Walla Walla Biographies

CHESTER N. BABCOCK was born in Oneida Co., New York, August 2, 1836. His parents lived on a farm and his father, whose name was Richard Babcock, moved from New York to Rock Co., Wisconsin, in 1843. At twenty-one years of age, the subject of this sketch, entered as Station Agent, the employ of the Hannibal & Saint Joseph R.R., in Missouri where he remained for two years. In 1859, he left Missouri intending to try his fortune in the Pike's peak country, searching for gold but meeting numerous miners with discouraging reports, on their way back to the States, he turned from his original destination, and crossed the mountains to Walla Walla. Arriving without means, work was his only resource for success, and his first money was made in burning coal for the government. That winter gold was discovered in the Clearwater country, and the next spring Mr. Babcock on his way to the Oro Fino mines. Two years later, he returned to the valley and settled on the farm of 160 acres where he now lives, that has since been increased to 360, all of which is inclosed and under cultivation. It is a fine ranch, as will be seen by referring to view accompanying this work. It lies two and a half miles by road south-east of Walla Walla, and Russell creek runs through it. For ten years, after abandoning the uncertain life of a miner, he lived on his farm as a bachelor, until the 29th of December, 1872, when, finding that it was not good for man to be alone, he espoused the widow of John W.C. Caldwell, of Walla Walla. Mrs. Ruth A. Caldwell was, at the time of marriage to Mr. Babcock, the mother of four children, all of whom now live with them, and their names are Frank A., Charles D., Alfred and Albert O. Caldwell. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Babcock were born and named as follows: Chester, September 29, 1877, and Ora, February 22, 1879.

Mrs. Babcock is one of those whose experience in crossing the plains is such, as but few women in the world have witnessed and less have signalized themselves in. The train that her family was with left the main emigrant road for Oregon, at the Malheur river, and were attacked by Indians. For three days and through the nights, the entire party was kept upon the defensive, beating off the foe. The women were put in wagons, protected with bedding from the enemies' bullets, while those from the Indians were whistling around her, it shamed the most cowardly into an appearance of courage. The train was saved, fell back to Snake river, where it was reinforced by another party of emigrants, among whom was her present husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are among the number who are now enjoying, in this valley, the fruits of their life industry, having surrounded themselves with the accumulation and rewards of their years of toil, the respect and esteem of those who know them.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 6

JOHN A. BAILEY.

For thirty years John A. Bailey has resided upon the Pacific coast and since 1898 has made his home in Walla Walla, where he is now actively engaged in business as the president of the Lumber & Fuel Company. He was born in Colchester county, Nova Scotia, January 10, 1862, a son of Alexander and Jane (Ferguson) Bailey, both of whom were natives of that country, where the father passed away, while the mother is still living there. They had a family of four children, all of whom are still residents of Canada with the exception of John A.

The last named was reared and educated in his native country, pursuing a public school course, and in 1883, having attained his majority, he left home and crossed the border into the United States, taking up his abode in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for a brief period. The west attracted him, however, for he believed that its opportunities were limitless and in 1887 he crossed the country to California. There he remained for about two and one-half years, after which he went to Portland, Oregon, and there resided until his removal to Grays Harbor. He came to Walla Walla, Washington, about 1898, and here took up the business of contracting and building, which he followed successfully until 1916. He then became connected with the Lumber & Fuel Company, of which he is now the head, and in this connection he is conducting a business of extensive and gratifying proportions.

In Los Angeles, California, in 1887, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Christina M. Bailey, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. She, too, was born in Canada, where her mother, one sister and two brothers still reside, and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter, Edith M., who is now the wife of Clarence G. Ludwigs. She is a graduate of the high school of Walla Walla and also of the Washington State University. Mrs. Bailey and her daughter hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Bailey is identified with the Masonic fraternity and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish rites and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. Opportunity has ever been to him the call to action and in his business career he has so wisely utilized his opportunities that success in substantial measure has come to him. With him every day must mark off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more. He early recognized that where there is no advancement there has been no effort, and putting forth earnest and persistent effort, he has passed many others who perhaps started out ahead of him on life's journey. He is stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action; and thus he has made for himself a most creditable position on the stage of business activity in Walla Walla

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 819, 820

O.P. BARKER is a farmer on Dry creek, where he lives about thirteen miles east of Walla Walla. he was born January 11, 1845, in Lenawee County, near Morenci, in Michigan, where he lived during his minority. After becoming of age, he left his father's home and removed to Wabaunsee, Kansas, from there to Wichita in the same state, and finally to Pueblo, in Colorado. During these years of rambling, his attention was divided between farming, freighting, and the livery business. In 1876, he arrived in Walla Walla by way of Laramie.

MRS. SARENA BARKER, his wife, was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, February 19, 1819. She became the wife of James Angell, in 1837, and in 1862, of Andrew Pitts. Crossing the plains with her husband, they settled on the Powder river, in 1864, and leaving that section, became residents of Walla Walla County, in 1865, but removed to Willamette the next year. In 1867, Mr. Pitts came back with his family to Walla Walla, and settled on the farm where Mrs. Barker now lives, and he died there on the 6th of November, 1877.

In 1878, September 23, the widow married Mr. O.P. Barker, the subject of this sketch. Their farm consists of 180 acres and 440 additional have been obtained by them since marriage, and most of it is inclosed and under cultivation. A view of their home accompanies this work that will give a much better idea of its surroundings, that could be conveyed by language. The railroad station of Dixie is but three miles from it, which places them in easy reach of a market for what the farm produces.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 6

WM. T. BARNES is one of those who crossed the plains in 1852, the year that tried the souls of men upon the emigrant road. Cholera and famine walked side by side along the trail, and claimed their victims from the plains to the ocean. Those numerous graves, scattered for a thousand miles from the Dalles to the eastward, could they speak, would tell tales of anguish and despair that would moisten the eye and rend the feelings of any but a heart of stone. Thousands of cattle died; hundreds of emigrants perished; and few now live, who traveled the route that year, but carry in their memory scenes and events painful to recollect and sadder than tears. The arrival, in Oregon, did not end their trials, for nearly all were poor and provisions were scarce. That winter potatoes were sold for $8 per bushel, while poor flour was eagerly taken at $25 a hundred. Families subsisted on what they could get, and the frost-bitten, outside leaves of a cabbage were a vegetable morsel not to be despised; bran, no longer fed to the fortunate cow, was kept to subsist the human kind. To such privations and through such a gauntlet, the subject of this brief sketch reached Oregon in 1852, after burying one of his children at the Dalles, on the way.

