USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 56
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 56
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 56
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Mordo McDonald was but an infant when brought by his parents to Oregon and was reared at home with the usual experiences of the boy brought up in pioneer surroundings. His education was that afforded in the district schools but he received thorough training in farming through assisting his father. In early manhood he was associated with his brothers and his father in the opera- tion of the home place. When he was twenty-five years old he and his five brothers bought a tract of land, which they cultivated in addition to operating the homestead. This partnership was maintained until 1895, when Mr. Mc- Donald of this review removed to Walla Walla county, Washington. For a year he conducted a butcher business in partnership with Chris Ennis, and then, with three other men, went into the horse business, furnishing eight thousand horses to the government for service in the Philippine islands. He became inter- ested in raising horses and for a number of years devoted his time to that work, becoming well known as a horse dealer and breeder and confined his business en- tirely to handling government horses. In 1908, however, he gave up that work
785
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
and began cultivating his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, township 6 north, range 36 east. He raises the crops best suited to the soil and climate of this section and receives a good profit from his labors.
On December 24, 1889, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Belle Cameron, a daughter of Alex Cameron, who came to Oregon on the same emi- grant train of which the McDonald family were a part. To this union were born two children : Jessie, the wife of W. C. Marsh, a resident of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; and Hector, at home. The wife and mother died in 1906 and on June 2, 1909, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Florence Halvor, of The Dalles, Oregon.
Mr. McDonald is well known as an active worker in the republican party and in the fall of 1906 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, in which connection he made a record creditable alike to his ability and public spirit. For several years he served as chairman of the republican central com- mittee and at one election in that period every man on the ticket was successful with the exception of the candidate for constable, who was sick in the hospital and was, therefore, unable to canvass the county. Mr. McDonald was a member of the board that had charge of the Walla Walla county exhibit, held in Portland, and the fact that the exhibit won many prizes is proof of the energy and efficiency which the board brought to their task. The other members were, Dr. N. G. Bla- lock and C. L. Whitney. Mr. McDonald's fraternal connections are with Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; Walla Walla Chapter No. I, R. A. M .; Washington Commandery, No. I, K. T .; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He is thoroughly western in spirit and interests and has full confi- dence in the prosperous future in store for Washington.
JOHN B. DUNHAM.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause of success, he must eventually reach the conclusion that prosperity is the outcome of persistent effort and indefatigable industry combined with close application. This statement finds verification in the life record of John B. Dunham, a prosperous stock dealer now residing in Walla Walla. He was born in Logansport, Indiana, November 13, 1842, a son of John and Matilda (Griffin) Dunham, both of whom were natives of the Hoosier state, where they were reared and married. The father; attracted by the discovery of gold in California, was among those who made their way to the Pacific coast over the Isthmus route in 1849. He was reasonably successful in his search for the precious metal and in 1850 he returned to Indiana with the rewards of his labor. Soon afterward he removed to Cham- paign county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death.
John B. Dunham spent his youthful days under the parental roof and ac- quired a district school education. When not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the work of the farm and he assisted in the tasks of plowing, plant- ing and harvesting. In June, 1864, when in the early twenties, he responded to the country's call for military aid, enlisting as a member of Company A, One
786
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
lIundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, being mustered out in September, 1865. When the country no longer needed his aid he engaged in farming in Champaign county, Illinois, there re- maining until 1888, when he came to the coast, settling first at Roseburg, Ore- gon. There he engaged in the feed business for three years and afterward re- moved to Eugene, Oregon, where he was engaged in merchandising for five years. In 1896 he came to Walla Walla, where he has since made his home and during the period of his residence here, covering twenty-one years, he has been success- fully engaged in the livestock business. Persistency of purpose has ever been one of his marked characteristics and, guided by sound judgment, has brought him a very substantial measure of prosperity.
