cultivating one hundred and thirty acres of land on section 4, township
6 north, range 35 east. He was born in Lane county, Oregon, on the
25th of February, 1859, his parents being David and Sarah (Standifer)
Harer. The father was a native of Arkansas, while the mother was
born in Tennessee. They were married in the former state and there
resided until 1852, when they determined to try their fortune upon the
Pacific coast and removed to Oregon. They settled in Lane county and
in 1865 left that locality to become residents of Walla Walla county,
Washington, the father having previously made several trips into this
part of the country prior to the removal. He secured a homestead claim
at Webfoot and later he bought and removed to the farm where Valley
Chapel is now located. He kept adding to his original purchase from
time to time as his financial resources increased until he was the
owner of more than a section of land. Upon that property he died,
passing away June 14, 1883. His widow long survived him and departed
this life in 1907. During her last nine years she made her home with
her son John.
John H. Harer is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of the
northwest, having resided in this section of the country for almost six
decades. He acquired a district school education and also attended the
public schools of Walla Walla. On reaching manhood he became engaged in
the cattle business, with which he was identified for several years,
and in 1889 he purchased from the other heirs their interest in the
Harer estate and thus came into possession of his present home farm,
upon which he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. The
farm originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres of rich and
productive land, but he has recently sold thirty acres of the tract. He
has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and everything
about his place indicates his careful supervision, progressive methods
and indefatigable energy.
In 1882 Mr. Harer was united in marriage to Miss Eva Waterman, a native
of Walla Walla county. Her father was Samuel Waterman, who crossed
the plains from Iowa to California in 1860 and in the spring of 1861
arrived in Walla Walla county, taking up his abode in the vicinity
of Valley Chapel. He was thus closely identified with the early
development and progress of this section of the state until his death,
which occurred in January, 1878. His widow survives and is now living
with a daughter in Spokane, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Harer have been
born three children, two of whom survive, namely: Inez, who is the wife
of E. S. Gibson, of North Yakima, Washington; and Bertha, the wife of
R. L. Ridley, who operates the farm of his father-in-law. Mrs. Harer
is a member of the Christian church and is a lady of many admirable
characteristics.
Mr. Harer gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He
has never sought or desired political office but for several years he
served as school director and proved a stalwart champion of the cause
of education. Both he and his wife are actuated by a spirit of progress
and enterprise in all that they undertake and their interest centers
deeply in those affairs which promise to upbuild and develop further
the section of the country in which they live.
WILLIAM F. CLUSTER.
William F. Cluster, deceased, was one of the honored and highly
esteemed citizens of Pomeroy. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 8th
of February, 1831, and his parents were Daniel and Margaret (Tumlin)
Cluster, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. About 1861 they
removed to Missouri, where both died. In their family were eleven
children, all of whom have passed away with the exception of one
sister, residing in Missouri.
[Illustration: WILLIAM F. CLUSTER]
In the state of his nativity William F. Cluster was reared and educated
and on leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty-three years went
to Missouri. He crossed the plains to Oregon in 1862 and spent the
remainder of his life on the Pacific coast. In 1868 he married Mrs.
Mary E. French, a native of Ohio, who only a short time previously had
come to the northwest and had located in Oregon, where they continued
to make their home until 1871. It was in that year that Mr. and Mrs.
Cluster removed to old Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up
a claim seven miles from Pomeroy, on which they built a log cabin,
this being the family home for four years. They remained on the farm
until 1882, when they took up their abode in Pomeroy and here Mrs.
Cluster still lives. She continues in possession of the old homestead,
which comprises two hundred acres of finely improved land, and owns
a forty-acre tract which adjoins the city of Pomeroy. She has six
residences in this city and derives a substantial income from all these
properties.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cluster are as follows: Viola E., the
wife of C. E. Gray; Florence M., the wife of E. M. Pomeroy; Carrie E.,
deceased; and E. C., a resident of Pomeroy.
