USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 70
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 70
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 70
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 70
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MRS. FRANK T. KEISER
FRANK T. KEISER
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
which he removed to Waitsburg, where he has since made his home. For several years he has operated farm lands from this point and his holdings are now very extensive, for he owns seventeen hundred and seventy acres of the finest wheat land in the county and has leased and cultivated another tract of one thousand acres. He is thus most extensively engaged in farming and the magniture of his operations is an indication of the nature of his success. He is familiar with every phase of wheat culture in the Inland Empire and his wise and careful management of his business affairs has brought splendid results. In addition to his other interests Mr. Keiser is a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Waitsburg.
To Mr. and Mrs. Keiser have been born nine children, eight of whom are yet living, namely : Mabel, the wife of H. A. Woodruff, of Waitsburg; Chester A., who is operating one of his father's farms ; Hazel, the wife of Z. O. Atkinson, who is connected with the Farmers' Union and resides at Waitsburg; and Verl D. and Velma, twins, and Helen, Donald and Gordon J., all at home.
Mr. Keiser votes with the democratic party and has served as a member of the city council of Waitsburg. He stands for all that is progressive in public affairs and cooperates in many well defined plans and measures for the general good. He belongs to Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Waitsburg, also to Coppei Encampment, No. 73, and to the Woodmen of the World. He is like- wise connected with the Patriotic Order of the Sous of America. He and his wife attend the Christian church and they are "generous supporters of many movements that seek to advance the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. Mr. Keiser is a typical citizen of the west. His entire life has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise that recognizes and utilizes oppor- tunities. His words and actions spell progress. He has continually taken a forward step and his efforts have contributed in large measure to the upbuilding and development of the section with which he is connected.
JENS ANDERSON.
Jens Anderson, a well known representative of industrial activity in Walla Walla, where he is now successfully conducting a wagon making shop, was born in Denmark, January 5, 1856, and is a son of Anders and Anna C. (Christenson) Jenson, both of whom were natives of that land, where they spent their entire lives. In their family were four children, of whom three are now living. These are Jens Anderson, of this review; Christ Anderson, a resident of Idaho; and Anne Sophie, who is still living in Denmark.
Jens Anderson was reared and educated in his native country and there learned the carriage and wagon making trade. Favorable reports reached him concerning the opportunities of the new world and in 1878, when a young man of twenty-two years, he bade adien to friends and native country and sailed for the United States. He was located for a time in New Jersey and then continued on his westward way to Missouri, where he remained for eight years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Moscow, Idaho, where he resided until 1895. Throughout all this time he continued active in the wagon maker's trade
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and when he came to Walla Walla he started in business along the same line on his own account. He now has a splendidly equipped wagon shop and is doing a business of gratifying proportions. lle is very energetic, is a man of persistent purpose, and his indefatigable effort has been the foundation on which he has built his success.
In 1882 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe J. Davis, who was born in Missouri. They have become the parents of three children, Charles C., Nellie and Clarence D. That Mr. Anderson has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact that he is now the owner of an attractive resi- dence and a substantial shop in Walla Walla, where he is living. He is highly respected as a man of genuine personal worth and one who in all matters of citizenship is loyal and progressive. In politics he is a republican.
GREEN SWINNEY.
Green Swinney is a retired farmer making his home in Pomeroy. A native of Indiana, he was born on Christmas day of 1841, his parents being Elijah and Hannah (Starks) Swinney. The father was a native of Virginia and in his boy- hood removed with his parents to Indiana, where he attained his majority and was married. Later he became one of the early pioneers of Davis county, Iowa, his removal to that state occurring when his son Green was but an infant in arms. The father remained in Davis county until 1864 and then disposed of his property there, after which he crossed the plains with ox teams and wagon to Oregon, establishing his home in Lane county. There he spent eleven years and in 1875 made his way northward to what is now Garfield county, Washington. Within the borders of that county he took up a homestead, which he later turned over to his son James, who proved up on the property. The father resided upon that farm until his death and was widely known among the leading early settlers of his section of the state.
