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 64
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 64
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 64
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 64
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Nothing could much better indicate the vigor and enterprise of Mr. Clodius than the fact that since the above was written, he has worked with various others so successfully that he stands at the head of the large German- American State Bank, which opened its doors in Ritzville on July 1, 1904. Its home is in a commodious modern fire proof structure at the corner of Second avenue and D street, one of the choice locations in the town. Mr. Clodius is a member of the board of directors and also is president of the institution. It is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and is backed by the most substantial men of Adams county. Mr. Clodius has been a moving spirit in the organization of the bank and his sagacity and keen business ability insure for it a successful career.
WILLIAM W. NEARE, who is a pros- perous farmer residing two miles northeast of Lind, was one of the first settlers in his locality. He came to this state and to his present loca- tion in 1889, filed on a homestead of a quarter- section of land and immediately engaged in farming and improving the same. The first year of his life here he harvested a bountiful crop, but during the succeeding six years his crops were almost failures. Conditions then changed, so that since that time he has pros-
pered, and succeeded in acquiring more land until he now has three-fourths of a section all under cultivation and fenced. His farm is one of the best improved and most valuable ones in Adams county.
William W. Neare was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, December 22, 1835, and is descended from two of the oldest Amercian families. His father and mother were Charles and Miranda (Nash) Neare, natives of New York. His father's father also was born in New York, and his wife's name was Cynthia Austin. They came to America early in the country's history, settled on the Mohawk river, in the state of New York, where they reared a family of six children, whose names, with dates of birth and death, respectively, were as follows : Charles, born 1812, died 1875; Betsy, 1815, 1883; Harriet, 1817, 1901; George, 1824, 1895; David, 1820, 1828, and John, 1835, 1853.
Aaron Nash, our subject's mother's father, was killed during the War of 1812. Silas Nash, born June 14, 1762, died January 5, 1852, served in the Revolutionary War. Silas Nash, Jr., born August 23, 1784, died Septem- ber 30, 1849, married Sally Bunce, and their daughter was the second white child ever born in Cattaraugus county. John Neare, grand- father of our subject, was born in 1786 and died in 1876.
William W. Neare received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen left home to engage in work for himself. In 1857, he went to Minnesota but returned to his native state in less than a year and in 1861 was married to Lorinda Davis, daughter of Alva and Jerusha (Guil) Davis, both natives of Saratoga county, New York. Mrs. Neare's grandparents also were natives of the state of New York. Mrs. Neare was a member of a family of seven children, who, not including herself, were: Lewis, Lucinda, Norman, Will- iam, Marinda and Jane. To Mr. and Mrs. Neare have been born two children: Carl L., who reside in Adams county, and Burton J., a mail agent running between Seattle and Port- land, whose home is in Tacoma.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr.Neare engaged in farming in his native county, where he remained for twenty-five years, and in 1889 came to Washington.
A stanch, though consistent, Democrat, Mr.
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Neare takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. He is also an enthusiast in educa- tional matters, and was in 1889 a director of his district. He was one of the organizers of the Lind school, which was taught the first year by his son Burton before the son had at- tained his majority. Mr. Neare has been hon- ored at different times by office and has at dif- ferent places held the office of justice of the peace.
CHARLES B. QUILLEN is a farmer residing about equidistant from Paha, Adams county, and Quincy, Douglas county, Wash- ington, and receives mail at either of these post- offices. Born in Seward county, Nebraska, July 26, 1872, he is the son of Thomas and Drusilla (Hand) Quillen, natives of Indiana. The parents lived two years in Iowa, from which state they removed to Furnas county, Nebraska, lived there twelve years, then came to Washington, in 1886, and settled at Endi- cott. After three years they removed to St. John, two years later to Vollmer, Idaho, thence to Grangeville, Idaho, and they now live on a farm in Nez Perces county.
Mr. Quillen's grandmother on his father's side is still living in Nebraska at the age of ninety-three years. Her husband, a Christian minister, died at the age of seventy-five, as did also Mr. Quillen's grandfather on his mother's side of the family.
