USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 76
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 76
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 76
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 76
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
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county, Oregon, where both he and the mother died. Two of their six children survive, including our subject, who was reared to agricultural pursuits. On accompanying his parents to Walla Walla county he took up his homestead on his present farm, which is situated on section 17, township 10 north, range 42 east, in Garfield county, which has been erected out of Old Walla Walla county. He owns four hundred and forty acres, nearly all of which is well adapted to the raising of wheat, and the fertile soil has yielded abundant crops in response to his well directed labors. For many years he personally operated his farm but is now living retired.
Mr. Rose was first married in 1865. Later he again married, choosing as his bride Mrs. Amanda ( Fletcher ) Jennings, and they have become the parents of two children: Frank, who is farming the homestead; and Lee, who is also an agriculturist by occupation.
Mr. Rose supports the democratic party at the polls but has never cared to take an active part in public affairs. He is a selfmade man, having at all times relied solely upon his own resources for advancement. His accounts of condi- tions in Garfield county in the early days are very interesting and there is no one now living better informed on the history of the first settlement here, for he was the first man to take up land in his locality. He has always felt a keen interest in the development of the county and has thoroughly identified his in- terests with those of his community.
ANSON B. WOODS.
Since 1911 Anson B. Woods has resided in Walla Walla, enjoying a leisure made possible by his well directed labors as a farmer in former years. He was born in Iowa, near Dubuque, September 12, 1864, a son of James and Margaret (Daugherty ) Woods, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. However, they were taken to Iowa as children by their respective parents and there grew to mature years and were married. In 1883 they removed to Oregon and located upon a farm in Wasco, now Sherman, county, to the operation of which the father devotes his labors, and there both he and his wife are still making their home.
Anson B. Woods, who is one of a family of nine children, all of whom survive, was reared at home and attended the public schools of Iowa in the acquirement of his education. He was eighteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Oregon and at once began farming in that part of Wasco county, which has now become Sherman county. In 1896 he removed to Umatilla county and took up his residence upon a farm of four hundred and eighty acres which he purchased and which he still owns. For fifteen years his time and attention were completely taken up with the operation of that place, which is in a high state of cultivation and is well improved. As he was progres- sive in his methods and at the same time managed his business affairs well his resources steadily increased and in 1911 he retired and removed to Walla Walla, purchasing a comfortable residence on Boyer avenue.
Mr. Woods was married in 1895 to Miss Eliza McDonald, a native of Canada,
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and a daughter of D. M. and Ellen McDonald. The father died in July, 1914, and the mother makes her home still in Walla Walla. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have a daughter, Nellie Faith. They belong to the United Brethren church and for a number of years Mr. Woods has served capably as superintendent of the Sunday school. He supports the candidates and measures of the democratic party at the polls and while living in Oregon was, for some time, a member of the school board. He is a selfmade man, having at all times depended upon his own powers and resources for advancement, and the success which he has gained is proof of his ability and energy.
JESSE D. SCOGGIN.
Jesse D. Scoggin, a prosperous and well known farmer residing on section 20, township 10 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, was born in Wisconsin, May 24, 1860, a son of J. G. and Olive (Madry) Scoggin, the former of whom was born in North Carolina and the latter in Tennessee. Following their mar- riage, which occurred in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, they went to Wisconsin and there remained for nineteen years. In 1865 they removed to Nebraska and twelve years later came to Washington, taking up as a homestead the farm now operated by our subject. There both the parents passed away. To them were born eleven children, of whom seven survive.
Jesse D. Scoggin obtained a public school education and received thorough training in farm work through assisting his father. He was seventeen years old at the time of the removal of the family to Washington and has since resided upon the family homestead here. He engaged in its operation in partnership with his father for a number of years but at length purchased the place and in the intervening years has added to the improvements thereon. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres, part of which is devoted to the growing of wheat and part to pasture, as he also engages in stock raising.
In 1884 Mr. Scoggin was married to Miss Jennie Janeway, a native of Jasper county, Iowa. They have three adopted children, Marie, Nellie and Leslie.
Mr. Scoggin is an adherent of the democratic party but has been content to remain a private citizen, leaving office holding to others. In giving the most careful attention to the development of his farm he has not only promoted his own financial interests but has also had a part in the agricultural development of Garfield county.
EDWARD C. RUCHERT.
Edward C. Ruchert, a prosperous and wideawake young farmer operating two thousand acres of wheat and pasture land, with residence on section 19, township 12 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, is a son of Fred and Minnie (Garphard) Ruchert, both of whom were born in Germany. In 1877 they emi- grated to America and for eight years resided in Wisconsin but at the end of
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that time removed to Oregon, whence in 1889 they went to Assotin county, Washington. The father took up a homestead there and for some time engaged in its development but at length removed to Idaho, where he and his wife resided for ten years. They then came to Garfield county, Washington, and here the mother passed away in 1915, while the father makes his home with his son, Edward C.
