OLIVER DeWITT
MRS. OLIVER DeWITT
In May, 1874, Mr. DeWitt was united in marriage to Miss America A. Roff, a daughter of Frederick and Rachael (White) Roff, who crossed the plains with ox teams from Missouri to Washington in 1864, settling in what is now Walla Walla. They made the trip with nine children and were six months and one day en route. On reaching his destination Mr. Roff had but fifty cents in his pocket. However, some of his Masonic brethren came to his assistance and after a short time he had made a good start. Four of his nine children were old enough to work and wages were good, the girls receiving nine dollars per week. The father engaged in farming and with the exception of a year and a half spent in Oregon he made his home continuously in the vicinity of Walla Walla up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1902. He was one of the well known and valued pioneer settlers of this section of the state. His widow survived him for six years, passing away in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are the parents of four children, as follows: Ella, who is the wife of Edward Bradbury, of Waitsburg; Harry L., who owns and operates a large ranch near Starbuck in Columbia county; Arthur Clyde, who is engaged in the grain business in Waitsburg; and Elsie D., who gave her hand in marriage to William L. Estes, a farmer of Walla Walla county. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have also reared a nephew, Charles F. Myers, whose parents died when he was seven years of age and he is now living on the farm.
In politics Mr. DeWitt is a stanch republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Washington Lodge, No. 19, and also to the encampment, while both he and his wife are identified with the Rebekahs. Narcissa Lodge, No. 2, presented Mrs. DeWitt with the veteran's jewel, given for long and faithful service in the order. Mr. DeWitt belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife holds membership in the Christian church. They are people of genuine personal worth and Mr. DeWitt is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who need assistance. He comprehends what difficulties mean, having had his own hard knocks. He sympathizes with those whose lot has not been as fortunate as his and yet he does not condone the shirker nor have patience with the shiftless, because his life has been organized along lines that call for a full dole of labor within each turn of the wheel. Because of his industry and perseverance, obstacles and difficulties have vanished before him like mist before the morning sun and step by step he has advanced until he has reached the heights of prosperity.
JOSEPH W. LYONS.