Charles B. Quillen first attended school at Maple Creek in his native state, and at Beaver City. He came to Washington with his parents and attended school until arriving at the age of fifteen years, when he left school to make a livelihood for himself. He worked for various farmers and rode the range for stockmen until 1890, when he began working near the city of Moscow, Idaho. After three years here he went to Grangeville where he freighted for seven years, a part of which time he also farmed on rented land. The following two years he spent in touring the state of Washing- ton. He then filed upon the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres where he still lives. He has five head of farm horses and good farm buildings.
Mr. Charles Quillen was married January I, 1892, to Ida M. Stillman, daughter of Charles and Belle J. (Newell) Stillman. Her
father was a native of Iowa and her mother of Illinois. The parents settled in Iowa, where the father died in 1884. The mother was mar- ried again, and now lives at Avon, Idaho. She is the mother of two children by her first mar- riage and nine by her second. Those now living are: Bessie, Renbin, Daisy, Eva, Bertha and Ralph,- the others being dead. Mr. and Mrs. Quillen have been parents of three children, two of whom, Herbert and Orville, are still living. All were born in Idaho.
Politically, Mr. Quillen is an ardent Repub- lican, as is also his wife, who has achieved con- siderable local fame as a worker at the polls. Both are members of the United Artisans, and Mrs. Quillen is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Quillen has one brother and one sister, Frank and Jennie.
FRED THIEL follows the drug business in Ritzville. He was born in Seradda, Russia, October 19, 1876, the son of Jacob and Lizzie ( Strombecker) Thiel, natives of Russia but of German descent.
The parents came to America in 1878 and lived both in Franklin and Hitchcock counties, Nebraska, before coming to southern Idaho, to Baker City and to Walla Walla in 1882. In the spring of 1883 they drove to Adams county and located a' homestead. Later, they pur- chased more land, but they are now living in retirement in Ritzville. They were parents of four children, J. J., now a professor in Winfield College, Kansas; Mike, Henry and Fred.
Fred Thiel received his first schooling in Adams county, and later took a course in a Portland business college. At the age of twenty-two he took a homestead, but after two years he sold out and removed to Ritzville, where he engaged in the hardware business as a member of the King Mercantile Company. He subquently sold his interest in the business and engaged in the drug, stationery and glass business, which he is now following.
The married life of Mr. Thiel dates from the year 1903, when he took for his wife Katie Schoesler, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Betherus) Schoesler, of German descent but natives of Russia. The grandparents of Mrs. Thiel came to America in 1892, remained six months then returned to Russia where they live
FRED THIEL
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
at the present time. Her parents came to America in 1878 and now reside on their farm north from Ritzville.
Politically, Mr. Thiel is a Democrat, and an active party man. He is at this writing a mem- ber of the city council of Ritzville, and one of the promising young business men of the town. He belongs to the M. W. A. fraternity, and both he and Mrs. Thiel are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Thiel is a prominent man in the city and holds various positions. He was delegate to the state convention held at Olympia in August, 1904; is a stockholder of the German- American Bank in Ritzville; is president of the Diboya Mining & Milling Company of Mon- tana : is president and treasurer of the Gilson- Thiel opera house in Ritzville; and is treasurer of the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce.
SAMUEL W. WEBB, merchant, who owns one of the largest general merchandise stores in Paha, was born in Jefferson valley, town of Poney, Montana, October 9, 1875, the son of WV. B. and Etta A. (Cheney) Webb. The father was a native of Vermont and the mother of Massachusetts, and the two canie to Montana in 1871. In that state they made their home for eighteen years, where they inade a comfortable fortune. After leaving Montana they went on a prolonged visit to the father's old Vermont home, returned as far as Illinois, where they lived until 1882, when they came to Cheney, Washington. They still make that city their home. Mr. Webb is one of the most highly respected pioneers of the town, and for four years has held the office of justice of the peace. They have been parents of eight chil- dren, six of whom are living: Nellie, Nettie, Charles, Henry, Samuel and Theodore. Alva and Amanda are the ones deceased.
Samuel Webb's education was received in the common schools of Vermont, Illinois and Cheney, with a year in the normal school of the city of Cheney. After leaving school he went to Kaslo, British Columbia, where he worked in a mercantile store and at the dairy business. Returning to Cheney, he was employed for seven years in the dairy business of J. L. Gilette, after which time he came to Paha and worked for a time in the mill. He started his present business in November, 1903.
