Proebstelw
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
WILLIAM F. PROEBSTEL resides
four miles from Alma, in Okanogan county, where he has a quarter section
of fertile land which is supplied with a good residence, large barn, five
acres of orchard, and various other improvements. He has water for
irrigation and raises a good deal of alfalfa and other hay besides handling
some stock.
William F. Proebstel was born on December
29, 1855, in Clarke county, Washington, the son of Valentine and Malinda
(Matury) Proebstel, natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1815
and served for four years in the regular army of Germany. It was
1840 that he came to the United States and settled in Clay county, Missouri,
being there married. In those early days he crossed the plains with
ox teams, taking his family with him and they all landed in good time in
Vancouver, Washington, where he took land and engaged in farming until
the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. The following
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Proebstel: Mrs. Elizabeth Christ,
deceased; John W.; Wendell; Albert; Mrs. Elizabeth Fletcher; William F.,
and Mrs. Kate Welsh.
Mr. Proebstel was a staunch pioneer and fought
in the Indian war of 1855. In 1876 our subject went to Lake county,
California, and in 1882 he came thence to Lincoln county, Washington, with
two of his brothers. They all located near Wilbur, being the first
people in what is now known as the California settlement. Mr. Proebstel
remained there until 1892 when he came to his present home place which
was taken as a homestead. Here he has devoted himself with industry
since and the result is that he is now one of the prosperous men of the
country. He has never thought fit to turn from the quieter joys of
the celibatarian and so is classed as one of the bachelors of the county.
Mr. Proebstel's mother, now aged ninety-one, is living with him and his
brother, John W., is also making his home with him.
John W. Proebstel was born on October 2, 1843,
in Clay county, Missouri, and when his parents crossed the plains he rode
horseback and drove cattle from the Missouri river to Vancouver.
At the age of sixteen he started out in life for himself, and in 1863 we
find him in the Boise mines, whence he went later to Baker City and other
eastern Oregon points. He again went to Idaho and has visited nearly
every mining camp in the northern part of that state. In 1877 he
was engaged as government teamster in the Indian war and was with General
Howard. After this he located in Umatilla county, then went to Vancouver,
and in 1887 came to Conconully and opened a general merchandise store.
After this he went to British Columbia, then to Colville, and later resided
in Kettle Falls, whence in 1892 he came to reside with his brother.
On September 24, 1885, John W. Proebstel married Miss Ella Hyson, a native
of King county, Washington, and to them two children have been born, Elizabeth
and Emory J.