valley. He attained the age of eighty-two years but at the time of
his death was still giving personal direction to his extensive and
important farming interests. His life experiences were varied and
prominently connected him with the upbuilding and development of this
section of the country. He was born in Germany, November 9, 1835, and
was a son of Carl and Mary Plucker, who were also natives of that
country, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of
eight children, four of whom are now living.
Charles Plucker, whose name introduces this review, was reared and
educated in Germany, spending the first seventeen years of his life
in that country. He then determined to try his fortune in the new
world and become a resident of America. In 1854, therefore, he made
the voyage across the Atlantic and for two years remained a resident
of New York. In 1856 he enlisted at the age of nineteen years in the
army of his adopted land and was located on Governors island. In 1857
he went to Fort Simcoe as a soldier and was on active military duty
there for five years. He was later sent to Fort Colwell and in 1861
he received an honorable discharge, having for five years rendered
active aid to the United States government in its efforts to protect
American interests and the lives and property of the people upon the
northwestern frontier.
Mr. Plucker was then honorably discharged and came to Walla Walla,
where he opened a paint shop. He continued in active business in that
city for fourteen years and in 1875 he turned his attention to general
agricultural interests, purchasing a farm on the Touchet river on
section 14, township 8 north, range 33 east. He continued to reside
upon that property until his death, being the owner of ten hundred
and eighty acres of rich and valuable land which he greatly improved,
adding thereto many commodious and substantial modern buildings and all
the accessories and conveniences of the highly improved farm of the
present day. Few men of his years remain in such active connection with
business affairs as did Mr. Plucker. He was, however, a well preserved
man physically and mentally and seemed much younger than the record
indicated.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. CHARLES PLUCKER]
On the 7th of October, 1868, Mr. Plucker was united in marriage to
Miss Katherine A. Hauer, also a native of Germany, who came to the
United States in 1868. She is a daughter of Christian and Augusta
(Lüder) Hauer, who were born, reared and married in Schleswig-Holstein,
The father, who was a hatter by trade, died there August 6, 1866. In
1880 the mother came to America with a nephew and her daughter, Mrs.
Frederika Roehl Behl, who located in San Francisco. After spending
a few months in that city Mrs. Hauer came to Washington to make her
home with another daughter, Mrs. Charles Plucker, and here she passed
away April 29, 1881, at the age of eighty years. She was the mother
of six children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of
Mrs. Plucker. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Plucker, namely:
Frederick and Charles, now deceased; W. H., who died at the age of
forty-five years; Magdalena, the wife of Peter Conrad; and F. C., at
home with his mother.
After a useful and well spent life Mr. Plucker passed away on the 30th
of October, 1917. In his political views he was a democrat, supporting
the party from the time he became a naturalized American citizen. He
served on the school board but did not seek office, preferring to
concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He
especially deserves mention among the self-made men of the state, for
he started out in life empty-handed and all that he possessed was
acquired through his persistent, earnest and honorable effort. The
family is one of prominence here and has been widely and favorably
known in the valley since early days.
A. F. ANDERSON.
A. F. Anderson is a retired farmer living in Prescott. He has been
closely identified with agricultural interests and is still the owner
of valuable farming property, from which he derives a gratifying
income, but at the present time he is largely leaving the management
and operation of his land to others, for he is enjoying a rest which he
has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born in Sweden, September
23, 1844, and was there reared and educated, spending the period of his
boyhood and youth in that country. He was also married in his native
land and in 1869, when a young man of twenty-five years, he crossed
the Atlantic to the new world, making his way first to Kansas, where
he resided for about twelve years, or until 1881. He then came to the
northwest with Washington as his destination and was section foreman
in this state for fifteen years. He also took up a homestead of one
hundred and sixty acres and later he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres more. His half section is all wheat land and has been brought
under a high state of cultivation, large crops being annually gathered.
Excellent improvements have been placed upon his farm and there is no
accessory or convenience of the model farm property that is not found
there. He owns a fine residence in Prescott and his surroundings are
indicative of his life of well directed energy and thrift.
In 1869 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Carlson, a
native of Sweden, and they have become parents of eight children:
Hilma; Augusta; Charles, who is now deputy sheriff at Wallula;
Wilhelmina; Ada; Edith; Harry; and Genevieve.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are well known residents of Prescott. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served
as justice of the peace and as school director, while at the present
time he is one of the aldermen of the city. His political activity
has always been characterized by the utmost devotion to the general
good and he has been most true and faithful in his official positions,
discharging his duties with marked capability and promptness. Moreover,
he is a self-made man and one who deserves great credit for what he has
accomplished in a business way. He came to the new world empty-handed
when a young man of twenty-five, but he possessed the substantial
qualities of courage, determination and industry and has utilized
these qualities as the basis of his growing success. Undeterred by the
obstacles and difficulties in his path, he has steadily worked his way
upward and is now one of the prosperous residents of Prescott.