The last named, who is one of a family of eight children, all of whom survive, received adequate educational advantages, attending the public schools. His father also trained him carefully in farm work and at the age of eighteen years he found employment as a farm hand. In 1910 he began opearting land on his own account and he now farms two thousand acres, part of which is pasture land, while the remainder is given over to the growing of wheat. His suc- cessful management of such extensive farming interests is possible only because he is systematic in his work, enterprising in his methods and because he utilizes the most improved farm machinery.
In 1915 Mr. Ruchert was married to Miss Anna Boyd, a native of North Dakota. In politics he is a strong republican and he is now filling the office of deputy game warden, in which capacity he is making a creditable record. Although he has been dependent upon his own resources for advancement he has already gained a measure of success that many a man twenty years his senior might well envy. He is strongly imbued with the characteristic western spirit of enterprise and self-reliance and is justly accounted one of the leading citizens of Garfield county.
JAMES C. ROBERTSON.
For more than a third of a century James C. Robertson has been identified with the farming interests of Garfield county and now carries on general agri- cultural pursuits on section 25, township 11 north, range 41 east, where he owns three hundred and seventeen acres and cultivates part of this tract or about one hundred and fifty acres. He started out in life empty-handed, so that whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his persistent efforts and intel- ligently directed industry. He was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, Sep- tember 30, 1862, a son of John and Mary (Steel) Robertson, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, John Robertson, on another page of this work.
James C. Robertson spent the first ten years of his life in Canada and in 1873 accompanied his parents to California, where the family home was main- tained until 1882. In the meantime the father died and the mother, accompanied by her family of four sons and a daughter, then came to Washington. James C. Robertson had been a pupil in the public schools of Canada and of California and was a youth of fifteen years at the time of his father's death. Being the oldest of the children, much of the responsibility of the farm work devolved upon him and he bravely met the task that was a heavy burden for young shoul- ders. In the spring of 1882 he came to Washington, making the trip in advance of the family. He journeyed northward with an uncle and on the Ioth of May
MR. AND MRS. JAMES C. ROBERTSON
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they arrived at Pomeroy. That fall the mother and his brothers and sister came and in connection with his brothers, Samuel N. and John, James C. Robertson began farming in a partnership relation that existed for twenty years. Unusual harmony existed between the family, the tie that binds them being very close. The brothers persistently and energetically continued the work of improving their fields and, as the years passed on, success in substantial measure rewarded their efforts. At length they divided their interests and James C. Robertson is today the owner of three hundred and seventeen acres of land, part of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, his fields returning to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of James C. Robertson and Miss Ollie M. Swank, of Garfield county, a daughter of John Swank, who is now in Orofino, Idaho, but was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Garfield county. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Rosella, who is the wife of C. E. Lewis, a farmer of Garfield county, Washington ; Elvira, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Rucket, an agriculturist of Garfield county; Fay, who is the wife of W. A. Lewis, a farmer of Garfield county ; and Floyd, Belinda, Sybil and Byron, all at home. The wife and mother passed away February 13, 1905, and is laid to rest in the Petowa Flats cemetery, her demise causing deep sorrow to family and friends.
Mr. Robertson usually exercises his right-of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party yet is liberal in his views and does not hesitate to vote for a candidate of the opposing party if his judgment dictates this to be the best course. He belongs to Harmony Lodge, No.3 16, I. O. O. F., of Pomeroy ; and to Pomeroy Lodge, K. P. He ranks with the leading farmers of Tatman Gulch and he well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held. for his has been an active, useful and honorable life. He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business interests, has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction, but along legiti- mate lines has won the success that places him among the substantial residents of his section of the state.
ALEXANDER RAY.
Alexander Ray, one of the largest grain and stock raisers of Walla Walla county, residing on what is known as the Sharp farm, on the Touchet river, was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, September 21, 1867, a son of A. M. and Rachel (Upton) Ray, both natives of the Prairie state, where they passed their entire lives. To them were born ten children, of whom five survive.
Alexander Ray remained at home until he was seventeen years of age and during that time acquired a common school education. In 1884 he crossed the plains of Walla Walla county, Washington, and for seven years was employed as a common laborer. He then bought land near Dayton and for twenty years gave his undivided time and attention to the cultivation of his farm there. In 1911 he disposed of that place and for five years rented land, but in 1916 bought twelve hundred acres of the old Rodgers ranch, which he operates, together with
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the farm where he now resides, which comprises twelve hundred and forty acres. That place is on section 16, township 10, north, range 35, and is known as the Sharp farm. Ile raises wheat and stock and derives a good income from both branches of his business.
