The gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph has gained distinction in at least three lines of enterprise, having manifested a range of ability and talent that is rare and commendable, while his integrity and intrinsic moral worth commensurate therewith have been displayed in an exemplary manner during his enterprising career. Mr. Smith is the son of William R. and Mary (Eddington) Smith, natives of Tennessee, and was born in that state, Monroe county, on March 7, 1856. While yet but a youth he went to Texas and engaged in farming there for three years, then returned to his native state and finished his education, becoming a graduate from the Brownhill Academy. Upon the completion of this course he took up the profession of teaching, gaining marked distinction in that line. In 1883 he came to this county and continued the pursuit of his profession for eight years subsequent thereto, taking rank with the leading educators of the section. In 1885 he filed on a pre-emption claim, eighteen miles north from Pendleton, where he now owns two sections of excellent wheat land, having one thousand acres of that cereal this year. It is of marked interest that Mr. Smith came to this county without means and has made the brilliant success that is his to enjoy by his industry, wise management, and good financiering, which speaks in high terms of his excellent abilities. In addition to this elegant estate he owns a handsome residence in the city of Pendleton and extensive grounds containing twelve acres, where he lives with his family. Besides the care and labor of managing his large estate, Mr. Smith finds time to carry on one of the largest commercial enterprises of its kind in the county. His business is at the corner of Court and Thompson streets, where he deals in farm implements, wagons, buggies, etc. He carries a large stock and has been in the business for four years. He has the sole agency for the Holt Brothers Combined Harvester for eastern Oregon, of which machine he has sold thirty-two this year. His business is prosperous and has been from the beginning, and he enjoys an increasing patronage, which is justly merited by his upright principles and careful attention to the needs of his customers. The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mercy, daughter of William and Berintha (Bull) Fish, natives of New York, occurred on March 10, 1885. The following children have been born to them: Effie, Edgar, Una, Fern, Beth and Bulah. Mr. Smith is fraternally affiliated with the A. O. U. W. and the Woodmen of the World.

Page 402

A prominent citizen and worthy pioneer who wrought with industry and faithfulness for the development and upbuilding of Umatilla county, the man whose name heads this paragraph is accorded this memorial in our volume with pleasure, while we cheerfully add our mite to perpetuate the memory of his noble character and life of sterling moral worth.

Page 405

Walter R. Bitney is a western man. He was born in Madison county, Montana, October 25, 1874. His parents, John and Eliza (Guild) Bitney, brought him to this county in the fall in 1881. The common schools of Umatilla county laid the foundation of his education, and then for two years he continued his studies at the Willamette University, in Salem, this state. After thus being well fitted for the enterprises of life he returned to this county and selected a homestead where he now resides fifteen miles northwest from Pendleton. On this bit of wild prairie he commenced operations, and now, being not yet thirty years of age, he owns nearly twelve hundred acres of fine farming land in the Despain Gulch region. Surely this is a record that well may inspire respect for his ability and that indicates the financier. The energy, skill and good judgment displayed in acquiring this magnificent holding are to be commended. With this broad foundation so well laid one may expect that in the future there shall be displayed more of the same talent that has begun so well and the county shall have occasion to be proud of her citizen. It was the wise man that secured land in these fertile regions of the west and which shall reap the rewards of this wisdom as the country progresses and develops. How many would do differently if they could only revert to the past for a little while! At the time when the opportunity arises is the time to embrace the opportunity and that is the time that Mr. Bitney used so wisely, as his broad farms indicate. The same skill that could acquire is that which develops and uses. He farms about five hundred acres and uses the balance for stock. In this way he so divides the farm that it is all kept in good condition. Fine stock, such as he raises, is a very paying product for the farmer and one that will surely come to be depended on more.

He is a member of the Maccabees and stands high in social circles. The affairs of his county are a matter of personal interest to him, as are school matters. He thus shows the true qualities of a useful and progressive citizen.

