Chapter C: A. Hales (1)

Since 1892, C. A. Hales has been identified with the sheep industry in Washington and Oregon and is now senior partner in the firm of C. A. Hales & Sons, prominent sheep raisers of Walla Walla county. He resides on section 12, township 9 north, range 37 east, and has been a lifelong resident of the northwest, his birth having occurred in Marion county, Oregon, October 16, 1867, his parents being William H. and Lucinda (Turner) Hales. The father crossed the plains in 1851, when a young man of twenty-one years, and located near Portland, Oregon, when there were but one or two log cabins on the site of the present beautiful city. Later he went to California, where he followed mining for a number of years, and in 1873 he became a resident of Weston, Oregon, where he engaged in ranching and in the livestock business. He acquired extensive land holdings and became a prominent factor in the livestock industry in that section of the country, there remaining until his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife had crossed the plains with her parents in 1849, when but four years of age, the family home being established in Marion county, Oregon. She still survives and makes her home near that of her son, C. A. Hales, of this review.

In the common schools C. A. Hales acquired his education. He was but twenty years of age at the time of his father's death, at which time the latter's extensive and important business interests devolved upon the son. He had to assume the management of the large farm holdings and livestock interests, and though his responsibilities were heavy, he proved adequate to the demands placed upon him. In 1892 he turned his attention to the sheep industry and has in the course of years become one of the foremost sheep men of the northwest, running some twelve thousand head of sheep at the present time. His splendid business ability is demonstrated by his successful control of extensive interests of this character. He has a vast acreage on which to pasture his flocks and he keeps in close touch with every condition bearing upon the welfare of his business and upon the market. He is thus thoroughly acquainted with everything that has to do with the successful conduct of his interests.

In 1890 Mr. Hales was married to Miss Lucinda Galloway, of Morrow county, Oregon, and to them have been born eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Willis R., who is associated with his father in the sheep business and is the manager of the Union Stock Yards at Pasco, Washington; Alfred L. and Lester M., who are also associated with their father in the sheep business; Marvin R.; Ila M.;, and Gertrude E.

Politically Mr. Hales is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and Dayton Chapter, R. A. M. Mr. Hales and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is much interested in its work and generous in its support. He stands at all times for those things which are a matter of benefit to the individual and to the community at large and his influence is always on the side of progress, justice, truth and right. His career has been notably successful. It is true that something came to him through inheritance; on the other hand, it is true that necessity is the spur of ambition and industry, and there are too many cases where inheritance has seemed to enfeeble effort rather than to call forth the most persistent purpose. Mr. Hales, however, nobly met the tasks that developed upon him at his father's death and in the conduct of business interests was and is always looking for opportunities to advance. His course has been marked by a steady progression and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities, which he has eagerly, promptly and rightfully utilized. Moreover, his business affairs have always been of a character that have contributed to public progress as well as to individual success and through the management of his extensive sheep interests he has done much to further prosperity in Walla Walla county.

HARVEY B. BATEMAN.

Among the honored early settlers of Old Walla Walla county was Harvey B. Bateman, who took an active part in the development of this region, especially along agricultural lines. He was born in Illinois on the 10th of November, 1833, and in early manhood crossed the plains, enduring all the hardships and dangers of such a journey. On reaching Washington he bought a farm near Waitsburg and continued to reside thereon up to the time of his death, his time and attention being devoted to farming.

In 1876 Mr. Bateman was united in marriage to Miss Susan Thomas, a native of Missouri and a daughter of T. T. and Nancy (Curl) Thomas, who in 1851 left their home in the Mississippi valley and after crossing mountains and desert finally reached Linn county, Oregon, where the father took up a donation claim. He built thereon a log cabin with a clapboard roof and stick chimney and in this frontier home the family lived in true pioneer style. He became one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community and was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature for two terms. Later he went to Alaska, where his death occurred. His wife died in Washington. In their family were ten children, of whom five are still living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bateman were born twelve children, but Mida, the wife of J. O. Windust, and four others are deceased. Those living are: Mary, the wife of Andrew Gregg of Oakesdale, Washington; Nancy, the wife of Wesley Star; John M.; James S.; Dollie, the wife of Fred Porter; Katherine, the wife of W. F. Hawks; and Wilber, who is now operating the homestead farm, comprising three hundred acres. The place is well improved with good and substantial buildings and still belongs to Mrs. Bateman.

Mr. Bateman was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs, and his earnest Christian life won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life. He passed away in 1904 and was laid to rest in the Waitsburg cemetery. Mrs. Bateman has not only reared her own family but has also cared for five grandchildren, which she has educated as well. Her life has been a busy and useful one and she well merits the high esteem in which she is uniformly held.

