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 73
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 73
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 73
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 73
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NOAH H. RING is to be named as one of the pioneers of Washington and like that sturdy class, he, too, has labored with distinction in industry and energy, accumulating his present holding thus. He lives at Kahlotus, where he owns a half section of land, largely farmed to wheat. He has a fine residence and a choice well, besides other improvements, as orchard and so forth.
Noah H. Ring was born in Blackbrook, Clinton county, New York, on December 31, 1854, the son of Nelson and Harriet (Furguson) Ring, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. The father died re- cently, but the mother still lives in New York. They were the parents of eleven children, whose names are given below, Mary, Margaret, Nel- son, deceased, Julia, Joseph, Edward, Mitchel, Noah H. and Zoah H., twins, Frank, deceased, and Anthony. Our subject gained his educa- tional training from the public schools in St. Lawrence county, New York, and as young as fifteen he began to earn his own living and to do for himself. In 1877 he went to Illinois and there labored for one year. Then he came on to Washington and located at Walla Walla,
and since that time he has been identified with the interests of the Evergreen State. He was associated with the well known financier, A. M. Cannon, in early days, and is well acquainted with the old timers. In 1902, Mr. Ring sold his interests in the Walla Walla country and came to Franklin county and took a homestead where he now lives. He owns a half section of land in Adams county, which he secured in 1900. The entire estate is devoted to wheat and is very productive. Mr. Ring also gives some attention to raising stock and has a band at the present time.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Sarah L. Smith was consummated on July 26, 1893. The wife is a daughter of Alexander and Sarah ( McMillan) Smith, natives of Prince Edward Island. The father died some time since, but the mother is still living with Mr. Ring. They had nine children, James L., John D., W. B., W. S., Charles W., Emma I., Sarah L., Margaret A., and Alfred A. To Mr. and Mrs. Ring, five children have been born, named as follows: Nelson A., James L., Mina, Ruth M., and Reta E. In political matters, Mr. Ring is a Republican and always manifests a keen interest in the affairs of the community and state. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., while he and his wife belong to the Methodist church.
JOHN COOPER has earned the title to a retired life and the enjoyment of the gratify- ing competence which is his, because of the activity and industry that have characterized him in the years that have gone by. He has certainly been a man of wide experience and in it all the calm and keen judgment, careful methods and wisdom which are his have been manifest and have brought about, in proper exercise, the happy results mentioned.
John Cooper was born in Herefordshire, England, on December 4, 1841, the son of Francis and Mary (Saunders) Cooper, also natives of England, and where they remained until their death. John had one brother, Thomas. As the parents died when our sub- ject was young, he came to America with an aunt and uncle, landing in San Francisco. When fourteen he went to work in the foundry there and for eight years wrought at that vig-
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orous labor, learning thoroughly the boiler- maker's art and other lines of the business. After that he turned his attention to telegraphy and mastered that as easily as he had the other business. Ten years were spent in California in that labor and then he came to John Day as operator for the O. R. & N. in construction, having his headquarters at The Dalles. After that he held the station at Grant for six years. Next we see him in the stock business, and after taking a timber culture claim he purchased eight hundred acres of railroad land and gave his attention to handling sheep and cattle. In 1892 he took a band of sheep to Harney Valley and did well on them. As his children wished school privileges, he removed to Arlington and later, when he held a position on the Hunt line, the family resided in Walla Walla. In 1893 he went to Waitsburg and remained the fol- lowing seven years. In 1900 Mr. Cooper came to Kahlotus and bought two sections of railroad land. All this is well improved and rented at the present time. Also, Mr. Cooper has a resi- dence in town, where he makes his home at the present time, and whence he oversees and directs his estates.
In 1871 occcurred the marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss Sarah E., daughter of Al- vander and Eliza (Dunbar) Hunsicker, natives of Virginia. In 1835 they journeyed west to Missouri and there the father died. In 1864 the mother crossed the plains with her family and located in California, where she died. She was descended from English ancestors and her great grandfather was James Sommers, of Eastman castle. Her father was a German and her mother's people came as the first settlers to the American colonies. Sir James Sommers and Lord Fairfax were friends and a county in Virginia is named after the latter. They estab- lished a church and other improvements there and they now both rest under the pulpit. Mrs. Cooper was one of a family of nine children, who are named as follows: John, Jame's S., George, L. W., Robert. Mary, Elizabeth, Ger- trude, and Sarah E. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper the following named children have been born : Gertrude, now the wife of J. O. Mckinney, of Kahlotus: E. J., telegraph operator at Men- dota, California: Claudia, married to T. C. Martin. in Ritzville: Frederick, a brakeman on the O. R. & N. ; Marie, with her parents ; Orah, deceased ; Hazel E., also with her parents. Mr.
