attaining his majority he was fitted out by his father to accompany a
bachelor neighbor and a party to California. It was in the month of
March, 1852, that they started west with ox teams, crossing the plains
and meeting with many of the hardships and privations which fell to
the lot of the pioneers. It was in that year that the cholera proved
so terrible a scourge and all the way from the Missouri river graves
dotted the trail. With only a sheet for a shroud and without a casket
the bodies were lowered into their graves and the traveler, starting
out full of hope, was laid to his last sleep. Often five newly made
graves were to be seen in a day. The party with which Mr. McMorris
traveled consisted of a train of three wagons at the start but they
were afterward joined by six wagons en route at St. Joseph, Missouri,
and on the 15th of September, 1852, they reached Fosters, near Oregon
City. There the oxen and wagons were sold and horses were purchased
by those who desired to go on to the mines. They made pack saddles,
loaded the horses and pressed on to southern Oregon, where a year and
a half was spent at Sutter Creek, at Crescent City and at other mines.
They were not successful there, however, and pressed on to Yreka,
California, where Mr. McMorris again engaged in mining. The Rogue
River Indian war, however, broke out in southern Oregon, causing him
to change his location and he made his way to the northern part of the
state. He became a packer, rushing goods from Portland to the mines
at Colville. After one of these trips he hired the team of mules to
the quartermaster of the Oregon Volunteers to haul supplies to their
headquarters at The Dalles. On the second trip the Indians stole both
mules and supplies. On the 7th of December, 1855, the battle of the
Walla Walla with the Indians was begun on Walla Walla river west of
the present site of the city, a battle that lasted for four days and
in which several thousand Indians were lined up against a few hundred
white volunteers. The white men, however, were victorious and it was a
memorable battle because it was a victory of a few over many and also
because it marked the beginning of a lasting peace between the Indians
and the white settlers in that vicinity. Mr. McMorris was one of the
active participants in that battle. In 1856, when the troops camped at
what became old Fort Walla Walla they moved about four miles up Mill
creek but decided that the first stopping place was best and returned.
It was this that decided the location of Walla Walla. Mr. McMorris
assisted in building the canton, as the old fort was called, which was
made from the various trees which grew along the banks of Mill creek.
Years later when this land was sold for building purposes in order to
extend the present city, it was desired to save intact some of the old
fort buildings, to place them in the city park as historic relics, but
it was found that the timber had rotted so that they crumbled away. In
1857 Mr. McMorris made the trip to the Willamette valley to buy teams
for the government. On his return he began freighting for McClinchey &
Freedman, who were proprietors of the first mercantile house in this
city, located at the corner of Third and Main streets. In 1859 he began
buying cattle and to secure a watering place for his herd he purchased
land which included the present site of Wallula. The winter of 1861-2
was an exceedingly hard one and by spring his herd of two hundred and
seventy head had decreased to forty. He next turned his attention to
the mercantile business, in which he engaged with his brother, but
this enterprise did not prove profitable and he sold his interest in
the business. When land was thrown open to settlement he secured a
preemption claim at a dollar and a quarter per acre, his place being
located two miles south of the town now known as the Hammond Farm.
It was there that he conducted his stock-raising venture for several
years and at the same time operated a pack train to Boise, Idaho. After
closing out his mercantile interests with his brother he was for four
years the owner of a stage line operating between Dayton, Washington,
and Lewiston, Idaho. He laid out the town of Wallula and donated to the
railroad company the land which they used for depot purposes there.
His long and useful life was ended in 1915. He passed away at his
home in Walla Walla at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He had
never married but he left a brother and two sisters. The brother,
however, died in the spring of 1917. There are also four nephews and
one niece: the Funk brothers, who are engaged in merchandising in
Walla Walla; the Craig brothers, of Illinois; and Agnes Lillian Purdy,
of Portland, Oregon. Mr. McMorris was a member of the Oregon Pioneer
Society, the Inland Empire Pioneers Association and the Indian War
Veterans. Throughout the long years of his residence in this locality
he became very widely and favorably known and he left many friends as
well as relatives to mourn his loss. He performed an important part in
promoting the early development and upbuilding of this section of the
country and with many events which have left their impress upon the
history of the northwest his name is inseparably associated.
