the farming interests of Walla Walla county for the past three decades,
is the owner of sixty-one acres of productive land on section 1, Ritz
township. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 17th of March, 1856, his
parents being Hans and Cecil (Rasmussen) Hanson, who were also natives
of that country. In the '70s they crossed the Atlantic to the United
States and here spent the remainder of their lives. They became the
parents of nine children, but only two are now living, the surviving
brother of our subject being Fred, who makes his home in Wisconsin.
Godfred Hanson was reared and educated in the land of his nativity,
there spending the first seventeen years of his life. In 1873,
attracted by the greater opportunities of the new world, he emigrated
to the United States and took up his abode in Wisconsin, where he
remained for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period, in 1887,
he made his way westward to Washington, settling in Walla Walla county
and purchasing a farm of sixty-one acres in Ritz township which he
has operated continuously to the present time, covering a period of
three decades. He erected substantial and commodious buildings on the
property and now has a well improved farm on which he makes a specialty
of the raising of alfalfa. His undertakings as an agriculturist have
been attended with well merited success, so that he has long been
numbered among the prosperous and representative citizens of his
community.
In 1888 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jensen, a native
of Denmark, by whom he had four children, namely: Cecelia, Howard and
Mildred, all at home; and Fred, who is deceased.
In politics Mr. Hanson is a stalwart democrat and at present he is ably
serving as school director and clerk. He was reared in the Lutheran
faith and still adheres to the teachings of that church. He is indeed
a self-made man and deserves all the praise that term implies, for the
success which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his industry,
energy and perseverance.
WILLIAM E. BRUCE.
William E. Bruce, who is devoting his time to farming on section 25,
township 9 north, range 37 east, is a native son of Washington as his
birth occurred in Columbia county, September 18, 1880. His father was
James W. Bruce, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Addie
Harmon, was a native of Oregon, but in 1857 came to Walla Walla county.
James W. Bruce engaged in farming in this county for many years and met
with gratifying success in that connection.
William E. Bruce, who is one of a family of four children, all of whom
survive, was reared in Walla Walla county and began his education in
the public schools, continuing his studies in Pullman College. He
remained at home, giving his father the benefit of his labor until he
attained his majority, when he began operating three hundred and twenty
acres of wheat land and three hundred and seventy acres of pasture
land. He is still farming those tracts and derives a gratifying income
from both his wheat raising and his stock raising.
In 1914 Mr. Bruce was married to Miss Clarabel Weatherford, of Dayton,
a daughter of Hon. F. M. Weatherford, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bruce has never been active in public or
political affairs. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal
church and fraternally is identified with Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A.
M., at Waitsburg and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at
Waitsburg. These connections indicate the high standards which have
governed his life and have gained him the respect of all who know
him. As a farmer he is progressive and businesslike, as a citizen he
manifests a commendable public spirit and in the private relations of
life he is scrupulous in his recognition of the rights of others.
JOHN E. WEBB.
Having gained financial independence John E. Webb is now living
retired in Walla Walla, save for the supervision which he gives to his
extensive landed interests. He was born in Illinois, August 13, 1870,
and was reared in that state. He received a public school education and
was also trained to agricultural pursuits during his boyhood and youth.
In early manhood he went to Nebraska, whence, several years later, he
came to Walla Walla county, Washington. He readily adapted himself
to the crude conditions here, and as the years passed he purchased
additional land and now owns about nine thousand acres. His property
affords him double pleasure in that it is the direct result of his own
business insight, resourcefulness and enterprise. He is one of the
largest land holders in the county and he has always been among the
first to adopt new methods or improved equipment.
In 1906 Mr. Webb was united in marriage to Mrs. Annie Pickard, the
widow of Charles F. Pickard. By her first marriage she had six
children, namely: Clara, who married O. L. Compton; Thetford; Anita;
Russell; Olive, the wife of C. W. Cornelius; and Beatrice. To Mr. and
Mrs. Webb has been born a son, Harry E.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb spend their winters in California and all the
comforts of life are theirs. Mr. Webb has never been ambitious to
hold public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his
individual interests. However, in developing his large farm holdings,
he has played an important part in the upbuilding of Walla Walla county
along agricultural lines. He has a number of fraternal connections,
belonging to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias lodge and the
Elks. Few men are more widely known or more highly esteemed in Walla
Walla county than he, and it is largely recognized that his integrity,
as well as his ability, is above question.
JOHN CHANDLER.