After a useful and well spent life, Mr. Cluster passed away on the 14th
of June, 1915, leaving his immediate family as well as many friends to
mourn his death. His remains were interred in the Pomeroy cemetery.
Mrs. Cluster takes an active part in the work of the Presbyterian
church, to which she belongs and is a most estimable lady who has a
wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the city and throughout the
surrounding country.
W. H. GILLIS.
The family of W. H. Gillis, residing in Dayton, pays fitting tribute
to his memory in preserving the record of his life in this history
of southeastern Washington. He was born in Montgomery county, North
Carolina, and was reared and educated in his native state. In 1867 he
was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Crump, of Stanly county, North
Carolina, a daughter of Stephen and Eliza (Kendall) Crump, both of whom
were natives of the Old North state, where they lived and died. They
were the parents of five children, all of whom survive. Mrs. Gillis
was reared and educated in North Carolina, pursuing her studies in the
common schools and afterward in the Greenville and Doranport colleges
of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillis were born three children:
Lillian, who has departed this life; John A.; and Minnie, who is the
wife of J. F. Hall. The death of Mr. Gillis occurred March 2, 1906.
He had been a soldier of the Civil war, serving for four years, and
was brave and loyal to the cause which he espoused. He never faltered
in the performance of any duty that devolved upon him and made an
excellent record as a soldier. To his family he was a devoted husband
and father and found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare
of his wife and children. In business affairs he was progressive and
reliable and his sterling worth was acknowledged in many relations.
On the 16th of June, 1907, Mrs. Gillis became the wife of A. H.
Richardson, who died five years later. Mrs. Richardson is the owner of
a valuable farm property of five hundred and twenty acres pleasantly
and conveniently situated about five miles east of Dayton. Upon this
place many modern improvements have been made. The buildings are
substantial and commodious, the fences are well kept and everything
about the place indicates the progressive spirit of the owner. Mrs.
Richardson rents her farm and therefrom derives a gratifying annual
income. She also owns one of the finest residences of Dayton and is
most comfortably situated in life. She is a member of the Christian
church and takes an active interest in promoting the church work. Her
social position is indicated by the fact that the hospitality of the
best homes of Dayton is freely accorded her.
WILLIAM GAYLORD COLEMAN.
William Gaylord Coleman, a well known member of the Walla Walla bar,
was born October 7, 1884, in the city where he still resides. His
father, Dan J. Coleman, a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, became a
pioneer farmer of the Eureka Flat district and spent his last days in
Walla Walla. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Mattie C. Roberts,
was a daughter of E. G. Roberts and was born in an emigrant wagon
somewhere along the Platte river while the family were crossing the
plains. Her first marriage was with J. W. Cookerly and she later wedded
Dan J. Coleman. The family ever has been closely associated with the
pioneer development of Washington.
Reared in his native city, William Gaylord Coleman, after mastering the
preliminary branches of learning, decided upon the practice of law as a
life work and with that end in view entered the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor and was there graduated in June, 1909, "with honors" and
with the LL. B. degree. He returned to the northwest, opening an office
in Walla Walla, and has since engaged in practice here. In a profession
where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability
he has made steady progress and public opinion names him as one of the
able lawyers of the Walla Walla bar.
On the 5th of September, 1911, in Walla Walla, Mr. Coleman was married
to Miss Margaret S. Steel, a daughter of T. S. and Annie J. Steel. They
hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Coleman is a past
grand of the Odd Fellows lodge. A lifelong resident of Walla Walla, he
has a wide acquaintance and his sterling worth as a man, as a lawyer
and a citizen is indicated by the high regard entertained for him by
his fellow citizens.
JOHN MARTIN.
