An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 67

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 67

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Dr. Gerlach is a member of both the State and County Medical Societies, has held office in botlı, and takes an active interest in association work. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and of the orders of Knight of Pythias and I. O. O. F. He was made a Knight of Pythias in Cincinnati in 1886, is now a member of Falls City Lodge, No. 40. and is Past Chancellor, and one of the trustees of the same. He joined the Odd Fellows that same year, Ohio Lodge, No. 1.

J OHN SANDERS, one of the pioneers of the great State of Washington, was born in Monroe county, Indiana, Angust 26, 1832. There he was reared and educated, at- tending the common school of the county, and remaining until he was twenty-four years of age. His father, Joseph Sanders, was a native of Kentucky, and married Sarah Frits, a young lady from Virginia. Mr. Sanders went to Indiana when a young man, before that territory had been admitted to Statehood, living there until 1858, when he removed to Arkansas, and there remained until 1862, when he crossed the plains to Washington Territory, and died in 1890, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mrs. Sanders died in 1876, soon after reaching their new home in the West, aged sixty three years. They had nine children, and John was the oldest of the family.

Our subject was reared on a farm and lived at home with his parents until he was twenty- three years old, at which time (1855) he married Miss Rebecca Meredith, who was a native of Ohio. After marriage they removed to Arkan- sas, and in 1862 removed with the elder Mr. Sanders to Washington. They had much trouble with the Indians on the journey across the plains. Although there was a large train, one of the party was killed, and about half of

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the stock was run off. Our subject arrived in Washington just in time to take a hand in the Indian wars of 1865-'66. Taking up a elaim of 160 acres on Dry creek, in Walla Walla county, he lived here improving his farm until 1888, when he sold the place and bought 320 acres of fine land, four and one-half miles nearly east of Walla Walla. This land has increased in value until now it is worth $20,000.

Our subject and wife have had a family of seven children: Joseph H., living in Lincoln county; Sarah J., wife of R. G. Claney, living in Dixie; Anna, wife of Joseph Vanscock, near Dixie; Lydia U., wife of James Aylnard, in Umatilla county, Oregon; James S., in Lincoln county; Jerome and Franees M.

When Mr. Sanders arrived in Washington, he had nothing but a team and was $50 in debt. He has worked uneeasingly and now has an abundance to live upon the rest of his days. He has been a prominent man in the county, filling several important positions, one of them being that of County Commissioner. Politi- eally, he is a Democrat, taking an active interest in the public affairs of the community.

J OHN J. ROHN, one of the thrifty farmers and pioneers of the State of Washington, was born in Germany, November 22, 1835. He is the second youngest in the family of five children born to Nicholas and Caterina Rohn, the maiden namo of the mother having been Caterina Zipf. Both of the parents died when he was but ten years old, leaving him to make his own way in the world. He found a home with his nnele, going to school until he was fourteen years of age and then working until he was seventeen years old, at which time he eon- eluded to try to get to America, knowing that in this country there was a much better chance for a poor young man to carve his way to fame and fortune. On the day that he was seventeen years of age he set sail for New York, and upon arrival in that eity worked at his trade of wood- gilder for two years. At that time he proceeded to Baltimore, Maryland, remaining there ten months. Abont this time, in 1855, he enlisted in Troop C, of First Dragoons of United States Army, and proceeded to California. Soon after his arrival in that State, he was sent to fight the Indians, and during his five years of army ser-

