USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 54
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On the 14th of November, 1880, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Reavis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Woodson Reavis. They have become the parents of the following children: Thomas Woodson, who died at the age of seven months: Mary Almeda, the wife of J. T. Janes, who is living near Prescott; James William, residing near Prescott, who married Lillian N. Coble and has one child, James Eugene; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of F E. Grubb, also living near Prescott, and they have two children, Ora Vale
JAMES H. BOWLES
MRS. JAMES H. BOWLES
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
and James Roy; Virginia Frances, who is the wife of Vergil N. Harris, of Pres- cott, and has two children, Genevra Elizabeth and Virginia Ann; one child who died at the age of nine months; Pearl Margaret, who is the wife of C. L. Jones, living near Prescott, and they have five children, William Lawrence, Dale Walter, Ernest Monroe, Alma Elizabeth and James Dewey ; Archie Eugene, who married Elizabeth Helms and resides in Prescott; Walter Jennings, who married Fay Hazel Nail; and Elizabeth.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowles are faithful members of the Christian church and take an active interest in its work, while contributing generously to its sup- port. In politics Mr. Bowles is a democrat and has been called upon to fill public office. He has served as a member of the city council of Prescott ; has also been a member of the school board; and was deputy assessor for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the northwest, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in the business condi- tions of this section of the country he has so directed his efforts that a most substantial competence has been acquired.
BERT LOGAN JONES, B. S., M. D., C. M.
The alumni of McGill University are found in all sections of the American continent. The thorough training of that school well qualifies its students for the various lines of work which they may undertake and in the main the graduates of that institution have been most successful. . Dr. Bert Logan Jones is among the number who are actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Walla Walla. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Allegheny on the 11th of May, 1882, his parents being Reuben Reynolds and Maggie Elizabeth Jones. With the removal of the family to the west he became a pupil in the public schools and was graduated from the Baker school in 1898. He then continued his education in the Washington State College and won the Bachelor of Science degree in 1907. He afterward entered McGill University as a medical student and was graduated from the Montreal institution with the degree of M. D., C. M. He has since practiced his profession in Walla Walla and in 1914 he was appointed surgeon in the state penitentiary. In general practice he has made for himself a creditable position. He is thoroughly con- versant with the latest discoveries and scientific researches that have to bear upon medical and surgical practice, is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and seldom if ever at fault in matters of judgment regarding the outcome of disease. Moreover, he holds to the highest professional standards and his course has been an expression of the most advanced ethics of the profession.
On the 25th of December, 1916, in Pullman, Washington, Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Elliott Hays, a daughter of the Rev. W. G. M. Hays, D. D. Dr. Hays was the founder of the United Presbyterian church and the academy at Waitsburg, Washington, in 1886 and was the organizer of the United Presbyterian church at Olympia in 1895. He also founded the United Presbyterian church at Pullman, Washington, in 1898 and remained as pastor
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there for eighteen years. He has thus had much to do with the moral progress and development of this section and in his labors has not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his efforts. Mrs. Jones was graduated from the Washington State College in 1900, from the State Normal School at Cheney, Washington, in 1912, and from 1906 until 1916 taught in the graded and high schools of this state.
Dr. and Mrs. Jones hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Walla Walla and he belongs to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and to the Masonic fraternity, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He is a man of genuine personal worth, esteemed by all who know him and most of all where he is best known. While he holds to high professional standards and gives the greater part of his attention to his profession, he also recognizes and meets the duties and obligations of citizenship and in many ways has cooperated in bringing about public welfare and improvement.
JOHN P. KENT.
While for many years Mr. Kent was one of the best known and most promi- nent business men of Walla Walla, he always found time to cooperate in public interests and the waterworks and the park systems of the city were largely due to his initiative and to his untiring effort. His determined purpose and in- defatigable energy enabled him to accomplish whatever he undertook and his worth in matters of citizenship as well as in business circles was widely acknowl- edged.
Mr. Kent was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 29, 1858, and when about fifteen years of age removed to the Sunset state, arriving in Walla Walla, where for forty-four years he occupied a prominent position in connection with the commercial activity of the community. In 1880 he became engaged in the meat business and later was associated with William Kirkman, Chris Ennis and A. Beard in organizing the Walla Walla Meat Company. He retained the active management of the business until November, 1898, when he retired from that field in order to turn his attention to insurance. From that time forward until his demise he maintained an insurance office in the Dooly building and gained a very prominent position in insurance circles. Mr. Kent was one of the organizers of the firm of Gardner & Company and served as its second vice president until his death. He did with thoroughness everything that he undertook and therefore he mastered every phase of the insurance business.