Cooper is a stalwart Republican and since he cast his first presidential vote for Mr. Lincoln, he has firmly held to the principles of his party. He is president of the Chamber of Commerce in Connell, and is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. He and his wide belong to the Chris- tian denomination and are devout supporters of the same.
WHEELOCK B. SMITH has been very active in the business world since coming to Frankllin county and his labors, dominated by wisdom of a high order, have resulted in excel- lent success. He is now one of the wealthy business men of this portion of Washington and has won it all by his own efforts. At the present time, he is giving his personal attention to a general merchandise establishment in Kahlotus which is the largest of its kind in this portion of the county.
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In addition to this he has nearly three sec- tions of good wheat land which is all rented out. He has buildings and improvements on each quarter, except one farm of a half section. He manages these estates in addition to han- dling his mercantile business and he has a first- class income annually.
Wheelock B. Smith was born in Prince Ed- ward Island, Canada, on June 12, 1864, the son of Alexander and Sarah (McMillan) Smith, natives of Prince Edward Island and of Scotch ancestry. The father died in his native place, but the mother came west in 1893 and is now living in Kahlotus. They were the par- ents of nine children, and reared them all to be good citizens and men and women of character and standing. Our subject was educated in the public schools in his native place and la- bored with his father until the latter's death. Then he assisted his mother to support the bal- ance of the family until he was twenty-seven, when he married and came west to Fletcher, Adams county, Washington. He took a pre- emption, later a homestead, then bought rail- road land and improved the whole of it in good shape. He has a section in one body of three- fourths of a section in Adams county, and an- other three-fourths in Franklin. He has an orchard of eight acres, and the estates are well improved. Mr. Smith farmed until 1901, when he removed to Kahlotus and built a residence and opened a livery barn. He conducted this
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
until the spring of 1904, when he sold and gave his undivided attention to the general merchan- dise business, which he had started in the mean- time. He has a large stock of well selected goods and is doing a large business. Mr. Smith has also given attention to raising stock and now has one hundred head, having recently reduced his bands by selling two hundred.
On October 15, 1891, Mr. Smith married Miss Mary E., daughter of Archibald and Pen- elope (McGoygan) Thompson, natives of Prince Edward Island. They are Scotch peo- ple. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children have been born, George N., Nellie F., Dora B., Silas, Lena E., and Sarah A., who is deceased. Mr. Smith is a good active Democrat and always is found at the elections working for his princi- ples. He belongs to the M. W. A. and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
OWEN MCADAM first saw the light in the Emerald Isle, the date being March 15, 1848. His parents, Patrick and Bridget (McCaron) McAdam, were also born in Ire- land, the county being Monaghan. They fol- lowed farming and remained in their native country until called hence by death. Owen was educated in the public schools adjacent to his father's home, studying portions of each year and working the remainder on the farm. When grown to manhood, he devoted his entire time to the assistance of his father until twenty-six years of age. Then he went to England and for two years was occupied on the docks. It was 1871 that he came to America, locating first in San Francisco. Two years later he went to lower California and for five years was section foreman there. Three years were spent on the Southern Pacific, then he came to Frank- lin county and entered the employ of the O. R. & N. While thus employed, he also took a homestead, which is located six miles west from Washtucna. He did general farming and also raised stock and to these related occupations lie is still giving his attention. He has added an- other quarter to his homestead and half of his estate is under cultivation. His stock is largely horses and he has been well prospered in his labors here.
In 1876 Mr. McAdam married Miss Sarah, daughter of Mark and Margaret (McAnn)
Owens, also natives of Ireland, who, in 1840, removed to Scotland, where they remained until the time of their death, having been parents of five children. Mr. Owens followed boating on the canal.
