country until he reached the age of sixteen years, when his father
sent him to the new world in order that he might escape Bismarck's
compulsory military service law, which had been established at the
close of the Franco-Prussian war. He remained for a period in New
York and in the eastern part of the country but in 1878 reached Walla
Walla, being then a young man of twenty-six years. He began life as a
farm hand, and something of the intense activity and enterprise which
has ever characterized him is indicated in the fact that he came to
be the possessor of eight thousand acres of the finest land in the
wheat belt of Washington, having six thousand and eighty acres in one
body, which was but bunch grass land when taken by Mr. Hoffmann. It
is now well improved with fine buildings, supplied with best modern
improvements, including electric light and baths. Water is secured at
a depth of nine hundred and forty-five feet, Mr. Hoffmann being the
first to drill a deep well in this locality. His fine place certainly
indicates what energy, good judgment and determination can do. At the
time of his arrival, however, little land had been brought under the
plow and the city of Walla Walla was scarcely more than a trading
and military post. The wide fields were covered with sagebrush or
bunchgrass and there were no railroads. Mr. Hoffmann brought with him
a heavy team and with this he at once began work, hauling freight from
Wallula to Spokane and into the Coeur d'Alenes. It often required two
or three months to make such trips, for the horses had to be fed on
grass, as there was little grain for that purpose. With the completion
of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Hoffmann recognized the fact that
freighting would no longer be profitable and therefore looked about him
for some other means of support. He was unable to secure a homestead
because he could not remain upon it, necessity forcing him to provide
for his support in other ways. He therefore used his preemption right
and occupied one hundred and sixty acres of land on what is now Eureka
Flats. He used his team in work for others and as opportunity offered
rented adjoining land. It was about 1880 that he threshed his first
wheat crop from a tract of seventy-five acres, selling the crop at
about forty-four cents per bushel after hauling it eighteen miles to
Prescott. In his third year he harvested half a section of wheat but
as yet had no farm machinery. When sowing and threshing time came, Mr.
Hoffmann with his eight horses continued to work for others and in this
way paid for putting in and gathering his crops for several years. In
the meantime he was most carefully saving his earnings in order to
equip a farm, and whenever opportunity offered he also added to his
holdings, becoming the owner of four thousand four hundred acres on
the Eureka Flats. There he introduced punctuality and regulations as
stringent as those of a factory. He began work after three o'clock in
the morning to round up the horses and ended the day's work at dark or
later. He secured modern steam machinery and with his working system
he did more work than if he had forced his employes to continue their
labor from daylight until dark. There was no loss of time and each
move was made to count for the utmost. He kept in touch with every
phase of progressive farming and in fact was a recognized leader in
introducing improved methods. He studied agriculture from the practical
and from the scientific standpoints and, in fact, he recognized that
these two things are one. The results achieved were marvelous and as
his financial resources increased he continued making investments.
From time to time he purchased cheap land. He bought six sections of
railroad land along the Snake river to be used as horse pasturage
until rapidly moving settlement required it. For this he paid only
seventy-five cents per acre and after a few years he sold it at a net
profit of five dollars per acre, thus realizing a handsome sum on his
investment. He made other similar purchases of land, which in time
he turned into ready money, continuing to realize a fair profit. His
holdings at one time embraced over twelve thousand acres. He continued
to occupy his farm until 1893, when he removed his family to Walla
Walla, and in 1903 he retired from the active management of his farming
property. He helped to organize and is a director of Walla Walla's
Farmers Agency.
[Illustration: JOHN HOFFMANN]
[Illustration: THERESA HOFFMANN]
On April 25, 1881, Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage to Miss Theresa
Kirchner, a native of Minnesota, who came to Washington with her
parents when she was a child of but four years. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann
have become the parents of ten children, seven of whom are yet living:
John Edward, an agriculturist of Columbia county, Washington; Bessie
D., who is the wife of Ben Grote, of Walla Walla; Anna, who gave her
hand in marriage to George Retzer, a druggist residing in Walla Walla;
Valline, who is pursuing a course in mechanical engineering in the
University of Washington at Seattle; Philip, a senior in the high
school; John William, who is an eighth grade pupil; and Corleen, who is
a freshman in the high school.
