Copyright 2001, Janine M. Bork
This
page part of Walla Walla
AHGP
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 417
The record of births and deaths in the family of Mr. Lamb (including his parents) is as follows: - Parents: Downing Lamb, born September 5, 1811; Elizabeth Lamb October 8, 1814; J.M. Lamb, February 19, 1835; Jane Lamb, October 3, 1835; Children: George W., February 22, 1859; John D., March 8, 1861; Georgia A., February 21, 1863; Martha E., March 12, 1865; Cora A., April 12, 1867; William T., January 18, 1869; Daniel W., February 19, 1872; Sarah J., March 19, 1874. Of these children, George W. and Sarah J., have been laid in the silent city of the dead, and Georgia A., was married in 1881 October 12th, to George W. Howard, who now lives in Spokane Co., Washington Ty. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are members of the church of Christ, and he of the Democratic party. In 1867 and 1868, he served as a member of the Territorial Legislature, having been elected to that position by a Walla Walla constituency. In 1881 he attended as a delegate from Washington Territory, the assembly of the State Grange in Oregon. It will thus be seen that confidence and appreciation are awarded Mr. Lamb by his neighbors and those who have come to know him best.
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 41
John A. Lane, concentrating his efforts and attention upon general agricultural pursuits, cultivating eleven hundred acres of land, making his home on section 24, township 8 north, range 36 east, in Walla Walla county. Almost the width of the continent separates him from the place of his birth, which was in Cameron county, Pennsylvania. He was born September 28, 1878, a son of Joseph and Mary (Berfield) Lane, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Philadelphia, where his youth was spent. His father died when the son was a lad in his teens and the burden of the support of the family fell upon his shoulders. He bravely met the task and throughout his entire life displayed the same spirit of resolution and energy. He continued his residence in his native state until 1880, when he came west to Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up his abode upon a farm near the present home of his son John. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and as his financial resources increased kept adding to his holdings until his landed possessions aggregated three hundred and forty-six acres. He continued to give his undivided time and attention to his farming interests until death called him on the 10th of September, 1905. His widow is still living and now resides with a daughter in Walla Walla.
John A. Lane was educated in the district schools and in the Waitsburg Academy, which he attended through the winter moths, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. Upon the completion of his education he began farming on his own account, renting a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land in the township where he still resides. He cultivated that place for three years and then took up a homestead in what was Yakima county, now Benton county. This he improved and cultivated for five years and he still owns that place. In 1907, however, he returned to the old homestead farm, which is owned conjointly by himself and his mother. He cultivates this place of three hundred and forty-six acres and rents adjoining land, operating altogether eleven hundred acres. He has thus come to rank with the leading and extensive farmers of his section of the state and his business affairs are carefully managed and conducted.
On October 16, 1898, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Nora P. Smith, a daughter of Mrs. Charles Ellis, of Dixie. Her father died during her infancy and her mother afterward married again. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane have been born three children of whom two are living, Dorothy M., who is attending the Walla Walla high school, and John A., Jr.
In his political views Mr. Lane maintains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures in preference to party dictation. He is now serving on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his wife and daughter hold memberships in the Christian church. The members of the family are highly esteemed in the part of the county where they reside and have a circle of friends almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances.
Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 327, 328
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 41
In April, 1863, he removed to Walla
Walla, Washington Territory; and there he has made his home since, being
throughout these twenty-six
years one of the most
active and useful citizens of that pleasant city. As a politician Mr. Lasater
has been on the losing side, being a Democrat.
None the
less stoutly, however, has he battled for the principles of his political faith;
nor has his fairness and integrity failed to win the respect
of even his political foes. He has, in spite of the general adversity of
his party, served in the territorial legislature (1869), and has borne a
prominent part in the councils of the territory and
town.
He had been an extensive land-owner,
but a few years ago deeded the greater portion of his lands to his children. He
now lives in a beautiful
home on a spacious plot of
land near the business heart of Walla Walla. Having lost his wife in 1875, he
was married in October of the following
year to Mrs.
Jane Jacobs. His children are: Wiley, born in 1858; Julia, 1862; Harry, 1865;
Alice M., 1867; James H., 1878.
