Part 58

"I cannot say and I will not say That she is dead. She is just away! With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand She has wandered into an unknown land, And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be since she lingers there."

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck: Carrie, the wife of Henry Talbott, a rancher living in Asotin county; Martha, the wife of William McMullan, who has a ranch near Spokane; Ettie, the wife of Jake Blyen, who is a ranch owner at Crabtree, Oregon; Casper J., who married Rose Miller and follows ranching in Asotin county; Frank, who married Maggie Venette and lives in Asotin county, managing the old home ranch, in addition to which he owns nine hundred acres; George H., who married Ethel M. Cannon and resides in Canada; and Mary, the wife of H. L. McMillan, of Asotin county.

In politics Mr. Hollenbeck has been a republican from the days of Abraham Lincoln, whom he saw at Syracuse, New York, on his way to take the presidential chair in Washington in 1861. His has been an active and useful life in which his business affairs have been wisely directed, his efforts proving an element in the growth and progress of the section of the state in which he lives, and among its valued and representative citizens he is numbered.

JAMES P. WATSON.

Among the valued citizens of Garfield county who have been called to their final rest was numbered James P. Watson, who lived on section 33, township 13 north, range 43 east, and was closely associated with the agricultural development and improvement of this section of the state. He was born in England on the 31st of December, 1854, and was a son of Porter and Susan (Talbot) Watson, both of whom were natives of England, where they spent their entire lives. James P. Watson was educated in the public schools of his native country and in 1871, when a youth of seventeen years, bade adieu to friends and country in order to come to the United States. He first made his way to Kansas, where he remained for four years, and in 1875 he came west to the Pacific coast country. He did not at once make a final settlement, however, but cast around for a desirable location and in the meantime worked for wages, thus becoming a factor in the business life of the community.

In 1877 Mr. Watson took up his abode in what is now Garfield county and the following spring filed on a homestead, which he continued to own throughout his remaining days and on which his widow still lives. He was a man of energy and was ambitious to succeed. Indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature. Every hour was utilized to the best advantage and as the years passed he prospered, so that from time to time he was able to add to his homestead by additional purchase until prior to his death he had become the owner of about a thousand acres of valuable pasture and wheat land in Garfield county. Mr. Watson had come to this country as a youth without money and without friends, but he employed every moment of his time to good advantage, realizing the eternal principle that industry wins. He also carefully saved his earnings and invested the money thus gained wisely and well, so that in the course of years he acquired a snug little fortune. Moreover, he was a broad reader and deep thinker and became well informed on public affairs. When he crossed the Atlantic it was to become an American citizen, not to remain a subject of Great Britain, although he never lost his love for his native land. He ever felt that his allegiance should be given to the land of his adoption, under whose laws he lived and found protection, and he ever stood for those plans and measures which sought to upbuild the community in which he resided, to advance the welfare of the commonwealth and of the country.

In 1880 Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Emma I. Perkins, a native of Oregon and a daughter of John N. Perkins, who was a physician and philanthropist. Her father was a native of Ohio and crossed the plains in 1851, settling in Oregon. In 1878 he came to what is now Garfield county, establishing his home on the present site of Pomeroy. His grandfather, Thomas Perkins, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mrs. Watson bore the maiden name of Derisa A. Matsler and was a native of Ohio, where her marriage to Mr. Perkins occurred. She afterward made the journey across the plains with her husband to the northwest. She had three brothers--George, David and John, who served throughout the Civil war in defense of the Union. To Mr. and Mrs. Watson were born thirteen children, of whom two died in infancy, and Inez D., who married J. C. Kimble died leaving two sons, Vergel L. and Cecyl L. Those still living are as follows: Charles E., Alva N., Elsie I., James A., William C., Edna E., John P., Joseph F., Iva N. and Alma M. Most of the children are married and with their families they are all residing in Garfield county, with the exception of James A., who is now a resident of Whitman county. Mrs. Watson now has seventeen grandchildren. She is a woman of pronounced ability who has capably managed her property interests since the death of her husband, which occurred on the 5th of September, 1915.

