with five lumberyards, but which has since grown until it now has
forty-five lumberyards in eastern Washington and central Oregon and
is capitalized for five hundred thousand dollars. Of this company Mr.
Crawford is the president and general manager. His business interests
have thus assumed very extensive proportions and his activities
constitute an important element in the material growth and commercial
development of the northwest. Moreover, Mr. Crawford has been most
active in advancing the welfare and upbuilding of his city by inducing
many others to locate here. He has prevailed on many of his old friends
to come from the east and make their homes in Walla Walla and five
different Crawford families have located here.
[Illustration: J. M. CRAWFORD]
[Illustration: MRS. J. M. CRAWFORD]
To Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been horn three children. Harold E. is
a graduate of Whitman College and the Boston School of Technology. He
now has charge of the engineering department of the Tum-a-lum Lumber
Company, which constructs elevators, furnishes plans for houses and
promotes good buildings, the plans and work being given patrons free
of charge. C. Howard is treasurer of the Tum-a-lum Lumber Company and
office man. He attended the Walla Walla high school until the age of
seventeen, when he entered the office of the company and has steadily
advanced, being a young man of practical experience and pronounced
ability. Both sons are progressive and able to fill positions calling
for skill and effectiveness. Susan M., the only daughter, was at one
time a student at the University of Washington but is now attending
Whitman College.
Mr. Crawford is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He has taken a marked interest in the Walla Walla Commercial
Club and served on its board of directors for some years and as its
president for one year. Both he and his wife hold membership in the
Presbyterian church and Mr. Crawford was on the building committee when
the present house of worship was erected. He is a self-made man, able,
forceful and successful, and can well be numbered among the builders
of Walla Walla. Alert and enterprising, he seems to lose sight of no
opportunity that will advance his legitimate business interests or will
promote the welfare and upbuilding of the community at large. His keen
sagacity has been an important element in public progress and Walla
Walla honors him as one of her most valued and representative men.
GRANT LOW.
Grant Low, a resident farmer of Columbia county, living on section 3,
township 10 north, range 40 east, is numbered among the native sons of
North Carolina, his birth having occurred within the borders of the
Old North state December 25, 1870. His parents were Samuel and Dillie
(Proctor) Low, who were also natives of North Carolina, where they
spent their entire lives, the father there conducting a plantation.
Grant Low was reared upon the old home farm until his sixteenth year,
and acquired but a limited common school education. His parents died
when he was a youth of ten years and he was placed with a guardian,
for whom he worked for his board and clothes. He did not like the
treatment he received, however, and at the age of sixteen he ran away
from his foster parents and went to Missouri, where he was employed as
a farm hand for three years. In July, 1889, he made his way westward to
Dayton, Washington, where he arrived with a cash capital of but five
dollars. His financial condition rendered it imperative that he secure
immediate employment and soon afterward he began working for wages
at farm labor, spending three years in that way. He next purchased
a place of one hundred and sixty acres on credit. He did not have a
cent with which to make an initial payment but he possessed courage
and determination and was not afraid to work. Moreover, he recognized
the eternal principle that industry wins. He began farming for himself
and within the next five years was able to clear his place of all
indebtedness. From that time forward he has steadily added to his
holdings until he now has twelve hundred and forty acres in his home
farm and he owns altogether forty-four hundred acres near Starbuck,
in Columbia county, of which eighteen hundred acres is valuable farm
land. He operates altogether three thousand acres of his own land
and six hundred acres belonging to the Dwelly estate, which he farms
under lease. He is one of the leading agriculturists of southeastern
Washington, his business affairs having been most carefully managed
and his investments most judiciously made. He employs progressive
methods in the care and cultivation of his land and he has added many
improvements to his farm, which is today valuable and which constitutes
one of the attractive features in the landscape.
On December 3, 1891, Mr. Low was united in marriage to Miss Oral
Monnett, of Covello, Columbia county, Washington, a daughter of Wallace
Monnett and a sister of A. A. Monnett, one of the prominent business
men of Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Low became the parents of five children,
four of whom survive, namely: Nellie, Josie, Alberta and Donald. All
are at home.
Mr. Low gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a
stanch advocate of its principles but does not seek nor desire office
as a reward for party fealty. He has always preferred to concentrate
his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and, working
steadily and persistently, he has gained a comfortable competence,
being numbered among the leading and progressive agriculturists of
Columbia county.
ANGUS McKAY.
Angus McKay, a well known and enterprising farmer of Walla Walla
county, was born in Canada on the 13th of January, 1836, and is a son
of Angus and Margaret (Campbell) McKay, both of Highland Scotch birth.
