Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 107

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992

USA > Washington > Chelan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 107
USA > Washington > Ferry County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 107
USA > Washington > Okanogan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 107
USA > Washington > Stevens County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 107

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On October 15, 1885, Mr. Kaufman mar- ried Miss Nettie, daughter of John R. and Ellen (Mendenhall) Sims, natives of Illinois. The father is a veteran of the Civil War and is now aged seventy-six. With his wife, who is aged sixty-six, he lives a retired life in Hill City, Kansas. On June 14, 1901, Mrs. Kauf- man was called away by death, leaving five children, Clarence V., Laurence C., Edna E., Crystal, and Clyde A. In the fall of 1902 Mr. Kaufman went to visit his father in the east, and then journeyed to Jennings, Kansas, where he married Miss Louie D. Barnett, the date of the nuptials being November 19, 1902. Her parents were natives of Erie county, Ohio, and now live in Okanogan county, having come hither in June, 1903.

Mr. Kaufman served as deputy sheriff of

Okanogan county for some time and always takes a keen interest in the affairs of the county.

NELS BERTELSEN NELSON. Like many of our most substantial and worthy citi- zens Mr. Nelson came to us from across the waters. He was born in Veile, Denmark, on January 3, 1876, the son of Nels B. and Anna M. (Jorgensen) Bertelsen, natives of Den- mark. The father is dead and the mother is living there, aged seventy-one. To this worthy couple five children have been born, Rufus B., the state veterinarian at the Washington agri- cultural college at Pullman; Anna B .; Peter B .; the first settler in the town of Nelson, Washington, which was named after him, and now he conducts a large general store there; Petrina B .; and our subject.

Nels B. grew up in the old country and in due time graduated from the high school, then learned the photographer's art. He followed this for eight years in Denmark, and also served his term in the regular army. It was 1889 that he determined to come to the United States, and accordingly journeyed direct to where his brother was at Nelson. He was en- gaged in the store and also as custom broker and postmaster. In December, 1901, he went to Curlew, erected a store building twenty- four by fifty-six and opened up a general mer- chandise business. In July, 1903, he opened a branch store in Molson and later after disposing of these enterprises he entered as partner into the firm of Anderson Brothers at Brewster and is manager of the Brewster store. Mr. Nelson has a good patronage and has shown himself to be a first-class business man. He is a popular and energetic and has a good future before him in the commercial world.

On September 2, 1900, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Nelson and Miss Johanne Peter- sen. Their engagement had been consummated while they were in the old country and Miss Petersen came to the United States just pre- vious to their marriage. Her parents are Johan and Christine (Honore) Petersen. The father is deceased and the mother is still living in the old country. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson two children have been born, Erna B. on July 3. 1902, and Harriot B. on April 10. 1904.

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

Mr. Nelson is well connected in Fraternal or- ders, and is one of the rising young men of Okanogan county.

HARVEY H. NICKELL is one of the earliest pioneers who made permanent settle- ment in Okanogan county, and the labors these worthy people did to open the country and make it a place for the abode of civilization cannot be too highly commended. To such as these do we owe the opening of our frontier and the extension of the realm of the stars and stripes.

Harvey H. Nickell was born in Callaway county, Missouri, on December 27, 1857, the son of Isaac and Isabel ( Humphries) Nickell, natives" of West Virgina. The father died in Wise county, Texas, on February 5, 1901, aged seventy-eight, while the mother died in the Methow valley, on November 13, 1894, aged sixty-five. The father had served in the state militia during the war. They were the parents of thirteen children, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Sneathen, Mrs. Mary E. Jackson, James W., Mrs. Lyd- dia S. Goodwin, John A., Mrs. Sarah F. Jack- son, Harvey H., Mrs. Eliza C. Stone, Isaac A., George E., Robert F., and two who died in in- fancy. Our subject was educated in the pub- lic schools and in 1872, went with his parents to Wise county, Texas. There, on February 8, 1877, Mr. Nickell married Miss Alcenia C. Ray, a native of Texas. Her father, William Ray, was a pioneer in Texas. Mr. Nickell farmed in Texas until 1884, when he came to Pendleton, Oregon, and thence to Kittitas county, Washington. In 1887 he came with others to the Methow valley and located a claim. No wagon roads were in the valley then and all household goods had to be brought in on pack animals. His wife and four chil- dren came in here on horseback, landing there on July 4, 1888. They labored on together until December 16, 1890, when death claimed the faithful wife. She had been the mother of the following named children: John W., a pilot on the Columbia ; Clara B., deceased, be- ing buried in Texas; Ethel; David F., in the Commercial Bank at Conconully ; Effie; and Mary Ellen, who was the first white child born in the Methow valley now living. Mr. Nickell gave himself to improving his place and to rais-