On the 19th of December, 1883, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. IJull, a daughter of John Hull, of Champaign county, Illinois. They have become the parents of four children, as follows: Lena E., who is the widow of W. G. Osborne and resides in Los Angeles, California ; Charley, who makes his home in Baker, Oregon ; Fannie M., the wife of John Shaddick, who is proprietor of an automobile garage in Walla Walla; and Victor B., a resident of Montana.
In his political views Mr. Dunham is a stalwart republican but has never been an office seeker. For the past three years he and his wife have spent the winter seasons in southern California but return to Walla Walla for the summer months. They have gained many friends. during the period of their residence in this city and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their associates. In business affairs Mr. Dunham sustains an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as enterprise and in matters of citizenship he has always been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battle- fields of the south.
MATTHEW LYONS.
Matthew Lyons, who is successfully engaged in farming in Walla Walla county, was born in Ireland, March 22, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and Anne (Touey) Lyons, also natives of that country. When about twenty-one years of age the father went to Australia, where he engaged in mining for some time, and while there he met Miss Anne Toney and they were married. After spend- ing twelve years in that country, during which time four children were born to them, they returned to Ireland, where the following two years were passed. In 1871, however, they again left the Emerald isle and this time came to the United States, bringing with them their family of six children. The father having a brother, Patrick Lyons, residing in Washington, the family proceeded to this state and here Thomas Lyons homesteaded a tract near Dixie, in Walla Walla county. As time passed he steadily prospered in his farming operations and became the owner of two thousand acres of land in one body. He also acquired a large tract of fourteen hundred acres on Russell creek. He continued the operation of his land for many years, but in 1902 purchased a home at No. 204 Newell street. Walla Walla, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying on the Ist of February, 1914, at the age of eighty years. His wife survived him
- - - 1
1
THOMAS LYONS
MRS. THOMAS LYONS
791
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
only one week and passed away at the age of seventy-eight. Their three youngest children were born in Washington and of the nine, eight are yet living: John, now a resident of Valdez, Alaska; Frank P., a physician of Kansas City, Missouri; Delia C., who is living at the old home in Walla Walla; Thomas R., an ex-judge of Juneau, Alaska, and now an attorney of Seattle, Washington ; Matthew, of this review; Annie, deceased; James C., who is engaged in farming on Russell creek; Eleanor B., a resident of Walla Walla; and Margaret E., the wife of Frank Shaw, of Seward, Alaska.
Matthew Lyons was a mere infant when brought by his parents to this state and here he grew to manhood. He attended the district schools and completed his education at the Empire Business College of Walla Walla, from which he was graduated. During his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the farm work and on attaining his majority took charge of a portion of the homestead, of which he now owns four hundred and eighty acres. He also rents a large tract of land and is today operating two thousand acres devoted to wheat. Although his attention is principally given to the raising of grain, he raises stock to some extent and has steadily prospered in his business undertakings.
In 1903 Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Chandler, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Smith) Chandler. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born five children, as follows, Margaret G., Eleanor M., Mary B., Matthew J. and Gerard, of whom the last named is de- ceased. In 1916 Mr. Lyons erected a commodious modern residence on South Third street, Walla Walla, and here the family now reside.
He has never been an office seeker but has nevertheless, manifested a com- mendable interest in public affairs and has stanchly supported the candidates and measures of the democratic party. He holds membership in the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Maccabees and is de- servedly popular in those organizations. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He is enthusiastic concerning Walla Walla county and its opportunities and finds pleasure in cooperating in movements calculated to advance its interests.
JAMES McGREEVY.
James McGreevy, a prosperous retired farmer residing on section 8, township 13 north, range 43 east, Garfield county, was born in Ireland, March 22. 1867, a son of Hugh and Rose (Flynn) McGreevy, both of whom passed their entire lives in Ireland. They had two children, of whom the daughter, Jennie, is still a resi- dent of the Emerald isle.