On the 12th of November, 1890, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to Miss Delia A. Lyons, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Lyons, and to them were born four children: Ruth, the wife of Harry Paxton, Jr. ; John Paul, Mildred Agnes and Omer James, all of whom are living in Walla Walla.
Besides his activity in business circles Mr. Kent took a prominent part in politics and in lodge, social and church affairs. He was a member of the city council for two terms, beginning in 1896, and he was a most aggressive advocate of the rights of the people. It was through his instrumentality that Walla Walla
JOHN P. KENT
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
secured its waterworks. He was also particularly interested in public park de- velopment and did much toward securing Walla Walla's present chain of city parks. He served as a member of the first park board and lost no opportunity to further the interests which he espoused, making the park system one which is most attractive and creditable. He was one of the most trusted leaders of the democratic party in the state of Washington and served as a delegate to nearly every state and county convention of his party.
In religious faith Mr. Kent was an earnest and loyal Catholic and was twice representative of the state of Washington in the supreme council of the Catholic Knights of America. He was also an earnest and effective worker in behalf of the United Relief Society and was filling the office of vice president at the time of his demise. For many years he was a director of the Walla Walla County Fair Association and in that connection did much to further public progress. He was also a trustee of the local lodge of Elks and was a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus in Walla Walla. Death called him on the 8th of May, 1917, when he passed away at his home on Poplar street. He had been in failing health for about a year but was confined to his home for only the last week. One who knew him well paid to him the following justly merited tribute :
"In the death of John P. Kent, Walla Walla lias lost one of her best citizens. He was always active in every progressive enterprise and a factor in everything that had for its object the benefit of his home city. He was eloquent of speech, which, combined with his recognized probity and force of character, gave him great influence in the council of his fellows .. He was no trimmer but expressed his opinions on all questions openly and frankly and even those who disagreed with him acknowledged and admitted his sincerity of purpose. He was one of the kindest of husbands, the most living of fathers and a true and loyal friend."
GEORGE F. MOTTET.
George F. Mottet is a retired stock man of Walla Walla who at the age of twenty-seven years came to the new world and established his home in this section of the state. Throughout the intervening period he has been connected with the sheep industry but has now largely put aside the active cares of business life to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born in France, February 17, 1859, and is a son of Francis and Virginia Mottet, who were also natives of France, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children, but George F. is the only one now living. He was reared and educated in France, enjoying liberal opportunities. He completed a high school course and afterward served for four years in the French army. He then de- termined to try his fortune in the new world and in 1886 he came to America, making his way at once to Walla Walla. He has since been identified with the interests of the northwest. He was engaged in the sheep industry for twenty- four years and his affairs were wisely and successfully managed, so that he derived therefrom a handsome competence. After almost a quarter of a century he sold out and retired from active business life, making his home at the present time at No. 440 Chase avenue in Walla Walla, where he occupies a fine residence.
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In 1895 Mr. Mottet was united in marriage to Miss Leonie Vincent, a native of France, and they have become parents of three children: George, who died at the age of eleven years; Anna, who is a high school graduate of Walla Walla ; and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Mottet has always been a stanch republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen but has never been an aspirant for office. He and his wife belong to the Catholic church. He is a self-made man-one who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has acquired a hand- some fortune. In addition to the home which he occupies in Walla Walla he has seven other residence properties there, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. His business interests have been carefully managed, his methods have been characterized by the utmost integrity and the results which have ac- crued are most satisfactory and creditable.
JOSEPH UTTER.
Joseph Utter, residing in Prescott, is identified with several important business enterprises of the town and is also actively and successfully engaged in farming in Walla Walla county. He was born in the state of New York, February 22. 1855, a son of Alex M. and Alida ( Putman) Utter, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. They removed to Wisconsin in 1859 and there resided until 1861, when they became residents of Minnesota, establishing their home upon a farm. In 1862 the father enlisted for service in the Civil war, his patriotic spirit prompting his ready response to the country's call for aid. He joined Company G of the Third Minnesota Infantry and served until the close of the hostilities, after which he returned to Minnesota, where both he and his wife passed away. In their family were nine children, eight of whom are yet living.
