USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume II > Part 8
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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
WILLIAM S. CLARK.
William S. Clark, who is living retired in Walla Walla save for the manage- ment of his extensive farming interests, has passed his entire life in the north- west and is a son of pioneers who came to "Old Oregon" in 1843, when this region was wild and uninhabited save by Indians and fur traders and when it was still a mooted question whether it was British or American territory. The birth of William S. Clark occurred in Portland, Oregon, April 9, 1857, and his parents were Ransom and Lettice Jane (Millican) Clark. The father was born near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, July 22, 1810, and was descended from a long line of Puritan ancestors. The first one of the family to emigrate to America was Lieutenant William Clark, who became one of the first settlers of Dorchester and Northampton, Massachusetts. Smith College at Northamp- ton is situated upon land that was a part of his homestead.
Ransom Clark received his education in Vermont and remained there for a considerable period after reaching mature years. At length, however, he mani- fested the pioneer spirit that had characterized his ancestors and removed to the west, where he believed there were better opportunities. He first located in Wisconsin and then went to St. Louis and later to New Orleans. He was in St. Louis in 1843 at the time Lieutenant Fremont was fitting out his company for his trip to the Pacific coast and although the greater part of his men were French and Canadian frontiersmen, Mr. Clark and about a half dozen other Americans enlisted for the expedition. Mr. Clark remained with the Fremont party until The Dalles were reached and then, with two other Americans, left the command and joined the American emigrants just coming into the country. In the spring of 1844 he took up his residence upon a farm near Lafayette and was successful in adapting himself to the conditions of that frontier locality, growing good crops and also engaging in stock raising. The Oregon Spectator of July 4. 1846. contained the following advertisement : "Ransom Clark, at his home on Yamhill river, offers for sale wheat, oats, corn, white beans, peas and
RANSOM CLARK
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potatoes, also bacon, salt pork, hogs and breeding sows." At the time of the discovery of gold he went to the mines in California, where he spent two years, after which he conducted a hotel in Linn, Oregon, and still later became one of the proprietors of the Columbian Hotel in Portland. In 1855 he went to the Colville country, in which gold had been discovered, and returning by way of Walla Walla, took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres just south of the present site of Walla Walla. However, the country had not yet been formally opened for settlement and he was compelled to leave by Nathan Olney, Indian agent. In 1858, however, he learned that the country would soon be opened up and in that spring went to his claim with a full outfit of farming implements, fruit trees, nursery stock, etc. He took with him John Haley to fence and care for his place and, leaving him there, soon returned to Oregon. The following spring he again came to this region, and this time was accont- panied by his son, Charles W., whom he left on the place. In May he returned to l'ortland to make final arrangements for removing to his land, but while there became ill and died on the 24th of May, 1859, at the early age of forty-nine years. He was a member of the famous Lyceum and Debating Society of Ore- gon City and, as he wrote to a friend, "always advocated those principles which are best calculated to promote the cause of education, to promote the greatest good to the greatest number." He was quite prominent in civic affairs, served as a member of one of the early legislatures and in 1844 ,was one of three com- missioners to view out and survey a road from the Willainette falls to the falls of the Yamhill river. He realized that a great, future was in store. for this section and was among the men who laid broad and deep the foundation for its future development.
