An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 132

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056

USA > Washington > An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 132

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HISTORY OF WASHIINGTON.

1846, and located in Polk county, Oregon, where he passed the remainder of his life. Ilis death occurred in 1869, his wife surviving until 1873. Donglass W. is the fifth of their twelve chil- dren. He continued a member of the house- hold until 1859, when he was married and be- gan farming on his own account.

He removed in 1870 to Walla Walla county, Washington, and resided there four years; re- turning at the end of this period to Polk county, he made his home there until 1882, when he came to Klickitat county, locating at Oak Flat. Here he owns a farm of 400 acres, on which he resided until the removal of his family to Gold- endale, when he engaged in buying and selling live-stock. He now resides four miles south of the town, where he owns a choice tract of 440 acres. He has 300 acres under cultivation, all of which was sown to grain in 1893.

Believing that through a new organization the needs of the people would be more quickly heeded by the Government, Mr. Collins has identified himself with the People's party, and in 1892 was the candidate for Sheriff. Two precincts of the county, however, were thrown ont, and the election was decided against him. IIe has also been prominently connected with educational movements in the county, and served as School Director for many years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Our worthy subject was united in marriage, May 18, 1859, to Mrs. Sarah A. Shaw, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of John Wheeler, a pioneer of 1858. They have had born to them a family of ten children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Smith F., Arthur J., Martha A. (wife of Philip F. Miller), Dora J., David C., George A. and Pearl B.

J OSEPH B. HIGDON, who has been a resident of Clarke county, Washington, since 1876, is a native of the State of Ten- nessee, born in Giles county, April 18, 1837. His parents, James and Ellen (Whiteneck) Hig- don, were natives of North Carolina and Vir- ginia, respectively; both are now deceased. Joseph B. is the third of a family of five chil- dren. As early as 1840 the family yielded to the pressure of western emigration, and joined a train whose destination was western Missouri;

after a period of seven years they moved to Union county, Indiana, and thence to Coffey county, Kansas, in 1859.

It was not until the eentennial years of the independence of our Republic, that Mr. Higdon came to the Pacific coast. He located in Clarke county, and now owns a choice farm ten miles northeast of Vancouver, here he has a fine tract of 280 aeres, 200 of which yield abundant har- vests of hay and afford pasture land for cattle. Mr. Higdon is the proprietor of a large and thriving dairy business, now under the manage- ment of G. W. Robertson; the milk from thirty- four cows is made into butter, which finds a ready market in Portland.

As a member of the School Board for a mun- ber of years, Mr. Higdon was enabled to give vigorous support to edneational movements, and assisted in the elevation of the standard in this county.

October 1, 1857, he was married in Indiana, to Miss Eliza A. Miller, a Virginian by birth. Of this union ten children have been born: Cynthia, John B., Jane W., Annie M., Martha If., Alexander H., Etta C., Charles T., Joseph C. and Nellie E.

W ALTER C. NEVIL is one of the old and highly respected pioneers of Lewis county, and well worthy the space that has been accorded him in this volume. Ile bas been a resident of this section during two dec- ades, and has taken an active interest in fur- thering the development of both county and State. Ile can also claim the proud distinction of being one of California's early settlers, hav- ing crossed the plains with the gold-seekers in 1850. He engaged in mining at Georgetown, El Dorado county, and was very successful, not only in this occupation, but also in teaming and packing, which he carried on extensively in El Dorado and Amidor counties. In 1859 he went to Oregon and located at Eugene City, where he was engaged in lumbering for a period of ten years; thenee he removed to the Sound, and for three years carried on an extensive trade in lum- ber near Olympia.

In 1872 he came to Winlock, his present home, and the three years following conducted a sawmill at Napavine. Ile then purchased land, and turned his attention to agriculture.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Retiring from active pursuits in 1887, he made a trip to California, visiting the haunts of the early '50%, and living over again in memory many an interesting incident and thrilling ad- venture. He still owns his farm, which is a de- sirable tract of 162 acres, located one and a half miles east of Winlock; one half the land is under cultivation. Mr. Nevil also owns a part of a tract of eighty-two aeres north of Winlock.

