Copyright 2001, Janine M. Bork
This page part of Walla
Walla AHGP
He studied medicine under Doctor Ira Bryant, of Rushville, receiving his diploma in 1824. He practiced four years in Canada, and afterwards in Wheeler, where in the winter of 1834-35, he became interested in Oregon, through Reverend Samuel Parker. He started the next spring with Mr. Parker, and went as far as the rendezvous of the American Fur Company on Green river, when it was thought best for the Doctor to return for more missionaries, while Mr. Parker should proceed and explore. On his journey he performed some very important surgical operations on some of the mountain men, which gave him a reputation that was of great service to him afterwards. On his return he took with him two Indian boys, who went to school that winter, and returned to Oregon with him the next year. That winter he was married to Miss Narcissa Prentiss, a daughter of Judge S. Prentiss. She was born in Prattsburg, New York, March 14, 1808.
Having procured Rev. H.H. Spalding and wife and Mr. W.H. Gray, as colaborers, in1836 he again started for Oregon. Mrs. Whitman, with Mrs. Spalding, made this journey mainly on horseback, the first white women to cross the continent, an event which proved to be of very great importance to Oregon, as far as homes and settlements were concerned. The Doctor, with great difficulty and with no little opposition from others, but with great perseverance, took a wagon as far as Fort Boise, an event which likewise greatly affected the destinies of Oregon.
On the 2d of September they reached
Fort Walla Walla one day in advance of Mr. Spalding, and were received
with great demonstrations of
joy. Having visited Fort Vancouver, in order to consult
with Doctor McLoughlin, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, he returned
to Walla
Walla and settled among the Cayuse Indians at Waiilatpu
on the Walla Walla river, six miles from the present city of Walla Walla.
There Alice Clarissa Whitman,
the only child they ever had, was born, March 4, 1837, believed to be the
first white child born on the
Northwest coast; but she lived to be but little more
than two years old, when, June 23, 1839, she was accidentally drowned in
the Walla Walla
river.
That was their home until the
time of their death. They labored earnestly and faithfully to teach agriculture,
civilization, morals and the
christian religion; and although but few if any of the
Indians united with the church, and some of them helped in the massacre,
yet subsequent
events have shown that some of those Cayuses were true
Christians; and the seed then sown is still growing in the Protestant church
on the
Umatilla reservation.
In the winter of 1842-43 Doctor
Whitman made his famous winter journey across the Rocky Mountains to the
Eastern states, with Hon. A.L.
Lovejoy, amid great sufferings and hardships. There has
been much discussion in regard to his reasons for doing so, the editor-in-chief
of this
work, Colonel Elwood Evans, taking one view, and the
writer another. This is not the place for much discussion of the subject;
but perhaps the
writer may be permitted to say that to his mind and to
that of many others, the evidence is such as to induce the belief that
he had at least four
objects in view:
1. To induce the American Board to rescind the order which
they had given in 1842 to abandon the stations of Doctor Whitman and Mr.
Spalding.
2. To induce christian lay families to come and settle
in the regions of the missions, as a nucleus for further settlements, and
as a support to the
missions;
3. To induce emigrants of all kinds to come to Oregon;
4. And to do what he could to convey such information
to the authorities at Washington that they should know of the value of
Oregon, and not
tradeoff any part of it to Great Britain.
In the first of these objects
he succeeded; in the second he failed. According to almost universal testimony,
he did very much to aid the
immigration of 1843, the first with wagons to come successfully
through; and, in regard to the fourth, opinions differ.
After his return his work went
on until suddenly, November 29, 1847, at his station, the massacre occurred,
in which he and his wife were
killed by the Indians. On that day, and a little later,
twelve others lost their lives; and the missions of the American Board
in Oregon were broken
up.
A wide discussion has taken place
as to the causes of this massacre; but this is not the place to consider
them. They fell at their post, died a
martyr's death, have been honored with a martyr's memory
in this world, and a martyr's crown in heaven.
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 629, 630
Charles L. Whitney, who is living retired on section 6, township 6 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, is now enjoying a period of well merited leisure made possible by his former successful labors as a nurseryman and horticulturist. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1857, of the marriage of William G. and Marcia M. (Pettis) Whitney, the former a native of Onondaga county, New York. They removed to California in 1879; two years before their son Charles L. had made his way to the Pacific coast, and after residing there for one or two years they came to Walla Walla county, Washington. Here the father, in partnership with his son Charles L., bought the farm where the latter still resides. This place was the site of the Sims mill, which was the first mill built in the state and possibly the first in the northwest. The date of its erection was 1858 and there was also a distillery operated within the limits of the farm. In the early days pack trains, numbering one hundred animals were sent to the outlying camps loaded with flour, bacon and whiskey, and the farm is indeed one of the historic places of the state. The father established the Home nursery and the son the North Western nurseries, and both proved successful in that business. The father remained active in the management of his affairs both as a nurseryman and as a farmer until his death in 1912. The mother passed away in 1910.
