USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 4
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 4
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 4
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 4
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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
His long and useful life was ended in 1915. He passed away at his home in Walla Walla at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He had never married but he left a brother and two sisters. The brother, however, died in the spring of 1917. There are also four nephews and one niece: the Funk brothers, who
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are engaged in merchandising in Walla Walla; the Craig brothers, of Illinois; and Agnes Lillian Purdy, of Portland, Oregon. Mr. McMorris was a member of the Oregon Pioneer Society, the Inland Empire Pioneers Association and the Indian War Veterans. Throughout the long years of his residence in this locality he became very widely and favorably known and he left many friends as well as relatives to mourn his loss. He performed an important part in promoting the early development and upbuilding of this section of the country and with many events which have left their impress upon the history of the northwest his name is inseparably associated.
JOSEPH F. TACHI.
Joseph F. Tachi, who passed away August 8, 1912, was a well known citizen of Walla Walla county. He was a native of Italy and came to America thirty- seven years ago. He did not tarry on the Atlantic seaboard but crossed the country and settled in Walla Walla county, Washington, where he took up the occupation of gardening, which he followed with success, developing a good business in that connection. He continued active in gardening up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1912.
Almost a quarter of a century before, on June 9, 1889, at Walla Walla Mr. Tachi was united in marriage to Miss Antonia Coboch, who was likewise born in the sunny land of Italy and came to the new world when twenty-seven years of age. She owns ten acres of valuable land on section 36, township 7 north, range 35 east, at College Place and she is also the owner of the Star Laundry and a brick building which contains five storerooms and which re- turns to her a most gratifying annual income from its rental. In addition to these investments she owns thirty-one acres of land which is splendidly im- proved. She belongs to St. Francis Catholic church, of which Mr. Tachi was also a member, and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Cath- olic Knights of America, and the Red Men. During their residence in Walla Walla county Mr. and Mrs. Tachi gained many warm friends, he being well known as a representative business man. Mrs. Tachi has also proved most capable in the management and control of her interests, and her property is now bringing to her a substantial annual income.
MICHAEL MARTIN.
Michael Martin, a well known farmer residing on section 2, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, is entitled to the honor that is accorded the self-made man, for he has gained the competence that is now his solely through his own labors. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, September 5, 1835, and is a son of John and Ann (Larkin) Martin, both of whom spent their entire lives in County Galway. Michael Martin was reared and educated in his native land and remained there until 1863. when he decided to try his fortune
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in the United States and crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he remained for a time. He then went to South Glastonbury, Connecticut, but three years after his emigration to this country he came to the Pacific coast by way of the Panama route, and spent two years in California. Subsequently he was a prospector in the placer gold mines at Emmitsburg and Helena, Montana, where he and his brother Patrick spent three years. It was in 1870 that they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and also took up a section of railroad land later on, their home being on Dry creek. Our subject finally sold his share of the property to his brother John, who still owns the place, and then purchased his present farm on section 2, township 6 north, range 35 east, where he has resided continuously since. He gave his personal attention to the operation of his place until advanc- ing years led him to retire from active labor, since which time the farm has been operated by his son Emmet. He has been a hard worker and has mani- fested good judgment in the direction of his affairs, and as the years have passed his financial resources have steadily increased.
In 1890 Mr. Martin was married in Ireland, to Miss Julia Kellher, and they have become the parents of five children, of whom three have passed away. Those living are: Emmet M., who is now in charge of the home farm ; and Estella, a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla. The wife and mother passed away in 1900 and was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery. The family are communicants of the Catholic church of Walla Walla, and Mr. Martin supports the republican party at the polls but has never been ambitious to hold office. For more than half a century he has made his home in Walla Walla county, and in that period has seen a marvelous change in conditions as the coun- try has been transformed from a pioneer district into a highly developed agri- cultural section.
J. W. ŚWEAZY.
J. W. Sweazy, a farmer of Columbia county, living on section 34, township IO north, range 37 east, was born in Wallula, Washington, on the 8th of May. 1884, a son of Frank and Allie J. (Barnes) Sweazy. The father was a native of Portugal, while the mother was born in Missouri. When a youth of four- teen the father came to the United States, having relatives living in Petaluma, California. To that point he made his way. His wife crossed the plains with her mother in 1880, her father having previously been killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil war. She and her mother located on a ranch near Waits- burg, Washington. About the same time Frank Sweazy made his way to Walla Walla county and soon afterward they were married. He then pur- chased the farm which is now the home of his son, the subject of this review, and thereon he resided for a number of years. Ultimately, however, he re- moved to Waitsburg, where he continued his residence for twenty years, or until the time of his death in 1914. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Waitsburg.
