USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 50
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Francis M. Corkrum, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquired a district school education, supple- mented by a course in the Empire Business College in Walla Walla. He was early trained to the work of the farm and at the age of twenty years began farm- ing on his own account, renting land. He secured seven hundred acres owned by the Kibler brothers in the township where he now makes his home. This farm he is still cultivating and on the Ist of September, 1916, he took over the management of his father's farm and is now operating fourteen hundred acres of land, which places him among the most extensive farmers of his section of the county. He follows the most progressive methods and his enterprise and industry are producing splendid results. He is familiar with every phase of modern farming and he has secured the latest improved machinery to promote the work of the fields. Annually he harvests good crops and the neat and thrifty appearance of the places which he cultivates indicates his practical and progressive spirit.
On the 16th of October, 1913, Mr. Corkrum was united in marriage to Miss Edith Gwin, a daughter of J. A. Gwin, one of the substantial farmers of Walla Walla county. They are now the parents of two children, Mary Jane and Uriah F., Jr.
Fraternally Mr. Corkrum is identified with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. Mrs. Corkrum is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Corkrum
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gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. He prefers to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which, wisely directed, are bringing to him substantial success.
FREEMAN C. ROMAINE.
Freeman C. Romaine, deceased, was one of the representative farmers of Columbia county, carrying on operations six miles north of Dayton. He was born on the 15th of July, 1867, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which state was also the birthplace of his parents, Garrit and Martha Romaine, and he was only five years of age when the family crossed the plains and settled in Oregon, where the following three years were passed. In 1875 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and throughout the remainder of his life was actively identi- fied with its agricultural interests. He took up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres six miles north of Dayton, which is still owned by his widow, and as time passed he became one of the most extensive farmers of his community, operating about twelve hundred acres. He not only raised grain but also devoted considerable attention to the raising of stock.
In 1898 Mr. Romaine was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bosqui, a native of California and a daughter of K. J. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Bosqui, who were also born in that state and removed to Washington about forty years ago. Here the mother died but the father is still living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Romaine are as follows: Helen E. and Doris E., now attending high school ; and Donald Kenneth.
Mr. Romaine passed away on May 10, 1914, and was laid to rest in the Dayton cemetery. He was a very public-spirited and enterprising citizen who did much to promote the interests of his community, and he served as president of the Fair Association. He was a member of the Commercial Club and was a republican in politics. In his death the county realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen and wherever known he was held in the highest regard. Mrs. Romaine still owns the farm of three hundred and twenty acres and also has a nice residence in Dayton, where the family now live. They are members of the Congregational church and have a host of warm friends in the city and surround- ing country.
EDWARD A. LYONS.
Edward A. Lyons, a representative citizen and progressive farmer living on section 22, Russell Creek township, in Walla Walla county, was born on the old Lyons homestead in this township July 9, 1882, his parents being Patrick and Frances Lyons. The father became a very prominent and successful man, actively and extensively connected with agricultural interests. His business affairs were
FREEMAN C. ROMAINE
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the result of carefully directed effort, indefatigable energy and perseverance, and as the years passed on he kept adding to his holdings until he was one of the wealthy men of this section of the state. He belonged to the Catholic church and his life was guided by high and honorable principles, while the circle of his friends constantly increased as the circle of his acquaintance broadened.
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Edward A. Lyons, who at- tended St. Vincent's parochial school in Walla Walla, also the Lincoln public school and the Binkey-Walker Commercial College in Portland, Oregon, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1903. After his return home he began the management of his father's farming interests, of which he had charge during the following fourteen years, this bringing him broad experience and wide knowledge concerning the most effective and progressive methods of farming. In 1914 he began business on his own account, taking up his abode on his present farm in Russell Creek township. His place comprises three hun- dred and sixty acres of good land which he purchased in 1909. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and the enterprise and energy with which he has directed his efforts have gained for him a very substantial measure of success.
On the 24th of January, 1912, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Edna Field, a daughter of Simon Field, one of the early pioneer settlers of Walla Walla county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born three children, two of whom are living, Andrew Edward and Dorothy Jane.
Politically Mr. Lyons is a democrat, exercising his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. He has made for himself a very creditable position among the successful farmers and substantial men of Walla Walla county and is a well known representative of one of the honored pioneer families long connected with the development and progress of this sec- tion of the state.
PASQUALE SOTURNO.
