USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 12
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 12
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 12
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 12
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J. U. STRAHM.
At a period when the government owned most of the land in Washington and the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun, J. U. Strahm and his wife came to Walla Walla county and cast in their lot with its pioneer settlers. They here underwent many of the hardships and privations incident to establishing a home on the frontier, but with resolute spirit they met all these and in the course of years came to enjoy the comforts of modern day civilization. Mr. Strahm was born in Switzerland, July 30, 1827, and was but six years of age when brought to America by his parents, the family home being established in Ohio. They afterward removed to Iowa and in 1849 J. U. Strahm removed to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. There he remained for three years, after which he returned to Missouri, where in 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Farley, a daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth (Bruett) Farley, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Indiana. The father was killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil war and the mother afterward passed away in Tennessee.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Strahm resolved to try their fortune in the far west and made their way across the country to Walla Walla county, where he took up a homestead near Dixie. There was little to indicate the won- derful changes which were still to occur as the white settlers penetrated into this region and reclaimed its rich resources for the purposes of civilization. The greater part of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated and the most far- sighted could scarcely have dreamed of what the future held in store for this rich district. Mr. Strahm became actively identified with its farming interests and bent his energies to the development of his place, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and therefore annually gathering rich harvests.
To Mr. and Mrs. Strahm were born fourteen children, eleven of whom are now living: Ann J., the widow of John Byrd; William H., who is deceased ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Glynn; Rosa D., the wife of Tom Hastings ; Mary E., the wife of Eldon Buroker; Nora J., the wife of Joel Chitwood; John E .; Nannie V., who is the wife of Alfred Brown; Lucretia R., the wife of Alvin
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McElvain ; Viola, the wife of Fred Wells; Edna, at home; Alma B., the wife of Jene Green ; and two who are deceased.
The death of Mr. Strahm occurred February 11, 1895, at which time his re- mains were interred in the Dixie cemetery. He had been a devoted husband and father and had put forth every possible effort to aid in promoting the welfare and happiness of his family. His widow still occupies the old homestead, having eighty acres in her farm near Dixie, and the careful development and improve- ment of the property insures to her a substantial annual income.
CHARLES C. LONEY.
Prominent among the real estate men of Walla Walla is Charles C. Loney of the firm of Loney, Ginn & Kerrick. He was born in Toronto, Canada, on the 7th of June, 1876, a son of Charles and Charlotte (Cole) Loney, both of whom were natives of Belfast, Ireland. They came to Canada in childhood with their respective parents and were there reared to manhood and womanhood. In 1883 they came to the United States, arriving in Walla Walla on the 19th of August of that year. Here the father engaged in farming and became one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Walla Walla county, having extensive interests. He ac- quired some two thousand acres of valuable land near the city and for a long period gave personal supervision to the further development and improvement of his farm. For several years prior to his death, however, he lived retired from active work, turning his farms over to his sons. He then took up his abode in the city and throughout his remaining days enjoyed a well earned rest. He died in 1907, having for a considerable period survived his wife, who passed away in 1902. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church and were earnest Christian people whose well spent lives are worthy of emulation.
Charles C. Loney was educated in the Walla Walla high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. Following the completion of his studies he cooperated with his father in the management and operation of his extensive farming interests until the father's retirement in 1901, at which time Charles C. Loney took charge of the farm, continuing its further cultivation and improve- ment until 1911. In the meantime he had purchased the property of his father and in the year designated he sold the home place and became a resident of Walla Walla, where he opened a real estate and loan office. He has since been promi- nently identified with that business and places many loans, while at the same time he negotiates many important realty transfers. Since 1911 he has purchased one hundred acres of land in Umatilla county, Oregon, and eight hundred acres in Columbia county, Washington. This property he still owns and rents. He also has three hundred and thirty acres on Dry creek, near Walla Walla, on which he is engaged in breeding and raising thoroughbred Percheron horses. He thus ranks with the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of this section of the state, while at the same time he has won for himself a most creditable position as a real estate dealer.
On the 12th of January, 1917, Mr. Loney was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Velma Wright, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Robert Wright, who is a
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native of Umatilla county, Oregon, and for many years has been a prominent farmer of Walla Walla county.
Mr. Loney holds membership in Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and also in Walla Walla Encampment, No. 3. lle votes with the republican party and is interested in all matters of progressive citizenship, cooperating in every plan and measure which he deems of value and benefit to the community. The greater part of his life has been spent in this section of the state and he has become imbued with the spirit of western enterprise that has led to the rapid and substantial up- building of this section of the state. This spirit has been the dominant factor in the attainment of his own success, a success that now places him with the men of affluence in his adopted county ..
