USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
356
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
war he put aside all business and personal considerations to espouse the cause of his country, serving for a year and a half in the Civil war. He was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, losing his right arm. His first wife had died when their son, W. E. Sprout, was an infant of but four months and three years later the father married Miss Sophia Newland. He continued his residence in Mis- souri until 1888, when he removed to Hutchinson, Kansas, where he was en- gaged in farming until the death of his second wife in the year 1905. Since that date he has lived retired in Hutchinson, where he still makes his home, being now in the eightieth year of his age.
W. E. Sprout acquired but a limited education, his opportunities being such as the district schools afforded. When not busy with his textbooks he worked in the fields and thus early received the training which well qualified him to begin farming on his own account when he attained his majority. He carried on general agricultural pursuits in Grundy county for three years and in 1884 he came west to Washington, settling in Dayton, where he spent two years as a farm hand, working for wages. In 1886 he invested in land, becoming owner of a farm on the Tucanon, a half mile outside the city limits of the town site of Starbuck. Upon that place he engaged in general farming and stock raising, which business claimed his time and attention until the year 1892, when Starbuck was made a railroad division point and Mr. Sprout then established a butchering business in the village. This was largely done in order to find a profitable market for his cattle. Eight years later, in 1900, he bought out the mercantile business of A. L. O'Neil of Starbuck and has since been promi- nently identified with the commercial interests of the town. For eight years he carried on the business independently and then, in 1908, organized the Sprout & Barnhart Mercantile Company, which was incorporated with Mr. Sprout as the president and W. H. Barnhart as the secretary and manager of the com- pany. In 1907 Mr. Sprout was also the dominant factor in the organization of the Bank of Starbuck, of which he became president and has since served in that connection. He is thus actively identified with the financial interests of the county and has made the Bank of Starbuck one of the strong and thoroughly reliable moneyed institutions of this section of the state.
In 1890 Mr. Sprout was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Wooten, a native of Columbia county, Washington, and a daughter of W. S. Wooten, who came to this state from Missouri about 1878 and still makes his home in Day- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Sprout became the parents of one child, who has passed away, and the wife and mother died in January, 1906. Two years later, in April, 1908, Mr. Sprout was again married, his second union being with Miss Ida Hukill, a native of Walla Walla and a daughter of Allen Hukill, who was one of the early pioneers of Columbia county, taking up a homestead in this section of the state shortly after his arrival in Washington, when the entire region was largely an undeveloped section. To the second marriage of Mr. Sprout has been born one child, Allen M.
In his political views Mr. Sprout is a republican and served as the first mayor after the city of Starbuck was incorporated. He also served for a num- ber of years as a member of the town council and ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of well defined plans and measures for the general good. lle likewise served on the school board and the cause of education has
357
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
ever found in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is connected with Tu- cannon Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of Starbuck, and also with Starbuck Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F. He has recently disposed of his landed possessions but Mrs. Sprout still owns her homestead which she entered prior to her marriage. Mr. Sprout belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings have been the guiding force in his life, making him a man among men, honored and respected by reason of his sterling worth, his patriotic loyalty in citizenship, his integrity and progressiveness in business and his faithfulness in friendship. In his public offices he has displayed the same spirit of enterprise and recogni- tion of opportunity that has marked his business career, and Starbuck has profited much by his labors.
LESTER LEE ROBISON.
Lester Lee Robison, one of the foremost agriculturists and most extensive sheep growers of Walla Walla county, has in his own name three thousand acres of wheat land and seventy-five hundred acres of grazing land. His home is on section 34, township 8 north, range 35 east. His birth occurred in Day- ton, Columbia county, Washington, on the 13th of April, 1884, his parents being Andrew M. and Theodosia (Fall) Robison, the former born in Austin, Texas, March 16, 1854, and the latter in Sidney, Iowa, on the 7th of September, 1857. It was in the year 1872 that the mother came to Washington with her parents, the family home being established near Dayton in Columbia county. Andrew M. Robison made his way to this state in the winter of 1876-7, when a young man of twenty-two years, and after his arrival he secured a contract with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in construction work. Later he bought stock throughout this section, furnishing meat for the railroad con- struction gangs, which numbered about seven thousand Chinamen. Subsequent- ly Mr. Robison took up his abode near Dayton and engaged in farming and in the stock business, being recognized for a number of years as one of the extensive stock buyers of this section of the state. In the fall of 1897 he re- moved to Walla Walla county, locating on Dry creek, four and one-half miles northwest of Walla Walla, where he acquired extensive farm lands, owning at the time of his death some twenty-eight hundred acres. He was widely recognized as one of the influential and leading citizens of southeastern Wash- ington and was a prominent representative of the Masonic fraternity. His demise occurred on the 21st of October, 1907, but his widow survives, making her home in Walla Walla, where she has an extensive circle of friends.