Green Swinney was reared and educated in Iowa, pursuing his studies in the public schools of that state. He was a young man of twenty-three years when he crossed the plains, driving one of the ox teams and thus making his way to a country which was to give him his opportunity. His school training had been limited to a few months' attendance in one of the old-time log schoolhouses of Iowa with its puncheon floor and slab benches, the methods of instruction being as primitive as were the furnishings. Upon his arrival in Oregon he began work as a farm hand and continued to work for wages until his removal to Washing- ton in 1875. At that date he purchased a tract of railroad land in Columbia county, near Dayton, and four years later he disposed of that property and removed into what is now Garfield county, where he took up a preemption of one hundred and sixty-five acres eight miles east of Pomeroy. He resided upon that tract for a quarter of a century and his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, for he brought his land under high cultivation and divided it into fields of convenient size, annually gathering good crops. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil and became recognized as one of the representa- tive farmers of his part of the state. In 1904 he left the farm and removed
RESIDENCE OF GREEN SWINNEY
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
to Pomeroy, where he has since made his home, enjoying the fruits of former toil in a well earned rest.
On the ist of July, 1877, Mr. Swinney was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith, who left his Ohio home as a boy of seventeen years, and after spending a short time in Iowa, he crossed the plains in 1846. On the journey he contracted mountain fever and when the train with which he was traveling reached Walla Walla, he was left with Dr. Whitman, who nursed him back to health. He spent the following winter and the next spring with Dr. Whitman, for whom he worked at splitting rails and also planted some small tracts to grain. In the summer of 1847, prior to Dr. Whitman's murder, he went to Oregon, settling in Lane county, where he was afterward married. There he lived until 1861, when he came to Washington and spent the summer in the Orofino mines. During the hard winter of 1861-2-a winter memorable in the history of the state-he was in Columbia county, living near Dayton. There he acquired land and later made that place his home. During the latter years of his life, however, he resided with Mr. and Mrs. Swinney, reach- ing the ripe old age of eighty-one years.
In politics Mr. Swinney has always been an advocate of democratic principles but has never been an office seeker. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church and are most worthy people, honored and respected by all who know them and most of all by those who have known them longest and best-a fact which indicates that their strongest traits of character are those which ever com- mand confidence and respect.
CLAUDE R. WILLIAMS.
Claude R. Williams, one of the progressive agriculturists of the Walla Walla valley, was born July 8, 1888, upon the farm which is still his home, situated on section 26, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with farming interests and the careful man- agement of his business affairs since he started out in life independently is bring- ing to him a gratifying measure of success. He is a son of Samuel C. and Ellen E. (Buroker) Williams, who are natives of Illinois. They came to the northwest at an early period in its development and are still living here, their home being at No. 522 East Sumach street, in Walla Walla.
Claude R. Williams was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, attend- ing its common schools, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm. He continued to aid his father until he attained his majority, when he took charge of the old homestead, which he now cultivates. It comprises three hundred acres of valuable wheat land, splendidly adapted to the cultivation of that crop. His efforts have been an element in winning for Walla Walla county its well earned reputation as a wheat growing section. He is alert and enterpris- ing in all that he does and follows most progressive methods of farming. He studies crop production from a scientific standpoint, keeps his fields in excellent condition and therefore when his crops are sent to market he receives a substantial reward for his labor.
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
On the 17th of April, 1913, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Goldie Fullerton, who was born in Carter, Illinois, and is a daughter of Wash- ington Lawrance and Alice (Fyke) Fullerton. Ilis father was a native of Tenn- essee, but the birth of her mother occurred in Illinois. In 1900 they came to Walla Walla county and settled on a farm near Dayton but now reside at Hadley, Washı- ington. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams has been born a daughter, Lovetta May, whose birth occurred on the 15th of February, 1914.
