of Columbia county, carrying on operations six miles north of Dayton.
He was born on the 15th of July, 1867, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
which state was also the birthplace of his parents, Garrit and Martha
Romaine, and he was only five years of age when the family crossed
the plains and settled in Oregon, where the following three years
were passed. In 1871 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and
throughout the remainder of his life was actively identified with its
agricultural interests. He took up a farm of three hundred and twenty
acres six miles north of Dayton, which is still owned by his widow,
and as time passed he became one of the most extensive farmers of his
community, operating about twelve hundred acres. He not only raised
grain but also devoted considerable attention to the raising of stock.
In 1898 Mr. Romaine was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bosqui, a
native of California and a daughter of K. J. and Elizabeth (Wilson)
Bosqui, who were also born in that state and removed to Washington
about forty years ago. Here the mother died but the father is still
living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Romaine are as follows: Helen
E. and Doris E., now attending high school; and Donald Kenneth.
Mr. Romaine passed away on May 10, 1914, and was laid to rest in the
Dayton cemetery. He was a very public-spirited and enterprising citizen
who did much to promote the interests of his community, and he served
as president of the Fair Association. He was a member of the Commercial
Club and was a republican in politics. In his death the county realized
that it had lost a valued and useful citizen and wherever known he was
held in the highest regard. Mrs. Romaine still owns the farm of three
hundred and twenty acres and also has a nice residence in Dayton, where
the family now live. They are members of the Congregational church and
have a host of warm friends in the city and surrounding country.
EDWARD A. LYONS.
Edward A. Lyons, a representative citizen and progressive farmer living
on section 22, Russell Creek township, in Walla Walla county, was born
on the old Lyons homestead in this township July 9, 1882, his parents
being Patrick and Frances Lyons. The father became a very prominent and
successful man, actively and extensively connected with agricultural
interests. His business affairs were the result of carefully directed
effort, indefatigable energy and perseverance, and as the years passed
on he kept adding to his holdings until he was one of the wealthy men
of this section of the state. He belonged to the Catholic church and
his life was guided by high and honorable principles, while the circle
of his friends constantly increased as the circle of his acquaintance
broadened.
[Illustration: FREEMAN C. ROMAINE]
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Edward A. Lyons, who
attended St. Vincent's parochial school in Walla Walla, also the
Lincoln public school and the Binkey-Walker Commercial College in
Portland, Oregon, from which institution he was graduated with the
class of 1903. After his return home he began the management of his
father's farming interests, of which he had charge during the following
fourteen years, this bringing him broad experience and wide knowledge
concerning the most effective and progressive methods of farming. In
1914 he began business on his own account, taking up his abode on his
present farm in Russell Creek township. His place comprises three
hundred and sixty acres of good land which he purchased in 1909. He has
brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and the enterprise
and energy with which he has directed his efforts have gained for him a
very substantial measure of success.
On the 24th of January, 1912, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss
Gladys Edna Field, a daughter of Simon Field, one of the early pioneer
settlers of Walla Walla county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born
three children, two of whom are living, Andrew Edward and Dorothy Jane.
Politically Mr. Lyons is a democrat, exercising his right of franchise
in support of the men and measures of that party. Both he and his
wife are members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the
Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B.
P. O. E. He has made for himself a very creditable position among the
successful farmers and substantial men of Walla Walla county and is a
well known representative of one of the honored pioneer families long
connected with the development and progress of this section of the
state.
PASQUALE SOTURNO.
It was a man of Italian birth who discovered America and thus brought
to the world the knowledge of the resources of a new continent. Since
that time many men who have had their nativity in the sunny land of
Italy have crossed the Atlantic and have become valuable residents of
America, their enterprise and business activity contributing to the
upbuilding and progress of the districts in which they have resided.
Pasquale Soturno is among those who have become identified with the
development of the northwest. He makes his home in College Place, where
he is now most pleasantly situated, occupying one of the beautiful
residences in that town, while his attention is given to the conduct of
an extensive gardening business. He was born in Italy, March 3, 1850,
and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1875, when a
young man of twenty-five years, and for a brief period was a resident
of the state of New York. The opportunities of the west attracted
him and he made his way across the country to Walla Walla county,
Washington, where he settled in 1876, becoming the first commercial
gardener of the valley. He is today the owner of forty-six acres of
very rich and productive land upon which he is now extensively engaged
in gardening. He has followed this business for forty-one years and
he has ever held to the highest standards in his work. He produces
vegetables of most excellent quality, size and flavor, and by reason of
this he has been assured of a very liberal patronage. His business has
grown year by year and today he has a splendidly improved farm, having
secured all of the improvements that facilitate work of that character.
Mr. Soturno was married in Italy before he left his native land. His
wife died in 1916. In their family were three children: Carmen, who is
at home with her father; Josephine, also at home; and Nicholas, who
died at the age of twenty-eight years.