Lester L. Robison acquired his education in the city schools of Walla Walla and also attended the State Agricultural College at Pullman, Washing- ton. After putting aside his textbooks he worked with his father until 1907, when he started out independently as an agriculturist, taking charge of his father's large holdings, which he has managed with marked success to the present time. The property in his own name embraces three thousand acres of wheat land and also some seventy-five hundred acres of grazing land. More-
358
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
over, he has been heavily interested in the stock business for a number of years and is one of the foremost sheep growers of Walla Walla county.
On the IIth of September, 1907, Mr. Robison was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Riffle, of Walla Walla, her father being Elihu G. Riffle, who was one of the earliest pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have a daughter, Laura Lee. Politically Mr. Robison is a democrat and fraternally is identified with the following Masonic organizations : Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M .; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; the Knight Templar Commandery ; Oriental Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. A young man of enterprise, ambition and ability, he has ably carried forward the work of his honored father and his career bids fair to be one of continued achievement.
JAMES G. WOODEND.
James G. Woodend was one of the prominent farmers of southeastern Washi- ington for many years and won a substantial measure of success by reason of the careful manner in which he developed his fields and managed his business affairs. He was a native of England and came to America when a young man of twenty- seven years. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his away across the country and took up his abode in Columbia county, Washington, at Starbuck. Here he occupied the position of section foreman for nineteen years and on the expiration of that period turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm which he at once began to further develop and improve. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and his plowing and planting, with the careful cultivation of his fields, brought to him substantial harvests which sold at a good figure. He was thus busily and successfully engaged in general farming up to the time of his death. In the intervening years he had added to his holdings as opportunity offered until he had become the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land which is still in possession of his widow, the greater part being wheat land. He was regarded as one of the most prominent men in the valley and his life work indicates what can be accomplished in the way of wheat production in this sec- tion of the state. Moreover, his history shows clearly what can be attained by honorable purpose and indefatigable energy.
In 1886 Mr. Woodend was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Bellingham, a native of England, who came to America in the same year. To them were born six children : Isabel, the wife of F. F. Kent ; Anna M., who is living in Spokane ; Robert G., who follows farming; Thomas S., at home; Marguerite V., the wife of A. J. Burke; and Mildred A., who is a student in the high school at Spokane.
The death of the husband and father occurred on September 21, 1915, and his remains were interred in the Starbuck cemetery. He left a widow and six children to mourn his loss, his demise being also a matter of deep regret to his many friends who sincerely esteemed him. He possessed many sterling traits of character, was thoroughly reliable in business, was public spirited in citizenship. held friendship inviolable and was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his
JAMES G.WOODENL
THE NEW YORK PUELIC LINKARY
I'LLDE
361
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
wife and children. Mrs. Woodend still owns and manages her farm property and in fact has added to the sixteen hundred acres left by her husband, making an additional purchase of six hundred and twenty acres, also in Columbia county. so that she now owns over two thousand two hundred acres of valuable land in this section of the state.
M. B. WINCHELL.
M. B. Winchell, who is engaged in general merchandising in Touchet, Walla Walla county, ranks with the foremost business men of this section of the state. A spirit of progress and enterprise actuates him in all that he under- takes and his course has been characterized by a determined purpose. He has ever recognized the fact that when one avenue of success seems closed there can always be marked out another path that will lead to the desired goal. Alert and energetic and thoroughly reliable, his position among the business men of Walla Walla county is indeed enviable. A native son of Washington, he was born at Lyons Ferry on the 28th of March, 1888, his parents being Hezekiah and Alice L. (Palmer) Winchell. The father was a native of Michigan and the mother of the state of New York. They were married, however, in Min- nesota, where the father was identified with timber interests for a number of years. In 1883 he brought his family to the west, settling in Walla Walla county, Washington, at which time he filed on a homestead near Lyons Ferry but resided thereon only long enough to prove up on the property. He then took up his abode in Waitsburg and for twenty-two years the family lived in or near that town. The father was engaged in farming during this time. He died in 1905, at the comparatively early age of fifty-six years. The sons in the family continued to make their home with their mother, her death occurring on the 5th of June, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Winchell were worthy pioneer people of this section of the state and contributed much to its development and prog- ress.
