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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.
CHARLES L. HOTALING is classed
as one of the earliest pioneers of the Big Bend country, for in June, 1880,
he settled on his homestead about six miles south from where the town of
Harrington now stands. Without means and alone, he undertook the
task of opening up a farm and knows well the hardships and arduous labors
needed to accomplish such a task. He has given his attention to raising
grain for nearly twenty-five years in this section and has done much for
the improvement and development of the country. He now resides about
four miles north of Harrington and has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty
acres. It is improved in excellent shape and provided with all buildings
necessary. Mr. Hotaling is one of the well-to-do men of the country
and a highly respected citizen.
Charles L. was born on July 18, 1859, in Ogle
county, Illinois. His father, Major John R. Hotaling, was born in
Schoharie county, New York, and came to Ogle county, Illinois, as a pioneer.
There he enlisted as a captain in Company A, Second Illinois Cavalry, in
the first part of the war and was afterwards promoted to major on General
Logan's staff. He served with distinction all through the war, then
returned to his farm in Illinois where he remained until his death in his
sixty-ninth year. The mother of our subject was Sophia (Wallerhouse)
Hotaling, a native of New York. She died during the Civil war.
Our subject has one sister, Mrs. Emma Mallory, and one half-brother, Jay
R., an attorney in Chicago. Charles L. grew up in the town of Rochelle,
Illinois, and received a good education. In the spring of 1875, he
went to Beatrice, Nebraska, and there worked for wages until the spring
of 1878, then came via San Francisco to Albany, Oregon, and engaged with
a logging outfit. In the spring of 1880, he came with a team to the
Big Bend country and filed on a homestead as named above. Like nearly
all the other pioneers, Mr. Hotaling was forced to go to the older sections
of the state to raise money for the necessaries of life and he continued
laboring along faithfully until he has become one of the substantial men
of the country. In 1886, he took the contract of carrying the mail
from Harrington to Hesseltine, handling that in addition to his farm.
In 1890, Mr. Hotaling sold his original homestead and bought a farm where
he now resides. He has considerable stock in addition to his other
improvements.
At Albany, Oregon, in September, 1879, Mr.
Hotaling married Miss Minnie Earl, a native of California, and the daughter
of Robert and Lorina (Powell) Earl. They are now both living at Earl
postoffice in this county. To our subject and his wife, three children
have been born, Vernie E., Eula G. and Leroy L.
Mr. Hotaling is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
while he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs and she is a member of the
Presbyterian church.
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