Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
LUCIUS B. EDDY is one of the
wealthy stockmen of Lincoln county and resides about fourteen miles west
from Davenport. He was born on February 18, 1869, in Wayne county,
Iowa, the son of John Shirley and Mercy (Button) Eddy, natives of New York.
The paternal ancestors were dwellers in the colonies and fought for American
independence. One of them was Governor Shirley of Massachusetts.
The parents are living in Chautauqua county, New York at the present time.
Our subject has two brothers and one sister; Eugene, born April 3, 1878,
married and living with our subject; Martin C., born in 1881 ; Almira,
born in 1884. Lucius B. went with his parents from Iowa to New York
and there received his education in the public and normal schools.
He was well trained for teaching although he never followed that avocation.
In March, 1889, he came west to Lincoln county and for a time worked out.
Later, he took a homestead and followed farming; being inclined towards
handling stock, he began breeding horses in 1894. Three years later,
he bought his present place and removed here in 1898. He now owns
about three thousand acres, all under fence and devoted entirely to pasture
and hay. He handles a great many first class draft horses at the
present time, making a specialty of that line. The English shire
are the kind with which he has the best success. Mr. Eddy has a large
barn, good residence, and other buildings besides all equipments for handling
a large stock and hay farm.
Fraternally, he is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. of Davenport. He remarks that when
he first came to the Big Bend country, his means were exceedingly limited.
He has so wisely handled the resources in his hands here that he has become
a well to do stockmen. He has also gained the esteem and confidence
of his fellows. It was upon Mr. Eddy's farm that the noted outlaw,
Tracy, gave up his life, a full account of which will appear in another
portion of this work.