M. B. Winchell pursued his education in the graded schools of Waitsburg and also in the Waitsburg Academy, while subsequently he spent three terms in the Waitsburg high school, which he attended in the winter seasons. In fact his attendance at school was by no means continuous, but he utilized every opportunity to promote his education by entering school whenever he could. His father met with financial reverses and thus Mr. Winchell of this review was obliged early to start out in the business world and provide for his own support. He also earned the money that enabled him to continue his education. After finishing his course of study in the graded schools he devoted two years to work before he entered the academy and there was also a period of two years between his academie course and his high school course. In the meantime, how- ever, he was learning many valuable lessons through experience. He was em- ployed during the summer months and he made every spare hour count. He continued farm work and subsequently turned his attention to the grain busi- ness, becoming manager of an elevator when a youth of but seventeen years. This elevator was located at Alto, and he subsequently managed elevators at
362
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
other points for the same company, a fact which is indicative of his capability and of his faithfulness. It is recognized that the best way to learn to do a thing is to do it. Habit brings accuracy and power grows through the exercise of effort. Labor does not tire-it gives resisting force; and all of these facts Mr. Winchell demonstrated in his life. He studied every task that came to his hand and from each new experience learned valuable lessons which have proven of worth to him in later years. He learned to correctly judge men and read character, while at the same time he was acquainting himself with commercial methods. While engaged in the grain trade he bought and shipped grain on tonnage during the winter months and attended school when there was no grain to ship. In other words he improved every opportunity to promote his knowl- edge as well as to advance his material interests. In 1914 he entered the em- ploy of the Allen Grocery Company in Waitsburg and there laid the founda- tion for his mercantile success. In 1916 he took up his abode at Touchet and became one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Quality Stores Company, having stores at Touchet, Lowden and Waitsburg. He became the manager of the establishment at Touchet, which at the last inventory showed a stock of over thirty-one thousand dollars value, while annually he does a business of from seventy-five to eighty-five thousand dollars. This is a splendid establishment to be under the care of a young man who had to fight his own way, make his own way through school unaided and at all times rely upon his own resources. In the parlance of the present day, he is a live wire, or in other words he has the dynamic force which makes things move. An oppor- tunity is to him a call to action and the call is never neglected.
On the 22d of September, 1912, Mr. Winchell was united in marriage to Miss Alberta Williams, of Walla Walla, by whom he has two children, Zilpha Alice and Ruth Emily. Mr. Winchell maintains an independent course in regard to politics, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Fraternally he is connected with Delta Lodge, No. 75. K. P., of Waitsburg, and also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while both he and his wife hold member- ship in the Community church of Touchet. He is interested in all that pertains to the material, political, social, mental and moral progress of the community. In a word his aid and influence are given on the side of advancement and im- provement, and with him each day must mark off a full-faithed attempt to grow more and to know more.
WILLIAM C. WOODWARD.
William C. Woodward, a resident farmer of Columbia county, Washington, was born February 13, 1862, within the boundaries of the county where he still resides and which has been his home throughout the intervening period. He is a son of Albert and Oral Woodward, of whom mention is made in con- nection with the sketch of his sister, Mrs. Mary Nichols, on another page of this work. He spent his youthful days under the parental roof and divided his time between the acquirement of an education and work in the fields. His carly training under his father's direction acquainted him with the best methods
363
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, so that valuable experience aided him when, on attaining his majority, he started out in the business world for himself. He began farming and has since been identified with general agri- cultural pursuits, owning valuable property which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, so that year after year his fields return to him good har- vests that bring him a substantial income.
In 1891 Mr. Woodward was united in marriage to Miss Nora Davis, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Daniel and Isabella (Laughlin) Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have become the parents of six children: Albert D., S. M., O. H., L. S., H. L. and Sarah Alice. The parents are members of the Chris- tian Science church and in his political views Mr. Woodward is a republican. He has served as county commissioner for two terms and has made an excellent record in his devotion to the public welfare. He has also been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He has many sterling traits of character, is thoroughly reliable as well as enter- prising in the conduct of his farming interests, is progressive in citizenship and loyal in friendship. In fact, he is most faithful to every cause which he es- pouses, does not hesitate to express his honest convictions and his position upon any important question is never an equivocal one. A resident of what is now Columbia county for fifty-five years, he has been a witness of practically its entire growth and development and is justly numbered among its worthy and honored pioneer settlers.
JOHN ROBERTSON.
John Robertson, who follows farming on section 25, township II north, range 41 east, in Garfield county, was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada, on the 30th of November, 1866, but since 1882 has been a resident of Washing- ton and through all the intervening years has been identified with its agricul- tural development. His parents, John and Mary (Steel) Robertson, were also natives of Prince Edward Island and were of Scotch parentage. In 1873 they removed with their family to California, settling in the Livermore valley, where the father's death occurred four years later, and in the fall of 1882, Mrs. Rob- ertson with her four sons and one daughter came by team to Washington, where they proceeded to make a home for themselves. There was a strong family bond between the brothers, mother and sister and they held all of their interests jointly for many years, the brothers cooperating in their farming enterprises, and as a consequence all of them prospered. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son John, whose filial love and devotion repay her for the care which she gave to him in his youth.
