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 72
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 72
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 72
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 72
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"This week will about wind up the business on the old townsite west of the track. The
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Franklin County Register building was moved last Saturday. This week Janosky & Gaiser, the general merchants, and Otto Ulrich, the harness merchant, moved their stocks, and are now doing business in their new building on the townsite. Kitley & Younce, the butchers, will finish moving their meat market into its new quarters today. N. J. Hale's barber shop is being moved. A lot has been leased to the Chinaman for his restaurant and he will shortly be ready for business. G. H. Jennings will secure lots this week and begin moving his livery business.":
A convention of the eastern part of the North Pacific German Mission Conference was held at Connell Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, April 7, 8 and 9, 1903. Those taking active parts in this assembly were Elder H. F. Longe, Connell, Revs. W. J. Hu- wig, Edwall, Carl Yam, Ritzville, C. A. Wentsch, Walla Walla, George Hartung, J. C. Honn, F. W. Bucholtz, Spokane, W. J. Maas, W. Beckley, Adam Buehler, H. R. Fie- genbaum and P. J. Schnert, of Connell, and vicinity. Interesting themes were discussed and quite instructive sermons delivered.
The largest crowd of people that had ever assembled in Franklin county gathered at Con- nell July 4th, 1904. There were goodly sized delegations from all portions of the county and adjoining settlements, and one and all spoke enthusiastically of the entertainment they had received at the hands of the people of Connell. From 10 o'clock in the morning until the dancing ceased late in the evening the visitors were entertained by a continuous program of music, speaking, racing, ball games, sports and fireworks, all of which were greatly enjoyed. On that day the Connell brass band, an excellent organization of its kind, made its debut, and its music added much to the enjoyment of the occasion.
The Connell Commercial Club held its first regular meeting Tuesday evening, May 10, 1904. The assembly was called to order by M.
M.Taylor. The principal topic of discussion was the advisability of holding a Fourth of July celebration. All `present were favorable to the project and the following committee of five was apointed to assume entire charge of the work : Loyd Campbell, Otto Ulrich, Emery Troxell, H. E. Smith and S. T. Bailie.
Other permanent committees to take charge of, and manage the business of the young, but flourishing organization, were:
Finance-C. M. Taylor, J. W. Bailie, Charles Lynch, C. H. Meyers, and John Lam- mers.
Membership-B. D. Leonard, S. P. Dough- erty, C. H. Strothers, J. K. Gipson, and S. T. Bailie.
Public Affairs and Taxation-E. T. Sohm, A. H. Dressel, Emery Troxel, George H. Rod- gers, and C. G. Fuller.
Advertising-B. S. Wadsworth, C. W. Crabill, Otto Ulrich, H. J. Sohm, and W. E. Quinlan.
Railroads-William A. Campbell, O. C. Chase, V. C. Reinbolt, and C. F. Younce.
Printing-Charles: T. Hutson, W.A.Lee, L. W. Taylor, W. L. Campbell, and Alfred Buchanan.
Municipal Improvements-H. G. Sohm, G. W. Cully, George H. Jennings, and I. C. Dirstine.
Immigration-H. E. Smith, H. M. Blanch- ard, F. D. Mottet, and Joseph Gertlar.
The names first mentioned on these com- mittees were named as chairman.
Connell's first destructive fire occurred Monday, July 18, 1904. It started in the rear of Dirstine Brothers' drug store, which was de- stroyed, together with Younce's meat market and the dwelling of W. H. Panhorst. The losses were: Dirstine Brothers, $2,000 ; insur- ance $500; Charles Younce, $500, no insur- ance: Kebel Brothers, of Lind, owners of the meat market building, $1,000, partly insured; WV. H. Panhorst, $600, insurance $300.
The accident was caused by stepping on a
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
parlor match. Mr. Dirstine was working with some chemicals and the room became filled with gas. He placed his foot on the match, which, exploding, caused an immediate combustion. The people of the town worked with energy, and saved considerable adjacent property. The wind was in a southwesterly direction and the flames spread to the butcher shop; thence to the Panhorst building. The water system of the town proved on this occasion of great benefit.