Mr. Williams is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has no interest in politics as an office seeker although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and in matters of citizenship he stands for those interests which further progress and improvement along lines of general benefit. His own activi- ties are concentrated upon his farming interests and the careful direction of his business affairs is bringing to him creditable and deserved prosperity.
HERBERT A. GARDNER.
Indefatigable enterprise and concentration of purpose have been salient fea- tures in winning for Herbert A. Gardner the creditable and honorable position which he occupies in business circles of Walla Walla and the Inland Empire. He has long been active in the conduct of the mercantile house now conducted under the name of Gardner & Company, Incorporated. This is one of the largest and finest commercial interests of Washington and is largely a monument to the busi- ness enterprise and progressive methods of him whose name introduces this review.
Mr. Gardner was born in Charlotte, Maine, June 6, 1860, so that the width of the continent separates him from his birthplace. He brought eastern enter- prise and ingenuity to the west with its limitless resources, and the combination has wrought splendid results. His parents, Amos A. and Louisa M. (Jackman) Gardner, were also natives of the Pine Tree state and descendants of Stephen Gardner, who was one of the founders of Hingham, Massachusetts, and who later served his country in the Revolutionary war. The father, who was a farmer and shipbuilder, devoting his life to those two pursuits, died in Illinois, while the mother departed this life in Maine. In their family were eight children, of whom four are living, three being residents of Seattle, namely : Mrs. L. M. Kent, Amy B. and Mrs. P. Pitt Shaw.
Herbert A. Gardner is indebted to the public school system of his native state for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed in youth and which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. He has always devoted his atten- tion to mercantile pursuits and this concentration of purpose has undoubtedly been one of the strong elements in his growing success. He has not dissipated his ener- gies over a wide field but has thoroughly mastered whatever he has undertaken, and long experience, well developed powers and unfaltering energy have brought to him notable success. For twenty-five years he was associated with the Schwa- bacher Company of Walla Walla and at length, in connection with others, he pur- chased the business, which has since been reorganized under the name of Gardner
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
& Company, Incorporated. They own and control one of the largest and finest mercantile houses in the section of the country which covers southeastern Wash- ington and northeastern Oregon. Mr. Gardner has been president of the com- pany since its incorporation. His long experience in mercantile lines has splendidly qualified him for the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection. He has not only become familiar with the best methods of purchase and of sale but also closely studies the market in every particular bearing upon his trade and he is now bending his efforts to administrative direction with the result that the business of the house has steadily increased. He has always been careful to surround himself with a corps of efficient assistants in the office and he has held to the highest standards in the personnel of the house, in the character of goods carried and in the business methods followed. In a word, he has made the firm name a synonym of progressiveness and of honorable dealing.
On the 28th of September, 1886, Mr. Gardner was married to Elizabeth Hun- gate, who died February 25, 1896. She was a native of California and a daughter of Harrison H. and Mary (Duncan) Hungate, the former deceased, while the mother is still living, making her home in Walla Walla. To Mr. and Mrs. Gard- ner were born three children: Geneva Hungate, who is the wife of W. J. Steele, of Walla Walla; Ward H., who married Irma Coleman and has one child, Shirley Elizabeth; and Elizabeth, at home. On the 23d of May, 1906, Mr. Gardner was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna M. Siler, who was born in Simcoe, Canada ..
Fraternally Mr. Gardner is identified with the Masons, the Elks and the Odd Fellows and in his life exemplifies the basic principles which underlie those organi- zations. He is also identified with the Commercial Club. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and for fifteen years he has served as a member of the board of education. While a most active and progressive business man, he has ever recognized his duties and obligations as well his privileges of citizen- ship and has cooperated in many well defined plans and measures for the public good, standing at all times for progress and improvement in relation to civic affairs and the welfare of the commonwealth.
