county and in a little log cabin began life in true pioneer style. He
had, however, been a resident of the west for a much longer period,
the family home having been established in Oregon in 1845. He was born
in Missouri, July 25, 1836, his parents being John and Nancy (Walker)
Lloyd, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. At a very early
period they removed westward to Missouri and in 1845 crossed the
plains with ox teams, making the long wearisome journey across the
hot stretches of sand and over the mountains, three years before gold
had been discovered in California, at which later time the trails to
the west were more definitely marked and more easily followed. They
located in Benton county, Oregon, where the father took up a donation
claim of six hundred acres. There he built a log cabin covered with
a clapboard roof and the chimney was built on the outside of the
primitive dwelling. Hardships and privations fell to their lot but with
stout hearts and undiminished courage they put forth every effort to
establish a home on the western frontier and were active with those
who were planting the seeds of civilization in Washington. The mother
died while the family resided upon the homestead farm and the father
afterward removed to Colfax, Washington, where he passed away in 1875.
In their family were nine children, but one of whom is now living.
A. G. Lloyd was reared and educated in Oregon, having been but a little
lad of nine summers at the time of the removal to the west. There was
no phase of pioneer life with which he was not familiar. He served in
the Indian war on the Walla Walla river and was in the Seven-Day fight.
He became familiar with all of the methods of treacherous warfare
practiced by the savages and he aided in reclaiming the region for
the purposes of civilization. He was mustered out in July, 1856, and
returned to the work of the farm.
In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Lois Jasper, a native of
Kentucky and a daughter of John and Mary (Heath) Jasper, who were also
natives of the Blue Grass state, whence in 1842 they removed to St.
Joseph, Missouri. The father died in that state and the mother with
her family of six children afterward, in 1854, crossed the plains and
became a resident of Benton county, Oregon. In the family were eight
children, of whom three are now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd began their domestic life in Oregon, but in July,
1859, removed to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he secured a
homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres two and a half miles
from Waitsburg on the Touchet river. Upon his land he built a log
cabin with puncheon floor and door. The home was most primitive but
it sheltered stout hearts and willing hands. They bravely faced the
conditions of pioneer life in order to secure a home for themselves and
for eight years they lived upon that place without change. At the end
of that time Mr. Lloyd was able to purchase more land and his widow
now owns two hundred acres, for some of which she has been offered
three hundred dollars per acre. The rapid settlement of this section
of the country, together with the improvements made upon the farm,
have greatly enhanced the value of the property, which returns to Mrs.
Lloyd a very gratifying annual income. In his business career Mr. Lloyd
displayed marked diligence and determination and his farming interests
were wisely and carefully managed, so that he became recognized as one
of the foremost agriculturists of this section of the state. As the
years went on eleven children were added to the family, of whom six are
now living, namely: J. C., who is in California; G. M., a resident of
Waitsburg; Wesley A., who is occupying the old homestead; Gilla Ann,
the wife of C. C. Milinger, of Spokane, Washington; Ralph G., also
living in this state; and Angeline, the wife of F. G. Aldridge.
The death of the husband and father occurred January 5, 1915, since
which time Mrs. Lloyd has personally managed the farm. Mr. Lloyd not
only figured as one of the leading representatives of agricultural life
in Walla Walla county but was a most prominent and influential factor
in other connections. He attained the thirty-second degree of the
Scottish Rite in Masonry and held all of the chairs in the different
Masonic branches with which he was affiliated. His political allegiance
was given the democratic party and he was one of its recognized
leaders. His opinions carried weight in its councils and his efforts
were an element in advancing its success. Five times he was elected to
represent his district in the general assembly of Washington and he
left the impress of his individuality upon many important legislative
measures which were enacted during that period. He closely studied the
questions and issues of the day and gave his aid and support to any
measure or movement which he believed would promote the interests of
the commonwealth and stood with equal firmness in opposition to any
cause which he believed would be detrimental to the welfare of the
community at large. His position was never an equivocal one and he
loyally supported every measure in which he believed. None questioned
the integrity of his opinions or of his actions. He served as a
delegate to both county and state conventions and did much to mold
public thought and opinion. Mrs. Lloyd is a member of the Eastern Star
and also of the Rebekah lodge and in these organizations has filled all
of the chairs. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church,
while Mr. Lloyd was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
was prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers took him from
humble surroundings to the field of large enterprises and continually
broadening opportunities. He was reared upon the western frontier and
the effort required to live in those ungenerous surroundings, the
necessity to make every blow tell and to exercise every inventive
faculty developed powers of mind and habits which made him a forceful
and resourceful business man and citizen. The early rising, the daily
tasks, the economical habits of the country boy prepared him for the
struggle that most precede ascendency and step by step Mr. Lloyd gained
success in business and prominence in public life.
