Lyman's History of Old Walla Walla County

L. W. Estes, residing in Walla Walla, is the owner of valuable farming property in Walla Walla County, having twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, which he continued to personally cultivate and develop until 1917, when he rented his ranch to his sons. He was born in Arkansas on the 13th of January, 1859 [1858], a son of Thomas and Renie (Long) [actually Malone] Estes. The father was a native of North Carolina, while the mother was born in Tennessee. They were married in the former state and subsequently removed to Arkansas, where they resided until 1861. In that year they crossed the plains with ox teams to Washington. The wagon train with which they traveled had a great deal of trouble with the Indians and one man who had lingered behind the others in order to fish was scalped, while another was shot through the leg but succeeded in eluding his pursuers and later joined the train.

They arrived in Walla Walla, where they spent the hard winter of 1861 and 1862. Mr. Estes, however, soon after reaching his destination, homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on Dry Creek, about six miles northwest of Walla Walla, and there built a log house which he weatherboarded and made habitable. He lived upon that ranch until 1879, at which time he sold four hundred and eighty acres and removed to Pleasant View on the Eureka Flats. There he bought three hundred and twenty acres and made his home at that place until his death, which occurred in August, 1887, [1886] when he was eighty-six years of age. His wife passed away two years later at the age of sixty-seven years.

L. W. Estes was but an infant when brought by his parents to the northwest, so that practically his entire life has been passed here and he is entirely familiar with the story of its development and progress from pioneer times down to the present. He was educated in the district schools and worked with his father until his twenty-fourth year, at which time he began farming on his own account, his previous training and experience well qualifying him for heavy responsibilities and duties of this character.

In 1882 he took up a homestead on the Eureka Flats and the following year began cultivating his land. Subsequently he bought adjoining land and increased his farm until he had nine hundred acres. This he traded in 1893 for Walla Walla business property and removed to the city but continued to operate his farm. He still owned a small tract of land and in 1903 he bought four hundred and forty acres in Umatilla County, near Athena, Oregon. This he subsequently traded for six hundred and forty acres in the foothills, about nine miles south of Walla Walla, known as the Bay Shore ranch.

[L. Winchester Estes is shown in 1898 as the proprietor of the Palo Alto Livery in the Walla Walla City Directory, residing at 209 Jones.]

After owning that property for two years he exchanged it for a ranch of twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, in Walla Walla County. This property he still owns and was continuously and successfully engaged in its cultivation and improvement until 1917, when he rented his farm to his sons. He is now engaged in the real estate business, handling city property and Montana farm lands as well as farm lands in Washington.

In 1927-28, L.W. is shown as owning 1,122 acres assessed at $17,240 (Sec's 6, 7, 8, 18, Twsp. 10, R. 16). Blue Mountain Heritage, Vol. 14, No. 2.

In 1903 Mr. Estes built his present residence in the Green Park addition to Walla Walla at the corner of Valencia and Alvarado [Terrace] streets. Upon the place was a fine spring called the Chinese Garden spring, and it was the only water to be had at that time. His was the second house in the addition and Mr. Estes planted the hedge around it and made many modern improvements to the place.

In May, 1883, Mr. Estes was united in marriage to Miss Viola Woods, who is a daughter of Thomas Woods, of Missouri, and came to Walla Walla County, Washington, the year prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Estes have been born six children, as follows: Clyde B., who follows farming on the Touchet River in Walla Walla county; Ray Dooley, who is deceased; Roxy B., who is operating the home farm with his brother Emmett; Sylva P., the wife of J.P. Hoben, who is secretary and treasurer with Max Houser of the Pacific Grain Company, of Portland, Oregon; Winchester C., who is engaged in farming on Dry Creek, Walla Walla county; and Emmett E., on the home farm.

Mr. Estes gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Enterprise Lodge, No 2. He holds the twenty-five year membership medal and is very popular among his brethren of that organization, having been a most loyal adherent to its teachings and principles. He is today a prosperous resident of Walla Walla and one whose success is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He had no assistance on starting out in life but empty-handed made his initial step. He built his prosperity, however, upon the substantial qualities of energy, determination and indefatigable industry and point by point he has advanced, utilizing every movement to good advantage and recognizing every opportunity that has come his way. He has therefore done an important work in developing the agricultural resources of this section of the state.