JOSEPH F. TACHI.
Joseph F. Tachi, who passed away August 8, 1912, was a well known
citizen of Walla Walla county. He was a native of Italy and came to
America thirty-seven years ago. He did not tarry on the Atlantic
seaboard but crossed the country and settled in Walla Walla county,
Washington, where he took up the occupation of gardening, which he
followed with success, developing a good business in that connection.
He continued active in gardening up to the time of his demise, which
occurred in 1912.
Almost a quarter of a century before, on June 9, 1889, at Walla Walla
Mr. Tachi was united in marriage to Miss Antonia Coboch, who was
likewise born in the sunny land of Italy and came to the new world
when twenty-seven years of age. She owns ten acres of valuable land
on section 36, township 7 north, range 35 east, at College Place and
she is also the owner of the Star Laundry and a brick building which
contains five storerooms and which returns to her a most gratifying
annual income from its rental. In addition to these investments she
owns thirty-one acres of land which is splendidly improved. She belongs
to St. Francis Catholic church, of which Mr. Tachi was also a member,
and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of
America, and the Red Men. During their residence in Walla Walla county
Mr. and Mrs. Tachi gained many warm friends, he being well known as a
representative business man. Mrs. Tachi has also proved most capable in
the management and control of her interests, and her property is now
bringing to her a substantial annual income.
MICHAEL MARTIN.
Michael Martin, a well known farmer residing on section 2, township 6
north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, is entitled to the honor that
is accorded the self-made man, for he has gained the competence that is
now his solely through his own labors. He was born in County Galway,
Ireland, September 5, 1835, and is a son of John and Ann (Larkin)
Martin, both of whom spent their entire lives in County Galway.
Michael Martin was reared and educated in his native land and remained
there until 1863, when he decided to try his fortune in the United
States and crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he remained
for a time. He then went to South Glastonbury, Connecticut, but three
years after his emigration to this country he came to the Pacific
coast by way of the Panama route, and spent two years in California.
Subsequently he was a prospector in the placer gold mines at Emmitsburg
and Helena, Montana, where he and his brother Patrick spent three
years. It was in 1870 that they came to Walla Walla county, Washington,
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and also took up a
section of railroad land later on, their home being on Dry creek. Our
subject finally sold his share of the property to his brother John, who
still owns the place, and then purchased his present farm on section
2, township 6 north, range 35 east, where he has resided continuously
since. He gave his personal attention to the operation of his place
until advancing years led him to retire from active labor, since
which time the farm has been operated by his son Emmet. He has been a
hard worker and has manifested good judgment in the direction of his
affairs, and as the years have passed his financial resources have
steadily increased.
In 1890 Mr. Martin was married in Ireland, to Miss Julia Kellher, and
they have become the parents of five children, of whom three have
passed away. Those living are: Emmet M., who is now in charge of
the home farm; and Estella, a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla
Walla. The wife and mother passed away in 1900 and was laid to rest
in the Catholic cemetery. The family are communicants of the Catholic
church of Walla Walla, and Mr. Martin supports the republican party
at the polls but has never been ambitious to hold office. For more
than half a century he has made his home in Walla Walla county, and in
that period has seen a marvelous change in conditions as the country
has been transformed from a pioneer district into a highly developed
agricultural section.
J. W. SWEAZY.
J. W. Sweazy, a farmer of Columbia county, living on section 34,
township 10 north, range 37 east, was born in Wallula, Washington, on
the 8th of May, 1884, a son of Frank and Allie J. (Barnes) Sweazy. The
father was a native of Portugal, while the mother was born in Missouri.