Mr. Barnes is a native of Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., where he was born December 14, 1829, and, before his sixth birthday had arrived, he was left an orphan. The years of his boyhood that followed have no silver lining to the cloud. His father was considered wealthy at his death and the children, five of them, all girls but one, were deemed heirs to a reasonable competency. The Court appointed a guardian for the little boy and the guardian farmed him out, when eight years old, to one of his sons, who treated the child as though he was a plantation negro. Let those, who have kind parents, thank God that it is not their fortune to be thrust from the protecting love of a fond mother, out, when a child, into the world to the unloved association and treatment of a plantation slave. Six years wore their tedious, dismal length away, and then the boy that could remember little in his past to be thankful for, fled form his master to find a home among strangers. He was but fourteen years of age, at the time, when misfortune thus forced the necessity of commencing the struggle of life's experiment. At sixteen, the laws of Missouri permitted a minor to choose his own guardian, which young Barnes did, and then he returned to the scene of his earlier life. He found that there was nothing left of the property that had been left him, as those who had taken it in charge, had squandered all and taken the benefit of the bankrupt law. This left him with no resource for success in the future, except his own ability to wrest it from the hand of fortune, and the result has demonstrated his possession of such faculties. In 1847, he went as a government teamster to Mexico and returned in a year. In1849, September 12, he married Sarah A. Blain of St. Joseph, Missouri, and, in 1850, made a six month trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He then, from his accumulated funds, purchased land and became a farmer in Holt Co., Missouri, where he remained until coming to Oregon in 1852. Upon his arrival in the Willamette, he took up a farm and remained a resident of Washington Co., Oregon, until 1864; when he came to Walla Walla County and settled on Dry creek, twelve miles east of Walla Walla City, upon the farm that is now his home - see view of the same in this work.

He was the first man to try the productiveness of the hill lands in the country, the experiment being made by him in 1865. He plowed and sowed forty acres, to commence with, and the people were reminded, by his folly, of the remarks, of some anti-diluvian fossil, in regard to a fool and his money parting company. The result, at harvest, showed a yield of 40 bushels of wheat to the acre, and the people baptized their former opinion of his experiment and gave it a new name.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, now living, were born and are named as follows: John A., November 9, 1853; Laura E., March 13, 1857; Mary E., August 25, 1864; William B., October 4, 1866; Demas, February 25, 1871; Ambrose H., July 8, 1873; Minnie M., May 13, 1875; Eva A., August 13, 1877.

In politics, Mr. Barnes is a Democrat and both he and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Christian church. Their joint labors have given them a home containing 680 acres of land, 400 acres of which are inclosed and 300 under cultivation. The surroundings and rough experience that shadowed the early years of Mr. Barnes were such as would have naturally drive a weak character or a vicious one directly to moral ruin. That such was not the result is evidence conclusive of moral and intellectual strength in the boy, developed in the man. That such is the estimate of his character, given by those who know him, is evidenced from the fact that twice they have elected him as County Commissioner, and in 1876, to the Territorial Legislature.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 5, 6

ROSS BEARDLSEY. - This gentleman, the present mayor of Arlington, Oregon, was born in Cass county, Michigan, July 7,1856, where he
received a good common-school education, and followed the occupation of farming, working with his father until 1876, when he crossed the
plains to Woodland, California, remaining until 1877 with an uncle, H.P. Merritt. After a year's residence in this land of gold, he returned to
Michigan, where he lived until 1879, making a trip in the meantime to Montana. Soon after his return to Michigan, he was married to Miss Jennie
Speese of White Pigeon, in February, 1880. In 1881 they determined to pass their future lives on the Pacific coast. They came to California, and,
after a year's sojourn, moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where Mr. Beardsley opened a barber shop, continuing in this occupation until their
removal in 1884 to Arlington. Here he also successfully established and conducted a shop for a period of five years. In 1889 he concluded to
take charge of the Grand Hotel, and at the present time is ably conducting this house. Mr. Beardsley has been intrusted with the conduct of
public affairs, having been elected to the office of city councilman in 1886. The following year he was elected mayor, acceptably filling the office
two years. In 1889 he was re-elected, and is at present thus serving his city with honor to himself and to the advantage of the community at
large.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 208

WILLIAM BOWE.

The life record of William Bowe indicates the opportunities which the northwest offers, for he arrived in this section of the country empty-handed and started out in the business world as a common laborer. Today he is the possessor of a handsome competence and is actively and prominently identified with agricultural and financial interests, owning thirteen hundred acres of land in Walla Walla county. He makes his home in the city of Walla Walla, from which point he directs his farming interests. He was born in Ireland, March 18, 1861, and is a son of John and Katherine Bowe, both of whom were natives of Ireland, where they spent their entire lives, there rearing their family of eight children, of whom six survive.

William Bowe was reared and educated in Ireland and was a young man of twenty-five when he determined to try his fortune in the new world. Accordingly in 1886 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way across the country to Iowa, where he lived for two years. Still he heard the call of the west and in 1888 he came to Walla Walla. He arrived here in very limited financial circumstances and his financial condition rendered it imperative that he find immediate employment. He began work as a farm hand and spent three years in that way. He still continued to save his earnings and after cultivating a rented farm for three years he purchased land, to which he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of about thirteen hundred acres, all of which has been greatly improved. His life throughout his entire residence in the northwest has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and his large farm presents a most neat and thrifty appearance, indicating his practical methods and careful supervision He also owns a fine residence in Walla Walla and he is one of the directors of the Farmers Bank of that city.

On the 8th of January, 1896, Mr. Bowe was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Davis, a native of Ireland, and they have become the parents of two children, but John C. has passed away. William E. married Miss Alice C. Ennis and in 1917 leased his father's ranch about fourteen miles from Walla Walla where he now resides. Mr. Bowe of this review was nearly killed in 1909 while riding a young horse. The horse became frightened and fell from a bridge about nine feet with Mr. Bowe under him. He was so severely injured that he was picked up for dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowe are communicants of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Bowe is a democrat, while fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also with the Knights of Columbus. His life record should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do. He has never been afraid of hard work, and persistency and diligence have brought to him the measure of prosperity which is now his.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 646, 649

JAMES H. BOWLES.

The consensus of public opinion names James H. Bowles among the leading citizens of Walla Walla county. He is the owner of a valuable property and also of a fine residence in Prescott, where he makes his home. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, November 11, 1854, and is a son of Thomas H. and Lucinda (Gibson) Bowles, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Missouri. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom survive, but both the father and mother died in Missouri.

James H. Bowles was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and had reached the age of thirty-five years when in the spring of 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington. He established his home in Prescott and later he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which he has carefully and persistently cultivated, bringing the entire place under a high state of development. Upon the farm are excellent improvements and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes his home, however, in Prescott, where he owns an attractive residence. His business affairs have been carefully managed and his thorough reliability has gained for him the respect and confidence of all, while unfaltering energy has furthered his prosperity.

