USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 49
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 49
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 49
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 49
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In 1858 Mr. Actor was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Davis, a native of Iowa, and they became the parents of six children : Margaret, who is the wife of George La Rue; Mary, the wife of Lincoln Kenwine; Louisa, the wife of P. Collinwood; Frank; George; and Arthur. The wife and mother died in 1908 and was laid to rest in the Dixie cemetery, her death being the cause of deep regret to her many friends and great sorrow to her family. Only recently Mr. Actor was also gathered to his fathers and with him there passed away one of those sturdy pioneers who had carried the banner of the white man's civilization into the wilds of the west and who planted well for the coming generations to reap.
Mr. Actor belonged to the Masonic lodge at Dixie and gave his political allegiance to the republican party. He never sought office but was public spirited and served as a member of the school board to good purpose. He was a self-made man who owed his success to his industry and perseverance alone. He met many hardships and difficulties incident to pioneer life and encountered many obstacles such as always are factors in a business career, but he did not allow himself to be- come discouraged and with resolute will pushed forward and in the span of his life he won for himself an honored place as one of the substantial men of the county. He was one of its venerable citizens, respected by all, and his worth to the community was widely acknowledged. While he has gone to the Beyond, his work lives and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who become cognizant of his sterling character.
H. F. CLODIUS.
Since the winter of 1882-3. H. F. Clodius has resided upon the Pacific coast and through more than a third of a century has been identified with farming in- terests in Walla Walla county. He is now living retired in Waitsburg. although he still owns valuable property holdings, constituting some of the best farm land in this section of the state. He was born in Germany on the 10th of November, 1847, and is a son of Claus H. and Catherine M. (Biernstein) Clodius, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany. His paternal great-grandfather, Chris- topher Clodius, removed to that country from Denmark. The father was one of the prominent farmers of his section and was a man in affluent circumstances.
Ilis son, IT. F. Clodius, was given liberal educational opportunities and in his later years has been a broad reader, so that he is said to be one of the best in- formed men on general subjects in Walla Walla county. In his wide scope of reading he has twice read the Bible through from cover to cover. When he was a lad of but fifteen years of age the life on the seas attracted him and for three years he sailed, during this time visiting the countries of France, England, Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Russia. In 1865 his father died and H. F. Clodius then left the sea and returned home. He was the eldest in a family of four sons and he practically became the head of the family, assuming the responsibility of managing the valuable estate which his father left. He proved adequate to the duties that devolved upon him, for he has ever been a man of enterprise and adaptability who has readily and capably undertaken the tasks which have come to him.
H. F. CLODIUS
MRS. H. F. CLODIUS
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In 1868 Mr. Clodius was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Rohde. Following his marriage he continued to cultivate his father's farm until 1875, when he determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and with his wife and one son sailed for the United States. On reaching American shores he penetrated into the interior of the country and established his home in Woodford county, Illinois, where he resided for eight years. It was in the winter of 1882-3 that he came to the Pacific coast, making his way by train to San Francisco and thence northward by boat to Portland, Oregon. From that point he traveled by train to Walla Walla county, Washington, arriving in the city of Walla Walla on the Ist of February, 1883. He remained in the town for a couple of months and then purchased a farm on Mill creek, ten miles from Walla Walla. He continued to reside upon that place for fifteen years, at the end of which time he sold the property and purchased a portion of his present farm in Spring Valley, about four miles southwest of Waitsburg. His holdings he has since increased by additional purchase until he now has thirteen hundred acres, and upon this property he continued to reside until 1914, when he removed to Waitsburg, where he has since lived retired. His business affairs were most carefully and wisely managed and his well directed interests brought to him a very gratifying and substantial measure of success, so that, possessing a very desirable competence, he is able to rest from further labor and yet enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
Mr. and Mrs. Clodius became the parents of nine· children, seven of whom are yet living, as follows: H. F., who is a farmer residing in Garfield county, Washington; Catherine M., the wife of David Kibler, of Mill Creek, Walla WValla county ; Marie C., the wife of Charles Kibler, who is an agriculturist living on Spring creek, Walla Walla county; Rosa, who gave her hand in marriage to William Weller, of Columbia county; Augusta, who is the wife of Emory McCown, a farmer of Walla Walla county ; Ella, the wife of Henry Züger, who also follows farming in Walla Walla county ; and John W., who operates the home farm. Two of the children, H. F. and Claus, deceased, were born in Germany.
Mr. Clodius votes with the democratic party and he has twice been a candidate for the office of county commissioner but failed of election. He belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, K. P. He is one of the wealthy farmers of Walla Walla county, is one of its broad gauged men and enjoys the friendship and regard of a great majority of those with whom he has come in contact. He is forceful and resourceful, has ever accomplished what he has undertaken and in the attain- ment of his success has followed well defined plans and purposes.