WILLIAM E. CAHILL.

William E. Cahill, who is engaged in the abstract and general loan business in Dayton, was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, on the 18th of January, 1862, his parents being William R. and Angeline C. (Church) Cahill, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, but in early life removed with their respective parents to Wisconsin, where they reached man and womanhood. It was there that William R. Cahill and Angeline C. Church were married, after which they located upon a farm, Mr. Cahill devoting his attention to the development and improvement of that place until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Union army in the fall of 1861. He served for three years and participated in many hotly contested engagements. On one occasion he was carrying on his back from the field a wounded man when a shell burst near them and cut the man squarely in two and threw Mr. Cahill a distance of seventy-five feet, the concussion being so great that it burst both ear drums and partially paralyzed him, making him a physical wreck through the following years of his life. He passed away in 1890. In 1878 he had removed with his family to Columbia county, Washington, arriving in Dayton on the 4th of May of that year. He took up his abode upon a farm near Dayton, where he resided until about a year prior to his death, when he established his home in the city of Dayton. His widow still survives and now resides with her son, A. P. Cahill.

William E. Cahill spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native state and during that period acquired a common school education in Wisconsin. In 1878 he accompanied his parents to Washington and subsequently became a student in the Dayton high school. At the age of nineteen years he started upon his business career in a humble capacity, being employed to wheel sawdust from under the saw in a sawmill in the mountains near Dayton. Thirty days later he was promoted to the position of driving a bull team of five yoke of bulls at the sawmill. For three months during this summer he lived on red beans and sour dough bread and he carried fifty cents in his pocket for that entire period without having occasion to spend it. During the following winter he attended the Dayton high school and subsequently he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years. During this time he saved enough money to pay his tuition in the Portland Business College, where he became a student. After completing his course in that institution he once more returned to Dayton and on the 4th of May, 1884, he accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of M. Hexter, by whom he was employed for seven years, his long retention in that position indicating most clearly his fidelity, capability and trustworthiness. He resigned his position on the 4th of May, 1891, and opened a set of abstract books, since which time he has been engaged in the abstract and insurance business, also handling mortgage loans and acting as agent for various clients. He has built up a business of extensive proportions and derives therefrom a gratifying annual income. He was also one of the organizers of the Broughton National Bank and became a member of the board of directors, in which capacity he is still serving. He has from time to time made extensive investments in farm lands and is now the owner of farm property comprising two thousand acres eight miles east of Dayton.

Fraternally Mr. Cahill is connected with Columbia Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M., of Dayton, and with Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P. He is loyal to the teachings and purposes of those organizations and enjoys the high regard of his brethren. Dayton numbers him among its foremost citizens and he is progressive in every movement that looks to the advancement of the city and the upbuilding of its interests. There is no movement for the public good which seeks his aid in vain, but he never has been imbued with political ambition and prefers to do his public service as a private citizen. He has been an interested witness of the growth and development of this section of the state since pioneer times and has been a contributing factor to the work that has been accomplished in the way of promoting public improvement. Each forward step in his career has brought him a wider outlook and broader opportunities and his entire record has been marked by an orderly progression that has brought substantial results.

HON. MILES CONWAY MOORE.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in public regard in Walla Walla than does Hon. Miles Conway Moore, the last territorial governor of Washington and now a prominent figure in banking circles. His high position in the regard of his fellowmen is due not to the success which he has achieved but to the straightforward, honorable purpose which he has ever followed. He has made wise use of his time, his talents and his opportunities and in laboring to promote his individual interests has also advanced the welfare and progress of city and state at large. He is now the president of the Baker-Boyer National Bank.

Mr. Moore was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 17, 1845. His father, Amos L. Moore, was a native of Delaware, while his mother belonged to the Monroe family of which President James Monroe was a representative--one of the oldest and most prominent families of Virginia. At the age of twelve years Miles C. Moore accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Wisconsin and he was educated in the Methodist Episcopal Institute at Point Bluff, Wisconsin. In 1863 he came to Walla Walla, then a youth of but eighteen years, and was first employed as a clerk in the store of Kyger & Reese. The following year he embarked in business on his own account in Blackfoot City, a mining town in Montana, but in the fall of 1866 he returned to Walla Walla and entered into partnership in the conduct of a store under the firm style of H. E. Johnson & Company. In 1869 he opened a general store as a member of the firm of Paine Brothers & Moore. This establishment was later converted into an agricultural implement business, which was the first of the kind in eastern Washington.

