USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 19
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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
Mr. Whiteman endorses the principles of the republican party and gives his loyal support to its candidates at the polls. For four years he was a mem- ber of the city council of Walla Walla and his record in that office is one of unusually capable work in behalf of the welfare of the municipality. For twenty-two years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and he also belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the women's branch of that organization, known as the Women of Woodcraft. Both he and his wife are active members of the Christian church, of which he is an elder, and he is also president of the board of directors of the Northwest Christian Home of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington at Walla Walla. It is under the supervision of the Benevolent Association of the Christian church, which organ- ization is designed to erect homes and hospitals for the young, old and needy of that church, and Mr. Whiteman gives much of his time to looking after the affairs of that institution. The prominence which he has gained establishes beyond question his ability, for his advancement has at all times come as the direct result of his own efforts and he is indeed a self-made man.
P. B. DOWLING.
The average farmer is apt to think of Washington as a great forest country. and while there are wonderful tracts of timber land, making this one of the leading centers of the lumber industry on the continent, there are also great stretches which are most splendidly adapted to farming and particularly to wheat raising, so that Washington has come to be known as one of the great wheat producing states of the Union. Among those who in following farming have devoted their attention to wheat culture in Walla Walla county is P. B. Dowling, who in 1887 arrived in this section of the state and who is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land, constituting one of the best farms in the Walla Walla valley. He was born in Springfield, Illinois, March 14, 1860, and is a son of William and Margaret Dowling, who were natives of Ireland. They came to America in early life and established their home in Illinois, but after- ward both returned to Ireland and their last days were spent in that country.
P. B. Dowling was accordingly reared and educated in Ireland, where he had good opportunities for developing his intellectual powers, being given a college education. He was graduated from the London Veterinary College and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession with success for a number of years. In 1886, however, he determined to return to his native land and crossed the Atlantic to America, first establishing his home in De Kalb county, Illinois. He came to the northwest with W. L. Elwood, a well known importer of horses, and in 1887 brought the first carload of Percheron horses that was shipped into
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the valley. He afterward purchased the farm whereon he now resides, com- prising one hundred and forty acres of very rich and productive farm land. upon which he has placed many modern improvements. Here he has lived con- tinuously since and has long been numbered among the representative and suc- cessful agriculturists of this part of the state.
In 1890 Mr. Dowling was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Rourke, who was born and reared upon the farm where Mr. Dowling now resides. The wife passed away, however, in 1903, and was laid to rest in Mountain View ceme- tery. She left a husband. two brothers and three sisters to mourn her loss and there were many friends who deeply regretted her passing.
Mr. Dowling gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. He is a self-made man who owes his business advancement entirely to his own efforts. He is recognized as one of the prominent men of the valley, being forceful and resourceful in his business connections, while in matters of citizenship he stands with patriotic loyalty for all that tends to advance the welfare and progress of this section of the state.
HENRY A. KAUSCHE.
Henry A. Kausche devoted his active life to farming in Garfield county but at the time of his death was living retired in Pomeroy. His birth occurred in Germany, February 16, 1839, and he was a son of Christopherson and Hannah Kausche, who were born in Germany and there remained for a number of years after their marriage. In 1851, however, they came to America and for a short time lived in New York. They then removed to Michigan, which remained their home for more than twenty years. At length they came to Washington to make their home with their son, Henry A., and both passed away in Garfield county. All of their three children are likewise deceased.
Henry A. Kausche received the greater part of his education in Germany. as he was twelve years of age when brought by his parents to the United States. He grew to manhood in Michigan and lived there for five years after his marriage. At the end of that time he went to Johnson county, Missouri, but after residing there for six years cast in his lot with the Pacific northwest, settling in Linn county, Oregon. Some time later, in 1878, he came to Garfield county, Washington, and took up a claim. He resided upon that place continu- ously until 1902 and as the years passed he brought his farm to a high state of development. He extended its boundaries by purchase, becoming the owner of eight hundred aeres, from which he derived a gratifying income. In 1902, feel- ing that he had earned a period of leisure, he retired and removed to Pomeroy, where he passed away July 4. 1903.
Mr. Kausche was married June 8, 1865, to Miss Paulina Lohrbert, who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Rock) Lohrbert. The father was born in Germany but in young manhood came to the United States and took up his residence in Ohio, of which state his wife was a native, and there their marriage occurred. In 1860 they removed to Michigan, where
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HENRY A KAUSCHE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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they lived until called by death. All of their five children still survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Kausche were born eleven children, of whom five are living. namely : Laura, the wife of Andrew J. Brown, of Spokane, Washington; Eve- lyn, who married Leo McMullen and now resides in Canada; Ida A., the wife of George McCarty; Alvina, the wife of Henry Freeborn; and Charles A., who is operating the homestead.