vice he was engaged in that kind of warfare almost entirely, being in all the engagements from 1855 to 1860, in California, Oregon and Washington. After his honorable discharge at Vancouver, in 1860, he proceeded to Walla Walla, where he took a claim of 120 acres on Mill ereek. He invested in cattle the $500 he had saved out of his salary while in the army. On this land he engaged in eattle-raising, but not having had experience in that line met with some heavy losses in the cold winters, it being very difficult to protect the stoek from the se- vere weather. Not allowing his misfortune to discourage him, he proceeded further down the ereek, where he purehased 160 acres of niee, roll- ing land, and built a comfortable home where he has sinee resided. He now has 407 acres of land, 200 aeres of which are devoted to raising grain, the yield being about 3,500 bushels per year. Having learned by experience the best methods of handling stock, he now keeps a herd of about 100 cattle and horses. Although a very poor boy when he landed in America, Mr. Rolin is now one of the wealthy residents of Walla Walla county, having made all his money since his discharge from the army. After six years of happy married life he had the misfortune to lose his beloved wife, since which tine he has endeavored to be both father and mother to the four little ones she left behind her. So devoted to her memory was he that he has never ehosen anyone else to fill hier place. The maiden name of this most estimable woman was Sarah E. Sanders, a native of Indiana, who married our subjeet in 1866. Six years later she was taken away by death. The four children are as follows: Katie, wife of Thomas Bryant, living at Pull- man; Malinda, wife of Harry Gilbertson, of Lincoln county; Fred, now in California; and Sarah J., who died Angust 24, 1874. Mr. Rohn is a member of the Indian Veterans As- sociation, and politically is a Demoerat. Few men enjoy the esteem and respect of their fellow men to a greater degree thian our subject, who has won his way in the world unaided and alone.

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IIOMAS J. HUMES, Superior Judge of King county, Washington, was born on the Wabash river in Clinton county, In- diana, February 14, 1849.

His father, James IIumes, a native of Pike county, Ohio, removed to Indiana when eight-

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een years of age, and there engaged in farming. He married Miss Sarah Start, of Ohio. In 1853 they removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, where Mr. Humes has since followed an agri- cultural life. The Humes family are of Scotch- Irish descent, their ancestors having emigrated to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war. Swearing allegiance to the colonies, they took part in that war, and their descendants participated in the war of 1812.

Thomas J. was educated in the common schools of Keokuk county and the public schools of Chicago. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school in Keokuk county, and so was enabled to secure the higher branches of educa- tion. He then engaged in the study of law in the office of George D. Wooden, at Sigourney, the county seat of Keokuk county, and was ad- mitted to the bar in February, 1870. He en- tered upon the practice of his profession in Washington, Washington county, Kansas, the same year, and was elected Prosecuting Attor- ney for the county, holding the office for two years. In 1873 he made the trip to this coast, visiting Nevada, Oregon and California, and re- turning to Washington, Kansas, in 1874. He resumed the practice of law at Washington, and represented the county in the State Legislature in 1877 and 1879, being twice elected by the Republican party. From 1880 to 1882 he was Assistant United States Attorney, with head- quarters at Topeka, resigning that position in 1882 to come to Seattle and identify himself with this rising young city. Here he immedi- ately opened an office and entered upon his pro- fession, which he continued alone up to 1888. Then he entered into partnership with William R. Andrews, under the firm name of Humes & Andrews, which copartnership continued up to 1890, when the legal business of Seattle had as- suined such proportions that additional judges of the Superior Court were required, and Judge IIumes was appointed by Governor Ferry to his present position. He was elected to the office in November following, and was re-nom- inated for the same postion in the fall of 1892, for a period of four years. The members of the last Territorial Legislature were elected upon the woman-suffrage issne. Judge Humes was the anti-suffrage candidate of the Republican party, and was elected by about 500 majority.

Upon his return to Washington, Kansas, in 1874, the subject of our sketch was married to Alma Roberts. They have had eight children,

five of whom survive: Start, Thomas J., Jr., Samuel J., Nathan R. and Edmund.

The Judge has trided somewhat in real es- tate, but the practice of his profession has been the chief object of his life, and to it he has de- voted his energy and ability. Being of active mind and quick perception, as an attorney his efforts have been crowned with success, and as a judge his rulings are impartial and strictly in accordance with law and the facts in the case.

EORGE W. HALL, one of Seattle's well- known citizens, was born in Jackson county, Virginia, December 30, 1840. His father, William Hall, was a native of Ohio, a son of one of the earliest settlers of Ma- rietta, and by trade a furniture mannfacturer. Ile was married in Virginia, to Miss Mary A Cohen, and shortly after the birth of our sub- ject removed to Lawrence county, Ohio, then a new and sparsely settled community. There George W. passed his boyhood in attending the public school, and at the age of sixteen entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of pattern- maker, serving a period of three years. He then removed with his parents to Ashland, Ken- tueky, and after a short season of work in his father's manufactory he struck out in life with a view of seeing the country and ultimately finding a place of settlement. After visiting Cincinnati and New Orleans, he started west- ward through New Mexico to Virginia City, Montana, where he began prospecting and min- ing, and spent six years in the different mining districts of the Territory, with an average de- gree of success.

