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Biography |
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Perhaps the success that the subject of this sketch has achieved and wrought out here in the reservation country is equal to that of any resident. He came here with no means and located on a quarter three miles north from Nezperce and he now owns this all free from debt; has purchased another quarter of even finer land and has good improvements and buildings necessary to handle the entire amount in fine shape. Mr. Tavis has good stock and implements and is in excellent circumstances. This has been no chance luck, for he and his estimable wife have labored hard and long to accomplish this excellent result. Mrs. Tavis assisted her husband with the work of the farm, even driving the five horse team to the binder and some of the time carrying her three children with her on the machine. It is gratifying to see such arduous labor handled with wisdom and resulting in the good property holding that they are now blessed with. William Tavis was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, on September 11, 1862, being the son of Isaac and Minerva (Potts) Tavis, who were natives of and were married in Macoupin county. In 1870, they all came to Jasper county, Missouri. The father served eleven months in the war and was honorably discharged at the close. They now live near Marshall, Spokane county, Washington. Our subject remained with his parents until 1887 then came to Spokane, on April 17, of that year. On December 24, 1889, he married Miss Mina, daughter of W. G. and Mary M. (Jessup) Addington, natives respectively of Indiana and Lee county. Iowa, in which county they were married. Then they removed to Cherokee county, Kansas, where Mrs. Tavis was born on May 19, 1871. The family then came, via San Francisco, to Dayton, Washington, in 1879, and in 1888 they went to Spokane county. Mr. Addington was four years in the Civil war. In 1891, Mr. Tavis went to Wilbur, Washington and in 1894 he came to the reservation and worked for a man who had Indian land leased. Thus he was here to select good land when the reservation opened, which he did, gaining his present home. Mr. Tavis had to go out to harvest for the purpose of gaining provisions and he started with abundant hardships. His first grist, being sixteen sacks, he hauled to Lewiston, the trip consuming eight days. Five children have been born to this couple, Roy E., Lora E., deceased, Goldie P., Tina M., Warren W. William Henry Tavis died 26 Mar 1944, and his wife, Mina Belle Addington Tavis died 6 Feb 1942. They are buried in the Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima, WA. |
Contributed by Natalie Huntley