USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 51
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 51
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 51
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 51
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
RALPH F. COFFIN: .
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose. It was with deep regret that the friends of Ralph F. Coffin learned of his demise, for he was a worthy and substantial citizen, loyal to his associates and devoted to his family. He was born in Oregon, March 7, 1876, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 28th of December, 1915. His parents were George D. and Lucinda (Haynes) Coffin, the latter a native of Iowa. The father was a native of England and at an early day crossed the plains to the Pacific coast and later removed to the Walla Walla valley. Both he and his wife spent their remaining days in this section of the state and were numbered among its worthy pioneer settlers. They had a family of seven children, of whom but two sons are now living.
Ralph F. Coffin, although born in Oregon, was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, having been brought to this section of the state by his parents when very young. When not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the home farm and he was thus well qualified to undertake any branch of farm work. After putting aside his textbooks he accordingly began farming on his own account and devoted his attention to that business until his death. He became the owner of forty-one acres of valuable farm property on section 31, township 7 north, range 35 east, and his labors made it a splendidly improved tract of land, equipped with all modern conveniences and all of the accessories of the model farm and his careful cultivation of the tract brought to him and his family a substantial annual income.
In 1900 Mr. Coffin was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kroll, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Lawrence and Tressa Kroll, both of whom were natives
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of Germany. They came to America in early life and established their home in Wisconsin, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had a family of nine children, of whom seven are yet living. It was in the year 1908 that Mrs. Coffin crossed the country to Washington, becoming a resident of Walla Walla county, where in the following year she was married. To Mr. and Mrs. Coffin was born a daughter, Mary Estella. Mrs. Coffin and her daughter are favorably known and have many friends in the section of the county in which they reside.
THOMAS H. CROCKER.
Thomas H. Crocker, a retired agriculturist residing in Walla Walla, was long and successfully identified with farming interests in Walla Walla county. His birth occurred in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, on the 30th of August, 1854, his parents being John R. and Clarissa (Hill) Crocker, who spent their entire lives in that province. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. At fifteen years of age he became a sailor on an American vessel, sailing "before the mast" and for five years sailed on different ships along the Atlantic coast. On one trip he acted as "sailing mate." This experience led him to the decision to go to the United States. Accordingly, soon after attaining his majority he left his native country and went to Reno, Nevada, where he spent one year. On the expiration of that period he made his way to California, in which state he, was engaged in placer mining for three years and then spent a year on a ranch. Sub- sequently he resided for one year in Lakeview, Oregon, and at the end of that time returned to Wyoming, where he spent about twelve years in the stock busi- ness and in railroading. In 1888 in New Brunswick Mr. Crocker was united in marriage with Miss Edith Diffin, daughter of Thomas and Susan Diffin of that place. In 1895 they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and have remained within its borders throughout the intervening twenty-three years. They took up their abode on a rented farm near Prescott and continued its cultivation for about ten years but in the meantime had purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres sixteen miles northwest of Walla Walla and later bought an adjoining half section, to which they removed in 1905. Thereon they continued to reside until 1914, when they took up their abode in the city of Walla Walla and have since lived retired. The property, which has been operated by a tenant during the past three years, now embraces eight hundred and eighty-seven acres of rich and productive land, all in one body. Mr. Crocker was long numbered among the active, enterprising, industrious and progressive farmers of the community and the rest which he now enjoys is the merited reward of his intelligently directed labors.
Mr. and Mrs. Crocker have their home at 628 Pleasant street and they occupy an enviable position in social circles of Walla Walla. Mr. Crocker gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters of America, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife
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THOMAS H. CROCKER
MRS. THOMAS H. CROCKER
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also belongs. His record is indeed commendable and he well deserves representa- tion in this volume as one of the leading agriculturists and respected citizens of Walla Walla county.
L. P. BERRYMAN.
L. P. Berryman is one of the younger representatives of successful farming operations in Walla Walla county. He was born April 8, 1887, on the farm on which he yet resides, on section 35, township 9 north, range 35 east. His place comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land which was originally the old family homestead. His parents were J. E. and Mary Berryman, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America in early life and established their home in Walla Walla county, where the father passed away, but the mother is still living.
L. P. Berryman acquired a public school education in Walla Walla county and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has successfully followed as a life work. He continued to assist his father in the development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he began farming on the old homestead, which he afterward purchased. He has here a half section of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and to which he has added many improvements, making it a valuable and attractive farm which constitutes one of the pleasing fea- tures of the landscape. He also owns and operates the warehouse at Berryman Station and his business affairs are wisely, carefully and successfully conducted.
