Part 19

Mr. Stine was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1825. His father was a blacksmith by trade and in 1839 removed with his family from the Keystone state to Greene county, Ohio, settling in Fairfield, where he engaged in farming and also followed blacksmithing. With those pursuits Frederick Stine became thoroughly familiar, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields or of the smithy. In the spring of 1852, in company with his brothers, John and William, he started for the Pacific coast. Their departure was a great event to the family, which numbered eight sons and six daughters. Travel at that time to the western coast was by means of wagon or by way of water route and many months elapsed ere the journey was completed. It was indeed a serious undertaking, much more difficult than a trip around the world at the present time. The three brothers left St. Louis, Missouri, on the 1st of May, 1852, and on the 2d of July arrived in Sacramento, California. This was a record trip at the time. The train with which they traveled numbered twenty-six men, of whom Frederick Stine was chosen captain. The three brothers went to Marysville, California, where they began work, but after a few days Frederick Stine was prostrated with typhoid fever and for sixty days had a great struggle for his life. Eventually, however, the disease reached its crisis and it was said that he would live. When he recovered he began business for himself, but in 1854 met with losses through fire and the following year he removed to Yreka, California, where he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming and blacksmithing, thus returning to the occupations to which he had been reared.

Selling his Yreka property on the 6th of February, 1862, Mr. Stine then started for the north and on the 12th of May arrived in Walla Walla, where he afterward made his home until called to his final rest. Within four days of his arrival he had opened a place of business on Main street and as the years passed he prospered. On the 3d of November, 1863, he went by way of Portland to San Francisco, traveling by stage to the latter city and thence by boat and the Panama route to Ohio on a visit to his family and his old home. On the 18th of April, 1864, he started again for the Pacific coast and this time made the trip by stage to Walla Walla, where he resumed blacksmithing and wagon making, maintaining a first class shop of that kind until September 1, 1873, at which date he retired from business. He had spent about a third of a century at his trade and was always industrious and conscientious in his work. In 1872 he erected the Stine House, which was the first brick hotel in Walla Walla, and in 1880 he purchased a farm of five hundred and sixty acres in Umatilla county, Oregon, about six miles south of Walla Walla. This he extensively improved and cultivated and to his holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until he held in that vicinity over nineteen hundred acres of choice land. In 1905 his wheat crop was thirty-seven thousand bushels, raised upon one-half of his land, the other half being summer fallowed. His business affairs were wisely and carefully controlled, his investments most judiciously made and his enterprise brought to him a very substantial measure of success. The most envious could not grudge him his prosperity, so honorably was it gained, so worthily used.

In 1870, in Walla Walla, Mr. Stine was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Megrew) Silverthorn, a widow, and to them was born a daughter, Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Casper, of Walla Walla. Mrs. Stine was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1836, a daughter of Archibald Megrew. In 1836, when Mrs. Stine was three months old, the father removed with his family to Ohio and when she was a little maiden of thirteen she lost her mother. In 1852 the father removed with the children to Iowa and there his last days were passed. It was in Iowa that Mary Megrew became the wife of John Silverthorn and they, with others, crossed the plains in 1864, making the trip with mules and horses and spending three months en route. They settled in Walla Walla, where the death of Mr. Silverthorn later occurred. Mrs. Stine now resides in a fine home on Catherine street, where for more than ten years she has lived.

Throughout the period of his residence in Walla Walla, Mr. Stine was an active worker for the upbuilding and development of the city. In politics he was an active democrat and in 1869 was chosen to represent his district in the lower house of the territorial legislature, while in 1873 he was elected a member of the senate. He made his presence felt there by his earnest support of all well devised plans and measures for the improvement of the commonwealth. His keen judgment was of great benefit in many instances. In 1865 he was chosen one of the members of the city council of Walla Walla and during the following year was made chairman of the council and thereafter was reelected many times. He exercised his official prerogatives in support of various plans and measures for the general good and his work was of great worth to the city. Many important measures for the benefit of Walla Walla originated with him and were carried forward to successful completion because of his endorsement and labor. In 1868 he succeeded in having established a Masonic lodge at Walla Walla and for ten years thereafter acted as its master. He was also a member of the chapter and was always an earnest worker and he labored untiringly for the advancement of Masonic interests in this locality. When death called him in 1909 he had been a resident of Walla Walla for more than forty-five years. His personal qualities were such as won for him the warm regard of many and there was sincere grief felt throughout the city at his passing.