On the 14th of November, 1880, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Reavis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Woodson Reavis. They have become the parents of the following children: Thomas Woodson, who died at the age of seven months; Mary Almeda, the wife of J.T. Janes, who is living near Prescott; James William, residing near Prescott, who married Lillian N. Coble and has one child, James Eugene; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of F.E. Grubbs, also living near Prescott, and they have two children, Ora Vale and James Roy; Virginia Frances, who is the wife of Vergil N. Harris, of Prescott, and has two children, Genevra Elizabeth and Virginia Ann; one child who died at the age of nine months; Pearl Margaret, who is the wife of C.L. Jones, living near Prescott, and they have five children, William Lawrence, Dale Walter, Ernest Monroe, alma Elizabeth and James Dewey; Archie Eugene, who married Elizabeth Helms and resides in Prescott; Walter Jennings, who married Fay Hazel Nail; and Elizabeth.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowles are faithful members of the Christian church and take an active interest in its work, while contributing generously to its support. In politics Mr. Bowles is a democrat and has been called upon to fill public office. He has served as a member of the city council of Prescott; has also been a member of the school board; and was deputy assessor for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the northwest, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in the business conditions of this section of the country he has so directed his efforts that a most substantial competence has been acquired.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 746, 751

OSWALD BRECHTEL, the proprietor of the Walla Walla Bakery, came to the city of that name, first, in August 1861. He was born in Baden on the Rhine, August 5, 1833; and emigrated to the United States in1852. The baker trade was learned by him in Indiana, from where he came to this territory with the purpose of availing himself of such advantages as might be gained here in the prosecution of his line of industry. Upon his first arrival in Walla Walla, he entered into employ of the firm of Pefferle and Kurry, bakers, who had been operating in the place, since 1859. In 1862, he rented their establishment and started business for himself, with nothing but energy, experience, business integrity, and ability as capital to help him on to success. In 1869, he erected a brick building on Main street, that, since, has been added to in the rear, until it is now 31 feet by 120, and two stories high with a basement. It cost him $20,000, although it would not take that sum to build another like it, at the present. (A front view of it accompanies this work). He makes a specialty of the manufacture of crackers, and, in place of the old mode - by hand, he now has a machine with capacity to work up fifty barrels of flour per day although the oven will only bake ten. The whole is operated by steam power. A boiler, number 3 1/2, and an engine of twenty horse power, operated in the basement, are used for this purpose, to which are attached a force pump and 150 feet of hose to use in case of a fire. This force pump sends water through pipes, for use of his dwelling, two and a half blocks away. With the present facilities for business, he work up 1400 bbls. of flour for the market, in 1881, that was sold in Washington Territory, Idaho Territory, and Oregon.

Mr. Brechtel was married, January 25, 1865, to Miss Catherine McCoy, who died, December 12, 1877, leaving four children, three of them girls and one boy. In politics, he is a Republican, in business, a success, and as a citizen, he is one, who has contributed in producing the present advanced condition of improvements and prosperity in Eastern Washington Territory.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 7

SIDNEY S. BENTON. - This pioneer of Illinois, California and Washington is one of those facile, multiplex characters that give to our Western life its buoyancy. He was born in the first-named State in 1838, while Chicago was yet in her swamps, and his father was at that city in 1831, when it was a mere Indian trading post, and also at Galena, the home of the Grants, in1832. His father came out to California with ox-teams amid Indians, and over the usual sage-brush plains, and the iron-stone rocks in 1849. He mined on Feather river in Yuba county, and in 1852 went to Siskiyou county, where he followed mining and merchandising. Sidney arrived in 1856 via Panama at Yreka, and mined near that city and in Scott's valley until 1861. In that year he went to Nevada, working on the Comstock; for six years he was underground foreman of the Savage mine, making money and losing it.

In Siskiyou county and Surprise valley, and at Dixon in Solano county, California, he engaged again in business. At the latter place, in1863, he met an old acquaintance from Wisconsin, Miss Mattie E. Bowmer. She and her brother had come the year before from the East in the company which had been attacked on the Upper Snake river by Indians, who killed twenty-eight of the party. Some fifteen years after his marriage to this lady, Mr. Benton came to Walla Walla with his wife, where he began stock-raising. He has prospered greatly, picking up interests at various points throughout the territory. At Farmington he, with a partner, owns twenty-two acres of land, which have been plotted and added to the town. It forms an addition which has been named Grover, after ex-President Cleveland, and lies on the Idaho side of the territorial boundary, which runs next the city. Farmington, being the first agricultural region reached from the mines, is sure to prosper. At Medical Lake Mr. Benton owns a portion of the townsite, and also has city property in Tacoma. His first venture in the Coeur d'Alene mines ended in a disastrous
snow blockade at the place where Wardner now stands, but he now has valuable claims at Carbonate Center. He is anchored to real estate at Colfax also.

Mr. Benton's life on this coast has been peaceful with the exception of a campaign and skirmish during the Modoc war while he was deputy assessor. He is living now at Colfax with his wife and son, advancing the interests of the city and state to the best of his somewhat rare ability.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 212

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 stock 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 flour, self-rising flour, corn meal and graham flour and that no mill here was manufacturing 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 savings 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 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 fireman, 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 helping 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 mysterious 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.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 792, 795

GEO. T. BERRY is a native of Morgan County, Indiana, where hew as born, near the city of Indianapolis, July 17, 1844. His parents were farmers, and he remained with them at the old homestead, until 1853, when they all crossed the plains to near Olympia in W.T. The family remained at the Sound until February, 1864, when they came to Walla Walla Co., Washington Territory, and settled near the Whitman mission, where the mother is still living, and where the father, Thomas F., died in 1866. The subject of this sketch started in business for himself in 1869 as a farmer, he having that year taken up a preemption claim of 160 acres. Since that time, he has added to it, until he now ownes 2700 acres of land, 1000 of which are fenced and under cultivation. He also owns a steam saw mill at the head of Pine creek in Umatilla Co., Oregon. In 1879 he settled on that portion of his land property where he now resides, of which a view may be seen in this book. There is an extensive orchard on the place, more than enough of assorted fruits to supply home use.

In 1867, November 23, Mr. Berry was married to Miss Louisa J. Derrick, of Walla Walla, and they now have five children with ages and names as follows: Flora E., February 10, 1869; Martha E., May 30, 1870; Phillip L., November 5, 1871; Lauren G., June 5, 1875; and Marion C., November 26, 1878.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 7

L.P. BERRYMAN.

L.P. Berryman is one of the younger representatives of successful farming operations in Walla Walla county. He was born April 8, 1887, on the farm on which he yet resides, on section 35, township 9 north, range 35 east. His place comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land which was originally the old family homestead. His parents were J.E. and Mary Berryman, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America in early life and established their home in Walla Walla county, where the father passed away, but the mother is still living.

