Chapter 43

JEREMIAH M. CAMPMRS. JEREMIAH M. CAMPJeremiah M. Camp passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and is indebted for his education to its public schools. Following his marriage, February 12, 1858, at the age of twenty years, he became a resident of Knox County, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted there in Company I, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served at the front until the close of the Civil war in 1865. Although he took part in a great deal of hard fighting he was never wounded nor imprisoned. After being mustered out at Chicago he returned to Ohio, where his wife was then residing, and they continued to make their home in that state until 1867, when they went to the vicinity of Washington, Iowa, where Mr. Camp engaged in farming for three years. In 1870 he went to Kansas and in 1883 came to Washington. After staying for a time in Walla Walla county he removed to Whitman county, where he took up a homestead. He at once gave his entire time and attention to the task of developing that farm and as the years passed made many improvements thereon. In 1904 he retired and took up his residence in Walla Walla, where he now lives. He still owns sixteen hundred and sixty acres of land in Whitman county, all in a high state of cultivation, and derives therefrom a gratifying income. The success which he has gained is doubly creditable in that it is due to his quickness to see and take advantage of opportunities, his good management and his hard work.On the 12th of February, 1858, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Merritt, also a native of Vinton county, Ohio, and they traveled life's journey together for fifty-two years, Mrs. Camp dying in Walla Walla on the 8th of October, 1911. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Louis and Ida, both deceased; Hattie, the wife of William Barber, of Anthony, Kansas; A. I. and George, both residents of Whitman county, Washington; May, the wife of Theodore Harris, of Oklahoma; Sadie, the wife of Charles Pryor, of Dayton, Washington; and Archibald and Ira, both residents of Whitman county. The wife and mother was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.Mr. Camp has voted the republican ticket since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has never been active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his farm work, and in so doing he has not only won financial independence but has also contributed to the development of this district along agricultural lines. Through his membership in the local Grand Army post he keeps in touch with the other veterans of the war and finds great pleasure in recalling the experiences of those days.JAMES A. YEEND.James A. Yeend is a self-made man who is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres, constituting a valuable farm property on section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, on the 8th of March, 1856, and is a son of William and Ellen (Surman) Yeend, who were natives of England, whence they crossed the Atlantic to the new world in December, 1870. They settled on a farm in section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, and here the father passed away, while the mother later became a resident of Walla Walla and died in that city. They were the parents of sixteen children, seven of whom survive.James A. Yeend was a lad of fourteen years when he crossed the Atlanticto the United States in company with his parents. He had acquired his education in England and remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Two years later he took up a preemption claim of one hundred and twenty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Walla Walla county but in 1883 sold this property to his father. He then removed to Whitman county, Washington, where he took up a homestead and timber claim, upon which he lived for twelve years and through that period wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his property, for he brought much of the land under a high state of cultivation. In 1896 he sold that place and came to Walla Walla county, where he now resides. Here he owns three hundred and eighty-four acres of rich and productive land, upon which he has placed many modern improvements, including an attractive home and substantial buildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He is an energetic and progressive farmer and his place presents a most attractive appearance, indicative of the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields and also indicative of the careful supervision which he gives to all branches of the farm work.On the 15th of December, 1883, Mr. Yeend was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Chandler, also a native of Gloucestershire, England, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Surman) Chandler. Her father died in that country and her mother came to America in October, 1882, locating in Whitman county, Washington, where she took up a homestead claim and spent the remainder of her life. To Mr. and Mrs. Yeend have been born eight children, namely: Ernest E., Edith M., Fred S. and Frank J., twins; Flora E., William A., Olive and Esther A.Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Yeend serving now as one of the trustees. His political support is given to the republican party and he has served for sixteen years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and is not only one of the self-made men of Walla Walla county but is also one of its most progressive farmers and in all that he does holds to the highest standards of agricultural development and activity.SURMAN N. YEEND.Surman N. Yeend, one of the leading wheat raisers of the Walla Walla valley, residing at Valley Grove, was born in England, May 21, 1866, a son of William and Ellen Yeend, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of their son James.Surman N. Yeend was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, having been but a young lad when brought by his parents to the new world. The family home was established in the northwest and he has since been familiar with the upbuilding and progress of this section of the country. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time betweenthe duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, and his early training in farm work well qualified him to take up work of that character on his own account after he had reached man's estate. He located on the place which is now his home and which comprises seven hundred acres of rich and productive land, all under cultivation. He makes a specialty of the growing of wheat and his broad fields present a most pleasing picture, giving indication of abundant harvests. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising and keeps upon his farm high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In all of his business affairs he displays a progressive spirit and keeps in touch with every improvement that has to do with farm life.Mr. Yeend has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna M. Harper and to them were born two children: Charles E.; and Helen, the wife of Arthur Anderson. The wife and mother passed away and in 1901 Mr. Yeend was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Loland, a native of Washington. They have become parents of six children: Cleola M., Roland A., Allen C., Wilbur H., Lowell W. and Howard S.Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are members of the Nazarene church. Mr. Yeend votes with the republican party and has served on the census board, filling that position in 1900. He is not active in politics, however, preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his farming interests, and by his close application in business affairs and his unremitting industry he has won a very gratifying measure of success, being now numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county.WILLIS RESER.Willis Reser is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 5, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county. He has been a resident of the Walla Walla valley since 1863 and in the intervening period, covering fifty-four years, has been closely and prominently identified with its agricultural development.He was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 29, 1856, and is a son of George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, William Reser, on another page of this work. The family arrived in the Walla Walla valley in 1863, so that Willis Reser was here reared and educated. He became familiar with every phase of pioneer life and with the arduous task of developing a new farm. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and later purchased the property upon which he now resides, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which constituted his father's old homestead. Upon this place he has since lived and he also has a residence in Walla Walla, which he occupies a part of the time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In his pastures are found good grades of stock and everything about his place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive spirit and one who is thoroughly familiar with the line of work in which he engages. He has closely studied the soil and climatic conditions inrelation to the production of crops and he has made an equally close study of the best methods of stock raising. Success is therefore attending his efforts and he is numbered among the substantial farmers of this section of the state.In May, 1884, Mr. Reser was united in marriage to Miss Mima Kirkland, who was born in Oregon, a daughter of Joseph E. and Mary (Standefer) Kirkland. The father was a native of Illinois but was reared principally in Arkansas and crossed the plains in the '50s. The journey was made with teams over the long, hot stretches of sand and across the mountain passes until ultimately he reached Oregon. Still later he removed to Walla Walla county and settled upon a farm. Joseph E. Kirkland was an attorney by profession and engaged in the practice of law for several years in addition to the conduct of his agricultural interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Reser have been born four children: George, who is now located in Detroit, Michigan; Joseph, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Willis H., who is still at home.Mrs. Reser is a member of the Congregational church and is a lady of many admirable traits of character who enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Politically Mr. Reser gives his support to the democratic party. He served for some years as a member of the school board but has always preferred that his public service should be done as a private citizen rather than as an office holder. He stands loyally, however, for what he believes to be for the best interests of the community and through the long years of his residence in this county he has given his aid and influence in behalf of those projects and measures which he has believed would prove of greatest benefit to the section. The county to which he came in 1863 bore little resemblance to the highly developed district which is here seen today. He has witnessed all of the changes which have occurred in the interim and can speak with authority upon many events which have shaped the history of Walla Walla county.GILBERT HUNT.Gilbert Hunt solely through his own efforts gained a place among the industrial leaders of Walla Walla, being the head of a company known as the largest manufacturers of farm machinery in the northwest, and he was equally prominent in civic affairs, serving for three terms as mayor. He was born in Ryegate, Vermont, January 27, 1855, a son of Solomon Sherman and Katherine Hunt. He was reared in a home where as he studied he was taught to work hard, think deeply and live simply, and his life was characterized by the "plain living and high thinking" characteristic of New England. The family were in limited financial circumstances and he early began to do his part toward providing for his own support. The first work that he performed for others was pasturing the cattle of the villagers, driving them to pasture in the early morning and returning with them in the evening. Later he worked his way through the academy at Peacham and each week end walked home, a distance of ten miles, in order to give his father the benefit of his labor on Saturday.GILBERT HUNTIn early manhood Mr. Hunt was employed for some time as a millwright, later engaged in the manufacture of washboards, and he was also for a time a furniture painter and an organ tuner. During these early years he had to contend not only against poverty but also against ill health and at length it became necessary that he have outdoor employment and accordingly he peddled tinware through the country. At length, having received very favorable reports of Walla Walla from the Rev. Cobleigh, pastor of the Congregational church here and formerly pastor of the church in McIndoes, Vermont, Mr. Hunt decided to try his fortune in this new western country. After a journey of three weeks he reached this city and found work in the Glasford planing mill, which, however, shut down in the autumn. Although somewhat discouraged, he was dissuaded from carrying out his determination of going elsewhere by a merchant of the city and gradually he gained a foothold and in time became the head of the Gilbert Hunt Company, one of the largest industrial concerns of the entire northwest and the largest producers of farm machinery in this section. Mr. Hunt not only proved himself an executive of great force but also a successful inventor and was the originator of the Pride of Washington thresher. The memory of his early struggles remained with him and when boys applied for work in the "Hunt shops" and the foreman said that they had no vacancies Mr. Hunt gave orders that work be found in some way in order to give the boys a chance.This desire to be of assistance found expression in many ways and there was no project for the advancement of his city that failed to receive his hearty support. In many instances Mr. Hunt initiated and carried to successful completion movements for public improvements, such as the paving of the center business district, the extension of the water system providing for the present intake twelve miles above the city, the betterment of the sewage system, the securing of the Carnegie library and the establishment of public parks. He was one of the most effective workers for well advised publicity for Walla Walla and its surrounding territory and recognized the value of building up a reputation for Walla Walla as a good convention city. For three terms he served as mayor and one who knew him for thirty years said of him in that connection: "Gilbert Hunt brought to the office of mayor long training and experience in large business affairs and great executive and administrative ability. He was a man of fine presence, meeting people easily and agreeably, was informed as to his official duties, had a clear idea of the things to be done, and inspired confidence in his ability to do them."Mr. Hunt was married in McIndoes, Vermont, June 10, 1876, to Miss Hopie M. Osgood, who is descended from Revolutionary ancestry. To this marriage were born four children, of whom three survive: Mabelle H., the wife of Wilbur A. Toner, an attorney of Walla Walla; Eugene A., who married Jessie M. Babcock, a daughter of W. H. Babcock, of Walla Walla, and is now living in Hong-kong, China, engaged in the exporting and importing business; and Marguerite A., the wife of Gus Meese, Jr., of Spokane, Washington.Mr. Hunt was a prominent Mason and was devoted to the order, which he recognized as a great force for good. He was master of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., for seven years, was a Knight Templar and was also connected with the Mystic Shrine. In early manhood he belonged to the Congregational church but later was one of the organizers and the first president of the ChristianScience church of Walla Walla. He manifested the keenest interest in educational matters and for eight years served on the board of education, during which time the High and Green Park school buildings were erected, and he was also connected in an official capacity with Whitman College, being a member of its board of trustees at the time of his death. He passed away December 15, 1914, and the grief felt by his many friends found expression in words of love and admiration for his splendid qualities. An editorial writer in the Portland Journal said: "Not alone in public service did his great heart beat, but the life of many an individual was made brighter by a helpful word and a charitable hand." A well known educator who had known him for twenty-five years wrote as follows: "I always found his wit, his geniality, his ready sympathy, his practical sagacity, his helpfulness, sources of strength and encouragement. In the great loss which his family, his friends, the community has suffered in his death we may assuredly find solace in the hope that those qualities which we loved in him are enduring."PHILIP J. PENTECOST.Philip J. Pentecost is now living retired in Walla Walla but for many years was actively and successfully identified with farming interests. