indeed a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She
has long figured prominently in the social circles of Walla Walla and
her life has been fraught with many good deeds and characterized by the
highest principles. Following their marriage Judge and Mrs. Sharpstein
continued to reside in the middle west until 1865, when they determined
to try their fortune on the Pacific coast and with their three eldest
children, John L., Ada A. and Arthur P., they left the Mississippi
valley and with a large train of immigrants started across the plains
for Oregon. The city of Salem, Oregon, was their objective point but
on reaching Walla Walla, Judge Sharpstein was so favorably impressed
with the opportunities of this section that he determined to make his
home here. Thereafter he was identified with the city and was a most
important and influential factor in advancing the best interests of the
community, in promoting its progress and upbuilding and in upholding
its standards of citizenship. He not only held high rank as a lawyer
but was also prominent in shaping the political history of his state.
At the bar he was forceful and resourceful. He had comprehensive
knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and was most accurate in
applying those principles to the points in litigation. His arguments
were most logical, his reasoning sound and clear and his deductions
accurate.
In political faith Judge Sharpstein was a democrat and held loyally
to the principles of his party, although he knew that such a course
would deprive him of many political honors, for the district and
state in which he lived were overwhelmingly republican. However, his
fellow townsmen recognized his genuine worth and patriotic spirit to
such an extent that in 1866, again in 1879 and once more in 1886 he
was elected to represent his district in the state legislature by
overwhelming majorities. In 1889 he was chosen as a member of the
state constitutional convention and aided in framing the organic
law of Washington. He left the permanent stamp of his wisdom and
farsightedness upon that valuable document. His marked ability as a
lawyer, combined with his patriotic citizenship and his keen insight
into the present needs and the future possibilities of the state, made
his service of the greatest worth to the commonwealth and he bore a
most important part in shaping the constitution. He was again called to
public office in 1890, when he was appointed a member of the tide land
commission.
Judge Sharpstein was also a leader in local affairs and for
twenty-seven years in all, with some periods of intermission, he served
as a member of the school board and during much of that time was its
president. He did most effective work in advancing the standards of the
schools and improving the methods of instruction, and one of the fine
school buildings of Walla Walla fittingly bears his name.
While many public interests thus claimed his time and attention, Judge
Sharpstein regarded the practice of law as his real life work and,
admitting his three sons to a partnership, thus organized one of
the strongest legal firms of Washington. One of his sons, Arthur P.,
died in 1896. Two sons, John L. and Frank B., are still engaged in
the practice of law in Walla Walla, while the youngest son, Charles
M., has made for himself a national reputation as farmer, art critic
and writer. He, too, is a resident of Walla Walla. The only daughter,
Ada A., is now the widow of C. B. Upton and lives in Tacoma. Mrs.
Sharpstein is still living and although now almost eighty years of age
is wonderfully well preserved, being able to do her own marketing and
attend to her business affairs. The family of Judge Sharpstein has
worthily maintained the high position established by the father, who
departed this life May 2, 1907, honored and respected by all who knew
him. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those with whom he came
in contact and his name is written large on the pages of Washington's
history.
GEORGE J. RUARK.
George J. Ruark, one of the prominent citizens of Garfield county, is
actively identified with farming interests and now makes his home in
Pomeroy. He was born in Jefferson county, Kansas, August 17, 1858,
a son of Thomas and Mary A. (Messenger) Ruark, who were natives of
Illinois and of Ohio respectively. In early life they removed with
their respective parents to Wayne county, Iowa, and were there married.
They began their domestic life in that county, where they continued to
reside until 1857 or 1858, when they became residents of Kansas but
after two years returned to Wayne county, Iowa, whence in 1862 they
started across the plains with ox teams and wagons for the Pacific
coast. The journey was a long and arduous one, but day after day they
pushed forward and eventually reached Clarke county, Washington, where
they located, establishing their home ten miles north of Vancouver,
where they lived until the spring of 1871. In that year they became
residents of Walla Walla county and Mr. Ruark engaged in the live
stock business until the spring of 1879. In the fall of 1878 he and
his family removed to what is now Garfield county, establishing their
home near Deadman's Hollow, eighteen miles east of Pomeroy. There the
father engaged in farming until 1890 and, adding to his possessions
from time to time, he acquired ten hundred and forty acres of valuable
wheat land. In the spring of 1890 he removed to Whitman county, his
son, George J. Ruark, taking charge of the old home farm in Garfield
county. The father then continued in active connection with farming and
live stock interests in Whitman county until 1900, when he retired from
business life and removed to Asotin, Washington. He owned four hundred
and twenty acres of land in Whitman county, which he leased on his
removal to Asotin, where he still maintained his residence at date of
death, January 8, 1908. His widow still survives and is now a resident
of Pomeroy. In politics the father was a democrat and took active
interest in the work and success of the party. For a number of years he
served as postmaster of Deadman but otherwise refused public office.
