and his education, begun in the public schools of Missouri, was
continued in the public schools of Pomeroy. After leaving the high
school he became a student in the Spokane Business College and still
later, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work,
he matriculated in the University of Oregon as a medical student and
was graduated from that institution with the M. D. degree as a member
of the class of 1909. Following his graduation he opened an office in
Pomeroy and in the intervening eight years has built up an extensive
and lucrative practice.
On the 18th of February, 1916, Dr. Darby was united in marriage to
Mrs. Bessie McWilliams, of Walla Walla, and to them has been born a
son, James A. Dr. Darby holds membership in Garfield Lodge, No. 25,
K. P.; also in Lewiston Lodge, No. 896, B. P. O. E., and with the
Woodmen of the World and the United Artisans. In politics he maintains
an independent course but believes in republican principles. He does
not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his time and
efforts upon his practice, the duties of which he discharges in a most
conscientious and able manner. He is interested in everything that
tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call
life and by further reading and study is continually broadening his
knowledge and promoting his efficiency. Colleagues and contemporaries
acknowledge his ability and rank him with the progressive physicians of
this part of the state.
JOHN J. ASHBY.
John J. Ashby was a pioneer of Garfield county and a citizen of worth
whose passing was deeply regretted by many friends. He was held in high
regard by those who knew him as a representative business man, as a
progressive citizen and one who was faithful to the ties of home and
friendship. A native of Illinois, he was born March 12, 1847, and was
a great-grandson of a distinguished officer of the British army whose
wife was a French lady. The ancestral line of the Ashby family can be
traced back for over two hundred years and upon the records the names
of many prominent men appear.
John J. Ashby was a son of Solomon and Jane (Ripley) Ashby, the former
a native of Montreal, Canada, while the latter was born in the state
of New York. They became residents of Stephenson county, Illinois, in
the '40s and there resided until 1865, when they crossed the plains
with teams and wagons and settled in the Willamette valley of Oregon.
There they resided until 1873, when they became residents of Old Walla
Walla county, making their home near the present site of the city of
Pomeroy. The district was then largely wild and undeveloped, but with
characteristic energy Mr. Ashby began the cultivation of his land,
converting his place into a well improved farm, upon which he and his
wife spent their remaining days. They had a family of three children
but only one is now living.
John J. Ashby was a youth of eighteen years when he crossed the
plains with his parents. The trip was a long and arduous one, fraught
with many difficulties and hardships, but day after day they slowly
proceeded on their way until the western coast was reached. He remained
with his parents in the Willamette valley for a time and was married
there in 1872 to Miss Mary Denny, a daughter of John F. Denny, whose
birth occurred in Indiana in 1819. He crossed the plains in 1852
and settled in Marion county, Oregon, upon a donation claim. There
he built a typical log cabin with puncheon floor and door, through
which a string was inserted that was fastened to the latch in order
that the traveler might pull the string and open the door. Such was
the hospitality of that period. The little pioneer cabin also had a
mud and stick chimney and its furnishings were perhaps as primitive
as the exterior. In that little home the Denny family lived for
several years. The father was a lifelong republican and was chosen to
represent his district in the territorial legislature. In 1860 he was
ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church by Bishop
C. W. Clark and thus he became actively identified with the moral
development of the state as well as with its material and political
progress. The grandfather of Mrs. Ashby was also a prominent figure in
the northwest. He served in the War of 1812 under Colonel M. Johnston
and was appointed by President Lincoln as governor of the territory
of Washington in 1861, thus becoming prominently identified with the
development of the northwest. He had two sons who were prominent
citizens of the northwest. A. A. Denny was called "The father of
Seattle," and D. T. Denny was the first to erect a white man's home
where that city now stands.
[Illustration: JOHN D. ASHBY]
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. J. J. ASHBY]
[Illustration: JENNIE ASHBY]
To Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born two children: Jennie, who died at the
age of twelve years; and John Denny, whose biographical sketch follows
this. It was in the year 1874 that Mr. and Mrs. Ashby took up their
abode upon the farm in Garfield county and from that time until his
death, which occurred November 10, 1914, he devoted his attention to
general agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of four hundred
and eighty acres of fine wheat land. He also owned a very attractive
residence in the city of Pomeroy, which is still the property of his
widow. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
the work of which he took an active and helpful part, and he was always
ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, his assistance
being given in most generous manner. He was a great worker in behalf of
the cause of temperance and assisted all church activities both by his
moral and financial support.
JOHN DENNY ASHBY.
No death in Garfield county has been more deeply deplored than that
of John Denny Ashby, who was born in this county, February 8, 1876.
Spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
John J. Ashby, he attended the public schools until graduated from the
high school at Pomeroy in 1895. He was afterward graduated from the
Montana Wesleyan University with the class of 1899, winning the degree
of Bachelor of Arts. During his student days there he was a member of
the college debating club, was captain of the military company and
president of the Young Men's Christian Association, thus showing his
active connection with all the varied interests which constitute the
commendable phases of college life. In 1900 he was honored by an offer
of two positions, one as instructor of science and higher mathematics
at his alma mater, the other a government position in China. At the
persuasion of his parents he accepted the former. Speaking of his work
in the schools, Professor Tenny, president of the Montana University,
said: "I have had the very best men associated with me in the school
work that I could hope for, but I have never found a man who was so
unselfishly loyal to me, loyal to himself, loyal to God."
In 1901 Denny Ashby entered the New York Homeopathic College & Hospital
as a member of the class of 1905. During his freshman year he served
as senator for the class and he also won the freshman prize, while
at the end of the junior year he won the Fiske prize for the highest
standing in three years' work, the prize consisting of a valuable set
of surgical instruments. On the 2d of August, 1904, while in bathing
on the beach at Oak island, near Fire island, he was caught by a big
wave and drowned while attempting to go to the rescue of a trained
nurse. His death was deeply deplored by all who knew him for he was a
young man of unusual promise and ability. At the age of fourteen years
he united with the Methodist church and his life was dedicated to the
work of a medical missionary, but death intervened and his remains were
sent home from New York and laid to rest by the side of his sister
in the Pomeroy cemetery, where his grandparents are resting and also
his father. Of him it may well be said that he has joined "The choir
invisible of those immortal dead who live again in lives made better by
their presence."
From all parts of the country came letters and expressions of sympathy
to Mr. and Mrs. Ashby, showing profound regret at the loss of one so
richly endowed with God's best gifts to humanity. Clayton C. Ferguson,
who had been his classmate in the medical college wrote: "The first
hard grind of the year is over. As many grains growing luxuriously
by the wayside owe their origin to seeds blown or dropped from some
passing wagon laden with the harvest, so in reviewing this course I
find that many of my present developed ideas have sprung from seeds
sown by Denny's fruitful pen along the margins of books once loved
by him, and which you kindly gave me. Some of these thoughtful seeds
flowering have lined the pathway with fragrance; others have caused
me at times to pause and admire their beauty; still others, bruised
and broken by the rude blast, have given me moments of pain as in the
contemplation of their destruction my thoughts reverted to a like
condition of their creator. Among our family household seeds others
than those sown on paper were sprinkled along life's pathway by the
same loving hands during those happy days of association." In another
letter the above writer says: "I have taken Denny's drugs and placed
them in my desk, praying with God's help to use them as my dear loved
one would have, always ready to help the suffering. Do accept my thanks
for them and remember that I am at your service at all times to do
for you anything in my power. Call upon me if you want medicine for
yourself or anybody else. * * * You will never know the sorrow felt in
our home, unless you had been in it when Denny was a part of it. No one
can fill his place at the table, nor will anyone ever be allowed to sit
there." One of his boy friends said: "If ever a soul reached heaven
Denny Ashby is there," and another said: "If ever anybody could make
a Christian of one by the good life he lived and the example he left,
Denny Ashby was that one." At the opening of the college the dean,
Dr. King, paid a glowing tribute to the memory of his former pupil,
saying: "The class of 1905 has suffered a great loss through the death
of John Denny Ashby," and made especial mention of his modest, retiring
nature, which to a large degree obscured his "massive mental capacity."
The class of 1905 passed the following resolution: "Realizing that by
the death of your only son the class of 1905 of the New York Medical
College has lost not only a man who has distinguished himself as a
student, but also by his daily life proved himself to be a young man of
most exemplary character. We, the class of 1905, do hereby extend to
you in this hour of your great affliction our most heartfelt sympathy.
We one and all feel that we have lost a true friend and brother
physician." A beautiful and merited tribute was expressed by Dr. C. F.
Sibly, who wrote: "His death bound east and west in mourning. There is
a bright side, however, which we must not overlook. When his body was
recovered at daybreak, August 3d, its appearance was like that of a
hero and conqueror; his hands were folded defiantly across his breast,
his characteristic peaceful smile was very manifest. It was evident to
the observer that as he had lived a conqueror's life, so he had died a
conqueror's death. For him death had no sting, the grave no victory.
There was no moaning of the bar or midnight darkness when he put out to
sea, but a glorious ushering in to the presence of that great company
of just souls, robed white, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb--an
introduction to the throng, arrayed with palms of victory and crowns of
glory."
JAMES OTTO LONG.
James Otto Long, a well known grain dealer of Pomeroy, who was formerly
extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, is a typical citizen
of the golden west, alert, energetic, progressive and resourceful.