In 1869 Mr. Ilall pushed west to Puget Sound, and, after looking over the country, de- cided to locate at Seattle, then a small hamlet of about 500 inhabitants. He at once identified himself with the city, and became an active fac- tor in its development. Ile formed a copart- nership with D. R. Lord in building and con- tracting, which was continned up to 1874, when Mr. Hall withdrew, and, in partnership with R. C. Graves, engaged in furniture manufacturing, being the pioneer in this branch of business in Seattle. Later on, with Paul Paulson, he formed the Hall and Paulson Furniture Com- pany. A stock company was subsequently in- corporated, and, with a mill at the foot of Com-

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mercial street and another at the head of the bay, they conducted an extensive lumber and milling business, which, during the latter years, averaged $100,000 annually. In 1888 Mr. Hall sold his interest, and since devoted his time to the management and improvement of his real estate.

Mr. Hall has always been an ardent Republi- can, without seeking the emoluments of public office. The positions he has filled have been in the direct line of duty, as they appeal to every good citizen who has at heart the welfare of his city. For five terms he has served as a member of the City Council, and for one term as Mayor. During the reorganization of the city, after the destructive fire of June, 1889, the Council was confronted with many perplexing difficulties, and during that period of onerous service Mr. Hall was a warm advocate of every measure to advance the city's welfare and unflinchingly on the side of the most progressive ideas in the management of city affairs. lIe is a member of the I. O. O. F., and for nine years has served as Grand Treasurer.

Hle was married in Seattle, in 1872, to Miss Mary V., daughter of William N. Bell, one of pioneers and founders of Seattle, and the pro- prietor of Belltown, which was located on his donation claim. Mr. and Mrs. Ilall have four children -- Edna, Ivy, Olive and Aidine.

Personally, Mr. Hall is of a modest and re- tiring disposition. He is a man of sterling character, and is universally recognized as one Seattle's most progressive and helpful citizens. From his earliest connection with the city's his- tory down to its present commercial prominence he has ever been a ready contributor to its pros- perity, and is honored and esteemed for his able and generous service.

D AVID BUROKER .- In the list of the early pioneers who crossed the plains in 1864, enduring all the hardships and pri- vations incident to frontier life in any new country, occurs the name of David Buroker, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Buroker was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, December 17, 1818, and although now seventy-five years of age bears his years in a wonderful manner, being as active and energetic as many who have not much more than reached the prime of life.

He attends to his extensive farming interests and gives every promise of living to be an hun- dred. His father, Martin Buroker, was a native of Virginia, of German parentage, while his mother, Ellen Griffith, a native of Virginia, was of Welsh descent. In 1834, some time after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Buroker removed to Ohio, remaining in that State until their death, the father passing away in 1854, at an advanced age, his wife having preceded him many years before. They were the parents of eighteen children, of whom our subject was the third youngest.

Our subject did not enjoy very extensive ed- ucational advantages, but made the most of the opportunities afforded by the little schools of his county, attending when unpropitious weather interfered with farm work. In 1856, Mr. Bu- roker removed to Missouri; remained there three years, then proceeded to Iowa, where he re- mained nutil 1864, when he crossed the plains to Washington Territory, consuming about six months in making the trip. Being pleased with the country near Walla Walla, he located there on rented land, which he farmed for one year. He then removed to the Willamette valley where he remained three years on rented land. After this he returned to Walla Walla, pur- chased on Mill creek 160 acres, which he atter- ward sold and then bought 240 acres, which he subsequently disposed of, and in this way dealt in real estate until he soon was possessed of sufficient means to permit the retaining of the 500 acres of excellent land he now owns, situated seven miles northeast of Walla Walla. lle also owns 120 acres near the city itself. So large is his estate that four country roads and two railroads pass through it .- something that can be said of no other farin in the State. Of course all this has made his property exceedingly valuable.

