Walla Walla county, having been brought to this section of the state
by his parents when very young. When not busy with his textbooks his
attention was given to the home farm and he was thus well qualified to
undertake any branch of farm work. After putting aside his textbooks he
accordingly began farming on his own account and devoted his attention
to that business until his death. He became the owner of forty-one
acres of valuable farm property on section 31, township 7 north, range
35 east, and his labors made it a splendidly improved tract of land,
equipped with all modern conveniences and all of the accessories of the
model farm and his careful cultivation of the tract brought to him and
his family a substantial annual income.
In 1900 Mr. Coffin was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kroll, who was
born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Lawrence and Tressa Kroll, both of
whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in early life and
established their home in Wisconsin, where they continued to reside
until called to their final rest. They had a family of nine children,
of whom seven are yet living. It was in the year 1908 that Mrs. Coffin
crossed the country to Washington, becoming a resident of Walla Walla
county, where in the following year she was married. To Mr. and Mrs.
Coffin was born a daughter, Mary Estella. Mrs. Coffin and her daughter
are favorably known and have many friends in the section of the county
in which they reside.
THOMAS H. CROCKER.
Thomas H. Crocker, a retired agriculturist residing in Walla Walla,
was long and successfully identified with farming interests in Walla
Walla county. His birth occurred in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada,
on the 30th of August, 1854, his parents being John R. and Clarissa
(Hill) Crocker, who spent their entire lives in that province. He was
reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in
the acquirement of an education. At fifteen years of age he became a
sailor on an American vessel, sailing "before the mast" and for five
years sailed on different ships along the Atlantic coast. On one trip
he acted as "sailing mate." This experience led him to the decision
to go to the United States. Accordingly, soon after attaining his
majority he left his native country and went to Reno, Nevada, where he
spent one year. On the expiration of that period he made his way to
California, in which state he was engaged in placer mining for three
years and then spent a year on a ranch. Subsequently he resided for
one year in Lakeview, Oregon, and at the end of that time returned to
Wyoming, where he spent about twelve years in the stock business and
in railroading. In 1888 in New Brunswick Mr. Crocker was united in
marriage with Miss Edith Diffin, daughter of Thomas and Susan Diffin
of that place. In 1895 they came to Walla Walla county, Washington,
and have remained within its borders throughout the intervening
twenty-three years. They took up their abode on a rented farm near
Prescott and continued its cultivation for about ten years but in
the meantime had purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres
sixteen miles northwest of Walla Walla and later bought an adjoining
half section, to which they removed in 1905. Thereon they continued
to reside until 1914, when they took up their abode in the city of
Walla Walla and have since lived retired. The property, which has been
operated by a tenant during the past three years, now embraces eight
hundred and eighty-seven acres of rich and productive land, all in one
body. Mr. Crocker was long numbered among the active, enterprising,
industrious and progressive farmers of the community and the rest which
he now enjoys is the merited reward of his intelligently directed
labors.
[Illustration: THOMAS H. CROCKER]
[Illustration: MRS. THOMAS H. CROCKER]
Mr. and Mrs. Crocker have their home at 628 Pleasant street and
they occupy an enviable position in social circles of Walla Walla.
Mr. Crocker gives his political allegiance to the republican party,
believing firmly in its principles. Fraternally he is identified with
the Foresters of America, while his religious faith is indicated
in his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife
also belongs. His record is indeed commendable and he well deserves
representation in this volume as one of the leading agriculturists and
respected citizens of Walla Walla county.
L. P. BERRYMAN.
L. P. Berryman is one of the younger representatives of successful
farming operations in Walla Walla county. He was born April 8, 1887,
on the farm on which he yet resides, on section 35, township 9 north,
range 35 east. His place comprises three hundred and twenty acres of
rich and valuable land which was originally the old family homestead.
His parents were J. E. and Mary Berryman, both of whom were natives of
England. They came to America in early life and established their home
in Walla Walla county, where the father passed away, but the mother is
still living.
L. P. Berryman acquired a public school education in Walla Walla county
and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has successfully
followed as a life work. He continued to assist his father in the
development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he began
farming on the old homestead, which he afterward purchased. He has
here a half section of land which he has brought under a high state
of cultivation and to which he has added many improvements, making it
a valuable and attractive farm which constitutes one of the pleasing
features of the landscape. He also owns and operates the warehouse at
Berryman Station and his business affairs are wisely, carefully and
successfully conducted.
In 1907 Mr. Berryman was united in marriage to Miss Grace Mallory, who
was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Charles Mallory, now a resident
of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Berryman have been born three children,
Joseph L., Jacqueline A. and Margaret. The parents attend the Methodist
Episcopal church and Mr. Berryman gives his political allegiance to the
republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have never
had any attraction for him. He has served, however, as school director
and has been interested in having good schools in the district, for he
regards public education as one of the nation's strongest bulwarks.
