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 74
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 74
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 74
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 74
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MAX HARDER
HANS HARDER
JACOB HARDER
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
is very interesting to know that in addition to his other accomplishments and successes, Mr. Harder is master of three different languages, speaking fluently each one. He is an honorable. and upright man, known over a large section of territory and esteemed by hosts of warm friends.
HANS HARDER is to be classed as one of the leading stockmen of central Washington and the success he has won in this industry shows the determination and wisdom mani- fested in its prosecution and which certainly entitles him to the position he now occupies and the competence which is his to enjoy.
Hans Harder was born in Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany, on May 28, 1861, the son of John and Kate (Rathman) Harder, also na- tives of the Fatherland. They were blessed with nine children, named as follows, Claus, Kate, Henry, John, Christena, Max. Hans, Ja- cob, and Annie. Hans was favored with good schooling until sixteen and then was appren- ticed to learn the miller's trade. For three years he diligently followed that craft and became very proficient in it. Then came three years of service in the Germany army, and in 1883. we find young Harder setting his face for the new world. He located first in Nebraska but in a short time came thence to Washington. He selected Franklin county as his place of oper- ation and with a capital of four thousand dol- lars began the stock business. His headquar- ters were on the Snake river, four miles south from Washtucna lake and his efforts, put forth with wisdom and thrift, were crowned with success from the beginning. As land was so plenty and it was open to all, no one thought of taking it in those good old days. Later, how- ever, as the country began to settle up, each one of the early stockmen began to secure land for their use. Mr. Harder leased eight sections from the railroad company in 1894 and soon thereafter bought school land. In 1899, he purchased fifteen sections of land where he now lives, two miles east from Kahlotus. This land is utilized in handling his herds and today he has about five hundred cattle and three thousand sheep. He has abundance of water and a goodly portion of his estate is irrigated.
In May. 1893, Mr. Harder married Miss
Dora, daughter of Harm Schlomer, a native of Germany. Mrs. Harder is one of a family of six children, named as follows, Detlef, John, Dora, Pete, Hiecke, and Herman. To Mr. and Mrs. Harder, four children have been born, John, Harry, George, and Katie M. In politi- cal matters, Mr. Harder is allied with the Re- publican party and is actively interested in the campaigns. He has always given of his time and means to assist in forwarding educational interests and is a member of the school board at this time.
JACOB HARDER, a farmer and stock man residing three miles east of Kahlotus, is one of the heaviest property owners of Franklin county. His estate consists of almost thirteen sections, a large portion of which is agricul- tural land and is producing hay for his bands of cattle. He has the distinction of being the first man in Franklin county to divert water for irrigation purposes, thus demonstrating what an untold benefit irrigation would be to the county. A detailed account of his life will be interesting and with pleasure we append the same.
Jacob Harder was born on April 10, 1869, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the son of John and Kate (Rothman) Harder, natives of Germany and now deceased. The old home place has been in the Harder family for over four hundred years and is now owned by a brother of our subject, Claus Harder. Jacob was edu- cated in the common schools until sixteen, then was apprenticed to learn the miller's trade, which he followed for three years. After that, he spent three years and three days in the Ger- man Cavalry, being enrolled in the Fifteenth Hussar Regiment. He was promoted to the position of corporal and at the end of his services was honorably discharged and now possesses a medal won in the army by expert markmanship. Upon quitting the army, he came direct to Washington, locating on a por- tion of his present place and engaging in the stock business with his brothers. His first ef- forts were given principally to raising horses and at one time, Mr. Harder owned about two thousand of these animals. He secured his start by purchasing two hundred brood mares from the noted Indian, Wolf, who was the rich-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
est Indian in the northwest, owning at one time four thousand horses. In 1897, Mr. Har- der disposed of his horses and since that time has given his attention to sheep and cattle ex- clusively. His home place is the headquarters of his business and is handsomely and wisely fitted out with everything for comfort in a rural abode and for carrying on his business. He owns some six hundred head of cattle besides a great many sheep. .
