Part 28

Conrad Henry Kaseberg, a well known retired wagon maker residing in Walla Walla, was born in Germany, March 10, 1834, a son of Johannes and Mary Christina (Rumpf) Kaseberg, also natives of Germany, where they passed their entire lives.

Conrad Henry Kaseberg passed his boyhood and youth in his native country and there received his education. In 1857, when a young man, he crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which docked at Baltimore, Maryland. From that city he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, whence, after a few weeks, he removed to Weston, Missouri, where his brother lived, and some three months later he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained from October, 1857, to June, 1859. The following two years were spent in St. Louis, after which he went to California. In 1867 he left the Golden state and returned to St. Louis, where he was married and where he continued to live until 1871, his business being across the river in Venice, Illinois. It was in that year that he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and purchased the home where he still lives in the city of Walla Walla. He worked at the wagon maker's trade, which he had learned in Germany, having a shop at Second and Alder streets, until 1887, and he then bought seven hundred acres of fine wheat land on Dry creek, eleven miles out of Walla Walla, which he operated for a time and which he still owns, deriving a gratifying income from its rental. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank.

Mr. Kaseberg was married on Christmas day, 1867, to Miss Augusta D. Timmermeister, also a native of Germany, and they became the parents of one child, who, however, died in infancy. Mrs. Kaseberg passed away in February, 1912, and was laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery. She was an active member of the Lutheran church and her life was that of a devout Christian.

Mr. Kaseberg also belongs to that church and has never failed to give both his moral and financial support to its work. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Walla Walla. He is a republican in politics but his interest in public affairs is only that of a loyal citizen, though he served one year on the city council. He is a self-made man, having come to this country empty-handed, but through the opportunities here offered and his industry and good management he has gained financial independence. He has reached an advanced age but is still keen of mind and active of body and is accorded the honor due those who have behind them the record of a long and honorable life.

JOHN A. LANE.

John A. Lane, concentrating his efforts and attention upon general agricultural pursuits, cultivating eleven hundred acres of land, makes his home on section 24, township 8 north, range 36 east, in Walla Walla county. Almost the width of the continent separates him from the place of his birth, which was in Cameron county, Pennsylvania. He was born September 28, 1878, a son of Joseph and Mary (Berfield) Lane, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Philadelphia, where his youth was spent. His father died when the son was a lad in his teens and the burden of the support of the family fell upon his shoulders. He bravely met the task and throughout his entire life displayed the same spirit of resolution and energy. He continued his residence in his native state until 1880, when he came west to Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up his abode upon a farm near the present home of his son John. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and as his financial resources increased kept adding to his holdings until his landed possessions aggregated three hundred and forty-six acres. He continued to give his undivided time and attention to his farming interests until death called him on the 10th of September, 1905. His widow is still living and now resides with a daughter in Walla Walla.

John A. Lane was educated in the district schools and in the Waitsburg Academy, which he attended through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. Upon the completion of his education he began farming on his own account, renting a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land in the township where he still resides. He cultivated that place for three years and then took up a homestead in what was Yakima county, now Benton county. This he improved and cultivated for five years and he still owns that place. In 1907, however, he returned to the old homestead farm, which is owned conjointly by himself and his mother. He cultivates this place of three hundred and forty-six acres and rents adjoining land, operating altogether eleven hundred acres. He has thus come to rank with the leading and extensive farmers of his section of the state and his business affairs are carefully managed and conducted.

On October 16, 1898, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Nora P. Smith, a daughter of Mrs. Charles Ellis, of Dixie. Her father died during her infancy and her mother afterward married again. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane have been born three children of whom two are living, Dorothy M., who is attending the Walla Walla high school, and John A., Jr.

In his political views Mr. Lane maintains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures in preference to party dictation. He is now serving on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his wife and daughter hold memberships in the Christian church. The members of the family are highly esteemed in the part of the county where they reside and have a circle of friends almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances.

JESSE DRUMHELLER.