W. M. TAYLOR.
W. M. Taylor resides in Waitsburg but is identified with farming on
section 31, township 9 north, range 38 east, in Columbia county. He
has resided in this state since reaching the age of eighteen years. He
was born in Johnson county, Missouri, January 31, 1861, and is a son
of Simon and Harriet (Burgess) Taylor, who are mentioned in connection
with the sketch of his brother, Charles M. Taylor, on another page
of this work. The public school system of his native county afforded
him his educational privileges. He made good use of his time and
opportunities in that direction and when not busy with his textbooks he
was assisting in the work of the home farm and thus learning valuable
lessons in the school of experience. He had reached the age of eighteen
years when he came to Washington, after which he remained at home,
cooperating with his father in the development and improvement of a
new farm up to the time of his marriage. In the meantime, however, he
and his brothers, G. B., J. W. and J. F. Taylor, bought eight hundred
acres of land, which they cultivated in partnership, and they also
operated one thousand acres belonging to Whitman College. This they
leased and the four brothers continued their farming interests together
until about 1907, when a division of their holdings was made, and W.
M. Taylor acquired three hundred and sixty acres of the land that
had been held conjointly before. He has since purchased two hundred
and forty acres adjoining his other tract, so that his home farm now
comprises six hundred acres and constitutes one of the valuable wheat
ranches of Columbia county. The soil is particularly adapted to wheat
raising and the crops produced are most extensive and gratifying, for
the methods which Mr. Taylor follows in the development of his fields
are practical. All of the work on the farm is systematically done and
is guided by his sound judgment. He uses the latest improved machinery
to facilitate the work of the fields and there is no equipment of the
model farm property of the twentieth century that is not found upon his
place.
On September 18, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss
Flora Kinyoun, of Johnson county, Missouri, who came to Washington
to teach music in 1887. By her marriage she became the mother of
two children: Harriet E., the wife of R. B. McElroy, of Spokane,
Washington; and Laura E., the wife of Theodore Holsey, of Spokane, this
state. The wife and mother passed away in 1897 and on November 29,
1899, Mr. Taylor was again married, his second union being with Mrs.
Lillian Devall, née Pinkley, who was a teacher in the public schools
of Walla Walla and Columbia counties. To this marriage has been born a
daughter, Florence G.
Fraternally Mr. Taylor is connected with Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O.
O. F., and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His
political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic
party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and their
lives are guided by its teachings and its principles. Aside from his
farming interests Mr. Taylor became one of the incorporators of the
Exchange Bank of Waitsburg, of which he is still a stockholder. He has
made for himself a very creditable position as a substantial farmer
and representative citizen of Columbia county. After the harvests are
gathered he takes up his abode in Waitsburg, where he has an attractive
city home and there spends the winters. The extent and importance of
his business interests have made him widely and favorably known and his
life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement
to others, indicating what may be accomplished through persistent and
honorable effort. He has aided in demonstrating the possibilities for
grain farming in this section of the state and the worth of his work,
both as a source of individual success and of general prosperity, is
widely acknowledged.
CHRISTIAN STURM, SR.
Christian Sturm, who one of the best known and most highly esteemed
pioneers of the Walla Walla valley, was born in the kingdom of
Wurttemberg, Germany, April 14, 1834. At the age of seventeen,
accompanied by a brother, he came to the United States, the ocean
voyage taking forty-two days.
