USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 46
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The Cornwell hrothers engaged in hunting during the first winter in Oregon and the following summer James farmed land on shares, but it was almost in- possible to find a market and the autumn found him with as little money as when he reached Oregon. He then took up a ranch in the timber nine miles southwest of Portland and resided there until 1861. His brother, Francis M., who had accompanied him on their terrible journey to the west. lost his health partly as the result of the hardships endured during those six months and at length settled near our subject and passed away in February, 1858. Mr. Cornwell of this review remained upon his homestead in Oregon until 1861, when he sold that property
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and went to work in the Oro Fino mines, where he spent the greater part of the summer. During that time he filed on a ranch near Dry creek, six miles north of Walla Walla, Washington, and in the fall he came by wagon with his father- in-law to his claim in Walla Walla county. That winter was the hardest and longest in this part of the state and all his cattle starved to death. Although he was thus compelled to again start with nothing, he was confident that in time he would win success. He brought his family to Washington and during the summer of 1862 operated a farm on shares. As he was dissatisfied with the tract of land which he had taken up he sold it and bought a portion of the T. P. Denny ranch on Dry creek, which, however, he subsequently disposed of. In 1868 he purchased the Kimball farm of one hundred and twenty acres on upper Dry creek, nine miles northeast of Walla Walla, and for a long period there made his home. He harvested good crops and so managed his business affairs that he received a good income from his labors and, recognizing the fact that land would increase in value, he systematically invested his capital in farm property, becom- ing at length the owner of twelve hundred acres of wheat land and one hundred and sixty acres of timber land.
Mr. Cornwell was married March 16, 1857, to Miss Mary Tucker, who died on the 25th of April, 1858. On the 20th of October, 1859, Mr. Cornwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Stott and they became the parents of the following children : Laura, the wife of C. S. Robinson, of Walla Walla; Oliver T., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Charles E., a resident of Ta- coma ; Nannie E., the wife of A. M. Cation, of Walla Walla; Arthur G., also of Walla Walla; Minnie E., the wife of Albert Cheney, of Trout Lake, Washing- ton ; and Raleigh, who died when about sixteen years of age. The mother of these children passed away in June, 1893, and Mr. Cornwell died in Walla Walla about 1898.
Mr. Cornwell was a stanch advocate of republican principles and served in the territorial legislature as a joint representative from Walla Walla and Whit- man counties. His ability won recognition in that body and he was acknowledged to be one of its most valued members. Whether the matter in hand was some question relating to the management of his large farm properties or some problem of government he was always quick to distinguish between the essential and the nonessential factors in a situation and resourceful and sound of judgment in advising a course of action. The same spirit of dogged perseverance that led him as a boy of seventeen to refuse to admit defeat and lie down to die when it seemed humanly impossible to continue further on the way to Oregon was man- ifest throughout his entire life and that which he undertook was successfully accomplished.
JOHN P. ANDERSON.
John P. Anderson is one of the worthy citizens that Sweden has furnished to the new world and although he came to this country in limited circumstances, he .is today one of the well-to-do ranchmen of Walla Walla county, owning a valuable tract of three thousand acres. He was born in Sweden on the 15th of
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July, 1853, and is a son of Andrew Bengston and Bula Johnson, who spent their entire lives in that country. In their family were seven children, four of whom are still living-one in Sweden and the others in America.
John P. Anderson passed his boyhood and youth in his native land, where he pursued his education in the public schools. Believing that better opportunities were afforded young men on this side of the Atlantic, he came to the United States in 1872 and after spending three years in Illinois proceeded westward to, Washington. Locating near Walla Walla, he was in the employ of others for two years and then took up a homestead, where he has since spent the most of his time. As the years have gone by he has steadily prospered in his farming operations and has added to his property until he now owns three thousand acres of land, all improved, and he also has a beautiful home in Walla Walla sur- rounded by eight acres of ground, on which he raises all kinds of fruit.
In early manhood Mr. Anderson married Miss Anna Gamberg, also a native of Sweden, and to them were born nine children, of whom Arthur and Mabel are deceased. Those living are Victor, who is now on the ranch; Bessie, at home, and Melvin, Carl, Bengt, Otto and Alice, all in school. The wife and mother passed away November 15, 1916, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss, and her remains were interred in Mountain View cemetery. She was an earnest member of the Christian church, to which Mr. Anderson also belongs, and in politics he is a stanch republican but has never been an office seeker. He is one of the self-made men of the community, his success in life being due to his own energy, enterprise and good business ability.
ALONZO L. SANFORD.