J. W. Sweazy was educated in the public schools and also attended the
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Waitsburg Academy. In 1902, at the age of eighteen years, he became a wage earner, entering the employ of Corbett Brothers in the capacity of bookkeeper at their mill at Huntsville. A year later he resigned to accept a position with Jolin Smith, a hardware merchant of Waitsburg, where he filled the position of bookkeeper for four years. On the expiration of that period he went to Walla Walla, where he held the office of deputy county auditor under J. N. McCaw, in which capacity he served for four years. In November, 1910, he was elected county auditor and so continued for two terms of two years each, making a most creditable record in that position by the promptness and sys- tematic manner and general capability with which he discharged his duties. On the expiration of his second term he returned to the home farm, which he has since occupied and operated. It is a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the fields are now bringing forth rich crops. They are divided into tracts of convenient size by well kept fences and there are val- uable improvements upon the place, and the spirit of neatness and thrift which there prevails indicates the progressive methods of the owner.
In 1909 Mr. Sweazy was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Ramseur, of Waitsburg, and they have many friends in the community where they live. Mrs. Sweazy is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Sweazy holds membership with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and is a loyal exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his thought, attention and purpose upon his farming interests, which are bring- ing to him substantial success.
JUDGE MACK F. GOSE.
Judge Mack F. Gose is one of the distinguished representatives of the bench and bar in Washington. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the judicial history of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. and he proved himself the peer of the ablest members of the court of last resort while serving as one of the supreme judges of the state. He was born in Missouri, July 8, 1859, and is a son of John M. and Hannah Gose, natives of Virginia. In 1864 the family came west and after spending a year at Boise, Idaho, proceeded to Walla Walla county, Washington, where the father turned his attention to horticulture, becoming a prominent fruit grower of this region.
Judge Gose was only five years of age when the family arrived in Walla Walla county and he is indebted to the public schools of Walla Walla for the carly educational advantages he enjoyed. After leaving school he entered the office of ex-Senator John B. Allen, one of the distinguished attorneys of the northwest at that time. After reading law for some time, Judge Gose was admitted to the bar in 1883 and at once began the practice of his chosen profes- sion in Pomeroy, where he has since remained, becoming in the meantime one
JUDGE MACK F. GOSE
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of the leading lawyers of this section of the state. He won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he followed. He has ever displayed remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterize his preparation of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys of the state. It was the qualities which he had displayed in private practice that commended liin for judicial service and he was elected a judge of the supreme court, serving on the bench of the court of final appeals in Washington for six years. His opinions are fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical and as brief as the character of the case will permit. He never enlarged beyond the necessi- ties of the legal thought in order to indulge in the drapery of literature. His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar and on the bench has been directed in the line of his profession and his duty.
In 1886 Judge Gose was united in marriage to Miss Lelah Seeley, a daughter of Charles H. Seeley, and to them was born a daughter, L. Vyvien, who is now the wife of Charles A. McCleary, of Olympia. Judge Gose makes his home in Pomeroy, where he occupies an attractive residence, and in addition he owns and supervises a large ranch, taking considerable interest and pride in his agri- cultural labors. His political endorsement has, since 1896, been given to the republican party and upon that ticket he was electedto the office of mayor of Pomeroy, the reins of city government being in inost capable hands during his administration of civic affairs. He is today one of the honored and representative men of the state.
CHARLES F. FLATHERS.
Charles F. Flathers is a representative agriculturist of Walla Walla county. owning and cultivating six hundred and fifty-two acres of valuable land situated on section 32, township 10 north, range 36 east. It was upon this farm that he was born March 17, 1875, a son of Benjamin F. and Melinda (McQuown) Flathers, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the old homestead and became a pupil in the Prescott schools, dividing his time be- tween the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father until 1905, when he joined his brothers, John and Emery Flathers, and for five years the three brothers conducted farming interests in a partnership relation. Emery then withdrew but Charles F. and John continued their interests together until 1914. Since that time Charles F. Flathers has carried on farming interests independently and is now the owner of six hundred and fifty-two acres of valuable wheat land, which he carefully and successfully cultivates. He has become one of the most substantial agricul- turists of Walla Walla county. He studies closely everything bearing upon wheat culture and the production of other crops suited to soil and climatic conditions
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here and his progressive methods produce splendid results. His farm with its broad fields, its substantial buildings and its modern improvements presents a most pleasing appearance and is a very attractive feature of the landscape.
