Estes Sites:

This page is an extract from "The Estes Family" by Stewart Estes, (c) 2009

THE

ELEVENTH GENERATION

THE FIVE CHILDREN OF

THOMAS ESTES

& EMILIA CATE

The children of Thomas¹⁰ Estes and Emilia “Millie” Cate are:

1. Burris Estes III, born 1821, in Tennessee, married Susan Van Zandt;

2. James¹¹ Estes, born 1823, in Tennessee, married Rebecca Nolan;

3. Sarah Cate Estes, born 1825 in Tennessee, married Hugh Faulkenbury;

1. Mary Margaret Estes, born 1827 in Tennessee married Hardy M. Long;

2. Susan Abigail Estes, born 1829 in Tennessee, married Robert Tarter.

BURRIS¹¹ ESTES

(1821 NC – 1865 Ark.)

Burris Estes was born in 1821 in Orange County, North Carolina (1860 US Census Richwoods Township [Agnos], Lawrence County, Arkansas), and died in 1865 in Lawrence County, Arkansas. He married on 7 October 1852 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, Susan Van Zandt, born 1830-31 in Tennessee.

Tarter’s sketch states: “Grandfather's first two children, Burris and James, went with their father's family to Arkansas and lived there the remainder of their lives. I suppose they raised families but am not certain of this. These two were living when my parents started to Oregon. They both died before they became old men, and I have wondered if either or both were living when Grandfather started west.” (They were both alive, James died in 1863 and Burris in 1865, both in their forties. HJE.)

The children of Burris Estes and Susan Van Zandt are:

1. William J. Estes, born 1852-53 in Arkansas;

2. Nancy E. Estes, [same name as Burris’ much younger sister] born 1854-55, Arkansas, married on 21 November 1875 in Lawrence County, Arkansas Joseph S. Goff (1880 US Census, Strawberry, Lawrence, Arkansas; 1900 US Census), born April 1850 in Tennessee, and died in 1886. They had children William P. Goff, born December 1878, Arkansas; died before 1905, and Jesse C. Goff, born 31 January 1885, Arkansas, died November 1963, Michigan; and,

3. Sarah Elva Estes, born 11 February 1858, Arkansas, died 16 October 1920, married on 21 June 1883, in Lawrence County, Arkansas, William McLeod (1900 and 1910 US Census Flat Creek, Lawrence County, Arkansas), 21 June 1883 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, born 2 October 1850 in North Carolina, and died 13 February 1923. They had children: Cora Emma McLeod, born 15 July 1884, Arkansas, died 15 March 1972, Lowell, Benton County, Arkansas; James A. McLeod, born 7 October 1886, Arkansas, died 28 August 1958; John Cleveland McLeod, born 26 October 1888, Arkansas, died 26 July 1967, Little Flock, Benton County, Arkansas; Sarah Edna McLeod, born July 1893, Arkansas; Charles F. McLeod, born December 16, 1895, Arkansas, died 14 November 1964, married Ellen Dent; born Arkansas.¹

JAMES¹¹ ESTES

(1823 NC - 1863 Ark.)

Our ancestor James Estes was born on 31 August 1823 in Orange County, North Carolina and died possibly in 1863 in Arkansas or Missouri. He married on 25 May 1842 in Fulton County, Arkansas, Rebecca Nolan, born 15 July 1824 in Strawberry, Arkansas and died on 15 Oct 1895 in Fulton County, Arkansas.

James and Rebecca lived in the Pleasant Ridge Township, located in the southeast corner of Fulton County, in northeastern Arkansas.

Larry Duke writes: "Thomas Estes' children, by his first wife, were all born in Tennessee, on the Henry County land grant property that had been given to him by his father. However, (neither) Thomas, Hannah, Martha, Burris, nor John [his siblings] stayed in Tennessee much longer. In 1839, all these families sold their land and went to homestead in the new State of Arkansas (admitted 1836). They all settled within 30 miles of one another, primarily in Fulton and Lawrence counties."²

Mr. Duke states that Thomas’ son, James Estes, “born 1823 in Tennessee was the true progenitor of the Agnos branch of the Estes family for Thomas moved west to Washington Territory in 1861. James was a hardy man. He made the trip from Agnos to California in 1850 on mule back as part of the gold rush.

James married a prominent and wealthy man's daughter from a family of 28 siblings, who was said to have been of Indian descent. James settled in Agnos in 1853, building “a large two story hewed log house." The family had many prominent visitors in the late 1850s.

Tarter has written: “Grandfather [Thomas Estes] and family moved from Tennessee to Fulton County, Arkansas some time during the year of 1839. At about the same time the John Estes, Morris, and Hastings families moved to the same place. My Estes grandparents [Susan Abigail Estes and Robert Tarter], with their children and a number of relatives near them lived in Arkansas approximately twenty years.”

James and Rebecca moved to Arkansas shortly after the birth of Martha Elizabeth in February 1839. Tarter has written: "Grandfather's first two children, Burris and James, went with their father's family to Arkansas [in 1839] and lived there the remainder of their lives. I suppose they raised families but am not certain of this. These two were living when my parents started to Oregon. They both died before they became old men, and I have wondered if either or both were living when Grandfather started west. (They were both alive in 1860 -- James died in 1863 and Burris in 1865, both in their forties. HJE.)”

In the spring of 1849, James, his brother Burris, their cousin Archibald Burris Estes, and brothers- in-law Robert Tarter, Hugh Faulkenbury and Hardy Long set out for the gold fields of California to make their fortunes. They returned by the middle of 1851. The 1850 US Census for Richwoods Township [Agnos] Township of Lawrence County, Arkansas, taken in October does not show James Estes, but dies show Rebecca and their four children. Also living in the household was Mary Nolan, assumedly Rebecca's adoptive mother. Efforts to locate any of these men in the 1850 US Census for California have been unsuccessful. There are numerous Missouri-born Estes men, especially in El Dorado County, but not our kin.

Jim Estes writes: “It appears that none of them struck it rich. Archibald came up with a $1,000 to purchase some land from his father and James could purchase passage back to the east by ship.” In 1851, James sailed from San Francisco for Panama, and from there traveled across Panama by donkey. For many years the family story had him riding this donkey from California, but just across Panama was enough. From the east coast of Panama, he took a ship again to the mouth of the Mississippi River at New Orleans. From there it was easy to catch one of the hundreds of paddle-wheel steamboats then plying the Mighty Mississippi and Arkansas River to within 100 miles of his home. For the rest of his life, he told stories of the wild times in California and of the ‘river roughs’ he had seen on his trip up the Mississippi. The town of Natches made an impression on him, because he often called it, "one of the meanest places in the world at the time." ³ See discussion of the Gold Rush, at 369.

Mr. Duke writes: “We can assume that his oldest sons took care of the farm while he was away. Of course, he had many family members in the area too, and the family should not have suffered much.”

Duke writes “He was a legalist; he liked to be connected with the law in its various ramifications. He was a popular and well liked man and was elected to serve as Fulton County's Representative in the lower house of the State Legislature from 1856-1858. * * * James was a Southern Democrat, but was a Unionist not a Confederate."

“Being related to half the people in three counties, politics was a natural avenue for James to take and in 1856, he was elected to the General Assembly or lower house of the Arkansas Legislature. He served only two years. As the Assembly did not then meet year round, he probably did not move any family members to the State Capitol. It must have been thrilling to serve in the State Legislature at this time, for it was during these years that the North - South conflict began to heat up and the Nation marched toward division. Though the Estes family were all Southern Democrats, they were not slave owners. On the other hand, they do not appear to have been abolitionist either.”⁴

The Agnos church of Christ is the oldest church in Fulton County. In 1858, a Campbellite revival was held at the Kinchen-Tucker home. The Tuckers brought the Baptist Estes family into this faith, now known as the Church of Christ. The first church was built in the mid-1880's; the current church in 1948. The first burial was of James J. Tucker in 1873 in what was then a family plot.⁵

In the Spring of 1860, his father and most of his younger siblings loaded their wagons and traveled the Oregon Trail to Walla Walla, Washington Territory. James stayed behind, and was killed soon thereafter. The stories of his murder will be discussed below. James’ sister Anne “Hannah” (Estes) Cope also remained behind, as did their brother Burris.

The 1860 US Census, for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows: James Estes (38, Ark); Rebecca (38, Ala.); Calvin (17, Ark.); William (15, Ark.); Thomas N. (13, Ark.); John (11, Ark.); James (8, Ark.); Hugh (6, Ark.), David (3); Rebecca (8 mos., Ark.); and, Elizabeth Tucker (16, Tenn., “domestic girl”).

The first sign of the war was seen on 27 May 1861 when a meeting was called to form a Vigilance Committee and a company of home guards to "protect the people and to arrest all suspicious characters" (such as abolitionists). The first Union troops passed through in April 1862, and the only battle of consequence occurred in March 1863 near Mammoth Springs. These events may have led to the decision of James’ father and siblings to move to the newly opened Washington Territory. James decision to stay would cost him his life.

THE MURDER OF JAMES ESTES

At the outbreak of the war, James’ two oldest sons, Calvin and William enlisted in the Union Cavalry in Houston, Missouri in December of 1862. But James was almost 40 years old and had a family and did not enlist. This decision cost him his life.

Many oral history versions of James’ death exist. One point of agreement is that James was murdered by Rebel soldiers in 1863 for refusing to enlist in the Confederate Army. His body was never located and his exact date of death is therefore unknown, but has been claimed to be Sunday, 8 March 1863, at Alton, Missouri, age of 41. He was survived by Rebecca, 39, and their eight children, ages three through nineteen.

One story, passed down through the generations states that "James' sister, Susan, told family members James angered local Confederate sympathizers by declaring himself a Union man. He was forced to flee from some Confederates who were out to hang him. He was shot and killed someplace in Missouri in 1863."⁶

As stated by researcher Larry Duke, “In April of 1861 when the American Civil War broke out, James was about 38 years old, being born in 1823. For that time, 38 was considered an older person. His two oldest sons, Calvin and William had enlisted in the Union Cavalry in Houston, MO in December of 1862, but James was 20 years older and had a family.”

“As the War worn on, the age of recruitment was pushed higher and higher and both sides became desperate for men. The Union and Confederate forces began to pressure him to join up. (Northeastern Arkansas was under the control of both sides from time to time.) One day a Rebel force passed by the farm and said he could join up or they would be back the next day to take him. James declared that, ‘as I would not be a slave, I will not fight to make a man a slave.’ The Rebel commander responded, ‘that he would or else.’”

Jim Estes, in his sketch of James and Rebecca, collects other versions of the oral history of his death: Some family stories relate that James headed to Missouri after threats from Rebels to join with them or to be forcibly taken.

Another version is that James hid out when a particularly rough bunch of soldiers came by and stole all the horses. They threatened to kill Rebecca and the children, "unless her man came out of hiding and joined up." When the Rebels had left, James took his horse and headed for Missouri, to join the Union forces. He simply may have headed to Missouri to help his son Calvin, who had been shot in the shoulder and was in the hospital at Houston, Missouri. Some time later, Confederate forces returned and reported that James had died in a fall from a horse while fighting. Family members have always said that indeed, James Estes was killed in a fall from his horse, "from a shot in the back by pursuing Rebels."

Yet another version is that James fled to Missouri and was followed days later by Rebecca with the young children. They traveled in an ox cart, the only transportation left to her. James arrived days ahead of her. While in Missouri, he became ill and died. When Rebecca finally reached Rolla, his last known location, she found her husband dead. She had no livestock to work the farm, her oldest sons were gone, and the War was raging. Rebecca faced a dim future.

She decided to go on to her father's home in Iowa. She fled north to Iowa, along with a group of women also fleeing the conflict. Her ox cart and her own feet would serve as transportation. Son James Madison, Anna B.'s father was only 11 years old when undergoing this experience. When the war was over, the family returned to their farm at Agnos. James was supposedly buried somewhere near Rolla.

The children of James¹¹ Estes and Rebecca Nolan are:

1. Calvin Estes, born 25 March 1843 in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas, died 4 February 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, married on 1 May 1861 in Ash Flat, Millicent Rebecca Wiles, born 31 January 1843 in Mooresville, Marshall County, Tennessee, died 28 October 1929 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas;

2. William Marlden Estes, born 19 October 1844 in Ash Flat, Lawrence County, Arkansas, died 16 September 1928 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma, married 14 December 1865, in Potosi, Washington County, Missouri, Mary Usella Due;

3. Thomas Newton Estes, born 17 December 1846 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 1 November 1918 in Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon married in about 1870 in Arkansas, Julia A. Tucker, born in 1853 in Kentucky;

4. John Franklin Estes, born 7 October (or 19 February) 1849 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 1 March 1883 in Agnos, Fulton County, Arkansas, married about 1869 Sarah Elizabeth Tucker;

5. James¹² Madison Estes, born 19 February 1852 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, died 4 March 1936 in Fulton County, Arkansas, married Mary Adeline McCord, born 8 October 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, died 23 April 1948 in Fulton County, Arkansas;

6. Hugh Pryor Estes, Sr., born 31 May 1854 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 16 May 1932 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, married 9 December 1881 Emma Sutherland;

7. David Orr Estes, born 9 December 1856 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died April 1934 in Fulton County, Arkansas, married about 1877 Polly Tucker; and,

8. Rebecca Frances Estes, born 1 October 1859 in Fulton County, Arkansas, died 27 August 1912 in Fulton County, Arkansas married (1) Matt Rogers, married (2) James Heath.

REBECCA NOLAN
(1824 Ark. – 1895 Ark.)

Rebecca (Mouler?) Nolan, born 15 July 1824 in Strawberry, Arkansas and died on 15 October 1895 in Fulton County, Arkansas, and is buried in the Agnos Church of Christ in Agnos, Arkansas. She married on 25 May 1842 in Fulton County, Arkansas, James Estes born on 31 August 1823 in North Carolina and died in 1863 in Arkansas or Missouri.⁷ Rebecca is said to be a Creek Indian left on the banks of the Black Warrior River at age 12, or a member of a prominent Creek or Osage family. None of these stories have been verified. An example of the oral tradition is as follows:

“A maternal great-grandmother, Rebecca Nolan was a full-blooded Creek Indian. As a young child, she was among the Creek Indians removed from Alabama around 1840 and marched in shackles and chains to Oklahoma on the infamous Trail of Tears. [Between 1834 and 1838 most of the Creeks, Cherokees and Chickasaws suffered removal, as did many of the Seminoles.] While passing through Arkansas her parents, unable to care for her, gave her to a sympathetic family named Nolan. The Nolan's adopted several Creek children from the refugees and raised them as their own. The number of Nolan children listed on a census was 28.” ⁸

Researcher Jim Estes recites the less likely alternative of Rebecca’s roots:

A second story is that Rebecca was a member of a prominent Osage Indian family of the Fulton County area and that she was at least one quarter Osage. Osage Indians lived in the Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma areas. Since Rebecca was born in Alabama, the original home of the Creeks, it is more likely that she was Creek. The Nolan family may have been Osage and adopted Rebecca, a Creek. Rebecca's adoptive mother, Mary, was born about 1792, in North Carolina and would be neither Creek nor Osage.⁹

We have been unable to confirm the assertion that a Nolan family had 28 children. Indeed the only evidence that supports that Rebecca’s maiden name was Nolan lies in the October 1850 US Census for Richwoods Township [Agnos], Lawrence County, Arkansas. This shows Mary “Noland” (58 years old, born c.1792, in NC) residing in the Estes home with Rebecca (26, Ark.). This is probably Rebecca’s widowed mother. James and other Estes men were in California looking for gold. Others present in the home were Calvin (7, Ark.); William (5, Ark.); Thomas N. (3, Ark.); and, John A. (1, Ark.). In 1860, there are six Nolan families living in Arkansas (Census).

As discussed above, James and Rebecca remained in Arkansas when his father and most of his siblings left on the Oregon Trail. James was pursued and murdered by Confederates for refusing to enlist. Rebecca and the children may have fled to Missouri and then Iowa, returning after the end of the Civil War. They were certainly back in Arkansas by 1870.

The 1860 US Census for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows: James Estes (38, Ark); Rebecca (38, Ala.); Calvin (17, Ark.); William (15, Ark.); Thomas N. (13, Ark.); John (11, Ark.); James (8, Ark.); Hugh (6, Ark.), David (3); Rebecca (8 mos., Ark.); and, Elizabeth Tucker (16, Tenn., “domestic girl”). Elizabeth is a younger sister of Thomas Tucker, father of Sarah Tucker and Polly Tucker, who married James’ brothers John Franklin Estes and David Orr Estes, respectively.

The 1870 US Census, for Pleasant Ridge Township, Fulton County, Arkansas shows: Rebecca (46), living with James (18), Hugh (16), David (12), and Rebecca (10). Husband James is dead. All four children are attending school. They reside next to Calvin and Milly (Wiles) Estes and the first three of their nine children, and several Tucker families. The value of her real estate is $1,200, and personal property $500.

Rebecca Nolan Headstone, Agnos Church of Christ,

Agnos, Arkansas. taken June 2006 and c.2000.

Kyrie Eisenhauer & Alyssa Estes

4^th Great-Granddaughters of Rebecca

(Photographs by Author, 2006)

California Gold Rush:

1848-1855

The California Gold Rush began on 24 January 1848, when James Wilson Marshall, a foreman working for Sacramento pioneer John Sutter, found pieces of shiny metal in the tailrace of a lumber mill he was building for Sutter in Coloma, California along the American River. Interestingly, this oft-told story is disputed by an Estes in-law, Steven Staats, who claims his friend Charles Bennett first spotted gold in the American River. Staats is the uncle of C.E. Staats, who married Susan Abigal¹¹ Estes’ daughter Sarah Emily Tarter. His version is told at page 401.

We know that many Estes ancestors and relations left northern Arkansas to seek these riches. Very little information is available about their ventures or even how long they stayed. One measure is to examine the birth dates of their children born after their return. We do know that the men who went were:

• Burris Estes (28), son of Thomas¹⁰ Estes, born in 1821. His last child was born in 1841;

• James¹¹ Estes (26), Thomas' son, born 1823, went “on muleback” (Duke, Note 102). He married Rebecca in 1842. Their fourth child, John Franklin Estes, was born in 1849 and the next child, James Madison¹² Estes, was born 19 February 1852 in Sharp County, Arkansas, placing him back home by at least May 1851;

• Hardy Long; (28), who married Thomas' daughter Mary in 1844. They had Simon Franklin in February 1850 and then Thomas, born January 1853, both in Arkansas. This places him back in Arkansas by at least April 1852;

• Hugh Faulkenbury, who married Thomas' daughter Sarah Cate Estes in 1841, had Thomas in about 1848 and John F. in about 1852;

• Robert Tarter (35) who married Thomas' daughter Susan¹¹ Abigail Estes in 1846, and their first child Virginia Ann was born 8 March 1852, placing him back home by at least June 1851; and,

• Archibald Burris Estes (21), son of Thomas’ brother Burris Jr.

• Thomas Newton Estes (29), son of Burris¹⁰ Jr. His first child William Karr was born 5 September 1853, placing him back home by at least December 1852. A biography says the trip took six months, and they had many hardships.

Our Estes kin, like so many others, did not depart for California until the Spring of 1849. This is likely because word of the discovery spread slowly at first. Sutter wanted to keep the news quiet. However, rumors soon started to spread and were confirmed in March 1848 by San Francisco newspaper publisher and merchant Samuel Brannan who strode through the streets of San Francisco, holding aloft a vial of gold, shouting "Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!" In August 1848, the New York Herald was the first major newspaper on the East Coast to report a gold rush; and in December, President James Polk confirmed the discovery in an address to Congress.

The earliest gold-seekers to arrive in California during 1848 were several thousand Oregonians who came down the Siskiyou Trail. By the end of 1848, some 6,000 “Argonauts” had come to California. But, only a small number (fewer than 500) traveled overland from the United States that year.

By the beginning of 1849, word of the Gold Rush had spread around the world, and an overwhelming number of gold-seekers and merchants began to arrive from virtually every continent. It is estimated that almost 90,000 people arrived in California in 1849 - about half by land and half by sea. Of these, perhaps 50,000 to 60,000 were Americans, and the rest were from other countries. San Francisco exploded from perhaps 1,000 in 1848 to 25,000 full-time residents by 1850. By 1855, it is estimated at least 300,000 people had arrived in California from around the world.

Our ancestors arrived probably at the tail end of the “easy pickins.” By 1850, most of the easily accessible gold had been collected, and attention turned to extracting gold from more difficult locations. Faced with gold increasingly difficult to retrieve, Americans began to drive out foreigners to get at the most accessible gold that remained. The new California State Legislature passed a foreign miners tax of twenty dollars per month, and American prospectors began organized attacks on foreign miners, particularly Latin Americans and Chinese.

Because the gold in the California gravel beds was so richly concentrated, the early forty-niners simply panned in California's rivers and streams, a form of placer mining. However, panning cannot be done on a large scale, and industrious miners and groups of miners graduated to placer mining "cradles" and "rockers" or "long-toms" to process larger volumes of gravel. In the most complex placer mining, groups of prospectors would divert the water from an entire river into a sluice alongside the river, and then dig for gold in the newly-exposed river bottom. On average, many early gold-seekers did perhaps make a modest profit, after all expenses were taken into account. Most, however, especially those arriving later made little or wound up losing money.

When the Gold Rush began, California was a peculiarly lawless place. On the day when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, California still belonged to Mexico, under American military occupation as the result of the Mexican-American War. With the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the war on February 2, 1848, California became a possession of the United States, but it was not a territory and did not become a state until September 9, 1850. California existed in the unusual condition of a region under military control. There was no civil legislature, executive or judicial body for the entire region. Local residents operated under a confusing and changing mixture of Mexican rules, American principles, and personal dictates.

While the treaty obliged the United States to honor Mexican land grants, almost all of the goldfields were outside those grants. Instead, the goldfields were primarily on public land, owned by the US. However, there were no legal rules yet in place, and no enforcement mechanisms. Thus, the gold was simply "free for the taking" at first.

The ’49-ers created their own codes and rules. The miners essentially adopted Mexican mining law. For example, the rules favored early arrivers over later arrivers. A claim could be "staked" by a prospector, but was valid only as long as it was being actively worked. Miners worked at a claim only long enough to determine its potential. If a claim was deemed as low-value—as most were—miners would abandon the site in search for legendary bonanza sites. In the case where a claim was abandoned or not worked upon, other miners would "claim-jump" the land. "Claim-jumping" means that a miner began work on a previously claimed site. Disputes were sometimes handled personally and violently, and were sometimes addressed by groups of prospectors acting as arbitrators. The rules of mining claims adopted by the forty-niners spread throughout the western United States, with Congress finally legalized the practice in Chaffee laws of 1866 and ultimately the General Mining Act of 1872.

There were three major routes to the California mines: Overland, by Panama, or around the Horn. The bulk of migrants to California arrived overland as it was the most affordable route. Many farmers already owned a wagon, a team, a gun, and could easily obtain the flour and salt-pork they would need to sustain them by slaughtering their hogs and grinding their wheat crop. The production of guidebooks to California quickly became a cottage industry, with wildly varying accuracy. One guidebook with a map sold for 25 cents, or 12½ without the map. Historian Hubert Howe Bancroft, who made the overland trip himself, sardonically noted that the 12½ copy was the better deal.

The standard departure point was the Missouri River, in towns such as Independence and St. Joseph, Missouri, where would-be miners gathered and waited for the winter to end so that they might depart. They organized into parties, often consisting of relations and neighbors, and elected leaders. Timing the departure was a delicate matter: Leave too soon and there would not be enough spring grass for the oxen. Depart too late, and one ran the risk of being trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during the winter snows, a fate that befell the infamous Donner Party three years previously. Yet what concerned most men was not the prospect of starving to death in the Sierra, but rather the worse prospect that all the gold might be gone by the time they arrived. Thus most parties jumped off as early as possible.

The journey was a difficult one. The treacherous Platte and Green rivers had to be crossed, often with mishaps and drowning. Two forty-mile spans of deserts had to be negotiated; both of which became littered with the cast off supplies from desperate wagons trying to lighten their load. The Argonauts were invariably heavily armed to ward off Indian attacks. None came, although the desert Paiutes caused considerable troubles by thievery: for these impoverished tribes the material rich wagon trains were a godsend.

Disease was the greatest hazard on the trail, and the hoards of miners spawned a cholera epidemic that claimed thousands of lives. Others died of exposure, scurvy, firearm accidents, snakebite, homicide, and dehydration or from one of the innumerable other hazards of the trail. Those who finally reached the Sierra had to ford fast, frigid alpine streams. Many arrived in California having abandoned their wagons and most of their supplies. The primary route into California was the California Humboldt trail, with immigrants entering through Donner Pass in the Sierra. Other miners took routes through Texas, Mexico, and Arizona. The misfortune of one of these parties, the Jayhawkers, resulted in giving the name “Death Valley” to the area where four of its members succumbed to thirst. Despite the dangers, the overland route brought the most people to California, on account of its affordability.

Of the two major sea routes, the Cape Horn route was the most heavily traveled, as it was considerably cheaper than the route through Panama. It was also much slower, on average taking between four and eight months to cover the 18,000 nautical miles around the tip of South America. The Panama Route was the quickest route to California, and the most expensive, with the average fare running at about $300.

In 1849, two government-subsidized steamship companies, the United States Mail Steamship Company and the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, initiated mail service to the Pacific coast. The trip across the Isthmus was dramatically improved by the completion of the Panama Railroad in 1855, the first to link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts (separated by 47 miles), for a fare of $25. Steamships, including those owned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, began regular service from San Francisco to Panama, where passengers, goods and mail would take the train across the Isthmus and board steamships headed to the East Coast. The Panama route was plagued by disease spread by mosquitoes and by the poor sanitary conditions of the temporary camps that sprang up.

There were three basic regions of gold mining in California. The most prosperous were the Northern Diggings, situated along the forks of the Sacramento River: the Feather, Yuba, American and Consumes, covering modern-day Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado and Amador counties. In the Sierra foothills, between 1000 and 3000 feet in elevation, miners found auriferous soil that had been washed down from veins in the Sierra Nevada over the span of hundreds of thousands of years. Major mining towns in the Northern Diggings included Poker Flat, Downieville, Rough and Ready, Dutch Flat, Coloma, and Placerville, each with its own colorful if occasionally brutal history.

Rough and Ready officially seceded from the Union on July 4th 1851, declaring itself a Republic that barely outlasted July 5th hangovers. Placerville was initially known as “Old Dry Diggings,” because their was no ready water supply for washing gold, and dirt had to be either lugged to water or hoarded until the rains created temporary streams.

The lynching of three men accused of murder gave Placerville the moniker of “Hangtown,” until in 1855, officials hoping to attract new population and investment capital, changed the name to “Placerville.”

Sacramento developed as the main logistic base for the northern diggings. Marysville, on the Yuba River, became a secondary city, supplying the northernmost regions of the Northern Diggings.

The widely accepted boundary between the Northern and Southern Diggings was the Mokelumne River. The Southern Diggings were those along the forks of the San Joaquin River, namely the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, Mariposa, and Fresno rivers. The Southern Diggings covered portions of modern day Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa and Fresno counties. Mining communities in the Southern Diggings included Whisky Flat, Angels Camp, Roaring Camp, and Sonora. The Mariposa mines, discovered on the land grant belonging to John C. Fremont, became one of the few early quartz mines, and it provided great wealth to its owner before it finally gave out. Together, the Northern and Southern Diggings constituted the "Mother Lode," so named because of the belief that all the placer gold was really just the tailing of an enormous central vein containing unheard of wealth. The Mother Lode was never discovered.

SARAH¹¹ “SALLIE” CATE ESTES

(1825 Tenn. - 1905 Ore.)

Sarah Cate Estes, eldest daughter of Thomas Estes and Emilia Cate, was born 7 April 1825 in Henry County, Tennessee, and died in 1905 in Airlie, Polk County, Oregon. She married on 27 May 1841 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, Hugh Faulkinbury born about 1819 in Tennessee, and died 1853 “on the plains,” and married secondly on 6 June 1854 in Polk County, Oregon, William L. Sebring, born 1809 in Muskingum County, Ohio, and died in Oregon after 1875 (10 October 1889 in California?).

Sarah’s middle name is the source of some debate. Nicholas Tarter, Sarah's nephew, stated "I have heard my mother say that her oldest sister's name was Sarah Kirkland, and I understood that she was named for her mother.” However, her tombstone reads “Sarah C. Sebring,” leading to the assumption that her middle name was “Cate,” after her mother Millie Cate.

