USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 2
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 2
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 2
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 2
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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
In 1905 Dr. Robinson was married to Miss Jessie Adelle Morgan, a daughter of J. W. Morgan, a pioneer druggist and the foremost citizen of Waitsburg, Wash- ington. Mrs. Robinson is a graduate of the Washington State Normal School at Ellensburg and later was graduated from the University of Washington with the class of 1903. She is a lady of culture and refinement.
Dr. Robinson is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M .; also to Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., of Spokane. He has likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, having membership in El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He belongs to Columbia Lodge, No. 8, K. P. Dr. Robinson belongs to the Walla Walla County Medical Society, the Washington State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. At the annual convocation of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago in October, 1917, fellowship was con- ferred upon Dr. Robinson. He makes his practice his chief interest, allowing nothing to interfere with the faithful and conscientious performance of his profes- sional duties, and his comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine, accu- rately applied, has gained him place with the eminent representatives of the pro- fession in this state. In July, 1917, he entered the United States service and was commissioned captain in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps and is now awaiting summons to the front.
CHARLES A. KAUSCHE.
Charles A. Kausche, a well known farmer of Garfield county with residence on section 21, township 12 north, range 41 east, was born in this county, May 27, 1881, a son of Henry and Paulina (Lowenberg) Kausche, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. When only sixteen years of age the father came to the United States and in 1876 removed to Oregon. Four years later he came with his family to Garfield county, Washington, and took up a claim. As soon as possible he erected a rude house of the type known as a box house and in order to fence his land he hauled poles from the moun- tains twenty-five miles distant. In time he brought his place to a high state of development and erected excellent buildings thereon, being actively engaged
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in farming until 1902, when he retired and removed to Pomeroy. In 1903 he passed away there but his wife survives.
Charles A. Kausche, who is one of the five living children of a family of eight, was reared at home and at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools, which he attended in the acquirement of an education. In 1904 he rented the old homestead and subsequently he bought the place, which com- prises eight hundred and seventy acres. He lias erected excellent modern build- ings upon the place and has otherwise added to its value and it now ranks among the best developed farms of the locality. He uses up-to-date methods and implements in carrying on his work and also gives careful thought to the problem of marketing to advantage.
Mr. Kausche was married in 1904 to Miss Odessa Trosper, who was born in Old Walla Walla county, a daughter of Joseph G. and Ena (Bonney) Tros- per, the former a native of Missouri. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kausche, Floyd B. and Merle K.
Mr. Kausche belongs to the Knights of Pythias and in politics supports the republican party. For some time he was clerk of the school board and he is strongly in favor of the best possible public schools. His extensive farming interests do not leave him much time for outside activities but it is generally known that he supports all movements seeking the material, civic or moral ad- vancement of his community.
CHRISTIAN MILLER.
Christian Miller, who is devoting his time and energies to the operation of a good farm on section 26, Russell Creek township, Walla Walla county, was born in Denmark, January 27, 1854, a son of Soren S. and Sarah M. Miller, who in 1862 came with their family to the United States. After residing for six years in Utah, where the father engaged in farming, they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1868 with a colony composed of Mormons wlio had seceded from the church and also others who were never associated with that organization. The father belonged to the former class and he remained with the colony until it broke up in 1880 or 1881. He then acquired title to a small farm on Mill creek, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred March 26, 1897.
Christian Miller had very little opportunity to attend school, as his boy- hood was passed in a frontier community, but he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Walla Walla county and remained with the colony until it was dis- banded, after which he worked as a farm hand for a time. In 1889 he purchased his first farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Russell Creek township, and has since added to his holdings from time to time until he now owns about four hundred acres of excellent land. He is engaged in diver- sified farming and has been very successful in his work.
On the 8th of November, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Davies, who was born in Kansas, June 18, 1855. Her father, W. W.
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Davies, was a native of Wales, born August 8, 1833, and was at the head of the colony of settlers who came to this county. Before leaving Wales he was married August 24, 1854, to Miss Ann Jones, and they became the parents of twelve children. It was in 1855 that they came to America and for a time made their home in Utah and later in Montana, but in 1867 came to Walla Walla county, Washington. Mrs. Davies, who was born in Wales, March 29, 1836, died May 19, 1879, and Mr. Davies passed away November 25, 1906. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, of whom two survive, namely : Sarah M., the wife of Elmer Meiner, a farmer of Russell Creek township; and Esther M., at home.