Among the citizens of Columbia county who have attained success in their chosen calling and are now able to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the fruits of former labor is Alonzo L. Sanford, who for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits but is spending the sunset of life in ease and retirement. He was born in Clark county. Illinois, on the 2d of November, 1845, and is a son of Peleg and Malinda (Greenleaf) Sanford, natives of New York state, whence they removed to Illinois in 1832. There the father bought a tract of government land at one dollar and a quarter per acre and built thereon a log cabin, in which the family lived for several years. Throughout the remainder of his life he continued to operate his farm and there his death occurred. His widow subsequently came to Walla Walla, Washington, and here she passed away. In their family were five sons, of whom three are still living.
Alonzo L. Sanford spent the first nine years of his life in the state of his nativity and then removed with the family to Iowa, where he was principally reared and educated, pursuing his studies in a little log school house. In 1864, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth lowa Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and remained at the front until hostilities ceased. IJe was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and participated in the battle of Bentonville. The war having ended he was mustered out at Little
ALONZO L. SANFORD
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Rock, Arkansas, and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, after which he returned home and resumed farming. In 1871 Mr. Sanford removed from Iowa to Washington and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land north- east of Dayton in Walla Walla county. After living there for four years, he sold his farm and bought another near Covello in what is now Columbia county, where he carried on farming for some years. On disposing of that place he removed to Covello, where he has since lived retired, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Besides his nice residence he owns some lots in the village and is one of the well-to-do citizens of the community.
In 1881 Mr. Sanford married Miss Alice McBride, a native of Iowa, and they have become the parents of seven children, as follows: W. G., now a resident of Dayton, Washington; Bertrand; Christopher; Pearl, the wife of Jesse Carleton ; Bryan; Estella, the wife of Robert Smith ; and Elton, at home.
Politically Mr. Sanford is a stanch democrat and for two years he acceptably served as assessor of Columbia county. He has also been a member of the school board and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has done much to promote the interests of his community. Wherever known he is held in high estecm and he well merits the confidence reposed in him.
WILFORD. H. GROSS.
Wilford H. Gross is actively identified with agricultural interests, although - making his home in the city of Walla Walla. He possesses the strong and sturdy characteristics that have dominated the west and have constituted the founda- tion upon which has been built its upbuilding and progress. His entire life has been passed in the Pacific coast country. He was born in Modoc county, California, on the 17th of January, 1874, his parents being Bailey H. and Julia A. (Rice) Gross, the former a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in Ohio. They were married in the year 1862 and soon afterward crossed the plains with ox teams to Nevada, where the father engaged in the dairy business and in freighting near Virginia City. He spent ten years in that way in Nevada, after which he continued his westward journey to California and located in Modoc county, where he conducted a dairy and stock farm. He concentrated his efforts and attention upon that business for a decade and in 1880 removed from California to Walla Walla county, Washington. Here he purchased a quit claim deed to a homestead and to a timber claim situated in township 8, range 36 east, about eleven miles northeast of Walla Walla. In subsequent years, as his financial resources increased, he bought more land from time to time and became the owner of thirteen hundred and twenty acres, which he held at the time of his demise in March, 1915. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. He had no assistance but earnest effort promoted his advance- ment and the sure rewards of labor came to him in the course of years. His political endorsement was given to the republican party.
Wilford H. Gross was educated in the Valley Grove school and in the pub- lic schools of Waitsburg, supplemented by a course in the Waitsburg Academy
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and by a commercial course in the Walla Walla Business College. When about twenty-two years of age he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and began farming on his own account. lle has since been identified with general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in township 8 north, range 36 east, and also one hundred and sixty acres near Eureka. He also cultivates land belonging to his brothers and a sister, thus utilizing in all ten hundred and forty acres. He is numbered among the ex- tensive wheat growers of this section of the state and his business affairs are carefully and successfully conducted. His energy knows no bounds and his in- defatigable effort has produced splendid results. He has made a close study of soil and climatic conditions and is thoroughly familiar with the best methods of wheat growing in the northwest, so that he annually produces splendid crops.
On the 21st of October, 1903, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Grace M. Houghton, of Cowlitz county, Washington, who was a teacher in the old Seeber school at the time of her marriage. They now have three children, namely : Dorothy, Charles and Houghton. Mrs. Gross is a daughter of Henry and Sarah A. (Gardner) Houghton. Her mother located near Woodland, Wash- ington, in 1851 and in 1867 she married Henry Houghton, who followed farm- ing in Clarke county, on the Lewis river, where he still maintains his home. Mrs. Houghton passed away October 9, 1908. The Gardners were among the earliest settlers of Clarke county, crossing the plains and enduring all the hardships of pioneer life.
In politics Mr. Gross maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while the religious faith of himself and his wife is indicated in their membership in the Christian church. About ten years ago they took up their abode in the city of Walla Walla, where they make their home and from that point Mr. Gross has supervised his farm- ing interests, which are wisely and carefully controlled.