John Robertson pursued a district school education in California, to which state he was taken by his parents when a lad of but seven years. He was a youth of sixteen when the family home was established in Garfield county, Wash- ington, and here in connection with his three older brothers he began farming. Early in the 'gos he homesteaded eighty acres which adjoins his present home farm, but he continued to engage in business in connection with his brothers
364
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
until 1902, since which time he has followed farming independently. As the years have passed on he has prospered in his undertakings by reason of his close application and indefatigable energy and, making judicious investment in real estate, is now the owner of five hundred and sixty-five acres of excellent farm land and is regarded as one of the prominent agriculturists of his section of the state.
J. M. CRAWFORD.
A notable example of successful personal achievement is the history of J. M. Crawford, president and general manager of the Tum-a-lum Lumber Company of Walla Walla. Since making his initial step in the business world his career has been marked by an orderly progression that has brought him forward step by step until he now occupies a most prominent position in the commercial and manufacturing circles of the northwest. He was born in Smithfield, Ohio, June 3, 1865, and is a son of Dr. J. B. Crawford, who was engaged in the practice of medicine in Gillespie, Illinois, for many years. In 1910 he came to Walla Walla and here passed away in 1915 at the age of eighty-eight years.
J. M. Crawford spent his early life in the states of Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas. At the age of twenty-two years he was employed by the Badger Lum- ber Company of Kansas City and remained with them from 1887 to 1890, acting as line yard manager for western, Kansas at a salary of fifty dollars per month. but he found his work very congenial. In 1889 he was married in western Kansas to Miss Martha Cox and they began their domestic life in a humble way, their first home being made in a lumber shed of the company, and here their oldest son was born. On starting in business for himself Mr. Crawford pur- chased a stock of lumber from the Paddock Lumber Company of Raywood. Illinois, and thus he laid the foundation for his present successful business.
In 1904 Mr. Crawford came to Walla Walla and formed the Whitehouse- Crawford Company by purchasing the control of a company from its original owners and later bought out those still interested in the business, so that today it is an entirely new corporation. In 1908 his brother, Joseph F. Crawford, came to Walla Walla and is now general manager of the company. They own a plant devoted to the manufacture of interior trimmings, showcases, bank and store fixtures, in addition to which they deal extensively in lumber, this being one of the most important industries of Walla Walla. The plant covers a block and a half on North Second street and forty men are employed throughout the year in the manufacture of a product which finds a ready sale on the market.
It was in 1906 that Mr. Crawford started the Tum-a-lum Lumber Company with five lumberyards, but which has since grown until it now has forty-five lumberyards in eastern Washington and central Oregon and is capitalized for five hundred thousand dollars. Of this company Mr. Crawford is the presi- dent and general manager. His business interests have thus assumed very ex- tensive proportions and his activities constitute an important element in the material growth and commercial development of the northwest. Moreover, Mr. Crawford has been most active in advancing the welfare and upbuilding of his
$
1
J. M. CRAWFORD
MRS. J. M. CRAWFORD
369
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
city by inducing many others to locate here. He lias prevailed on many of his old friends to come from the east and make their homes in Walla Walla and five different Crawford families have located here.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been born three children. Harold E. is a graduate of Whitman College and the Boston School of Technology. He now has charge of the engineering department of the Tum-a-lum Lumber Company, which constructs elevators, furnishes plans for houses and promotes good build- ings, the plans and work being given patrons free of charge. C. Howard is treasurer of the Tum-a-lum Lumber Company and office man. He attended the Walla Walla high school until the age of seventeen, when he entered the office of the company and has steadily advanced, being a young man of practical experience and pronounced ability. Both sons are progressive and able to fill positions calling for skill and effectiveness. Susan M., the only daughter, was at one time a student at the University of Washington but is now attending Whitman College.
Mr. Crawford is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has taken a marked interest in the Walla Walla Commercial Club and served on its board of directors for some years and as its president for one year. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Crawford was on the building committee when the present house of wor- ship was erected. He is a self-made man, able, forceful and successful, and can well be numbered among the builders of Walla Walla: Alert and enterpris- ing, he seems to lose sight of no opportunity that will advance his legitimate business interests or will promote the welfare and upbuilding of the com- munity at large. His keen sagacity has been an important element in public progress and Walla Walla honors him as one of her most valued and representa- tive men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.