Joseph Utter was reared and educated in Minnesota and in 1882 arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, taking up his abode on a farm near Prescott which he still owns. His place comprises eight hundred and five acres of rich and productive land, all of which is improved. It is largely devoted to the cultivation of wheat, for his farm is situated in the midst of the rich wheat belt of Washington, famous throughout the entire country. The methods which he employs in his farm work are productive of excellent results. In addition to the growing of wheat he is also engaged in stock raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable. He is likewise a stockholder and manager of the Prescott Warehouse Company and is the president of the Prescott Tele- phone Company. In all business affairs he displays keen discernment and un- faltering industry and his carefully directed labors are bringing to him substan- tial returns.
In 1878 Mr. Utter was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Pettijohn, a daughter of Thomas and Charity (Wisby) Pettijohn, both of whom were natives of Ohio but spent their last years in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Utter became the parents of eleven children : Arabelle, who is the wife of W. H. James, now of California :
JOSEPH UTTER
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
Thomas H., who is living on the home farm; Carrie May, the wife of A. W. Reser ; Richard, who is married and follows farming; Mildred, the wife of Henry Goe; Juliette, the wife of John Reid; Ralph, who is married and resides in Prescott; Lilian and Walter Wayne, who are living at home and two have passed away. The wife and mother died in July, 1916, and was laid to rest in the Odd Fellows cemetery. She was a consistent member of the Congregational church and was most devoted to the welfare of her family. Her loss was also deeply regretted by her many friends.
Mr. Utter holds membership in Prescott Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and he also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. In politics he is a republican but not an office seeker. He has through individual effort and determination become one of the prosperous farmers of Walla Walla county and one of its representative business men. His worth is widely acknowledged by all with whom he has come in contact and his business career is characterized by a forcefulness and resourcefulness that is most resultant.
DAVID W. MILLER.
David W. Miller, one of the representative and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county, within the borders of which he has spent almost his entire life, makes his home in the city of Walla Walla. He owns six hundred and twenty acres of productive land in Spring Valley and operates altogether about fifteen hundred acres. His birth occurred in Wyoming on the 22d of August, 1874, his parents being David and Isabelle (King) Miller, who were born, reared and married in Scotland. About 1870 they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and in subsequent years resided in Pennsylvania, Utah and other states but eventu- ally came to Washington and about 1877 took up their abode in Walla Walla county. Here David Miller gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits, locating in Spring Valley, where he acquired a section of land and in his under- takings won gratifying prosperity. He was chosen to represent his district in the state senate for eight years, being first elected in 1893 and making a splendid record that gained the approval and continued support of his constituents. He was one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Farmers Alliance and was always foremost in any movement instituted to promote the interests and welfare of the community. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His demise, which occurred on the 6th of October, 1902, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for in his passing the community lost one of its most valued and esteemed citizens. His widow, surviving him for a number of years, was called to her final rest in November, 1911.
David W. Miller, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and also spent one year in study in Whitman College. He then devoted about six years to farming and on the expiration of that period embarked in the furni- ture and undertaking business at Waitsburg, conducting an enterprise of that character for two years. At the end of that time he engaged in the coal and wood business at Walla Walla, being thus occupied until 1910, when he again
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which have since claimed his time and energies. Ile owns six hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Spring V'alley and operates altogether about fifteen hundred acres, his interests being thus extensive and important. Success has attended his efforts in this connec- tion by reason of the fact that he utilizes the most modern and progressive methods of agriculture and has ever manifested industry, enterprise and unremitting energy.
On the 12th of August, 1903, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ida Breeze, a daughter of R. M. Breeze, of Waitsburg. They now have three chil- dren, namely : James T., Earl W. and Ella Isabelle. In his political views Mr. Miller is a democrat and fraternally he is identified with Trinity Lodge, I. O. O. F., and with Columbia Lodge No. 70, K. P. His life has been upright and honorable in every relation and he well merits the warm regard and high esteem in which he is uniformly held.
SILAS W. SMITH.
For almost sixty years Silas W. Smith made his home upon the Pacific coast and was long identified with its mercantile interests, conducting a store in Walla WValla during the last years of his business career. He was born in Monmouth, Illinois, August 16, 1844, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Butler) Smith, who were also natives of that state. In 1853 the family crossed the plains and located on a farm near Dallas, Oregon. They traveled in covered wagons drawn by horses and experienced the usual hardships of such a journey. Upon a claim of three hundred and twenty acres the father built the first log cabin in that locality and he became one of the prominent and influential men of the valley where he and his wife continued to make their home until called to their final rest. He always took a very active part in politics and for two terms was an honored member of the legislature. In his family were nine children, only four of whom are now living.