LEWIS SCHMUCK.
Lewis Schmuck, now living retired, was for many years a prominent figure in the business circles of Walla Walla, where he operated extensively in con- nection with the lumber industry as a member of the firm that established the busi- ness now conducted under the name of Whitehouse-Crawford Company. His start in business life was most humble. He began earning his living by selling
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newspapers and shining shoes. His educational advantages were naturally lim- ited but lie made such good use of his time and opportunities for securing in- tellectual advancement that in young manhood he was able to secure a teacher's certificate and for a time engaged in teaching school. Each point in his career has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and his life has been characterized by a most splendid and steady progression.
Mr. Schmuck was born in Peoria, Illinois, June 2, 1852, a son of Xavier and Mary Schmuck. The father was born in Alsace, and as a member of the French army fought against the Germans. The mother died when Lewis Schmuck was but a young child and at the early age of ten years he left home and began to shift for himself. He sold newspapers on the streets of Peoria during war times, when many extras were being published, and he also shined shoes, thus picking up many a stray nickel wherever possible. Later he drifted into the country, where he worked as a farm hand, and immediately following the close of the Civil war he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farm work. Still later he was em- ployed in a stone quarry and worked on the building of the state prison. He con- tinued in Nebraska for almost seven years and by reason of his continuous em- ployment that he might provide for his own support he had little chance to obtain an education. However, he was desirous of progressing along the line of intel- lectual culture and when possible attended a few months' school. He had pur- sued his studies to a limited extent before he left home in his tenth year and he did not again attend school until after he had attained his majority, when he de- voted three months each winter for three years to improving his education in Nebraska. In the school of experience, however, he had learned many valuable lessons and, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, was continually adding to his knowledge. After his nine months' school training in Nebraska he was able to secure two third grade certificates and later a second grade certificate. He taught one summer term in Nebraska, after which he resolved to try his for- tune in the northwest, having heard favorable reports concerning this section of the country.
Arriving in Walla Walla on the 24th of December, 1877, Mr. Schmuck spent the following winter as an employe in the sawmill of Dr. Blalock and thus he ob- tained his initial experience in connection with the lumber industry. In the sum- mer of 1878 he carried the hod in connection with the erection of the Schwabacher store building on the present site of the Gardner building. In the fall of that year he was employed in a wheat warehouse, loading grain on the Dr. Baker Railroad. Late in the fall of that year, in company with Charles Cooper, he established a small chop mill adjoining the Glassford planing mill, securing power from the latter plant. Subsequently they built a factory on the present site of the White- house-Crawford Company and engaged in the manufacture of the cheaper kinds of household furniture. This business was conducted successfully for several years and was finally developed into the lumber business. In the meantime Mr. Schmuck and his partner acquired a ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres in Whitman county and stocked the ranch, after which Mr. Schmuck located thereon in order to look after their cattle business, while his partner attended to their lumber interests in Walla Walla. This business was subsequently purchased by the firm of Whitehouse & Crimmins and later became the Whitehouse-Crawford Company. Mr. Schmuck remained upon the ranch for twelve years and then estab-
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lished his home in Colfax, where he engaged in the farm implement business for five years. On the expiration of that period, or in 1911, he sold out and returned to Walla Walla, where he has since lived retired. He is still, however, the owner of twenty-two hundred and seventy acres of wheat land in Umatilla county, Ore- gon, and a tract of four hundred and twenty-seven acres in Dixie, Walla Walla county. His investments have been most judiciously made and from his realty holdings he derives a very gratifying annual income.
On the 30th of July, 1883, Mr. Schmuck was united in marriage to Miss Bettie Wade, a niece of T. T. Burgess, by whom she was reared. They became parents of a daughter, Sarah E., who is now the wife of Frank Vollendorff, state clerk of the penitentiary. The wife and mother passed away July 6, 1906, and Mr. Schmuck was again married on the 26th of September, 1907, when Mrs. J. B. Chamberlain became his wife. They had become acquainted in early life while he was boarding with her parents in Nebraska. In her maidenhood she was Miss Martha Gerking and was a native of Missouri. By her former marriage she had a daughter, Blanche, who is the wife of C. A. Sprague, owner and editor of the Journal-Times of Ritzville, Washington.
Mr. Schmuck has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for one term as justice of the peace of Whitman county but has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and Mrs. Schmuck belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and to the United Artisans. Mr. Schmuck is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Walla Walla. He has always been a liberal con- tributor to church and charitable work and has been foremost in all movements for the advancement of the community and its substantial upbuilding. He gave to the city of Colfax what is known as Schmuck Park and many other evidences of his public spirit could be cited. In business affairs he has always displayed sound judgment that has enabled him readily to discriminate between the essen- tial and the nonessential. The methods which he has employed in the attain- ment of success awaken approval and admiration, for his course has been char- acterized by enterprise, by indefatigable energy and clear judgment which has won advancement in the business world without infringing on the rights of others. He is a man of well balanced capacities and powers and has long occupied a central place on the stage of action, being accorded leadership almost from the time when he made his initial effort in the field of business in the northwest.
