USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 23
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 23
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 23
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 23
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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. Rose was married twice. In 1884 he wedded Miss Ida Williams, of Walla Walla county, by whom he had three children, namely : Lena, who is now the wife of T. O. Webster, of Walla Walla; Zelma, who gave her hand in marriage to Earl Harting, of Walla Walla county ; and Zenobia, a resident of Walla Walla. In July, 1900, Mr. Rose was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Brockman, a daughter of W. J. Brockman, who came to Columbia county, Washington, in 1887 and has since passed away. By his second wife Mr. Rose had two pairs of twins, the first of whom died in infancy. while the surviving are Joseph Eli and Emma Catherine.
Mr. Rose gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and he served for
Joseph & Rose
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several years as a member of the school board but was too busy to give much attention to politics and never sought or desired political preferment. He belonged to Columbia Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a faithful follower of the teachings of the craft. He was also a consistent member of the Christian church and died in that faith December 7, 1916, leaving to his family not only the fruits of earnest toil but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, which the wise man of old said is more to be chosen than great riches. Mrs. Rose not only possesses those qualities which are essentially womanly and which everywhere command respect, but she is also a capable business woman. Upon the death of her husband she immediately took up the heavy responsibilities in connection with the operation of a farm of fourteen hundred acres and in her management of affairs has proven herself one woman in a thousand. She is now operating the farm on an extensive scale and is meeting with excellent success by reason of her careful management, her systematic methods, her keen sagacity and her enterprise. She occupies one of the prettiest country homes in the county and by reason of her business management is enabled to enjoy not only all of the comforts but also many of the luxuries of life. She belongs to Waitsburg Chapter, No. 9, of the Order of the Eastern Star, and is a devoted member of the Christian church, guiding her life according to its teachings.
J. A. DARBY, M. D.
The northwest with its pulsing industrial activity and its limitless resources is constantly drawing to it men of enterprise and-ability who find here opportunity for the expression of their dominant qualities. Among the number who have come from the Mississippi valley is Dr. J. A. Darby, now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Pomeroy.
J. A. Darby was born in Hunnewell, Shelby county, Missouri, on the 16th of October, 1874, and is a son of James A. and Mattie B. (Cox) Darby. The father came to Washington with his family in 1885, settling in Pomeroy, where he established a hardware store, with which he was identified until about a year prior to his death. He passed away in 1905 and is survived by Mrs. Darby, who is yet living in Pomeroy.
Dr. Darby was a lad of eleven years when his parents came to Washington and his education, begun in the public schools of Missouri, was continued in the public schools of Pomeroy. After leaving the high school he became a student in the Spokane Business College and still later, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he matriculated in the University of Oregon as a medical student and was graduated from that institution with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1909. Following his graduation he opened an office in Pomeroy and in the intervening eight years has built up an extensive and lucrative practice.
On the 18th of February, 1916, Dr. Darby was united in marriage to Mrs. Bessie McWilliams, of Walla Walla, and to them has been born a son, James A. Dr. Darby holds membership in Garfield Lodge, No. 25, K. P .; also in Lewiston Lodge, No. 896. B. P. O. E., and with the Woodmen of the World and the
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United Artisans. In politics he maintains an independent course but believes in republican principles. He does not seek nor desire office, preferring to con- centrate his time and efforts upon his practice, the duties of which he discharges in a most conscientious and able manner. He is interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life and by further reading and study is continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency. Colleagues and contemporaries acknowledge his ability and rank him with the progressive physicians of this part of the state.
JOHN J. ASHBY.
John J. Ashby was a pioneer of Garfield county and a citizen of worth whose passing was deeply regretted by many friends. ]Ie was held in high regard by those who knew him as a representative business man, as a progressive citizen and one who was faithful to the ties of home and friendship. A native of Illinois, he was born March 12, 1847, and was a great-grandson of a distinguished officer of the British army whose wife was a French lady. The ancestral line of the Ashby family can be traced back for over two hundred years and upon the records the names of many prominent men appear.