Silas W. Smith was about nine years of age when he came with the family to the far west and he was reared and educated at Dallas, Oregon, graduating from the academy at that place. After leaving school he was engaged in mer- cantile business at Independence, Oregon, for several years, but in 1888 removed to Waitsburg, Washington, where he conducted a store for some time, and later engaged in the same business in Walla Walla in partnership with John Fitzgerald. He finally sold out and lived retired until his death in 1912.
On the 5th of November, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Esther M. Barney, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, and a daughter of Harlow and Mary A. (Curtis) Barney. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Vermont. They were among the pioneers who crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853 and settled near Dallas, Oregon, where Mr. Barney took up six hundred and forty acres of land, making his home thereon until his death. His wife also died there. Two of their three children are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five children, namely: Mary Ellen, the deceased wife of W. W. Maxwell; E. H .. also deceased; O. B., a resident of Waitsburg, Wash-
SILAS W. SMITH
MRS. SILAS W. SMITH
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
ington ; Lenna, the wife of Laverne Bartlett of Walla Walla; and Milan W., a merchant of Waitsburg.
Mrs. Smith owns a valuable ranchi of five hundred and forty acres, all in a high state of cultivation. She is a faithful member of the Christian church, to which her husband also belonged, and he took quite an active part in all church work. He also held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a stanch republican in politics, exerting considerable influence in local affairs and serving for two terms as mayor of the city with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constitutents. In his death the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen-one devoted to the best interests of the community. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Rebekah Lodge at Waitsburg and has filled all the chairs in the same. Like her husband, she makes friends where- ever she goes and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her.
F. J. ALDRICH.
F. J. Aldrich is a representative farmer of Columbia county who utilizes the most progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring for his crops. Western enterprise finds expression in his life. He is a western man by birth, by training and by preference. He was born in Walla Walla county, Washington, July 1, 1872, and is a son of Milton and Sarah (Stanfield). Aldrich, the former a native of Michigan, while the latter was born in lowa. In 1850 the father crossed the plains to California, where he engaged in prospecting and mining, continuing his operations from California clear into Canada. In 1860 he made his way to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he took up a homestead on Dry creek, seven miles east of the city of Walla Walla. Later he acquired other lands until he became owner of eight hundred and fifteen acres in the home place and nine hundred and twenty acres on Coppei creek, five miles from Waitsburg. He de- voted many years to the development and improvement of his farm land and about five years prior to his death removed to Walla Walla, where he passed away about 1912. His widow is still living and yet occupies the home ranch. Mr. Aldrich was a republican in his political views and was twice elected county commissioner of Walla Walla county. He took an active and helpful interest in community affairs and was actuated by a public-spirited devotion to duty. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and a lady of many admirable qualities which have gained for her the high esteem and goodwill of all with whom she has been brought in contact.
F. J. Aldrich was reared upon the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools and in Whitman College, where he won his academic degree, although he lacked three months of graduation. On attaining his twenty-first year he began farming for himself and has since been prominently identified with agricultural interests in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. In 1902 he removed to his present farm in Columbia county, where he owns one thousand acres of land and in addition to that tract he also operates another thousand acres under lease. He is thus one of the extensive farmers of his section of the state, his great, broad fields annttally producing excellent harvests, while the methods Vol. II-27
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
that he employs are of the most progressive character. In fact his farm work is an indication of the last word in modern scientific agriculture.
In 1895 Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Lloyd, a daugh- ter of Albert G. Lloyd, now deceased, of whom extended mention is made else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have become parents of two children, Elmo and Erick.
In his political views Mr. Aldrich is a stalwart republican, always supporting the party at the polls yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and also to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. He ranks with the foremost citizens of Columbia county and is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business methods which he has ever followed. He has never been known to take advantage of the neces- sities of another in any business transaction and through legitimate channels has won his prosperity.
WALLACE R. COPELAND.
Wallace R. Copeland, residing in Walla Walla, is actively identified with the agricultural development of this section of the state. He is a western man by birth, training and preference and in his life exemplifies the spirit of enterprise which has ever been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, March 26, 1860, a son of Henry S. and Mary Ann (Morton) Copeland, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but two years of age when his parents removed from Yam- hill county to Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he was reared to man- hood upon the old homestead farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1882 his parents left the farm and removed to Walla Walla, where both died.
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