His thought, purpose and energy have been concentrated upon his
agricultural pursuits and the careful management of his interests has
brought to him a substantial measure of success.
HARRY LASATER.
Harry Lasater, one of the large landowners of Walla Walla county, is a
representative of a prominent pioneer family of this section and is a
native of the county, his birth occurring May 18, 1865. His parents,
James H. and Emily (Moore) Lasater, were born respectively in McMinn
county, Tennessee, and in Illinois.
Harry Lasater attended the Walla Walla city schools and completed
his education in Whitman Academy and in Whitman College. When about
eighteen years old he began farming in partnership with his father and
so continued for about six years. Since then he has been alone in his
agricultural operations, and as the years have passed he has acquired
additional holdings, until he is now one of the leading farmers of the
Walla Walla valley. Following the death of his father he acquired by
inheritance and purchase the old home farm of three hundred and sixty
acres, and to this he added adjoining land until the place comprised
five hundred and forty-three and a half acres. He has since sold four
hundred and fifteen acres of that property, so that his home farm
now includes but one hundred and twenty-seven acres. He also owns,
however, five hundred and thirty-three acres of excellent wheat land
on Birch creek, in Umatilla county, Oregon, ten miles southeast of
Walla Walla, three hundred and twenty acres of timber land in Umatilla
county and one thousand acres of wheat land near Prescott, in Walla
Walla county. The fact that he gives close personal supervision to his
extensive farming operations indicates that he manages his affairs in
a systematic manner and that he possesses marked business ability.
He is a director of the Farmers Savings Bank of Walla Walla and is a
member of its finance board, and he is likewise a stockholder in the
Whitehouse & Drumheller Company.
In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lasater and Miss Jessie Crawford,
who was born in Walla Walla county but later was a resident of Umatilla
county, Oregon. To this union have been born three children: Thelma
May, who is a student in Whitman College; Wythel Mary, who is a student
in the Walla Walla high school; and Jessie Orena, who is in the grade
school.
Mr. Lasater has followed in his father's political footsteps and is a
stanch adherent of the democratic party. At one time he was a candidate
on its ticket for treasurer, and in his early manhood he filled the
office of county road supervisor for three terms. Fraternally he
belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and Blue Mountain
Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M. Both he and his wife hold membership in the
Central Christian church and they give hearty support to the various
phases of its activities. Both have passed their entire lives in the
Pacific northwest and they are at all times loyal to its best interests.
WILLIAM RESER.
William Reser, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Walla
Walla county, living on section 4, township 6 north, range 35 east,
came to the northwest from Davis county, Iowa, where he was born on
the 18th of April, 1859, his parents being George and Mary (Waterman)
Reser, who were reared and married in Iowa and in 1863 crossed the
plains with horse teams to Washington. On reaching Walla Walla county
the father homesteaded, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land in
the valley near where is now seen the Whitman monument, and upon that
place he and his wife lived until called to their final rest.
William Reser was a little lad of four years when the parents came
to Washington. He acquired his education in one of the old-time log
schoolhouses common at that frontier period. During his youth he
rode the plains as a cowboy and he experienced all of the hardships
and privations of frontier life. He has lived to witness marked
transformation in all that pertains to agricultural progress and
development in this section. An important event in his life occurred on
Christmas day of 1883, at which date he was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah J. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew J. Kirkland, who crossed the
plains from Arkansas to Oregon in 1852 and became a resident of Walla
Walla county, Washington, in 1864. Here he took up a homestead claim in
the township where his daughter still resides, and upon that place he
spent his remaining days.
Following his marriage Mr. Reser purchased land in Umatilla county,
Oregon, and there carried on farming for seven years. On the expiration
of that period he purchased a farm in township 6 north, Walla Walla
county, and to his property has since added from time to time as his
financial resources have increased until he and his wife today own
three hundred and sixty-five acres, constituting one of the valuable
farm properties of this section of the state. He has carefully tilled
his fields and developed his farm and as the years have gone by his
labors have brought good results. To the household were added two sons:
Byron E., who is now engaged in the automobile business in Kennewick,
Washington; and Raymond K., who is operating the home farm for his
father.
In his political views Mr. Reser has long been a stalwart democrat and,
while not an office seeker, he has served as a member of the school
board. He is interested in the cause of public education and in all
that pertains to progress and improvement along any desired line. He
ranks with the leading and representative citizens of Walla Walla.
There have been no spectacular phases in his career. Almost his entire
life has been devoted to the quiet pursuit of farming and through
energy and persistency of purpose he has won success. His business
affairs are always carefully managed and directed and the integrity of
his business methods in trade transactions is questioned by none. Those
who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, acknowledge his sterling
worth.