Our subject was married in Ohio, to Miss Sarah Jinkins, a native of that State, and of this union seven children have been born, namely: Jonas, who resides on Mill creek; Mary Ann. wife of John Crawford, resides in Idaho; Louisa, wife of Jacob Kibler, resides on Mill creek; Ellen, wife of S. C. Williams, resides on Dry creek; Noah, residing on Dry creek; William H., who also resides on Dry creek; and Etta, wife of James Patterson, resides with her par- ents and has two bright children, Judson and Bessie.

In politics Mr. Buroker is a stanch Republi- can, steadfastly npholding the principles of his

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party. Although a very poor man when he started to earn his own livelihood, our subject has grown to be one of the wealthiest farmers of Walla Walla county. Notwithstanding he has more than sufficient to supply all his wants * and those of his wife for the remainder of their days, his active disposition will not allow him to remain inactive while there is anything to be accomplished; and to these habits are due in great part his excellent health. Throughout the entire county Mr. Buroker is esteemed and re- spected, and parents urge their young sons to emulate his example in fighting the world and its temptations. In spite of the many misfor- tunes that attended his earlier efforts Mr. Bu- roker never allowed himself to be discouraged, but patiently labored on, and now reaps the re- sults of his labors.

M ILTON ALDRICH, a prominent pio- neer of the Pacific coast and one of the leading men of Walla Walla county, was born in Erie county, New York, Sep- tember 10, 1830. His father, James Aldrich, was a native of Rhode Island, was there mar- ried to Miss Hannah Comstock, who was a na- tive of the same State. Soon after their marriage they moved to the State of New York, and when Milton was five years of age the family removed to the State of Michigan, this being about 1835, and there the father spent the remainder of his days, dying either in Michigan or Wisconsin, when he was abont eighty years of age. His wife survived him until 1891, when she died at the age of eighty. They liad reared a family of nine children, and our subject was the eighth in order, but only three of that large family are still living.

Milton lived with his parents until he reached his majority, and, being a young man of pro- gressive ideas and high ambition, he concluded to seek his fortune in the far West. One bright spring morning in April, 1852, he started for the mines of California. He had earned and saved enough to buy him an outfit comprising a good horse, team and wagon, and after a jour- ney of three months he reached his destination, having been but once molested by the Indians. At one time some 150 Indians made their ap- pearance in the camp of four wagons, and de- inanded that they be given all the clothing and

provisions; but the little party well knew that if they gave up their supplies they would starve; hence they tried a bluff game with the noble red men, agreeing to give them a box of hard tack and a side of bacon if they wanted them, and if not they would give them some powder and balls from the guns. The Indians pon- dered the matter over for some time and then, finally decided to accept the offer, and upon re- ceiving the booty rode away and left the little party to pursue their way unmolested. When our subject reached California he engaged in mining, but did not meet with sufficient suc- cess to make a regular business of it, and after two years of trial he left the mines and went into the freighting business and followed that for a period of eight years, making considerable money. He then sold out his business with the intention of going to Oregon, but after he had bought beef cattle with the intention of prepar- ing them for marketing in California, the ex- citement arose over the mines on the great Fraser river. Realizing that all the floating population would immediately rush off for the new locality, he to changed his plans and started for the same place with his cattle and drove them as far as The Dalles, where he halted for a month or so. Seeing that this was not an eligible place in which to winter his cattle, and hearing reports of the fine grass lands in the Walla Walla valley, he turned his attention to this country and drove his stock to Walla Walla. llere he fixed upon a fine tract on Dry creek, nine miles east of the present city, where he found a nice little piece of bottom land well covered with good grass, and at that place he staked off a claim of 160 acres, where he win- tered his cattle. He then turned his attention to the mines again, mining in several places in Idaho and Montana, and after following that oceupation for a few years he returned to his claim and has continued improving the same until the present day. As a result he now owns 2,000 acres of the finest wheat land in Walla Walla county and is farming about 1,900 acres of it. In 1892 he raised 20,000 bushels of grain, but this was not an average yield, as his grain suffered from drought. Our subject has a good residence on the bank of Dry creek, surrounded by a beautiful tract of bottom land and rolling hills.

