Part 40

William Lambie, prominent as a horse breeder and farmer of Garfield county, living on section 31, township 14 north, range 43 east, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, March 13, 1846, a son of John and Margaret (Bryson) Lambie, both of whom were born in the neighborhood of Glasgow, where they spent their entire lives, the father devoting his time and attention to the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family. His son, William Lambie, was reared under the parental roof and acquired a public school education. On attaining his twenty-first year he bade adieu to the land of hills and heather and made his way to New Zealand, where he spent four years. He then came to the United States, making his way to the Hawaiian Islands and thence to San Francisco. He spent a short time in the Sacramento valley of California, after which he removed from San Francisco to Portland, making the trip by steamer. He spent one month in the harvest fields of the Willamette valley and then came by steamer up the Columbia river to Wallula and thence by wagon to Walla Walla, Washington. This was in the summer of 1871. When he saw the Blue mountains and the Walla Walla valley he said to himself that he would travel no farther. During that fall and the succeeding winter he was employed by James Foster, located at the foot of the mountain and the following spring he started out to find land for himself. He assisted a party with cattle upon the Palouse river below Colfax and slept on the floor in his own blanket in the only house in sight in Colfax at that time. He then journeyed northward in search of land near the much-talked-of route of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which at that time, however, had not been surveyed. He pushed on to the neighborhood of Medical Lake, where he located on a beautiful prairie sloping toward the south. He then returned to Walla Walla for a team and wagon, and when he again traveled over the route he brought back with him some garden seed and grain and planted ten acres of his land that first season. In the summer he worked for a stock man upon the present site of the town of Sprague, putting up hay. In August he returned to his own place to look after his crop, but found that his potatoes had been frosted and he, therefore, abandoned his claim. That fall he started down the creek with his team and located in a big meadow on Cow creek, where he cut and sold hay, the purchaser being Thomas Durry, a sheep man. In this business he engaged for four years and afterward sold the ranch to Mr. Durry for eight hundred dollars. He then went to Lower Crab creek and bought mares with his money and began the breeding of horses. In the fall of 1877 he took up his abode upon what has since been his home farm and in the fall of that year he did the first plowing done on the bench land in the north half of Garfield county. He first preempted one hundred and sixty acres and at the same time took up a timber claim, while three years later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. This constituted the nucleus of his present extensive possessions and gave him his start toward his later success. From time to time he has bought adjoining land until his present holdings comprise something more than twenty-one hundred acres and he operates under lease four hundred and eighty acres in addition, which he has cultivated for more than a quarter of a century. He has been one of the foremost breeders of thoroughbred draft horses in southeastern Washington and for the first fifteen years he specialized in the breeding of Clydesdales, for which breed he has gained a wide reputation. For the last ten or twelve years he has given his attention largely to the breeding of black Percheron horses and has gained an enviable reputation in this respect throughout the entire northwest. He is regarded as one of the foremost breeders and one of the most reliable judges of good horses in Washington. In connection with his extensive operations as a breeder Mr. Lambie farms eight hundred acres to wheat and has one hundred and ten acres planted to alfalfa and annually he produces splendid crops because his methods are practical and progressive.

In 1880 Mr. Lambie was united in marriage to Miss Emma Clark, of Fresno, California, by whom he had two children, one of whom survives, John Hazen, who is a resident of Longbeach, California. Mrs. Lambie has a home at Longbeach, California, where she spends much of her time, and Mr. Lambie there passes the winter months, while in the summer seasons he remains in Washington to superintend his business interests.

He is a member of the Farmers Union and he does everything in his power to promote the interests of the agriculturist and develop the farming possibilities of the state. He holds membership in the Unitarian church and is a man of genuine personal worth, progressive and reliable in business, patriotic in citizenship and at all times guiding his life by high and honorable principles. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to leave the land of his fathers and seek a home in the new world, for here he has found good opportunities and in their utilization has worked his way steadily upward until he is now numbered among the prosperous residents of Garfield county.

