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.
JOHN H. MULLER. When John
H. Muller located on his present place, about one mile southwest from where
Harrington now stands, there was no Harrington, no Davenport, and very
few settlers in the entire territory now embraced in Lincoln county, which
organization then had no being. Without a stove to cook on, with
the sky for a canopy, this sturdy settler located and began the work of
bringing a fertile farm from the wilds then abounding. Coyotes were
familiar neighbors and the chirruping prairie dog would whirl into his
hole as the human intruder walked by. Nature, with all her wilful
ways, gave no encouragement to the frontiersman and his task seemed a thankless
one, to open the door for civilization and its attendants to enter these
vast prairies of wealth. Mr. Muller was a man of strong determination
and he at once went to work at whatever he could find, being employed the
first winter by the government in building improvements at Fort Spokane.
Little by little he crept ahead and from the dugout to the cabin then into
the new house, he moved and slowly the various buildings and improvements
needed were erected and now, one sees a valuable estate of seven hundred
acres, four hundred planted to wheat and the balance used for pasture,
provided with every convenience needed and productive of handsome yearly
dividends. He also owns a quarter section four miles west from Spokane.
All this is the result of the wise management and industrious labors of
our subject.
In the Canton of Berne,
Switzerland, on the twelfth day of February, 1855, it was announced to
John U. Muller that a son was born to his wife, Elizabeth. The infant
was named John H., and grew bright and active. At the proper age
he was sent to the parochial schools and there learned the ins and outs
of the primary training necessary for the youth who would master their
own language and the elements of learning. John H. had a half brother,
Christian Luginbuhl, who now lives in Spokane; one brother, J. W., in Marion
county, Oregon; and one sister, now Mrs. Rosina Brugger, dwelling near
Harrington. His parents have since departed this sphere. When
seventeen young Muller decided to come to the United States, and with him
a decision was paramount to the execution, so in 1872, we find him in Ohio
employed at general work. Four years later, he went to Marion county,
Oregon, and in the fall of 1879, he located at Walla Walla. It was
in the fall of 1880, that Mr. Muller came to what is now Lincoln county
and located a timber culture claim. He labored at tie making in Idaho
and at other occupations to furnish means for the necessities of life and
finally was able to give his whole attention to the farm, and his success
has placed him among the well to do men of the county.
On Christmas day, 1889,
Mr. Muller married Miss Theresia, the daughter of John and Theresia Rohrer,
and a native of Switzerland, where also the parents were born. The
mother died in her native country but the father came to America and settled
in Spokane in 1882, where he died in 1899. Six children have been
born to this union, John U., Emma G., Otto G., Hulda, Maud M., and Josephine
E. Mr. Muller and his wife belong to the Evangelical church and are
worthy citizens. The home estate is pleasantly situated on Coal creek
which furnishes water for all purposes of the ranch. Mr. Muller is
to be congratulated on his excellent work and is justly entitled to enjoy
the fruits of his success.