HERBERT MCARTHUR.
Herbert McArthur, deceased, was one of the representative residents of Walla Walla county and a self-made man who in his business career steadily progressed. He started out to earn his living when a little lad of but nine years and from that time forward depended entirely upon his own resources. He was born in the state of New York, November 11, 1868, and was a son of Albert and Grace (Scoville) McArthur, both of whom are natives of the Empire state and are still living there. In their family were four children, two of whom survive.
Herbert McArthur pursued his education in the schools of his native state
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but his opportunities in that direction were quite limited, for he left home when only nine years of age and began to earn his living. He came in time to be one of the most successful men of the Walla Walla valley. In 1890 he arrived in the city of Walla Walla without a cent. He was then a young man of twenty- two years, and though he lacked capital, he possessed ambition, determination and energy. He utilized every opportunity that promised advancement and he was not afraid of hard work. After a time he embarked in merchandising in Walla Walla and so continued for eight years, after which he sold his business and took charge of the interests of the Blalock Fruit Company, of which he became a large stockholder. This company owned seventeen hundred acres of valuable land devoted to fruit cultivation and Mr. McArthur remained in charge until his death. Ife closely studied every phase of fruit culture in the northwest, knew where to secure the best nursery stock and also knew just what soil conditions were required for the best production. He studied scientific methods for the care of his trees and the fertilization of the soil, the spraying of the trees, and in fact every branch of work that could facilitate the interests of the company was carefully looked after by him. Following his death Mrs. McArthur purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres of raw prairie land which she has since im- proved, erecting thereon fine buildings and bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. She now has one of the finest farms in the state of Washington. All of the trees upon the place have been planted since it came into possession of Mrs. McArthur, who is a ,most capable- business woman, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and discriminating quickly between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs.
It was in 1886 that Mr. McArthur was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Abel Gee, who was born in Cuba, New York, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron G. Gee, who were also natives of the Empire state, where her father passed away, as did the mother, whose death occurred in Cuba. Both were laid to rest in New York. In their family were three children, two of whom are now living.
The death of Mr. McArthur occurred in June, 1908, and he was laid to rest in Walla Walla cemetery. His demise was deeply regretted by many friends, for he had won for himself a creditable position not only in business circles but in the regard of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. McArthur is also widely and favorably known in Walla Walla county and ranks with the most representa- tive business women, controlling an estate valued at over three hundred thousand dollars. She possesses notable energy and sound judgment and carries forward to successful completion whatever she begins.
HENRY A. JOHNSON.
Ilenry A. Johnson, a well known stock raiser of Columbia county, has been a resident of Washington for forty years and has therefore been a witness of much of the growth and development of this section of the state. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born in Lincoln county, August 18, 1844, a son of W. G. D. and Catherine ( Miller) Johnson, who were also natives of Canada, where
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HENRY A. JOHNSON
1
MRS. HENRY A. JOHNSON
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they spent their entire lives. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living.
Henry A. Johnson spent his youthful days in Canada and acquired his educa- tion as a public school pupil there. In 1865 he removed to the middle west, set- tling in Champaign county, Illinois, where he resided for a decade. In 1875 he made his way to the Pacific coast and located in California, where he spent two and a half years upon a farm. In 1877 he arrived in Walla Walla and in May, 1878, he purchased a herd of cattle and came to Starbuck. He rented a farm for several years but during that period carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought to him a capital sufficient to enable him to purchase land. He then invested in property which he owned for a time but afterward sold that farm. His wife, however, owns eleven hundred and twenty acres near Starbuck, which is excellent valley land, devoted to the cultivation of hay, fruit and vegetables.