Mr. Watson was a man of sterling character, was a devoted husband and kind and loving father. He was also an obliging and charitable neighbor and his many sterling traits of character gained for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was a democrat until the free silver plank was inserted in the party platform, after which he became a supporter of republican principles. He never failed to earnestly espouse any cause in which he believed and his position was never an equivocal one. He expressed his opinions honestly and fearlessly and men came to know that his word was thoroughly reliable. He never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for on this side of the Atlantic he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization won a substantial measure of success. Moreover, America gained a valued citizen and southeastern Washington profited much by his efforts.

JOHN M. ROBINSON.

Among the representative business men of Garfield county is John M. Robinson, a well known farmer and grain dealer of Pomeroy. He comes from the middle west, being born in Missouri, September 6, 1859, and is a son of Thomas W. and Pauline (Forshey) Robinson, the former also a native of Missouri and the latter of Ohio. It was in 1874 that the family came to the Pacific coast and after spending three years and a half in California became residents of Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1877. About a year later the father took up a homestead in what was then Columbia county but is now Garfield county, locating on a farm fifteen miles southeast of Pomeroy. There the mother passed away in 1878 and he died in Pomeroy in February, 1892. Of their nine children four have also departed this life.

John M. Robinson was fifteen years of age when the family located in California and in the schools of that state he began his education, continuing his studies in Walla Walla county after their removal to this state. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age and then in 1881 took up a preemption claim, which is now within the city limits of Pomeroy and he still owns eighty acres of that. He engaged in farming until 1885, at which time he took twenty head of work horses to California and spent one year in that state. He then returned to Washington and purchased another farm, living thereon until 1892. Since then he has made his home in Pomeroy, where he bought a warehouse and has engaged in buying grain. He is now the owner of four thousand and ninety-five acres of land, all improved and under cultivation.

Mr. Robinson was married in 1881 to Miss Melinda F. McKey, a native of Kansas and a daughter of Rev. W. P. and Jane (Wilkinson) McKey, and to this union have been born seven children, namely: Walter J.; Josie May, now the wife of D. A. Taylor; Clare Marie, the wife of P. C. Clark of Walla Walla; Dora Bell, the wife of G. Z. Ickes, Jr.; Ruth, the wife of J. D. Lyon, Jr.; Vernon H. and Florestine, at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are active and consistent members of the Christian church of Pomeroy and he is serving as one of its elders. He is also prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all of the chairs in Pomeroy Lodge, No. 16. In business affairs he has steadily prospered until he is now the possessor of a handsome fortune and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own industry, fair dealing and good management, for he is a man of good business and executive ability and sound judgment.

RICHARD D. ROBERTS.

More than a century ago Washington said that agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man, while Thomas Jefferson said, "The hope of the nation lies in the tillers of the soil." It is a well known fact that agriculture is the basis of all advancement and prosperity and no country reaches the highest point of its attainment if its farm lands are not properly and carefully cultivated. Among those progressive men who are now concentrating their efforts and attention upon the further development of the soil in Walla Walla county is Richard D. Roberts, who has extensive farming interests on section 13, township 9 north, range 37 east. He was born upon this farm January 6, 1875, and is a son of David and Jane (Anderson) Roberts. The father was a native of Wales and came to the United States in young manhood. He made his way westward to Illinois, where he took up his abode and there he formed the acquaintance of Jane Anderson, who was a native of that state. They were married and about 1870 they left Illinois for Oregon. After spending one year in Forest Grove of the latter state they came north to Washington and for a year were residents of Waitsburg. At the end of that time David Roberts purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm upon which his son Richard now resides. Not long afterward he preempted an eighty-acre tract adjoining the original purchase and then bought another eighty acres, continuing to give his time, attention and energy to his farming interests until his death, which occurred in December, 1898. For several years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1892.

At the usual age Richard D. Roberts became a pupil in the district schools and there mastered the elementary branches of learning. He afterward attended the public schools of Waitsburg and also spent one term as a student in the Waitsburg Academy. In the spring of 1898, prior to his father's death, he took over the management and development of the home farm, which he has since operated. He owns a five-sevenths interest in the home place, together with a half interest in another farm of five hundred and twenty acres in Columbia county. He also has two hundred and forty acres in the Imperial valley of California. He cultivates the home place of three hundred and thirty-five acres, the Columbia county farm of five hundred and twenty acres, of which he owns a half interest, and he leases five hundred and eighty acres, thus farming in all fourteen hundred and thirty-five acres of land in the Inland Empire. His extensive operations are most carefully and wisely conducted. Scientific methods underlie his work. He early realized the fact that farm interests should be as carefully systematized as a commercial undertaking and in all of his work he is methodical and progressive. His farm machinery is of the latest improved kind and there is no accessory of a model farm property of the twentieth century that is not to be found upon his place.