It was a man of Italian birth who discovered America and thus brought to the world the knowledge of the resources of a new continent. Since that time many men who have had their nativity in the sunny land of Italy have crossed the Atlantic and have become valuable residents of America, their enterprise and business activity contributing to the upbuilding and progress of the districts in which they have resided. Pasquale Soturno is among those who have become identified with the development of the northwest. He makes his home in College Place, where he is now most pleasantly situated, occupying one of the beutiful residences in that town, while his attention is given to the conduct of an extensive gardening business. He was born in Italy, March 3, 1850, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1875, when a young man of twenty-five years, and for a brief period was a resident of the state of New York. The opportunities of the west attracted him and he made his way across the country
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to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he settled in 1876, becoming the first commercial gardener of the valley. He is today the owner of forty-six acres of very rich and productive land upon which he is now extensively engaged in gardening. He has followed this business for forty-one years and he has ever held to the highest standards in his work. He produces vegetables of most ex- cellent quality, size and flavor, and by reason of this he has been assured of a very liberal patronage. His business has grown year by year and today he has a splendidly improved farm, having secured all of the improvements that facilitate work of that character.
Mr. Soturno was married in Italy before he left his native land. His wife died in 1916. In their family were three children: Carmen, who is at home with her father ; Josephine, also at home ; and Nicholas, who died at the age of twenty- eight years.
Mr. Soturno and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. He has long since become a naturalized American citizen and has always given his political allegiance to the republican party. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the busi- ness opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has won a handsome fortune, being now numbered among the substantial citizens not only of College Place but of the county at large. Moreover, he was a pioneer in his field of labor and demonstrated the possibilities for successful gardening as a commercial venture in this section of the state.
LARS NILSSON.
Lars Nilsson is a hardware and implement dealer of Dayton, who for many years has ranked with the foremost business men of the city. The secret of success is not a difficult one to find. Careful analyzation of the carcers of those men who have prospered indicates the fact that industry has constituted the foun- dation of their progress and close application and enterprise have enabled them to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and in time reach the goal of prosperity. Such is the record of Mr. Nilsson, who came as a young man to the new world, well qualified to meet business demands in America by reason of the thorough training which he had received as a wagon maker in his native country.
Mr. Nilsson was born in Sweden, September 19, 1859, a son of Nils and Elna ( Knudson) Larson. The father died in Sweden when his son was a lad of but ten years and the mother passed away when he was a youth of only twelve. so that he was early left an orphan. Following his mother's demise he was thrown upon his own resources and from that time forward has been dependent entirely upon individual labor for advancement. He was employed at farm work until his eighteenth year, at which time he apprenticed himself to the wagon maker's trade. Ile finished his apprenticeship in Sweden, where thoroughness is the watchword in every factory. After becoming a master builder of wagons he determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and in the spring of 18So sailed for the United States, where his brother. Andrew Nilsson, had located ten years before. The brother had become a resident of Dayton, Washington,
LARS NILSSON
ANDREW NILSSON
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in 1877, and in the fall of 1879 he returned to Sweden on a visit. The following spring he again came to the United States and brought with him his younger brother, Lars, and a sister, Sophia, who is now the wife of John Ruply, of Portland, Oregon. Andrew Nilsson had previously established himself in the blacksmithing business in Dayton and on his return, Lars Nilsson enter the brother's shop, adding the wagon making industry to the blacksmithing business. He continued to work for his brother for eleven years and in 1892 they entered into partnership rela- tions, conducting their business under the firm style of Nilsson Brothers for fourteen years. During that period they extended the scope of their interests and added new departments, opening a farm implement store. In 1905 Lars Nilsson purchased his brother's interest in the business and as his trade grew he was forced to give up the blacksmithing shop in order to concentrate his efforts and attention upon the mercantile branch. He also disposed of the machine shop, devoting his entire time to looking after the implement and vehicle business, which was removed to a handsome new brick building erected at the corner of Main and Third streets by Andrew Nilsson. In 1913 Arthur Nilsson became associated with his father in the business and displays marked enterprise in carrying on their interests. Mr. Nilsson has always maintained the highest standards in the line which he handles. For years he has sold the Studebaker vehicles, the Canton plows, Superior drills and the Holt combine and in more recent years he has handled the Studebaker motor car, He also handles engines and pumping outfits and in fact almost everything necessary to the complete equipment of a farm, including a line of power machinery. A local paper said of him: "He is known throughout the county as a conscientious, progressive. accommodating and capable business man and some of his customers have been doing business with him for many years with complete satisfaction to them- selves." His brother Andrew died October 22, 1916, in Dayton, at the age of seventy-two years, leaving no family and, according to the terms of his will, our subject is sole executor of the estate and is acting as such without bar or any court proceedings.