In politics Mr. Hoffmann has long been a stalwart republican and gives
unfaltering allegiance to the principles of the party, yet without
desire for office. He belongs to the Commercial Club and through that
agency works for the upbuilding and development of the city in which
he makes his home. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding
membership in Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M.; Walla
Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Columbia Commandery, K. T.; Oriental
Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M.
S. For from thirty to forty years he has belonged to the order. He
and his wife are also members of the Order of the Eastern Star and
they are widely and prominently known socially, having a circle of
friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. The
life record of Mr. Hoffmann is indeed a notable one and there is no
resident of Walla Walla who has more truly earned the proud American
title of a self-made man. Being early released from the military rule
of Germany, he found in the opportunities of the new world the chances
for advancement if the individual possesses industry and determination.
These qualities are his in large measure and step by step he has
progressed until he has long since occupied a place among the men of
affluence in Washington. For almost forty years he has been a witness
of the changes which have here occurred and is today one of the honored
pioneer settlers of Walla Walla county, his memory forming a connecting
link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
U. F. CORKRUM.
No student of history can carry his investigations far into the annals
of Walla Walla county without learning of the close connection of the
Corkrum family with the development of the agricultural interests
of this section of the state. U. F. Corkrum is numbered among the
progressive and enterprising wheat growers of Walla Walla county, where
he was born on the 1st of June, 1866. His father, Francis M. Corkrum,
was a native of Kentucky, and in early life went to Illinois, where
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Killabrew, who was a native
of that state. They were residents of Illinois until 1865, when they
crossed the plains with ox teams to Washington. On their arrival the
father took up a homestead on Dry creek, about six miles northeast of
Walla Walla, where he resided until about 1895. He then removed to the
city, where the last twelve years of his life were passed, his death
occurring in 1907. He was one of the first men in this county to take
up wheat growing, demonstrating the possibilities for the successful
production of that crop in this section of the state. He became one of
the most extensive wheat growers of eastern Washington and acquired
twelve hundred acres of land, mostly devoted to wheat raising. His
widow survived him for a brief period, passing away in 1910.
U. F. Corkrum was educated in the Union school on Dry creek, with one
term at Whitman College. The winter seasons were devoted to his school
work, while the summer months were spent in farm labor. As early as his
nineteenth year he began farming on his own account and on attaining
his majority he made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of a
farm of two hundred and forty acres on Dry creek. To this he added at
intervals as his financial resources increased until 1893, at which
time he had ten hundred and thirty-five acres, but the widespread
financial panic of that year caused him to lose all that he had and
to start in business life anew. That he met discouragement bravely
and undertook his task with stout heart is indicated in the fact that
he now owns six hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable wheat
land and recently sold another tract of one hundred and sixty acres.
He is now residing in Walla Walla in order to give his children the
advantages of the city, but he is still one of the active wheat growers
of the county and his business affairs are systematically managed,
while the results that are attained are most desirable.
In 1897 Mr. Corkrum was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Williams,
of Brecknockshire, Wales, who emigrated to the United States in 1894,
and came to Washington two years later. They now have four children,
namely: Franklin Carl, Frederick Victor and Ralph Edward, all of whom
are students in the Walla Walla high school; and Bertie Stanford, who
is attending the graded school.
In politics Mr. Corkrum is a democrat but is without ambition for
public office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, to the teachings of which they consistently adhere, and their
influence is always on the side of right, progress and improvement.
They are honored among those whose financial liberality made possible
the fine new church built in 1917. Their cooperation can ever be
counted upon to advance and support movements for the benefit of the
individual and of the community at large and they advocate the highest
standards of citizenship. Mr. Corkrum's example is well worthy of
emulation. Many a man of less resolute spirit would have become utterly
discouraged by failure, but in his career difficulties and obstacles
have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort, calling
forth his latent powers. Recognizing that perseverance and industry are
essential features to success, he has ever cultivated those qualities
and has gained a most creditable position in business circles.