Going back to the early history of our sub- ject, it may be stated that he was a native of Missouri, born in Pike county, March 10, 1833. His father, Samuel E. Nevil, was a native of Virginia, and removed from that State to Mis- souri in 1831, facing the dangers and privations of lite on the frontier; he married Charlotte Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone, and a na- tive of Ohio; to them were born seven children of whom Walter C. is the eldest. Ile is a man of remarkable vigor, and although past three score years he has the strength that many a younger man might envy.

In 1862 Mr. Nevil was married in Oregon, to Miss Alice Johns, a native of Illinois; they are the parents of three children: John H .; Mary D., the wife of G. T. O'Riley; and William W.

A NTON HYLAK, a lumberman and mil- ler of Lewis county, Washington, is one of the successful men of the county.

He was born in Bohemia, in the year 1837, lived there until 1867, and then emi- grated to America. Here he established his home in Linn county, Iowa, and resided there seven years. He then moved to Washington and took up his abode in Lewis county, where for the past eighteen years he has been engaged in the lumber business, also operating a mill.

Mr. Hylak was married in Bohemia in 1862, to Miss Frances Dabraza. They have two child- ren: Anna and Anton.

J ULIEN BERNIER, who is identified with the agricultural interests of Lewis county. Washington, and who is a native of this place, was born in the year 1844. His parents, Marcel and C'elie Bernier, was also natives of this coast, his father born in Spokane county,

Washington, in 1818, and his mother in Oregon in 1823. His father died in Lewis county, this State, 1891, and his mother passed away at the same place in 1892. They were well known among the pioneers of this section of the county and were held in high esteem.

Julien Bernier was married in 1866, to Miss Celis Garnett, and they have six children : Lucia, Peter, Maggie, Frank, Louisa and Allie.

Mr. Bernier was reared on a farm and has been engaged in this occupation all his life. He is one of the representative men of his vicinity, he and his family being among its best people.

H ON. MARCIUS D. WOOD, a name familiar to the residents of Centralia, is prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the town. Mr. Wood has resided here since 18Ss, and has never failed to carry forward his share of the burden that must be borne in the onward march of civilization. He was born in the State of New York, December 3, 1842, a son of Jehiel and Polly (Ferrin) Wood, who were also natives of New York State, descended from good New England colonists. William Wood, the pater- nal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the struggle with a fervor and zeal that was trans- mitted in pariotic sentiment to his descendants of the present generation. Marcius D. Wood has an honorable record as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, one that would do credit to his worthy grandsire. Ile is the eldest of a family of seven children, and grew to manhood amid the scenes of his birth. At the age of nineteen years he removed with his family to Sheffield, Illinois, where he served an apprentice- ship to a harness-maker and saddler, and has followed this trade through life.

Responding to the call for men to go out in defense of the old flag he enlisted in 1861 as a private in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served with distinction through the entire struggle; he participated in the engage- ments at Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, and many of less note; he was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and received honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois, in 1865. Resuming the more peaceful

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pursuit of harness-making in Edgar county, Illinois, he remained there three years, and then went back to Sheffield; at the end of two years he visited Iowa and Wisconsin, returning to Illinois at the end of two years. Quiney, Michigan, was his next place of abode and there he dwelt eight years. The tide of emigration being westward he was caught in the flow, and drifted to Bismarck, Dakota; here he made his home until 1888, and in that year came to this coast, locating in Centralia. He established himself in business, and carries a well selected stock of harness, saddles, whips, robes and fine turf goods. Ile draws his patronage from a wide territory, and has the confidence and good will of a large circle of friends.

Ile has served three terms as chairman of the board of town trustees, and has been a director of the Board of Trade. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1890, and is discharging the duties of this office with an impartial judg- ment. As a stockholder of the Brass & Iron Foundry Company, he has rendered that corpor- ation excellent service; he owns some city pro- perty and a large body of timber-land. Ile casts his suffrage with the Republican party, and has always taken a deep interest in the issues of that body. He is a prominent mem- ber of the T. P. Price Post, No. 50, G. A. R., and is the present Adjutant of the U. S. Grant Post; he is also a member of the Royal Order of Good Fellows.