John Chandler, for many years a resident of Whitman county, where
he still owns twenty-five hundred acres of fine land, is now living
retired in Walla Walla, enjoying well deserved leisure. His birth
occurred in Gloucestershire, England, January 14, 1854, and he is a son
of Joseph and Eliza (Surman) Chandler, also natives of that country,
where the father passed away. In 1882 the mother and her family of
eight children came to America and proceeded at once to Washington, as
at that time our subject's uncle, William Yend, was living six miles
north of Walla Walla. Mrs. Chandler continued to make her home with her
children in that region until her death, which occurred in 1904. Of the
eight children five still survive.
John Chandler received his education in his native land and there grew
to manhood. In 1882 he accompanied the family on their emigration
to the United States and on reaching Washington took up a homestead
in Whitman county. As soon as possible he placed his land under
cultivation and was so successful in his farming operations that from
time to time he was able to purchase more land until he now owns
twenty-five hundred acres. For a few years after locating here he
engaged in the cattle business to quite an extent but since then has
given his attention principally to the raising of wheat. His holdings
consist of some of the finest wheat land in the county and he now
derives a good income from the rental of his property. In 1909 he
retired from active labor and removed to Walla Walla, where he erected
a fine residence on Roosevelt street, and here he has gained a high
place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Chandler was married in 1901 to Miss Ada Fowler, also a native of
England, and they have five children, namely: John F. and Ruth, both of
whom are high school students; Dorothy; Theodore W.; and Elizabeth.
[Illustration: JOHN CHANDLER]
Mr. Chandler has supported the republican party since acquiring the
right of franchise and for a considerable period served on the school
board in Whitman county. Both he and his wife are communicants of the
Protestant Episcopal church and its work receives their hearty support.
Their residence is one of the attractive homes of Walla Walla and it is
known for its cordial hospitality.
JOSEPH W. TONER.
Joseph W. Toner, who is successfully farming in Walla Walla county, was
born in Vermont, April 22, 1875, a son of Daniel and Bridget (Ferrell)
Toner. The father was born in Vermont and the mother was a native of
Ireland, but they were married in the Green Mountain state, where they
resided until called by death. To them were born seven children, of
whom five survive.
Joseph W. Toner was reared at home and as a boy and youth attended the
public schools. In 1892, when seventeen years, he came to Walla Walla,
Washington, and for some years engaged in dairying. He now, however,
gives his attention to general farming. He owns thirty-seven and a half
acres of finely improved land within the city limits of Walla Walla and
has refused nine hundred dollars an acre for the place.
Mr. Toner was married in 1895 to Miss Permelia C. Hammond, a native
of Walla Walla and a daughter of William R. and Permelia Hammond. To
this marriage have been born seven children: Helen, the wife of Milton
Carter; Mildred, Edward and Mary, all high school students; Daniel,
Jeanie and Ferrell.
The family attend the Presbyterian church and contribute to its
support. Mr. Toner holds membership in the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows of Walla Walla and is popular in that organization. In
political belief he is a democrat and he is now capably serving as a
member of the school board.
JOHN A. BAILEY.
For thirty years John A. Bailey has resided upon the Pacific coast and
since 1898 has made his home in Walla Walla, where he is now actively
engaged in business as the president of the Lumber & Fuel Company. He
was born in Colchester county, Nova Scotia, January 10, 1862, a son
of Alexander and Jane (Ferguson) Bailey, both of whom were natives of
that country, where the father passed away, while the mother is still
living there. They had a family of four children, all of whom are still
residents of Canada with the exception of John A.
The last named was reared and educated in his native country, pursuing
a public school course, and in 1883, having attained his majority, he
left home and crossed the border into the United States, taking up his
abode in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for a brief period.
The west attracted him, however, for he believed that its opportunities
were limitless and in 1887 he crossed the country to California. There
he remained for about two and one-half years, after which he went to
Portland, Oregon, and there resided until his removal to Grays Harbor.
He came to Walla Walla, Washington, about 1898, and here took up the
business of contracting and building, which he followed successfully
until 1916. He then became connected with the Lumber & Fuel Company,
of which he is now the head, and in this connection he is conducting a
business of extensive and gratifying proportions.
In Los Angeles, California, in 1887, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage
to Miss Christina M. Bailey, who, though of the same name, was not a
relative. She, too, was born in Canada, where her mother, one sister
and two brothers still reside, and by her marriage has become the
mother of a daughter, Edith M., who is now the wife of Clarence G.
Ludwigs. She is a graduate of the high school of Walla Walla and also
of the Washington State University. Mrs. Bailey and her daughter
hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are prominent in the
social circles of the city. Mr. Bailey is identified with the Masonic
fraternity and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish
rites and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. His political endorsement is given to the republican party,
which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen.