John Martin, living retired in Walla Walla after many years devoted
to agricultural pursuits, was born in Ireland, January 1, 1842, a son
of John and Ann Martin, who spent their entire lives on the Emerald
isle. The educational opportunities accorded John Martin were those
common to the boys of his time, he attending the national schools, and
he remained in Ireland until he was twenty-five years old, when, in
1867, he emigrated to the United States. He first resided in New York
state, where he secured employment in a brickyard at Haverstraw, and
subsequently went to Baltimore, Maryland, but finding it too hot to
suit him there, he went to Chicago, where he was employed by the Armour
Packing Company, during the winters for several years, but in summer
followed his work of brick burning and helped to manufacture the brick
used in the construction of the United States customs house in Chicago.
After remaining in the metropolis of the middle west for eight years he
came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1882 and settled on a farm on Dry
creek. He operated that place until 1905, when he retired and removed
to Walla Walla, where he purchased land and built his home on Grove
street, where he has since lived. He is still prominently connected
with agricultural affairs, however, as he owns fourteen hundred acres
of fine wheat land, all of which is well improved. He gives his
personal supervision to the management of his farm although he leaves
the actual work of its operation to others. All that he has he has made
since coming to Walla Walla county and it is but natural that he should
be enthusiastic concerning conditions here.
[Illustration: JOHN MARTIN AND FAMILY]
In 1875, in Chicago, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
McAvaney, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of
fourteen children, of whom two are deceased, the others being: James,
who is now chief of police of Walla Walla; John P., who is farming
in Spring valley; Mary, the wife of Joe Martin, who although of the
same name is not a relative; Elizabeth, the wife of Albert Schiller;
Margaret, the wife of Roy Davies; and Katherine, Agnes, Grace, Theresa,
George, Lillian and William, all at home.
Mr. Martin supports the republican party and has served acceptably as
member of the school board. He is a communicant of the Catholic church,
and his life has been guided by high moral standards. His residence is
attractive and up-to-date and he is enjoying all the comforts of his
life as the result of his well directed labors and wise investments.
Mr. Martin is strong and vigorous for his years but to enjoy the balmy
air of the south he spends his winters in Los Angeles, California.
C. F. ACTOR.
C. F. Actor, a grain dealer and warehouse man of Starbuck, was born in
Dixie, Washington, on the 27th of October, 1868, a son of H. C. Actor,
one of the veterans of the early Indian wars and one of the well known
men of the pioneer period of Walla Walla county. He died August 30,
1917, near Dixie and extended mention of him appears elsewhere in this
work.
C. F. Actor was reared under the parental roof and acquired his
education in the public schools of Dixie. He also attended the Empire
Business College of Walla Walla and thus became well qualified for
life's practical and responsible duties. In early manhood he worked for
a time in Colfax and was variously employed, after which he returned to
Walla Walla county and for some time was engaged in farming. In 1902
he removed to Starbuck and entered the grain trade, managing the Alto
warehouse for the Alto Warehouse Company for a year. On the expiration
of that period he became the representative of the Balfour-Guthrie
Company, with which he continued for four years as grain buyer. In
1907 he engaged in the grain business on his own account and since
that time has operated independently and successfully, being today one
of the well known grain merchants of Columbia county, controlling a
business of large volume that brings to him a good financial return.
In 1900 Mr. Actor was married to Miss Lucy May Buroker, daughter of
Martin B. Buroker, of Waitsburg, and they have become the parents of
five children, four sons and a daughter, namely: Charles M., Alfred A.,
Grace, Lester E. and Fred F.
In his political views Mr. Actor has ever been an earnest republican
since attaining adult age. In January, 1917, he was appointed to fill
a vacancy on the board of county commissioners and is now serving in
that capacity, in which connection he is making an excellent record,
carefully safe-guarding the interests of the county, yet never blocking
public progress by useless retrenchment. He belongs to Tucannon Lodge,
No. 106, F. & A. M., of Starbuck, and also to Starbuck Lodge, No.
158, I. O. O. F. In 1916 he was representative to the grand lodge of
Odd Fellows. He is also identified with Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P. In
banking circles he is known as a director of the Bank of Starbuck and
he ranks with the leading and representative business men and citizens
of the town, his aid and influence being always given on the side of
progress and improvement. He at all times displays a public-spirited
devotion to the general good and has wisely conducted his private
business affairs, which have brought to him substantial and merited
success.
