their chosen calling and are now able to lay aside all business cares
and enjoy the fruits of former labor is Alonzo L. Sanford, who for many
years engaged in agricultural pursuits but is spending the sunset of
life in ease and retirement. He was born in Clark county, Illinois, on
the 2d of November, 1845, and is a son of Peleg and Malinda (Greenleaf)
Sanford, natives of New York state, whence they removed to Illinois in
1832. There the father bought a tract of government land at one dollar
and a quarter per acre and built thereon a log cabin, in which the
family lived for several years. Throughout the remainder of his life he
continued to operate his farm and there his death occurred. His widow
subsequently came to Walla Walla, Washington, and here she passed away.
In their family were five sons, of whom three are still living.
Alonzo L. Sanford spent the first nine years of his life in the state
of his nativity and then removed with the family to Iowa, where he
was principally reared and educated, pursuing his studies in a little
log school house. In 1864, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted
in Company D, Tenth Iowa Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and
remained at the front until hostilities ceased. He was with General
Sherman on his famous march to the sea and participated in the battle
of Bentonville. The war having ended he was mustered out at Little
Rock, Arkansas, and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, after
which he returned home and resumed farming. In 1871 Mr. Sanford removed
from Iowa to Washington and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty
acres of land northeast of Dayton in Walla Walla county. After living
there for four years, he sold his farm and bought another near Covello
in what is now Columbia county, where he carried on farming for some
years. On disposing of that place he removed to Covello, where he has
since lived retired, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life. Besides his nice residence he owns some lots in the
village and is one of the well-to-do citizens of the community.
[Illustration: ALONZO L. SANFORD]
In 1881 Mr. Sanford married Miss Alice McBride, a native of Iowa, and
they have become the parents of seven children, as follows: W. G., now
a resident of Dayton, Washington; Bertrand; Christopher; Pearl, the
wife of Jesse Carleton; Bryan; Estella, the wife of Robert Smith; and
Elton, at home.
Politically Mr. Sanford is a staunch democrat and for two years he
acceptably served as assessor of Columbia county. He has also been a
member of the school board and as a public-spirited and progressive
citizen he has done much to promote the interests of his community.
Wherever known he is held in high esteem and he well merits the
confidence reposed in him.
WILFORD H. GROSS.
Wilford H. Gross is actively identified with agricultural interests,
although making his home in the city of Walla Walla. He possesses the
strong and sturdy characteristics that have dominated the west and have
constituted the foundation upon which has been built its upbuilding and
progress. His entire life has been passed in the Pacific coast country.
He was born in Modoc county, California, on the 17th of January, 1874,
his parents being Bailey H. and Julia A. (Rice) Gross, the former
a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in Ohio. They were
married in the year 1862 and soon afterward crossed the plains with ox
teams to Nevada, where the father engaged in the dairy business and
in freighting near Virginia City. He spent ten years in that way in
Nevada, after which he continued his westward journey to California
and located in Modoc county, where he conducted a dairy and stock
farm. He concentrated his efforts and attention upon that business for
a decade and in 1880 removed from California to Walla Walla county,
Washington. Here he purchased a quit claim deed to a homestead and to
a timber claim situated in township 8, range 36 east, about eleven
miles northeast of Walla Walla. In subsequent years, as his financial
resources increased, he bought more land from time to time and became
the owner of thirteen hundred and twenty acres, which he held at the
time of his demise in March, 1915. His life record should serve to
inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when
there is a will to dare and to do. He had no assistance but earnest
effort promoted his advancement and the sure rewards of labor came to
him in the course of years. His political endorsement was given to the
republican party.
Wilford H. Gross was educated in the Valley Grove school and in the
public schools of Waitsburg, supplemented by a course in the Waitsburg
Academy and by a commercial course in the Walla Walla Business
College. When about twenty-two years of age he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land and began farming on his own account. He has since
been identified with general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner
of three hundred and twenty acres in township 8 north, range 36 east,
and also one hundred and sixty acres near Eureka. He also cultivates
land belonging to his brothers and a sister, thus utilizing in all
ten hundred and forty acres. He is numbered among the extensive wheat
growers of this section of the state and his business affairs are
carefully and successfully conducted. His energy knows no bounds and
his indefatigable effort has produced splendid results. He has made a
close study of soil and climatic conditions and is thoroughly familiar
with the best methods of wheat growing in the northwest, so that he
annually produces splendid crops.
