From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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WILLIAM R. COLTER 
William R. Colter is one of the active and progressive residences of
Stevens county. His farm is located six miles northeast from Valley and
was secured by homestead right. He devotes himself to agricultural pursuits
almost entirely and is one of the well respected men of the valley.
   William R.Colter was born in South Bend, Indiana,on April 18,1857,the
son of William H. and Minerva (Smith) Colter, natives of Ohio and pioneers
to Indiana where they remained until their death. They were the parents of 
five children. Our subject received his education in his nstive county and at
the tender age of twelve started out assuming the responsibilities of life
for himself. His first venture was in the city of Chicago where he sold 
papers and blacked boots until the great fire. Then he came to Keokuk county,
Iowa, and was engaged in various occupations for six years. Then he removed 
to another portion of the state and farmed for eight years. At the expiration
of that time he came to Seattle where he lived until 1895. In that year he
began a trip of exploration that took him all through the Big Bend country,
eastern Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The entire journey was made on horse-
back and finally Mr. Colter located at Colville, in the spring of 1896 and
took a piece of unsurveyed land by a squatter's right and began the good
work of improvement. Three years were spent in these labors, but when the 
land was surveyed he failed to get to the land office in season and a sup-
posed friend of his jumped the land and took it away from him. He thereby
lost his entire improvements. Mr. Colter was engaged variously until 1900,
when he located his present place. In addition to his farm work, he does
considerable timbering and other labors. Politically he is a Republican 
and in fraternal affiliations he is amember of the M.W.A. He is serving his
third term in the office of banker of that order.  Mr. Colter has never seen
fit to forsake the quiet joys and retirements of the bachelor's life for the
uncertain sea of matrimony.
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