extensive holdings in real estate in Asotin county as well as in other
places in Washington and Idaho and is considered one of the wealthy and
substantial men of the state.
In political matters, Mr. Baumeister has been a life long republican
and it can be said that throughout his public career he has shown
the same care and painstaking effort in public matters as that which
brought him success in his own business. Fraternally, he is an Odd
Fellow, having joined that order in Walla Walla, in 1869. At the
present time, January, 1918, he is the only man living who was a member
at the time of his initiation in Enterprise Lodge, No. 2. He was the
first representative from the Grand Encampment of the then territory
of Washington, to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, which met that year at
Minneapolis. He is also a charter member of Riverside Lodge, No. 41,
of Asotin, and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, at
Lewiston, Idaho.
Edward Baumeister is practically the father of Asotin county and
has been for many years one of the leading men of the state. For
two terms, he represented Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties in
the state senate and for fifty-four years he has been associated
with every financial, political and social movement in southeastern
Washington. He has been personally acquainted with every governor
of the territory, and the state, up to the present time except the
first four. For thirty-two years, he has lived and labored in Asotin
and been intimately associated with every step in the growth of the
county and city. Throughout all these years, Mr. Baumeister has borne
an unblemished reputation for honesty, kindness and genuine goodness.
At the time of this writing he is undoubtedly the best known and best
loved man in Asotin county. He is a striking example of what can be
accomplished by courage, optimism and persistency in spite of the
handicap of lack of scholastic training and financial resources. He
is, in fact, a self made man who has done a good job. His life is thus
an example worthy of imitation by every young man, and this, in the
opinion of the writer, is about the highest praise anyone can be given.
Although now seventy years of age, he is still an active and
progressive citizen. At the present time, he is president of the local
commercial club, chairman of the Red Cross war fund and the thrift
stamp and war saving certificate fund of the county. All these public
interests he carries in addition to his regular duties as president of
his bank.
At College Point, New York, May 3, 1870, Mr. Baumeister married Miss
Elizabeth Miller. They will soon celebrate their golden wedding and it
may be truthfully said of Mrs. Baumeister that her interests in the
development of the Inland Empire, have been as great as those of her
husband. She is widely known, interested in every good movement and
many a cause has been aided by her during her life as a pioneer woman.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baumeister were born two children: Anna C., wife
of Dr. Stephen D. Brazeau of Spokane; and Alletta W., wife of W.
L. Thompson, president of the American National Bank, of Pendleton,
Oregon. Mrs. Baumeister has been, for many years, a member of
the Protestant Episcopal church and a liberal supporter of all
benefactions. Though not directly allied with the church, Mr.
Baumeister exemplified in his life, many of the virtues of the
Christian, and really tries to carry out, in his life, the principles
of righteousness.
MORDO McDONALD.
Mordo McDonald, one of the prominent men of Walla Walla county, is
not only successfully operating large tracts of land but is also
active in public affairs, his energy and capability enabling him to
accomplish much. He was born in Stark county, Illinois, February 18,
1863, the son of John and Jane (Grant) McDonald, both natives of
Scotland, the former being born in the village of Sheldaig, Apple
Cross parish, in the northern part of Scotland, July 10, 1823. The
parents were reared and married in their native country and the father
followed the career of a sea captain. In 1857 they came to the United
States and, continuing their journey, traversed the continent as far
as Stark county, Illinois, where they located. The father farmed
there until 1863, when he removed with his family to the far west,
crossing the seemingly illimitable plains with one yoke of oxen and
one yoke of cows, which they milked every day on the journey. Under
the most favorable conditions the long trip overland to the coast was
fraught with many hardships, but the difficulties of the journey were
increased by the fact that the father broke his leg on the second day
out. However, he was confined to his bed but eighteen days, and then
he was able to walk on crutches. At length Oregon was reached and he
took up a homestead not far from the town of La Grande. He brought the
place under cultivation and met with gratifying success in his farming
operations, continuing to reside upon the homestead. He passed away
November 17, 1903, and his wife died two years later, November 16, 1905.
Mordo McDonald was but an infant when brought by his parents to Oregon
and was reared at home with the usual experiences of the boy brought
up in pioneer surroundings. His education was that afforded in the
district schools but he received thorough training in farming through
assisting his father. In early manhood he was associated with his
brothers and his father in the operation of the home place. When he was
twenty-five years old he and his five brothers bought a tract of land,
which they cultivated in addition to operating the homestead. This
partnership was maintained until 1895, when Mr. McDonald of this review
removed to Walla Walla county, Washington. For a year he conducted a
butcher business in partnership with Chris Ennis, and then, with three
other men, went into the horse business, furnishing eight thousand
horses to the government for service in the Philippine islands. He
became interested in raising horses and for a number of years devoted
his time to that work, becoming well known as a horse dealer and
breeder and confined his business entirely to handling government
horses. In 1908, however, he gave up that work and began cultivating
his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8,
township 6 north, range 36 east. He raises the crops best suited to the
soil and climate of this section and receives a good profit from his
labors.