In 1898, on January 8, Samuel Webb was imarried to Flora B. Stroup, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stroup, of Cheney. . Her mother is now living in Spokane. One child, Carrol C., is an issue of this union.
Mr. Webb is an ardent Democrat, and a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors of America fraternities. Mrs. Webb is a Rebekah.
GEORGE G. EVANS, by trade a plasterer, is living on a farm three and one-half miles west of Hatton, Adams county, Washington.
Born June 10, 1858, in Parke county, In- diana, he removed early in life to Coles county, Illinois, where he received the advantage of the common schools. At the age of eighteen he started out in life as an apprentice to the trade of which he four years later became a master, and in 1880 he went to Texas. For two years he worked in the employ of a railroad company in that state at getting out timbers, after which he returned to Indiana, where he lived until 1887, when he went to Missouri. He worked at his trade in Missouri until 1889, having the superintendency of a large force of men. He came to Adams county, Washington, in 1890 and filed on his present homestead. Since the date mentioned he has applied himself to the cultivation of his farm and working at his trade. His farm is all under cultivation, well improved and amply supplied with live stock.
The parents of Mr. Evans were Calvin and Levina (Tucker) Evans, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and New York. They both emigrated to Indiana early in life, married and spent the remainder of their lives in Parke coun- ty. The father was descended from an old Welsh family which came to America in the early days, settled in North Carolina, and there united with the Friends church under the lead- ership of William Penn. The father remained true to the Quaker faith until his death. The mother was a Presbyterian. Her ancestors came from England and were early settlers in the state of Rhode Island, later removing to Indiana. The father was a cabinet maker by trade, and in Indiana he conducted an exten- sive business, employing a great number of mnen.
The brothers of our subject are: N. J., R.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
B., William, and R. B. Evans. One brother, James WV. Evans, is now dead. Mr. Evans has two nephews : John G., son of N. J. Evans; Donald C., son of W. J. Evans.
Mr. Evans is a consistent and active Dem- ocrat in politics, and has for several years served his party as committeeman. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, has taken all the degrees of the order and in 1884 he represented his lodge in the session of the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Uniformi Rank, Knights of Pythias.
BENJAMIN F. BERRY, who resides about three miles northwest from Fletcher in the country known as the Rattlesnake flat, is one of the heaviest wheat producers of the Big Bend country. He is a man of marked energy and industry and has gained his princely hold- ing through his own unaided efforts. At the present time, he owns nine and one-half sections of first-class wheat land, and one and one-half pasture. The nine and one-half sections are in crop. His estate is one of the largest in Adams county and owing to the skill- ful management of the same is one of the best paying in the country. Mr. Berry has six men employed all the year round and during por- tions of the year has many more. He is a pioneer and has been on the frontier almost all his life, participating in the labors and adven- tures incident to mining, prospecting, freight- ing and so forth.
Benjamin F. Berry was born in Wapella county, Iowa, near Ottumwa, on March 30, 1852. In his native country he was reared on the farm and received his education from the public schools. At the age of twenty-three, he determined to seek his own fortune in the west and we find him in Colorado, Nevada, Califor- nia, Oregon, Idaho and in various other sec- tions actively engaged in different enterprises, and ever showing the energy and wisdom that could but bring success. These labors con- tinued until 1892, when he came to where his home is now located and took a quarter-section under government right. From that time until the present, Mr. Berry has given careful atten- tion to farming and stock raising, more espec- ially to farming. He improved the home place in a proper manner with all buildings, fences
and so forth needed and it is supplied with an abundance of good water and an orchard of fifteen acres. Mr. Berry was thoroughly con- vinced from the start that this was a magnifi- cent wheat country and he accordingly deter- mined to possess more land. With this end in view he laid his plans and from time to time bought land from the railroad company and oth- ers until he has now seven thousand and forty acres as stated above. To handle this magnifi- cent domain, Mr. Berry has a large number of horses and mules, which he raises on the farm. He has the latest and most improved machinery, including a combined harvester and thresher and has shown splendid executive ability in handling his business. His principal crop is wheat. His grain is marketed at Washtucna and Lind and the produce of this farm would feed many hundred people. In addition to what has been mentioned, Mr. Berry has stock hold- ings in the German-American Bank at Ritz- ville and is a director. He is also interested in the Medical Lake Sanitarium and owns con- siderable property besides.
