USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 47
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Cyrus T. Nelson was reared and educated in Ohio and in 1859 started for California. He spent two years as a miner in that state and in 1861 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, but in the fall of the same year proceeded onward to Idaho, where he engaged in mining until 1888. In that year he re- turned to Walla Walla county and took up his abode upon his present farm, which he had purchased in 1866. He has developed it into one of the finest farm- ing properties of the valley, having here eight hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land from which he annually gathers very substantial and grati- fying harvests. His agricultural methods are indicative of the latest step along the line of progress in crop production, and in addition to his farm he owns a fine residence at No. 333 Whitman street in Walla Walla.
In 1873 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Julia McInroe, who was a native of Wisconsin and by whom he had eight children, as follows: George; Lawrence F .; Cyrus M .; Carrie L., the wife of W. L. Talbert; Laura A., who gave her hand in marriage to L. V. Warner; Ruth, the wife of William C. Retzer ; and two who are deceased. All those living are residents of Washington. The wife and mother passed away in 1905 and was laid to rest in Mountview cemetery, her death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to her immediate family but to those many friends who had learned to esteem her highly because of her many sterling traits of character and her kindly spirit.
In politics Mr. Nelson has long been an earnest republican, voting with the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has served as county commissioner in Idaho and for one term was representative of his district in the Idaho state legislature. His public record, like his private life, is free from blame. His has been a useful, active and honorable career, guided by high principles. He has long been numbered among the honored resi- dents of the northwest. where he has made his home for fifty-six years. There is
C. T. NELSON
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no phase of the development of the northwest in its mining and agricultural interests with which he is not familiar and his broad experiences have caused him to look at life from a liberal standpoint, with sympathy for the frailties of men and respect for their sterling virtues.
LUTHER J. CAMPBELL.
Luther J. Campbell, superintendent of the Stubblefield Home at Walla Walla, has proved very efficient in that difficult position, displaying the rare combination of executive ability and marked kindness and patience. He was born in Monti- cello, Piatt county, Illinois, October 9, 1870, a son of George W. and Margaret R. (Gibson) Campbell, the former a native of Salina, Ohio, and the latter of Sangamon county, Illinois. They were married in Sangamon county as the father had located there in young manhood, and there he engaged in farming for many years. His death occurred in August, 1907, but the mother is still living and makes her home with a daughter in Springfield, Illinois.
Luther J. Campbell passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and after completing the course offered in the public schools became a student in the Central Normal College. In acquiring an education he displayed unusual persistency of purpose and great energy, for he worked his way through college, completing the four years' course on a capital of one hundred and eighty dollars which he earned. He boarded himself, living chiefly on graham mush sweetened with syrup, and in order to further decrease his expenses he did his own laundry work at night. Most young men would never consider for a moment undergoing such privations, but he realized the benefit of an education and determined to fit himself for something worth while. After his graduation with the class of 1892 with the degree of B. A., he took up the work of teaching and for sixteen years followed that profession. He then turned his attention to the land business and was also for some time advertising manager of the Farm Home. On resigning that position he and L. E. Frost founded the Berkshire World, a stock paper which is now published in Chicago. His residence in the northwest dates from 1910, when he removed to Hermiston, Oregon, where for fifteen months he devoted his time to the study of orchards and irrigation. In 1911 he removed to Walla Walla and during that winter was the principal of Bernie school. In 1911 he was appointed probation officer and served for fifteen months in that capacity and on the Ist of January, 1913, took charge of the Stubblefield Home, which was founded in pursuance of the terms of the will of the late Joseph L. Stubblefield, who left one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars for its establishment and maintenance. The institution is a home for aged and dependent widows and dependent children and since its establishment in 1902 has admirably served its purpose. It is un- der the direction of three trustees appointed by Mr. Stubblefield, namely C. M. Rader, E. A. Reser and F. M. Stubblefield. Mr. Campbell's knowledge of human nature and administrative skill gained through his years of teaching and in his work as probation officer admirably fit him for the discharge of his duties in the important position of superintendent of the home, and the friction so often found in such institutions is happily lacking.
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On the 23d of May, 1893, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Margaret J Wallace, of Brazil, Indiana, and they have a daughter, Beryl C., the wife of V. O. McWhorter, who is in the government service at Dubois, Idaho.
Mr. Campbell is a stanch democrat and is commendably interested in pub- lic affairs, although not an aspirant for office. IIe belongs to Columbia Lodge, No. 8, K. P., and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In all the communities in which he has resided he has made a highly creditable place for himself, and all who have come in close contact with him hold him in warm regard.
JAMES EMANUEL BERRYMAN.
