USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 7
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RESIDENCE OF F. W. PAINE
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strong desire for learning has led him to read and study systematically and he always has near him good books on history, literature, science and poetry. Such books have also constituted a part of his continuous reading and thus he has obviated his lack of early training and become a most well informed man. More- over, in the various positions of public trust which he has filled he has always found it to be of the greatest assistance to resort to the most reliable authorities treating on the matters in hand and in these ways he has been able to accomplish something of what a liberal education might have done for him. He has many times so keenly felt his deficiency in the lack of school and college training that upon an analysis of his educational shortcomings he determined that his most serious lack was a fuller understanding of history, literature and Latin, and he has wherever possible urged young men to prepare along those lines.
As school teaching and farming seemed to offer small opportunities in Maine, Mr. Paine resolved to go west and chose California as his objective point, arriving in that state in October, 1861, with a letter from the late Judge E. D. Sawyer of San Francisco to an old friend of his at Mokelumne Hill. He was soon on the ground of the "Jumping Frog of Calaveras county" and found the addressee of his letter to be the proprietor of a provision store and his affairs much run down at the heel. Early in the spring of 1862, therefore, Mr. Paine went to Dogtown, in Shasta county, to join two friends who were preparing to go to the newly discovered mines on Salmon river in Idaho. He became the third member of the party, whose route, as contemplated, lay over the Siskiyou mountains to southern Oregon, then to Portland and on by way of- Walla Walla, but at Jacksonville they were advised to cross the Cascade mountains down the east side to Klamath lake and on to Walla Walla. After many days of weary walking they arrived in Walla Walla late in June, 1862; and there met the return- ing tide of miners from Salmon river and Florence, which discouraged the three young men from going further in that direction.
Under the stress of necessity Mr. Paine made haste to find employment and after two or three months by precarious work of different kinds he secured a situation in the Baker-Boyer store but was soon detailed to take charge of the Spray warehouse at Wallula under Dr. Baker's direction. In the spring of 1863 a mad rush for the Boise mines carried Mr. Paine along. As a measure of economy he engaged with a mule pack train owned by the firm of Johnson & Stratton, serving as off side packer and learning to "throw the diamond hitch." The wealth which Mr. Paine accumulated in that mining venture consisted mainly in experience. In the fall of 1864 he returned to Walla Walla and at once was reinstated in his former position with the Baker-Boyer firm, there re- maining until the spring of 1866, when another attack of mining fever took him to Montana with a stock of clothing made for the California miners' trade, which stock of goods was readily sold at a good profit. After enjoying a few weeks of summer on the summit of the Rockies he returned to the land of his adoption, and to be safeguarded against another "call of the wild," on his return he ac- cepted the proffer of a partnership made by William Stephens, a merchant con- ducting business at the corner of Main and First streets. The business prospered and at the end of a year Mr. Paine purchased the interest of his partner and admitted his brother John to a partnership, removing the stock to the corner of Second and Main streets, where they conducted a very substantial business. Vol. 11-4
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After about two years opportunity enabled Mr. Paine to succeed by purchase to the Baker-Boyer business, then located on the present site of the Baker-Boyer Bank. Miles C. Moore joined him as a partner under the style of Paine Brothers & Moore, which firm soon became widely known for its business enterprise and also for its local political influence. During the existence of the firm they estab- lished branches at Waitsburg and at Dayton and built a fine steamboat, The Northwest, to ply in wheat carrying on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The war department, however, leased the steamboat to transport troops and munitions during the war with the hostile Willowas, under the notable Chief Joseph, in 1878. Soon after the boat was taken over by the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. After nearly ten years of pleasant and profitable partnership Mr. Moore withdrew from the firm. In the meantime they had concentrated their attention upon farm implements and machinery and this business was conducted under the style of Paine Brothers. In 1879 they built the three-story brick build- ing, which was then the finest business block in the northwest outside of Port- land. Upon its completion and upon the organization of the First National Bank it took up its home in this building, where it has since continued.
While for many years Mr. Paine figured most prominently in commercial circles, he also became a leader in the public life of the community as well. His first public office was that of councilman, which he filled in 1878 and 1879. He afterward served as city treasurer in 1883 and 1884 and was mayor of Walla Walla through the two succeeding years. All of these offices came to him un- sought. During his mayoralty term he signed the ordinance prohibiting stock from running at large in the streets and this executive act lost him his reelection. He recognized, however, the value of such a course to the city and followed the dictates of his judgment and his conscience notwithstanding the contrary advice of his friends who desired liis reelection. In 1880 Mr. Paine was elected school director in District No. 34, the western part of the city. In 1882, by act of the legislature, Districts No. 34 and No. 1, the latter the eastern part of the city, were united in one and the two boards of directors acted as one until the next election, when Mr. Paine was elected one of the three directors for the combined district. He was reelected at each succeeding election until 1906 and during his in- cumbency, covering more than twenty-five years, he was chairman of the board, which from time to time had to meet increasing requirements by the erection of two frame and three brick schoolhouses. To do this the legal maximum levy of five per cent was not exceeded. The educational work done and the standing of the schools was equal to the best in the state.
