USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 6
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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
On the 2d of April, 1876, Mr. Nixon was united in marriage to Miss Kate Stewart, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Stewart, and to. them have been born three children, two daughters and a son: Stella, now the wife of H. L. Wilson, who is state highway contractor and a resident of Walla Walla; Laura, the wife of H. H. Hadley, who is engaged in the automobile business in Dayton, Washington ; and Edward S., who is associated with his father in the real estate and insurance business under the firm style of E. H. Nixon & Son.
In 1877, soon after his marriage, Mr. Nixon removed to Whitman county and took up a homestead and tree claim and preempted another one hundred and sixty acres of land. He also rented a section of school land and for eight years or more was extensively and successfully engaged in farming. He laid out the first road ever laid out in Whitman county and was well known as the pioneer settler of that county, instituting much of the progressive work which has brought about its present-day progress and prosperity. In 1885 he returned to Walla Walla, and while he has disposed of his landed interests in Whitman county, he still owns valuable farm property and since 1892 he has conducted a real estate and insurance business, the firm of E. H. Nixon & Son maintaining an office in the Jaycox building. For many years Mr. Nixon was one of the most conspicuous figures in the civic affairs of Walla Walla. He served as road over- seer, was also United States deputy postmaster, was justice of the peace two years and was police judge one year. He was also city assessor one term and was a member of the city council and at all times exercised his official pre- rogatives in support of many well defined plans and measures for the general good. He looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future and labored not only for the welfare of the passing hour but for future time as well. He was responsible for the establishment of
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the perpetual care system in the city cemetery and later the same system in the Odd Fellows cemetery, serving as president of the cemetery committee for a number of years. Mr. Nixon has long been a faithful and prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has filled all of the offices in the local post. He has also been honored with the position of assistant adjutant general and assistant quartermaster general of the Department of Washington and Alaska. Ile has membership in Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 19, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs, including that of noble grand. In 1890 he joined with F. W. Paine and others in forming the Interstate Building Loan & Trust Association, and he is a member of its board of trustees and vice president of the association. In a word his activities are broad and varied. He is a liberal minded man, recognizing the duties and obligations of the individual to his fellowmen and to his country. At all times he has been actuated by a progressive spirit and in business affairs has been stimulated by a laudable ambition. His purposes have been well defined and promptly executed and the course which he has pursued has at all times measured up to the highest standards of manhood. His work has been of great benefit to the community at large as well as a source of indi- vidual success, and Walla Walla county honors him as one of her best known pioneers. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church.
S. S. MORITZ.
S. S. Moritz, who since 1914 has held the office of postmaster of Dayton. was formerly prominently identified with its business interests, first as a mer- chant and later as a real estate operator. He was born in Victoria, British Col- umbia, August 28, 1863, a son of Moses and Adeline (Greenenburg) Moritz, natives respectively of Alsace, France, and of Groesenadar, Germany. The mother came to the Pacific coast by way of the Panama route in young woman- hood and joined relatives living in San Francisco. The father emigrated to this country in early manhood and after spending some time in the middle west made his way to the California gold fields in 1849. He acquired some valuable mining properties but later lost them through reverses in fortune. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in San Francisco in 1855 and subsequently went to Portland, Oregon, where he was married, the lady who became his wife having in the meantime removed to that city, where she made her home with relatives. Mr. Moritz engaged in merchandising there until the discovery of gold on the Fraser river in the British possessions. He then removed with his family to Victoria, where they resided for two years, after which they returned to Portland. Later they became residents of Centerville, Idaho, where the father was well known as a general merchant. At length he removed to Boise City with the view of giving his children better educational advantages and remained there until 1873, when he went to Salt Lake City, where he was active in business until 1890. He then retired and spent his last days in the home of his son, S. S. Moritz. He passed away September 23, 1913, when in his eighty-
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eighth year. He was a man of vigorous constitution and retained the full use of his faculties up to the time of his death. His widow survives.
S. S. Moritz received his education in the schools of Boise City and of Salt Lake City and during vacations received business training which stood him in good stead in his later years. For several years before leaving school the sum- mers were devoted to clerking in various stores in Salt Lake City, chiefly the clothing business, and in the spring of 1885, when a young man of twenty-one years, he came to Dayton, Washington, to accept a position with Duzenbury & Stencil, general merchants. For a year he had charge of their clothing and fur- nishing department and then engaged in business for himself, establishing a cloth- ing and furnishing store. For eighteen years he conducted that store and became a dominant factor in the commercial life of Dayton, his resourcefulness, energy and keen insight into business conditions causing him to be generally recognized as a leader. In 1904 he sold his store, as he desired to give his undivided atten- tion to his other interests. For a number of years he had been investing heavily in real estate and he it was who laid out the Syndicate Hill subdivision of Day- ton, which is now recognized as the finest residence district of the city, and for a decade his entire time was given up to looking after his real estate interests, but in 1914 he became postmaster of Dayton by appointment of President Wil- son. During the intervening three years he has held that position and has per- formed his duties in the same capable manner that he managed his private affairs.