H. A. TRIPPEER, M. D. V.

Dr. H. A. Trippeer is one of the leading veterinarians of southern Washington and was one of the organizers of the Veterinary Hospital Company, which erected the fine City Veterinary Hospital of Walla Walla. His birth occurred in Peru, Indiana, July 6, 1881, and he is a son of Joseph E. and Alice (Alexander) Trippeer, the former also a native of Peru, Indiana, and the latter of Linneus, Missouri. Their marriage occurred in the latter town, to which the father had removed with his parents. Not long after he was married, however he returned to Indiana, and there engaged in breeding thoroughbred race horses and Devon cattle. In 1888 he took to Wasco county, Oregon, a number of horses and the first Devon cattle ever seen in the Pacific coast country. Among the horses was Mattie Mullen, who for a considerable period was the fastest short distance horse on the entire coast. He was prominently identified with live stock interests in the northwest for a number of years but is now living retired in Cove, Oregon.

H. A. Trippeer early began assisting his father in the care of his fine stock and the experience thus gained has been of great benefit to him in his professional career as a veterinarian. In 1904 he entered the Washington State College at Pullman and after two years' work in the veterinary department of that school he went to Chicago and continued his course in the famous McKillip Veterinary College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. He then came to Walla Walla and took the United States examination for veterinarian at Fort Walla Walla. While awaiting the action of the government on his application he entered into private practice at Walla Walla in partnership with Dr. J. W. Woods and as he met with marked success in that connection he decided to continue in private practice. Two years later he, Dr. Woods and Dr. Baddely, organized the Veterinary Hospital Company, which later built the city Veterinary Hospital, an institution which is one of the best of its kind in the northwest. Later Dr. Baddely withdrew from the company, selling his interest therein to Dr. Woods and Dr. Trippeer. The partners have gained an enviable reputation for thorough scientific knowledge and skill in practice, and their patronage is large and steadily increasing.

Dr. Trippeer married Miss Pearl G. Griffith, of Sioux City, Iowa, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Denise. The doctor belongs to Cove Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M., of Cove, Oregon; to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E., and to the Walla Walla Commercial Club, in which connection he is associated with other enterprising business men in projects for the upbuilding of the city. He and his wife attend the services of the Episcopal church and are liberal in their support of its work. Since becoming a resident of Walla Walla the Doctor has gained a wide circle of friends and is held in the highest esteem both professionally and personally.

ORLEY HULL.

Attracted by gold discoveries in California, Orley Hull came to the Pacific coast and throughout the intervening period until his death was a resident of this section of the country. He was born in Iowa in 1825 and there the period of his boyhood and youth was passed amid the conditions of frontier life, for at that time the state of Iowa was yet a part of the great western territory that lay uninhabited and undeveloped west of the Mississippi. He continued in that state until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when the news reached him concerning the discovery of gold in California and he determined to try his fortune upon the Pacific coast. Accordingly he made the necessary arrangements for the trip, securing a covered wagon and an ox team, with which he started across the plains in 1849. The journey was a long and arduous one over the hot stretches of sand and across the mountains, but he pushed on day after day and ultimately reached his destination. After spending some time in California he determined to make his way northward and came to Walla Walla county, Washington. Here he took up the occupation of farming and stock raising, to which he devoted a number of years, becoming one of the representative agriculturists of the county. Eventually he established his home in Walla Walla, where his last days were passed.

It was in Walla Walla that Mr. Hull was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah M. Laird, a native of Rochester, New York, and a daughter of Dr. Hiram Preston, of that city. After reaching womanhood she married Leonard Laird and they subsequently removed to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming for a time. He possessed considerable musical talent and took an active interest in religious work. On leaving Minnesota he removed to Hillsboro, Oregon, where he conducted a hotel for two years, but about 1877 brought his family to Washington, and located on a farm seven miles from Walla Walla, where he spent his remaining days, dying there in 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Laird were born six children, of whom four are still living, namely: Miss Florence, a resident of Walla Walla; George D., of Portland, Oregon; Jennie, the widow of Millard Roff, of Walla Walla; and Nellie A., who is the widow of James A. Delaney and is living with her mother in Walla Walla. During the Spanish-American war Mr. Delaney entered the service and died of Manila fever. He left one child, Adrian L., now a guard at the Washington penitentiary in Walla Walla.

Mr. Hull was a stalwart and loyal member of the Masonic fraternity, in the work of which he was actively and helpfully interested, being ever ready to extend a helping hand to a brother of the order. He also took an active part in the upbuilding of the city of Walla Walla and his aid and cooperation could be counted upon to further any measure or movement for the public good. Those who knew him esteemed him as a man of high purpose and of honorable life and when he passed away in April, 1892, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret in the southeastern section of the state, where he had long made his home and his funeral was widely attended. He was a man of marked integrity and his word was always as good as his bond.

