common schools became a student in the Edinboro (Penn.) State Normal
school and in Austinburg College at Austinburg, Ohio. Later he took up
the study of medicine at the Eclectic Medical College at San Francisco,
California, but left that institution a year before the completion
of his course. It was in 1877 that he removed to California and he
was one of the first settlers of the town of Whatcom. He devoted some
time to timber cruising and for a number of years he traveled through
California, Oregon and Washington, becoming familiar with practically
every part of the Pacific coast. In 1880 he came with his parents to
Walla Walla county and established the North Western nurseries, which
he conducted for years. He was one of the first men to enter that line
of business in this section and his success in the growing of fruit
trees determined the possibilities of this region in the production of
fruit. He also engaged in general farming to some extent and found that
likewise profitable. For four years he was county fruit inspector and
later was for a similar length of time state fruit inspector and was
generally recognized as an authority on everything pertaining to fruit
and its production. About 1907 he gave up the nursery business and has
since rented his land for gardening, although he still resides upon his
farm, which comprises one hundred and-fifty-two acres two miles south
of Walla Walla, in the most fertile part of the valley. His home is a
handsome country residence, provided with all modern conveniences.
In 1883 Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCaslin,
who was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, but was teaching in the schools
of Omaha, Nebraska, at the time of her marriage. They have become the
parents of five children, of whom four survive, namely: Elizabeth May,
the wife of Ned McLean, of Walla Walla; Bertha, who married L. F.
Turman, of Willows, California; Charles B., who is first sergeant with
the Washington Field Artillery, under Major Weyrauch; and Marguerite,
the wife of Fred Houghton, of Attalia, this county.
Mr. Whitney's political views accord with the principles of the
republican party and he gives it his stanch support but has never
taken a very active part in politics. However, he has always felt the
keenest interest in the upbuilding of his county and his influence has
been felt in its development along horticultural, agricultural and
civic lines. He was a member of the board of commissioners that had
charge of the Walla Walla exhibit at the Lewis and Clark Exposition
held in Portland in 1905 and took a great deal of pride in the fine
showing that the county made. He has a number of fraternal connections,
belonging to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M.; Walla Walla
Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Walla Walla Commandery, No. 1 K. T.; El Katif
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane; to the Shrine Club at Walla
Walla, of which he is president; to Alki Chapter, No. 25, O. E. S., of
which he is past patron and of which his wife was the second matron,
to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand; to
the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287,
B. P. O. E. His high standing in the Odd Fellows society is further
indicated by the fact that he holds the lodge jewel.
EDWARD H. NIXON.
Edward H. Nixon, one of the earliest of Walla Walla's pioneers now
living and for many years a dominant factor in civic affairs, was born
in Guyandotte, West Virginia, on the 26th of May, 1842. When he was ten
years of age his parents removed to Jackson county, Iowa, settling on
a farm about eight miles west of Sabula. He was there educated in the
district schools and at his mother's knee, she having been educated for
a teacher in the Massachusetts schools in early life. Subsequently she
went west to teach in the West Virginia schools and it was there that
she was married. After mastering the early branches of learning Mr.
Nixon continued his studies in the high school at Maquoketa, Iowa, and
at the age of twenty years he was elected to the office of constable in
his district, but the commissioners refused him a commission because
he was not of legal age. He began reading law at Maquoketa, Iowa, and
advanced sufficiently to try cases before a justice of the peace.