In 1877 Mr. Moore became associated with his father-in-law, Dr. D. S. Baker, in the grain business, buying extensively for those early days. They loaded three ships at Astoria with the first wheat brought from the interior of the state and continued in the wheat business until 1879. The partnership, however, was maintained until the death of Dr. Baker in 1888, at which time Mr. Moore was made one of the administrators of the estate. Together they built six miles of railroad up Mill creek in order to bring down timber and wood from the mountains. After Dr. Baker retired from the grain business Mr. Moore formed a partnership with his brother Charles and continued along that line until the death of his brother in 1888. They bought grain in the Palouse district and along Snake river. Our subject afterward devoted several years to public affairs and in 1889 was chosen territorial governor of Washington, which office he most ably filled. He was interested in the Baker & Boyer Bank, which was the first private bank established in this state, being organized in 1869 and made a national bank in 1889. Mr. Moore became a stockholder and the vice president, remaining in that position until the death of Mr. Boyer in 1898, when he succeeded to the presidency and still remains at the head of the institution, discharging his duties with marked capability. He possesses notable executive force and his administrative direction has been characterized by a recognition of all the different phases of the business and its opportunities. He was likewise a stockholder in the First National Bank of Walla Walla and is extensively interested in real estate in various parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. His investments have been most judiciously made and have brought to him a very gratifying financial return.

In Walla Walla, in March, 1873, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Mary E. Baker, a daughter of Dr. D. S. Baker, who was born in Portland, Oregon. They are the parents of three children: Frank A., a resident of Walla Walla; Walter B., deceased; and Robert L., also of Walla Walla. Mrs. Moore died in 1904 at Oakland, California, where she had gone with the hope of benefiting her health. In 1884 Mr. Moore purchased property and erected the residence which has since been his home and where his children grew up.

Governor Moore early came to a recognition of the duties and obligations as well as of the privileges of citizenship and has been a leading factor in promoting political progress and in advancing the interests of his community and the commonwealth along many lines. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Walla Walla and in 1889 was appointed governor, serving in that important position at the time when the territory was merging into statehood. The duties which devolved upon him in this connection were of a most delicate and important character, but were discharged with credit and honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the people at large. No plan or movement for the benefit of the city along lines of progress and improvement seeks his aid in vain. The public work that he has done has largely been of a nature that has brought no pecuniary reward and yet has made extensive demand upon his time, his thought and his energy. Opportunities that others have passed by heedlessly he has noted and improved to the betterment of the city and the state in many ways. He is extremely modest and unostentatious in manner and all who know him speak of him in terms of praise. In his life are the elements of greatness because of the use he has made of his talents and his opportunities, because his thoughts are not self-centered but are given to the mastery of life's problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellowman and as citizen in his relations to his city, state and country.

J. C. LEWIS

J. C. Lewis, who has resided in the Pacific northwest for more than seventy years, is one of the most honored residents of Dayton. His birth occurred in Kentucky, February 1, 1842, but when he was two years old he was taken by his parents to Missouri, where the family home was maintained for a year. In 1845 they removed to the Willamette valley, the long trip across the plains being comparatively uneventful as there was no trouble with the Indians and no serious shortage of food or water. He grew to manhood in the Willamette valley and received his education in its pioneer schools. He remained in Oregon until the fall of 1869, when he came to Old Walla Walla county, Washington. The following winter was spent on the site of the town of Dixie, which was not platted until a number of years later, but in the fall of 1870 he took up a homestead in Columbia county eleven miles northeast of Dayton. He devoted his time and attention to the cultivation of his fields and the raising of stock and derived a gratifying annual income from the sale of his farm products. In 1898, feeling that he had accumulated a competence, he retired to Dayton, where he is still living.

In 1864, in Oregon, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Maria Lapham, who in the spring of 1853, when seven years of age, accompanied her parents and an elder sister on their removal from Michigan to the Willamette valley. Not only was the trip across the plains long and tedious, as the journey was made by ox team, but many misfortunes overtook the train, which, captained by a Mr. Eliott, attempted to reach the Willamette valley by a cut off route known as the "lost trail." As the result of the many hardships of the journey Mrs. Lapham died in eastern Oregon and the only coffin available was the wagon box. Not long after this the party lost its way and all came very nearly perishing of thirst. They were also attacked by Indians and their cattle driven away and Mr. Lapham and his small daughters found themselves alone and afoot in the Deschutes country. Leaving the two little girls in camp with a little flour, the father set out in search of the cattle, hoping to find at least a few. During his absence a rescuing party found the girls and took them to the Willamette, Maria riding behind the captain of the party down the Mackenzie river. Mr. Laphan settled in Willamette valley and passed away in Dayton, Washington in 1901 at the age of ninety years. The older daughter died soon after reaching the family's destination but the younger, as before stated, became the wife of Mr. Lewis and is still living in Dayton. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, but only two daughters are now living: Mrs. Wilson McBride and Mrs. John A. McCauley, both of Columbia county.