In Chicago, on June 13, 1898, Mr. Har- der was married to Annie F. Hennings, a native of Germany and the daughter of Carsten and Katherine Hennings, also natives of Ger- many. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harder, Carl DeWitt, on March 3. 1899, and John Jacob, on March 27, 1902. In every sense of the word, Mr. Harder is a pioneer and frontiersman. He has seen this county develop from a wilderness to its present prosperous conditions and has had no small part in its transformation. Many came and succumbed to its hardships and were forced to retire but he has weathered all the hard days of adversity in such a manner that he has brought success out of it all, being now one of the wealthiest men of the county. To instance how quiet were the times, Mr. Harder remarks that during those dull days, a fine work horse would be sold for five dollars and a cayuse for fifty cents. Thus some idea may be gained of the terrible problems of pioneer life in attempt- ing to secure a livelihood. Mr. Harder is well satisfied with Franklin county, owing to its resources and believes in its future. His ex- cellent judgment and sagacity have been re- warded in his bountiful success and the future looks very bright for him. Mr. and Mrs. Har- der are members of the Lutheran church and are very highly esteemed people. Our subject has the following brothers and sisters: Claus, on the old home place in Germany; John, in Ne- braska; Katherine, deceased; Anna, in Kiel, Germany ; Max and Hans, in Franklin county. Mr. Harder is a fine linguist and in addition to his mother tongue, speaks fluently three languages. He is a man of stability and talent and has won very many friends.
In this connection, we desire to mention an incident in Mr. Harder's life, which shows the manner of man he is and the spirit in him. At Wedel, Germany, he observed a man drowning in the center of a mill pond. Hastening to the
rescue, he swam to him and succeeded in getting him to shore, thus saving his life, even at the risk of his own.
M. M. TAYLOR, who is now at the liead of the Franklin county bank in Connell, is a man of wide experience in the business world and of unquestioned integrity in fiduciary ca- pac ties. His foresight and energy have prac- tically laid the foundation of Connell, being a leading spirit in the platting and starting of the town. The bank is the strongest moneyed in- stitution in the county and has succeeded ad- mirably since its inception in business here and is now possessed of a flattering outlook for growth and prosperity. Mr. Taylor holds the important position of cashier and manager of the institution and his well known ability in financial matters insures a continued success in the future of the institution.
M. M. Taylor was born in Clark county, Indiana, on January 26, 1852, the son of Leroy W. and Kissiah (Ketchum) Taylor, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively, and now deceased. While M. M. was an infant the family came to Henry county, Iowa, where he grew up, was educated and remained until 1884. When he arrived at man's estate, he embarked in the flour milling business and fol- lowed it successfully until the year mentioned, when he sold out and came west. In 1888, he located in Tacoma and there opened a men's furnishing store with Mr. Hare, under the style of Taylor & Hare. For eight years they did a good business and during a portion of that time, Mr. Taylor was treasurer of the city of Tacoma. In 1892, they sold the business and Mr. Taylor went into the banking business, be- ing president of the Washington National Bank of Tacoma. He also had extensive commercial interests in Alaska during the time he was in this relation and a portion of the time he went there personally and superintended the business. He handled general merchandise and supplies for the interior camps and did exceedingly well in the ventures. In 1902 Mr. Taylor decided to return from the arduous and trying work of handling a business in Alaska, and accordingly sold his interests there and came to Washing- ton. Shortly after landing here he espied the opportunity at Connell, or what was to be Con-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
nell, and he immediately organized the bank with which he is associated at the present time and they bought the ground and platted the town and started the settlement of the place. Connell has been a prosperous town since and bids fair to be one of the leading points in this section.
At Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1871, Mr. Taylor married Miss Ella H., daughter of Michael H. and Hannah J. Hare, natives of Iowa. The father was a Methodist preacher ; Mrs. Taylor was also born in Iowa, and she is the mother of three children: Leroy W., a teller in his father's bank ; Donna, wife of L. E. Reid and dwelling in Boston; Jack, attending school. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Elks and is a man of excellent standing.