In 1832 they crossed the Atlantic and settled in Canada, where they
continued to make their home until called from this life. To them were
born eight children but Angus is the only one of the number now living.
Mr. McKay grew to manhood in Canada with the usual advantages of a
boy of that period, attending school as he found opportunity. He
subsequently served three years apprenticeship in a general merchandise
store and remained in the Dominion in various capacities until in 1861
he left Canada and came to Walla Walla, Washington, where he engaged
in the confectionery and tobacco business for five years. His former
experience stood him in good stead and that he was successful along
business lines is evident from the fact that at the end of that period
he was enabled to secure a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres
on Russell creek and he has since given his time and attention to
farming with good results, becoming one of the well-to-do men of his
community.
In 1866 Mr. McKay married Mrs. Mary A. Winship, a native of Ohio,
who crossed the plains with her parents in 1852 in a covered wagon
drawn by ox teams and settled in Oregon. To this union have been born
seven children, of whom three are living, namely: March, residing and
assisting on the ranch; Angus, living in Prossor; and Bessie, the wife
of Oscar M. Shelton.
Mr. and Mrs. McKay are living on the ranch which has been their home
for over half a century and besides this property they own a residence
in the city of Walla Walla. Fraternally Mr. McKay is a member of the
Masonic order and being a strong temperance man he organized the
first Good Templars lodge in this region in 1866. In politics he is a
republican and for fifty years he has efficiently served as justice of
the peace, his rulings being fair and impartial. He has also filled the
office of assessor for several years and no trust reposed in him has
ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. His honorable principles
have won him many friends and all who know him hold him in the highest
esteem.
JOHN W. FOLEY.
The life record of John W. Foley spells success. He has succeeded in
whatever he has undertaken by reason of close application, determined
purpose and indefatigable energy. Early in life, when little more than
a youth, he started out upon a mercantile career in Adam, Oregon, and
the prosperity which attended that venture gave him his start for
bigger things. He was likewise successful in the live stock business
and later in farming operations, which he has carried on extensively,
being regarded today as one of the foremost representatives of
agricultural interests in Garfield county, his home being on section 3,
township 12 north, range 41 east. He was born in the Willamette valley
of Oregon on the 1st of November, 1866, and is a son of Francis and
Hannah (Reese) Foley. The father is a native of Ohio and the mother of
Kansas and in early life they crossed the plains, becoming residents of
Oregon. They now make their home in California.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded John W. Foley. After
mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools he
became a student in the Willamette University of Salem, Oregon, and
subsequently attended the Portland University, thus becoming well
qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. In young manhood
he turned his attention to the hardware business, establishing a store
in Adam, Oregon, where he remained for two years. The venture proved
profitable and he sold out at a good advance. He then went to Rock
Lake in Whitman county, Washington, and for seven years was engaged
in the cattle business. Again success attended his undertaking and
on the expiration of that period he removed to Walla Walla, where he
was engaged in the hardware and implement business for two years. He
also devoted a part of his attention to farming when in Walla Walla
county and in March, 1916, he took up his abode upon his present home
farm in Meadow Gulch, Garfield county, where he owns sixteen hundred
acres of rich and valuable land that responds readily to the care and
cultivation which he bestows upon it. In business affairs he displays
sound judgment and discriminates readily between the essential and the
non-essential, discarding the latter and utilizing the former to the
best possible advantage.
In 1893 Mr. Foley was united in marriage to Miss Edith Babcock, a
daughter of W. A. Babcock, one of the early pioneer settlers of Whitman
county who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Foley have three children:
Harold F., Eva and Wayne C. Mr. Foley gives his political allegiance to
the republican party and is a stanch advocate of its principles but he
has no desire for public office. He and his wife are consistent members
of the Methodist church, contributing generously to its support and
doing their part in its work. They are interested in all that pertains
to the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which they reside and
have been active factors in advancing its material, social and moral
progress. They are widely and favorably known and the hospitality of
the best homes of their locality is accorded them.
ANDREW J. ABEL.
Among the well known residents of Columbia county is Andrew J. Abel,
a retired farmer. He was born in Indiana, October 28, 1838, a son of
Andrew and Sarah Abel, both of whom were Hoosiers by birth. They grew
to mature years and were married in Indiana but in 1840 removed with
their family to Iowa, whence, in 1864, they set out by wagon for the
far west. They at length reached Old Walla Walla county, Washington,
and took up their residence on a farm near Dayton. Their first home
in this section was a log cabin with a slab floor and a clapboard
roof. Subsequently good buildings were erected upon the place, and the
parents resided there until their death.