Page 408

Among the rising business men of our county who bid fair to make a record of note in the commercial world should be mentioned the young and enterprising merchant whose name appears above. A keen observer of the trend of the times and of events, he has displayed an alertness in grasping the present opportunity that presages rapid advancement in his chosen occupation. His birth occurred in Buffalo, New York, on March 3, 1868. The following year his parents removed to Nashville, Tennessee, where his father, Michael Fitzgerald, died. He was taken to Fort Randall, North Dakota, whence in 1871 he removed to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In the following year we find him in Fort Laramie, and 1873 in Fort Fetterman, Wyoming. Later he was in Salt Lake, Utah, and in 1877 removed to Beaver, in the same territory, whence again to Salt Lake in 1878, returning thence to Beaver in 1881. After this he was in Uncompahgre, Colorado, whence in 1884 he came to Vancouver, Washington. At this point he enlisted in the United States army, serving for five years. At the date of his discharge he had reached his majority and had not only acquired a good education in the various schools in the cities of his pilgrimages, but also a fine acquaintance with the ways of the world and a good business drilling, which he soon turned to fine account, for immediately succeeding his service in the army he embarked in the mercantile life until 1893, then removed to Spokane, Washington, continuing the same line for two years there. After that time he retired to Salt Lake, engaging in business there for two years, whence in 1897 he went to Colfax, Washington, remaining there for one year in business. From that point he came to Pendleton, where he is still in the mercantile world, maintaining a retail shoe store with flattering financial returns. For two years of his time after first arriving here he was employed in Cleaver Brothers' establishment, then later began operations for himself. He was married in December, 1898, to Miss Rhoda John, of Weston, this county. Mr. Fitzgerald is pleasantly affiliated fraternally with the K. of P., the Elks, the Pioneers, the Maccabees and the Odd Fellows, in all of which he takes an active part, while he is held high in the esteem and regards of his fellows.

Page 410

Albert Friedly, the prosperous and respected young farmer that we now have the pleasure of sketching, has made a name for himself in this his chosen county that is really enviable and is the product of intrinsic worth. He came from the good old state of Ohio, where he was born October 23, 1872. That the "Buckeye" state can furnish first-class farmers as well as presidents is evident to any one that will take the trouble to look over the fields and possessions of our subject. In his native state he received a good common school education and then began to look the world square in the face, ready for the commencement of life's responsibilities. The west was where his interest lay and at the early age of seventeen he started to see its various fields. In 1889 he arrived in this county, and being satisfied with its outlook selected land nine miles northwest from Pendleton, on Despain gulch, and bought it. That his youthful judgment was good is evidenced in that he still retains that land as his home place. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, but farms four hundred and eighty acres, raising wheat mostly. He has been enabled through his thrift and good financiering to add to his property good improvements in substantial buildings, etc. In politics he pulls with the "grand old party," and is ever interested in the matters of school affairs and county government. The people have chosen him for school director for three years and he is still serving in that capacity. His fraternal associations are with the Maccabees, where he holds a membership. On February 11, 1895, Mr. Albert Friedly and Miss May, daughter of Alfred and Jane (Arnold) Simpson, were joined in matrimony. They have two children, Earl and Olney. The parents of our subject, John and Nancy (Freed) Friedly, are still residing in Hardin county, Ohio, where the father is a leading figure in politics, being one of the ablest attorneys in that portion of the state. He was mayor of the city of Ada and has always been identified with the Republican in political matters. But to till the soil was more congenial to the tastes of his son and hence Umatilla county is favored with his presence here among us and the neighborhood has captured one of Ohio's execellent citizens.

Page 412

Although born in the east, yet the man whose name heads this article has spent the major portion of his life in this state and all but his early boyhood days in this county, consequently he is classed as one of the sons of the west a real energetic, upright and capable citizen, whose life of industry and wise enterprise has given him a portion of competency and a position of prominence. His birth occurred in Ray county, Missouri, on July 24, 1858, whence, five years later, his parents came with ox and mule teams to Lane county, this state, settling near Eugene. Here they were occupied with farming until 1869, when they removed to Umatilla county. Beginning in Lane county and then continued here, our subject received the training to be secured in the public schools and then entered the arena of life's struggles for himself, embarking in the stock raising industry. For twenty-five years he continued at this business, achieving a good success, and then sold his entire interests in 1900 and purchased the business where we now find him, "The Popular Resort," on Main street, in Pendleton. On October 23, 1889, the marriage of W. Baker and Miss Mary Barnhart occurred in Pendleton. To them have been born one child, Tracy, now in the Pendleton Academy. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Baker is connected with the Masons, being a Master Mason; with the K. P., Damon Lodge, No. 4, of Pendleton, where he maintains a high standing and is esteemed by his colleagues, while in his every day life his hearty good will to all has won him a host of friends.