[Illustration: EDWARD H. NIXON]
In sentiment he was strongly anti-slavery at the beginning of the
Civil war and as his sympathies were with the north, he determined he
would not fight for any country that would uphold slavery, but after
the Emancipation Proclamation he offered his services to the country
and was accepted in December, 1863, being mustered into the service as
a member of Company A, Ninth Regiment of the Iowa Veteran Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served for one year, five months and eleven
days. He then received an honorable discharge, the war having been
brought to a close. He had participated in the battles of Snake Creek
Gap, Resaca, Dallas and New Hope Church, Ackworth or Big Shanty, and
the seven days' siege of Kenesaw Mountain and many skirmishes. He was
also in the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, 1864, in the battle
of Ezra Church and many others, taking part in every engagement in
which his regiment participated until the fall of Atlanta. At close of
the war he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home
with a most creditable military record, having nobly done his part to
preserve the Union. He afterward pursued a course in Eastman's Business
College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and subsequently he engaged in
farming until 1873, when he started for the far west with Walla Walla
as his destination. He arrived here on the 16th of March of that year
and took up the profession of teaching. He also engaged in farm work
and in fact accepted any employment that would yield him an honest
dollar.
On the 2d of April, 1876, Mr. Nixon was united in marriage to Miss Kate
Stewart, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Stewart, and to them have
been born three children, two daughters and a son: Stella, now the
wife of H. L. Wilson, who is state highway contractor and a resident
of Walla Walla; Laura, the wife of H. H. Hadley, who is engaged in
the automobile business in Dayton, Washington; and Edward S., who is
associated with his father in the real estate and insurance business
under the firm style of E. H. Nixon & Son.
In 1877, soon after his marriage, Mr. Nixon removed to Whitman county
and took up a homestead and tree claim and preempted another one
hundred and sixty acres of land. He also rented a section of school
land and for eight years or more was extensively and successfully
engaged in farming. He laid out the first road ever laid out in Whitman
county and was well known as the pioneer settler of that county,
instituting much of the progressive work which has brought about its
present-day progress and prosperity. In 1885 he returned to Walla
Walla, and while he has disposed of his landed interests in Whitman
county, he still owns valuable farm property and since 1892 he has
conducted a real estate and insurance business, the firm of E. H.
Nixon & Son maintaining an office in the Jaycox building. For many
years Mr. Nixon was one of the most conspicuous figures in the civic
affairs of Walla Walla. He served as road overseer, was also United
States deputy postmaster, was justice of the peace two years and was
police judge one year. He was also city assessor one term and was a
member of the city council and at all times exercised his official
prerogatives in support of many well defined plans and measures for
the general good. He looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the
opportunities and possibilities of the future and labored not only for
the welfare of the passing hour but for future time as well. He was
responsible for the establishment of the perpetual care system in the
city cemetery and later the same system in the Odd Fellows cemetery,
serving as president of the cemetery committee for a number of years.
Mr. Nixon has long been a faithful and prominent member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, in which he has filled all of the offices in the
local post. He has also been honored with the position of assistant
adjutant general and assistant quartermaster general of the Department
of Washington and Alaska. He has membership in Blue Mountain Lodge,
No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 19, I.
O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs, including that of
noble grand. In 1890 he joined with F. W. Paine and others in forming
the Interstate Building Loan & Trust Association, and he is a member
of its board of trustees and vice president of the association. In
a word his activities are broad and varied. He is a liberal minded
man, recognizing the duties and obligations of the individual to his
fellowmen and to his country. At all times he has been actuated by a
progressive spirit and in business affairs has been stimulated by a
laudable ambition. His purposes have been well defined and promptly
executed and the course which he has pursued has at all times measured
up to the highest standards of manhood. His work has been of great
benefit to the community at large as well as a source of individual
success, and Walla Walla county honors him as one of her best known
pioneers. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church.
S. S. MORITZ.
S. S. Moritz, who since 1914 has held the office of postmaster
of Dayton, was formerly prominently identified with its business
interests, first as a merchant and later as a real estate operator.
He was born in Victoria, British Columbia, August 28, 1863, a son
of Moses and Adeline (Greenenburg) Moritz, natives respectively of
Alsace, France, and of Groesenadar, Germany. The mother came to the
Pacific coast by way of the Panama route in young womanhood and joined
relatives living in San Francisco. The father emigrated to this
country in early manhood and after spending some time in the middle
west made his way to the California gold fields in 1849. He acquired
some valuable mining properties but later lost them through reverses
in fortune. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in
San Francisco in 1855 and subsequently went to Portland, Oregon, where
he was married, the lady who became his wife having in the meantime
removed to that city, where she made her home with relatives. Mr.