JOHN A. ROSS.
In the death of John A. Ross, Walla Walla county lost a representative
agriculturist, a loyal citizen and a man whose worth in every relation
was widely acknowledged. He was born in Pennsylvania, July 16, 1860,
and was reared and educated in that state. He there remained until
1879, when, at the age of nineteen years, he bade adieu to friends in
the east and started for the Pacific coast. On reaching Walla Walla
county he here took up his abode and remained a resident of this
section until life's labors were ended in death.
It was in the year 1882 that Mr. Ross secured a faithful companion and
helpmate for life's journey in his marriage to Miss Florence Cauvel who
was also born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of John and Matilda
(Ketner) Cauvel, who always remained residents of the Keystone state.
In their family were fifteen children, of whom eleven are yet living.
Following his marriage Mr. Ross purchased a farm near Pendleton,
Oregon, and the family resided upon that place for some time.
Eventually, however, he sold that property and removed to Camas
prairie, where he again purchased land and followed farming for two
years. On the expiration of that period he sold the property and
invested in a farm at Sunnyside, where he made his home for five years.
Once more he disposed of his property and this time bought a farm near
Walla Walla comprising fifty acres, to the further development of which
he at once bent his energies, his labors being attended with excellent
results. He added many improvements to the place, erected fine
buildings thereon and his labors wrought a marked transformation in
the property. He was progressive in all that he did, was an energetic
farmer and his labors were at all times intelligently directed and
characterized by sound business judgment.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ross numbered five children: Winifred, who
is the wife of George Calhoun; Mabel, the wife of Dale Babcock; Carl,
who is now in Idaho; Royal, who is with his mother; and Pauline, the
youngest of the family.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death when in July, 1912,
Mr. Ross passed away, his remains being interred in the cemetery in
Walla Walla. His death was the occasion of sincere and widespread
regret of the many who knew him and of deep sorrow to his immediate
family, for he possessed attractive social qualities, a genial
disposition and a kindly manner that endeared him to those with whom he
was brought in contact. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America
and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He was
also a consistent member of the Congregational church, with which his
wife is connected, and in the work of the church they ever took a most
active and helpful part. Mr. Ross was a man whom to know was to esteem
and honor for his life was ever upright and straightforward in its
purposes and in its dealings and he was a worthy representative of high
standards of manhood and citizenship.
P. B. HAWLEY.
P. B. Hawley is engaged in farming on section 27, township 7
north, range 33 east, and is regarded as one of the representative
agriculturists of Walla Walla county. He has been in former years a
leading factor in political circles and has been called upon to fill
various offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness
and fidelity. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident of the
northwest.
Mr. Hawley was born in Umatilla county, Oregon, on the 30th of June,
1862, a son of Philip L. and Sarah J. (Roberts) Hawley, both of whom
were natives of Illinois. They were married, however, in Ohio and in
1861 they crossed the plains to Walla Walla, Washington, attracted
by the opportunities of the growing northwest. Subsequently the
father removed with his family to Umatilla county, Oregon, where he
took up a homestead near Pilot Rock, and thereon resided for two or
three years. He then turned his attention to the lumber business, in
which he engaged in connection with George H. Reed, forming the Reed
& Hawley Lumber Company. They operated mills in Umatilla county and
had lumberyards in Walla Walla. The father was identified with this
business throughout the remainder of his active life but his labors
were terminated in death in 1878. His widow survived him for only a
brief period, passing away in 1879.
P. B. Hawley after attending the public schools continued his education
in the Whitman College and thus became well qualified for life's
practical and responsible duties. In partnership with his brothers,
L. R. and W. B. Hawley, he purchased extensive farm lands in Walla
Walla county, built irrigation ditches and for seven years the three
brothers were most closely associated in the conduct of their farming
enterprises. In recent years, however, their holdings have been divided
and P. B. Hawley now owns in his home place two hundred and fifty acres
of rich and valuable land which he has carefully and persistently
cultivated, bringing his fields under a very high state of development,
so that he annually gathers good crops. He displays keen sagacity and
business discernment in the management of his interests and success in
large measure has attended his labors.
In 1905 Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Hunziker, of
Walla Walla, and to them has been born a daughter, Alida F. He belongs
to Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., of which he became a charter
member, and he also has connection with the Modern Woodmen of America.
He and his wife are members of the Community church of Touchet and
their aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and
improvement. He is a well known and representative citizen of Walla
Walla county and there are various chapters in his life history well
worthy of emulation. He is genial in manner, social in disposition and
is cordial but never to the point of familiarity. These qualities have
won him personal popularity, while his enterprise and diligence have
gained him prominence in business circles.
WILLIAM KIRKMAN.