He was born in Lane county, Oregon, August 15, 1864, and is a son of
Ransom and Rosetta (Clark) Long, the former a native of Virginia, while
the latter was born in Indiana. They were married in Fulton county,
Illinois, having removed to that state with their respective parents in
childhood days. After their marriage they became residents of Iowa and
in 1852 crossed the plains with ox teams to the Willamette valley of
Oregon, where they remained for about twenty years. In 1872 they came
to Washington and spent the first year on the Patit creek near Dayton,
after which they moved northward into what is now Garfield county and
located on the Pataha prairie, seven miles south of the present site
of Pomeroy. Here the father used his homestead and preemption rights
and upon that place which he secured continued to make his home until
the death of his wife. He later resided at the home of his children
and passed away on the 5th of April, 1898, having for twelve years
survived his wife, who died on the 27th of June, 1886. In politics he
was a republican and was a progressive citizen, interested in all that
pertained to the public welfare.
James O. Long was educated in the district schools and when about
twenty-two years of age left the home farm, after which he devoted
eight years to prospecting and mining but failed to find the proverbial
pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow, as he desired. He then decided
to return to agricultural life and on the 1st of October, 1895, he
was united in marriage to Miss Mettie Williams, of Garfield county, a
daughter of Nicholas Williams, who came to the county in 1873.
Following their marriage Mr. Long purchased a farm on the Pataha
prairie and occupied the place for ten years. On the expiration of
that period he took up his abode in Pomeroy in 1905 and for a decade
gave his attention to the live stock business, owning a stock ranch
halfway between Pomeroy and Lewiston, on the Alpowa, where he made a
specialty of grazing sheep. His live stock interests were profitably
conducted but about two years ago he disposed of his ranch and turned
his attention to the grain business, establishing and operating a
grain warehouse in Pomeroy. He is now prominently known in connection
with the grain trade and has developed a business of extensive and
gratifying proportions. He is a man of determined purpose and resolute
will and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful
completion.
Mr. and Mrs. Long have become the parents of eight children, seven of
whom survive, as follows: Lois, the wife of Ray Gimlin, who follows
farming in Garfield county, Washington; and Florence, Willena, Clark,
Lewis, Marian and Burton, all at home.
Mrs. Long and her daughters are members of the Congregational church
and the family is prominent socially in the community where they
reside. In politics Mr. Long is a republican and keeps well informed on
the questions and issues of the day but does not seek public office.
His life has been one of diligence and his labors have been crowned
with a substantial measure of success.
J. W. HARBERT.
J. W. Harbert, of Small township, whose residence in Walla Walla county
dates from 1859, is one of the earliest pioneers of this section now
living. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, September 25, 1835,
a son of Richard J. and Mary (Zumwalt) Harbert, natives respectively
of Havre de Grace, Maryland, and Cynthiana, Kentucky. Their marriage,
however, was celebrated in Indiana, where they resided until 1844, when
they removed with their family to Dubuque, Iowa. Three years later
they went to Mount Vernon, a college town in Linn county, Iowa, which
remained their place of residence for many years. The father came to
Walla Walla in 1878, but after spending over a year in this locality
returned to Iowa, where his wife died in 1888. Immediately after her
death he again came to Washington and made his home with his son, J. W.
Harbert, until his death, which occurred about a year later, in 1889.
J. W. Harbert was reared at home and received his education in the
common schools. In 1859 he decided that the west offered the most
favorable opportunities for an ambitious young man and accordingly
made the long overland trip to Walla Walla county, driving an ox team
for another man in exchange for the privilege of having his provisions
transported. Following his arrival here he worked for Charles Russell
for two years and then devoted eight years to freighting from Wallula
and Umatilla Landing to the Idaho mines and to other points in this
part of the country. When the railroad was built through, the need for
freighting by team ceased and he turned his attention to farming. He
worked hard, gave careful attention to the management of his affairs
and in time acquired fourteen hundred acres of the finest farm land
in the county. He was quick to recognize and take advantage of any
unusual opportunity and one of the chief factors in his success has
been the close personal supervision which he has given to his work. In
1863, while hauling a load of freight from Wallula to Idaho City, he
camped on the night of July 2d on the site of Fort Boise, the officers
choosing that site the following morning for a fort. In 1864 he hauled
one hundred and seventy-five thousand feet of lumber from the mountains
to Boise city and watched the loading and unloading of every board. His
natural vigor and strength have been conserved by wholesome outdoor
life, and today, at the age of eighty-two years, he superintends all
his farm work and is as active as most men twenty-five years his
junior. When he arrived in Walla Walla county he had but three dollars
and the financial independence which is now his is the direct result of
his own labors.