Mr. Soturno and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. He
has long since become a naturalized American citizen and has always
given his political allegiance to the republican party. He has never
had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new
world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and
in their utilization he has won a handsome fortune, being now numbered
among the substantial citizens not only of College Place but of the
county at large. Moreover, he was a pioneer in his field of labor and
demonstrated the possibilities for successful gardening as a commercial
venture in this section of the state.
LARS NILSSON.
Lars Nilsson is a hardware and implement dealer of Dayton, who for
many years has ranked with the foremost business men of the city. The
secret of success is not a difficult one to find. Careful analyzation
of the careers of those men who have prospered indicates the fact
that industry has constituted the foundation of their progress and
close application and enterprise have enabled them to overcome all
difficulties and obstacles and in time reach the goal of prosperity.
Such is the record of Mr. Nilsson, who came as a young man to the new
world, well qualified to meet business demands in America by reason of
the thorough training which he had received as a wagon maker in his
native country.
[Illustration: LARS NILSSON]
[Illustration: ANDREW NILSSON]
Mr. Nilsson was born in Sweden, September 19, 1859, a son of Nils and
Elna (Knudson) Larson. The father died in Sweden when his son was a lad
of but ten years and the mother passed away when he was a youth of only
twelve, so that he was early left an orphan. Following his mother's
demise he was thrown upon his own resources and from that time forward
has been dependent entirely upon individual labor for advancement. Ha
was employed at farm work until his eighteenth year, at which time
he apprenticed himself to the wagon maker's trade. He finished his
apprenticeship in Sweden, where thoroughness is the watchword in every
factory. After becoming a master builder of wagons he determined to
try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and in the spring of 1880
sailed for the United States, where his brother, Andrew Nilsson, had
located ten years before. The brother had become a resident of Dayton,
Washington, in 1877, and in the fall of 1879 he returned to Sweden on
a visit. The following spring he again came to the United States and
brought with him his younger brother, Lars, and a sister, Sophia, who
is now the wife of John Ruply, of Portland, Oregon. Andrew Nilsson
had previously established himself in the blacksmithing business in
Dayton and on his return, Lars Nilsson entered the brother's shop,
adding the wagon making industry to the blacksmithing business. He
continued to work for his brother for eleven years and in 1892 they
entered into partnership relations, conducting their business under the
firm style of Nilsson Brothers for fourteen years. During that period
they extended the scope of their interests and added new departments,
opening a farm implement store. In 1905 Lars Nilsson purchased his
brother's interest in the business and as his trade grew he was forced
to give up the blacksmithing shop in order to concentrate his efforts
and attention upon the mercantile branch. He also disposed of the
machine shop, devoting his entire time to looking after the implement
and vehicle business, which was removed to a handsome new brick
building erected at the corner of Main and Third streets by Andrew
Nilsson. In 1913 Arthur Nilsson became associated with his father
in the business and displays marked enterprise in carrying on their
interests. Mr. Nilsson has always maintained the highest standards
in the line which he handles. For years he has sold the Studebaker
vehicles, the Canton plows, Superior drills and the Holt combine and
in more recent years he has handled the Studebaker motor car. He also
handles engines and pumping outfits and in fact almost everything
necessary to the complete equipment of a farm, including a line of
power machinery. A local paper said of him: "He is known throughout
the county as a conscientious, progressive, accommodating and capable
business man and some of his customers have been doing business
with him for many years with complete satisfaction to themselves."
His brother Andrew died October 22, 1916, in Dayton, at the age of
seventy-two years, leaving no family and, according to the terms of his
will, our subject is sole executor of the estate and is acting as such
without bar or any court proceedings.
On the 10th of May, 1890, Mr. Nilsson was united in marriage to Miss
Johanna Stahlberg, a native of Sweden. He went to Sweden in the fall
of 1889 and brought his prospective bride to this country with him in
the spring of 1890, for having been naturalized in the United States,
the laws of Sweden would not permit of his marriage there. To them
were born two children: Esther J., who died in 1913, at the age of
twenty-two years; and Arthur N., who is connected with his father
in business. The wife and mother passed away March 16, 1894, and on
Christmas day of 1895 Mr. Nilsson was married to Miss Lydia Stahlberg,
a sister of his former wife. There have been two children of this
marriage: Andrew L., who is taking a course in electrical engineering
in the Washington State College; and Albert E., a lad of ten years, at
home.