On the 10th of May, 1890, Mr. Nilsson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Stahlberg, a native of Sweden. He went to Sweden in the fall of 1889 and brought his prospective bride to this country with him in the spring of 1890. for having been naturalized in the United States, the laws of Sweden would not permit of his marriage there. To them were born two children: Esther J., who died in 1913, at the age of twenty-two years; and Arthur N., who is con- nected with his father in business. The wife and mother passed away March 16, 1894, and on Christmas day of 1895 Mr. Nilsson was married to Miss Lydia Stahlberg, a sister of his former wife. There have been two children of this marriage: Andrew L., who is taking a course in electrical engineering in the Washington State College; and Albert E., a lad of ten years, at home.
Mr. Nilsson is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Dayton Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M .; Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M. ; and Washington Commandery. No. I, K. T., of Walla Walla. He is also a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 3. K. P .. which he joined in 1886, and he belongs to Patit Lodge, No. 10. I. O. O. F. He has passed through all of the chairs in these different organizations save the commandery and is a most faithful follower of Masonic teachings, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife are consistent
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members of the Congregational church and they enjoy the high regard of all with whom they have been associated because of the many sterling traits which they display. Mr. Nilsson is a self-made man. He borrowed the money from his brother with which to pay his passage to this country and as the years have gone on he has steadily progressed in a business way until he is today one of the inost substantial citizens of Dayton. He has ever been watchful of indica- tions pointing to success and has never feared to venture where favoring oppor- tunity has led the way. He has closely studied the market and the public de- mand in his line and has ever carried a stock that has been able to meet the needs of the most particular. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable as well as progressive and his word is considered as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal.
OLIVER DEWITT.
On the 4th of July, 1864, Oliver DeWitt arrived in Walla Walla, a young man of twenty years, with twenty-three cents in his pocket, representing his entire capital. Today he is the owner of valuable farming property, from which he derives a gratifying annual rental that supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The intervening period was at the outset a struggle for existence but since then, step by step, he has steadily progressed and his record indicates clearly what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. Never afraid of hard work, he has also displayed sound business judgment in the management of his interests.
Mr. DeWitt was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1844, a son of David H. and Rachel (Starner) DeWitt, who removed from Ohio to lowa in 1850, settling in Mahaska county near Oskaloosa, where they remained until called to their final rest.
Oliver DeWitt had very limited educational opportunities. In fact he is a self-educated as well as self-made man and many of his most valuable lessons have been gleaned from the school of experience. On reaching his twentieth year, in 1864, he decided to leave home and seek his fortune in the far west. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and family and crossed the plains with an ox team to Boise City, Idaho, and from there made the journey to Walla Walla on foot, arriving as previously stated on the 4th of July, with twenty-three cents as his entire capital. The following day he secured employment with a farmer to pull onions. He worked for wages that fall and winter and in 1865 he engaged in teaming and packing, which business he followed for about- ten years. lle then became actively engaged in the live stock business, settling four miles northeast of Walla Walla. In 1877the purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on Dry creek, nine miles northeast of Walla Walla, and taking up his abode upon that place, turned his attention to general farming. He subsequently increased his holdings to four hundred and fifty acres, which he still owns. For the past twenty years or more he has spent the winter seasons in Walla Walla in order to give his children the advantages of the city schools. The summer months were largely spent upon the home farm but for three years he has
OLIVER DE WITT
MAŁ
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MRS. OLIVER DE WITT
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remained steadily in Walla Walla, renting his farm to others. He belongs to the Farmers Union and is one of the directors of the Farmers Union Warehouse Company.
In May, 1874, Mr. DeWitt was united in marriage to Miss America A. Roff, a daughter of Frederick and Rachael (White) Roff, who crossed the plains with ox teams from Missouri to Washington in 1864, settling in what is now Walla Walla. They made the trip with nine children and were six months and one day en route. On reaching his destination Mr. Roff had but fifty cents in his pocket. However, some of his Masonic brethren came to his assistance and after a short time he had made a good start. Four of his nine children were old enough to work and wages were good, the girls receiving nine dollars per week. The father engaged in farming and with the exception of a year and a half spent in Oregon he made his home continuously in the vicinity of Walla Walla up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1902. He was one of the well known and valued pioneer settlers of this section of the state. His widow survived him for six years, passing away in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are the parents of four children, as follows: Ella, who is the wife of Edward Bradbury, of Waitsburg ; Harry L., who owns and operates a large ranch near Starbuck in Columbia county ; Arthur Clyde, who is engaged in the grain business in Waitsburg; and Elsie D., who gave her hand in marriage to William L. Estes, a farmer of Walla Walla county. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have also reared a nephew, Charles F. Myers, whose parents died when he was seven years of age and he is now living on the farm.