ing stock. He has a good farm in the Methow and now lives in Conconully. Our subject, N. Stone, M. Thurlow and C. Kendall landed the first wagon and mower in the Methow val- ley on August 8, 1888, they having been brought over the mountains. In 1894 Mr. Nickell was chosen sheriff of Okanogan county on the People's ticket. In 1'900 he was chosen to the same position on the Democratic ticket, and in all this public service he showed marked efficiency and faithfulness. In December, 1902, he secured the mail contract from Brewster to Conconully and is now operating the daily stage each way, handling passengers and express.

On January 19, 1897, Mr. Nickell married Miss Rosa E., daughter of Jerry M. and Rosa (Sterling) Wilson. The parents came from Illinois, where Mrs. Nickell was born, to the Methow valley in 1891, where they now reside. The father is a veteran of the Civil War. To this marriage two children have been born, Frances I. and Thelma. Mr. Nickell is a mem- ber of the W. W., while he and his wife both . belong to the Women of Woodcraft.

During the early days, it is of interest that the settlers had to gain their meat from the wild game to be had. Mr. Nickell states that on one occasion he and his brother counted one thousand deer in one drove, which great plenty of game gave them abundance of meat.

JOHN E. WALTER is one of the newer arrivals from the east in the reservation coun- try and is now in partnership with Mr. Ham- ilton in the Chesaw Trading company, which does a general merchandising business. They own their building and have a large well as- sorted stock of goods which finds ready pur- chasers from the surrounding country.

John W. Walter was born in Miami county, Indiana, on January 13, 1876, the son of Will- iam R. and Mary E. (Barker) Walter, natives of Germany and Indiana, respectively. The father came to the United States when a boy, settling in Danville, Illinois, whence he went to Miami county, Indiana, and there married. Our subject has the following named brothers and sisters, William, Mrs. Mary Droneberg, Mrs. Laura Ryan, Mrs. Ida Hamilton, and Omer T. John E. received a good education from the common schools and then learned the car-

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

penter trade and did contracting and building for several years. This was in the city of Peru, Indiana, and then he started in the grocery and meat market business, which was followed for some time.

On July 11, 1900, Mr. Walter married Miss Grace O. Evans, a native of Miami county. The wedding occurred in Peru and Mrs. Walter's parents are George S. and Jose- phine (Tillet ) Evans. The father was a prom- inent citizen of Peru, fought through the Civil War, and died in 1886. The mother is also de- ceased. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Walter settled on his farm in Indiana and there remained until 1902, when he sold his prop- erty and came west, visiting Rossland, British Columbia, and other points. He was so well impressed with the country that he sought out a location and brought his family out in the spring of 1903. He located at Chesaw and bought the interest in the mercantile business mentioned above. Mr. Walter is a good busi- ness man and has showed himself possessed of integrity and sound principles. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and of the, Benevolent Order of Colonials. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter, Paul S. and Ruth A. Mr. Walter is also interested in dif- ferent mining ventures and properties in this section in addition to his mercantile business.

WILLIAM T. PETERSON is one of the prominent mining men in the Okanogan dis- tricts. At the present time he is postmaster at Nighthawk and is also managing a large realty concern, known as the Nighthawk Real Estate Company. Mr. Peterson has manifested mendable zeal and energy in the good work of developing this country and much credit for the vast improvements in the mining interests here are due to his faithful labors.