L. NEACE.
L. Neace, deceased, was an early settler of Walla Walla county and was for years one of its leading stock raisers. He was born in Germany, September 27, 1835, and there received his education. When only twelve years old, however, he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. For some time he worked in a sash and door factory in that state and later removed to Kansas City, Missouri, whence in 1857 he went to Oregon, crossing the plains by ox team. After re- maining in Oregon for one winter he went to California and a few months later went to Fort Benton. In the latter part of 1859 he came to Waitsburg, Wash- ington, and turned his attention to stock raising, as Walla Walla couny was then chiefly devoted to that business. He owned a large tract of land and was very successful in the management of his affairs, gaining financial independence. He was a factor in banking circles, being for thirty years president of the
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
National Bank of Waitsburg, which under his direction enjoyed the entire con- fidence of the community and a steady increase in deposits.
In 1864 Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth ( Harrington) Sickler, widow of Daniel Sickler, who was a native of Pennsylvania and died in Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1863. To her first marriage one daughter was born, Minnie, now the wife of D. C. Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Neace became the parents of the following children: John, Lewis and Isaac, all of whom are farming; Ellen, the wife of C. A. Hauber, of Portland, Oregon; Frank and James K., both of whom are farming; Sarah D., the wife of S. F. Patton, post- master of Waitsburg, and the mother of two children, Serita F. and J. Lewis; and Charles, who is farming.
Mr. Neace was a democrat and was quite prominent in local political circles. He passed away January 12, 1916, and there were many who felt a personal sorrow at his demise, for during the more than half-century that he resided in Walla Walla county he had gained a large number of friends. When he came here he was without capital but possessed great energy and an unshakable de- termination to succeed and as the years passed his resources steadily increased. His widow still has large land holdings and personally supervises her business interests and is also one of the directors of the First National Bank, of which she is a large stockholder. She, too, is widely and favorably known throughout the county.
JOHN R. BLIZE.
Among the energetic and alert farmers who have made Columbia county the excellent agricultural region it is may be mentioned John R. Blizc. His birth occurred in Missouri, October 4, 1869, and he was a son of James T. and Nancy ( Beard ) Blize, who passed their entire lives in that state. To them were born ten children, of whom four are now living.
John R. Blize was reared in Missouri and during his boyhood and youth attended the public schools there. In 1889, when about twenty years old, he made his way to Washington and for a number of years was employed as a laborer. In 1893 he rented land and engaged in farming on his own account. Although this was a marked step forward he was not satisfied to remain a renter and carefully saved his money with the object of purchasing a farm. At length he bought a tract of land on section 5, township 9 north, range 38 east, Columbia county, and resided thereon until his death, November 1. 1917. His practical methods and his close attention to all phases of farm work enabled him to harvest large crops, and from time to time he invested his capital in additional land so that he owned at his death four hundred and ninety-four acres, the value of which is enhanced by the excellent buildings thereon. He also operated rented land and altogether had about one thousand acres in wheat. He owned his own warehouse and was thoroughly equipped for taking care of the grain which he harvested.
On the ist of October. 1894, Mr. Blize was married to Miss Hattie B. Chap- man, a resident of Dallas county, Iowa. To them were born seven children,
JOHN R. BLIZE
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
namely : James O., who is now in Battery D, Field Artillery, Washington Na- tional Guard; Ica T., deceased; Mildred C., now in high school; Clarence A .; Harold T. ; John W .; and Roy E.
Mr. Blize was an advocate of republican principles and was loyal in his sup- port of its candidates and measures. He served on the school board for a con- siderable period and was also county commissioner, in which connection he made an excellent record. He belonged to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, and was well known in local fraternal circles. The signal measure of success which he gained is double creditable in that he made his own way from the early age of ten years. He thoroughly identified his interests with those of this section and was always glad that he decided to make his home here, for he believed that the opportunities for advancement are greater in the Pacific northwest than in other sections of the country.
