NATHANIEL WEBB
Mr. Webb was married November 17, 1875, to Mrs. Eliza J. Smith, who was born in Hannibal, Missouri, December 28, 1843, a daughter of James and Almeda (Barney) Boggs, who in 1853 went to Oregon by ox team. The father took up a donation claim of three hundred and sixty acres near Dallas, in Polk county, and engaged in operating that place until 1860, when he removed to Roseburg. He, too, was chiefly engaged in the raising of sheep, which business many of the early settlers followed. Mrs. Webb was the eldest of a family of ten children, of whom only four now survive. In 1857 she was married to F. W. Smith, by whom she had four children, namely: J. Cy, who died, leaving a wife and six children, Orville, Jessie, Nate, Melvin, Helen and Mollie; George W., at home; Mary E., who became the wife of J. Valaer and died, leaving one son; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have become the parents of three children: Nat, who is a graduate of Whitman College and is now farming; Paul, who is married and resides at Heppner, Oregon; and Kate, who died in infancy.
Mr. Webb is a stanch republican in politics and has supported the candidates of that party ever since it came into existence. His wife holds membership in the Methodist church and both can be counted upon to use their influence on the side of right and justice. For more than six decades Mr. Webb has been connected with the Pacific coast and for more than forty years has been a resident of Washington and has seen the open ranges where thousands of sheep fed give way to finely improved and highly cultivated wheat fields and has witnessed many other changes as the development of eastern Washington has progressed. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his county and state and has always placed the public welfare above his private interests.
HON. JAMES M. DEWAR.
One of the prominent figures in the early history of Walla Walla county was the Hon. James M. Dewar, stockman, farmer and member of the territorial legislature. He was born in Scotland, in the county of Perth, near the ancient castle of Doune, February 12, 1824. His father was a farmer and he grew up on the northern slope of the Grampian hills, becoming familiar with the scenes of Scottish legend. He received his education in his native country and remained at home until 1853, when he decided to try his fortune in America. For five years after his arrival in this country he traveled over the northern states and in 1858 he came to the Pacific coast country. While making his home at Champoeg, on the Willamette river, he met a relative, Archibald Mackinley, who was known to practically all the pioneers of the northwest as one of the most daring trappers in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. Mackinley advised Mr. Dewar to settle in the Walla Walla valley, describing in detail its many advantages, but also pointing out the fact that there existed considerable danger from Indians. Taking everything into consideration, Mr. Dewar decided to act on the advice of the trapper and on the 4th of January, 1859, arrived within the limits of the present Walla Walla county. His first home was a log cabin on Cottonwood creek and, liking the surroundings, he bought it and the claim on which it was built, paying the owner fifty dollars for the whole. At first it was not his intention to make this his permanent home but rather to make it a base for his stock raising activities, as he saw in the fine grazing land of the Walla Walla valley a fine opportunity to raise stock for the Pacific market. However, the more he learned about this section the more confident he became that it offered opportunities which could not be surpassed elsewhere and accordingly when the country became settled and his range began to narrow he sold off his surplus stock and turned his attention to farming. His first purchase of land consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, to which he later added one hundred and seventy-four acres, and his well directed labors resulted in transforming the entire tract into a highly improved farm in a high state of cultivation. He fenced his holdings, erected good buildings, including a beautiful modern home which took the place of the pioneer log cabin, and he also planted an orchard, the oldest in the county with one exception.
On the 27th of January, 1864, Mr. Dewar was married in Walla Walla to Miss Margaret McRae, who survives. To them were born seven children, of whom three are living, Alexander, Alida and Gordon M. The others, John, James M., Elizabeth and David are deceased, the last two dying of diphtheria on the same day.