William T. Peterson was born in Ray- mond, Wisconsin, on June 1, 1873, the son of Jens J. J. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Peterson, natives of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Ray- mond, Wisconsin, respectively. The mother was born in 1839, being the first girl born in Raymond. The father was born on August 12, 1831, and learned the moulder's trade in his youth. In 1858 he came to New Orleans and later went via St. Louis to Raymond, Wis-

consin. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second Wis- consin Infantry as private, and after a long and honorable service was discharged as second lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, and various others. In the last one mentioned he was severely wounded in the head, which nearly cost him his eyesight. In falling he injured his hip which leaves him with a lameness to this day. He was active in many skirmishes and accompanied Sherman on the famous march to the sea. On one occasion he was captured by the enemy and languished a time in Libby prison. At the present Mr. Peterson is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. in Milwaukee, where he resides with his wife.

The subject of this article has one brother, Charles T., who is specifically mentioned in another portion of this work, and two sisters, Mable E. and Emma J., both trained nurses, the former in Milwaukee and the latter in Redding, California. Our subject was edu- cated in the public schools and at the age of seventeen went to sailing on the lakes, and soon thereafter was on the high seas. During this time he cruised around the world and visited many of the noted ports of all countries. He enlisted in the navy and at the beginning of the Spanish war was on the New Orleans. He par- ticipated in all the battles at Santiago, with the exception of one, and his was the first war ship to get to Porto Rico and San Juan. After the jubilee demonstration at Philadelphia Mr. Peterson was honorably discharged at the yards in New York. He went at once to visit his parents in Milwaukee. During Mr. Peter- son's service he was first under the command of Admiral Schley and then under Admiral Samp- son.

In 1900 Mr. Peterson came to Okanogan county and prospected. During this time he located twenty of the claims now owned by the Nighthawk company and it was through his efforts largely that the Milwaukee & Palmer Mountain Gold & Copper Mining Company was incorporated. This company is now ab- sorbed by the Nighthawk, which owns fifty- five claims and some fractions. The Night- hawk company was organized in July, 1901. James S. Church being president, Peter J. Som- ers, vice-president. H. D. James, secretary- treasurer and general manager. Myron J.

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

Church is resident manager. It is said that the property has the best showing of any in this section and it certainly is one of the valuable mines of the northwest. It has a large ledge, which shows great values in gold, copper, lead and silver. Mr. Peterson is one of the heavy stockholders and has done much to assist in placing the company in its present prosperous position. In February, 1902, Mr. Peterson started a store in Nighthawk, got a postoffice established and also was a leading spirit in the organization of the realty company with which he is now operating. Later he sold the store, but still is postmaster and does a real estate business. Mr. Peterson is one of the promin- ent men of the county, and his stirring energy, good practical judgment and wisdom in busi- ness have resulted in great good to the com- munity as well as in 'enhancing his own ex- chequer.

MANFORD G. STONE resides about two miles south from Winthrop, and is known as one of the leading farmers and stock men of the Methow valley. He is a man of ability and sound principles, and enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him.

Manford G. Stone was born in Coles county, Illinois, on October 19, 1857, the son' of Napoleon and Mary A. (Connelly) Stone. The mother is deceased, but the father is living in the Methow valley. In 1859 our subject was taken by his parents to Wise county, Texas, where he grew up on a farm and fol- lowed farming until twenty-five years of age. In that county he received his education from the common schools, and in 1882 came to Pendleton. One year was spent there, then he came on to Ellensburg, where he remained un- til 1889. In that year he came to the Okano- gan country, and after due search and explora- tion took his present place under squatter's right. When it was surveyed he entered the land as a homestead and has since proved up. He has one hundred and sixty acres, all under ditch, fenced and handled in first-class shape. Mr. Stone feeds quite a number of cattle each year, and also raises hay for the market. He has a four acre orchard, well selected and va- rious other improvements on the farm. The whole premises manifest the thrift and good taste of the owner, and Mr. Stone is esteemed

as one of the leading and prosperous men of the valley.

Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. W. A., while in religious persuasion Mr. Stone belongs to the Christian church.

In Wise county, Texas, in 1878, Mr. Stone married Miss Eliza, daughter of Isaac and Isa- bella (Humphreys) Nickell, and to this union seven children have been born, as follows: Bertie, married to P. L. Filer, living on Beaver Creek; Barton; Isabella; Minnie; Eva; Frank and Laura.

HENRY A. WILLIAMS has resided on his present place, which lies about seven miles east from Twisp, since the spring of 1893. He has one quarter section of land, which is utlized for grazing and the production of al- falfa. The farm is all fenced and improved with house, barns, orchard, and so forth. In addition to general farming Mr. Williams handles cattle and raises about fifty each year. He is one of the prosperous and industrious men of the valley and has labored with dis- play of wisdom and energy.