WILLIAM THOMAS PETTIJOHN.

William Thomas Pettijohn has since 1905 resided upon his present farm on section 2, township 9 north, range 35 east, in Walla Walla county, and here has six hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, constituting one of the fine farms of this section of the state. Long before, however, he had become a resident of the county and in fact was one of the earliest settlers. He arrived here in 1859, when but five years of age, having been brought to Washington by his parents.

Mr. Pettijohn was born in Linn county, Oregon, July 26, 1854, a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Warner) Pettijohn. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred in Indiana. In 1850 Jonathan Pettijohn crossed the plains to California and after spending a year or more in the gold fields of that state he went to Oregon, settling in Linn county, where he was employed for some time in the sawmills and also worked at barn building. He became familiar with all of the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier. He had encountered also many difficulties while crossing the plains. The cattle with which the party started on leaving the east died en route and much of the distance during the latter part of the trip, their provisions having run short, they lived for days upon flour and water. Mr. Pettijohn traveled much of the distance on foot. After living for a number of years in Oregon he sold his interests there in 1859 and came to Walla Walla county. He first visited the county in the summer of that year, bringing with him some cattle, after which he returned for his family. He entered a homestead in townships 9 and 10, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, and thereon built a log cabin. His remaining years were spent in that immediate neighborhood and he was very successful. While he experienced many of the difficulties incident to the settlement of the frontier prosperity attended him as the years went by and he acquired three thousand acres of valuable land. From 1860 until 1866 or 1867 he was engaged in freighting with ox teams to the Idaho mines and later he gave his attention most successfully to the raising of cattle and horses. His business affairs were most wisely and successfully managed and he became the possessor of a very handsome competence, passing away June 13, 1913. His wife had crossed the plains with her parents in 1852, at which time the family home was established in Linn county, Oregon, where her marriage to Mr. Pettijohn afterward occurred. She passed away in January, 1893, and in the death of these two worthy people Walla Walla county lost an honored pioneer couple. They were respected and esteemed by all who knew them and most of all by those who knew them best, a fact indicative of their well spent lives.

William T. Pettijohn spent his youthful days upon the old homestead and acquired a district school education. In 1877 he went to Idaho, where he used both his preemption and homestead rights in the Potlach country, filing the first homestead right in that section. There he remained actively identified with farming and stock raising until 1905, when he left Idaho and returned to Walla Walla county, taking up his abode on his present home farm, which now comprises six hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. In addition he owns five hundred and sixty acres in another township. His landed possessions are thus extensive and he is actively and prominently identified with the farming interests of Walla Walla county. His business affairs are carefully directed and wisely managed. He utilizes the most modern methods carrying on the farm work and upon his place he has put many improvements which rank his farm with one of the model farm properties of the twentieth century in this section of the state.

On the 12th of December, 1883, Mr. Pettijohn was united in marriage to Miss Ella Humphrey, of Idaho, and to them have been born five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Ada, the wife of Frank Davis, who is operating one of the farms belonging to his father-in-law; Jonathan N., who is now operating the home farm; Ollie, the wife of Robert L. Temple, of Prescott, Washington; and Harry Elbert, who is in the United States army. For some, time the two sons operated the home farm together and proved progressive young business men by their capable direction of the interests which have come under their charge.

In politics Mr. Pettijohn has always followed an independent course but has never taken an active part in public affairs. He has always preferred to concentrate his time, efforts and attention upon his private business interests and by reason of his diligence and determination, his perseverance and his honesty he has won a very substantial measure of success. He is justly numbered among the honored pioneers of the northwest, having for fifty-seven years lived in this section of the country. Born in Oregon, reared in Washington and a resident for a time of Idaho, there is no feature of the development of the northwest with which he is not familiar and he has lived to witness a remarkable transformation, for the country has grown so rapidly that the story of its development seems almost magical. The result, however, is due to the earnest labors, the persistency of purpose and the indefatigable energy of such men as Mr. Pettijohn, who, unafraid of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, has utilized the natural resources of the country and has thus placed the wealth upon a par with the older east.

COLONEL WILLIAM HAVENS MILLER.

