cornehlh
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.
HERMAN CORNEHL is one of the
very busy men of Douglas county. Possessed of energy, push and enterprise,
a good physique and plenty of spirit, he has found in this western country
an arena for operation congenial to his make up. At the present time
he is operating a large mercantile establishment in company with Mr. Valentine,
who is mentioned in another portion of this work. In 1898, he started
in business at Bridgeport with a small stock of goods but the firm now
carries between twelve and fifteen thousand dollars worth of goods on their
shelves and in their warehouses. They are the largest merchants north
of Waterville and do an immense business.
Herman Cornehl was born in Hamburg, Germany,
on November 23, 1863, the son of Henry and Annie K. (Schmidt) Cornehl,
natives of Hamburg. Educated in the schools of his native land, our
subject there grew to manhood, and in 1883, came to the United States.
He soon crossed this continent to San Francisco and engaged in general
work for three and one-half years, then went into business for himself
in Alameda, handling coal, wood and feed. Two years later, we find
him in Fresno, selling real estate. After that, Mr. Cornehl went
to Oklahoma and participated in that excitement. Not being pleased
with the country, he sold out and journeyed to Guthrie, then to Arkansas
City, after which he made a visit to Germany, then came to the Big Bend
country. He took government claims in the fall of 1890, at the head
of West Foster creek, where he now owns one section of land, highly improved
and cultivated. Mr. Cornehl immediately gave his attention to stock
raising upon arriving here and has continued in the same until the present
time, having large herds on his farm which he oversees from his home in
Bridgeport. As stated before, he began business in Bridgeport in
1898, having as a partner, Mr. McLean. In 1899, Mr. McLean sold to
Mr. Valentine and since then, these two enterprising men have conducted
the business. They buy grain and handle agricultural implements,
in addition to general merchandise. Mr. Cornehl has the following
brothers and sisters, Heinrich, William, Gustavus, Hinrich, Ernest and
Ferdinand.
On May 18, 1904, Mr. Cornehl married Miss
Pearl Galbraith, daughter of G. W. and M. T. (Weaver) Galbraith, natives
of North Carolina and Texas, respectively. Mrs. Cornehl has the following
named brothers and sisters, George R., William N., Claude, Percy, Lottie
and Mandie.
Mr. Cornehl is a member of the M. W. A. and
also belongs to the Lutheran church. He is active in educational
matters and also is a member of the county central committee of the Republican
party. He has so conducted himself in the business that he has won
the respect and confidence of every one who knows him and stands among
the leading business men of Douglas county.
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