In 1900 Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Bateman, a daughter of Henry Bateman, who was one of the earliest of Walla Walla county's pioneers, first coming here in 1849 and the following year settling on a claim on Coppei creek. He was an Indian war veteran and one of the conspicuous figures in the early pioneer life of Walla Walla county. His demise occurred in Waitsburg in December, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts now have two sons, Harold and Henry.

In politics Mr. Roberts maintains an independent course, not caring to bind himself by party ties. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, F. & A. M.; to Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F.; and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and his wife holds membership in the Methodist church. Their lives are guided by high and honorable principles and in all business affairs Mr. Roberts is regarded as thoroughly reliable as well as energetic. His life record is as an open book. He has always lived in this section of the state, has always carried on general agricultural pursuits, and although there are no spectacular phases in his career, he has ever been regarded as a substantial and valued citizen because of his loyalty to the best interests of the community and his cooperation in plans and measures which are calculated to advance and uphold civic standards.

JAMES H. BOWLES.

The consensus of public opinion names James H. Bowles among the leading citizens of Walla Walla county. He is the owner of a valuable farming property and also of a fine residence in Prescott, where he makes his home. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, November 11, 1854, and is a son of Thomas H. and Lucinda (Gibson) Bowles, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Missouri. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom survive, but both the father and mother died in Missouri.

James H. Bowles was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and had reached the age of thirty-five years when in the spring of 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington. He established his home in Prescott and later he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which he has carefully and persistently cultivated, bringing the entire place under a high state of development. Upon the farm are excellent improvements and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes his home, however, in Prescott, where he owns an attractive residence. His business affairs have been carefully managed and his thorough reliability has gained for him the respect and confidence of all, while unfaltering energy has furthered his prosperity.

On the 14th of November, 1880, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Reavis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Woodson Reavis. They have become the parents of the following children: Thomas Woodson, who died at the age of seven months; Mary Almeda, the wife of J. T. Janes, who is living near Prescott; James William, residing near Prescott, who married Lillian N. Coble and has one child, James Eugene; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of F. E. Grubb, also living near Prescott, and they have two children, Ora Vale and James Roy; Virginia Frances, who is the wife of Vergil N. Harris, of Prescott, and has two children, Genevra Elizabeth and Virginia Ann; one child who died at the age of nine months; Pearl Margaret, who is the wife of C. L. Jones, living near Prescott, and they have five children, William Lawrence, Dale Walter, Ernest Monroe, Alma Elizabeth and James Dewey; Archie Eugene, who married Elizabeth Helms and resides in Prescott; Walter Jennings, who married Fay Hazel Nail; and Elizabeth.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowles are faithful members of the Christian church and take an active interest in its work, while contributing generously to its support. In politics Mr. Bowles is a democrat and has been called upon to fill public office. He has served as a member of the city council of Prescott; has also been a member of the school board; and was deputy assessor for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the northwest, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in the business conditions of this section of the country he has so directed his efforts that a most substantial competence has been acquired.

BERT LOGAN JONES, B. S., M. D., C. M.

The alumni of McGill University are found in all sections of the American continent. The thorough training of that school well qualifies its students for the various lines of work which they may undertake and in the main the graduates of that institution have been most successful. Dr. Bert Logan Jones is among the number who are actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Walla Walla. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Allegheny on the 11th of May, 1882, his parents being Reuben Reynolds and Maggie Elizabeth Jones. With the removal of the family to the west he became a pupil in the public schools and was graduated from the Baker school in 1898. He then continued his education in the Washington State College and won the Bachelor of Science degree in 1907. He afterward entered McGill University as a medical student and was graduated from the Montreal institution with the degree of M. D., C. M. He has since practiced his profession in Walla Walla and in 1914 he was appointed surgeon in the state penitentiary. In general practice he has made for himself a creditable position. He is thoroughly conversant with the latest discoveries and scientific researches that have to bear upon medical and surgical practice, is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and seldom if ever at fault in matters of judgment regarding the outcome of disease. Moreover, he holds to the highest professional standards and his course has been an expression of the most advanced ethics of the profession.