Mr. Moritz was a stanch republican in his political views until 1896, but in that year he became convinced of the wisdom of the policies advocated by Wil- liam Jennings Bryan and gave his support to the democratic party, with which he has since been identified. He has taken an active part in public affairs and many improvements in Dayton have been brought about largely through his in- defatigable work in their behalf. Notable among these is his achievement in securing the paving of the business district in spite of much indifference and determined opposition. His interest in good roads has found further expression in the arterial highway law, a very significant piece of legislation, which is based upon a plan conceived by Mr. Moritz. When it became necessary to change the city charter in conformity with the state regulations he led the movement for a charter that would meet all the needs of Dayton and was largely instrumental in securing such an instrument. He has been one of the most active members in the Dayton Commercial Club since its organization and has had a large part in its effective and far-reaching work for the city. Fraternally he belongs to Day- ton Lodge, No. 3, K. P. His position as one of the foremost residents of Dayton is secure and his personal friends are many.
T. F. DICE.
T. F. Dice, residing on section 2, township 9 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, holds title to a large amount of land but is renting the greater part of it and is thus enjoying comparative leisure. His birth occurred in Penn- sylvania, February 15, 1859, a son of William and Susan (Redrick) Dice, who
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passed their entire lives in the Keystone state. Five of their seven children are still living.
T. F. Dice grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and supplemented the educa- tion acquired in the public schools by attendance at Mercersburg college in Mer- cersburg. On leaving his native state he went to Savannah, Georgia, where he spent three years, and then in 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, for the benefit of his health and here he purchased a farm on which he resided for three years. He next bought his present home place on section 2, township 9 north, range 36 east, and for many years personally operated the five hundred acres comprised in the farm. At the present time, however, he rents all the land but an eighty acre tract, which is in alfalfa and which he looks after himself.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Dice and Miss E. A. Spangenberg. The latter was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Frederick A. and Fanny Anna Spangenberg, both also born in Pennsylvania. The father, who successfully engaged in the practice of law for many years, is now deceased, but the mother survives. Mrs. Dice had exceptional musical training and her talents along that line have been a source of great pleasure to her family and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Dice have four children: William T., who lives in Cal- ifornia; Lee R., who is teaching in the University of Montana; Frances E., the wife of the Rev. Robert M. Hood, now a resident of Idaho; and Carl E., a student of Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, San Rafael, California. During the years of his residence in Walla Walla county Mr. Dice has become widely and favorably known, his many excellent qualities gaining for him many warm friends.
W. H. BARNHART.
The field of opportunity finds its boundaries only in the limitations of the individual. When energy and ambition lie dormant the path of advancement seems closed, but to the man who believes that there is a chance for every individual and who is willing to take his chance with others, there always comes a time when he can take the initial step that will lead on to fortune. That Mr. Barnhart recognized the opportune moment is shown in the fact that he is now one of the leading business men of Starbuck, where he is widely known as the vice president and manager of the Sprout & Barnhart Mercantile Company and also as a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Starbuck. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Wapello county on the IIth of October, 1871, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Johnson) Barnhart. The father was a native of Tennessee, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, and in Iowa their marriage was solemnized. They had accompanied their respective parents to the last mentioned state in childhood and were there reared. Mr. Barn- hart turned his attention to farming and railroading, which he followed in Iowa until 1889, when he removed westward to Oregon and for a number of years was employed by the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation Company in the capacity of engineer. He thus took part in the early development of railway operations in the west. He died in December, 1915, and is survived by his widow, who resides on a ranch near Spokane.
W. H. BARNHART
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W. H. Barnhart, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, com- pleted his education in the high school at Albia, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. The following year he came to Oregon and for a number of years successfully engaged in teaching school, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He also worked in a store at La Grande, Oregon, and subsequently he became a student in Armstrong's Business College at Portland. Later he took up railroading as an employe of the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation Company and was employed by that corporation for thirteen years. During the last seven years of that period he ran an engine and in 1907 he resigned his position with the company and purchased an interest in the mercantile establishment of W. E. Sprout of Starbuck. The following year the company was reorganized and incorporated, with Mr. Barnhart as the vice president and manager of the business, and Mr. Sprout as the president. They have a spacious and well appointed store, carrying an extensive line of goods, and they always maintain the highest standards in the personnel of the house, in the stock carried and in the treatment accorded patrons. Their business has therefore gradually increased as the years have gone on and has become one of the profitable commercial interests of southeastern Washington.