There are few other towns of any promi- nence in Franklin county aside from Connell and Pasco. Kahlotus, with a papulation of about 100, is located on the line of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, about mid- way between Connell and the eastern boundary of the county. Its existence dates from the spring of 1901. It achieved importance at the completion, to that point, of the branch of the O. R. & N. railroad. Kahlotus has two gen- eral stores, one hardware store, one barber shop, one butcher shop, and blacksmith shop.
Mesa, originally Lake, subsequently Jud- son, and now Mesa, is an old station on the Northern Pacific railroad. It has one general store, one lumber yard, postoffice, blacksmith shop and tank and yards.
March 12, 1902, the Register said :
"Eltopia is three weeks old. To show for its brief age, it has a hardware store; first ยท established by W. E. Blakely, of Connell, a gro- cery and general store, a real estate office, man- aged by W. F. Carson, of Walla Walla, a depot and yards and postoffice. The townsite com- prises eighty acres and is most eligibly located.
Glade, a few miles further south, and on the line of the Northern Pacific, is on the bor- ders of the heavy sand belt which surrounds Pasco. There is no population to speak of at Glade and no industries.
January 3, 1902, the Register said :
"Mckinley is the name of a postoffice re-
cently established in Franklin county. The increase of the number of postoffices in this county is probably greater than that of any other portion of the United States, with the possible exception of some of the islands of the Philippines. Until the early part of 1901 there was but one office in the county, at Pasco, the county seat. Now there are five in the county, an increase of 400 per cent in less than twelve months."
Franklin county is likely to come to the front with a marked increase of population and a decided advance in agricultural development. Only a few years ago it was regarded as a sage brush desert, not worth reclaiming, and there- fore destined to remain uninhabited. At pres- ent it is rapidly filling up and will probably make a record similar to that of Adams county. The general characteristics of the county are not unlike those of Adams to the north. The surface is chiefly a rolling sage brush and bunch grass prairie, roamed over, until lately, by large bands of sheep. Part of the county is rough, particularly the "breaks" of the Snake river and places along the banks of the Colum- bia. Some portions are quite sandy. Timber does not grow in the county. Wheat is destined to be the staple production. A striking object lesson of the rapid development of Franklin county in the last four years is found in the annual report of Superintendent of Schools Gaiser, which has just been completed. In 1900 there were only four school districts, with 87 pupils of school age and 86 enrolled. In 1904 there are 25 school districts, 687 children of school age and 552 enrolled. In 1900 the total income for school purposes was $3,- 781.95 ; in 1904, $20,800. In 1900 the value of school property was $2,700; in 1904 the valua- tion' is $20.545. Little more than $2,000 was expended for school purposes in 1900, while in 1904 the amount required is $14,642.
ROBERT GERRY
CORNELIUS S. O'BRIEN
DANVILLE W. PAGE
EDGAR HOON
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES FRANKLIN COUNTY
HON. ROBERT GERRY is a prominent and successful business man of central Wash- ington. He is handling a large mercantile es- tablishment in Pasco, which is his home, and also an extensive business in Kennewick, Ya- kima county. He carries a large stock of gen- eral merchandise and does a thriving business. In addition to this, Mr. Gerry owns about twenty-five hundred acres of choice land in the Horse Heaven country, besides considerable other property. He has gained his entire hold- ing there through his own wise efforts and is without doubt one of the leading business op- erators in these parts.
Robert Gerry was born in Ellsworth, Maine, on January 9. 1858. His father, Robert Gerry, was a native of Massachusetts and is still living, being retired from active business. He followed lumbering during his life. At one time he was elected mayor of Ellsworth on the Populistic ticket. It is said that he was the only one elected on that ticket east of the Mis- sissippi at that time. He also ran on the same ticket for governor. The mother of our sub- ject, Amanda (Maddox) Gerry, is a native of Maine and still living. Robert received a thor- ough business education, beginning in the pub- lic schools at Ellsworth, Maine, and complet- ing at Eastman's Commercial College, Pough- keepsie, New York, graduating in 1878. Immediately subsequent to that, he went to work for R. H. White & Company, a large re- tail dry goods establishment in Boston, con- tinuing with them for two years. Then he came to Walla Walla, it being the spring of 1881, and was assistant postmaster in that city for four years. After that, he returned east
and spent a couple of years during which time he served a term as alderman in the city of Ellsworth. In 1888, Mr. Gerry came to. Pasco and opened a general merchandise establish- ment and since that has branched out as stated above and has also secured much land and other property. In addition to attending to his busi- ness affairs and making a fine success in the same, Mr. Gerry has given considerable time to political affairs, always taking a keen interest in the questions of the day. From 1891 to 1893 he was treasurer of Franklin county and then was elected a representative to the legislature for three successive terms his name always appearing on the Democratic ticket. In the halls of the legislature he was always a man of purpose and determination which enabled him to take up and carry forward those measures which were for the best interests of his party and his constituents. Fraternally, he is con- nected with the K. of P.