Jesse Drumheller, deceased, an honored pioneer of the west of 1852, was during the remainder of his life a prominent factor in the advancement of the business interests and development of this section of the country. Widely known, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to the many friends who still cherish his memory, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his career to our readers. His birth occurred in Tennessee in 1835. There the first eight years of his life were passed, after which he accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri, the family home being established near Springfield, where he remained until 1851. He then located near Savannah, Missouri, where he remained for a year, and in 1852 he heard and heeded the call of the west. He started out across the plains with ox teams for Washington and located in Cowlitz county, where he turned his attention to the lumber business. Soon afterward he removed to California, where for several years he engaged in mining, and in 1855 he became a resident of Oregon. There he joined the Oregon Volunteers for service in the Indian war and was sent to Walla Walla. During the eleven months in which he was a part of that command he participated in several severe engagements with the red men and aided in winning the victory which crowned the arms of the white troops. After the cessation of hostilities he entered the employ of the United States government and assisted in building the government posts at The Dalles, at Walla Walla, at Colville and at Simcoe. His activities thus became an important factor in the development of this section of the country. In 1859 he took up his abode on land two miles south of Walla Walla and turned his attention to stock raising and general farming, a business which he followed until about 1900. In this he prospered and from time to time added to his holdings until his landed possessions aggregated nearly six thousand acres. He thus carried on farming most extensively and in 1899 his crop of wheat amounted to about sixty-five thousand bushels. He followed the most progressive methods in the development of his land and stood at all times as one of the most enterprising and representative farmers of the northwest. He also carried on stock raising with success and his diligence and determination brought him prominently to the front in connection with the line of his chosen occupation.

On the 8th of October, 1863, in Walla Walla, Mr. Drumheller was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Maxson, a pioneer of 1859. They became the parents of five sons: Samuel, of Calgary, Alberta; Oscar; George, a stock-raiser of Walla Walla; Thomas J., who is engaged in the hardware business with his older brother, Oscar, they being members of the well known firm of Drumheller & Company, dealers in hardware, furniture and crockery; and R. M., collector of customs at Seattle.

Jesse Drumheller was a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge and in the chapter. His death occurred on December 2, 1907. He stood in the front rank among those who have planted civilization in the northwest and was particularly active in the growth of Walla Walla county, where for many years he made his home, and his labors were of a nature that contributed in marked measure to the substantial and moral development and upbuilding of this section of the country. He was a progressive business man, wide-awake, alert and energetic, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. While his business interests became very extensive and important, he always found time to cooperate in plans and measures for the public good and was a most loyal and devoted citizen from the time when he aided in subduing the Indian uprising, through the period of later development and progress up to the time when death called him to the home beyond.

OLE HANNAS.

Ole Hannas, who resides on section 31, township 14, range 43, owns ten hundred and sixteen acres of Garfield county's valuable wheat and pasture lands and enjoys an enviable reputation as a successful and representative agriculturist. His present prosperity is entirely attributable to his own efforts, for he came to this state empty-handed about three decades ago. His birth occurred in Norway on the 9th of September, 1866, his parents being Ole and Anna (Kittelsaa) Hannas. The father passed away in that country in 1915, but the mother survives and yet makes her home in Norway.

Ole Hannas received a thorough common school education in his native country and there spent his youth. When twenty-one years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, desiring to test the truth of the many favorable reports which had reached him concerning the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in America. After residing for one year in Minnesota he came west to Washington in the fall of 1888 and spent the succeeding winter and spring in Tacoma. In June, 1889, he made his way to Walla Walla and in the following October took up his abode in Garfield county. Having no money to invest in land, he secured employment as a farm hand. At the end of five years, in 1894, having saved his earnings, he began farming for himself on a small scale as a renter. Prosperity attended his efforts and about 1902 he purchased a half interest in five hundred and eighty acres of land where he now resides. From that time his success has been sure and rapid and today his holdings embrace ten hundred and sixteen acres of valuable wheat and pasture land in Garfield county, so that he has become one of the most extensive agriculturists and substantial citizens of the community.

