Woolvertonj
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.
JOSEPH W. WOOLVERTON is one of
the most progressive and active business men of Dauglas county. He
is at present conducting a general merchandise establishment at Douglas
and is meeting with the well earned success of a gratifying patronage,
while he receives the esteem and the respect of all. Mr. Woolverton
has also shown himself one of the capable and successful educators of the
county. It is very evident that the salient points of his career
should be named in a volume purporting to grant representation to leading
citizens of this section, and we therefore append the same.
Joseph W. Woolverton was born in Blissfield,
Michigan, on February 12, 1873. His father, Milton Woolverton, is
a native of Pennsylvania and now a farmer in Michigan. He married
Miss Ellen Bullard, of New York. She also is living in Michigan.
Our subject continued his training until after he had finished the high
school course, then in 1892, came to Douglas county, settling about eighteen
miles east of Waterville on a homestead. He taught school for two
years while living on the homestead and in 1894, was elected superintendent
of schools for this county. His name appeared on the Republican ticket
and he gained the day over E. M. Bogart, by thirty majority. Mr.
Woolverton was just twenty-one years old at this time and was the youngest
elected officer in the state of Washington. After two years of very
acceptable service in this important office, Mr. Woolverton again turned
his attention to teaching school, continuing the same until 1898.
He served in the postoffice at Waterville for some time and finally, in
1901, located at Douglas, where he opened a general merchandise store.
He carries a fine assortment of goods of everything demanded by the trade
in this section and by his genality and deferential treatment of partons
has won for himself a very lucrative trade. Mr. Woolverton is considered
one of the best business men in this section. Mr. F. Brockman, of
Spokane, also is interested in the store.
Mr. Woolverton has two sisters, Mrs. E. J.
Malloy and Mrs. J. M. Friel.
On November 15, 1896 at Waterville, Mr. Woolverton
married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Mary A. (McCann) Kelley.
The father died in Waterville, on April 30, 1903 and the widow still resides
there. Mrs. Woolverton was born in New Jersey, on December 9, 1873
and has the following brothers and sisters, Edward F., John H., Joseph
P. and James L. Mr. and Mrs. Woolverton are the parents of the following
named children: James M., born on August 27, 1897; Irene L., born
on November 12, 1899; Ethel M., born April 3, 1901. All were born
in Waterville. Mrs. Woolverton is a member of the W. W., and a broad-minded
and progressive man.
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