William Kirkman, deceased, one of the honored pioneers of Walla Walla
county, was prominently identified with stock raising interests
for a considerable period and previous to that time was engaged in
prospecting for a time. His activities were of a character that
contributed to the progress and prosperity of the district in which
he resided and Walla Walla numbered him among her most honored and
valued residents. He was born near Manchester, in Lancashire, England,
December 7, 1832, and received his education and grew to manhood in
his native country. When about twenty years of age he came to the
United States. He had been identified with the firm of Grant Brothers,
proprietors of woolen mills in Lancashire, England. It is supposed
that these brothers were the originals of Dickens' characters of the
Cherable brothers. They had designed a fancy Marseilles vesting and
Mr. Kirkman came to America to introduce the goods. For two years he
resided in Boston, Massachusetts, after which he made his way westward
by the Isthmus of Panama route. He spent some time in the gold mines
of California and then proceeded by sailing vessel to Australia and
to the Sandwich Islands, but returned to the American continent when
the news was received of the discovery of gold in paying quantities on
the Fraser river in British Columbia. He proceeded to the gold fields
there and for a number of years divided his time between the mines
in that region and in California. After making and losing what in
those days amounted to several small fortunes he determined to engage
in a more stable business and, accordingly, in 1862, he returned to
San Francisco and the next year purchased cattle in Oregon, which he
drove to the market at Boise, Idaho. He there established himself in
the stock business. In 1866 he took an eighty-mule team pack from
Walla Walla to Montana, where he disposed of all of his goods. He
then became interested in a milk ranch and dairy business, but in
1870 he disposed of his ranch and stock and returned to San Francisco
with the intention of making that city his permanent home. However,
he afterward came to Walla Walla and entered into partnership with
John Dooley for the conduct of a cattle business. Their cattle range
extended from Pasco to Spokane and from Sprague to the Snake river
and was known as the Figure 3 Ranch. This firm was the first to ship
cattle out of the territory to Montana and elsewhere. At a subsequent
period Mr. Kirkman became heavily interested in the sheep industry and
for many years he was an extensive raiser of both cattle and sheep.
During all this time he maintained his partnership relation with Mr.
Dooley, their connection continuing for about twenty years. He also
invested in farm lands, becoming in time the owner of twelve hundred
acres. In 1891 he retired from active life and the year 1892 was spent
by him in travel in Europe. He had hoped that freedom from business
cares and the pleasure of travel would enable him to regain his health,
which had become quite seriously impaired, but this expectation proved
futile, as he died at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, April 25, 1893, when on
his way home. Mr. Kirkman was a man alive to all public interests and
opportunities. He was one of the early contributors to Whitman College
and paid the tuition of various students there in order to help them
and the institution. When the receipts of the college were too small
Mr. Kirkman joined with John F. Boyer to make up the deficit. He was a
man of many substantial qualities and thereby gained many friends. He
contributed much to the development of the northwest along material,
social, intellectual and moral lines, his influence always being on
the side of progress and improvement for the individual and for the
community.
[Illustration: WILLIAM KIRKMAN]
[Illustration: MRS. WILLIAM KIRKMAN]
On the 4th of February, 1867, in San Francisco, Mr. Kirkman was united
in marriage to Miss Isabella Potts, a native of Ireland and a daughter
of Robert and Agnes (Evans) Potts, who passed their entire lives on the
Emerald isle. Mrs. Kirkman came to the United States in her girlhood,
going to San Francisco to join her two sisters who were already
residing there. The four surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman are
William H., Fannie A., Myrtle B. and Leslie G. The eldest son was horn
in Idaho in May, 1868, and pursued his education in Whitman College and
in the Boston University, from which he was graduated on the completion
of a law course in the class of 1893 and then located for practice in
Walla Walla, where he followed his profession for two years. He wedded
Maud Ashley, who passed away in 1905, leaving one son, William Leslie,
who was born in 1901. William H. Kirkman resided in Walla Walla and
filled the office of clerk of the federal court for a year. He was
also a member of the city council and a member of the school board.
Fraternally he was connected with the Masons as a member of the York
Rite and of the Mystic Shrine, and he also held membership with the
Elks, in which he filled all of the chairs of the local lodge. Fannie
A. is the wife of A. H. Reynolds, a prominent attorney and president
of the Farmers Savings Bank of Walla Walla. The youngest son, Leslie
G., was born in Walla Walla in June, 1881, and pursued his education
in the schools of his native city. He married Mabelle E. Hawman and
they have one child, Leslie Gilmore, who was born in 1916. Leslie G.
Kirkman is an Elk and a Mason. He resides in Walla Walla and he and
his brother are engaged in farming, the latter having retired from law
practice, and they are now devoting their attention to the cultivation,
development and further improvement of the old homestead property which
was left by their father. Myrtle B. Kirkman resides with her mother in
Walla Walla.