L.P. Berryman acquired a public school education in Walla Walla county and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has successfully followed as a life work. He continued to assist his father in the development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he began farming on the old homestead, which he afterward purchased. He has here a half section of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and to which he has added many improvement, making it a valuable and attractive farm which constitutes one of the pleasing features of the landscape. He also owns and operates the warehouse at Berryman Station and his business affairs are wisely, carefully and successfully conducted.

In 1907 Mr. Berryman was united in marriage to Miss Grace Mallory, who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Charles Mallory, now a resident of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Berryman have been born three children, Joseph L., Jacqueline A. and Margaret. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Berryman gives his political allegiance to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. He has served, however, as school director and has been interested in having good schools in the district, for he regards public education as one of the nations' strongest bulwarks. His thought, purpose and energy have been concentrated upon his agricultural pursuits and the careful management of his interests has brought to him a substantial measure of success.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 701

DR. N.G. BLALOCK. - Americans in general and those of the West in particular have no equals in the world in versatility. No other people can do so many different things and do them so well as we. No other people so disregard the conventional and regular ways of doing things, and go across lots to conclusions and results so promptly. On our Western border is this especially manifest. Face to face with nature in some of her most remarkable and powerful manifestations, with all things new and untried, we burgeon out our powers untrammeled by custom or artificial restraints. Thus has come the fact that many men here, educated, as lawyers, teachers, physicians, and preachers, so readily turn their attention to other occupations, and carry on a wide range of effort. No better example can be found in the Northwest than in the subject of this sketch.

Doctor Blalock was born in North Carolina on the 17th of February, 1836. After a boyhood of activity and industry, he devoted himself for some time to teaching; but, deciding that the practice of medicine should be his goal, he entered Jefferson Medical College in 1859, and graduated two years later. He had already been married to Miss Panthea A. Durham in 1858. Soon after graduating from the medical college, Doctor Blalock, with his wife and two children, moved to Mount Zion, Macon county, Illinois. The tempest of the Civil war just now was breaking on the country, and Doctor Blalock, with a broader patriotism than most of his misguided brethren of the South, joined the armies of the Nation as surgeon. He was attached to the One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. With them he exercised the same skill and devotion which have been such prominent traits in his character since; but failing health compelled him to leave the army before the end of the war. In 1862 he
lost his elder child, and on May 18,1864, he suffered the irreparable loss of his faithful wife. He now resumed the interrupted practice of his profession at Mount Zion, Illinois, and there, in December, 1865, was married to Miss Marie E. Greenfield. During the busy years which followed, the Doctor, like many others, became interested in the reports of the wonderful results of farming, and other enterprises in the valley of the Upper Columbia. In 1872, he set forth to cross the plains in company with thirty other men of Macon county and their families. Though "dead broke" on his arrival at Walla Walla, his industry and fertility of resources soon set him on his feet in both his profession and his outside business. Though considering medical practice his chief calling, he could not help noticing the vast undeveloped resources lying loose around Walla Walla; and he soon, with his peculiar energy, got control of a large body of land in the foothill belt south of the city. His farming enterprises mark an era in the development of the Inland Empire. At that time, though only about sixteen years ago, nobody had tested the plains of the upper country. It was generally supposed that, aside from the narrow valleys in the near vicinity of the streams, the upper country was a desert.

The Doctor bargained for twenty-two hundred acres of upland at a price of ten bushels of wheat per acre. Entering into the work with great enthusiasm, and expending all that he had in its cultivation, he was abundantly rewarded for his daring and enterprise by securing a harvest of thirty-one bushels to the acre. Thus a third of his first crop was enough to pay for the land; and at one bold appeal to Fortune, aided, however, by good judgment and industry, he found himself independent. we give in the body of our history some specific statements as tot he Doctor's subsequent experience in farming. Satisfied as to the profits of wheat-raising, he formed the association known as the "Blalock Wheat Growing Company," which secured twenty thousand acres of land in what is now Gilliam county, Oregon. Ten thousand acres of this tract have been in wheat at once, and corn (not usually thought a success in this country) has been raised on a scale and with an excellence which would do credit to Illinois or Kansas.

But the incessant activity of the Doctor in his constantly growing medical practice, and in his wheat business, did not restrain him from still greater efforts; and in 1874 he began the construction of a flume twenty-eight miles long from Walla Walla to the Blue Mountains. This great enterprise was completed in 1880, costing $56,000. The great cost of this flume and the expense of maintaining it, however, so devoured the profits that the Doctor found himself greatly embarrassed and for a time was compelled to restrict his many and valuable enterprises. Unremitting attention to his practice (now far larger than that of any other practitioner in the upper country), together with an enormous yield of wheat (90,000 bushels) on his Walla Walla ranch in 1881, soon repaired his temporary embarrassment; and he retained the position so justly due him, of being one of Walla Walla's "heavy" men.

On Christmas eve, 1885, he was again deprived by the death of his wife, a loss inestimable both to him and the place. Mrs. Blalock was a woman whose beauty and attractiveness were surpassed only by her intelligence and benevolence. She left two daughters, Rose and May. The remaining child of the Doctor's first marriage was Yancey C.; and he has followed his father into the discipleship of Esculapius, and is now rapidly making a name as one of the leading young physicians of Walla Walla. Though his mind has thus been occupied with so many matters outside of his profession, Dr. Blalock considers that his chief claim to recognition among the leading men of the country. He seems to have by nature almost every requisite of the successful physician, - calm judgment, keen perception, quick intuition and untiring patience. Besides his eminence in his profession, he keeps abreast of the times in all other matters pertaining to the development of the city and country. He is one of the trustees of Whitman College, and in all matters relating to the intellectual and social development of Walla Walla is one of the leaders. Well
may the beautiful country of his adoption be proud of such a man. We may properly end this sketch by saying that, at the very day of writing it, Doctor Blalock has been further honored by being elected one of the delegates from the Walla Walla district to the convention which is charged with the momentous duty of framing a constitution for the coming great State of Washington.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 215, 216
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DR. N.G. BLALOCK. - In all animate life, there are grades of intelligence so plainly marked that the difference is evident at a glance. Between men this gradation is so distinguishable and universal that attention has only to be called to the fact, to secure its unquestioned recognition. Among the Australian bushmen, or in the court circle of Kings, the genius of a few men lead, while the many follow. These are but truisms, facts old as the human family, still, it is not out of place to call attention to them, and the additional truth that it is not unfrequent for many, who follow some distance in the rear, to forget, when the smoke of battle has passed, that they were not in the van. Nature designs some men for active service, and for such to fall short of becoming an important element, in the progressive operations of whatever sphere circumstances places them, would be something they could not do. It would be impossible for comprehensive minds to dwell upon that which failed to possess the charm of intricacy or magnitude, something beyond the ordinary; and those possessing such faculties move off in the advance, plan and execute, where others hesitate, and fail to act. Every community has within it characters of this kind, more or less marked, who are termed the leading men or minds. East of the Cascades there are two of this class, who stand so far in the van of progress, that their names have but to be mentioned, to elicit a universal approval of the assertion from all, except their personal enemies, or the envious whose opinions are of little value. We refer, first, to Dr. D.S. Baker, second to Dr. N.G. Blalock both residents of Walla Walla City. For evidence of the truthfulness of this assertion, we refer the reader in Dr. Baker's case, to his biography and the history of railroads and transportation in this book. Of Dr. Blalock, the reader has but to learn what his operations in the country have been, to cheerfully accord him the mead of approval. He has not derived as much personal benefit from the result of his labors, as the people of the country have, and his business efforts are all of a nature calculated to inure to the public advantage more than to his private advancement.