Tarter’s Sketch provides that "Sarah (Sallie) Estes, Grandfather's oldest daughter, married Hugh Faulkinbury (or Falkinbury, or Faulkenbury) in 1841, or when she was sixteen years of age.” Hugh’s ancestry is not known, although the family appears to have been prominent in northeast Arkansas. “W. Falkenberry” is listed as the Fulton County, Arkansas Treasurer from 1844-60, and 1862-64.¹⁰

In 1853, the family, including five children under 11, went by wagon train to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. “The whole family arrived in Oregon with my parents [Robert Tarter and Susan Estes] in 1853, except Mr. Falkinbury, who died on the plains. [Hugh became sick and died in Nebraska or Wyoming, on the Oregon Trail.] He is buried by the emigrant road in that state. Sarah and the five children continued on to Polk County. The children were raised on the donation claim there. Sometime after coming to Oregon, Aunt Sallie married William Sebring, a widower with five children, three of whom were almost grown. He had previously buried two wives. He owned a large farm adjoining the one my father bought, near the present site of Airlie, in 1860, Polk County, Oregon.” Sarah’s cousin, Susan Ann Estes (daughter of Thomas’ brother John H. Estes), married in 1865 John Wesley Sebring, son of “William Sebring” perhaps her second husband, see page 347.

“They lived on this farm till buying a farm seven miles from Roseburg. While here Aunt Sallie concluded to leave Mr. Sebring, saying that she could not bear his abusive and tyrannical treatment any longer. So she came back to Polk County, Oregon, in 1872 or 1873. Later Mr. Sebring offered to allow her to keep the young children and giver her $800 as a settlement. This she accepted, but they were never divorced. Mr. Sebring remained in Roseburg with his oldest son, Francis, till his death.

“After the separation, Aunt Sallie lived in several places in Polk County, always having some of her children about her. She was living in Airlie, occupying her own home when she died, in the year 1906 [1905 per headstone], at the age of eighty-one. She was buried in the English cemetery near Airlie. Two of her sons, David, and Thomas, died when they were young men, with tuberculosis, but, Martha; Susan; and, John, lived to be more than eighty years of age.”

English Cemetery Monmouth, Polk County Oregon

www.findagrave.com

Youngest child John was born 19 June 1852 in Saline, Arkansas. A local history book states: “John F. left on the wagon train to the Willamette Valley, Oregon when he was one year old. Although father Hugh died on the plains, the family continued on. When he was older, he worked on the family farm with his step-father until age 25. In 1892 he moved to Grant County, Oregon, living 9½ miles north of the Longcreek Post Office. He and half-brother George W. Sebring purchased the W.H. Ward farm and added to it, making 480 acres by 1902, growing hay and cereals.”¹¹

The 1900 Census Luckiamute Precinct, Polk County, Oregon, shows Sarah Sebring, living as a border with her daughter Martha Simpson.

Tarter wrote: “By [Hugh Faulkinbury] she had five children, all born in Arkansas. These were:

1. Martha, born early in 1842, then came;

2. Susan,

3. David,

4. Thomas and,

5. John”

“On this farm Aunt Sallie had five Sebring children. In rotation they were:

6. Andrew [Sebring, born in Oregon in about 1856, died before 1939],

7. George [Sebring, born in Oregon in about 1859, died before 1939],

8. James [Sebring, born in Oregon in about 1862, died before 1939],

9. Emily [Sebring, born in Oregon in about 1863, died before 1939], and

10. Marcus [Sebring, born in Oregon in about 1867], “is the only one remaining of her children at this date, September 25, 1939."

English Cemetery, Oregon

(Photograph posted on Findagrave.com 2009)

The children¹² of Sarah Cate Estes and Hugh Falkenbury are:

1. Martha Emeline Faulkenbury, born 8 March 1842, Lawrence County, Arkansas, died 26 August 1922, Albany, Linn County, Oregon, married Alfred Henderson Simpson (1841 - 1904), son of Rice W. Simpson born 1 September 1808, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, died 14 March 1883, Polk County, Oregon, and Rebecca Lasater, born 8 October 1812, Tennessee, died 22 March 1865, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, both buried English Cemetery.

The children of Martha Emeline Faulkenbury and Alfred H. Simpson are:

a. Jefferson D. Simpson, born 18 October 1861 Polk County, Oregon, died 13 December 1882, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon;

b. Hugh W. Simpson, born 26 December 1863 Polk County, Oregon, died 14 December 1899 Polk County, Oregon, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon;

c. David H. Simpson, born 26 December 1871, Polk County, Oregon, died 18 April 1936, Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, burial Kings Valley Cemetery, Kings Valley, Benton County, Oregon, Plot: Row 14A;

d. John B. Simpson, born 8 December 1873, Oregon, died 14 July 1876, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon;

e. Lelia Simpson, born 19 July 1877, Polk County, Oregon, married --- Hanna, died 26 June 1906, Polk County, Oregon, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon; child: Lena Hanna, born 23 November 1898, Independence, Polk County, Oregon, died 7 June 1905, Independence, Polk County, Oregon, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon;

f. Fain Albert Simpson, born 6 October 1882, Pedee, Polk County, Oregon, died 8 September 1952, Kings Valley, Benton County, Oregon, married Reatha Bertha Allen, born February 1878, Oregon, died 1958, Kings Valley, Benton County, Oregon, both buried Kings Valley Cemetery;

2. David Faulkenbury, born in Arkansas about 1843, died as a young man of tuberculosis,

3. Susan Catherine Faulkenbury, born 11 September 1846, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, died 29 July 1927, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon, married Thomas Benton Williams, born 6 May 1842, Grainger County, Tennessee, died 22 August 1929, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, both burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon;

The children of Susan Catherine Faulkenbury and Thomas B. Williams are:

a. Robert L. Williams, born 18 July 1863, Polk County, Oregon, died 28 June 1898, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon; and,

b. Hugh Pryor Williams, born May 26, 1866, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, died 21 August 1923, Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, married Martha Ellen Rose, born 15 August 1869, Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, died 6 September 1921, Polk County, Oregon, both burial English Cemetery, Polk County, Oregon. [Martha Ellen Rose is the granddaughter of Thomas Estes’ younger brother Lt. John H. Estes, by his daughter Wincey D. Estes];

4. Thomas Faulkenbury, born in Arkansas about 1848, died as a young man of tuberculosis, and,

5. John F. Faulkenbury, born in Arkansas in about 1852, began the wagon train move to the Willamette Valley, Oregon when he was one year old. Although his father Hugh died on the plains, the family continued on. He worked on the family farm with his step-father William Sebring until age 25. In 1892, he moved to Grant County, Oregon, living 9-½ miles north of the Longcreek Post Office. He and half-brother George W. Sebring purchased the W.H. Ward farm and added to it, making 480 acres by 1902, growing hay and cereals. Illustrated History of Baker, etc. County.”

MARY¹¹ MARGARET ESTES

(1827 Tenn. – 1898 Ore.)

Mary Margaret Estes, Thomas and Millie’s fourth child, was born on 23 March 1827 in Henry County, Tennessee and died on 13 August 1898 in Josephine County, Oregon. She married on 4 July 1844 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, Hardy M. Long,¹³ born 1821-22 in Illinois, and died on 15 March 1865, twelve miles north of Chico, Butte County, California.

According to Tarter: "Mary Estes, Grandfather's fourth child, was born March 23, 1827, and was living with her parents when she married Hardy Long, on July 4, 1844. The Long family came to California in 1852 and lived on a farm about twelve miles north of Chico. Mr. Long died on this farm March 15, 1865, when his oldest son was seventeen years old. It seems that this son, Nimrod, with the consent of his mother, took charge of his father's affairs and acted as father in the family for many years. Disposing of the California property, the family came to Polk County, Oregon, in the summer of 1877, and was domiciled a few months near the Robert Tarter home. All the family then living were then there, except Frank, who had previously come to Oregon and had worked for my Father, Robert Tarter, for more than a year before returning to California.”

“During that summer, Nimrod Long went to Eastern Oregon to look for a suitable location on which the family could settle. He found such a place near Heppner, Oregon, where the family located in the late summer or fall of 1877. After dwelling there a few years, Nimrod married, and he and Aunt Mary divided the property, Nimrod with his family going to Ashland, Oregon. Later Aunt Mary and several of her children lived in southern Oregon. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Susan E. Brown, in Josephine County, Oregon, on August 13, 1898, and is buried near Williams Creek, the cemetery being on the Gotcher place, about seventeen miles from Grants Pass. Aunt Mary's children are (in rotation) as follows: Lucinda, Nimrod, Frank, Thomas, Hardy, Rebecca, Evisa, Marion, and, Susan. Lucinda and Evisa died when they were quite young."

During the Gold Rush in 1849, 28 year-old Hardy Long went to California with several of Thomas Estes' sons and sons-in-law:

• Burris Estes III (28), Thomas' son, born 1821;

• James Estes (26), Thomas' son, born 1823

• Hardy Long; (28), married Thomas' daughter Mary;

• Hugh Faulkenbury, married Thomas' daughter Sarah Cates Estes;

• Robert Tarter (35) who ; and,

• Archibald Burris Estes (21), son of Thomas’ brother Burris Jr.

• Thomas Newton Estes (29), son of Burris¹⁰ Jr. A biography says the trip took six months, and they had many hardships.

For the years 1834-1859, Arkansas land records on Ancestry.com show transactions at the Batesville, Arkansas Land Office for Hardy Long in 1834 (40 acres, 40 acres), 1849 (40), 1855 (40 & 40), 1857 (80), and 1859 (240). The latter two he may have transacted from California.

“H. Long” is shown as the Fulton County, Arkansas Surveyor for 1846-50.¹⁴ It is not known whether this is Hardy.

In 1852, Hardy took Mary and their first three children back to California. Lucinda was 6 years old, Matthew N., 5 years old, Simon F., 2 years old. Six more children were born in California.

The 1860 Census for Chico, Butte County, California, Rock Creek Post Office, shows H.M. (38, Illinois) and A. Long (33,Tennessee) living with their seven children, and 20 year old Thomas [W.] Estes, a laborer from Arkansas, the younger brother of Mary. The Lucinda (14); Nimrod (13); Franklin (11); Thomas (8); Hardy (6); Rebecca (3); and Elvira (2 mos.), all born in Arkansas.

The 1880 US Census for Hepner, Umatilla County, Oregon shows Mary M. Long (52, Tenn.), living with children Thomas (26, Ark.), Hardy P. (24, Ark.); Alfred M. (18, Calif.); and Susan P. Long (15, Calif.).

The children of Mary¹¹ Margaret Estes and Hardy P. Long are:

1. Lucinda Long, born 1845 - 1846 in Arkansas;

2. Matthew Nimrod Long, born October 1847 in Arkansas. The 1880 US Census for Heppner, Umatilla County, Oregon states: Matthew N. Long, age 32, born Arkansas, Stock Raiser, father born in Illinois, mother born in Tennessee; Mary A. Long, wife age 21 (no POB), father born Oregon, mother born Illinois; Francis M Dyle, other relation, single, age 38, born Missouri, herder, father and mother born Missouri; Mary M. Long, mother, age 52, born Tennessee, father and mother born in Tennessee; Thomas Long, son, age 26, born Arkansas, farm laborer, father born in Illinois, mother born in Tennessee. Hardy P. Long, son, age 24, born in Arkansas, farm laborer, father born in Illinois, mother born in Tennessee; Albert M. Long, son, age 18, born in California, farm laborer, father born in Illinois, mother born in Tennessee; Susan E. Long, daughter age 15, born in California, father born in Illinois, mother born in Tennessee;

3. Simon Franklin Long, born February 1850 in Arkansas, died after 1920;

4. Thomas Long, born January 1853 in Arkansas, died after 1900, was a rail road laborer (1860 US Census Chico, Butte County, California; 1900 US Census: Barron Pct. Jackson County, Oregon);

5. Hardy P. Long, Jr. born about 1855 in Arkansas, married Mary A. --- , born in Indiana;

6. Rebecca Long, born 1856-57 in California;

7. Evisa Long, born 1860 in California;

8. Albert Marion Long, born April 1862 in California, died 12 May 1932 in Jackson County, Oregon;

9. Susan Emily Long, born 1864-1865 in Chico, Butte County, California, died on 5 January 1940 in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon, married --- Brown;

SUSAN¹¹ ABIGAIL ESTES

(1829 Tenn. – 1886 Ore.)

Susan Abigail Estes, Thomas and Millie’s last child, was born on 17 April 1829 in Henry County, Tennessee, and died on 19 June 1886 in Oregon. She married on 12 June 1846 in Fulton County, Arkansas Robert Tarter, who was born on 12 June 1814, and died on 8 November 1883 in Oregon.

Tarter writes: "I will now speak of my mother, Susan Abigail Estes, who was born in Henry County, Tennessee, on April 7, 1829. When ten years of age, she moved with her father's family to Fulton County, Arkansas during the year 1839. She lived there with her father until she married my father on June 12, 1846, this date being the thirty-second anniversary of Father's birth. Father left his home in Wythe County, Virginia, before he was of age, and later served an apprenticeship as brick mason. He also, by his own efforts, became a carpenter. He had worked at these trades in several states before he drifted into Arkansas, where he met Mother the first time.”

“After their marriage, Father continued working at his trade, and among other jobs accomplished built the court house in Searcy County, Arkansas.”

“In 1849, Father, with a few other men, started with pack horses to the gold mines of California, traveling the old Santa Fe Trail.¹⁵ In the fields Father was quite prosperous for a time, or until he became ill with scurvy. Continuing to be ill, and growing very weak, he was advised to home lest he lose his life. Consequently, he boarded a sailing vessel at San Francisco bound for the Isthmus of Panama. The vessel ran into a calm in the Tropics and was delayed a long time. For a period of forty days Father did not see land. Crossing the Isthmus, he took passage on a vessel bound for home, coming through the Gulf of Mexico, and up the Mississippi River to the landing place nearest home.” Robert Tarter returned home by at least June 1851, based on the birth of their first child Virginia Ann nine months later.

“He was gone approximately two years, during which time Mother remained at her father's home. Their oldest child, Virginia Ann, was born on March 8, 1852, in Fulton County, Arkansas. The next year, 1853, they came, with a few other families, to Oregon. These were John Estes, the Fulkinburys, Lana (Simpson) Woods, and Green Simpson families; also Archibald, Burris, and John Hastings. I do not know of the others, nor the name of their captain. Those whom I have named came to Polk County.

“After arriving in Polk County, Oregon, my parents lived a short time in Eola, Father working there and at Salem. Next they were domiciled on the hill west of the McTimmonds Valley, also in Polk County, Oregon. While here, Father built the large barn for the McTimmonds, the framework being hand-hewed from fairly large fir trees.

“Father here was on the alert to find some vacant land on which he could permanently locate. About two miles easterly from the present site at Airlie, he found some vacant land and bought what then was called a "squatter's rights" to more land. From these two pieces of land or parts of each, my parents moved up on a half-section known and recorded as "The Robert Tarter and Susan A. Tarter Donation Land Claim." To the best of my knowledge, they located on this claim some time in the year 1854. While they were on this claim a son, Daniel (who was born, as I think, on the hill west of McTimmons Valley) died, and two sons; namely, Nicholas and Robert, were born.

“In May, 1859, my parents sold their D.L.C. to David Stump and started to Klickitat Valley, which had been heralded as a region of fine land and unlimited stock range. Accompanying them were their neighbors, the Parrot family, and a Mr. Golden with his young wife, who was one of the Parrot daughters. This Mr. Golden later founded Goldendale in Klickitat Valley. They arrived in Klickitat some time in August, 1859, and located on claims near one another.

“My parents claim was near what is called "The Swale," which flowed into a lake at that time but which was drained later. The house stood near the lake, which was about half-a-mile long and perhaps a hundred yards wide. Father had taken with him thirteen cows and heifers, expecting them to grow into a large herd as time went by. Here my brother, Henry, was born on March 4, 1860. There was so much snow, and the winter of 1859-1860 so cold that they concluded to leave the valley. They sold their belongings to Ben Snipes and thought of going to the Rogue River Valley, Oregon. They arrived at the Rice W. Simpson place in Polk County, Oregon, in early June 1860, and camped for a spell. While camping here they bought the M. W. Bevens farm of four hundred acres, adjoining the Simpson Farm and less than a mile from the present site of Airlie, Polk County, Oregon.

“They moved to this farm in June 1860. In the year 1864, Father bought an adjoining farm of one hundred eighty-one acres from P. M. Collins, and another adjoining eighty acres from John Hyde at about the same time. This made up the farm of six hundred sixty-one acres on which my parents lived until the time of their death.

“It was here that Beauregard (Bura), Sarah Emily, Laura Mary, and Frances Belle Tarter were born. Here the Tarter children learned to do the chores and tasks necessary at the homes of the early pioneers of Oregon.

“Father raised a few horses, many hogs, and dealt in buying and selling cattle for several years. With some hired help and the assistance of his sons, after they became old enough to work in the field, he yearly produced a large acreage of grain. During this time Mother raised chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks - besides caring for her children and making most of their clothes. For several years Father, with the help of his children, gathered and prepared for drying the apples from his twenty-acre orchard, selling each fall from 3000 to 5000 pounds of dried fruit.

“From the time my parents arrived in Oregon in 1853, till the middle of the summer of 1868, Father built the first five bridges that spanned the Luckiamute River in Polk County, Oregon, between the R. W. Simpson D. L. C. and the mouth of the river. He built the first one at the Simpson place before I can remember, and perhaps before I was born, and built the second one at the Simpson Place in 1868. During this time he also built many barns and chimneys for the early pioneers.

“During the summer of 1868, he also burned a kiln of brick on his farm and erected a new house, which is still standing and in a good state of preservation. He kiln-dried and hand-dressed the lumber. The chimneys and foundation pillars are of the brick he made that summer.

“Father, as I have stated elsewhere, was six feet tall, very muscular, with no surplus flesh, weighed an average of a hundred seventy-five pounds, had brown hair and blue eyes, and was a man of great energy and endurance.

“Mother was five feet four inches tall, had brown hair, blue eyes, and weighed an average of from a hundred thirty-five to hundred forty pounds. She was very industrious, and it is my opinion that she did as much work, according to her strength, as Father did. She, with Father, joined the Baptist church in Arkansas. After arriving in Oregon Mother joined the Southern Methodist church, as it was the only one near our home, but Father did not take membership in any church.

“Father died on November 8, 1883. Mother passed away on June 19, 1886. The remains of both rest in the English Cemetery (south of Mammoth. The English Cemetery was moved from the Camp Adair area in the early 1940s, HJE) near Airlie, Polk County, Oregon."

Thomas’ daughters Susan and Sarah visited him in Walla Walla years later. “My mother, Mrs. Susan Tarter, and her sister, Mrs. Sarah Sebring, visited their father and stepmother in the 1884. [Thomas was 85, Sarah 59, and Susan 55.] In order to provide them with a chicken dinner, Grandfather took his rifle (and) shot off a chicken's head to show them what he could do. He had not seen these daughters for years.”

The 1860 US Census for Luckiamute, Polk County, Oregon shows Robert Tarter (43, Virg.)[1817], Susan (32, Tenn.), living with their children V.A. (8, Ark.); Nicholas (4, Ore.); Robert (2, Ore.); and, Henry (3 mos., Ore.).

They are not found in the 1870 US Census for Oregon.

The 1880 US Census for Luckiamute and Buena Vista, Polk County, Oregon shows R. Tarter (65, Virg.; Virg.; Ky.)[1815], and S. (51, Tenn.; NC; NC)[1829], living with their children R. (22, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.), H. (20, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.), B. (18, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.), Sarah (15, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.); and Laurie (12, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.).

They live near the Hastings family, J.C. (47, Tenn., NC, NC). M.A. (39, Ark., ?, ?), and five children, ages three to 18 all born in Oregon. This is Susan’s cousin, her aunt Anne Hannah Estes’s son John Campbell Hastings, and his wife Melissa America Wood. The Hastings would have ten children between 1858 and 1877 in Oregon.

Nicholas (“N. Tarter,” 24, Ore.; Virg,; Tenn.), is living in the home of his widowed mother-in-law P.A. Johnson (50, NY; Me.; R.I.), with his wife A. [Alcida] (22, Ore.; NY; NY), and others.

ROBERT TARTER

(1814 Virg. -18 83 Ore.)

Robert Tarter was born on 12 June 1814 in Virginia, and died in 1883 in Oregon. He married on 12 June 1846 in Fulton County, Arkansas Susan Abigail Estes born on 17 April 1829 in Henry County, Tennessee and died on 19 June 1886 in Oregon.

Robert Tarter is the son of Nicholas “Darter” II and Sallie Susan Spurlock.¹⁶ His mother was born on 4 November 1780 in Montgomery County, Virginia (the daughter of John Spurlock II, born 12 February 1760 in Montgomery County, Virginia, and Frances Turman, born 15 August 1760, Lunenburg County, Virginia), and died 22 July 1858.

Nicholas Darter II was born on 16 January 1770 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, died 5 January 1842 and is buried in Mt. Mitchell Cemetery, Wytheville, Wythe County Virginia. He is the son of Nicholas Darter I, born on 12 March 1745/6, in Laubach Stadt Oberhessen Hessen (near present day Frankfort, Germany) and Maria Parcell, born in 1748 in North Carolina.

The Mount Mitchell Church (six miles west from Wytheville, Virginia, on Route 21) was built in 1876; the graveyard dates back to 1842, when Nicholas Tarter II, was buried on the hill about one fourth of a mile north of his house. Four years later John Tarter was buried there. These two pioneer brothers had come to Virginia from Pennsylvania before 1795, as Nicholas sold a tract of land to John Leedy, on Stoney Fork, that year. His son, Daniel, became possessed of his lands and homestead, including the family burial place, but sold it almost immediately to Darter. In 1850 he conveyed his interest to Elijah Darter, reserving the one half acre where John and Nicholas are buried.¹⁷

According to the book The Darter/Tarter Family,¹⁸ in 1829, Robert, at the age of 15 left home and went to live with his older brother Henry Tarter in Hawkins County, Tennessee. After several years in Tenn., Robert returned to his father's farm in the Wythe County Virginia and served an apprenticeship as a brick mason. He also apprenticed himself as a carpenter and became a skilled builder.

Early in the 1840's Robert struck out once again, this time to visit the growing Tarter/Darter settlement in Pope County, Arkansas. There in Arkansas, Robert met and married Susan Abigail Estes, the marriage taking place in the home of the bride's father, Thomas Estes, on 12 June 1846. At this time Robert was 32 years old and Susan Abigail was 17. Robert and Susan settled in Arkansas for several years.

News of the gold strike in California reached them in 1849 and Robert Tarter along with several others left their families behind and took the old Santa Fe Trail to California. For a time Robert prospered in California but then he contracted scurvy and took ship for home, sailing to Panama, crossing the isthmus, and taking another ship to New Orleans and thence home to Arkansas. His Brother Dr. Nicholas Tarter III was also there, although they did not meet. When Robert returned to his family in Arkansas he had been away for over two years during which time none in his family had heard from him.

In 1853, Robert and Susan and their children went by ox team from Arkansas to Polk County near the Pacific Coast of Oregon. They were among the very first pioneer families to settle in this region of Oregon, taking a donation land grant.

The children of Robert Tarter and Susan¹¹ Abigail Estes are:

1. Virginia Ann¹² Tarter, born 8 March 1852 Fulton County, Arkansas; died 21 January 1937;

2. Daniel Tarter, born 2 January 1854 Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, died 13 December 1856 Airlie, Polk County, Oregon;

3. Nicholas Tarter, born 7 January 1856 Airlie, Polk County, Oregon died 21 March 1943;

4. Robert Tarter, Jr., born 7 October 1857, married R___e ---, and died 1943, (1920 US Census for Polk County, Oregon; Obituary of brother Nicholas);

5. Henry Tarter, born 4 March 1860 Klickitat County, Washington; died 16 February 1913;

6. Beauregard (Bura) Tarter, born 20 May 1862 Airlie, Polk County, Oregon; died 2 November 1921;

7. Sarah Emily Tarter, born 19 January 1865 in Airlie, Polk County, Oregon died 11 July 1946, married Clarence Edwin “Clare” Staats, born 11 November 1858 in Oregon and died after March 1943;

8. Laura Marie Tarter, born 1 February 1868 in Airlie, Polk County, Oregon, married her cousin, Dallas [Charles W.] Wiseman, son of Nancy Emily Estes and J.T. Wiseman, (see discussion at pages 443 and 448), and died 30 December 1945, in Walla Walla, Washington; and,

9. Frances Belle Tarter, born 14 January 1870 Airlie, Polk County, Oregon; died 19 July 1870.

NICHOLAS¹² TARTER

(1856 Ore. – 1943 Ore.)

Son of Susan¹¹ Abigail Estes

Author of Sketch of

Thomas Estes Family

Nicholas Tarter was born 7 January 1856 in Airlie, Oregon, and died on 21 March 1943. He married in 1878 in Oregon, Alcida Johnson, born in October 1857 in Oregon, daughter of --- Johnson of New York and P.A. ---, born about 1830 in New York. (1900 US Census, Oregon.) His obituary follows.

Nicholas Tartar, Pioneer Educator, Passes Sunday.

January 7, 1856 - March 21, 1943

“Nicholas Tartar (sic), 87, professor emeritus of Oregon State college, member of a prominent Oregon family and native of the state who spent much of his early life in Polk county, passed away Sunday at Corvallis.

“He was born January 7, 1856, at Airlie, the third in a family of nine children.  His father was Robert Tartar, a native of Virginia, and his mother Susan Estes, a native of Tennessee, and they come to Oregon in 1852 [actually, 1854]. The old home in Polk county where they and their family lived after coming to Oregon was one of those embraced in the area taken over by the government for Camp Adair, and included the house whose timbers were hand hewed and kiln dried, some of them hand-grooved by Robert Tartar. The house was razed to make way for the military establishment [hand written note, "where Hadley's lived"].

“Nicholas Tartar taught a total of 55 years, 54 of them consecutively. He taught his first school when 18 years old, a 5-months term in the Montgomery school near Airlie, and then a tuition school for three months in his father's home.

“For a number of years he combined teaching and farming in the Luckiamute valley. In 1900 he took a position in the Corvallis public schools and in 1904 became a professor of mathematics in Oregon State College, a position in which he served full time for 28 years and part time for two years.  At the age of 76 he carried a full college teaching load.

“Mr. Tartar entered old Corvallis college in 1875.  It was then a Methodist institution, but later became Oregon Agricultural college and then Oregon State college. He was a student there two years and also studied at La Creole academy in Dallas where Charles E. Wolverton, later member of the state supreme court and federal judge, and Charles A. Johns, who also became a supreme court justice, were among his teachers. He and Alcida Johnson, who later became his wife, attended the academy at the same time. They were married in 1878 and observed their golden wedding anniversary in 1928.  Mrs. Tartar died in 1938. Her parents were pioneers of 1845 and 1852 respectively.”

“Professor Tartar is survived by four children, Dr. H. V. Tarter of Seattle, Miss Lena Belle Tartar of Salem, A.R. Tartar of Salem, and Dr. N. L. Tartar of Corvallis; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Tartar of Airlie and two sisters, Mrs. C. E. Staats, and Dallas and Mrs. Laura Wiseman of Walla Walla, Wa.”

“He was a member of the Presbyterian church. The funeral Service was held Tuesday at 1:30 from the Mayflower chapel at Corvallis. The ministers were Dr. D.V. Poling and Dr. Simmons of the Federated church of Corvallis. (Hand written note, "Bob has since died." 1943).”

In 1887, Nicholas Tarter was involved in a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Union County, Oregon to foreclose a mortgage on property in North Union that secured his $1,000 loan to the owners. He initially lost and appealed to the Supreme Court of Oregon where he won, establishing a legal principal in mortgage law. Wilson v. Tarter, 22 Ore. 510, 30 Pac. 499 (1892). (His uncle Will King would sit on this court in 1907-1910.) As Tarter was not made part of the original foreclosure lawsuit, he was given an election to accept the amount found due, or to retain the property.

The children of Nicholas Tarter and Alcida Johnson are:

1. Dr. Herman V. [or B.] Tarter, of Seattle, born in January 1882 in Oregon, died after March 1943;

2. Lena Belle Tarter of Salem, born in October 1884 in Oregon, single in 1943, died after March 1943;

3. A. R[oscoe]. Tarter of Salem, born in May 1891 in Oregon, died after March 1943, married in about 1915, May ---, born about 1895, and had Alcida Ann, born in 1917 (1920 US Census for Albany, Linn County, Oregon);

4. Simon Tarter, born in January 1894 in Oregon, died before March 1943.

5. Dr. N. L. Tarter of Corvallis, died after March 1943.

SARAH¹² EMILY TARTER

(1865 Ore. – aft. 1943 Ore.?)

Daughter of Susan¹¹ Estes

Sarah Emily Tarter was born 19 January 1865 in Oregon, died after March 1943, she married 11 November 1872 Clarence Edwin Staats, born 23 February 1858 in Oregon and died after 1910.

The children of Clarence Edwin Staats and Sarah Emily Tarter are:

1. Vivian Cecil¹³ Staats, doctor, born 1 April 1883 in Arlie, Polk County, Oregon, died in 1966 (Oregon Death Index), married on 23 September 1906 Letha M. Agnew of San Antonio, Texas died after 1922, and had Eva Burnice Staats born 18 September 1914. See Biography, below; Cecil and Letha had one child, Burnice Staats, born 18 November 1914, who married in 1933 Charles Stinette, and had a. Cecil Ettrick Stinette who married Alicia Davidson and had Craig Ettrick; Alicia Jill; and, Michael John Stinette; and b. James Staats Stinette, who married Carolyn Royce and had Mark Hames and Rebecca Kay Stinette. Dr. Cecil Staats divorced Letha and remarried Marjory Jackson, and had iii. Vivian Cecil Staats, Jr. who married --- and had Elyse Ann and Leah Dianne Staats.