Mr. Lewis is a strong advocate of republican principles and supports the candidates of that party by his ballot. He served as county commissioner from 1888 to 1892 and in 1906 was appointed to the board to fill out eighteen months of an unexpired term. Practically the entire story of the development of the northwest is a matter of personal knowledge to him, for when he accompanied his parents to Oregon the city of Portland had not been thought of and there were no settlements in the valley with the exception of Oregon City and a trading post at Salem. He has taken great pleasure in watching the marvelous changes that have since occurred and is confident that a still greater future is in store for this section. At all times his attitude has been that of a public-spirited citizen willing to subordinate private interests to the general good and performing faithfully all the duties devolving upon him. Both he and his wife have hosts of friends in Dayton and throughout Columbia county, and the leisure which they are enjoying is well merited.

LAWRENCE O. McINROE.

Lawrence O. McInroe is the owner of one of the well improved farms of Walla Walla county, his place being situated on section 34, township 8 north, range 36 east, where he has four hundred and forty-two acres of rich and valuable land. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred within its borders December 29, 1874. His parents were James and Cordelia (Nelson) McInroe, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Iowa, where their marriage was celebrated. The father crossed the plains in the year 1852, assisting Mr. Sharpstein in bringing a herd of horses across the country. He remained for some time but afterward returned to Iowa and it was subsequent to that event that he was married. The spell of the west, however, was upon him and soon after his marriage he brought his bride to Walla Walla county. Here he took up a homestead and later he purchased more land, becoming actively and prominently identified with agricultural interests. Adding to his possessions from time to time, he was at his death the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of valuable wheat land and was numbered among the prosperous farmers of this section of the state. Both he and his wife died in this county. In their family were but two sons, the younger being Frank, who now resides southeast of Walla Walla.

Lawrence O. McInroe was reared and educated in the county where he still resides, supplementing his public school course by study in a business college. After attaining his majority he began farming on his own account on the land which he now owns. He had been reared to the occupation of farming and had early become familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has always kept in close touch with the trend of modern progress along agricultural lines and his valuable farm property of four hundred and forty-two acres indicates his careful supervision and his progressive methods. He has added splendid buildings to his place and all modern equipments and improvements. He makes a specialty of raising wheat, to which the soil is splendidly adapted, and he is also successfully engaged in stock raising, keeping high grade cattle, horses and hogs upon his farm.

In 1902 Mr. McInroe was united in marriage to Miss Zenna Buroker, a native of Walla Walla county and a daughter of William and May (Gallaher) Buroker. Mr. McInroe belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife is connected with the Rebekahs. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he has never sought nor desired office. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church and they are widely and favorably known in the community where they reside. Since starting out in the business world he has made steady progress. His industry and perseverance are among his salient characteristics and upon these qualities he has builded his success. He is not only progressive in all that he undertakes but is thoroughly reliable and his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.

SAMUEL WALTERS.

Samuel Walters, a well known merchant and assistant postmaster of Starbuck, Washington, was born in Australia on the 24th of May, 1869, his parents being John T. and Elizabeth (Neil) Walters. His father was a native of Pennsylvania but in 1853 went to Australia, where he was married, the mother being of Scotch descent but born in Australia. They continued to reside in that country until 1871 when they came to the United States and took up their abode in Iowa, where they made their home for nine years. In 1880 they arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, but after living here for about three years removed to Whitman county and later to Stevens county, where their last days were passed. To them were born eight children and six of the number still survive.

Samuel Walters was only two years of age when his father returned to America, bringing with him his family, and the son was principally educated in the common and high schools of Whitman county, Washington. After putting aside his textbooks he entered the service of a railroad company and continued in that line of work for six years. In 1910 he came to Starbuck and has since engaged in mercantile pursuits, carrying on business under the name of the Starbuck Trading Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. He is a progressive, energetic business man of sound judgment and keen discrimination.

Mr. Walters was married in 1908 to Miss Alberta Gerking, of Waitsburg, Washington, and to them has been born a daughter, Elizabeth. Mrs. Walters is a member of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Walters is identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the chairs. The democratic party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he is now serving as chairman of his precinct. For the past five years he has served as city treasurer of Starbuck and is also filling the position of assistant postmaster. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and he well merits the confidence of his fellow citizens.

JOHN BLESSINGER.