Dr. Blalock was born in Western North Carolina, February 17, 1836, was educated in the common schools of his native state, spent one year at college in Tennessee, and then entered the Jefferson Medical College, in1859, from where he graduated in1861. He was a married man when he first entered the Jefferson Medical College, and started upon his course in that institution with less than money enough to pay his way. His wife, formerly, Miss Pantha A. Durham of High Shoals, North Carolina, whom he had married, August 1, 1858, was a lady of rare qualities and attainments, one who was a helpmate in the hour of his trials. Together they labored, together they economized, together they studied, and with equal hopes and pleasures, they saw the day come when he could start from the student's cloister out into the world, and strive for success. After their fare had been paid on the cars that were to take them to the new scene of labor in Illinois, the Doctor had not money enough left to buy meals on the road, and thus he started in his profession as a Doctor. It is only men with nerve and courage and brain and will who win in life's struggle. The Doctor practiced in the line of his profession until 1862, in Mt. Zion, Macon Co., Illinois, when he became Regimental Surgeon of the 115th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, but was forced to abandon the service in 1863, because of ill health. In 1864, May 18, his wife died, leaving two children of whom only one, Yancy C. is now living.

December 10, 1865, Mis Marie E. Greenfield was married to the Doctor in Mt. Zion, Illinois, and in May 1873 he left that state with teams for Walla Walla valley, where he arrived in October, without a dollar of money at his command. He at once started his teams to hauling freight, and entered upon his professional practice, and devoted every surplus dollar he could get to the purchasing and improvement of cheap lands along the Blue mountain base, until he has converted over 5,000 acres from its primitive sod into cultivated farms.

In 1881, he harvested 90,000 bushels of wheat and barley, one thousand acres of his land producing the unprecedented yield of fifty bushels of wheat to the acre, and all this upon land deemed worthless for such purposes until tested by him. A sketch of that farm accompanies this work. In 1874 he commenced the construction of a flume, purposed to convey wood and lumber from the mountains into the Walla Walla valley at rates that would enable farmers to improve their land, and in 1880, twenty-eight miles of it had been completed at a cost of $56,000. During the latter year, $160,000 were disbursed by him, in the construction of this flume, building of mills, getting out timber, operating the flume, etc. nearly all of which was paid for labor, and he lost $75,000 in the operation; but the whole country was materially benefitted, and cheap transportation from the mountains has been established as a fixture. This loss caused a temporary suspension of operations, that has since been resumed by the "Blalock Wheat Growing Company" of which the Doctor is President. This company was organized for the purpose that its name indicates to operate a 20,000 acre farm between the John Day and Columbia rivers, in Wasco Co., Oregon. The Doctor's efforts in the John Day country are demonstrating what his operations did at the base of the Blue mountains, that thousands of land acres, heretofore considered comparatively worthless, are agricultural mines of wealth.

We have only mentioned, in this brief way, the more important transactions of this man in the country, that readers might know that we have not improperly denominated him, as one of those whom nature created to lead among his fellows, to operate in the advance, break down barriers to progress, open new fields of thought, explore and guide the timid to hitherto unknown regions for enterprise, to point out new avenues to wealth, and become a public benefactor by so doing.

He still continues the practice of his profession, and was appointed surgeon for the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company in February, 1882.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 4,5

ALFRED J. BOLTER.

Alfred J. Bolter is a retired farming living in Dixie. For a long period he was actively and prominently connected with agricultural interests and acquired several hundred acres of valuable land, from which he derived a very gratifying annual income as a result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. Moreover, his life record shows what may be accomplished by determined effort and perseverance, for he started out empty-handed and is now the possessor of a very substantial competence which enables him to rest from further labor. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in September, 1853, a son of Ziba and Christina Bolter, the former a native of Massachusetts, while the latter was born in the state of New York. They spent their entire lives in the east and there they reared their family of ten children, nine of whom are yet living.

Alfred J. Bolter passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Massachusetts and is indebted to the public school system of that state for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. In 1875, when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to the west and first settled in Dallas, Oregon, where he remained for three years. In 1878 he removed to Walla Walla county and took up a homestead sixteen miles north of the city of Walla Walla. With characteristic energy he began its development and improvement and occupied that place for ten years, during which time his labors wrought a marked transformation in its appearance. He then disposed of that property and invested in two hundred and eighty acres near Dixie. From time to time he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises seven hundred acres, all of which is improved land and returns to him a most substantial annual income. He continued actively to develop his fields until 1902, when he retired, and since that tie he has rented his land, while he is enjoying a well earned rest.

Mr. Bolter was married in 1876 to Miss Elsie A. Crystal, a native of Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children: Madie, the wife of S.M. Jones, now a resident of Spokane; Maud, who is the widow of Burt Roff; and Homer, who is engaged in merchandising in California.

Mr. Bolter belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in Welcome Lodge, No. 117, in which he has membership. He has also been called to all of the different offices of the Knights of Pythias lodge and is true and loyal to the teaching of these societies. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and endeavor to follow closely the Golden Rule. Their lives have been well spent, fraught with good deeds and actuated by kindly purposes. Many good things are spoken of them by friends and neighbors, who have enjoyed their companionship and who recognize their sterling worth in all the relations of life.

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 201, 202

JOHN F. BOYER, of the firm of Baker and Boyer, bankers in Walla Walla City, W.T., is one of the men whose success in life and business has been mainly achieved in the country where he now lives by the exercise of economy, industry and business integrity, guided with intelligent financial ability. He is now a capitalist; twenty years ago, he was a poor man and what he has, came gradually through those years as the result of correct business calculations, and not by chance or a favorable turn of fortune's wheel. He was born in Rock Castle Co., Kentucky, March 28, 1824, and while an infant, his parents moved to the Ohio river, and some twelve years later to Jefferson Co., Indiana. At twenty years of age, he left his Indiana home; and became a clerk for a mercantile firm in Van Buren, Arkansas. This was in 1844, and in 1849 he crossed the plains to California, where he first engaged in mining, but changed to the mercantile line and started a store in Sonora of that state. In 1852, leaving his business in charge of a partner, he returned to Arkansas, but soon learned that a fire had swept away most of his California property, and he determined to remain in the States.