John J. Ashby was a son of Solomon and Jane ( Ripley ) Ashby, the former a native of Montreal, Canada, while the latter was born in the state of New York. They became residents of Stephenson county, Illinois, in the '40s and there resided until 1865, when they crossed the plains with teams and wagons and settled in the Williamette valley of Oregon. There they resided until 1873. when they became residents of Old Walla Walla county, making their home near the present site of the city of Pomeroy. The district was then largely wild and undeveloped, but with characteristic energy Mr. Ashby began the cultivation of his land, converting his place into a well improved farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. They had a family of three children but only one is now living.
John J. Ashby was a youth of eighteen years when he crossed the plains with his parents. The trip was a long and arduous one, fraught with many difficul- ties and hardships, but day after day they slowly proceeded on their way until the western coast was reached. He remained with his parents in the Willamette valley for a time and was married there in 1872 to Miss Mary Denny, a daughter of John F. Denny, whose birth occurred in Indiana in 1819. He crossed the plains in 1852 and settled in Marion county, Oregon, upon a donation claim. There he built a typical log cabin with puncheon floor and door, through which a string was inserted that was fastened to the latch in order that the traveler might pull the string and open the door. Such was the hospitality of that period. The little pioneer cabin also had a mud and stick chimney and its furnishings were perhaps as primitive as the exterior. In that little home the Denny family lived for several years. The father was a lifelong republican and was chosen to represent his district in the territorial legislature. In 1860 he was ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church by Bishop C. W. Clark and thuis he became actively identified with the moral development of the state as
JOHN D. ASHBY
MR. AND MRS. J. J. ASHBY
JENNIE ASHBY
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well as with its material and political progress. The grandfather of Mrs. Ashby was also a prominent figure in the northwest. He served in the War of 1812 under Colonel M. Johnston and was appointed by President Lincoln as governor of the territory of Washington in 1861, thus becoming prominently identified with the development of the northwest. He had two sons who were prominent citizens of the northwest. A. A. Denny was called "The father of Seattle," and D. T. Denny was the first to erect a white man's home where that city now stands.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born two children: Jennie, who died at the age of twelve years; and John Denny, whose biographical sketch follows this. It was in the year 1874 that Mr. and Mrs. Ashby took up their abode upon the farm in Garfield county and from that time until his death, which occurred November 10, 1914, he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fine wheat land. He also owned a very attractive residence in the city of Pomeroy, which is still the property of his widow. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he took an active and helpful part, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, his assistance being given in most generous manner. He was a great worker in behalf of the cause of temperance and assisted all church activities both by his moral and financial support.
JOHN DENNY ASHBY.
No death in Garfield county has been more deeply deplored than that of John Denny Ashby, who was born in this county, February 8, 1876. Spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Ashby, he attended the public schools until graduated from the high school at Pomeroy in 1895. He was afterward graduated from the Montana Wesleyan University with the class of 1899, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his student days there he was a member of the college debating club, was captain of the military company and president of the Young Men's Christian Association. thus showing his active connection with all the varied interests which constitute the commendable phases of college life. In 1900 he was honored by an offer of two positions, one as instructor of science and higher mathematics at his alma mater, the other a government position in China. At the persuasion of his parents he accepted the former. Speaking of his work in the schools, Professor Tenny, president of the Montana University, said: "I have had the very best men associated with me in the school work that I could hope for, but I have never found a man who was so unselfishly loyal to me, loyal to himself, loyal to God."
In 1901 Denny Ashby entered the New York Homeopathic College & Hospital as a member of the class of 1905. During his freshman year he served as senator for the class and he also won the freshman prize, while at the end of the junior year he won the Fiske prize for the highest standing in three years' work, the prize consisting of a valuable set of surgical instruments. On the 2d of August, 1904, while in bathing on the beach at Oak island, near Fire island, he was caught
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by a big wave and drowned while attempting to go to the rescue of a trained nurse. His death was deeply deplored by all who knew him for he was a young man of unusual promise and ability. At the age of fourteen years he united with the Methodist church and his life was dedicated to the work of a medical missionary, but death intervened and his remains were sent home from New York and laid to rest by the side of his sister in the Pomeroy cemetery, where his grandparents are resting and also his father. Of him it may well be said that he has joined "The choir invisible of those immortal dead who live again in lives made better by their presence."
