap the reward of his labors. From that time until the present, he has har- vested annually fine crops from an eight hun-
dred acre ranch which is well supplied with all the improvements, as buildings, orchard, abundance of good water and so forth. Mr. Burkhart keeps about twenty head of horses for the work on the farm and traveling pur- poses. He is a man of energy and excellent ability and has won his success by reason of real merit and industry.
In 1871, occurred the marriage of Madi- son L. Burkhart and Margaret E. Kennedy. The bride was the daughter of Thomas and Emeline (Spraggens) Kennedy, natives of Tennessee. They moved to Missouri in 1840 and there the father died in 1853. The mother continued her residence in that county until 1889, then came to Dayton where she died in 1894, having borne five children, Lena, Mel- vina, Ova, Huston, Margaret E. To our sub- ject and his estimable wife five children have been born, Maude A., Leroy G., Rose E., and Archie H. Mr. Burkhart is a wide awake man and in political matters, as in other af- fairs, shows an activity and keen interest that speaks in the alert mind a desire for the welfare of the community. He is a hard worker in the ranks of the Republican party and well 'informed upon the questions of the day. He has given of his time and energy to promote educational interests and is now serving on the school board. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., while he and his wife be- long to the Methodist church and have raised their family in that faith.
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