USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 15
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 15
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 15
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 15
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After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Walter returned to Michigan and in 1864 he crossed the plains to California, making the trip for the benefit of his health, which was still impaired because of the rigors of his military serv- ice. In the fall of 1865 he returned eastward as far as Minnesota, taking up his abode in Dakota county. He afterward removed to Sibley county, that state. He had married in Michigan in 1864, prior to crossing the plains, and with his family he continued his residence in Minnesota until 1877, when he once more crossed the plains, this time accompanied by his wife and three children. Arriving in Oregon, he settled near Athena in Umatilla county, where he purchased a quarter section of railroad land and began farming ..; He had used his homestead right in Minnesota, but the grasshopper scourge which continued for four years in that state caused him to lose all that he had, so that he came to Oregon with but very little money. He acquired two hundred and forty acres in his home place, on which he resided until 1898, when he removed to Walla Walla in order to give his children the advantages offered by the city schools. He has here since made his home and is one of the valued and respected residents.
On the 7th of March, 1864, Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Kinsey, and they became the parents of eight children, six of whom still survive, namely : Mabel L., who is the wife of Dr. J. A. Moffitt, of Sacra- mento, California ; Charles A., who follows farming in Walla Walla county ;. Edith, who is a Sister of St. Francis in the convent at Pendleton and is a painter and musician of ability, teaching both arts at the convent ; John C., who operates a farm of his own and also his father's place in Umatilla county, Oregon ; Francis H., who is a resident of Pierce county, Washington ; and Gertrude, who is the wife of Elmer T. Matheny, of Walla Walla.
Mrs. Walter is descended from Revolutionary stock, her maternal great-grand- father having served for seven years in the war for independence. His sister, Deborah Sampson, also served as a common soldier in that war, being disguised as a man and known by the name of Robert Shurtliff. She carried a gun and participated in numerous battles, being twice wounded, once through the arm and later through the breast. She recovered and subsequently married. She was received by General Washington, who conferred honors upon her, and she was
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one of the few women given a life pension by our government. Mrs. Walter's grandfather Sampson was a soldier of the War of 1812.
In his political views Mr. Walter is a stalwart democrat, and while never an aspirant for public office, he has repeatedly been honored in local affairs. He was elected to the board of county commissioners of Sibley county, Minnesota. Ile served as justice of the peace, as town clerk and as assessor in Sibley county and after his removal to the west was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners of U'matilla county, Oregon, and was twice thereafter regu- larly elected thereto, serving for six years. He was a member of the board and one of the leading factors in the building of the new one hundred thousand dollar courthouse of Umatilla county. He served continuously as a member of the school board almost from the time of his arrival in Umatilla county until his removal to Walla Walla. Fraternally Mr. Walter is connected with Blue Moun- tain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., with A. Lincoln Post, No. 4. G. A. R., and is most loyal to the teachings and purposes of these organizations. Through his connection with the latter he maintains pleasant associations with his old army comrades and proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him as one of the "boys in blue." There is in his life record nothing spectacular but his career is one that places him with the substantial citizens of the northwest- men who have consistently done their duty year by year and in the legitimate advancement of their own fortunes have contributed to the upbuilding and pros- perity of the district in which they live.
CHARLES COYLE.
Charles Coyle is a partner in the firm of Coyle Brothers, well known dairy farmers of Walla Walla county. His home is on section 27, township 7 north, range 35 east. He was born in Oregon, September 14, 1865, and is a son of James Coyle, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of Byrd Coyle. He came to Walla Walla county when but a year old, the parents removing with their family to this state. He has since lived upon the farm which he now occupies and which is therefore endeared to him through the associations of boyhood as well as those of later years. He acquired a com- mon school education and when not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the work of the fields, for he was early trained to the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained at home until he attained his majority, since which time he and his brothers have carried on farming together and have long made a specialty of dairying. In this business they are very successful and for that purpose they keep a large herd of fine cattle. Everything about their dairy is in excellent condition. Their arrangements are of the most sanitary and the products of their dairy find a ready sale on the market.
In 1911 Mr. Coyle was married to Miss Lela Truitt, a native of Missouri, who in 1909 became a resident of Walla Walla, where her parents are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have been born three children, Inez M., C. Bruce and Maxine. The parents are members of the Christian church and in politics Mr. Coyle is a democrat. He has served as school director and as school clerk in his
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district and is interested in all that tends to promote educational progress. In fact he stands for advancement and improvement along all lines and is acknowl- edged a man of worth, highly esteemed wherever known and most of all where he is best known.
CLYDE H. BROWN.