In 1873 Mr. Wood was married to Alice A. Walcott, a native ot New York State; they are the parents of five children: Myra, is now Mrs. Enbank of this city; Clarence, Walter A., Alger and an infant daughter, Florence Ella.

D R. GEORGE V. CALHOUN, one of the pioneer physicians of Washington and a prominent citizen of this State, was born in Albert county, New Brunswick, on October 19, 1837, his parents being John and and Mary (Brewster) Calhoun. The ('alhoun family is of Scotch origion, and four brothers, the first in this country, came from the North of Ireland to America, and settled in Pennsyl- vania. They separated, one of them locating in Maryland and from this brother our subject is descended. His grandfather removed to New Brunswick. and there his father was born. The mother of our subject was born in New Bruns-

wick, whither her ancestors had removed from New England. When the subject of our sketch was quite young his father died, and at tlie age of thirteen he went to Boston, but four years later returned to New Brunswick, where he studied with Doctor Rufus Palmer until twenty years old, when he went to Europe and was graduated from the University of Glasgow, re- ceiving the degree of M. D. in 1862. Ile re- mained there doing hospital work for two years when he returned to the United States and went into the army as Acting Assistant Surgeon un- der General Hancock. He served in the field until the close of the war and was mustered out in June, 1865. In the August following he came out to the Pacific coast by the Nicaragua route and landed at San Francisco. He took a vessel soon after arrival there and went to Vic- toria, British Columbia, and thence to Port Angeles, Washington. During the next year he established the marine hospital at Port Townsend and built the hospital building at that place. Ile remained in charge of this hos- pital and of the first marine hospital at Port Angeles until 1875, when he removed to Se- attle, believing this city afforded him a larger field for practice. At that time there was only one other physician than himself. He remained there four years. Meanwhile Dr. Calhoun be- came interested in property in Skagit county, near La Connor, and there made his home, which he now retains. He has not practiced for the last two years, except in consultations.

He was married June 9, 1863, to Miss Ellen Mein, a native of Scotland and daughter of William and Ellinor Mein. They have nine children: William M., born in Seattle and is now First Lieutenant of Company B, First Regiment; Nellie; Maggie, wife of Prof. James Shields, of Skagit county ; Annie; Alice; Laura; Grant and Scott, now sophomores in the Stan- ford University; and Arthur.

Dr. Calhoun is a member of the State Medi- cal Society and of the Local Society and Ex- President of the State Medical Examining Board. He is a Republican politically and has been a delegate to all of the conventions with- but one or to exceptions for a quarter of a cen- tury. In 1870 he was a member of the Senate and was President of the Board of University Regents for a number of years. He was named World's Fair Commissioner by the act of Legis- Jature in 1891, and is now Executive Com- missioner.

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Dr. Calhoun is one of the oldest practitioners in the Pacific northwest, having practiced all the way from Cape Flattery to the British line, and there is no settlement on the l'uget Sound in which he has not ministered to the sick.

C ILARLES GLOCKLER is a native of Germany and was born at Carls-Baden on March 1, 1834. His parents were Ferdinand and Mary Glockler, the former be- ing a gun maker. Until fourteen years old Charles remained in his native place, finally leaving school to learn his father's trade of gun- making, which he followed for three years. In 1851 he emigrated to America, landing in New York, where he remained five years, working at his trade. In 1855 he went to California via Cape Ilorn making the trip on the ship " Camir Dove." After an eight months' voyage he ar- rived at San Francisco March 4, 1856. He joined his brother-in-law, Simon H. Lullner, in Yolo county, where he remained until 1871. He then went to Peru, South America. He stayed there only one year when he returned and located at Port Townsend, Washington, and went thence to Seattle, finally going to Port Ludlow, where he remained only seven months and went to Port Seabech, where he stayed two years, working in a mill. Thence he went to Dock river and worked there two years in the coal mines, finally going to Tacoma in 1878, where he worked for the Northern Pacific Rail- road. He followed the building and contraet- ing business till 1888 and since that time has followed at intervals his trade.