In fraternal affiliations, he is connected with the I. O. O. F.
At Ritzville, in November, 1900, Mr. Berry married Miss Margaret McVene, a native of Michigan and to them one child, Benjamin F., Jr., has been born. When Mr. Berry located in this country, it was wild and thoroughly un- inhabited. He has had the pleasure of seeing it settled up and built up to be one of the choicest sections of Washington and in this good labor he has been a leader. He is ever interested in the improvement of the roads, in making better schools and heartily co-operates with every movement that is for the welfare of the com- munity.
Mr. Berry has been a great traveler and the experience that he has acquired in his labors and travels, has made him a well informed man. Yet notwithstanding the fact that he has seen some of the choicest sections in the United States, he is firm in the belief that Adams county is one of the best to be found in the west. No such thing as luck has brought about the gratifying result with which we see Mr. Berry blessed at the present time, for to the careful observer, it is evident that his mas- terful ability and keen foresight were respon- sible directly for the accumulation of this great property. He laid his plans well and then
BENJAMIN F BERRY.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
worked to the mark, allowing nothing to swerve him from accomplishing that which he had planned to do. As a man, Mr. Berry is gener- ous and genial, as a citizen he is loyal and patriotic, and as a business operator, he is force- ful and successful. His standing in the com- munity is of the best and his circle of friends is as wide as his acquaintance.
JOHN C. LONG is a prominent citizen of Paha, Washington, engaged in the livery and dray business, connected with the business of buying and selling stock. Born in Garfield county, Washington, February 18, 1881, he is the son of Clark and Ora (Saint) Long, a sketch of whose lives is given in this history.
When a babe of two years, John C. Long was taken by his parents to Ritzville, where he attended school until seventeen years of age, when he left school to assist his father on the farm. He was thus engaged until 1902, when he started in life for himself, engaging in the business of raising stock. He now has eighty head of stock of his own, two city lots, and a stone business block in which his business is carried on, which block is one hundred feet square. He does a first rate business, and keeps twelve horses continually at the command of his patrons. During his earlier days he rode the range as a cow-boy a great deal, and has seen some of the hardships of pioneer cow-boy life.
In fraternity circles, Mr. Long is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and politically, he is an active Republican. He at one time was elected constable of his precinct.
LAWRENCE O. STEWART was born in Friendsville, Wabash county, Illinois, March 13, 1877. He is the son of James C. and Mary E. (Couch) Stewart, also of Illinois birth, who lived in their native state until coming to Damon, Washington, in 1888. They later re- moved to Chehalis county, and are now living at Montesano, Washington. They have been parents of five children, all sons : L. O., N. R., J. O., L. D., and W. L.
Mr. Stewart received his early education in the common schools of Wabash county, and
later at Cosmopolis, and Cedarville, Washing- ton, and was graduated from the eighth grade of the Oakville public schools. At the age of twenty he left school and learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed at intervals cov- ering three years. At the expiration of that time he entered into partnership with G. F. Taylor, and founded the Oakville Cruiser, at Oakville, Washington. He sold his interest to his partner, which he later purchased back, and in November, 1903, the firm organized the Adams County Publishing Company and started the Adams County Hub.
In addition to his newspaper interests Mr. Stewart has twenty acres of land adjoining the town of Oakville, and also some city lots in the same town.
Politically, he is an active Republican. He is a member in good standing of the Modern Woodmen lodge, No. 9,063, Oakville, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DAVID TEEGARDEN resides nine miles northwest from Lind and his business is that of a farmer and travelling man in the employ of the King Mercantile Company as agent for the McCormick Harvesting Machinery Com- pany. He has been engaged in the latter busi- ness for three years.