Ransom Clark was married in 1845 to Miss Lettice Jane, the eldest daugh- ter of Elijah and Lucinda (Crisp) Millican. She was born in Canehill, Arkan- sas, October 3, 1830. In 1843 the family joined the Whitman train and after a journey of weary months reached Oregon. The following year the Millican family settled near the town of Lafayette, Yamhill county, and there in 1845 Lettice J. Millican became the wife of Ransom Clark. Following the death of her husband in 1859, she made the journey to Walla Walla in order to make arrangements for subsequently locating upon the farm which Mr. Clark had taken up and which was known for many years as the Ransom Clark donation claim. She was given a place in the government ambulance from Wallula to Walla Walla and her first night in the latter place was spent in the fort. The following morning she was driven out to her claim and remained there for two weeks. She then returned to Portland, where the birth of her daughter occurred the following summer. In October, 1859, she again came to Walla Walla in company with her family. They were passengers on the first stage from The Dalles to Walla Walla, with John F. Abbott as driver. Later she received a letter from Judge E. D. Shattuck of Portland advising her to sell her claim for two hundred and seventy-five dollars and abandon the idea of developing it. However, she disregarded this advice and continued to reside upon the farm with her children. On the 23d of May, 1861, she married Almos H. Reynolds, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was one of the earliest pioneer women at the head of a ranch in Walla Walla county and the fact that she had been privileged to witness more of the growth of the northwest
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than others seemed to give her an added interest in everything pertaining to public welfare. She contributed much to the upbuilding of the various institu- tions of the city and by reason of her force of character and her many liberal and well advised benefactions she was recognized as a most prominent citizen of Walla Walla. The erection of the Young Men's Christian Association build- ing was made possible by a twenty thousand dollar donation from her and after its completion she was one of the chief contributors toward its upkeep. At the rally and jubilee held when the association had raised the forty-five thousand dollars necessary to pay off its debt the speech that she made expressing her great joy in the knowledge that the association was free of all debt will long be remembered by all who heard her. She was also a loyal friend and patron of Whitman College, contributing generously at various times to the support of the institution and paying off a debt of six thousand dollars on the girls' dormitory, which is named in her honor Reynolds Ilall. She was a woman of the highest ideals and also had the keenness of intellect and strength of character to realize her ideals and the memory of Lettice J. Reynolds will long be held in honor in Walla Walla.
William S. Clark received his education in the public schools and Whitman Academy, his parents realizing the value of liberal training and giving their children the best advantages possible. After leaving school he went to work in the drug store of Dr. J. H. Day of Walla Walla, and there studied pharmacy. Later he was for two years clerk in a drug store in Portland and then returned to Walla Walla and continued to engage in the drug business here until 1877. He was then employed for some time on the railroad from Walla Walla to Wallula, owned by Dr. Baker. The latter recognized that with the settling up of the country land would rapidly increase in value and advised Mr. Clark to invest his savings in land. Accordingly he began buying farm lands, to the operation of which he gave close personal supervision for many years. He now, how- ever, leaves all the actual work of cultivation to others, confining his attention to the business management of his properties.
On the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Scelye, a teacher for seventeen years in the Walla Walla public schools. She was born in Minnesota and is a daughter of Stuart Seelye, who had the dis- tinction of building the first lumber, shingle and flour mills in Little Falls, Minnesota. The Seelye family have been prominent in educational circles in the east, Julius Seelye being president of Amherst College and Clark Seelye president of Smith College. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been born a daughter, Evelyn.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Congregational church and its work profits greatly by their material and moral support. Mr. Clark is a republican in politics and has taken quite a prominent part in public affairs. He was assistant secretary of the constitutional convention of Washington territory which met in 1878 and has never ceased to be an earnest student of the questions and issues of the day. For two years he was president of the Farmers Union of Walla Walla and in 1873 he was a member of the party under the leadership of Major Truax which surveyed the land around Colfax. He also saw military service, serving in the Nez Perce Indian war in 1877 and in the Bannock war in 1878. 11is record proves that he is in all respects worthy of his ancestors.
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among whom were numbered soldiers of the Revolutionary war, and he has taken advantage of the privilege which his descent affords of joining the Sons of the American Revolution. The first member of the family in America, Lieutenant William Clark, who came to this country in 1630, also participated in Indian fighting, taking part in a war which occurred in the year of his arrival. Mr. Clark is a member of the different Masonic orders. He feels the greatest loyalty toward his eity and state and nothing gives him more pleasure than to cooperate with movements for the public benefit.
JOHN SINGLETON.