For more than forty-two years John Blessinger was a resident of Columbia county and was one of its most esteemed citizens, manifesting throughout his entire life those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 8th of March, 1838, and when he was but a young child accompanied his parents on their removal to Hancock county, Indiana. It was there that he was reared to early manhood and in the common schools of that locality he acquired his education. About 1859, however, he left the middle west and made his way to the Pacific coast, settling in the Willamette valley near Salem, Oregon. During the following ten years or more he devoted his attention to mining and then came northward to Washington, arriving in Dayton on the 1st of November, 1872. This section was then a largely undeveloped and unimproved district. He purchased land and turned his attention to farming, his home ranch being located about five miles east of Dayton. It comprised six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land and he developed it into one of the most valuable wheat farms of Columbia county. The soil is splendidly adapted to the production of that crop and Mr. Blessinger's methods were at once practical and progressive. In addition to that property he owned other land and was classed among the county's most successful and enterprising farmers. His labors brought splendid results and his methods constituted the last word in progressive agriculture. About 1900 he removed to Dayton, turning over the operation of his farm to his sons, and he then became one of the organizers of the Broughton National Bank, of which he was made a member of the board of directors.

On the 21st of April, 1872, Mr. Blessinger was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Byrd, of Marion county, Oregon, a daughter of Luther Byrd, who crossed the plains with ox teams from Arkansas to Oregon in 1854 or 1855. He took up his abode in Marion county, that state, and there engaged in farming to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Blessinger became the parents of seven children, five of whom survive, as follows: John B., who follows farming in Columbia county, Washington; Albert E., who is an agriculturist of Columbia county and resides in Dayton; Myrtle, at home; Leo, who is engaged in farming in Columbia county; and Fred, who operates the home place.

Mrs. Blessinger resides in a comfortable home in Dayton, her husband having left her in easy financial circumstances. She is a devoted member of the Congregational church and her aid and influence are always given on the side of reform and progress. She is a member of the Halpine Society and is also a member of the Red Cross Society. She is a lady of culture and refinement and is constantly extending a helping hand where aid is needed, taking a most active part in charitable work. Mr. Blessinger was numbered among the esteemed citizens of Dayton, being a man of sterling character, and when death called him the deepest regret was felt throughout the community in which he lived.

HENRY F. WATROUS.

Prominent among the self-made men of Columbia county is Henry F. Watrous, whose life has been principally devoted to agricultural pursuits, and success has attended his well directed efforts. He was born in Green county, Wisconsin, January 26, 1848, his parents being Levi W. and Elmira (Fish) Watrous, natives of Canada and Ohio, respectively. On leaving the Dominion the father removed to Wisconsin, where he was married and where he continued to make his home until 1850. The following five years were spent in Iowa but at the end of that time he went to Minnesota, where he lived for the same length of time. He then returned to Iowa and in 1875 came to Washington, settling in Old Walla Walla county. He took up a soldier's claim of one hundred and sixty acres a mile and a half from Dayton and built thereon a box house, making his home upon that place until the required improvements were made; he then sold the farm and brought his family here. There were eleven children and nine of the number are still living.

During his boyhood Henry F. Watrous accompanied his parents on their various removals but was principally reared and educated in Iowa, attending the common schools there. At an early age he began earning his own livelihood by working as a farm hand at seventeen dollars per month and was thus employed for two years, during which time he saved enough money to come west. It was in 1871 that he crossed the continent to Salt Lake City, which was then the terminus of the railroad, and from there continued his journey on horseback in company with an uncle and his family who rode in a wagon. On reaching Dayton, Washington, he found employment on a farm at four hundred dollars per year and at the end of that time was able to send for his father. After the latter's arrival they contracted to purchase a sawmill near the mouth of Jim creek, agreeing to pay for the plant with lumber, which was the principal medium of exchange in those days. Whenever enough clear lumber had been cut to warrant a trip to Walla Walla, Henry Watrous would start with a load drawn by oxen and would sell the same for thirty-five to forty dollars per thousand. After operating the mill for four years it was traded for the farm still owned by our subject but he has added to the original tract until he now owns nine hundred and fifty acres of land, all improved and devoted to wheat. Until 1914 he operated his land but has since rented the place and is now living retired in Dayton, where he owns a fine residence. He is a stockholder in a grain warehouse there and is today one of the prosperous citizens of the community.

In 1903 Mr. Watrous married Miss Sadie Williams, a native of Missouri, and although they have no children of their own they have an adopted daughter, Bonnie. Mr. Watrous is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 10, of Dayton, and is a republican in politics. He has efficiently served as a member of the school board but has never had the time nor inclination for office, his business affairs claiming his undivided attention. Although he has met with hardships and difficulties in his career he has overcome these by persistent effort and is today one of the substantial citizens of his community, his success being the just reward of his industry and good management, for he is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment.