In August, 1909, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy A. Pearson, a native of Restigouche county, New Brunswick, and a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Reid) Watson. Her father was born in Scotland, but her mother was a native of New Brunswick, where they were married. To them were born eight children in New Brunswick and two others were added to the family after their removal to California, Mrs. Johnson being the oldest. It was in 1868 that they came to the Pacific coast and settled in Rio Vista, Cali- fornia, where Mr. Watson owned and operated a ranch and where both hie and his wife died. They have three sons still living: William, of San Jose, Cali- fornia ; and R. W. and Alex M., both of Great Falls, Montana. Their daughter, Nancy A., was married in Rio Vista to J. S. Pearson and in 1878 they came to Dayton, Washington, being among the pioneers of that locality. Two years later they became residents of Starbuck. Mr. Pearson died at Spokane in 1908. The children born of that union were: Charles W., now an extensive wheat farmer of Eureka flats, Walla Walla county; Margaret J., deceased; Sadie M., the wife of a prominent physician of Sacramento, California; Marian E., whose husband is a prominent railroad man of Spokane; Florence P., the wife of an eminent physician of Sacramento; Robert G., also a prominent physician of that city ; and Joseph N., a rancher of Marysville, California. All of the children were given excellent educational advantages, attending colleges in this state and finishing their course at the University of Washington. Charles was one of the first children to attend public school in Starbuck, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson with one or two others having organized the first school district in 1880, before the village of Starbuck had been started. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson now spend their winters in California but during the summer months occupy the ranch at Star- buck, where they have a beautiful and attractive home located on a knoll over- looking the Tucanon river which is modern in every respect, being lighted by electricity and supplied with all conveniences.
Mr. Johnson is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Starbuck Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. In politics he is a stal- wart republican and has served as justice of the peace and as mayor of Starbuck, while for several years he has been a member of the school board. His public duties have been discharged with promptness and fidelity and he has mani-
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fested marked capability in the performance of every task that has devolved upon him. During the long years of his residence in Washington he has con- tributed much to the upbuilding and progress of his section of the state and has always stood for advancement, reform and improvement.
JOHN HUNTINGTON, M. D.
Dr. John Huntington, enjoying a lucrative practice at Starbuck, was born April 14, 1860, at the old home at Monticello, Washington, being the third son of Harry D. and Rebecca J. Huntington, who were early pioneers of western Washington. They had crossed the plains with ox teams in the year 1848 and on the journey met Joseph Meek conveying the news of the Whitman massacre to Washington. Mr. Huntington with his family spent the first winter at Oregon City and in the following spring removed to his donation claim, situated at the mouth of the Cowlitz river, on which was located a warehouse of the Hudson's Bay Company. There the pioneer town of Monticello grew up and was made memorable by the fact that the first convention was held there to organize the territory of Washington. It is a pleasing memory to Dr. Huntington to know that he as well as others of his brothers and sisters were born in the same house in which that convention was held. His father was a member of the first ter- ritorial legislature and his brother, Chandler Huntington, was a member of the first state legislature. Dr. Huntington attended the Territorial University, from which institution he won his Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation with the class of 1885. He was there a classmate of Professor Meany of the State Uni- versity and of Charles V. Piper, who taught for many years in the Washington State College and for the past decade has been connected with the agricultural department of the United States government at Washington, D. C.
Dr. Huntington pursued his course in medicine in the medical department of the University of Oregon at Portland and was there graduated on the Ist of April, 1891. He located for practice near his old home in Cowlitz county, where he remained until the fall of 1898, when he entered the employ of the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation Company as local surgeon at Starbuck. There he has since remained and, in addition to his work with the railroad com- pany, he has enjoyed a lucrative practice. He is very conscientious in the per- formance of all professional work and by broad reading and study keeps in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries so that he is familiar with the most progressive methods.
For many years Dr. Huntington has been an active member and worker in the Masonic lodge and derives much pleasure therefrom, while in his life he ex- amplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft that is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. While a student at the university he became a member of the Presbyterian church, of which Dr. Matthews is now pastor, and is a member of that church at Walla Walla. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families of the northwest, his parents having come here at a very early day, while in the same party was Captain Miller, who is well known in Walla Walla and along the Columbia and
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Snake rivers. His father was acquainted with Dr. McLoughlin, Rev. Eells and other notable pioneers. The work which the father began in the early days has been continued by the sons and the name of Huntington has ever stood as a synonym for progressiveness and loyalty in citizenship and for the support of all interests looking toward the upbuilding and betterment of the state.
FRANCIS M. CORKRUM.
Francis M. Corkrum is extensively engaged in farming in Walla Walla county, having supervision over fourteen hundred acres of land. He resides on section 19, township 8 north, range 37 east. It was in this township that he was born, April 11, 1892, a son of Uriah F. and Ida May (Chew) Corkrum, both of whom were natives of Walla Walla county. The paternal grandfather, Francis M. Corkrum, was one of the earliest pioneer settlers of this section of the state, arriving here in the late '50s. He figured most prominently in connection with the pioneer development of the county and is classed with those who aided in reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization. At the time of his arrival the red men far outnumbered the white settlers in the state, the great forests were uncut, the streams unbridged and the lands uncultivated. In fact the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun, yet here and there a few venturesome spirits had planted the seeds of civilization in the northwest. Mr. Corkrum bore a most active part in the work of general progress and improve- ment in that early period and this work has been carried on by his descendants to the present time. Uriah F. Corkrum is now living in. Walla Walla and is the owner of seven hundred acres of land in this county.
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