On the 21st of October, 1903, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss
Grace M. Houghton, of Cowlitz county, Washington, who was a teacher
in the old Seeber school at the time of her marriage. They now have
three children, namely: Dorothy, Charles and Houghton. Mrs. Gross is a
daughter of Henry and Sarah A. (Gardner) Houghton. Her mother located
near Woodland, Washington, in 1851 and in 1867 she married Henry
Houghton, who followed farming in Clarke county, on the Lewis river,
where he still maintains his home. Mrs. Houghton passed away October 9,
1908. The Gardners were among the earliest settlers of Clarke county,
crossing the plains and enduring all the hardships of pioneer life.
In politics Mr. Gross maintains an independent course. Fraternally
he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while
the religious faith of himself and his wife is indicated in their
membership in the Christian church. About ten years ago they took up
their abode in the city of Walla Walla, where they make their home and
from that point Mr. Gross has supervised his farming interests, which
are wisely and carefully controlled.
JEROME L. KEISER.
Jerome L. Keiser is now practically living retired in Waitsburg,
although for many years he was prominently identified with building
operations and with mercantile pursuits in the city where he still
makes his home. He is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer
families of the northwest. He was born in Portland, Oregon, on the
12th of July, 1850, when that beautiful city of roses was a hamlet,
containing only a few cabins on the banks of the Willamette. His
parents were William M. and Roxcia (Ingalls) Keiser. The father was a
native of Rensselaer county, New York, born October 7, 1827, while the
mother was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, the date of her birth
being May 22, 1828. They were married in Pittsfield, Pike county,
Illinois, on the 4th of April, 1849, and on the 10th of that month
they began their journey across the plains with an ox team for the
California gold fields. They arrived in Oregon City, Oregon, on the
18th of September, having traveled for thousands of miles across the
hot stretches of sandy desert and over the mountain passes. In the same
wagon train with them came a married sister and her husband, a married
brother and his wife and two single brothers of Mrs. Keiser. It was
a wedding trip for Mr. and Mrs. Keiser and also for her brother and
wife, but it lacked many of the joyous features and comforts that are
supposed to attend wedding trips. From the time they left Missouri they
passed only a few forts but did not otherwise see a human habitation
until after they had crossed the Cascade mountains, where they
approached a settlement and heard the chickens crowing. With thoughts
of mother and friends back home Mrs. Keiser sat down and had a good
cry. On reaching Oregon City they decided to go into camp and spend a
little time there. There had been talk of a city being built on the
present site of Portland, which at that time, however, was occupied
only by a little store building built of shingles and a few shacks. In
fact they thought that Oregon City would be a much more progressive
place and occupied a much more favorable location than Portland.
However, Mr. Keiser purchased a lot on the site of Portland and built
a frame shack. Liking the country, they determined to abandon their
California trip and live in Oregon. They resided in Portland until the
spring of 1852, by which time the town had expanded to a little village
of about two streets situated along the water front. They then went up
into Clackamas county, where Mr. Keiser took up a donation claim on
which they resided for twenty years and in the meantime although they
experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, the work
of improving and developing the farm was continued and their land was
transformed into rich and productive fields from which they annually
gathered good harvests. In 1872, however, they came to Walla Walla
county, Washington, and settled in Spring valley, where Mr. Keiser
purchased a small farm near a schoolhouse. There he settled down to
agricultural life and devoted five years to the development of his farm
property, at the end of which time his life's labors were terminated
by death. Mrs. Keiser continued to reside upon the farm until 1877,
when she removed to Waitsburg, where she has since made her home. She
yet owns the old homestead farm, however, comprising two hundred and
eighty acres, some of which was purchased by her after her husband's
death. In 1851 the first Masonic lodge was organized in Oregon, this
being at Portland, where meetings were held in a shack, and Mrs.
Keiser, lovingly called Aunt Roxcia by her many friends, was called
upon to make the Masonic aprons, as she was a fine seamstress and her
brother-in-law, J. B. V. Butler, being one of the prominent members of
that organization. She also made some of the wedding clothes for Dr.
D. S. Baker, one of the pioneers of this region, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Keiser were born six children
of whom three are yet living, Jerome L., Millard H. and Frank T., all
residents of Waitsburg.
[Illustration: JEROME L. KEISER]
[Illustration: MRS. WILLIAM M. KEISER]
Jerome L. Keiser, whose name introduces this review, was reared amid
the conditions and environments of pioneer life and has for sixty-seven
years been a witness of the growth and development of the northwest.