Mr. Miller is a republican in politics and has served for a number of years on the school board, in which connection he has done valuable work for the schools. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and has many friends within and without that organization. Through his own efforts he has gained financial independence, his success being based upon enterprise, hard work and good management.
HON. LEVI ANKENY.
With the history of development in the northwest Hon. Levi Ankeny, of Walla Walla, is largely familiar. He has been a witness of the various phases of life ‹luring the progress from pioneer times to the days of present prosperity and he has ever borne his part in the work of general upbuilding and improvement, while at the same time he has so conducted his private business interests that substantial results have accrued. He has been active in connection with mining and with the copper industry and for many years he has occupied a most prominent position in banking circles. His business interests alone would entitle him to representa- tion in this volume and yet there are other phases of his life which also render him a most prominent and representative citizen of the northwest, for he has been United States senator and has done much to further the interests of this section of the country in the halls of national legislation.
Mr. Ankeny was born near St. Joseph, Missouri, on the ist of August, 1844, a son of John and Charity (Geer) Ankeny, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of the state of New York. Both were members of old families whose ancestry can be traced back to Revolutionary war times and who were represented by valiant soldiers in the struggle for independence. The father was a newspaper man in Milford, Pennsylvania, for a number of years and died while on a trip across the plains to Oregon in 1850. His widow continued the trip and spent her last years in Portland, Oregon.
Levi Ankeny of this review was a little lad of but six summers when his parents started with the family on the long trip over the hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes to the northwest, yet he remembers many incidents of that journey, which was made after the primitive manner of the times. Ile was reared on the Pacific coast and largely acquired his education in Kingsley Academy in Portland. After reaching adult age he was for several years engaged in merchandising in Orofino and in Florence, Idaho, selling goods from
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pack trains all through the mining regions and also through the Fraser river country of British Columbia. He was also for several years with the Wells Fargo Express Company. During these years he became identified with the cattle industry and his herds roamed the plains of both Idaho and Washington. He was in Walla Walla in his cattle operations, grazing his herds throughout this section of the country in the early days before settlement had laid claim to the land.
Mr. Ankeny's identification with financial interests in the northwest began on the Ist of January, 1878, when he organized the First National Bank of Walla Walla. He thus entered actively into a field of business in which he has made substantial progress and in which his efforts have contributed much to the up- building and development of this section as well. In 1882 he organized the First National Bank of Pendleton, Oregon, and a year later organized the First National Bank of Baker City, Oregon. The same year he founded the First National Bank of Waitsburg, Washington, and subsequently became the founder of the Columbia National Bank of Dayton, Washington. He settled the affairs of the Vancouver National Bank of Vancouver, British Columbia. He has since disposed of the bank at Baker City, Oregon, and also of the one in Vancouver but is still president of the other four banking institutions, the combined deposits of which at the present time amount to over seven million dollars. There is no phase of the banking business with which he is not familiar and he is thoroughly acquainted with all of the grave problems of finance which confront the country. He has served as president of the State Bankers" Association. He is actuated in all that he does by a most progressive spirit; and, readily discriminating between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs, he has, so directed his efforts that success in notable measure has attended his endeavors and reputation names him as the wealthiest resident of his county. `Moreover, the policy that he has pursued is one which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and may well constitute an example that others may profitably follow.
In 1867 Mr. Ankeny was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Nesmith, a daughter of Jamies Nesmith, who was United States senator from Oregon. By this marriage have been born five children, four of whom are living: Nesmith, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Pendleton, Oregon ; John who is vice president of the First National Bank at Walla Walla; Robert, who operated a farm in the Willamette valley of Oregan but has volunteered and is now serving as a machinist in the Navy ; and Harriett, who is the wife of Colonel Francis Pope, of the United States army, formerly stationed at San Antonio, Texas, but now in France.
Mr. Ankeny has not only done much to develop the material interests and resources of this section of the country but has also contributed in large measure to shaping its political history. He has always been a stalwart champion of the republican party and upon its ticket was elected in 1903 to represent Washington in the United States senate, serving in that august body for six years, during which period he most carefully considered the vital questions which came up for settlement and threw the weight of his aid and influence on the side of progress, reform and improvement. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being identified with all the Masonic bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites. He has served as grand master. HIe belongs to Walla Walla Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and is
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a member of El Kader Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S. Ile also has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Episcopal church and that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his identification with the Country Club. Mr. Ankeny is recognized as one of the strong men of the northwest, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and perform. What he has undertaken he has accomplished and. moreover, he has not only promoted his individual interests but his activities have ever been of a character which have advanced the public prosperity as well.
