On the 1st of July, 1877, Mr. Swinney was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith, who left his Ohio home as a boy of seventeen years, and after spending a short time in Iowa, he crossed the plains in 1846. On the journey he contracted mountain fever and when the train with which he was traveling reached Walla Walla, he was left with Dr. Whitman, who nursed him back to health. He spent the following winter and the next spring with Dr. Whitman, for whom he worked at splitting rails and also planted some small tracts to grain. In the summer of 1847, prior to Dr. Whitman's murder, he went to Oregon, settling in Lane county, where he was afterward married. There he lived until 1861, when he came to Washington and spent the summer in the Orofino mines. During the hard winter of 1861-2—a winter memorable in the history of the state—he was in Columbia county, living near Dayton. There he acquired land and later made that place his home. During the latter years of his life, however, he resided with Mr. and Mrs. Swinney, reaching the ripe old age of eighty-one years.
In politics Mr. Swinney has always been an advocate of democratic principles but has never been an office seeker. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and are most worthy people, honored and respected by all who know them and most of all by those who have known them longest and best—a fact which indicates that their strongest traits of character are those which ever command confidence and respect.
CLAUDE R. WILLIAMS
Claude R. Williams, one of the progressive agriculturists of the Walla Walla valley, was born July 8, 1888, upon the farm which is still his home, situated on section 26, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with farming interests and the careful management of his business affairs since he started out in life independently is bringing to him a gratifying measure of success. He is a son of Samuel C. and Ellen E. (Buroker) Williams, who are natives of Illinois. They came to the northwest at an early period in its development and are still living here, their home being at No. 522 East Sumach street, in Walla Walla.
Claude R. Williams was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, attending its common schools, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm. He continued to aid his father until he attained his majority, when he took charge of the old homestead, which he now cultivates. It comprises three hundred acres of valuable wheat land, splendidly adapted to the cultivation of that crop. His efforts have been an element in winning for Walla Walla county its well earned reputation as a wheat growing section. He is alert and enterprising in all that he does and follows most progressive methods of farming. He studies crop production from a scientific standpoint, keeps his fields in excellent condition and therefore when his crops are sent to market he receives a substantial reward for his labor.
On the 17th of April, 1913, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Goldie Fullerton, who was born in Carter, Illinois, and is a daughter of Washington Lawrance and Alice (Fyke) Fullerton. His father was a native of Tennessee, but the birth of her mother occurred in Illinois. In 1900 they came to Walla Walla county and settled on a farm near Dayton but now reside at Hadley, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams has been born a daughter, Lovetta May, whose birth occurred on the 15th of February, 1914.
Mr. Williams is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has no interest in politics as an office seeker although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and in matters of citizenship he stands for those interests which further progress and improvement along lines of general benefit. His own activities are concentrated upon his farming interests and the careful direction of his business affairs is bringing to him creditable and deserved prosperity.