When a youth of fourteen the father came to the United States, having
relatives living in Petaluma, California. To that point he made his
way. His wife crossed the plains with her mother in 1880, her father
having previously been killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil
war. She and her mother located on a ranch near Waitsburg, Washington.
About the same time Frank Sweazy made his way to Walla Walla county
and soon afterward they were married. He then purchased the farm which
is now the home of his son, the subject of this review, and thereon
he resided for a number of years. Ultimately, however, he removed to
Waitsburg, where he continued his residence for twenty years, or until
the time of his death in 1914. His widow survives and yet makes her
home in Waitsburg.
J. W. Sweazy was educated in the public schools and also attended the
Waitsburg Academy. In 1902, at the age of eighteen years, he became a
wage earner, entering the employ of Corbett Brothers in the capacity
of bookkeeper at their mill at Huntsville. A year later he resigned to
accept a position with John Smith, a hardware merchant of Waitsburg,
where he filled the position of bookkeeper for four years. On the
expiration of that period he went to Walla Walla, where he held the
office of deputy county auditor under J. N. McCaw, in which capacity
he served for four years. In November, 1910, he was elected county
auditor and so continued for two terms of two years each, making a most
creditable record in that position by the promptness and systematic
manner and general capability with which he discharged his duties. On
the expiration of his second term he returned to the home farm, which
he has since occupied and operated. It is a tract of three hundred and
twenty acres of rich and productive land, much of which he has brought
to a high state of cultivation, and the fields are now bringing forth
rich crops. They are divided into tracts of convenient size by well
kept fences and there are valuable improvements upon the place, and
the spirit of neatness and thrift which there prevails indicates the
progressive methods of the owner.
In 1909 Mr. Sweazy was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Ramseur, of
Waitsburg, and they have many friends in the community where they
live. Mrs. Sweazy is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Sweazy
holds membership with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and is a
loyal exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance
is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the
questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office
as reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his thought,
attention and purpose upon his farming interests, which are bringing to
him substantial success.
JUDGE MACK F. GOSE.
Judge Mack F. Gose is one of the distinguished representatives of the
bench and bar in Washington. Few lawyers have made a more lasting
impression upon the judicial history of the state, both for legal
ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal
character which impresses itself upon a community, and he proved
himself the peer of the ablest members of the court of last resort
while serving as one of the supreme judges of the state. He was born
in Missouri, July 8, 1859, and is a son of John M. and Hannah Gose,
natives of Virginia. In 1864 the family came west and after spending
a year at Boise, Idaho, proceeded to Walla Walla county, Washington,
where the father turned his attention to horticulture, becoming a
prominent fruit grower of this region.
[Illustration: JUDGE MACK F. GOSE]
Judge Gose was only five years of age when the family arrived in
Walla Walla county and he is indebted to the public schools of
Walla Walla for the early educational advantages he enjoyed. After
leaving school he entered the office of ex-Senator John B. Allen,
one of the distinguished attorneys of the northwest at that time.
After reading law for some time, Judge Gose was admitted to the bar
in 1883 and at once began the practice of his chosen profession in
Pomeroy, where he has since remained, becoming in the meantime one
of the leading lawyers of this section of the state. He won for
himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic
methods which he followed. He has ever displayed remarkable powers
of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often
excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he
stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the
court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and
his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his
professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterize
his preparation of a case and have made him one of the most successful
attorneys of the state. It was the qualities which he had displayed
in private practice that commended him for judicial service and he
was elected a judge of the supreme court, serving on the bench of the
court of final appeals in Washington for six years. His opinions are
fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical and as brief
as the character of the case will permit. He never enlarged beyond the
necessities of the legal thought in order to indulge in the drapery of
literature. His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar
and on the bench has been directed in the line of his profession and
his duty.
In 1886 Judge Gose was united in marriage to Miss Lelah Seeley, a
daughter of Charles H. Seeley, and to them was born a daughter, L.