CLINTON H. CUMMINGS.
Clinton H. Cummings is a well known agriculturist residing on section
4, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, there owning
eighty acres of land in the richest part of the valley. His birth
occurred in Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of
August, 1855, his parents being Andrew and Catherine (Boney) Cummings,
who spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. The father worked
at the cabinet maker's trade in early life, but after the period of
the Civil war embarked in the furniture business and was identified
therewith in later years.
Clinton H. Cummings acquired a limited education in the district
schools and subsequently secured a position as clerk in a mercantile
establishment, while for a year and a half he was in the employ of the
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Company. In 1883 he heard and heeded
the call of the west and made his way to the Pacific coast country,
reaching Seattle on the 28th of April of that year. He remained in
that city for eight years, being employed in various ways, and in
1891 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he secured a
position as manager of a grain warehouse. He was afterward employed
in different capacities at Walla Walla until 1896, when he took up a
homestead in the Nez Percé reservation and there devoted his attention
to general agricultural pursuits for seven years. On the expiration of
that period he disposed of the property and returned to Walla Walla,
where he established himself in the grocery business, successfully
conducting an enterprise of that character for ten years. He then
traded his store for his present farm holdings, which embrace eighty
acres of the richest land in the valley and to the cultivation of which
he has since devoted his attention, meeting with a well deserved and
gratifying measure of prosperity in this connection.
In 1889 Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Miss Frances Belle
Kennedy, of Walla Walla. He is a democrat in politics and has served
for two terms as a member of the city council of Walla Walla, the fact
that he was elected in a strong republican ward being indicative of
his personal popularity and the public confidence in his capability.
Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks, belonging to the Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287. His well directed
business activities have won him material success and by his upright
and honorable life he has gained the warm regard and friendship of many
with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES ISECKE.
For almost a third of a century Charles Isecke was a resident of
Washington and during that long period made valuable contributions to
the work of development and progress in the state. There was no phase
of pioneer life in Washington with which he was not thoroughly familiar
and at all times he bore his part in the work of development and won a
substantial measure of business success. His personal qualities, too,
made him very popular and everyone whom he met was his friend.
Mr. Isecke was born in Pommern, western Prussia, May 8, 1842, and had
therefore completed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten
when called to his final rest. He acquired his education in the common
and normal schools of his native country and after putting aside his
textbooks began learning the miller's trade, with which he became
thoroughly familiar. He was twenty-four years of age when in 1866 he
severed home ties and bade adieu to his native land preparatory to
becoming a resident of America. Crossing the Atlantic, he located at
Buffalo, New York, and was there employed for a time in carpenter work
but afterward turned his attention to railway bridge building. The
west, however, attracted him and in 1874 he made his way to California,
where for four years he was employed in the car shops at Salida. In the
spring of 1878 he arrived in Washington, and after seeking a favorable
location decided upon Anatone, where he purchased a small store that
had been established only a short time before. Increasing the size of
the stock immediately, he continued to carry on the business for eleven
years with substantial success and in 1889 sold out to W. J. Clemans.
He then removed to Asotin and during the period of his residence
in that city was connected with various important industries and
business enterprises, becoming president of the Blue Mountain Lumber &
Manufacturing Company and also president of the bank of Asotin from its
organization until his demise.
[Illustration: CHARLES ISECKE]
Mr. Isecke was married in 1879, about a year after taking up his abode
in Anatone, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary L. Sutherland, of
Truro, Nova Scotia, with whom he had become acquainted in California.