On December 24, 1889, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Belle
Cameron, a daughter of Alex Cameron, who came to Oregon on the same
emigrant train of which the McDonald family were a part. To this union
were born two children: Jessie, the wife of W. C. Marsh, a resident of
Los Angeles, California; and Hector, at home. The wife and mother died
in 1906 and on June 2, 1909, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to
Miss Florence Halvor, of The Dalles, Oregon.
Mr. McDonald is well known as an active worker in the republican party
and in the fall of 1906 he was elected to represent his district in
the state legislature, in which connection he made a record creditable
alike to his ability and public spirit. For several years he served as
chairman of the republican central committee and at one election in
that period every man on the ticket was successful with the exception
of the candidate for constable, who was sick in the hospital and was,
therefore, unable to canvass the county. Mr. McDonald was a member of
the board that had charge of the Walla Walla county exhibit, held in
Portland, and the fact that the exhibit won many prizes is proof of
the energy and efficiency which the board brought to their task. The
other members were, Dr. N. G. Blalock and C. L. Whitney. Mr. McDonald's
fraternal connections are with Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A.
M.; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Washington Commandery, No.
1, K. T.; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He is
thoroughly western in spirit and interests and has full confidence in
the prosperous future in store for Washington.
JOHN B. DUNHAM.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to
the cause of success, he must eventually reach the conclusion that
prosperity is the outcome of persistent effort and indefatigable
industry combined with close application. This statement finds
verification in the life record of John B. Dunham, a prosperous stock
dealer now residing in Walla Walla. He was born in Logansport, Indiana,
November 13, 1842, a son of John and Matilda (Griffin) Dunham, both
of whom were natives of the Hoosier state, where they were reared and
married. The father, attracted by the discovery of gold in California,
was among those who made their way to the Pacific coast over the
Isthmus route in 1849. He was reasonably successful in his search for
the precious metal and in 1850 he returned to Indiana with the rewards
of his labor. Soon afterward he removed to Champaign county, Illinois,
where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death.
John B. Dunham spent his youthful days under the parental roof and
acquired a district school education. When not busy with his textbooks
his attention was given to the work of the farm and he assisted in
the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting. In June, 1864, when in
the early twenties, he responded to the country's call for military
aid, enlisting as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth
Illinois Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war,
being mustered out in September, 1865. When the country no longer
needed his aid he engaged in farming in Champaign county, Illinois,
there remaining until 1888, when he came to the coast, settling first
at Roseburg, Oregon. There he engaged in the feed business for three
years and afterward removed to Eugene, Oregon, where he was engaged in
merchandising for five years. In 1896 he came to Walla Walla, where he
has since made his home and during the period of his residence here,
covering twenty-one years, he has been successfully engaged in the
livestock business. Persistency of purpose has ever been one of his
marked characteristics and, guided by sound judgment, has brought him a
very substantial measure of prosperity.
On the 19th of December, 1883, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to
Miss Eliza J. Hull, a daughter of John Hull, of Champaign county,
Illinois. They have become the parents of four children, as follows:
Lena E., who is the widow of W. G. Osborne and resides in Los Angeles,
California; Charley, who makes his home in Baker, Oregon; Fannie M.,
the wife of John Shaddick, who is proprietor of an automobile garage in
Walla Walla; and Victor B., a resident of Montana.
In his political views Mr. Dunham is a stalwart republican but has
never been an office seeker. For the past three years he and his wife
have spent the winter seasons in southern California but return to
Walla Walla for the summer months. They have gained many friends during
the period of their residence in this city and the hospitality of their
home is greatly enjoyed by their associates. In business affairs Mr.
Dunham sustains an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as
enterprise and in matters of citizenship he has always been as true and
loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on
the battlefields of the south.
MATTHEW LYONS.
Matthew Lyons, who is successfully engaged in farming in Walla Walla
county, was born in Ireland, March 22, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and
Anne (Touey) Lyons, also natives of that country. When about twenty-one
years of age the father went to Australia, where he engaged in mining
for some time, and while there he met Miss Anne Touey and they were
married. After spending twelve years in that country, during which time
four children were born to them, they returned to Ireland, where the
following two years were passed. In 1871, however, they again left the
Emerald isle and this time came to the United States, bringing with
them their family of six children. The father having a brother, Patrick
Lyons, residing in Washington, the family proceeded to this state
and here Thomas Lyons homesteaded a tract near Dixie, in Walla Walla
county. As time passed he steadily prospered in his farming operations
and became the owner of two thousand acres of land in one body. He also
acquired a large tract of fourteen hundred acres on Russell creek.