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 423
*****************
JAMES H. LASATER of Walla Walla city was born in McMinn Co., Eastern Tennessee, October 19, 1823. In 1850 he went from that locality to California, but returned to Illinois in 1851. In this latter state, while residing at Canton and Bloomington in 1851 and 1852, he studied law under Judge William Kellogg of the 8th circuit, and then emigrated to Oregon, arriving in October of the last named year at Oregon City. In 1855 he was admitted to the Bar at Salem, and February 22 of the succeeding year, was married to Mrs. Emily Scudder (formerly Moore) a native of Illinois, who died December 23, 1875, leaving four living children. In April 1863, he arrived in Walla Walla and entered upon his professional practice that is still maintained. His present wife, to whom he was married October 8, 1876, was formerly Mrs. Jane Jacobs. Her father whose name was J.D. Smith died at Salem, Oregon, July 1, 1882. When a young man, Mr. Lasater studied medicine, graduated, and for a time practiced as a physician, but disliking the disagreeable incidents attending it, abandoned the profession. After his arrival in Walla Walla April 1, 1863, he became an active member of the Democratic party and one of its most efficient organizers. For years he was Chairman of its Central Committee, and was elected District Attorney in 1864, but would not qualify. In 1869, being elected to the Legislature, he became an able and effective member of that body, and contributed largely towards shaping its legislation. His residence in the city is at the head of 3rd street, a view of which accompanies this work. He has other property in Walla Walla and 1900 acres of land outside of the city limits, some of it in Oregon. The names and dates of birth of Mr. Lasater's living children are as follows: - Wiley, September 13, 1858; Julia A., November 25, 1862; Harry, May 18, 1865; Alice M., September 29, 1867; James H. Jr., September 9, 1878.
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 22
E.H. Leonard, who has long been known as a prominent representative of milling interests in the northwest, is now the vice president of the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company and active manager of its mill at Waitsburg. He was born in Walla Walla, May 16, 1873, and is a son of Thomas S. and Sarilda R. (Herren) Leonard. The father was a native of the state of New York, and the mother of Oregon having been one of the first white children born in that state. The date of the father's birth was April 25, 1840. He acquired a good education in the schools of that early period and in 1860 removed westward to Illinois, where for three years he engaged in teaching school, spending a part of the time also in Iowa. In 1863 he enlisted in the government service, being made a member of an organization for the purpose of rendering assistance and guidance to emigrant trains crossing the plains. On reaching the Boise river his train, feeling in comparative safety, disbanded and Mr. Leonard continued his journey to the coast, arriving in Portland, Oregon, late in November, 1863, when that now populous and progressive city was a town of but three thousand inhabitants. He afterward drifted to various points in the northwest and subsequently again took up educational work, teaching in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, where he remained until about 1871. In the fall of that year he came to Walla Walla and in the spring of 1872 he removed to Dayton, where he has since resided. In the fall of that year he and his wife took charge of the Dayton school and in the spring of 1873 removed to a government land claim. In 1876 Mr. Leonard assisted in the organization of Columbia county and was elected the first county superintendent of schools. On the expiration of his term in that office he returned to the homestead and has since been engaged in farming. He has taken an active and important part in promoting the development of county and state along material and intellectual lines and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the community. In 1868 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Sarilda R. Herren, a daughter of John and Docia (Robbins) Herren, who crossed the plains from Kentucky to Oregon in 1845. They settled near Salem, among the very early pioneers of that section. On her mother's side Mrs. Leonard comes of a family represented in the Revolutionary war, her great-grandfather, William Robbins, having been a participant in that struggle which led to the attainment of American independence. T.S. Leonard is one of the prominent citizens of Dayton and has for many years taken a prominent and helpful part in the development of Columbia county.
E.H. Leonard was reared to farm life and his education has been practically self acquired. He worked in his father's fields until his twenty-fifth year and in 1898 he became connected with milling operations as an employe of the North Pacific Flour Mills Company at Prescott. In March, 1900, he was made foreman of the mills and in July of the same year, when the mills were acquired by the Portland Flouring Mills Company. Mr. Leonard was made manager, which position he continued to fill until 1904. IN that year he was advanced to the position of district manager with the Portland Flouring Mills Company and in that connection had supervision over the mills of Dayton and Prescott and later also of Walla Walla. He continued in that capacity until January 1, 1916, at which time, having acquired an interest in the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company at Waitsburg, he was made assistant manager and removed to Waitsburg. This company also owns mills at Athena, Oregon. At the first meeting of the directors after his removal to Waitsburg, Mr. Leonard was elected to the vice presidency of the company in recognition of his marked ability and his long experience in the milling business. There is no phase of flour manufacture with which he is not familiar and in the operation of the plants of the Preston-Shaffer Company he utilizes the latest improved machinery and the most modern processes, displaying marked enterprise in the control of the business. While thus extensively engaged in milling for nineteen years he has also continued his farming operations and now owns and operates two farms in Walla Walla county, comprising twenty-five hundred acres. he has thus become one of the prominent wheat growers of the Inland Empire. Either one of his business connections are sufficiently extensive and important to rank him with the representative business men of this section of the country. He is both forceful and resourceful and readily recognizes and utilizes opportunities which others pass heedlessly by. He is fortunate in that he possesses character and ability that awaken confidence in others and the simple weight of his character and his ability have carried him into important relations.