In 1887 Governor Watson C. Squire, at the request of many of Mr. Paine's friends, appointed him superintendent of the new state penitentiary which had been recently erected at Walla Walla, with orders to establish rules and regula- tions and to conduct the institution on a similar plan to that of the Oregon state penitentiary. After some hesitation he accepted the appointment, and as the legislature, after providing an appropriation to erect the buildings, had neglected to make any appropriation for its maintenance, it became necessary to secure a citizens' pledge of five thousand dollars on which to draw for incidentals for the ensuing year or until the next legislature should meet. This done, he took six good men as guards with him to Seatco, where the old contract prison built of logs was located and where the convicts divided their time between working in
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a sash and door factory, working their way out of prison and being worked back by a reward or a bloodhound. Governor Squire met Mr. Paine at that place and after getting a record of the convicts, as a measure of economy for the state, he pardoned sixteen whose terms were nearly completed, leaving ninety-seven to be transfered to Walla Walla, which was accomplished without loss of any member. The next problem was to produce work for the prisoners and Mr. Paine soon succeeded in establishing and operating successfully a brickyard, which proved greatly beneficial to the prisoners. At the close of his term and on the convening of the legislature he reported to the governor, then Governor Semple, giving account of the amount required to cover all indebtedness incurred. The legislature readily made the appropriation, supplemented by a complimen- tary resolution. Two years later, under a new legislative enactment, Mr. Paine was made chairman of a commission of three members appointed by Governor Elisha P. Ferry, consisting of P. A. Preston, F. M. Lowden and Mr. Paine. With the ready compliance of his colleagues, Mr. Paine proceeded at once to establish a jute mill, having at his personal expense visited and investigated the San Quentin and Oakland jute mills, where he learned of their methods and was advised of their profits, thus becoming convinced of the economy of the meas- ure and of what was of much greater moment, the providing of employment for the inmates of the institution. The establishment of the mill was strenuously opposed by the labor element, as had been the brickyard, but the objection to con- vict labor has been largely overcome in view of the importance to the health and morals of the inmates of all such institutions. With the advanced views of the day Mr. Paine gladly sees the passing of another most degrading abuse from which this particular institution suffered at times in its earliest history-that of making it a base for political operations of a most scandalous character and its offices a reward for political jobbery.
Another field of activity into which Mr. Paine entered was that of the Build- ing Loan & Trust Association, which he was largely instrumental in organizing in February, 1890. It was called the International Building Loan & Trust Asso- ciation of Walla Walla and soon built up a prosperous business. It has con- tinuously paid its patrons a good rate of interest, has built many comfortable homes in and around the city and is today one of the leading institutions of the kind in the state. It is strictly mutual, makes money only for the stockholders and the only salary paid is that to its secretary, together with a small fee to its board members for each regular monthly meeting. The business methods are highly commended by the state examiner. Of this association Mr. Paine has been the president since its inception, covering a period of more than twenty- seven years. One of the most greatly appreciated honors that has come to Mr. Paine has been his appointment on the board of overseers of Whitman College and he is further honored in the position of chairman on the college loaning board.
In the late '70s Mr. Paine assisted in organizing the first Board of Trade at Walla Walla. At that early date it was thought to be of questionable value to the business community, so that it was with difficulty that funds could be secured to pay a secretary. In fact the body's activities and even its existence was at times of an intermittent order. In time the Board of Trade became the Cham- ber of Commerce and eventually the Commercial Club, and it fell to the lot of
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Captain P. B. Johnson of the Walla Walla Union and to Mr. Paine to keep alive the last named organization, the former acting as secretary and the latter as president. They answered correspondence, mailed descriptive circulars and other literature and in this way induced at least some settlers to come to the valley. All this occurred long before the inception of the present very much alive com- mercial body.