Colonel William Havens Miller, whose life was spent in the military service of his country, was under all circumstances an officer and a gentleman. He was born at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, January 31, 1849, and on the 14th of June, 1872, was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was assigned to duty with the First Cavalry. While with that regiment he participated in all the Indian wars in the Rocky mountains and on the Pacific coast and won frequent promotion in recognition of his efficiency and gallantry. Among the important campaigns in which he took part were: the Modoc war, which lasted from November, 1872, until June, 1873; the Nez Percé war, from June to October, 1877; the Bannock campaign, from June to September, 1878; and a minor engagement at Meacham's, in the Blue mountains of Oregon, in August, 1878. He was promoted to first lieutenant in the First Cavalry, March 4, 1879. From May, 1877, to March, 1887, he served as quartermaster in the field and in garrison and during the greater part of that time, or from August 15, 1878, to March 31, 1887, he was regimental quartermaster. On the 28th of February, 1890, he was brevetted first lieutenant for "gallant services in action against Indians at the Lava Beds, California, April 17, 1873, and gallant and meritorious conduct during the Modoc war." In 1896-7 he was employed in the designing and building of Fort George Wright, a military post at Spokane, Washington, being in charge of the work until December, 1898, at which time the post was ready for one battalion of infantry. During the greater part of 1899 and 1900 he was in Cuba and built the four company military post at Paso Caballos at the mouth of the harbor of Cienfuegos, Cuba, and finished the cavalry post, Hamilton barracks, at Matanzas, Cuba. Colonel Miller was in campaigns and garrisons in the northwest until September, 1890, being stationed a part of the time in northern California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Montana, and was then appointed captain and assistant quartermaster in the United States Army and was on duty as follows: Quartermaster at United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, from October, 1890, to November, 1894; quartermaster at Fort Riley, Kansas, from November, 1894, until July, 1896; constructing quartermaster at Spokane, Washington, from July, 1896, to December, 1898; appointed major and chief quartermaster in United States Volunteers, August 15, 1898; division chief quartermaster at Southern Camp; Anniston, Alabama, from December, 1898, to March, 1899; chief quartermaster, Departments of Santa Clara and Matanzas at Cienfuegos and Matanzas, Cuba, from March, 1899, to July, 1900; depot quartermaster, Boston, Massachusetts, from October, 1900, to August, 1901; depot and chief quartermaster, Department of the Lakes, Chicago, Illinois, front August, 1901, to August, 1905; in charge of the general depot of the quartermaster's department, New York city, from November 20, 1905, to May, 1907; chief quartermaster, Philippine Division, Manila, from September 2, 1907, to June 14, 1909; quartermaster at Seattle, Washington, and in charge of the United States transport service on Puget Sound from July, 1909, until retired at the age of sixty-four years, January 31, 1913. He was promoted to major and quartermaster, United States Army, August 12, 1900; to lieutenant colonel and deputy quartermaster general, August 15, 1903; and colonel and assistant quartermaster general, October 31, 1909. The title was changed to colonel, Quartermaster Corps, United States Army, by act of congress approved August 24, 1912. On the 5th of July, 1906, he was especially commended to the secretary of war by the inspector general of the army for efficiency. All work that was given to him to do was well done, for, holding himself to the strictest standards, he refused to accept anything less than the best work from those under him, but at the same time he was scrupulously just and held the respect of his men. He upheld the high traditions of the American army, was a constant student of military science and kept in close touch with the change in methods necessitated by new conditions of warfare. To him the army was a profession that demands all a man has to give but that makes abundant recompense in the knowledge of worthy service rendered the nation. He had the capacity for deep friendship characteristic of men of unusual strength of character and the place which he held in the esteem and affection of those who knew him intimately is indicated in the following tribute to his memory by his friend, G. P. Monell.

"'He was my friend, faithful and just, to me." This Shakepearean saying of Marcus Antonius over the body of dead Caesar, best describes the dominant characteristic of Colonel Miller's life. Faithful and just, tender and true, might well be inscribed upon the stone that marks the spot where he sleeps till the final reveille. These qualities, covering all that is knightly, all that is noble, went to make up the daily routine of the life he lived for the glory and honor of his country. No promise that he ever made, however lightly, was too small to be faithfully remembered and religiously fulfilled. No fault that he observed was too great or too trivial to meet with less or more than exact justice. Officially he had no friends; those who gave best service were best rewarded, regardless of his personal predilections. Looking back over the past four years of close and intimate friendship, they seem to reflect back his past and sound out his whole life as embodied living truth; even in his lightest moods he scorned exaggeration as beneath the dignity of his manhood. Deeply learned in all the intricate business of army life and regulations, quick to see the right and wrong of any question, recognizing no middle course, his decisions were instant and final and his reasons unassailable. Officially he was a dignified, gallant and knightly soldier. In private life he represented the highest type of American gentleman. Hospitable, kindly, witty, he made those who visited his home feel that they belonged 'right there' and his friends were part of himself. His character, always straightforward and intensely honest, presented so many sides and all so simple and unassuming that those who knew him best loved him most.