To Mr. and Mrs. McAdam three children have been born, Mary A., the wife of Alfred Marsh, living in Spokane. The other two chil- dren died in infancy. Politically, Mr. McAdam is a liberal Democrat and is an independent thinker. His church affiliations are with the Catholics and he has always shown himself a man of principle and progressiveness. His labors in Franklin county have been good and he is a leading citizen of his section.
JESSE O. MCKINNEY resides in Kah- lotus, where he does a real estate business and also operates a hotel. Mr. Mckinney owns nearly all of the town site and has promoted the place. He is a man of vast experience in the northwest, as will be seen from a perusal of the outline of his career given below.
Jesse O. Mckinney was born in Bakers- ville, North Carolina, on April 27, 1859, the son of William M. and Huldah (Blalock) Mckinney, also natives of North Carolina, where they remained until 1881. In that year they removed to Gilliam county, Oregon, and there dwell now, following farming and fruit raising. Eight children were born to them, Moses N., Mrs. Vista Turner, James D., Mrs. Huldah Solveste, William, Robert, Mrs. Edith Little, and Jesse O. The latter received his primary education in the public schools of his native place and then entered Weaverville col- lege, where he completed his studies. When nineteen he accepted a position as bookkeeper of a mining concern, following the same until 1881, when he came to his Uncle, Dr. Blalock, the well known promoter and capitalist in Walla Walla. After some time with him, he went to what is now Gilliam county, Oregon, and located a pre-emption near Blalock sta- tion. Two years later he was in charge of the mica mines near Moscow, Idaho, and after some time in that capacity took a position with Dr. Blalock as manager and collector of his business for one year. Next we see Mr. Mc- Kinney in Genesee, Idaho, handling a drug store. Two years later he was with the doctor again and this time remained until 1894. He
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
then went to Gilliam county again and bought a fruit and truck farm and gave his attention to handling that until 1900. Then he went to Yakima and leased Indian land, placing two hundred acres under irrigation. A year later he was in Washtucna, handling general mer- chandise with his brother-in-law, T. C. Martin. In December, 1902, hie sold his interests and located at Kahlotus. Here he built a hotel, started a farm implement store, and did various improvements to place the town on its feet. Later he sold the implement business, but still manages the hotel. He also handled coal, wood, and lumber. Mr. Mckinney has a quar- ter section adjoining town, besides the town- site, also owns a farm in Gilliam county and has much other property. He has done good work here and his efforts bid fair to be crowned with brilliant success. He labors hard for the progress. of Kahlotus and the country ingen- eral and is a wise worker. Already the town is growing well and is mentioned in another por- tion of this work.
The marriage of Mr. Mckinney and Miss Gertrude Cooper occurred on January 31, 1889. and two children have been the fruit of this union, John M. and Violet C. Mrs. McKin- ney's parents are John and Ella ( Hunsicker) Cooper, natives of England and Virginia, re- spectively. They crossed the plains in early days and located near Sacramento, California, whence they came to Wasco county, Oregon, in 1882. A further review of their lives is found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. McKinney spent the earlier part of her life with her parents in Grant station, Oregon, where she was well edu- cated in St. Mary's Academy. The parents later moved to Gilliam county, where she was married. She has the following brothers and sisters: Edgar, Mrs. Claudia Martin, Fred, Marie, and Hazel. Mr. Mckinney is a strong Democrat and always takes an active and lead- ing part in the campaigns, and is now one of the central committee of the county of Franklin.
OTTO ULRICH is one of the stirring business men of Connell, being one of the younger men who have come to this new coun- try to develop and improve it for the ingress of civilization's benefits. He has wrought in- dustriously and skillfully here and has gained
for himself a good standing and by his careful and obliging ways has secured a first class pat- ronage. While a harness maker by trade, he is now conducting a real estate and insurance business in Connell:
Otto Ulrich was born in Lesueur county, Minnesota, on February 6, 1878, the son of Charles and Minnie (Westhoff ) Ulrich, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively, and now dwelling in Minnesota. Otto was reared and educated in Lesueur county and when of the proper age he entered the harness shops and there spent three and one-half years in learning and prosecuting his trade. He was skillful in it from the beginning and has the reputation of being as fine a workman as is in this part of the country. In 1900 he decided to come west, and as Washington offered the best opportunities of any place he could find, he came here and soon had decided to locate in Connell. Previous to this, however, he had worked some in Ritzville and on April 1, 1901, he located in Connell, started in the harness business, which he conducted until November 10, 1903. In 1902, he erected a new shop but disposed of this property when he retired from the harness business. He owns other prop- erty among which may be mentioned his resi- dence. He is also deputy sheriff of Franklin county and constable of Connell, which offices take some of his time. Fraternally, Mr. Ulrich is associated with the M. W. A.