Mr. Isecke was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
became a charter member of Hope Lodge, No. 30, at Anatone. He regularly
attended the lodge meetings, had filled all of the offices in the
organization and was always in attendance at the annual sessions of the
Grand Lodge. He gave his financial aid and assistance to all movements
calculated to benefit the community in which he lived and he was most
generous in his contributions to religious organizations and charitable
societies. He possessed a cheery nature, was ever considerate of
others and never failed to extend a helping hand where he could give
assistance. At Christmas time he was most generous in his gifts to the
poor and it was his desire that all people should be happy. His kindly
nature made him loved by all and his circle of friends was coextensive
with the circle of his acquaintance. On the fiftieth anniversary of
their graduation Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a poem concerning his
classmates in which he termed them "The Boys." Speaking of one of them
he said:
"You see that boy laughing, you think he's all fun
But the angels laugh, too, at the good he has done.
The children laugh loud as they troop to his call
But the poor man that knows him laughs loudest of all."
These words are entirely applicable to Mr. Isecke, who belonged to that
class of men who shed around them much of life's sunshine and who are
ever putting forth earnest and effective effort to ameliorate the hard
conditions of life for the unfortunate.
WILLIAM H. LEONARD.
William H. Leonard, one of the best known stock breeders in
southeastern Washington, where he took up his abode almost four decades
ago, is the proprietor of the Blue Ribbon Stock Farm on section 28,
township 14 north, range 41 east, and owns eleven hundred and sixty
acres of land, comprising one of the best improved farms in Garfield
county. His birth occurred in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 1st of
March, 1860, his parents being William J. and Sarah Jane (Cronkhite)
Leonard, who were married in Illinois and spent the remainder of their
lives in Vermilion county, that state. The father was an agriculturist,
owning and cultivating two hundred and eighty acres of valuable corn
land in Vermilion county. He died when yet a comparatively young man,
passing away in 1866 or 1867, and his wife survived him for but ten
years.
William H. Leonard was a youth of but sixteen years when he lost his
mother and since that time he has made his own way in the world. In
1877 he journeyed westward by immigrant train to California, spending
two years in Los Angeles county, where he worked for wages. In 1879
he came to Washington, locating in Walla Walla county, where he again
worked for others for a period of two years and at the end of that time
settled in what was then Columbia county and is now Garfield county.
Here he took up a preemption claim of one hundred and sixty acres,
subsequently commuted this and then took up a homestead. At the same
time that he filed on his homestead he bought a quit claim on a timber
claim, on which he proved up later. Since then he has added to this
by purchase until his present holdings comprise eleven hundred and
sixty acres and he enjoys the distinction of owning one of the best
improved farms in Garfield county. During the past fourteen years Mr.
Leonard has specialized in the breeding of registered thoroughbred
shorthorn cattle and now has more than eighty head that are registered
or eligible to registry. He has attended the Lewiston livestock show
and sale with a carload of cattle for the past three years and has
gained a most enviable reputation as a breeder. His style of dealing
with his customers has contributed most to his success, demonstrating
that honesty is the best policy, for when one of his animals is placed
on the auctioneer's block, the buyers of his stock know that there are
no by-bidders running up the price and that every animal purchased
from him measures up to the standard set. The prosperity which has
come to him is indeed well deserved, for he has worked earnestly and
energetically as the years have gone on and by able management and
sound judgment has won a place among the leading stock breeders and
farmers of this section of the state.
In 1881 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Starr, of
Columbia county, her father, William H. Starr, being among the early
pioneer settlers of that county. They have become the parents of five
children, as follows: Clara E., who is the wife of Fernando Freeburn,
a farmer of Garfield county; Izza C., who gave her hand in marriage to
W. Morse, of Waitsburg, Washington; William J., who operates the home
farm; Mary M., who was educated in the State Normal School at Cheney,
Washington, and is now engaged in teaching; and Mildred T., at home.
HEZEKIAH N. BROWN.
Hezekiah N. Brown, a retired farmer, residing in Dayton, Columbia
county, was born in central Tennessee, August 28, 1845, a son of John
and Perlina (Kincade) Brown, who were also natives of that state.