[Illustration: J. W. HARBERT]
[Illustration: MRS. J. W. HARBERT]
On the 13th of July, 1866, Mr. Harbert was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Evans, a daughter of G. W. Evans, who came to Walla Walla county
in 1861. To this union were born six children, three of whom survive,
namely: Ida H., the wife of Thomas Paine, of Richland, Washington;
Floy, who married Frank Holman, of Freewater, Oregon; and Liberty, the
wife of Julius Jensen, of this county. On the 8th of January, 1878,
Mrs. Harbert passed away and on the 8th of April, 1884, Mr. Harbert
married Miss Lizzie D. Groff, a native of Iowa. They have two living
children, Clifford G. and Hazel, both at home.
Mr. Harbert supports the republican party at the polls and for twenty
years has served as school director, his continuance in the office
indicating his ability and trustworthiness. Although he does not hold
membership in the church his religious belief is in the main that of
the Methodist Episcopal church and he contributes liberally to its
support and also to various charitable projects. His many admirable
qualities are generally recognized and there is no resident of the
county more highly esteemed than he.
FRED M. YOUNG.
Fred M. Young, who since starting out in life on his own account at
the age of sixteen has been continuously connected with the florist
business, is now senior partner of the firm of Young & Lester,
prominent florists and nurserymen of Walla Walla, where they conduct
an extensive business. He was born in Cass county, Iowa, April 26,
1879, a son of Salathiel and Martha M. (Caughey) Young, both of whom
were natives of Ohio. They were married in Iowa, however, having
removed to that state in childhood with their respective parents. At
the time of the Civil war the father responded to the country's call
to arms, enlisting as a member of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served for more than four years, participating
in many of the hotly contested battles which finally resulted in the
winning of victory for the Union. With a most creditable military
record he returned to his home in Iowa after the war was closed and
there he engaged in gardening and fruit growing at Grove City. In 1900
he removed to Denver, Colorado, and in the fall of 1916 he sold his
Denver home and returned to Iowa, residing with a daughter in Council
Bluffs up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1917.
His widow survives and yet makes her home with the daughter in Council
Bluffs.
Fred M. Young had the benefit of educational training in the public
schools until sixteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and
went to Council Bluffs, entering the employ of his brother-in-law, J.
F. Wilcox, a florist of that city. It was under his instruction that
he acquainted himself with the florist business, gaining comprehensive
and accurate knowledge in every department and in every connection.
After three years he went to Chicago, where he was identified with
the firm of Bassett & Washburn, well known florists, with whom he
continued for a year. He next went to Denver, Colorado, where he was
in the employ of the Colfax Floral Company for three years and on the
expiration of that period he went to Pueblo, Colorado, as manager of
the George Fleischer Floral Company, in which capacity he served for
eighteen months. He was afterward in Salt Lake City, where he occupied
the position of manager of the Huddard Floral Company, with which he
remained for three years. He then spent a short time in San Francisco
and still later went to Seattle, where he became head gardener at the
Bremerton navy yards, occupying that position for about six months.
At that time his sister, who was living in Walla Walla, persuaded him
to come to this city and he arrived here with the intention of going
into business but was disappointed in raising the necessary capital.
He went to work for James Wait, a florist with whom he continued for
ten months, and later removed to Portland, Oregon, where he was in the
employ of Martin & Forbes, with whom he remained for about a year and
a half. In November, 1907, he resigned this position and returned to
Walla Walla, opening a small flower store at No. 7 East Main street
known as Bedell's Bazaar. On the 1st of May following Hampton Huff,
who had a small greenhouse property on the present site of the Young
& Lester greenhouses and who had become too old to work proposed to
Mr. Young to go into business with him. Their capital was limited
and Mr. Young gave Mr. Huff his note for seven thousand dollars for
a half interest in the business. Thus he started out independently.
They made enough money that spring to build another greenhouse and
put in a new boiler. The following year they were able to build three
more greenhouses and in the succeeding year Mr. Huff retired and Mr.
Young secured a lease on the whole property with an option to buy. In
1913 he sold Clyde Lester an interest in the business and the present
firm of Young & Lester was thus formed. The business has developed
rapidly. Their plant is strictly modern and up-to-date. They have
eight and three-fourths acres of land under cultivation, with about
twenty-five thousand square feet under glass. Their city store is at 19
East Main street and is one of the most modern and attractive florist
establishments in eastern Washington. There is no phase of the business
with which Mr. Young is not thoroughly familiar. He has made a close
study of plant development and propagation and everything in the line
of growing plants and blooming flowers that can be raised in this
section of the country is found in his establishment.
[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF J. W. HARBERT]