Jolin Singleton was one of the earliest of Walla Walla's pioneers, arriving here in 1857, and to the time of his death he was prominently, actively and help- fully associated with the work of development and progress in this section of the state. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1824, and was educated under private tutors. On the 22d of April, 1847, he was married in Queens county, Ireland, to Miss Frances Jane Gowan and two years later they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New York, where he at once enlisted for service in the army. He was sent to Texas as quartermaster's clerk under Major Bilger and the command was stationed in the Alamo at San Antonio, Texas, his office being in the very room where Colonel Davy Crockett was killed. He remained in Texas in the service of the government for six years and was then honorably discharged, after which he returned to Washington, D. C. Sub- sequently he occupied a clerical position for six months in the old arsenal. He then went to Baltimore, Maryland. In 1856 Mr. Singleton again enlisted in the army for service on the Pacific coast, believing that the change of climate would benefit his failing health. He made his way westward by way of the Isthmus of Panama and thence northward to Vancouver, Washington, where he was stationed for ten months. His company afterward took part in the war with the Yakima Indians, having several sharp engagements with them in the Cas- cade mountains. His command was led by Captain Winder and the Indians by Chief Camiachan. After subduing the red men Captain Winder's command built a fort and remained in the Cascades for about a year, but later was trans- ferred to The Dalles, Oregon, and in the spring of 1857 arrived at Fort Walla Walla, where Mr. Singleton remained in the service until 1861, when he was honorably discharged, his term having expired. While he was still engaged in military duty here the Indians from several tribes joined in hostilities to prevent Captain Mullen opening a military road across the Rocky and Coeur d'Alene mountains to the Columbia river. Mr. Singleton was in Colonel Steptoe's com- mand, which met the allied tribes in the memorable engagement of Steptoe Butte, which was of several days' duration. The whites, being greatly outnum- bered, suffered a disastrous defeat and were driven back to the Snake river in great disorder. In this engagement Mr. Singleton had a very narrow escape from death. He became separated from his comrades in the retreat and after wandering around nearly all night came upon a band of friendly Nez Perce Indians, who conducted him to the Clearwater river, ferried him across and
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directed him to the camp of his company, who had reported to his wife that he had died. Colonel Wright soon came up from The Dalles with a thousand men, and being thus reenforced, the troops began an active campaign against the Indians. In a short time the American army had scattered, captured or killed the entire tribe. Some were hanged in the mountains but the most noted leaders were brought to Walla Walla, where seven of them were hanged in the public square in the rear of the garrison. During his service in Fort Walla Walla, Mr. Singleton did most of the work of keeping the records of the post, in the performance of which duty he was compelled to use an old-fashioned quill pen.
Mrs. Singleton had purchased a squatter's right from Captain Pierce, and on Mr. Singleton's discharge he retired to the homestead, which has been the place of residence of the family continuously since. It is said that the money which Captain Pierce obtained for his squatter's right enabled him to open the Orofino mining district, of which he was the first prospector.
Mr. Singleton died at the old home on December 28, 1893, and there his widow and two daughters still reside. Mrs. Singleton is now in her nineticth year but for some time past has been an invalid. To Mr. and Mrs. Singleton were born six children: Catherine, who is the widow of Thomas Tierney and resides in San Francisco; Frank E .; William H., who is deceased; Elizabeth and Eudora M., who are at home; and Esther Belle, who gave her hand in marriage to J. W. Brooks, a prominent attorney of Walla Walla.
Not only as one of the Indian fighters of the northwest but also as one of the progressive farmers of Walla Walla county did John Singleton leave the impress of his individuality upon the history of southeastern Washington. His worth as a man and as a citizen was widely acknowledged by all who knew him. There was no phase of pioneer life in this section of the country with which he was not familiar and he rejoiced in all that was accomplished in the way of introducing the evidences of modern civilization. His labors wrought good results and his name should be inscribed high upon the roll of those who have reclaimed this great region, making it a habitable and safe place in which civil- ization may be still further advanced.