In Yakima county, in 1893, Mr. Gerry married Miss Mollie, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Wright) Giezentanner. Her parents are now living at Kiona, where the father is postmaster. To Mr. and Mrs. Gerry, four chil- dren have been born, Lillian, Mary A., Rob- ert and Walter. The son Robert is the fourth successive Robert Gerry.
HON. CORNELIUS S. O'BRIEN is at present the efficient treasurer of Franklin county. He has held various offices in this county and has always showed himself capable and trustworthy and is among the leading cit-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
izens. Mr. O'Brien has also a fine wheat farm on the Snake river, which is leased. He is a prosperous and progressive man and has shown himself a thorough and worthy business man.
Cornelius S. O'Brien was born in McHenry county, Illinois, on September 21, 1860, being the son of William and Hannah ( Sweeney) O'Brien, both still living in Harvard, Illinois. They were born in New York and the father followed merchandising during his active life. Cornelius was educated in the common schools and at St. Mary's college at St. Mary's, Kan- sas, where he completed a thorough commercial course. Five years were spent in the Chicago and Northwestern railroad as clerk at Har- vard, Illinois. In 1887, he came to Tacoma and took a position as shipping clerk for the Tacoma Lumber Company for five years. After that, he was one year in the Pierce county auditor's office and in 1894, he came to Pasco and two years later was elected audi- tor of Franklin county. For two terms he served in that capacity and then was elected representative to the state legislature. He served with distinction and credit to himself. Upon his retirement from that position, he re- turned to Pasco and was selected as county treasurer, in which office he is at the present time.
Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Elks and the K. P. and is a genial, active and capable man. On December 20, 1898, Mr. O'Brien married Miss Jessie French, the wedding oc- curring at Spokane. They have many. friends here and are leading members of society.
DANVILLE W. PAGE is well entitled to be classed as one of the pioneers of the Big Bend country. A long residence here in the stock business has made him well known to all the old timers and his labors have accumulated for him a goodly competence in the years that have gone by. At the present time, he is dwell- ing in Pasco, where he has a beautiful and com- modious residence. He took about the first homestead within the present precincts of Franklin county and for twenty-one years he dwelt on it. The same is located about twenty miles east from Pasco, and is one of the best places in the county. For many years after coming here he was the most extensive horse
grower in the country. He had as high as one thousand animals at a time and in addition handled a bunch of cattle. At the present time, Mr. Page has sold most of his stock property and handles only a couple of hundred horses. However, as he has decreased the number he has improved the breed and now has choice animals.
Danville W. Page was born in Somerset county, Maine, on September 28, 1854, the son of Isaac and Dolly (Parkman) Page, also na- tives of Maine. The father followed farming and died when our subject was twelve. . The mother is still living in Maine. Danville re- ceived his education from the common schools and remained in Maine until twenty-three, be- ing occupied in farming. In 1877, he came to California and two years later came on to Washington. In 1880, he was on the log drive which brought the timber down the Yakima river for the ties used in the construction of the Northern Pacific railroad. Shortly after that, he took the homestead mentioned, where he at once began operations as a stockman. He established Fishhook ferry there and op- erated it for years. The town of Page on the O. R. & N. was named in honor of our sub- ject. During the years of his extensive stock business, Mr. Page operated in connection with a partner, who has died since. When our sub- ject retired from the farm, he sold all his in- terests there and transferred his headquarters to Pasco, where he now lives. He has a choice residence and owns other property. In political matters, he has always been a Democrat and thrice has been called by the people to act in the important office of county commissioner and refused the nomination for a fourth term. He also assisted to establish district number two of this county. He has shown marked faith- fulness and ability in all this public service and is entitled to the respect and confidence freely bestowed by an admiring constituency.
