Chapter 01 - Family History

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No record is available of the date nor of the place where Jacob Hull was married. But his bride was the daughter of a family named Tyrrell, a family of Holland Dutch origin. Word was passed along that they referred to themselves as "Low Dutch", a term which, to them seemed to have considerable significance. A fine family of five children resulted from this marriage, Eva, Ben, John, Fred, and the youngest daughter, Daisy Belle, who was born in 1878. The urge to go west has always been fundamental with Americans since the founding of the Nation. And though the Hull family had always been, relatively speaking, on the western frontier, greener fields and finer pastures were beckoning from an area known as the "Palouse Country" of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. So, about the year 1879, when the daughter, Daisy was but a year or so old, the family possessions were packed in covered wagons, and, furniture, baggage, live stock and all, they crossed the plains, and took up their abode on the beautiful rolling, fertile hills of that North West grain producing area. And so, it was in this location that the young Hulls grew up and found their respective places in life. Eva married a grain farmer, Dora Riley, and they settled down to farming and raising a large family. Ben remained single, engaging mainly in agricultural pursuits. John was married, and then, with his brother Fred, embarked on a business career in hotel and saloon. Such was the situation in- the early 1890's, when Lee Strong appeared on the scene and became acquainted with the entire family, including the younger daughter, Daisy Belle Hull.

Barbara and Jocob Hull

The picture was taken in Kansas, so the date is probably some time prior to 1879.

Due to a devastating fire which occurred later, in which the Strongs lost all personal belongings, letters, notes, photos and records, no definite dates or details remain available. But in the winter of 1895 - 1896, Lee Strong and Daisy Hull were married, and then immediately embarked on a series of enterprises of their own. And from that time on, whether to his credit or discredit, whether to his advantage or disadvantage, Lee Strong always worked for himself, and let no man look down his shirt collar.

Daisy Hull and Lee Strong were married in Moscow, Idaho in March of 1896.

Their first venture was in the little village of Cottonwood, Idaho, where, in partnership with a man named Argetsinger, Lee established or bought a saloon business, apparently having learned the basics from the Hull Brothers. Cottonwood was just a small farming community, not far from Grangeville, the County Seat. In retrospect, the town appears to have had no great future growth potential, and just why they started there is not easy to explain. It was probably simply the first opportunity to present itself. Anyway the venture seemed to have been reasonably successful, as some capital was accumulated for the next adventure in business.