The son, James McGreevy came to the United States when only eleven years of age and joined an uncle living in Pittsburgh. After remaining there for five years he went to Iowa, where he lived for one year. It was in 1889 that he settled in Columbia county, Washington, and for one year he engaged in the stock business, after which he purchased his present farm in Garfield county. It com- prises four hundred and eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation, and the
792
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
improvements thereon are excellent and add much to its value. He operated the place until 1914, when he retired, but he still retains his residence thereon.
Mr. McGreevy was married in 1898, in Washington, to Miss Rose Glennon, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa. He casts his ballot in support of the dem- ocratic party and has served acceptably as a member of the local school board. He holds membership in the Woodmen of the World and in the Farmers' Union and is deservedly popular in those organizations. He was thrown upon his own re- sources at an early age and his educational opportunities were limited, but his native soundness of judgment, combined with industry and the determination to succeed, has enabled him to distance many who started with greater advantages.
CHARLES E. BERG.
Charles E. Berg, the proprietor of the Lily mills in Walla Walla, has been engaged in that line of business for thirty-five years and is one of the pioneer mill men of eastern Washington. He was born in Polk county, Oregon, March 28, 1854, a son of John and Margaret (Donnelly) Berg, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. They came to America in young manhood and young womanhood and were married in San Francisco, California, whence they removed to Polk county, Oregon, in 1853. They took up their residence on a small ranch there and the father built a log cabin with a clapboard roof and stick chimney, which was the family home during the year they remained in Oregon. At the end of that time they returned to California, where the father engaged in mining for four years. In 1862, however, he removed to Walla Walla county, Washington, and remained here until his death. There were nine sons in his family, but only three are now living.
Charles E. Berg was a child when his parents removed to Walla Walla county and here he received his education, attending the pioneer schools. His first school stood at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, in Walla Walla, and in those early days each scholar had to pay fifty cents each week as the teacher's compensation. During his youth he learned the miller's trade and for thirty-five years has engaged in the milling business, being now the proprietor of the Lily mills of Walla Walla. He himself erected the plant in 1917 and he takes the greatest care in the manufacture of his flour, which is of the highest grade and for which he finds a ready sale. On investigation he found that about twenty- five thousand dollars per year was going out of the city for pancake four, self- rising flour, corn meal and graham flour and that no mill here was manufac- turing these products. Accordingly he erected his mill to supply the demand, believing he could do a good business and supply the people of his home vicinity at a considerable saving on these articles. His mill was completed and put in operation in January, 1918. Besides this plant he also owns forty acres of land and has a nice residence in Walla Walla.
Mr. Berg was married in 1901 to Miss Matilda Gear and for his second wife chose Mrs. Etta Jones. The democratic party has a stanch supporter in Mr. Berg and for two terms he served efficiently as street commissioner of Walla Walla, while for twenty years he supervised the work of the prisoners at the
CHARLES E. BERG
795
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
state penitentiary. The competence which is now his is evidence of his industry and good management, for all that he has he has made by his own labors. He is highly esteemed by all who know him and has many warm personal friends. He was a member of the old Walla Walla Volunteer Fire Department until the paid department was created. While a lad in his teens he was "torch boy," whose duty it was to carry the light by which the firemen found their way to fires and for working about their apparatus, for at that time there were no street lights in Walla Walla. At the age of twenty-one years he became a full fledged fire- man, his company being "Tiger" Engine Company No. 2. The machines were then pulled by hand and the water likewise pumped. Later they secured a steam engine. When the paid department was formed Mr. Berg retired from the service. He remembers the first fire in Walla Walla, which was the burning of the Robinson Theater at Seventh and Main streets, and the soldiers from the garrison helped in fighting the fire with a "bucket brigade." He also has vivid recollections of the early days when the Vigilantes were the law enforcers and often the law breakers. There was a secret society known as the U. F. F. Us, whose purpose was a mystery, which used to parade with torches and did mys- terious things. On one occasion the Vigilantes had warned a negro called Slim Jim to leave the town. He was accused of making keys and releasing prisoners from the old jail. He was given a certain time to leave and warned that if he was not then gone he must hang. He failed to go, so one night they forced his room at the old City Hotel, took him in a wagon to South Second street and hanged him on a tree which now stands in the yard of Frank Singleton. His body was informally buried on a ridge not far from the place of execution. where was an old burying ground.
