MR. AND MRS. JAMES S. KERSHAW
While living in Illinois Mr. Kershaw became acquainted with some who made a business of driving horses to California for sale. They were enthusiastic in their praise of the climate of the Pacific coast and the almost limitless opportunities for advancement there and their reports of the far west influenced the family to go to the coast. Accordingly they sold their home, bought a team and provisions to last them throughout the long journey and in the spring of 1861 set out for their new home. It was not definitely decided in what locality they should settle, but the general preference was for California. They had been advised to "never camp twice in the same place" and when the train of which they were a part made a halt of a few days at Fort Laramie, four families, including the Kershaw family, left the main train and continued the journey. Later they overtook four other families and not long afterward were joined by four more and still later caught up with a train of eight families under the command of Colonel Black. In this train was a Mr. Babcock, who had settled in the Walla Walla valley in 1859 and was just returning from the east with his family. His description of the country around his home was so attractive that the Kershaws gave up their half formed plan of going to California and decided to locate in the Walla Walla valley. For some time they were the guests of Mr. Babcock and then they inspected the surrounding country with the view of determining on which tract of land to settle. They chose the quarter section adjoining Charles Actor, on the present site of Dixie, and during the first winter lived with Mr. Actor. That first winter was one to discourage the faint-hearted, for the weather was severe, more so than it has ever been during the many years since. In addition to the extra work which the cold entailed in the care of stock the early settlers had a great deal of difficulty in securing enough wood to keep their homes warm and their food consisted almost entirely of beef and flapjacks. Moreover, the wheat had a great deal of smut in it and this had to be washed out and the wheat dried before the grain could be ground into coarse flour in a coffee mill. The following spring the Kershaws leased Mr. Actor's land and also began to improve their own holdings. As soon as possible they erected a log house and there resided until some years later when they erected a larger residence across the road from Dixie. This town received its name from the fact that the song "Dixie Land" was new at that time and had been introduced into Walla Walla county by the three Kershaw brothers, who were musicians and were often called upon to sing at local gatherings. They became known by the name of the "Dixie Boys" and when the founders of the new town were wondering what to name it, friends of the Kershaws suggested that it be named Dixie in their honor.
After operating Mr. Actor's land for two years William G. Kershaw took up a homestead adjoining the present town of Dixie and the family removed to that place. The mother passed away there on the 17th of January, 1875, dying of pneumonia after six days of illness, and was the first person buried in the Dixie cemetery, which is located on land included within the Kershaw homestead. Our subject was married in the same year and erected a home on land which he had acquired east of Dixie. He held title to three hundred acres there and also had a third interest in one hundred and sixty acres on Dry creek and forty acres of timber land. Year after year he gave his time and attention to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and his labors were rewarded by abundant crops, from the sale of which he derived a gratifying income. Through hard work and good management he gained a competence and in 1900, when his son, A. C. Kershaw, was married he turned the farm over to him and for six years Mr. and Mrs. James S. Kershaw resided in Dixie. In 1906, however, they removed to Walla Walla, where they are still living.
Mr. Kershaw was married December 8, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Cook, who came to the United States from England in 1870 with an uncle, William Yeend, his wife and ten children. They made their way at once to California but after remaining there for a few months came to Walla Walla county, which they reached in December of that year. To Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw have been born two children: Arthur C., who, as before stated, is operating the home place; and Mary Bessie, the wife of E. J. Cantonwine, of Walla Walla.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in all the relations of life they conform their conduct to the highest ethical standards. During the more than half a century that Mr. Kershaw has resided in Walla Walla county he has at all times been recognized as a man of sound judgment, of public spirit and of the strictest integrity. He had a part in the hard task of developing a new country and it is but fitting that he should now enjoy the fruits of his labors. He finds pleasure not only in his individual prosperity but also in the general development of the county and has always been glad that in 1861 he elected to cast in his lot with that of this section.
HON. J. A. FONTAINE.