Mr. Paine not only figured in the business and public activities of the city but also in its social organizations. He became a member of the Inquiry Club on its organization twenty-six years ago, a club which is still in vigorous existence. Its membership has included many of the brightest minds in Walla Walla-men from various professions and callings in life. Whitman College has been largely represented on its roster. The workings of the club certainly have a great charm for its members, for its discussions cover the widest possible range of subjects and any member called upon expresses his views upon the subject under discus- sion with entire absence of restraint and accepts with good grace whatever he may get in return. Mr. Paine was also connected with an association of gentle- men of literary attainments which was organized in 1877. Among its members were Dr. George M. Sternberg, later surgeon general of the United States army, Judge J. K. Kennedy, Dr. J. E. Bingham, Colonel H. E. Holmes, Ex-Governor M. C. Moore, Colonel W. H. Miller, J. F. Boyer, Major R. R. Recs, F. W. Paine and a number of other prominent citizens. The objects of this association, as ex- pressed in its articles of organization, were to maintain a scientific and useful library, to promote science and to cultivate and improve its members. Mr. Paine is also a member of the Archaeological Association of Walla Walla, which under Professor Anderson maintains a good degree of activity, bringing to the city many able lecturers on arts and sciences. On the list of the members of the Symphony Orchestra is also found the name of Frank W. Paine, who has been its honored president for many years, an association which has done much to cultivate and promote musical taste in Walla Walla.
Most pleasantly situated in his home life, notwithstanding the extent and importance of his business and public and social activities, the interest of Frank W. Paine, yet has ever centered in his home. He married Ida B. Illsley, a daughter of Jonathan H. Illsley, a merchant of Harrison, Maine, the wedding being celebrated in the Presbyterian church on Capitol Hill in Washington, D. C., April 3, 1876. After a brief visit to their old homes in Maine they turned to- ward Walla Walla, visiting the Centennial at Philadelphia while en route and thence proceeding to San Francisco, to Portland and on to their destination, where they arrived on the 6th of July, being soon domiciled in the home which they yet occupy. Mrs. Paine comes of a family of superior musical and literary talent, finding its highest exponent perhaps in her eldest sister, the late Mrs. Caroline A. Tolman, who possessed unusual literary ability and devoted much time and talent to advocating the emancipation of women, contemporaneous with Eliza- beth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Abigail Scott Dunniway. They labored to make a place for woman side by side with man. Theirs was scant praise in their day but already the harvest of their labors is being garnered.
To Mr. and Mrs. Paine were born four daughters. Elizabeth, the eldest, passed away at the age of twenty-four years. Josephine became the wife of Timothy A. Paul, a graduate of the University of Virginia and now a resident
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of Walla Walla, by whom she has three children, two sons and a daughter. Mary became the wife of Ben G. Stone, a real estate and insurance man and farmer of Walla Walla, and they have two sons. Frances is the wife of R. Douglas Ball, ยท who is engaged in the wholesale paper business in Seattle, and they have three children, a daughter and two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Paine are happy in the pos- session of their three daughters, their generous, manly husbands and their prom- ising children. They stand to them a full measure of reward for any and all sacrifices it may have been their duty and pleasure to make for them and an ample assurance of continued happiness in them, for all of which they duly re- turn thanks to the "giver of every good and perfect gift."
JOHN N. FALL.
John N. Fall was one of the pioneers of Walla Walla county who reaped the reward of his labors, being at the time of his death the owner of large tracts of fine wheat land, the operation of which he supervised, although a resident of Walla Walla. He was born in Indiana, September 13, 1836, a son of Asa and Agnes (Davis) Fall, the former a native of North Carolina. Both parents passed their last years in Walla Walla county.
John N. Fall received the education usually afforded boys in pioneer com- munities and remained with his parents until he reached mature years. In 1861 he decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered the ambitious young man in the Pacific northwest and crossed the plains with ox teams. He at once settled in Walla Walla county, buying a farm on Mill creek, on which he resided until 1867. He then removed to Walla Walla but continued to operate his farm and, although as the years passed his holdings increased rapidly, he never ceased to exercise direct personal supervision over his agricultural interests. He was at once practical and progressive, being ready to adopt any new method or imple- ment whose value had been reasonably well proven. He gave careful study to the problems of increased production, the conservation of soil fertility and ad- vantageous marketing, and it was recognized that he was an authority on every- thing pertaining to wheat raising.
Mr. Fall was married in Missouri in 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Williams, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Williams, both of whom were born in Kentucky, but for a number of years resided in Missouri, whence they finally removed to Iowa, where the father passed away. The mother then came to Walla Walla county, where she spent her last years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fall was born a son. Dr. E. E. Fall, who died in February, 1917, leaving a son, Edmond E.
Mr. Fall supported the democratic party at the polls and manifested the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. Fraternally he belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the spirit which characterized his life was that of fraternity and consideration for others. He passed away in 1900 and was laid to rest in Mountain View ceme- tery. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he contributed generously, and his sterling worth gained hint a warm place in the regard of those who were closely associated with him. Mrs. Fall was
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also a member of that denomination and was likewise keenly interested in its various activities. After the death of her husband she owned and personally managed the operation of two thousand and forty acres of wheat land and two hundred and forty acres on the mountain, a part of which was wheat land and a ' part pasture. In looking after her extensive interests she manifested an executive ability and keen insight into business that was far above the average and she was recognized as a factor in the development of the county along agricultural lines.
ELMER L. WOODS.