At Walla Walla, on May 22, 1894, Mr. Page married Miss Maggie, the daughter of Mike and Maggie (Fogleton) Sentel, and to them one daughter. Clare, has been born. Mrs. Sentel died some time since, but Mr. Sen- tel is still living.
Mr. Page is also mayor of Pasco, and has given a good administration. He was for many years supervisor of his road district. One peculiar thing exists in Franklin county,
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
which, doubtless, is not found in another county in the state. Not a bridge or culvert is found on the entire road system of the county. This speaks volumes for the natural lay of the land as well as for the wisdom of the commissioners in laying the road system. Mr. Page was com- missioner when land boomers were trying to inflate values in Pasco, and despite their tre- menduous efforts to bond the county, even raising monster petitions and indignation meet- ings, he stood firm with the other two men, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and refused to grant the bonds for the erection of the forty thousand dollar court house and for other things these boomers wished. This so started the county that today it is entirely with- out bonded indebtedness, and is one of the most prosperous political divisions of the state. Much credit is due Mr. Page and it is univer- sally recognized.
EDGAR HOON. In enumerating the leading men of Franklin county, one is certain to include the name of the gentleman, of whom we now purport to speak. Various reasons are forthcoming for this selection, among which may be mentioned that Mr. Hoon is a real pio- neer of Washington, being a native as well, and that he has wrought with display of energy and wisdom in his chosen occupations, that he is also guided in his efforts by manly and upright principles which distinguish him as a man of reliability and excellent standing. Being satis- fied that the state where he was born was the best place for a young man, he has labored close to his native heath and has succeeded admir- ably, owing entirely to the tireless energy and wisdom displayed in the care and acquirement of property.
Edgar Hoon was born in Walla Walla county, Washington, on April 18, 1869, being the son of Philip and Jennie (Fay) Hoon, na- tives of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, respec- tively, and now residing in Milton, Oregon. Such educational training as could be secured in the early schools and institutions of this coun- try, was provided for young Hoon, and he made the best of his opportunities. His father was an extensive operator in stock in this and adjoining states and our subject early learned the important business. When twenty-one he
started for himself, first handling cattle. This was in 1890, but since that time, he has dis- posed of all of his neat stock and his now handling sheep instead. He owns, in partner- ship with J. E. Sizemore, about five thousand of these profitable animals and also has more than five thousand acres of land on the Snake, which is utilized for winter pasturage. Mr. Hoon takes his stock to the mountainous reg- ions during the summer months and as the weather declines he brings them to the lower altitudes, using the home land for the few weeks in the heart of winter. He owns a pleas- ant and commodious residence in Pasco and from there oversees his business interests.
The happy day of Mr. Hoon's marriage was in the fall of 1892. Then Miss Nevada Johnson became his bride. Her parents, George and Maggie Johnson, are now living in Free- water. Oregon. To this union, three children have been born, Bernice, Zella, and Thelma. Mr. and Mrs. Hoon are leaders in society and have many admiring friends. Their home is one of the choice ones of Pasco and they are highly esteemed young people.
GEORGE W. BORDEN has practically given his life to the stock business and the result is, he is one of the most skillful and well- to-do men in this industry in central Washing- ton. He has over sixteen hundred head of fine horses on the range, all well bred, fine animals. He has some very fine stallions and his stock is known as the best to be found. He resides about thirty-five miles west from Connell, in Franklin county, near the old government trail across the Columbia river at White Bluffs. The place where he has his headquarters was taken by Jordan Williams in 1861 and is one of the oldest and best known stock ranches in the state. Mr. Borden has a half section under fence and controls as much more. He raises considerable hay and some general crops and has the place supplied with substantial build- ings and other improvements necessary in his business.