M. W. SWEGLE.
A successful career has been that of M. W. Swegle, who now follows
farming on section 32, township 7 north, range 35 east, in Walla Walla
county. He has lived in this county since 1888 and is concentrating his
efforts and attention upon the development and improvement of a farm of
five hundred and fourteen acres. This is a memorable locality in the
history of the state for it is the site of the Whitman massacre--the
identical spot on which the atrocities committed by the red men
culminated in the murder of the noble Reverend Whitman and his family,
those venerable pioneers, who were doing such inestimable work in
claiming this region for the purposes of Christian civilization, laying
the cornerstone of the foundation for the moral and materially visible
development of the entire region.
Mr. Swegle is a western man by birth, training and preference and
exemplifies in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which
has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the west, leading
to its wonderful development. He was born in Salem, Oregon, June 28,
1861, a son of Charles and Lucinda (Robinson) Swegle. The father was
a native of New Jersey, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio.
They were married in Illinois, to which state they had removed with
their respective parents, and in 1848 they crossed the plains with ox
teams to Oregon, settling first in Clackamas county, although soon
afterward they removed to Marion county, taking up their abode near
Salem. There the father resided until 1880, when he came with his
family to Walla Walla county, Washington, and purchased nine hundred
acres of land, a part of which is included within the boundaries of
the present home place of M. W. Swegle. In the residence where his son
now resides the father passed away on the 7th of May, 1888, and in his
death the community mourned the loss of an honored pioneer settler and
most respected citizen--one who in every relation of life commanded
the goodwill and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His
widow survived him for several years and passed away in November, 1895.
M. W. Swegle was reared upon the old home farm and acquired a common
school education. From the time he attained his majority he began
farming on his own account and in 1888 he established his home in Walla
Walla county. Soon afterward he purchased a section of land, some of
which he has since sold, while a portion thereof he deeded to his wife.
The present farm, held conjointly by Mr. Swegle and his wife's heirs,
comprises five hundred and fourteen acres. This land he has brought to
a very high state of cultivation, carrying on farm work along the most
progressive lines. He is at all times practical in what he undertakes
and the results are therefore substantial and most desirable. He has
placed good improvements upon his farm and its neat and attractive
appearance indicates his intelligently directed activity.
On the 2d of July, 1890, Mr. Swegle was united in marriage to Miss
Libby Brooks, also a native of Oregon, although at the time of her
marriage she was living in Walla Walla county. She was a daughter of
John Brooks, who came to this county from that of Yamhill in Oregon.
He is still living and at the present time is a resident of Portland,
Oregon, the beautiful city of roses. To Mr. and Mrs. Swegle were born
eight children, seven of whom survive, namely: Floyd and Jesse, who are
operating the home farm; May; Alice; Frank; Florence; and Irene. All
the children are yet at home. The wife and mother passed away February
19, 1916, her death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret
among her many friends. All who knew her sympathized and grieved with
the family, to whose welfare and interest she was always most devoted.
Mr. Swegle votes with the democratic party. He has never been an
aspirant for office, preferring to give his time to and concentrate his
energies upon his own affairs, upon the interests of his home, upon
his business and upon those things which help to further the welfare
of the community. For thirty years he has been a resident of Walla
Walla county and has witnessed many favorable changes during this
period, having by his own labors in no small measure contributed to
agricultural development.
S. V. DAVIN.
One of the energetic and progressive business men of Walla Walla is S.
V. Davin, president and manager of the Washington Weeder Works. He is
a native of France, born September 20, 1861, and is a son of Joseph E.
and Nomie (Escalle) Davin, who came with their family to America in
1873 and located in California, where the parents continued to make
their home until death. Of their thirteen children only two are living,
these being Joseph and S. V., of this review.