He belonged to the United Brethren church and was one of the sterling
citizens of Garfield county.
George J. Ruark was educated in the district schools and was reared to
farm life, early becoming familiar with all of the duties and labors
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In the fall of 1883 he
began farming on his own account, renting land in conjunction with his
brother Charles and with his father. The Bowman ranch of one thousand
acres, which they operated in partnership for three years, returned to
them a gratifying annual income and on the expiration of that period
George J. Ruark began farming independently, renting two hundred and
seventeen acres of the same ranch. This he cultivated for a year and
in 1888, having carefully saved his earnings, he bought a small place
on which he located. He also continued to cultivate rented land in
connection with his home farm and in the fall of 1889 he rented his
father's farm of ten hundred and forty acres, which he continued to
cultivate for five years. He then returned to his own place, which he
farmed in connection with other land until the fall of 1902, when he
sold that property and bought his present farm of fourteen hundred and
twenty acres, situated at the head of Deadman's Hollow. This is now
being cultivated by a tenant, and Mr. Ruark established his home in
Pomeroy in the fall of 1903. From this point he directs and supervises
his business interests and at the same time he has the enjoyment of
city life.
In 1889 Mr. Ruark was united in marriage to Miss Olive Vannausdle,
of Garfield county, a daughter of Harris Vannausdle, who came from
Nebraska in 1884. He is still living and makes his home among his
children. Mr. and Mrs. Ruark have an adopted daughter, Elma Maurene.
Politically Mr. Ruark is a democrat and on the party ticket was elected
a member of the board of county commissioners in 1894, filling the
position for four years in a most acceptable and creditable manner.
Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He ranks
with the leading and representative men of Garfield county, for by his
enterprising efforts he has contributed much to the upbuilding and
development of this section. He stands for progress and improvement
along all lines and his cooperation can ever be counted upon to further
any well devised plan for the general good.
DAVID B. FERREL.
David B. Ferrel, a well known farmer of Russell Creek township, Walla
Walla county, was born August 8, 1870, a son of Brewster and Caroline
(Bott) Ferrel, both natives of Ohio, an extended sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this work. David B. Ferrell was reared at home and after
attending the district schools for a number of years became a student
in the Walla Walla schools. In the meantime he had received thorough
training in farm work under his father and when twenty-one years of
age he became his father's partner in the operation of the home farm
of two thousand acres. The greater part of the active supervision of
the work devolves upon Mr. Ferrel of this review and he is one of the
largest grain growers of his township, having under cultivation in 1917
more than a thousand acres. He has reduced the operation of his farm
to a scientific basis, uses the most modern machinery and is highly
efficient in the management of the business aspect of his work. He
believes that the farmer should give to his work the same careful study
that the business man does to the conduct of his affairs and he is
always among the first to adopt improved methods and equipment.
On the 2nd of November, 1904, Mr. Ferrel was united in marriage to
Miss Laura Wolfe, of Oakland, Maryland, and they have two children,
Carlton D. and Dorothy B. Mr. Ferrel has never allied himself with any
political party, preferring to cast an independent ballot. He is a
member of the school board and takes a lively interest in educational
matters. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church
and can be depended upon to support all movements for the upbuilding of
the community along moral as well as along material lines. They have a
wide acquaintance and are uniformly held in high regard.
HARVEY McDONALD.
Harvey McDonald, who has lived retired in Walla Walla for the past
fifteen years, was long actively identified with agricultural interests
as one of the extensive operators of the wheat belt and is still the
owner of five hundred and twenty-five acres in Walla Walla county,
eight hundred and thirty-one acres in Whitman county, this state, and
four hundred and forty acres in Umatilla county, Oregon. His birth
occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the 10th of March, 1857, his parents
being John and Margaret (Kinnear) McDonald, who were also natives of
that province. There the father spent his entire life, passing away
in 1863, when his son Harvey was but six years of age. The mother
afterward reared her family and in later years made her home among her
children, her death occurring in Weston, Oregon.
Harvey McDonald acquired his education in the common schools of
Ontario, Canada, and there spent the first twenty-three years of his
life. In 1880 he crossed the border into the United States, locating in
Umatilla county, Oregon, where he engaged in farming. Success attended
his efforts as a wheat grower and he became one of the extensive
operators of the wheat belt, acquiring large holdings which he still
retains. About 1897 he took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla
in order that his children might have the advantages of its schools.
For five years thereafter he devoted his attention to the real estate
business but since 1902 has lived retired in the enjoyment of well
earned rest, leaving the cultivation of his farms to tenants. He was
one of the organizers of the People's State Bank and has served as a
director of the institution continuously to the present time.