He was educated in the district schools of Clackamas county, Oregon,
and in early manhood began learning the carpenter's trade, which he
has followed for many years. He was closely identified with that
business until 1906, when he established a furniture and undertaking
establishment in Waitsburg and was thus connected with the commercial
interests of the town for six years. He then disposed of that business
and has since worked at his trade when he so desired, although he has
practically lived retired. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly
foreign to his nature and at times he cannot resist again taking up
the tools and doing some work along the line of trade in which he
embarked in early manhood. The success, however, which attended him
has obviated the necessity of continued work, for he is now in the
possession of a handsome competence that supplies him with all of the
comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
In his political views Mr. Keiser is a democrat, having supported the
party since attaining his majority. For several years he served on the
school board and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart
champion. He is a member of Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., and
he has a twenty-five year gold medal, indicating connection with the
organization for a quarter of a century. He also belongs to Coppie
Encampment, No. 73, I. O. O. F., and he has membership with the United
Artisans. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Old Ladies'
Home at Walla Walla. His religious faith is indicated by his membership
in the Christian church and his belief has actuated him in all of
life's relations, making his an honorable course and one which has ever
commended him to the confidence, good will and high regard of those
with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS DURRY.
In the days when Walla Walla county was famous throughout the west as a
stock country Thomas Durry was a leader among the cattle and sheep men
of this section. He was born in Williamstown, Glengarry county, Canada,
April 20, 1849, a son of John and Isabelle Durry, also natives of the
Dominion and descendants of Irish and Scotch ancestry.
Thomas Durry was reared in Williamstown and there received his
education, but in 1868 he left home and made his way to California,
where he remained for three years. In 1871, in company with his mother
and two sisters, Mary and Isabelle, who had joined him in the meantime,
he came north to Washington territory, locating in Walla Walla county.
He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, D. McGillivray, and
they turned their attention to the stock business, acquiring a ranch
near Ritzville. They were there extensively engaged in stock raising
for about a quarter of a century and at the end of that time by mutual
consent they dissolved their partnership and Mr. Durry continued in
business alone until 1903, when he retired from ranching and took up
his abode in Walla Walla. He erected a handsome residence at the corner
of Birch and Palouse streets and his last days were spent in well
earned leisure in the enjoyment of the comforts and luxuries of life.
Although during his active career he had extensive herds of cattle,
his chief interest was in sheep raising and he was one of the best
authorities on everything pertaining to that industry in the northwest.
For several years he served as sheep commissioner for the Walla Walla
district. On removing to the city he sold his stock ranch, comprising
five thousand acres, but retained his extensive holdings in wheat
lands, which properties are now owned by his widow.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Durry was united in marriage to Miss Alicia
Lane Thomas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, of Walla Walla.
To this union were born two children, Homer and Marie.
Mr. Durry held membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and in religious faith was a Roman Catholic. He always rather shunned
publicity and his manner was at all times that of the unassuming
gentleman, though all who came in contact with him recognized the quiet
force of his personality, the keen business insight and ready grasp
of the salient points of a situation that enabled him to successfully
manage his large interests and the ability to judge men correctly which
was such a large factor in his success. He passed away July 7, 1905,
and his demise was deeply mourned by his many warm friends. Mrs. Durry
is personally looking after her extensive business interests and has
proven herself a woman of unusual executive ability and knowledge of
business methods and conditions. She also possesses a very attractive
personality and is held in the warmest regard by those who know her
intimately. In religious faith she is a Catholic.
SHERMAN PETTYJOHN.
Sherman Pettyjohn, a retired farmer of Walla Walla county, has spent
his entire life in the county, his birth having here occurred November
10, 1865. He is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Warner) Pettyjohn,
an account of whose lives appears in the sketch of their son, John
Pettyjohn.
Sherman Pettyjohn became familiar with all the conditions of pioneer
life in his boyhood and youth, as at that time this county was but
thinly settled. The district schools afforded him his educational
opportunities and he early began assisting his father with the farm
work, taking on more and more responsibility as he grew older. On
attaining his majority he took up a homestead and at once began the
task of developing it. His labors were rewarded by abundant crops, and
as the years passed he acquired more and more land, until he now owns
eleven hundred and twenty acres, all of which is wheat land and is
under a high state of cultivation. The improvements upon his holdings
are modern and substantial and the value of his properties reaches a
large figure. He raises both wheat and stock and is convinced that such
a course is more profitable than confining one's attention to either
business exclusively.