Mr. Kausche was a democrat in politics and felt the concern of a good citi- zen for the public welfare but was never an aspirant for office. His life was a busy and useful one and his labors were felt as a factor in the agricultural development of Garfield county. He had made many friends and his demise was the occasion of deep regret.
ROBERT KENNEDY.
In the great wheat growing belt of eastern Washington lies the farm of Robert Kennedy, his place being situated on section 15, township 7 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. It is a valuable tract of land of nine hundred and twenty acres, all of which has been brought under a high state of cultivation and annually the great wheat yield returns to him a most gratifying income. Mr. Kennedy still gives supervision to the work of the place. although he has now passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey. He was born in Rush county, Indiana, June 20, 1830, a son of John and Margaret Kennedy, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Removing northward to Indiana, they resided in that state for a time and later became residents of Shelby county, Illinois, where both passed away.
Robert Kennedy started out in life on his own account when a youth of but fourteen years and in 1851, when twenty-one years of age, he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, attracted by the opportunities of the great and growing west. He made his way to Oregon, where he settled on a farm and continued a resident of that place for eight years. In 1859 he arrived in Walla Walla county and settled on Dry creek, where he has since made his home. As the years have passed he has added to his possessions, his industry and determina- tion bringing to him larger resources. His investments in farm property have made him the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat land and upon his place are many substantial improvements. His farm presents a very neat and thrifty appearance and is supplied with all modern conveniences.
Mr. Kennedy has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna Smith and they became the parents of three children of whom only one is now living, L. L. Kennedy, a resident farmer of Oregon. The wife and mother passed away in 1876 and in 1879 Mr. Kennedy was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Margaret (Jackson) Dennison. Mrs. Kennedy is a cousin of William Dennison, who was governor of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have been born seven children: Rebecca, the deceased wife of Professor R. E. Stafford; Martha, the wife of John Connell; Robert P .; Edna; William B .; B. H .; and Edith May, who has passed away.
In his political views Mr. Kennedy is a republican. having suppe ted the
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party since its organization. He has served on the school board and the cause of public education finds in him an earnest advocate. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, although of late years he has not been active in lodge work. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Christian church and Mrs. Kennedy is now the oldest member of the church at Walla Walla. Their lives have been guided by its teachings and their many excellent traits of character have won for them the warm regard and high esteem of al! who know them. Mr. Kennedy is one of the venerable citizens of Walla Walla county and can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, for his has ever been an honorable life. Fifty-six years have come and gone since he arrived in the west and therefore he has been a witness of the greater part of its growth and progress.
E. H. LEONARD.
E. H. Leonard, who has long been known as a prominent representative of milling interests in the northwest, is now the vice president of the Preston- Shaffer Milling Company and active manager of its mill at Waitsburg. He was born in Walla Walla, May 16, 1873, and is a son of Thomas S. and Sarilda R. (Herren) Leonard. The father was a native of the state of New York, and the mother of Oregon having been one of the first white children born in that state. The date of the father's birth was April 25, 1840. He acquired a good educa- tion in the schools of that early period and in 1860 removed westward to Illi- nois, where for three years he engaged in teaching school, spending a part of the time also in Iowa. In 1863 he enlisted in the government service, being made a member of an organization for the purpose of rendering assistance and guidance to emigrant trains crossing the plains. On reaching the Boise river his train, feeling in comparative safety, disbanded and Mr. Leonard continued his journey to the coast, arriving in Portland, Oregon, late in November, 1863. when that now populous and progressive city was a town of but three thousand inhabitants. He afterward drifted to various points in the northwest and sub- sequently again took up educational work, teaching in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, where he remained until about 1871. In the fall of that year he came to Walla Walla and in the spring of 1872 he removed to Dayton, where he has since resided. In the fall of that year he and his wife took charge of the Dayton school and in the spring of 1873 removed to a government land claim. In 1876 Mr. Leonard assisted in the organization of Columbia county and was elected the first county superintendent of schools. On the expiration of his term in that office he returned to the homestead and has since been engaged in farming. He has taken an active and important part in promoting the development of county and state along material and intellectual lines and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the community. In 1868 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Sarilda R. Herren, a daughter of John and Docia (Robbins) Herren, who crossed the plains from Kentucky to Ore- gon in 1845. They settled near Salem, among the very early pioneers of that section. On her mother's side Mrs. Leonard comes of a family represented in
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the Revolutionary war, her great-grandfather, William Robbins, having been a participant in that struggle which led to the attainment of American independ- ence. T. S. Leonard is one of the prominent citizens of Dayton and has for many years taken a prominent and helpful part in the development of Columbia county.