Mr. Nilsson is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Dayton Lodge,
No. 26, F. & A. M.; Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; and Washington
Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of Walla Walla. He is also a member of Dayton
Lodge, No. 3, K. P., which he joined in 1886, and he belongs to Patit
Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F. He has passed through all of the chairs
in these different organizations save the commandery and is a most
faithful follower of Masonic teachings, exemplifying in his life the
beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife are consistent members
of the Congregational church and they enjoy the high regard of all with
whom they have been associated because of the many sterling traits
which they display. Mr. Nilsson is a self-made man. He borrowed the
money from his brother with which to pay his passage to this country
and as the years have gone on he has steadily progressed in a business
way until he is today one of the most substantial citizens of Dayton.
He has ever been watchful of indications pointing to success and has
never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way.
He has closely studied the market and the public demand in his line
and has ever carried a stock that has been able to meet the needs of
the most particular. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable as
well as progressive and his word is considered as good as any bond
solemnized by signature or seal.
OLIVER DEWITT.
On the 4th of July, 1864, Oliver DeWitt arrived in Walla Walla, a
young man of twenty years, with twenty-three cents in his pocket,
representing his entire capital. Today he is the owner of valuable
farming property, from which he derives a gratifying annual rental that
supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
The intervening period was at the outset a struggle for existence but
since then, step by step, he has steadily progressed and his record
indicates clearly what may be accomplished when there is a will to
dare and to do. Never afraid of hard work, he has also displayed sound
business judgment in the management of his interests.
Mr. DeWitt was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1844,
a son of David H. and Rachel (Starner) DeWitt, who removed from Ohio
to Iowa in 1850, settling in Mahaska county near Oskaloosa, where they
remained until called to their final rest.
Oliver DeWitt had very limited educational opportunities. In fact
he is a self-educated as well as self-made man and many of his most
valuable lessons have been gleaned from the school of experience. On
reaching his twentieth year, in 1864, he decided to leave home and seek
his fortune in the far west. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and
family and crossed the plains with an ox team to Boise City, Idaho,
and from there made the journey to Walla Walla on foot, arriving as
previously stated on the 4th of July, with twenty-three cents as his
entire capital. The following day he secured employment with a farmer
to pull onions. He worked for wages that fall and winter and in 1865 he
engaged in teaming and packing, which business he followed for about
ten years. He then became actively engaged in the live stock business,
settling four miles northeast of Walla Walla. In 1877 he purchased two
hundred and forty acres of land on Dry creek, nine miles northeast
of Walla Walla, and taking up his abode upon that place, turned his
attention to general farming. He subsequently increased his holdings to
four hundred and fifty acres, which he still owns. For the past twenty
years or more he has spent the winter seasons in Walla Walla in order
to give his children the advantages of the city schools. The summer
months were largely spent upon the home farm but for three years he
has remained steadily in Walla Walla, renting his farm to others. He
belongs to the Farmers Union and is one of the directors of the Farmers
Union Warehouse Company.
[Illustration: OLIVER DEWITT]
[Illustration: MRS. OLIVER DEWITT]
In May, 1874, Mr. DeWitt was united in marriage to Miss America A.
Roff, a daughter of Frederick and Rachael (White) Roff, who crossed
the plains with ox teams from Missouri to Washington in 1864, settling
in what is now Walla Walla. They made the trip with nine children and
were six months and one day en route. On reaching his destination Mr.
Roff had but fifty cents in his pocket. However, some of his Masonic
brethren came to his assistance and after a short time he had made
a good start. Four of his nine children were old enough to work and
wages were good, the girls receiving nine dollars per week. The father
engaged in farming and with the exception of a year and a half spent
in Oregon he made his home continuously in the vicinity of Walla Walla
up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1902. He was one of the
well known and valued pioneer settlers of this section of the state.
His widow survived him for six years, passing away in 1908. Mr. and
Mrs. DeWitt are the parents of four children, as follows: Ella, who
is the wife of Edward Bradbury, of Waitsburg; Harry L., who owns and
operates a large ranch near Starbuck in Columbia county; Arthur Clyde,
who is engaged in the grain business in Waitsburg; and Elsie D., who
gave her hand in marriage to William L. Estes, a farmer of Walla Walla
county. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have also reared a nephew, Charles F.
Myers, whose parents died when he was seven years of age and he is now
living on the farm.
In politics Mr. DeWitt is a stanch republican, exercising his right of
franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. Fraternally
he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging
to Washington Lodge, No. 19, and also to the encampment, while both
he and his wife are identified with the Rebekahs. Narcissa Lodge, No.
2, presented Mrs. DeWitt with the veteran's jewel, given for long and
faithful service in the order. Mr. DeWitt belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church, while his wife holds membership in the Christian
church. They are people of genuine personal worth and Mr. DeWitt is
ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who need assistance. He
comprehends what difficulties mean, having had his own hard knocks.
He sympathizes with those whose lot has not been as fortunate as his
and yet he does not condone the shirker nor have patience with the
shiftless, because his life has been organized along lines that call
for a full dole of labor within each turn of the wheel. Because of his
industry and perseverance, obstacles and difficulties have vanished
before him like mist before the morning sun and step by step he has
advanced until he has reached the heights of prosperity.