David Teegarden was born in Stark coun- ty, Ohio, April 1, 1845, and was the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Grant) Teegarden, natives of Pennsylvania. They were, respect- ively, of Holland and Irish ancestry. Early in their lives they removed to Indiana, later to Iowa and in 1894 the father came to Wash- ington and settled at Walla Walla, where he died. The mother died some years ago in Indiana. They were parents of three chil- dren besides our subject, William A., Mrs. Sarah Hawley, whose husband is dead, and Mrs. Jennie Embree.
Mr. Teegarden received his education in Indiana, and at the age of twenty-two com- menced farming for himself. After being thus engaged two years he entered the livery busi- ness at West Branch, Iowa, and two years later transferred his headquarters to Marshall- town, Iowa. Later he sold out and engaged in farming in Iowa, which he followed until com- ing to Lind in 1900. Here he purchased a
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
section of raw land, which he now has under cultivation and well improved. He also has a large number of horses and cattle, farm machinery and all the necessary equipments of the modern well conducted farm.
In 1867, Mr. Teegarden was married to Alice Hawley, daughter of Joseph and Alice (Gruwell) Hawley, natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were parents of five children, William, deceased, Isaac, Catherine, deceased, Elvin, and Ann, deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Teegarden have been born three children: Elizabeth, married to Strother Douglas, of Ritzville; Anna, living with her parents ; and Charles A. T. Teegarden, of Okanogan county.
Mr. Teegarden is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of constable for a num- ber of years. He is an active political man. Mrs. Teegarden is a member of the Quaker church.
WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS resides on a farm seven miles east from Hatton. Born in Franklin county, Illinois, June 4, 1835, he was the son of John R. and Sarah (Adams) Will- iams, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. The parents removed to Illinois when young, and later established a home in Missouri. However, after a brief space in that state they again removed, going to Linn county, Kansas, where both died. The father was a farmer, and was also a Baptist minister.
William R. Williams is a member of a family originally comprising twelve children. He received a good education in the common schools of the states of Illinois and Missouri, and at the age of twenty-one he left school and engaged in teaching in Kansas. In 1861 he enlisted in what was called the Enrolled Militia of Kansas, and served throughout the Civil War. During his service he was engaged in the battles of the Big Blue in Jackson county, Missouri, Westport, Mine Creek and several less important fights and skirmishes. During a portion of his enlistment he was sergeant of his company, which was detailed to defend the state, and after the war his company was en- gaged in fighting the Jay Hawkers for six monthis.
Upon leaving the army Mr. Williams en-
gaged in farming and in buying and selling live stock, which business he followed ten years. He came west in 1887 and located on a home- stead, later buying three hundred and twenty acres where he now lives. He also rents a section of school land. He has his land all under cultivation and in an advanced state of improvement.
In 1868 Mr. Williams was married to Elvina Street, who died in 1875, leaving a family of six children, John R., Andrew J., Mary E., Anna B., Florence E. and James R.
In 1876 Mr. Williams was again married, his wife being Mrs. Amy Morrison, widow of J. W. Morrison. Mrs. Williams' parents were Roswell and Maria (Winfield) Fairchild. na- tives of New York state. They settled early in life in Ohio, later removed to Illinois, where Mrs. Williams was born, and finally established themselves in Kansas, where both have since died. They were parents of six children, Ed- win L., Lucina, Silas W., Jane, Fannie and Amy, twin sisters.
Mrs. Williams was married to J. W. Mor- rison in 1871, and one child, Estella, married to J. S. Kenney, is the issue of this union. By their last marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had born to them two children, William A. and Emma M.
Mr. Williams is a Republican. : He has been school director about thirty years, and was instrumental in the organization of his home district.
He is a member of the F. and A. M. fra- ternity, and altogether one of the most highly respected pioneers in the Big Bend country.
AUGUST C. JANSEN is engaged in farming six miles north of Lind, Washington, where he has the finest farm in the locality. He was born in Durant, Cedar county, Iowa, May I, 1873, the son of Henry and Caroline ( Kuchl) Jansen, both natives of Germany who came to the United States in 1865 and located at Dav- enport, Iowa. Subsequently they lived in va- rious parts of Iowa, nine years being in Pot- tawattamie county, and then came to the state of Washington in 1889, settling at Lind. Thence, in 1901, they went to Walla Walla where they now live. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jansen, not including our sub-
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