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 13, 1856, a son of William C. and Jemima (Wilcox) Pentecost, the former a native of Somersetshire, England, while the latter was born near Utica, New York. The father came to the United States when a lad of fourteen years in company with his parents and settled in New York, where he afterward married. Two children were born to him and his wife in the Empire state. Later he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1875 became a resident of Seattle, Washington. Soon afterward he went to Portland, Oregon, and still later to Albany, where he and his wife spent the summer. In the following fall they came northward to Walla Walla, looking for a suitable location, and soon after reaching this place the father and his son, Philip J., went up to Spokane, leaving the family in Walla Walla. They returned just before Christmas and spent the winter in this city. The following spring, however, they returned to Seattle, where they remained for a few weeks and thence removed to Forest Grove, Oregon. During their roamings they managed through their work to get together a spike team, consisting of three horses, one leading other two, and after spending the summer in Forest Grove they again came to Walla Walla, driving through by team. After passing through the Indian reservation they reached the Walla Walla valley. The mother was riding in the back of the wagon with the front cover drawn, but just before reaching the valley she had raised the cover to look out and soon remarked, "I should think all the children could find homes here," and a few moments later one of the sons said to her that they had reached their camping place. She did not reply and they found that she was dead, having expired from heart disease in the few moments after speaking to them. The family brought the body on to Walla Walla for interment. They spent the winter in the town and in the spring of 1877 Mr. Pentecost purchased a tract of four hundred acres of choice land located in Spring Valley, about eight miles northeast of the city, on the Waitsburg road. He contracted for this land at a basis of seven dollars per acre, to be paid for with wheat at fifty cents per bushel.PHILIP J. PENTECOSTMRS. PHILIP J. PENTECOSTThis land was afterward paid for by Philip J. Pentecost and an older brother, Charles N., and thus came into their possession. For thirty years the two brothers cooperated in their farming enterprise and in the meantime added to their holdings until the place comprised a thousand acres. Charles N. Pentecost afterward acquired extensive land holdings elsewhere and Philip J. Pentecost purchased his interest in the Walla Walla county farm, which he still owns independently. He also has four hundred acres on Blue Creek which is largely grazing land and on which he runs as high as a hundred head of cattle at a time. About 1901 he left the farm and took up his abode in the city in order to give his children better educational opportunities and since then has resided in Walla Walla, having a handsome residence at 603 Cherry street. He also owns four other city residences. For the past seven years he has rented his farm lands and has practically lived retired.On the 29th of June, 1889, Mr. Pentecost was united in marriage to Mrs. Joseph Maul, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Wolfe and is a daughter of Harry Wolfe, who crossed the plains to Washington with a horse team in 1888. By her first husband Mrs. Pentecost had a daughter, Catherine Z. M., now Mrs. Stanley Sleeper of Lewiston, Idaho, and to Mr. and Mrs. Pentecost has also been born a daughter, Sadie R., who is the wife of A. E. Page, of Walla Walla.Mr. Pentecost gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with Trinity Lodge, I. O. O. F. and with Walla Walla Camp, No. 96, W. O. W. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church, of which he was a deacon for years and is now one of the trustees. The family is one of prominence in Walla Walla and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them. Mr. Pentecost has made for himself a very creditable position in business circles, ranking for many years as one of the leading wheat growers of this section of the state, and his life record constitutes an example well worthy of emulation.GEORGE BENSON KUYKENDALL, M. D.Dr. George Benson Kuykendall, one of the foremost physicians of eastern Washington, practicing at Pomeroy, was born near Terre Haute, Indiana, January 22, 1843, a son of John and Malinda (Stark) Kuykendall. The early family history is found in the New York Dutch Church or Dutch Reformed Baptismal records and in the county records of New York county. The family comes of Holland Dutch ancestry, the home being originally near Wageningen, in the Gelderland province, from which came the ancestors of Theodore Roosevelt. The first of the name in America was Jacob Luursen Van Kuykendael, who came to America on the ship de Princess from Holland in 1646 and landed at New Amsterdam, now New York. The Van in the family name was retained until about 1730. The ancestors were with the Van Rensselaer colony at old Fort Orange and afterward removed to Esopus, New York. Later the sons and daughters of that generation went to the Minisink region, on the Delaware,about 1700, and subsequently the branch of the family of which Dr. Kuykendall is a representative was founded in Virginia between 1743 and 1748, probably in the latter year. His mother came from the same ancestry as General John Stark of Revolutionary war fame, and their progenitors were originally from near Essen, Germany.The father of Dr. Kuykendall, who was a mechanic, removed westward with his family when his son George was three years of age, residing in Wisconsin until 1852, when he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. That was the memorable year of the cholera, smallpox and pestilence and they were delayed en route by illness and many difficulties. They found themselves far back in the rear part of the emigration. Their days were full of toil and anxiety and their nights were spent much of the time in vigils over the sick and dying or in warding against the prowling savages of the plains. When their train reached Snake river, their stock were almost famished and they crossed the river in the hope of finding better grass. From there they made their way over country never before traversed by wagons. At the crossing of the river the father became ill with mountain fever and a little daughter had already suffered from measles and was apparently growing worse. For weeks these helpless ones were dragged over the sagebrush and sand plains of southern Idaho in a rough emigrant wagon. Finally, when nearly all the stock had died, they abandoned their wagon, and the few household goods they could carry were put into the wagon belonging to a brother who was traveling in the same company. After almost incredible hardships and discouragements they reached The Dalles, Oregon, where they shipped their wagon and the household goods that remained upon an open barge and started to float down the Columbia. The father was still ill and the little sister at the point of death. That night the barge tied up on the Oregon side of the river and during the hours of darkness the mother kept tearful watch over the sick and wasted form of the father and her dying little girl, who about midnight passed away. Early in the morning a rude, improvised pine box was made ready and the little one was buried on the banks of Columbia, where the trade winds sweeping up from the ocean and the murmur of the river's flow are her eternal requiem. The pressing demands of the hour would not permit them to linger over the grave, but all had to press on, for they were far from their homeland and had no home or shelter for the coming winter. They reached the Cascades, passed over the portage and took a boat below, reaching the banks of the Willamette, where East Portland now stands, on the 19th of October, 1852.The family spent their first winter at Milwaukee, above Portland, and in the fall of 1853 went to southern Oregon, locating near Roseburg. At a very early age Dr. Kuykendall manifested a taste for reading, which was encouraged by his father, who also found great delight in books. Dr. Kuykendall read with pleasure works on travel and discovery, exploration, history, biography and whatever he could find and as he approached manhood became very fond of metaphysical reading, delighting in poring over such writings as Kant, Abercrombie, Dugald Stewart and also reading works on mental philosophy. All this time he was pursuing the advanced studies of an academic and collegiate course and later took up the study of materia medica and medicine. About that time his father had a dangerous illness and reached the point where the attendingphysicians gave up the case. Dr. Kuykendall was not willing that his father should die, however, and said to the family: "We will go on and try still further—he may yet recover." This was before the son had become a student in medical college. He devoted himself assiduously to the study of his father's symptoms, scarcely leaving the bedside to eat or sleep for a week. The father recovered and enjoyed many years of later usefulness. The attending physicians, recognizing what the young son had accomplished, said: "Young man, it is clear what you ought to do in life. You should study and practice medicine."A few years later, therefore, George Benson Kuykendall became a student in Willamette University and was graduated at the head of his class, in the medical department, and at once entered upon active medical practice. Within a few months he was appointed to the position of government physician at Fort Simcoe, Washington, where he enjoyed a large practice in addition to the government work. He there took up the special study of microscopy and chemical research, particularly as related to toxicology and medical jurisprudence. He also did much work in Micro-photography to aid in differentiation of tissues, cells and blood corpuscles and while thus engaged he made a fine collection of mounted specimens, both physiological and pathological.While at Fort Simcoe he was requested by Professor J. W. Powell of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C., to make a study of the ethnology of the native Indians of the Pacific northwest—a line which he followed up as his time would permit. He collected many traditions, myths, ancient laws and customs of the Indian tribes and wrote an account of these for preservation. In this work all traditions and myths were obtained at first hand from the Indians themselves. Later he wrote a series of papers on the subject for The West Shore, a magazine then published in Portland, Oregon. After ten years with the government at Fort Simcoe, the Doctor found his family growing and needing better facilities for education and social culture and accordingly resigned his position and located at Pomeroy, Washington.It was in 1868 that Dr. Kuykendall married Miss E. J. Butler, a daughter of Judge Benjamin Butler, of Douglas county, Oregon, who later removed to Pomeroy, where he was judge of probate for many years. The Doctor has an interesting and intelligent family of five sons and three daughters. In his marriage he was peculiarly fortunate, Mrs. Kuykendall being a lady of marked intelligence and practical good judgment. His eldest son, Chester Ernest, is a druggist and dealer in books, musical instruments and fancy holiday goods. He is a popular man who for years has been closely identified with the interests of Pomeroy as one of the leaders in educational work, being a member of the board of directors of the Pomeroy high school and also mayor of the city. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and has been church organist for years. Elgin Victor, the next son, is a prominent attorney and was elected to the state senate from the counties of Garfield, Columbia and Asotin by a large majority. George Vivian, the third son, is chief operator in the offices of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. William B. is engaged in the real estate and insurance business and is now reading law preparatory to practice. Hubert John is in the drug store with his brother Chester. All these sons are married and with the exception of George all are residents of Pomeroy. MinniePearl and Grace Orlean, are the elder daughters. The former is the wife of R. B. Spencer, of Hermiston, Oregon, and the younger is the wife of G. C. Start, of Sunnyside, Washington. Both have decided talent for painting and Mrs. Spencer taught oil Painting in Pomeroy for years. The youngest daughter, Bessie, is at home with her parents.Dr. Kuykendall has had an extensive acquaintance among the prominent pioneer settlers of Oregon, including Rev. J. H. Wilbur, pioneer missionary minister, Hon. Binger Herman, Judges J. F. Watson, E. B. Watson and P. L. Willis, who were early friends in southern Oregon, Judge M. P. Deady and General Joseph Lane, Delazon Smith, Colonel Hooker, Governor Chadwick and others. In addition to his professional attainments Dr. Kuykendall has an enviable reputation as a writer. He has written much for the press and has always been very industrious in gathering up material for use in future writings. He has completed a history of the Kuykendall family for the past three hundred years, the family being of the old Knickerbocker stock of New York and New Jersey, whence they have gone as pioneers across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The family has been represented in every war of note since early colonial days. Dr. Kuykendall has retired from the active practice of medicine and spends his leisure in reading and writing. He has a collection of data pertaining to Indian mythology, ethnology and customs which he hopes yet to be able to publish, besides other matter written during the passing years.Dr. Kuykendall has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, actively connected with its social and moral endeavors for the benefit of the community. He has always made it a point to support every movement for the good of the community with his money as well as with his personal aid. He has been too busy to give much attention to money making but has prospered sufficiently to have gained a good competence. His father was liberal to a fault and when he gave, as the Doctor thought, too liberally of his means the Doctor always helped him out. The latter has always been glad to remember this generosity of his father and has been stimulated by his example to think more of "the other fellow." Since its organization he has been a member of the Garfield County Pioneer Association and for some years has been its secretary. He is a member of the Oregon Historical Society and the Holland Society of New York city. To belong to this society one must be able to show documentary evidence of having come from an ancestor born of a forefather who came from Holland to America before 1675.WALLACE LEROY WHITMORE.Few men of the northwest have been more widely known than Wallace Leroy Whitmore, now deceased. He resided on section 21, township 13 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, but for more than forty years he traveled extensively over this country as a commercial salesman and he was also known throughout the Pacific coast states as a breeder of fast horses. He had those special qualities which make for personal popularity and wherever he went he made friends. He was born in Oakland, Oregon, June 8, 1857, and was a son of George and Mary (Vaughn) Whitmore, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. They crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852 and in 1867 removed to San Francisco, California, where they made their home for a number of years. The mother made her home with Wallace Leroy Whitmore most of her life, his filial care and attention rewarding her for the love which she had bestowed upon him in his boyhood days.Wallace Leroy Whitmore was little more than a boy when he was sent out on the road by a wholesale clothing house of San Francisco. This, however, was not his initial experience in the business world, for through two years he had been employed as a messenger boy. For forty years he remained upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing two San Francisco houses—a wonderful record characterized by the utmost fidelity and loyalty as well as capability. He won for the houses which he represented a very liberal patronage, for he was thoroughly reliable in business affairs and men came to know that whatever he said was to be depended upon. After four decades devoted to travel he left the road in order to give his entire time to his stock and landed interests. In the meantime he had purchased property until he owned twenty-seven hundred acres in Garfield county. He was a lover of the thoroughbred horse and was a pioneer in the breeding of standard and thoroughbred horses in Garfield county, raising them more for pleasure than for profit. His blooded stock, of which Coloma, the noted sire, was the head, became known wherever racing was popular. In fact Mr. Whitmore's reputation in this regard spread wherever there was to be found anyone who desired a fast horse for pleasure driving. In his three-year-old form Coloma took every Derby in Montana and his owner refused ten thousand dollars for him. Bill Frazier, who was taken east from Portland, has a pacing mark of 2:12; Minnie Mann was also a horse with a notable record and Ken West at one time could step the quarter in thirty seconds, while Hallie Hinges, Daybreak, Sallie Goodwin and a long list of other running and pacing horses became well known on the circuit. Swiftsure, Coloma's first colt, sold for five thousand dollars at two years old and many others brought the breeder record prices, but despite this fact it was said that Mr. Whitmore put more money into race horse breeding than he ever got out of it. He was a very progressive man and his farm was one of the best improved properties in the county. He erected thereon good buildings, kept them painted and in good condition at all times, installed an electric light system and equipped his home and buildings with the most modern improvements.On the 2d of December, 1889, Mr. Whitmore was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williams, of San Francisco, who is a native of New York. Her father was Arthur Williams, a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York Engineering Corps during the Civil war, who re-enlisted in the field after his discharge and was given a large bounty. Mrs. Whitmore's mother prior to her marriage was Miss Hannah E. Poorman. After the close of the Civil war she brought her two children to the Pacific coast, making the journey by sailing vessel around Cape Horn. She took up her abode in San Francisco and afterward became the wife of Horace Eldred, proprietor of the State House Hotel of Sacramento. Several years later Mr. Eldred's death occurred and his widow afterward lived in southern California until her death, which occurred in Portland, Oregon, in 1901.Mrs. Whitmore is an accomplished woman of marked business ability as wellas of many social graces. She manages her extensive property holdings with keen sagacity, displaying unfaltering enterprise, and her labors are attended with excellent results. The death of Mr. Whitmore occurred September 8, 1916, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many friends. He was a man of genial, kindly nature, always approachable and at all times he held friendship inviolable. His well managed business affairs and investments enabled him to leave Mrs. Whitmore in very comfortable financial circumstances and she is today the owner of one of the valuable farm properties of Garfield county. Like her husband, she is widely and favorably known and her friends are legion.W. E. AYRES.W. E. Ayres, while actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, managed his affairs so ably that he attained financial independence and is now living retired upon his home farm in Columbia county. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, February 8, 1841, a son of Eli L. and Ruth (Stevens) Ayres, natives respectively of England and Canada. Following their marriage in the Dominion the parents removed to Illinois in the latter '30s and resided there for a few years but in 1842 went to Appanoose county, Iowa. There the father acquired title to land and engaged in farming until called by death, although he was by profession a physician and Baptist minister. Subsequently the mother removed with her family to Linn county, Oregon, reaching there in 1864, when the Pacific northwest was still largely undeveloped. Eventually she became a resident of Walla Walla county, Washington, and there passed away.W. E. Ayres, who is one of four living children in a family of six, grew to manhood in Iowa and there obtained his education. He accompanied his mother to Oregon and for seven years was resident of that state but at the end of that time took up a homestead in Old Walla Walla county, Washington, his farm being located in what is now Columbia county. His first residence was a log cabin and his experiences for a few years were those of all pioneers. At length, however, his land was brought under cultivation, substantial improvements were made thereon and adequate facilities for transportation and communication with other parts of the country were secured. He found farming both profitable and congenial and continued to engage in stock and wheat raising until he retired. He still owns 960 acres of fine land.In 1868 Mr. Ayres was married to Miss Martha S. Redford, of Henry county, Missouri, a daughter of Walker P. and Nancy (Davis) Redford, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. In the '30s Mr. and Mrs. Redford removed to Missouri and there the father died in 1861. Three years later the mother, with her children, made the long journey across the plains by ox team. For three years they resided in Union county, Oregon, and then went to Linn county, when they came to Washington, where the mother passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres have become the parents of eleven children: Eudora, the widow of W. J. Beal and a resident of Pomeroy, Washington; Willie and Robert, both deceased; James P., who is also living in Pomeroy; Anna; William S., a resident of Pineville, Oregon; Nancy, deceased; Mary C., a home missionary stationed in western Oregon; Palmer, a farmer; Sarah, the wife of Sanford Skillman, who is farming the home place; and Albert E., an agriculturist of Pomeroy.W. E. AYRES AND FAMILYMr. Ayres is a democrat in politics and has served as county treasurer, as county commissioner and as a member of the school board, which office he held for years. His record as a public official is highly creditable both to his ability and his devotion to the general good, and as a private citizen he has given his support to movements calculated to advance the interests of his community. He takes justifiable pride in the fact that he has had a part in the development of this section and believes that nowhere can the agriculturist find better opportunities.LOUIS NEACE.On the pages of Walla Walla county's pioneer history appears the name of Louis Neace, who took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla when it was a mere military post. As the years passed on he became prominently identified with agricultural interests in this section of the state and ranked with the foremost business men. He was born near Frankfort, Germany, September 27, 1835, and was but twelve years of age when he came to the United States with an uncle, who was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. From that time forward Louis Neace never saw his family nor his native country. His father had been a member of the forestry department in Germany, an official position to which only men who were scholars and had special training in the science of forestry were eligible.Becoming a resident of Orange, New Jersey, Louis Neace was there employed in a sash and blind factory, in which he served a four years' apprenticeship, thereby gaining thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the work. In the meantime, however, he spent one winter in Florida, where he was employed in driving a mule team for the owner of a lumber mill on the St. Mary's river. When his apprenticeship was ended he removed to the middle west and at the recommendation of friends in Orange, New Jersey, he secured a position in a sash and blind factory at Fulton, Illinois.The west, however, still lured him on and afterward he made a tour of Kansas, at which time the state was the battleground of the parties who were contending whether it should be admitted as a free or a slave state. Not desiring to become a landowner in Kansas under such conditions, Mr. Neace joined a construction crew at Independence, Missouri, and started across the country for Harney Lake, Oregon, the crew being engaged to lay out a road in that section. The Mormons were at that time a menace to all travelers through Utah and the crew was placed under military protection, spending the winter of 1856-7 at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. The Mormons destroyed several of the supply wagon trains of the fort and their rations were reduced for a period to two small biscuits per day. Hardly any salt was obtainable throughout the entire winter and the first that was brought in sold at a dollar per pound. In 1857 Mr. Neace became a resident of Los Angeles, California, which was then a tiny village, and from that point, he continued his journey northward to San Francisco,where he became a passenger on the steamer Columbia. A northward trip brought him to the mouth of the Umpqua river, where he disembarked and spent the winter, reaching The Dalles, Oregon, in the spring of 1858.From that point Mr. Neace came to Walla Walla as an employe of Lieutenant Mullan, who was in charge of the construction of a military road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Montana, which is still known as the Mullan road. After completing the work the crew spent the winter in Fort Benton and in the following year Major Blake arrived from St. Louis with troops on his way to Fort Walla Walla and Mr. Neace returned with him, after which he remained a resident of eastern Washington. When he first visited Walla Walla there was only a cantonment built by Colonel Steptoe in the fall of 1856. It consisted of a few rude log huts along what is now East Main street, west of Palouse, these huts constituting the winter quarters for the military troops who were here stationed as a protection to the few settlers who had penetrated into this region. In 1861 Mr. Neace took up his abode on the Tucannon river, at the present site of Starbuck, for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business there. The most severe winter ever known in the Pacific northwest followed. He was at the time a young man of but twenty-six. Undiscouraged by the severity of the winter, he bought a right to a place on the Pataha river, a tributary of the Tucanon, and continued in the live stock business, there remaining until 1870, when he removed to the Lock & Long mill near Dayton. A little later he took up his abode on a farm north of Waitsburg and the place has since been known as the Neace farm. He afterward purchased what was known as the Anderson Cox residence in Waitsburg and the family home was there established. As the years passed on Mr. Neace added to his holdings from time to time as his financial resources increased and became one of the most extensive landowners of Washington. When asked how great were his possessions he replied: "I do not know." In addition to his Washington holdings he had considerable land in Montana. Possessing sound judgment and keen sagacity, his investments were most judiciously made and with the settlement and development of the county his land rose constantly in value, making his estate a most substantial one.On the 6th of October, 1864, Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harrington, of Walla Walla, and they became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Mrs. D. C. Eaton; Mrs. S. F. Patton; Frank and Charles, of Waitsburg; John and Louis, of Millstone, Montana; Mrs. Ellen Hauber, of Portland; and James and Isaac, of Endicott.Aside from his extensive connection with farming interests Mr. Neace had for a number of years been president of the First National Bank of Waitsburg. For more than forty years he was member of the Masonic fraternity exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. He was a member of the constitutional convention of Washington and thus in many ways left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the state. His philanthropy was ever a salient factor in his life. He aided generously many benevolent institutions and gave freely to individuals. He never believed in that indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy and idleness, but wherever possible to extend a helping hand to assist a traveler, making earnest effort toprogress on life's journey, he did not hesitate to do so. His life, honorable and upright in act and purpose, gained for him the high esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact, and what he did for the county in the way of its agricultural development and in other connections entitles him to prominent mention among the builders of the great Inland Empire. He died January 12, 1916.ADOLPH SCHWARZ.Adolph Schwarz, who is conducting a pool and billiard hall in Walla Walla, was born in Germany, December 24, 1853, son of John Joseph and Theresa (Rieder) Schwarz, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland. Mr. Schwarz of this review attended the public schools of Germany in the acquirement of his education and remained with his parents until he was sixteen years old. At that age he emigrated to America and for a year resided in New York, after which he spent a similar length of time in Pennsylvania. He then went to California but in 1876 went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later to New York. He spent the winter in the east but in the following spring he again came west and for about a year was employed on a boat running on the Columbia river. In October, 1877, he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, and for three years was in the employ of others. In 1880, however, he established a pool and billiard hall in the city of Walla Walla and has since conducted that business. His place is well equipped and is managed on such a high plane that it receives the support of the best class of people. He was also one of the organizers of the local brewing company and had an active part in the management of the business until the brewery closed down. The company is still in existence, however, and still owns the plant.In 1894 Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to Miss Lula Stahl, a daughter of J. H. Stahl, and to them have been born four children: Lillian E., a graduate of the local high school; Ruth and Adolph, both high school students; and Catherine.Mr. Schwarz is independent in politics, believing the qualifications of a candidate to be of far greater importance than his party affiliation. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles, the Red Men and the Foresters of the World. Both he and his wife belong to the Episcopal church and Mrs. Schwarz is active in its work.FREDERICK P. YENNEY.Frederick P. Yenney, a retired farmer residing in Walla Walla, was born in Baden, Germany, February 27, 1852, a son of Frederick and Susanna (Swigard) Yenney, both natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Frederick P. Yenney, who is the only son in a family of seven children, and the only one in America, grew to manhood in his native country and there acquired his education. In 1881 he came to the United States and after livingfor six years in Kankakee county, Illinois, removed to Minnesota, where he spent two years. In 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, but after residing here for one summer went to Lincoln county this state, and purchased a farm, which he operated until 1905. He then retired from active life and removed to Walla Walla, trading his farm in Lincoln county for land in Walla Walla county and now has four hundred and eighty-five acres of improved land near Walla Walla. He owns his fine residence at No. 350 South Third street.Mr. Yenney was married in 1875, in Germany, to Miss Catharine Lavber and they have four children, namely: Conrad, John W. and Emil, all of whom are farmers; and Matilda, the wife of George C. Raymond, a resident of Fresno, California.Mr. Yenney is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never had the time nor inclination to seek office. Both he and his wife hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church of Walla Walla.BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FLATHERS.Benjamin Franklin Flathers, deceased, was one of the old and honored residents of Walla Walla, where he made his home for almost half a century. He was born near Louisville, Kentucky, on the 20th of August, 1836, and was a son of John and Julia Flathers. During his boyhood he received a limited education in the country schools near his home. He was only a small boy when the family removed to Iowa and located on a farm. When still quite young he sought new and more favorable conditions of life and left home, roughing it in various parts of the United States for some time. He finally arrived in New York city, where he mustered on a freight ship, and made the long voyage around the Horn, landing in San Francisco, after having experienced some very rough weather.Throughout his business career Mr. Flathers was variously employed. When a young man he engaged in firing on a railroad for a short time and on reaching California in 1854 became a packer, operating a train along the coast. He remained a resident of the Golden state until 1861 and from there removed to The Dalles, Oregon, whence he came to Walla Walla, Washington. He continued to operate a pack train until 1869, traveling from Montana to Arizona, but in that year he sold his outfit to the government while in the latter state. In 1870 he located on a homestead in Walla Walla county, where for years he conducted a forage station, furnishing accommodations for travelers over the old Mullen trail from Walla Walla. He gradually worked into agriculture and continued to follow farming for thirty years with good success but at the end of that time retired from active labor and divided his magnificent farm among his children. With a comfortable fortune he then removed to Walla Walla, where his last days were spent in ease and quiet. There he passed away on May 10, 1910, leaving his immediate family as well as many friends to mourn his loss.