CARY MELVIN RADER.
Cary Melvin Rader, a leading member of the bar of Walla Walla, engaged in general practice, was born in Carroll county, Indiana, July 27, 1868. His father, Solomon Rader, was also a native of the Hoosier state, born October 8, 1827. He devoted his life to farming in early manhood and afterward took up merchan- dising. He was a veteran of the Indian wars of the northwest and crossed the plains in 1852. He participated in the Modoc and Rogue River wars of 1853 and 1857. Later he returned to Indiana and became actively identified with its agricultural and commercial interests. But longing for the west he came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1901, there remaining until his death, which occurred December 2, 1912. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Stewart, was born in Indiana, May 30, 1827, and is still living at the notable old age of ninety years, her home being in Walla Walla.
Cary M. Rader was the only child of that marriage. He obtained a com- mon school education in his native state and afterward attended the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, where he pursued a law course. He was there graduated on the 28th of July, 1891, and was admitted to the bar, but in May, 1892, came to Walla Walla and has since been an active repre- sentative of the legal profession of this city. He entered into partnership with Senator Poindexter, with whom he was associated for about four years, after which he practiced alone for a few years, and then became a partner of Frank B. Sharpstein. Their connection continued for four years and Mr. Rader was then alone in practice for a brief period. He afterward entered into partner- ship with W. R. King, who later became a supreme judge of Oregon, and upon the dissolution of that partnership he became connected with E. F. Barker, forming the present firm of Rader & Barker. This association has since been maintained and the firm occupies a very prominent position at the Walla Walla bar. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer Mr. Rader brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts, including forceful- ness of expression and a strong personality. He possesses a keen, rapid, log- ical mind, plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work. He has, too, an excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner and marked strength of character, which, combined with a thorough grasp of the law and the abil- ity to accurately apply its principles, has made him a most effective advocate and a wise counselor. While continuing in general law practice, he has spe-
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cialized in corporation law and is thoroughly well informed concerning that department of jurisprudence. He served for one term as city attorney in 1896. In addition to his professional interests he is a director of the Peoples State Bank, to which office he was elected on the organization of the bank, and he has considerable farming interests.
On the 13th of September, 1893, Mr. Rader was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Miller, a native of Eaton, Ohio, and a daughter of Charles Mil- ler, a resident of that city. Her mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Rader have become the parents of three children, Ralph Waldo, Martha Bernice and Melvin Miller.
In his political views Mr. Rader is an earnest democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party, yet never seeking office. He attends the Con- gregational church and is a faithful follower of the Masonic fraternity, being now a past master of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. There have been no spectacular phases in his career, but in a profession where advance- ment depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has worked his way steadily upward. His practice is now extensive and of an important character. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the question at issue and he is recognized not only in professional circles but otherwise as a man of well rounded character, of finely balanced mind and splendid intellectual attainments.
JUDGE JOHN W. HOLMAN.
Judge John W. Holman, of Dayton, has an unusual record of public serv- ice, having for twenty-two years been police judge and justice of the peace, and for seven years he was court commissioner. He was born in Monroe county, Indiana, May 22, 1844, a son of Thomas and Laura (Parker) Holman, pioneers of the Hoosier state. He was reared under the parental roof and at the usual age entered the district schools. When eighteen years old he volunteered for service in the Union army and from the time of his enlistment, on the 6th of August, 1862, until after the close of the war he was with the armed forces of the government. His record includes service in the battles of Ball Bluff, Port Gibson, the siege of Vicksburg and tlie engagements at Jackson, Mansfield, Pleas- ant Hill, Grandicor, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Big Black, Champion Hill's and Raymond.
On returning to civil life Judge Holman removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1868. In that year he became a resident of Nebraska and there made his home until 1876, when he cast in his lot with the Pacific northwest. During the intervening forty-one years he has lived at Dayton and has become one of the foremost citizens of that town and, in fact, of Columbia county. In 1888 he was appointed deputy sheriff under W. R. Marcus, and two years later was elected justice of the peace. Subsequently he became police judge and for twenty-two years he filled both offices. In the discharge of his duties he manifested a fine sense of justice and an unusual ability to read human nature.