YANCEY C. BLALOCK, M. D.

With the lasting example of his honored father before him, Dr. Yancey C. Blalock has followed in his professional footsteps and has won a place among the eminent physicians and surgeons of Walla Walla. He was born in Mitchell county, North Carolina, August 3, 1859, a son of Dr. Nelson G. and Panthea A. (Durham) Blalock, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. During his infancy his parents removed with the family to Macon county, Illinois, and he was a youth of fourteen when they started across the plains to Walla Walla, making the long and arduous journey according to the primitive methods of the time. Dr. Blalock has a very vivid recollection of many of the events of the trip as they passed on over the long stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes that eventually brought them to the Pacific Coast. His education was largely acquired in the public schools of Walla Walla and in the Whitman Seminary. At length he determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and accordingly in 1881 entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which his father had graduated many years before. He completed his course in that institution as a member of the class of 1884, after which he returned at once to Walla Walla and for a time was associated with his father in the active practice of medicine and surgery. Later, however, he established himself independently in practice, and in 1902 he accepted the appointment to the position of receiver of the United States land office at Walla Walla, serving in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he resigned to resume the private practice of his profession. He has since given his undivided thought and attention to his professional interests and is ranked today among the leading practitioners of the county. He is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, recognizing how grave are the responsibilities which confront the physician.

In April, 1883, Dr. Blalock was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sanderson, a native daughter of Walla Walla, and to them was born a son, Jesse N. Mrs. Blalock passed away on the 6th of January, 1885, and in 1890 Dr. Blalock was again married, this union being with Miss Lillian Ballou, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Orlando and Elizabeth (Boyd) Ballou. To this marriage has been born a daughter, Phoebe I.

For many years Dr. Blalock has been prominent in fraternal circles. He has membership in Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he also belongs to Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest. He has taken the Knights Templar degree in Washington Commandery, of which he is a past eminent commander, and he belongs to Oriental Consistory, A. & A. S. R., of Spokane. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane, and he and his wife are members of Alki Chapter, No. 25, O. E. S., of which Dr. Blalock is past patron, while his wife is a past matron. In Masonic circles the doctor occupies a very prominent position and is a past grand master of the grand lodge of the state and a past eminent commander of the grand commandery of the state. He likewise served as grand secretary of the grand chapter of the Royal Arch Masons for a number of years and was grand recorder of the grand commandery, Knights Templar. On March 6, 1914, he received the honorary thirty-third degree.

Dr. Blalock has occupied various civic offices and for three terms was county coroner. He served in the volunteer fire department of Walla Walla for twenty-two years, six of which he was chief. He is always loyal in positions of public trust and in all of his service in behalf of the community has been actuated by a singleness of purpose that has brought good results for the community. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he is an active and earnest worker in its ranks. He has served as chairman of the republican county central committee and puts forth every legitimate effort to further the success of the principles in which he so firmly believes. His prominence, professional and otherwise, is the outcome of his ability, his fidelity to duty and his high standards. His sterling characteristics commend him to the confidence and goodwill of all and throughout Walla Walla county, where almost his entire life has been passed, he has a circle of friends almost equal to the circle of his acquaintance.

THOMAS GILKERSON.

Thomas Gilkerson, who is residing on the family homestead in Walla Walla township, Walla Walla county, was born in England, October 19, 1837. His parents, George and Sarah (Rayson) Gilkerson, were also born in that country and in 1843 came with their family to America. They took up their residence in New York state, living there during their remaining days. To them were born seven children, of whom five survive, namely: Mrs. Mary Wallace, of Spokane; Thomas, of this review; James and William, who are living in New York; and Frances, who is now the wife of Thomas Curry, of Homer, New York.

Thomas Gilkerson grew to manhood in New York and there received his education. In 1860, when a young man, he and his brother James came west to Walla Walla county, Washington, and he of this review took up a homestead in Walla Walla township, where he has since remained. He proved successful in his farming operations and later from time to time added to his holdings, becoming the owner of a large and valuable tract. He now leaves the active work of the farm to others but still gives supervision to the management of his interests. He has gained a competence and the period of leisure which he is now enjoying is well deserved.

In 1862 Mr. Gilkerson was united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza (Sickles) McWhirk and they have had five children, of whom three are living, namely: Harry, Thomas J. and Dewitt A.

