In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Dice and Miss E. A. Spangenberg. The latter was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Frederick A. and Fanny Anna Spangenberg, both also born in Pennsylvania. The father, who successfully engaged in the practice of law for many years, is now deceased, but the mother survives. Mrs. Dice had exceptional musical training and her talents along that line have been a source of great pleasure to her family and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Dice have four children: William T., who lives in California; Lee R., who is teaching in the University of Montana; Frances E., the wife of the Rev. Robert M. Hood, now a resident of Idaho; and Carl E., a student of Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, San Rafael, California. During the years of his residence in Walla Walla county Mr. Dice has become widely and favorably known, his many excellent qualities gaining for him many warm friends.
W. H. BARNHART.
The field of opportunity finds its boundaries only in the limitations of the individual. When energy and ambition lie dormant the path of advancement seems closed, but to the man who believes that there is a chance for every individual and who is willing to take his chance with others, there always comes a time when he can take the initial step that will lead on to fortune. That Mr. Barnhart recognized the opportune moment is shown in the fact that he is now one of the leading business men of Starbuck, where he is widely known as the vice president and manager of the Sprout & Barnhart Mercantile Company and also as a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Starbuck. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Wapello county on the 11th of October, 1871, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Johnson) Barnhart. The father was a native of Tennessee, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio, and in Iowa their marriage was solemnized. They had accompanied their respective parents to the last mentioned state in childhood and were there reared. Mr. Barnhart turned his attention to farming and railroading, which he followed in Iowa until 1889, when he removed westward to Oregon and for a number of years was employed by the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation Company in the capacity of engineer. He thus took part in the early development of railway operations in the west. He died in December, 1915, and is survived by his widow, who resides on a ranch near Spokane.
W. H. BARNHART
W. H. Barnhart, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, completed his education in the high school at Albia, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. The following year he came to Oregon and for a number of years successfully engaged in teaching school, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He also worked in a store at La Grande, Oregon, and subsequently he became a student in Armstrong's Business College at Portland. Later he took up railroading as an employe of the Oregon & Washington Railroad & Navigation Company and was employed by that corporation for thirteen years. During the last seven years of that period he ran an engine and in 1907 he resigned his position with the company and purchased an interest in the mercantile establishment of W. E. Sprout of Starbuck. The following year the company was reorganized and incorporated, with Mr. Barnhart as the vice president and manager of the business, and Mr. Sprout as the president. They have a spacious and well appointed store, carrying an extensive line of goods, and they always maintain the highest standards in the personnel of the house, in the stock carried and in the treatment accorded patrons. Their business has therefore gradually increased as the years have gone on and has become one of the profitable commercial interests of southeastern Washington.
In September, 1901, Mr. Barnhart was united in marriage to Miss Bessie A. Wright, of Starbuck, and they have become parents of two daughters, Grace M. and Blanche L. Mr. Barnhart is a loyal representative of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Tucanon Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of which he is now worshipful master. He is also identified with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and has served as chief engineer in the order. In politics he is a stalwart republican and is now mayor of Starbuck. He had previously served for several years as a member of the town council and his fitness for further and more responsible public duties led to his election as chief executive. His wife and two daughters are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Barnhart is serving on its board of trustees. His aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement as related to the material upbuilding and also the social, intellectual and moral advancement of the community. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine worth who well merits the success that has crowned his efforts since he started out in business life empty-handed.