Vyvien, who is now the wife of Charles A. McCleary, of Olympia. Judge
Gose makes his home in Pomeroy, where he occupies an attractive
residence, and in addition he owns and supervises a large ranch,
taking considerable interest and pride in his agricultural labors. His
political endorsement has, since 1896, been given to the republican
party and upon that ticket he was elected to the office of mayor of
Pomeroy, the reins of city government being in most capable hands
during his administration of civic affairs. He is today one of the
honored and representative men of the state.
CHARLES F. FLATHERS.
Charles F. Flathers is a representative agriculturist of Walla Walla
county, owning and cultivating six hundred and fifty-two acres of
valuable land situated on section 32, township 10 north, range 36
east. It was upon this farm that he was born March 17, 1875, a son
of Benjamin F. and Melinda (McQuown) Flathers, who are mentioned
elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the old homestead and
became a pupil in the Prescott schools, dividing his time between the
duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work
of the fields. He continued to assist his father until 1905, when he
joined his brothers, John and Emery Flathers, and for five years the
three brothers conducted farming interests in a partnership relation.
Emery then withdrew but Charles F. and John continued their interests
together until 1914. Since that time Charles F. Flathers has carried
on farming interests independently and is now the owner of six hundred
and fifty-two acres of valuable wheat land, which he carefully and
successfully cultivates. He has become one of the most substantial
agriculturists of Walla Walla county. He studies closely everything
bearing upon wheat culture and the production of other crops suited to
soil and climatic conditions here and his progressive methods produce
splendid results. His farm with its broad fields, its substantial
buildings and its modern improvements presents a most pleasing
appearance and is a very attractive feature of the landscape.
On the 20th of October, 1911, Mr. Flathers was married to Miss
Elizabeth Fowler, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Colonel Alexander
Fowler, of Fort Scott, Kansas, who won his title by service in the
Civil war and has now passed away. In politics Mr. Flathers is a
democrat but not desirous to hold office. He is a member of Prescott
Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Flathers
was engaged in nursing in Walla Walla. She is a lady of liberal
education and culture and both Mr. and Mrs. Flathers are widely and
favorably known in their section of the county, enjoying the high
regard of an extensive circle of friends.
S. F. ATWOOD.
S. F. Atwood, who is doing excellent work as principal of the Dayton
high school, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, January 29, 1885,
a son of Wiley C. and Indiana (Freeman) Atwood, natives respectively
of Virginia and Iowa. Both, however, were taken as children to Johnson
county, Missouri, and there they were reared and married. The father
engaged in farming there until 1893, when he went to Bates county, that
state, whence in 1896 he removed to Ellensburg, Washington. In his new
home he resumed the work of tilling the fields and he is now engaged in
agricultural pursuits in Benton county, where he has lived since 1913.
In that year he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.
S. F. Atwood attended the district schools of Missouri in early boyhood
and continued his education in the Ellensburg schools, graduating from
the high school in 1902. He prepared for teaching in the Ellensburg
State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1905, and the
thorough professional training which he there received well fitted him
for the performance of his duties as principal of the North Street
school of Ballard, Washington, which position he held for three years.
At the end of that time he matriculated in the University of Washington
at Seattle, but withdrew from that school in his senior year on account
of his mother's illness. In December, 1909, he was called to Dayton
as principal of the high school and has ever since served in that
capacity, his continuance in the position indicating his efficiency. He
regards teaching as being as truly a profession as the law or medicine
and believes that one intending to devote his life to educational
work should prepare as thoroughly as the physician or lawyer. He has
remained a constant student of educational methods and is always
willing to adapt to the needs of his school any new plan which has
proved of value.
Mr. Atwood was married in 1910 to Miss Anna Laura McMillan, of Seattle,
and they have four children, Dorothy Jean, Violet Claire, Florence May
and Stanley Freeman, Jr.