In 1885 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Nora Richardson,
a daughter of John Richardson, one of the prominent ranchmen and
pioneer settlers of Umatilla county, Oregon. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. McDonald are three in number, as follows: Clara, who is the wife
of C. B. Weathermon, an agriculturist residing in Umatilla county,
Oregon; Areta, who gave her hand in marriage to S. Henderson Boyles, of
Spokane, Washington; and Esther, the wife of Lindon Barnett, of Walla
Walla.
[Illustration: HARVEY McDONALD]
Politically Mr. McDonald is a republican, loyally supporting the men
and measures of that party at the polls. Prior to the inauguration
of the commission form of government he served for fourteen months
as a member of the city council and in that connection made a most
excellent record. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the
World, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the
Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs. His course has at all
times commended him to the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and
he is widely recognized as one of the representative, substantial and
esteemed citizens of Walla Walla.
ANTHONY FEIDER.
Anthony Feider, an energetic and up-to-date farmer residing on section
1, township 11 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, was born in
Germany, January 12, 1884, and is a son of S. A. and Rosa (Pohl)
Feider, who in 1890 removed with their family to the United States. For
some time they resided in Walla Walla county, Washington, and then came
to Garfield county, purchasing the farm on which they still live. All
of their six children also survive.
Anthony Feider received the greater part of his education in Garfield
county and remained at home until he attained his majority, during
which time he became thoroughly familiar with the various phases of
farm work. On beginning his independent career he decided to devote
his life to the occupation to which he had been reared and is now
successfully operating five hundred acres belonging to his father. He
harvests a large amount of grain annually and also raises high grade
stock, from the sale of which he derives a good profit.
In 1907 Mr. Feider was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pierre,
who was born in Minnesota. Their children as follows: Paul A., Vincent
A., John F., Joseph S., Edward P. and Albert W. Mr. and Mrs. Feider
are communicants of the Catholic church and are always willing to
further its work in every way possible. He is a member of the Knights
of Columbus, and his personality is such that he has made many friends
within and without that organization. In politics he is a stanch
republican but he has never had time to give to public affairs, his
farming operations requiring his undivided attention.
FRANK KIBLER.
Frank Kibler, who resides on section 5, Spring Creek township, Walla
Walla county, is devoting his time exclusively to the operation of the
large farm properties owned by the Kibler estate, and his well directed
efforts are rewarded by gratifying profits. He was born May 18,
1882, in the township in which he still lives, and is a son of Jacob
and Louisa (Buroker) Kibler. The father was a native of Shenandoah
county, Virginia, and in 1853 came to the Pacific coast, locating in
California, where he spent five years in the gold fields. In 1858 he
removed to Walla Walla county, Washington, and for several years,
or until the coming of the railroad, he was engaged in freighting.
After rail transportation was established he turned his attention to
farming, becoming the owner of land on Mill creek, about six miles east
of Walla Walla. He prospered in his farming operations and became the
owner of fifteen hundred acres of as fine farm land as can be found in
the state. He continued to give his attention to the management of his
affairs until his death, which occurred in September, 1908. His wife,
who was born in the middle west, accompanied her parents on the long
overland journey to Walla Walla county in 1864. She survives and still
resides on the homestead.
Frank Kibler was reared under the parental roof and his experiences
were those common to boys raised in a western pioneer community. He
attended the district schools and also aided in such of the farm work
as was within his strength, and by the time he had reached maturity he
was an experienced agriculturist. He and his three brothers have always
farmed in partnership and since the death of the father they have added
extensively to their land holdings, which are all in the name of the
Kibler estate. They are progressive and up-to-date, and no invention
that will facilitate the work of the farm is lacking upon their
properties. Moreover, their residence rivals in attractiveness and in
modern equipment the best city homes, and the barns and other buildings
are likewise of the latest type. Their farms are modern in equipment
and illustrate the possibilities of farm life when the agriculturist
brings to his work the same careful study and the same willingness to
adopt new methods that characterize the successful business man along
other lines.
Frank Kibler married Miss Leora McLeran, of Moscow, Idaho. She is a
member of the Christian church and takes a praiseworthy interest in
its work. Mr. Kibler supports the democratic party at the polls but
has never been an active party worker, for his entire time has been
taken up with the management of his farming interests. He has a wide
acquaintance in the county in which his entire life has been spent, and
his sterling worth is indicated in the fact that his stanchest friends
are those who have known him intimately since boyhood.
F. M. SANDERS.
F. M. Sanders, a successful farmer residing in Walla Walla township,
was born in Walla Walla county, December 31, 1873, a son of John and
Rebecca (Meredith) Sanders, the former a native of Indiana and the
latter of Ohio. In 1865 they crossed the continent with ox teams and
located upon a farm east of Dixie, in Walla Walla county, where both
resided until called by death. To them were born seven children, of
whom six survive.