In politics Mr. DeWitt is a stanch republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Washington Lodge, No. 19, and also to the encampment, while both he and his wife are identified with the Rebekahs. Narcissa Lodge, No. 2, presented Mrs. DeWitt with the veteran's jewel, given for long and faithful service in the order. Mr. DeWitt belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife holds membership in the Christian church. They are people of genuine personal worth and Mr. DeWitt is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who need assistance. He comprehends what difficulties mean, having had his own hard knocks. He sympathizes with those whose lot has not been as fortunate as his and yet he does not condone the shirker nor have patience with the shiftless, because his life has been organized along lines that call for a full dole of labor within each turn of the wheel. Because of his industry and perseverance, obstacles and difficulties have vanished before him like mist before the morning sun and step by step he has advanced until he has reached the heights of prosperity.
JOSEPH W. LYONS.
The name of Lyons has long been associated with the agricultural develop- ment of Walla Walla county and has always been a synonym for progressiveness and advancement in that field of activity. Joseph W. Lyons, who now follows farming on section 16, Russell Creek township, was born upon the place where Vol. 1-25
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he still lives on the 6th of November, 1879, his parents being Patrick and Frances Lyons, who were well known and worthy pioneer people of this district. He was educated in the district schools, also attended Whitman College in Walla Walla and Gonzaga College at Spokane, now the University of Gonzaga. Fol- lowing the completion of his school days he worked for his father for a time and subsequently was in the employ of the Great Northern Railroad Company for about five years. The major part of that period was spent in the general offices of the company at Spokane. At length he resigned his railroad position and returned to Walla Walla county, where he took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared, and with this pursuit he has since been identified. He has charge of his father's estate, operating two thousand acres of land, and is thus one of the extensive and representative farmers of the valley. His busi- ness affairs are most carefully managed. He is systematic in all that he does, is progressive and employs the most modern methods in carrying on his farm work. so that excellent results acerue.
On the 28th of September, 1910, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Denzel, of Spokane. Following the completion of a course in the Holy Name Academy at Spokane, Mrs. Lyons attended the State Normal School at Cheney, Washington. By her marriage she has become the mother of four chil- dren, namely : Helen F., Joseph D., Louise E. and William R.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lyons are consistent members of the Catholic church and he is identified with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He has a wide acquaintance in his native county and enjoys the friend- ship and high regard of many with whom he has been brought in contact. He is a typical western man, alert, energetic and progressive, and as the years have gone on he has made for himself a creditable position among the agriculturists of southeastern Washington.
JUDSON A. CORBETT.
Judson A. Corbett, a prominent representative of the milling industry, has conducted a feed mill at Dayton since 1907 and was also the proprietor of the Touchet Flouring Mills at Huntsville, Washington, for a quarter of a century but has recently disposed of his interests in the latter connection. His birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the ioth of October. 1857. his parents being John and Jane ( Lewis) Corbett, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They emigrated to Canada in childhood with their respective parents, who settled near Ottawa, and it was there that they were reared and married, continuing residents of the province of Ontario throughout the remainder of their lives. John Corbett was a mill operator, conducting both a grist and sawmill.
Judson A. Corbett, whose name introduces this review, learned the milling business under the direction of his father, with whom he was identified in operations of that character until 1800. At that time, when a young man of thirty-three years, he made his way to Victoria, British Columbia, and two years later came to Huntsville, Washington. Here, in association with his brother.
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JUDSON A. CORBETT
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Albert E., he purchased the Touchet Flouring Mills, of which he continuously remained co-proprietor for a quarter of a century or until August, 1917, when he disposed of his interest therein to E. S. Isaacs. The widow of Albert E. Corbett, who passed away in 1906, still retains his late brother's interest. It was in 1907 that J. A. Corbett bought the feed mill in Dayton and this he has successfully operated to the present time. He owns an equity in a farm north of Dayton and is likewise the owner of a farm in Ontario, Canada, and of a section of land in Alberta, Canada.
In October, 1887, Mr. Corbett was united in marriage to Miss Jane Baker, of Ontario, Canada, by whom he had seven children, five of whom survive, namely : Fern W., the wife of Wilbur Bateman, who follows farming near Huntsville ; Evelyn, who gave her hand in marriage to Lawrence Johnson of Huntsville, for many years a teacher in the public schools ; and Gladys, Kenneth and Phyllis, all at home. Fraternally Mr. Corbett is identified with the Woodmen of the World, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. to which his wife also belongs. The prosperity which has come to him in business is the merited reward of his enterprise and ability, while the regard and esteem which he enjoys in social circles has come in recognition of his high standards of conduct in every relation of life.
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