HENRY F. ZUGER.
Henry F. Züger, a prosperous and up-to-date farmer of Walla Walla county engaged in the raising of both wheat and stock, has spent his entire life in this county, as his birth here occurred August 20, 1883. An account of the life of his father, Marcus Züger, Sr., appears elsewhere in this work.
Henry F. Züger was reared at home and received a good education in the public schools and in high school. On attaining his majority he entered into partnership with his brother, Marcus, and for five years they operated the home- stead. At the end of that time Mr. Züger of this review took up his residence on his present farm on section 12, township 9 north, range 36 east. He holds title to six hundred acres and rents other land, operating in all twenty-one hun- dred acres. Although the land is all excellently adapted to wheat raising, he has found it more profitable to raise stock as well as wheat, and he has gained gratifying success along both lines. He realizes that while hard work is neces- sary in farming, industry alone is not enough ; that the farmer as well as the business man must plan his work carefully and give attention to the proper mar- keting of his products.
Mr. Züger was married in 1908 to Miss Ella Clodius, a native of Mill Creek.
796
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
Washington. They are the parents of a son and daughter, Charles V., and Helen M.
Mr. Züger is an advocate of the principles of the republican party and casts his ballot in support of its candidates. He has served as school clerk and has been instrumental in furthering the interests of the local educational system. He is well known as a member of the Elks and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the principles of fraternity underlying these organizations find exemplification in his daily life. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and manifest a praiseworthy interest in its varied activities.
NATHANIEL WEBB.
Nathaniel Webb, who for many years was actively engaged in sheep raising and farming, is now living retired in Walla Walla at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He was born in Stamford, Connecticut, December 17, 1833, and is a son of John Webb, who was also born in Stamford and who devoted his life to farming. He removed to the middle west and his death occurred in Minnesota. The mother bore the maiden name of Sallie Davenport and was also a native of Connecticut.
Nathaniel Webb, who is one of two sons, went to California by the Nicaragua route in 1854 and ten years later removed to' Oregon, whence in 1876 he came to Walla Walla county. For eight years he engaged in mining in California and Idaho and after removing to Oregon taught school for two or three terms at Roseburg, that state. In 1868 he purchased sheep and turned his attention to sheep ranching, in which he continued to engage for a number of years after taking up his home in Washington. He was one of the earliest and most suc- cessful sheep ranchers, owning large numbers of sheep on the range in Oregon and Idaho, as well as in Washington. In 1882 he bought about three sections of land, one-half of which was railroad land and sold at two dollars and sixty cents an acre, and he also took up a homestead claim, a timber claim and a preemption right, acquiring in all about five hundred acres from the government. Later as this region became more thickly settled he to a great extent gave up sheep raising and turned his attention to farming, in which he likewise met with a signal degree of success. He owns about three thousand acres of land, from which he derives a handsome income, but leaves the management of his affairs to others and is enjoying well deserved leisure. He resides in Walla Walla and is sur- rounded with all of the comforts of life.
Mr. Webb was married November 17, 1875, to Mrs. Eliza J. Smith, who was born in Hannibal, Missouri, December 28, 1843. a daughter of James and Almeda ( Barney) Boggs, who in 1853 went to Oregon by ox team. The father took up a donation claim of three hundred and sixty acres near Dallas, in Polk county, and engaged in operating that place until 1860, when he removed to Roseburg. lle, too, was chiefly engaged in the raising of sheep, which business many of the early settlers followed. Mrs. Webb was the eldest of a family of ten children, of whom only four now survive. In 1857 she was married to F. W. Smith, by
MRS. NATHANIEL WEBB
NATHANIEL WEBB
801
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
whom she had four children, namely: J. Cy, who died, leaving a wife and six children, Orville, Jessie, Nate, Melvin, Helen and Mollie; George W., at home; Mary E., who became the wife of J. Valaer and died, leaving one son; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have become the parents of three children : Nat, who is a graduate of Whitman College and is now farming ; Paul, who is married and resides at Heppner, Oregon; and Kate, who died in infancy.