He continued the operation of his land for many years, but in 1902
purchased a home at No. 204 Newell street, Walla Walla, and there spent
the remainder of his life, dying on the 1st of February, 1914, at the
age of eighty years. His wife survived him only one week and passed
away at the age of seventy-eight. Their three youngest children were
born in Washington and of the nine, eight are yet living: John, now
a resident of Valdez, Alaska; Frank P., a physician of Kansas City,
Missouri; Delia C., who is living at the old home in Walla Walla;
Thomas R., an ex-judge of Juneau, Alaska, and now an attorney of
Seattle, Washington; Matthew, of this review; Annie, deceased; James
C., who is engaged in farming on Russell creek; Eleanor B., a resident
of Walla Walla; and Margaret E., the wife of Frank Shaw, of Seward,
Alaska.
[Illustration: THOMAS LYONS]
[Illustration: MRS. THOMAS LYONS]
Matthew Lyons was a mere infant when brought by his parents to this
state and here he grew to manhood. He attended the district schools
and completed his education at the Empire Business College of Walla
Walla, from which he was graduated. During his boyhood and youth he
assisted his father in the farm work and on attaining his majority took
charge of a portion of the homestead, of which he now owns four hundred
and eighty acres. He also rents a large tract of land and is today
operating two thousand acres devoted to wheat. Although his attention
is principally given to the raising of grain, he raises stock to some
extent and has steadily prospered in his business undertakings.
In 1903 Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Chandler, a
native of Detroit, Michigan, and a daughter of Joseph and Matilda
(Smith) Chandler. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born five children,
as follows, Margaret G., Eleanor M., Mary B., Matthew J. and Gerard, of
whom the last named is deceased. In 1916 Mr. Lyons erected a commodious
modern residence on South Third street, Walla Walla, and here the
family now reside.
He has never been an office seeker but has nevertheless manifested a
commendable interest in public affairs and has staunchly supported the
candidates and measures of the democratic party. He holds membership
in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus
and the Maccabees and is deservedly popular in those organizations.
Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He is
enthusiastic concerning Walla Walla county and its opportunities and
finds pleasure in cooperating in movements calculated to advance its
interests.
JAMES McGREEVY.
James McGreevy, a prosperous retired farmer residing on section 8,
township 13 north, range 43 east, Garfield county, was born in Ireland,
March 22, 1867, a son of Hugh and Rose (Flynn) McGreevy, both of whom
passed their entire lives in Ireland. They had two children, of whom
the daughter, Jennie, is still a resident of the Emerald isle.
The son, James McGreevy came to the United States when only eleven
years of age and joined an uncle living in Pittsburgh. After remaining
there for five years he went to Iowa, where he lived for one year. It
was in 1889 that he settled in Columbia county, Washington, and for one
year he engaged in the stock business, after which he purchased his
present farm in Garfield county. It comprises four hundred and eighty
acres, all of which is under cultivation, and the improvements thereon
are excellent and add much to its value. He operated the place until
1914, when he retired, but he still retains his residence thereon.
Mr. McGreevy was married in 1898, in Washington, to Miss Rose Glennon,
who was born in Clayton county, Iowa. He casts his ballot in support of
the democratic party and has served acceptably as a member of the local
school board. He holds membership in the Woodmen of the World and in
the Farmers' Union and is deservedly popular in those organizations. He
was thrown upon his own resources at an early age and his educational
opportunities were limited, but his native soundness of judgment,
combined with industry and the determination to succeed, has enabled
him to distance many who started with greater advantages.
CHARLES E. BERG.
Charles E. Berg, the proprietor of the Lily mills in Walla Walla, has
been engaged in that line of business for thirty-five years and is one
of the pioneer mill men of eastern Washington. He was born in Polk
county, Oregon, March 28, 1854, a son of John and Margaret (Donnelly)
Berg, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. They
came to America in young manhood and young womanhood and were married
in San Francisco, California, whence they removed to Polk county,
Oregon, in 1853. They took up their residence on a small ranch there
and the father built a log cabin with a clapboard roof and stick
chimney, which was the family home during the year they remained in
Oregon. At the end of that time they returned to California, where the
father engaged in mining for four years. In 1862, however, he removed
to Walla Walla county, Washington, and remained here until his death.
There were nine sons in his family, but only three are now living.