Charles L. Whitney was reared in Pennsylvania and after attending the common schools became a student in the Edinboro (Penn.) State Normal school and in Austinburg College at Austinburg, Ohio. Later he took up the study of medicine at the Eclectic Medical College at San Francisco, California, but left that institution a year before the completion of his course. It was in 1877 that he removed to California and he was on of the first settlers of the town of Whatcom. He devoted some time to timber cruising and for a number of years he traveled through California, Oregon and Washington, becoming familiar with practically every part of the Pacific coast. In 1880 he came with his parents to Walla Walla county and established the North Western nurseries, which he conducted for years. He was one of the first men to enter that line of business in this section and his success in the growing of fruit trees determined the possibilities of this region in the production of fruit. He also engaged in general farming to some extent and found that likewise profitable. For four years he was county fruit inspector and later was for a similar length of time state fruit inspector and was generally recognized as an authority on everything pertaining to fruit and its production. About 1907 he gave up the nursery business and has since rented his land for gardening, although he still resides upon his farm, which comprises one hundred and fifty-two acres two miles south of Walla Walla, in the most fertile part of the valley. His home is a handsome country residence, provided with all modern conveniences.
In 1883 Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCaslin, who was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, but was teaching in the schools of Omaha, Nebraska, at the time of her marriage. They have become the parents of five children, of whom four survive, namely: Elizabeth May, the wife of Ned McLean, of Walla Walla; Bertha, who married L.F. Turman, of Willows, California; Charles B., who is first sergeant with the Washington Field Artillery, under Major Weyrauch; and Marguerite, the wife of Fred Houghton, of Attalia, this county.
Mr. Whitney's political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he gives it his stanch support but has never taken a very active part in politics. However, he has always felt the keenest interest in the upbuilding of his county and his influence has been felt in its development along horticultural, agricultural and civic lines. He was a member of the board of commissioners that had charge of the Walla Walla exhibit at the Lewis and Clark Exposition held in Portland in 1905 and took a great deal of pride in the fine showing that the county made. He has a number of fraternal connections, belonging to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A.M.; Walla Walla chapter, No. 1, R.A.M.; Walla Walla Commandery, No. 1 K.T.; El Katif Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Spokane; to the Shrine Club at Walla Walla, of which he is president; to Alki Chapter, No. 25, O.E.S., of which he is past patron and of hwich his wife was the second matron; to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I.O.O.F., of which he is past grand; to the Ancient Order of United Workman; and to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 187, B.P.O.E. His high standing in the Odd Fellows society is further indicated by the fact that he holds the lodge jewel.
Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 61, 62
One of the great-hearted men
of the early days, now passed away, was "Father Wilbur." He has been everywhere
known. His memory will be revered; and the boys of Oregon should be taught
his heroic virtues. As a friend of the Indians, he deserves special mention;
for the Indian War Veterans are most prompt of all in recognizing whatever
is worthy and good in the Indian character as brought out by kind treatment
and
discipline.
Mr. Wilbur was born in New York State in 1811, and in 1846 was sent out as a missionary to Oregon by the Missionary Society of the Methodist-Episcopal church. He came around Cape Horn in the bark Whitton, Captain Gelston, a trim little vessel, noted in pioneer days. Upon the voyage he had a characteristic adventure. Being of a very active and bold disposition, he was always ready to do work on the ship to relieve the tedium of the voyage, and while in the tropics was taking a hand in painting, - in fact, working on the outside. He fell off his board, pain bucket and all. The ship was going eight knots; and it was half an hour before he was picked up. With his usual self-control, he made no effort except to keep afloat, and when he was taken on board was none the worse for his misadventure.