JEROME L. KEISER.
Jerome L. Keiser is now practically living retired in Waitsburg, although for many years he was prominently identified with building operations and with mercantile pursuits in the city where he still makes his home. Ile is a representa- tive of one of the oldest pioneer families of the northwest. He was born in Port- land, Oregon, on the 12th of July, 1850, when that beautiful city of roses was a hamlet, containing only a few cabins on the banks of the Willamette. His parents were William M. and Roxcia ( Ingalls ) Keiser. The father was a native of Rens- selaer county, New York, born October 7, 1827, while the mother was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, the date of her birth being May 22, 1828. They were married in Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, on the 4th of April, 1849, and on the loth of that month they began their journey across the plains with an ox team for the California gold fields. They arrived in Oregon City, Oregon, on the 18th of September, having traveled for thousands of miles across the hot stretches of sandy desert and over the mountain passes. In the same wagon train with them came a married sister and her husband, a married brother and his wife and
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JEROME L. KEISER
MRS. WILLIAM M. KEISER
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two single brothers of Mrs. Keiser. It was a wedding trip for Mr. and Mrs. Keiser and also for her brother and wife, but it lacked many of the joyous features and comforts that are supposed to attend wedding trips. From the time they left Missouri they passed only a few forts but did not otherwise see a human habitation until after they had crossed the Cascade mountains, where they approached a settlement and heard the chickens crowing. With thoughts of mother and friends back home Mrs. Keiser sat down and had a good cry. On reaching Oregon City they decided to go into camp and spend a little time there. There had been talk of a city being built on the present site of Portland, which at that time, however, was occupied only by a little store building built of shingles and a few shacks. In fact they thought that Oregon City would be a much more progressive place and occupied a much more favorable location than Portland. However, Mr. Keiser purchased a lot on the site of Portland and built a frame shack. Liking the country, they determined to abandon their California trip and live in Oregon. They resided in Portland until the spring of 1852, by which time the town had expanded to a little village of about two streets situated along the water front. They then went up into Clackamas county, where Mr. Keiser took up a donation claim on which they resided for twenty years and in the meantime although they experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, the work of improving and developing the farm was continued and their land was transformed into rich and productive fields from which they annually gathered good harvests. In 1872, however, they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and settled in Spring valley, where Mr. Keiser purchased a small farm near a schoolhouse. There he settled down to agricultural life and devoted five years to the development of his farm property, at the end of which time his life's labors were terminated by death. Mrs. Keiser continued to reside upon the farm until 1877, when she removed to Waitsburg, where she has since made her home. She yet owns the old homestead farm, however, comprising two hundred and eighty acres, some of which was purchased by her after her hus- band's death. In 1851 the first Masonic lodge was organized in Oregon, this being at Portland, where meetings were held in a shack, and Mrs. Keiser, lovingly called Aunt Roxcia by her many friends, was called upon to make the Masonic aprons, as she was a fine seamstress and her brother-in-law, J. B. V. Butler, being one of the prominent members of that organization. She also made some of the wedding clothes for Dr. D. S. Baker, one of the pioneers of this region, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Keiser were born six children of whom three are yet living, Jerome L., Millard H. and Frank T., all residents of Waitsburg.
Jerome L. Keiser, whose name introduces this review, was reared amid the conditions and environments of pioneer life and has for sixty-seven years been a witness of the growth and development of the northwest. He was edu- cated in the district schools of Clackamas county, Oregon, and in early manhood began learning the carpenter's trade, which he has followed for many years. He was closely identified with that business until 1906, when he established a furniture and undertaking establishment in Waitsburg and was thus connected with the commercial interests of the town for six years. He then disposed of that business and has since worked at his trade when he so desired, although he has practically lived retired. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to Vol. II-23
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his nature and at times he cannot resist again taking up the tools and doing some work along the line of trade in which he embarked in early manhood. The suc- cess, however, which attended him has obviated the necessity of continued work, for he is now in the possession of a handsome competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
In his political views Mr. Keiser is a democrat, having supported the party since attaining his majority. For several years he served on the school board and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. He is a member of Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., and he has a twenty-five year gold medal, indicating connection with the organization for a quarter of a century. He also belongs to Coppie Encampment, No. 73, I. O. O. F., and he has membership with the United Artisans. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Old Ladies' Home at Walla Walla. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church and his belief has actuated him in all of life's relations, making his an honorable course and one which has ever commended him to the confidence, good will and high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS DURRY.
In the days when Walla Walla county was famous throughout the west as a stock country Thomas Durry was a leader among the cattle and sheep men of this section. He was born in Williamstown, Glengarry county, Canada, April 20, 1849, a son of John and Isabelle Durry, also natives of the Dominion and descendants of Irish and Scotch ancestry.