Henry A. Williams was born in Peoria county, Illinois, on April 9, 1868, the son of George and Mary (Wakefield) Williams, na- tives of Tennessee and Illinois, respectively. In 1869 the family removed to Jasper county, Missouri, where our subject was educated and remained until he was nineteen. At that age he left home and migrated to Dayton, Wash- ington, where he worked at his trade of butch- ering for five years. He had acquired skill in this business in Missouri. Then came a year in Sandpoint, Idaho, at the same business, and in 1892 Mr. Williams came to the Methow valley. The following spring he located his present place, as stated above, and since then he has given himself to its improvement and the related industries of stock raising and farming. Mr. Williams has some well bred stock and among them is one registered Dur- ham bull. Bringing in good stock to the valley has done much to improve the grade of animals all through the section and Mr. Williams is to be accredited much for this meritorious work.

At Sandpoint, Idaho, on August 20, 1892, Mr. Williams married Miss Annie Court- way, whose parents are fruit raisers in Chelan

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

county. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are among the highly respected people and are good, sub- stantial citizens.

WILLIAM F. PROEBSTEL resides four miles from Alma, in Okanogan county, wher. he has a quarter section of fertile land which is supplied with a good residence, large barn, five acres of orchard, and various other in1- provements. He has water for irrigation and raises a good deal of alfalfa and other hay be- sides handling some stock.

William F. Proebstel was born on Decent- ber 29, 1855, in Clarke county, Washington, the son of Valentine and Malinda (Matury) Proebstel, natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1815 and served for four years in the regular army of Germany. It was 1840 that he came to the United States and settled in Clay county, Missouri, being there married. In those early days he crossed the plains with ox teams, taking his family with him and they all landed in good time in Vancouver, Wash- ington, where he took land and engaged in farming until the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1882. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Proebstel: Mrs. Eliza- beth Christ, deceased; Jolin W .; Wendell; Al- bert; Mrs. Elizabeth Fletcher; William F., and Mrs. Kate Welsh.

Mr. Proebstel was a staunch pioneer and fought in the Indian war of 1855. In 1876 our subject went to Lake county, California, and in 1882 he came thence to Lincoln county, Washington, with two of his brothers. They all located near Wilbur, being the first people in what is now known as the California settle- ment. Mr. Proebstel remained there until 1892 when he came to his present home place which was taken as a homestead. Here he has devoted himself with industry since and the result is that he is now one of the prosper- ous men of the country. He has never thought fit to turn from the quieter joys of the celiba- tarian and so is classed as one of the bachelors of the county. Mr. Proebstel's mother. now aged ninety-one, is living with him and his brother, John W., is also making his home with him.

John W. Proebstel was born on October 2, 1843, in Clay county, Missouri, and when his

parents crossed the plains he rode horseback. and drove cattle from the Missouri river to Vancouver. At the age of sixteen he started out in life for himself, and in 1863 we find him in the Boise mines, whence he went later to Baker City and other eastern Oregon points. He- again went to Idaho and has visited nearly every mining camp in the northern part of that state. In 1877 he was engaged as government team- ster in the Indian war and was with General Howard. After this he located in Umatilla county, then went to Vancouver, and in 1887 came to Conconully and opened a general mer- chandise store. After this he went to British Columbia, then to Colville, and later resided in Kettle Falls, whence in 1892 he came to re- side with his brother. On September 24, 1885, John W. Proebstel married Miss Ella Hyson, a native of King county, Washington, and to them two children have been born, Elizabeth and Emory J.

EARL F. JOHNSON is the genial and capable manager of the Methow Trading Com- pany at Twisp. The concern is one of the large mercantile establishments of Okanogan county and the success that it has made is evi- dence of the ability of Mr. Johnson , who is at its head at the present time. They carry a large and well assorted stock of general mer- chandise, suitable for the trade in this section, and goods from there find their way to all parts of the country. Mr. Jolinson stands excep- tionally well in the community and is known as a man of uprightness and ability. He is generally conservative but is possessed of that energy and spirit which leaves nothing undone which would bring success in his line of en- deavor.