Our subject was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah Stanfield, a native of Iowa, who had come with her parents to Walla Walla in 1862, and

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they had a family of three children: Dora, who is the wife of Frank Walker of Boston, Massa- chusetts; Fred J., who is now in New York attending school; and Shelley, who is at school in Walla Walla.

When our subject started out in life he had in addition to some new clothes which were given him by his father, the nominal sum of money he had saved, but he had to go $200 in debt. He has a wide experience and has en- dured all the privations of pioneer life. In 1890 he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Commissioner of Walla Walla county, and in the fall of 1892 he received the nomina- tion for County Treasurer, but was defeated by the small majority of thirty votes. He is well known through the county and much respected.

S AMUEL R. MAXSON .- A traveller pass- ing through the farming districts of Washington is impressed with the fertile fields of waving grain and the rolling pastures, the latter being filled with well-fed sheep, cattle and horses. On the list of prosperous and well- to-do farmers of the country surrounding the beautiful city of Walla Walla in the county of the same name, occurs the name of the gentle- man to whose life history attention is called in this brief article. Mr. Maxson was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, July 7, 1843, a son of Ste- phen and Lois (Babcock) Maxson, natives of New York, who were married in that State but removed to Wisconsin in 1837. They made the Badger State their home for over twenty years, when in 1856 they again took np the line of march westward, locating at Omaha, Nebraska, where they remained two years, during which time our subject received his education in the common-schools of that city. At the expiration of that time the family located in Washington Territory, Walla Walla county, on Russell creek, seven miles southeast of Walla Walla, where the father died in 1879, at the age of sixty-five years, and where his wife died ten years later, at the same age. Four children were born to these parents. of whom our sub- ject was the second child. All of these children are still living, one being located in Idaho, the other three in Washington. The trip across the plains in the fifties was anything but an en- joyable journey. In a'ldition to the many pri-

vations incident to the trip, there was always the great danger from the savage Indians, and many of the emmigrants were given several op- portunities of very close acquaintance with the red men. Fortunately for the little party in which we are interested the Indians gave them no tronble, although they never knew at what moment the savages might spring upon them.

Our subject obtained the money to purchase his present pleasant home by freighting over the mountains to Boise City and other mining districts with ox teams, continuing that ocenpa- tion for five years. At that time he traded his horses for 160 acres of land, to which he made subsequent increments until he now is the pos- sessor of 235 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, on which he raises from four to five thousand bushels of grain yearly. Although he was a poor man when he began to fight the battle of life for himself, by his assidu- ous and persistent labor he has won the victory and can now rest upon his laurels, as, in addi- tion to his farm, he has an excellent home, sit- nated about seven miles southeast of Walla Walla on Russell creek, the residence being lo- cated on the banks of this picturesque little stream.

In the year 1863, Miss Lizzie Paul, a native of Iowa, became his wife, and since their mar- riaze ten children have been added to their family, namely: Lon Ellen, wife of D. G. Fer- guson; Charles married Delia Ferrell; Alice, May, Stephen, Myrtle, Samuel, Walter Ralph, and Benjamin F. Mrs. Maxson was a native of Iowa and came to Washington in 1862, the year before her marriage. Socially our subjeet is connected with the A. O. U. W., while politi- cally he gives allegiance to the Republican party, cheerfully lending his aid to futherance of its principles, his vote always being cast for its nominees.

HOMAS GILKERSON .- Like her sister countries England has contributed many of the most enterprising and popular eiti- zens of the United States, and prominent among the early pioneers of the State of Wash- ington is the subject of this sketch, whose birthi occurred in that fair land. Mr. Gilkerson was born in England, October 19, 1837, son of George and Sarah (Wilson) Gilkerson, both na-

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tives of England. In the year year 1841, the father removed his little family to America, our subject being then but a small boy, four years of age. The father settled New York State, where he reared his family on a farm, dying in 1884, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife sur- vived him until 1890, when she too died, at the age of eighty years. They had seven children, of whom our subject was the third child, and all of them are living but one.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 67

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