Farming interests of Walla Walla county find a worthy representative in Clyde H. Brown, who is living on section 4, township 9 north, range 36 east. He was born in Waitsburg, this county, on the 18th of June, 1877, a son of Albert N. and Justina (Kent) Brown. The father was a native of Iowa and the mother of Illinois, but they were married in Kansas, where they had lived for some years, each removing to that state with their parents. In 1876 they came to the Pacific coast, making their way westward by train to San Fran- cisco and thence by boat to Portland. The following fall and winter were spent in the Willamette valley and in the spring of 1877 they came by wagon and team to Walla Walla county, Washington, taking up their abode upon a home- stead claim two miles north of Waitsburg. The father proved up on this prop- erty and there resided for five years. He afterward removed to a small place one mile west of Waitsburg, upon which he also spent five years. At the expira- tion of that period he sold the property and purchased the Bolles Junction ranch of four hundred and twenty acres half way between Waitsburg and Prescott. Upon that place he lived for thirteen years and then disposed of the property and purchased the farm upon which his son Clyde H. now resides, adjoining the city limits of Prescott. Here he owned nine hundred acres of land which he continued to cultivate and improve up to the time of his death in January, 19II. His widow is still living and makes her home with her son Clyde.
A western man by birth, training and preference, Clyde H. Brown displays in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which have ever been a domi- nant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was educated in the Bolles Junction school and in the Waitsburg public schools and was early trained to the work of the farm, assisting in the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting from early boyhood. On account of his father's ill health the man- agement of the farm devolved upon him when he was yet a young man and he has since continued in control, carefully and wisely directing the development and further improvement of the place. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and upon the farm there are substantial buildings which indicate the care and supervision of the owner. He seems to lose sight of noth- ing that should be accomplished in the work of further developing his place and his labors have brought substantial results.
On the 15th of September, 1899, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Miller, of Bolles Junction, and to them have been born two sons and a daughter, Myrle, Duane and Iris.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a stalwart republican. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M .; Walla Walla Chapter, No. I, R. A. M .; Washington Commandery, K. T., of Walla Walla; and El Katif Temple, A. A.
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O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He also has membership with Prescott Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are members of Waitsburg Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Brown is also connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. They are widely and favorably known in their part of Walla Walla county and have an extensive circle of warm friends who esteem them highly. Their social qualities, their loyalty in citizenship and their devotion to the best interests of the community insure for them an enviable position in the public regard.
ANDY TAYLOR.
Andy Taylor, one of the extensive wheat growers of Walla Walla county, within the borders of which he has resided for the past three decades, makes his home in the city of Walla Walla. For some years he engaged in the cultivation of seven hundred and ninety-seven acres of land nine miles north of Prescott and also operates a tract of two thousand acres under lease. His birth occurred in Greene county, Tennessee, on the 15th of July, 1857, his parents being William and Susan (Carey) Taylor, who were also natives of that state. In 1889, one year after the arrival of their son Andy, they made their way to the Pacific coast country and for a time resided in Oregon. Subsequently, however, they took up their abode in Walla Walla and here spent the remainder of their lives.
Andy Taylor spent the first nineteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and about 1876 removed to Petersburg, Illinois, where he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits for more than a decade. It was in 1887 that he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he was employed as a ranch hand for a period of five years. At the end of that time, in 1893, he took up a homestead ten miles north of Walla Walla, residing thereon for five years or until he established the family home in the city of Walla Walla, . where it has since been maintained. In the fall of 1917 he disposed of his tract north of Prescott. The prosperity which he now enjoys is indeed well merited, for he has ever manifested industry, enterprise and keen discrimination and in the management of his extensive interests has been notably practical, persistent and progressive.
In 1884 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mollie C. Ragsdill, of Menard county, Illinois, by whom he has two sons: Lowell Oakley, a successful agriculturist of Walla Walla county; and Brooks Andy, who engages in wheat growing with his father. Although a grandmother Mrs. Taylor is now a student at St. Paul's School, where she expects to complete the school work begun in her girlhood, having a great desire for a higher education than she could obtain at that time. This is very unusual for a woman past fifty years of age but shows her strength of character and perseverance. Mr. Taylor gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations : Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M .; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1. R. A. M .; Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F .; Walla Walla Encamp- ment, No. 3. I. O. O. F .; and Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. Mr.
ANDY TAYLOR
MRS. ANDY TAYLOR
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Taylor and his two sons are all thirty-second degree Masons as well as members of the Odd Fellows lodge and encampment, while his wife and sons are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star, and Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Daugh- ters of Rebekahs. Mr. Taylor is also a member of the Farmers Union and is widely and favorably known in Walla Walla county, where he has won friends and fortune.