Elmer L. Woods, who resides on section 7, township 9 north, range 27 east, is one of the leading horticulturists of Walla Walla county, his apple orchard comprising almost four thousand trees of the finest varieties. He was born in that township, November 4, 1888, and is a son of Joel and Viola M. (Hull) Woods, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared at home and during his boyhood and youth attended the Waitsburg public schools, thus receiv- ing a good education. On reaching man's estate he became associated with his father in the operation of the home farm, and this relation was continued until the father's death. In 1911 forty acres were planted to apple trees, ninety-six to an aere, by Walter & Morris, the administrators of the estate. This orchard of three thousand eight hundred and forty trees is now bearing, and is one of the finest fruit orchards in the county. At the time the estate was settled Mr. Woods of this review acquired title to the orchard, and it yielded about two thousand boxes of apples in 1917. He has given the orchard the most thorough and systematie care and is ever businesslike in solving problems of packing and inarketing.
Mr. Woods belongs to Delta Lodge, No. 70, K. P., of Waitsburg and is in hearty sympathy with the ideals of the fraternity upon which that organization is based. He possesses in marked measure the enterprise and self-reliance char- acteristic of the western man, and he has the utmost confidence in the future of his county and state.
FRANK SINGLETON.
There are few residents of Walla Walla who can claim connection with the city from 1857. The memory of Frank Singleton, however, harks back to the period when this was a frontier fort and the work of progress and civilization had scarcely been begun in all this section of the country. The Indians were more numerous than the white settlers and only here and there had some venture- some spirit penetrated into the western wilderness to plant the seeds of civilization. Frank Singleton, who is now extensively interested in mining and is engaged in the real estate business in Walla Walla, was but six years of age at the time of his arrival in Washington. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, November 7,
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1850, and after the removal of the family to the northwest pursued his educa- tion in the public and parochial schools of Walla Walla. On reaching manhood he engaged in the live stock business, with which he was prominently identified for many years. At one time he was a heavy holder of farm lands, but in 1916 he sold his farm north of Prescott, comprising six hundred acres, which was the last of his farm possessions. For the past twelve years he has been prom- inently identified with mining and has large holdings in mining property. For six years he has been engaged in the real estate business in Walla Walla and has negotiated many important realty transfers. In a word, he is a progressive business man, alert and energetic, his activities guided by sound judgment, while his laudable ambition has brought to him gratifying success.
In July, 1907, Mr. Singleton was united in marriage to Mrs. Martha White, who in her maidenhood was Miss Kidwell, a daughter of James Kidwell, who in 1863 cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Walla Walla. By her former marriage Mrs. Singleton had two sons: Walter, who is engaged in farming in Walla Walla county; and Vivian, who is a farmer of Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton are widely and favorably known in the city and surround- ing country, having an extensive circle of friends, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. With every phase of pioneer life and of the later development and progress of the county they are familiar, having been interested witnesses of the growth and upbuilding of this section of the state from early pioneer times.
WILLIAM D. PAUL.
William D. Paul was successful as a farmer and his personal qualities were such that he made and retained friends readily. He was recognized as a man of worth and there was much sincere regret when he passed away at his home in Walla Walla. His birth occurred in Walla Walla county, October 21, 1864, and his parents were Thomas and Susan F. (Ellis) Paul, both of whom were born in Iowa. In 1861 they crossed the plains with ox team to Washington, and the father took up a claim in Walla Walla county, on which they resided until called by death.
William D. Paul was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the pioneer schools. His entire life was devoted to farming and he became in time the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, from which he received a gratifying income. He made many improvements upon his place and was careful and systematic in the conduct of the farm work. He also held title to valuable city property and for a number of years resided in Walla Walla.
In 1895 Mr. Paul was married to Miss Kate Loney, a native of Canada and a daughter of Charles and Charlotte (Cole) Loney, who were born in Ireland but emigrated to Canada in young manhood and womanhood. In 1880 they came to Walla Walla, Washington, and here they passed their remaining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Paul were born four children: Thomas N., who is farming
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in Walla Walla county; Winifred and Ruth, both high school students; and Geneva.
Mr. Paul endorsed the principles of the republican party, and gave his loyal support to its candidates at the polls. His religious faith was the determining principle in his life and he gave freely of his time and means in furthering work of the Baptist church, in which he held the office of deacon and also that of treasurer. He passed away August 24, 1916, and was laid to rest in the Moun- tain View cemetery. His unswerving integrity and his consistent regard for the rights and feelings of others gave him a place in the warm regard of many, and those who were privileged to know him intimately still cherish his memory. Mrs. Paul owns the family residence in Walla Walla and there makes her home. She rents the farm and personally attends to the management of her affairs and displays in that connection unusual business qualities. She, too, is a faith- ful and active member of the Baptist church and is a woman of many admirable qualities.
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