Andrew J. Abel, who is one of two living children of a family of ten,
received the greater part of his education in Iowa and there grew
to manhood. Upon removing to Washington with the other members of
the family in 1864 he took a preemption claim in Paddock Hollow, and
there he maintained his home for six years. At the end of that time
he sold this place and took up as a homestead the farm on which he
still lives. This comprises two hundred and forty acres, is in a high
state of cultivation and is well improved. During his active life he
gave the closest attention to the management of his affairs and as
the years passed his resources increased. He is now in good financial
circumstances and is living practically retired.
Mr. Abel married Miss Sarah A. Brodhead, and they have had eleven
children, of whom eight survive, namely: Andrew J., Jr.; Maria J., the
wife of James Woodward; Sarah E., who married William Newby; Cora A.,
now Mrs. Charles Ingram; Adele, the wife of Seymour Litter; Maud, the
wife of Sterling Litter; Chester, a resident of Columbia county; and
Tressie, who married Lenn Collins, now of Missouri.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. ANDREW J. ABEL]
Mr. Abel gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but
has not served in any office with the exception of that of member of
the school board. His wife belongs to the Christian church and he also
casts his influence on the side of right and justice. For more than
five decades he has been an interested witness of the progress that has
been made in Old Walla Walla county, and his reminiscences of the early
days are of much interest to the younger generation who are growing up
amid conditions vastly different from those that their parents found
here.
SMITH OWENS GWINN.
Smith Owens Gwinn is successfully engaged in farming on section 20,
township 11 north, range 40 east, in Columbia county. He was born in
Putnam county, Missouri, February 17, 1855, his parents being William
and Nancy (Triplett) Gwinn, both of whom were natives of Kentucky,
where they were reared and married. Soon afterward they removed to
Putnam county, Missouri, where they resided until 1864, when they
heard and heeded the call of the west. The stories which reached
them concerning the opportunities on the Pacific coast led them to
the determination to try their fortune in Washington. With ox teams
and wagons they traveled across the plains, being six months on the
journey, and at length they established their home in Walla Walla
county, six miles east of Walla Walla, where the father purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid eighteen hundred
dollars. Today the same property is worth forty thousand dollars.
He lived upon that farm for a number of years and then sold the
property, after which he took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla,
spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He
had acquired a comfortable competence sufficient to meet all of his
needs and also sufficient to supply him with the comforts of life.
He passed away in 1897, while his widow survived for about twelve
years, her death occurring in 1909. In his political views Mr. Gwinn
was a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party. He served as
county assessor of Walla Walla county before it was divided, occupying
that position for three or four years. He was widely known throughout
the county, ranking as a representative business man and progressive
citizen, and as a pioneer he contributed much to the early development
of his section of the state. He and his wife were consistent and
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were people
of the highest respectability, enjoying the goodwill and confidence
of all with whom they were associated. They left the impress of
their individuality for good upon the material, political and moral
development of the community.
Smith O. Gwinn was a lad of but nine years at the time of the removal
of the family to Washington, so that he pursued his education largely
in the schools of this district. He attended the Maxson school on
Russell creek and on reaching his majority he began farming on his own
account, renting land for that purpose. He raised two crops in Walla
Walla county and in the fall of 1877 removed to Columbia county, where
he homesteaded eighty acres. He failed, however, to get water on his
land and therefore sold his right, after which he purchased another
eighty acres with water on it. About 1880 he disposed of that farm and
invested in his present home place of one hundred and sixty acres. In
1895 he leased this farm to Charlie Thronson and removed to Dayton,
where he turned his attention to the livery business, with which he
was identified for four years. Later he was engaged in various lines
of business and retained his residence in Dayton until 1904, when he
removed to Portland, where he resided for two years. He then went to
Spokane, where the following year was passed, after which he returned
to Portland, Oregon, where he again lived for three years. Once more
he took up his abode in Spokane, where he remained until July, 1917,
when he returned to the old home farm in Columbia county. Upon this
place he has recently erected one of the most commodious and beautiful
country homes in southeastern Washington and he has added many other
modern improvements which add to the value and attractive appearance
of the place. He also owns four hundred and eighty acres of land which
constitutes one of the valuable wheat ranches of Columbia county. His
business affairs are carefully managed and his unfaltering energy has
carried him steadily forward to the goal of success.
Mr. Gwinn votes with the democratic party, of which he has been a
stalwart champion since attaining his majority. He belongs to Touchet
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is one of the well known citizens of Columbia
county who has gained a gratifying measure of success owing to his
close application and indefatigable energy. His efforts have been a
contributing factor in bringing about the splendid results that have
been achieved in making southeastern Washington a notable agricultural
belt, especially adapted to wheat raising.