On the 5th of April, 1905, Mr. Hannas was united in marriage to Miss Guri Tveit, crossing over to Norway for his bride, of which country she is a native. They have two children, Orle and John. Mr. Hannas gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is serving as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World, while in religious faith both he and his wife are Lutherans. They have won an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community, being recognized as people of genuine worth whose aid and influence are given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.

JAMES B. WARREN.

James B. Warren became the owner of a valuable tract of land on section 4, township 10 north, range 42 east, Garfield county, and also held title to other land, his holdings comprising fourteen hundred acres at the time of his death. He was widely known and his demise was the occasion of much sincere grief. He was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, January 9, 1853, and was a son of Stewart and Louisa (Walker) Warren, both also natives of that state. There the father passed away and later the mother removed with her family to Missouri, where her death occurred in 1875. All of the six children in the family have likewise passed away.

James B. Warren received a common school education and remained with his mother until her death. In 1875 he went to California but only remained there for two years, settling in Polk county, Oregon, at the end of that period. The following year, however, he became a resident of Dayton, Columbia county, Washington, and in 1882 he purchased the farm on which his widow still resides. It comprises eight hundred acres and the buildings are located on section 4, township 10 north, range 42 east. From the operation of that place he derived such a gratifying profit that he was able to add to his holdings and became the owner of fourteen hundred acres, all of which is now in the possession of his widow. He was likewise a stockholder in the Pomeroy Mercantile Company at Pomeroy. He was a keen business man and, adding to this industry, sound judgment and a ready recognition of opportunities, it was but natural that he should gain a signal measure of success.

Mr. Warren was married in 1882 to Miss Marietta McCanse, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Andrew G. and Margaret E. (Williams) McCanse, both natives of Tennessee, who, however, became early settlers of Lawrence county, Missouri. In 1876 the McCanse family removed to Oregon, but a year later located four and a half miles northeast of Pomeroy, Washington. Subsequently the parents returned to Missouri, where Mrs. McCanse died in 1907, her husband passing away September 8, 1909. Only three of their six children survive.

Mr. Warren was called to his final rest April 17, 1913, and his body was interred in the Chappele cemetery. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and its teachings concerning the brotherhood of man found exemplification in his daily life. He took the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, although not an office seeker, and his ballot was cast in support of the republican party. He was for a third of a century a resident of Garfield county and during that time had a part in bringing about its development. His acquaintance was unusually wide and his friends were many. Mrs. Warren has retained her residence on the homestead and gives her personal supervision to its operation. The land is fertile, the improvements are modern, and she derives a handsome income from the place.

REV. A. R. OLDS.

Rev. A. R. Olds is superintendent of the Walla Walla County Poor Farm, situated on section 36, township 7 north, range 35 east in that county. He devoted many years of his life to the work of the ministry and then ill health obliged him to discontinue his labors in that connection. He is now making a most excellent record not only as superintendent of the Poor Farm in his care of the indigent ones but also in the management of crop production. He was called to this position in 1914 and has been most efficient in the discharge of all of the tasks that devolve upon him in this connection.

A native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurred in Bradford on the 30th of July, 1854, his parents being Robert D. and Hannah (Corkings) Olds, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where they were reared and married. Soon afterward they removed to Bradford, Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in the shoe business until 1858, when he removed to Roanoke, Indiana, where he again conducted business as a boot and shoe merchant for twenty-eight years. The mother died in Roanoke and the father afterward came to the west, making his home with his son, Rev. A. R. Olds of this review, at Philomath, Oregon.

A. R. Olds pursued a public school education, supplemented by study in the Roanoke Seminary. He was thirteen years of age when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the shoemaking business, for his father conducted a custom made shoe business in connection with handling the factory product. After completing his apprenticeship A. R. Olds worked at the trade until 1882, when he made his way westward to Oregon, settling in Philomath. A year later he entered the ministry of the United Brethren church and for four years was minister at the college in Philomath. A little later he became connected with the Congregational church as a minister and for almost thirty years devoted his time and energies to the work, filling the pulpit in various churches. After his retirement from a regular charge he continued to do county missionary work until about a year ago. In September, 1896, he arrived in Walla Walla to take charge of the county missionary work but failing health caused him to give only a part of his time to the work in later years. Earnest and zealous in his efforts to upbuild the church, his labors wrought good results. He was not denied the harvest nor the full aftermath of his efforts. His high purpose, his ready sympathy, his words of wisdom all combined to act as an influencing factor drawing men to a better life.