In 1907 Mr. Berryman was united in marriage to Miss Grace Mallory, who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Charles Mallory, now a resident of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Berryman have been born three children, Joseph L., Jacqueline A. and Margaret. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Berryman gives his political allegiance to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. He has served, how- ever, as school director and has been interested in having good schools in the district, for he regards public education as one of the nation's strongest bulwarks. His thought, purpose and energy have been concentrated upon his agricultural pursuits and the careful management of his interests has brought to him a sub- stantial measure of success.
HARRY LASATER.
Harry Lasater, one of the large landowners of Walla Walla county, is a rep- resentative of a prominent pioneer family of this section and is a native of the county, his birth occurring May 18, 1865. His parents, James H. and Emily (Moore) Lasater, were born respectively in McMinn county, Tennessee, and in Illinois.
Harry Lasater attended the Walla Walla city schools and completed his edu- cation in Whitman Academy and in Whitman College. When about eighteen years
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old he began farming in partnership with his father and so continued for about six years. Since then he has been alone in his agricultural operations, and as the years have passed he has acquired additional holdings, until he is now one of the leading farmers of the Walla Walla valley. Following the death of his father he acquired by inheritance and purchase the old home farm of three hundred and sixty acres, and to this he added adjoining land until the place comprised five hundred and forty-three and a half acres. Ile has since sold four hundred and fifteen acres of that property, so that his home farm now includes but one hundred and twenty-seven acres. He also owns, however, five hundred and thirty-three acres of excellent wheat land on Birch creek, in Umatilla county, Oregon, ten miles southeast of Walla Walla, three hundred and twenty acres of timber land in Umatilla county and one thousand acres of wheat land near Prescott, in Walla Wałla county. The fact that he gives close personal supervision to his extensive farming operations indicates that he manages his affairs in a systematic manner and that he possesses marked business ability. He is a director of the Farmers Savings Bank of Walla Walla and is a member of its finance board, and he is likewise a stockholder in the Whitehouse & Drumheller Company.
En 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lasater and Miss Jessie Crawford, who was born in Walla Walla county but later was a resident of Umatilla county, Oregon. To this union have been born three children: Thelma May, who is a stu- clent in Whitman College ; Wythel Mary, who is a student in the Walla Walla high school ; and Jessie Orena, who is in the grade school.
Mr. Lasater has followed in his father's political footsteps and is a stanch adherent of the democratic party. At one time he was a candidate on its ticket for treasurer, and in his early manhood he filled the office of county road super- visor for three terms. Fraternally he belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F .. and Blue Mountain Lodge. No. 13, F. & A. M. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Central Christian church and they give hearty support to the various phases of its activities. Both have passed their entire lives in the Pacific northwest and they are at all times loyal to its best interests.
WILLIAM RESER.
William Reser, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Walla Walla county, living on section 4, township 6 north, range 35 east, came to the north- west from Davis county, Iowa, where he was born on the 18th of April, 1859, his parents being George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who were reared and married in Iowa and in 1863 crossed the plains with horse teams to Washington. On reaching Walla Walla county the father homesteaded, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land in the valley near where is now seen the Whitman monu- ment, and upon that place he and his wife lived until called to their final rest.
William Reser was a little lad of four years when the parents came to Wash- ington. He acquired his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses com- mon at that frontier period. During his youth he rode the plains as a cowboy and he experienced all of the hardships and privations of frontier life. He has lived to witness marked transformation in all that pertains to agricultural progress
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and development in this section. An important event in his life occurred on Christmas day of 1883, at which date he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew J. Kirkland, who crossed the plains from Arkansas to Oregon in 1852 and became a resident of Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1864. Here he took up a homestead claim in the township where his daughter still resides, and upon that place he spent his remaining days.
Following his marriage Mr. Reser purchased land in Umatilla county, Oregon, and there carried on farming for seven years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in township 6 north, Walla Walla county, and to his prop- erty has since added from time to time as his financial resources have increased until he and his wife today own three hundred and sixty-five acres, constituting one of the valuable farm properties of this section of the state. He has carefully tilled his fields and developed his farm and as the years have gone by his labors have brought good results. To the household were added two sons: Byron E., who is now engaged in the automobile business in Kennewick, Washington; and Raymond K., who is operating the home farm for his father.