JEREMIAH M. CAMPMRS. JEREMIAH M. CAMPJeremiah M. Camp passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and is indebted for his education to its public schools. Following his marriage, February 12, 1858, at the age of twenty years, he became a resident of Knox County, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted there in Company I, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served at the front until the close of the Civil war in 1865. Although he took part in a great deal of hard fighting he was never wounded nor imprisoned. After being mustered out at Chicago he returned to Ohio, where his wife was then residing, and they continued to make their home in that state until 1867, when they went to the vicinity of Washington, Iowa, where Mr. Camp engaged in farming for three years. In 1870 he went to Kansas and in 1883 came to Washington. After staying for a time in Walla Walla county he removed to Whitman county, where he took up a homestead. He at once gave his entire time and attention to the task of developing that farm and as the years passed made many improvements thereon. In 1904 he retired and took up his residence in Walla Walla, where he now lives. He still owns sixteen hundred and sixty acres of land in Whitman county, all in a high state of cultivation, and derives therefrom a gratifying income. The success which he has gained is doubly creditable in that it is due to his quickness to see and take advantage of opportunities, his good management and his hard work.On the 12th of February, 1858, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Merritt, also a native of Vinton county, Ohio, and they traveled life's journey together for fifty-two years, Mrs. Camp dying in Walla Walla on the 8th of October, 1911. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Louis and Ida, both deceased; Hattie, the wife of William Barber, of Anthony, Kansas; A. I. and George, both residents of Whitman county, Washington; May, the wife of Theodore Harris, of Oklahoma; Sadie, the wife of Charles Pryor, of Dayton, Washington; and Archibald and Ira, both residents of Whitman county. The wife and mother was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.Mr. Camp has voted the republican ticket since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has never been active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his farm work, and in so doing he has not only won financial independence but has also contributed to the development of this district along agricultural lines. Through his membership in the local Grand Army post he keeps in touch with the other veterans of the war and finds great pleasure in recalling the experiences of those days.JAMES A. YEEND.James A. Yeend is a self-made man who is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres, constituting a valuable farm property on section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, on the 8th of March, 1856, and is a son of William and Ellen (Surman) Yeend, who were natives of England, whence they crossed the Atlantic to the new world in December, 1870. They settled on a farm in section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, and here the father passed away, while the mother later became a resident of Walla Walla and died in that city. They were the parents of sixteen children, seven of whom survive.James A. Yeend was a lad of fourteen years when he crossed the Atlanticto the United States in company with his parents. He had acquired his education in England and remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Two years later he took up a preemption claim of one hundred and twenty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Walla Walla county but in 1883 sold this property to his father. He then removed to Whitman county, Washington, where he took up a homestead and timber claim, upon which he lived for twelve years and through that period wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his property, for he brought much of the land under a high state of cultivation. In 1896 he sold that place and came to Walla Walla county, where he now resides. Here he owns three hundred and eighty-four acres of rich and productive land, upon which he has placed many modern improvements, including an attractive home and substantial buildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He is an energetic and progressive farmer and his place presents a most attractive appearance, indicative of the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields and also indicative of the careful supervision which he gives to all branches of the farm work.On the 15th of December, 1883, Mr. Yeend was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Chandler, also a native of Gloucestershire, England, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Surman) Chandler. Her father died in that country and her mother came to America in October, 1882, locating in Whitman county, Washington, where she took up a homestead claim and spent the remainder of her life. To Mr. and Mrs. Yeend have been born eight children, namely: Ernest E., Edith M., Fred S. and Frank J., twins; Flora E., William A., Olive and Esther A.Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Yeend serving now as one of the trustees. His political support is given to the republican party and he has served for sixteen years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and is not only one of the self-made men of Walla Walla county but is also one of its most progressive farmers and in all that he does holds to the highest standards of agricultural development and activity.SURMAN N. YEEND.Surman N. Yeend, one of the leading wheat raisers of the Walla Walla valley, residing at Valley Grove, was born in England, May 21, 1866, a son of William and Ellen Yeend, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of their son James.Surman N. Yeend was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, having been but a young lad when brought by his parents to the new world. The family home was established in the northwest and he has since been familiar with the upbuilding and progress of this section of the country. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time betweenthe duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, and his early training in farm work well qualified him to take up work of that character on his own account after he had reached man's estate. He located on the place which is now his home and which comprises seven hundred acres of rich and productive land, all under cultivation. He makes a specialty of the growing of wheat and his broad fields present a most pleasing picture, giving indication of abundant harvests. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising and keeps upon his farm high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In all of his business affairs he displays a progressive spirit and keeps in touch with every improvement that has to do with farm life.Mr. Yeend has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna M. Harper and to them were born two children: Charles E.; and Helen, the wife of Arthur Anderson. The wife and mother passed away and in 1901 Mr. Yeend was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Loland, a native of Washington. They have become parents of six children: Cleola M., Roland A., Allen C., Wilbur H., Lowell W. and Howard S.Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are members of the Nazarene church. Mr. Yeend votes with the republican party and has served on the census board, filling that position in 1900. He is not active in politics, however, preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his farming interests, and by his close application in business affairs and his unremitting industry he has won a very gratifying measure of success, being now numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county.WILLIS RESER.Willis Reser is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 5, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county. He has been a resident of the Walla Walla valley since 1863 and in the intervening period, covering fifty-four years, has been closely and prominently identified with its agricultural development.He was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 29, 1856, and is a son of George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, William Reser, on another page of this work. The family arrived in the Walla Walla valley in 1863, so that Willis Reser was here reared and educated. He became familiar with every phase of pioneer life and with the arduous task of developing a new farm. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and later purchased the property upon which he now resides, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which constituted his father's old homestead. Upon this place he has since lived and he also has a residence in Walla Walla, which he occupies a part of the time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In his pastures are found good grades of stock and everything about his place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive spirit and one who is thoroughly familiar with the line of work in which he engages. He has closely studied the soil and climatic conditions inrelation to the production of crops and he has made an equally close study of the best methods of stock raising. Success is therefore attending his efforts and he is numbered among the substantial farmers of this section of the state.In May, 1884, Mr. Reser was united in marriage to Miss Mima Kirkland, who was born in Oregon, a daughter of Joseph E. and Mary (Standefer) Kirkland. The father was a native of Illinois but was reared principally in Arkansas and crossed the plains in the '50s. The journey was made with teams over the long, hot stretches of sand and across the mountain passes until ultimately he reached Oregon. Still later he removed to Walla Walla county and settled upon a farm. Joseph E. Kirkland was an attorney by profession and engaged in the practice of law for several years in addition to the conduct of his agricultural interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Reser have been born four children: George, who is now located in Detroit, Michigan; Joseph, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Willis H., who is still at home.Mrs. Reser is a member of the Congregational church and is a lady of many admirable traits of character who enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Politically Mr. Reser gives his support to the democratic party. He served for some years as a member of the school board but has always preferred that his public service should be done as a private citizen rather than as an office holder. He stands loyally, however, for what he believes to be for the best interests of the community and through the long years of his residence in this county he has given his aid and influence in behalf of those projects and measures which he has believed would prove of greatest benefit to the section. The county to which he came in 1863 bore little resemblance to the highly developed district which is here seen today. He has witnessed all of the changes which have occurred in the interim and can speak with authority upon many events which have shaped the history of Walla Walla county.GILBERT HUNT.Gilbert Hunt solely through his own efforts gained a place among the industrial leaders of Walla Walla, being the head of a company known as the largest manufacturers of farm machinery in the northwest, and he was equally prominent in civic affairs, serving for three terms as mayor. He was born in Ryegate, Vermont, January 27, 1855, a son of Solomon Sherman and Katherine Hunt. He was reared in a home where as he studied he was taught to work hard, think deeply and live simply, and his life was characterized by the "plain living and high thinking" characteristic of New England. The family were in limited financial circumstances and he early began to do his part toward providing for his own support. The first work that he performed for others was pasturing the cattle of the villagers, driving them to pasture in the early morning and returning with them in the evening. Later he worked his way through the academy at Peacham and each week end walked home, a distance of ten miles, in order to give his father the benefit of his labor on Saturday.GILBERT HUNTIn early manhood Mr. Hunt was employed for some time as a millwright, later engaged in the manufacture of washboards, and he was also for a time a furniture painter and an organ tuner. During these early years he had to contend not only against poverty but also against ill health and at length it became necessary that he have outdoor employment and accordingly he peddled tinware through the country. At length, having received very favorable reports of Walla Walla from the Rev. Cobleigh, pastor of the Congregational church here and formerly pastor of the church in McIndoes, Vermont, Mr. Hunt decided to try his fortune in this new western country. After a journey of three weeks he reached this city and found work in the Glasford planing mill, which, however, shut down in the autumn. Although somewhat discouraged, he was dissuaded from carrying out his determination of going elsewhere by a merchant of the city and gradually he gained a foothold and in time became the head of the Gilbert Hunt Company, one of the largest industrial concerns of the entire northwest and the largest producers of farm machinery in this section. Mr. Hunt not only proved himself an executive of great force but also a successful inventor and was the originator of the Pride of Washington thresher. The memory of his early struggles remained with him and when boys applied for work in the "Hunt shops" and the foreman said that they had no vacancies Mr. Hunt gave orders that work be found in some way in order to give the boys a chance.This desire to be of assistance found expression in many ways and there was no project for the advancement of his city that failed to receive his hearty support. In many instances Mr. Hunt initiated and carried to successful completion movements for public improvements, such as the paving of the center business district, the extension of the water system providing for the present intake twelve miles above the city, the betterment of the sewage system, the securing of the Carnegie library and the establishment of public parks. He was one of the most effective workers for well advised publicity for Walla Walla and its surrounding territory and recognized the value of building up a reputation for Walla Walla as a good convention city. For three terms he served as mayor and one who knew him for thirty years said of him in that connection: "Gilbert Hunt brought to the office of mayor long training and experience in large business affairs and great executive and administrative ability. He was a man of fine presence, meeting people easily and agreeably, was informed as to his official duties, had a clear idea of the things to be done, and inspired confidence in his ability to do them."Mr. Hunt was married in McIndoes, Vermont, June 10, 1876, to Miss Hopie M. Osgood, who is descended from Revolutionary ancestry. To this marriage were born four children, of whom three survive: Mabelle H., the wife of Wilbur A. Toner, an attorney of Walla Walla; Eugene A., who married Jessie M. Babcock, a daughter of W. H. Babcock, of Walla Walla, and is now living in Hong-kong, China, engaged in the exporting and importing business; and Marguerite A., the wife of Gus Meese, Jr., of Spokane, Washington.Mr. Hunt was a prominent Mason and was devoted to the order, which he recognized as a great force for good. He was master of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., for seven years, was a Knight Templar and was also connected with the Mystic Shrine. In early manhood he belonged to the Congregational church but later was one of the organizers and the first president of the ChristianScience church of Walla Walla. He manifested the keenest interest in educational matters and for eight years served on the board of education, during which time the High and Green Park school buildings were erected, and he was also connected in an official capacity with Whitman College, being a member of its board of trustees at the time of his death. He passed away December 15, 1914, and the grief felt by his many friends found expression in words of love and admiration for his splendid qualities. An editorial writer in the Portland Journal said: "Not alone in public service did his great heart beat, but the life of many an individual was made brighter by a helpful word and a charitable hand." A well known educator who had known him for twenty-five years wrote as follows: "I always found his wit, his geniality, his ready sympathy, his practical sagacity, his helpfulness, sources of strength and encouragement. In the great loss which his family, his friends, the community has suffered in his death we may assuredly find solace in the hope that those qualities which we loved in him are enduring."PHILIP J. PENTECOST.Philip J. Pentecost is now living retired in Walla Walla but for many years was actively and successfully identified with farming interests. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 13, 1856, a son of William C. and Jemima (Wilcox) Pentecost, the former a native of Somersetshire, England, while the latter was born near Utica, New York. The father came to the United States when a lad of fourteen years in company with his parents and settled in New York, where he afterward married. Two children were born to him and his wife in the Empire state. Later he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1875 became a resident of Seattle, Washington. Soon afterward he went to Portland, Oregon, and still later to Albany, where he and his wife spent the summer. In the following fall they came northward to Walla Walla, looking for a suitable location, and soon after reaching this place the father and his son, Philip J., went up to Spokane, leaving the family in Walla Walla. They returned just before Christmas and spent the winter in this city. The following spring, however, they returned to Seattle, where they remained for a few weeks and thence removed to Forest Grove, Oregon. During their roamings they managed through their work to get together a spike team, consisting of three horses, one leading other two, and after spending the summer in Forest Grove they again came to Walla Walla, driving through by team. After passing through the Indian reservation they reached the Walla Walla valley. The mother was riding in the back of the wagon with the front cover drawn, but just before reaching the valley she had raised the cover to look out and soon remarked, "I should think all the children could find homes here," and a few moments later one of the sons said to her that they had reached their camping place. She did not reply and they found that she was dead, having expired from heart disease in the few moments after speaking to them. The family brought the body on to Walla Walla for interment. They spent the winter in the town and in the spring of 1877 Mr. Pentecost purchased a tract of four hundred acres of choice land located in Spring Valley, about eight miles northeast of the city, on the Waitsburg road. He contracted for this land at a basis of seven dollars per acre, to be paid for with wheat at fifty cents per bushel.PHILIP J. PENTECOSTMRS. PHILIP J. PENTECOSTThis land was afterward paid for by Philip J. Pentecost and an older brother, Charles N., and thus came into their possession. For thirty years the two brothers cooperated in their farming enterprise and in the meantime added to their holdings until the place comprised a thousand acres. Charles N. Pentecost afterward acquired extensive land holdings elsewhere and Philip J. Pentecost purchased his interest in the Walla Walla county farm, which he still owns independently. He also has four hundred acres on Blue Creek which is largely grazing land and on which he runs as high as a hundred head of cattle at a time. About 1901 he left the farm and took up his abode in the city in order to give his children better educational opportunities and since then has resided in Walla Walla, having a handsome residence at 603 Cherry street. He also owns four other city residences. For the past seven years he has rented his farm lands and has practically lived retired.On the 29th of June, 1889, Mr. Pentecost was united in marriage to Mrs. Joseph Maul, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Wolfe and is a daughter of Harry Wolfe, who crossed the plains to Washington with a horse team in 1888. By her first husband Mrs. Pentecost had a daughter, Catherine Z. M., now Mrs. Stanley Sleeper of Lewiston, Idaho, and to Mr. and Mrs. Pentecost has also been born a daughter, Sadie R., who is the wife of A. E. Page, of Walla Walla.Mr. Pentecost gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with Trinity Lodge, I. O. O. F. and with Walla Walla Camp, No. 96, W. O. W. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church, of which he was a deacon for years and is now one of the trustees. The family is one of prominence in Walla Walla and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them. Mr. Pentecost has made for himself a very creditable position in business circles, ranking for many years as one of the leading wheat growers of this section of the state, and his life record constitutes an example well worthy of emulation.GEORGE BENSON KUYKENDALL, M. D.Dr. George Benson Kuykendall, one of the foremost physicians of eastern Washington, practicing at Pomeroy, was born near Terre Haute, Indiana, January 22, 1843, a son of John and Malinda (Stark) Kuykendall. The early family history is found in the New York Dutch Church or Dutch Reformed Baptismal records and in the county records of New York county. The family comes of Holland Dutch ancestry, the home being originally near Wageningen, in the Gelderland province, from which came the ancestors of Theodore Roosevelt. The first of the name in America was Jacob Luursen Van Kuykendael, who came to America on the ship de Princess from Holland in 1646 and landed at New Amsterdam, now New York. The Van in the family name was retained until about 1730. The ancestors were with the Van Rensselaer colony at old Fort Orange and afterward removed to Esopus, New York. Later the sons and daughters of that generation went to the Minisink region, on the Delaware,about 1700, and subsequently the branch of the family of which Dr. Kuykendall is a representative was founded in Virginia between 1743 and 1748, probably in the latter year. His mother came from the same ancestry as General John Stark of Revolutionary war fame, and their progenitors were originally from near Essen, Germany.The father of Dr. Kuykendall, who was a mechanic, removed westward with his family when his son George was three years of age, residing in Wisconsin until 1852, when he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. That was the memorable year of the cholera, smallpox and pestilence and they were delayed en route by illness and many difficulties. They found themselves far back in the rear part of the emigration. Their days were full of toil and anxiety and their nights were spent much of the time in vigils over the sick and dying or in warding against the prowling savages of the plains. When their train reached Snake river, their stock were almost famished and they crossed the river in the hope of finding better grass. From there they made their way over country never before traversed by wagons. At the crossing of the river the father became ill with mountain fever and a little daughter had already suffered from measles and was apparently growing worse. For weeks these helpless ones were dragged over the sagebrush and sand plains of southern Idaho in a rough emigrant wagon. Finally, when nearly all the stock had died, they abandoned their wagon, and the few household goods they could carry were put into the wagon belonging to a brother who was traveling in the same company. After almost incredible hardships and discouragements they reached The Dalles, Oregon, where they shipped their wagon and the household goods that remained upon an open barge and started to float down the Columbia. The father was still ill and the little sister at the point of death. That night the barge tied up on the Oregon side of the river and during the hours of darkness the mother kept tearful watch over the sick and wasted form of the father and her dying little girl, who about midnight passed away. Early in the morning a rude, improvised pine box was made ready and the little one was buried on the banks of Columbia, where the trade winds sweeping up from the ocean and the murmur of the river's flow are her eternal requiem. The pressing demands of the hour would not permit them to linger over the grave, but all had to press on, for they were far from their homeland and had no home or shelter for the coming winter. They reached the Cascades, passed over the portage and took a boat below, reaching the banks of the Willamette, where East Portland now stands, on the 19th of October, 1852.The family spent their first winter at Milwaukee, above Portland, and in the fall of 1853 went to southern Oregon, locating near Roseburg. At a very early age Dr. Kuykendall manifested a taste for reading, which was encouraged by his father, who also found great delight in books. Dr. Kuykendall read with pleasure works on travel and discovery, exploration, history, biography and whatever he could find and as he approached manhood became very fond of metaphysical reading, delighting in poring over such writings as Kant, Abercrombie, Dugald Stewart and also reading works on mental philosophy. All this time he was pursuing the advanced studies of an academic and collegiate course and later took up the study of materia medica and medicine. About that time his father had a dangerous illness and reached the point where the attendingphysicians gave up the case. Dr. Kuykendall was not willing that his father should die, however, and said to the family: "We will go on and try still further—he may yet recover." This was before the son had become a student in medical college. He devoted himself assiduously to the study of his father's symptoms, scarcely leaving the bedside to eat or sleep for a week. The father recovered and enjoyed many years of later usefulness. The attending physicians, recognizing what the young son had accomplished, said: "Young man, it is clear what you ought to do in life. You should study and practice medicine."A few years later, therefore, George Benson Kuykendall became a student in Willamette University and was graduated at the head of his class, in the medical department, and at once entered upon active medical practice. Within a few months he was appointed to the position of government physician at Fort Simcoe, Washington, where he enjoyed a large practice in addition to the government work. He there took up the special study of microscopy and chemical research, particularly as related to toxicology and medical jurisprudence. He also did much work in Micro-photography to aid in differentiation of tissues, cells and blood corpuscles and while thus engaged he made a fine collection of mounted specimens, both physiological and pathological.While at Fort Simcoe he was requested by Professor J. W. Powell of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C., to make a study of the ethnology of the native Indians of the Pacific northwest—a line which he followed up as his time would permit. He collected many traditions, myths, ancient laws and customs of the Indian tribes and wrote an account of these for preservation. In this work all traditions and myths were obtained at first hand from the Indians themselves. Later he wrote a series of papers on the subject for The West Shore, a magazine then published in Portland, Oregon. After ten years with the government at Fort Simcoe, the Doctor found his family growing and needing better facilities for education and social culture and accordingly resigned his position and located at Pomeroy, Washington.It was in 1868 that Dr. Kuykendall married Miss E. J. Butler, a daughter of Judge Benjamin Butler, of Douglas county, Oregon, who later removed to Pomeroy, where he was judge of probate for many years. The Doctor has an interesting and intelligent family of five sons and three daughters. In his marriage he was peculiarly fortunate, Mrs. Kuykendall being a lady of marked intelligence and practical good judgment. His eldest son, Chester Ernest, is a druggist and dealer in books, musical instruments and fancy holiday goods. He is a popular man who for years has been closely identified with the interests of Pomeroy as one of the leaders in educational work, being a member of the board of directors of the Pomeroy high school and also mayor of the city. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and has been church organist for years. Elgin Victor, the next son, is a prominent attorney and was elected to the state senate from the counties of Garfield, Columbia and Asotin by a large majority. George Vivian, the third son, is chief operator in the offices of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. William B. is engaged in the real estate and insurance business and is now reading law preparatory to practice. Hubert John is in the drug store with his brother Chester. All these sons are married and with the exception of George all are residents of Pomeroy. MinniePearl and Grace Orlean, are the elder daughters. The former is the wife of R. B. Spencer, of Hermiston, Oregon, and the younger is the wife of G. C. Start, of Sunnyside, Washington. Both have decided talent for painting and Mrs. Spencer taught oil Painting in Pomeroy for years. The youngest daughter, Bessie, is at home with her parents.Dr. Kuykendall has had an extensive acquaintance among the prominent pioneer settlers of Oregon, including Rev. J. H. Wilbur, pioneer missionary minister, Hon. Binger Herman, Judges J. F. Watson, E. B. Watson and P. L. Willis, who were early friends in southern Oregon, Judge M. P. Deady and General Joseph Lane, Delazon Smith, Colonel Hooker, Governor Chadwick and others. In addition to his professional attainments Dr. Kuykendall has an enviable reputation as a writer. He has written much for the press and has always been very industrious in gathering up material for use in future writings. He has completed a history of the Kuykendall family for the past three hundred years, the family being of the old Knickerbocker stock of New York and New Jersey, whence they have gone as pioneers across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The family has been represented in every war of note since early colonial days. Dr. Kuykendall has retired from the active practice of medicine and spends his leisure in reading and writing. He has a collection of data pertaining to Indian mythology, ethnology and customs which he hopes yet to be able to publish, besides other matter written during the passing years.Dr. Kuykendall has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, actively connected with its social and moral endeavors for the benefit of the community. He has always made it a point to support every movement for the good of the community with his money as well as with his personal aid. He has been too busy to give much attention to money making but has prospered sufficiently to have gained a good competence. His father was liberal to a fault and when he gave, as the Doctor thought, too liberally of his means the Doctor always helped him out. The latter has always been glad to remember this generosity of his father and has been stimulated by his example to think more of "the other fellow." Since its organization he has been a member of the Garfield County Pioneer Association and for some years has been its secretary. He is a member of the Oregon Historical Society and the Holland Society of New York city. To belong to this society one must be able to show documentary evidence of having come from an ancestor born of a forefather who came from Holland to America before 1675.WALLACE LEROY WHITMORE.Few men of the northwest have been more widely known than Wallace Leroy Whitmore, now deceased. He resided on section 21, township 13 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, but for more than forty years he traveled extensively over this country as a commercial salesman and he was also known throughout the Pacific coast states as a breeder of fast horses. He had those special qualities which make for personal popularity and wherever he went he made friends. He was born in Oakland, Oregon, June 8, 1857, and was a son of George and Mary (Vaughn) Whitmore, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. They crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852 and in 1867 removed to San Francisco, California, where they made their home for a number of years. The mother made her home with Wallace Leroy Whitmore most of her life, his filial care and attention rewarding her for the love which she had bestowed upon him in his boyhood days.Wallace Leroy Whitmore was little more than a boy when he was sent out on the road by a wholesale clothing house of San Francisco. This, however, was not his initial experience in the business world, for through two years he had been employed as a messenger boy. For forty years he remained upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing two San Francisco houses—a wonderful record characterized by the utmost fidelity and loyalty as well as capability. He won for the houses which he represented a very liberal patronage, for he was thoroughly reliable in business affairs and men came to know that whatever he said was to be depended upon. After four decades devoted to travel he left the road in order to give his entire time to his stock and landed interests. In the meantime he had purchased property until he owned twenty-seven hundred acres in Garfield county. He was a lover of the thoroughbred horse and was a pioneer in the breeding of standard and thoroughbred horses in Garfield county, raising them more for pleasure than for profit. His blooded stock, of which Coloma, the noted sire, was the head, became known wherever racing was popular. In fact Mr. Whitmore's reputation in this regard spread wherever there was to be found anyone who desired a fast horse for pleasure driving. In his three-year-old form Coloma took every Derby in Montana and his owner refused ten thousand dollars for him. Bill Frazier, who was taken east from Portland, has a pacing mark of 2:12; Minnie Mann was also a horse with a notable record and Ken West at one time could step the quarter in thirty seconds, while Hallie Hinges, Daybreak, Sallie Goodwin and a long list of other running and pacing horses became well known on the circuit. Swiftsure, Coloma's first colt, sold for five thousand dollars at two years old and many others brought the breeder record prices, but despite this fact it was said that Mr. Whitmore put more money into race horse breeding than he ever got out of it. He was a very progressive man and his farm was one of the best improved properties in the county. He erected thereon good buildings, kept them painted and in good condition at all times, installed an electric light system and equipped his home and buildings with the most modern improvements.On the 2d of December, 1889, Mr. Whitmore was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williams, of San Francisco, who is a native of New York. Her father was Arthur Williams, a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York Engineering Corps during the Civil war, who re-enlisted in the field after his discharge and was given a large bounty. Mrs. Whitmore's mother prior to her marriage was Miss Hannah E. Poorman. After the close of the Civil war she brought her two children to the Pacific coast, making the journey by sailing vessel around Cape Horn. She took up her abode in San Francisco and afterward became the wife of Horace Eldred, proprietor of the State House Hotel of Sacramento. Several years later Mr. Eldred's death occurred and his widow afterward lived in southern California until her death, which occurred in Portland, Oregon, in 1901.Mrs. Whitmore is an accomplished woman of marked business ability as wellas of many social graces. She manages her extensive property holdings with keen sagacity, displaying unfaltering enterprise, and her labors are attended with excellent results. The death of Mr. Whitmore occurred September 8, 1916, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many friends. He was a man of genial, kindly nature, always approachable and at all times he held friendship inviolable. His well managed business affairs and investments enabled him to leave Mrs. Whitmore in very comfortable financial circumstances and she is today the owner of one of the valuable farm properties of Garfield county. Like her husband, she is widely and favorably known and her friends are legion.W. E. AYRES.W. E. Ayres, while actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, managed his affairs so ably that he attained financial independence and is now living retired upon his home farm in Columbia county. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, February 8, 1841, a son of Eli L. and Ruth (Stevens) Ayres, natives respectively of England and Canada. Following their marriage in the Dominion the parents removed to Illinois in the latter '30s and resided there for a few years but in 1842 went to Appanoose county, Iowa. There the father acquired title to land and engaged in farming until called by death, although he was by profession a physician and Baptist minister. Subsequently the mother removed with her family to Linn county, Oregon, reaching there in 1864, when the Pacific northwest was still largely undeveloped. Eventually she became a resident of Walla Walla county, Washington, and there passed away.W. E. Ayres, who is one of four living children in a family of six, grew to manhood in Iowa and there obtained his education. He accompanied his mother to Oregon and for seven years was resident of that state but at the end of that time took up a homestead in Old Walla Walla county, Washington, his farm being located in what is now Columbia county. His first residence was a log cabin and his experiences for a few years were those of all pioneers. At length, however, his land was brought under cultivation, substantial improvements were made thereon and adequate facilities for transportation and communication with other parts of the country were secured. He found farming both profitable and congenial and continued to engage in stock and wheat raising until he retired. He still owns 960 acres of fine land.In 1868 Mr. Ayres was married to Miss Martha S. Redford, of Henry county, Missouri, a daughter of Walker P. and Nancy (Davis) Redford, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. In the '30s Mr. and Mrs. Redford removed to Missouri and there the father died in 1861. Three years later the mother, with her children, made the long journey across the plains by ox team. For three years they resided in Union county, Oregon, and then went to Linn county, when they came to Washington, where the mother passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres have become the parents of eleven children: Eudora, the widow of W. J. Beal and a resident of Pomeroy, Washington; Willie and Robert, both deceased; James P., who is also living in Pomeroy; Anna; William S., a resident of Pineville, Oregon; Nancy, deceased; Mary C., a home missionary stationed in western Oregon; Palmer, a farmer; Sarah, the wife of Sanford Skillman, who is farming the home place; and Albert E., an agriculturist of Pomeroy.W. E. AYRES AND FAMILYMr. Ayres is a democrat in politics and has served as county treasurer, as county commissioner and as a member of the school board, which office he held for years. His record as a public official is highly creditable both to his ability and his devotion to the general good, and as a private citizen he has given his support to movements calculated to advance the interests of his community. He takes justifiable pride in the fact that he has had a part in the development of this section and believes that nowhere can the agriculturist find better opportunities.LOUIS NEACE.On the pages of Walla Walla county's pioneer history appears the name of Louis Neace, who took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla when it was a mere military post. As the years passed on he became prominently identified with agricultural interests in this section of the state and ranked with the foremost business men. He was born near Frankfort, Germany, September 27, 1835, and was but twelve years of age when he came to the United States with an uncle, who was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. From that time forward Louis Neace never saw his family nor his native country. His father had been a member of the forestry department in Germany, an official position to which only men who were scholars and had special training in the science of forestry were eligible.Becoming a resident of Orange, New Jersey, Louis Neace was there employed in a sash and blind factory, in which he served a four years' apprenticeship, thereby gaining thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the work. In the meantime, however, he spent one winter in Florida, where he was employed in driving a mule team for the owner of a lumber mill on the St. Mary's river. When his apprenticeship was ended he removed to the middle west and at the recommendation of friends in Orange, New Jersey, he secured a position in a sash and blind factory at Fulton, Illinois.The west, however, still lured him on and afterward he made a tour of Kansas, at which time the state was the battleground of the parties who were contending whether it should be admitted as a free or a slave state. Not desiring to become a landowner in Kansas under such conditions, Mr. Neace joined a construction crew at Independence, Missouri, and started across the country for Harney Lake, Oregon, the crew being engaged to lay out a road in that section. The Mormons were at that time a menace to all travelers through Utah and the crew was placed under military protection, spending the winter of 1856-7 at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. The Mormons destroyed several of the supply wagon trains of the fort and their rations were reduced for a period to two small biscuits per day. Hardly any salt was obtainable throughout the entire winter and the first that was brought in sold at a dollar per pound. In 1857 Mr. Neace became a resident of Los Angeles, California, which was then a tiny village, and from that point, he continued his journey northward to San Francisco,where he became a passenger on the steamer Columbia. A northward trip brought him to the mouth of the Umpqua river, where he disembarked and spent the winter, reaching The Dalles, Oregon, in the spring of 1858.From that point Mr. Neace came to Walla Walla as an employe of Lieutenant Mullan, who was in charge of the construction of a military road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Montana, which is still known as the Mullan road. After completing the work the crew spent the winter in Fort Benton and in the following year Major Blake arrived from St. Louis with troops on his way to Fort Walla Walla and Mr. Neace returned with him, after which he remained a resident of eastern Washington. When he first visited Walla Walla there was only a cantonment built by Colonel Steptoe in the fall of 1856. It consisted of a few rude log huts along what is now East Main street, west of Palouse, these huts constituting the winter quarters for the military troops who were here stationed as a protection to the few settlers who had penetrated into this region. In 1861 Mr. Neace took up his abode on the Tucannon river, at the present site of Starbuck, for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business there. The most severe winter ever known in the Pacific northwest followed. He was at the time a young man of but twenty-six. Undiscouraged by the severity of the winter, he bought a right to a place on the Pataha river, a tributary of the Tucanon, and continued in the live stock business, there remaining until 1870, when he removed to the Lock & Long mill near Dayton. A little later he took up his abode on a farm north of Waitsburg and the place has since been known as the Neace farm. He afterward purchased what was known as the Anderson Cox residence in Waitsburg and the family home was there established. As the years passed on Mr. Neace added to his holdings from time to time as his financial resources increased and became one of the most extensive landowners of Washington. When asked how great were his possessions he replied: "I do not know." In addition to his Washington holdings he had considerable land in Montana. Possessing sound judgment and keen sagacity, his investments were most judiciously made and with the settlement and development of the county his land rose constantly in value, making his estate a most substantial one.On the 6th of October, 1864, Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harrington, of Walla Walla, and they became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Mrs. D. C. Eaton; Mrs. S. F. Patton; Frank and Charles, of Waitsburg; John and Louis, of Millstone, Montana; Mrs. Ellen Hauber, of Portland; and James and Isaac, of Endicott.Aside from his extensive connection with farming interests Mr. Neace had for a number of years been president of the First National Bank of Waitsburg. For more than forty years he was member of the Masonic fraternity exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. He was a member of the constitutional convention of Washington and thus in many ways left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the state. His philanthropy was ever a salient factor in his life. He aided generously many benevolent institutions and gave freely to individuals. He never believed in that indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy and idleness, but wherever possible to extend a helping hand to assist a traveler, making earnest effort toprogress on life's journey, he did not hesitate to do so. His life, honorable and upright in act and purpose, gained for him the high esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact, and what he did for the county in the way of its agricultural development and in other connections entitles him to prominent mention among the builders of the great Inland Empire. He died January 12, 1916.ADOLPH SCHWARZ.Adolph Schwarz, who is conducting a pool and billiard hall in Walla Walla, was born in Germany, December 24, 1853, son of John Joseph and Theresa (Rieder) Schwarz, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland. Mr. Schwarz of this review attended the public schools of Germany in the acquirement of his education and remained with his parents until he was sixteen years old. At that age he emigrated to America and for a year resided in New York, after which he spent a similar length of time in Pennsylvania. He then went to California but in 1876 went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later to New York. He spent the winter in the east but in the following spring he again came west and for about a year was employed on a boat running on the Columbia river. In October, 1877, he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, and for three years was in the employ of others. In 1880, however, he established a pool and billiard hall in the city of Walla Walla and has since conducted that business. His place is well equipped and is managed on such a high plane that it receives the support of the best class of people. He was also one of the organizers of the local brewing company and had an active part in the management of the business until the brewery closed down. The company is still in existence, however, and still owns the plant.In 1894 Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to Miss Lula Stahl, a daughter of J. H. Stahl, and to them have been born four children: Lillian E., a graduate of the local high school; Ruth and Adolph, both high school students; and Catherine.Mr. Schwarz is independent in politics, believing the qualifications of a candidate to be of far greater importance than his party affiliation. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles, the Red Men and the Foresters of the World. Both he and his wife belong to the Episcopal church and Mrs. Schwarz is active in its work.FREDERICK P. YENNEY.Frederick P. Yenney, a retired farmer residing in Walla Walla, was born in Baden, Germany, February 27, 1852, a son of Frederick and Susanna (Swigard) Yenney, both natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Frederick P. Yenney, who is the only son in a family of seven children, and the only one in America, grew to manhood in his native country and there acquired his education. In 1881 he came to the United States and after livingfor six years in Kankakee county, Illinois, removed to Minnesota, where he spent two years. In 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, but after residing here for one summer went to Lincoln county this state, and purchased a farm, which he operated until 1905. He then retired from active life and removed to Walla Walla, trading his farm in Lincoln county for land in Walla Walla county and now has four hundred and eighty-five acres of improved land near Walla Walla. He owns his fine residence at No. 350 South Third street.Mr. Yenney was married in 1875, in Germany, to Miss Catharine Lavber and they have four children, namely: Conrad, John W. and Emil, all of whom are farmers; and Matilda, the wife of George C. Raymond, a resident of Fresno, California.Mr. Yenney is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never had the time nor inclination to seek office. Both he and his wife hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church of Walla Walla.BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FLATHERS.Benjamin Franklin Flathers, deceased, was one of the old and honored residents of Walla Walla, where he made his home for almost half a century. He was born near Louisville, Kentucky, on the 20th of August, 1836, and was a son of John and Julia Flathers. During his boyhood he received a limited education in the country schools near his home. He was only a small boy when the family removed to Iowa and located on a farm. When still quite young he sought new and more favorable conditions of life and left home, roughing it in various parts of the United States for some time. He finally arrived in New York city, where he mustered on a freight ship, and made the long voyage around the Horn, landing in San Francisco, after having experienced some very rough weather.Throughout his business career Mr. Flathers was variously employed. When a young man he engaged in firing on a railroad for a short time and on reaching California in 1854 became a packer, operating a train along the coast. He remained a resident of the Golden state until 1861 and from there removed to The Dalles, Oregon, whence he came to Walla Walla, Washington. He continued to operate a pack train until 1869, traveling from Montana to Arizona, but in that year he sold his outfit to the government while in the latter state. In 1870 he located on a homestead in Walla Walla county, where for years he conducted a forage station, furnishing accommodations for travelers over the old Mullen trail from Walla Walla. He gradually worked into agriculture and continued to follow farming for thirty years with good success but at the end of that time retired from active labor and divided his magnificent farm among his children. With a comfortable fortune he then removed to Walla Walla, where his last days were spent in ease and quiet. There he passed away on May 10, 1910, leaving his immediate family as well as many friends to mourn his loss.