He enjoyed telling a good joke on himself which occurred when he landed
in New York with little of this world's goods. He met with a traveling
Jew who said to him: "Carry these bags and suit cases for me several
blocks and I'll pay you twenty-five cents." He accepted the offer and
carried the luggage blocks and blocks until, finally in the heart
of the city, they entered a building and climbed several flights of
stairs. On one of the top floors the Jew took the luggage and asked him
to wait a few minutes and he would return and pay him. He waited and
waited patiently but the generous Jewish gentleman never returned. It
was some little time before it dawned on him that he was "stung." It
was a lesson, for the errand caused him to miss his boat and, also, his
brother whom he never saw again. That night he spent sight seeing about
New York, and while standing about admiring what was a most wonderful
building to him he was thrown into jail where he was compelled to
remain until morning and he often remarked, "his first and only time in
jail was his first night in America."
[Illustration: CHRISTIAN STURM, SR.]
[Illustration: MRS. CHRISTIAN STURM, SR.]
After finishing his education in New York, he moved to Delaware and
after spending two years in that state he went to Philadelphia where he
enlisted in the service of the U. S. army in 1857. Shortly afterwards
his company was moved to Newport, Kentucky, and then to New York; then,
by the isthmus of Panama route to San Francisco and from the last
named place to Astoria. Astoria at that time had but few buildings.
Soon after he was stationed at Vancouver and a little later at the
Cascades. With his company he walked to the upper Cascades and took the
boat to The Dalles and from there he marched with his troop to Fort
Walla Walla. He was five years in the army and during his enlistment he
was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In the army he saw much real
fighting. In 1858 he was in the expedition to Colville, which was in
command of Colonel Wright. They encountered the Indians, nearly twelve
thousand strong, who opened fire on the troops, and the famous battle
of Steptoe was fought. During this battle Captain Taylor was killed.
Captain Taylor was wearing a silk sash which he took off and presented
to Lieutenant Sturm of whom he was very fond. The sash he always kept
in memory of momentous hours of danger and as a sacred memento of a
true friendship, and it now hangs in its familiar place in his widow's
home. The Indians that fought at Steptoe consisted of the Yakimas,
Colvilles, Palouses, Spokanes and Coeur d'Alenes. In this famous battle
the troops fortified themselves on Steptoe Butte and how bravely they
fought history tells. During the battle many Indians were dispatched
and as many as one thousand Indian ponies were killed.
After retiring from the army as lieutenant, acting as assistant
quartermaster, First Cavalry United States of America, 1862, at Fort
Walla Walla (the same fort that President Wilson ordered used in
1917 for a training camp for the Washington State Field Artillery,
under command of Major Paul Weyrauch) the wonderful opportunities of
the Inland Empire country made a strong appeal to Mr. Sturm. After
spending a year mining at Orofino, Idaho, he returned to Walla Walla
and went into the livery business with Fred Kraft. After a short time
he disposed of his interest in the livery and engaged in the general
merchandise business with O. B. Brechtel for a partner. Their store
was one of the first in Walla Walla; it was a headquarters for miners
returning from the Orofino placer mines; the miners would deposit their
gold dust with Messrs. Sturm and Brechtel for safe keeping, there being
no banks at that time in Walla Walla. After remaining in the mercantile
business for five years Mr. Sturm bought one hundred and sixty acres
of land from H. M. Chase two and one-half miles from Walla Walla and
engaged in farming. He acquired another adjoining one hundred and sixty
acres; also homesteaded one hundred and sixty and preempted one hundred
and sixty; then, in later years, he bought five hundred acres more. He
was one of the most successful wheat and stock raisers in the valley.