On February 18, 1903, Mr. Ulrich married Miss Hannah Zimmermann, a native of Minne- sota. Her father is John Zimmermann, 110W dwelling in Minnesota. 'The mother died some time since.
JOHN B. LOVE was the builder of the first cabin between the site of Connell and Washtucna. The same was located on his homestead, about three miles south from Connell. He has labored industriously here and has made his farm well improved. One hundred acres of the land are cropped to wheat and in addition to the home place, Mr. Love owns seven hundred acres of good farm land on the Columbia. He has been success- ful in his labors here since coming and has a good showing for it now. He is a man of good substantial qualities and Franklin county is to be congratulated on securing such worthy
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
men to subdue the prairies and improve the land, making it one of the prosperous sections of the state.
John B. Love was born in Tennessee, on June 10, 1836, the son of Jeremiah and Eliza- beth ( McCray) Love, natives of Tennessee, and of Irish ancestors. They both died in Missouri. They removed to Lawrence county, that state, when our subject was an infant and thus were among the earliest pioneers in the section. He secured his education there and remained, assisting his father until of age, when he began farming for himself. This was continued until 1878, when he journeyed to the Indian Territory. He rented land near Pur- cell, and began farming and stock raising. His labors were continued in these lines until 1900, when the western fever again attacked him. The only cure was to come to the inviting state of Washington and he speedily accepted the inevitable. He was soon in Franklin county and here he selected his present homestead. Since then Mr. Love has given his attention to general farming and to stock raising, and has made much improvement on the homestead as well as executing other labors.
. In 1857, while in Lawrence county, Mis- souri, Mr. Love married Miss Catherine Ferris, who was called hence by death in 1865. Two sons were born to this marriage, Robert, farm- ing in the Indian Territory, and James, hand- ling a homestead in this county. In 1867 Mr. Love contracted a second marriage, the same occurring in Lawrence county, also. Amelia Shipman became his bride on this occasion and eight children have been born to them, named as follows: Len W. and Alfred, living on homesteads in this county; Samantha E. and Mary C., married and living in this county ; Minerva E .; Tennessee A .; Zora M .; and Chickisaw. .
WILLIAM E. BLAKELY is one of the stirring and business men of Franklin county and as such is to be classed in any work that names the leading citizens of this political di- vision. He was born in Richland county, Wis- consin, on February 4. 1863, the son of Walter and Elizabeth (Knowlton) Blakely, natives of Pennsylvania. The mother is deceased but the father is still living in Wisconsin. William E. was educated in the Badger State and there
remained untill 1882, in which year he came to western Kansas and engaged in farming. For five years, he tilled the soil there then went to the vicinity of Purcell, Indian Territory and did farming and stock raising. He succeeded ad- mirably there until 1901, when he sold out and came to Washington. He located at Connell and began speculating in land. He bought and sold thousands of acres and now owns nine hundred and sixty acres, all good wheat land, two miles west of Eltopia. In March, 1902, Mr. Blakely opened a hardware store in Eltopia and is operating the same at the present time in addition to overseeing his estate. He carries a full line of all kinds of shelf and heavy hard- ware needed n this section, besides farming im- plements, feed and so forth. He has secured a good patronage from the surrounding country and is constantly increasing his business. Mr. Blakely served as county commissioner for district number two, his name appearing on the Democratic ticket. He takes commendable interest in everything that is for the upbuilding of Franklin county and the success of those principles in politics which he deems best for all. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the M. W. A.
At Dodge City, Kansas, in 1887, Mr. Blakely married Miss Emma Knittle, a native of Pennsylvania. Five children have been born to this marriage, Edna I., Eunice B., Everett E., Earl D., and Elizabeth E.