From all parts of the country came letters and expressions of sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Ashby, showing profound regret at the loss of one so richly endowed with God's best gifts to humanity. Clayton C. Ferguson, who had been his classmate in the medical college wrote: "The first hard grind of the year is over. As many grains growing luxuriously by the wayside owe their origin to seeds blown or dropped from some passing wagon laden with the harvest, so in review- ing this course I find that many of my present developed ideas have sprung from seeds sown by Denny's fruitful pen along the margins of books once loved by him, and which you kindly gave me. Some of these thoughtful seeds flowering have lined the pathway with fragrance; others have caused me at times to pause and admire their beauty; still others, bruised and broken by the rude blast, have given me moments of pain as in the contemplation of their destruction my thoughts reverted to a like condition of their creator. Among our family house- hold seeds others than those sown on paper were sprinkled along life's pathway by the same loving hands during those happy days of association." In another letter the above writer says: "I have taken Denny's drugs and placed them in my desk, praying with God's help to use them as my dear loved one would have. always ready to help the suffering. Do accept my thanks for them and remember that I am at your service at all times to do for you anything in my power. Call
upon me if you want medicine for yourself or anybody else. * * * You will never know the sorrow felt in our home. unless you had been in it when Denny was a part of it. No one can fill his place at the table, nor will anyone ever be allowed to sit there." One of his boy friends said: "If ever a soul reached heaven Denny Ashby is there," and another said: "If ever anybody could make a Christian of one by the good life he lived and the example he left, Denny Ashby was that one." At the opening of the college the dean, Dr. King, paid a glowing tribute to the memory of his former pupil. saying: "The class of 1905 has suffered a great loss through the death of John Denny Ashby." and made especial mention of his modest, retiring nature, which to a large degree obscured his "massive mental capacity." The class of 1905 passed the following resolu- tion: "Realizing that by the death of your only son the class of 1905 of the New York Medical College has lost not only a man who has distinguished him- self as a student, but also by his daily life proved himself to be a young man of most exemplary character. We, the class of 1905. do hereby extend to you in this hour of your great affliction our most heartfelt sympathy. We one and all feel that we have lost a true friend and brother physician." A beautiful and merited tribute was expressed by Dr. C. F. Sibly, who wrote: "His death bound east and west in mourning. There is a bright side, however, which we must not overlook. When his body was recovered at daybreak, August 3d, its
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appearance was like that of a hero and conqueror; his hands were folded defiantly across his breast, his characteristic peaceful smile was very manifest. It was evident to the observer that as he had lived a conqueror's life, so he had died a conqueror's death. For him death had no sting, the grave no victory. There was no moaning of the bar or midnight darkness when he put out to sea, but a glorious ushering in to the presence of that great company of just souls, robed white, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb-an introduction to the throng, arrayed with palms of victory and crowns of glory."
JAMES OTTO LONG.
James Otto Long, a well known grain dealer of Pomeroy, who was formerly extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, is a typical citizen of the golden west, alert, energetic, progressive and resourceful. He was born in Lane county, Oregon, August 15, 1864, and is a son of Ransom and Rosetta (Clark) Long, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Indiana. They were married in Fulton county, Illinois, having removed to that state with their respective parents in childhood days. After their marriage they became residents of Iowa and in 1852 crossed the plains with ox teams to the Willa- mette valley of Oregon, where they remained for about twenty years. In 1872 they came to Washington and spent the first year on the Patit creek near Dayton, after which they moved northward into what is now Garfield county and located on the Pataha prairie, seven miles south of the present site of Pomeroy. Here the father used his homestead and preemption rights and upon that place which he secured continued to make his home until the death of his wife. He later resided at the home of his children and passed away on the 5th of April, 1898, having for twelve years survived his wife, who died on the 27th of June, 1886. In politics he was a republican and was a progressive citizen, interested in all that pertained to the public welfare.