On the 20th of October, 1911, Mr. Flathers was married to Miss Elizabeth Fowler, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Colonel Alexander Fowler, of Fort Scott, Kansas, who won his title by service in the Civil war and has now passed away. In politics Mr. Flathers is a democrat but not desirous to hold office. He is a member of Prescott Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Flathers was engaged in nursing in Walla Walla. She is a lady of liberal edu- cation and culture and both Mr. and Mrs. Flathers are widely and favorably known in their section of the county, enjoying the high regard of an extensive circle of friends.
S. F. ATWOOD.
S. F. Atwood, who is doing excellent work as principal of the Dayton high school, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, January 29, 1885, a son of Wiley C. and Indiana (Freeman) Atwood, natives respectively of Virginia and Iowa. Both, however, were taken as children to Johnson county, Missouri, and there they were reared and married. The father engaged in farming there until 1893, when he went to Bates county, that state, whence in 1896 he removed to Ellens- burg, Washington. In his new home he resumed the work of tilling the fields and he is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Benton county, where he has lived since 1913. In that year he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.
S. F. Atwood attended the district schools of Missouri in early boyhood and continued his education in the Ellensburg schools, graduating from the high school in 1902. He prepared for teaching in the Ellensburg State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1905, and the thorough professional training which he there received well fitted him for the performance of his duties as principal of the North Street school of Ballard, Washington, which position he held for three years. At the end of that time he matriculated in the Uni- versity of Washington at Seattle, but withdrew from that school in his senior year on account of his mother's illness. In December, 1909, he was called to Dayton as principal of the high school and has ever since served in that capacity. his continuance in the position indicating his efficiency. He regards teaching as being as truly a profession as the law or medicine and believes that one intending to devote his life to educational work should prepare as thoroughly as the physician or lawyer. He has remained a constant student of educational methods and is always willing to adapt to the needs of his school any new plan which has proved of value.
Mr. Atwood was married in 1910 to Miss Anna Laura McMillan, of Seattle, and they have four children, Dorothy Jean, Violet Claire, Florence May and Stanley Freeman, Jr.
Mr. Atwood endorses the principles of the democratic party and supports its measures at the polls and in 1916 was its candidate for county superintendent. He belongs to Occidental Lodge, No. 72, F. & A. M., of Seattle, and is also a member of the Inquiry Club of Dayton. Both he and his wife attend the Con-
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gregational church and can be counted upon to further movements having as their object the moral advancement of the community. He has not at any time kept himself aloof from the everyday interests of life but has been a factor in the development of Dayton along various lines.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
Among Walla Walla county's venerable and highly respected citizens is numbered William Martin, a retired farmer who is now living in Hill township. Moreover, he has lived on the Pacific coast for sixty-five years and is familiar with every phase of its growth and development from Indian fighting to the latest methods of crop production. He was born in Indiana, September 30, 1833, and is a son of Jesse and Catherine (Harris) Martin, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Kentucky. At an early date they became residents of Indiana and afterward established their home in McLean county, Illinois. In 1844 they removed to Missouri, where they resided until 1857, when they started across the plains for California, whither their son William had preceded them. They located in Thurston county, Washington, and there continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had a family of ten children but only three are now living.
William Martin was reared and educated in Missouri, where he resided until 1852, when at the age of nineteen years he came to the Pacific coast coun- try. He outfitted with an ox team and wagon and started upon the long jour- ney to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast and the business opportunities which it opened up. He was six months in crossing the plains and then concluded to locate in Oregon, but after spending three months in Oregon City went to Thurston county, Washington, where he was employed in a sawmill for three years and a half. On the expiration of that time he took up a claim. Upon that land, which was entirely wild and unde- veloped, he built a little log cabin with a clapboard roof and began life there in true pioneer style, experiencing the hardships and privations incident to the set- , tlement of the frontier. Upon that place he lived for several years and his labors wrought a marked change in its appearance, for he broke the sod, tilled the fields and in course of time gathered good harvests. He afterward pur- chased more land in that locality. The years were fraught not only with much hard labor but with other experiences of pioneer life. In 1855 and 1856 Mr. Martin was engaged in fighting the Indians and became familiar with all of the treacherous methods of Indian warfare. Later he concentrated his efforts upon farming and as the years passed his labors were crowned with a substantial measure of success.