E. H. Leonard was reared to farm life and his education has been practically self acquired. He worked in his father's fields until his twenty-fifth year and in 1898 he became connected with milling operations as an employe of the North Pacific Flour Mills Company at Prescott. In March, 1900, he was made foreman of the mills and in July of the same year, when the mills were acquired by the Portland Flouring Mills Company, Mr. Leonard was made manager, which position he continued to fill until 1904. In that year he was advanced to the position of district manager with the Portland Flouring Mills Company and in that connection had supervision over the mills of Dayton and Prescott and later also of Walla Walla. He continued in that capacity until January I, 1916, at which time, having acquired an interest in the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company at Waitsburg, he was made assistant manager and removed to Waits- burg. This company also owns mills at Athena, Oregon. At the first meeting of the directors after his removal to Waitsburg, Mr. Leonard was elected to the vice presidency of the company in recognition of his marked ability and his long experience in the milling business. There is no phase of flour manufacture with which he is not familiar and in the operation of the plants of the Preston- Shaffer Company he utilizes the latest improved machinery and the most modern processes, displaying marked enterprise in the control of the business. While thus extensively engaged in milling for nineteen years he has also continued his farming operations and now owns and operates two farms in Walla Walla county, comprising twenty-five hundred acres. He has thus become one of the prominent wheat growers of the Inland Empire. Either one of his business con- nections are sufficiently extensive and important to rank him with the repre- sentative business men of this section of the country. He is both forceful and resourceful and readily recognizes and utilizes opportunities which others pass heedlessly by. He is fortunate in that he possesses character and ability that awaken confidence in others and the simple weight of his character and his ability have carried him into important relations.
In November, 1900, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leonard and Miss Minnie Belle Lieuallen, of Portland, Oregon, and they have become the parents of three children : Mineta Belle, who is attending high school; Edgar Hugh, a student in the graded schools ; and Joanna Jeanne.
Mr. Leonard is a republican in his political views and fraternally is connected with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M. ; Dayton Chapter, No. 5. R. A. M .; and Walla Walla Commandery, No. I, K. T. He also has membership with El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane, and belongs to Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. of P., of Prescott. His record is an inspiring one, for out of a struggle with small opportunities he has come into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness. Quick discernment and the faculty of sep- arating the important features of any subject from its incidental or accidental circumstances have been strong phases in his career. His business has ever balanced up with the principles of truth and honor. He has ever been possessed
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of sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented and his judgment and even-paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of suc- cess. His quietude of deportment, 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 confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activity.
JOHN F. BREWER.
Twelve years have passed since John F. Brewer was called to his final rest, but his memory is cherished by many who knew him, as he stood as a high type of manhood and citizenship and was devoted to the welfare and progress not only of his family but of the community in which he lived. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, November 9, 1842, a son of David and Susan (Small) Brewer, who crossed the plains with an ox team in 1853. reaching Salem, Oregon, where they established their home. Their son, John F., was then a little lad of ten years and he completed his public school training in Salem, while later he pur- sued a course of study in Sublimity College, some fourteen miles from Salem. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the public schools for many years, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1872 he removed to the Walla Walla valley, where he engaged in farming. His agricultural interests were carefully and successfully conducted and for many years he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development of the fields. At length, however, he left the farm and removed to Walla Walla, building a handsome home on Boyer avenne. In 1876 he purchased a large tract of land east of the city and became one of the leading and extensive farmers of Walla Walla county. In 1890 he removed to Seattle, where he platted a tract of land which he called the Walla Walla addition but in this enterprise he was not successful and returned to Walla Walla, where his investments were judiciously made, his business affairs capably managed and his enterprise brought to him a very gratifying and substantial measure of success.
In March, 1872, Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Adora D. Stan- ton, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Benjamin and Matilda (Baldwin) Stanton. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and crossed the plains by wagon in 1852, settling near Salen, Oregon. They had a family of eleven children, of whom seven are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer became the parents of nine children, namely: John, who is manager of the Commercial Club at The Dalles, Oregon, but is now in the government service at Portland Oregon ; Merton, a practicing attorney at Auburn, Washington ; Ada, who has passed away; Frank, living in Walla Walla county; Maud, the wife of Charles Ulm, of Ritzville; Bertha, who is the widow of Eugene Dunbar and now lives in Anchorage, Alaska ; Dora, who is the wife of Fred Snedecor, of Corona, California; Roy, who is a sergeant in the United States army with the First Illinois Infantry ; and Luella, the wife of Frank Harlow, of Los Angeles, California.