Moritz engaged in merchandising there until the discovery of gold on
the Fraser river in the British possessions. He then removed with his
family to Victoria, where they resided for two years, after which they
returned to Portland. Later they became residents of Centerville,
Idaho, where the father was well known as a general merchant. At length
he removed to Boise City with the view of giving his children better
educational advantages and remained there until 1873, when he went to
Salt Lake City, where he was active in business until 1890. He then
retired and spent his last days in the home of his son, S. S. Moritz.
He passed away September 23, 1913, when in his eighty-eighth year. He
was a man of vigorous constitution and retained the full use of his
faculties up to the time of his death. His widow survives.
S. S. Moritz received his education in the schools of Boise City and of
Salt Lake City and during vacations received business training which
stood him in good stead in his later years. For several years before
leaving school the summers were devoted to clerking in various stores
in Salt Lake City, chiefly the clothing business, and in the spring
of 1885, when a young man of twenty-one years, he came to Dayton,
Washington, to accept a position with Duzenbury & Stencil, general
merchants. For a year he had charge of their clothing and furnishing
department and then engaged in business for himself, establishing a
clothing and furnishing store. For eighteen years he conducted that
store and became a dominant factor in the commercial life of Dayton,
his resourcefulness, energy and keen insight into business conditions
causing him to be generally recognized as a leader. In 1904 he sold
his store, as he desired to give his undivided attention to his other
interests. For a number of years he had been investing heavily in real
estate and he it was who laid out the Syndicate Hill subdivision of
Dayton, which is now recognized as the finest residence district of the
city, and for a decade his entire time was given up to looking after
his real estate interests, but in 1914 he became postmaster of Dayton
by appointment of President Wilson. During the intervening three years
he has held that position and has performed his duties in the same
capable manner that he managed his private affairs.
Mr. Moritz was a stanch republican in his political views until 1896,
but in that year he became convinced of the wisdom of the policies
advocated by William Jennings Bryan and gave his support to the
democratic party, with which he has since been identified. He has taken
an active part in public affairs and many improvements in Dayton have
been brought about largely through his indefatigable work in their
behalf. Notable among these is his achievement in securing the paving
of the business district in spite of much indifference and determined
opposition. His interest in good roads has found further expression
in the arterial highway law, a very significant piece of legislation,
which is based upon a plan conceived by Mr. Moritz. When it became
necessary to change the city charter in conformity with the state
regulations he led the movement for a charter that would meet all
the needs of Dayton and was largely instrumental in securing such an
instrument. He has been one of the most active members in the Dayton
Commercial Club since its organization and has had a large part in its
effective and farreaching work for the city. Fraternally he belongs
to Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P. His position as one of the foremost
residents of Dayton is secure and his personal friends are many.
T. F. DICE.
T. F. Dice, residing on section 2, township 9 north, range 36 east,
Walla Walla county, holds title to a large amount of land but is
renting the greater part of it and is thus enjoying comparative
leisure. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania, February 15, 1859, a son
of William and Susan (Redrick) Dice, who passed their entire lives in
the Keystone state. Five of their seven children are still living.
T. F. Dice grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and supplemented the
education acquired in the public schools by attendance at Mercersburg
college in Mercersburg. On leaving his native state he went to
Savannah, Georgia, where he spent three years, and then in 1889 he came
to Walla Walla county, Washington, for the benefit of his health and
here he purchased a farm on which he resided for three years. He next
bought his present home place on section 2, township 9 north, range 36
east, and for many years personally operated the five hundred acres
comprised in the farm. At the present time, however, he rents all the
land but an eighty acre tract, which is in alfalfa and which he looks
after himself.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Dice and Miss E. A. Spangenberg.