2. Eva Clare Staats¹⁹, born after 1878 in Polk County, Oregon, married Fred Ritner on 1 November 1906, and had a. Irene Eleanor married Walter C. Baker, and had Donna Cleo who married Robert Swan and had Robert and Suzanne; and Fred C. (who has daughter Josephine); and b. Cleo Izette, married Holly Adams Cornell, and had i. Steve who married Carol Shank and had Matthew; and ii. Marguerite, who married William Thach, and had Jason and Rebecca Clare;

3. Vere Leslie Staats, Sr., born about 1899 in Oregon, died perhaps in 1954 in Yamhill County, Oregon. The Falls City [Oregon] News, 17 April 1915 stated: High School Notes: Vere Staats [Sr.], and other students “of Airlie High School attended the musical given at the school house Wednesday evening.” Vere Leslie Staats of Polk County, Oregon registered for the draft 1917-18. Vere became a pharmacist and married Lyle Yexley, and had a. Vere L.¹⁴ Staats, Jr., born 3 April 1927 and died 16 March 1997 and is buried in English Cemetery, Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon. He married on 24 October 1952, Sharon Jean Drew, born 7 January 1935 (the Estate of Vere L. Staats, Jr. was probated in King County, Washington Superior Court²⁰), and had Robert Vere; Leslie Edward; Mary Ann Patricia; Joan Edna; David Gregory; b. Lloyd Edwin, married Audrey Jane Lesley; and c. Donald Roy, married Geraldine Drew.

CLARENCE EDWIN STAATS

(1858 Ore. – aft. 1910 Ore.)

Clarence Edwin “Clare” Staats was born 23 February 1858 in Oregon and died after 1910, he married 11 November 1872, Sarah Emily Tarter, daughter of Susan Abigail Estes and Robert Tarter, born after the family came west, on 19 January 1865 in Oregon, and died after March 1943.

According to the Staats Family book, he “purchased land near Airlie (Luckiamute) and prospered through the years. He was familiarly known in the family as Clare and was a respected and genial member of the community.”

VIVIAN CECIL STAATS

(1883 Ore. – 1966 Ore.)

A biography of the son Sarah Emily Tarter and Clarence Edwin Staats, Vivian Cecil Staats reads:

VIVIAN C. STAATS, B. S. M. D.²¹

Dr. Vivian C. Staats, a successful physician and surgeon of Dallas, is a native of this state, his birth having occurred in Airlie, Polk county, April 1, 1883. He is a son of Clarence E. and Sarah E. (Tarter) Staats, also natives of this county, the former born in 1858 and the latter in 1863. The family has long been represented in this state. The paternal grandfather, Isaac W. Staats, left his home in New York, New York, and made the journey across the plains with ox teams, arriving in Oregon in 1845. Settling in Polk county, he there took up a donation claim and at once set about the work of clearing and developing his land, which through untiring effort and determination he at length succeeded in converting into a valuable and productive tract. He continued to cultivate and improve his land until 1888, when he met an accidental death by drowning. His wife, Orlena M. Staats, passed away in 1908 at the advance age of eighty-eight years. Their son, Clarence E. Staats, was reared and educated in Polk county and on starting out in life independently he engaged in farming, purchasing a tract of land twelve miles south of Dallas, which he continued to operate until 1919, when he took up his residence in the town and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. The mother of the Doctor also survives.

Vivian C. Staats was reared in his native county and there attended school, later pursuing a course in the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, from which he was graduated in 1904. He then entered the medical department of St. Louis University and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1908. His high scholarship won him the position of interne [sic] in a St. Louis hospital, where he gained valuable practical knowledge. In 1909 he opened an office in Dallas, where he has since continued in practice, his successful treatment of disease winning for him a large practice. He is classed with the leading physicians of Polk county, for he has been a close and discriminating student of his profession, and his knowledge and ability have constantly developed. He also has invested in farm lands in the county and is the owner of a valuable prune orchard of forty-five acres.

On the 6th of September, 1906, Dr. Staats was united in marriage to Miss Letha M. Agnew, of San Antonio, Texas, and they have become the parents of a daughter Eva Burnice, who was born September 18, 1914. In his political views the Doctor is a democrat, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Shrine and he also is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the United Artisans. His professional connections are with the medical societies of Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties, the Oregon State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has always made his professional duties his first consideration, being most thorough and conscientious in the performance of the work that devolves upon him in this connection. His life is a busy and useful one, and he is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.

The Staats Family book states:

Vivian Cecil became a well-known doctor of Polk County, one of the dedicated general practioners who cared for his patients day or night, rich or poor in any sort of weather. As my father’s cousin, he was our family doctor, and it was his faithful attention to my father, my mother, and me during the flu epidemic of December 1918 which saved our lives. For more than a week, Doctor Cecil drove the twenty-mile round trip from his Dallas office by horse and buggy through the snow covered roads to dose us with medicine, check our progress and nurse us through that awful illness. Ibid, at 71.

ISAAC WESLEY STAATS, JR.

(1814 NY – 1889 Ore.)

Clarence Staats was the son of Isaac Wesley Staats, Jr. who was born 23 September 1814 in Albany, New York and died 2 August 1889 in Polk County, Oregon, and who married on 10 May 1846 in Polk County, Orlena Maria Williams, born February 1828 in Tennessee and died 24 March 1906, the daughter of James Williams and Martha Wicher.²²

Isaac, Jr. and Orlena are buried in English Cemetery, Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon. Isaac, Sr. and his wife are buried in the Fir Crest Cemetery in Polk County.²³ Her headstone reads: “Cordelia Caroline his wife Dec 28, 1829 - Mar 2, 1885.”

Isaac, Jr. was the son of Isaac Wesley Staats, Sr., born in 1788 in New York and died 31 October 1865 in Oregon and is buried in the Fir Crest Cemetery in Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon. He married Jane Ann Crolius, died before 1860.

The children of Isaac Staats, Jr. and Orlena Maria Williams are:

1. James M. Staats, born about 1847 in Polk County, Oregon;

2. Henry D. Staats, born 1850 in Polk County, Oregon, married Mary E. Zumwalt born in Polk County, and had son Tracy Staats, born at Airlie, Polk County, 11 February 1874, who served as Polk County deputy assessor, deputy sheriff, and county treasurer, and in 1913 purchased the Craven Hardware Co. Tracy married Eloise S. Phillips and they had children: Howard D. Staats; Phillip Staats; Margaret Staats; and Mary E. Staats²⁴.

3. John Orlando Staats, born about 1851 in Polk County, Oregon. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1893;

4. Isaac Wesley Staats, III, born 27 December 1853 in Polk County, Oregon, attended the Luckiamute school, and “died at the age of nineteen from diphtheria” on 11 December 1872 and is buried in English Cemetery, Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon (Staats Family, at 71);

5. Clarence Edwin Staats, born 23 February 1858 in Polk County, Oregon and died after 1910, he married 11 November 1872, Sarah Emily Tarter born 19 January 1865 in Oregon, died after March 1943,

6. Asa Clinton Staats, born about 1861 in Polk County, Oregon, died in 1936, buried in English Cemetery, Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon, married Sarah Etta Bump, born in 1875 in Sac City, Iowa, died 22 May 1961 in Dallas, Polk County, and is buried in the Monmouth Cemetery. They resided at Arlie and had children Edith Staats, married --- Davis and resided at Rockaway.²⁵ See Obituary in Appendix; and,

7. Mary Irene Staats, born about 1864 in Polk County, Oregon;

STEPHEN STAATS

(1821 NY – 1898 Ore.)

Isaac Sr. and Jane also had son Stephen Staats, born 1821 in New York, died 1898 in Oregon. He married in 1846, Cordelia Forrest, born in 1829 and died in 1886. In 1848 Staats settled in Monmouth in Polk County. He was a farmer and stock-raiser.²⁶ Stephen Staats was a member of the Oregon State House of Representatives in 1876 from Polk County, and in 1848 was at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.

Stephen Staats

of Monmouth, Oregon, 1893

(Collection of Ben Maxwell)

Stephen Staats was with Capt. Charles H. Bennett when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. Oregon Pioneer Transportation, 1877, claims that it was Bennett rather than Marshall who was the discoverer.

In 1847, Bennett moved south from Oregon Country to California where he was then employed by James Marshall as a carpenter at Sutter's Mill when gold was discovered. Marshall claimed that at the time that he discovered gold in the mill's tail-race Bennett was half a mile away at the house. But, this version of events is disputed by Stephen Staats, a lifelong acquaintance who was with him at the time, and later wrote a letter to the Oregon Statesman stating:

"In 1847 we furnished Bennett with an outfit and he traveled with us to California. He assisted Marshall in building a mill on the American fork of the Sacramento, and he was the first one that beheld the glittering dust when water was turned into the race for the purpose of clearing it out. Notwithstanding that Marshall has gained worldwide fame as the first discoverer of gold in California, we have always claimed that an Oregon man, Bennett, was the first one whose eagle eye beheld the shining ore as it sparkled through the rippling of the water. Bennett, Salem’s pioneer citizen, first gazed upon and held in his hand the gold which made San Francisco what she is today, and had it not been for that discovery the Bennett house never would have been built."

Oregon Statesman, 28 March 1931.

Captain of Company F, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, Bennett was killed in action at Walla Walla on the Touchet River in southeastern Washington, near Fort Wallula, in 1855 during the Yakima War. This Indian War would take the life of John H. Estes the following year.

A family history written by Clarence’s older brother John Orlando Staats, a member of the Oregon House of Representatives in 1893, details their rich pioneer history:

The Isaac Staats [Jr.] Family,

By John Staats²⁷

“My father, Isaac Staats, son of Isaac and Jane Ann Crolins Staats was born in Albany, New York on September 23, 1814. He received a thorough education being well versed in the French and German languages and was also a good Latin scholar. His father was a merchant in the City of Albany, New York, for sixty years; his ancestors had migrated to America in an early day. They were of German extraction.

“In his earliest life, my father was a clerk in the large dry goods store of H.B.C. Laflin & Co. in New York City, and was also a schoolmate of Roscoe Conklin, United States Senator from New York. He subsequently in company with his parents in 1837 traveled west to the state of Missouri, the family consisting of his parents, a brother Stephen Staats and five sisters; Mrs. Mrs. Kernelia Forbes, Mart Waters, Jane Ann Weaver, Anna Laflin and Elizabeth Sisson.

“On May 4 1845 my father and his brother Stephen joined a company of some 200 people of all ages and started across the plains to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. After the usual hardships and much suffering, they arrived in Oregon City on the first day of October, Solomon Tetherow, who settled on the Luckiamute, was chosen as captain of their company. My father and uncle Stephen, together with I.M. Simpson, Rice W. Simpson, Green B. Simpson²⁸, Paul Hildebrand, Solomon Tetherow, James E. Williams, came direct to Polk county and settled in the Luckiamute valley.

“My father located on 320 acres of land, being a single man at that time, but on May 19, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Orleana M. Williams, daughter of James E. Williams who came across the plains in the same company as he. Under the donation land law she became, after her marriage, entitled to 320 acres of land adjoining that of my father. They then were the owners of 640 acres of land which was the limit established by Congress that could be homesteaded under the donation land claim law.

Grave marker for Isaac Staats, Sr.²⁹

(Collection of Ben Maxwell, 1941)

“As it was then very essential at that early date for some one to be vested with legal authority to attend to all matters of a public nature, my father was appointed Justice of the Peace over a large territory, comprising what is now Polk, Benton and Lincoln counties. He had much to do with the settlement of disputes that often arose between various persons. The trials always took place in the log cabin which served as a residence for my parents in those early days.

“My mother in nearly every instance served dinner to the jury and to the lawyers present and a few of the most prominent persons connected with the trial and never once charged anything for her trouble. There were almost an unlimited amount of deeds, mortgages, bills of sales and contracts to be executed in the early days of Polk county and the modern typewriter was undreamed of, so everything had to be written out in long hand which in these days of rapid transit in everything, seems slow and burdensome.

“With the office of Justice of the Peace came the legal right to perform marriage ceremony, and my father had frequent calls in that line of business. All the young single men of that time knew that 320 acres of land was the prize which congress gave to the bride as soon as she became such, and they lost no time, when opportunity presented itself, to become a benedict. The first couple married by my father of which I have recorded, was that of Thomas B. Reed to Mrs. Nancy Hawkins. The ceremony took place on November 29, 1846. Other early-day marriages at which my father officiated included: Isaac King to Miss Almeda Vanbibber, March 21, 1847; John Gilliam to Miss Hannah R. Dickson, May 9, 1848; John Loose to Mrs. Margaret Wright, June 26, 1848.

“As time went on and immigrants kept arriving and settling on homesteads in the valley, a post office became a necessity and my father was appointed first post master, the name of the office being Luckiamute. He received the appointment from President Pierce and was continued in office about 30 years. The mail route as established at that time had its starting point on the north boundary of Polk county near Salt creek and its terminus at Marysville, later changed to Corvallis. The mail was delivered twice a week by carrier on horseback. Patrons of the office in some instances lived ten miles distant, necessitating a trip of 20 miles for their mail-quite in contrast with the present day free delivery of mail matter to most every family door.

“Among those who were early patrons of the office, and the periodicals for which they had subscribed were the following: Smith Collins, Christian Advocate; Robert Gilliam, Savanah Sentinel; Frank English, Statesman; Solomon Tetherow, Banner of Peace; F.S. Jewette, Boston Journal; I.M. Simpson, Statesman; J.E. Williams, Banner of Peace; L.S. Parrott, Advocate; James O’Neal, Washington Union; Hudson Bevens, American Freeman; John Wolverton, State Gazette; William Walters, Oregon Standard; James Greer, Statesman; Samuel Rice, Statesman; William Berry, Courier; H. Higgins, Universe; Rowland Chambers, Statesman; David Stump, Statesman; James Wheeler, Advocate; John Hyde, Advocate; Laban Case, Advocate; M.M. Nealy, Pearl; Henry Helmick, Pearl.

“Soon after the establishment of the Luckiamute post office, and as the various communities became more thickly populated the patrons of the office from such localities selected some one among their number to make regular weekly trips to the office to carry the mail for the entire neighborhood. Especially was this custom with the Pedee and Kingsvalley communities. Subsequently Kingsvalley employed a regular carrier who made two trips per week to the office on horseback. The names of the persons they employed at various times are as follows: Wm. Robinson, James Chambers, Thomas Fisk, Wm. Burgett and Fannie Greer.”

The Meek Cut-off

Disaster of 1845

Isaac Staats, Sr., his wife Jane Crolius and their sons came to Oregon from New York, leaving from Missouri in 1845. The trip originated as a 1,000-plus party train with over 230 wagons, and was fairly routine until they arrived at Fort Boise. (The old fort was built in 1834 near the mouth of the Boise River by the British Hudson's Bay Company, and a second Fort Boise was built in 1838.) A decision to attempt an untried southern route – to save time and avoid the violent Walla Walla tribe – proved a mistake. The account of these months is taken from John O. Staats history, above; the biography of Isaac, Sr.’s grandson Vivian Staats’ below, and Oregon history works.³⁰

The St. Joseph Companies of 1845

“In early May 1845, the Oregon bound emigrant companies starting from the St. Joseph, Mo area totaled, according to the St. Joseph paper, 223 wagons, 954 persons, with 545 firearms, 9,425 cattle, and 108 horses and mules. John Clark was hired as pilot for the journey to the junction with the Independence-to-Oregon trail. The elected captains for the companies from the St. Joseph rendezvous were:

[1]: Captain William G. T'Vault with [according to Bancroft 61 wagons and 300 persons]. John Waymire was lieutenant and James Allen was sergeant.

[2]: Captain Solomon Tetherow with 66 wagons and 293 persons. Hardin D. Martin was lieutenant. They organized under the name "Savannah Oregon Emigrating Society" with Rev. William Helm, chairman and Rev. Lewis Thompson, secretary. Records kept by the company indicate that there were 100 armed men, 293 persons [63 females over 14, 56 under 14, 68 males under 16], 66 wagons, 170 guns and pistols, 1,022 cattle (398 oxen, 624 loose cattle); 74 mules and horses.

[3]: Captain Abner Hackleman [note: sometimes confused with son Abram/Abraham Hackleman who came in 1847 *6] with approximately 52 wagons, 214 persons and 666 head of cattle and a few horses. This company organized under the name "New London Emigrating Company".

“The companies leaving from Independence traveled to about three miles from the Kansas near the bank of the Big Soldier creek, where, by prearrangement, the "main company" was to organize, and elect officers. It was estimated that there were approximately 233 wagons, 421 males, 138 females, 448 children [totaling 1007 persons], 3,261 cattle, and 182 horses. On May 15th, Dr. Presley Webb was elected Captain and Stephen H.L. Meek was retained as pilot for $2.50 per wagon. On May 19th a reorganization took place and the company was divided into three divisions. Each division would take a turn traveling in advance for a week at a time. Captain Presley was to accompany whichever train was in the lead; but each division was to choose its own officers.”

This article identifies Isaac Staats and wife Orlena Maria Williams, and his brother Stephen Staats and his wife Cordelia Caroline Forrest [28 December 1829 – 2 March 1885], as “believed to have taken Meek Cutoff.” (This is confirmed below.) See map, below.

The following is taken from a book written by Oregon Trail descendant Ross A. Smith. Mountaineer Stephen B. Meek was born in 1805 in southwestern Virginia. He and his more celebrated younger brother, Joe Meek, had spent the 1830s in the western fur trade. In 1833 they accompanied Joseph Walker on an expedition that resulted in locating what would become “the California Trail,” a major branch of the Oregon Trail. Intending to explore the Great Salt Lake, they had gone too far West, and ended up traveling down the Humboldt River to California, over a country then entirely unknown to trappers, across the Sierras and into California’s Yosemite Valley. Retracing their route, they met Capt. Benjamin Bonneville in the fall of 1834, and accompanied him trapping the Snake River and its tributaries to Walla Walla; throughout central Oregon, up John Day River, over to Lake Harney; then to the Malheur, Owyhee and Powder Rivers, and wintering back on the Snake. Meek spent the remainder of the decade exploring and trapping throughout the western US.³¹

Within ten years, commercial beaver trapping had declined to such an extent that Stephen Meek returned to Missouri, in 1842 looking for work. He landed the job of guiding the very first small company of wagons to try the Oregon Trail. Upon that venture’s successful conclusion, in the spring of 1843 he then piloted a few settlers who had become dissatisfied with Oregon, southward down the Hudson Bay Company’s Old Trappers Trail from Oregon to California. Meek then returned to New York, arriving there in 1844. After briefly visiting his Virginia home, in early 1845 he went on to St. Louis, where he obtained letters of recommendation and secured a job guiding that year’s St. Louis Division out of Independence over the Oregon Trail as far as Ft. Hall.

Upon reaching Ft. Hall in what is now Idaho in early August 1845, Meek once again became unemployed and looking for work. He hit upon a novel idea to offer to guide the 1845 emigrants over an old trappers’ pack trail through central Oregon to The Dalles of the Columbia, to avoid anticipated Indian harassment on the “regular” northern route. His small party then traded their wagons for pack animals, so they could hurry on ahead, and tell the lead wagons all about Meek’s proposed new route.

Having trapped this same high desert country a decade earlier, presumably Stephen Meek was familiar with the terrain. He also had a proven track record of successfully piloting several early emigrant wagon trains, the present one included. Even though his proposed route through the central Oregon desert had never been tried by wagons, under Meek’s expert guidance how could anything possibly go wrong?

Oregon Overland Website Map 2

All told there were roughly 200 wagons that departed Ft. Hall in late August 1845 on what is now called the Meek Cut-off, fairly evenly distributed into four companies of around fifty wagons each. The decision to try an untested route was reached by a vote, one the immigrants would come to regret.

James Field wrote in his journal 24 August 1845 at Fort Boise:

A man named Meek has engaged to pilot the leading company, Capt. Owensby's [sic], which is the only one now ahead of us. He was to guide the outfit through to the Dalles of the Columbia river by a new and near [shorter] route, following the pack trail from Fort Boise and missing the Walla Wallas [tribe] altogether, leaving Fort Walla Walla on his right and cutting off between 100 and 200 miles' travel. A vote was taken whether we should follow them or keep [to] the old way, and a majority decided upon the new one.

William Goulder would write:

On reaching old Ft. Boise ... Stephen Meek, a brother of the renowned trapper Joseph L. Meek, had overtaken us as we were journeying down the Boise Valley. Meek was accompanied by his young wife, whom he had married somewhere on the road, and also by a young man, Nathan Olney …

From Ft. Boise westward, the route heretofore taken by the immigrants was the old Hudson Bay route by the way of Burnt River and the Grande Rounde Valley, and across the Blue Mountains, to the waters of the Umatilla River. It had been made known to us that the Walla Walla and Cayuse Indians, who then inhabited the country west of the Blue Mountains, the region through which this ‘regular’ route lay, were somewhat disposed to be unfriendly to the whites, and that they had threatened to make themselves troublesome to immigrants passing through their country. At Fort Boise, Meek told us that we could avoid all trouble and danger by taking a route over which he could guide us from Fort Boise to The Dalles of the Columbia.

With the assistance of Olney, Meek made a rude map of the country, showing a route up the Malheur River and across low intervening ridges to the Des Chutes [River], and thence to The Dalles. This route [through central Oregon], he said, would give the Cayuse and Walla Walla country a wide berth and enable us to avoid all contact with the supposedly hostile Indians. Accordingly, a bargain was made with Meek to guide us over this route. The immigrants were to pay him $50 and furnish him with provisions for himself and wife and traveling companion. He claimed to be familiar with the route, having, as he said, passed over it several times.

The trail was covered with sharp volcanic rock which caused problems for the oxen. This later turned to thick, choking dust. It became clear that Meek was not taking the party on the route had had stated he would, and even worse, did not know where he was.

In a series of terse journal entries Samuel Parker reported between August 26^th and September 3d:

“Verry Rockey and hilly;” “Bad Road;” “Bad Road;” “Verry bad Road, Broak 3 wagens this day;” “Rock all day, pore grass, more swaring than you ever heard;” “the worst Road you ever seen, 5 wagons Broak;” “went to a small creek down the worst you ever seen a wagon gow, stony;” “stony all day, fore miles you codent see the ground.”

To make matters worse, an epidemic of typhoid fever struck and a young child died. By September 10^th the shortage of local water had become critical. The company remained at a small spring while more than 100 men on horseback scouted for a week for water sources. On September 18th they found the Crooked River and were assured of water all the way to the Willamette Valley. However, the Deschutes River was too swift and deep to ford, and the “camp fever” they had picked up now overcame many of them, with at least 24 dying on the way, plus others from drowning and other causes. None of those who took the “regular” route perished. Meeks and others finally arrived at the Methodist Mission at The Dalles of the Columbia the afternoon of September 29, and did not reach the Willamette until early November.

Staats Polk County

Census Entries

The families of Isaac Staats and Susan Abigail (Estes) Tarter settled in Arlie, Buena Vista, Luckiamute and Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon.

The 1860 US Census for Luckiamute, Polk County, Oregon shows farmer Isaac Staats (45, NY)[1815], and wife Orlena (32, Tenn.)[1828], along with sons J[ames]. M. (12, Ore.), H[enry]. D. (10, Ore.), J[ohn]. O. (8, Ore.), I[saac].W. (6, Ore.), C]larence]. E. (2, Ore.), and [his father] I[saac]. W. Staats (72, NY) a merchant. This places Clarence’s parents in Oregon by 1848.

The 1870 US Census for Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon shows farmer Isaac Staats (55, NY), and wife Orlena (42, Tenn.), along with Henry (20, Ore.), John O. (18, Ore.), Isaac M. (16, Ore.), Clarence (12, Ore.), Asa C. (8, Ore.), and Mary (6, Ore.).

The 1880 US Census for Luckiamute & Buena Vista, Polk County, Oregon shows C.E. Staats (22, Ore.) living in the home of his parents farmer Isaac Staats (65, NY, NY, NY), and O[rlena]. M. (52, Tenn., Tenn., Tenn.), along with brother A[sa].C. (18, Ore.), and sister M[ary]. I[rene]. (15, Ore.).

They live nearby to the other sons of Isaac and Orlena M. Staats: J[ames].M. Staats (32, Ore.), H[enry].D. Staats (30, Ore.), and J[ohn].O. Staats (28, Ore.), and their families. They are not found in the 1890, or 1900 census.

The 1910 US Census for Suckicumte Precinct, Polk County, Oregon shows “Clarance” E. Staats (52, Ore., NY, Tenn.) living with his wife of 28 years Sarah E. (45, Ore., Virg., Tenn.)[1865], and their son – one of their three children – Vere S. (11, Ore., Ore., Ore.). Next to them are their son Dr. Vivian C. Staats, a physician (27, Ore., Ore., Ore.), and his wife of three years Letha A. (26, Tex., Tex., Ore.). Vivian and family are in Dallas, Polk County in 1920.

Polk County

Polk County was created from the Yamhill District on December 22, 1845. The county was named after then President James Knox Polk. The first county seat was a settlement on the north side of Rickreall Creek named Cynthian (also known as Cynthia Ann). City officials later changed the name to Dallas after Vice President George M. Dallas. The first frame courthouse was built in 1851 in Cynthia Ann. The second courthouse was built in 1856; it burned in 1898 and was replaced with the present building, built with sandstone quarried 3 miles north of town.

Airlie was the southern terminus of the narrow gauge line of the Oregonian Railway Company, Ltd. The tracks were subsequently widened to standard gauge, and the property acquired by the Southern Pacific Company. The station was named for the Earl of Airlie, president of the syndicate of Scottish businessmen who bought the narrow gauge railway built by the people of Yamhill County and in 1881 extended it to this point. The Earl of Airlie visited Oregon during the course of construction of the railway. Most of the track on the Airlie branch was taken out in 1929. The post office, established Sep. 5, 1882, was located on the Luckiamute River about eight miles southwest of Monmouth. Jos. A. Dalton was the first postmaster. The office was discontinued Feb. 11, 1884, and re-established Sep. 14, 1885. It was discontinued again June. 15, 1943 and moved to Monmouth.³²

Buena Vista, Oregon’s first industrial city, is located on the west bank of the Willamette about six miles southeast of Independence. Founded by Reason Hall who arrived in Oregon in 1846, and laid out the site about 1853, he named it for the Mexican American War battle. Even before Hall’s town was platted it had a general store, started in 1851. Hall started a ferry in 1852, beginning what is one of the longest, continuously operating ferry service in Oregon. Later one of Hall’s sons started another Halls Ferry north of Independence. In 1964, the traveler still crossed the Willamette at this point by ferry. Other businesses were established rapidly. Around 1850, a warehouse and a grist mill for wheat were built. A hotel went up, and one of Hall’s sons opened a wagon shop.

In 1856, as Oregon was anticipating entry into the Union as a state, Hall made a trip to Oregon City and inserted an ad in the Oregon Spector touting his town for the capital. But the little river community hardly made a showing in the voting, Salem taking first place. Many riverboats, which before ended their runs at downstream landings, were including Buena Vista. A school was started in a one-room log house in 1859 which served as a church on Sundays. And three years later the post office was established with Harrison Linville first postmaster.

The town’s real growth came from a stoneware and pottery plant. Much of the pottery used by the pioneers was molded and burned at the Buena Vista kilns. Smith and Co. was begun by Freeman Smith and his six sons who arrived in Oregon in late 1865. By 1870, Smith sold his interest to son Amendee, who with his brothers, greatly expanded the business, adding such lines as flower pots and sewer pipe. The pottery plant was easily the most important industry, employing several hundred men and second in size was a busy sawmill. The town boomed enough to support two physicians and a drug store. Buena Vista’s most imposing saloon whose specialty was a potent spirit called “Blue Ruin,” was sold and the new owner added several other lines of liquor and an “annex” for the entertainment of lonely traveling men.

The town had its share of fires, the most disastrous one destroying the two-story Wells Store with IOOF and Knights Templars quarters upstairs in 1870. Spared by the fire was the notorious Bust Head Saloon not far away. This little false-fronted drink emporium, from which the more troublesome drunks were ejected out the back door into a gulch, was the incubator of most of Buena Vista’s crime.

At its height Buena Vista was one of the most important places along the Willamette and population warranted a large, two-story school. Hops were introduced in 1867 and became a main crop. But as the years went by many factors gradually killed this prosperity, the worst blow being the bypassing by several miles, of the railroad. Hops declined in demand and value and the pottery plant moved to the larger Portland market. Salem, as capitol, drew away most of the population. In 1964, the town was quiet and almost all the buildings are gone.