In his political views Mr. Reser has long been a stalwart democrat and, while not an office seeker, he has served as a member of the school board. He is inter- ested in the cause of public education and in all that pertains to progress and improvement along any desired line. He ranks with the leading and representa- tive citizens of Walla Walla. There have been no spectacular phases in his career. Almost his entire life has been devoted to the quiet pursuit of farming and through energy and persistency of purpose he has won success. His busi- ness affairs are always carefully managed and directed and the integrity of his business methods in trade transactions is questioned by none. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, acknowledge his sterling worth.
HON. H. H. HANSON.
Hon. H. H. Hanson is a wide-awake and progressive business man who figures prominently in connection with the agricultural and financial interests of Walla Walla county. He is the president of the Touchet State Bank and since 1900 he has been actively identified with farming, giving his attention largely to fruit growing and to dairying. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer fam- ilies of this section of the state. His birth occurred in New Hampshire, February 24, 1865, his parents being John and Frances Hanson. The father was a native of Maine, while the mother was born in the old Granite state and there she spent her entire life. In 1876 the father left New England and made his way west- ward to California, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Walla Walla county and entered the employ of Mr. Baker. Here he continued to reside until called to his final rest. In the family were but two children: H. H., of this re- view ; and Ena, now deceased.
H. H. Hanson was reared and educated in the east, continuing his residence in that section of the country until 1883. when owing to the fact that his father was living in Washington, he made his way to this state. Here he entered the employ of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, which he represented
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as an operator until 1900. He preferred, however, to engage in business on his own account and in that year turned his attention to farming on the place on . which he now resides on section 34, Hill township. Here he owns two hundred acres of alfalfa land and he is also engaged quite extensively in dairying and in fruit raising. He is thoroughly familiar with progressive methods of horrticul- ture and his orchards indicate the most thorough and scientific care. His dairy interests, too, are characterized by the most capable management and the sanitary conditions that prevail make the products of his dairy a very much desired article. His business interests are wisely and carefully managed and he pursues with thoroughness anything that he undertakes, so that successful accomplishment crowns his labors.
In 1888 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Hall, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has twelve children, namely: Hayden, Fred, Preston, Ollie, Helen, Oliver, Francis, Allen, Ena May, Harry, Lawrence and Georgie.
Mr. Hanson is a member of the Grange and is interested in everything that has to do with advancing agricultural progress and welfare in the state. He thus cooperates in the organized movements to promote the interests of farmers and to promulgate knowledge that will render their labors of greatest effect in crop production and in stock raising. Moreover, Mr. Hanson is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in Walla Walla county. For one term he filled the office of county commissioner and in 1908-9 he represented his district in the general assembly, where he gave careful consideration to all the vital questions that came up for settlement. His position upon any important subject is never an equivocal one. He does not hesitate to express his honest convictions and in fact he puts forth every effort to support his views and secure their adoption. In all matters of citizenship he is very progressive and has dis- played as well the spirit of enterprise in all of his business undertakings, so that he now ranks with the leading bankers and farmers of his part of the state.
ORLANDO DEMARIS.
Orlando Demaris, who throughout his active business life followed farming but is now living retired in the city of Walla Walla, was born in Iowa on the 7th of January, 1851, and is a son of James and Eliza J. (White) Demaris, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They came to Washington in 1863 and located on a farm in Walla Walla county on Dry creek, where thic father built a log cabin with a clapboard roof, board floor and stick chimney, which was the home of the family for several years. Later the parents removed to Walla Walla, where both died. In their family were twelve children, of whom nine still survive.
Orlando Demaris was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Walla Walla county, where he grew to manhood and attended school. After completing his education he remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, giving his father the benefit of his labors. He then purchased a farm and engaged in its operation until his retirement, since
ORLANDO DEMARIS
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which time he has made his home in the city of Walla Walla. He is still the owner, however, of seven hundred acres of land, well improved and under cul- tivation.
In 1875 Mr. Demaris married Miss Mary M. Lewis, a native of Iowa, which state was also the birthplace of her parents, Reese and Mary (Jackson) Lewis, who brought their family to Walla Walla county in 1863 and settled on a farm, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. They had four children and three of the number are still living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Demaris are as follows: Laura and Frankie, both deceased; David, Fred, Guy, Alva and Edwin. Guy and Alva are now in the government service at Fort Riley, Kansas. The three other sons now operate their father's farm.