Opportunity has ever been to him the call to action and in his business
career he has so wisely utilized his opportunities that success in
substantial measure has come to him. With him every day must mark
off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more. He early
recognized that where there is no advancement there has been no effort,
and putting forth earnest and persistent effort, he has passed many
others who perhaps started out ahead of him on life's journey. He is
stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic
and persistent in action; and thus he has made for himself a most
creditable position on the stage of business activity in Walla Walla.
J. H. COYLE.
The business upbuilding of a city is attributable not to one individual
but to the combined efforts of many. However, there are some who
occupy positions of leadership in their respective lines--men well
trained in a given field and whose intelligently directed efforts
produce substantial results that work not only for their own benefit
but constitute a most important force in general business progress
and prosperity. Such a man is J. H. Coyle, the president and manager
of the Walla Walla Mill Company, and thus prominently identified
with the milling interests of Walla Walla. He was born in Crawford
county, Wisconsin, December 5, 1859, a son of J. B. and S. A. (Lemons)
Coyle. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in
Wisconsin, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom
are now living.
[Illustration: J. H. COYLE]
J. H. Coyle of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in
the state of his nativity and is indebted to its public school system
for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He early began
learning the miller's trade, which he followed in Minnesota, leaving
his native state when eighteen years of age. He continued a resident of
Minnesota until 1897, when he came to Walla Walla county, Washington,
and purchased what was known as the old McKennan mill. Since that time
he has been identified with the milling interests of Walla Walla and is
today at the head of an important enterprise of this character. After
some years he admitted his son, J. D. Coyle, to a partnership in the
business, which has been incorporated with J. H. Coyle as the president
and manager and J. D. Coyle as the secretary. Their mill has a capacity
of seventy barrels. The plant is splendidly equipped with the latest
improved machinery and the most modern processes of flour manufacturing
are utilized, so that the output is of excellent quality, insuring a
ready sale on the market.
In Minnesota, in 1887, Mr. Coyle was united in marriage to Miss Emma
Buehler, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of
eight children: John D., who is associated with his father in business;
Velma, the wife of A. W. Hancock; W. F.; Vida; Clarence, who has
passed away; Victor; Emma; and Erma. The parents attend the Methodist
Episcopal church.
In his political views Mr. Coyle is a republican and has served on
the school board for a number of years but has never sought strictly
political office. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and
the Odd Fellows and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of
these organizations. His has been an active and useful life fraught
with good results. His business affairs have been successfully and
wisely managed and he is now the owner of six acres of land, upon
which is a fine property. His milling business has become one of the
important productive industries of Walla Walla and his colleagues
and contemporaries in business circles speak of him in terms of high
regard, not only by reason of the success which he has achieved but
also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever
followed.
EMERSON E. WOODS.
Emerson E. Woods, who resides on the old Woods homestead on section 9,
township 9 north, range 37 east, is one of the alert and enterprising
young farmers who have chosen agriculture as a life work because
of their recognition of its many possibilities. He was born in the
township in which he still resides on the 12th of February, 1893, and
is a son of Joel and Viola M. (Hull) Woods, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this work. He received a good education in the Waitsburg
public schools and also received thorough training in farm work under
the guidance of his father. When he was twenty-two years old he began
his independent career, renting six hundred and sixty acres of land,
which he has since operated. In December, 1916, he also took charge of
the Woods homestead of five hundred and fifty acres on which he now
resides, and although he has only reached the middle twenties he has
proved his capability as an executive, ably managing the operation
of the twelve hundred and ten acres. It is needless to say that he
utilizes the most improved methods and the latest implements in his
work, and that he gives careful study to the markets.
On the 22d of December, 1915, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Estella
H. Hazelton, of Waitsburg, a daughter of Thomas and Leona (Parker)
Hazelton, pioneer settlers of Walla Walla county, both now deceased.
Mr. Woods votes the republican ticket but has not otherwise been active
in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his
farming interests. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
and his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He is a
typical western man, self reliant, enterprising and confident of the
future, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of
his county and state.
BYRD COYLE.