Thomas Durry was reared in Williamstown and there received his education, but in 1868 he left home and made his way to California, where he remained for three years. In 1871, in company with his mother and two sisters, Mary and Isabelle, who had joined him in the meantime, he came north to Washington territory, locating in Walla Walla county. He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, D. McGillivray, and they turned their attention to the stock business, acquiring a ranch near Ritzville. They were there extensively en- gaged in stock raising for about a quarter of a century and at the end of that time by mutual consent they dissolved their partnership and Mr. Durry continued in business alone until 1903, when he retired from ranching and took up his abode in Walla Walla. He erected a handsome residence at the corner of Birch and Palouse streets and his last days were spent in well earned leisure in the enjoyment of the comforts and luxuries of life. Although during his active career he had extensive herds of cattle, his chief interest was in sheep raising and he was one of the best authorities on everything pertaining to that industry in the northwest. For several years he served as sheep commissioner for the Walla Walla district. On removing to the city he sold his stock ranch, compris- ing five thousand acres, but retained his extensive holdings in wheat lands, which properties are now owned by his widow.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Durry was united in marriage to Miss Alicia Lane Thomas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, of Walla Walla. To this union were born two children, Homer and Marie.
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Mr. Durry held membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in religious faith was a Roman Catholic. He always rather shunned publicity and his manner was at all times that of the unassuming gentleman, though all who came in contact with him recognized the quiet force of his personality, the keen business insight and ready grasp of the salient points of a situation that enabled him to successfully manage his large interests and the ability to judge men correctly which was such a large factor in his success. He passed away July 7, 1905, and his demise was deeply mourned by his many warm friends. Mrs. Durry is personally looking after her extensive business interests and has proven herself a woman of unusual executive ability and knowledge of business methods and conditions. She also possesses a very attractive personality and is held in the warmest regard by those who know her intimately. In religious faith she is a Catholic.
SHERMAN PETTYJOHN.
Sherman Pettyjohn, a retired farmer of Walla Walla county, has spent his entire life in the county, his birth having here occurred November 10, 1865. He is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Warner) Pettyjohn, an account of whose lives appears in the sketch of their son, John Pettyjohn.
Sherman Pettyjohn became familiar with all the conditions of pioneer life in his boyhood and youth, as at that time this county was but thinly settled. The district schools afforded him his educational opportunities and he early began assisting his father with the farm work, taking on more and more responsibility as he grew older. On attaining his majority he took up a homestead and at once began the task of developing it. His labors were rewarded by abundant crops, and as the years passed he acquired more and more land, until he now owns eleven hundred and twenty acres, all of which is wheat land and is under a high state of cultivation. The improvements upon his holdings are modern and substantial and the value of his properties reaches a large figure. He raises both wheat and stock and is convinced that such a course is more profitable than confining one's attention to either business exclusively.
In 1892 Mr. Pettyjohn was married to Miss Mabel M. Smith, also a native of Walla Walla county, and a daughter of Sergeant J. C. and Amanda (Sheets) Smith, natives respectively of New Jersey and of Illinois. In 1848 Mr. Smith came west to California by way of Cape Horn and Mrs. Smith crossed the plains by ox team with her family in 1859 and located in Walla Walla county, Washington, where both her parents passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Petty- john have been born two children: Hester S., who is the wife of Howard Holli- day, is a graduate of the University of Idaho and for a number of years before her marriage engaged in teaching ; and Margaret, a graduate of the Walla Walla high school and now engaged in the study of music at Whitman College.
Mr. Pettyjohn is a stanch republican and has served capably as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Farmers Union, which has as its object the promotion of the interests of agriculturists, and both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, whose teachings they follow in their daily lives. They are
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now living retired in Walla Walla, where they own an attractive residence at No. 530 Division street. In managing his farming interests Mr. Pettyjohn not only gained financial independence for himself but also aided in the agricultural development of the county.
CYRUS T. NELSON.
Cyrus T. Nelson, a resident farmer of Valley Grove, first came to Walla Walla county in 1861. His life experiences cover a long period of mining in Idaho, but since ISSS he has resided continuously at his present place of resi- dence, which is one of the finest farms in the valley. While he ranks with the leading agriculturists of this section of the state, he has also been prominent in public affairs and has been called upon to represent his district in the state legislature. He was born in Ohio, August 9, 1839, his parents being William and Rebecca (Stands) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Re- moving westward, they became residents of Ohio at an early period in the devel- opment of that state and there built a log cabin, living in true pioneer style. Later they became residents of Indiana, where both the father and mother passed away. Only two of their ten children are now living.
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