James Emanuel Berryman, deceased, was well known as an early settler and prosperous farmer of Walla Walla county His birth occurred in England, May 18, 1834, and he was a son of Richard and Martha Berryman, who were also natives of England. In 1841 they came with their family to America and established their home in Wisconsin, where both passed away. In that state our subject received a limited education and there he remained until 1854. Desiring to seek for gold, he then went to the sea coast and took passage on a ship bound for California by way of the Horn. On the voyage the ship was wrecked and he had the misfortune to lose all of his possessions. For some years he remained in California, following mining, and then went to Australia, but after two years spent in the search for gold in that country he returned to California.
In 1861 Mr. Berryman came to Walla Walla county, Washington, which at that time was unsettled save for the fort, a saloon and a blacksmith shop ; but the lure of the mines was still upon him and he went into the mountains of Idaho, making his way first to the Elk City mines and then to Florence, where he was one of the party that discovered the mines there. In 1862 he went back to Wisconsin for a visit and subsequently returned to England, where he was mar- ried. Not long afterward, in 1863, he brought his bride to America and located in Wisconsin, working in lead mines. The following year he made his way to Montana, in which state he was engaged in mining for some years. In 1869 he came again to Walla Walla county and this time took up his permanent residence here. He made his home in the city of Walla Walla for ten years and served as a member of the police force. He became the first street commissioner, moved houses, built bridges and did other such work. During this period, however, he again started out in search of gold, spending some time in the Powder River country, at Butte, Montana, and near Florence, Idaho. In 1878 he filed on a homestead and a timber claim in Walla Walla county and also bought railroad land. There were the usual hardships of the pioneer community to contend with, but he knew that such fertile soil and salubrious climate could not fail to attract settlers, and that in time land here would become highly valuable and the country the equal of the older east in all that pertains to civilization. He raised wheat and herds of cattle and horses, and from time to time he gave evidence of his faith in the country by investing in land. His widow now owns fifteen hundred and sixty acres of improved land, a quarter section of which is located on Dry
MR. AND MRS. JAMES E. BERRYMAN
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creek. He built the first schoolhouse in his neighborhood and this is still known as the Berryman school.
Mr. Berryman was married in England, on the 16th of April, 1863, to Miss Mary Berryman, who although of the same name was not a relative. To them were born twelve children: Richard J., who is a property owner of Walla Walla county but lives in Portland, Oregon; Lilly, deceased; Desdemona, the wife of C. Hartman, of Thompson Falls, Montana; Mattie, the wife of William Falkner, of Walla Walla county; George W., Joe and William, all three of whom have passed away; Charles M., Ulrich A. and Paul S., who are operating the ranch; Amyitis; and one son who died in infancy. There are also fifteen grand- children and five great-grandchildren.
Mr. Berryman was a stanch republican and was quite prominent in politics. He held membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs, and contributed liberally to its support. He passed away in April, 1911, and was laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery. He was one of the leading men of his community, honored and respected both for his ability and his uncompromising integrity. Mrs. Berryman still resides in Walla Walla and the family is widely known and highly esteemed throughout the city and county.
HENRY G. MAUZEY, M. D.
For many years Dr. Henry G. Mauzey devoted his time and energies to the practice of medicine and surgery but is now living retired in the suburbs of Walla Walla. He was born in Missouri, June 14, 1848, the son of Judge Stark and Martha Fenning Mauzey, who were natives of Virginia and Indiana, respectively. About the year 1842 they removed to Missouri, and both the father and mother spent their remaining days in that state. They had a family of four children, of whom two are now living.
Dr. Henry G. Mauzey spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of Missouri and St. Louis and there acquired his public school education. He began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Isaac P. Vaughan, who was a Virginian and a surgeon in the United States army in the Mexican war. Later Henry G. Mauzey entered the McDowell Medical College of St. Louis and after one term became a student at the Bellevue Medical College of New York city and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1870. He obtained a commission in the Cuban army but instead went before the examin- ing board of the United States army and was given a commission as acting assistant surgeon and ordered to the Pacific coast. He arrived in San Francisco in June, 1870, and after a short time was ordered to Fort Vancouver, Washington. He was on duty a short time at army headquarters in the city of Portland and from there was ordered to Alaska as a surgeon traveling with recruits. On February 19, 1873, he arrived in Walla Walla under orders to report and await the coming of the United States troops, who had been fighting Indians in northern California. He opened an office in the city of Walla Walla, where he remained as an active representative of the profession until 1890. In that year he removed to Spokane, where he continued in special work-eye and ear-for
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twenty-five years. Throughout the intervening years he kept in close touch with the advance thought and work of the profession. Broad reading kept him in- formed concerning the latest scientific researches and discoveries. In 1909 he again took up his abode in Walla Walla county, where he is now living retired, his home being situated about one and a half miles southeast of the city. In early days and for some years he was associated in practice with Dr. John E. Bingham of this city.