Mr. Sturm was married in 1865 to Miss Marietta Roff. Four sons and
two daughters were born to this union, and two sons and two daughters
survive. Mrs. Sturm was born September 12, 1844, a daughter of
Frederick Roff. Her girlhood was spent in Illinois, but in 1864 she
with her parents left Quincy, that state, and they crossed the plains
and mountains, using ox and horse teams, the crossing requiring six
months. Many were the hardships they endured. Among others, their oxen
got on a "poisoned meadow" and died. During the last part of their
journey they traveled with a government train and arrived in Walla
Walla, October 16, 1864. Mrs. Sturm's father, Frederick Roff, was
perhaps the first man to take up a homestead in the valley, filing on
one hundred and sixty acres about two and a half miles east of Walla
Walla. He there resided until his death, August 2, 1890. Mrs. Sturm
survives her husband and resides at the old Sturm home in Walla Walla.
More extended mention in regard to the family of Frederick Roff is
made in connection with the sketch of Oliver DeWitt, whose wife is a
sister of Mrs. Sturm.
Mr. Sturm, who died on January 11, 1909, was one of the foremost
pioneers of the western country. Taking up his abode in the northwest
when Walla Walla boasted but a few log buildings and the tributary
country was but a wilderness, he was one of those sturdy, upright
characters who did his full share to help develop the country and make
it the success it is today. At all times public spirited and keenly
alive and devoted to the interests of the community he was one of the
country's true builders. As one of the distinguished pioneers of the
country--as a man who performed many good deeds in his day--his name
will always be remembered and ever held in the highest respect.
WILLIAM M. SCOTT.
William M. Scott belonged to that class of honored pioneers who have
laid broad and deep the foundation upon which has been built the
present prosperity and greatness of the state of Washington. He was a
resident of Walla Walla from 1905 until his death and for many years
was prominently identified with the wheat industry in Umatilla county,
Oregon. He was born in McLean county, Illinois, December 29, 1837, and
was a son of John B. and Rena (Halsey) Scott. During his infancy he was
taken by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Halsey, with whom he
remained until his ninth year, when his uncle, Dr. A. K. Scott, became
his foster father, and with him William H. Scott remained until 1855,
when at the age of eighteen years he started out in life independently.
He went to Coffey county, Kansas, where he remained for one year and
then started to return to Illinois but stopped off in Daviess county,
Missouri, and decided to remain. He there continued until 1859, when
he again went to Kansas and in 1860 he started across the plains for
the western country, his objective point being the Walla Walla valley,
of which he had heard much. The lure of the California gold fields,
however, drew him as a magnet and his course was diverted. He was
one of the party to which J. L. Stubblefield belonged. The company
subsequently divided but Mr. Scott and others proceeded to California.
After spending several months in that state he came, in 1861, northward
and located at McMinnville, Oregon, where he attended college for a
time. In 1862 he engaged in freighting with ox teams from Wallula to
Lewiston and subsequently from The Dalles to the Idaho mines. In the
fall of 1863 he went to Salem, Oregon, where he resided for seven
years. He then crossed the mountains, locating near Prineville, where
he was engaged in the live stock business for eight years. In 1878 he
removed to Umatilla county, Oregon, where he took up a homestead and
a timber culture near Helix. One of these claims subsequently sold
for two hundred dollars, but later he bought it back for forty-two
hundred dollars. He acquired a full section of six hundred and forty
acres of the best land in the wheat belt and engaged in farming eight
hundred acres, leasing a quarter section adjoining his place. One year
he harvested sixty-six bushels of wheat to the acre upon his farm and
he averaged from year to year from forty to forty-five bushels. He
experienced all the hardships and privations of early pioneer life
and twice in the year 1878 was forced to leave Helix on account of the
hostility of the Indians and seek refuge in Fort Walla Walla. However,
he persevered and his determination and energy overcame the obstacles
in the path of material advancement, while changing conditions, brought
about by the settlement of the country, soon obviated the necessity
of protecting against Indian attack. In 1905, after many years
successfully devoted to farming, he retired from active agricultural
life and removed to Walla Walla, where he remained until called to his
final home, on January 18, 1915.
Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Anna D. Caplinger, a daughter
of Jacob and Jane (Woodside) Caplinger, of Salem, Oregon. They crossed
the plains from Fulton county, Illinois, to Oregon in 1845 and settled
in Oregon City but after two years removed to Marion county, that
state, taking up their abode on the prairie four miles east of Salem,
where they remained until called to their final rest. The father died
on the 20th of June, 1904, and the mother survived only until the
26th of July of the same year. In 1845, on their journey across the
plains, which was made by way of the Mount Hood route, they were there
snowbound for more than three weeks with no food but coffee for several
days.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the parents of nine children, namely: Mary
L., who is the wife of J. M. Richardson, of Rosalia; Emma J., who gave
her hand in marriage to Dr. E. A. Mann, of Portland, Oregon; John A.,
who resides in Lacrosse, Washington; Ira C., who operates the home farm
for his mother, now residing in Walla Walla; Ray W., who passed away
in 1902, when sixteen years of age; and Alexander, Charles, Walter and
Bertha, who are also deceased.
In his political views Mr. Scott was a stalwart democrat and in 1890
he was a candidate for county judge of Umatilla county. His life was
that of a consistent Christian and for more than twenty years he was an
elder in the Church of Christ at Helix. He was also a public-spirited
citizen and a factor in the advancement of the county's welfare and
interests along many lines. Death called him January 18, 1915. A modern
philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good
that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success";
and judged by that standard Mr. Scott was a most successful man, for
he went about doing good, extending a helping hand to the poor and
needy, assisting in the work of general improvement and shedding around
him much of life's sunshine. His widow now occupies a beautiful home
on South Division street in Walla Walla. She, too, is a member of the
Church of Christ and gives liberally to its support and in charitable
work, her benevolences being many.
CHESTER J. WOODS.
Chester J. Woods, a representative agriculturist of Walla Walla county,
was born April 23, 1883, on a farm adjoining the one on which he
now resides, on section 7, township 9 north, range 37 east. He is a
son of Joel Woods, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He pursued his
education in the public schools, supplemented by study in the academy
at Waitsburg, and through the period of his boyhood and youth he aided
largely in the work of the home farm, so that he was well qualified
by actual experience to take up farming on his own account when he
attained his majority. At that time he purchased land on section
8, becoming the owner of seven hundred acres, all of which is now
improved. The fields are carefully cultivated and the buildings upon
the place indicate the progressive spirit of the owner. He has always
engaged in wheat raising and also in raising stock and both branches of
his business are proving profitable. He is also a stockholder in the
Self-Oiling Wheel & Bearing Company of Walla Walla.
On the 30th of March, 1910, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Jennie
Caplinger, who was born in Umatilla county, Oregon, a daughter of T. W.
and Marie Caplinger, who are also natives of that place. They are now
residents of Walla Walla. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woods hold membership in
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees, and
they take an active part in its work. Mrs. Woods is a graduate of the
Waitsburg high school and Ellensburg Normal School and for seven years
successfully engaged in teaching prior to her marriage.
In politics Mr. Woods is a democrat and has served as school director
and as clerk but has not been an active worker along political lines.
He stands for progress and improvement in public affairs, however, and
is willing to support any measure that tends to uphold civic interest.
Both he and his wife are held in the highest esteem because of their
genuine worth and the hospitality of the best homes in the county is
freely accorded them.
PETER McCLUNG.
Peter McClung, of Pomeroy, editor and publisher of the East
Washingtonian, was born in Clarke county, Washington, a son of Mathew
and Catherine (Wigle) McClung. He was one of four children, the others
being: Mrs. Susan Shoemaker, now living in Gresham, Oregon; Mrs. Jennie
Buchanan, of Portland; and Edward A., living in Bakersfield, California.
Peter McClung was the third in order of birth and was educated in
Clarke and Columbia counties of Washington, attending the schools of
Dayton. He learned the printer's trade and as a compositor became
connected with the Washingtonian in 1885, his brother-in-law, E.
T. Wilson, having founded the paper in 1881. Eight years later, or
in 1889, Mr. McClung purchased an interest in the paper and became
associated in the business with E. M. Pomeroy, then publisher. Three
years afterward he bought out Mr. Pomeroy and has since been owner and
publisher thereof. In later years he has been assisted by his son, who
pursued a special course in journalism in the State University and who
now practically manages the paper.