JEREMIAH M. CAMP

JEREMIAH M. CAMP

JEREMIAH M. CAMP

MRS. JEREMIAH M. CAMP

MRS. JEREMIAH M. CAMP

MRS. JEREMIAH M. CAMP

Jeremiah M. Camp passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and is indebted for his education to its public schools. Following his marriage, February 12, 1858, at the age of twenty years, he became a resident of Knox County, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted there in Company I, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served at the front until the close of the Civil war in 1865. Although he took part in a great deal of hard fighting he was never wounded nor imprisoned. After being mustered out at Chicago he returned to Ohio, where his wife was then residing, and they continued to make their home in that state until 1867, when they went to the vicinity of Washington, Iowa, where Mr. Camp engaged in farming for three years. In 1870 he went to Kansas and in 1883 came to Washington. After staying for a time in Walla Walla county he removed to Whitman county, where he took up a homestead. He at once gave his entire time and attention to the task of developing that farm and as the years passed made many improvements thereon. In 1904 he retired and took up his residence in Walla Walla, where he now lives. He still owns sixteen hundred and sixty acres of land in Whitman county, all in a high state of cultivation, and derives therefrom a gratifying income. The success which he has gained is doubly creditable in that it is due to his quickness to see and take advantage of opportunities, his good management and his hard work.

On the 12th of February, 1858, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Merritt, also a native of Vinton county, Ohio, and they traveled life's journey together for fifty-two years, Mrs. Camp dying in Walla Walla on the 8th of October, 1911. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Louis and Ida, both deceased; Hattie, the wife of William Barber, of Anthony, Kansas; A. I. and George, both residents of Whitman county, Washington; May, the wife of Theodore Harris, of Oklahoma; Sadie, the wife of Charles Pryor, of Dayton, Washington; and Archibald and Ira, both residents of Whitman county. The wife and mother was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Camp has voted the republican ticket since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has never been active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his farm work, and in so doing he has not only won financial independence but has also contributed to the development of this district along agricultural lines. Through his membership in the local Grand Army post he keeps in touch with the other veterans of the war and finds great pleasure in recalling the experiences of those days.

JAMES A. YEEND.

James A. Yeend is a self-made man who is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres, constituting a valuable farm property on section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, on the 8th of March, 1856, and is a son of William and Ellen (Surman) Yeend, who were natives of England, whence they crossed the Atlantic to the new world in December, 1870. They settled on a farm in section 20, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, and here the father passed away, while the mother later became a resident of Walla Walla and died in that city. They were the parents of sixteen children, seven of whom survive.

James A. Yeend was a lad of fourteen years when he crossed the Atlanticto the United States in company with his parents. He had acquired his education in England and remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Two years later he took up a preemption claim of one hundred and twenty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Walla Walla county but in 1883 sold this property to his father. He then removed to Whitman county, Washington, where he took up a homestead and timber claim, upon which he lived for twelve years and through that period wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his property, for he brought much of the land under a high state of cultivation. In 1896 he sold that place and came to Walla Walla county, where he now resides. Here he owns three hundred and eighty-four acres of rich and productive land, upon which he has placed many modern improvements, including an attractive home and substantial buildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He is an energetic and progressive farmer and his place presents a most attractive appearance, indicative of the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields and also indicative of the careful supervision which he gives to all branches of the farm work.

On the 15th of December, 1883, Mr. Yeend was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Chandler, also a native of Gloucestershire, England, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Surman) Chandler. Her father died in that country and her mother came to America in October, 1882, locating in Whitman county, Washington, where she took up a homestead claim and spent the remainder of her life. To Mr. and Mrs. Yeend have been born eight children, namely: Ernest E., Edith M., Fred S. and Frank J., twins; Flora E., William A., Olive and Esther A.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Yeend serving now as one of the trustees. His political support is given to the republican party and he has served for sixteen years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and is not only one of the self-made men of Walla Walla county but is also one of its most progressive farmers and in all that he does holds to the highest standards of agricultural development and activity.

SURMAN N. YEEND.

Surman N. Yeend, one of the leading wheat raisers of the Walla Walla valley, residing at Valley Grove, was born in England, May 21, 1866, a son of William and Ellen Yeend, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of their son James.

Surman N. Yeend was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, having been but a young lad when brought by his parents to the new world. The family home was established in the northwest and he has since been familiar with the upbuilding and progress of this section of the country. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time betweenthe duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, and his early training in farm work well qualified him to take up work of that character on his own account after he had reached man's estate. He located on the place which is now his home and which comprises seven hundred acres of rich and productive land, all under cultivation. He makes a specialty of the growing of wheat and his broad fields present a most pleasing picture, giving indication of abundant harvests. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising and keeps upon his farm high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In all of his business affairs he displays a progressive spirit and keeps in touch with every improvement that has to do with farm life.

Mr. Yeend has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna M. Harper and to them were born two children: Charles E.; and Helen, the wife of Arthur Anderson. The wife and mother passed away and in 1901 Mr. Yeend was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Loland, a native of Washington. They have become parents of six children: Cleola M., Roland A., Allen C., Wilbur H., Lowell W. and Howard S.

Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are members of the Nazarene church. Mr. Yeend votes with the republican party and has served on the census board, filling that position in 1900. He is not active in politics, however, preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his farming interests, and by his close application in business affairs and his unremitting industry he has won a very gratifying measure of success, being now numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county.

WILLIS RESER.

Willis Reser is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 5, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county. He has been a resident of the Walla Walla valley since 1863 and in the intervening period, covering fifty-four years, has been closely and prominently identified with its agricultural development.

He was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 29, 1856, and is a son of George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, William Reser, on another page of this work. The family arrived in the Walla Walla valley in 1863, so that Willis Reser was here reared and educated. He became familiar with every phase of pioneer life and with the arduous task of developing a new farm. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and later purchased the property upon which he now resides, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which constituted his father's old homestead. Upon this place he has since lived and he also has a residence in Walla Walla, which he occupies a part of the time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In his pastures are found good grades of stock and everything about his place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive spirit and one who is thoroughly familiar with the line of work in which he engages. He has closely studied the soil and climatic conditions inrelation to the production of crops and he has made an equally close study of the best methods of stock raising. Success is therefore attending his efforts and he is numbered among the substantial farmers of this section of the state.

In May, 1884, Mr. Reser was united in marriage to Miss Mima Kirkland, who was born in Oregon, a daughter of Joseph E. and Mary (Standefer) Kirkland. The father was a native of Illinois but was reared principally in Arkansas and crossed the plains in the '50s. The journey was made with teams over the long, hot stretches of sand and across the mountain passes until ultimately he reached Oregon. Still later he removed to Walla Walla county and settled upon a farm. Joseph E. Kirkland was an attorney by profession and engaged in the practice of law for several years in addition to the conduct of his agricultural interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Reser have been born four children: George, who is now located in Detroit, Michigan; Joseph, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Willis H., who is still at home.

Mrs. Reser is a member of the Congregational church and is a lady of many admirable traits of character who enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Politically Mr. Reser gives his support to the democratic party. He served for some years as a member of the school board but has always preferred that his public service should be done as a private citizen rather than as an office holder. He stands loyally, however, for what he believes to be for the best interests of the community and through the long years of his residence in this county he has given his aid and influence in behalf of those projects and measures which he has believed would prove of greatest benefit to the section. The county to which he came in 1863 bore little resemblance to the highly developed district which is here seen today. He has witnessed all of the changes which have occurred in the interim and can speak with authority upon many events which have shaped the history of Walla Walla county.

GILBERT HUNT.

Gilbert Hunt solely through his own efforts gained a place among the industrial leaders of Walla Walla, being the head of a company known as the largest manufacturers of farm machinery in the northwest, and he was equally prominent in civic affairs, serving for three terms as mayor. He was born in Ryegate, Vermont, January 27, 1855, a son of Solomon Sherman and Katherine Hunt. He was reared in a home where as he studied he was taught to work hard, think deeply and live simply, and his life was characterized by the "plain living and high thinking" characteristic of New England. The family were in limited financial circumstances and he early began to do his part toward providing for his own support. The first work that he performed for others was pasturing the cattle of the villagers, driving them to pasture in the early morning and returning with them in the evening. Later he worked his way through the academy at Peacham and each week end walked home, a distance of ten miles, in order to give his father the benefit of his labor on Saturday.

GILBERT HUNT

GILBERT HUNT

GILBERT HUNT

In early manhood Mr. Hunt was employed for some time as a millwright, later engaged in the manufacture of washboards, and he was also for a time a furniture painter and an organ tuner. During these early years he had to contend not only against poverty but also against ill health and at length it became necessary that he have outdoor employment and accordingly he peddled tinware through the country. At length, having received very favorable reports of Walla Walla from the Rev. Cobleigh, pastor of the Congregational church here and formerly pastor of the church in McIndoes, Vermont, Mr. Hunt decided to try his fortune in this new western country. After a journey of three weeks he reached this city and found work in the Glasford planing mill, which, however, shut down in the autumn. Although somewhat discouraged, he was dissuaded from carrying out his determination of going elsewhere by a merchant of the city and gradually he gained a foothold and in time became the head of the Gilbert Hunt Company, one of the largest industrial concerns of the entire northwest and the largest producers of farm machinery in this section. Mr. Hunt not only proved himself an executive of great force but also a successful inventor and was the originator of the Pride of Washington thresher. The memory of his early struggles remained with him and when boys applied for work in the "Hunt shops" and the foreman said that they had no vacancies Mr. Hunt gave orders that work be found in some way in order to give the boys a chance.

