Part 29

It was in 1887 that Martin Hansen crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States and about three years later he made his way to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he was employed for wages for five years. He saved carefully and systematically until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him, in 1895, to engage in farming on his own account. He then rented land and again he practiced economy and industry until in 1897 he had a capital sufficient to enable him to purchase his present home farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres. Upon that place he has since resided and has made many valuable improvements thereon, among others drilling in 1912 two artesian wells which flow one thousand gallons of water per minute, greatly enhancing the value of the farm. Its splendid appearance is indicative of the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it. He arrived in Walla Walla without capital and today he is one of the substantial farmers of this section of the state, and what means more, the result achieved is due to his industry, his perseverance and his determination alone. He has never been afraid of hard work and he early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins.

Mr. Hansen is a republican in his political views, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has served for a number of years on the school board and is one of the influential men of his community, his opinions carrying weight regarding public affairs. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when energy points out the way.

JAMES H. SCHNECKLOTH.

James H. Schneckloth, the well-known and popular postmaster of Pomeroy, was born on the 25th of October, 1868, in Scott county, Iowa, a son of Henry and Margaretha (Kuhl) Schneckloth, who were natives of Germany and on coming to America in early life settled in Scott county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for some years. In 1881 he brought his family to Washington and located on a farm near Pomeroy, where he still resides. His wife died in 1914. To them were born eight children and seven of them survive.

James H. Schneckloth began his education in the public schools of his native county, where the first thirteen years of his life were passed in much the usual manner of farmer boys in the middle west. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Washington and here grew to manhood. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in the stock business and is still interested in that enterprise. As time passed he prospered in his undertakings and is today the owner of a fine stock ranch of one thousand acres.

In 1912 Mr. Schneckloth was united in marriage to Miss Rose Dougherty, and to them has been born a daughter, Janet M. They are members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Schneckloth is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Foresters. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the democratic party and he has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs. In 1904 he was elected county treasurer and acceptably filled that office until 1913. In February of the following year he was appointed postmaster of Pomeroy and is now serving in that capacity with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a self-made man, whose success in life is due to his own unaided efforts, and he is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the town.

JOSEPH WEIMER.

Joseph Weimer is a resident farmer of Garfield county, his home being on section 20, township 12 north, range 41 east. Ever loyal to his adopted country, he has made himself a creditable position as a leading agriculturist of Garfield county and as a citizen of genuine worth. He was born in Germany, June 3, 1861, and is a son of Casper and Lizzie (Braun) Weimer, who came to the United States in 1886. After arriving on the shores of the new world they made their way direct to the west with Washington as their destination and established their home in Garfield county, where the father filed on a homestead claim five miles northwest of Pomeroy. With characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of that property and devoted his attention to its further cultivation until the time of his death.

Joseph Weimer, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the common schools of his native country and in 1884 he set sail for the United States, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Crossing the continent without tarrying for any length of time in the east, he at length reached the Pacific coast and spent six months in California. He then came northward into Washington and made his final settlement. He took up a homestead in Garfield county on which he resided for seven years, at the end of which time he bought land and removed to his present home farm on section 20, township 12 north, range 41 east. Upon that place he has since resided. He is one of the self-made men of this state. He came to the northwest in very limited financial circumstances and today he owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat land in Garfield county. His plate is improved with substantial buildings, with well kept fences and good farm machinery and everything about his place indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. The fields give promise of abundant harvests in the autumn and the work of the farm has been carried on in a most modern and effective way.

In 1891 Mr. Weimer was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Andress, a native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of four children: Edward Joseph, Frank Henry, Fred and Tillie, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. Weimer and his family are communicants of the Catholic church.

In his adopted land Mr. Weimer has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has won a substantial measure of success. He has worked diligently and persistently along lines that have led to gratifying results and is now one of the enterprising farmers of Garfield county.

JOHN H. HARER.