James O. Long was educated in the district schools and when about twenty- two years of age left the home farm, after which he devoted eight years to prospecting and mining but failed to find the proverbial pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow, as he desired. He then decided to return to agricultural life and on the Ist of October, 1895, he was united in marriage to Miss Mettie Williams, of Garfield county, a daughter of Nicholas Williams, who came to the county in 1873.
Following their marriage Mr. Long purchased a farm on the Pataha prairie and occupied the place for ten years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Pomeroy in 1905 and for a decade gave his attention to the live stock business, owning a stock ranch halfway between Pomeroy and Lewiston, on the Alpowa, where he made a specialty of grazing sheep. His live stock interests were profitably conducted but about two years ago he disposed of his ranch and turned his attention to the grain business, establishing and operating a grain warehouse in Pomeroy. He is now prominently known in connection with the grain trade and has developed a business of extensive and gratifying pro-
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portions. He is a man of determined purpose and resolute will and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.
Mr. and Mrs. Long have become the parents of eight children, seven of whom survive, as follows: Lois, the wife of Ray Gimlin, who follows farming in Garfield county, Washington; and Florence, Willena, Clark, Lewis, Marian and Burton, all at home.
Mrs. Long and her daughters are members of the Congregational church and the family is prominent socially in the community where they reside. In politics Mr. Long is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek public office. His life has been one of diligence and his labors have been crowned with a substantial measure of success.
J. W. HARBERT.
J. W. Harbert, of Small township, whose residence in Walla Walla county dates from 1859, is one of the earliest pioneers of this section now living. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, September 25, 1835, a son of Richard J. and Mary (Zumwalt) Harbert, natives respectively of Havre de Grace, Mary- land, and Cynthiana, Kentucky. Their marriage, however, was celebrated in Indiana, where they resided until 1844, when they removed with their family to Dubuque, Iowa. Three years later they went to Mount Vernon, a college town in Linn county, Iowa, which remained their place of residence for many years. The father came to Walla Walla. in 1878, but after spending over a year in this locality returned to Iowa, where his wife died in 1888. Immediately after her death he again came to Washington and made his home with his son, J. W. Harbert, until his death, which occurred about a year later, in 1889.
J. W. Harbert was reared at home and received his education in the common schools. In 1859 he decided that the west offered the most favorable opportuni- ties for an ambitious young man and accordingly made the long overland trip to Walla Walla county, driving an ox team for another man in exchange for the privilege of having his provisions transported. Following his arrival here he worked for Charles Russell for two years and then devoted eight years to freighting from Wallula and Umatilla Landing to the Idaho mines and to other points in this part of the country. When the railroad was built through, the need for freighting by team ceased and he turned his attention to farming. He worked hard, gave careful attention to the management of his affairs and in time acquired fourteen hundred acres of the finest farm land in the county. He was quick to recognize and take advantage of any unusual opportunity and one of the chief factors in his success has been the close personal supervision which he has given to his work. In 1863, while hauling a load of freight from Wallula to Idaho City, he camped on the night of July 2d on the site of Fort Boise, the officers choosing that site the following morning for a fort. In 1864 he hauled one hundred and seventy-five thousand feet of lumber from the mountains to Boise city and watched the loading and unloading of every board. His natural vigor and strength have been conserved by wholesome outdoor life, and today, at the age of eighty-two years, he superintends all his farm work and is as
PUBLIC LIDAARI
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOU NCATICAS
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MRS. J . W. HARBARI
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active as most men twenty-five years his junior. When lie arrived in Walla Walla county he had but three dollars and the financial independence which is now his is the direct result of his own labors.