This desire to be of assistance found expression in many ways and there was no project for the advancement of his city that failed to receive his hearty support. In many instances Mr. Hunt initiated and carried to successful completion movements for public improvements, such as the paving of the center business district, the extension of the water system providing for the present intake twelve miles above the city, the betterment of the sewage system, the securing of the Carnegie library and the establishment of public parks. He was one of the most effective workers for well advised publicity for Walla Walla and its surrounding territory and recognized the value of building up a reputation for Walla Walla as a good convention city. For three terms he served as mayor and one who knew him for thirty years said of him in that connection: "Gilbert Hunt brought to the office of mayor long training and experience in large business affairs and great executive and administrative ability. He was a man of fine presence, meeting people easily and agreeably, was informed as to his official duties, had a clear idea of the things to be done, and inspired confidence in his ability to do them."

Mr. Hunt was married in McIndoes, Vermont, June 10, 1876, to Miss Hopie M. Osgood, who is descended from Revolutionary ancestry. To this marriage were born four children, of whom three survive: Mabelle H., the wife of Wilbur A. Toner, an attorney of Walla Walla; Eugene A., who married Jessie M. Babcock, a daughter of W. H. Babcock, of Walla Walla, and is now living in Hong-kong, China, engaged in the exporting and importing business; and Marguerite A., the wife of Gus Meese, Jr., of Spokane, Washington.

Mr. Hunt was a prominent Mason and was devoted to the order, which he recognized as a great force for good. He was master of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., for seven years, was a Knight Templar and was also connected with the Mystic Shrine. In early manhood he belonged to the Congregational church but later was one of the organizers and the first president of the ChristianScience church of Walla Walla. He manifested the keenest interest in educational matters and for eight years served on the board of education, during which time the High and Green Park school buildings were erected, and he was also connected in an official capacity with Whitman College, being a member of its board of trustees at the time of his death. He passed away December 15, 1914, and the grief felt by his many friends found expression in words of love and admiration for his splendid qualities. An editorial writer in the Portland Journal said: "Not alone in public service did his great heart beat, but the life of many an individual was made brighter by a helpful word and a charitable hand." A well known educator who had known him for twenty-five years wrote as follows: "I always found his wit, his geniality, his ready sympathy, his practical sagacity, his helpfulness, sources of strength and encouragement. In the great loss which his family, his friends, the community has suffered in his death we may assuredly find solace in the hope that those qualities which we loved in him are enduring."

PHILIP J. PENTECOST.

Philip J. Pentecost is now living retired in Walla Walla but for many years was actively and successfully identified with farming interests. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 13, 1856, a son of William C. and Jemima (Wilcox) Pentecost, the former a native of Somersetshire, England, while the latter was born near Utica, New York. The father came to the United States when a lad of fourteen years in company with his parents and settled in New York, where he afterward married. Two children were born to him and his wife in the Empire state. Later he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1875 became a resident of Seattle, Washington. Soon afterward he went to Portland, Oregon, and still later to Albany, where he and his wife spent the summer. In the following fall they came northward to Walla Walla, looking for a suitable location, and soon after reaching this place the father and his son, Philip J., went up to Spokane, leaving the family in Walla Walla. They returned just before Christmas and spent the winter in this city. The following spring, however, they returned to Seattle, where they remained for a few weeks and thence removed to Forest Grove, Oregon. During their roamings they managed through their work to get together a spike team, consisting of three horses, one leading other two, and after spending the summer in Forest Grove they again came to Walla Walla, driving through by team. After passing through the Indian reservation they reached the Walla Walla valley. The mother was riding in the back of the wagon with the front cover drawn, but just before reaching the valley she had raised the cover to look out and soon remarked, "I should think all the children could find homes here," and a few moments later one of the sons said to her that they had reached their camping place. She did not reply and they found that she was dead, having expired from heart disease in the few moments after speaking to them. The family brought the body on to Walla Walla for interment. They spent the winter in the town and in the spring of 1877 Mr. Pentecost purchased a tract of four hundred acres of choice land located in Spring Valley, about eight miles northeast of the city, on the Waitsburg road. He contracted for this land at a basis of seven dollars per acre, to be paid for with wheat at fifty cents per bushel.

PHILIP J. PENTECOST

PHILIP J. PENTECOST

PHILIP J. PENTECOST

MRS. PHILIP J. PENTECOST

MRS. PHILIP J. PENTECOST

MRS. PHILIP J. PENTECOST

This land was afterward paid for by Philip J. Pentecost and an older brother, Charles N., and thus came into their possession. For thirty years the two brothers cooperated in their farming enterprise and in the meantime added to their holdings until the place comprised a thousand acres. Charles N. Pentecost afterward acquired extensive land holdings elsewhere and Philip J. Pentecost purchased his interest in the Walla Walla county farm, which he still owns independently. He also has four hundred acres on Blue Creek which is largely grazing land and on which he runs as high as a hundred head of cattle at a time. About 1901 he left the farm and took up his abode in the city in order to give his children better educational opportunities and since then has resided in Walla Walla, having a handsome residence at 603 Cherry street. He also owns four other city residences. For the past seven years he has rented his farm lands and has practically lived retired.

On the 29th of June, 1889, Mr. Pentecost was united in marriage to Mrs. Joseph Maul, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Wolfe and is a daughter of Harry Wolfe, who crossed the plains to Washington with a horse team in 1888. By her first husband Mrs. Pentecost had a daughter, Catherine Z. M., now Mrs. Stanley Sleeper of Lewiston, Idaho, and to Mr. and Mrs. Pentecost has also been born a daughter, Sadie R., who is the wife of A. E. Page, of Walla Walla.

Mr. Pentecost gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with Trinity Lodge, I. O. O. F. and with Walla Walla Camp, No. 96, W. O. W. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church, of which he was a deacon for years and is now one of the trustees. The family is one of prominence in Walla Walla and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them. Mr. Pentecost has made for himself a very creditable position in business circles, ranking for many years as one of the leading wheat growers of this section of the state, and his life record constitutes an example well worthy of emulation.

GEORGE BENSON KUYKENDALL, M. D.

Dr. George Benson Kuykendall, one of the foremost physicians of eastern Washington, practicing at Pomeroy, was born near Terre Haute, Indiana, January 22, 1843, a son of John and Malinda (Stark) Kuykendall. The early family history is found in the New York Dutch Church or Dutch Reformed Baptismal records and in the county records of New York county. The family comes of Holland Dutch ancestry, the home being originally near Wageningen, in the Gelderland province, from which came the ancestors of Theodore Roosevelt. The first of the name in America was Jacob Luursen Van Kuykendael, who came to America on the ship de Princess from Holland in 1646 and landed at New Amsterdam, now New York. The Van in the family name was retained until about 1730. The ancestors were with the Van Rensselaer colony at old Fort Orange and afterward removed to Esopus, New York. Later the sons and daughters of that generation went to the Minisink region, on the Delaware,about 1700, and subsequently the branch of the family of which Dr. Kuykendall is a representative was founded in Virginia between 1743 and 1748, probably in the latter year. His mother came from the same ancestry as General John Stark of Revolutionary war fame, and their progenitors were originally from near Essen, Germany.

The father of Dr. Kuykendall, who was a mechanic, removed westward with his family when his son George was three years of age, residing in Wisconsin until 1852, when he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. That was the memorable year of the cholera, smallpox and pestilence and they were delayed en route by illness and many difficulties. They found themselves far back in the rear part of the emigration. Their days were full of toil and anxiety and their nights were spent much of the time in vigils over the sick and dying or in warding against the prowling savages of the plains. When their train reached Snake river, their stock were almost famished and they crossed the river in the hope of finding better grass. From there they made their way over country never before traversed by wagons. At the crossing of the river the father became ill with mountain fever and a little daughter had already suffered from measles and was apparently growing worse. For weeks these helpless ones were dragged over the sagebrush and sand plains of southern Idaho in a rough emigrant wagon. Finally, when nearly all the stock had died, they abandoned their wagon, and the few household goods they could carry were put into the wagon belonging to a brother who was traveling in the same company. After almost incredible hardships and discouragements they reached The Dalles, Oregon, where they shipped their wagon and the household goods that remained upon an open barge and started to float down the Columbia. The father was still ill and the little sister at the point of death. That night the barge tied up on the Oregon side of the river and during the hours of darkness the mother kept tearful watch over the sick and wasted form of the father and her dying little girl, who about midnight passed away. Early in the morning a rude, improvised pine box was made ready and the little one was buried on the banks of Columbia, where the trade winds sweeping up from the ocean and the murmur of the river's flow are her eternal requiem. The pressing demands of the hour would not permit them to linger over the grave, but all had to press on, for they were far from their homeland and had no home or shelter for the coming winter. They reached the Cascades, passed over the portage and took a boat below, reaching the banks of the Willamette, where East Portland now stands, on the 19th of October, 1852.

The family spent their first winter at Milwaukee, above Portland, and in the fall of 1853 went to southern Oregon, locating near Roseburg. At a very early age Dr. Kuykendall manifested a taste for reading, which was encouraged by his father, who also found great delight in books. Dr. Kuykendall read with pleasure works on travel and discovery, exploration, history, biography and whatever he could find and as he approached manhood became very fond of metaphysical reading, delighting in poring over such writings as Kant, Abercrombie, Dugald Stewart and also reading works on mental philosophy. All this time he was pursuing the advanced studies of an academic and collegiate course and later took up the study of materia medica and medicine. About that time his father had a dangerous illness and reached the point where the attendingphysicians gave up the case. Dr. Kuykendall was not willing that his father should die, however, and said to the family: "We will go on and try still further—he may yet recover." This was before the son had become a student in medical college. He devoted himself assiduously to the study of his father's symptoms, scarcely leaving the bedside to eat or sleep for a week. The father recovered and enjoyed many years of later usefulness. The attending physicians, recognizing what the young son had accomplished, said: "Young man, it is clear what you ought to do in life. You should study and practice medicine."

A few years later, therefore, George Benson Kuykendall became a student in Willamette University and was graduated at the head of his class, in the medical department, and at once entered upon active medical practice. Within a few months he was appointed to the position of government physician at Fort Simcoe, Washington, where he enjoyed a large practice in addition to the government work. He there took up the special study of microscopy and chemical research, particularly as related to toxicology and medical jurisprudence. He also did much work in Micro-photography to aid in differentiation of tissues, cells and blood corpuscles and while thus engaged he made a fine collection of mounted specimens, both physiological and pathological.

While at Fort Simcoe he was requested by Professor J. W. Powell of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C., to make a study of the ethnology of the native Indians of the Pacific northwest—a line which he followed up as his time would permit. He collected many traditions, myths, ancient laws and customs of the Indian tribes and wrote an account of these for preservation. In this work all traditions and myths were obtained at first hand from the Indians themselves. Later he wrote a series of papers on the subject for The West Shore, a magazine then published in Portland, Oregon. After ten years with the government at Fort Simcoe, the Doctor found his family growing and needing better facilities for education and social culture and accordingly resigned his position and located at Pomeroy, Washington.

It was in 1868 that Dr. Kuykendall married Miss E. J. Butler, a daughter of Judge Benjamin Butler, of Douglas county, Oregon, who later removed to Pomeroy, where he was judge of probate for many years. The Doctor has an interesting and intelligent family of five sons and three daughters. In his marriage he was peculiarly fortunate, Mrs. Kuykendall being a lady of marked intelligence and practical good judgment. His eldest son, Chester Ernest, is a druggist and dealer in books, musical instruments and fancy holiday goods. He is a popular man who for years has been closely identified with the interests of Pomeroy as one of the leaders in educational work, being a member of the board of directors of the Pomeroy high school and also mayor of the city. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and has been church organist for years. Elgin Victor, the next son, is a prominent attorney and was elected to the state senate from the counties of Garfield, Columbia and Asotin by a large majority. George Vivian, the third son, is chief operator in the offices of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. William B. is engaged in the real estate and insurance business and is now reading law preparatory to practice. Hubert John is in the drug store with his brother Chester. All these sons are married and with the exception of George all are residents of Pomeroy. MinniePearl and Grace Orlean, are the elder daughters. The former is the wife of R. B. Spencer, of Hermiston, Oregon, and the younger is the wife of G. C. Start, of Sunnyside, Washington. Both have decided talent for painting and Mrs. Spencer taught oil Painting in Pomeroy for years. The youngest daughter, Bessie, is at home with her parents.

Dr. Kuykendall has had an extensive acquaintance among the prominent pioneer settlers of Oregon, including Rev. J. H. Wilbur, pioneer missionary minister, Hon. Binger Herman, Judges J. F. Watson, E. B. Watson and P. L. Willis, who were early friends in southern Oregon, Judge M. P. Deady and General Joseph Lane, Delazon Smith, Colonel Hooker, Governor Chadwick and others. In addition to his professional attainments Dr. Kuykendall has an enviable reputation as a writer. He has written much for the press and has always been very industrious in gathering up material for use in future writings. He has completed a history of the Kuykendall family for the past three hundred years, the family being of the old Knickerbocker stock of New York and New Jersey, whence they have gone as pioneers across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The family has been represented in every war of note since early colonial days. Dr. Kuykendall has retired from the active practice of medicine and spends his leisure in reading and writing. He has a collection of data pertaining to Indian mythology, ethnology and customs which he hopes yet to be able to publish, besides other matter written during the passing years.

Dr. Kuykendall has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, actively connected with its social and moral endeavors for the benefit of the community. He has always made it a point to support every movement for the good of the community with his money as well as with his personal aid. He has been too busy to give much attention to money making but has prospered sufficiently to have gained a good competence. His father was liberal to a fault and when he gave, as the Doctor thought, too liberally of his means the Doctor always helped him out. The latter has always been glad to remember this generosity of his father and has been stimulated by his example to think more of "the other fellow." Since its organization he has been a member of the Garfield County Pioneer Association and for some years has been its secretary. He is a member of the Oregon Historical Society and the Holland Society of New York city. To belong to this society one must be able to show documentary evidence of having come from an ancestor born of a forefather who came from Holland to America before 1675.

WALLACE LEROY WHITMORE.

Few men of the northwest have been more widely known than Wallace Leroy Whitmore, now deceased. He resided on section 21, township 13 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, but for more than forty years he traveled extensively over this country as a commercial salesman and he was also known throughout the Pacific coast states as a breeder of fast horses. He had those special qualities which make for personal popularity and wherever he went he made friends. He was born in Oakland, Oregon, June 8, 1857, and was a son of George and Mary (Vaughn) Whitmore, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. They crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852 and in 1867 removed to San Francisco, California, where they made their home for a number of years. The mother made her home with Wallace Leroy Whitmore most of her life, his filial care and attention rewarding her for the love which she had bestowed upon him in his boyhood days.