BENJAMIN D. LEONARD is one of the well known business men of Connell, where he has wrought for some time with display of good wisdom and energy, which have brought him a gratifying success in financial matters, while his genial ways and kindness to all have won for him many friends. He is manager for the Interior Warehouse Company, while also he does a general carpentering and contracting business in addition, and also handles a good trade in a feed and grain store.
Benjamin D. Leonard was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, on July 28, 1865, the son of E. M. and Catherine J. (Hayes) Leonard, na- tives of Tennessee, and now dwelling there. During his youthful days, our subject gained his education from the common schools and labored with his father on the farm until of age. Then he entered a dry goods establish- ment in Johnson City as salesman and there op- erated until 1899. In that year, he executed a determination he had long cherished, that of coming west. In due time he landed in Walla Walla and at once went to work at the carpenter trade, which he had mastered in his younger days with his other accomplishments. He con- tinned at that until January 1, 1901, when he came on to Connell. He was one of the first to settle here and at once went to carpentering and contracting. This labor he has continued steadily since, although he has also added the other occupations mentioned above. He does a good business in each line and is well pros-
pered. Mr. Leonard located a homestead just north of town when he first came here and there he dwells at the present time. He is a man who takes an interest in the questions of the day and also is active in political campaigns. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A., and the M. B. A.
In. December, 1893, Mr. Leonard married Miss Mary A. Dodd, the daughter of W. I. Dodd, now dwelling in Greene county, Tennes- see, where he has served as sheriff for some time. Her mother died long since. To this un- ion one child, Lacy L., was born and is now living with his grandfather in Tennessee. In 1896, Mr. Leonard was called to mourn the death of his beloved wife. In February, 1899, Mr. Leonard married a second time, the lady of his choice on this occasion being Miss Ricina Pickering, the daughter of George and Cather- ine C. Pickering, natives of Tennessee and now deceased. On October 27, 1900, in Walla Walla, death again entered the happy home and he saw his wife snatched away. She left one son, Randolph R., who is now living with Mr. Leonard's sister in Oregon. Mr. Leonard stands first class in this community and has many friends. He has shown good ability in his various labors and is a man of substantial worth.
JOHN R. McCLURKEN resides about eleven miles northwest from Pasco, where he owns an estate of one thousand acres, well im- proved and productive. The farm he owns in partnership with his son Louis E. He was born in Washington county, Illinois, on Decem- ber 9, 1835, the son of James and Sarah ( Rod- man) McClurken, natives of Scotland and early pioneers to Illinois. Our subject was brought up on the farm and received his education from the common schools. When he reached man- hood's estate, he engaged in farming, continu- ing the same until 1871, in his native place. Then he went to Evans county, Colorado, where he remained until 1878. That was the year in which he came to the Walla Walla val- ley. For four years, the family lived there, then went to Ainsworth and from there to Pasco. He was in the employ of the Northern Pacific railroad until 1900. For six years, he was car inspector. Then he came on to his present location, purchasing two sections of railroad
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
land. One thousand acres of this he cultivated to wheat. Mr. McClurken has gained a good success in his labors and the fine estate which he owns is productive of very gratifying divi- dends annually.
Politically, he has always been a stancli Republican, laboring faithfully for the success of his party, wherever he dwelt. He is well posted on the questions of the day and is able to give a good sound reason for voting as he does.
In Randolph county, Illinois, on September 18, 1857, Mr. McClurken married Miss Esther, the daughter of James and Mahala Coulter, natives of Virginia. Mrs. McClurken was born in Illinois and is the mother of five children, named as follows: James C., in Okanagon county ; Flora E. ; Sadie, married to.J. DeMoss, in Yakima: Louis E., in partnership with his father, also assessor of Franklin county; Her- bert F., employed in the Northern Pacific of- fice at Pasco.
FRANK SCHUNEMANN is one of the wealthy pioneers of the Big Bend country. For many years previous to coming here, he traveled and wrought in various places in the east, being well acquainted with all the leading mining camps on the coast as well as in the states. He is a veteran in life's battles, having seen nearly fourscore years on the pilgrim way. At the present time Mr. Schunemann resides in Pasco, being more retired from active busi- ness of life. He owns a farm of about one hun- dred acres, four miles up the Columbia from Pasco, which is well improved and given to general crops. About six acres of land are planted to orchard which is very productive.