Mrs. Brewer owns a fine residence on Boyer avenue in Walla Walla, where
JOHN F. BREWER
MRS. JOHN F. BREWER
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she resides, and in addition she has five hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat land near the city and another tract of eight hundred acres in Franklin county. She is an active and prominent member of the Sunshine Club and is also connected with the Eastern Star and church organizations. Mr. Brewer left his family in very comfortable financial circumstances when death called him on the 21st of February, 1905. He was one of the valued and respected citizens of this section of the country. He took an active part in the development of Walla Walla county and never withheld his support from any enterprise that he believed would prove beneficial in any way. He was intensely patriotic and he stood for all that was progressive in relation to public affairs. He served for several terms as alderman of his city and at the time of his death was filling the position of councilman for his ward. To him belongs the honor of being the father of the paid fire department of Walla Walla, which has proven successful and satisfactory even beyond his confident predictions. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias. the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arcanum, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church.
His home paper, in writing of his death, said: "In the death of John Brewer, Walla Walla loses one of her best and most progressive citizens. No citizen of the town had more warm personal friends, and his demise has brought sadness to many a home. As private citizen and public official he always strove to do his full duty. He endeavored to be just to all men and he spoke ill of no one. He was broad-minded and conservative, generous and public spirited. It would be hard to find a man in the community with fewer faults and more virtues. His home life was ideal and it is no wonder that those nearest and dearest to him find it so hard to reconcile themselves to the loss of a kind and loving husband and father."
"I cannot say and will not say That he is dead, he is just away ; He has wandered into an unknown land With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand ; And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be, since he lingers there."
VICTOR E. SIEBERT.
Victor E. Siebert is a member of the firm of Osterman & Siebert, known as Walla Walla's foremost architects, in which connection he has developed skill of the highest degree, and his patronage is indicative of the high order of his work. He is a native son of Walla Walla, born October 3, 1884, his parents being Chris and Minnie (Nahen) Siebert, the former a native of Berlin, Germany, while the latter was born in Red Bluff, California. The father was reared to manhood and pursued his education in his native country and served throughout the Franco- Prussian war. Following that conflict, in 1875, he came to the United States, making his way to Oconto, Wisconsin, but after a brief period there passed he removed westward to Washington, establishing his home in Asotin county, where Vol. 11-10
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he took up a homestead claim and lived for a few years. He lat r removed to Walla Walla county and purchased a farm six or eight miles east of the city of Walla Walla, on which he resided for some time. He next removed to the city, where he now makes his home. He is still active in farming in a small way but in a measure has put aside the arduous duties of life.
Victor E. Siebert, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the Baker school of Walla Walla and when eighteen years of age he began the study of architecture in the office of Henry Osterman, with whom he thus remained for three years. He then went east to complete his education and entered the Boston Technical School in the fall of 1906. There he pursued a special course in architecture, attending the institution for four years. After completing his studies he entered into partnership with Peter F. Mclaughlin and established business in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, under the firm style of Mclaughlin & Siebert. This relationship existed for two and a half years, at the end of which time the partnership was dissolved and in the fall of 1912 Mr. Siebert returned to Walla Walla and entered into partnership relations with Mr. Osterman, his former preceptor. They are well known architects of this city, the firm of Osterman & Siebert occupying a very creditable and enviable position in professional circles. Many of the most important buildings of the northwest have been designed and erected by them and stand as monuments of their skill, their enterprise and business ability.
In 1910 Mr. Siebert was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hoelzel, of Adams, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of two children, Henry and Gretchen. Mr. Siebert is a consistent member of Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., and also belongs to Columbus Council of the Knights of Kadosh, No. 6, of Walla Walla, and to Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R. He is also connected with El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He belongs to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and is one of the city's representative men, his aid and influence being always given on the side of progress and advancement, reform and improve- ment. He and his wife are members of the Christian Science church and their genuine personal worth has gained for them a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Thorough preliminary training has con- stituted the basis of Mr. Siebert's success in a professional way and fidelity to the highest standards of business has actuated him at every point in his career. The northwest is fortunate in having his services in connection with its important growth and development and Walla Walla is proud to number him among her citizens.
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