The latter was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter
of Frederick A. and Fanny Anna Spangenberg, both also born in
Pennsylvania. The father, who successfully engaged in the practice of
law for many years, is now deceased, but the mother survives. Mrs.
Dice had exceptional musical training and her talents along that line
have been a source of great pleasure to her family and friends. Mr.
and Mrs. Dice have four children: William T., who lives in California;
Lee R., who is teaching in the University of Montana; Frances E., the
wife of the Rev. Robert M. Hood, now a resident of Idaho; and Carl E.,
a student of Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, San Rafael, California.
During the years of his residence in Walla Walla county Mr. Dice has
become widely and favorably known, his many excellent qualities gaining
for him many warm friends.
W. H. BARNHART.
The field of opportunity finds its boundaries only in the limitations
of the individual. When energy and ambition lie dormant the path of
advancement seems closed, but to the man who believes that there is
a chance for every individual and who is willing to take his chance
with others, there always comes a time when he can take the initial
step that will lead on to fortune. That Mr. Barnhart recognized the
opportune moment is shown in the fact that he is now one of the
leading business men of Starbuck, where he is widely known as the vice
president and manager of the Sprout & Barnhart Mercantile Company and
also as a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Starbuck.
Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Wapello
county on the 11th of October, 1871, his parents being Henry and
Elizabeth (Johnson) Barnhart. The father was a native of Tennessee,
while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, and in Iowa their marriage
was solemnized. They had accompanied their respective parents to the
last mentioned state in childhood and were there reared. Mr. Barnhart
turned his attention to farming and railroading, which he followed in
Iowa until 1889, when he removed westward to Oregon and for a number
of years was employed by the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation
Company in the capacity of engineer. He thus took part in the early
development of railway operations in the west. He died in December,
1915, and is survived by his widow, who resides on a ranch near
Spokane.
[Illustration: W. H. BARNHART]
W. H. Barnhart, spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
completed his education in the high school at Albia, Iowa, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1889. The following year he came
to Oregon and for a number of years successfully engaged in teaching
school, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that
he had acquired. He also worked in a store at La Grande, Oregon, and
subsequently he became a student in Armstrong's Business College at
Portland. Later he took up railroading as an employe of the Oregon
& Washington Railroad & Navigation Company and was employed by that
corporation for thirteen years. During the last seven years of that
period he ran an engine and in 1907 he resigned his position with the
company and purchased an interest in the mercantile establishment of W.
E. Sprout of Starbuck. The following year the company was reorganized
and incorporated, with Mr. Barnhart as the vice president and manager
of the business, and Mr. Sprout as the president. They have a spacious
and well appointed store, carrying an extensive line of goods, and they
always maintain the highest standards in the personnel of the house, in
the stock carried and in the treatment accorded patrons. Their business
has therefore gradually increased as the years have gone on and has
become one of the profitable commercial interests of southeastern
Washington.
In September, 1901, Mr. Barnhart was united in marriage to Miss Bessie
A. Wright, of Starbuck, and they have become parents of two daughters,
Grace M. and Blanche L. Mr. Barnhart is a loyal representative of
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Tucanon Lodge, No. 106, F. &
A. M., of which he is now worshipful master. He is also identified
with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and has served as chief
engineer in the order. In politics he is a stalwart republican and
is now mayor of Starbuck. He had previously served for several years
as a member of the town council and his fitness for further and more
responsible public duties led to his election as chief executive. His
wife and two daughters are members of the Episcopal church and Mr.
Barnhart is serving on its board of trustees. His aid and influence
are always given on the side of progress and improvement as related to
the material upbuilding and also the social, intellectual and moral
advancement of the community. Those who know him, and he has a wide
acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine worth who well merits the
success that has crowned his efforts since he started out in business
life empty-handed.
IRA D. BRUNTON.
