Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M.; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R.
A. M.; and Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He is also identified
with El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane, and he belongs to
Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. P., of Prescott, in which latter he has
held all the chairs. He and his wife are members of the Order of the
Eastern Star at Waitsburg and both are actively identified with the
Federated church of Prescott, taking an active and helpful interest
in all that pertains to the improvement and upbuilding of their city
along material, intellectual, social and moral lines. Without invidious
distinction Mr. Fleischer may well be termed one of the foremost men of
Prescott, loyal to every interest of general benefit, while his course
in private affairs marks him as a man of high honor.
JOSEPHUS M. MOORE.
Josephus M. Moore came to Walla Walla county in 1870 and during the
many years of his residence here became widely and favorably known. He
was born in Rock Island, Illinois, September 17, 1838, a son of Amos L.
and Mary Moore, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed
to Illinois when the Prairie state was still but thinly settled. Still
later they removed to a new frontier, coming to Walla Walla county,
Washington in 1868, and here both passed away. To them were born five
children.
Josephus M. Moore received his education in the public schools of
Illinois and remained with his parents during his boyhood and youth.
He continued to reside in the middle west until 1870, when he decided
to try his fortune in the Pacific coast country, concerning which he
had heard excellent reports. He arrived in Old Walla Walla county,
Washington, in July, 1870, and turned his attention to farming in
what is now Garfield county. This occupation claimed his time and
energies throughout his remaining days. He was energetic and resolute
and overcame all obstacles that lay between him and success, gaining a
substantial competence.
Mr. Moore was married in Ohio to Miss Louisa Prescott, by whom he
had one daughter, Mary, now the wife of Walter Preston, of Portland,
Oregon. On coming to Washington Mr. Moore was accompanied by his wife
and daughter, and Mrs. Moore died here some years later. In 1894 Mr.
Moore was again married, his second union being with Miss Eva Abbott,
a native of Ohio. Her parents, S. J. and Chloe (Russell) Abbott, were
born respectively in Vermont and Ohio, but in 1862 made the long
journey across the great plains to California, where they remained
until 1880. In that year they came to Walla Walla county, Washington,
and both are still living here, the father at the age of eighty-three
years and the mother at the age of eighty. Both are still keen of
mind and active of body and they are one of the most highly esteemed
couples in the county. Four of the seven children born to them survive.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moore was born a son, Amos A., who was graduated from
the military academy at Staunton, Virginia; later was a student in the
State University of Washington, at Seattle, and is now a student at
Walla Walla Business College.
[Illustration: JOSEPHUS M. MOORE]
[Illustration: MRS. JOSEPHUS M. MOORE]
Mr. Moore was a stanch advocate of republican principles and served
with much satisfaction to his constituents in a number of local
offices. The principles of conduct which guided his life were found
in the teachings of the Masonic order, to which he belonged. His
death occurred September 24, 1901, and he was buried in Mountain View
cemetery. He was a man of many admirable traits and those who knew him
well still cherish his memory. Mrs. Moore makes her home in the city of
Walla Walla, where she owns a fine residence situated on five acres of
ground.
ROBERT O. SANDERS.
Robert O. Sanders is living retired in Waitsburg, although for a long
period he was actively identified with farming interests in Walla Walla
County, and his capable management of his business affairs brought to
him the measure of success which he is now enjoying. He was born in
Jefferson county, Illinois, October 8, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and
Mary (Breeze) Sanders. The father was a native of Indiana, while the
mother's birth occurred in Illinois, where for many years they resided
and where both passed away. In their family were seven children, four
of whom are yet living.
Robert O. Sanders spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon the
home farm in Illinois with the usual experiences that fall to the lot
of the lad who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom,
the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. When he was
sixteen years of age his father died and he continued to assist his
mother until he attained his majority, when he began farming on his
own account. In 1888 he removed to Walla Walla, since which time he
has resided in the northwest, his connection with this section of the
country now covering a period of almost thirty years. He began farming
here and first rented land and while thus engaged he carefully saved
his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient
capital to enable him to purchase a farm. That he has prospered as the
years have gone by is indicated in the fact that he now owns three
hundred and twenty acres which he has greatly improved. It is wheat
land and is cultivated according to the most progressive and scientific
methods of crop production. His work has always been carefully
performed and his industry and diligence have brought substantial
results. He continued personally to cultivate his place until 1902,
when he retired from active farm life and removed to Waitsburg, where
he is now living.