John H. Harer is a resident farmer of Walla Walla county, owning and cultivating one hundred and thirty acres of land on section 4, township 6 north, range 35 east. He was born in Lane county, Oregon, on the 25th of February, 1859, his parents being David and Sarah (Standifer) Harer. The father was a native of Arkansas, while the mother was born in Tennessee. They were married in the former state and there resided until 1852, when they determined to try their fortune upon the Pacific coast and removed to Oregon. They settled in Lane county and in 1865 left that locality to become residents of Walla Walla county, Washington, the father having previously made several trips into this part of the country prior to the removal. He secured a homestead claim at Webfoot and later he bought and removed to the farm where Valley Chapel is now located. He kept adding to his original purchase from time to time as his financial resources increased until he was the owner of more than a section of land. Upon that property he died, passing away June 14, 1883. His widow long survived him and departed this life in 1907. During her last nine years she made her home with her son John.

John H. Harer is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of the northwest, having resided in this section of the country for almost six decades. He acquired a district school education and also attended the public schools of Walla Walla. On reaching manhood he became engaged in the cattle business, with which he was identified for several years, and in 1889 he purchased from the other heirs their interest in the Harer estate and thus came into possession of his present home farm, upon which he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. The farm originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, but he has recently sold thirty acres of the tract. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and everything about his place indicates his careful supervision, progressive methods and indefatigable energy.

In 1882 Mr. Harer was united in marriage to Miss Eva Waterman, a native of Walla Walla county. Her father was Samuel Waterman, who crossed the plains from Iowa to California in 1860 and in the spring of 1861 arrived in Walla Walla county, taking up his abode in the vicinity of Valley Chapel. He was thus closely identified with the early development and progress of this section of the state until his death, which occurred in January, 1878. His widow survives and is now living with a daughter in Spokane, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Harer have been born three children, two of whom survive, namely: Inez, who is the wife of E. S. Gibson, of North Yakima, Washington; and Bertha, the wife of R. L. Ridley, who operates the farm of his father-in-law. Mrs. Harer is a member of the Christian church and is a lady of many admirable characteristics.

Mr. Harer gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has never sought or desired political office but for several years he served as school director and proved a stalwart champion of the cause of education. Both he and his wife are actuated by a spirit of progress and enterprise in all that they undertake and their interest centers deeply in those affairs which promise to upbuild and develop further the section of the country in which they live.

WILLIAM F. CLUSTER.

William F. Cluster, deceased, was one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Pomeroy. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 8th of February, 1831, and his parents were Daniel and Margaret (Tumlin) Cluster, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. About 1861 they removed to Missouri, where both died. In their family were eleven children, all of whom have passed away with the exception of one sister, residing in Missouri.

In the state of his nativity William F. Cluster was reared and educated and on leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty-three years went to Missouri. He crossed the plains to Oregon in 1862 and spent the remainder of his life on the Pacific coast. In 1868 he married Mrs. Mary E. French, a native of Ohio, who only a short time previously had come to the northwest and had located in Oregon, where they continued to make their home until 1871. It was in that year that Mr. and Mrs. Cluster removed to old Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up a claim seven miles from Pomeroy, on which they built a log cabin, this being the family home for four years. They remained on the farm until 1882, when they took up their abode in Pomeroy and here Mrs. Cluster still lives. She continues in possession of the old homestead, which comprises two hundred acres of finely improved land, and owns a forty-acre tract which adjoins the city of Pomeroy. She has six residences in this city and derives a substantial income from all these properties.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cluster are as follows: Viola E., the wife of C. E. Gray; Florence M., the wife of E. M. Pomeroy; Carrie E., deceased; and E. C., a resident of Pomeroy.

After a useful and well spent life, Mr. Cluster passed away on the 14th of June, 1915, leaving his immediate family as well as many friends to mourn his death. His remains were interred in the Pomeroy cemetery. Mrs. Cluster takes an active part in the work of the Presbyterian church, to which she belongs and is a most estimable lady who has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the city and throughout the surrounding country.

W. H. GILLIS.

The family of W. H. Gillis, residing in Dayton, pays fitting tribute to his memory in preserving the record of his life in this history of southeastern Washington. He was born in Montgomery county, North Carolina, and was reared and educated in his native state. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Crump, of Stanly county, North Carolina, a daughter of Stephen and Eliza (Kendall) Crump, both of whom were natives of the Old North state, where they lived and died. They were the parents of five children, all of whom survive. Mrs. Gillis was reared and educated in North Carolina, pursuing her studies in the common schools and afterward in the Greenville and Doranport colleges of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillis were born three children: Lillian, who has departed this life; John A.; and Minnie, who is the wife of J. F. Hall. The death of Mr. Gillis occurred March 2, 1906. He had been a soldier of the Civil war, serving for four years, and was brave and loyal to the cause which he espoused. He never faltered in the performance of any duty that devolved upon him and made an excellent record as a soldier. To his family he was a devoted husband and father and found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his wife and children. In business affairs he was progressive and reliable and his sterling worth was acknowledged in many relations.