E. F. DUNLAP.

E. F. Dunlap holds the responsible position of manager of the Dayton plant of the Portland Flouring Mills Company and throughout his entire career has been connected with this corporation, entering its service in the humble capacity of office boy. From that point he has steadily worked his way upward and his orderly progression has brought him to the position which he now occupies and for which he is well qualified, for as the years have gone on he has gained comprehensive and extensive knowledge of the business in all of its phases. He is numbered among the native sons of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Wallowa county, on the 5th of October, 1887, his parents being Robert C. and Mary E. (Pool) Dunlap, both of whom are natives of the Willamette valley of Oregon, their respective parents having been among the earliest settlers of that section of the country. Following their marriage they established their home in Wallowa county, where the father engaged in the live stock business, there remaining until 1898, when he removed to Walla Walla county, Washington. He took up his abode upon a ranch near Prescott and is here engaged in operating a hay and dairy farm, being numbered among the representative agriculturists of this section of the state.

E. F. Dunlap, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the graded schools and in 1902, when a youth of fifteen, started upon his business career, securing a position as office boy in the plant of the Portland Flouring Mills Company at Prescott, Washington. His fidelity, ability and trustworthiness led to promotion and he was afterward made assistant bookkeeper. In 1908 he was transferred to the Dayton mills as bookkeeper and in 1913 he was returned to Prescott as local manager of the plant. On the 1st of May, 1917, he was again sent to Dayton as manager of the mills, in which capacity he is now serving and as the controlling factor in the operation of the plant here he is doing splendid work for the company. The latest processes of flour manufacture are utilized here and the plant is splendidly equipped, while the standard of excellence is ever fully maintained.

In 1913 Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage to Miss Susan Weatherford, a daughter of F. M. Weatherford, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. In his political views Mr. Dunlap maintains an independent attitude with republican tendencies. He belongs to Alki Lodge, No. 136, I. O. O. F., and also to Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. P., of Prescott. He is one of Dayton's representative and progressive men. Almost his entire life has been passed in Washington and the spirit of western enterprise finds exemplification in his career and has gained for him a substantial measure of success.

W. H. STONECIPHER.

W. H. Stonecipher, who follows farming on section 10, township 8 north, range 37 east, in Walla Walla county, is a representative business man whose wise use of time and opportunities has gained for him a place among the prosperous agriculturists of this part of the state. He had no assistance at the outset of his career and whatever he has achieved and enjoyed is the direct result of his own labors. He came to the Pacific coast country from the middle west, his birth having occurred in Washington county, Illinois, December 29, 1869, his parents being James A. and Margaret (Breeze) Stonecipher. The father was a native of Indiana but removed to Jefferson county, Illinois, with his parents when but two years of age and it was in the latter county that the mother was born and reared. They were there married and the father subsequently purchased a farm just over the county line in Washington county, where he lived until his seventieth year, when he returned to Jefferson county, taking up his abode in the town of Cravat, where he lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest up to the time of his demise.

W. H. Stonecipher acquired a limited education in the district schools near his father's farm and through the period of his boyhood and youth aided in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with all of the arduous tasks incident to the development and cultivation of the crops. After reaching his twenty-first year, or in the spring of 1891, he came to the west with Washington as his destination. He arrived in Waitsburg on the 13th of March and during the following summer worked for wages as a farm hand. In 1892 he went into the Palouse country and there prospected for a desirable location. Not finding anything to suit him, however, he returned to Walla Walla county and through the succeeding five years was again employed by others. In 1896 he made his first purchase of land, becoming the owner of a forty-acre tract. Not long afterward he acquired eighty acres additional and two years later he bought one hundred and twenty acres making his farm one of two hundred and forty acres. For some years he not only cultivated this land but also worked for wages for others in order to help pay for his own place. He made use of every spare hour and as a consequence he has prospered. In 1909 he purchased the Electric Farm of five hundred and fifty acres. Prior to this, or in 1907, he had purchased the Boley Robbins farm of four hundred and eighty acres, which he traded in on the Electric Farm in 1909. In 1913 he traded the latter property for seven hundred and thirteen acres adjoining his home place, which thus was extended, becoming a tract of nine hundred and fifty-three acres. It is located in the heart of the Spring valley district, the richest wheat growing belt of Walla Walla county. Mr. Stonecipher not only successfully cultivates this land but for the past fourteen years he has also rented and farmed the T. P. Ingall's place of seven hundred and four acres. This property he purchased in December, 1917, and he therefore now owns one thousand six hundred and fifty-seven acres, his interests being most extensive, so that he is ranked with the leading agriculturists of Walla Walla county. He has closely studied soil and climatic conditions, so that he is thoroughly acquainted with what can be done in the way of crop production here. His methods are most progressive, his business affairs are systematically handled and in all things he displays sound judgment as well as unfaltering enterprise.