On January 29, 1874, Mr. Sanders was married to Miss Eva Harned, a
native of Indiana, and they became the parents of seven children:
Addie, the wife of O. W. Abbey; Maud, who married J. W. Cram; Samuel
C., living in Oregon; Alva H., who occupies his father's farm; and
three who died in infancy.
Fraternally Mr. Sanders is connected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, belonging to Touchet Lodge, No. 5, while both he and his wife
are connected with the Rebekahs. In politics he is a republican, having
always been a firm believer in the principles of the party. He has
served as school director for ten years and it is his earnest desire
that excellent educational advantages shall be given to the youth of
this section of the state. He and his wife are consistent members of
the Christian church and have guided their lives according to its
teachings. They are influenced by high principles of conduct and their
genuine worth has commended them to the friendship and regard of all
with whom they have been associated. The record of Mr. Sanders should
serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished
when one has the will to dare and to do, for he started out in life
empty-handed and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed has been
won through his persistency of purpose, his unremitting diligence and
his business integrity.
EMERY FLATHERS.
Emery Flathers, who followed farming on section 31, township 10 north,
range 36 east, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families
of Walla Walla county. From an early period in the development in this
section of the state the family has taken an active part in the work of
general progress and improvement and is particularly well and favorably
known in connection with the agricultural development of this section.
Emery Flathers was born on the old homestead farm adjoining the town of
Prescott, March 27, 1872, a son of Benjamin F. and Melinda S. (McQuown)
Flathers. The father was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, while the
mother was a native of Virginia.
Upon the old homestead Emery Flathers was reared and in the schools of
Prescott he pursued his education. In 1905 he entered into partnership
with his brothers, John and Charles, and for five years they were
associated in farming operations. In 1910, however, Emery Flathers
withdrew from the firm and since that time has rented his land and
lived retired. He owns two hundred acres, constituting a valuable
property, and his rental returns to him a very gratifying income.
On December 23, 1908, Mr. Flathers was married to Miss Rae E. Dunlap, a
daughter of John K. Dunlap, who has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Flathers
became the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, Howard and
Frances. Mrs. Flathers departed this life July 17, 1915, and her death
was deeply regretted not only by her immediate family but by many
friends.
Mr. Flathers is independent in politics, voting for the men and
measures he considers of the best interest of all the people. He keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day but neither seeks
nor desires office. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16. A. F. & A. M.; Walla Walla
Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., of Walla Walla and Washington Commandery,
K. T., also of Walla Walla. He has likewise crossed the sands of the
desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being a member of El Katif
Temple of Spokane. He is a substantial citizen, widely and favorably
known by reason of his business ability, his loyalty in citizenship
and his personal worth. For forty-five years he has been a resident
of Walla Walla county, witnessing its growth and development. He has
lived to see its pioneer cabins replaced by commodious and substantial
residences, its wild lands converted into productive fields, its
hamlets developed into thriving cities, and as the years have gone
by he has ever willingly cooperated in any plan or movement for the
general good.
ALFRED J. BOLTER.
Alfred J. Bolter is a retired farmer living in Dixie. For a long period
he was actively and prominently connected with agricultural interests
and acquired several hundred acres of valuable land, from which he
derived a very gratifying annual income as a result of the care and
labor which he bestowed upon the fields. Moreover, his life record
shows what may be accomplished by determined effort and perseverance,
for he started out empty-handed and is now the possessor of a very
substantial competence which enables him to rest from further labor. He
was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in September, 1853, a son of
Ziba and Christina Bolter, the former a native of Massachusetts, while
the latter was born in the state of New York. They spent their entire
lives in the east and there they reared their family of ten children,
nine of whom are yet living.
Alfred J. Bolter passed the days of his boyhood and youth in
Massachusetts and is indebted to the public school system of that
state for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. In 1875,
when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to the west and first
settled in Dallas, Oregon, where he remained for three years. In 1878
he removed to Walla Walla county and took up a homestead sixteen miles
north of the city of Walla Walla. With characteristic energy he began
its development and improvement and occupied that place for ten years,
during which time his labors wrought a marked transformation in its
appearance. He then disposed of that property and invested in two
hundred and eighty acres near Dixie. From time to time he extended the
boundaries of his farm until it now comprises seven hundred acres, all
of which is improved land and returns to him a most substantial annual
income. He continued actively to develop his fields until 1902, when
he retired, and since that time he has rented his land, while he is
enjoying a well earned rest.