Byrd Coyle, a well known dairyman and substantial farmer of Walla
Walla county, was born in Lebanon, Oregon, February 7, 1860, and is a
representative of a very old and prominent family of that state. His
father, James B. Coyle, was born in Peoria, Illinois, March 4, 1832,
and throughout life followed farming. In 1852 he crossed the plains
with ox teams and located in Oregon, where he made his home until
coming to Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1866. Here he homesteaded
one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which the family have since
added from time to time until now the home place comprises five hundred
and sixty acres. The father died on the 29th of April, 1901, but the
mother of our subject is still living and continues to reside on the
home farm. She bore the maiden name of Jane Summers and was born in
Iowa, August 23, 1841. She was only five years of age when she crossed
the plains with her parents in 1846, her father being captain of a
large company traveling with ox teams. They reached the Whitman Mission
in Oregon so late in the fall that they resolved to spend the winter of
1846-7 at that place and there Mrs. Coyle attended the school conducted
by Dr. Whitman, who was killed in the Whitman massacre the following
fall. In the spring of 1847 Captain Summers proceeded with his family
to Lebanon, Oregon, where Mrs. Coyle grew to womanhood and was married.
She is today one of the oldest settlers of the Pacific northwest and is
thoroughly familiar with the entire development of this region.
Byrd Coyle is one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are still
living. Two sons are now residents of Canada and a daughter lives in
Kennewick, Washington, but the remainder are all living in Walla Walla
county. Here Byrd Coyle attended the district schools and his early
education was supplemented by a course at Whitman College and later
at the Oregon State University, where he was a student for two years.
After putting aside his textbooks he engaged in railroad work for
several years and then spent three years and a half in Alaska, but in
November, 1900, he returned to Walla Walla county. His father died soon
afterward and he and his brother Charles have since had charge of the
home farm, which they have operated with most gratifying success. In
connection with general farming they give considerable attention to the
dairy business, having a creamery upon his place and selling both milk
and butter, and they furnish employment to from twenty-five to forty
men.
On the 27th of June, 1916, Byrd Coyle was united in marriage to Miss
Lenora Stewart, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Moore Stewart.
They are earnest and consistent members of the Congregational church,
and Mr. Coyle is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks. In politics he is a democrat and takes a deep and commendable
interest in public affairs.
H. D. CONOVER.
H. D. Conover, who is farming extensively in Columbia county,
Washington, is now financially independent, although he began
his career empty-handed. He is a western man by birth as well as
preference, as he was born in Linn county, Oregon, March 28, 1859, a
son of W. S. and Margaret (Crawford) Conover, both of whom were born in
Indiana. In 1852 both came to Oregon as members of a train of emigrants
journeying by ox team. They were married in Oregon and remained
residents of that state until called by death. To them were born two
sons, the brother of our subject being O. M. Conover, of Waitsburg.
H. D. Conover attended the district schools in his early boyhood, but
in 1872, when but thirteen years, came to Washington and found work on
a stock farm. He was so employed until he was thirty-five years old,
since which time he has followed agricultural pursuits independently.
He now operates fourteen hundred acres of land, growing large crops of
grain annually and also raising some stock. His long experience and his
keen powers of observation have taught him the most effective methods
of carrying on his work and he manages the business phase of farming
excellently and as a result receives a good return on the capital
invested in his holdings.
Mr. Conover was married on the 6th of December, 1885, to Miss Rachel
McKinney, a native of Washington county, Oregon, and they have three
children: Lettie A., the widow of J. W. Roberts; Henry M., a prosperous
farmer; and Louise, the wife of F. P. Kinder, of Waitsburg, Washington.
Mr. Conover belongs to Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 70, to Occidental
Lodge, No. 11, A. O. U. W., and to the Woodmen of the World. His
political belief is that of the republican party and its candidates
receive his support at the polls. He is respected wherever known
for his strength of character, his enterprise and his unquestioned
integrity, and his personal friends are many.
WILLIAM M. WEATHERFORD.
William M. Weatherford, president of the Weatherford-Wallace Company,
of Dayton, conducting a loan, real estate, insurance and abstract
business, was born in Columbia county, the 4th of October, 1879, a son
of Francis M. and Harriett A. Weatherford, who were pioneer residents
of Oregon and Washington, having crossed the plains with ox teams at a
period when that was practically the only method of travel between the
east and the west. The father is now the owner of an extensive farm in
Columbia county and is one of the leading citizens of the district. He
has served as a representative of the county in the state legislature
and has otherwise been prominently connected with public affairs.
In the public schools of his native county William M. Weatherford
pursued his early education and afterward became a student in the
Portland Business College of Portland, Oregon, from which in due course
of time he was graduated. He was reared to the occupation of farming
and after his textbooks were put aside devoted his attention for a time
to general agricultural pursuits, but thinking to find other business
activities more congenial and perhaps more profitable, he concentrated
his efforts upon the banking business for a period. Later he became
identified with the insurance, mortgage loan and real estate business
and his efforts have since been directed along those lines. At the
present time he is at the head of the Weatherford-Wallace Company, of
Dayton, as its president and is thus conducting a profitable loan, real
estate, insurance and abstract business.