JOSEPH W. LYONS.
The name of Lyons has long been associated with the agricultural
development of Walla Walla county and has always been a synonym for
progressiveness and advancement in that field of activity. Joseph W.
Lyons, who now follows farming on section 16, Russell Creek township,
was born upon the place where he still lives on the 6th of November,
1879, his parents being Patrick and Frances Lyons, who were well known
and worthy pioneer people of this district. He was educated in the
district schools, also attended Whitman College in Walla Walla and
Gonzaga College at Spokane, now the University of Gonzaga. Following
the completion of his school days he worked for his father for a time
and subsequently was in the employ of the Great Northern Railroad
Company for about five years. The major part of that period was spent
in the general offices of the company at Spokane. At length he resigned
his railroad position and returned to Walla Walla county, where he
took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared, and
with this pursuit he has since been identified. He has charge of his
father's estate, operating two thousand acres of land, and is thus one
of the extensive and representative farmers of the valley. His business
affairs are most carefully managed. He is systematic in all that he
does, is progressive and employs the most modern methods in carrying on
his farm work, so that excellent results accrue.
On the 28th of September, 1910, Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to
Miss Hattie Denzel, of Spokane. Following the completion of a course in
the Holy Name Academy at Spokane, Mrs. Lyons attended the State Normal
School at Cheney, Washington. By her marriage she has become the mother
of four children, namely: Helen F., Joseph D., Louise E. and William R.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lyons are consistent members of the Catholic church
and he is identified with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E.
In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and
measures rather than for party. He has a wide acquaintance in his
native county and enjoys the friendship and high regard of many with
whom he has been brought in contact. He is a typical western man,
alert, energetic and progressive, and as the years have gone on he has
made for himself a creditable position among the agriculturists of
southeastern Washington.
JUDSON A. CORBETT.
Judson A. Corbett, a prominent representative of the milling industry,
has conducted a feed mill at Dayton since 1907 and was also the
proprietor of the Touchet Flouring Mills at Huntsville, Washington, for
a quarter of a century but has recently disposed of his interests in
the latter connection. His birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, on the
10th of October, 1857, his parents being John and Jane (Lewis) Corbett,
both of whom were natives of Ireland. They emigrated to Canada in
childhood with their respective parents, who settled near Ottawa, and
it was there that they were reared and married, continuing residents of
the province of Ontario throughout the remainder of their lives. John
Corbett was a mill operator, conducting both a grist and sawmill.
Judson A. Corbett, whose name introduces this review, learned the
milling business under the direction of his father, with whom he was
identified in operations of that character until 1890. At that time,
when a young man of thirty-three years, he made his way to Victoria,
British Columbia, and two years later came to Huntsville, Washington.
Here, in association with his brother, Albert E., he purchased the
Touchet Flouring Mills, of which he continuously remained co-proprietor
for a quarter of a century or until August, 1917, when he disposed of
his interest therein to E. S. Isaacs. The widow of Albert E. Corbett,
who passed away in 1906, still retains his late brother's interest. It
was in 1907 that J. A. Corbett bought the feed mill in Dayton and this
he has successfully operated to the present time. He owns an equity in
a farm north of Dayton and is likewise the owner of a farm in Ontario,
Canada, and of a section of land in Alberta, Canada.
[Illustration: JUDSON A. CORBETT]
In October, 1887, Mr. Corbett was united in marriage to Miss Jane
Baker, of Ontario, Canada, by whom he had seven children, five of whom
survive, namely: Fern W., the wife of Wilbur Bateman, who follows
farming near Huntsville; Evelyn, who gave her hand in marriage to
Lawrence Johnson of Huntsville, for many years a teacher in the public
schools; and Gladys, Kenneth and Phyllis, all at home. Fraternally
Mr. Corbett is identified with the Woodmen of the World, while his
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church,
to which his wife also belongs. The prosperity which has come to him
in business is the merited reward of his enterprise and ability, while
the regard and esteem which he enjoys in social circles has come in
recognition of his high standards of conduct in every relation of life.
RALPH F. COFFIN.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to
lose. It was with deep regret that the friends of Ralph F. Coffin
learned of his demise, for he was a worthy and substantial citizen,
loyal to his associates and devoted to his family. He was born in
Oregon, March 7, 1876, and his life record covered the intervening
years to the 28th of December, 1915. His parents were George D. and
Lucinda (Haynes) Coffin, the latter a native of Iowa. The father was a
native of England and at an early day crossed the plains to the Pacific
coast and later removed to the Walla Walla valley. Both he and his
wife spent their remaining days in this section of the state and were
numbered among its worthy pioneer settlers. They had a family of seven
children, of whom but two sons are now living.