On the 13th of July, 1866, Mr. Harbert was united in marriage to Miss Emma Evans, a daughter of G. W. Evans, who came to Walla Walla county in 1861. To this union were born six children, three of whom survive, namely: Ida H., the wife of Thomas Paine, of Richland, Washington; Floy, who married Frank Holman, of Freewater, Oregon; and Liberty, the wife of Julius Jensen, of this county. On the 8th of January, 1878, Mrs. Harbert passed away and on the Stlı of April, 1884, Mr. Harbert married Miss Lizzie D. Groff, a native of Iowa. They have two living children, Clifford G. and Hazel, both at home.
Mr. Harbert supports the republican party at the polls and for twenty years has served as school director, his continuance in the office indicating his ability and trustworthiness. Although he does not hold membership in the church his religious belief is in the main that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he contributes liberally to its support and also to various charitable projects. Ifis many admirable qualities are generally recognized and there is no resident of the county more highly esteemed than he.
FRED M. YOUNG.
Fred M. Young, who since starting out in life on his own account at the age of sixteen has been continuously connected with the florist business, is now senior partner of the firm of Young & Lester, prominent florists and nurserymen of Walla Walla, where they conduct an extensive business. He was born in Cass county, Iowa, April 26, 1879, a son of Salathiel and Martha M. (Caughey) Young, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They were married in Iowa, how- ever, having removed to that state in childhood with their respective parents. At the time of the Civil war the father responded to the country's call to arms, enlisting as a member of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for more than four years, participating in many of the hotly contested battles which finally resulted in the winning of victory for the Union. With a most creditable military record he returned to his home in Iowa after the war was closed and there he engaged in gardening and fruit growing at Grove City. In 1900 he removed to Denver, Colorado, and in the fall of 1916 he sold his Denver home and returned to Iowa, residing with a daughter in Council Bluffs up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1917. His widow survives and yet makes her home with the daughter in Council Bluffs.
Fred M. Young had the benefit of educational training in the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and went to Council Bluffs, entering the employ of his brother-in-law, J. F. Wilcox, a florist of that city. It was under his instruction that he acquainted himself with the florist business, gaining comprehensive and accurate knowledge in every department and in every connection. After three years he went to Chicago, where he was identified with the firm of Bassett & Washburn, well known florists, with whom he continued for a year. He next went to Denver, Colorado, where he was in
Vol. 11-12
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the employ of the Colfax Floral Company for three years and on the expiration of that period he went to Pueblo, Colorado, as manager of the George Fleischer Floral Company, in which capacity he served for eighteen months. He was after- ward in Salt Lake City, where he occupied the position of manager of the Huddard Floral Company, with which he remained for three years. He then spent a short time in San Francisco and still later went to Seattle, where he became head gardener at the Bremerton navy yards, occupying that position for about six months. At that time his sister, who was living in Walla Walla, persuaded him to come to this city and he arrived here with the intention of going into business but was disappointed in raising the necessary capital. He went to work for James Wait, a florist with whom he continued for ten months, and later removed to Portland, Oregon, where he was in the employ of Martin & Forbes, with whom he remained for about a year and a half. In November, 1907, he resigned this position and returned to Walla Walla, opening a small flower store at No. 7 East Main street known as Bedell's Bazaar. On the Ist of May following Hampton Huff, who had a small greenhouse property on the present site of the Young & Lester greenhouses and who had become too old to work proposed to Mr. Young to go into business with him. Their capital was limited and Mr. Young gave Mr. Huff his note for seven thousand dollars for a half interest in the business. Thus he started out independently. They made enough money that spring to build another greenhouse and put in a new boiler. The following year they were able to build three more greenhouses and in the succeeding year Mr. Huff retired and Mr. Young secured a lease on the whole property with an option to buy. In 1913 he sold Clyde Lester an interest in the business and the present firm of Young & Lester was thus formed. The business has developed rapidly. Their plant is strictly modern and up-to-date. They have eight and three-fourths acres of land under cultivation, with about twenty- five thousand square feet under glass. Their city store is at 19 East Main street and is one of the most modern and attractive florist establishments in eastern Washington. There is no phase of the business with which Mr. Young is not thoroughly familiar. He has made a close study of plant development and propagation and everything in the line of growing plants and blooming flowers that can be raised in this section of the country is found in his establishment.
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