In 1847 they removed west to Arkansas, and there the father spent
his remaining years. The mother, however, came to Columbia county,
Washington, in 1874. The following year her death occurred. They had
eight children, of whom five survive, two residents of Washington; two
of Idaho; and one of Texas.
Hezekiah N. Brown received his education in Arkansas and there grew
to manhood. Most of his boyhood was spent in rail splitting and hard
work on the farm. In 1872 he determined to cast in his lot with the
Pacific northwest and came to what is now Columbia county, Washington,
but was then a part of Walla Walla county. He acquired title to land
and as time passed he was able to add to his holdings. Success was the
natural result of his hard work, thrift and good management, and he
still owns nine hundred and thirty-two acres, which is in a high state
of cultivation and is well improved. Although the buildings upon the
farm are now commodious, up-to-date and attractive in design, during
the first years of his residence here he lived in a box house. In 1909
he retired and removed to Dayton, where he still lives.
Mr. Brown was married in Arkansas in 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Carpenter,
whose birth occurred in Runnells county, Missouri, February 14, 1849.
To them have been born five children: Leo and George, both of whom are
farming; Elmer H., who is living in Seattle; Walter S., a merchant of
Spokane; and Luella, deceased.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. HEZEKIAH N. BROWN]
Mr. Brown has been a lifelong adherent to the democratic party and for
twenty-five years he rendered capable service as a member of the school
board. At the time of the Civil war he served in the Confederate army
under General Cooper, and although he was at the front four years and
took part in much hard fighting he came out without a scratch. Both he
and his wife are members of the Christian church, whose teachings are
the guiding principles of their lives. Mr. Brown was not only thrown
upon his own resources at an early age but until he was twenty-four
years old aided materially in the support of his parents. He is,
therefore, a self-made man and is entitled to the credit given those
who, through their own unaided efforts, have gained material success
and an honored place in their community.
C. A. HALES.
Since 1892, C. A. Hales has been identified with the sheep industry in
Washington and Oregon and is now senior partner in the firm of C. A.
Hales & Sons, prominent sheep raisers of Walla Walla county. He resides
on section 12, township 9 north, range 37 east, and has been a lifelong
resident of the northwest, his birth having occurred in Marion county,
Oregon, October 16, 1867, his parents being William H. and Lucinda
(Turner) Hales. The father crossed the plains in 1851, when a young
man of twenty-one years, and located near Portland, Oregon, when there
were but one or two log cabins on the site of the present beautiful
city. Later he went to California, where he followed mining for a
number of years, and in 1873 he became a resident of Weston, Oregon,
where he engaged in ranching and in the livestock business. He acquired
extensive land holdings and became a prominent factor in the livestock
industry in that section of the country, there remaining until his
death, which occurred in 1887. His wife had crossed the plains with
her parents in 1849, when but four years of age, the family home being
established in Marion county, Oregon. She still survives and makes her
home near that of her son, C. A. Hales, of this review.
In the common schools C. A. Hales acquired his education. He was but
twenty years of age at the time of his father's death, at which time
the latter's extensive and important business interests devolved upon
the son. He had to assume the management of the large farm holdings
and livestock interests, and though his responsibilities were heavy,
he proved adequate to the demands placed upon him. In 1892 he turned
his attention to the sheep industry and has in the course of years
become one of the foremost sheep men of the northwest, running some
twelve thousand head of sheep at the present time. His splendid
business ability is demonstrated by his successful control of extensive
interests of this character. He has a vast acreage on which to
pasture his flocks and he keeps in close touch with every condition
bearing upon the welfare of his business and upon the market. He is
thus thoroughly acquainted with everything that has to do with the
successful conduct of his interests.
In 1890 Mr. Hales was married to Miss Lucinda Galloway, of Morrow
county, Oregon, and to them have been born eight children, six of whom
are living, namely: Willis R., who is associated with his father in the
sheep business and is the manager of the Union Stock Yards at Pasco,
Washington; Alfred L. and Lester M., who are also associated with their
father in the sheep business; Marvin R.; Ila M.;, and Gertrude E.