GARRIT ROMAINE.
Garrit Romaine was for many years engaged in farming on a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land six miles north of Dayton, in Columbia county, and it was recognized that the county had lost a valued citizen when he was called to the home beyond. He was born in New York city, March 7, 1829, a son of Benjamin and Charity (Hopper) Romaine, also natives of the eastern metropolis. Subsequently the family removed to New Jersey, and thence to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where both parents passed away. All their eight children are also now deceased.
Garrit Romaine was reared at home and obtained his education in the public schools of New York city. When twenty years old he went west to Wisconsin, where he remained for many years, or until 1877, when he removed to California.
MR. AND MRS. GARRIT ROMAINE
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After remaining there for a short time he took up his residence in Harrisburg, Oregon, but in 188I removed to Old Walla Walla county, Washington, locating in what is now Columbia county, on a farm six miles from Dayton. He at once began the improvement and development of his place, which he continued to operate until called by death. It comprises three hundred and twenty acres of good wheat land, and his industry and good management were rewarded by large crops, from the sale of which he derived a good income.
Mr. Romaine was married in Wisconsin in 1852, to Miss Martha L. Har- baugh, by whom he had seven children: William B., deceased; John H., a farmer; Jerome W., now a resident of Bellingham, Washington; Franz Sigel, a farmer ; Charity, who is the wife of Newton James, and has three children, Louis Homer, on the old farm, Lois, now Mrs. H. L. Gritman of Columbia county, and Frida Ellen, now the wife of A. W. Munford of Ironwood, Michigan; Freeman C., deceased; and Rachel, the wife of Henry James, of Dayton.
Mr. Romaine gave his political allegiance to the republican party, and while not an office seeker was always keenly interested in everything affecting the general welfare. No project looking toward the advancement of his community failed to receive his heartiest support and cooperation, and he was particularly interested in the upbuilding of the local schools. Fraternally we was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and took an active part in the work of the lodge. He passed away October 23, 1900, and was laid to rest in the Dayton cemetery, leaving to mourn his loss, besides his family, many warm friends. Mrs. Romaine resides with her daughter, Mrs. Newton James, and holds title to the homestead. She belongs to the Christian church and has exemplified its teachings in her daily life.
CHARLES F. KIBLER.
Charles F. Kibler, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Walla Walla township, is with his brothers operating forty-four hundred acres of fine land. He is a native son of Walla Walla county and has resided here throughout his entire life. He was born September 24, 1874, of the marriage of Jacob and Louise (Buroker) Kibler, natives respectively of Virginia and Iowa. The father removed to Missouri when a young man and in the early '50s made the long journey overland to California, where he resided for five years. In 1858 he came to Walla Walla, Washington, and for some time worked as a farm hand. He then took up land on Mill creek but for several years gave the greater part of his time and attention to freighting by ox team. Subse- quently, when the country became more thickly settled and there was not so much need for freighting supplies from a distant market town, he began the cultivation of his land. His farming operations yielded him a good profit and he acquired additional land, being at the time of his death the owner of fifteen hundred acres. He made excellent improvements upon his place and was one of the substantial men of the county. He passed away in 1908 and is survived by his wife, who has reached the age of sixty-six years. Five of the six chil- dren born to their union survive.
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Charles F. Kibler passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his education. Through working for his father he received thorough training in the best meth- ods of farming and stock raising and on attaining his majority he began farm- ing on his own account. He and his brothers have added to their holdings from time to time and now own forty-four hundred acres of good land finely improved. They have systematized their work and conduct their ranch in the same careful manner that a business man manages his interests. Their progres- siveness and good judgment are manifested in the excellent return which they receive from their land and they have never had occasion to regret their choice of an occupation.
Charles F. Kibler was married in 1898 to Miss Marie Clodius, a native of Illinois and a daughter of H. F. and Catherine Clodius, who removed to Walla Walla county in 1881 and are now residents of Waitsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Kibler have a son, Albert F., who was born October 21, 1900, and is still at home.