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For seven years he was also court commissioner under Judge R. F. Sturde- vant, and in that connection also he was thoroughly competent.
Judge Holman was married in Nebraska in 1869, to Miss Louisa E. Linn, a native of Ohio. They became the parents of the following children: Laura A .; Ernest A .; Jessie P .; Olive F .; Lola C .; Nellie L .; John W., Jr., deceased ; Dorothy C .; Charles D .; and Donald L.
Judge Holman has been a republican alinost since the organization of the party and his advice has often been sought by the local party leaders. At one time he was the republican councilman from Brooklyn. He has always been justly proud of the fact that at the time of the country's need he offered him- self in defense of the Union, and he finds great pleasure in the association with other veterans of the Civil war in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His strength of character and his unswerving adherence to high stand- ards of morality have gained him the respect of his community, and, moreover, he has won an unusually large number of personal friends, owing to his kindly nature and his evident goodwill toward all. One evidence of his popularity is the fact that while serving as justice of the peace he performed more marriages than any other official or clergyman in the county and in many instances mar- ried two generations of the same family. He has the satisfaction of know- ing that he has discharged in full every duty devolving upon him, and that during a long life he has at all times-proved a man of genuine worth, an official devoted to the public welfare
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JUDGE BENJAMIN L. SHARPSTEIN.
No history such as this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fitting memorial to Judge Benjamin L. Sharpstein, who left the impress of his individuality for good upon the commonwealth in many ways and whose career ever reflected honor upon the state that honored him. A Mexican war veteran, a pioneer, lawyer, legislator and member of the state constitutional convention, he indeed played an important part in shaping the annals of Wash- ington. For forty-two years he was a resident of Walla Walla and through that period was not only closely connected with its interests and development but was also associated with many of the movements which have shaped the policy and directed the upbuilding of the state.
Judge Sharpstein was a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Bath, Steuben county, October 22, 1827. He was a lad of seven years when his parents removed westward to Michigan, settling first in Macomb county, where they resided until their removal to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. In the family were two sons, John and Benjamin L. The former became an attorney of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and later went to San Francisco, California, where he served as a judge of the supreme court. After the Civil war his brother Benjamin read law with him for some time. Reared upon the home farm, Judge Sharp- stein divided his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him in connection with the develop-
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ment of the fields. He did not care, however, to make farming his life work and turned from agriculture to a professional career, it being his desire to prepare for the bar. He therefore entered upon his studies, which, however, were interrupted when he was nineteen years of age, for in 1846 his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the American army as a soldier in the Mexican war. Upon the close of hostilities with that country he returned to his home and resumed the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1852.
Judge Sharpstein was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah J. Park, who was indeed a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She has long figured prominently in the social circles of Walla Walla and her life has been fraught with many good deeds and characterized by the highest principles. Following their marriage Judge and Mrs. Sharpstein continued to reside in the middle west until 1865, when they determined to try their fortune on the Pacific coast and with their three eldest children, John L., Ada A. and Arthur P., they left the Mississippi valley and with a large train of immigrants started across the plains for Oregon. The city of Salem, Oregon, was their objective point but on reaching Walla Walla, Judge Sharpstein was so favorably impressed with the opportunities of this section that he determined to make his home here. There- after he was identified with the city and was a most important and influential factor in advancing the best interests of the community, in promoting its progress and upbuilding and in upholding its standards of citizenship. He not only held high rank as a lawyer but was also prominent in shaping the political history of his state. At the bar he was forceful and resourceful .. He had comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and was most, accurate in applying those principles to the points in litigation. His arguments were most logical, his reasoning sound and clear and his deductions accurate.
In political faith Judge Sharpstein was a democrat and held loyally to the principles of his party, although he knew that such a course would deprive him of many political honors, for the district and state in which he lived were over- whelmingly republican. However, his fellow townsmen recognized his genuine worth and patriotic spirit to such an extent that in 1866, again in 1879 and once more in 1886 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature by overwhelming majorities. In 1889 he was chosen as a member of the state constitutional convention and aided in framing the organic law of Washington. He left the permanent stamp of his wisdom and farsightedness upon that valuable document. His marked ability as a lawyer, combined with his patriotic citizenship and his keen insight into the present needs and the future possibilities of the state, made his service of the greatest worth to the commonwealth and he bore a most important part in shaping the constitution. He was again called to public office in 1890, when he was appointed a member of the tide land commission,
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