On the 25th of December, 1916, in Pullman, Washington, Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Elliott Hays, a daughter of the Rev. W. G. M. Hays, D. D. Dr. Hays was the founder of the United Presbyterian church and the academy at Waitsburg, Washington, in 1886 and was the organizer of the United Presbyterian church at Olympia in 1895. He also founded the United Presbyterian church at Pullman, Washington, in 1898 and remained as pastor there for eighteen years. He has thus had much to do with the moral progress and development of this section and in his labors has not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his efforts. Mrs. Jones was graduated from the Washington State College in 1906, from the State Normal School at Cheney, Washington, in 1912, and from 1906 until 1916 taught in the graded and high schools of this state.

Dr. and Mrs. Jones hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Walla Walla and he belongs to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and to the Masonic fraternity, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He is a man of genuine personal worth, esteemed by all who know him and most of all where he is best known. While he holds to high professional standards and gives the greater part of his attention to his profession, he also recognizes and meets the duties and obligations of citizenship and in many ways has cooperated in bringing about public welfare and improvement.

JOHN P. KENT.

While for many years Mr. Kent was one of the best known and most prominent business men of Walla Walla, he always found time to cooperate in public interests and the waterworks and the park systems of the city were largely due to his initiative and to his untiring effort. His determined purpose and indefatigable energy enabled him to accomplish whatever he undertook and his worth in matters of citizenship as well as in business circles was widely acknowledged.

Mr. Kent was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 29, 1858, and when about fifteen years of age removed to the Sunset state, arriving in Walla Walla, where for forty-four years he occupied a prominent position in connection with the commercial activity of the community. In 1880 he became engaged in the meat business and later was associated with William Kirkman, Chris Ennis and A. Beard in organizing the Walla Walla Meat Company. He retained the active management of the business until November, 1898, when he retired from that field in order to turn his attention to insurance. From that time forward until his demise he maintained an insurance office in the Dooly building and gained a very prominent position in insurance circles. Mr. Kent was one of the organizers of the firm of Gardner & Company and served as its second vice president until his death. He did with thoroughness everything that he undertook and therefore he mastered every phase of the insurance business.

On the 12th of November, 1890, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to Miss Delia A. Lyons, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Lyons, and to them were born four children: Ruth, the wife of Harry Paxton, Jr.; John Paul, Mildred Agnes and Omer James, all of whom are living in Walla Walla.

Besides his activity in business circles Mr. Kent took a prominent part in politics and in lodge, social and church affairs. He was a member of the city council for two terms, beginning in 1896, and he was a most aggressive advocate of the rights of the people. It was through his instrumentality that Walla Walla secured its waterworks. He was also particularly interested in public park development and did much toward securing Walla Walla's present chain of city parks. He served as a member of the first park board and lost no opportunity to further the interests which he espoused, making the park system one which is most attractive and creditable. He was one of the most trusted leaders of the democratic party in the state of Washington and served as a delegate to nearly every state and county convention of his party.

In religious faith Mr. Kent was an earnest and loyal Catholic and was twice representative of the state of Washington in the supreme council of the Catholic Knights of America. He was also an earnest and effective worker in behalf of the United Relief Society and was filling the office of vice president at the time of his demise. For many years he was a director of the Walla Walla County Fair Association and in that connection did much to further public progress. He was also a trustee of the local lodge of Elks and was a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus in Walla Walla. Death called him on the 8th of May, 1917, when he passed away at his home on Poplar street. He had been in failing health for about a year but was confined to his home for only the last week. One who knew him well paid to him the following justly merited tribute:

"In the death of John P. Kent, Walla Walla has lost one of her best citizens. He was always active in every progressive enterprise and a factor in everything that had for its object the benefit of his home city. He was eloquent of speech, which, combined with his recognized probity and force of character, gave him great influence in the council of his fellows. He was no trimmer but expressed his opinions on all questions openly and frankly and even those who disagreed with him acknowledged and admitted his sincerity of purpose. He was one of the kindest of husbands, the most loving of fathers and a true and loyal friend."

GEORGE F. MOTTET.