In September, 1901, Mr. Barnhart was united in marriage to Miss Bessie A. Wright, of Starbuck, and they have become parents of two daughters, Grace M. and Blanche L. Mr. Barnhart is a loyal representative of the Masonic frater- nity, belonging to Tucanon Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of which he is now worshipful master. He is also identified with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and has served as chief engineer in the order. In politics he is a stalwart republican and is now mayor of Starbuck. He had previously served for several years as a member of the town council and his fitness for further and more responsible public duties led to his election as chief executive. His wife and two daughters are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Barnhart is serving on its board of trustees. His aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement as related to the material upbuilding and also the social, intellectual and moral advancement of the community. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine worth who well merits the success that has crowned his efforts since he started out in business life empty-handed.
IRA D. BRUNTON.
Among the native sons of Walla Walla county who have elected to continue residents thereof is Ira D. Brunton, who is engaged in farming on section 30, township 8 north, range 36 east. He was born in that township, May II, 1876, and is a son of W. H. H. and Sarah A. (Lewis) Brunton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the home farm, and his boyhood and youthi were spent in the acquirement of a district school educa- tion and in helping his father. He further pursued his studies in Whitman College and at the old Empire Business College at Walla Walla, thus fitting him- self for his later life.
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After his marriage Mr. Brunton began farming for himself, operating a part of the homestead in partnership with his father, this relation being continued until his father's death, after which Mr. Brunton of this review and his brother Frank managed the entire estate of seven hundred acres for five years. At the end of that time Ira D. Brunton took over the operation of four hundred acres and his brother Garfield became responsible for the cultivation of the remain- ing three hundred acres. In 1903 our subject purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the home farm and he now operates both places and also four hundred acres of rented land, or nine hundred and sixty acres in all. It is thus evident that his interests are extensive and make heavy demands upon his time and energies, but he is industrious, progressive and systematic in his work and his affairs are kept well in hand.
Mr. Brunton was married October 10, 1897, to Miss Bessie I .. Ramseur, a daughter of David W. Ramseur, who removed to Walla Walla county from North Carolina in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Brunton have been born five chil- dren : Elsie M., the wife of Clyde Garland, of Walla Walla; and Reese R., Lucille B., and Miles and Melvin, twins, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Brunton's political views are in accord with the principles of the demo- cratic party and he supports its candidates at the polls. In 1908 he was his party's nominee for sheriff and polled a large vote. Fraternally he is connected with Mountain Gem Lodge, No. 136, K. P., and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is held in high esteem as a citizen and as a man, and his success as a farmer entitles him to rank among the leaders in the agricultural development of the county.
JOSEPH CLARK FAIR.
Joseph Clark Fair, an independent grain buyer and one of Dayton's foremost business men and representative citizens, was born in Benton county, Arkansas, February 26, 1874, a son of Joseph A. and Martha Ann ( Russell) Fair, the former born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, and the latter in Barry county, Mis- souri. The parents were taken by their respective parents to Benton county, Arkansas, and there grew to manhood and womanhood. They continued to reside there following their marriage, with the exception of four years spent in Texas, up to the time of the mother's death, which occurred in June, 1899. The father devoted his active life to farming but is now a resident of Centerton, Benton county, Arkansas, where he is living retired. He is a local Methodist minister and was often importuned to join the conference but refused, saying he knew he could make a living farming but did not know whether he could as a minister or not. His parents, Ellis and Nancy Hamilton (Easly) Fair, were representatives of old families of Tennessee. Mr. Fair was killed by Indians at the time of the Civil war. The parents of Mrs. Martha Ann ( Russell) Fair were Elijah and Louisa ( Bell) Russell, natives respectively of Missouri and Tennessee. Mr. Russell went to the California gold mines in 1849, crossing the plains with ox team, and returned to the east in 1852 by sailing vessel. At the time of the Civil war he was killed by bushwackers.
