Fanning, of Albany, and they became the parents of thirteen children,
ten of whom survive, namely: Nancy E., a teacher; Mary, the wife of
J. O. Mattoon; Lee, a resident of Columbia county; Joseph, a resident
of Seattle; Susie, the wife of E. E. Martin; Rose, who is teaching in
Seattle; Charles, a resident of Walla Walla; Grace, the wife of T. O.
Morrison; James, an instructor in the University of Washington; and
Fred, a graduate of West Point and a captain in the United States army,
now with the American embassy in London.
Mr. Gilbreath was a prominent factor in public affairs in the early
days and was chosen the first county commissioner of Old Walla Walla
county and the first sheriff of Columbia county. He was a firm believer
in the value of higher education and sent several of his children to
college. In many ways his influence was felt in the advancement of his
community, and personally he was held in the highest esteem because of
his unswerving integrity and his great capacity for friendship. His
wife had the distinction of being the first white woman to take up
her residence in the four counties comprised within Old Walla Walla
county, and she, too, proved her courage and perseverance in performing
cheerfully and efficiently the many and arduous duties that fell to the
lot of the pioneer wife and mother.
CHRIS H. ROMMEL.
Chris H. Rommel is residing on section 35, township 14 north, range
41 east, Garfield county, and is operating one thousand acres of
land, being therefore entitled to rank among the extensive farmers of
Garfield county. He grew to manhood in Manchester, Michigan, and is
indebted for his education to its public schools. When nineteen years
of age he started out in life for himself and in 1893 came to Garfield
county, Washington. For some years he rented a farm, during which time
he carefully saved his money with the purpose of buying land as soon as
possible. At length he purchased his present home farm and has extended
its boundaries until he now owns one thousand acres.
Mr. Rommel was married in 1893 to Miss Anna Smith, a native of
California, and they have three children: Fred C., a high school
graduate; Mary P., who is also a high school graduate and is now
teaching; and Ena M.
THOMAS A. RUSSEL.
Thomas A. Russel, deceased, was for a number of years actively engaged
in farming on section 3, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla
county, and met with gratifying success. He was born in Ohio, September
26, 1831, and there grew to manhood and received his education. In
1849 he accompanied his father John Russel, to California, crossing
the great unsettled plains of the west by team, a long, tedious and
dangerous journey, and again in 1852 he came to the coast by the
overland route, but each time he returned to Ohio, where he maintained
his residence until 1864. In that year he went with his bride by horse
team to the Sacramento valley of California, where he lived for three
years, during which time he taught school. They then removed to Bowling
Green, Missouri, and for twenty-one years he was a resident of that
state. During that time he engaged in the practice of law, successfully
appearing in most of the more important trials of his district. In
1888, however, he removed with his family to Walla Walla county,
Washington and the remainder of his life was devoted to agricultural
pursuits.
Mr. Russel was married in 1864 in Ohio to Miss Mary C. Willman, also a
native of that state. To their union were born ten children: John B.
and William, both of whom are deceased; Frank; Thomas and Anna, who
have passed away; Phoebe L.; Lincoln and Grant, twins, and Leslie, the
two latter being deceased; and Joseph, who resides in Canada.
Many interesting experiences came to Mr. Russel in his long life, and
from the time he accompanied his father to the west in 1849 until his
death he was much interested in this section of the country, even while
still residing in the east or middle west. He found great pleasure in
watching the process of development that has made the west a rival of
the east in all that pertains to the highest civilization, and his
influence was invariably cast on the side of progress. He passed away
in January, 1901, and was laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery.
HON. F. M. WEATHERFORD.
Hon. F. M. Weatherford is now living practically retired in Dayton but
for many years was actively and extensively connected with farming
interests and is still the owner of much valuable wheat land in this
section of the state. Moreover, he has been prominently connected with
public affairs and has been called upon to represent his district in
the general assembly. He was born in Missouri, November 12, 1855, and
is a son of Alfred H. and Sophia (Smith) Weatherford, both of whom were
natives of Virginia and at an early day removed westward to Missouri,
where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of nine
children but only three are now living.