Mr. Webb is a stanch republican in politics and has supported the candidates of that party ever since it came into existence. His wife holds membership in the Methodist church and both can be counted upon to use their influence on the side of right and justice. For more than six decades Mr. Webb has been con- nected with the Pacific coast and for more than forty years has been a resident of Washington and has seen the open ranges where thousands of sheep fed give way to finely improved and highly cultivated wheat fields and has witnessed many other changes as the development of eastern Washington has progressed. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his county and state and has al- ways placed the public welfare above his private interests.
HON. JAMES M. DEWAR.
One of the prominent figures in the early history of Walla Walla county was the Hon. James M. Dewar, stockman, farmer and member of the territorial legislature. He was born in Scotland, in the county of Perth, near the ancient castle of Doune, February 12, 1824. His father was a farmer and he grew up on the northern slope of the Grampian hills, becoming familiar with the scenes of Scottish legend. He received his education in his native country and remained at home until 1853, when he decided to try his fortune in America. For five years after his arrival in this country he traveled over the northern states and in 1858 he came to the Pacific coast country. While making his home at Champoeg, on the Willamette river, he met a relative, Archibald Mackinley, who was known to practically all the pioneers of the northwest as one of the most daring trappers in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. Mackinley advised Mr. Dewar to settle in the Walla Walla valley, describing in detail its many advantages, but also pointing out the fact that there existed considerable danger from Indians. Taking everything into consideration, Mr. Dewar decided to act on the advice of the trapper and on the 4th of January, 1859, arrived within the limits of the present Walla Walla county. His first home was a log cabin on Cottonwood creek and, liking the surroundings, he bought it and the claim on which it was built, paying the owner fifty dollars for the whole. At first it was not his inten- tion to make this his permanent home but rather to make it a base for his stock raising activities, as he saw in the fine grazing land of the Walla Walla valley a fine opportunity to raise stock for the Pacific market. However, the more he learned about this section the more confident he became that it offered opportuni- ties which could not be surpassed elsewhere and accordingly when the country became settled and his range began to narrow he sold off his surplus stock and turned his attention to farming. His first purchase of land consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, to which he later added one hundred and seventy-four
Vol. 11-28
802
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
acres, and his well directed labors resulted in transforming the entire tract into a highly improved farm in a high state of cultivation. He fenced his holdings, erected good buildings, including a beautiful modern home which took the place of the pioneer log cabin, and he also planted an orchard, the oldest in the county with one exception.
On the 27th of January, 1864, Mr. Dewar was married in Walla Walla to Miss Margaret McRae, who survives. To them were born seven children, of whom three are living, Alexander, Alida and Gordon M. The others, John, James M., Elizabeth and David are deceased, the last two dying of diphtheria on the same day.
Mr. Dewar was a stanch advocate of republican principles and was recognized as a leader in party circles. In 1878 he was chosen as a member of the territorial legislature and while serving in that body was the author of the celebrated rail- way freight bill which bore his name. In 1882 he was again elected to the leg- islature and a third time was chosen to represent his district in 1888, but before that legislature convened the territory had become a state. He was also a dele- gate to the convention which nominated candidates for membership in the body to which the drafting of the state constitution was entrusted. To him a public office was a sacred trust and his course was dictated solely by considerations of the general welfare. Through the honest and capable discharge of his duties he won the right to rank among the builders of the state. The guiding principle of his life was his religious belief and the Presbyterian church found in him a loyal and active member. His widow is still identified with that denomination and likewise takes a hearty interest in its activities. The death of Mr. Dewar occurred March 27, 1892.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.