Upon reaching Oregon, in June
1847, he found Portland a city of three houses; and his circuit, of which
Salem was the center, reached out south seventy-five miles, and embraced
the entire width of the Willamette valley. There was then but one Protestant
church edifice on the Pacific coast, the Methodist church still standing
at Oregon City, the then metropolis of the Northwest. Mr. Wilbur set to
work with great earnestness, multiplying himself by means of Cayuse ponies,
and preaching with the fervor of a Paul wherever he found a listener. Perhaps
there is no greater strain upon one's spiritual fiber than to live in a
sparse community and be dependent only upon one's self for impetus. Wasting
one's self "upon the desert air" quickly exhausts the life and saps the
vigor of one not endowed with living fervor of his own. Mr. Wilbur, however,
grew with his work; and many were the rough mountain men and the neglected
immigrants who were led to a decent christian life by his preaching. While
at Salem he also conducted the Oregon Institute, now the Willamette University
with the assistance of his wife, teaching
the boys and girls of the science and art beyond the
mountains.
Two years later he was appointed to the circuit embracing Oregon City and Portland, and in 1850 built the first church in the latter city. The Methodist church and parsonage cost five thousand dollars. Mechanics received twelve dollars per day; and lumber was one hundred and twenty dollars per thousand. In the following year Mr. Wilbur erected the Portland Academy and Female Seminary at a cost of eight thousand eight hundred dollars. In both these enterprises he did much work himself, going about in his striped shirt, and mixing mortar and carrying hods. Sixteen thousand dollars in all was raised for these and other church purposes during the two years of his pastorate in Portland.
His next charge, his allotted
two years expiring in Portland, was as presiding elder of the Umpqua district.
It was a serious undertaking to
move such a distance, over unfrequented roads, and across
rivers without bridges or ferries. This was in the springtime, too, when
the rivers were full, and, in managing his two yoke of oxen and two span
of horses, the preacher frequently had to be out in water waist deep. That,
with
mud and other delays, made the journey sixteen days longer. There he remained
from 1853 to 1857, living through the Rogue river gold fever and two Indian
wars. The war of 1855 in Southern Oregon arose in the following way, as
reported by Wilbur: Three hunters in the mountains picketed their horses;
and upon their return, in twenty-four hours, one animal was missing. Accusing
some Indians near by of stealing it, and meeting a denial, they cruelly
murdered two of the tribe; although in a short time they found that the
horse had simply strayed down the mountains and was feeding in the meadows.
This outrage excited the Indians, who rallied and fell upon an immigrant
train, and began massacring the settlers. The miners in turn formed a company
and began almost as indiscriminate a retaliation, attacking Indians who
knew nothing of the disturbance on either side. Thus the alarm spread;
and the whole country was in arms.
During this whole period Wilbur
went wherever and whenever he pleased, and although surrounded by Indians,
at one time being stopped
by a band of warriors in the road, was never harmed.
He thus spoke of the cause of his immunity: "They did not harm me because
I was
unarmed. I have had, I believe, more experience with
Indians than any man on the coast; and I never carried a knife, pistol,
nor any other
weapon; nor did I ever have occasion to defend myself,
and have never been injured by them." It was partly his confidence in their
fairness,
which appealed to their kindlier nature, and partly his
perfect fearlessness, which overawed them, that thus enabled him to walk
without peril in
their midst. During his sojourn in Southern Oregon, he
erected the institution known as the Wilbur Academy, to which he contributed
one
thousand dollars in money, and sixty acres of land, from
his own means. It cost four thousand dollars.
His next move back to the Willamette
valley, being appointed presiding elder of the Willamette district in 1857.
Having a keen business head,
he saw many opportunities for buying land or lots cheap,
and in this way made a large number of purchases all the way from Umpqua
to Walla
Walla, which rose in value and placed him in easy financial
circumstances. It was in this way that he obtained means for his large
benevolences.
Being again in the Portland district, he paid a visit,
in1859, to his field in the wilds, "east of the mountains." At The Dalles
he bought a Cayuse
horse for the journey; but the brute took occasion to
run off soon after, leaving the itinerant to foot it across the hills to
the Blue Mountains. He
was on the march fifty-four hours without a meal. He
could have gotten one at The Dalles; but that was the wrong direction.
The result of his
tramp was the organization of a church of seven members
at Walla Walla, the purchase of a block of land, and the erection of a
small church
edifice thereon. That city then consisted of about five
houses of very narrow dimensions. It was not all serene for the elder.
While he was
preaching some of the baser men of the place, got up
a cattle auction within fifty feet, trying, perhaps, to make an equally
attractive show.
In 1860 began Wilbur's work for the Indians on the Yakima reservation, which has become famous throughout the Union. The Yakimas, with a number of other tribes, were wild, sullen, and wholly averse to civilization. There were some three thousand assigned to that reservation; and even upon that ample domain there was no wild living for that number. Their only interest in remaining was for the government annuities; and their only incentive was fear of the troops. Mr. Wilbur was appointed superintendent of instruction, and at once opened a school, gathering in the children; and his wife, without asking a cent of pay, immediately began the process of cleaning, training, teaching and winning them. The work was but well under way, about a year after his appointment, when Kendall, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, dismissed Wilbur without explanation. Upon his proffer of service without pay, he was sent from the reservation.