On December 14, 1856, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Yantis, who was born in Missouri in 1840 and by whom he had five children, as follows : John F .; J. A. ; Catherine, who is the wife of L. H. Koontz, of Pasco, Washington ; William E .; and one who died in infancy.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Martin brought his family to the Walla Walla valley, where he has since lived, covering a period of forty-five years. Here he was
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engaged in the stock business until 1880 and then removed to Walla Walla and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. In 1886 he entered a railroad office at Wallula, where he remained for nine years, and at the end of that time located on a ranch on Snake river, living there for three years. The following year was spent in Walla Walla and he next owned and occupied a ranch on Hudson Bay in Oregon for three years. On selling that place he returned to Washington and has lived in Touchet since 1901. He purchased a store in Touchet which he carried on for some time but at length sold that property and retired from active business life, so that he is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He owns seven acres of land in the village of Touchet, upon which he has a comfortable and attractive residence and is now pleasantly situated there.
His has been an active and useful life and one which, by its integrity and honor, has gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and upon that ticket he was elected to represent his district in the general assembly of Washington in 1877. He has served on the school board, has filled the office of justice of the peace and at all times has been most loyal to the trust reposed in him. He and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the Christian church and have guided their lives by its teachings, being always careful to conform their actions to high standards. In a word they have ever endeavored to follow the golden rule, doing unto others as they would have others do unto them.
RAYMOND RINGOLD REES.
A man who has contributed to the upbuilding of a city in one line of develop- ment is considered worthy of honor, but that man who has a part in the promotion of his city's interests in many fields of activity has a still greater claim upon the gratitude of his fellow citizens, and such was the record of Raymond Ringold Rees, pioneer newspaper man, prominent merchant and man of affairs.
He was born in Reily, Ohio, June 17, 1833, and was taken by his parents to Delaware, that state, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old. Dur- ing his youth he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade and in 1854 he came west with a brother by way of the Isthmus of Panama, their destination being Portland, Oregon, in the vicinity of which a third brother lived. After a short time Mr. Rees of this review secured work as a typesetter on the Christian Advo- cate and as he had the distinction of being the only man in Portland who could set book type, he did that work on McCormac's Almanac, the first book published on the Pacific coast. He was also employed as a typesetter on the first issue of the Daily Oregonian, Portland's famous newspaper. With the exception of eighteen months spent with a brother in the Colville mines, he was identified with newspaper publication in Portland until 1861, when he came to Walla Walla, reaching here on the 21st of November.
Mr. Rees formed a partnership with Nemiah Northrop and established the first newspaper in this section-the Washington Statesman. The firm sent to
MAJOR RAYMOND R. REES
MRS. RAYMOND R. REES
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Portland for a press, which arrived on schedule time, and the first issue of the new paper appeared on November 27th. The publishers therein made the follow- ing announcement to the public: "We send forth this morning with our con- gratulations the first number of the Washington Statesman, and respectfully solicit the attention of the people of Walla Walla and county to its pages. . . That a weekly publication devoted to the various interests of the country, con- taining all the news which may be gathered from different quarters, is essentially needed in the Walla Walla valley we premise no permanent resident will deny. This admitted, we have no misgivings as to the disposition of the people to come forward and promptly sustain an enterprise so materially calculated to further their interests as a community." In the meantime the firm of Rees & Northrop learned that two brothers named Smith intended starting a democratic paper in Walla Walla and had sent to Portland for a press, which, however, reached The Dalles just as the Columbia river, at that time the only highway, froze over, with the result that it could not be delivered for three months. Mr. Smith desired to become a member of his competing firm and his wish was granted. The first subscriptions did not come in to the new paper as readily as had been expected. Accordingly Mr. Smith made a tour on horseback of Walla Walla county and Umatilla county and succeeded in obtaining two hundred subscriptions at five dollars per year, the circulation list containing the names of practically all the men of the two counties. The Statesman was the first newspaper established in eastern Washington, then known as the "upper country," and was" a factor of great importance in the early development of this region."Mr. Rees was one of the owners of that journal until November, 1865, when he sold his interest therein to W. H. Newell, and the following five years were devoted to farming in connection with his father-in-law. In 1870 he returned to Walla Walla and formed a partnership with H. E. Johnson for the conduct of a mercantile busi- ness under the style of Johnson & Rees. Two years later W. P. Winans bought into the firm and the name was changed to Johnson, Rees & Winans. With Mr. Johnson's subsequent retirement from the business the firm name became Rees & Winans and so remained until 1887, when the business was sold. In the mean- time a two-story building was erected where now stands the Farmers Savings Bank. Plans were subsequently made for the erection of the Rees-Winans building but before construction work was begun Mr. Rees was called by death. His widow, with Mr. Winans, however, carried out the plans already made and the building was erected in due time and was an important addition to the downtown section of Walla Walla. As a merchant Mr. Rees was enterprising, progressive and sound of judgment, managing his affairs carefully and giving much thought to anticipating the demands of his customers. He based his success upon the firm foundation of the best service possible and full return for all money received.
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