In April, 1875, Dr. Mauzey was united in marriage to Miss Frances I. Abbott, a native of Oregon and a daughter of John F. and Susan (Snyder) Abbott, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Ohio. The mother crossed the plains in 1845 with an uncle, the journey being made with ox teams after the primitive manner of travel in those days. She was married in Port- land, Oregon, to Mr. Abbott and after a number of years' residence in Oregon, removal was made to Walla Walla, where Mr. Abbott passed away in 1896. Mrs. Abbott is still alive at the notable age of ninety-three years and is enjoying good health. Dr. and Mrs. Mauzey are the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy. The younger, a daughter, Linda, became the wife of Major Andrew W. Smith, who is an officer in the United States army and now stationed at Camp Meade, Maryland.
Dr. Mauzey has a wide acquaintance in the northwest and all who know him speak of him in terms of high regard .. For many years his position was that of family physician in many a household of Walla Walla, and regret was felt on the part of his patients when he determined to retire from practice. He is also numbered among the pioneer settlers in the northwest, his residence in this section of the country covering almost a half century, so that he is largely familiar with its history. When he arrived at Portland in August, 1870, it had a pop- ulation of ten thousand and the territory of Washington had a population of sixty-five thousand.
WOODSON CUMMINS.
Woodson Cummins, of Touchet, is a retired farmer who was long actively identified with farming interests, but while still owning valuable farm property, is leaving its care and development to others. He is now vice president of the Touchet State Bank and his business record has at all times been such as has won for him the confidence and goodwill of his contemporaries.
A native son of Iowa, Mr. Cummins was born on the 6th of July, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Lucretia ( Myers) Cummins, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They were married, however, in Indiana, to which state they had removed with their respective parents in childhood days. Soon after their mar- riage they left the Hoosier state to become residents of Iowa, and in 1862 they again started upon a westward journey, with Walla Walla county, Washington, as their destination. They crossed the plains with ox teams and a mule team, leaving their Iowa home on the ist of April and reaching Walla Walla county about the 16th of September. It was a long and arduous trip across the stretches of hot sand and over the mountain passes. There were some dangers to be
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WOODSON CUMMINS
MRS. WOODSON CUMMINS
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faced and many hardships to be undergone, but day after day and week after week the journey was continued with resolute spirit and courage until they arrived in Washington. Soon afterward Mr. Cummins took up a homestead about five miles southeast of Walla Walla and in 1869 he removed to the farm which his son Woodson now owns, situated two miles west of Touchet. ' There he acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land and for several years he was engaged thereon in stock raising, becoming a prominent representative of the livestock business in this section. He also engaged in freighting in the early days, continuing in that business until the building of the railroad. There was no feature of pioneer life with which he was not familiar and his efforts were an important element in promoting the carly development and the later progress of this section of the state. He labored diligently and the intelligent direction of his efforts brought good results. He died in the year 1916, having long sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1875. In fact he was three times married after the death of the mother of Woodson Cummins, and each of his wives pre- ceded him to the grave.
Woodson Cummins was a little lad of but seven summers when the family came to the northwest. He was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of Touchet. In the spring of 1880 he went to Elgin, Oregon, and for three years was engaged in the livestock business, after which he returned to Walla Walla county. In 1882 he purchased the old home farm and continued to engage in the livestock business. He also cultivated his fields and became recognized as one of the energetic and representative farmers of the community. He took up a homestead claim adjoining his father's old farm and in subsequent years he has purchased other land and now owns six hundred and forty acres. Year by year his farming and livestock interests were carefully conducted and his business affairs grew in volume and importance. He displayed sound judgment in the management of his interests and utilized the most progressive methods in conducting his work. Prosperity therefore came to him and at length, having become the possessor of a very substantial competence, he removed to Touchet about 1908 and a year later gave up active farming, since which time he has lived practically retired. He was, however, one of the organ- izers of the Touchet State Bank, has been a member of its board of directors from the beginning and also has filled the office of vice president from the organ- ization.
On the 12th of September, 1880, Mr. Cummins was united in marriage to Miss Jemima J. Weaver, of Elgin, Oregon, by whom he has five children, as follows: Clarence E., who is yard manager of the Touchet yards of the Tum-a- Lum Lumber Company; Walter R., who cultivates a farm of his own and also some of his father's land; Hettie, who is the wife of W. E. Burnap, an agricul- turist of township 7 north; Leila M., the wife of K. W. Parsons, who is engaged in farming near Lowden, Walla Walla county; and Elmer J., the proprietor of a garage in Touchet. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins also have an adopted daughter, Eva Pearl, now the wife of A. Hanson, residing near Touchet.