Dallas, named for Geo. Mifflin Dallas, vice-president under Polk from 1845 to 1849, is said to have been named Cynthia Anne originally. It was settled in the 1840s on the north side of Rickreall Creek, but was moved more than a mile south in 1856 because of inadequate water supply. A narrow gauge railroad was built into Dallas in 1878-1880 as a result of a county seat over Independence. Dallas post office was established Oct. 22, 1852, with John E. Lyle postmaster. Baskett Slough originates in the intermittent lakes west and south of Mt. Baldy and four miles northeast of Dallas. It flows eastward several miles and joins Mud Slough. The slough was named for Geo. J. Baskett, an early valley thoroughbred horse breeder who settled on a donation land claim near this slough in 1850. The farmed fields, rolling oak-covered hills, and shallow wetlands are home to many wildlife species. 

Lackemute post office, established 1851, was named for the Luckiamute River, which joins the Willamette in southern Polk County. Luckiamute is an Indian word the meaning of which is unknown. Stories to the effect that it is based on an incident having to do with a deaf mute may be dismissed as fiction. Harrison Linville was the first postmaster of this office, one of the earliest in the county. Linville was later postmaster at Buena Vista near the mouth of the stream. Isaac Staats (b c.1815 NY) lived near the junction of Little Luckiamute, some eight miles to the west. In later years there was a railroad station Luckiamute on the Oregonian Railway narrow gauge line a little north of the Luckiamute River and about four miles northeast of Pedee. Time has done much to obliterate the community.

Monmouth was named for Monmouth, Illinois. In 1852 a group of citizens of the Illinois community crossed the plains to Oregon, and after spending the first winter at Crowley, five miles north of Rickreall, settled in 1853 near the present site of Monmouth. Members of the party gave 640 acres of land on which to establish a town and a college under the auspices of the Christian church the Disciples of Christ, or Campbellites]. The place was surveyed in 1855 by T. H. Hutchinson. The money secured from the sale of lots was devoted to the building of the Christian college, which was known as Monmouth University. At a mass meeting the people selected Monmouth as the name of the new community, in home. In 1856 mercantile buildings were erected. The first house was built in 1857. The post office was established Feb. 25, 1859, with Jos. B. V. Butler first postmaster. In 1871, due to the influence of the church, the name of Monmouth University was changed to Christian College. The college underwent vicissitudes due to lack of funds, and was once offered to the state for a university. In 1882 the Oregon legislature passed a bill creating the Oregon State Normal School at Monmouth, which absorbed the Christian College. The name of the school was later changed to the Oregon College of Education and more recently renamed Western Oregon State College [now, University].

LAURA MARIE¹² TARTER

(1868 Ore. – 1945 Wash.)

Laura Marie Tarter was born on 1 February 1868 at Arlie, Polk County, Oregon, and died on 30 December 1945 in Walla Walla, Washington. She married on 29 February 1888 in Walla Walla, Washington, her cousin Charles W. “Dallas” Wiseman. They farmed at Prescott, Washington.

Charles W. Wiseman, was born 27 July 1866 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, and died at age 30 on 6 June 1896 in Walla Walla, Washington. He is the son of Nancy Emily Estes – the sister of wife Susan Estes’ mother -- and Jonathan Tipton Wiseman (see discussion at pages 444, and 449).

Susan went to work after Charles’ premature death, as a nurse and hospital administrator in Walla Walla.

Laura and Charles W. had Charles Gordon¹³ Wiseman, who was born on 18 April 1895, shortly before his father’s death, and died 27 November 1988 in Coupeville, Washington. Charles G. married in Walla Walla on 3 August 1920, Annette Chamberlain "Nettie" Sibley daughter of Frank C. Sibley, born in Meeker, Rio Blanco County, Colorado on 13 November 1893 or 1894, died at Coupeville, Washington on 6 September 1969. After Nettie’s death, Charles married secondly, Pearle Rohr on 25 June 1972 in Seattle, King County, Washington.

Charles G. and Nettie had Joseph Sibley¹⁴ Wiseman, born 8 June 1921 in Walla Walla, and died 16 October 1999, in Kent, Washington. He married on 22 December 1944 in Kent, King County, Washington, Anna Lee Tippet, born 4 April 1923, Bethany, Harrison County, Missouri, and died 20 May 1987 in Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington.

The children of Joseph Sibley¹⁴ Wiseman and Anna Lee Tippet are:

1. Linda Lee Wiseman, born 28 August 1945 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, married on 17 September 1966 on Mercer Island, King County, Washington, Allan Royal Foster born 5 March 1945 in Seattle, Washington. Linda is an accomplished watercolorist in Kirkland, Washington.³³ They had Annette Pauline Foster, born 27 September 1971 in Pullman, Washington and Alayne Elizabeth Foster, born 21 January 1974 in Seattle, Washington, and married on 10 August 1996 in Midway, Wasatch County, Utah, James Griffith;

2. Michael Joseph Wiseman, born 7 May 1949 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, married on 28 April 1973 in Seattle, Washington, Margit Irena Weist, born 22 January 1950 in Gyor, Hungary, and they had Patrick Michael Wiseman, born 9 April 1968 in Seattle, Washington; and, Michelle Tunder Wiseman, born 22 October 1977 in Seattle, Washington;

3. Trudi Ann Wiseman, born 25 September 1952 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, married on 28 September 1974 in Bellevue, King County, Washington, Neal Frederick Herrett, born 3 September 1950 in Seattle, Washington, and they had Anne Elizabeth Herrett, born 1 July 1983 in Kirkland, King County, Washington;

4. Philip Tippet Wiseman, born 13 May 1956 in San Mateo, San Mateo County, California, married on 22 December 1978 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, Diana Boyle, born 12 July 1956 in Seattle, Washington, and they had Owen Gallagher Wiseman, born 10 February 1983 in Seattle, Washington. Phillip married secondly on 8 July 1988 in Seattle, Sarah Parson Knudson, born 28 January 1962 in Seattle, and they had Kalea McCormick Wiseman, and Charles August Wiseman. ³⁴

THE

THIRTEEN

CHILDREN

of

THOMAS ESTES

&

IRANIA MALONE

The children of Thomas¹⁰ Estes and Irene Ann Malone are:

6. Ann Malone Estes, born 1836 Henry County, Tennessee, married Jesse Cader Cope;

7. Hannah Jordan Estes, born 1837 in Tennessee, married William Ammon Cope;

8. Martha Elizabeth Estes, born 1839 in Tennessee, married David R. King;

9. Thomas W. Estes, born in Arkansas in 1840, married Louisa Paul;

10. Nancy Emily Estes, born in Arkansas in 1842, married Jonathan Tipton Wiseman;

11. Delilah C. Estes, born in Arkansas in 1844, married Dudley Kinchelow;

12. John R. Estes, born in Arkansas in 1848, bachelor;

13. William M. Estes, born in Arkansas in 1850, married unknown;

14. Irene E. Estes, born in Arkansas in 1852, married Francis M. Gibbons;

15. Hugh Pinckney Estes, born in Arkansas in 1854, married Mary Jane Woods;

16. Lycurgus Winchester Estes, born in Arkansas in 1858, married Viola Woods;

17. Cader Tipton Estes, born in Arkansas in 1859, married Sadie A. Peugh; and,

18. Sidney J. Estes, born in Washington Territory in 1862, never married.

ANN¹¹ MALONE ESTES

(1836 Tenn. - aft. 1870 W.T.)

Ann Malone Estes was born on 31 January 1836 in Henry County, Tennessee, and died after the 1870 census in Walla Walla, Washington Territory. She married on 26 January 1853 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, Cader Cope, born about 1835 in Tennessee and died in 1869 in Polk County, Oregon. Cader is the younger brother of her sister Hannah’s husband William A. Cope.³⁵

Ann is the first child of Thomas’ second marriage to Irena Ann Malone, and no doubt takes her middle name from her mother.

According to Tarter, “Cade Cope, who married [in 1853] Ann Malone Estes, also came to the Walla Walla country, in 1861 [actually 1860]; lived there a year or two, then came to Oregon with his family and was for a short time on my father's place. Later the family acquired a small farm about two miles below Buena Vista, in Polk County, Oregon. Mr. Cope died of tuberculosis after spending a few years here - in 1869.“

“When property affairs were settled, Aunt Ann, with her family, moved to the vicinity of Walla Walla to be near her parents and other relatives. She died before she became an old lady, and is buried in a private cemetery near the road on Dry Creek, between Grandfather's old farm and the Thomas Paul farm. Several other relatives also are buried in this cemetery.” Ann’s daughter Amanda Cope married Isaac Paul.

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Ann Malone Estes widow of Cader Cope (who died the year prior) is shown as Ann Cope (34, Tenn.), living with her six children Amanda (16, Ark.); William (15, Ark.); Becky (11, Ark.); Octavia (5, Ore.); John (3, Ore.); and Cader [Jr.] (9 mos., Ore.).

Her parents and some siblings live nearby. Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) a farmer, and Irene Estes (55, Tenn.), live with their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.). Also in the home is their orphaned granddaughter Sarah Kincheloe (9, W.T.); and Thos. Henderson (16, Tenn.), a farmhand who attends school.

Also in the 1870 US Census for Sharp County, Arkansas, we find the Cope brothers’ mother – widow Elvey Cope (68 [born c. 1802] Tenn.), living with a housekeeper, Mary Bennett (18, Tenn.).

The children of Ann Malone Estes and Cader Cope are:

1. Amanda Cope, born about 1854 in Arkansas, and married Isaac Paul:

2. William (Bud) Cope, born about 1855 in Arkansas;

3. Rebecca “Becky” Cope born about 1859 in Arkansas; and,

4. Octavia Cope born about 1865 in Oregon, she is shown in the 1885 Walla Walla, Washington Territory County Census as 19 years old, living on her own, near her 44 year old uncle Thomas Estes and his wife Louisa Paul. She married A.E. Hess in Walla Walla on 4 October 1885.

5. John Cope, born about 1867 in Oregon; and,

6. Cader Cope, Jr., born in late 1869 in Oregon.

Tarter wrote: “Two of her children died while quite young while she was living in Oregon [perhaps John and Cader, Jr. who Tarter does not mention, but are shown in the 1870 Census record]. The whole family has now passed on.”

HANNAH¹¹ JORDAN ESTES

(18 37 Ark. - 1905 Ark.)

Hannah Jordan Estes was born on 10 August 1837 in Henry County, Tennessee, and died in Arkansas in 1905, and is buried in the Hardy Cemetery, Sharp County, Arkansas. She married at age 17 on 11 April 1854 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, William Ammon Cope, born in April 1827 in Warren County, Tennessee and died after 1900. William is the older brother of her sister Ann’s husband Cader Cope. In the 1870 US Census for Sharp County, Arkansas, we find their mother – widow Elvey Cope (68 [born c. 1802], Tenn.), living with a housekeeper, Mary Bennett (18, Tenn.).

We do not know much about Hannah. As discussed above, Thomas moved his family from Henry County, Tennessee to northern Arkansas in 1839, when Hannah was almost two. Tarter states: “In the year 1861, (it was actually 1860, HJE) Grandfather, with his immediate family and several families of his sons-in-law and others, moved from Arkansas to the Walla Walla country in Washington Territory. A daughter, Hannah Estes Cope, remained in Arkansas the remainder of her life. I know very little about her and nothing about her children."

The 1860 US Census for Richwoods Township, Lawrence County, Arkansas shows William A. Cope (33, Tenn.)[1827] married to Hannah J. Cope (21, Tenn.)[1839], and living with their sons Harvey M. (3, Ark.); James W. (2, Ark.).

They live near his brother Wiley H. Cope (38, Tenn.), and father Andrew Cope (55 Tenn.) [born c.1805], and their families. Also nearby is Burris and Susan Estes and their children, along with an Estes in-laws Robert McCord (36, Tenn.) his wife Nancy (33, Tenn.), and William Kincheloe (34, Tenn.), and James Kincheloe (25, Tenn.) [Hannah’s sister Delilah would marry Dudley Kincheloe], Archibald Burris Estes (30, Tenn.), William Gibbins (36, Ga.), and their families.

The 1870 US Census for Richwoods Township, Sharp County, Arkansas shows W.A. Cope (47, Tenn.), married to Hannah J. Cope (34, Tenn.), living with Harvey M. (12, Ark.); James W. (12, Ark.); Sarah L. (10, Ark.); Jesse [Cader?] (8, Ark.); Andrew(?) T. (5, Ark.); Marinda(?) E. (3, Ark.); Martha (2 mos., Ark.); and Nancy Estes (15, Ark.), housekeeper, (not the sister of Hannah, who would have been 28, married and living in Washington since 1859).

The 1880 US Census for Richwoods Township, Sharp County, Arkansas shows William A. Cope (53, Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.) married to Hannah J. Cope (40, Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.), living with their eight children Harvey M. (28, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Sarah S. (17, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Cader T. [Jesse?] (15, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Andrew F. (13, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Mary (11, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Martha (9, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); William A. (7, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); Martha (5, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.); and, Walter T. (2, Ark.; Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.).

The 1900 US Census for Hardy Township, Sharp County, Arkansas shows William A. Cope, Sr. (73, born April 1827, Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.), married for 46 years to H.J. Cope (62, born August 1837, Tenn.; Tenn.; Tenn.), living with their daughter Florence (18, born January 1882, Ark.). Hannah had eleven children, all of whom are living.

Hannah Jordan Estes Cope moved from Richwoods Township [Agnos] Township to Hardy, Arkansas after William died, sometime after 1900. She lived in a home across the street from their daughter Mattie Etter Cope and her husband Robert M. Jackson on Main Street.³⁶

The children³⁷ of Hannah Jordan Estes and William Ammon Cope are:

1. Harvey Monroe Cope, born in October 1856 in Arkansas, died in 1946, and married Jody --- [Vada Harf?] in about 1895, and had a daughter Thelma, born April 1896 in Arkansas, and secondly, Mattie Durham. He may also have had son H.M. Cope, Jr., born July 1878 in Arkansas and married Laura –, born July 1879 in Arkansas in about 1898; (1900 US Census Arkansas);

2. James Warren [Watkins?] Cope, born about 1858 in Arkansas (is not found in any census enumeration after 1870), and died in 1951, married Josephine Marie Roberts;

3. Sarah Louisa Cope, born about 1860-63 in Arkansas, married Walker Clayton, and died in 1954;

4. Jesse Cader Cope, born about 1862 in Arkansas, died after 1910. [The 1870 and 1880 census enumerations list Jesse, 8, and then Cader, 15 years old respectively. Their mother’s 1900 census entry states she had 11 children, all of whom were living. Thus, we presume these boys are the same person]. “J.C.” Cope (no age), a railroad laborer, appears in the 1900 Sharp County, Arkansas US Census as married for 16 years to Martha, born April 1860 in Tennessee, and living with their two surviving children, Ethel, born February 1885 in Arkansas; and, Jewell born May 1890 in Arkansas. “Jesse” Cope appears in the 1910 Arkansas census as 35 years old [1875], but married for 27 years, to Martha who had two surviving children, one of whom was 19 year-old son Jewell, living with them. Jesse C. Cope appears in the 1920 US Census for Hardy, Sharp County, Arkansas born in 1867;

5. Andrew Thomas Cope, born in April 1864 in Arkansas, married Irena Frances Wiseman, born in October 1868 in Washington, and had Marguerite in March 1893; Nina P. in August 1895; and, P___ R. in October 1898. Both parents died after 1900. Andrew was the Postmaster of Clyde, Washington in 1900. (1900 US Census Clyde, Washington);

6. Mary “Molly” Irene Cope, born about 1867-69 in Arkansas, married William L. Biggers, (brother of Robert S. Biggers, sons of Elizabeth Thomas Bigger (1839-)), had three children: Audi, Vada and Preston, and second Chester Dixon. Buried in Hardy Cemetery, Sharp County, Arkansas. [This Hardy, Arkansas Biggers family is connected to the Sharp County, Arkansas Estes clan by Martha E. Biggers’ c.1860 marriage to Thomas V. Stevens. Their daughter Martha Ellen “Mattie” Stevens would marry Rufus Wolf, whose daughter Martha Eviza Wolf married Arles Franklin Estes in 1929.];

7. Elvie Martell Cope, born about 1874 in Arkansas;

8. William A. Cope, Jr. born in September 1871 in Arkansas (1900 Census), died in 1947, married Laura Hope Blair in about 1895, born October 1874 in Illinois, and had three children, two of whom survived childhood – Wilma V. born 1902, and Emel(?) born 1905, both in Arkansas;

9. Martha Cope, born August 1877 in Arkansas, died after 1910, married Robert Jackson in about 1891 and had seven children five of whom survived childhood, Dixie in 1893; Floyd in 1897; Aubrey(?) in 1900; Pauline in 1903; and Homer in 1905;

10. Walter Theodore Cope, born about 1878 in Arkansas, married in about 1898 America E. Schenck, born in May 1879 in Arkansas, died before 1910 when Walter is shown as widowed in Sharp County, Arkansas, living with son Victor C., born February 1898 in Arkansas. In 1920 US Census he is 42, living with 28 year old wife Elizabeth Leah Williams, and Katherine D. (7), and Waldo W. (6), both born in Arkansas (1900, 1910, 1920 US Census); and,

11. Florence Rebecca Cope, born in January 1882 in Arkansas, living in 1910 with sister Martha and husband Robert Jackson, died in 1967.

WILLIAM AMMON COPE

(1827 Tenn. - aft. 1900)

Hannah Estes’ husband William Ammon Cope is the son of Andrew William “Andy” Cope, was born in 1805 in North Carolina, and married Evelyln “Elva” Felts, born c.1802-10 and died after 1870. Elva was an herb doctor who traveled Sharp County on a black pony, before physicians. Their children were William Ammon Cope; Rebecca Cope; Jesse Cope; James M. Cope; and a daughter who married Doctor Harve Bennett from Nashville. They both died before 1860 and their children -- Mary Jane Bennett, married Melton Cass Daugherty born 1848, and William V. Bennett -- went to live with her parents. Eighteen year old Mary Jane is in the household of Elvey Cope (68, Tenn.) in 1870.

The 1860 US Census for Richwoods Township, Lawrence County, Arkansas shows Andrew Cope (55, Tenn.), a farmer living with wife Elva (50, NC), and children Rebecca (25, Tenn.); Jesse (20, Tenn.); Amanda (18, Tenn.); James M. (15, Tenn.), along with Mary J. Bennett (8, Tenn.), and William B. Cope [Bennett?] (5, Tenn.). They live near Wiley Cope (38, Tenn), and his family.

The 1860 US Census for Richwoods Township, Lawrence County, Arkansas shows William A. Cope (33, Tenn.), a farmer living with wife Hannah J. (21, Tenn.); and children Harvey M. (3, Ark.); and, James W. (2, Ark.). His siblings are listed below.

The children of Andrew Cope and Evelyn Felts are:

1. William Ammon Cope, born about 1827 in Tennessee, married Hannah Jordan Estes;

2. Rebecca Cope, born 1835 in Tennessee;

3. Jesse Cope, born 1840 in Tennessee, Jesse Cope, born 1840 in Tennessee, “Jessee” Cope and “Jessie” Cope, born 1843-45 in Arkansas is/are found in Carroll County, Arkansas in 1870, 1880, and 1910 census;

4. Amanda Cope, born 1842 in Tennessee; and,

5. James M. Cope, born 1845 in Tennessee;

6. Daughter Cope, married Harve Bennett.

MARTHA¹¹ ELIZABETH “LIZZIE” ESTES

(1839 Tenn. – aft. 1880)

Martha Elizabeth Estes was born on 10 February 1839 in Henry County, Tennessee -- the last child born there -- and died after 1880 in Portland, Oregon. She married first in about 1857 Mr. Johnson and had two children by him before divorcing and marrying secondly in about 1863, David King, born about 1828-30 in Arkansas, and died after 1880.

According to the Tarter sketch, “Martha Elizabeth Estes (Aunt Lizzie) married a Mr. Johnson, by whom she had two sons, James and Marshall. She divorced Mr. Johnson and married David King when her two boys were young children. Theses two sons lived in the vicinity of Walla Walla during their lives and died before they passed middle age. As I recall, she had three King children - one son and two daughters.” David King was the captain of a large immigrant train to Washington.

“Several years before she reached middle life, she became afflicted with a mental disturbance and for many years she was kept in the State Hospital at Salem, Oregon, but her last years were spent in a sanitarium in Portland, Oregon. She lived to be an old lady, and her remains were buried in a cemetery in Portland. Her maintenance while in the sanitarium and her funeral expenses were paid by her son, Will R. King.”

In 1862, David R. King and Charles Bennett sued Nathan Morris in Walla Walla County court to collect on a promissory note. (Washington Digital Archives.)

Upon their arrival, the Estes families lived for a time near town. Tarter writes: ”When my parents and family lived, temporarily, in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington, during the winter of 1865-66, Grandfather and family were living on Dry Creek, about six miles from the town of Walla Walla. About a mile below there lived Uncle Thomas Estes and his young wife. Next below lived Uncle Tipton Wiseman and family, and below this lived Uncle David King and family. On a small stream called Spring Creek, which flows into Dry Creek, there lived Uncle Dudley Kinchelow. These farms all were consecutive except that the Zaring farm lay between Grandfather's farm and Uncle Thomas Estes' farm.”

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows David R. King (40, Ark.)[born c. 1830] is living with [Martha] Elizabeth [Estes] King (28 [born c. 1842], Tenn.), and W^m [William] King (12, Ark.); Marshall King (9, WT); W^m [William] King (6, WT); Laura King (4, WT); Sarah King (2, WT); and John King (1, WT).

Living nearby are her parents Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) a farmer, and Irene Estes (55, Tenn.) and their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.).

The fact that two King boys are each named William suggests a mixed family. Elizabeth was married first to a Mr. Johnson, by whom Tarter asserts she had two sons -- James and Marshall -- and soon divorced. If the first William is from Mr. Johnson, Elizabeth would have become pregnant at age 15, according to her 1870 census information [born 1842]. However, researcher David Powell has her birth date as 1839. Descendants of Abraham Estes webpage. If Tarter is correct and the elder Johnson boy went by “James,” perhaps he later changed his name to prevent confusion.

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Thomas Estes (80, NC; NC; NC) living with Irene (63, Tenn.; NC; Virg.), and their youngest child Sidney J. (18, WT). Also in the home are the Kincheloe orphans, Sarah J. (18, WT; Ark.; Ark.), and Jas. B. [James] (17, Ore.; Ark.; Ark.); their daughter Martha [Elizabeth Estes] King (40 [born c.1840], Tenn.; NC; Tenn.), and her daughter Sarah Ann King (12, WT; Ark.; Tenn.). Appendix.

The elder William would be 22, Marshall 19, and are perhaps on their own. Martha Elizabeth King is listed as married, but her husband David King is not found in Washington.

In 1880, David King (52, Ark.; Ky.; Ky)[born 1828] is living in Pleasant Valley, Baker County, Oregon with his son William R. King (15, WT; Ark. Tenn.). This matches information that we know about these Kings, including their birth places and years, and we know that that the younger William’s middle initial was R. Additionally, Baker County is not far from Walla Walla. Martha Elizabeth was placed in a mental institution in Salem, Oregon at some later point in her life, with son Will R. King making the payments.

The 1860 US Census for Perry County, Arkansas shows David R. King as a 22 year-old, Arkansas born farm laborer [born c. 1838], residing with Elizabeth (25, Ky.); William Hambleton (6, Ark.); Elihu Hambleton (3, Ark.); and Mary S. King (2, Ark.). He appears to be too young to be the same man.

Current Oregon Counties

The children of --- Johnson and Martha Elizabeth “Lizzie” Estes are

1. [William] James Johnson King, born about 1858 in Arkansas;

2. Marshall Johnson King, born about 1861 in Washington Territory;

The children of David King and Martha Elizabeth “Lizzie” Estes are:

4. Laura King, born in about 1866 in Washington Territory;

5. Sarah “Sadie” King, born in about 1868 in Washington Territory, died after 1880; and,

WILLIAM¹² RUFUS “WILL” KING

(1864 W.T. – 1934 W.D.C.)

Son of Mary Elizabeth Estes

(Daughter of Thomas Estes)

William Rufus King

William “Will” Rufus King was born 3 October 1863 in Washington Territory, and died in 1934 in Washington, D.C.. He married on 6 December 1892 in Danville Hendricks County, Indiana, Lizzie Myrtle King, had Eldon P. King and Myrtle King.

“Will R. King became a very outstanding man. He was born on Dry Creek October 3, 1864. In the early 1870's his father disposed of the farm near Walla Walla and acquired another farm in what is now Malheaur County, Oregon. Here young King attended district schools, found in that sparsely settled part of the State. He learned the varied duties of the old-time farmer's boy, and for several winters attended public schools in Weston, Oregon - three hundred miles from home. After completing his public school education, he attended Oregon State College for three years (1882-1885). During the next four years he was in charge of his father's farm, and then entered the law department of the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana. He graduated in Law with the degree LL.B in 1891, and began practice in 1892, at Vale, Oregon. In the following year he moved to Baker, Oregon, where he established an enviable reputation as a lawyer.³⁸

“His official and political career began in 1892, when he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Malheur County in the lower branch of the Oregon legislature. Two years later he was elected to a fourth term as State Senator for the district including Baker and Malheur Countries. In 1898, he became the nominee of his party for Governor of Oregon, but was defeated by a moderate plurality.

“After his gubernatorial campaign, Judge King devoted himself almost exclusively to professional practice, rapidly extending his reputation as a lawyer throughout the states of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. As a result, he was appointed Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Oregon. Two years later he became Associate Justice of that court, which office he held until January 1, 1911. [Official Oregon Supreme Court reports show Justice King authored 188 opinions between 1907 and 1910.] Upon his retirement from the Supreme Bench, he resumed the practice of law, with offices at Portland, Oregon. While on the Supreme Bench, Judge King wrote opinions in many important cases which are regarded as models of lucid statement and sound reasoning.

“When President Wilson made up his cabinet, he chose Hon. Franklin M. Lane as Secretary of the Interior, and he proceeded at once to put the Reclamation Service on a substantial and much improved basis. In recognition of his profound knowledge of this work, Judge King was selected Chief Counsel. This appointment was made on May 6, 1913. As Chief Counsel of the Reclamation Service, Judge King was head of the Legal Division, and had under his general supervision the work for the service of the many counsel employed therein. He held this office till the close of the Wilson administration.

“Judge King was married to Lizzie Myrtle King (not a relative) of Danville, Indiana, on December 6, 1892. They have one son, Eldon P. King, a lawyer of Washington, D. C., and one daughter, Myrtle, who is teaching in Hawaii. Judge King died in 1934, in Washington, D. C., at the approximate age of seventy years, and the remains are buried in Arlington Cemetery. His wife still lives, but I am not informed as to where she is at the present time.”

An 1898 biography³⁹ states:

“William Rufus King, the nominee for governor of the people's, democratic, silver republican parties, in this state, was born near Walla Walla, Washington, October 3, 1864, of pioneer parentage, and was brought up on a farm. The rugged life on a frontier farm tended to develop the characteristics of honesty, courage, self-reliance, and strong individuality, with which he was endowed by nature and which at the early age of thirty-three, has made him one of the foremost young men within the state of Oregon.

“He is truly what might be called a self-made man, for he has carved his way, practically unaided and alone, beset by obstacles, privations and trials which would have over whelmed any other less favorably endowed with nature. In every position in life, whether as a farmer's boy, laboring to earn sufficient money to pay for his education at college, before the bar, as a private citizen, or in the halls of the state senate, his strong mentality, individuality, sound conservative judgment, honesty of purpose and devotion to principle, have inspired the confidence and respect of all, and marked him as a fearless, safe and intelligent leader of men.

“When only thirteen years of age be traveled with another party from Walla Walla to Jordan Valley, in what is now Malheur County, Oregon, a distance of over 300 miles, he and his companions having but one horse between them, each riding and walking by turns. Young King worked upon a farm during that summer In Jordan Valley and in the fall, just after the close of the Indian war of 1857, traveled on horseback through what was then largely an uninhabited country to Walla Walla, Washington, to attend school, and when his school term had ended in the spring, returned to Malheur County to again take up his duties upon the farm, where he remained until 1882. By industry and rigid economy be earned sufficient money to take a course in college, and accordingly, In the fall of 1882 he entered the State Agricultural College, at Corvallis, Oregon, where he remained at school for three years.

“Necessity compelled him to again return to the farm in Malheur County, where he remained until 1889. During that year he began a course in the law school of Danville, Indiana. graduating from there July 1, 1891, with distinction and honor. Soon after he opened a law office in Vale, Malheur County, Oregon. In the spring of 1892, Mr. King was nominated by the Democratic party of Malheur County for the office of representative and was elected by a handsome majority. He was married on December 6, 1892, to Miss Myrtle King, of Danville, Indiana. In search of a larger field for the practice of his profession he removed to Baker City, Baker County, Oregon, in the spring of 1893, where he has since lived in the enjoyment of a good law practice, and where he is esteemed and respected by all irrespective of party.