In 1890 Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Laura Bates, who was born in Nebraska, and they have become the parents of eight children: Alfred, who is a graduate of Whitman College and is now assisting his father; Ethel, the wife of William Kyme; Irl, who is now a student in Pullman College; Myrtle, the wife of Earl Jamison, of Montana; Ivory, who married A. Mclaughlin ; and Goldie, Wanda and Alton.
Mr. Ray supports the democratic party at the polls and takes the interest of a public-spirited citizen in governmental affairs, has never been an aspirant for office however, and always casts his influence on the side of right and justice. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In addition to his ex- tensive holdings in Washington he owns a quarter section of land in Idaho which is also well improved. He possesses great energy and is a hard worker, giving the most careful personal supervision to all phases of his extensive agri- cultural operations.
CHARLES SNODERLEY.
Charles Snoderley, who follows farming on section 1, township 12 north, range 41 east, in Garfield county, was born in Page county, Iowa, on the 3d of September, 1866, but the greater part of his life has been passed upon the Pacific coast, for at a very early age he came to the west with his parents, Alfred and Bertha Snoderley, who were natives of Indiana and of Tennessee respectively. They continued their residence in Iowa until early in the '70s, when they crossed the plains to California, and a year later they removed to the Willamette valley in Oregon, where they remained for three years. On the expiration of that period they made their way to Washington and established their home in the Falling Spring district of Garfield county, where the father took up a homestead, upon which he continued to reside until his death, actively engaged in farming through- out the intervening period.
Charles Snoderley was reared upon the old home place and acquired his education in the district schools, but educational facilities at that time were very limited and, moreover, during much of his youth he had to work, his services being needed upon the home farm. When his father died he was not yet twenty- one years of age but he took charge of the home farm and became the head of the family. Later he took up a homestead in Coyote Gulch, on which he resided for a number of years, and about 1905 he removed to his present home farm, which he had previously purchased. He has prospered as the years have gone by, for he has worked diligently and persistently, knowing that industry is the basis of all legitimate and honorable success. He now owns seven hundred acres of land in the home farm and he also leases four hundred and eighty acres, all of which he rents to other parties.
In his political views Mr. Snoderley is a democrat, voting for the men and
CHARLES SNODERLEY
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measures of the party but not seeking office. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters. He has proven himself a financier as well as a farmer in the capable management of his business interests and investments and today he is ranked among the successful and substantial residents of Gar- field county, where he has made his home for many years.
MILFORD H. BROUGHTON.
The northwest with its pulsing industrial activities, its unlimited opportunities and its many resources which constitute a call for action, has drawn to it a large number of progressive men who have achieved success in this field. Prominent among the number is Milford H. Broughton, the president and manager of the Walla Walla Iron Works of Walla Walla, Washington. He was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on the 8th of June, 1875, his parents being Edward and Jennie (Hersey) Broughton, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in the Badger state. They were married in Wisconsin, to which state the father had migrated as a young man. He was a farmer by occupation and he lived in the middle west until 1879, when he came to Washington, establishing his home in Walla Walla county. Subsequently he removed to Umatilla county, Oregon, where he operated a farm for ten or eleven years, and then took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla in order that he might give his children the benefit of education in the city schools. Here he passed away in 1900 and is still survived by his widow, who yet makes her home in Walla Walla.
Milford H. Broughton is indebted to the public school system of Walla Walla for his early educational opportunities. He afterward became a student in Whit- man College, which he attended for four years, but his course was interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, which made a strong appeal to his patriotic spirit and to this appeal he responded, enlisting for active service in April, 1898. He went to the Philippines as a member of Company I, First Washington Volunteer Regiment, and was mustered out in November, 1899, after having done active duty in the orient.
During the spring following his return Mr. Broughton began work in the plant of the Gilbert Hunt Manufacturing Company of Walla Walla, where he was em- ployed for four years. He next became instrumental in the organization of the Severance-Broughton Company, which was incorporated for the manufac- ture of iron products and agricultural machinery. In 1909 Mr. Broughton ac- quired the interest of his partner in the business, which was reorganized at that time under the firm name of the Walla Walla Iron Works, Mr. Broughton be- coming the president and manager of the business, in which dual capacity he has since served. Under his control the business has become one of the most important productive industries of the city, the trade extending over a vast terri- tory, the output being shipped as far south as San Jose, California, and as far east as Battle Creek, Michigan. The volume of their business, however is done on the Pacific coast, there being a liberal home market for all their product. The plant is thoroughly equipped with the latest improved machinery and is operated
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according to the most modern processes. The business is carefully systematized with the result that there is no loss of time, labor or material.
On the 10th of December, 1900, Mr. Broughton was married to Miss Mandana Bryant, of Walla Walla, a daughter of John P. Bryant, one of the pioneers of this city, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Broughton have become the parents of two children, Viretta and Loree.