ALBERT R. MATTOON.
Albert R. Mattoon is a representative farmer of Walla Walla county who de- serves mention among the self-made men. He had no assistance when he started out in the business world but early realized that energy and effort will bring substantial results and by reason of liis unfaltering diligence he has gained a place among the leading farmers of his section of the county. He was born in Oregon, July 12, 1853, and is the only child of Aruna and Eliza A. (Trullinger ) Mattoon. The father was a native of the state of New York, while the mother was born in Indiana. It was in 1847 that they crossed the plains, making the journey with ox teams and taking up their abode near Oregon City, Oregon. Mr. Mattoon secured a donation claim, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an im- provement made, and there he built a log cabin. The family lived in true pioneer style, for the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun in that region. The Indians far outnumbered the white settlers ; the forests stood in their primeval strength; the streams were unbridged and the land uncultivated. Only here and there had some venturesome spirit penetrated into the wildernesses of the west in order to found a home and engage in business. Mr. Mattoon began the development of his farm and continued his residence in Oregon until his demise, but his widow afterward removed to Washington and spent her last days in Wala Walla county.
Albert R. Mattoon was reared and educated in Oregon and remained a resi- dent of that state until 1878, when, at the age of twenty-five years he came to Washington and has since made his home in Walla Walla county save for a brief period. After taking up his abode in the city of Walla Walla he was there engaged in the implement business for fifteen years, ranking with its leading and representative merchants. He then sold his store and returned to Oregon, going first to Riddle, where he engaged in merchandising for seven years. He then disposed of his store at that place and removed to Portland, where he en- gaged in the real estate business until 1913, when he returned to Walla Walla. He then took up his abode upon the farm on which he now resides, having sixty aeres of land on which is raised corn, hay, wheat and garden produce. At the present time, however, he rents most of his land and is now practically living retired.
On the 7th of November, 1880, Mr. Mattoon was married to Mrs. Naney Jane Knight, a native of Missouri, and to them have been born two sons: Arthur R., who is now living in Portland, Oregon ; and Fred V., who is successfully engaged in the hotel business at Wenatchee, Washington. By her first marriage Mrs. Mattoon has one son, P. B. Knight, who resides in Walla Walla. She is a daughter Vol. 11-8
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of William Bartlett and Mary (Weaver) Braden, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. They were married, however, in Tennessee, and from that state removed to Illinois about 1838. Ten years later they went to Missouri, where Mr. Braden died in 1866. In 1872 Mrs. Braden came with her daughter to Walla Walla county, Washington, and here she passed away at the home of Mrs. Mattoon in 1887. She was the mother of twelve children, but only three now survive. In 1873 her daughter, Nancy Jane, became the wife of William C. Knight, who died about a year later.
In his political views Mr. Mattoon has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he represented Douglas county, Oregon, for two years in the state legislature, during which period he was instrumental by his vote in electing John H. Mitchell to the office of United States senator. For some years he served on the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart supporter. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Roseburg, Oregon, and his life is an exemplification of its teachings concerning the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby im- posed. In all of his business career he has shown ready adaptability and resource- fulness, combined with energy and enterprise, and whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion. The record which he has made is a very creditable one and his life history shows that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
HORACE G. HART.
Horace G. Hart is spoken of by friends and neighbors as a man of high pur- pose that has found expression in his daily conduct. He is now engaged in general farming on section 3, township 9 north, range 36 east, in Walla Walla county. He was born in Macon county, Missouri, on the 7th of September, 1858, a son of Horace and Margaret E. (Mercer) Hart. The father was a native of Connecticut and the mother of Kentucky. The former first crossed the plains in 1846, making his way to Spalding's mission at Lapwai, Idaho, Mr. Spalding's first wife having been his sister. In the fall of 1848, when gold was first dis- covered in California, he went to that state and subsequently he crossed the continent four times, twice by way of the Isthmus route and once around the Horn. He was married on the 22d of November, 1855, and in 1864 he brought his family across the plains, making his way to the Touchet valley, where he established his home about twenty miles north of Walla Walla. There he became actively identified with farming and stock raising and acquired two hundred and forty acres of land, upon which he spent his remaining days, passing away September 1, 1892, when in his eightieth year. His experiences were broad and varied, acquainting him with all phases of mining life and with all phases of pioneer life in the far west. On the 29th of May, 1893, his wife passed away when sixty- nine years of age.