Page 412, 413

This enterprising and capable agriculturist, stockman and business man, has long held a prominent place in the affairs of the county, being esteemed as a wise and substantial citizen and a competent manager of extensive enterprises. His birth occurred in Canada, on May 13, 1856. He received a liberal public school education in his native land, where he also remained until 1882, the date of his advent into the United States. He first settled in Dakota, occupying himself with carpentering there until 1886, and then came west to this county. Here also he wrought at the bench for two years and then bought two hundred and forty acres of land where he now lives, two and one-half miles south from Milton. To this his thrift and industry have enabled him to add nearly as much more, in addition to gaining considerable good city property in Astoria, Oregon. He also owns a share in a large steam threshing outfit, which he operates during the harvest season. His estate is well improved and he is raising some fine thoroughbred cattle and other stock. Our subject was married to Miss Minnie, daughter of W. G. and Rachel (Lee) Bade, old pioneers of 1867. Mrs. Still is a native of this county, being born on the old homestead one mile below where she now lives. To this couple has been born two children: Clarissa M. and Clifford A. Mr. Still and his wife affiliate with the Congregational church of Milton, where they take an active interest in its affairs, being ardent supporters of their faith, both by liberal donations and a life of practical exemplification of its teachings. Mr. Still is also a member of the Pioneers of the Pacific at Milton; and so demeans himself that he has won the confidence and esteem of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

Page 413

A son of the occident, having personally explored it from the gulf of California to Puget Sound, being skilled in the affairs of county government, our subject has, since his advent into our county, displayed an ability and intrinsic worth, together with enviable moral qualitites, that have won him a place high in the roll of honor.

His parents joined the ranks of the 'forty-niners and threaded the plains with the ox train of that day to the Golden state where he first saw the light on December 12, 1858. Three years later he went with his parents to Carson City, Nevada, where his father continued the business of general merchandising and freighting that he had followed in California. In this primitive place the subject of this sketch received a good education in the common schools, and a more practical and useful supplementary course in the postoffice and with the county assessor and treasurer. In the year 1882 he came toward the north and finally settled in Umatilla county, where he has made his home ever since. Weston was his first stopping place, and he continued there for six years, being occupied in bookkeeping, as deputy sheriff under Martin and Bentley, and as city marshal for two terms. In 1888 he moved to Pendleton and served as deputy county clerk for four years under Hartman and Pierce. The following year he spent in the sheriff's office under W. J. Furnist, after which he was employed for a year in the assessor's and clerk's offices. At this time he took an extended tour through various portions of the country for pleasure and exploration, prolonging it for three years. Upon his return in 1898 he was elected to the office of city recorder, and the following year he was re-elected for a term of two years, in which capacity he is at the present time doing excellent service. At Hastings, Michigan, in 1893, he was married to Miss Fannie H. Brown, a native of that state. Four years later she was called to the world beyond. Mr. Beam, more commonly know as Judge Beam, is happily affiliated with both branches of the I. O. O. F., and the W. of W., and the A. O. U. W. In Albany, this state, on December 26, 1900, he was married to Nellie W. Ashe. During his long residence here he has demeaned himself in such a way that his friends are numbered in every walk of life throughout the entire county, while the high order of his capabilities and his patient industry have secured for him the reward of repeated preferment, both from the hands of private individuals and public officers and the people of the county at large, all of which he justly merits.

Page 413, 414

Among the worthy names of pioneers that adorn the pages of this work there must be alotted a space for that of Mr. Power, who was one of the early ones to settle in this part of the county. It was in the year 1880 that the wave of western action began to move him toward the Pacific slope, and being one who is ready to perceive a good thing, he was not long in shaping himself for the trip. Fortune had some good things stowed away in this fertile soil of Umatilla county that she was holding for those who would leave the land of their fathers and follow her leading. Our subject was one of those favored ones and now he can with satisfaction look over a whole section of as fine wheat fields as the sun shines on and rejoice that his strong box holds the deeds of it all. He first took up three hundred and twenty acres under the homestead and pre-emption rights and by good management he soon doubled his holding. When the steel rails had not spanned the continent it was necessary for the pioneer to resign himself to the "prairie schooner" and laboriously toil toward the setting sun. But after the steam chariot began its courses it was indeed a brave and hardy spirit that would undertake that weary job of crossing the plains by team. But this obstacle was not to stop Mr. Power and he hitched his team night and morning from Missouri, Grundy county, the place of his birth, to Pendleton. With what a sense of rest did he select his claims on what is now the cross road between Stages and Despain Gulches, ten miles northwest from Pendleton. The journey was ended and he had found the spot fortune had selected for him. He was born September 1, 1850, and followed farming for thirty years before trying the west, and twenty years since coming here have made him a man of wide experience in tilling the soil and he is enabled by the best methods to get the very best returns from his land. His parents were James and Dorcas (Morris) Power. In all the local affairs and county politics he has a real personal interest and manifests activity in their adjustment as also in the school matters. The Republican fold is his political place as it manifests forth the principles he deems are the best for the welfare of the nation. Fraternally he is linked with the Red Men and is also a member of the Pioneer of the Pacific.