HON. OLIVER T. CORNWELL.
llon. Oliver T. Cornwell is a dominant factor in the agricultural, commercial and financial circles of Walla Walla and the Inland Empire and has also exerted a marked influence over public thought and action as a member of the state senate, in which he is now representing. the eleventh senatorial district. It was Mr. Cornwell who in large measure Introduced, the commission form of govern- ment here and in all his public work he has been actuated by a spirit of progress, improvement and of marked devotion to the general good. He is indeed prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers have. taken him from humble surroundings to the field of large enterprises and continually broadening oppor- tunities. Bringing to bear a clear understanding that readily solves complex problems, he has been able to unite diverse interests into a harmonious whole with results that indicate his keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise.
Alr. Cornwell is a native son of Walla Walla county, his birth having occurred upon a farm six miles north of the city of Walla Walla on the 22d of March. 1863. His father, James Madison Cornwell, became one of the Walla Walla pioneers of 1861 and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The son was reared on the old homestead with the usual experiences of the farm bred boy and acquired his early education in the district schools, after which he became a student in Whitman College. When nineteen years of age he assumed the operation of the home place and continued to cultivate its fields for three years as a renter. After reaching his majority he went up into the Palouse country, in Whitman county, and there engaged in the raising of cattle and horses. He remained in Whitman county for eight years, after which he returned to Walla Walla and in company with 11. S. Stott founded the drug house of Stott & Cornwell, with which he was identified for three years. He then resumed active connection with farming and stock raising interests and also began buying and shipping cattle, with which business he has since been closely associated. being one of the most prominent representatives of agricultural interests in this section of the state. He now owns fourteen hundred acres of wheat land in Walla Walla county and he also has heavy holdings in Alberta, Canada. Mr. Cornwell is a man of forcefulness and resourcefulness and has by no means limited his activities and energies to a single line. In fact, as extensive as are his agricultural
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OLIVER T. CORNWELL
MRS. OLIVER T. CORNWELL
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activities, he has also made for himself a notable place in commercial and financial circles. About 1903 he was one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Walla Walla County Lumber Company, of which he became president, and in that capacity he has since continued, his intelligent direction of the affairs of the company being one of the most potent elements in his growing and continued success. He was also one of the organizers of the Peoples State Bank of Walla WValla and was made a member of its board of directors, which position he has since filled. He has also been identified with interests of a public and semi-public character that have had much to do with promoting general progress. He served for a number of years as president of the Farmers Union and while acting in that capacity the Walla Walla Farmers' Ageney was organized, of which Mr. Cornwell was elected president, and reelection has continued him in that position to the present time.
On the 19th of August, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cornwell and Miss Ella Crowell, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Henry A. and Mary A. (Thurman) Crowell, who came to Walla Walla from Iowa in 1874. The mother was a niece of Allen G. Thurman, the great democratie leader, who was long known as "the Old Roman." To Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell have been born three children, Lessie L., Ethel L. and Olive E.
Mr. Cornwell holds membership with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M .; to Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; to Walla Walla Commandery, No. 2, K. T .; to Oriental Consistory, No. I. A. & A. S. R., of Spokane ; and to El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., also of Spokane. He likewise has membership with Washington Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., and with the Walla Walla Encampment of that order.
Ilis chief activity aside from business has been as a supporter of the republi- can party and a recognized leader in its ranks. The first position to which he was called was that of city councilman of Walla Walla in 1897. In 1900 he was chosen to represent his district in the Washington state senate, where he served for four years with honor and ability. In the November election of 1915 he was again chosen a member of the state senate and during his present term has been called upon for much important committee service. He is now a member of the committees on municipal corporations, on education, on industrial insurance, on irrigation and arid lands, public utilities, roads and bridges, rules and joint rules, banks and banking. He has done much to shape the policy of his party and for eight years was chairman of the republican county central committee and has been a member of the state central committee. It was Mr. Cornwell who organized and successfully carried through the campaign establishing the com- mission form of government in Walla Walla. His career has at all times reflected credit and honor upon the people that have honored him. The universality of his friendships interprets for us his intellectual hospitality and the breadth of his sympathy, for nothing is foreign to him that concerns his fellows. Anyone meeting Mr. Cornwell face to face would know at once that he is an individual embodying all the elements of what in this country we term a "square" man- one in whom to have confidence, a dependable man in any relation and any emergency. His quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the
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confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, the right con- ception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.
SAMUEL LOVE GILBREATH.