WILLIAM T. ANDERSON is at the head of a general merchandise business at Mesa, Washington. In addition to this he is overseeing an estate of about thirteen hundred acres of good wheat land which he is improv- ing and bringing to be one of the choicest wheat producing estates of the county. He has shown himself to be a thorough and upright business man, progressive and active and is deserving of the success which his wisdom and thrift have brought.
William T. Anderson was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1871. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Colley) Anderson, are natives of Virginia and are living in Franklin county. The first seventeen years of our subject's life were spent in the Bullion State, where he re- ceived his education. Then he went to the In-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
dian Territory and engaged in stock raising and farming, being in partnership with his fa- ther. They labored there until 1900, when William T. came west, seeking a location. He soon discovered what he desired in Franklin county and established a general merchandise store at Connell. That was the second store in town and he had a good business there until the spring of 1903, when he removed his entire stock and business to Mesa .. In addition to handling all kinds of merchandise, he deals in farm implements and supplies of all kinds that are needed in this part of the country. As stated above, he has acquired an estate of thir- teen hundred acres in addition to his business which indicates that he has been immensely suc- cessful in his labors here. He is now com- missioner of the third district of Franklin county and is an excellent officer. Fraternally, Mr. Anderson is connected with the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.
At Purcell, Indian Territory, in December, 1899, Mr. Anderson married Miss Minerva Love, the daughter of John B. and Permelia Love, now living in Franklin county. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson two children have been born. William N. and Joseph.
When the Spanish-American war broke out in 1898. Mr. Anderson joined the First Texas Cavalry Volunteers, under Colonel Luther Hare. His command was sent to the border of Mexico, where they did guard duty until the close of the war when he was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas.
MAX HARDER. The estates owned by Mr. Harder and his two brothers, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume, are the largest stock ranches in Franklin county and thus they are the heaviest tax-payers in this county .. Mr. Harder residles two miles east of Kahlotus at the head of Washtucna lake and his property is well supplied with water. It is an ideal stock ranch, being provided with ev- erything that could possibly be needed for car- rying on the extensive business that Mr. Har- der does. The estate consists of seven sections, one-half of which is farming land and the rest grazing. Mr. Harder owns three hundred cat- tle and something over two thousand sheep. He is one of the wealthy and leading citizens of this portion of Washington.
Max Harder was born on November 26, 1858, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the son of John and Kate (Rothman) Harder, also natives of Germany. They followed farming and are now deceased. Max remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, re- ceiving his education during that time. Then he began work for himself as a farm hand which he continued until 1880, when he came to America, landing at Castle Garden on May Io, of that year. He came on direct to Omaha and took up farm work until he entered the employ of the Santa Fe railroad in New Mex- ico. After a year in that, he turned his atten- tion to mining and shortly after met with an accident which crippled him. Then he returned to Germany and remained there until 1883. when he came back to the United States and took up the stock business. This he has fol- lowed continuously since with the happy re- sults of having gained the magnificent list of property, mentioned above.
In December, 1889, Mr. Harder married Mrs. Katherine Moritz, the widow of Peter Moritz and the daughter of Herman Schlicht- ing natives of Germany. To this union, one son was born, on December 21, 1894, Walter M. Formerly Mr. Harder belonged to the Democratic party, but now he is a member of the Republican party, believing thoroughly in protection. In 1888, he was chosen to the im- portant position of commissioner of Franklin county and acted in connection with D. W. Page of Pasco, and Captain Gray of Coeur d' Alene, of Idaho. Owing to the fact that at that time, Pasco was filled with all sorts of boomers who were striving to inflate values beyond any reason, the county commissioners had the fight of their lives to keep them from swamping the county with bonded indebtedness. However, Mr. Harder, supported by his stanch associates, stood in the face of objections and at mass meetings, never flinching, until the ques- tion was settled. Owing to this strong stand, more than anything else, Franklin county en- joys a freedom from indebtedness to this day. Mr. Harder is well pleased with Franklin county and says he knows of no other place in the United States superior to this location. He was one of the pioneers here, seeing much of the hardship incident to such a life but he has overcome all and is now in a position to enjoy the splendid properties he has accumulated. It
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