“In the fall of 1893, Mr. King became dissatisfied with the democratic party, as interpreted by the Cleveland administration, and cast his lot with the people's party; and in the spring of '94 was nominated by the people's party for the office of state senator for Malheur and Baker Counties, the democrats nominating no one against him, and was elected by a majority of 380 votes over his republican opponent. While in the Oregon legislature, though in the minority party, he was soon recognized as a leader of that minority party, and was its nominee as president of the senate. His associates in that body speak of him as an able debater, as an earnest, conscientious man, possessed of sound judgment, conservative in his views, honest and industrious in his life, genial, kind and courteous In his manner, generous and loyal in his friendship, firm and determined in his purposes, pure and untainted in both his private and political life. He was the author of several important laws now upon the statute books of this state, notably among which is the present irrigation district law distributing the five per cent. fund among the various counties of the state for road purposes. He introduced in the senate the only resolution ever submitted to our state legislature proposing an amendment to the constitution of Oregon, providing for direct legislation by the people. He also introduced the first and only resolution memorializing congress to recognize the belligerent rights of the Cubans and asking for intervention on the part of the United States.

As a Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, he described the republican form of government in one of his most significant opinions:

The principal point suggested by the petition for rehearing is the contention that the people of Oregon have no power by constitutional amendment or otherwise, to deprive the legislature of the sovereign power to enact, amend, or repeal any charter or act incorporation of any city or town, and any attempt to do so is void. The question ... is whether the people may, by constitutional amendment, reserve to themselves the right to enact any law to the exclusion of the legislature....

Measured in the light of the above [a republic is "a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people..." James Madison, quoted in The Federalist (Hamilton Ed.) Paper 309, p.301], it is difficult to conceive of any system of lawmaking coming nearer to the great body of the people of the entire State, or by those comprising the various municipalities, than that now in use here, and, being so, we are at a loss to understand how the adoption and use of this system can be held a departure from a republican form of government. It was to escape the repression resulting from governments controlled by the select few, so often ruling under the assumption that "might makes right" that gave birth to republics. Monarchial rulers refuse to recognize their accountability to the people governed by them. In a republic the converse is true.

Kiernan v. City of Portland, 57 Ore. 454, 112 Pac. 402, 403-405 (1910)(King, J.).

CHRONOLOGY FOR WILLIAM RUFUS KING ⁴⁰

1864 Born in Washington Territory

1882-1885 Attended Oregon State College.

1889-1891 Attended law school in Danville, Ind. graduating with high honors. Then practiced law in Indianapolis for a few months.

1892 Resided Vale, Ore. Elected state representative from Malheur County

1893 Baker City law practice, King & Saxon.

1894 Elected State Senator.

1898 Selected as the Democratic, Populist, and Silver Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon (losing to Hon. T. T. Geer).

1899 Ontario, Ore. law practice.

1910 Oregon Supreme Court Justice.

1934 Died in Washington, D.C.

THOMAS W.¹¹ ESTES

(1841 Ark. – 1920 Wash.)

Thomas W. [Wesley?] Estes was born in Arkansas in 1841 and died on 18 October 1920, in Seattle, Washington. He married in about 1865 in Washington Territory, Louisa Jane Paul (performed by Joseph Paul, with witnesses Thomas Paul and Alvin Zaring, her father and her uncle), born in 1849, and died on 7 January 1931 in Seattle. He and Louisa are buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Seatlle (Section 1, Grave No. SW 1008A).

Thomas came west in 1860, but not in his father’s party, or perhaps he split from the main group, as he traveled to California rather than to Washington with the rest.

Louisa was the eldest of the five children of Thomas Paul (1828 W.V.- aft. 1893 Wash.?) and Elizabeth Mortimore (c. 1828 Ind. – 1862 “on the plains”).⁴¹ Louisa’s father Thomas Paul was the third of the seven children of Joseph Paul (1806 W.V. – 1885 W.T.) and Mary Cummins (c. 1806 – 1887 W.T.). He moved with his parents to Indiana and then to Iowa. In 1862, they crossed the plains in a 50 wagon train. Their trip by ox-team took five months, and some of their party were killed by Indians. Unfortunately, Thomas’ first wife Elizabeth died on the trip and was “buried alone on the great plain.” ⁴²

Upon their arrival, Thomas Paul bought 160 acres, increasing that to 430 acres over time. He settled on Dry Creek near Walla Walla, where he became a near neighbor of Thomas and Irene Estes. For at least 30 years beginning in the early 1860’s Thomas was a preacher. He remarried in 1863, Susan Ellis, widow of Eli Zaring, and had four more children.

Thomas W.’s nephew Nicholas Tarter would later write: “Thomas W. Estes, Grandfather's third son, and first son by his second wife, was born in Arkansas and grew to manhood there. When twenty years of age, or in 1860, he came to California and made his home with his brother-in-law and half-sister, Hardy and Mary Long, for a period of almost two years.

“In 1862, he came to Oregon and visited his half-sister, Susan Tarter and family; also he visited his Aunt Nancy Estes, widow of his Uncle John Estes, and family. During this time he found great pleasure in associating with his cousin, Joseph Estes, who he had known in his boyhood days in Arkansas. In 1863, he went to Walla Walla County, Washington, and acquired a farm about a mile below that of his father. While here he met Louisa Paul, whom he married in 1865. To this union was born a large family - eleven children - of who I will speak later.”

Tarter states in another section: ”When my parents and family lived, temporarily, in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington, during the winter of 1865-66, Grandfather and family were living on Dry Creek, about six miles from the town of Walla Walla. About a mile below there lived Uncle Thomas Estes and his young wife. Next below lived Uncle Tipton Wiseman and family, and below this lived Uncle David King and family. On a small stream called Spring Creek, which flows into Dry Creek, there lived Uncle Dudley Kinchelow. These farms all were consecutive except that the Zaring farm lay between Grandfather's farm and Uncle Thomas Estes' farm.” Louisa Paul Estes’ father had married Eli Zaring’s widow.

“After living on Dry Creek a number of years, they became owners of a large farm on Eureka Flat, where they dwelt a few years, after which they moved to Polk County, Oregon. Here they lived a number of years, Mr. Estes operating a grocery store for a time. Mr. and Mrs. Estes, whom I knew affectionately as Uncle Tom and Aunt Louisa, lived in Seattle, Washington, during the last years, where their remains are buried [in the Lakeview Cemetery].⁴³ Uncle Tom was not quite eighty years at the time of his death [on 18 October 1920], and Aunt Louisa was past eighty when she passed away [born 1849, died on 7 January 1931].”

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) a farmer, and Irene Estes (55, Tenn.). They live with their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.). Also in the home is Sarah Kincheloe (9, W.T.); and Thos. Henderson (16, Tenn.), a farmhand who attends school.

Thomas and Irene’s eldest son (and fourth child) Thomas W. Estes lives nearby, married to the daughter of their neighbor Thomas Paul. The 1870 census shows Thos. Estes (29, Ark.) and Louisa [Paul] Estes (20, Iowa), owning $4,000 in real estate and $1,100 in personalty. They reside with their young son Joseph (1, WT), and a boarder W.J. Waters (26, Ohio).

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Thomas W. Estes (39, Ark.; NC; Tenn.) a farmer, living with wife Louisa (30, Iowa, Ind.; Ind.), daughter Ida? (4, Wash.; Ark.; Iowa); William (1, Wash.; Ark.; Iowa); and, daughter Alta (7 mos., Wash.; Ark.; Iowa).

The 1910 US Census for Seattle, King County, Washington shows Thomas W. Estes (69 [1831], Ark.) living with his wife Eliza J. (60, Iowa, Ind.; Iowa), in the home of his daughter Alta E. Swartz (30, Wash.), married 8 years to her husband H.M. Swartz (35, Mt.), and children Ira W. (7, Wash.); and Louise Irene (3, Ark.).

“Will Estes received word yesterday of the death of his father Tom Estes, in Seattle. He was a brother of H.T., C.T., and L.W. Estes of Walla Walla. Will Estes left for Seattle last night.” Walla Walla Union, Friday 19 November 1920.

Thomas W. Estes and Louisa Paul Headstone

Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle Washington

(Photograph by author, 2009)

The children of Thomas W. Estes and Louisa Paul are:

1. Joseph Edwin Estes, born 1869, Washington Territory, died young;

2. Clara Augusta Estes, born about 1871, died young;

3. Jennie Elizabeth Estes, born about 1874, died young;

4. Ida Irene Estes, born about 1876 in Washington Territory, married --- Avery, resided in Seattle;

5. William Newton Estes, born on 3 November 1877 in Washington Territory, and died 30 September 1966, he resided in Seattle. “William N. Estes, 1877-1966,” is buried in Section 1-32, Baker Circle, of the Mountain View Cemetery, (Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, p.40, Beach, Descendants of Burrus Estes);

6. Alta Maude Estes, born about 1880 (10 November 1879, per Beach) in Washington Territory, married H.M. Swartz, born 1875 in Montana, and died 2 February 1954, (Beach) resided in Vancouver, B.C., had children Ira W. Swartz born about 1903 in Washington, and Louise Irene Swartz, born about 1907 in Alaska. In 1900, Miss Alta Estes resides at 148 Whitman, Walla Walla, with her brother Claude (City Directory).

7. Claude Wesley Estes, born 4 August 1882, and died 17 October 1965, in Seattle, Washington. In 1900, Claude W. Estes works as a clerk for Dr. Nelms and lives at 148 Whitman in Walla Walla. Walla Walla marriage records show that Claude Wesley Estes married on 5 October 1904, L. Marian Haynes. Lochie Marian Hayner was born in 1884 in Oregon (Census). Whatcom County, Washington birth records show that Lochar Marion Hayner and Claude Wesley Estes had daughter Dorothy Marion Hayner on 10 August 1909 in Bellingham. “Claud W.” appears in the 1920 US Census for Seattle, as a 37 year old, Washington-born income tax accountant, residing with his wife, L. Marion (35, Ore.; Ky.; Mo.), and daughter Dorothy M[arion] (10, Wa.; Wa.; Ore). Also in the home is Marion’s sister Verda L. Hayner (21, Ore.). Claude and Lochie are buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle near his parents (Section 7, grave no. S ½ 992).

8. Eva Lillian Estes, twin, born about 1883, died young;

9. Mabel Vivian Estes, twin, born about 1883, died young;

10. Orville Burris Estes, born about 1885, died young; and

11. Otho Paul Estes, born 25 August 1886, in Washington Territory, resided in San Francisco and Seattle, died after 1966 (May 1979, in Seattle, per Beach).

Tragically, six of Thomas and Louisa’s eleven children died young. Tarter writes: “The first three died within a few days of one another, from diphtheria. Eva and Mabel were twins, and both died in infancy, as did Orville. The five living are as follows: Ida of Seattle, William of Seattle, Alta of Vancouver, B. C., Claude of Seattle, and Otho of San Francisco. Ida is now Mrs. Avery, and Alta is Mrs. Swartz.”

The children are buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla, in a grave marked “Children of Thomas W. Estes and Louisa Estes, 1869-1885” (Baker Circle, Block 16, Lot 47, Grave 16). Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, p.40.

Claude W. Estes and L. Marion Hayner Marker

(Photographs by Author, 2009)

Lakeview cemetery records also show that Marie E. Estes (misspelled in the cemetery Index as “Maie,”) died on 16 June 1911, at age 43 (born about 1868) and is buried in Section 15, grave no. 1155B (as of 2009 unmarked). This grave is well to the north of Thomas and Louisa, and Claude and Lochie Marian, leading too the possibility that they were not related. No other likely female fits as a daughter or daughter-in-law of Thomas W. and Louisa Estes.

WILLIAM¹² NEWTON ESTES

(1877 W.T. – 1966 Wash.)

Son of Thomas Wesley Estes

William Newton Estes was born in Walla Walla, Washington Territory on 3 November 1877, and died there on 30 September 1966. He married Essie [possibly DeWitt, sister of Clyde], in Walla Walla.

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin⁴⁴

2 October 1966

ESTES, LIFE RESIDENT, DIES AT 88

William N. Estes, 88, of 213 W. Cherry St., died at his home Friday.

Estes, who had been a resident of Walla Walla all of his life, was born here Nov. 3, 1877. He attended local schools and as a young man had worked for several local grocery firms. Later, he and his brother-in-law, Clyde DeWitt, opened a grocery store on Main Street and operated it for several years. After selling his interest, he opened an automobile business on West Alder and had the distributorship for the Gardner automobile and the Reo trucks.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Wayne (Maxine) Saltmarsh of Walla Walla; two sons, Clifford Hughes of Holman, Ore., and Gordon Estes of Granada Hills, Calif.; one brother, Otho Paul Estes of Seattle. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. One daughter, Mrs. Lawrence (Evelyn) Kenworthy died in February of this year in Redwood City, Calif.

He is member of the Christian Church.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the DeWitt chapel with the Rev. Jasper C. Havens of the Central Christian Church officiating. Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery.

Mrs. Estes Dies at Home.

Essie Estes, age 78, of 518 E. Main, died on 24(?) August 1960 in Walla Walla, where she was born on 26 April 1882. She was buried in the IOOF cemetery. Survivors include daughters Mrs. Lawrence (Evelyn) Kenworthy of Redwood City, Calif., Mrs. Paul (Maxine) Craver of Walla Walla, sons Clifford Hughes of Holman, Ore, and Gordon Estes of Los Angeles, Calif. Husband William Newton Estes preceded her in death. [Buried in Mountain View cemetery.]

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 31 August 1960.⁴⁵

1. Maxine Estes, married Wayne Saltmarsh and then before 1966 Paul Craver of Walla Walla, died after 1966;
   

2. Clifford Hughes, of Holman, Oregon, died after 1966;
   

3. Gordon Estes, of Granada Hills, California died after 1966; and,
   

4. Evelyn Estes, married Lawrence Kenworthy, died in February 1966 in Redwood City, California.

NANCY¹¹ EMILY ESTES

(1842 Ark. – 1916 Wash.)

Nancy Emily Estes was born in Arkansas in September 1842, died 17 February 1916 in Walla Walla. She married on 20 March 1859 in Strawberry Hill, Lawrence County, Arkansas, Jonathan Tipton “Tip” Wiseman, born September 1833 in Tennessee, and died in 1907 in Washington.

Nicholas Tarter wrote: “Nancy Emeline [“Emily” per death certificate and other records] Estes, Grandfather's fourth daughter by his second wife, was born in Arkansas and grew to womanhood there. She married Tipton Wiseman and in a very short time afterward came west to Walla Walla County, Washington [in 1859, a year before her father], where they acquired a farm on Dry Creek and lived there a number of years. Later they sold this farm and obtained a large farm on Eureka Flat. Here, with the assistance of their sons, they did extensive farming for several years. In their elderly years they retired from the farm and lived in the city of Walla Walla the remainder of their lives.”

Nancy Emily Estes

(Photograph in Possession of Harriett Hart Beach)

The Estes family was one of the oldest and best known families in the Walla Walla Valley, with teenage bride Nancy Estes arriving the year before her parents in 1859.⁴⁶ The Wisemans homesteaded in the Sudbury area northwest of Walla Walla, where they farmed for 19 years. In 1879, speculation about the Northern Pacific Railroad coming through the Clyde area caused them to file a 160 acre Timber Culture claim (NW ¼ Sec. 30, Twsp. 11, R. 35 E.)⁴⁷ It is on this land that her parents and brother John are buried.

Known for her strength and resilience, Nancy Emily (Estes) Wiseman was among the earliest pioneer women in the Walla Walla Valley. She married at age 16 to Jonathon “Tip” Wiseman in 1859. Nancy was helping Elizabeth Wiseman with her sewing for the trip when she met Tip Wiseman (Elizabeth’s brother?). She ended up coming in Elizabeth’s place.⁴⁸ They were married and had a wedding feast cooked on the campfires, and spent their honeymoon on a 100 wagon train along the Oregon Trail headed for the Pacific Northwest. They had to hurry; the wagon train had already left town, and Tip was the wagonmaster.

Tip Wiseman’s interest in the area began when he visited the Walla Walla area on a trip from Arkansas to the Oregon Territory in 1853. When he returned from California to Arkansas in 1859, he traveled alone on a mule the entire way.

Nancy and Tip had eleven children during their years together in the Walla Walla region, all of whom survived. Their first son, William Nathan, was the first white male child born in the Valley, in 1860. Her father, Thomas, moved to the Walla Walla Valley from Arkansas shortly after, in 1860. The Estes and Wiseman’s stock farms were located first in the Dry Creek Valley northwest of Walla Walla before they moved to Eureka Flat. Nancy remained in Walla Walla until her death in 1916.

Prior to the summer of 1863, Tip and Nancy Wiseman went to southern Idaho near Boise, but returned to Walla Walla before 27 July 1866 when Charles W. was born there. Land records show them living in the Sudbury District, three miles below her father’s land, toward Harvey Shaw Road. Patent Certificate No. 59, Walla Walla County Deed Book M, p. 135. Tip died at his home at 135 Whitman Street, Walla Walla, on 19 February 1907.

Tip and Nancy lived on Dry Creek during 1860-1875, before moving into Walla Walla for five years, then to Eureka Flat, and then back to the city in 1898.⁴⁹

Upon their arrival in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, the Estes families lived for a time near town. Tarter writes: ”When my parents and family lived, temporarily, in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington, during the winter of 1865-66, Grandfather and family were living on Dry Creek, about six miles from the town of Walla Walla. About a mile below there lived Uncle Thomas Estes and his young wife. Next below lived Uncle Tipton Wiseman and family, and below this lived Uncle David King and family. On a small stream called Spring Creek, which flows into Dry Creek, there lived Uncle Dudley Kinchelow. These farms all were consecutive except that the Zaring farm lay between Grandfather's farm and Uncle Thomas Estes' farm.”

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) a farmer, and Irene Estes (55, Tenn.). and their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.). Nearby in the 1870 Census is their daughter Nancy Emiline Estes, and Jonathan Tipton Wiseman, shown as J.T. (35, Tenn.) and Nancy Wiseman (27, Ark.), living with their six children William (9, WT); Jefferson (8, WT); Josephine (6, WT); Charles (4, WT); Francis (2, WT); and, Mary (3 mos., WT). They would have five more children by 1884. Appendix.

The 1900 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows J.T. Wiseman (66, Tenn.; NC; Tenn., born Sept. 1833) and Nancy Wiseman (57, Ark.; NC; Tenn., born September 1842), who have been married for 41 years; and had 11 children, ten of whom are still alive. They are living with their children Dollie (27, single, Wash.; Tenn.; Ark, born December 1872); Bertha E. (17, single, Wash.; Tenn.; Ark, born June 1882); Martha E. (15, Wash.; Tenn.; Ark, born July 1884); Elmer E. (20, single, Wash.; Tenn.; Ark., born October 1872); and Charley G. Wiseman (5, Wash.; Wash.; Ore., born April 1895). Charley’s G. Wiseman is Tip and Nancy’s grandson. Appendix.

According to her death record, Nancy was the daughter of Thomas Estes of Tennessee and Irene Malone of Arkansas, and died at age 73 on 17 February 1916 [making her born about 1843], and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla. Appendix.

Tarter states that their seven⁵⁰ children were: “William, Jefferson, Josephine (Wiseman) Abbott, Charlie, Frances (Wiseman) Cope, Mary (Wiseman) Harvey, Dollie (Wiseman) Smails (should be Porter, not Smails. HJE)” All but Martha are buried with them in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mrs. Wiseman is occasionally portrayed at the Fort Walla Walla Museum by Eatonville resident, Harriett Hart Beach, who is her great-great-granddaughter, and an esteemed Estes family researcher.

Harriett Hart Beach

The children of Nancy¹¹ Emily Estes and Jonathan Tipton Wiseman are:

1. William Nathan Wiseman, born 5 February 1860 in Walla Walla, died 25 May 1930, in Twin Falls, Idaho, married on 1 October 1888 in Walla Walla, Elizabeth A. “Lizzie” Wightman;

2. Jefferson Davis Wiseman, born 24 July 1861 in Walla Walla, died 10 September 1937 in Twin Falls, Idaho;

3. Josephine Verna Wiseman, born 22 August 1863, died 28 February 1937, married on 29 February 1884 in Walla Walla, John H. Abbott in Walla Walla (marriage certificate);

4. Charles W. Wiseman, born 27 July 1866 in Walla Walla, died October 1896, of Prescott, Washington Territory married on 29 February 1888 in Walla Walla, Laura Tarter of Walla Walla (his first cousin, daughter of his mother’s sister Susan Abigail¹¹ Estes and Robert Tarter, pages 384 and 388, a nurse and hospital administrator in Walla Walla);

5. Irena Frances Wiseman, born 27 October 1867 in Walla Walla, died 17 April 1948 in San Francisco, California, married on 31 July 1889 in Walla Walla, Thomas A.G. Cope;

6. Mary Elizabeth Wiseman, born 30 April 1870 in Walla Walla, died 12 August 1927 in Walla Walla, married on 13 December 1887 in Walla Walla, Joseph Walter Harvey;

7. Dorothy “Dollie” W. Wiseman, born 5 December 1872 in Walla Walla, died 30 December 1919, married on 15 October 1908, John William Porter, no children;

8. Thomas Arthur Wiseman, born 9 January 1876 in Walla Walla, died 26 June 1916 in Idaho, married on 2 January 1898, in Walla Walla, Amelia Loske;

9. Elmer Ernest Wiseman, born 14 October 1879 in Walla Walla, died 2 April 1943, buried IOOF section of Mountain View Cemetery, married on 21 October 1903 in Walla Walla, Irma Bernadine Rupp born in Michigan, daughter of Bernard Rupp and Sarah Hinman(?)(Marriage Certificate);

10. Bertha “Birdie” Ethel Wiseman, born 18 June 1882, died 29 October 1910 in Walla Walla, married Frederick deLacy and had daughter Dorothy deLacy; and,

11. Martha Estelle Wiseman, born 24 July 1884, died 29 January 1971, married Lloyd Smails. 

JONATHAN TIPTON WISEMAN

(1833 Tenn. – 1907 Wash.)

Jonathan Tipton Wiseman was born on 5 September 1834 in Warren County, Tennessee. He married on 20 March 1859 in Strawberry Hill, Lawrence County, Arkansas, Nancy Estes, and died on 19 February 1907 in Walla Walla, Washington. He is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in that town. J.T. “Tip” Wiseman is the half-brother of William Wallace Wiseman, through their father Martin Wiseman, and his wives Sarah Moore and Ann Ennis, respectively. William married Frances Morris, the daughter of Martha Estes (Thomas¹⁰ Estes’ sister) and Lemuel Morris. Tip came west on three separate occasions.

Jonathan Tipton Wiseman

In 1853, Jonathan Tipton “Tip” Wiseman, age 20, started for California with ox-teams. A Washington historian writes that at Fort Bridger, east of Salt Lake City, the group decided to go to Oregon. He stayed for three at months Whitman Station, then to Portland where he worked as a steward on the steamboats Belle and Lot Whitcomb plying the Willamette and Columbia rivers until April 1855. ⁵¹

Launched in 1850, Lot Whitcomb, was the first steam-powered craft built on the Willamette River in Oregon and was one of the first steam-driven vessels to run on the inland waters of Oregon. She contributed to the rapid economic development of the region. Lot Whitcomb was built in the tradition of Hudson River steamboats, with some influence from the Mississippi style. (The distinctive Columbia River type of boat would not emerge for about another 8 years.) Launched on December 25, 1850 with a general celebration. The Lot Whitcomb was hailed as the advent of modernity in Oregon, she flew a big pennant from her bow that read "Independence."⁵²

Steamboat Lot Whitcomb

Lot Whitcomb ran twice weekly on the route from Milwaukie to Astoria, making the run in 10 hours, a substantial improvement over the previous time set by the Columbia of 24 hours, which charged $25 fare for the run from Portland to Astoria, but under pressure from Lot Whitcomb was forced to drop. For a while, the owners of Lot Whitcomb as Milwaukie boosters, refused to stop at Portland. Portland's city founders retaliated by raising $60,000 and then buying the Gold Hunter to come north to the Columbia River, where she ran for about a year against the Whitcomb. Lot Whitcomb proved expensive to operate, and was sold in 1854.

Lyman continues saying that after the river work Tip Wiseman went to the Yreka District of California where he was somewhat successful at placer mining. From there he returned overland to Arkansas in June 1857, where he remained for two years, farming.

Tip then made his third crossing of the plains, coming to Walla Walla, Washington Territory in 1859, shortly after his March 20^th marriage to Nancy Estes. “Tip Wiseman was a wagonmaster and would gather over 100 wagons on the Strawberry Hill and take the wagon train west to Walla Walla, Washington. He made two known trips. Nancy Estes was helping Elizabeth Wiseman with her sewing to come west and that is how Nancy Estes met Johnathan (sic) Tipton Wiseman. Nancy married Tipton Wiseman and went west in Elizabeth’s place. There was a wedding feast cooked on campfires on the March 20, 1859 wedding day.”⁵³

Upon arriving, he homesteaded on Dry Creek for 15 years, moving to Walla Walla for five years. He then purchased a 640 acre farm on Eureka Flat which he worked even after returning to town in 1898 where he bought a house on Second Street on six lots. Tip may have had financial problems, or was contrary, as he was sued as many as 12 times for the collection of money, mainly on promissory notes between 1867 and 1883. In 1888, he was sued in a right of way condemnation dispute.⁵⁴

DOROTHY¹² “DOLLIE” E. WISEMAN

(1872 – 1919 Wash.)

Daughter of Jonathan Tipton Wiseman and Nancy¹¹ E. Estes

Walla Walla Union, Page 3, Column 1, January 4, 1920:

“Porter Funeral Monday

The funeral of Mrs. Dollie W. Porter, who passed away in Seattle, will be held from the MacMartin and Hill Chapel on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Readers of the Christian Science Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery.”

John and Dollie had no children of their own but they adopted her niece Dorothy Lacy, orphan of Fred and Ethel Lacy. Dorothy Lacy became Dorothy Porter and after the death of John and Dollie Porter she Returned to Walla Walla to live with her aunt Mary Harvey.

THOMAS¹² ARTHUR WISEMAN

(1876 W.T. – 1916 Ida.)

Son of Jonathan Tipton Wiseman and Nancy¹¹ E. Estes

Walla Walla, Washington Newspaper

June 28, 1916

FUNERAL ARTHUR WISEMAN TODAY

[January 9, 1876 - June 26, 1916]

“Well Known Walla Wallan Killed By Horse in Twin Falls Monday.

“The funeral of Arthur Wiseman, who was accidentally killed near Twin Falls, Idaho, Monday will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the residence of his sister, Mrs. J. W. Harvey, 274 Marcus Street. Trinity Lodge of Odd Fellows of which he was a member, will attend the services and have charge of the grave. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

“Details of the accident which caused his death have not yet been learned but it is known that he was thrown from a horse when the animal became frightened and ran into a barbed wire fence. He had been in Idaho for two months past, looking after the property of his brother Jeff, who was away.

“Arthur Wiseman was born in this city and had lived here practically all his life, being well known. He was 40 years of age. His parents were prominent Eureka Flat farmers. Mrs. Harry Abbott, Mrs. Lloyd Smails, Mrs. J. W. Harvey of this city and Mrs. John Porter of Pomeroy were sisters; Elmer Wiseman of this city, Jeff of Twin Falls and William of Franklin county were brothers.