He appealed to the government, however, and was not only sustained, but was appointed as agent, with plenary powers. As he assumed the entire administration of the agency, his aim of Indian training was to bring his wards tot he point of self-support. No annuities were allowed except for an equivalent in work. In a short time grains, vegetables and cattle, sufficient for sustenance, and even for export, were produced. The children at the schools were taught different trades. A steam mill (saw and grist) and house were put up by the Indians worth fifteen thousand dollars. They also built four churches of a seating capacity of two hundred each, and one of six hundred and fifty, completed in every particular by themselves. For twenty-two years the Wilburs remained at their post, bringing their Indians up to a very high level of thrift and prosperity. in 1882 they were reluctantly, after repeated resignations, allowed to go; and they took up their residence at Walla Walla.
Father Wilbur died at Walla Walla
in 1887, - one of Oregon's best loved and most renowned pioneers; a man
of virile qualities and a noble
heart; ready for all sorts of work; a great philanthropist;
faithful to his ministry and his God; and well worthy to stand in that
noble company of
Methodist preachers embracing, besides himself, Lee,
Leslie, Waller, Hine, and others who wrought with them and after them in
the same fields
and with like devotion.
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 631 - 634
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 39
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 39
M.B. Winchell, who is engaged in general merchandising in Touchet, Walla Walla county, ranks with the foremost business men of this section of the state. A spirit of progress and enterprise actuates him in all that he undertakes and his course has been characterized by a determined purpose. He has ever recognized the fact that when one avenue of success seems closed there can always be marked out another path that will lead to the desired goal. Alert and energetic and thoroughly reliable, his position among the business men of Walla Walla county is indeed enviable. A native son of Washington, he was born at Lyons Ferry on the 8th of March, 1888, his parents being Hezekiah and Alice L. (Palmer) Winchell. The father was a native of Michigan and the mother of the state of New York. They were married, however, in Minnesota, where the father was identified with timber interests for a number of years. In 1883 he brought his family to the west, settling in Walla Walla county, Washington, at which time he filed on a homestead near Lyons Ferry but resided thereon only long enough to prove up on the property. He then took up his abode in Waitsburg and for twenty-two years the family lived in or near that town. The father was engaged in farming during this time. He died in 1905, at the comparatively early age of fifty-six years. The sons in the family continued to make their home with their mother, her death occurring on the 5th of June, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Winchell were worthy pioneer people of this section of the state and contributed much to its development and progress.
M.B. Winchell pursued his education in the graded schools of Waitsburg and also in the Waitsburg Academy, while subsequently he spent three terms in the Waitsburg high school, which he attended in the winter seasons. In fact his attendance at school was by no means continuous, but he utilized every opportunity to promote his education by entering school whenever he could. His father met with financial reverses and thus Mr. Winchell of this review was obliged early to start out in the business world and provide for his own support. He also earned the money that enabled him to continue his education. After finishing his course of study in the graded schools he devoted two years between his academic course and his high school course. In the meantime, however, he was learning many valuable lessons through experience. He was employed during the summer months and he made very spare hour count. He continued farm work and subsequently turned his attention to the grain business, becoming manager of an elevator when a youth of but seventeen years. This elevator was located at Alto, and he subsequently managed elevators at other points for the same company, a fact which is indicative of his capability and of his faithfulness. It is recognized that the best way to learn to do a thing is to do it. Habit brings accuracy and power grows through the exercise of effort. Labor does not tire - it gives resisting force; and all of these facts Mr. Winchell demonstrated in his life. He studied every task that came to his hand and from each new experience learned valuable lessons which have proven of worth to him in later years. He learned to correctly judge men and read character, while at the same time he was acquainting himself with commercial methods. While engaged in the grain trade he bought and shipped grain on tonnage during the winter months and attended school when there was no grain to ship. In other words he improved every opportunity to promote his knowledge as well as to advance his material interests. In 1914 he entered the employ of the Allen Grocery Company in Waitsburg and there laid the foundation for his mercantile success. In 1916 he took up his abode at Touchet and became one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Quality Stores Company, having stores at Touchet, Lowden and Waitsburg. He became the manager of the establishment at Touchet, which at the last inventory showed a stock of over thirty-one thousand dollars value, while annually he does a business of from seventy-five to eighty-five thousand dollars. This is a splendid establishment to be under the care of a young man who had to fight his own way, make his own way through school unaided and at all times rely upon his own resources. In the parlance of the present day, he is a live wire, or in other words he has the dynamic force which makes things move. An opportunity is to him a call to action and the call is never neglected.