Samuel Love Gilbreath, an honored pioneer of Columbia county, Washing- ton, became a resident of Old Walla Walla county when there were few white settlers within its limits, and took up a homestead three miles from the city of Dayton, although it was a number of years later that the town was laid out. He was a successful farmer, loyal friend and a public-spirited citizen, and his demise was the occasion of sincere regret. He was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, March 25, 1825, and was of Scotch descent. He was a representa- tive of one of the old families of the south, being a grandson of Archibald Rowan, the third governor of Tennessee. His education was that afforded by the common schools and he remained in his native state until he became of age. He then determined to try his fortune in the far west and, crossing the plains, settled in Yamhill county, Oregon. For a number of years he farmed there and then went into the cattle business, which occupied his attention until 1855, when the Cayuse Indian war broke out. He enlisted for six months' service in the First Oregon Mounted Cavalry Regiment, which did good work in putting down the uprising both in Oregon and Washington. He was later for six months assistant wagon master and one of his duties was the gruesome task of hauling the bodies of the dead back to The Dalles, from which point they were shipped to relatives in the Willamette valley.
Following his marriage in 1859 Mr. Gilbreath drove a herd of cattle to Old Walla Walla county. Washington. At that time the city of Walla Walla com- prised but a very few buildings and the settlers in the county were few and far between. He took up a homestead three miles southwest of the present city of Dayton and built a log cabin with puncheon floors, which remained the family home for a number of years. There were many hardships to be endured in those early days but the lot of the pioneer was lightened by the spirit of hos- pitality and cooperation which prevailed. Travelers were welcomed at every log cabin and the service of each settler was at the disposal of the others. Mr. Gilbreath worked hard and gave careful attention to his business affairs and as time passed his resources increased. The first crude buildings upon his farm were at length replaced by substantial and commodious structures and the place was brought to a high state of development. At the time of his death he owned two hundred acres of fine orchard and alfalfa land, of which his widow has since sold one hundred and twenty acres, still owning eighty acres, which is valued at a high price per acre.
Mr. Gilbreath was married in 1859, in Oregon, to Miss Margaret H. Fan- ning, of Albany, and they became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom survive, namely : Nancy E., a teacher; Mary, the wife of J. O. Mattoon; Lee, a resident of Columbia county ; Joseph, a resident of Seattle; Susie, the wife of E. E. Martin ; Rose, who is teaching in Seattle; Charles, a resident of Walla
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Walla; Grace, the wife of T. O. Morrison; James, an instructor in the Uni- versity of Washington; and Fred, a graduate of West Point and a captain in the United States army, now with the American embassy in London.
Mr. Gilbreath was a prominent factor in public affairs in the early days and was chosen the first county commissioner of Old Walla Walla county and the first sheriff of Columbia county. He was a firm believer in the value of higher education and sent several of his children to college. In many ways his influence was felt in the advancement of his community, and personally he was held in the highest esteem because of his unswerving integrity and his great capacity for friendship. His wife had the distinction of being the first white woman to take up her residence in the four counties comprised within Old Walla Walla county, and she, too, proved her courage and perseverance in per- forming cheerfully and efficiently the many and arduous duties that fell to the lot of the pioneer wife and mother.
CHRIS H. ROMMEL.
Chris H. Rommel is residing on section 35, township 14 north, range 41 east, Garfield county, and is operating one thousand acres of land, being therefore entitled to rank among the extensive farmers of Garfield county. He grew to manhood in Manchester, Michigan, and is indebted for his education to its pub- lic schools. When nineteen years of age he started out in life for himself and in 1893 came to Garfield county, Washington. For some years he rented a farm, during which time he carefully saved his money with the purpose of buying land as soon as possible. At length he purchased his present home farm and has extended its boundaries until he now owns one thousand acres.
Mr. Rommel was married in 1893 to Miss Anna Smith, a native of Cali- fornia, and they have three children: Fred C., a high school graduate; Mary P., who is also a high school graduate and is now teaching ; and Ena M.
THOMAS A. RUSSEL.
Thomas A. Russel, deceased, was for a number of years actively engaged in farming on section 3, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, and met with gratifying success. He was born in Ohio, September 26, 1831, and there grew to manhood and received his education. In 18.49 he accompanied his father John Russel, to California, crossing the great unsettled plains of the west by team, a long, tedious and dangerous journey, and again in 1852 he came to the coast by the overland route, but each time he returned to Ohio, where he maintained his residence until 1864. In that year he went with his bride by horse team to the Sacramento valley of California, where he lived for three years, during which time he taught school. They then removed to Bowling Green, Missouri, and for twenty-one years he was a resident of that state. During that time he engaged in the practice of law, successfully appearing in most of the more important trials of his district. In 1888, however, he removed with
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his family to Walla Walla county, Washington and the remainder of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Russel was married in 1864 in Ohio to Miss Mary C. Willman, also a native of that state. To their union were born ten children: John B. and William, both of whom are deccased; Frank; Thomas and Anna, who have passed away; Phoebe L .; Lincoln and Grant, twins, and Leslie, the two latter being deceased; and Joseph, who resides in Canada.