Mr. Bolter was married in 1876 to Miss Elsie A. Crystal, a native of
Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children: Madie, the
wife of S. M. Jones, now a resident of Spokane; Maud, who is the widow
of Burt Roff; and Homer, who is engaged in merchandising in California.
Mr. Bolter belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has
filled all of the chairs in Welcome Lodge, No. 117, in which he has
membership. He has also been called to all of the different offices in
the Knights of Pythias lodge and is true and loyal to the teaching of
these societies. He and his wife are members of the Christian church
and endeavor to follow closely the Golden Rule. Their lives have been
well spent, fraught with good deeds and actuated by kindly purposes.
Many good things are spoken of them by friends and neighbors, who have
enjoyed their companionship and who recognize their sterling worth in
all the relations of life.
HON. JAMES EWEN EDMISTON.
High on the roll of Washington's distinguished citizens appears the
name of Hon. James Ewen Edmiston, deceased, who was for many years a
resident of Dayton. His ideals of life were very high and in early
manhood he displayed conspicuously the traits of character that made
his career brilliantly successful. He performed all the duties that
devolved upon him, however humble and however small the recompense
might be, conscientiously and industriously. He gave proof of his
ability to cope with intricate problems of the law and his natural
industry prompted him to prepare his cases with great thoroughness and
care, so that he ever entered the courts well equipped to combat any
attack or position of the opposing counsel. He lives in the memory
of his friends enshrined in the halo of a gracious presence and of
pronounced power in the legal profession.
Mr. Edmiston was born in Washington county, Arkansas, March 29, 1849, a
son of Alexander E. Edmiston, who was a native of Virginia and removed
to Arkansas early in the nineteenth century. He was a veteran of the
Mexican war, serving as a lieutenant in his company under Colonel
Yall. A forceful man of unquestioned integrity, he won a substantial
financial success and left a valuable estate to his widow and four
children, of whom James E. Edmiston was the eldest. A few years prior
to his death, becoming convinced that the principle of slavery was
wrong, he liberated all of his bondsmen. During the Civil war the
vicinity of his home was the scene of great atrocities by both northern
and southern renegades. He died in the year 1858.
James E. Edmiston, when a lad of fourteen years, enlisted in 1863
in the Confederate army, in which he had five uncles fighting for
the cause. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home in
Arkansas and remained long enough to assist in putting the plantation
again into shape. He then went to Bentonville, Arkansas, where he
attended the Bentonville College for two years, and while a student
there he also taught school. In 1870 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, whence
he made his way to the Pacific coast. He taught school for a time in
Oregon and also pursued a course in the Corvallis College, from which
he received his degree in 1873.
[Illustration: JAMES E. EDMISTON]
On the 13th of March of the same year Mr. Edmiston was united in
marriage to Miss Helen E. Lacey, a native of Clackamas county, Oregon,
and a daughter of Lewis A. Lacey, who was of French-Huguenot stock,
his ancestors having fled to the new world because of religious
persecution early in the seventeenth century. The paternal grandfather
of Mrs. Edmiston was an officer under Washington and Lafayette in the
Revolutionary war and he lost two of his fingers in the battle of
Bunker Hill. His son, Lewis A. Lacey, came to the northwest in 1852,
making his way to Oregon accompanied by his wife, Leonora (Herring)
Lacey, who was a native of Swansea, Wales, their marriage ceremony
having been performed at Mount Morris, New York. The services were
completed about fifteen minutes before they started on their westward
journey to Indiana and from there they traveled with ox team and wagon
to Oregon. Mr. Lacey's brother, his brother's wife and child died of
mountain fever while en route and many other members of the party were
buried by the side of the trail. They suffered on account of hostile
Indians and the journey was a most hazardous and difficult one. On
reaching the Willamette valley Mr. Lacey took up a donation claim and
gave his attention to farming and stock raising, spending his remaining
days upon the old homestead at Springwater in Clackamas county, where
he passed away in 1899, at the notable old age of ninety-four years.
His widow died on the 1st of March, 1900, at the age of seventy-one
years.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston removed to Colfax,
Washington, where for three years he was engaged in teaching school.
In 1876 he took up his abode in Dayton, where for some years following
he devoted his attention to teaching and then engaged in selling
farm machinery. He also operated a large sawmill and was identified
with various other business interests which have contributed to the
material development and progress of this section of the state. Mr.