Colonel Miller was married in Walla Walla, November 20, 1879, to Miss Anna Abbott, a daughter of John F. Abbott, who was a well known resident of Walla Walla, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Colonel Miller passed away at the General Memorial Hospital in New York, April 13, 1913. To him and his wife were born three children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Harlan Abbott, born at Fort Walla Walla, is now a rancher in Umatilla county, Oregon. Margaret Isabelle is the wife of Julian Foster Humphrey, chief officer of the Transport Crook, U. S. N.

HON. DENNIS COOLEY GUERNSEY.

Hon. Dennis Cooley Guernsey, whose history is closely interwoven with the records of Columbia county, is now extensively engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business in Starbuck. He has at different periods figured prominently as a bank official, as the incumbent in public office in the county and as representative of his district in the territorial legislature of 1879, and with many business interests he has been closely associated, so that his labors have contributed in marked measure to the material development and to the upbuilding of the state. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, on the 13th of April, 1845, a son of Orrin and Sarah (Cooley) Guernsey, who were natives of Connecticut. They removed to New Hampshire in childhood days with their respective parents and were there reared and married. In 1843 they migrated westward, establishing their home in Janesville, Wisconsin, where they spent their remaining days. In early life the father was engaged in merchandising and in later years became identified with the insurance business.

Dennis C. Guernsey, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the Janesville schools, completing a high school course. He was a youth of but sixteen years when the Civil war broke out and in the fall of 1863, when but eighteen years of age, he enlisted for service and was assigned to duty with Company E of the Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, of the Twentieth Army Corps, commanded by Colonel Joe Hooker. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and after returning to Washington, following the close of hostilities, the members of Sherman's command were recruited and formed the temporary division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, which was sent under Jeff C. Davis to Louisville, Kentucky, Van Dorn of the Southwestern Department having not yet surrendered. They were mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 18th of July, 1865, and later Mr. Guernsey returned to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the insurance business. Three years afterward, or in 1868, he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he became a dealer in wood and coal, continuing in that business until 1870. In January, 1871, he was appointed an officer of the reform school at Waukesha, Wisconsin. In the meantime, however, following his return to Janesville, he had done other military service. Major General Starkweather, who had gone out with the First Wisconsin as colonel and who rose to the rank of major general of volunteers, took command of the Milwaukee Light Guards, of which he had been captain at the outbreak of the war. Mr. Guernsey joined the Light Guards and was with that command at the inauguration of Governor Fairchilds at Madison in January, 1869. After spending a few months as an officer in the reform school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he again went to Janesville, where he accepted a position with a hardware firm as bookkeeper. The lure of the west, however, was upon him and on the 14th of October, 1871, he turned his face toward the setting sun and on the 9th of November reached Walla Walla, having traveled by rail as far as Keton, Utah, and thence through Boise, Baker, LaGrande to Walla Walla by stage. After spending ten days in that city he proceeded to Dayton, the town having been platted only a few days before, and on Mr. Guernsey's arrival there were but two buildings in the town, one being the residence of J. N. Day, while the other was known as the "red store," the property of Kimball & Day. On the 1st of December Mr. Guernsey succeeded Ralph Kimball in the store and was employed by the firm until the fall of 1874, when he became a partner in the business under the firm style of Day, Guernsey & Company. In the fall of 1875 he withdrew from that organization and formed a new company, entering into partnership with F. G. Frary, superintendent of the Dayton Woolen Mills, and A. H. Reynolds, of Walla Walla, who was the only banker this side of The Dalles. The new firm was organized under the style of D. C. Guernsey & Company. In 1876 Mr. Frary and Mr. Reynolds withdrew and Mr. Guernsey was joined by H. H. Wolfe under the firm name of Guernsey & Wolfe. He thus continued active in merchandising in Dayton until 1880, when he sold out. From the beginning of his residence there he took active part in the upbuilding and progress of the new town.