On the 16th of June, 1907, Mrs. Gillis became the wife of A. H. Richardson, who died five years later. Mrs. Richardson is the owner of a valuable farm property of five hundred and twenty acres pleasantly and conveniently situated about five miles east of Dayton. Upon this place many modern improvements have been made. The buildings are substantial and commodious, the fences are well kept and everything about the place indicates the progressive spirit of the owner. Mrs. Richardson rents her farm and therefrom derives a gratifying annual income. She also owns one of the finest residences of Dayton and is most comfortably situated in life. She is a member of the Christian church and takes an active interest in promoting the church work. Her social position is indicated by the fact that the hospitality of the best homes of Dayton is freely accorded her.

WILLIAM GAYLORD COLEMAN.

William Gaylord Coleman, a well known member of the Walla Walla bar, was born October 7, 1884, in the city where he still resides. His father, Dan J. Coleman, a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, became a pioneer farmer of the Eureka Flat district and spent his last days in Walla Walla. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Mattie C. Roberts, was a daughter of E. G. Roberts and was born in an emigrant wagon somewhere along the Platte river while the family were crossing the plains. Her first marriage was with J. W. Cookerly and she later wedded Dan J. Coleman. The family ever has been closely associated with the pioneer development of Washington.

Reared in his native city, William Gaylord Coleman, after mastering the preliminary branches of learning, decided upon the practice of law as a life work and with that end in view entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was there graduated in June, 1909, "with honors" and with the LL. B. degree. He returned to the northwest, opening an office in Walla Walla, and has since engaged in practice here. In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has made steady progress and public opinion names him as one of the able lawyers of the Walla Walla bar.

On the 5th of September, 1911, in Walla Walla, Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Margaret S. Steel, a daughter of T. S. and Annie J. Steel. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Coleman is a past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge. A lifelong resident of Walla Walla, he has a wide acquaintance and his sterling worth as a man, as a lawyer and a citizen is indicated by the high regard entertained for him by his fellow citizens.

JOHN MARTIN.

John Martin, living retired in Walla Walla after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits, was born in Ireland, January 1, 1842, a son of John and Ann Martin, who spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle. The educational opportunities accorded John Martin were those common to the boys of his time, he attending the national schools, and he remained in Ireland until he was twenty-five years old, when, in 1867, he emigrated to the United States. He first resided in New York state, where he secured employment in a brickyard at Haverstraw, and subsequently went to Baltimore, Maryland, but finding it too hot to suit him there, he went to Chicago, where he was employed by the Armour Packing Company, during the winters for several years, but in summer followed his work of brick burning and helped to manufacture the brick used in the construction of the United States customs house in Chicago. After remaining in the metropolis of the middle west for eight years he came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1882 and settled on a farm on Dry creek. He operated that place until 1905, when he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where he purchased land and built his home on Grove street, where he has since lived. He is still prominently connected with agricultural affairs, however, as he owns fourteen hundred acres of fine wheat land, all of which is well improved. He gives his personal supervision to the management of his farm although he leaves the actual work of its operation to others. All that he has he has made since coming to Walla Walla county and it is but natural that he should be enthusiastic concerning conditions here.

In 1875, in Chicago, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McAvaney, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of fourteen children, of whom two are deceased, the others being: James, who is now chief of police of Walla Walla; John P., who is farming in Spring valley; Mary, the wife of Joe Martin, who although of the same name is not a relative; Elizabeth, the wife of Albert Schiller; Margaret, the wife of Roy Davies; and Katherine, Agnes, Grace, Theresa, George, Lillian and William, all at home.