Many interesting experiences came to Mr. Russel in his long life, and from the time he accompanied his father to the west in 1849 until his death he was much interested in this section of the country, even while still residing in the east or middle west. He found great pleasure in watching the process of devel- opment that has made the west a rival of the east in all that pertains to the highest civilization, and his influence was invariably cast on the side of progress. He passed away in January, 1901, and was laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery.
HON. F. M. WEATHERFORD.
Hon. F. M. Weatherford is now living practically retired in Dayton but for many years was actively and extensively connected with farming interests and is still the owner of much valuable wheat land in this section of the state. More- over, he has been prominently connected with public affairs and has been called upon to represent his district in the general assembly. He was born in Missouri. November 12, 1855, and is a son of Alfred H. and Sophia ( Smith) Weatherford, both of whom were natives of Virginia and at an early day removed westward to Missouri, where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of nine children but only three are now living.
While born in the middle west, Hon. F. M. Weatherford has spent the greater part of his life in the Pacific coast country. Ile crossed the plains in 1864, when a lad of but nine years, and became a resident of Linn county, Oregon. The trip was made with ox teams and wagon and he was six months en route, expe- riencing many hardships and privations as the party traveled over the barren plains, the hot sandy desert and across the mountain ranges. He took up his abode with a brother in Oregon and there remained until 1872, when he made his way northward to Walla Walla county, Washington. The following year, when a youth of eighteen, he rented a farm nine miles southwest of Dayton in the section known as Bundy Hollow. Later he bought land east of Dayton and occupied that farm for twenty years, his labors bringing about a marked trans- formation in the appearance of the place, for when the land came into his pos- session it was wild and undeveloped. With characteristic energy he began to cultivate it, breaking the furrows, planting the seed and in due time gathering rich harvests. Year by year the work of operating the farm was carried on and as his financial resources increased he made other investments in property, adding to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres of fine wheat land in Columbia county. He was also at one time vice president of the Farmers Exchange at Waitsburg, which he aided in organizing.
HON. F. M. WEATHERFORD
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He has now put aside the more active work of the fields, leaving that to others, while he is enjoying a well earned rest, having taken up his abode in Dayton. His farm property yields to him a most gratifying annual income and his energy and sound business judgment have brought him success.
In 1878 Mr. Weatherford was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Turner and they have become parents of five children: William M .; J. C., who is living upon the home farm; Mary S., who is the wife of Elmer Dunlap; Clara L., the wife of W. E. Bruce ; and Arthur M., who is also upon the home farm.
In his political affiliation Mr. Weatherford is a democrat and has taken an active part in advancing the interests of the organization. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and his devotion to the party, elected him to represent them for one term in the state legislature. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has done effective work in behalf of the schools as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Dayton Lodge, No 136, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in its work take an active and helpful interest, doing all in their power to extend its growth and promote its purpose. Mr. Weather- ford deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in the business world empty-handed, yet he has passed many another traveler on life's journey whose start was perhaps more advantageous. His success is the direct result of indefatigable industry intelligently directed, and, advancing year by year, he has become one of the prominent and prosperous men of Columbia county.
HON. DAVID H. CÓX.
Hon. David H. Cox has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. Upon the family records appear the names of several who have been active in connection with framing state or national legislation. His own career has been cast in harmony with the family record and he is now a member of the state senate of Washington. For many years he has figured conspicuously and hon- orably in agricultural and commercial circles and is still actively identified with farming, his attention now being given to the management of his farm property. A native of eastern Tennessee, he was born December 28, 1865, a son of Elbert S. and Mary Louise (Beyers) Cox, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, where they spent their entire lives. The mother was a niece of John Severe, who was the first governor of Tennessee and a brother of her mother. Elbert S. Cox was for many years one of the leading merchants of Jonesboro, Ten- nessee, and was also extensively engaged in farming, having near the town a large tract of land which he successfully and wisely cultivated. He was also prominent in public affairs of the community and served for one term as mem- ber of congress from his district. He took a most active and helpful part in public thought and action and all that he did was characterized by a spirit of progressiveness that made him one of the most valued residents of Jonesboro. He passed away July 3, 1881, the day on which President Garfield was shot, in the Pennsylvania Railroad station at Washington, D. C.
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