Mr. Gilkerson has supported the democratic party since gaining the right of franchise and has taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs although never an aspirant for office. He has been identified with Walla Walla township for more than a half century and during that time has always proven a loyal citizen and a man of sterling worth.

CLINTON D. DAVIS.

Clinton D. Davis, who has lived in Garfield county continuously since 1878, covering a period of four decades, now owns three hundred and thirty-three acres of land on section 6, township 13 north, range 43 east, and is well known as one of the substantial farmers of the Mayview district. His birth occurred in Marion county, Oregon, on the 12th of December, 1854, his parents being Leander and Mary (Cox) Davis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Leander Davis crossed the plains as a young man in 1846 or 1847, and at the same time Mary Cox, yet a young girl, accompanied her parents to Oregon, her father taking up a donation claim in Marion county. Mr. Davis also took up a donation claim in the same county and it was there that he was later married and spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1875 at the age of forty-eight years. He served as a member of the Oregon legislature in 1866 and made a most excellent record in that connection. His widow continued her residence on the donation claim in Marion county, Oregon, until the time of her death, which occurred in the seventieth year of her age.

Clinton D. Davis attended the public schools at Silverton in the acquirement of an education and was about seventeen years of age when he began providing for his own support. During the following five years he worked for wages and was then married. He had saved enough money to feel justified in starting out independently as an agriculturist and in 1878 he brought his bride to Washington and took up a homestead in Garfield county which is a part of his present home farm, on which he has resided continuously to this time. As his financial resources have increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he has extended the boundaries of his place by purchase until it now embraces three hundred and thirty-three acres. The property yields him a gratifying annual income and he has long been numbered among the representative agriculturists and substantial citizens of the county.

In 1877 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Hubbard, of Marion county, Oregon, a daughter of Joseph Hubbard, who crossed the plains from Illinois to Oregon in 1855 and took up a donation claim in Marion county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of three children, namely: Edith, who is deceased; Alvin, at home; and Ella, who holds a clerical position in Spokane.

In politics Mr. Davis is is stanch republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has witnessed the development of this section of the state from pioneer times to modern and has borne his share in the work of progress and improvement, while in the conduct of his private business interests he has also manifested the sterling traits of character which have won him the high regard and esteem of his fellow citizens.

DANIEL HAYES.

Daniel Hayes is one of the well known and honored pioneer settlers of Walla Walla county. Six decades have come and gone since he arrived in the state of Washington, and there is not a feature of its development with which he is not familiar. He has had many interesting and varied experiences incident to the life of a pioneer, and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.

Daniel Hayes was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in the year 1840. His parents died while he was yet a boy, and at the age of twelve years he came to America, where a brother and sister had emigrated some years before. When in America but a short time he went to work as an errand boy for James A. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamilton, patriot and statesman, at his beautiful home on the Hudson river. He was affectionately known to the Hamilton family as "little Danny," and the only schooling he ever received was from Mr. Hamilton's daughter Angelica, who became interested in him and taught him evenings. Mr. Hayes has never forgotten his benefactress, and his youngest daughter bears her name. When seventeen years of age he left this good home and the opportunities he was promised, and came west. He made the trip by the way of the Isthmus of Panama and landed in San Francisco in April, 1857. Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, he entered the employ of the government in the quartermaster's department. He served for eleven months at Benicia, California, and then went to The Dalles, Oregon, with Captain Jordan. In 1858, when on the way to Fort Simcoe with a government train of forty wagons, news was received of Colonel Steptoe's defeat in a battle with the Indians near the present site of Rosalia. They then returned to The Dalles, where Colonel Wright fitted out troops, and moved to the mouth of the Tucanon river where Fort Taylor was built. Mr. Hayes was the driver of an ammunition wagon and brought supplies to Fort Taylor, where Major Wise was stationed. When Fort Taylor was abandoned he joined Captain Mullan's command and assisted in building the military road from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Benton, Montana. In 1861 he left the employ of the government and went to the mines at Orofino, Idaho. There he took up a claim and engaged in mining during the summer of that year. He later bought a pack train and engaged in the business of freighting until 1873, when he settled on the farm where he still resides.

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898, Mr. Hayes offered his services to the government and was appointed by Quartermaster Cameron at Fort Walla Walla, to take charge of a pack train in Cuba. He served in Cuba during the period of the war, carrying food and ammunition to the American soldiers at the front.