Mr. Martin supports the republican party and has served acceptably as member of the school board. He is a communicant of the Catholic church, and his life has been guided by high moral standards. His residence is attractive and up-to-date and he is enjoying all the comforts of his life as the result of his well directed labors and wise investments. Mr. Martin is strong and vigorous for his years but to enjoy the balmy air of the south he spends his winters in Los Angeles, California.

C. F. ACTOR.

C. F. Actor, a grain dealer and warehouse man of Starbuck, was born in Dixie, Washington, on the 27th of October, 1868, a son of H. C. Actor, one of the veterans of the early Indian wars and one of the well known men of the pioneer period of Walla Walla county. He died August 30, 1917, near Dixie and extended mention of him appears elsewhere in this work.

C. F. Actor was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of Dixie. He also attended the Empire Business College of Walla Walla and thus became well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. In early manhood he worked for a time in Colfax and was variously employed, after which he returned to Walla Walla county and for some time was engaged in farming. In 1902 he removed to Starbuck and entered the grain trade, managing the Alto warehouse for the Alto Warehouse Company for a year. On the expiration of that period he became the representative of the Balfour-Guthrie Company, with which he continued for four years as grain buyer. In 1907 he engaged in the grain business on his own account and since that time has operated independently and successfully, being today one of the well known grain merchants of Columbia county, controlling a business of large volume that brings to him a good financial return.

In 1900 Mr. Actor was married to Miss Lucy May Buroker, daughter of Martin B. Buroker, of Waitsburg, and they have become the parents of five children, four sons and a daughter, namely: Charles M., Alfred A., Grace, Lester E. and Fred F.

In his political views Mr. Actor has ever been an earnest republican since attaining adult age. In January, 1917, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners and is now serving in that capacity, in which connection he is making an excellent record, carefully safe-guarding the interests of the county, yet never blocking public progress by useless retrenchment. He belongs to Tucannon Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of Starbuck, and also to Starbuck Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F. In 1916 he was representative to the grand lodge of Odd Fellows. He is also identified with Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P. In banking circles he is known as a director of the Bank of Starbuck and he ranks with the leading and representative business men and citizens of the town, his aid and influence being always given on the side of progress and improvement. He at all times displays a public-spirited devotion to the general good and has wisely conducted his private business affairs, which have brought to him substantial and merited success.

M. W. SWEGLE.

A successful career has been that of M. W. Swegle, who now follows farming on section 32, township 7 north, range 35 east, in Walla Walla county. He has lived in this county since 1888 and is concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development and improvement of a farm of five hundred and fourteen acres. This is a memorable locality in the history of the state for it is the site of the Whitman massacre--the identical spot on which the atrocities committed by the red men culminated in the murder of the noble Reverend Whitman and his family, those venerable pioneers, who were doing such inestimable work in claiming this region for the purposes of Christian civilization, laying the cornerstone of the foundation for the moral and materially visible development of the entire region.

Mr. Swegle is a western man by birth, training and preference and exemplifies in his life the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the west, leading to its wonderful development. He was born in Salem, Oregon, June 28, 1861, a son of Charles and Lucinda (Robinson) Swegle. The father was a native of New Jersey, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. They were married in Illinois, to which state they had removed with their respective parents, and in 1848 they crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon, settling first in Clackamas county, although soon afterward they removed to Marion county, taking up their abode near Salem. There the father resided until 1880, when he came with his family to Walla Walla county, Washington, and purchased nine hundred acres of land, a part of which is included within the boundaries of the present home place of M. W. Swegle. In the residence where his son now resides the father passed away on the 7th of May, 1888, and in his death the community mourned the loss of an honored pioneer settler and most respected citizen--one who in every relation of life commanded the goodwill and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His widow survived him for several years and passed away in November, 1895.

M. W. Swegle was reared upon the old home farm and acquired a common school education. From the time he attained his majority he began farming on his own account and in 1888 he established his home in Walla Walla county. Soon afterward he purchased a section of land, some of which he has since sold, while a portion thereof he deeded to his wife. The present farm, held conjointly by Mr. Swegle and his wife's heirs, comprises five hundred and fourteen acres. This land he has brought to a very high state of cultivation, carrying on farm work along the most progressive lines. He is at all times practical in what he undertakes and the results are therefore substantial and most desirable. He has placed good improvements upon his farm and its neat and attractive appearance indicates his intelligently directed activity.