In his political views Mr. Broughton is an earnest republican but has never been an aspirant for office. He has membership with the Spanish-American War Veterans and with the Loyal Order of Moose. He is also connected with the Commercial Club of Walla Walla. He and his wife are of the Christian Science faith and in social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position, having the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. In business circles Mr. Broughton is recognized as a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and to perform. Per- sistency of purpose has been one of the strong factors in his growing success, combined with a thorough understanding of the business in which he engages and a close study of trade conditions at large. His efforts, too, have ever been of a character that have contributed to public progress as well as to individual pros- perity.
RICHARD J. TOMPKINS."
Seemingly insurmountable obstacles have at times barred the path of Richard J. Tompkins, but with resolute purpose and determination he has sought out paths which would lead him around his difficulties and enable him to continue on the road to success. Many a man of less resolute purpose would have become utterly discouraged. He has never been afraid of hard work and his determina- tion and energy have carried him steadily forward to the goal of prosperity. Mr. Tompkins is now residing in Walla Walla, from which point he controls his farming interests. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
Mr. Tompkins was born in Pike county, Missouri, August 20, 1862, a son of William and Melinda (Carter) Tompkins. The father was a native of Missouri, while the mother was probably also born in that state. William Tompkins died when his son Richard was a youth of fourteen years. He was the fourth in a family of eight children and at seventeen years of age he took charge of the home farm, which he managed until he reached his twenty-fourth year, when a younger brother became old enough to take care of the mother. Then our subject, in the spring of 1887, made his way westward to Washington. Here he entered the employ of A. C. Wellman on the Eureka Flats, Mr. Wellman having been an old friend of his father in Missouri. During the first summer he worked for a dollar per day. The following summer he received thirty dollars per month, working for J. C. Painter, and that summer he purchased a team, harness and wagon and went to work on the construction of the Washington & Columbia Railroad.
In the spring of 1889 Mr. Tompkins bought a quit claim deed to a preemption of eighty acres, on which he filed as a preemption. He rigged up a five horse
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RICHARD J TOMPKINS
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gang plow, plowed his own place and then hired out to plow for others, utilizing all his time that summer and fall in that manner. In 1890 he bought eighty acres adjoining, proved up on the preemption and mortgaged the one hundred and sixty acres. He cultivated his farm and continued to work out for others during those hard times. In the summer of 1892 he kept account of the days which he devoted to his own crop, and figuring his labor at the same price which he received when working for others, his wheat crop, which was a bounteous one, cost him in labor twenty-five cents per bushel and he hauled to market a mile and a half, where he received twenty-five and a half cents per bushel. The price of wheat continued low until 1896, selling from twenty-five to fifty cents per bushel, and the four years from 1893 until 1896 inclusive were years of crop failure on the Flats. Mr. Thompkins was keeping bachelor's hall and trying to hold his farm, but he determined that if he was not successful with his 1896 crop he would make no further effort to retain his land. Therefore, in January, 1897, he deeded his land to the mortgage company, they releasing him free from debt, and all he had left for his eight years of work was twelve head of horses at a value of about twenty- five dollars per head. During this time he received eight hundred dollars from his father's estate, which also went into the maelstrom. In the spring of 1897 he had six hundred acres of wheat in fallow and three hundred acres of stubble, with his lease expiring in November. The Oregon Mortgage Company wanted him to surrender his lease of three hundred acres without any compensation but Mr. Tompkins demanded fifty cents an acre. The company refusing to pay it, he turned in and sowed it to wheat in March anh harvested forty-five bushels to the acre in the fall. This sold at a better price, Avhigh gave him his start. He then bought back his one hundred and sixty acre claim for three hundred dollars less than he had deeded it over to the mortgage company and he also bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. In the fall of 1897 he planted his three hundred and twenty acres to wheat and in the spring of 1898 returned to Missouri.
While in the middle west Mr. Thompkins was united in marriage to a Missouri girl, Miss Mattie L. Hayden, the wedding being celebrated on the 8th of June, 1898. In the latter part of June he returned with his bride to Washington and located on his old homestead, where he lived through the summer, harvesting his crop, and in November following took up his abode in Walla Walla. In December of the same year he bought eight hundred acres adjoining his homestead, for which he paid at an average of eighteen dollars per acre.
In February, 1899, he returned to the farm and resided thereon until the fall of 1905, when he again moved into Walla Walla, having in the meantime erected his present commodious residence, which is one of the attractive homes of the city. In the intervening years he had added to his holdings from time to time until his landed possessions now aggregate twenty-eight hundred acres and he is one of the substantial farmers of Walla Walla county. Success at length crowned his labors and was well deserved as a fitting reward for his indefatigable industry, his perseverance, his courage and his persistency. Mr. Tompkins was the first farmer of his county to branch out into the "bulk wheat system" and built the first concrete elevator in the country in Walla Walla county. He found the change profitable and the system will probably be generally adopted by the farmers in this region.
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