Mr. Gloekler was married in October 1869 in California, to Miss Theresa Wagner. a na- tive of Germany. They have five children, viz: Juanita, Alfred, Louisa, Edward and Carl.

T D. SNODGRASS, one of the large land- owners of Klickitat county, has been more than ordinarily successful as an agricultorist, and is worthy of extended notice in this connection. IIe is a native of West Virginia, born September 6, 1855, a son of Nathan and Rhoda (Amuss) Snodgrass. His parents removed from Virginia to Illinois, and

settled in Edgar county, where they resided a few years, going thence to Leavenworth county, Kansas. Our subject is one of a family of two children. In 1874 he determined to seek his fortunes in the Golden State, and so came to California, settling in Yolo county; there he remained for a period of two years, and then went to Sonoma county, in the same State. After a few months he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Sacramento city, and continued in this vocation until 1880.

In the year just mentioned he came to Wash- ington and located in Klickitat county, where he owns a valuable tract of land containing 720 acres, sitnated seven miles southeast of Golden- dale. Four hundred acres are under cultiva- tion, and produce bountiful crops of grain. Mr. Snodgrass manages his vast farming interests with keen intelligence, and rotates his crops so as to gain the best results. His ideas are not, however, bound by his fields; he takes an active interest in the support of the public school sys- tem, and for several years has served as Direc- tor of school district No. 12. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. of Goldendale.

While a resident of California, on September 3, 1877, he was nnited in marriage to Miss Pearl Griffith, a native of the Golden State. They have a family of six children: George M., Wesley, John R., Thomas D., Elfie L. and Lucy.

Believing the days of usefulness have passed from the old political parties, Mr. Snodgrass las identified himself with the People's party, hoping much for the future.

A L. ANDERSON, one of the prosperous husbandmen of Klickitat county, belongs to that great body of foreign-born popu- lation without whom the industrial and natural resources of the United States would yet be in their infancy. He is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, born November 10, 1845. His parents, Peter A. and Christina (Erickson) Anderson, were natives of the same country, but are now deceased; they reared a family of twelve children, our subject being the eighth in order of birth. When he was a lad of four- teen years he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade which he followed many years. The reports of the great advantages offered to

Richard Ostrom

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all citizens of the United States proved more attractive than the ties of relationship, and broke the bonds of nativity. In 1865 Mr. An- derson set sail for New York city, and after his arrival engaged in work at his old trade; he re- mained in this city three years, and then the spirit of enterprise not yet satisfied, he pushed his way to the West, his destination being Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he followed his trade for a period of two years, and then entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Com- pany.

It was not until 1872 that he located per- manently in this county; he is one of the large land-owners, his farm consisting of 700 acres of choice land; he has 600 acres in grain, reap- ing immense harvests of the finest varieties of cereals; the land is situated eight miles south- east of Goldendale, and is considered one of the most desirable farms in this locality.

Mr. Anderson is a pronouneed Republican : he is Director in school district No. 6, and takes active interest in the prosperity of the public school system in the country of his adoption. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is identified with the Farmers' Alliance.

Ile was married in Jannary, 1869, while a resident of Wyoming, his union being with Miss Anna Nelson, one of his own country- women; they have five children living: Oscar Y., Olivia E., Rudolph A., Mabel E., and Vena Il .; five children are deceased, two sons and three daughters.

H ON. RICHARD OSBORN. -- In the great competitive struggle for life, when each man must enter the field and tight his way to the front or else be overtaken by disaster of circumstanee or place, proving either a coward or a victim, there is ever a par- ticular interest attaching to the life of one who has proved successful, in the higher sense of the term, and the record of achievement, of obstacles surmounted and of honors attained must ever be a fecund source of incentive and instruction. The subject of this review occupies a position of unmistakable prominence in both professional and private life, and that his name should come np for consideration in a work touching upon the general and biographical history of the favored commonwealth with whose interests he

is so closely identified, is not alone consistent, but, in justice, practically imperative.