HON. H. H. HANSON.
Hon. H. H. Hanson is a wide-awake and progressive business man who
figures prominently in connection with the agricultural and financial
interests of Walla Walla county. He is the president of the Touchet
State Bank and since 1900 he has been actively identified with farming,
giving his attention largely to fruit growing and to dairying. He is
a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this section
of the state. His birth occurred in New Hampshire, February 24, 1865,
his parents being John and Frances Hanson. The father was a native of
Maine, while the mother was born in the old Granite state and there she
spent her entire life. In 1876 the father left New England and made
his way westward to California, where he remained until 1879, when he
came to Walla Walla county and entered the employ of Mr. Baker. Here he
continued to reside until called to his final rest. In the family were
but two children: H. H., of this review; and Ena, now deceased.
H. H. Hanson was reared and educated in the east, continuing his
residence in that section of the country until 1883, when owing to
the fact that his father was living in Washington, he made his way
to this state. Here he entered the employ of the Oregon Railroad &
Navigation Company, which he represented as an operator until 1900.
He preferred, however, to engage in business on his own account and in
that year turned his attention to farming on the place on which he now
resides on section 34, Hill township. Here he owns two hundred acres of
alfalfa land and he is also engaged quite extensively in dairying and
in fruit raising. He is thoroughly familiar with progressive methods of
horticulture and his orchards indicate the most thorough and scientific
care. His dairy interests, too, are characterized by the most capable
management and the sanitary conditions that prevail make the products
of his dairy a very much desired article. His business interests are
wisely and carefully managed and he pursues with thoroughness anything
that he undertakes, so that successful accomplishment crowns his labors.
In 1888 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Hall, a
native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has twelve children, namely: Hayden,
Fred, Preston, Ollie, Helen, Oliver, Francis, Allen, Ena May, Harry,
Lawrence and Georgie.
Mr. Hanson is a member of the Grange and is interested in everything
that has to do with advancing agricultural progress and welfare in
the state. He thus cooperates in the organized movements to promote
the interests of farmers and to promulgate knowledge that will render
their labors of greatest effect in crop production and in stock
raising. Moreover, Mr. Hanson is a recognized leader in the ranks of
the republican party in Walla Walla county. For one term he filled the
office of county commissioner and in 1908-9 he represented his district
in the general assembly, where he gave careful consideration to all
the vital questions that came up for settlement. His position upon any
important subject is never an equivocal one. He does not hesitate to
express his honest convictions and in fact he puts forth every effort
to support his views and secure their adoption. In all matters of
citizenship he is very progressive and has displayed as well the spirit
of enterprise in all of his business undertakings, so that he now ranks
with the leading bankers and farmers of his part of the state.
ORLANDO DEMARIS.
Orlando Demaris, who throughout his active business life followed
farming but is now living retired in the city of Walla Walla, was
born in Iowa on the 7th of January, 1851, and is a son of James and
Eliza J. (White) Demaris, the former a native of Ohio and the latter
of Kentucky. They came to Washington in 1863 and located on a farm in
Walla Walla county on Dry creek, where the father built a log cabin
with a clapboard roof, board floor and stick chimney, which was the
home of the family for several years. Later the parents removed to
Walla Walla, where both died. In their family were twelve children, of
whom nine still survive.
Orlando Demaris was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents
on their removal to Walla Walla county, where he grew to manhood and
attended school. After completing his education he remained under the
parental roof until he attained his majority, giving his father the
benefit of his labors. He then purchased a farm and engaged in its
operation until his retirement, since which time he has made his home
in the city of Walla Walla. He is still the owner, however, of seven
hundred acres of land, well improved and under cultivation.
[Illustration: ORLANDO DEMARIS]
In 1875 Mr. Demaris married Miss Mary M. Lewis, a native of Iowa, which
state was also the birthplace of her parents, Reese and Mary (Jackson)
Lewis, who brought their family to Walla Walla county in 1863 and
settled on a farm, where they continued to make their home throughout
the remainder of their lives. They had four children and three of the
number are still living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Demaris
are as follows: Laura and Frankie, both deceased; David, Fred, Guy,
Alva and Edwin. Guy and Alva are now in the government service at Fort
Riley, Kansas. The three other sons now operate their father's farm.
By his ballot Mr. Demaris supports the men and measures of the
democratic party and he has served as school director. He is a member
of the Odd Fellows lodge at Dixie and his wife belongs to the Rebekahs,
taking a very active and prominent part in its work. She is now past
noble grand. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are held in
the highest esteem by all who know them.