In 1853, August 29, he was married in Mount Carmel, Illinois, to Miss Sarah E., a sister of his present partner, Dr. D.S. Baker, and the following are the names and dates of birth of Mr. and Mrs. Boyer's children: Chares S., June 1, 1854, Franklin D., August 20, 1856; Eugene H., February 6, 1859; Arthur A., April 21, 1861; Annie I., December 31, 1863; John E., December 29, 1866; and S. Imogen, March 28, 1869.

In 1859, Mr. Boyer with his family again crossed the plains to California, where he established himself as a merchant at Sonora and remained their until 1862, when he accepted an offer of co-partnership with Dr. D.S. Baker in the mercantile branch of his Walla Walla business. At the time Mr. Boyer first took charge of the store in the latter place, and for years after, the miners were in the habit of depositing their gold dust with the firm for safe keeping. They would come with little and big sacks of it with the owner's name attached, leave their mountain accumulation for days, and sometimes months, without a scratch of a pen or witness in the world, except Mr. Boyer, to prove that they had ever left anything on deposit. No receipts were given or asked for, and although this practice was continued for years, and the deposits often reached from $30,000 to $40,000 at a time, no trouble, misunderstanding or loss ever occurred. In 1870, the firm decided to close out their mercantile business and settle with their customers, many of whom had long standing bills unpaid. In carrying this design into effect, large amounts of money were collected that it became necessary to make us of, and they commenced loaning it, on long or short time, upon approved security, and this new branch of business soon assumed large proportions. The idea was thus suggested to the partners of starting a bank, which was carried into effect, and now the banking firm of Baker & Boyer is one of the most reliable monied institutions on the Pacific Coast. Not because of the extensive funds invested, that only reached $150,000 surplus, but because the bank risks no money upon uncertain outside speculations, such as forced a suspension of the Bank of California with its millions of capital.

In conclusion we would say that Mr. and Mrs. Boyer (and the same is equally true of Dr. D.S. Baker) have raised a family of children in a manner that reflects credit upon them as persons possessing practical sense. Each and every one of those children has been educated to look upon life, not as the idle drones upon the honey stored for them by the working bees in the hive, but as a period blocked out of time, in which they are to accomplish something by their own acts that will not be discreditable to themselves and the name they bear. To Dr. Baker, to J.F. Boyer, and men of their kind, Eastern Washington Territory ows its present prosperity and future prospects.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 4

ARCHBISHOP BLANCHET. - The Most Reverend F.N. Blanchet ranked among the apostolic men who laid the deep foundations of the Catholic faith in this country. He was born at St. Pierre, Riviere-du-Sud, Quebec, Canada, September 5, 1795, was educated in the Petit Seminaire, Quebec, and was ordained July 18, 1819, by Archbishop Plessis. At that time Oregon was simply the name given to a territory extending along the Pacific coast from latitude forty-two degrees to fifty-four degrees, forty minutes north, until finally, in 1846, - the year of the accession of Pius IX. to the see of Peter, - all the territory south of the forty-ninth parallel was ceded to the United States.

In 1811, the Pacific Fur Company, of which John Jacob Astor, a furrier, and the founder of the New York house of Astor, was a leading member, established a trading-post called Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia river. Afterwards came the Hudson's Bay Company, employing many Canadians, most of whom were Catholics. Many of them settled and intermarried with the Indians of the territory; and with these there was a demand for Catholic priests and Catholic worship.

Application was first made to the Right Reverend J.N. Provencher, bishop of Juliopolie (RedRiver). The demand for Catholic priests was earnestly indorsed by Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, writing from the British capital (1838). He applied to the Most Reverend Joseph Signay, then archbishop of Quebec. At once, in the April of 1838, Archbishop Signay instructed two of his missionaries, the Very Reverend F.N. Blanchet and the Reverend Modeste Demers, to take charge of the mission "situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains," - a mighty charge for two men; but the men were apostles, and therefore as full of practical zeal as of practical faith. Father
Blanchet was vicar-general, with Father Demers as assistant.

The journey of the devoted missionaries to their new mission was a long and most laborious one, familiar enough in early American history,
though almost incomprehensible to us in these days of rapid and easy transit. They labored on their route, baptizing and confirming in the faith
many Indians, who at various forts gathered to meet the long looked-for "black gowns" as they were called. Their destination was Fort
Vancouver, which they reached November 24,1838.

Vancouver was at this time the principal fort of the Hudson's Bay Company; and this the missionaries. Blanchet and Demers, made their
headquarters, while for four years they toiled unaided up and down the wide domain of their mission. The letters of these fathers describing
their work and surroundings were full of interest, and afforded valuable material for history. They learned the Indian tongue, and taught the
natives prayers and doctrines of the church in their own language, Father Demers attending more to the Indians, and Father Blanchet to the
Canadians. Some important conversions were made among the officers of the company, the chief of these being Dr. John McLoughlin, the
governor of that company's establishments (1842), whom, for his services to the church, Pope Gregory XVI. afterward made a knight of the
order of St. Gregory the Great.

In September, 1842, two canadian priests, the Reverends A. Langlois and J.B.Z. Boldue, reached Oregon to assist their worn-out brethren. As an instance of their labor and its fruits, the following item, of many such sent to Quebec, will suffice: "From March, 1840, to March, 1841, were performed: Baptisms, 510; marriages, 12; burials, 11, communions, 60; one abjuration at St. Paul. Of the 510 baptisms, about 410 Indians, 100 whites, 40 adults." On October 17, 1843, was founded St. Joseph's College at St. Paul, with the Reverend A. Langlois as director. There entered
at once thirty boarders, all sons of farmers, save one Indian boy, the son of a chief.

With the rapid growth of the missions the holy see, at the request of the bishops of Quebec and Baltimore, erected Oregon into a
vicariate-apostolic (December 1, 1843), appointing Father Blanchet its vicar-apostolic, he receiving his briefs on November 4, 1844. In August,
1844, Father de Smet arrived from Belgium with six sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, four Jesuit fathers and some lay brothers to assist in the
work of the mission. The papal briefs arrived on November 4th; and Father Blanchet, setting out for Canada, received his consecration in
Montreal at the hands of the archbishop of Quebec. Thence he went to Rome, which he reached in January, 1846, and set before the pope the
great wants of his vicariate.

