An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 489-490 AARON WEBSTER, a successful farmer and lumberman who came to Washington in an early day, and who now resides two miles from Bucoda, was born near Barnesville, in Belmont county, Ohio, July 30, 1828. His parents, William and Sarah (Dod) Webster, were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, of sturdy German descent and pioneers of Ohio, where his father was a prosperous farmer. The subject of this sketch resided at home until he was sixteen years of age, when he started for the extreme west, of which many favorable things were told concerning the opportunities afforded a young man of intelligence and energy. On arriving in Henry county, Iowa, however, he found his surroundings so congenial that he decided to remain there, and apprenticed himself as a millwright, at which business he afterward worked in that vicinity for eight years. Hearing in the meantime renewed rumors of the wonderful advantages of the far West, he left Iowa, in the spring of 1852, for the Pacific Coast, crossed the plains by ox team, and after a tedious journey of three months arrived safely at Portland, Oregon, then a small town. Soon after his arrival, he started for the Rogue river mines, and after four mouths there he proceeded to the gold mines in Shasta county, California, at which latter place he worked one year, when he returned to Oregon and commenced work at his trade. He was thus employed for three years, at the end of which time he emigrated to Washington Territory, making his home at Olympia, but working at various places on the Sound until 1857. He then went to the southern part of Thurston county, where he pre-empted 160 acres and afterward homesteaded 160 acres more, also subsequently entering 160 acres with land warrants, all on the banks of Skookumchuck river and where Bucoda is now situated. He here built a sawmill, which he operated about seven years, at the end of which time he sold out his land and mill and bought a farm of 540 acres, which is situated two miles from Bucoda, and on which he now resides with his family. On the outbreak of the Indian war in 1855, Mr. Webster joined the company of volunteers know as the Spokane Invincibles, under the command of Captain B.F. Yantes. Mr. Webster was First Lieutenant of the company, which was mustered out of service after two and a half months, having done efficient work in the cause for which it was enlisted. In 1854, Mr. Webster was elected Colonel of the Territorial militia, but declined to serve, and it is mentioned as showing the high regard entertained for him by his associates. In 1861, Mr. Webster was married to Sarah Yantes, daughter of Alexander and Sarah Yantes and a niece of Judge Yantes, a prominent official. She crossed the plains to Washington with her parents in an early day. In 1871, Mr. Webster was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who left three children to his care: Anna C., now Mrs. Wolf; Sarah M., now Mrs. Jackson; and Maude, at home. Mr. Webster continued to reside on his farm with his daughters as housekeepers until his marriage, April 8, 1879, to Mrs. W.H. Smith, an estimable widow. Her maiden name was Louisa Miles, and she was born June 4, 1835. Her parents, H. and Nancy (Pickeral) Miles, were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They resided in Mahaska county, Iowa, for many years, where Louisa grew to womanhood, and in 1859 was married to W.H. Smith. He died in Missouri in 1871, leaving his widow with six children: Laura, William, Dora, Andrew, Elmer and Belle. In 1877, Mrs. Smith came with her Family to Thurston county, Washington, where she was married, in 1879, to the subject of this sketch. The popularity which Mr. Webster gained in the militia is some indication of the esteem which he enjoys in his community, as a reward of his uniform integrity and worth of character. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.