Frank Schunemann was born on the shores of the Baltic sea in Prussia, on December 16, 1829, being the son of Christen F. and Mary Schunemann. The father died when our sub- ject was very young and the mother then mar- ried Frederick Kleinschmidt. They came to Illinois in 1857 and there remained until their death. Frank came to Canada in 1852 and for two years worked at blacksmithing, which he had learned in Germany. In 1854, he settled in Chicago and followed blacksmithing for a decade. Then he came to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus, landing in California and locating at Oakland. He labored at black-
smithing there and in other cities for some time then gave himself to mining and blacksmithing all through the west until 1873. In that year, he went to Arizona and did gold mining until 1878 being favored with good 'success. At one time, he was lost on the great desert near Prescott and wandered three days on the burn- ing sands with neither food nor drink. In 1879, he came to Washington on horseback, and the family joined him next year. For five years thereafter, Mr. Schunemann was en- gaged as blacksmith for the Northern Pacific and then took a ranch where he now resides. In addition to attending to the farm, he has prospected more or less since and now has some very promising claims in the Leavenworth dis- trict, Chelan county. Mr. Schunemann has removed to Pasco where they may enjoy .the competence that they have gained. He has also erected a residence there. For six years, Mr. Schunemann served as commissioner of Franklin county, with credit to himself and his constituency. On February 24. 1904. Mrs. Schunemann died. She was a good woman and sincerely mourned.
At Elgin, Illinois, in 1859, Mr. Schune- mann married Miss Caroline, the daughter of John and Mary Kraft, natives of Hanover, Germany, now deceased. To this union seven children have been born, named as follows : Frank, farming in California; William and Henry, engineers on a steamboat on the Co- lumbia : Julia, wife of James. Clemens, living in Yakima county: Albert, an engineer on the Northern Pacific; Fred, operating a livery and dray line, in Pasco; and Lewis, a farmer.
WILLIAM W. SPATES resides sixteen miles northwest from Pasco, and is engaged in farming. He was born in Fayette county, Ken- tucky, on January 15, 1845, the son of Noah B. and Ann (Jewett) Spates, natives of Ken- tucky and now deceased. In his native place. William W. was educated and there remained until eighteen. Then he went to Illinois, settled in Morgan county, and engaged in farming for eighteen years. Next came a move to Missouri where he remained four years. In 1887 he came to Washington and took a homestead, where he now resides. He has improved the place in good shape and has a fine orchard of
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
two hundred and fifty trees, being the only orchard in his part of the country. Previously, Mr. Spates had given his attention to horse raising but has sold out his stock and devotes himself to farming. He is a man of industry and energy and takes a great interest in the up- building of the country. For one term he was county commissioner and always manifested a lively interest in the political welfare of the country as well as in educational progress. He receives the respect and esteem of his fellows and is a good substantial citizen.
JOSIAH E. VAN GORDON resides five miles up the Columbia river from Pasco, where he has a ranch of sixty acres. A portion of the farm is devoted to fruit raising and the balance to general crops. He was born in Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1828, the son of John and Hannah (Swawger) Van Gordon, natives of New Jersey and the Keystone State, respectively. When Josiah was twelve years old, the parents came to Ohio, settling in Perry county. Here he received a common school education and grew to man- hood. When twenty-eight years of age, he came west to Minnesota, taking a farm in Becker county, near Detroit City, which he op- erated until 1881. At that time, Mr. Van Gor- don came on to Washington and for some time worked for the Northern Pacific. While in the employ of this company, he secured his present place in 1885 and since that time he has continued on it, with the exception of four years, from 1890 to 1894, when he was post- master at Pasco. For two terms he has served as county commissioner and also has been pro- bate judge of this county. In 1861, Mr. Van Gordon enlisted in the First Minnesota Bat- tery of Light Artillery but on account of being disabled in the battle of Shiloh, he was dis- charged. In 1863, not to be cheated out of fighting for his county and defending the stars and stripes against all assault, he re-enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry where he did ex- cellent service until the close of the Rebellion. During the Indian troubles of 1864, Mr. Van Gordon was on the plains and knows what it is to fight the savages as well as to stand in the fierce battles of modern warfare.