William Kirkman was very prominent in civic affairs and exerted great
influence on many interests that had to do with the upbuilding and
progress of Walla Walla. His political allegiance was given to the
republican party and he was a delegate to the national republican
convention which was held in Minneapolis in 1892 and nominated Benjamin
Harrison. He was appointed on the committee with William McKinley to
notify Mr. Harrison of his nomination. Mr. Kirkman served on the first
board of directors of the penitentiary upon its establishment and was
a member of the board of education in Walla Walla, contributing much
to the development of its school system. As previously stated, he was
closely associated with the welfare and progress of Whitman College
and was still a member of its board of directors at the time of his
demise. He was a man of sterling qualities, possessing a kindly, genial
disposition that endeared him to those who came in contact with him,
and was charitable to a fault. Although not a member of any church, he
was a liberal contributor to the support of various religious bodies
of the city and no worthy cause appealed to him in vain. His interests
were broad and embraced all that was worth while in life, yet his
greatest care and his fullest devotion were always given to his home
and family.
CLEMENT O. BERGEVIN.
Clement O. Bergevin, who is actively engaged in farming on section 35,
township 7 north, range 34 east, was born on the old Bergevin homestead
in this part of Walla Walla county, his natal day being March 16, 1891.
He is a son of Damase and Mary P. (Allard) Bergevin, the former a
native of Canada and of French extraction. He is mentioned elsewhere in
this work.
Clement O. Bergevin spent his youthful days in his father's home and
acquired his education in the old French town school. In 1912 he began
farming on his own account. He had been reared to that occupation and
early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and
cultivating the crops. He thus brought broad experience to his work
when he started out independently. He is now cultivating three hundred
and twenty acres of land, upon which he now resides and which is a part
of his father's estate. He also owns a third equity in a farm of three
hundred and twenty acres elsewhere in the same township and a third
equity in a five hundred acre tract. His farming interests are thus
extensive and important and in all of his business affairs he displays
marked energy and determination. His industry has enabled him to
overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path and capable management
has brought him substantial reward.
On the 12th of May, 1915, Mr. Bergevin was united in marriage to Miss
Hazel Johnson, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Edward Johnson, one of the
prominent coal dealers of that city. Mr. Bergevin is a member of the
Catholic church and is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He has
comparatively few outside interests, however, preferring to concentrate
his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He is yet a young
man who has only passed the twenty-sixth milestone on life's journey,
but already he has made for himself a place in business circles that
many a man of twice his years might well envy. He displays good
judgment in all that he does and his careful management of his property
and his progressive methods of farming are bringing to him merited
success.
NELSON McSHERRY.
Nelson McSherry made for himself a creditable position in the business
and political circles of Prescott, so that his death was the occasion
of deep and widespread regret when on the 27th of July, 1916, he passed
away. He was then but sixty-one years of age, his birth having occurred
on the 31st of July, 1855. He was a native of Pennsylvania and a son of
J. J. and Margaret (Mitchner) McSherry, both of whom were natives of
the Keystone state. At an early day they removed with their family to
Missouri, settling near Warrensburg, where they spent their remaining
days, and there Nelson McSherry was reared and educated. He was a young
man of twenty-five years when in 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary E. Harvey, of Warrensburg, and to them were born five children:
Lulu, who is the wife of J. D. Walter; Robert, who is living in Nevada;
Joseph C., whose home is in Prescott; Urie D.; and Hester.
Mr. and Mrs. McSherry began their domestic life in Missouri and there
resided until 1888, when they came with their family to the northwest,
establishing their home in Prescott, where Mr. McSherry embarked in
business as proprietor of a small mercantile establishment. He adapted
himself and his affairs to this part of the country and the conditions
here existing and in the course of years he built up a growing and
gratifying business. He closely studied the needs of the people in
relation to the line of goods which he carried and by reason of his
carefully selected stock, his reasonable prices and his straightforward
dealing he won a very liberal and well deserved patronage, so that his
business became one of the profitable enterprises of the town.
In public affairs Mr. McSherry also took a deep and helpful interest.
His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him the
first mayor of Prescott. He was always ready to advance the interests
of the town in every possible way and stood at all times for progress
and improvement. Fraternally he was connected with the Woodmen of
the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared a
Methodist, but Mrs. McSherry is a member of the Presbyterian church.
In 1913, because of failing health, he retired from active business
and turned the management of his store over to his sons. Death called
him in 1916 and at his passing deep regret was felt for he was a
progressive business man, a loyal and patriotic citizen, a faithful
friend and a devoted husband and father. He counted it his greatest
happiness to provide for the welfare and comfort of his wife and
children and in every relation of life he manifested those sterling
qualities which command respect, confidence and honor in every land and
clime.
GEORGE E. LAMBDIN.