In November, 1900, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leonard and Miss Minnie Belle Lieuallen, of Portland, Oregon, and they have become the parents of three children: Mineta Belle, who is attending high school; Edgar Hugh, a student in the graded schools; and Joanna Jeanne.
Mr. Leonard is a republican in his political views and fraternally is connected with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, A.F.&A.M.; Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M.; and Walla Walla Commandery No. I, K.T. He also has membership with El Katif Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Spokane, and belongs to Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. of P., of Prescott. His record is an inspiring one, for out of a struggle with small opportunities he has come into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness. Quick discernment and the faculty of separating the important features of any subject from its incidental or accidental circumstances have been strong phases in his career. His business has ever balanced up with the principles of truth and honor. He has ever been possessed of sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented and his judgment and even-paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of success. His quietude of deportment, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activity.
Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 234 - 236
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 23
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 23
His health failing, he accepted the
advice of physicians, and embarked in 1842 on a voyage to Europe, remaining
abroad, visiting various
countries, until 1844.
Returning to the United States in that year, he found the country excited over
the Oregon question; and, without parleying, he joined one of those devoted
bands that crossed three thousand miles of hostile Indian country to settle our
title by actual occupation. He arrived on the present site of Portland late in
1845, and appears to have realized the importance of the position, since he took
a claim (now the Amos N. King claim) adjoining that of Lovejoy and Pettygrove,
and soon thereafter formed the desire to acquire the river front.
The opportunity offered in 1848, when
Mr. Lownsdale purchased the site of Portland from F.W. Pettygrove, for what must
then have been
considered an extravagant price, - five
thousand dollars. This enterprise, now having energy and foresight to steer it,
began that advance which
will never cease until some
revolutionary invention shall change our methods of transportation, or man shall
lose his gregarious disposition.
With foresight that
has been proved by events, he staked his fortune on the issue that Portland was
destined to become, what she now is, the
metropolis of
a great commonwealth. Resting in this faith, he looked constantly towards the
main point; and to his energy Portland largely owes
the
victory she gained over numerous rivals, that seemed to have heavier backing and
better chances.
In the spring of 1849, Mr. Lownsdale,
feeling the need of assistance in his enterprise, disposed of a half interest in
the Portland claim to Mr.
Stephen Coffin, then a
resident of Oregon City; and, in December of that year, the two disposed of an
interest to Colonel W.W. Chapman. Being a man of great energy and nerve, he was
not dismayed by obstacles, but kept his ends steadily in view, and surmounted
them. As a reward for his faith, he lived to see Portland's supremacy
acknowledged by all, and to see Oregon on the road to that degree of prosperity
that he had
predicted for her.
In 1850 he was married to Mrs. Nancy
Gillihan, widow of William Gillihan. By this second marriage he had two
children, one boy, M.O.
Lownsdale, and one girl, now
Mrs. Ruth A. Hoyt, a resident of Columbia county. Of the children of his first
wife only one, J.P.O. Lownsdale, of
Portland, now
survives.
Mr. Lownsdale occupied several public
positions, having been United States postal agent during the administration of
Fillmore, and having
represented his county in the
legislature. He was always known as a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to
forward any enterprise that promised
good to the city
or state, and always ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress, as many
early immigrants who arrived in destitute
circumstances
can testify. In the Indian wars of 1847 and of 1855-56 he bore his part, serving
in the latter with the regiment of Colonel Cornelius
in
the capacity of regimental quartermaster, and performing his very difficult
duties to the satisfaction of his superior.
He died May 4, 1862, and was buried in Lone Fir Cemetery, near Portland, a neat monument marking his last resting-place.
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Page 434,
435