While born in the middle west, Hon. F. M. Weatherford has spent the
greater part of his life in the Pacific coast country. He crossed the
plains in 1864, when a lad of but nine years, and became a resident of
Linn county, Oregon. The trip was made with ox teams and wagon and he
was six months en route, experiencing many hardships and privations as
the party traveled over the barren plains, the hot sandy desert and
across the mountain ranges. He took up his abode with a brother in
Oregon and there remained until 1872, when he made his way northward
to Walla Walla county, Washington. The following year, when a youth
of eighteen, he rented a farm nine miles southwest of Dayton in the
section known as Bundy Hollow. Later he bought land east of Dayton and
occupied that farm for twenty years, his labors bringing about a marked
transformation in the appearance of the place, for when the land came
into his possession it was wild and undeveloped. With characteristic
energy he began to cultivate it, breaking the furrows, planting the
seed and in due time gathering rich harvests. Year by year the work
of operating the farm was carried on and as his financial resources
increased he made other investments in property, adding to his holdings
from time to time until he is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres
of fine wheat land in Columbia county. He was also at one time vice
president of the Farmers Exchange at Waitsburg, which he aided in
organizing. He has now put aside the more active work of the fields,
leaving that to others, while he is enjoying a well earned rest, having
taken up his abode in Dayton. His farm property yields to him a most
gratifying annual income and his energy and sound business judgment
have brought him success.
[Illustration: HON. F. M. WEATHERFORD]
In 1878 Mr. Weatherford was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A.
Turner and they have become parents of five children: William M.; J.
C., who is living upon the home farm; Mary S., who is the wife of Elmer
Dunlap; Clara L., the wife of W. E. Bruce; and Arthur M., who is also
upon the home farm.
In his political affiliation Mr. Weatherford is a democrat and has
taken an active part in advancing the interests of the organization.
His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and his devotion to
the party, elected him to represent them for one term in the state
legislature. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion
and he has done effective work in behalf of the schools as a member
of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Dayton Lodge,
No. 136, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in its work take an active and
helpful interest, doing all in their power to extend its growth and
promote its purpose. Mr. Weatherford deserves much credit for what he
has accomplished. He started out in the business world empty-handed,
yet he has passed many another traveler on life's journey whose start
was perhaps more advantageous. His success is the direct result of
indefatigable industry intelligently directed, and, advancing year by
year, he has become one of the prominent and prosperous men of Columbia
county.
HON. DAVID H. COX.
Hon. David H. Cox has back of him an ancestry honorable and
distinguished. Upon the family records appear the names of several
who have been active in connection with framing state or national
legislation. His own career has been cast in harmony with the family
record and he is now a member of the state senate of Washington. For
many years he has figured conspicuously and honorably in agricultural
and commercial circles and is still actively identified with farming,
his attention now being given to the management of his farm property.
A native of eastern Tennessee, he was born December 28, 1865, a son
of Elbert S. and Mary Louise (Beyers) Cox, both of whom were natives
of Tennessee, where they spent their entire lives. The mother was a
niece of John Severe, who was the first governor of Tennessee and a
brother of her mother. Elbert S. Cox was for many years one of the
leading merchants of Jonesboro, Tennessee, and was also extensively
engaged in farming, having near the town a large tract of land which
he successfully and wisely cultivated. He was also prominent in public
affairs of the community and served for one term as member of congress
from his district. He took a most active and helpful part in public
thought and action and all that he did was characterized by a spirit
of progressiveness that made him one of the most valued residents of
Jonesboro. He passed away July 3, 1881, the day on which President
Garfield was shot, in the Pennsylvania Railroad station at Washington,
D. C.
David H. Cox supplemented his public school education by study in
Milliken College of eastern Tennessee and when nineteen years of age he
started out in the business world on his own account, going to Texas,
where he remained for a year. In 1885 he came to the northwest with
Walla Walla as his destination. Here he arrived on the 6th of October
of that year, possessed of courage and determination but of no funds.
His financial condition rendered it imperative that he obtain immediate
employment and he soon secured a position on a farm. He willingly
accepted any employment that would yield him an honest living. He
proved so capable in his farm work that his employer, recognizing his
ability, offered to loan him the amount necessary to enable him to
engage in business for himself. He took up the occupation of farming
and for a considerable period rented land. Since that date he has never
been without farm land of his own and for many years has been a most
prominent figure in agricultural circles in this section of the state.
In 1889, while still continuing in his farming operations, he became
identified with the Pacific Coast Elevator Company and managed the
business from 1889 until 1901. He then became associated with Walter S.
Barnett and established the mercantile house of Cox, Barnett & Company,
under which firm name they transacted an extensive grocery and hardware
business, their sales amounting in later years to between twenty-five
and thirty thousand dollars per month. They continued the business in
a very successful manner until 1910, when Mr. Cox, in company with
Hugh A. Martin, organized the Independent Grain Company, under which
title they carried on business successfully for four years. Since then
Mr. Cox has given his undivided attention to the management of his
farming properties, which represent judicious investments and are the
expression of well directed business ability.
In 1890 Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Decima E. Yeend, of
Walla Walla county, a daughter of William Yeend, one of the pioneer
farmers of this section of the state, who came to Washington from
England in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have become the parents of two
children: Arthur E., who is farming his father's land; and Dessie, at
home.
The family occupies a very enviable position in social circles and the
hospitality of the best homes of Walla Walla is freely accorded them.