In 1914 Rev. Olds was appointed superintendent of the County Poor Farm of Walla Walla county, in which capacity he has since served, and he has proven himself a master farmer, his crops at the present writing being among the finest in this section of the state. He also displays good business ability in the conduct and management of the Poor Farm and his official service in this connection is characteristic of traits which he has ever displayed, for it has always been his custom to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He never falters in the face of difficulties nor obstacles and his labors have brought good results, both in promoting material and moral progress.

In 1876 Rev. Olds was united in marriage to Miss Etta Fast, of Roanoke, Indiana, by whom he has three children, namely: Earl L., who is a resident of Bend, Oregon; Francis R., living at Klamath Falls; and Ruth, the wife of H. W. Bathany, of Walla Walla.

Rev. Olds gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has long supported. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M.; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; and Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., of Spokane. He is likewise a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., and Walla Walla Encampment, No. 3, I. O. O. F., and in June, 1917, a high honor was conferred upon him, for in that month he was made grand chaplain of the grand lodge of Washington. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He is one of Walla Walla county's most esteemed and representative citizens and enjoys the respect, goodwill and trust of all with whom he has come in contact. Ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid is needed, his character and work have been such as have shed around him much of life's sunshine.

ARTHUR P. BLOOMFIELD.

Arthur P. Bloomfield, who is living retired in Columbia county after many years of successful farming, was born in New Jersey, February 6, 1840, a son of Jonathan and Theodosia (Foster) Bloomfield, the former born in England and the latter in New Jersey, in which state they were married. The father passed away in New Jersey and subsequently the mother became a resident of California, where her demise occurred. To them were born three children, of whom only our subject survives.

Arthur P. Bloomfield was reared in his native state and enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common schools. In 1861, when he had attained his majority, he went to California, where for about twenty years he devoted his time to farming and gardening, but in 1880 he came to Old Walla Walla county, Washington, taking up as a homestead the farm on which he still lives. Here he met with success and was able to increase his holdings until he now owns one thousand and ten acres of wheat and pasture land, all within what is now Columbia county. At length, feeling that he had earned a rest, he retired and now leaves to others the active work of the fields. He also owns a half interest in the Palace Hotel at Pullman, from which he receives a rental of two hundred and fifty dollars per month.

Mr. Bloomfield was married in 1874, to Miss Anna Lang, and they became the parents of seven children: Lulu, the wife of Bert Kimball; Ida, who resides in Walla Walla; Hattie, deceased; Frank, who is farming the homestead; and three who have passed away. The wife and mother died Saturday, October 6, 1917, and was laid to rest in Walla Walla cemetery.

Mr. Bloomfield is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has served with credit as a member of the school board and as road supervisor. His career illustrates what may be accomplished in this land of opportunity by persistent hard work and good management, for he began his career empty handed and is now financially independent.

MARTIN HANSEN.

Martin Hansen is a self-made man who has gained a creditable position among the representative and prosperous farmers of Walla Walla county. He arrived in this section of the state empty-handed but he saw the opportunities here offered and has utilized them to good advantage. He is now the owner of a valuable farm property situated on section 33, township 7 north, range 35 east. He was born in Denmark on the 12th of January, 1876, and is a son of Lars and Mary Hansen, who came to the United States when he was a lad of twelve years. The family home was established in Nebraska, four sons of the family having preceded the parents to the new world. There the father and mother located and both passed away in that state, the death of the father occurring in 1915, while his wife died in 1914.

In the common schools of Denmark, Mr. Hansen pursued his education, supplemented by a winter term's study in Nebraska and by two winter terms in Walla Walla county. He also took two six-weeks winter courses at the State College of Washington. He made good use of his time and opportunities in promoting his intellectual development and he has always continued a student of men and events. In other words he has learned much in life through observation and experience and has become a substantial and well informed business man.