Among the native sons of Walla Walla county who have elected to
continue residents thereof is Ira D. Brunton, who is engaged in farming
on section 30, township 8 north, range 36 east. He was born in that
township, May 11, 1876, and is a son of W. H. H. and Sarah A. (Lewis)
Brunton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was
reared upon the home farm, and his boyhood and youth were spent in the
acquirement of a district school education and in helping his father.
He further pursued his studies in Whitman College and at the old Empire
Business College at Walla Walla, thus fitting himself for his later
life.
After his marriage Mr. Brunton began farming for himself, operating a
part of the homestead in partnership with his father, this relation
being continued until his father's death, after which Mr. Brunton of
this review and his brother Frank managed the entire estate of seven
hundred acres for five years. At the end of that time Ira D. Brunton
took over the operation of four hundred acres and his brother Garfield
became responsible for the cultivation of the remaining three hundred
acres. In 1903 our subject purchased one hundred and sixty acres
adjoining the home farm and he now operates both places and also four
hundred acres of rented land, or nine hundred and sixty acres in all.
It is thus evident that his interests are extensive and make heavy
demands upon his time and energies, but he is industrious, progressive
and systematic in his work and his affairs are kept well in hand.
Mr. Brunton was married October 10, 1897, to Miss Bessie L. Ramseur, a
daughter of David W. Ramseur, who removed to Walla Walla county from
North Carolina in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Brunton have been born five
children: Elsie M., the wife of Clyde Garland, of Walla Walla; and
Reese R., Lucille B., and Miles and Melvin, twins, all of whom are at
home.
Mr. Brunton's political views are in accord with the principles of
the democratic party and he supports its candidates at the polls. In
1908 he was his party's nominee for sheriff and polled a large vote.
Fraternally he is connected with Mountain Gem Lodge, No. 136, K. P.,
and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is held
in high esteem as a citizen and as a man, and his success as a farmer
entitles him to rank among the leaders in the agricultural development
of the county.
JOSEPH CLARK FAIR.
Joseph Clark Fair, an independent grain buyer and one of Dayton's
foremost business men and representative citizens, was born in Benton
county, Arkansas, February 26, 1874, a son of Joseph A. and Martha
Ann (Russell) Fair, the former born in Sullivan county, Tennessee,
and the latter in Barry county, Missouri. The parents were taken by
their respective parents to Benton county, Arkansas, and there grew to
manhood and womanhood. They continued to reside there following their
marriage, with the exception of four years spent in Texas, up to the
time of the mother's death, which occurred in June, 1899. The father
devoted his active life to farming but is now a resident of Centerton,
Benton county, Arkansas, where he is living retired. He is a local
Methodist minister and was often importuned to join the conference but
refused, saying he knew he could make a living farming but did not
know whether he could as a minister or not. His parents, Ellis and
Nancy Hamilton (Easly) Fair, were representatives of old families of
Tennessee. Mr. Fair was killed by Indians at the time of the Civil war.
The parents of Mrs. Martha Ann (Russell) Fair were Elijah and Louisa
(Bell) Russell, natives respectively of Missouri and Tennessee. Mr.
Russell went to the California gold mines in 1849, crossing the plains
with ox team, and returned to the east in 1852 by sailing vessel. At
the time of the Civil war he was killed by bushwackers.
Joseph Clark Fair was reared at home, and in the acquirement of his
education attended the common schools of Arkansas and the Elm Springs
Academy, in Washington county, that state. For two terms he engaged in
teaching in Benton county, Arkansas, but because of the low salary paid
teachers gave up the profession. In 1898 he decided to try his fortune
in the far west and located at Condon, Gilliam county, Oregon, where he
was connected with lumber interests. He remained there for five years
and during the last year helped to build the courthouse. During that
time he acquired title to seven hundred and twenty acres of land, which
he has since sold at a profit. In 1903 he became a resident of Dayton,
Washington, where he has ever since remained, and he is well known
throughout Columbia county as a grain-buyer. He is expert in judging
wheat and keeps in the closest touch with the grain markets and has
been very successful in his business affairs.