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.
CORNELIUS ROOKSTOOL, an early
settler of Lincoln county, lives on a farm three and a half miles east
of Davenport. He was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, October 2,
1850, and was a member of a family of fourteen children, four of whom are
now living. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Brown) Rookstool, the
former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio.
Mr. Rookstool grew to
manhood on a farm in his native locality, and in 1868 went to Miami county,
Kansas, where he was married, November 17, 1874, to Harriet A. Williams,
a native of Davis county, Iowa, the daughter of James B. and Sarah (Thomas)
Williams. Mrs. Rookstool emigrated with her parents to Adams county,
Illinois, then to Miami county, Kansas, in 1856.
In 1878 Mr. and Mrs.
Rookstool went to California and located twenty miles south of Sacramento,
where they followed farming until the spring of 1883, when they came with
a wagon and team to Davenport, Washington. There being but few settlers
here at that time, Mr. Rookstool had practically the entire country from
which to select a homestead. The homestead he filed on is located
nine miles southeast of Davenport, but he subsequently sold this homestead
and purchased three hundred and twenty acres, where he now lives. Owing
to the delicate health of his wife, he removed to Loonlake, Stevens county,
where he remained a few years, and where he still has forty acres of land.
His farm near Davenport is all fenced and well improved with orchard, good
well, windmill, house, barn, outbuildings, and etc. He makes grain
raising a specialty.
His secret society affiliations
are confined to membership in the Loyal Americans.
Mr. and Mrs. Rookstool
have had born to them two children; Sarah A., who died in December, 1886,
aged ten years; and Alvin W., born July 23, 1895.
Coming to the country
as he did, practically without means, Mr. Rookstool had a difficult time
in getting a start in the Big Bend, but at last succeeded in placing himself
and family in circumstances of ease and comfort, and all that he has accomplished
he owes to nothing but his own industry, integrity, and good management.