F. M. Sanders was reared and received his education in this county and
gained valuable training in farm work under his father's direction.
When he attained his majority he began farming on his own account and
for thirty years he has made his home upon his present place, which
comprises one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Walla Walla
township. The improvements thereon are substantial and up-to-date, and
his labors are rewarded by good crops. He is also a director of the
Self-Oiling Wheel & Bearing Company of Walla Walla.
Mr. Sanders was married in May, 1907, to Miss Minnie Bliven, a native
of Minnesota, and they became the parents of three children, Lester F.,
Irene L. and Ralph H. On the 12th of May, 1917, the wife and mother
passed away and she was laid to rest in the College Place cemetery. She
was a consistent member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and her
upright Christian life gained her the respect of all with whom she came
in contact.
Mr. Sanders is a democrat in politics and has served acceptably as a
member of the school board. He belongs to the Farmers Union and is
interested in every movement that tends to advance the interests of
agriculturists.
JAMES J. EDWARDS.
James J. Edwards, the highly efficient president of the Edwards-Hindle
Company, conducting one of the leading department stores in
southeastern Washington, is recognized as a foremost factor in the
commercial development of Dayton. His rapid advancement to his present
position is indicative of what can be accomplished in the inland empire
when a man is energetic, sound of judgment and determined to succeed,
for he began his business career as cash boy and has at all times
depended solely upon his own resources.
His birth occurred in Tennessee, October 22, 1873, and his educational
opportunities were in no way better than those afforded the average
boy. In fact many a man who consoles himself with the thought that if
he had had a chance he might have accomplished something had, in his
youth, more favorable opportunities than did James J. Edwards. He was
early compelled to make his own living and his first position was that
of cash boy, with a salary of two dollars per week. He was faithful
in the discharge of his duties in that connection, and being keen of
observation even in that position, gained much information concerning
the conduct of a store. His ability and fidelity were rewarded by
advancement, and as the years passed he became increasingly familiar
with merchandising. In 1899 he came to Dayton and took charge of the
clothing department of the store owned by T. M. Hanger & Company.
Subsequently he was promoted to the head of the dry goods department of
that business and he retained that position until the company retired
from business in Dayton and removed to Walla Walla. Mr. Edwards then
organized the Edwards-Hindle Company, with a capital of fifty thousand
dollars and took over the store formerly conducted by T. M. Hanger &
Company, the new management taking charge of the place October 29,
1906. In the intervening eleven years the trade has shown a steady
and rapid growth, the floor space has been increased, the store now
occupying all the original Weinhard block at the corner of Main and
Second streets. The location is one of the best in the city and in
itself is an indication of the success that has attended the activities
of Mr. Edwards and his associates. The store is well organized and
carries a full line of dry goods, clothing and all kinds of groceries.
Its policy has always been to carry, as far as possible, trade marked
goods of national reputation, and its large patronage is further
increased by the fact that the stock is so complete as to offer a large
range for selection in every department. It is known as "The House of
Quality," which slogan expresses the policy rigorously carried out in
the management of the business.
Mr. Edwards was married in Oakesdale, Washington, to Miss Laura Graham
in 1893 and they have one child living, Lloyd G. Edwards. Mrs. Edwards
died in 1899. Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Celeste Price in 1908.
He is devoted to the interests of his family and takes a great deal
of pleasure in his beautiful home on South First street, which is
one of the finest residences in Dayton. A great deal of thought and
care has been given to its interior decoration, and all of the modern
conveniences have been installed. Although at no time indifferent
to political questions Mr. Edwards has not taken a very active part
in civic affairs, preferring to give his entire attention to the
management of his extensive business interests. He has found in the
development of the Edwards-Hindle department store full scope for his
executive ability and energy, and has derived great satisfaction from
his effective work in building up its trade. His ability as a merchant
is universally recognized, and during the years of his residence in
Dayton he has also gained a place in the warm regard of many because of
his admirable qualities as a man.
LEWIS McMORRIS.
Among the honored early settlers of Washington was Lewis McMorris, who
in 1852 came to the Pacific coast and throughout the remainder of his
life was identified with the interests of this section of the country.
He was here before the city of Walla Walla was founded and he saw its
development and assisted in its making. With his brother Joseph and
his sisters, Mrs. Sarah Funk and Mrs. Emma Craig, he lived for years
in the evening of his days on First street in Walla Walla. He was born
in Coshocton, Ohio, August 12, 1831, and came of Scotch ancestry, the
family having been founded in America in 1774 by a representative of
the name who served in the Revolutionary war and who settled near
Winchester, Virginia. After the establishment of American independence
the family was founded in Ohio and in later generations representatives
of the name went to Shelby county, Illinois, and there engaged in
farming.
[Illustration: LEWIS McMORRIS]