Mr. Cox is a stalwart republican in his political views and has done
much to further the interests and promote the success of the party. He
served for several years as member of the Walla Walla city council and
in 1908 was elected to the state senate, serving as a member of the
upper house of the general assembly for four years. In 1912 he was a
candidate for state treasurer, and while he carried thirty-four out of
the thirty-eight counties, he was defeated by the Pierce county vote.
In 1916 he was again elected to the state senate, in which capacity he
is now serving. He is an earnest working member of the upper house,
carefully considering the vital questions which come up for settlement,
and his position in support or opposition of any measure is never
an equivocal one. He stands loyally for what he believes to be the
best interests of the commonwealth and in his political record he has
ever been willing to subordinate personal interests to the general
good. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are consistent and faithful members of the
Methodist church and he has had the honor of representing his church
at the general conference for three successive terms. He is chairman
of the board of trustees of the church and does everything in his
power to advance its cause and extend its influence. While he has won
notable success he has never made the attainment of wealth the sole
ambition of his life. He has recognized his duties and obligations in
other connections and has stood at all times for that which is most
worth while in citizenship and in the moral development of the people
at large. His life record is characterized by many honorable phases
and should well serve as a source of encouragement to others and
constitute an example which others may profitably follow. Coming to
the west empty-handed, he has here intelligently directed his efforts
with a result that has been most notable and gratifying, but winning
prosperity has been but one feature of his activities, for his course
has been so directed that he has gained not only material success but
an honored name as well.
DAMASE BERGEVIN.
Damase Bergevin, whose success from the time that he made his initial
purchase of land in Walla Walla county was rapid and substantial,
so that he became one of the prosperous farmers of this section of
the state and at his death left his family in comfortable financial
circumstances, was born near Quebec, Canada, on the 31st of March,
1840. He came of French ancestry. He was there reared with no
educational advantages except those found in the school of experience.
In 1865 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, after spending a
year in St. Joseph, Missouri. On reaching the northwest he located in
what was then known as French Town, about nine miles west of Walla
Walla, on the Walla Walla river. Two brothers had preceded him here and
Mr. Bergevin worked for a time for one of them. Between the years 1875
and 1878 he was in the employ of Dr. Baker and built the narrow gauge
railroad from Wallula to Walla Walla, this being the first railroad in
the state of Washington. Mr. Bergevin cut the ties for this road and
drove them down the Yakima river.
It was not until 1880 that Mr. Bergevin made his first purchase of
land. At that time he and his brother Clement bought an eighty acre
farm and a year later the brothers divided their interest and from that
time forward Mr. Bergevin operated independently. His success from
that time forward was rapid and he proved not only a very enterprising
and progressive farmer but a man of excellent ability in managing his
financial interests. As his resources increased he kept adding to his
holdings until he had acquired sixteen hundred and twenty-one acres of
land in the home farm and also owned six hundred and forty acres five
miles north of Walla Walla and a tract of one hundred and sixty acres
at Rulo Station on the Northern Pacific Railroad. His investments were
most judiciously made and his business affairs carefully managed. He
seemed to readily recognize the essential in all business transactions
and his sound judgment and indefatigable enterprise brought to him a
very gratifying measure of success. In 1892 he was stricken with total
blindness, but though thus incapacitated in a large measure for the
management of his property interests he was surrounded by the loving
care of his wife, while his four sons assumed business duties and
responsibilities and as the years have passed on more has been added to
the family holdings until the Bergevin interests in Walla Walla county
are most extensive.
It was at St. Rose's Catholic Mission church at Frenchtown, July 3,
1881, that Mr. Bergevin was united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Allard,
a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, who came to Walla Walla county with
her parents, Oliver and Leo Cadie (Forest) Allard, in 1862. They
crossed the plains with ox teams, meeting the usual experiences of such
a trip, and at length located in the little hamlet of Walla Walla. The
father was a carpenter by trade and assisted in large measure in the
upbuilding of the town in the early days, erecting many of the first
buildings in the city. Mrs. Bergevin is now residing in Walla Walla.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bergevin were born six children: Leona P., now the wife
of Philip Remillard, a farmer of Walla Walla county; Joseph Damase,
who resides on the homestead farm; Arthur A., also engaged in farming;
Clement A., who, lives on the old Bergevin home farm; Clarence C., who
was married September 26, 1917, to Miss Lois Reavis, and is farming
in Walla Walla county; and Augustine A., the wife of Elmer Markham, a
farmer of Walla Walla county. There are also twelve grandchildren. At
one time Arthur and Clarence Bergevin were engaged in the cultivation
of thirteen hundred and fifty acres of land, owning five hundred and
twenty acres of that amount, but have since divided their interests.
The former was married September 27, 1916, to Miss Margaret Gohres.