Wallace Leroy Whitmore was little more than a boy when he was sent out on the road by a wholesale clothing house of San Francisco. This, however, was not his initial experience in the business world, for through two years he had been employed as a messenger boy. For forty years he remained upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing two San Francisco houses—a wonderful record characterized by the utmost fidelity and loyalty as well as capability. He won for the houses which he represented a very liberal patronage, for he was thoroughly reliable in business affairs and men came to know that whatever he said was to be depended upon. After four decades devoted to travel he left the road in order to give his entire time to his stock and landed interests. In the meantime he had purchased property until he owned twenty-seven hundred acres in Garfield county. He was a lover of the thoroughbred horse and was a pioneer in the breeding of standard and thoroughbred horses in Garfield county, raising them more for pleasure than for profit. His blooded stock, of which Coloma, the noted sire, was the head, became known wherever racing was popular. In fact Mr. Whitmore's reputation in this regard spread wherever there was to be found anyone who desired a fast horse for pleasure driving. In his three-year-old form Coloma took every Derby in Montana and his owner refused ten thousand dollars for him. Bill Frazier, who was taken east from Portland, has a pacing mark of 2:12; Minnie Mann was also a horse with a notable record and Ken West at one time could step the quarter in thirty seconds, while Hallie Hinges, Daybreak, Sallie Goodwin and a long list of other running and pacing horses became well known on the circuit. Swiftsure, Coloma's first colt, sold for five thousand dollars at two years old and many others brought the breeder record prices, but despite this fact it was said that Mr. Whitmore put more money into race horse breeding than he ever got out of it. He was a very progressive man and his farm was one of the best improved properties in the county. He erected thereon good buildings, kept them painted and in good condition at all times, installed an electric light system and equipped his home and buildings with the most modern improvements.

On the 2d of December, 1889, Mr. Whitmore was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williams, of San Francisco, who is a native of New York. Her father was Arthur Williams, a member of the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York Engineering Corps during the Civil war, who re-enlisted in the field after his discharge and was given a large bounty. Mrs. Whitmore's mother prior to her marriage was Miss Hannah E. Poorman. After the close of the Civil war she brought her two children to the Pacific coast, making the journey by sailing vessel around Cape Horn. She took up her abode in San Francisco and afterward became the wife of Horace Eldred, proprietor of the State House Hotel of Sacramento. Several years later Mr. Eldred's death occurred and his widow afterward lived in southern California until her death, which occurred in Portland, Oregon, in 1901.

Mrs. Whitmore is an accomplished woman of marked business ability as wellas of many social graces. She manages her extensive property holdings with keen sagacity, displaying unfaltering enterprise, and her labors are attended with excellent results. The death of Mr. Whitmore occurred September 8, 1916, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many friends. He was a man of genial, kindly nature, always approachable and at all times he held friendship inviolable. His well managed business affairs and investments enabled him to leave Mrs. Whitmore in very comfortable financial circumstances and she is today the owner of one of the valuable farm properties of Garfield county. Like her husband, she is widely and favorably known and her friends are legion.

W. E. AYRES.

W. E. Ayres, while actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, managed his affairs so ably that he attained financial independence and is now living retired upon his home farm in Columbia county. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, February 8, 1841, a son of Eli L. and Ruth (Stevens) Ayres, natives respectively of England and Canada. Following their marriage in the Dominion the parents removed to Illinois in the latter '30s and resided there for a few years but in 1842 went to Appanoose county, Iowa. There the father acquired title to land and engaged in farming until called by death, although he was by profession a physician and Baptist minister. Subsequently the mother removed with her family to Linn county, Oregon, reaching there in 1864, when the Pacific northwest was still largely undeveloped. Eventually she became a resident of Walla Walla county, Washington, and there passed away.

W. E. Ayres, who is one of four living children in a family of six, grew to manhood in Iowa and there obtained his education. He accompanied his mother to Oregon and for seven years was resident of that state but at the end of that time took up a homestead in Old Walla Walla county, Washington, his farm being located in what is now Columbia county. His first residence was a log cabin and his experiences for a few years were those of all pioneers. At length, however, his land was brought under cultivation, substantial improvements were made thereon and adequate facilities for transportation and communication with other parts of the country were secured. He found farming both profitable and congenial and continued to engage in stock and wheat raising until he retired. He still owns 960 acres of fine land.

In 1868 Mr. Ayres was married to Miss Martha S. Redford, of Henry county, Missouri, a daughter of Walker P. and Nancy (Davis) Redford, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. In the '30s Mr. and Mrs. Redford removed to Missouri and there the father died in 1861. Three years later the mother, with her children, made the long journey across the plains by ox team. For three years they resided in Union county, Oregon, and then went to Linn county, when they came to Washington, where the mother passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres have become the parents of eleven children: Eudora, the widow of W. J. Beal and a resident of Pomeroy, Washington; Willie and Robert, both deceased; James P., who is also living in Pomeroy; Anna; William S., a resident of Pineville, Oregon; Nancy, deceased; Mary C., a home missionary stationed in western Oregon; Palmer, a farmer; Sarah, the wife of Sanford Skillman, who is farming the home place; and Albert E., an agriculturist of Pomeroy.

W. E. AYRES AND FAMILY

W. E. AYRES AND FAMILY

W. E. AYRES AND FAMILY

Mr. Ayres is a democrat in politics and has served as county treasurer, as county commissioner and as a member of the school board, which office he held for years. His record as a public official is highly creditable both to his ability and his devotion to the general good, and as a private citizen he has given his support to movements calculated to advance the interests of his community. He takes justifiable pride in the fact that he has had a part in the development of this section and believes that nowhere can the agriculturist find better opportunities.

LOUIS NEACE.

On the pages of Walla Walla county's pioneer history appears the name of Louis Neace, who took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla when it was a mere military post. As the years passed on he became prominently identified with agricultural interests in this section of the state and ranked with the foremost business men. He was born near Frankfort, Germany, September 27, 1835, and was but twelve years of age when he came to the United States with an uncle, who was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. From that time forward Louis Neace never saw his family nor his native country. His father had been a member of the forestry department in Germany, an official position to which only men who were scholars and had special training in the science of forestry were eligible.

Becoming a resident of Orange, New Jersey, Louis Neace was there employed in a sash and blind factory, in which he served a four years' apprenticeship, thereby gaining thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the work. In the meantime, however, he spent one winter in Florida, where he was employed in driving a mule team for the owner of a lumber mill on the St. Mary's river. When his apprenticeship was ended he removed to the middle west and at the recommendation of friends in Orange, New Jersey, he secured a position in a sash and blind factory at Fulton, Illinois.

The west, however, still lured him on and afterward he made a tour of Kansas, at which time the state was the battleground of the parties who were contending whether it should be admitted as a free or a slave state. Not desiring to become a landowner in Kansas under such conditions, Mr. Neace joined a construction crew at Independence, Missouri, and started across the country for Harney Lake, Oregon, the crew being engaged to lay out a road in that section. The Mormons were at that time a menace to all travelers through Utah and the crew was placed under military protection, spending the winter of 1856-7 at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. The Mormons destroyed several of the supply wagon trains of the fort and their rations were reduced for a period to two small biscuits per day. Hardly any salt was obtainable throughout the entire winter and the first that was brought in sold at a dollar per pound. In 1857 Mr. Neace became a resident of Los Angeles, California, which was then a tiny village, and from that point, he continued his journey northward to San Francisco,where he became a passenger on the steamer Columbia. A northward trip brought him to the mouth of the Umpqua river, where he disembarked and spent the winter, reaching The Dalles, Oregon, in the spring of 1858.

From that point Mr. Neace came to Walla Walla as an employe of Lieutenant Mullan, who was in charge of the construction of a military road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Montana, which is still known as the Mullan road. After completing the work the crew spent the winter in Fort Benton and in the following year Major Blake arrived from St. Louis with troops on his way to Fort Walla Walla and Mr. Neace returned with him, after which he remained a resident of eastern Washington. When he first visited Walla Walla there was only a cantonment built by Colonel Steptoe in the fall of 1856. It consisted of a few rude log huts along what is now East Main street, west of Palouse, these huts constituting the winter quarters for the military troops who were here stationed as a protection to the few settlers who had penetrated into this region. In 1861 Mr. Neace took up his abode on the Tucannon river, at the present site of Starbuck, for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business there. The most severe winter ever known in the Pacific northwest followed. He was at the time a young man of but twenty-six. Undiscouraged by the severity of the winter, he bought a right to a place on the Pataha river, a tributary of the Tucanon, and continued in the live stock business, there remaining until 1870, when he removed to the Lock & Long mill near Dayton. A little later he took up his abode on a farm north of Waitsburg and the place has since been known as the Neace farm. He afterward purchased what was known as the Anderson Cox residence in Waitsburg and the family home was there established. As the years passed on Mr. Neace added to his holdings from time to time as his financial resources increased and became one of the most extensive landowners of Washington. When asked how great were his possessions he replied: "I do not know." In addition to his Washington holdings he had considerable land in Montana. Possessing sound judgment and keen sagacity, his investments were most judiciously made and with the settlement and development of the county his land rose constantly in value, making his estate a most substantial one.

On the 6th of October, 1864, Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harrington, of Walla Walla, and they became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Mrs. D. C. Eaton; Mrs. S. F. Patton; Frank and Charles, of Waitsburg; John and Louis, of Millstone, Montana; Mrs. Ellen Hauber, of Portland; and James and Isaac, of Endicott.

Aside from his extensive connection with farming interests Mr. Neace had for a number of years been president of the First National Bank of Waitsburg. For more than forty years he was member of the Masonic fraternity exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. He was a member of the constitutional convention of Washington and thus in many ways left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the state. His philanthropy was ever a salient factor in his life. He aided generously many benevolent institutions and gave freely to individuals. He never believed in that indiscriminate giving which fosters vagrancy and idleness, but wherever possible to extend a helping hand to assist a traveler, making earnest effort toprogress on life's journey, he did not hesitate to do so. His life, honorable and upright in act and purpose, gained for him the high esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact, and what he did for the county in the way of its agricultural development and in other connections entitles him to prominent mention among the builders of the great Inland Empire. He died January 12, 1916.

ADOLPH SCHWARZ.

Adolph Schwarz, who is conducting a pool and billiard hall in Walla Walla, was born in Germany, December 24, 1853, son of John Joseph and Theresa (Rieder) Schwarz, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland. Mr. Schwarz of this review attended the public schools of Germany in the acquirement of his education and remained with his parents until he was sixteen years old. At that age he emigrated to America and for a year resided in New York, after which he spent a similar length of time in Pennsylvania. He then went to California but in 1876 went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later to New York. He spent the winter in the east but in the following spring he again came west and for about a year was employed on a boat running on the Columbia river. In October, 1877, he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, and for three years was in the employ of others. In 1880, however, he established a pool and billiard hall in the city of Walla Walla and has since conducted that business. His place is well equipped and is managed on such a high plane that it receives the support of the best class of people. He was also one of the organizers of the local brewing company and had an active part in the management of the business until the brewery closed down. The company is still in existence, however, and still owns the plant.

In 1894 Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to Miss Lula Stahl, a daughter of J. H. Stahl, and to them have been born four children: Lillian E., a graduate of the local high school; Ruth and Adolph, both high school students; and Catherine.

Mr. Schwarz is independent in politics, believing the qualifications of a candidate to be of far greater importance than his party affiliation. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles, the Red Men and the Foresters of the World. Both he and his wife belong to the Episcopal church and Mrs. Schwarz is active in its work.

FREDERICK P. YENNEY.

Frederick P. Yenney, a retired farmer residing in Walla Walla, was born in Baden, Germany, February 27, 1852, a son of Frederick and Susanna (Swigard) Yenney, both natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Frederick P. Yenney, who is the only son in a family of seven children, and the only one in America, grew to manhood in his native country and there acquired his education. In 1881 he came to the United States and after livingfor six years in Kankakee county, Illinois, removed to Minnesota, where he spent two years. In 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, but after residing here for one summer went to Lincoln county this state, and purchased a farm, which he operated until 1905. He then retired from active life and removed to Walla Walla, trading his farm in Lincoln county for land in Walla Walla county and now has four hundred and eighty-five acres of improved land near Walla Walla. He owns his fine residence at No. 350 South Third street.

Mr. Yenney was married in 1875, in Germany, to Miss Catharine Lavber and they have four children, namely: Conrad, John W. and Emil, all of whom are farmers; and Matilda, the wife of George C. Raymond, a resident of Fresno, California.

Mr. Yenney is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never had the time nor inclination to seek office. Both he and his wife hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church of Walla Walla.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FLATHERS.

Benjamin Franklin Flathers, deceased, was one of the old and honored residents of Walla Walla, where he made his home for almost half a century. He was born near Louisville, Kentucky, on the 20th of August, 1836, and was a son of John and Julia Flathers. During his boyhood he received a limited education in the country schools near his home. He was only a small boy when the family removed to Iowa and located on a farm. When still quite young he sought new and more favorable conditions of life and left home, roughing it in various parts of the United States for some time. He finally arrived in New York city, where he mustered on a freight ship, and made the long voyage around the Horn, landing in San Francisco, after having experienced some very rough weather.

Throughout his business career Mr. Flathers was variously employed. When a young man he engaged in firing on a railroad for a short time and on reaching California in 1854 became a packer, operating a train along the coast. He remained a resident of the Golden state until 1861 and from there removed to The Dalles, Oregon, whence he came to Walla Walla, Washington. He continued to operate a pack train until 1869, traveling from Montana to Arizona, but in that year he sold his outfit to the government while in the latter state. In 1870 he located on a homestead in Walla Walla county, where for years he conducted a forage station, furnishing accommodations for travelers over the old Mullen trail from Walla Walla. He gradually worked into agriculture and continued to follow farming for thirty years with good success but at the end of that time retired from active labor and divided his magnificent farm among his children. With a comfortable fortune he then removed to Walla Walla, where his last days were spent in ease and quiet. There he passed away on May 10, 1910, leaving his immediate family as well as many friends to mourn his loss.


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