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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.

     WILLIAM S. HURLBERT, who resides at Hesseltine, was born in Lake county, Indiana, on April 13, 1842.  His father, William H. Hurlbert, was a pioneer of Ohio and Indiana.  The mother, Catherine (Bean) Hurlbert, died when our subject was a child.  William S. went to Missouri with his parents when very young and there received his education in the common schools.  He worked on his father's farm until 1861, when he enlisted in the Seventh Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under General Steele, and was west of the Mississippi in the service.  He had many exciting adventures with the bushwhackers and in general fighting and was one of the party who chased Quantrell and his party for three days.  Our subject captured that leader's horse with saddle, bridle, saber scabbard, and overcoat but Quantrell succeeded in getting away.  Mr. Hurlbert was mustered out in 1865 and nine years later came to the Willamette valley in Oregon.  He farmed there until 1877, when he moved to the Palouse country.  Later he farmed in the vicinity of Colfax and there continued until 1884 when he took a homestead where he now resides.  He kept a small hotel for a number of years and is well known all over the country both to the residents of Lincoln county as well as travelers.
     In 1866, Mr. Hurlbert married Miss Mary J., the daughter of Robert and Rachel (Duncan) Dixon, natives of Germany and well to do farmers.  Mrs. Hurlbert was born in Ohio and went to Missouri when a child.  To them have been born the following children, Robert D., William H., George R., Sarah J., Mrs. Leah R. Nygren, Levi, and Adah G.
     Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbert are highly esteemed pioneers of Lincoln county and number as their friends all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.  In the early days he was one of the leading freighters of the northwest and in 1886, he was the heaviest transporter of goods to the Okanogan mines.
 

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