He was married March 12, 1876, to Miss Elsie Wild, daughter of Philip A. and Mary E. (Sandlin) Wild. Nine children have been born to them: Philip A., Mary E., Albert S., Thomas C., Alma A., William M., Henry F., and two deceased, Rebecca F. and Milliard H. The youth is now the patriarch with his children growing up around him and soon, as the old pioneers of the county are called away one by one, will his name be on the list, but his good works will remain to inspire and lead forward those who shall follow.

Page 414, 415

A prosperous and successful farmer and stockman, whose good, manly qualities have won him a host of friends, and whose general intrinsic worth has made him a leader among men, the man of whom we now speak is numbered among the most prominent agriculturists and educators of Umatilla county, which position he justly merits as is abundantly testified by his career and the success he has achieved in the battles of life. Mr. Manning is a native of the Empire state, being born in Ithaca, on June 27, 1842. For twenty-one years he remained with his parents, assisting his father in his business of farming and stock raising. He was favored with fine opportunities to secure a good education and he faithfully took advantage of them, perfecting himself in mental discipline and accumulations to a high degree. At the time of his majority he sought the greater opportunities of the west, coming to Ogle county, Illinois. Here he spent some time teaching in the seminary, which place he was well fitted to fill with merit. Desiring a more active life he turned to agriculture, but soon decided to take up a commercial life, which was followed with that excellent enterprise that brought success, and in 1871 he returned to his birthplace and continued in merchandising until 1876. After this he again came to Illinois and then on to Hardin county, Iowa, where he took up the stock and grain business until 1886, the date of his arrival in Umatilla county. Here he purchased a section of land two miles east from Pilot Rock, where he has made a fine home and has occupied his attention with farming and stock raising. At Ithaca, New York, in 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Frances Smith, a native of that place and daughter of Charles Smith, a sheep man of the same county. To this union there has been born one child, Charles J. Manning, born January 27, 1869. He is married to Miss Fannie Carley, a naive of Missouri, and lives with his father on the farm, where he takes an active part in their large stock business. Mr. Manning has never pressed for political preferment for himself, but is quite active in securing for the public trusts men of ability and honesty, and has made his influence felt for good in his large acquaintanceship, where he is highly esteemed and justly popular.

Page 348, 349

An account of the pioneers and prominent men of our county would be quite incomplete were we to omit the names of the worthy stockmen that appear above, whose careers have been marked by energy and enterprise, and who stand among the leaders in their line of business.

The sons of Nathan B. and Sarah G. Warner, their native place was Sutherland Falls, now Proctor, Vermont, where Samuel was born April 3, 1853 and Artimas, March 17, 1848. There they received their education in the public schools and grew to manhood, engaging in carpenter- ing and farming until the day of their advent into this state. Samuel arrived here in the fall of 1884, and his brother a year later. They selected their present places of thirteen hundred acres each, where they have since been occupied in wool growing. They each have two thousand five hundred head of the Merino grades, from which they clip annually nine and one-half pounds per head. Each year they sell fifteen hundred head for the mutton market. At Brandon, Vermont, Miss Ida C. Briggs and Samuel Warner were married. To them have been born the following children: Lizzie M., Albert W., Sadie, Cora, Herbert and Margie. Mr. Warner's family joined him six months after he came to this section. He and his family are members of the Congregational church and take an active interest in its affairs. His father and mother were natives of Vermont, being born in 1812 and 1815, respectively, while his grand- father, Samuel Warner, was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, in 1785, and his great-grandfather, Eleazer Warner, was born in Massachusetts on September 13, 1755. Our subject is a gentleman of integrity, who merits the high esteem in which he is held by all of his fellows and acquain- tances, being possessed of an intrinsic wisdom and worth that commend him as one far above the average.