Hon. Richard Osborn, Judge of the Civil Department of the Superior Court of King county, Washington, was born in MeLean county, Illinois, December 25, 1845. His father, Wallingford Osborn, a native of Ohio, moved to Illinois in boyhood, and was there reared to farm life. lle married Miss Nancy Ann Brown, a native of Tennessee, and after this event continued his agricultural pursuits in Illinois until 1856, when he removed to Harri- son county, Missouri, and purchased a tract of Government land, for which he paid $1.25 per aere. Richard Osborn was in no sense cradled in luxury, hard work and striet economy being the ruling influences of his early life. Up to his eighth year he attended the distriet schools in MeLean county. After that education be- came secondary to farm labor, and his only opportunity for consecutive study was during the winter months, when it was too cold and stormy to work ont of doors. In 1856 he re- moved with his parents to Missouri, where he enconntered a due quota of the cares and hard- ships of pioneer life, giving cheerfully of his boyish strength in the reclaiming of the farm, and when not needed at home working out at $7.50 per month and board, thus lending to the support of the family. The first two years the family were in Missouri there were no schools near them, but finally a district was formed and a schoolhouse built on land presented by Mr. Osborn. Although deprived of seliool facilities, Richard had not been neglectful of education. With borrowed books he had prosecuted a silent course of reading and study, and when the school was opened he attended during the win- ter months.

Upon the breaking out of the Civil war, though but a mere lad, Richard joined the Union army, enlisting in Company D, Twenty- third Regiment of Missouri Volunteers. Dur- ing the period of his military service extend- ing over three years-he participated in some of the hardest-fought battles of the West and Northwest. Ile started with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, but in an action before Atlanta in August, 1864, was severely wounded. Ile was sent to the field hospital, and, later, successively to Chattanooga and Nashville. Not being able to again engage in active service he was mnstered out in 1864, and, much debilitated, returned to his home in

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Missouri, where he resumed the studies which the outbreak of the war had interrupted.

In the spring of 1865, owing to the unset- tled condition of the country, the family re- moved to Davis county, Iowa, and there con- tinned in agricultural pursuits. Having not sufficiently recovered from his wound Richard was unable to engage in manual labor, and finally determined to teach school. After pass- ing his examination and securing a first-grade certificate he found ready employment. Hav- ing pupils much older than himself, young Osborn was compelled to devote himself assid- nously to study in order to keep ahead of his classes, and thus, by persistent labor, he received as well as imparted knowledge. In the fall of 1865 he entered Oskaloosa College, in which institution he remained a student for two terms, when his financial resources became exhausted. He then returned to Illinois, having resolved to seenre an education and to fit himself for some higher calling than that of humdrum work on the farm. By teaching school during the win- ter months and spending his vacations in work on the farm he secured sufficient funds to cover the expense of a course of study at the State Normal University, where, with great zeal and devotion, he pursued the higher branches, con- tinuing his teaching up to the summer of 1870, his last position being that of principal and superintendent of the graded schools at White- hall, Illinois. He was then elected Sheriff of McLean county and served one term.

While discharging the duties of the office of Sheriff Mr. Osborn engaged in the study of law, which he continued at Bloomington in the office of MeNulta, Kerrick & Aldrich, later en- tering the law department of the Wesleyan University. In January, 1875, he was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Illinois, and the following June graduated at the uni- versity with the degree of B. L. He then en- tered into active practice in Bloomington, where he continued very successfully until August, 1881. At that time he removed to Seattle, which was then a small city of about 3,500 population. Here he at once inangurated the practice of his profession, and his thorough knowledge and ability soon brought him to the front. He was City Attorney in 1883-'84, and in the fall of 1888 was elected Probate Judge. Hlaving always taken a deep interest in educa- tion, and being eminently fitted for the posi- tion, he was appointed by Governor Ferry, in

1889, as Regent of the State University, which honorable preferment he still retains. In 1890 he was elected by the Republican party as Judge of the Superior Court, and, having filled the office with honor and distinction, was re- elected in 1892 for a term of four years. As showing the discerning wisdom which the Judge has brought to bear in his judicial capacity, reference to the fifth volume of the Washington reports discloses the fact that ont of fifteen cases carried from his jurisdiction to the Su- preme Court his decision in each of twelve cases was affirmed by that court, and was re- versed in the case of only three.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 132

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902 Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056