USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 34
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 34
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 34
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 34
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In 1886 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Belle Tyson, a native of Nebraska, by whom he has six children, namely : Charles W., who is coach at the Pennsylvania State College, which position he has held for four years; Frank J .; May, the wife of H. J. Hanson ; Lucy, who gave her hand in marriage to Wendel Barker, of Walla Walla; Blanche M., a high school graduate; and Pearl.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Eagles. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has served for twelve years on the school board and the cause of education has found in him a faithful friend whose labors have done much to promote edu- cational interests in this section. As a business man he is thoroughly alert and progressive, watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, and his long ex- perience and close study enable him to speak with authority upon all matters relative to stock raising. He has, indeed, won a place of prominence in this connection in Walla Walla county.
WILLIAM G. PRESTON.
William G. Preston, deceased, was for many years a prominent citizen of Waitsburg, where he was engaged in the milling business and was also a large landowner, holding title to three thousand acres. Ile was born in Galway, Saratoga county, New York, November 23, 1832, a son of Dr. Calvin and Margaret ( McAllister) Preston, both of whom spent their entire lives in the Empire state. In their family were four sons and two daughters, all of whom have passed away.
William G. Preston grew to manhood in New York and received his educa- tion in Galway Academy. At the age of eighteen he went to live with an uncle, Rev. A. W. Platt, in Tompkins county, New York, where he remained until going to sea in 1852. The following two years were spent upon the water. during
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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MRS. WILLIAM G. FRESION
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which time he visited New Brunswick, New Orleans, Liverpool and many other ports in Great Britain and America, returning to Galway, New York, in 1854. In the fall of that year he made his way west to Nebraska by way of Chicago and Rock Island and down the Mississippi river to St. Louis and then up the Missouri. He located at Bellevue, Nebraska, and became captain of a large ferry boat in 1855, but when Omaha was made the territorial capital the boat was sold to the Council Bluffs & Nebraska Ferry Company and he went with it to Omaha. In 1857 he returned east to Steubenville, Ohio, where he built the Omaha City, a double engine side-wheeler used in carrying freight on the Missouri river. In 1858 he retired from the ferry business and accompanied his brother to Pike's Peak, Colorado, and built one of the finest houses in the present city of Denver. After engaging in mining in that state for two years he went to northern Idaho, which then formed a part of Washington territory. He traveled most of the way by water and crossed Snake river in a wagon box in the vicinity of an old fort situated near the mouth of the Salmon river.
It was in 1866 that Mr. Preston came to Waitsburg, Walla Walla county, and identified himself with the Washington flouring mills and machinery business, which he and his brother, Platt A. Preston, had bought. Under his management these m lls became the foremost industry of Waitsburg and the high quality of their product became well known throughout the state. In addition to his milling and mercantile business Mr. Preston was prominent in other lines, being a director of the Merchants Bank of Waitsburg and a stockholder and director of the Schwabacher Company of Walla Walla. He was also prominently identified with the Puget Sound Dressed Meat Company during its existence and was much interested in farming and stock raising. At the time of his death he was the owner of more than three thousand acres of land.
In 180 ; Mr. Preston was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Cox, who was perhaps the first white child born near Boise, Idaho, her birth occurring in 1845 while her parents were making the overland journey to the Pacific coast. Her father, Anderson Cox, was a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. On coming west he located near Albany, Oregon, on a donation claim, where he remained for a number of years, but in 1862 came to Walla Walla county, Wash- ington, and acquired land. He also built a sawmill, the first in this county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cox passed away here and six of their ten children are also deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Preston were born four children: Herbert P., who is engaged ir the feed business in Toppenish, Washington; William C., who died when six months old; Charles B., a resident of Portland, Oregon ; and Dale H., deceased.
Mr. Preston was a stanch republican in his political belief and served for two terms as a member of the territorial legislature. In 1881, while a member of that body, he was made chairman of the ways and means committee. He was much inter. ted in educational affairs, especially in his later years, and in 1913 erected the beautiful auditorium known as Preston Hall at Waitsburg, it being designed for vocational training and containing a swimming pool, gymnasium and large ha'' for public meetings, etc. In all the relations of life he was loyal to the teach : of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a member, and his integrity was never open to question. His death occurred on the 20th of February. 1916, and he was laid to rest in the Waitsburg cemetery. Like her husband, Mrs. Vol. II-17
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Preston has also been a generous contributor to all worthy enterprises for the public good and she now makes her home in Walla Walla, where she is well known and highly esteemed.
JAMES L. ROBISON.