He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and, like the others of
the family, is an adherent of the Catholic church. He has one of the
best improved farms in the county on which is a large, substantial and
beautiful residence with extensive farm buildings, all new, modern and
thoroughly equipped. In a word, the name Bergevin has come to stand for
progress and improvement in Walla Walla county.
In his political views Mr. Bergevin of this review was a democrat and
while he never took an active part in politics he was interested in
the welfare and progress of his community and gave his support to all
measures which he deemed of public benefit. He died on the 31st of
July, 1911, honored and respected by all who knew him. His had been
a most active and useful life and one which was crowned with a very
substantial measure of prosperity. In fact his record should serve as a
source of encouragement and inspiration to others, showing what may be
accomplished through determined purpose, unfaltering industry and sound
judgment.
CHARLES MOORE.
Charles Moore was an early settler of Walla Walla county and for
a number of years was prominently identified with agricultural,
commercial and transportation interests here, but in 1882 removed to
Moscow, Idaho, where he spent much of the remainder of his life, but
passed away in Walla Walla. His widow in 1907 resumed her residence in
Walla Walla and is now well known in the city. The birth of Mr. Moore
occurred in Ohio, October 1, 1841, his parents being Amos L. and Mary
(Monroe) Moore, the latter's father being a cousin of President James
Monroe. The father was born in Delaware and the mother in Pennsylvania,
but they removed to Ohio at an early day and later to Wisconsin, whence
in 1869 they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, where they resided
until called to the home beyond. To them were born five children,
of whom only one now survives, ex-Governor Miles C. Moore, of Walla
Walla.
[Illustration: CHARLES MOORE]
[Illustration: MRS. JULIA A. MOORE]
Charles Moore was reared in Wisconsin and his early education was that
afforded by the district schools, while later he attended an academy
or seminary, and subsequently became a college student. In 1861, when
twenty years of age, he enlisted in the Union army and went to the
front in defense of the stars and stripes. In 1862 he was wounded at
the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, and because of his injuries
was honorably discharged. He then returned to the north and entered
the Wesleyan College of Delaware, Ohio, thus resuming his interrupted
education. Later he was drafted for service but because of the wound he
had previously sustained was discharged and went to Wisconsin. He was
married there in 1864 and in 1865 he and his wife crossed the plains
to the Pacific northwest by mule team and after reaching Walla Walla
county both engaged in teaching school. Several years were devoted to
that profession, but in 1870 Mr. Moore was appointed postmaster of
Walla Walla under President Grant and held the office for four years.
In the meantime, in 1872, he purchased the old Dr. Whitman Mission Farm
and engaged in its operation until 1878, when he established a farm
implement business in connection with his brother, Miles C. Moore,
at Almota, in Whitman county, to the conduct of which he devoted the
greater part of his time and attention. He was also agent for the
Oregon Steam Navigation Company of Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Moore was
the active assistant and helper of her husband, doing clerical work
in connection with the conduct of the postoffice, and the business
identified with freight navigation. Soon he became interested in the
building of a telegraph line from Colfax to Ulmota, on Snake river, and
went up the river and assisted in rafting the poles down to be used in
the construction of the line. Subsequently he with others owned the
telegraph line from Dayton to Walla Walla, which was connected with
government telegraph lines. In 1882 he removed to Moscow, Idaho, where
with his brother, Miles C., later governor of Washington territory, he
erected a grist mill. Mr. Moore of this review maintained his residence
in Moscow for a number of years. He became a heavy landowner, his
holdings including a large tract on the Snake river in Garfield county,
Washington, five hundred acres of which is still in possession of
his widow, and two hundred acres near Moscow, Idaho. He was a man of
unusual soundness of judgment in business affairs and his advice was
often sought by others.
On the 13th of October, 1864, Mr. Moore was united in marriage in
Wisconsin to Miss Julia A. Kneen, a native of the state of New York
and a daughter of John and Margaret (Teare) Kneen, both of whom were
natives of the Isle of Man. In young manhood and womanhood they
emigrated to America and settled in the state of New York, whence in
1846 they removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while subsequently they
became residents of Kilbourn City, Wisconsin. The mother's death
occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the father survived until 1878.
To them were born four children, of whom Mrs. Moore is the only one now
living. By her marriage she became the mother of four children: Harry
K., a resident of Walla Walla; Flora P., at home; F. Cushing, who is a
mining engineer now in British Columbia; and Edna L., the wife of D. F.
Baker, of Walla Walla.
Mr. Moore gave his political support to the republican party and
carefully studied the questions and issues of the day, but was not a
narrow partisan. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful
completion and won not only financial independence but also a high
place in the esteem of his fellowmen. In early manhood he was a member
of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified in his life its beneficent
purpose.