In 1895 Mr. Stonecipher was united in marriage to Miss Alta Winifred Gerking, a daughter of D. B. Gerking, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Walla Walla county and now resides in Rose Lake, Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Stonecipher have become the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Lola M., the wife of O. Glen Conover, who is in the service of his father-in-law; Grace H., who attended the Washington State College for two years and is now pursuing her studies in the State Normal School at Ellensburg; James D., who is in his senior year in the Waitsburg high school; M. Blanche, a public school pupil; Harvey V.; and Chester B. On December 23, 1917, a baby daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Conover, the first granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stonecipher.

Mr. Stonecipher gives his political endorsement to the republican party. He has served as a member of the school board for twenty years and his wife is now a member of that board. Fraternally he is connected with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., and with the Woodmen of the World and is true and loyal to the teachings of these organizations, which recognize man's obligations to his fellowmen. At different points in his career difficulties and obstacles have barred his path and he has had many hardships to overcome, but persistent energy has enabled him to work his way upward and his life proves the eternal principle that industry wins. His course may well be followed by others who desire to attain honorable success, and although he started out in life empty-handed, he is now the possessor of a very handsome competence and has worthily won the proud American title of a "self-made man."

WILLIAM P. FISHER.

William P. Fisher is an enterprising farmer of Walla Walla county, residing on section 27, Small township, where he owns and cultivates a valuable tract of land embracing eighty acres. His birth occurred in Ohio an the 6th of October, 1860, his parents being Joseph and Lydia E. (Dyke) Fisher, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and a number of years later removed to Kansas, where the father passed away and where the mother still makes her home. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are living.

William P. Fisher was a lad of twelve years when the family home was established in Kansas and it was in that state that he acquired his education. In 1900, seeking the broader opportunities of the west, he made his way to the Yakima country and there remained for twelve years. The year 1915 witnessed his arrival in Walla Walla county, Washington, where he has since resided. He purchased eighty acres of land on section 27, Small township, and has improved the property until it is now a valuable and productive tract, annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He also owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres on the Snake river and has won a place among the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the community.

In 1881 Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Martha L. Twidwell, born near Peoria, Illinois, and a daughter of A. K. and Mary Ann (Myers) Twidwell, who were also natives of Illinois. Both passed away in Kansas, in which state they had established their home in the early '70s. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been born seven children, as follows: Charles L., who is a farmer of Washington; George L., living at Mabton, this state; Myrtle V., the wife of L. B. Heffron, of Walla Walla; R. B., who is a resident of Grandview, Washington; Nina B., who is the wife of H. P. Mears, of Touchet, Washington; D. O., who is engaged in farming; and W. F., who operates his father's farm. Mr. Fisher gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church, taking an active and helpful part in its work. They have an extensive circle of friends throughout the locality and are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth.

JAMES L. DUMAS.

Among the horticulturists of southeastern Washington who have won prominence in their chosen calling is James L. Dumas, one of the pioneer orchardists of the northwest. He is proprietor of the famous Pomona Fruit Ranch, five miles west of Dayton, Washington, which contains an orchard of one hundred and twenty acres of commercial apples. His home is one of the most beautiful country residences in Columbia county and the place is provided with all city conveniences.

Mr. Dumas was born in Clark county, Missouri, on the 1st of December, 1862, and is a son of Louis P. and Nancy W. (Waggener) Dumas, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. Both parents died in Missouri, where they made their home for some years, and of the five sons born to them only two are now living.

James L. Dumas grew to manhood in his native state and on leaving there in 1882 came to Washington, where he attended Whitman College for three years. Several years were then devoted to teaching and he subsequently pursued a course in a normal school in New York state, from which he was graduated in 1891. The following year he was sent to the Hawaiian islands to conduct a teachers training school and he remained in that beautiful country for five years.

It was while en route to the Hawaiian islands that Mr. Dumas made a trip through the fruit districts of California and this undoubtedly influenced him to take up horticulture on coming to Washington. Thus originated the Commercial apple industry in the Touchet valley. On his return to this state in 1897 Mr. Dumas purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty acres in Columbia county and he now has about half of that amount in apples, from which he has raised on an average of thirty-four thousand one hundred boxes of apples in the last ten years. In the fall of 1917 he harvested over forty thousand boxes of apples.