Page 351

Among the most active of the prominent citizens of this county may be mentioned the man whose untarnished career of aggressive enterprise, planned by uncompromising judgment and ability and executed in the consciousness of accomplishing the right, it is our pleasant privilege to epitomize. Born to Jacob and Hanna (Benedict) Decker, on October 9, 1859, in Susquehanna county, of the old Keystone state, he passed there the early days of his existence and was then taken at the age of nine to Wisconsin by his parents. Here he lived for nineteen years and acquired a good education, commenced in the district school and well finished in the seminary at Wasioja, Minnesota. During this period he made his home with his parents and was occupied on his father's farm, which was potent to develop and bring to the front the sterling qualities nature had endowed him with. Later he spent one year in Colorado, buying and selling stock and real estate, with his brother. He pressed on to Salt Lake City, still dealing in real estate, and from that place came to Umatilla county in 1891. Further explorations were made in Idaho, where he engaged in lumbering for two years, after which he returned to this county and settled on the place where he now lives, twelve miles west from Helix. This he purchased and has added to since until now he farms over eleven hundred acres. Wheat is his favorite crop and after careful tests he is convinced that the red chaff variety is best suited to his region. Stock raising occupies a portion of his time, having about forty head of fine graded horses and also a thoroughbred percheron stallion. In fraternal relations he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. On July 25, 1897, the marrage of Mrs. M. (King), daughter of J. R. and Eliza (Daft) King, and Mr. Decker occurred. Mrs. Decker has one child, Ada.

In political matters Mr. Decker has always held a prominent position, having attended every county and some state conventions since his residence here. All matters that are for the advancement of the county in general are ever championed by him. His fearless stand for the right and uncompromising activity for the uplift of mankind and the good of his fellows have won for him the respect and love of his wide circle of acquaintances.

Page 353, 354

We are constrained to allot a space in these permanent chronicles of our county for an epitome of the life of one of our prominent residents, whose name appears above, and who has been a leader in the business which he has followed since coming here, as well as being one of the largest real-estate owners in the county. His native place is Pittsford, Vermont, being born there February 12, 1839, and remaining there for the first thirteen years of his life. At that time he went with his parents, Nathan S. and Sarah Warner, who were natives of the same place, to Sutherland Falls, now Proctor, that state. His grandparents were Samuel and Mercy (Smith) Warner, she being a native of Massachusetts, but he was born in Vermont, at Pittsford, to which place his ancestors were early pioneers. Our subject grew to manhood in his native state and there received his education, with a supplemen- tary course at the Fort Edwards Institute, of Fort Edward, New York. In 1860, in company with J. E . Smith, a cousin, he came to California via the Isthmus, and remained in that state and Nevada for seven years, engaged in mining. Returning to Sutherland Falls, he remained there until 1885, engaged in a general store and in the marble quarries. Then he sold out and came to Umatilla county, where he bought a squatter's right, later pre-empting and homesteading the land which forms the nucleus of his fine estate today. Here he embarked, in partnership with his brother, A. P., in the sheep business, where they have continuously operated since, with such fine success that now their real estate holdings amount to two thousand acres and their sheep are numbered about three thousand head. They commenced by handling sheep on shares. Our subject was married, in Proctor, Vermont, on November 23, 1870, to Miss Sarah M. Humphrey, a native of that state. They have the following children: Winifred R., now Mrs. A. B. Janes, of Pilot Rock; Kenneth G., a wool grower of Pendleton. This son is also a veteran of the Philippine war, having enlisted in Company H of the Second Oregon Volunteers, and occupying the position of customs inspector. Mrs. Warner died at Proctor, on May 17, 1874. Mr. Warner contracted a second marriage, at Brandon, Vermont, on November 9, 1875, with Miss Eva L. Briggs, a native of that state. To them have been born six children: Etta S., now Mrs. George Hatch, of Pilot Rock; Alison E., now Mrs. Harley Janes, of Pendleton; Mary E., a school teacher; Harold F., all of whom were born in Proctor, Vermont; also these born at Pilot Rock, Elinor I. and Raymond J. Mrs. Warner is a member of the Episcopal church of Pendleton; her parents, James and Sarah Briggs, were natives of Brandon, Vermont. Mr. Warner owns a fine residence on Garfield street in the city of Pendleton, and also some other city property. It is a point of reminiscent interest that his great-great-grandmother, Miss Beulah Batt, was captured by the Indians near the old fort at Pittsford, Vermont, and carried away. While the savages were crossing Otter creek she darted in the high grass and brush of the swamp and succeeded in secreting herself so securely that the Indians wearied themselves in hunting for her and gave up the search when she returned to her home.