Mr. Kibler casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the dem- ocratic party but has never sought office as a reward for his loyalty. He is thoroughly imbued with the characteristic western spirit of enterprise and opti- mism, and any project for the benefit of his county or state receives his hearti- est approval and most energetic support.
ALLEN H. REYNOLDS.
Allen H. Reynolds occupies an enviable position in professional and financial circles as a leading lawyer of Walla Walla and as the president of the Farmers Savings Bank. He was born January 24, 1869, in the city where he still makes his home, his parents being Almos H. and Lettice J. (Clark) Reynolds, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work. He has spent his entire life in Walla Walla, acquiring his early education in a private school conducted by the Rev. P. B. Chamberlain. He afterward matriculated in Whitman College and thus laid broad and deep the foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional learning. When his collegiate course was completed he decided upon the practice of law as a life work and then entered the law department of the Boston University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Soon afterward he returned to his native city, where he opened an office and entered upon the practice of law, becoming associated with W. H. Kirkman. Some time later that partnership was dissolved and he joined his brother under the firm style of Reynolds Brothers, but in the spring of 1900 he entered into partnership with Andrew J. Gillis in a relationship that continued for some time. He is now a partner of Grant S. Bond, with offices at No. 61/2 Main street. Ilis success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabil- ities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and must be convinced of the absolute justice of his
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client's cause. Aside from his activities in the profession of law, Mr. Reynolds is well known in banking circles, having served as vice president of the First National Bank of Walla Walla until November, 1913. At the present time he is president of the Farmers Savings Bank, having succeeded the late W. P. Winans, who had been president for twenty-eight years.
On the 7th of November, 1894, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Fanny Kirkman, a daughter of William H. and Isabella Kirkman, well known resi- dents of this city, where Mrs. Reynolds was born. They have become parents of three children : William Allen, born November 19, 1895; Almos, born May 19, 1898; and Ruth Sarah, born February 3, 1901.
Mr. Reynolds is treasurer and one of the trustees of Whitman College and has been the president of the Young Men's Christian Association since its organ- ization. There is no plan or movement for the benefit and upbuilding of the city in which he is not helpfully concerned, standing at all times for progress and improvement in municipal as well as in private affairs.
HENRY OSTERMAN.
Henry Osterman, a member of the firm of Osterman & Siebert, leading architects of Walla Walla, and one whose efforts along professional lines have found expression in the erection of some of the finest buildings not only in this city but elsewhere in the state, was born in Germany, about three miles from Essen, on the 20th of January, 1862, a son of William and Mary (Wusthoff ) Osterman, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany, where the father followed the occupations of farming and milling.
Their son, Henry Osterman, was reared under the parental roof and acquired a college education in Essen, Germany. He served three years in the German army and after reaching his majority took up the study of architecture in Dussel- dorf, Germany. In May, 1889, he decided to try his fortune in the new world, hoping here to find excellent professional opportunities. He accordingly came to the United States and on the 15th of June of that year he arrived in Walla Walla, Washington, where he has since made his home and practiced his pro- fession. Having little knowledge of the English language and of building con- ditions in this country, which he found somewhat different from those in his native land, he did not immediately apply himself to architectural work but be- came associated with building operations and for a time worked as a carpenter. Shortly afterward, however, he took up contracting and building on his own account and was prominently identified with building operations for eight years. In 1899 he began the practice of his profession, opening an architect's office in the old Baker-Boyer building. He associated with him in this undertaking Victor E. Siebert, who was a former employe of Mr. Osterman and had later gone to the east, where he was graduated from the Boston School of Technology in 1912. The following year he was admitted to a partnership, forming the present firm of Osterman & Siebert. Among the many buildings for which Mr. Osterman has drawn the plans and also superintended the erection are the courthouse, the city hall, the Young Men's Christian Association building, the high school building.
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