In 1888 Mr. Dumas married Miss Fannie J. Storie, a native of New York, in which state her parents, Kennedy and Isabel Storie, both died. Mr. and Mrs. Dumas have four children, namely: Loren F., who is a graduate of the Washington State College; Mabel, a student at the Bellingham Normal School; Alura, who is attending high school; and Edwin, now seven years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Dumas are members of the Congregational church of Dayton and he is one of its trustees. In politics he is an ardent republican and has served as a delegate to the state conventions of that party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but his chief interest is in the apple industry and he has taken a very active and prominent part in the work of those organizations designed to promote horticulture. He has served as president of the Washington State Horticultural Society and as such did much to improve the orchards of the northwest. The society never had a more active head or one who took the same impartial interest in all fruit growing districts of this section. He has made two trips to the nation's capital in the interest of the northwestern growers. A lover of the great outdoors, it was but natural that he should be among the first to join the "back-to-the-farm" movement in this country and as a representative of the Washington State Country Life Commission he has addressed thousands of interested people in the northwest. Mr. Dumas is vice president of the Broughton National Bank. He has served on the state board of education and is a member of the American Pomological Society; the Society for the Promotion of Horticultural Science; the National Educational Association; and the American Genetic Society. He has been superintendent of the Dayton schools and the public schools of Pullman and was the honored president of the Washington State Educational Association. In 1915 he was elected one of the five members of the executive board of the American Pomological Society. It will thus be seen that he has been prominently identified with a number of organizations whose object has been to promote the welfare of this region along many lines and he well deserves mention among its most public-spirited and progressive citizens.

R. W. LOUNDAGIN, D. V. M.

Dr. R. W. Loundagin, who is engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Waitsburg, was born in Benton, Arkansas, December 28, 1859, a son of George W. and Rhoda J. (Stewart) Loundagin. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother's birth occurred in Indiana. They removed to Arkansas with their respective parents and were married later in that state. In April, 1861, they left Little Rock, Arkansas, for the Pacific coast country, crossing the plains with ox teams. They were en route for six months and at length arrived in Walla Walla, Washington, about the 1st of October. They camped in the shadow of the fort for three or four weeks, after which Mr. Loundagin rented a small place of forty acres from an old man of the name of Massey. Upon that tract Mr. Loundagin spent the winter and followed farming. In the following summer he purchased a quit claim deed from W. P. Bruce on a quarter section about a mile and a half south of Waitsburg. This was in the Coppei valley. He paid Mr. Bruce two thousand dollars to move off the claim and Mr. Loundagin filed on the property as a homestead. In the years following he purchased land adjoining and continued to add to his possessions until his holdings comprised one thousand acres, constituting one of the most valuable wheat farms in Walla Walla county. He also owned other lands throughout the county, his holdings amounting together between four and five thousand acres. He was one of the first men to demonstrate that wheat could be successfully grown on the hills and uplands, and in proving this fact he contributed much to the development and prosperity of the county, as many followed his example and now the Walla Walla wheat belt is famous throughout the country. Mr. Loundagin continued to reside upon the old home farm up to within seven years of his death, when he removed to Waitsburg, turning over the operations of his farm to a son. He passed away about 1910, having for five years survived his wife. In their deaths the county lost two of its representative and valued pioneer people.

R. W. Loundagin was only about two years of age when brought by his family to the northwest. He acquired a district school education and through the period of his boyhood and youth worked with his father, to whom he continued to render active assistance until 1883. He then embarked in business on his own account, purchasing a livery stable in Waitsburg. The following year, however, he sold that property and again resumed active connection with agricultural interests, purchasing four hundred and eighty acres of railroad land two and a half miles north of Bolles Junction, for which he paid five dollars per acre. He lived upon that farm and kept bachelor's hall for eighteen years, after which he sold the property at ten dollars per acre, which was all that he could get at that time. Recently, however, the farm sold for seventy dollars per acre. While residing upon that tract of land Mr. Loundagin purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Columbia county, in the Hog Eye valley, four and a half miles east of Waitsburg. Most of that land is devoted to alfalfa and is very valuable. Mr. Loundagin still owns that farm property and from it derives a gratifying annual income.

From his youth Dr. Loundagin was deeply interested in horses, and by reason of the successful manner in which he treated his own horses when they needed medical attention, he was called upon to treat his neighbors' horses. As these calls became more frequent he began to read and study recognized works on veterinary surgery, including such authorities as Professor Fleming, A. H. Baker, Professor James A. Lawe, A. C. Copeland and others. His practice in time became a very large one and today he is classed among the ablest veterinary surgeons in southeastern Washington. In 1909 he built a modern veterinary hospital, which was the first private institution of this kind built in the state. It proved a financial success and his practice has continuously and successfully increased to the present time.