At his intercession, in July, 1846, after the accession of Pius IX, the vicariate of Oregon was erected into an ecclesiastical province, with the
three sees of Oregon City, Walla Walla (now Wallula), and Vancouver Island. The Right Reverend F.N. Blanchet was appointed to Oregon City;
the Right Reverend A.M.A. Blanchet, his brother, to Walla Walla, and the Right Reverend M. Demers to Vancouver Island. The necessity of
this division may be judged from the result of the missionaries' labors at the end of 1844. Most of the Indian tribes of the Sound, Caledonia and
several of the Rocky Mountains and of Lower Oregon had been won over to the faith. Nine missions had been founded, - five in Lower Oregon
and four at the Rocky Mountains. Eleven churches and chapels had been erected, - five in Lower Oregon, two in Caledonia and four at the
Rocky Mountains. There were two educational establishments, - one for boys and the other for girls. There were fifteen priests, secular and
regular, besides the sisters. These figures may not look large to-day; but they were large at the time, and of great significance in a rapidly populating and growing region.

Meanwhile the archbishop of Oregon City had been very active abroad in aid of his new province and its dioceses. He sought help on all
sides, and returned in August, 1847, accompanied by a colony of twenty persons, comprising seven sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, three
Jesuit fathers, three lay brothers, five secular priests, two deacons and one cleric. The bishop of Walla Walla was consecrated September 27,
1846, and entered on his charge the following year, taking with him six priests, four of them fathers O.M.I., and one deacon. The bishop of
Vancouver Island was consecrated in 1847, and entered on his charge the same year. With the arrivals from France and Canada, the
ecclesiastical province in the fall of 1847 had three bishops, fourteen Jesuit fathers, four oblate fathers of Mary Immaculate, thirteen secular
priests, thirteen sisters and two educational establishments.

The first provincial council of Oregon City was held at the end of February, 1848, the three bishops assisting. Each then departed to his
diocese, the archbishop beginning with ten secular priests, two Jesuit fathers, thirteen sisters of Notre Dame de Namur; the bishop of Walla
Walla with three secular priests, four fathers O.M.I., and twelve Jesuit fathers at the Rocky Mountains; while the bishop of Vancouver Island,
not having a single priest, departed for Europe, and after visiting Rome returned in 1852 with a number of missionaries.

In consequence of local disturbances, the diocese of Walla Walla was suppressed, and that of Nisqually erected in its stead, with the same
bishop and clergy, May 31, 1850. In 1852, Archbishop Blanchet assisted at the first plenary council of Baltimore. In the summer of the same year
the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur left St. Paul for Oregon City, and in the following year went to California. In 1855, the archbishop started for
South America to collect for his needy diocese. He traversed Chile, Bolivia and Peru, returning in 1857 after a successful expedition. Two years
later he departed for Canada, returning the same year with twelve sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for Portland, two sisters of St.
Ann for Victoria, some others for Vancouver and three priests.

In 1866, the archbishop attended the second plenary council of Baltimore, and, ever watchful for the cares of his diocese, returned with one
priest and eight sisters. On July 18,1869, he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and four months later left for
Rome to assist at the Vatican council, where he met his early brother missionaries. He returned to Portland in 1870,and on July 28th of the
following year his old associate, Bishop Demers, died at Victoria, British Columbia. To Bishop Demers succeeded the Right Reverend Charles
John Seghers, consecrated June 28,1873. In 1878, Bishop Seghers was appointed coadjutor to Archbishop Blanchet, whose long life of arduous
labor in the cause of Christ and his church called for some assistance in his declining years.

At this time, forty years since the creation of the mission, the archbishopric of Oregon City contained twenty-three priests, twenty-two
churches, sixty-eight sisters, nine academies for girls, one college for boys, two parochial schools for girls, one female hospital, one orphanage,
together with a number of societies and two Indian reservations with schools and stations. The first Catholic church in Portland was erected in
1852. In 1862, the archbishop moved from Oregon City to Portland; and this church, now considerably enlarged and improved, was made the
pro-cathedral. And out of this grew the present cathedral, which is not yet completely finished.

There has been a slight increase in the number of churches, priests and institutions, since 1878. On July 1, 1879, Archbishop Seghers, the
coadjutor, arrived in Portland and was received by the venerable founder of the diocese, surrounded by his clergy and faithful flock. In a few
words of touching simplicity and sweetness, the aged prelate received and welcomed his youthful co-laborer to the field where he had planted
and sowed and reaped so well. After initiating Archbishop Seghers into the work of the diocese, the venerable man chose wholly to retire from
the scene of his active labors, and published his farewell pastoral on the 27th day of February, 1881, announcing the acceptance by the holy
father of his resignation, from which we make an extract:

"After sixty-two years of priesthood; after forty-three years of toilsome labor on this coast; after an episcopate of thirty-six years; after thirty-five years spent at the head of this ecclesiastical province, - we may say with the Apostle St. Paul; 'The time of my dissolution is at hand. I have finished my course. Let, therefore, the Lord dismiss his servant in peace; for truly my eyes have seen the wonderful works of his salvation.' We came to this country, accompanied by the late Modeste Demers, the first bishop of Vancouver Island, in 1838, to preach the true gospel for the first time; and where then we saw nothing but 'darkness and the shadow of death,' we have now flourishing dioceses and vicariates, prosperous missions, a zealous clergy, fervent communities, and a Catholic people of whom we expect great works and noble deeds."

Since that time he resided at St. Vincent's hospital, passing his last days in reading, writing, and making occasional visits, until in the ripeness of his old age he was plucked from the tree of life by the angel of death. He died June 18, 1883, aged almost eighty-eight years.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 217, 218

J.F. BREWER, a view of whose ranch accompanies this work, is one of those, who, coming to the valley of "many waters" without capital, has gained a reasonable competence through his own industry. He came to this section from Oregon, in 1871, as a school teacher, and up to 1878, has devoted one half his time to that occupation. In 1876, he purchased 160 acre of land that since have been added to, until his home farm contains 560 acres, all of which is fenced and under cultivation. This fine property lies south-east of Walla Walla, five miles by road, and is situated between Russell and Cottonwood creeks.

Mr. Brewer is a native of Scotland County, Missouri, where he was born, November 9, 1842. His father's name is David Brewer, and his parents lived upon a farm in that state until 1853, when they crossed the plains and settled in Marion County, Oregon, from where they moved in 1871 to their present home in Wasco County in that state.

In October, 1867, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth Hause, of Marion County, Oregon, who died, March 17, 1869. He was married to his present wife, Miss Adora Stanton, of the same place, March 31, 1872.

Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 7

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JOHN F. BREWER

Twelve years have passed since John F. Brewer was called to his final rest, but his memory is cherished by many who knew him, as he stood as a high type of manhood and citizenship and was devoted to the welfare and progress not only of his family but of the community in which he lived. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, November 9, 1842, a son of David and Susan (Small) Brewer, who crossed the plains with an ox team in 1853, reaching Salem, Oregon, where they established their home. Their son, John F., was then a little lad of ten years and he completed his public school training in Salem, while later he pursued a course of study in Sublimity College, some fourteen miles from Salem. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the public schools for many years and he completed his public school training in Salem, while later he pursued a course of study in Sublimity College, some fourteen miles from Salem. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the public schools for many years, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1872 he removed to the Walla Walla valley, where he engaged in farming. His agricultural interests were carefully and successfully conducted and for many years he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development of the fields. At length, however, he left the farm and removed to Walla Walla, building a handsome home on Boyer avenue. In 1876 he purchased a large tract of land east of the city and became one of the leading and extensive farmers of Walla Walla county. In 1890 he removed to Seattle, where he platted a tract of land which he called the Walla Walla addition but in this enterprise he was not successful and returned to Walla Walla, where his investments were judiciously made, his business affairs capably managed and his enterprise brought to him a very gratifying and substantial measure of success.

In March, 1872, Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Adora D. Stanton, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Benjamin and Matilda (Baldwin) Stanton. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and crossed the plains by wagon in 1852, settling near Salem, Oregon. They had a family of eleven children, of whom seven are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer became the parents of nine children, namely: John, who is manager of the Commercial Club at The Dalles, Oregon, but is now in the government service at Portland, Oregon; Merton, a practicing attorney at Auburn, Washington; Ada, who has passed away; Frank, living in Walla Walla county; Maude, the wife of Charles Ulm, of Ritzville; Bertha, who is the widow of Eugene Dunbar and now lives in Anchorage, Alaska; Dora, who is the wife of Fred Snedecor, of Corona, California; Roy, who is a sergeant in the United States army with the First Illinois Infantry; and Luella, the wife of Frank Harlow, of Los Angeles, California.

Mrs. Brewer owns a fine residence on Boyer avenue in Walla Walla, where she resides, and in addition she has five hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat-land near the cit and another tract of eight hundred acres in Franklin county. She is an active and prominent member of the Sunshine Club and is also connected with the Eastern Star and church organizations. Mr. Brewer left his family in very comfortable financial circumstances when death called him on the 21st of February, 1905. He was one of the valued and respected citizens of this section of the country. He took an active part in the development of Walla Walla county and never withheld his support from any enterprise that he believed would prove beneficial in any way. He was intensely patriotic and he stood for all that was progressive in relation to public affairs. He served for several terms as alderman of his city and at the time of his death was filling the position of councilman for his ward. To him belongs the honor of being the father of the paid fire department of Walla Walla, which has proven successful and satisfactory even beyond his confident predictions. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the royal Arcanum, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church.

His home paper, in writing of his death, said: "In the death of John Brewer, Walla Walla loses one of her best and most progressive citizens. No citizen of the town had more warm personal friends, and his demise has brought sadness to many a home. As private citizen and public official he always strove to do his full duty. He endeavored to be just to all men and he spoke ill of no one. He was broad-minded and conservative, generous and public spirited. It would be hard to find a man in the community with fewer faults and more virtues. His home life was ideal and it is no wonder that those nearest and dearest to him find it so hard to reconcile themselves to the loss of a kind and loving husband and father."

"I cannot say and will not say
That he is dead, he is just away;
He has wandered into an unknown land
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand;
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there."

Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 236, 241

BENJAMIN BROWN. - Mr. Brown was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1831, and remained at his native place until 1857, receiving a
common-school education. In this year he emigrated to American and settled in Michigan, remaining until March, 1858, when he came to
California by way of New York and the Isthmus. From San Francisco he found his way to the Siskiyou mines, and operated until July of 1868,
and thence came to the Frazer river mines. In the autumn of that year, he brought his journeyings to a close at Steilacoom, where he remained a
year. Being favorably impressed with the Pacific coast country, he now returned East for his family, bringing them to the agency on the Umatilla
reservation, where he was employed until the next spring. After a time spent in freighting to Walla Walla, he removed to the Grande Ronde
valley, and helped in the building of a stockade some six miles north of the present site of La Grande.

He has remained in the vale ever since, and has been closely identified with the history of the country. In 1852 he was married to Miss Francis Kirk; and a family of five girls are growing up around him. The only trouble they had with the Indians was in 1862, the time that they placed a pole, as a line north of which the Whites should take no land, claiming that it belonged to themselves. Captain George B. Curry of a volunteer company went to meet them, and found it necessary to kill two of the Indians.

Mr. Brown wishes to record here the names of those who wintered in the Grande Ronde valley, and who were the first Whites to make a
residence there. They were as follows; S.M. Black, Richard Marks, William Marks, William Chaffin, William McConley, E.C. Crain, Robert
Alexander, Joab Knight and Mr. Abbot brought some stock into the valley the same fall that this party came over the mountains, and wintered
them here, and on account of the deep snow were compelled to remain until late in the spring. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Leary wintered here in 1861,
and in the same winter George Coffin and George Shriver came in to attend to the erection of the sawmill that Mr. Stephen Coffin of Portland was preparing to build in the spring, together with Mr. Charles Fox, who actually built the mill and operated it for several years, and then returned to Portland. Mr. Thomas Cottle built in 1863 the first livery stable, and did an extensive business, often selling oats at twenty cents per pound, and charging a dollar a night for hay per animal. S.M. Black started the first store; while Mr. Cottle opened the first butcher shop in 1862.

History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
226, 227

WILLIAM E. BRUCE.

William E. Bruce, who is devoting his time to farming on section 25, township 9 north, range 37 east, is a native son of Washington as his birth occurred in Columbia county, September 18, 1880. His father was James W. Bruce, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Addie Harmon, was a native of Oregon, but in 1857 came to Walla Walla county. James W. Bruce engaged in farming in this county for many years and met with gratifying success in that connection.

William E. Bruce, who is one of a family of four children, all of whom survive, was reared in Walla Walla county and began his education in the public schools, continuing is studies in Pullman College. He remained at home, giving his father the benefit of his labor until he attained his majority, when he began operating three hundred and twenty acres of wheat land and three hundred and seventy acres of pasture land. He is still farming those tracts and derives a gratifying income from both his wheat raising and his stock raising.

In 1914 Mr. Bruce was married to Miss Clarabel Weatherford, of Dayton, a daughter of Hon. F.M. Weatherford, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bruce has never been active in public or political affairs. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is identified with Lodge No. 16, A.F.&A.M., at Waitsburg and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Waitsburg. These connections indicate the high standards which have governed his life and have gained him the respect of all who know him. As a farmer he is progressive and businesslike, as a citizen he manifests a commendable public spirit and in the private relations of life he is scrupulous in his recognition of the rights of others.

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