S. V. Davin was twelve years of age on the emigration of the family
to the United States and in the schools of California he completed
his education, which was begun in his native land. He remained in the
Golden state until 1888, when he came to Walla Walla and spent three
years on a ranch in this locality. During the following ten years he
engaged in business in the city and was also interested in farming and
stock raising, owning sixty-three hundred acres of land in Franklin
county, Washington, stocked with sheep, and is president of the
Davin-Mitchell sheep and cattle ranch, the company owning one thousand
acres of land. Mr. Davin also owns one hundred and ninety-four acres
of land west of the garrison, which is worth eight hundred dollars per
acre and has two hundred and twenty-five acres at Lowden, Walla Walla
county, upon which he keeps both cattle and sheep and has twenty-five
cows for dairy purposes. Since 1910, however, Mr. Davin has given his
attention largely to the business of the Washington Weeder Works, which
is in a flourishing condition, manufacturing a double-disc weeder,
which was awarded the gold medal at the Lewis & Clark Exposition as the
best weed killer and cultivator exhibited. Besides the property already
mentioned Mr. Davin owns a business building, also the Ritz Hotel and
three residences in Walla Walla.
In 1893 he was united in marriage to Miss Ardella Haight, who died in
1901, leaving no children, and in 1903 he again married. To this union
were born two sons, Jackson Joseph and Virgil Edward Marion. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Davin is an active member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Eagles, the Moose and the
Red Men. In politics he is a republican but has never cared for office.
He gives his undivided attention to his extensive business interests,
is prompt, energetic and progressive and carries to successful
completion what he sets out to accomplish.
HON. JOHN F. ROCKHILL.
Hon. John F. Rockhill owns and operates a farm of five hundred acres of
land in Columbia county, upon which he has resided for almost a quarter
of a century, having taken up his abode upon that place in 1893. He
was born in Marshall county, Iowa, April 29, 1855, a son of Anthony
and Rosetta (Robbins) Rockhill, the former a native of Ohio, while the
latter was born in the state of New York. They lived for some time in
Iowa, but at length determined to try their fortunes upon the Pacific
coast and in 1864 crossed the plains, establishing their home in Grande
Ronde valley, Oregon. In 1865, however, they removed to the vicinity
of Portland and in 1868 they came to Washington, settling in Walla
Walla county, where the father rented a farm for two years. In 1870 he
removed to a farm near Dayton and upon that place continued to reside
until his demise. His widow also spent her last days upon that farm.
They had a family of nine children, of whom six are yet living.
[Illustration: HON. JOHN F. ROCKHILL]
[Illustration: MRS. JOHN F. ROCKHILL]
Hon. John F. Rockhill of this family was a little lad of nine years
when he left his native state in company with his parents and came
to the northwest. From the age of thirteen years he has lived in
Washington and in the public schools of this section of the state
he completed his education. He afterward took up land and engaged
in farming, bringing to his duties broad practical experience which
had come to him through assisting his father in the development and
cultivation of the old home property. In 1885 John F. Rockhill removed
to Whitman county, where he resided for eight years, but in 1893 he
returned to Columbia county and purchased his present farm, upon
which he is now living. He owns five hundred acres of excellent wheat
land and in connection with the production of that cereal he is also
successfully engaged in raising stock. In a word, his business affairs
are capably managed and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to
successful completion. He is likewise a stockholder in the warehouse
at Turner and at Dayton and is regarded as a prominent figure in the
business circles of his section of the state.
In 1877 Mr. Rockhill was united in marriage to Miss Mabel L. Taylor,
a native of Iowa, and to them have been born eight children: Don M. a
resident of Columbia county; Daisy, now the wife of C. I. Fleming, of
Oregon; Hazel, deceased; Luella, who is a graduate of a normal school
and is now engaged in teaching; Nora, who has departed this life; Cora,
who was graduated from the high school and is now the wife of Edgar
Hilbert, of Columbia county; John, who is engaged in farming with his
father; and Mabel L., who is also a graduate of the high school and is
the wife of Glenn Cecil.