George WV. Borden was born in Crawford county, Ohio, March 4, 1867, the son of Alex- ander and Marv (Kounrode) Borden, natives of Indiana and pilgrims across the plains to New Mexico and Colorado in 1872. Later
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
they came on to the Pacific coast and now live at Ellensburg, in this state. George W. at- tended the common school at Farmington, New Mexico, and Animas City, Colorado, and the major portion of his early life was spent in handling stock in Colorado, being in the employ of George Thompson, then the cattle king of that country. He came with his father to Tillamook county, Oregon, and a short time thereafter journeyed to Washington. He be- gan herding sheep for Ralston and Stevens. In 1882 he entered the employ of Jordan Will- iams and David Kuntz and handled horses and cattle for some time. Mr. Williams was one of the very first settlers on the Columbia river in Washington, having his headquarters at White Bluffs, where our subject now resides. A short time after this, Mr. Borden took charge of Hy Cabler's horses and for fourteen years at- tended them. In 1895 he filed on a homestead where he now lives and since then has been in the horse business for himself. In addition to other improvements, Mr. Borden has a fine ferry operated by horse power. It crosses the Columbia without a cable and the only one of its kind on the river. Mr. Borden has three brothers and four sisters, John F., Zack, James, Mrs. Emma Gardiner, Mrs. Lillie Protter, Mrs. Mary Ibersen, and Mrs. Rose Coffin.
At Pasco, in Franklin county, on March II, 1897, Mr. Borden married Miss Minnie Wright. She is a step daughter of Captain Edward Craig. who lives in Kittitas county, across the Columbia from White Bluffs, and was born in Missouri, in 1880. Mrs. Borden has one brother and three sisters, Irving, Mrs. Lottie Belden, Mrs. Percy McCarter, and Hat- tie. To our subject and his wife, three children have been born, Archie, at Pasco, in April, 1898; Loyal J., at White Bluffs, in 1899, and Cecil G., at White Bluffs, on October 2, 1903. Mrs. Borden's sister, Hattie, makes her home with our subject. Mr. Borden is a member of the K. of P. and his wife belongs to the Chris- tian Endeavor church. They are excellent people and have many friends.
GEORGE HENDRICKS, a farmer and stockman in northwestern Franklin county, was born in Germany, in 1870, the son of John and Katherine Hendricks, natives of Germany. He
was educated in the common schools of his own country and in 1886 came with his uncle, Jacob Harder, to America and with him was asso- ciated in the stock business in Franklin county. Becoming dissatisfied, he quit the business and began traveling to various portions of the coun- try and afterward journeyed to the leading countries of the world. In 1900 he came again to Franklin county, landing here without any means and determined to take advantage of the fine offers Franklin county held out to make another start in life. His wisdom in this last venture has proved to be a success, for he now has a quarter section of land and two thousand five hundred head of sheep, all paid for. After having traveled to all portions of the United States, Mr. Hendricks is now satisfied that Franklin county offers the best inducements to any man who wishes, by honest industry, to provide a competence. Not even the fatherland can tempt him now to depart from this, his adopted home. He is a stanch young man, master of four languages, on the road to suc- cess, and esteemed by all.
JOHN C. LEWIS is at the head of a thriv- ing livery trade in Kahlotus, where he located in the present year. He has a good building and equipment, which enables him to care for the business that is drawn to him through his deferential treatment of all patrons and con- scientious care of their interests. Upon coming to Franklin county. Mr. Lewis took a home- stead, which he sold after proving up, to em- bark in his present business.
Reverting more particularly to his early life, we note that our subject was born in West- minster. California, on March 20, 1874. the son of WV. B. S. and Mary Lewis, natives of Mis- souri and Kentucky, respectively. They came west to Los Angeles county, in 1873, and two years later returned to Missouri. Three years after that they came back to California again, locating in Los Angeles county. There the mother died in 1891 and the father is living in Glendora, California. They were the parents of five children, Sarah M., William H., J. C., E. L., and Mary. John C. was educated in the schools of Longbeach, California, and when seventeen assumed the responsibilities of life for himself. For three years he clerked in a
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
general store, then followed fruit farming for two years. In 1898 he came to Franklin county and took a homestead, proving up on the same in due time. In 1904 he bought the business and stock in Kahlotus and removed hither.
Mr. Lewis was married in 1901, Cora M. Moore becoming his wife on that occasion. She is the daughter of E. B. and Ole (Penney) Moore, who were the parents of five children. Mr. Lewis is a strong Democrat and always is found in the harness ready to forward the principles he believes to be for the best interest and welfare of the country. He is a member of the Christian church and is a man who receives the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Five months after his first marriage, Mr. Lewis was called to mourn the death of his wife. On May 9. 1904, he contracted a second marriage, Miss Estella Hodgen being the lady of his choice. Her parents, Harvey and Au- gusta (Stetson) Hodgen, natives of Missouri and Oregon, respectively, have always been farmers and now dwell in Adams county, this state.
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