In his political views Mr. Cummins has long been a republican, giving stal- wart support to the party and doing all in his power to promote its successes, yet never seeking nor desiring office for himself. He holds membership in Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are consistent and faithful mem-
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bers of the Primitive Baptist church. His religious faith has guided him in all of his relations and has made his business career one of unquestioned integrity and honor. He has combined high purpose with laudable ambition and his career proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN SPREITZER.
Among the retired farmers residing in Walla Walla is numbered John Spreit- zer, who was born in Austria in 1860, of the marriage of Stephen and Gertrude Spreitzer, also natives of that country. There the mother passed away and there the father still maintains his home. To them were born nine children, of whom three are deceased.
John Spreitzer was reared at home and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of Austria. When twenty-three years of age, or in 1883, he crossed the Atlantic to America, having determined to seek his fortune in this comparatively new country. For six years he lived in Chicago and then went to Colorado, where he spent one year. At the end of that time, in 1890, he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and for five years operated rented land. He then bought six hundred and forty acres and devoted his time to the cultivation of that tract until 1911, when, feeling that he had accumulated a com- petence, he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where he purchased an attractive residence on East Chestnut street. The value of his property is enhanced by the fact that there are many fruit trees upon the farm which bear abundantly.
In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Spreitzer and Mrs. Katie Hendricks, a native of Germany. Mr. Spreitzer is a republican in politics but has confined his participation in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. Frater- nally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and has .many friends within and without that organization. He came to America empty-handed, but being quick to recognize and take advantage of the opportunities here offered, has by his own efforts gained the prosperity which he now enjoys.
GEORGE A. EVANS.
Among the men who played well their part in the pioneer days of Walla Walla county, when conditions of life were such as to test to the utmost a man's mettle, was numbered George A. Evans, who came to the west by wagon train. He turned his attention to farming, but his last days were passed in well earned leisure. He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, December 6, 1835, and remained there until he reached mature years. In the meantime he had received but three months of common school education and had acquired habits of industry and of perseverance that were to stand him in good stead in the new northwest. In 1854 he removed to Sidney, Iowa, and two years later, in 1856, he joined a wagon train of forty ox teams and accompanied by his family, his parents and brothers and sisters, made the long journey across the continent to Walla Walla, arriv-
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ing here in August. At that time the Indians were quite restive and had at- tacked several wagon trains and massacred a number of the emigrants, but the train with which Mr. Evans journeyed was not molested. For some time he drove a team engaged in freighting in this state and Idaho, principally between Walla Walla, Boise and Silver City, and thus became thoroughly familiar with this section of the northwest and gained a wide acquaintance among the early settlers. His first winter in Walla Walla, that of 1861, was one of the worst ever known in this country and it was a serious problem among the pioneers to make a living. Mr. Evans succeeded in finding employment as a mule herder for the government on what is now known as Eureka Flats. After the coming of the railroad he turned his attention to farming and became the owner of large and valuable holdings. At length, feeling that he was entitled to a period of rest, he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where his death occurred April 2, 1916.
Mr. Evans first married Bethsidia Williams, who died, and in 1886 he mar- ried Miss Bessie Bambrick, a native of Nova Scotia, and they became the parents of two children, one of whom survives, Mrs. W. R. McDermott, of San Fran- cisco. Mrs. Bessie Evans passed away September 3, 1905, and on December 18, 1907, Mr. Evans married Miss Anna Bower, who survives him and resides at No. 549 South Division street. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is a woman of many admirable qualities.
Mr. Evans was a loyal member of the Masonic fraternity and was laid to his last rest with Masonic honors. For ten years he held membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church and in his daily life he was a consistent Christian, thoroughly upright in all his dealings, kindly in spirit and considerate of others. In his home life he was ever a loving husband and father and his large capacity for friend- ship gained him the warm regard of all who knew him intimately. He had a keen interest in educational affairs and for sixteen years served as a trustee of St. Paul's school. With his passing Walla Walla lost one of her prominent cit- izens and his demise was the occasion of widespread regret.
SETH W. HESTER.
Since starting out in life for himself Seth W. Hester has followed agricultural pursuits and is today one of the prosperous farmers of Columbia county, Wash- ington. He has always been a resident of the Pacific northwest, being born in Linn county, Oregon, January 2, 1872, and during his infancy he was brought to Walla Walla county, now Columbia county, by his parents, William M. and Sarah K. (Combs) Hester, who were natives of Kentucky and Iowa respectively. It was in 1852 that his father came to the Pacific coast and after spending four years in California, removed to Oregon in 1856 and in 1872 came to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he settled on a farm. Here he and his wife both died. To them were born nine children and five of the number are now living.
Seth W. Hester passed his boyhood and youth in Walla Walla county and is indebted to its public schools for the early educational advantages he enjoyed. He was only thirteen years of age when his father died and he took charge of the
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