James L. Robison is a retired farmer residing in Walla Walla. He is familiar with all of the experiences of the stock raiser on the western frontier, having ridden the range as a cowboy, while in later years he became extensively engaged in stock raising on his own account. He was born in east Tennessee, July 28, 1842. His father died during the infancy of the son, and the mother later married John Grubb, by whom James L. Robison of this review was reared. Ile acquired a common school education and when he was but ten years of age crossed the plains with his parents. They spent the winter in Missouri and in the spring of 1853 started on the long westward journey to Oregon. They took up their abode in Linn county, twenty miles south of Albany, where Mr. and Mrs. Grubb spent the remainder of their lives. At the early age of fifteen Mr. Robison began to work for wages and in 1861 made his way northward into eastern Oregon and spent the hard winter on the T. K. McCoy ranch on the Tum-a-Lun in Umatilla county. He continued to work for others until 1868, when he bought some cattle and thus established himself in the cattle business. He had pre- viously engaged in riding the range for seven years prior to engaging in the cattle business on his own account. He was therefore familiar with the busi- ness and from the beginning met with success. He spent fifteen years in the cattle business, having as high as a thousand head upon the range. At length, when the free range was cut off by the settlement of the country, he retired from that business, after which he had sheep on the range for a considerable period. Eventually, in 1913, however, he put aside all business cares and retired from active life. He still owns six hundred and forty acres of valuable wheat land ten miles north of Walla Walla and from the rental of his property secures a gratifying income.
In early manhood Mr. Robison was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Cecil, a daughter of William Cecil, who crossed the plains to Oregon in 1862, locating in what is now Morrow county. Mr. and Mrs. Robison became the parents of three children but only one survives, Lena M., who is the wife of Otto Haar. of North Yakima, Washington. Mrs. Robison is a member of the Congregational church and a lady of many admirable qualities.
In politics Mr. Robison is independent in thought and at local elections does not consider party ties but has always voted the republican ticket in electing a president. His life has been a very busy, active and useful one. His business activities were connected with an era that is fast passing away-the era when Washington was still the country of the open range before its lands were divided and taken up for farms. He is therefore familiar with all the phases of the history of the state in its development from pioneer times and he rejoices in what has been accomplished as the work of improvement and advancement has been carried forward here, placing this great state on a par with the older com-
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monwealths of the east. In fact, Washington has gained a position of leadership in various respects and has every reason to be proud of her splendid record in the line of business development and especially in the progress which she has made in the organization of her school system.
In his business career Mr. Robison has at all times displayed that spirit of enterprise so characteristic of the west and now, at the age of seventy-five years, he is able to enjoy well earned rest, his former labors having resulted in a com- petence which meets all of his needs and requirements and yet leaves a sufficiency for many of the luxuries of life.
JOSEPH GROTE.
The farming interests of Joseph Grote would be termed mammoth even in this great west where agricultural interests are on the whole conducted on a most extensive scale. He is now operating sixty-two hundred and eighty acres of land in Columbia and Walla Walla counties, making his home on section 22, township 11 north, range 38 east, of the former county. His long experience and his extensive operations enable him to speak with authority upon everything connected with farming in the west at the present day. He recognizes fully the possibilities and the opportunities of the country and what he has accom- plished represents the fit utilization of the innate powers and talents which are his. Mr. Grote is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Piqua on the 7th of April, 1885, his parents being John and Anna Grote, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. In 1881 they came to the United States and after a residence of nine years in Ohio made their way westward to Washington, the family home being established in the Palouse country, where Mr. Grote remained, however, for a period of only two years. He then came to Walla Walla county, where he purchased a ranch north of Prescott and there he successfully engaged in farming to the time of his death. For a number of years prior to his demise he resided in the city of Walla Walla and from that point superintended the operation of his ranch. He died October 14, 1915, and is survived by his widow, who is now making her home in southern California.
Joseph Grote, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the dis- trict schools near his father's farm and in the city schools of Walla Walla. After reaching young manhood he continued to assist his father in the development of the fields until 1909, when he started out to engage in farming independently. entering into partnership with his brother Theodore. They gradually increased their operations in extent and importance until their interests placed them at the head of the leading agriculturists of Columbia county. In 1914 the partner- ship between the two brothers was dissolved and Joseph Grote retained twenty- three hundred acres of their holdings. In addition to this he operates four hun- dred and eighty acres of school land in the township where he resides and he leases and operates the Sharpstein ranch in Walla Walla county, containing thirty-five hundred acres of land. He has thus become one of the foremost
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agriculturists of the northwest. He plants twenty-five hundred acres to grain each year and harvests mammoth crops.
In 1917 Mr. Grote was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Baumann, a daughter of F. A. Baumann, a retired farmer of Walla Walla. In politics he maintains an independent course, not caring to bind himself by party ties. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, however, but stands for progress and improvement in public affairs and reaches out along helpful lines in recogni- tion of the needs and opportunities of county and state. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the great northwest, and well he may be, for in its opportunities he has found the path to success and is today numbered among the men of affluence in southeastern Washington.