In 1892 Mr. Pettyjohn was married to Miss Mabel M. Smith, also a native
of Walla Walla county, and a daughter of Sergeant J. C. and Amanda
(Sheets) Smith, natives respectively of New Jersey and of Illinois. In
1848 Mr. Smith came west to California by way of Cape Horn and Mrs.
Smith crossed the plains by ox team with her family in 1859 and located
in Walla Walla county, Washington, where both her parents passed away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pettyjohn have been born two children: Hester S.,
who is the wife of Howard Holliday, is a graduate of the University
of Idaho and for a number of years before her marriage engaged in
teaching; and Margaret, a graduate of the Walla Walla high school and
now engaged in the study of music at Whitman College.
Mr. Pettyjohn is a stanch republican and has served capably as a member
of the school board. He belongs to the Farmers Union, which has as
its object the promotion of the interests of agriculturists, and both
he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, whose teachings they
follow in their daily lives. They are now living retired in Walla
Walla, where they own an attractive residence at No. 530 Division
street. In managing his farming interests Mr. Pettyjohn not only gained
financial independence for himself but also aided in the agricultural
development of the county.
CYRUS T. NELSON.
Cyrus T. Nelson, a resident farmer of Valley Grove, first came to
Walla Walla county in 1861. His life experiences cover a long period
of mining in Idaho, but since 1888 he has resided continuously at his
present place of residence, which is one of the finest farms in the
valley. While he ranks with the leading agriculturists of this section
of the state, he has also been prominent in public affairs and has been
called upon to represent his district in the state legislature. He was
born in Ohio, August 9, 1839, his parents being William and Rebecca
(Stands) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Removing
westward, they became residents of Ohio at an early period in the
development of that state and there built a log cabin, living in true
pioneer style. Later they became residents of Indiana, where both the
father and mother passed away. Only two of their ten children are now
living.
Cyrus T. Nelson was reared and educated in Ohio and in 1859 started for
California. He spent two years as a miner in that state and in 1861 he
came to Walla Walla county, Washington, but in the fall of the same
year proceeded onward to Idaho, where he engaged in mining until 1888.
In that year he returned to Walla Walla county and took up his abode
upon his present farm, which he had purchased in 1866. He has developed
it into one of the finest farming properties of the valley, having
here eight hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land from
which he annually gathers very substantial and gratifying harvests. His
agricultural methods are indicative of the latest step along the line
of progress in crop production, and in addition to his farm he owns a
fine residence at No. 333 Whitman street in Walla Walla.
In 1873 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Julia McInroe,
who was a native of Wisconsin and by whom he had eight children, as
follows: George; Lawrence F.; Cyrus M.; Carrie L., the wife of W. L.
Talbert; Laura A., who gave her hand in marriage to L. V. Warner; Ruth,
the wife of William C. Retzer; and two who are deceased. All those
living are residents of Washington. The wife and mother passed away in
1905 and was laid to rest in Mountview cemetery, her death being the
occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to her immediate family
but to those many friends who had learned to esteem her highly because
of her many sterling traits of character and her kindly spirit.
[Illustration: C. T. NELSON]
In politics Mr. Nelson has long been an earnest republican, voting
with the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham
Lincoln. He has served as county commissioner in Idaho and for one term
was representative of his district in the Idaho state legislature. His
public record, like his private life, is free from blame. His has been
a useful, active and honorable career, guided by high principles. He
has long been numbered among the honored residents of the northwest,
where he has made his home for fifty-six years. There is no phase
of the development of the northwest in its mining and agricultural
interests with which he is not familiar and his broad experiences have
caused him to look at life from a liberal standpoint, with sympathy for
the frailties of men and respect for their sterling virtues.
LUTHER J. CAMPBELL.
Luther J. Campbell, superintendent of the Stubblefield Home at Walla
Walla, has proved very efficient in that difficult position, displaying
the rare combination of executive ability and marked kindness and
patience. He was born in Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois, October 9,
1870, a son of George W. and Margaret R. (Gibson) Campbell, the former
a native of Salina, Ohio, and the latter of Sangamon county, Illinois.
They were married in Sangamon county as the father had located there
in young manhood, and there he engaged in farming for many years. His
death occurred in August, 1907, but the mother is still living and
makes her home with a daughter in Springfield, Illinois.