R. C. McCAW.
When one views the great and growing cities of the northwest it seems
hardly credible that any living man should have witnessed the entire
development of this section of the country. Yet personal knowledge of
the wonderful progress of the northwest enables R. C. McCaw to speak
with authority concerning the events which have shaped its history.
He was born in Linn county, Oregon, on the 11th of February, 1856, at
which time Washington was still a part of the territory of Oregon and
all of this vast region was practically undeveloped. Its coal deposits
were untouched, its forests uncut and its wealth and natural resources
awaited the demands of the white men who were yet to penetrate within
its borders. The Indians far outnumbered the white settlers and the
most farsighted could not have dreamed of the marvelous transformation
which would take place within a few decades until today the west
is not only abreast with the east in all of its advantages and its
opportunities but has taken a position of leadership along many lines.
The parents of Mr. McCaw were William and Sarah (Findley) McCaw, the
former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. They were
married in Illinois and in 1847 started across the plains with ox teams
for Oregon, reaching Oregon City on the day of the Whitman massacre.
During the latter part of the journey Mr. McCaw had suffered with fever
and his attack was so severe that it burst one of his eyeballs and
he was carried into Oregon City on a stretcher. Finally, however, he
recovered and continued his residence in Linn county, Oregon, up to the
time of his demise.
There R. C. McCaw was reared and educated, experiencing many of the
hardships and privations incident to frontier life and the development
of a farm under pioneer conditions. He attended the district schools
but his opportunities for the acquirement of an education were very
limited, as the school system had not then been developed. On his
twenty-first birthday he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Gorsline,
of Linn county, Oregon, who had come to the northwest with her parents
in 1875, the family removing from Kansas. Following his marriage Mr.
McCaw brought his bride to Walla Walla county and here they began
their domestic life. For two years after his arrival he was employed
as a farm hand and in 1879 he went to the Big Bend country and filed
on the second homestead that was taken up in that section. There he
lived for eighteen years, performing the arduous task of developing
and cultivating a new farm. The work of improvement was carried on,
however, year by year and he brought his land under a high state of
cultivation and derived a good profit from his labors. In 1897 he sold
his interests there and in February following he returned to Walla
Walla county, where he purchased four hundred and thirty-six acres
of land, constituting his present home farm, situated on section 1,
township 9 north, range 36 east. Upon this place he has since resided
and in the intervening period he has purchased more land from time to
time as his financial resources have permitted and is now the owner of
between eleven and twelve hundred acres, constituting one of the most
valuable farm properties in the Touchet valley. He has placed splendid
improvements upon his land and his farm presents a most attractive
appearance with its highly cultivated fields, its well kept fences, its
substantial buildings and all the accessories of a model farm of the
twentieth century.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCaw have been born ten children, nine of whom are yet
living, namely: William O., a farmer of Walla Walla county; Samuel E.,
also engaged in farming in this county; Edith M., the wife of Robert
McSherry, of Toronto, Nevada; Fred L., Benjamin H. and Edward Guy, all
of whom are engaged in farming in this county; Jay M., who is assisting
in the operation of the home farm; and Sarah E. and Robert Glenn, both
at home.
Politically Mr. McCaw is a republican, having given stalwart support to
the party since age gave to him the voting privilege. He is a member of
Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and exemplifies in his life the
beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife are also consistent
members of the Presbyterian church. The story of his life if written
in detail would present a clear and interesting picture of the entire
development of the northwest, for within his memory there has occurred
a change so great as to seem almost magical. He can relate most
interesting incidents of the early days and his name should be placed
high on the record of honored pioneer settlers of this section of the
country.
MARTIN MARBACH.
Martin Marbach, a farmer living on section 2, township 8 north, range
34 east, has been a resident of Walla Walla county for almost three
decades and as the years have passed has prospered in his undertakings
until he is now the owner of over two sections of wheat land. His birth
occurred in Alsace-Lorraine on the 8th of February, 1863, and there he
was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the common schools of
his native country.
[Illustration: MARTIN MARBACH]
[Illustration: MRS. MARTIN MARBACH]
In 1884, on attaining his majority, Mr. Marbach determined to try his
fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States,
landing in New York city. From the eastern metropolis he made his
way westward to Missouri and for four years worked as a farm hand in
Lafayette county, that state. The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in
Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he secured employment, working
for wages for a period of six years or until 1894. In that year, having
carefully saved his earnings, he started out as an agriculturist on
his own account, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of his present
home farm. From that period forward he prospered and kept adding to his
holdings by additional purchase from time to time until he now owns two
sections of wheat land and has won an enviable reputation as one of
the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the county. Close
application and indefatigable energy have characterized him at all
times, and the prosperity which he now enjoys is the merited reward of
his intelligently directed activity.