Following the war he returned to Minne-
sota and there gave himself to farming until he came west to Washington. In Minnesota, Becker county, he married Miss Alzoa A. Haz- elton, who died in 1900. The wedding oc- curred on August 17, 1856, and two children have been born to this union: Boyd P., now farming in North Dakota; Jessie, dwelling in Minnesota.
Mr. Van Gordon has traveled along life's pilgrim way for nigh on to fourscore years and during all this long while, he has shown re- markable fortitude in meeting and overcoming the difficulties of the battles of life as he dis- played bravery and fearlessness in fighting the battles of his country. He is now enjoying the golden years of his life in quiet retirement with a competence of this world's goods, being also secure in the esteem and love of all who know him.
ALVIN P. GRAY has the distinction of having built the first house ever erected in Pasco. This was in early days but since that time he has continued here with display of en- ergy and wisdom in the business world. An outline of his career is certainly to be embodied with those who have assisted to make Franklin county what she is at this day. When he first came here the territory now in Franklin county was embraced in Whitman county and he has seen the formation of this political division that now has Pasco for the county seat.
Alvin P. Gray was born in Hancock county, Maine, on March 9, 1856, the son of E. P. and Matilda (Black) Gray, natives of Maine, and now deceased. The father followed lumbering. From the common schools, the great educator of the American people, our subject received his educational training during his boyhood days in Maine. He remained with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then stepped forth from the parental roof to meet the responsibilities of life for himself, either to gain success or to fall in the struggle. It was 1876 when he came to the Golden State, making the trip across the continent without special incident. For four years after landing in California, he was engaged in lumbering, and then in 1881, came to the Sound country. One year later he landed where Pasco now stands and at once began the erection of the building mentioned above. He engaged in
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
business and has been identified with this sec- tion since. In 1896, Mr. Gray determined to open a general merchandise store here, believ- ing that the outlook warranted it. He did so and since that time he has continued uninter- ruptedly in the prosecution of the business and has made a good success in it. He has a good store, well stocked with wisely selected goods adapted to the needs of this community and which find their way to all portions of the coun- try adjacent to Pasco. Through deferential treatment of all Mr. Gray has built up a good patronage and has the ability of making and holding friends. In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Gray owns a fine wheat ranch of one-half section, located on the Snake east from Pasco. which is well improved and handled by tenants.
At Tacoma, Washington, in 1896, Mr. Gray married Miss May O'Neal, a native of the Evergreen State. Her father is living in California and her mother is deceased some time since. This union has been blessed by one child, Josephine.
GIBSON SAVAGE, who lives about thir- ty-five miles up the Columbia from Pasco, is one of the leading stockmen of the valley. He handles about five hundred horses at this time and one hundred head of cattle. His head- quarters are on an estate of two hundred and forty-five acres, favorably situated for the stock business and productive of hay for winter pur- poses. This location was made long since and when he had the choice of the country, since Mr. Savage is a pioneer.
Gibson Savage was born in Polk county, Oregon, being thus a native of the occident. His parents, William and Sarah (Brown) Savage, were natives of New York and Illi- nois, respectively. The father died some time since, but the mother is still living in Oregon. The father crossed the plains in 1845, being among the very first who made that most unique of all trips in the United States. Stock raising occupied him until his death. Our sub- ject remained in Oregon until 1881, gaining. during his boyhood days, the training to be had from the early district schools. Then came a move to what is now Franklin county and here he located as mentioned above and commenced
raising stock very extensively. At that time he was the heaviest stock breeder in this part of the country and he sold to all the important markets. Since then, as settlers have come in and the range has become limited, he has stead- ily decreased his holdings to the number al- ready spoken of. In addition to the property enumerated, Mr. Savage owns town lots in Pasco, and is a prosperous man. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the K. P. and the Elks. In political matters, Mr. Savage has always evinced a lively interest and is found alert in the campaigning work.
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