Alph Patrick Cahill, manager and cashier of the Broughton National Bank at Dayton, Columbia county, was born at Markesan, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, October 7, 1859, a son of William R. and Angeline C. (Church) Cahill. His paternal grandfather, Patrick Cahill, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1800, while his maternal grandfather was one of the pioneer preachers of western Pennsylvania. William R. Cahill, the father, became one of the early settlers of the state of Wisconsin and contributed in substantial measure to the pioneer development of Green Lake county. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call to arms and went to the front in defense of the Union.
At the usual age Alph P. Cahill became a pupil in the public schools of his native state, passing through consecutive grades until he completed a high school course in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1873. He then turned his attention to the occupation of farming but afterward engaged in merchandising and subsequently took up the milling business. Step by step he progressed as the years went on and in 1909 he assisted in the organization of the Broughton National Bank of Dayton, Columbia county, Washington, and has since continued as its manager and cashier, largely shaping the policy and directing the activities of the institution. He has been most careful to safeguard the interests of stockholders and depositors alike, while the progressive methods of the bank have ever been tempered by a wise conservatism.
On the 2d of December, 1882, Mr. Cahill was united in marriage to Miss Irene M. Starr, a native of Oregon. For his second wife he chose Frankie G. King, a native of Columbia county, and a daughter of one of the pioneers of this section, William B. King, who was an old-time stage man, operating the Walla Walla-Lewiston stage and mail route in the early days. The second marriage was celebrated April 14, 1915. Mr. Cahill's children are: Roy R., who is a graduate of Whitman College and also of the law school of Columbia University of New York and who married Jessie M. Criffield, a daughter of W. R. Criffield, of Walla Walla; Fred V., who is a graduate of Washington University and is now engaged in mercantile business and who married Grace J. Crossler; May, who is the wife of Frank G. Barclay, a Columbia county farmer; Patrick E., who married Ethel Johnston and is a bookkeeper in the Broughton National Bank; Mack, a graduate of the Newberg (Oregon) high school; and Burr, who is at home.
Fraternally Mr. Cahill is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic orders, being a Royal Arch Mason. He has always been an active worker in these different organizations and has been presiding officer in each. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and from 1892 until 1896 he filled the position of county auditor, his re-election being an acknowledgment of his excellent service during his first term. He was county commissioner from 1910 until 1912 and he has always been loyal to every cause and trust reposed in him. His military record covers three years' service with the National Guard. His fidelity to duty has never been called into question, whether in behalf of the public or in the conduct of his business interests. There is nothing spectacular in his career but his record is that of a busy life, such as contributes to the substantial force of every community.
JOHN A. DAVIS.
At the time of his death John A. Davis was in excellent financial circumstances and was recognized as a prominent farmer of Walla Walla county but during the early days of his residence here he endured many hardships and privations, the conditions being then those of a frontier region. He was born in Owen county, Indiana, November 17, 1839, and was a son of Willoughby and Mary (Orman) Davis, both natives of Tennessee. However, they removed to Indiana at an early day and remained there until 1848, when they went to Wapello county, Iowa, where the father continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his death. There the mother also passed away.
It was in Iowa that John A. Davis received his education and grew to manhood. In 1863, following his marriage, he and his wife made the seemingly never ending journey across the great plains to the Pacific northwest by ox team. They settled on a homestead on Mill creek in Walla Walla county, and their first residence was a log cabin covered with a clapboard roof and with a stick chimney. At that time there were but few settlers in this region and there were many inconveniences to be endured, but the rich soil indicated that in time the country would be well settled and highly developed, and the pioneers labored with confidence in the future. After residing upon his homestead for a time Mr. Davis purchased 550 acres of excellent land on the Oregon state line and there made his home until his death. He made excellent improvements upon the place and followed up-to-date methods in his work with the result that his resources steadily increased.
Mr. Davis was married in Iowa to Miss Carolina Snoddy, a native of Clay county, Indiana, and a daughter of James and Anna (Kendall) Snoddy, the former native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. The father died in Indiana and the mother removed with her children to Iowa and there spent her last years. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born fourteen children, namely: John H., deceased; Margaret, the wife of Charles Sweezy; James, deceased; Mary, the wife of William P. Reiser; Frank, a farmer residing in Oregon; Laura, the wife of Fred Kaser; William N.; Rosie, deceased; Estella, the wife of John Garvey; Clara, the wife of H. Miller; Edna, at home; Nellie, deceased; Gertrude, the wife of Raymond Reiser; and Elmer, who is married and living on the home farm.