The Descendants of

Nancy Emily Estes

and Jonathan Tipton Wiseman

1. Ada Alice Wiseman, born 12 August 1890 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 1943, married Jack Johnson, had Jack in 1921;

2. Grace Leila Wiseman, born 26 April 1893, in Walla Walla, Washington, died 2 November 1987, married Harry Edward Lambert, had Annabelle, 1914-1990, Vernita, 1916-1917, Denise Elizabeth, 1926-;

3. Clarence Wiseman, born about 1895, died September 1895, in Walla Walla, Washington;

4. Doris Elaine Wiseman, born 8 September 1906 in Walla Walla, Washington, married Wallace Davis in 1932 in Twin Falls, Idaho;

The children of Jefferson Davis Wiseman and Sophia Ann Wiseman are:

1. Leonard F. Wiseman, born 25 September 1885 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 3 September 1937 in Idaho, married Bessie Rees, and had Howard Leonard, 1910-; Claude Rees, 1912-; Ruth Louse, 1918-1956;

2. Lora Frances Wiseman, born 29 April 1887 in Walla Walla, Washington, died in 1928, married Louis Timmons;

The child of Jefferson Davis Wiseman and Sadie Peugh⁵⁵ is:

1. Lillian Wiseman, born 30 January 1901, married on 25 June 1919 in Twin Falls, Idaho, Earl W. Vance, and had Maxine and Shirley;

The children of Josephine Verna Wiseman and John H. Abbott are:

1. Annabelle Abbott, born 1 January 1885 in Walla Walla, Washington, died at age 15 on 25 January 1900;

2. Byra Marguerite Abbott, born January 1886 in Walla Walla, Washington, died before 28 February 1937, married Raymond Earl Paddock in 1906;

3. Verna Abbott, born 6 November 1899 in Walla Walla, Washington, died in San Francisco, California on 11 July 1962, married Roy Alexander in 1906 and John Scott before 1937;

4. Lisle Abbott, born 9 May 1894 and died on 12 June 1894 in Walla Walla;

5. Emily Abbott, born July 1897 in Walla Walla, died on 6 March 1927 in Seattle, married John C. Allison and had Robert Vaughn, 1914-1961;

6. Susan Abbott, born on 27 October 1901 in Walla Walla, Washington, died on 21 November 1987 in Seattle;

The children of Irene Frances Wiseman and Andrew Thomas Cope are:

1. Marguerite Cope, born 24 March 1892 in Walla Walla, Washington, died in September 1981 in Moscow, Idaho, married Fulton Gilbreth Gale, 1892-1974, and had Fulton Gilbreth Gale, 1918-1996; and Cope Ross, 1920-;

2. Neda Cope, born about 1896 and died in December 1904 in Walla Walla, Washington;

3. Irene Ruth Cope, born 23 October 1897 in Walla Walla, Washington, and died 1 April 1993 in Willets, California;

4. Beulah Cope, born about 1900 in Walla Walla, Washington, died November 1906;

5. Paul Wiseman Cope, born 11 April 1905 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 26 April 1953, Pacheco Pass, California, married in 1931 Helen Frost 1910-aft. 1992, and had Cynthia Anne 1932-; and married secondly in 1940 Agnes Dryad Dougherty, 1911-1961, and had Peter 1940-1952; Pamela Cynthia 1943-; and, Michelle Pauline 1949-;

6. Madeline Jordan Cope, born 16 October in Seattle, died 20 December 2005 Coupeville, Washington, married in 1934 Ernest Ossman, 1909-1959, and had David Harrison, 1936-;

The children of Mary Elizabeth Wiseman and Joseph Walter Harvey are:

1. Vere Walter Harvey, born 21 December 1888 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 27 July 1939, married in 1911 Hattie Mae Stine 1888-1979, and had Marybelle Helen, 1913-1986, who married in 1934, Orville Howard Hart 1912-1977, and had i. Harriett Ann Hart, born 28 July 1937 in Walla Walla, Washington, and married Philip Frank Beach, and had David, Susan and Douglas; ii. Catherine Vere Hart; and iii. Marjorie Ellen Hart;

2. Darrel Joseph Harvey, born 26 September 1893 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 18 October 1966, married in 1915 Guenndolyn Phyllis Snyder 1898-1999, and had Phyllis Elaine, 1917-; Janice Elsie 1918-; Virginia Dare 1920-1997; Joan Helen 1923-1985; Mary Elizabeth, 1929-;

3. Paul Lynn Harvey, born 27 February 1896 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 11 March 1986, married in 1919 Nell Venus Wait 188-1959, and had Philip Hamilton 1920-1994; and Elaine Lynell 1924-1999;

4. Helen Cordelia Harvey, born 8 March 1898 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 30 September 1975, married in 1927 Michael Leo Moran 1896-1951, and had Nancy Evelyn, 1928-; and Michael Leo 1930-;

5. Mary Elizabeth Harvey, born 2 April 1902 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 21 June 1960, married in 1925 Charles Richard Baxter 1901-1970, and had John Harvey 1928-1972; Betty Jo 1933-;

6. Nancy Rachel Harvey, born 2 March 1906 in Walla Walla, died 1 April 1915;

7. Elsie Josephine Harvey, born 17 April 1909 in Walla Walla, Washington, died 12 February, married in 1932 Cecil Vollendorf 1908-1968, and had Gretchen Elizabeth Vollendorf 1933-; married secondly in 1945 Earl McFarland 1898-1961, and had Joseph Harvey McFarland 1946-1965;

The children of Elmer Ernest Wiseman and Irma Bernadine Rupp are:

1. Orville Rupp Wiseman, born 12 December 1904 in Washington, died 10 March 1967, married in 1933 Elinor Shaw 1899-1978, and had Orville Rupp Wiseman, 1934-;

2. John Clyde Wiseman, born 1 June 1909, in Walla Walla, Washington, died 17 July 1980 in Seattle, married in 1936 Elizabeth Ann Pierce 1908-1991, and had Gail Elizabeth 1939-; John Clyde, 1943-;

3. Bernadine Wiseman, born 21 July 191 in Washington, married Richard McFarlane, and had Penny 1940-; and Tom, after 1941-;

The children of Bertha Ethel Wiseman and Frederick Lacey are:

1. Dorothy Lacey, born 2 March 1907 in Walla Walla, Washington, died in Camarillo, California 10 March 1961; married Willard Gobbell, and had Willard Harrison; and John Joseph;

The children of Martha Estelle Wiseman and Lloyd Clark Smails are:

1. Margaret Helen Smails, born 16 December 1907 in Washington, died in February 1985, married Charles Humphrey, married secondly in 1947 George Roy Hamm 1904-1974, and had Margaret Martha, 1948-1948;

2. John Wiseman Smails, born 14 December 1914 died 11 June 1991, married Hazel Geraldine Phillips, 1915-, and had Susan Gay, 1938; Andrea Jon, 1943; Gretchen Elizabeth, 1948-; Jill Lynn, 1954-; and, Phillips Franklyn, 1954, twins;

3. Lloyd Franklin Smails, born 1 October 1921, died 9 September 1946, married Davida Lucille Phillips, 1921-, and had Candace Jan, 1944-;

DELILAH¹¹ ESTES

(c.1839 Ark. – 1868 W.T.)

Tarter writes: “Delila Estes, Grandfather's fifth daughter by his second wife, was born in and raised in Arkansas. She married [Jonathan] Dudley Kinchelow [or Kincheloe, born about 1839 in Arkansas, and died 26 May 1868 in Washington Territory], and with her family came with her father's people to Walla Walla County, Washington, in 1861 [actually 1860], and settled in the Dry Creek valley. She and her husband both died in 1868, leaving three children.

Upon their arrival, the Estes families lived for a time near town. Tarter writes: ”When my parents and family lived, temporarily, in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington, during the winter of 1865-66, Grandfather and family were living on Dry Creek, about six miles from the town of Walla Walla. About a mile below there lived Uncle Thomas Estes and his young wife. Next below lived Uncle Tipton Wiseman and family, and below this lived Uncle David King and family. On a small stream called Spring Creek, which flows into Dry Creek, there lived Uncle Dudley Kinchelow. These farms all were consecutive except that the Zaring farm lay between Grandfather's farm and Uncle Thomas Estes' farm.”

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows their orphaned daughter Sarah Kincheloe (9, W.T.) is in the home of her grandparents Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) and Irene Estes (55, Tenn) who live with their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.). Also in the home is Thos. Henderson (16, Tenn.), a farmhand who attends school. Sarah’s brothers are not found in this census.

The estate of John “Dudley” Kincheloe and Delilah (Estes) Kincheloe’s was probated in 1868 in Walla Walla County. In a separate proceeding “Thomas Estes named guardian of Sarah, James and Rufus, minor heirs of Delilah and John Kincheloe.”⁵⁶

However, ten years later, “Jas. B. Kincheloe” (17, Ore.; Ark.; Ark.) is in Thomas Estes’ home as is Sarah (1880 US Census for Walla Walla). Sarah and James’ youngest brother Rufus Kincheloe is not found in any census, but is believed to have survived his parents.

The children of Delila Estes and Dudley Kinchelow are:

1. Sarah Kinchelow, born about 1861 in Washington Territory, died after 1880;

2. James Kinchelow, born about 1863 in Oregon, died after 1880; and,

3. Rufus Kinchelow, born before 1868.

JOHN¹¹ R. ESTES

(1848 Ark. – 1882 W.T.)

John R. Estes was born in 3 August 1848 in Lawrence County, Arkansas and moved to Washington Territory with his family in 1860 when he was 12. He remained a bachelor and died on his parent’s farm on 10 February 1882. He is buried with his parents, who died after he did.

Tarter wrote: “Here [at Dry Creek] my grandparents [Thomas and Irene], with their younger children, lived happily for approximately twenty years. There were seven children at home in 1866. John, the oldest, was eighteen years of age and Sidney, the youngest, who was born on Dry Creek, was four years old.” Later he says, “John R. Estes, Grandfather's second son by his second wife, was born in Arkansas and came with his parents to the Walla Walla country when he was thirteen years of age. Here he grew to manhood and later acquired a farm on Eureka Flat. He operated this farm for several years. He remained a bachelor and died when he was thirty-four years of age [born c.1848].”

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington (dated 4 June) shows Thomas Estes (80, NC; NC; NC) a married farmer, living with his sons who are farmers, John R. (32 Ark.; NC; NC)[1848]; Hugh (25, Ark.; NC; NC); Winchester (22, Ark.; NC; NC), and Cader T. (20, Ark.; NC; NC). All the boys are single. Thomas actually lives in town, and the boys operate the farm.

In 1880, John Estes is a farmer who lives in Walla Walla’s Langford's Addition. (Walla Walla City Directory.) “John R. Estes died Feb. 10, 1882, aged 37 [34?] years,” and is buried in the Clyde Cemetery with his parents.⁵⁷ This would place his year of birth as 1845.

WILLIAM¹¹ M. ESTES

(1850 Ark. -1875 W.T.)

William M. Estes was born in 18 April 1850 in Arkansas, married in approximately 1870-74, an unknown woman in Arkansas, and died on 26 April 1875 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory. His middle name in unknown, but his older brother James Estes named his second son William “Marlden,” so that is a possibility.

According to Nicholas Tarter: “William M. Estes, Grandfather's third son by his second wife, was born in Arkansas and came to Walla Walla County, Washington, when he was eleven years of age. He grew to majority while on his father's farm.”

“Early in life he went to Arkansas, married there, kept store for a short time, and then returned with his wife to his father's home. Shortly thereafter he became ill, as did his wife. He soon passed away. The day after his death, his wife died, and both were buried at the same time in the private cemetery on Dry Creek, Walla Walla County.”

William is not found in the 1870 or 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Washington Territory, or other counties.

IRENE¹¹ E. ESTES

(1852 Ark. – 1923 Wash.)

Irene E. Estes was born on 11 June 1852 in Lawrence County, Arkansas, and died on 19 November 1923 in Seattle, King County, Washington. She married⁵⁸ on 24 March 1867 in Walla Walla, Francis Marion Gibbins, born 3 January 1830 near Asheville, Alabama and died 28 December 1918 in Harrington, Lincoln County, Washington. They are each buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery there.

Tarter wrote: “Irania E. Estes, Grandfather's sixth daughter by his second wife, was born in Arkansas, came west with her parents when she was nine years of age, and lived at her parents' home until she married Mr. Frank Gibbins, when she was approximately sixteen. She spent most of her life in the territory and state of Washington, where she raised a large family, almost all of whom were daughters. She died when in her early seventies.” Tarter’s use of the name Irania is singular. All known records state “Irene” or “Irena.”

Francis Gibbins landed in California in 1853 where he stayed for 11 years striking it rich in the gold fields. From there he traveled to Idaho in 1864 looking for more opportunities, arriving in Fisherville [Idaho, founded in 1864 but no longer in existence] in 1865.⁵⁹

According to A History of Central Washington:

“With her people, she [“Irena”] crossed the plains with ox-teams about the year 1859, and located in Walla Walla County. In 1867, she was married to Mr. [Francis] Gibbons. To this union were born 16 children. They followed farming many years in Oregon, but in 1883 came to Washington and homesteaded land south of Harrington.”⁶⁰

A marriage certificate shows that “Irene E. Estes” married on 24 March 1867 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, “F.M. Gibbins.” Appendix.

The 1870 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Irena’s parents, Thomas Estes (70, Ark.) a farmer, and Irene Estes (55, Tenn.). They live with their youngest five children: John (21, Ark.); Hugh (16, Ark.); Winchester (12, Ark.); Tipton (10, Ark.); Sidney (8, W.T.).

Nearby in the 1870 Census is Thomas and Irene’s youngest daughter Irene Estes who married a man more than twice her young age, Francis M. Gibbins. They are shown as F.M. (37, Ala.) and Irene (19, Ark.) Gibbins, living with sons “Dixie(?)” (2., WT) [possibly Hugh P.]; and John (1, WT). As did her mother and namesake, she married early and had many children – 16 in all. Appendix.⁶¹

The 1885 Lincoln County, Washington Territorial census shows F.M. Gibbins (54, Ala.), living with I.E. [Irene] Gibbins (34, Ark.) and their children: “L.P.” (17, WT)[possibly Hugh P.]; G.T. (14, Ore.); A. (12, Ore.); W. (8, Ore.); J. (6, Ore.); G. (4, Ore.); and, L. (2, Ore.). Appendix.

The 1889 Lincoln County Territorial Census has the family as "Givvons," including F.M., Irene, Geo, Addie, Wm, Harvey, Grace, Lena, Alice and Maud.

The 1889 Lincoln County, Washington Territorial Census also shows their daughter Bertha Adaline’s future husband, Eugene Page (23, WT).

The 1892 Census for Lincoln County, Washington shows: F M Gibbins (male, 61, Ala.) farmer; [Irene is not listed], living with children Addie (18, Ore.); Harvey (14, Ore.); Grace (12, Ore.); Joseph (11, Wash.); Nettie (7, Wash.); Maud (5, Wash.); Laura (4, Wash.); and Babe (female, 1, Wash.).

The 1900 US Census for Clyde, Walla Walla County shows their son Harvey Gibbons (21, born 1879, Ore.; Tenn.; Ark.), living alone. Appendix.

The 1902 Harrington City Census shows F. M Gibbins (m, 71 Ala.) blacksmith, living with wife I. R. Gibbins (50 Ark.); and children Elsie (15 Wash.); Laura (13, Wash.); Annis (f., 11, Wash.); and, B. (f., 9, Wash.).

Harrington, Lincoln County

Settlement of Lincoln County began in the late 1860s. Most settlers raised cattle on the abundant bunchgrass that grew in the bottomlands. Their number of increased until the severe winter of 1880-81 wiped out almost all the herds. The ranchers rebuilt but yet another killing winter came in 1889-90. The wheat crops also suffered during the cold winters. The farmers soon realized that more feed was needed to keep cattle alive during the winter months and many landowners began raising wheat, which became the principal industry. Barley, oats and rye were also being farmed. Dry land farming became the most common type of farming because of the semi-arid climate.

In 1880, Lincoln County was known only as "a howling desert". However, the Harrington, Furth, & Robinson firm saw that the soil was fertile and could be used for farming. In 1882 they bought the land that would later make up the town of Harrington. It was in the same year that the Northern Pacific Railway Company looked into stretching their rail lines through the area. Named in honor of W.P. Harrington, one year later people first inhabited the town.

Lincoln County, Washington

The first store in Harrington was opened by Edward Willis and Charles Billings. The next year, the post office was opened by Edward Willis who assumed the role of the first post master. Soon after in 1884, the blacksmith shop and the Pickell Hotel were established and two years later, the first saloon opened. In 1892, the farming community had its first grain bins that came along with the Northern Pacific Railway Company tracks running down the middle of town. Within the next two years, the town grew as the railroad continued construction on its railways. Then the Hotel Harrington opened. The main street was established and made the city come more alive, and there was a two-room school house built, along with a drug store, stables, meat market, barber shop, two hotels, four general merchandise stores, drug store, bank, and furniture stores. By the year of 1890, the town was booming.

Harrington, Washington 1898

The railroads arrived in Lincoln County in the 1880s bringing more settlers and the transportation to ship their wheat and cattle to the East. The Northern Pacific R.R. Company crossed the county in 1889-90, and the Great Northern came through Lincoln County in 1892-93.

Harrington (2000 population 426) is still is a prosperous wheat growing town in the Big Bend country southwest of Davenport in southeast Lincoln County. In 1879, this site was claimed as a homestead by Adam Luby. The town is named for W. P. Harrington of Colusa County, California, a banker and land speculator who purchased 1,500 acres of land in 1883, with a Seattle banker Jacob Furth. It was platted by Horace and Emily Cutter. The town was incorporated April 17 1902.

The filing of the earliest homesteads in the Harrington, Lord’s Valley, Bluestem and Mohler areas began in 1879. Others purchased their lands from the railroad. In many cases the men of the family would seek out an area for a homestead, establish living quarters, and send for the remainder of the family. The original Harrington Cemetery was reportedly 1-½ miles south of the southeast corner of the present school property (1998). There exist today 32 tombstones which pre-date the burial of in 1898 of the first body interred in the new cemetery, later named Hillcrest.

FRANCIS M. GIBBINS

(1830 ALA. –1918 WASH.)

Francis Gibbons was born in Alabama in 131, married Thomas’ daughter Irene E. Estes on 24 March 1867 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory. He died in Harrington, Washington on 28 December 1918. The Harrington Citizen front page obituary⁶² for Francis M. Gibbins of 3 January 1919 reads:

Francis Marion Gibbins, one of the earliest pioneers of Harrington, died of old age at his home here last Saturday [28 December 1918], being 88 years, 11 months and 25 days. The transformation of the west from the days when it was the domain of the Indian to its present state of civilization has occurred during the observation of the deceased. Sixty-six years of his life have been spent in the west. He was born in Alabama near Ashville in 1831. In 1853 he went to CA[lifornia] and engaged in mining on American River. In 1864 he heard of gold in this northern district and came to Idaho.

In 1865 he crossed the Spokane River with a mule train loaded with flour. He headed for Fisherville. There he sold all of his flour at $50 a sack and bought a claim. In one cleanup he made $800. The largest nugget was worth $400 and was a fist full of gold. In 1867 he married Mrs. Gibbins at Walla Walla. They farmed for years in Oregon and in 1883 they took up a homestead a few miles south of Harrington and have lived in this district since. At that time there was no railroad here; land sold at $2 an acre and wheat brought 12-½ to 20 cents a bushel. Sixteen children were born to Mr. & Mrs. Gibbins, 9 girls and 7 boys, eight of whom are still living: Hugh Gibbins, Mrs. Eugene Page, Mrs. Grace Weaver, Miss Inez Gibbins, Mrs. Maud Foxford, Mrs. Blanche Porter, Mrs. Jolena Duncan, Mrs. Frances Fenton. The wife also survives. Burial occurred in the Harrington cemetery.

The obituary of Irene Estes Gibbins reads:

Harrington Citizen 23 November 1923

Following an illness of some four months, Mrs. Irene Gibbons, age 72, died at the home of a daughter in Seattle. The body was shipped to Harrington. Interment took place in the Harrington Cemetery where Mr. Gibbins and two of the boys were previously buried. Deceased was born in Arkansas Jan 11, 1852. She crossed the plains with her parents and settled at Milton, OR. In 1865 she married Francis Marion Gibbins. Fifteen [16?] children were born to this union, eight of whom are now living. Ten grandchildren also survive her as well as two brothers at Walla Walla, Sydney Estes and Win Estes. The surviving children are: Hugh Gibbins, Mrs. Eugene Page, Mrs. Theo Weaver, Mrs. Robert Fenton, Mrs. Chas Duncan, Mrs. W. B. Porter, Mrs. Wm Foxford and Miss Inez Gibbins.

The obituary of their son Harvey Gibbins who died in Seattle of tuberculosis, reads:

Harrington Citizen 16 December 1904.

Not suddenly, but with that slowness and fatalness which only consumptive sufferers realize, Harvey Gibbins, son of F. M. Gibbins and wife of this city, was cut off in the prime of his young manhood, in Downs last Sunday (Dec 11, 1904) morning. Have, as he was called by his many friends, was employed at the time of his death by the Seattle Grain Co, having charge of their warehouses in Downs. Interment was made in the Harrington Cemetery Monday.

And on a tragic note, their son William C. Gibbins was shot to death by the sheriff in 1902:

Harrington Citizen 2 May 1902

On last Sunday morning Deputy Sheriff Nichell of Okanogan county and Constable Phillips of Almira attempted to arrest Billy Gibbons and George Wilds in Almira, charged with horse stealing. The latter drew their guns and started for their horses, pursued by the officers. About 30 shots were fired and Gibbons received three wounds from which he died Monday. Wilds was arrested in a livery stable. Nichell covered this man, who drew a revolver, but it was grabbed by Constable Phillips. Gibbons was found in the saloon by the two officers and shooting began. He was shot through the breast, the bullet lodging in his back. He was also hit in the hip and leg. He mounted a bare back horse and rode 11 miles before being overtaken. Gibbons’ body was brought back to this place, his former home, on Wednesday, and interred in the cemetery after a service at the grave. The parents of the unfortunate man have the sympathy of their many Harrington friends in this doubly trying bereavement. That their son went wrong was certainly not the fault of his early training. This tragedy should be a warning to every young man and teach him to use the utmost caution in the choosing of his associates.

(The Lincoln Co Death Certificate shows Wm Gibbons, age 26 years, died Apr 29, 1902, burial at Harrington. Headstone states son of F,M.)

The obituary for daughter Addie (Gibbins) Page states:

Harrington Citizen 20 July 1951

Bertha Adelene (Gibbins) Page

Mrs. Gene Page (Addie Gibbins), Seattle, died Wednesday and the funeral services will be held at Wenatchee, with burial in Hillcrest cemetery. Mrs. Page’s parents are at rest in Hillcrest, as also are her sisters, Mrs. C. B. Duncan, Alice Gibbins, and her brothers, Harvey and Bill.

Addie’s husband, Eugene Page’s 1941 Wenatchee Daily News obituary provides:

Eugene Rudgar Page

Eugene R. Page, 75, died at his home, Monday after an extended illness. Born near Columbus, WI, May 22, 1865, he lived there until he came to Lewis Co, WA, with his parents in 1877. Four years later he moved near Mohler, WA, and on Feb 15, 1893, he married Miss Bertha Gibbins at Sprague. In 1900 they moved to Odessa and later to Wenatchee… Surviving are his widow, of Wenatchee; one brother, Fred Page; one sister, Mrs. Florence Browning; three children who were raised in the Page home: Eugene Cunningham, Barney Cunningham and a niece, Miss Lillian Page.

Harrington Citizen 21 Feb 1941

Funeral services were held Wednesday at Wenatchee. The body was brought to Harrington for interment in Hillcrest Cemetery. Mrs. Page is a sister of the late Mrs. Chas B. Duncan, and daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Gibbins, pioneers of this section.

Their daughter Jolena died in 1939:

Harrington Citizen 15 Sept 1939

Jolena Rosebaugh (Gibbins) Duncan

Following many months of being a partial invalid, the result of a stroke of apoplexy, death came for Mrs. Charles Duncan Sunday evening. Jolena Duncan was born on a homestead 6 miles south of Harrington, Jan 17, 1884, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Gibbins who came into this locality in 1883. She attended the old Liberty school in that district. Feb 6, 1906 she married Charles B Duncan and they moved to the farm. Funeral services were conducted from the Community Congregational church Wednesday. Interment was in Hillcrest Cemetery. Surviving Mrs. Duncan were her widower, C. B. Duncan; son, Marion; a brother, Hugh Gibbins of Tacoma; 6 sisters, Mrs. Eugene Page (Addie); Mrs. Grace Weaver; Mrs. Lewis Carter (Blanche); Miss Inez Gibbins; Mrs. Billie Foxford (Maude); and Mrs. Robert Fenton.

Jolena’s husband Charles B. Duncan died some 20 years later:

Harrington Citizen 6 Feb 1959

Charles B. Duncan

Charles B. Duncan, 76, was born at Sacramento, CA. He came to Harrington in 1902 and worked for Charles W. Bethel on the farm. In 1904 he married Jolena Gibbins and that fall they moved to the farm south of town which Charlie purchased from John Kloft (a distant kin of the late Mrs. Edward Gooley, Sr.). The Duncans resided on this farm until about 1939, when Mrs. Duncan needed to be in town for medical treatment. Mrs. Duncan died soon after that. Mr. Duncan entered Sacred Heart hospital last week Thursday because of a heart condition. He was doing nicely and Friday he collapsed and died from a heart attack. Graveside services were held at Hillcrest Cemetery. Survivors include nieces: Alice Bims, Irene Holmgren; a nephew, Dr Underwood. Coming from out of town for the rites were Susan (Irene) Gibbins (sister of the late Mrs. Chas Duncan); Mr. & Mrs. Jack Bims (Alice, daughter of the late Grace Gibbins Weaver); Mr. & Mrs. Merle Holmgren (Irene, daughter of Hugh Gibbins); Mrs. Frances Duncan (daughter-in-law of Mr. Duncan) and her daughter Mrs. Emil Adler; and Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Cunningham. (Mrs. Cunningham is a niece of Mrs. C. B. Duncan’s sister, the late Mrs. Eugene Page.) (Marion Duncan who lived in Tacoma, helped Mr. Duncan with the busy season farm operations, until his death two years ago.)

Daughter Alice died in 1910:

Harrington Citizen Sept 16, 1910

Alice Gibbins

Mrs. [Irene Estes] Gibbins was called yesterday to Wenatchee by the sad news of the death of her daughter, Alice, who has been suffering from consumption for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbins have the sympathy of their friends in their sad hour of bereavement.

Addie and Eugene lost a son:

Harrington Citizen 12 July 1901

Estes Eugene Page

Estes Eugene Page, the infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Page of Mohler was buried in the Harrington Cemetery on Wednesday, July 3.

Other possible relatives’ obituaries include:

Harrington Citizen 18 Oct 1901

Abram V Page [Eugene’s father?]

The funeral of Mr. Abram Page of Mohler was conducted at the cemetery on Thursday morning. Mr. Page was born in New York May 12, 1828 and died in Mohler Oct 16, 1901, in his 73rd year. Mrs. Page was unable to be present by reason of the sickness of a daughter on the Sound. The widow, 3 sons and 3 daughters mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and father.

Lincoln County Times 14 Sept 1894

Emma (Cameron) Page

Sept 4, 1894, Mrs. Emma Page, wife of [Sylvanus] “Skip” Page, died at Harrington. The funeral was conducted at the residence by Rev Burrill in the presence of a large concourse of friends and neighbors.

The children of Irene E. Estes and Francis M. Gibbins are:

1. Hugh Pinckney Gibbins, born 4 December 1868 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, he is perhaps the two year-old son “Dixie” shown in the 1870 US Census, died 30 September 1954 in Grant County, Washington, married perhaps after 1888 Lela ---, who lived in Tacoma in 1939 and died after 1954, and had Bruce Gibbins, born 4 August 1916 and died on 29 January 2000 at Soap Lake, Washington (SSDI); and Irene Gibbins;

2. John Gibbins, born about 1868-69 in Washington Territory, died after the 1885 Lincoln County Census (in which he is identified as “L.P.”), but before the 1919 death of his father, perhaps before the 1889 census;

3. George T. Gibbins, born about 1871 in Oregon, died after 1885 Census, but before the 1919 death of his father;

4. Bertha Adaline “Addie” Gibbins, born on 19 July 1874 Weston, Umatilla County, Oregon, died on 18 July 1951 at Providence Hospital, Seattle, King County, Washington, married on 13 February 1893 Eugene Rudgar Page, born about 1866 and died 17 February 1941, Harrington pioneer and later Wenatchee fruit grower, son of Abraham Page and Louise Vendure. At the time of their 1893 marriage in Sprague, Eugene was 26, Bertha 19, and both lived at Crab Creek. Witnesses were S. Page and his wife. Appendix. Eugene Page was the treasurer of the Odessa Commercial Club in 1904. (“Eugene F. Page,” possibly a son or nephew, married Glinora Jane Reddick in Chelan County in 1938.)

5. William C. Gibbins, born about 1876 in Oregon, left home by age 16, died at age 26 on 29 April 1902, after a shootout with local law men near Almira, Lincoln County, Washington, and was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington. See Obituary, above;

6. James Gibbins, born about 1879 in Oregon, died before 1889 census;

7. Harvey J. Gibbins, born about 1879 in Oregon, died of consumption on 11 December 1904 in Seattle, and buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Harrington. See Obituary;

8. Grace Gibbins, born 8 January 1882 in Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon, died in 17 January 1959 in Seattle, King County, Washington, and married Theodore D. “Theo” Weaver;

9. Joseph Gibbins, born about 1881-83, the last child born in Oregon, and died after 1892 in Harrington, Lincoln County, Washington;

10. Jolena “Lena” Rosebaugh Gibbins, born 17 January 1884 in Harrington, died 10 September 1939 south of Harrington, Lincoln County, Washington; married on 6 February 1906 Charles B. Duncan, born 1882 in California and died in 1959. She is perhaps “L.” in the 1885 census. They had child Marion Duncan. They are both buried in Hillcrest Cemetery. See Obituaries, above;

11. Daughter Gibbins, born about 1885, died before 1889;

12. Alice E. Gibbins, born in May 1886 in Washington Territory, died of consumption in September 1910 in Wenatchee, buried in Hillcrest Cemetery;

13. Maude M. Gibbins, born in October 1887, died after September 1954, married before 1919, William A. Foxford;

14. Laura Frances Gibbins, born in August 1889 in Washington Territory, died in Sacramento, California on 2 November 1964, married Robert N. Fenton;

15. Susan Inez Gibbins, born on 10 May 1891 in Harrington, Lincoln County, Washington not married in 1939, died 6 November 1973, in Seattle, King County, Washington; and,

16. Blanche G. Gibbins, born in March 1893 in Washington, died after 1934, married (1) before 1919 --- Porter, married (2) before 1939 Lewis Carter, died after 1939.

HUGH¹¹ PINCKNEY ESTES

(1854 Ark. -1927 Wash.)