On the 22d of September, 1912, Mr. Winchell was united in marriage to Miss Alberta Williams, of Walla Walla, by whom he has two children, Zilpha Alice and Ruth Emily. Mr. Winchell maintains an independent course in regard to politics, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Fraternally he is connected with Delta Lodge, No. 75, K.P., of Waitsburg, and also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Community church of Touchet. He is interested in all that pertains to the material, political, social, mental and moral progress of the community. In a word his aid and influence are given on the side of advancement and improvement, and with him each day must mark off a full-faithed attempt to grow more and to know more.
Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 361, 362
Emerson E. Woods, who resides on the old Woods homestead on section 9, township 9 north, range 37 east, is one of the alert and enterprising young farmers who have chosen agriculture as a life work because of their recognition of its many possibilities. He was born in the township in which he still resides on the 12th of February, 1893, and is a son of Joel and Viola M. (Hull) Woods, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He received a good education in the Waitsburg public schools and also received thorough training in farm work under the guidance of his father. When he was twenty-two years old he began his independent career, renting six hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has since operated. In December, 1916, he also took charge of the Woods homestead of five hundred and fifty acres on which he now resides, and although he has only reached the middle twenties he has proved his capability as an executive, ably managing the operation of the twelve hundred and ten acres. It is needless to say that he utilizes the most improved methods and the latest implements in his work, and that he gives careful study of the markets.
On the 22d of December, 1915, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Estella H. Hazelton, of Waitsburg, a daughter of Thomas and Leona (Parker) Hazelton, pioneer settles of Walla Walla county, both now deceased. Mr. Woods votes the republican ticket but has not otherwise been active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his farming interests. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He is a typical western man, self reliant, enterprising and confident of the future, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his county and state.
Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County - 1918
Page 823, 824
One of these veterans is Mr. Woodward. He was born in Muskingum, Ohio, and, after the manner of many Westerners, spent his early days in gradually passing westward, moving by slow stages through Illinois and Iowa. In 1852 he came across the plains with a party numbering fifty. Young Woodward having, however, fallen sick on the way, was left in the Grande Ronde valley to recover. This led to his residence of two years in the Walla Walla valley; and in 1854 he went out into Idaho with Major G.O. Haller and Captain Olney to quiet the Indian disorders consequent upon the Ward massacre. That campaign occupied the entire season; and upon their return in 1855 they tendered their services in the general outbreak of that year. Woodward was in Major Rains' expedition to Fort Hall. He was among those who captured and hanged some of the Indians. Later in the year he was detailed with Captain Olney to warn the Whites in the Walla Walla valley of their danger, and to conduct them to The Dalles. This was a hazardous undertaking, requiring both endurance and courage, but was successfully accomplished within twenty days. At The Dalles the young soldier found the Oregon Volunteers just arriving from below, and took service with them, and passed through the seven-months' campaign that succeeded.
In the winter of that campaign
he was sent, in company with one Cayuse George, a white man, to carry a
message to The Dalles, to hasten the forwarding of troops, as the Indians
were harassing the soldiers above and pressing heavily upon their lines
of communication. He also went down to Portland and communicated with the
governor. Upon his return to the field, he was met by severe weather, which
filled the mountains with snow and the Columbia with ice. He crossed the
ponderous floes and ice fields of the river to and fro on the section below
the Cascades, and above that point made the frozen river itself his pathway.
He and his pony met with no mishap, but rounded the mouth of Hood or Dog
river outside of the broken ice and air-holes always to be found at its
junction with the Columbia. Leaving his animal there, the messenger passed
on to The Dalles, still traveling on the ice. Rarely is such a journey
possible; and it is never very safe. That was in January, 1856. The following
summer he left the volunteers and took service with the
regular army as messenger, serving until 1858. During that time his duties
called him into the most difficult and dangerous positions, often bringing
him within an inch of death.
Returning to civil life, he settled on a farm fifteen miles from Walla Walla, making that his home until 1883, when he removed to the Umatilla Reservation, Oregon, and engaged in farming. There he lives happily with his family of six children.
History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington
1889 Volume II
Page 639, 640
Gilbert's Historic Sketches
Biographical Supplements
1882
Page 40