W. H. H. BRUNTON.
W. H. H. Brunton, a pioneer of Walla Walla county, was engaged in farming for many years and won gratifying success in that connection. He was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, January 27, 1841, a son of Cyrus and Martha (Restine) Brunton, who removed with their family to Missouri during the childhood of their son, W. H. H. Brunton. There he was reared and received his education. In 1862 he made the journey across the country to Walla Walla county, Washington, with ox teams and during the following winter resided on the Walla Walla river. The next year he removed to Columbia county and for four years engaged in teaming. In 1866 he was married and then took up a homestead adjoining his father-in-law's farm. He devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits until 1899 and then, feeling that he had earned a rest, retired and removed to Walla Walla. From time to time he added to his holdings until he became the owner of almost seven hundred acres of land, which is still in possession of the estate. He passed away September 7, 1901, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he was a man of sterling worth.
Mr. Brunton was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah A. Lewis, a daughter of Reese Lewis, who removed to Oregon with his family from Wayne county, Iowa, in 1863. After spending two years on the Touchet he took up a homestead claim three miles east of Dixie.
Mr. Brunton was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Brunton also belongs. He was known as a man strictly honest in all his dealings and his uncompromising integrity gained for him the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He had many personal friends and found his greatest pleasure in their companionship and in that of his wife. She resides in a comfortable home at No. 716 Catherine street and is well and favorably known in Walla Walla.
WILLIAM THOMAS DOVELL.
William Thomas Dovell was a native of Walla Walla, his birth occurring September 21, 1869, and his parents were John and Margaret (Ford) Dovell, natives respectively of the Azore islands and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In early boyhood the father emigrated to the United States and at an early date became a resident of Walla Walla, where both he and the mother passed away. To them were born four children, of whom two survive.
William Thomas Dovell grew to manhood in Walla Walla and attended the public schools and Whitman College in the acquirement of his education. He prepared for the practice of law under the direction of the firm of Allen & Crowley, and in 1890 he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office and for thirteen years was numbered among the capable attorneys of the city. In 1903, however, he removed to Seattle, where he was active in the practice of his profession until called by death in February, 1916. One of the factors in his success was his habit of careful preparation of his cases, this practice making it difficult for his opponents to gain an advantage over him.
In 1901 Mr. Dovell was united in marriage to Miss Ruth H. Allen, a daughter of the Hon. John B. and M. C. (Bateman) Allen, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Dovell became the parents of four children, Ruth C.; Allen Thomas, deceased; William Thomas, Jr.; and Mary D.
Mr. Dovell was a careful student of public affairs and his views on political issues were in accord with the principles of the republican party. He was chosen attorney for Walla Walla county when but twenty-one years of age and although extremely young to fill such an important position he discharged his duties with marked ability. Fraternally he belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and his attractive social qualities gained him many friends within and without that organization. Those who had been associated with him during his residence in Walla Walla felt deep regret on receiving the news of his death in Seattle. He was buried in that city.