MRS. LETTICE J. REYNOLDS
On the 23d of May, 1861, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Mrs. Lettice J. (Millican) Clark, the widow of Ransom Clark, who first crossed the plains to Oregon with Dr. Whitman in 1843. She was born in Canehill, Arkansas, October 3, 1830, and received her education in her native town. In 1843 the family joined the Whitman train and after a journey of weary months reached Oregon. The following year the Millican family settled near the town of Lafayette, Yamhill county, and there in 1845 Lettice J. Millican became the wife of Ransom Clark. Following the death of her husband in 1859, she made the journey to Walla Walla in order to make arrangements for subsequently taking up her home upon the farm which Mr. Clark had taken up and which was known for many years as the Ransom Clark donation claim. She was given a place in the government wagon from Wallula to Walla Walla and her first night in the latter place was spent in the fort. The following morning she was driven out to her claim and remained there for two weeks. She then returned to Portland and, after the birth of her daughter the following summer, she took up her permanent home on the claim in Walla Walla county. Soon after doing so she received a letter from her Portland lawyer advising her to sell her claim for two hundred and seventy-five dollars and abandon the idea of developing it. However, she disregarded this advice and continued to reside upon the farm with her children. On the 23d of May, 1861, she married Almos H. Reynolds. She was the earliest pioneer woman residing in Walla Walla county and the fact that she had been privileged to witness more of the growth of the northwest than others seemed to give her an added interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare. She contributed much to the upbuilding of the various institutions of the city and by reason of her force of character and her many liberal and well advised benefactions she was recognized as a most prominent citizen of Walla Walla. The erection of the Young Men's Christian Association building was made possible by a twenty thousand dollar donation from her and after its completion she was one of the chief contributors toward its upkeep. At the rally and jubilee held when the association had raised the forty-five thousand dollars necessary to pay off its debt, the speech that she made expressing her great joy in the knowledge that the association was free of all debt will long be remembered by all who heard her. She was also a loyal friend and patron of Whitman College, contributing generously at various times to the support of the institution and paying off a debt of six thousand dollars on the girls' dormitory, which is named in her honor Reynolds Hall. She was a woman of the highest ideals and also had the keenness of intellect and strength of character to realize her ideals, and the memory of Lettice J. Reynolds will long be held in honor in Walla Walla.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Almos H. Reynolds were born two sons: Harry A., who was born October 14, 1863; and Allen H., who was born January 24, 1869.
JOHN R. GOSE, M. D.
It is believed that few men possess the ability to attain success along both professional and agricultural lines, but Dr. John R. Gose, living on section 33, township 8 north, range 37 east, in Walla Walla county, has made a creditable name in both connections. He was born in Missouri, November 16, 1861, and is a son of John M. and Hannah J. (McQuown) Gose, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born in Virginia. In 1864 they removed westward, settling at Boise, Idaho, where they spent the winter, and in the following spring they arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, taking up their abode upon a ranch, where they are still living. They are one of the most venerable couples of the county, the father having attained the age of ninety-one years, while his wife is eighty-five years of age. In their family were seven children, of whom three are living.
Dr. Gose was not yet four years of age when his parents crossed the plains, so that he was reared upon the western frontier. He pursued his education in the schools of Walla Walla county and after having completed his preliminary course he determined to enter upon the practice of medicine and with that end in view returned to the east, matriculating in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He then returned to Washington to engage in the practice of his profession, which he followed in Pomeroy, Garfield county, for fourteen years and also in the city of Walla Walla for three years. He then withdrew from the active practice of his profession, in which he had won substantial success and made for himself a most creditable name. Removing to a ranch near Dixie, he has since devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and has proved most capable in the management and conduct of his farming interests.
In 1889 Dr. Gose was united in marriage to Miss Minnie S. Aldrich, a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this section of the state. She was born upon the farm where she now resides and is a daughter of Newton and Anna M. (Shoemaker) Aldrich. Her father was a native of the state of New York, while her mother was born in Iowa. Mr. Aldrich came to Washington in 1861 and was here married to Miss Shoemaker, who had crossed the plains in 1864. They took up their abode upon the farm which is now occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Gose and upon that place they spent their remaining days. At the time of his death Mr. Aldrich owned seven hundred and twenty acres of land, of which Mrs. Gose inherited three hundred and sixty acres. He had gained a most substantial place among the agriculturists of this section of the state and his genuine personal worth had endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. To him and his wife were born three children: Mrs. Gose; Ida, who has departed this life; and Clara E., who is the wife of G. L. Bailey.