Earl F. Johnson was born in Cass county, Michigan, on April 29, 1861, the son of Wel- come and Susan (Hatch) Johnson. For sev- enteen years he remained with his parents, toil- ing on the farm and attending the public schools, in which he was a bright student. At the age last mentioned he went to Crawford county, Kansas, and worked on a farm for six years. After this he went to California and engaged in a planing mill, which he operated for five years. It was in 1889 that Mr. John- son first came to Washington, settlement being made at Pasco. For two years he remained

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there in the employ of the Northern Pacific, then in 1891 he came to Okanogan county and for five years was in charge of the pioneer store at Winthrop. After that, in about 1896, he took charge of the Methow Trading Company's store at Twisp and since that time he has been closely engaged with this large establishment.

Fraternally Mr. Johnson is connected with the F. O. E. and the K. P.

At Spokane, in 1890, Mr. Johnson married Miss Effie Sloan, and to them one child was born, Vera. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are well and favorably known and have hosts of friends from every quarter.

GEORGE W. WITTE resides one mile north from Twisp, and owns there a fine farm which is devoted to fruit raising and the pro- duction of hay for a large band of cattle which he raises. In addition to these industries Mr. Witte is conducting a butcher shop in Twisp and is one of the substantial business men of the place who have made the town thriving and one of the progressive towns of the county.

George W. Witte was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 5, 1860, the son of George W. and Henrietta ( Wolfe) Witte, who dwell in Wisconsin at the present time. When our subject was fourteen he went with his par- ents to Michigan and there made his home for ten years. Then they returned to Milwaukee and George came to Washington, settleme.it being made in Lincoln county. For fifteen years he raised wheat there and also raised and handled stock. Then he came to the Methow valley, locating on his present place. He bought the farm and has since put on much im- provement. It is all good land, 'well fenced, and produces abundantly of the usual crops. Mr. Witte also raises horses in addition to other stock and is skillful in this business. The attention demanded by his large orchard, his stock business his general farming and hay raising, together with that given to his busi- ness in Twisp keeps Mr. Witte very busy, and he is known as one of the busiest men in the valley. In all lines his excellent ability has man- aged matters to a successful consummation and his untiring care of details in every department insures the prosperity and success that is now attending his efforts.

At Davenport, Washington, in 1887 Mr. Witte married Miss Elsie Williams, a native of Utah. To them have been born the follow- ing named children, Hazel, Frank, Anna, Myr- tle and Harold. Mr. Witte always takes the interest in political matters and general affairs that becomes the progressive citizen, and he is ever found on the side of improvement and ad- vancement.

GEORGE W. VANDERPOOL resides six miles north from Winthrop and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He was born in Benton county, Oregon, on October 8, 1861, the son of Campbell and Louisa J. (Patterson) Vanderpool. The father is retired in Oregon, but the mother is deceased. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native place and reared on the farm. At the age of twenty he went to Latah county, locating four miles northwest from Moscow, where he proved up on a preemption. This was his home until 1895 when he came to Okanogan county and took a homestead five miles north from Winthrop. He owns this place at the present time, but is now living on the farm of Emil Ventzke, as a tenant.

Mr. Vanderpool devotes his energy largely to stock raising, and also does general farming, He has about fifty head of fine cattle and is one of the progressive and substantial men of the community. He is a member of the M. W. A., and stands well in the county.

On July 4. 1884, Mr. Vanderpool married Miss Martha, daughter of Francis and Sarah (Beasley) Rowland. The father is deceased, but Mrs. Rowland is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Vanderpool seven children have been born, named as follows: Marion Rowland, Louisa G., Grover Cleveland, George W., Jes- sie, William C. and Frederick.

WILLIAM HAMILTON is one of the leading citizens of Chesaw, and has manifested good business ability in his endeavors here. He is now half owner of the Chesaw Trading Company, which is one of the leading mercan- tile establishments of the northern part of Okanogan county. John E. Malter is asso- ciated with our subject in this business and

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they handle a good trade. The store is in a two-story stone structure twenty-six by seventy feet, with an addition, and is well stocked with a choice variety of goods adapted to this region. They carry dry goods, boots and shoes, men's furnishings, drugs, groceries and hardware.

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Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 107

Author: Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History Number of Pages: 992

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992