By his ballot Mr. Demaris supports the men and measures of the democratic party and he has served as school director. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Dixie and his wife belongs to the Rebekahs, taking a very active and prominent part in its work. She is now past noble grand. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.
R. C. McCAW.
When one views the great and growing cities of the northwest it seems hardly credible that any living man should have witnessed the entire development of this section of the country. Yet personal knowledge of the wonderful progress of the northwest enables R. C. McCaw to speak with authority concerning the events which have shaped its history. He was born in Linn county, Oregon, on the IIth of February, 1856, at which time Washington was still a part of the territory of Oregon and all of this vast region was practically undeveloped. Its coal de- posits were untouched, its forests uncut and its wealth and natural resources awaited the demands of the white men who were yet to penetrate within its borders. The Indians far outnumbered the white settlers and the most farsighted could not have dreamed of the marvelous transformation which would take place within a few decades until today the west is not only abreast with the east in all of its advantages and its opportunities but has taken a position of leadership along many lines. The parents of Mr. McCaw were William and Sarah (Findley) McCaw, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. They were married in Illinois and in 1847 started across the plains with ox teams for Oregon, reaching Oregon City on the day of the Whitman massacre. During the latter part of the journey Mr. McCaw had suffered with fever and his attack was so severe that it burst one of his eyeballs and he was carried into Oregon City on a stretcher. Finally, however, he recovered and continued his residence in Linn county, Oregon, up to the time of his demise
There R. C. McCaw was reared and educated, experiencing many of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life and the development of a farm under pioneer conditions. He attended the district schools but his opportunities for the acquirement of an education were very limited, as the school system had
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not then been developed. On his twenty-first birthday he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Gorsline, of Linn county, Oregon, who had come to the north- west with her parents in 1875, the family removing from Kansas. Following his marriage Mr. McCaw brought his bride to Walla Walla county and here they began their domestic life. For two years after his arrival he was employed as a farm hand and in 1879 he went to the Big Bend country and filed on the second homestead that was taken up in that section. There he lived for eighteen years, performing the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm. The work of improvement was caried on, however, year by year and he brought his land under a high state of cultivation and derived a good profit from his labors. In 1897 he sold his interests there and in February following he returned to Walla Walla county, where he purchased four hundred and thirty-six acres of land, constituting his present home farm, situated on section 1, township 9 north, range 36 east. Upon this place he has since resided and in the intervening period he has purchased more land from time to time as his financial resources have permitted and is now the owner of between eleven and twelve hundred acres, constituting one of the most valuable farm properties in the Touchet valley. He has placed splendid improvements upon his land and his farm presents a most attractive appearance with its highly cultivated fields, its well kept fences, its substantial buildings and all the accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCaw have been born ten children, nine of whom are yet living, namely. William O., a farmer of Walla Walla county ; Samuel E., also engaged in farming in this county; Edith M., the wife of Robert McSherry, of Toronto, Nevada : Fred L., Benjamin H. and Edward Guy, all of whom are en- gaged in farming in this county ; Jay M., who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; and Sarah E. and Robert Glenn, both at home.
Politically Mr. McCaw is a republican, having given stalwart support to the party since age gave to him the voting privilege. He is a member of Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife are also consistent members of the Presbyterian church. The story of his life if written in detail would present a clear and interesting picture of the entire development of the northwest, for within his memory there has occurred a change so great as to seem almost magical. He can relate most interesting incidents of the early days and his name should be placed high on the record of honored pioneer settlers of this section of the country.
MARTIN MARBACH.
Martin Marbach, a farmer living on section 2, township 8 north, range 34 east, has been a resident of Walla Walla county for almost three decades and as the years have passed has prospered in his undertakings until he is now the owner of over two sections of wheat land. His birth occurred in Alsace-Lor- raine on the 8th of February, 1863, and there he was reared to manhood, acquir- ing his education in the common schools of his native country.
In 1884, on attaining his majority, Mr. Marbach determined to try his for-
MARTIN MARBACH
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MRS. MARTIN MARBACH
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tune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York city. From the eastern metropolis he made his way westward to Missouri and for four years worked as a farm hand in Lafayette county, that state. The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he secured employment, working for wages for a period of six years or until 1894. In that year, having carefully saved his earnings, he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of his present home farm. From that period forward he prospered and kept adding to his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until he now owns two sections of wheat land and has won an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the county. Close application and indefatigable energy have characterized him at all times, and the prosperity which he now enjoys is the merited reward of his intelligently directed activity.
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