Hugh Pinckney Estes was born in 1854 in Arkansas, and died in Seattle, King County, Washington died 26 April 1927, and was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery, (Block 61, Lot 13, Grave 7 no marker). Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, p. 39. He married on Christmas Day 25 December 1882 in Walla Walla, Mary Jane Woods, born about 1860 in Missouri and died and was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery on 22 February 1921. (Early Walla Walla Marriages)(Block 61, Lot 13, Grave 8 no marker)(Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, at 39).

According to the Tarter sketch: “Hugh P. Estes, Grandfather's fourth son by his second wife, was born in Arkansas, and came with his parents to the Walla Walla country when he was seven years of age, living with them till he was in his late ‘teens,’ when he came to Oregon and made his home with my parents, Robert and Susan Tarter, for several years. During this time he worked for a number of farmers and a great deal for my father. He became well acquainted in the neighborhood and was well liked by all, especially by the younger folk.” “Later he returned to Walla Walla, where he acquired a farm on Eureka Flat, married a Miss Woods, and was a successful farmer for a number of years. He passed away in his early seventies, leaving, as I am informed the following named children: Myrtle, Mabel, Hazel, and Lloyd Estes.”

Professor Lyman⁶³ wrote of Hugh:

"Hugh P. Estes, dealer in cigars and tobacco, No. 10 ½ South Third Street, is a native of Arkansas, born December 11, 1854. When six years old he accompanied his family on the long journey across the plains. They located on Dry Creek, six miles north of Walla Walla, and there Mr. Estes grew to manhood, receiving such education as the primitive schools afforded. On reaching the age of eighteen he went off to Oregon, and subsequently, engaged in stock raising. Returning to Walla Walla after three years' absence, he engaged in farming on Eureka Flat, where his home was until 1898. In that year he sold his eight-hundred-acre farm and moved into town, in order to secure for his children the advantages of the city schools. He has since given his attention to the line of business in which we now find him.

“Mr. Estes is considerably invested in Walla Walla real estate and is one of the stockholders in the Statesman; also still owns a farm and stock in Benton County, Oregon. He has long taken a very active interest in the political affairs of the county, and may well be ranked among its political leaders. As a man and a citizen he stands well wherever he has lived, enjoying the confidence and good will of all. In fraternal affiliations he is an Odd Fellow. He was married in Walla Walla, December 25, 1882, to Miss Mary Woods, a native of Missouri, and they have four children, Mertie, Hazel, Mabel, and Lloyd.”

“His father, Thomas Estes, deceased, a pioneer of 1860, was born in North Carolina, and in that state grew to manhood and was educated. On attaining his majority he removed to Tennessee, and while there he met and married his first wife. He subsequently went to Arkansas, where for a number of years he was engaged in tilling the soil. In 1860, he set out across the plains to Washington, and finally settled at Dry Creek, where he lived about eighteen years, afterwards moving to Walla Walla. After living a retired life for several years he took up his abode on a farm on Eureka Flat, and this continued to be his place of residence until August 20, 1886, when he died.”

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington (dated 4 June) shows brothers John R. (32 Ark.; NC; NC); Hugh (25, Ark.; NC; NC); Winchester (22, Ark.; NC; NC), and Cader T. (20, Ark.; NC; NC) working the farm of their 80 year old father, who actually lives in town.

Hugh P. Estes was married on Christmas Day 1882 at the home of his father Thomas Estes in Walla Walla, Mary J. Woods by a “minister of the gospel” in the presence of his brother Cader T. Estes, and his nephew Isaac E. Paul (the son of Hugh’s older sister Ann Malone Estes Cope) and Thomas Paul, a neighbor of Thomas and Irene. Appendix.

In 1898, Hugh P. Estes resides at 233 Jones. (Walla Walla City Directory.) Hugh’s residence in 1911-1912 was still 233 Jones, Walla Walla.⁶⁴ His son Lloyd Estes (a farmer) is listed at same address.

The 1887 Washington Territorial Census⁶⁵ for Walla Walla County shows: H.P. Estes (34, Ark.)[1853], M.G. (27, Oh.)[1860], M.M. (3, W.T.), Mable (1, W.T.), and Sidney Estes (25, W.T.)[his brother, youngest son of Thomas¹⁰, who died in November the year before].

Funeral Notes – Estes

“Funeral services for the late H.P. Estes, formerly of Walla Walla, will be at 3 o’clock, Tuesday, April 26, at the Cookerly and Funk Chapel. Internment, Mountain View Cemetery. Rev. J.B. Hunley will be in charge of the services.”

Walla Walla Daily Bulletin, 25 April 1927.

Obituary, Mrs. Lulu Estes

“Mrs. Lulu Estes, 62 years old, wife of Hugh P. Estes, died suddenly Saturday evening from a stroke of apoplexy. She was at her home, 233 Jones street, where she has lived for the past 24 years. The survivors are her husband and four children, Mrs. Myrtle Brooke, Astoria, Ore., Mrs. Mabel Samuels, Twin Falls, Ida., Mrs. Hazel Cellow [Callow], Elam, Wash., and Lloyd P. Estes of Calgary, Alb.

“The son was with his mother at the time of her death, and the three daughters are expected to arrive tomorrow. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock from the family home to the Mountain View Cemetery, where the burial will be made.”

Walla Walla Bulletin, 21 February 1921.

The children of Hugh Pinckney Estes and Mary Jane Woods are:

1. Myrtle Estes, born about 1885 in Washington Territory, died after 1920, married Harry W. Brooks, born about 1881 in Pennsylvania. We do not know Harry’s ancestry. However, given his connections to Walla Walla and his place of birth, his mother may be Harriett V. Brooks (64, Penn., Ire., Ire.)[1846], shown in the 1910 US Census for Walla Walla as the mother of five (?) children, two of which are alive. She is perhaps widowed and living with her sister Margaret Dovell (67, Penn., Ire., Ire.). Margaret’s Portuguese husband John has been gone since the 1900 census. Thomas Brooks (32, Penn., Penn., Penn.)[1878], perhaps a brother, is an inmate at the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla in 1910.

2. Mabel Estes, born about 1886 in Washington Territory, married (1) --- Mekalson and had a son named Howard Mekalson, married (2) Samuel Samuelson, a car dealer in Walla Walla, Washington. In 1910 she is living with sister Myrtle, above. They are not located in any other census;

3. Hazel Pinckney Estes, born after 1882, died in 1979, married Edward Joseph Callow (called Ted), born in Singapore on 14 November 1910, and died 1 May 1939 in Seattle, Washington. Ted was the eighth of 12 children of Edward Callow and Margaret Sayle, who immigrated before 1881 (probably 1872-75) to Wisconsin and then Mason County, Washington Territory from the Isle of Man. The 1920 US Census for Matlock, Mason County, Washington, shows Edward J. Callow (36, Wash.; Isle of Man; Wisc.), living with wife Hazel (31, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.); and children Edward F. (7, ?);Mary (5, Wash.); Elizabeth (2-½, Wash.);and, Richard (1-½, Wash.). See, letter below; and,

4. Lloyd Estes, born in 1880 and died in 1965 and is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery. A marriage certificate shows that Lloyd Hugh Estes, 26 born in Walla Walla, son of “Hugh Pinckney Estes” of Arkansas and Mary Jane Woods of Missouri, married on 12 October 1916, Esther Mae Kenney 22 years old, born in Spokane, daughter of Joseph Brown Kenney of Indiana and Elizabeth Randall of Ohio, at St. Paul’s in Walla Walla. Obituary, Infant Child Dies. “The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd H. Estes died early yesterday morning and internment was made yesterday afternoon in Mountain View Cemetery.” Walla Walla Bulletin, 16 December 1917. Appendix.

W.H. “HARRY” BROOKS

(c.1881 Penn. – aft. 1920)

Myrtle Estes’s husband, W.H. “Harry” Brooks was a newspaperman in Oregon and Washington. The 1910 U.S. Census for Baker, Baker County, Oregon shows Harry W. Brooks, a circulation manager for a daily paper [The Morning Astorian] (29, Penn.; Penn.; Penn.)[1881], living with his wife of four years Myrtle M. (26, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.); and their only child, son Stanford (1, Ore.; Penn.; Wash.), and Myrtle’s sister Mabel Mechelson (24, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.)[1886], married for three years with one child. George Mechelson (36, Wisc.; Sweden; Sweden, single laborer) is in Portland.

"W.H. Brooks, on December 16, 1892, issued the first number of the Grant Dispatch on the press formerly used to print the Dufur Dispatch. It suspended in the summer of 1893. W.O. Maxwell, who hailed from Goldendale, Wash., as did J.M. Cummins, started the Grant Dispatch in the summer of 1893. On May 14, 1894, Grant experienced a cloudburst and flood and the Dispatch was washed overboard and became a total loss.”⁶⁶ “W. H. Brooks, formerly publisher of the Dispatch, at Dufur, Oregon, has moved his plant to Grants, Oregon, and will continue publication at that place.”⁶⁷

W.H. Brooks was the editor of the Scimitar, during at least August and September 1911. This paper was published weekly in Kettle Falls, Washington. During this time he exchanged correspondence with T.C. Elliott of Walla Walla⁶⁸ (reproduced in Appendix.) discussing Mr. Elliott’s proposed manuscript for the paper’s upcoming special edition. Thompson Coit Elliott (1862-1943), was an investment banker who served as Whitman College treasurer, and donated the land on which the Walla Walla Public Library was erected with money donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. He also wrote several local histories, including one published by the Scimitar Press in 1911, which may be the one discussed in the letters. T.C. Elliot, David Thompson, Pathfinder and the Columbia River (Kettle Falls, Wash.: Scimitar Press, 1911). Their letters also refer to his earlier work, T.C. Elliott, Peter Skene Ogden, Fur Trader (Portland, Or., Ivy Press, 1910). Both are found in the Spokane Public Library.

The 1920 U.S. Census for Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon shows Harry Brooks, a circulation manager for a newspaper (39, Penn.; Penn.; Penn.), living with his wife Myrtle (35, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.)[1885]; and son Stanford (11, Ore.; Penn.; Wash.)[1909], along with “lodger” Jessie Webber (21, Wisc., bookkeeper).

The child of Myrtle Estes and Harry W. Brooks is:

1. Stanford E. Brooks, born about 1909, enlisted in the Army during WW II; he married on 24 June 1942 at age 33 in Goldendale, Klickitat County, Washington, Mildred L. Johnson, both of Multnomah County, Oregon; he died at age 30, on 29 November 1948 in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington (Washington Death Records, Washington Digital Archives). The Oregon Debate Team, freshman team Washington vs. Oregon vs. Idaho, March 19, 1918. Question: "Resolved, That armed intervention by the United States in Nicaragua is unjustifiable." University of Oregon - Oregana Yearbook, Class of 1928, at 189. “Stanford Brooks of Astoria was appointed as head of the Junior Vodvil, one of the biggest features carried out by the junior class. Brooks' work on numerous other committees has been outstanding and his handling of the Junior Vodvil excellent.” Yearbook, Class of 1930, at 71;

The children of Hazel Pinckney Estes and Edward Joseph Callow are:

1. Edward Hugh Callow, born 13 September 1912 in Island of Paluaw (now Pig Island, Sumatra, Dutch West Indies), died 9 May 1997, Seattle, Washington, married (1) Mildred ---, married (2) Beryl ---, born 5 May 1912, died July 1979, and had Edward, David and Hugh Callow;

2. Mary Callow, born on 24 August 1914 in Elma, Washington, died before 1986;

3. Elizabeth Callow, born on 14 January 1917 in Elma, Washington, died before 1986; and,

4. Richard (Dick) Callow, born on 3 June 1918 in Walla Walla, Washington, died February 1983, in Seattle, Washington.

Obituary, Lloyd H. Estes

“Graveside services for Lloyd H. Estes, 75, who died in a Spokane hospital Saturday, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mt. View Cemetery. Friends who wish may meet at the Marshall (Herring) chapel at 1:45 p.m.

The son of the late Hugh and Mary Estes, who were prominent farmers in the Clyde district, he was born in Walla Walla in 1890. He lived in Walla Walla for a number of years and moved to Portland, and then returned to Walla Walla, where he was in the real estate business. For the past 10 years he had lived in Spokane.

He is survived by his wife, Esther, at the home; one daughter, Mrs. Betty Wright of Spokane, and a sister, Mrs. Hazel Callow of Seattle. He is survived by five grandchildren and also three double cousins in Walla Walla.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 13 July 1965.

A PINCKNEY CONNECTION?

The name Pinckney is found at least three times in the Thomas Estes family, and many more times in the descendants of Abraham⁶ Estes.⁶⁹ Thomas¹⁰ Estes named a son Hugh¹¹ Pinckney (born 1854), as did his daughter Irene¹¹ (Estes) Gibbins (son born 1868). Thomas claimed a connection to Charles C. Pinckney by way of his “maternal grandparents,” the parents of Martha Lloyd. These may have been Frederick Lloyd and Mary Lacey. A letter⁷⁰ written by Hugh Pinckney Estes’ grandson Edward Hugh Callow states:

“Grandpa Hugh [Estes] was always most proud of the name of Pinckney. He was told by his father, Thomas, that there was a family connection through his maternal Grandparents to the original owner of the name Pinckney, namely Charles Cottesworth Pinckney, the Federalist candidate for President of the United States who ran against and lost to Thomas Jefferson. Washington and Adams were the two Federalist candidates before him. Pinckney was also Aid-de-Camp to General Washington during the Revolutionary War and also later Ambassador to France during the later years of Washington's presidency. This is somewhat substantiated by the fact that Thomas Estes was born in N. Carolina, while C. C. Pinckney was from S. Carolina. Grandpa Hugh was born in 1854, in Arkansas and died in Seattle, Washington in 1929, age 75.”

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on 25 February 1746, the son of Charles Pinckney (d. 1758), by his second wife, the celebrated girl planter, Eliza Lucas. He was a member of the first South Carolina provincial congress in 1775, served as colonel in the South Carolina militia in 1776-1777, was chosen president of the South Carolina Senate in 1779, was captured at the fall of Charleston in 1780 and was kept in close confinement until 1782, when he was exchanged. In 1783 he was commissioned a brevet brigadier-general in the Continental Army.

Pinckney was an influential member of the constitutional convention of 1787, advocating the counting of all slaves as a basis of representation and opposing the abolition of the slave trade. He opposed as "impracticable" the election of representatives by popular vote, and also opposed the payment of senators, who, he thought, should be men of wealth. Subsequently Pinckney bore a prominent part in securing the ratification of the Federal constitution in the South Carolina convention in 1788 and in framing the South Carolina Constitution in 1790.

President George Washington offered him at different times appointments each of which he declined; but in 1796 he succeeded James Monroe as minister to France. The Directory refused to receive him, and he retired to Holland, but in the next year, he again repaired to Paris, where he is said to have made the famous reply to a veiled demand for a "loan" (in reality a bribe), "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." When the correspondence of the commissioners was sent to the US Congress the letters "X", "Y" and "Z", were inserted in place of the names of the French agents with whom the commission treated -- hence the "X Y Z Correspondence". In 1800 he was the Federalist candidate for Vice President, and in 1804 and again in 1808 for President, receiving 14 electoral votes in the former and 47 in the latter year. From 1805 until his death, on 16 August 1825, he was president-general of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Letter of Edward Hugh Callow To

Kathleen Wendland of Portland, Oregon ⁷¹

My name is Edward Hugh Callow. I am a grandson of Hugh Pinckney Estes. Grandfather Estes lived with us for a time from the death of his wife, Mary Jane, until his death in 1929. At that time our family lived in Portland, Oregon. While dad (my father Edward Joseph Callow) was going to medical school on Markham Hill in Portland. Incidentally, dad graduated from there in June of 1930, having completed four years of Med School. He was the oldest graduate of the school, from the beginning until then and also was third highest in grades in a class of some sixty graduates. He passed away in Seattle, Washington on May 1, 1939, having practiced medicine for only about five or six years. He was highly esteemed by his fellow doctors and colleagues and adored by his patients.

Hugh and Mary Jane had four children. The oldest was Myrtle, who married Harry Brooks and they lived in Astoria, Oregon, where Harry was the Editor of their paper, the Morning Astorian. Mabel was their second born and married a car dealer in Walla Walla, Washington. His name was Samuel Samuelson. It was her second marriage. Her first husband was named Meckalson, and they had a son named Howard. My mother was their third child, her name was Hazel Pinckney Estes. She married my father, Edward Joseph Callow (called Ted), in Singapore on November 14, 1910. I was born on the island of Pulauw or now called Hog or Pig Island (about 65 miles long and 25 miles wide) off the west coast of Sumatra (then a part of the Dutch East Indies). I was the first white child born there – the rest being native Javanese (brown skinned people). My birth was on a Friday morning on September 13, 1912. The others born in the states were Mary born August 24, 1914, Elizabeth born January 14, 1917. Both born in Elma, Washington. My brother was born June 3, 1918 in Walla Walla, Washington.

I first saw your letter at our 115th Callow Family Reunion in August of this year when Marion Callow (Dad's widow) showed it to me. I was most impressed and asked her to photostat the whole manuscript for me, which she did and mailed it to me. Incidentally, I am the only survivor of the Ted Callow Family of mother, dad, two sisters and brother. I am 74 years old, in fair health and happily married to my second wife Mildred (Milly). My first wife died in 1979, from Serum Hepatitis, which she acquired from an emergency surgery at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. Her hepatic artery was severed during emergency surgery and they had to transfuse her with 32 pints of blood (one gallon), one of which was contaminated from a hepatitis donor. I have two sons, Hugh and David and three grandchildren (2 daughters and one son) by my first wife Beryl.

I do have a few stories to tell about my grandfather Estes but maybe nothing new to you, but thought I should include them in my letter, for your historiography.

Grandpa Hugh Estes told me an interesting story about their start of the trip by wagon train from Arkansas to Walla Walla. It seems that they were to leave on a certain day in early Spring of 1860. One of Hugh's sisters came down with measles and so they had to take the next wagon train about six weeks later. When they crossed the North Platte River in Nebraska, they found all of the wagon train (they were to be on) were massacred -- every one. They continued on the Oregon Trail to the Paloose area near Walla Walla -- where Great Grandfather Thomas Estes was to farm, mostly in wheat. It seems that the Northern Forces were preparing for war (the Civil War) and so they drew most of the soldiers out from the regions to their training centers in the East, leaving the settlers unprotected from the various war like Indian Tribes.

Grandpa Hugh was always most proud of the name of Pinckney. He was told by his father, Thomas, that there was a family connection through his maternal Grandparents to the original owner of the name Pinckney, namely Charles Cottesworth Pinckney, the Federalist candidate for President of the United States who ran against and lost to Thomas Jefferson. Washington and Adams were the two Federalist candidates before him. Pinckney was also Aid-de-Camp to General Washington during the Revolutionary War and also later Ambassador to France during the later years of Washington's presidency. This is somewhat substantiated by the fact that Thomas Estes was born in N. Carolina, while C. C. Pinckney was from S. Carolina. Grandpa Hugh was born in 1854, in Arkansas and died in Seattle, Washington in 1929, age 75.

I remember Grandpa talking about Win Estes but I don't remember meeting him. If you or your cousin could use any of the information in this letter for you cousins book, you are welcome to use it.

I trust that this may have been of some use to you. I look forward to meeting you some day.

Sincerely Yours,

Edward Hugh Callow

LYCURGUS¹¹ WINCHESTER ESTES

(1857 Ark. – 1935 Wash.)

Lycurgus Winchester Estes was born in Arkansas in 1857. He was married 27 May 1883 at the Exchange Hotel in Walla Walla, Viola Woods, by Justice of the Peace E.K. Hannah, in front of witnesses J.B. Wiseman and S.A. Estes.⁷² “Winchester L. Estes,” according to Walla Walla cemetery inscriptions, was born in 1858, and died 31 January 1935 (Block 9, Row K, Grave 14). He is buried in the IOOF section of Mountain View Cemetery, near wife Viola who died in 1946.

Lycurgus Winchester Estes⁷³

Tarter wrote: “Lycurgus⁷⁴ Winchester Estes, Grandfather's fifth son by his second marriage, was born in Arkansas and was brought to the home on Dry Creek when he was three years of age, and here grew to manhood. He married Miss [Viola] Woods, became owner of a large tract on Eureka Flat, and was a very successful farmer. He passed away when he was almost seventy-eight years of age, leaving a wife and the following children that I know of: Clyde, Roxy and Sylvia Estes.” ⁷⁵

In 1911-1912 his residence was at 904 Alvarado Terrace (now just one block north of Whitman College). Children Roxy B. and Clyde B. Estes are listed at same address.⁷⁶ Viola Woods, a daughter of Thomas Woods of Missouri, may be the sister of his brother Hugh’s wife Mary Jane Woods, both of Missouri.

The following sketch appears in one of Lyman’s⁷⁷ Washington histories:

“L. W. Estes, residing in Walla Walla, is the owner of valuable farming property in Walla Walla County, having twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, which he continued to personally cultivate and develop until 1917, when he rented his ranch to his sons. He was born in Arkansas on the 13th of January, 1859 [1858], a son of Thomas and Renie (Long) [actually Malone] Estes. The father was a native of North Carolina, while the mother was born in Tennessee. They were married in the former state and subsequently removed to Arkansas, where they resided until 1861. In that year they crossed the plains with ox teams to Washington. The wagon train with which they traveled had a great deal of trouble with the Indians and one man who had lingered behind the others in order to fish was scalped, while another was shot through the leg but succeeded in eluding his pursuers and later joined the train.

“They arrived in Walla Walla, where they spent the hard winter of 1861 and 1862. Mr. Estes, however, soon after reaching his destination, homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on Dry Creek, about six miles northwest of Walla Walla, and there built a log house which he weatherboarded and made habitable. He lived upon that ranch until 1879, at which time he sold four hundred and eighty acres and removed to Pleasant View on the Eureka Flats. There he bought three hundred and twenty acres and made his home at that place until his death, which occurred in August, 1887, [1886] when he was eighty-six years of age. His wife passed away two years later at the age of sixty-seven years.

“L. W. Estes was but an infant when brought by his parents to the northwest, so that practically his entire life has been passed here and he is entirely familiar with the story of its development and progress from pioneer times down to the present. He was educated in the district schools and worked with his father until his twenty-fourth year, at which time he began farming on his own account, his previous training and experience well qualifying him for heavy responsibilities and duties of this character.

“In 1882 he took up a homestead on the Eureka Flats and the following year began cultivating his land. Subsequently he bought adjoining land and increased his farm until he had nine hundred acres. This he traded in 1893 for Walla Walla business property and removed to the city but continued to operate his farm. He still owned a small tract of land and in 1903 he bought four hundred and forty acres in Umatilla County, near Athena, Oregon. This he subsequently traded for six hundred and forty acres in the foothills, about nine miles south of Walla Walla, known as the Bay Shore ranch.

[L. Winchester Estes is shown in 1898 as the proprietor of the Palo Alto Livery in the Walla Walla City Directory, residing at 209 Jones.]

“After owning that property for two years he exchanged it for a ranch of twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, in Walla Walla County.⁷⁸ This property he still owns and was continuously and successfully engaged in its cultivation and improvement until 1917, when he rented his farm to his sons. He is now engaged in the real estate business, handling city property and Montana farm lands as well as farm lands in Washington.”

In 1927-28, L.W. is shown as owning 1,122 acres assessed at $17,240 (Sec’s 6, 7, 8, 18, Twsp. 10, R. 16). Blue Mountain Heritage, Vol. 14, No. 2.

“In 1903 Mr. Estes built his present residence in the Green Park addition to Walla Walla at the corner of Valencia and Alvarado [Terrace] streets. Upon the place was a fine spring called the Chinese Garden spring, and it was the only water to be had at that time. His was the second house in the addition and Mr. Estes planted the hedge around it and made many modern improvements to the place.

“In May, 1883, Mr. Estes was united in marriage to Miss Viola Woods, who is a daughter of Thomas Woods, of Missouri, and came to Walla Walla County, Washington, the year prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Estes have been born six children, as follows: Clyde B., who follows farming on the Touchet River in Walla Walla county; Ray Dooley, who is deceased; Roxy B., who is operating the home farm with his brother Emmett; Sylva P., the wife of J.P. Hoben, who is secretary and treasurer with Max Houser of the Pacific Grain Company, of Portland, Oregon; Winchester C., who is engaged in farming on Dry Creek, Walla Walla county; and Emmett E., on the home farm.

“Mr. Estes gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Enterprise Lodge, No 2. He holds the twenty-five year membership medal and is very popular among his brethren of that organization, having been a most loyal adherent to its teachings and principles. He is today a prosperous resident of Walla Walla and one whose success is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He had no assistance on starting out in life but empty-handed made his initial step. He built his prosperity, however, upon the substantial qualities of energy, determination and indefatigable industry and point by point he has advanced, utilizing every movement to good advantage and recognizing every opportunity that has come his way. He has therefore done an important work in developing the agricultural resources of this section of the state.”

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington (dated 4 June) shows Thomas Estes (80, NC; NC; NC) a married farmer, living with his sons who are farmers, John R. (32 Ark.; NC; NC); Hugh (25, Ark.; NC; NC); Winchester (22, Ark.; NC; NC), and Cader T. (20, Ark.; NC; NC). All the boys are single. Thomas actually lives in town, and his sons worked the farm.

The 1900 US Census for Lincoln, Walla Walla County, Washington shows Winn C. Estes (25, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.) living with wife Jane (22, Wash.; Ill.; Ill.); and daughter Norma L. (2, Wash.).

Obituary, [L.W.] Estes.

“January 30 at his residence, 330 Locust, L.W. Estes aged 76; husband of Viola Estes; father of Clyde B. Estes and Roxy Estes, of Prescott; Emmett Estes, of Pendleton, Ore., Mrs. Sylvia P. Hoben of Portland and Winchester C. Estes of Prescott. Born January 13, 1859 in Arkansas. Member of Christian church. Remains at MacMartin & Chamberlain’s Colonial funeral home.” (Paid Notice.)

Walla Walla Daily Bulletin, 1 January 1935.

Funeral Notes – Estes.

Funeral services for the (sic) L.W. Estes of Walla Walla will be at 1:15 p.m. Friday at MacMartin & Chamberlain’s chapel. Internment I.O.O.F. cemetery. Rev. Ward A. Rice will be in charge of the services.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 1 January 1935.

Death Takes Mrs. L. Estes

“Mrs. Viola Woods Estes, aged 80, wife of L.W. Estes, 330 Locust, died Friday morning at her home. She had lived in this section for 64 years, crossing the plains from Colorado in 1882 with her parents, Thomas and Margaret Woods. She was born January 4, 1866 in Lewis county, Missouri.

She was married May 27, 1883 to L.W. Estes. They started farming on upper Eureka flat soon after their marriage and lived on the farm until 1893 when they moved to Walla Walla.

Six children were born of whom four survive, Roxy B. Estes and Win C. Estes, Walla Walla, Emmett Estes, Seattle and Sylvia Hoben, Portland (sic). There are five grandchildren.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 15 April 1946.

Clyde B. Estes, a 19 year old farmer born in Walla Walla, Washington, son of L.W. Estes and Viola Woods, married on 7 August 1904 in Walla Walla, Gertrude Hammond, an 18 year old housekeeper from Walla Walla, daughter of W.R. Hammond and Lelia Tanksley(?). The witnesses were Myrtle Estes of Walla Walla, Clyde’s cousin -- daughter of Hugh Pinckney Estes and Mary Jane Woods -- and T.H. Wood of Touchet. Appendix. In 1927-28, Clyde is a farmer near Eureka who owns 652 acres (Sec. 32, 33, Tp. 9, R. 34, assessed at $7,245). Blue Mountain Heritage, Vol. 14, No. 2.

Death Claims Clyde Estes.

“Clyde Estes, Clyde district farmer who was born in Walla Walla on September 10, 1884, died at his home at 610 South First street Saturday. He was the son of the late L.W. Estes, Walla Walla valley pioneer, and Mrs. Violet Estes of 332 Locust.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Estes, one daughter, Mrs. Alvin Healy, both of Walla Walla, and two sons, Kenneth Estes of Prescott and John Estes of Seattle. He is also survived by a sister. Mrs. Sylvia Hoben, three brothers, Roxy B. Estes, Winn (sic) C. Estes, all of Walla Walla, and Emmett E. Estes of Seattle, and three grandchildren. He was a member of the Pioneer Methodist church and of B.P.O.E. No. 287. Funeral services will be held Tuesday.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 29 September 1946.

Clyde Farmer Dies, Hospital.

“Kenneth (Dutch) Estes, 43-year old Clyde framer and resident of the valley all his life, died in a local hospital early Wednesday morning following a brief illness.

He was born February 26, 1905 in Walla Walla, and belonged to the Walla Walla lodge No. 287, B.P.O.E., and the Wagon Wheelers, local booster organization.

Survivors include his wife Lena; his mother, Mrs. Clyde Estes of Walla Walla, a sister, Mrs. Adele Healy of Walla Walla; a brother John Estes of Seattle; and three uncles, Win and Roxy Estes of Walla Walla and Emmett Estes of Seattle.

The funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Friday from a local chapel with the Rev. Walter S. Gleiser of Pioneer Methodist church officiating and burial in the family plot of Mountain View cemetery.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 14 January 1948.

J.H. Estes Dies After Surgery.

“John H. Estes, 46, who was born in Walla Walla, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Estes., died Wednesday evening in a Seattle hospital after undergoing brain surgery.

He was born May 2, 1916, attended Prescott High School and for a number of years farmed with his father in the Prescott and Clyde areas. During World War II he served in the Coast Guard, remaining in the Guard until 1956, achieving the rank of chief petty officer.

The last two years he had been secretary and manager of the Elks Lodge in Juneau, Alaska.

The funeral and internment will be held here.

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 10 May 1962.

John Estes and his sister Adele Estes Markley, are listed as 1933 graduates of Prescott high School. Prescott High School Graduates, Blue Mountain Heritage, Vol. X, No. 1, March 1983 (WWVGS), at 6.

Ray Dooley Estes, born 22 May 1886, died on 9 July 1903 at age 17 and is buried in the IOOF section of Mountain View Cemetery (Block 9, Row K, Grave 13).

Ray Estes Died Early this Morning. Was a Popular Young Man.

Ray Estes, son of L.W. and Viola Estes of Jones and Fourth streets in Walla Walla, died at Saint Mary’s Hospital after suffering injuries in a fall from his horse Tuesday July 7^th, about 14 miles north of Walla Walla. It was supposed that he was driving a bunch of horses when his mount stepped into a hole and fell on him. “The deceased was a popular student in the Walla Walla high school and his tragic and sudden death has cast a gloom over his school mates.” He is survived by his parents, and brothers Clyde, Roxy, and Emmett, and sisters Sylvia and Minnie.

Walla Walla Evening Statesman, 9 July 1903.

Roxey Burley Estes, a 27 year old farmer born 17 April 1888, son of Lycurgus Winchester Estes of Missouri [actually Arkansas], and Viola Woods of Missouri, married on 11 November 1915 at Walla Walla, Bertha Millicent Auger, a 26 year old clerk born 23 September 1889 in Minneapolis, daughter of Francis K. Auger of Minneapolis and Alexandria Pauport of Canada. It was the first marriage for each. Appendix. In 1927-28, he owns land worth $2,020 near Prescott. Blue Mountain Heritage, Vol. 14, No. 2.

Roxy B. Estes Succumbs Here.

“Roxy B. Estes, 1035½ Valencia, died at his home Friday morning following an extended illness. He was 69.

He was born April 17, 1888 in Walla Walla, the son of Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Estes, pioneers of the valley. He farmed north of Prescott many years, until his retirement ten years ago when he moved to Walla Walla. He was member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Elks Lodge No. 287 of Walla Walla.

Survivors include his wife, Bertha M. Estes, at home; one daughter, Mrs. E. Wayne (Barbara Jean) Martin of Cherry Valley, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Jack P. Hoben of Portland; two brothers, Emmett Estes and Win C. Estes, both of Walla Walla; and three grandchildren, Pat and Mike Martin of Cherry Valley and Mrs. Bill (Rox Alee) Palmer of Pullman.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 7 March 1958.

Bertha Estes Dies Saturday.

Bertha M. Estes, the first queen of the Pendleton Roundup, died in Walla Walla on 7 March 1970. Bertha, 81, widow of Roxy Estes, was born 23 September 1888 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Frank and Alice Anger, and married Roxy on 11 November 1915 in Walla Walla. He died 7 March 1958.

“She was the queen of the 1910 Round-Up in Pendleton, the first year the now nationally famous event was held in that city.”

Roxy and Bertha farmed near Prescott until his death. Survivors include daughter Mrs. Wayne (Barbara Jean) Martin of Walla Walla; three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Services at St. Patrick Catholic Church, and burial at Elks Rest, Mountain View Cemetery.

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 8 March 1970.

Emmett E. Estes (“Estis”), is shown as a student in the Walla Walla schools sometime between 1883 and 1910.⁷⁹ Emmett was a 21 year old farmer from Prescott, born in Walla Walla, Washington, son of L.W. Estes of Arkansas and Viola Woods of Missouri, when he married on 29 December 1917 at St. Paul’s Church in Walla Walla [presently located at 323 Catherine Street], Lula LaVerne Matlock, a 19 year old from Pendleton, Oregon born in Juneau, Alaska, daughter of W.N. Matlock of Oregon and Carrie Anderson of California. Appendix.

Adele Estes, a 19 year old from Prescott, Washington born in Walla Walla, daughter of C.B. Estes and Gertrude Hammond both born in Walla Walla, married on 10 September 1934 in Walla Walla, Alvin Healy, 23 year old service station operator born in Prescott, Washington, son of J. T. Healy and Ella Boon(?), both of Missouri. Barbara Jean Estes of Prescott and E. Elvis Baxter of Waitsburg were witnesses. Appendix.

The children of Lycurgus¹¹ Winchester Estes and Viola Woods are:

1. Clyde B. Estes, born in 1885 in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1917 follows farming on the Touchet River in Walla Walla County, married on 7 August 1904 in Walla Walla, Gertrude Hammond, an 18 year old housekeeper from Walla Walla, daughter of W.R. Hammond and Lelia Tanksley(?), had at least daughter Adele, born about 1915 who married in 1934 in Walla Walla, Alvin Healy born about 1911. He died on 28 September 1946 and is buried in the IOOF section of Mountain View Cemetery (Block 9, Row K, Grave 6) in Walla Walla (Second Ave and Abbott Road); on 28 September 1946;

2. Ray Dooley Estes, born 22 May 1886, died on 9 July 1903 at age 17 and is buried in the IOOF section of Mountain View Cemetery (Block 9, Row K, Grave 13);

3. Roxy Burley Estes, born 17 April 1888, died after 1946, in 1917 was operating the home farm with his brother Emmett, married on 11 November 1915 at Walla Walla, Bertha Millicent Auger, a 26 year old clerk born 23 September 1889 in Minneapolis, daughter of Francis K. Auger of Minneapolis and Alexandria Pauport of Canada (1920 US Census for Starbuck, Columbia County, Washington, Roxy B. (32, Wash.; Ark.; Mo.); Bertha (30, Minn.; Minn.; Can.), and Barbara L. (2, Wash.));

4. Sylvia P. Estes, born 1889-93, is shown as a student in the Walla Walla schools sometime between 1883 and 1910, she was the wife of J.P. Hoben, who in 1917 was secretary and treasurer with Max Houser of the Pacific Grain Company, of Portland, Oregon, died after 1946;

5. Emmett E. Estes, born in about 1894 in Walla Walla, Washington, who in 1917 was on the home farm with Roxy, married on 29 December 1917 at St. Paul’s Church in Walla Walla, Lula LaVerne Matlock, a 19 year old from Pendleton, Oregon born in Juneau, Alaska, daughter of W.N. Matlock of Oregon and Carrie Anderson of California. He lived in Seattle in 1946. He died in 1974 and is buried in the Catholic section of Mountain View Cemetery;

6. Win Chester Estes, born in about 1896 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, who in 1917 is engaged in farming on Dry Creek, Walla Walla county married on 8 March 1916 at Prescott, Walla Walla County, Iris Norma Fender, an 18 year old housekeeper born in Prescott, Washington, daughter of H.S. Fender of Illinois and Olive Allen of Wisconsin. (1910 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County shows Win C. (25, Wash.), Iris (25, Wash.) and Norma L. (8, Wash.).They had children Norma Estes, born 1917, and Carol Estes. Win died on 17 February 1997, and his ashes were sprinkled over his farm, in the cemetery, and under a tree planted in his memory at Walthew Farms, 970 Babcock Road, Clyde, Walla Walla County, Washington.

VIOLA WOODS

(1866 Mo. – 1946 Wash.)

Viola Woods was born 4 January 1866 in Lewis County, Missouri, and died in Walla Walla, Washington 15 November 1946. Her sister Belle Woods married John Edwards and lived in Ellensburg, Washington. It is believed that another sister, Mary Jane Woods who married Lycurgus’ brother Hugh Pinckney Estes in 1882. Viola died 15 November 1946 and is buried in the IOOF Section of Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla (Block 9, Row K, Grave 15).

Walla Walla Union Bulletin

November 15, 1946

ESTES – November 15 at her home, Mrs. Viola Woods Estes of 330 Locust, aged 80 years. Wife of L. W. Estes, Walla Walla; mother of Roxy B. Estes and Win C. Estes, Walla Walla; Emmett Estes, Seattle; Sylvia Hoben, Portland; sister of Mrs. John (Belle) Edwards, Ellensburg. Born January 4, 1866 in Lewis county, Missouri. Remains at MacMartin & Chamberlain’s. Funeral notice later. – (Paid notice).

Walla Walla Union Bulletin

November 17, 1946

ESTES – Funeral services for the late Mrs. Viola Woods Estes of 330 Locust street will be at 11 a.m. Monday, November 18 at MacMartin & Chamberlain’s Chapel of the Chimes. Interment Family plot, Mountain View cemetery. The Rev. Glen W. Mell officiating. – (Paid notice).

CLYDE¹² ESTES

(1884 W.T. – 1946 Wash.)

Walla Walla Union Bulletin

September 29, 1946

ESTES- September 28 at home.

Clyde Estes of 610 South First, aged 62 years; husband of Mrs. Gertrude Estes; son of Mrs. Viola Estes; father of Mrs. Alvin Healy, Walla Walla, Kenneth Estes, Prescott, John Estes, Seattle; brother of Mrs. Sylvia Hoben, Roxy B. Estes, Winn C. Estes, all of Walla Walla, and Emmett E. Estes, Seattle. Born September 10, 1884 at Walla Walla. Member of Pioneer Methodist church. Elks lodge No. 287. Remains at MacMartin and Chamberlain. Funeral notice later. – (Paid notice).

The children of Clyde¹² Estes and Gertrude --- are:

1. Adele Estes, born after 1904, married Wallace Alvin Healy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Healy of Walla Walla, born c. 1912 perhaps in Missouri, died on 6 May 1949 in Walla Walla, Washington, and had daughter Sylvia K. Healy, who died after 1949;

2. Kenneth Estes, born after c.1904, resided in Prescott, Washington, “Kenneth G. Estes, born 1905, died 14 January 1948” is buried in the IOOF Section of Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla (Block 9, Row K, Grave 8), Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, p. 22; and,

3. John Estes, born after c.1904, resided in Seattle, died before 1949.

The obituary of Adele¹³ Estes’ husband Wallace Alvin Healy states:

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

May 7, 1949 ~ Saturday

Al Healy, 37, Dies at Home

W. Alvin “Al” Healy, 37, of 1503 Walla Walla, died at his residence Friday. He was a member of B.P.O.E. No. 287, the Wagon Wheelers, and the Methodist church. His education was received at Wa-Hi. His wife, Mrs. Adele Estes Healy and daughter Sylvia Kay survive him. He was born September 5, 1911 at Prescott, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Healy, now of Walla Walla. He is the brother of Lewis W. Healy, Miss Josephine Healy and Mrs. Wilma (Leonard) Dorsch all of Walla Walla, and the grandson of Mrs. Mary Kaler of Independence. Mo. He had been a partner of his father since 1944 in the operation of a service station at Sixth and Main streets.

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Monday from a local chapel with interment in the I.O.O.F. cemetery and the Elks in charge of ritualistic services.

WIN CHESTER¹² ESTES

(1893 Wash. – 1997 Wash.)

Win Chester Estes, born 6 June 1893, in Walla Walla in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, who in 1917 was engaged in farming on Dry Creek, Walla Walla County. Win died on 17 February 1997, and his ashes were sprinkled over his farm, in the cemetery, and under a tree planted in his memory at Walthew Farms, 970 Babcock Road, Clyde, Walla Walla County, Washington. Iris M. [Norma] Estes, born 31 January 1897, died 26 April 1972, and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Block 9, Row K, Grave 11.

Win, a 22 year old farmer born in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, son of L.W. Estes of Arkansas and Viola Woods of Missouri, married on 8 March 1916 at Prescott, Walla Walla County, Iris Norma Fender, an 18 year old housekeeper born in Prescott, Washington, daughter of H.S. Fender of Illinois and Olive Allen of Wisconsin. (Marriage Certificate, Appendix.) The 1910 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County shows Win C. (25, Wash.), Iris (25, Wash.) and Norma L. (8, Wash.).

H.S. “Scott” Fender and Olive Allen Fender were preparing to move to Prescott in the Spring of 1901 when Olive, his wife of 15 years, fell and died in Spokane on 3 March. Iris was four years old, when her father sent her and her sister Myrtle (1898-1998) to live with their uncle and aunt, E.A. and Sena Fender in Waitsburg. Scott took his three sons to Prescott where he owned and operated H.S. fender Hardware from 1901-1923.⁸⁰

Parsley, at 363.

Obituary, Win Estes

“Win Chester Estes, 103, of 619 Clay St. died Feb. 17, 1997, at St. Mary Medical center. The memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St. The rev. Dick Davidson will officiate. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA, St. Mary Home Health, Blue Mountain Humane Society or a charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home.

Mr. Estes was born June 6, 1893, in Walla Walla to Lycurgus Winchester and Viola Woods Estes. He attended local schools and graduated from Pearson Academy. He also attended Washington State University and Whitman College.

His grandparents settled in the Dry Creek area in the 1800s. Early in his life, he began farming in the Prescott area on his father’s ranch, carrying on his family’s agricultural heritage. He married Iris Fender in 1916 and they lived and farmed on the Prescott home ranch. Mrs. Estes died in 1972. He owned farms and land in the Clyde and Prescott areas and raised cattle in Lowden. On Oct. 17, 1973, he married Susan G. Drablos. He was devoted husband and grandfather.

He was a member of the Walla Walla Grain Growers, Walla Walla Country Club, Washington State Wheat growers, Washington State Cattlemen’s Association, Sigma Nu national fraternity, Rotary Club of Walla Walla and a former member of Walla Walla Yacht Club.

Survivors are his wife, at home; two stepdaughters, Klara Walthew of Prescott, and Sonja Rasmussen of Walla Walla; three grandchildren, Carol Anderson, Michelle Brock and Eric Walthew, all of Walla Walla; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his two nieces, Lois Riggert of Walla Walla and Bonnie Leonard of Portland.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, --- February 1997.

Mrs. Win Estes

“Mrs. Win C. (Iris N.) Estes, 75, of Whitman Towers died Wednesday at a local hospital. She was born Jan. 31, 1897 in Spokane, the daughter of area pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Fender. The family moved to Prescott when she was four where her father operated a hardware and mercantile business. She married Win C. Estes March 8, 1916 and they farmed in the Prescott area until 1943. At that time they moved to Walla Walla and made their home at 735 Clay. They have lived at Marcus Whitman Towers for a year.

Mrs. Estes was an ardent flower gardener and a volunteer for the Red Cross Blood program. She did Gray Lady work at McCaw and Veterans hospitals and was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her husband, Win at the home; a daughter, Mrs. Jack [Norma Dean] Davis of Rockford Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; a sister, Mrs. Bert [Myrtle] Guthridge, of Chula Vista, Calif; two grandchildren [Mrs. John S. (Carol) Anderson, Walla Walla; and Greg E. Davis of Rockford Bay], three great-grandchildren [Wynn, Peter, and Kristin Anderson] and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Herring chapel with the Rev. Edward Wright officiating. Vault internment will be in Mt. View Cemetery.”

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 27 April 1972. [Information taken from Obituary Notice.]

The children of Win C. Estes and Norma Fender are:

1. Norma Dean Estes, born 5 January 1917, married Jack Davis and resided in Rockford Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died 16 December 1991, they had son Greg E. Davis, born 17 June 1951 and died 9 November 1996, she married also – Schmidt and --- Reynolds. (per Harriett Hart Beach); and
   

2. Carol Estes, married John S. Anderson of Walla Walla, and had children Wynn, Peter, and Kristin Anderson, resided in California, died after 1972 (Obituary of Iris N. Fender Estes, above).

CADER TIPTON¹¹ “TIP” ESTES

(1860 Ark. – 1945 Wash.)

Cader Tipton Estes was born in January 1860 (1900 US Census) Fulton County, Arkansas, in Arkansas, and died in April 1945. He married⁸¹ first on 3 September 1882 in Walla Walla, Sadie A. Peugh who died before 1900, and secondly a 47 year old widow from Oregon Annie L. Mallory, on 28 January 1914 in Walla Walla, when he was 56. Cader is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery (Block 73, Lot 8, Grave 17). Walla Walla Cemetery Listings p. 39 (“Cader Tipton Estes, 1858-1945”).

Tarter wrote of him: “Cader Tipton Estes, Grandfather's sixth son by his second marriage, arrived in the Walla Walla country with his parents when he was approximately two years of age. He grew to manhood on his father's Dry Creek farm. After becoming of age, he farmed for several years on Eureka Flat, and later became a painter and paper-hanger. For a number of years he has worked in the city of Walla Walla.”

The 1880 US Census for Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington (dated 4 June) shows Thomas Estes (80, NC; NC; NC) a married farmer, living with his sons who are farmers, John R. (32 Ark.; NC; NC); Hugh (25, Ark.; NC; NC); Winchester (22, Ark.; NC; NC), and Cader T. (20, Ark.; NC; NC). All the boys are single. Thomas actually lives in town, the boys worked the farm.

“Tip Estes is in [Walla Walla] from Eureka Flat.” Unknown newspaper, Brevities, c. 1 August 1886 (also refers to Sheriff Bowles and Judge Laman. A. S. Bowles was Walla Walla County Sheriff 1854-88).

Cader T. Estes married on 3 September 1882 Sadie A. Peugh, both of Walla Walla.

In 1884, C.T. Estes, is listed as the defendant in two Walla Walla court cases involving the collection on a promissory note.⁸²

The 1887 Washington Territorial Census⁸³ for Walla Walla County shows C.T. [Cader Tipton] Estes (27, Ore.), S.A. (20, Ark.), T.A. (4, Mo.), J.R. (2, W.T.), Baby (- W.T.).

Cader T. Estes, a 34 year old farmer, 5’ 10”, fair complexion, born in Fulton County, Arkansas, residing in Walla Walla, enlisted in I Company of the 2d Regiment of the Washington National Guard on 1 April 1894, and was discharged 27 June 1895 when the company was disbanded. He served with his brother Sydney J. Estes. (Washington National Guard Register for 1885-1907, Appendix.)

The 1900 US Census for Walla Walla, Washington shows Tip Estes, a married farmhand (40, Ida.; Ida; Ida.,)[1860] living with his son Jesse (15, born February 1885, Wash.; Ida.; Ida.). Sadie is not listed, and may have died.

Cader’s residence in 1894 was on West Poplar, he is a painter, in 1900 listed as 14 West Poplar, a carpenter, in 1911-1912, was 507 Elm, Walla Walla.⁸⁴ Today, this location lies directly to the north of SR 12, east of its intersection with North 13^th Avenue.

Cader T. Estes, 54 year old widowed carpenter on Walla Walla, son of Thomas Estes and Irene Malone, both of North Carolina, married secondly on 28 January 1914 in Walla Walla, 47 year old widow from Oregon Annie L. Mallory, the second marriage for each. Appendix.

Death Takes Early Pioneer.

“Death called the last of 13 children of a pioneer Walla Walla family Friday morning when Cader Tipton “Tip” Estes, 85 years old, succumbed in a local hospital. A brother, Sidney Estes, died only two weeks ago.

Tip Estes, whose home was at 501 West Elm street, was born in Arkansas November 17, 1859, son of Irene and Thomas Estes. He was brought across the plains by wagon train when he was a babe in arms, the family locating on Dry creek where they farmed and where the son spent his boyhood. Later he farmed for himself on Eureka flat before coming to Walla Walla where he followed the trade of paper hanger, painter and carpenter.

In 1914, he married Annie L. Mallory, who survives, as do three children, Fred Estes of Pomona, Jess Estes, of Portland, and Mrs. Elsie Stone of Los Angeles; one stepson, Earle Mallory of Walla Walla; seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Estes was a member of the Christian church and actively interested in the religious life of the community. The funeral is being planned for 2 p.m. Monday.”

Walla Walla Daily Bulletin, 27 April 1945

Pioneer of City is Dead.

“Mrs. Annie L. Estes, who had lived in Walla Walla for 60 years, died Monday morning [the 26^th] in a hospital here. Eighty-four years old, she was born March 17, 1866 in Huntington, Ore.

Her husband, C.T. Estes, died five years ago. Survivors include a son by a previous marriage, Earle B. Mallory of Walla Walla; a grandson Jack F. Mallory of North Richland, and two great-grandchildren.

She was member of the Presbyterian church, and a former member of the Rebekah lodge. Funeral services will be Wednesday afternoon.” She was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Rev. Kenneth Claypool officiating.

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, August 1950.

The children of Cader Tipton Estes and Sadie A. Peugh are:

1. Fred Estes, born after 1880, went to the Walla Walla schools⁸⁵, resided in Pomona, California in 1945, and died after 1945;

2. Jesse Estes, born in February 1885, in Washington Territory, went to the Walla Walla schools, resided in Portland, Oregon in 1945, and died after 1945;

3. Elsie Estes, born after 1880, married --- Stone and lived in Los Angeles, California in 1945, and died after 1945; and,

4. Marjory Estes, born after 1880, died before 1945.

SIDNEY¹¹ J. ESTES

(1862 W.T. – 1945 Wash.)

Sidney Estes was born on 10 May 1862 in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, and died on 12 April 1945 in Walla Walla, Washington. “Sidney J. Estes, 1862-1945” is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery (Block 73, Lot 8, Grave 16). Walla Walla Cemetery Listings, Blocks 51-80A, p. 39.

Tarter wrote: “Here [at Dry Creek] my grandparents, with their younger children, lived happily for approximately twenty years. There were seven children at home in 1866. John, the oldest, was eighteen years of age and Sidney, the youngest, who was born on Dry Creek, was four years old.”

“Sidney J. Estes, Grandfather's seventh son by his second wife, was born at his father's Dry Creek home in Walla Walla County, Washington. Here he remained till he became a man. He has been employed at various operations during his life, never married, and is now [1939] living in the city of Walla Walla.”

Sydney J. Estes, age 30, born in Washington Territory, 6’ 0”, light complexion, farmer, residing in Walla Walla, enlisted in I Company of the 2d Regiment of the Washington National Guard 17 May 1892, and was discharged 16 May 1895. He served with his brother Cader T. Estes. (Washington National Guard Register for 1885-1907 Appendix.)

Obituary, Estes

“April 12 at a local hospital, Sydney J. Estes of St. Michael’s home aged 82 years; brother of Cader Tipton Estes of Walla Walla. Born May 10, 1862 in Washington state [Territory]. Remains at DeWitt funeral home. Funeral notice later.” (Paid Notice)

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12 April 1945.

Who Was Newton Estes?

Washington historical records show a “Newton Estes” in that territory as early as 1870, and at least through statehood in 1889. As Thomas Estes and family moved to Walla Walla in 1860, this raises the likelihood of a connection. However, this possibility remains unclear.

The name Newton appears several times in our family tree, beginning at least with Thomas Newton Estes (1846 Ark. – 1918 Ore.), son of James¹¹ Estes. There is also Thomas Newton Estes (1830 Tenn. – 1920 Ark.), son of Burris Estes, Jr. and William Newton Estes (1840 Ark. – 1920 Wash.) son of Thomas¹¹ W. Estes (son of Thomas, 1799).

Washington historian W.D. Lyman wrote of the area’s beginnings: “The first white persons that ever came through Garfield County were the members of the Lewis and Clark expedition. * * * The first steamboat passed up Snake River in 1860. Columbia Center was the first town laid off in Garfield County in 1876. * * * Newton Estes was the first settler on the Deadman, 1870.”

“The next creek after the Pataha to receive settlers was the Deadman. This rather lugubrious name seems to have been derived from the fact that during the hard winter of '61-2, two men perished in the hollow which became known as ‘Deadman Hollow.’ They were supposed to have been miners from Oro Fino or Florence. The bodies were not discovered till spring, and were then suitably interred and the spot marked with a pile of rocks at a point near the old road from Walla Walla to Lewiston. That region is now one of the best farming sections in the Inland Empire. * * * Newton Estes was the first to make a permanent location on the Deadman, and his date was 1871.”⁸⁶

Newton “Newt” Estes was the “Cattle King” of the area east of Walla Walla, Washington Territory, with 1,500 head. One researcher has stated:

"Deadman [Creek, between Pomeroy and the Snake River] was a rich region for those who settled here. Newton Estes came in 1870 and was to merit the title of 'Cattle King’ of this part of the country for several years."⁸⁷

Washington Territory, c. 1864

(Digital Collections, Washington State University Libraries)

However, his prosperity did not last. Eight civil court cases brought against Newton Estes tell a story of his subsequent financial problems. In Columbia County during 1882-1883, two cases for collection on a promissory note were filed. Three were filed in Garfield County during 1886-1889, plus a suit for recovery of personal property. And Newton was criminally prosecuted for “estray, converting” [probably a dispute over ownership of cattle, “estray” cattle being unbranded] in Walla Walla County in 1876.⁸⁸

While intriguing, these entries clearly do not concern either of our Thomas Newton Estes’. James' brother Thomas Newton Estes returned to Arkansas after the Civil War, where he married in 1870, and remained there until 1878 when he removed to Oregon. And Burris Estes, Jr.'s son Thomas Newton Estes remained in Arkansas his entire life.

This “Cattle King” is coincidentally also a descendant of Abraham⁶ Estes, by way of his son Elisha (1702-1782).⁸⁹ Our family branch descends from Elisha’s eldest brother Sylvester (1684-1720), through his son Thomas Estes I (1715-1777).

Newton Estes was born on 11 May 1835 in St. Joseph, Missouri, and died on 13 December 1895 in Arko, Wallowa County, Oregon and is buried in nearby Grouse. Newton married Amanda Jones on 7 November 1867 in Linn, Oregon.

Newton is the son of Joel Estes, born on 25 May 1806 in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, and died on 31 December 1875 in Farmington, San Juan County, New Mexico. He married Martha Patsy Stallings on 12 November 1826 in Clay County, Missouri. Joel is the son of Peter Harris Estes, born on 6 December 1774 in Goochland, Virginia, and died on 18 January 1854 in Amazonia, Andrew County, Missouri. He married Esther Hiatt on 3 July 1801 in Madison, Kentucky.

Newton and Amanda had children Charles F. Estes, born about 1869 in Oregon [US Census 1920 for Josephine County, Oregon: Charles F. Estes (42, Mo.; Ky. Ill.), wife Martha R. (40, Mo.), and Faye L. (3, Ore.)]; Nellie J. Estes, born on 12 May 1872 in Pomeroy, Garfield, Washington Territory, died on 22 May 1954 in Walla Walla, Washington and was buried in Walla Walla, married Charley C. Smelcer, 1868-1949; Lillie Bell Estes, born in May 1873 in Pomeroy, Garfield, Washington, died 15 January 1944, married Charles A. Norberg, b. 1868; and, Dale N. Estes, born in August 1877 in Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington Territory; (1900, 1910 and 1920 in Wallowa County, Ore., married to Dona Alice Bracket, 1882-1935, with several children).

A story from the Sunday 11 March 1945 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin was written about Newton’s daughter Nellie Estes Blachly of Pomeroy, “the first white child born in what is now Garfield county.” It is quoted in Garcia’s work:

“Both of Mrs. Blachly’s parents had migrated to the ‘Oregon country’ by 1853. Her father, who was Dr. Newton Estes, had crossed the plains with the ’49 gold rush from Missouri. Later, he participated in the famous Rogue river war. In the hunt for the chief of the enemy’s forces, Dr. Estes got the chief’s peacepipe and tomahawk.

The mother, who was Amanda Jones, crossed the plains in a covered wagon in 1852, and settled in the Willamette valley. Dr. Estes settle don the Deadman, a few miles from where Pomeroy was later founded, in 1869.”

Amanda Jones Estes remarried. Her 1903 obituary provides this information:

Obituary, Amanda J. De Lartigue

Amanda J. Jones was born 18 July 1848 in Mercer county, Illinois. She crossed the plains with her family in 1852, settling in Lane county, Oregon, where she married on 7 November 1867, Newton Estes.

“Mr. and Mrs. Estes went about one year after their marriage to Eastern Oregon, Mr. Estes filing on the land where the town of Heppner is now located. They moved to Dayton, Wash., in 1870, coming from there to Garfield county one year later and settling on what ever since has been known as the “Estes place” on the Deadman. After a continuance residence on this place for about 17 years, the Estes family went to the Grand Ronde country, and located a stock ranch at the mouth of the little Salmon.”

Newton died there on 13 December 1895, and was buried by his Masonic brothers. Amanda and Newton had Charles, of Culdosac, Idaho; Dale, of Troy, Oregon; Lillie Norberg, of Ping, Washington; and, Nellie Smelcer, of Baker county, Oregon, all of whom survived her.

Pomeroy East Washingtonian, 4 July 1903.

Thus, the name Newton Estes and his selection of southeastern Washington to settle in the 1870’s are purely coincidental.