W. H. YOUNGER.
W. H. Younger, who superintends the operation of the Prescott mills as
agent for the Portland Flouring Mills Company, the largest concern of
the kind in the northwest, was born in Stockton, California, on the
29th of January, 1889, a son of Thomas W. and Nannie (Welch) Younger.
For a period of forty-three years the father was connected with the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company as superintendent of motive power but
has recently retired and now makes his home at Forest Grove, Oregon.
In the acquirement of his education W. H. Younger attended the public
schools of Portland and also the Portland Academy. When a youth of
sixteen years he entered the employ of the Portland Flouring Mills
Company, securing a position as office boy in their Portland offices.
With this important enterprise he has been connected continuously to
the present time, becoming thoroughly familiar with every phase of
the milling business, and that his services have been recognized as
of value is indicated by his steady promotion. In 1909 he was made
bookkeeper under E. H. Leonard, agent of the Prescott mills, serving in
that capacity for four years or until the 1st of April, 1913, when he
was appointed agent of the mills at Dayton, Washington. He had charge
of the mills there for four years and on the 1st of May, 1917, was
transferred to Prescott as agent at this point, in which connection he
is making an excellent and most commendable record.
On the 28th of June, 1910, Mr. Younger was united in marriage to Miss
Jessie Grace Anderson, of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Younger gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and is deeply interested
in matters of civic concern, having served as president of the
Dayton Commercial Club and as a member of the Dayton Board of Trade.
Fraternally he is identified with Dayton Lodge, F. & A. M., and he is
also a charter member of Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. P., in which
he has passed through all the chairs. His wife belongs to Trinity
Episcopal church of Portland and both enjoy an enviable position in the
social circles of Prescott, where they now make their home.
WILEY L. ARNOLD.
Wiley L. Arnold, a representative and successful agriculturist of Walla
Walla county, resides on section 26, township 8 north, range 37 east,
where he operates a well improved farm of forty-five acres, and he is
also the owner of another valuable farm of one hundred and eighteen
acres four miles distant from the aforementioned place. His birth
occurred in Tennessee on the 8th of September, 1866, his parents being
John and Anna Arnold, who spent their entire lives in that state. They
had two sons, the brother of our subject being Grant, who is still a
resident of Tennessee.
Wiley L. Arnold spent the period of his minority in his native
state and in 1887, when a young man of twenty-one years, made his
may to Spokane, Washington. Soon afterward, however, he removed to
Vancouver, Washington, where he also spent but a short time and then
went to Grants Pass, Oregon, there remaining during a winter season.
Subsequently he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and here worked
on a ranch for three and one-half years. On the expiration of that
period he returned to Grants Pass, Oregon, but two years later again
made his way to Walla Walla county and purchased the farm on which
he now resides and to the cultivation of which he has devoted his
attention continuously to the present time. It is a highly improved
property, comprising forty-five acres on section 26, township 8
north, range 37 east, near Dixie. Mr. Arnold also owns another farm
of one hundred and eighteen acres nearby and in the conduct of his
agricultural interests has met with gratifying and well deserved
success, being energetic, enterprising and progressive. He is also a
stockholder in the warehouse at Sapellel.
In 1893 Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Perry, a
native of California and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Shinn) Perry,
the former born in Canada and the latter in Michigan. They made the
trip to California in 1849 and after a number of years' residence in
that state took up their abode in Grants Pass, Oregon, where they
spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of twelve
children, eight of whom survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have been
born six children, as follows: Veora I., who is the wife of George W.
Bruce; Marion Harvey; Zeffie A.; Sarah F.; Ivan W.; and one who died in
infancy.
Mr. Arnold gives his political allegiance to the republican party and
has ably served as school director here. Fraternally he is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 117,
and his wife is a consistent member of the Christian church. They are
widely and favorably known in Walla Walla county and Mr. Arnold enjoys
an enviable reputation as a self-made man whose success is the merited
reward of his unremitting industry and sound business judgment.
JOHN HOFFMANN.
John Hoffmann is one of the honored pioneer settlers of Walla Walla and
of the Inland Empire. There is no phase of the frontier development
with which he is not familiar, for he came here when the work of
progress seemed scarcely begun. In the years which have since elapsed
he has not only witnessed remarkable changes that have brought this
county to a foremost place in the way of improvement and development
but he has also taken a most active part in bringing about this result
by reason of his extensive interests and activities as an agriculturist.