Mr. Atwood endorses the principles of the democratic party and supports
its measures at the polls and in 1916 was its candidate for county
superintendent. He belongs to Occidental Lodge, No. 72, F. & A. M.,
of Seattle, and is also a member of the Inquiry Club of Dayton. Both
he and his wife attend the Congregational church and can be counted
upon to further movements having as their object the moral advancement
of the community. He has not at any time kept himself aloof from the
everyday interests of life but has been a factor in the development of
Dayton along various lines.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
Among Walla Walla county's venerable and highly respected citizens is
numbered William Martin, a retired farmer who is now living in Hill
township. Moreover, he has lived on the Pacific coast for sixty-five
years and is familiar with every phase of its growth and development
from Indian fighting to the latest methods of crop production. He
was born in Indiana, September 30, 1833, and is a son of Jesse and
Catherine (Harris) Martin, the former a native of Ohio, while the
latter was born in Kentucky. At an early date they became residents
of Indiana and afterward established their home in McLean county,
Illinois. In 1844 they removed to Missouri, where they resided until
1857, when they started across the plains for California, whither
their son William had preceded them. They located in Thurston county,
Washington, and there continued to reside until called to their final
rest. They had a family of ten children but only three are now living.
William Martin was reared and educated in Missouri, where he resided
until 1852, when at the age of nineteen years he came to the Pacific
coast country. He outfitted with an ox team and wagon and started upon
the long journey to California, attracted by the discovery of gold
on the Pacific coast and the business opportunities which it opened
up. He was six months in crossing the plains and then concluded to
locate in Oregon, but after spending three months in Oregon City went
to Thurston county, Washington, where he was employed in a sawmill
for three years and a half. On the expiration of that time he took up
a claim. Upon that land, which was entirely wild and undeveloped, he
built a little log cabin with a clapboard roof and began life there in
true pioneer style, experiencing the hardships and privations incident
to the settlement of the frontier. Upon that place he lived for several
years and his labors wrought a marked change in its appearance, for he
broke the sod, tilled the fields and in course of time gathered good
harvests. He afterward purchased more land in that locality. The years
were fraught not only with much hard labor but with other experiences
of pioneer life. In 1855 and 1856 Mr. Martin was engaged in fighting
the Indians and became familiar with all of the treacherous methods of
Indian warfare. Later he concentrated his efforts upon farming and as
the years passed his labors were crowned with a substantial measure of
success.
On December 14, 1856, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Ann
E. Yantis, who was born in Missouri in 1840 and by whom he had five
children, as follows: John F.; J. A.; Catherine, who is the wife of
L. H. Koontz, of Pasco, Washington; William E.; and one who died in
infancy.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Martin brought his family to the Walla Walla
valley, where he has since lived, covering a period of forty-five
years. Here he was engaged in the stock business until 1880 and then
removed to Walla Walla and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits.
In 1886 he entered a railroad office at Wallula, where he remained for
nine years, and at the end of that time located on a ranch on Snake
river, living there for three years. The following year was spent in
Walla Walla and he next owned and occupied a ranch on Hudson Bay in
Oregon for three years. On selling that place he returned to Washington
and has lived in Touchet since 1901. He purchased a store in Touchet
which he carried on for some time but at length sold that property and
retired from active business life, so that he is now enjoying a rest
which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He owns seven acres of
land in the village of Touchet, upon which he has a comfortable and
attractive residence and is now pleasantly situated there.
His has been an active and useful life and one which, by its integrity
and honor, has gained for him the respect and confidence of all with
whom he has been brought in contact. His political allegiance has
always been given to the democratic party and upon that ticket he was
elected to represent his district in the general assembly of Washington
in 1877. He has served on the school board, has filled the office of
justice of the peace and at all times has been most loyal to the trust
reposed in him. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian
church and have guided their lives by its teachings, being always
careful to conform their actions to high standards. In a word they have
ever endeavored to follow the golden rule doing unto others as they
would have others do unto them.
RAYMOND RINGOLD REES.