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.
ALBERT W. DE BOLT is one of the
pioneer settlers of Douglas county and is now handling a large mercantile
establishment in Coulee City. He has been active in various other
capacities here and won especial distinction in different lines as will
appear in recounting the salient points of his career. Mr. De Bolt
is as well known as any man in Douglas county, being distinguished by his
energy, strength of purpose, and spirit. He was born in Fayette county,
Indiana, on May 26, 1856, the son of Joseph and Ann E. (Silvey) De Bolt,
natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father was a
stock dealer and was a member of the legislature for two terms, from his
county, in the seventies. Our subject was favored with a high school
education in Lafayette county, Missouri, whither the family had removed
when he was ten years of age. In 1877, he journeyed thence to Linn
county, Oregon, making a stop there of one year. The next move was
to the vicinity of Pullman in Whitman county, this state, being a pioneer
settler there. He was occupied for a decade in farming and in 1887
came to Douglas county, settling near Bridgeport. He engaged in the
stock business and also took government land to which he added by purchase
until he has one thousand acres. For thirteen years, Mr. De Bolt
pursued the labors of farmer and stock raiser with abundant success.
In 1903, he removed from the farm to Coulee City and opened a grocery and
hardware store, handling also farming implements and vehicles. He
has been favored with a fine patronage from the start and carries a large
stock of goods.
While Mr. De Bolt was residing on the ranch,
he was very active in breaking-up the bands of cattle thieves which infested
the county, and was occupied as justice of the peace for eight years by
an appreciative public. On account of his persistency in following
the thieves, he was elected sheriff of Douglas county in 1900, defeating
J. D. Logan, the Republican candidate by a majority of one hundred and
fifty-two. Mr. De Bolt went for cattle thieves in such a manner that
the county became well rid of them and he deserves the credit and praise
of every property owner in the county of Douglas as well as central Washington.
His fearlessness, his keenness, and his determination, have won for him
a fine name as well as enabling him to do untold good for the citizens
of this county. When the notorious Tracy crossed the Columbia, Mr. De Bolt
organized a posse and took up the trail from which he never varied until
he assisted to surround the outlaw in the wheat field near Creston.
Mr. De Bolt has the following brothers
and sisters, Henry A., Charles C., Herman, Frank, Mrs. Flora Younger and
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitnah.
The marriage of Mr. De Bolt and Miss Elizabeth
Lowery, was celebrated in Whitman county, on December 1, 1878 and to them
have been born five children, Lulu F., in Whitman county, on January 10,
1881; Ione, in Whitman county, on January 23, 1883; Wilmer, in Whitman
county, on October 4, 1887; Leslie, in this county, near Bridgeport, on
November 17, 1890; and Orville, in this county, on May 16, 1895.
Mrs. De Bolt was born in Illinois, on January 25, 1865. Her father
was David Lowery a native of Illinois and pioneer to Whitman county.
She has two brothers and one sister, George, John, and Mrs. Harriet Risley.
Mr. and Mrs. De Bolt are adherents of the Presbyterian church and they
are very substantial and estimable people.