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Joseph Clark Fair was reared at home, and in the acquirement of his educa- tion attended the common schools of Arkansas and the Elm Springs Academy, in Washington county, that state. For two terms he engaged in teaching in Ben- ton county, Arkansas, but because of the low salary paid teachers gave up the profession. In 1898 he decided to try his fortune in the far west and located at Condon, Gilliam county, Oregon, where he was connected with lumber interests. He remained there for five years and during the last year helped to build the courthouse. During that time he acquired title to seven hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has since sold at a profit. In 1903 he became a resident of Dayton, Washington, where he has ever since remained, and he is well known throughout Columbia county as a grain-buyer. He is expert in judging wheat and keeps in the closest touch with the grain markets and has been very success- ful in his business affairs.
Mr. Fair was married in 1908 to Miss Nellie Virginia Gregg, who was born in Washington county, Arkansas, but at the time of her marriage was county superintendent of schools of Columbia county. To them was born one child, who, however, is deceased. Mr. Fair is a stanch democrat in politics and has served with ability as a member of the town council. He is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Alki Lodge, No. 136, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand ; Franklin Encampment, No. 13, I. O. O. F., of which he is past chief patriarch ; Dayton Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M., of which he is now worshipful master ; and Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P., of which he is past chancellor. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, and in his business dealings, as well as in the private relations of life, his conduct measures up to high moral standards. He feels that his decision to come to the west was one of the wisest that he has ever made and he is confident that a greater future is in store for this section.
CHARLES CLAGUE.
Charles Clague, a prosperous farmer residing on section 2, township 9 north. range 36 east, Walla Walla county, was born on the Isle of Man in March, 1860, a son of Richard and Isabella (Quirk) Clague, also natives of that island, where their entire lives were passed. Our subject's education was received in the public schools and he remained in his native country until he attained his majority but in 1881 came to the United States. For six months he worked in a grocery store in Olean, New York, after which he decided to see the west. There for a month he worked in Colorado and then continued his journey, arriving in San Francisco on Christmas day. 1881. He only remained in that city for two days, however, and then came to Walla Walla county, Washington. He took up a homestead two miles south of Prescott and for twenty years lived upon that place, which he operated successfully. He also purchased other land, becoming the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres. In 1902, in partnership with T. F. Dice, he bought five hundred acres of land and later they purchased the old Samuel Erwin home farm, where both have since resided. Mr. Clague has sold his homestead and the land adjoining and has also disposed of the equity of the
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five hundred acre tract but retains his interest in the farm of eighty acres, where he and Mr. Dice reside. He also is' the owner of fifty-two acres of irrigated land near Patterson, Stanislaus county, California. He has gained financial independ- ence and, having disposed of the greater part of his holdings, is now enjoying a period of comparative leisure.
Mr. Clague is a progressive republican in politics and has always been most loyal to the interests of his adopted country. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and in its teachings are found the principles which guide his life. For thirty-six years he has resided in Walla Walla county and has done his part in bringing about the wonderful development that has taken place during that time. He has a wide acquaintance and a large number of warm personal friends.
FRANK W. PAINE.
Frank W. Paine is a capitalist of Walla Walla whose name is inseparably interwoven with the history of city and state. Coming to the west in pioneer times, he is familiar with every phase of frontier life and with the processes of development which have brought the state from pioneer conditions to its present stage of progress and prosperity. - His individual labors have contributed much to the results achieved, and no account of Walla Walla's development would be complete without extended reference to liin.
Mr. Paine was born August 31, 4839 ;- in Mercer, Somerset couny, Maine, and has therefore passed the seventy elglith milestone on life's journey. His father, William Paine, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, September 5, 1801, and died December 4, 1883, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wentworth Pike, was born in Somersworth, New Hampshire, Decem- ber 29, 1804, and passed away February 14, 1872. Both parents were of English Puritan stock. Among the early representatives of the Paine family were men of title who belonged to the nobility of England, and in New England representa- tives of the name loyally served their country in the struggle for independence and as statesmen aided in formulating the policy of the commonwealth with which they were connected. In religious faith the parents of Frank W. Paine were Congregationalists. In political faith William Paine was first a whig and afterwards a republican, and by occupation he was a farmer. To him and his wife were born six children, who were reared more in the fear than in the love of God, but for their day they were on the firing line, both in good works and exemplary lives.
Frank W. Paine began his education in a little unpainted schoolhouse of one room, which stood at the forks of the road on Beech Hill, in the town of Mercer, Somerset county, Maine. He at first had the opportunity of attending school for about eight weeks in the summer and ten weeks in the winter season until he was ten or eleven years of age, when he no longer found it possible to continue his studies through the summer but was enabled to attend school through the winter until his eighteenth year. He then began teaching in the country districts through the winter months, while the summer was devoted to farm work. On leaving the schoolroom, however, he did not consider his education complete, for his
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