JOHN ADKINS GROSS, M. D.
There is much that is inspiring in the life record of Dr. John Adkins Gross, who for many years was prominently associated with the agricultural develop- ment and activity of southeastern Washington, acquiring extensive landed posses- sions which he converted into rich and productive fields. His worth as a man and citizen was widely acknowledged and there are in his life record many chapters worthy of consideration.
Dr. Gross was born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, July 30, 1840, a son of Dr. Oren and Jane (Snow) Gross. He was reared and educated on Cape Cod. In his youth he studied navigation and also taught school for a time but at the age of twenty-three years enlisted in 1863 as a member of the Forty-third Massa- chusetts Infantry for service in the Civil war, remaining at the front until the close of hostilities. He became corporal of his company and while he did not engage in any of the battles between the north and the south his service was of a hazardous nature, such as scout duty and running boats loaded with provisions past blockades, etc. He ever manifested the utmost loyalty to the nation's starry banner and the cause for which it stood and with a most creditable military record returned to his home.
Soon after leaving the army Dr. Gross went to New York city, where he engaged in carpenter work until the panic of 1873 swept away all his invest- ments. He then crossed the continent to San Francisco, California, where he lived for two years. He afterward went to Astoria, Oregon, and was in that city and in Portland until 1879, when he came to Walla Walla. Here he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for several years. He taught at Frenchtown, riding back and forth from Walla Walla. When he had saved enough he secured a homestead in Umatilla county, Oregon, and kept adding to his landed possessions until he had over eleven hundred acres, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. He afterward purchased a ranch of twenty-five hundred acres near Starbuck, Washington, all of which has been planted to crops and has been improved with very substantial and commodious buildings. In a word his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appear- ance of the place and also in its value and he won recognition as one of the foremost agriculturists of this section of the state.
DR. JOHN A. GROSS
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Dr. Gross was married twice and when he went to war left a bride of only a few weeks. He was married a second time at Pendleton, Oregon, on the 9th of February, 1891, when Miss Bessie S. Green, of Kansas, became his wife. He had four children by his first marriage, while four were born of his second union. Carrie B., the eldest, is now the wife of R. C. Dunnington, of Walla Walla. Jennie I. is the wife of F. H. Richmond, of Walla Walla. Millie E. is the wife of Ralph E. Story, of Silver Lake, Oregon. O. E., of Seattle, Wash- ington, was the youngest child of the first marriage. The others are: John E., who is now upon the ranch; Julia E., who was graduated from Wellesley College in the class of 1917; Marvin, now a high school pupil; and Mabel, who is also in high school.
The death of Dr. Gross occurred July 17, 1915, and he was laid to rest in Mountain View cemetery in Walla Walla. He was a man of marked ability and in his later years he studied medicine, being graduated from the Hahnemann College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the class of 1900. At that time he was over sixty years of age but he possessed an especial aptitude for the physi- cian's work and a very retentive memory, which carried statistical knowledge. The greater part of his life, however, was devoted to farming and stock raising and he became one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers of Walla WValla county. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and he always took an active part in politics. Fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Pythias and also with the Grand Army post, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades, with whoin he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south .. - He. was a man of many sterling traits of character, genial and affable, and enjoyed the high esteem of those with whom he was associated. Since his death Mrs. Gross has erected a fine residence on Boyer avenue in Walla Walla but still has charge of her ranch property and is a woman of excellent business ability, fully capable of meeting the require- ments put upon her in the management of her estate.
OSSIE MARTIN.
The stock raising interests of Columbia county have a worthy representative in Ossie Martin, who is the owner of a valuable farm of seven hundred and twenty acres on section 23, township 12 north, range 38 east. He is one of Wash- ington's native sons, his birth occurring in Old Walla Walla county, February 8, 1867. His parents, James and Bridget E. Martin, were natives of Ireland but in early life emigrated to America and first located in Missouri. In 1861, however, they started for the Pacific coast in a covered wagon drawn by mules and at length reached Walla Walla. They located on a farm and later Mr. Martin took up a homestead near Waitsburg, where he lived until 1893, when he sold the place and removed to Walla Walla. Both he and his wife died in that city. To. them were born seven children and all are living.
Ossie Martin was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys and was educated at a Catholic school in Walla Walla. On starting out in life for him- self he chose the occupation with which he was thoroughly familiar-that of
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farming, and has since followed that pursuit with most gratifying results. In 1909 he purchased his present farm comprising seven hundred and twenty acres and in connection with its operation has given considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of the breeding of shorthorn and Hereford cattle, now having about one hundred head upon his place. Besides his valuable farm property he owns a residence in Waitsburg, which he rents.