Horace G. Hart was reared under the parental roof upon the western frontier, having been but six years of age when the family came to Washington. His edu- cation was acquired in the district schools and as early as his eighteenth year he
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began farming on his own account, operating his father's farm, which he continued to manage until after his father's death. In the meantime, on attaining his major- ity, he filed on a homestead adjoining his father's place and continued its cultiva- tion in connection with the further development of the old homestead. Follow- ing his father's demise he came into possession of the farm on which he still re- sides, but has sold much of the land, retaining one hundred acres as a home. His career has been that of a very busy man. He has closely applied himself to the care and management of his property interests and he has long ranked with the leading and representative agriculturists of his section of the state.
On the 28th of March, 1881, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Ollie L. McKinzie, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Isaac McKinzie, one of the early settlers of the county. To this union have been born ten children : Myrtle A., the wife of Daniel Callahan, a farmer of this county ; Carl E .. of Waitsburg, Wash- ington ; Ralph H., a farmer of Walla Walla county ; Lulu P., the wife of Arthur Coe, a farmer residing at Milton, Oregon ; Mabel, the wife of Herbert E. Carr, of Prescott ; Dorsey, a resident of Detroit, Michigan ; and Mary, Lester, Loverne and Horace, Jr., all at home.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Hart has given stalwart allegiance to the republican party but has never been an aspirant for public office. He, however, allowed his name to be used on the prohibition ticket for the office of county com- missioner. He has always been a stanch advocate of temperance and does every- thing in his power to advance the cause. He belongs to Prescott Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are members of the Federated church at Prescott and his aid can always be counted upon to further any movement that tends to uplift the individual or advance the best interests of the community. His standards of life are high and those who know him have come to recognize the fact that his word is as good as his bond.
ALEXANDER PRICE.
Alexander Price was a most prominent and progressive farmer of Columbia county for many years and in his death the community lost one of its valued citizens. He was born in Missouri, November 3, 1847, a son of Joseph S. and Sarah (Williams) Price, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born in Indiana.
Alexander Price was reared and educated in Missouri and was a youth of seventeen years when he crossed the plains, traveling with ox team and wagon after the primitive methods of the period. There were no railroads across the country at that time and with the slow-plodding oxen only a few miles could be covered every day. Thus the trip lengthened ont over weeks and months but eventually they reached their destination and Mr. Price became a resident of Yam- hill county, Oregon. There he secured employment as a farm hand, remaining in that state until the fall of 1870, when he came to Walla Walla county and took up a homestead nine miles southwest of Dayton. Upon that farm he lived for seven years and his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of
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the place. His widow still owns that property, which has now become very valuable.
In 1873 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Clarinda J. Anderson, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Power) Anderson, who were natives of Indiana. They removed from that state to Missouri, where the father died in the year 1850. The mother afterward crossed the plains with her family in 1865, spending her last days in Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Price were born seven children: George F .; Martha, at home; Celestia, the wife of James J. Edwards ; Susan M .; Alice L., who has passed away ; Homer E. ; and Joseph W.
The death of the husband and father occurred in 1906 and he was laid to rest in Dayton cemetery, leaving a widow and six children to mourn his loss. He had been devoted to their welfare and by reason of his capable business management and wise investments, combined with indefatigable energy and industry, he was able to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Price and her children now own more than five thousand acres of valuable wheat land in Columbia county, all of which is improved, and she also has an attractive resi- dence in the city of Dayton, where she is able to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. She belongs to the Congregational church and takes an active interest in its work. In fact, she is ever ready to endorse those plans and measures which tend to uplift the individual or uphold the betterment of the com- munity at large. For many years the Price family has lived in this section of the state, coming here long before Washington was admitted to the Union, and they are prominent not only as pioneers but in those social circles where true worth and intelligence are accepted as the passports into good society.
HON. WILLIAM FARRISH.
In the front ranks of the columns which have advanced the civilization of Washington, Hon. William Farrish has led the way to the substantial develop- ment, progress and upbuilding of Asotin county, being particularly active in the growth and progress of the district in which he still makes his home. His memory goes back to the time when the entire Pacific coast was but sparsely settled, when much of the land had not been reclaimed for purposes of civiliza- tion but remained in the primitive condition in which it came from the hand of nature. He has lived in the same house in three different counties owing to the division of the old county necessitating change of name and installation of new county governments. He has seen the forests cut, the streams bridged and the work of development carried forward and at all times has borne his part in the general advancement and improvement which has brought Asotin county to its present condition. He was born in Richibucto, province of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, August 9, 1835, a son of William and Catherine (Smith) Far- rish, who were natives of Scotland. The father was a lumberman and thus provided for his family.
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