GEORGE H. SNELL.
George H. Snell, president of the Walla Walla Construction Company, manu- facturers of brick and tile, and also the second vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank, has through his important business connections contributed in substantial measure to the development, progress and. upbuilding of the city in which he makes his home.
He was born in Niles, Cook county, Illinois, December 8, 1853, and is a son of Hamlet B. and Clarissa A. (Odell) Snell, the former a native of Syra- cuse, New York, while the latter was born in Cook county, Illinois, where they were married, the father having removed westward to Chicago with his parents when a lad of eight years. After his marriage he engaged in farming in; Cook county, Illinois, and subsequently in Lake county, Indiana, about fifty miles from Chicago. He devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits with good success, winning a competence that enabled him at length to live retired. He then removed to Chicago, where his death occurred in 1913, when he had reached the age of eighty-seven years. His wife passed away in 1874 and later he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine McCarthy, who was called to her final rest in 1910. There were four children born of the first marriage.
George H. Snell whose name introduces this review spent his youthful days with his parents and acquired his education in the public schools of Chicago. He remained at home until he had reached his eighteenth year, making himself useful along various lines but then entered upon an apprenticeship to the lathing and plastering trade, with which he was identified for forty years. In 1878 he came west, making his way first to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to which point he traveled by rail, and thence continued the journey through to Walla Walla by wagon and team. He was three months and ten days in making the journey across the plains. At that time the Indians were on the warpath but his party was fortunate in escaping trouble with the red men and they reached the Walla Walla valley unharmed. After arriving at his destination Mr. Snell took up the work of contracting in lathing and plastering and also in cement work and was prominently identified with activities of that character until recent years. He
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
became one of the dominant factors in the building trades of Walla Walla, large demand being made upon his time and energies in connection with his chosen occupation. In 1904 he organized and incorporated the Walla Walla Construc- tion Company, of which he became the president and which has been developed into one of the principal industries of the character in the city. In most of the best buildings, public and otherwise, in Walla Walla his work is to be seen. His thorough reliability and the excellence of his work have been the salient features in winning him his continued and growing success.
In 1891 Mr. Snell married Miss Clara J. Parkes, of Walla Walla, and they became the parents of a daughter, Laura, who is the wife of James Daugherty, of Walla Walla. The death of Mrs. Snell occurred September 26, 1911, and caused deep grief to her family and much sincere regret among her many friends.
Mr. Snell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attrac- tion for him. He is a very prominent Mason, belonging to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M .; Pendleton Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., of Pendleton, Oregon ; Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of Walla Walla; Zabud Council, R. & S. M .; Spokane Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and is a charter member of El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2.
Mr. Snell is identified with the . Walla Walla Commercial Club and is in thorough sympathy with its purposes to further the interests of the city and exploit its possibilities and advantages, also to extend its trade relations and, more than all, to uphold the high civic standards which here prevail. He had no assistance when he started out in the business world, but he early came to a realization of the fact that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. Persistency of purpose has been one of the foundation stones of his success.
THEODORE PERCY INGALLS.
Theodore Percy Ingalls is an honored pioneer of Washington and a veteran of the Indian wars. To him the story of frontier life in the northwest is a familiar one. The story of this great and growing section of the country has ever been an enticing one to all progressive young men who have sought the opportunities here offered and in their utilization have won success, while at the same time their labors have contributed in marked measure to the upbuilding and develop- ment of this region. Mr. Ingalls, now living retired in Waitsburg, was for a long period actively identified with farming in Walla Walla county. He was born September 13, 1835, and has therefore passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey. His parents were Israel and Mary (Lord) Ingalls, both natives of Maine, where they were reared and married. Subsequently they removed to Ohio, settling near Dayton, where they resided for several years. Eventually they became residents of Bond county. Illinois, and the father died in Alton, Illinois, two months prior to the birth of his son, Theodore, his death being one
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