Charles E. Berg was a child when his parents removed to Walla Walla
county and here he received his education, attending the pioneer
schools. His first school stood at the corner of Fifth and Main
streets, in Walla Walla, and in those early days each scholar had to
pay fifty cents each week as the teacher's compensation. During his
youth he learned the miller's trade and for thirty-five years has
engaged in the milling business, being now the proprietor of the Lily
mills of Walla Walla. He himself erected the plant in 1917 and he takes
the greatest care in the manufacture of his flour, which is of the
highest grade and for which he finds a ready sale. On investigation
he found that about twenty-five thousand dollars per year was going
out of the city for pancake flour, self-rising flour, corn meal and
graham flour and that no mill here was manufacturing these products.
Accordingly he erected his mill to supply the demand, believing he
could do a good business and supply the people of his home vicinity at
a considerable saving on these articles. His mill was completed and put
in operation in January, 1918. Besides this plant he also owns forty
acres of land and has a nice residence in Walla Walla.
[Illustration: CHARLES E. BERG]
Mr. Berg was married in 1901 to Miss Matilda Gear and for his second
wife chose Mrs. Etta Jones. The democratic party has a stanch supporter
in Mr. Berg and for two terms he served efficiently as street
commissioner of Walla Walla, while for twenty years he supervised the
work of the prisoners at the state penitentiary. The competence which
is now his is evidence of his industry and good management, for all
that he has he has made by his own labors. He is highly esteemed by all
who know him and has many warm personal friends. He was a member of the
old Walla Walla Volunteer Fire Department until the paid department was
created. While a lad in his teens he was "torch boy," whose duty it
was to carry the light by which the firemen found their way to fires
and for working about their apparatus, for at that time there were no
street lights in Walla Walla. At the age of twenty-one years he became
a full fledged fireman, his company being "Tiger" Engine Company No. 2.
The machines were then pulled by hand and the water likewise pumped.
Later they secured a steam engine. When the paid department was formed
Mr. Berg retired from the service. He remembers the first fire in Walla
Walla, which was the burning of the Robinson Theater at Seventh and
Main streets, and the soldiers from the garrison helped in fighting
the fire with a "bucket brigade." He also has vivid recollections of
the early days when the Vigilantes were the law enforcers and often
the law breakers. There was a secret society known as the U. F. F. Us,
whose purpose was a mystery, which used to parade with torches and did
mysterious things. On one occasion the Vigilantes had warned a negro
called Slim Jim to leave the town. He was accused of making keys and
releasing prisoners from the old jail. He was given a certain time to
leave and warned that if he was not then gone he must hang. He failed
to go, so one night they forced his room at the old City Hotel, took
him in a wagon to South Second street and hanged him on a tree which
now stands in the yard of Frank Singleton. His body was informally
buried on a ridge not far from the place of execution, where was an old
burying ground.
HENRY F. ZÜGER.
Henry F. Züger, a prosperous and up-to-date farmer of Walla Walla
county engaged in the raising of both wheat and stock, has spent his
entire life in this county, as his birth here occurred August 20,
1883. An account of the life of his father, Marcus Züger, Sr., appears
elsewhere in this work.
Henry F. Züger was reared at home and received a good education in
the public schools and in high school. On attaining his majority he
entered into partnership with his brother, Marcus, and for five years
they operated the homestead. At the end of that time Mr. Züger of
this review took up his residence on his present farm on section 12,
township 9 north, range 36 east. He holds title to six hundred acres
and rents other land, operating in all twenty-one hundred acres.
Although the land is all excellently adapted to wheat raising, he has
found it more profitable to raise stock as well as wheat, and he has
gained gratifying success along both lines. He realizes that while hard
work is necessary in farming, industry alone is not enough; that the
farmer as well as the business man must plan his work carefully and
give attention to the proper marketing of his products.
Mr. Züger was married in 1908 to Miss Ella Clodius, a native of Mill
Creek, Washington. They are the parents of a son and daughter, Charles
V., and Helen M.
Mr. Züger is an advocate of the principles of the republican party
and casts his ballot in support of its candidates. He has served as
school clerk and has been instrumental in furthering the interests
of the local educational system. He is well known as a member of the
Elks and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the principles of
fraternity underlying these organizations find exemplification in his
daily life. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic
church and manifest a praiseworthy interest in its varied activities.
NATHANIEL WEBB.
Nathaniel Webb, who for many years was actively engaged in sheep
raising and farming, is now living retired in Walla Walla at
the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was born in Stamford,
Connecticut, December 17, 1833, and is a son of John Webb, who was also
born in Stamford and who devoted his life to farming. He removed to the
middle west and his death occurred in Minnesota. The mother bore the
maiden name of Sallie Davenport and was also a native of Connecticut.