In 1892 Mr. Martin married Miss Mary Martin, who, although of the same name, was not a relative, and to them have been born seven children, as follows : Wesley J .; Harold A., who is in the army; Cecelia K., the wife of Albert Good- year ; Melba C .; Oswald D .; Esther M .; and Wilbert H.
The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Martin is a democrat in politics but has never cared for the honors of public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is one of the lead- ing citizens of his community, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, as every true American citizen should.
GUSTAV VOLLMER.
Among the pioneers of Walla Walla county who persevered in spite of hard- ships of the early days and who are now reaping the reward of their faith in this section, is Gustav Vollmer, a resident of section 12, township 9 north, range 37 east, who owns more than eleven hundred acres of fine land, which he purchased years ago at far less than its present market value. As time has passed he has adapted his methods of farming to the changed conditions and his progressive spirit has been an important factor in his success. He was born in Germany, May 7, 1854, a son of John H. and Emelia (Flaskamp) Vollmer, who passed their entire lives in that country. Of their seven children, five survive and all but our subject are still residents of Germany.
Gustav Vollmer attended the public schools of his native country in the acquirement of his education but when seventeen years old emigrated to the United States. The first two years in this country were spent in Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand, but in 1873 he went to Nebraska, where he remained until 1879. In that year he determined to take advantage of the unusual opportunities afforded the young man in the Pacific northwest and removed to Oregon. In 1880 he took up a homestead in Umatilla county, Oregon, twenty- five miles southwest of Walla Walla and for twenty years maintained his residence thereon. For a considerable period, in order to market his wheat, it was necessary to haul it to steamboat landings on the Columbia river, which required three days. While he was gone on such' trips his wife remained upon the farm with her small children, although the nearest neighbors were miles away. The isolation was one of the greatest hardships which the early settlers had to endure, but there were also other discouraging features as, for instance, the low prices, wheat selling one year for twenty-three cents a bushel. Mr. Vollmer recognized, however, that with the settlement of the country these untoward conditions would change and that the fertility of the soil guaranteed the future of the farmers, and he consistently invested his savings in land. He owns
GUSTAV VOLLMER AND FAMILY
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480 acres of land in Umatilla county, eighty acres adjoining Waitsburg, where he makes his home. His holdings total 1,193 acres. All the land is rich and productive and, moreover, his farms are well improved, the excellent buildings thereon adding materially to the value of his property. Hle has given the greater part of his time and attention to wheat growing and is thoroughly familiar with that business. In fact his success has been in a measure due to the fact that he has concentrated his energies upon that line of endeavor. He is now one of. the men of wealth in Walla Walla county and takes justifiable pride in the fact that he is a self-made man, his prosperity being due entirely to his own foresight, energy and good management.
On the 12th of June, 1881, Mr. Vollmer was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Schmitt, a daughter of Jolin and Katherine (Martin) Schmitt. To this union have been born nine children: John H .; Clara Augusta, the wife of Harland Mills; Emma Caroline, the wife of William Harris; William, who is farming in this locality ; Julia, the wife of William Stimmel ; Zelma, Minnie and Charles, all at home and graduates of the high school ; and Katherine, deceased.
The parents hold membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church and its work profits by their hearty support. In politics Mr. Vollmer is a stanch republican and he has served his district ably for two terms as a member of the state legislature. His interest in education has found expression in effective work as a member of the school board, and all projects for the advancement of the public welfare have received his endorsement ..... He finds great pleasure in contrasting the early days in this section, when the settlers were to a great extent cut off from the outside world, with the present day With its excellent means of communication with all parts of the country. , As an illustration of the extent to which the pioneers were dependent upon their resotirces it may be mentioned that Mr. Vollmer made the furniture used in his home from timber which he had cut. For a number of years it was necessary to practice the strictest economy, but he has never regretted his pioneer experiences and finds pleasure in the knowledge that he has had a part in the development of this region.
JAMES CHRISTENSEN.
James Christensen, a well known farmer of Garfield county who owns five hundred and twenty acres of good land on section 2, township 12 north, range 41 east, has resided in various parts of the west and in Alaska and for some time engaged in mining but for several years past has devoted his attention to farm- ing and stock raising exclusively. He was born in Denmark, February 25, 1866, a son of Christian and Gertrude Petersen, who passed their entire lives in that country. To them were born seven children, of whom six are living.
James Christensen attended the public schools of Denmark as a boy and youth, thus acquiring a good education, and in 1885, at the age of nineteen years, came to America. For one year he was employed as a farm hand in Nebraska and then was for several years a resident of California. Later he spent a year in Montana and in 1891 removed to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he worked on a farm until his removal to Alaska. A decade was devoted to gold
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