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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.
FRED C. TYLER. There is no doubt
that the most important class of people on the face of the earth to-day
are those who till the soil, and some of the finest specimens of humanity
are found in this calling. Douglas county is not lacking in intelligent
farmers and stockmen who have made this political division what it is to-day.
Among the leading ones, it is with pleasure that we mention the subject
of this article, who resides about six miles southeast of Waterville and
is known as one of the leading citizens. He was born in Sullivan
county, New York, on February 27, 1860. The father was Colonel Rockwell
Tyler, a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania and a man of prominence both
in Pennsylvania and New York. He entered the service in the Civil
War as captain in the Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry and was soon
promoted as Colonel of the regiment. He did valiant and faithful
service, for his country in those dark days of internecine strife and was
a commander who led rather than sent his men. After fulfilling his
military service, he returned to New York state and was revenue collector
for a number of years. His death occurred on May 27, 1893.
Colonel Tyler married Miss Mary J. Hill, a native of Connecticut, who died
in Douglas county, Washington, on October 28, 1898.
Reverting more particularly to the subject
of this article, we note that his early education was gained in Sullivan
county, New York. At the early age of fifteen, he was sent to Connecticut
and from that time forward has not only been an active and industrious
person but also a great investigator of the questions of the day and a
wide reader. In the spring of 1882, our subject left Connecticut
and went to Millbank, Dakota, where he was salesman in the mercantile establishment
of J. C. Drake, for three years. In 1885, he came to Spokane, then
journeyed on through Douglas county and later went to Oregon. After
two years of residence in Oregon, he returned to Douglas county and took
a pre-emption. After proving upon this, he located a homestead.
He sold these properties and bought his present place and upon this he
has made his home since. He has a two-story six-room residence, outbuildings,
excellent well of water and a good band of cattle. Mr. Tyler had
two brothers, Charles V., deceased, and Ebenezer.
At Wilmot, Dakota, on June 2, 1884, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Tyler and Miss Ida M., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth
(Anderson) Smith, natives of Ohio and New Hampshire, respectively.
They came to Dakota in 1880. Mrs. Tyler has the following brothers
and sisters, Warren J., Charles A., Mrs. Emily Newhouse, Mrs. Nettie Nancarow,
Mrs. Susan Gary, Mrs. Lizzie Drake, Mrs. Helen Stoddard and Mrs. Emeline
Reinhart, deceased.
In religious persuasion, Mr. Tyler is inclined
toward the Baptist church, although he is not actively connected with any
denomination. He and his wife are well known and have hosts of warm
friends throughout the country. Mr. Tyler is a man that the people
look up to and they esteem him for his worth and wisdom.
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