Edmiston had been educated with a view to entering the ministry but
subsequently turned his attention to law and pursued his reading under
the preceptorship of John Y. Ostrander. In 1885 he was admitted to the
bar and entered upon the practice of his profession, becoming one of
the prominent lawyers of Columbia county. He then continued in active
practice until a short time prior to his death, which occurred on the
8th of May, 1900. In his law practice he was long associated with Judge
C. F. Miller and their friendship relations were very close. Their
practice was extensive and of an important character. Mr. Edmiston
was remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care
with which he prepared his cases. At no time was his reading ever
confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It went beyond
and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected
but also for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as
frequently as out of them. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the
readiness with which he grasped the points in an argument all combined
to make him one of the capable attorneys at the bar of Columbia county
and the public and the profession acknowledged him the peer of the
ablest regarding him as a jurist of exceptionally rare ability.
Aside from his professional connections Mr. Edmiston figured very
prominently in the public life of the community. At one time he
served as superintendent of schools of Columbia county. He first came
prominently into public notice when elected a member of the upper house
of the Washington territorial legislature and for many years he was a
member of the state central committee of the democratic party. In 1894
he was offered the nomination for governor but refused to become a
candidate. While undoubtedly not without that laudable ambition which
is so valuable as an incentive to public service, he nevertheless
regarded the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly
worthy of his best efforts and with remarkable fidelity he labored for
the interests of his clients. It is said that he never lost a case
which he appealed to the supreme court. In 1886 he was prosecuting
attorney of Columbia county.
Mr. Edmiston was considered the highest authority on Masonic
jurisprudence in the state and was chairman of that committee in the
grand lodge for ten years. He was past grand master of the state of
Washington and past grand patron of the Eastern Star. There was a
close relationship between him and Dr. Van Patten, who was his family
physician from 1884 until his death and has continued as such to Mrs.
Edmiston. They were the best of friends and while not associated
together in business often consulted one another on business matters.
Mr. Edmiston was leader of the choir in the Presbyterian church for
many years and in this work was also associated with the Doctor and
together they often took vacation trips. It was the earnest desire of
Mr. Edmiston that Dr. Van Patten allow himself to be put in line for
higher Masonic honors, which eventually resulted in the latter becoming
grand junior warden in 1901 and grand master in 1904.
For a long period Mr. Edmiston was collecting data for a history of
southeastern Washington but died before the completion of the work. He
was president of the board of regents of the Washington State College
at Pullman and on the day of his burial the college was closed in
respect to his memory. Every business house and the schools of Dayton
were also closed and the day was given over to sincere mourning by
the entire community. He was buried with Masonic honors and the Grand
Lodge of Washington took charge of the funeral services, the Hon. Levi
Ankeny, past grand master of the state, officiating. The bar of Dayton
passed appropriate resolutions and every mark of respect that could
be shown, both in a public and a private way, was evidenced. He was a
lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and was a teacher in its
Sunday school for many years. Much more might be said in eulogy of this
man, who was loved by all who knew him and whose influence was always
for the betterment and uplift of mankind. His memory is enshrined in
the hearts of those who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction
to those who were his associates while he was still an active factor
in the world's work. Mrs. Edmiston still lives in the old home in
Dayton. She is a past grand matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and
is now in charge of the Dayton Branch of the Red Cross, in which work
she is very active, giving freely of her time and energies as well as
her means and efforts to improve the conditions under which the young
men of the country must serve in a military capacity. She was formerly
president of the Monday Reading Club and has long been foremost in
social circles and in welfare work in the northwest. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Edmiston belong to that class who shed around them much of the sunshine
of life.
JULES DE RUWE.
Jules De Ruwe is the owner of one of the best improved farms of his
section of the country, having an extensive acreage near Turner,
Washington. He was born in Belgium, July 17, 1885, and is a son of
Peter and Julia De Ruwe, who were natives of that land. Educated in
Belgium, Jules De Ruwe acquired a good education there and in 1905,
when a young man of twenty years, crossed the Atlantic to the new
world, making his way direct to Washington, where he became identified
with the sheep industry, conducting business on a large scale in
connection with his brothers, prominently known as leading sheep men of
this section of the state. They finally dissolved partnership, however,
and each is now conducting his business interests individually. In the
fall of 1917 Jules De Ruwe purchased his present ranch, comprising
eleven hundred acres of land twelve miles north of Dayton on the
Tucanon river. This is one of the best improved ranches in his part of
the county and Mr. De Ruwe is now equipping it with a thoroughly modern
set of buildings, in which he is installing electric light and running
water. In fact, he is adding every modern equipment and comfort and his
farm work is being conducted along progressive and scientific lines.
His sheep are of the Rambouillet breed and are among the best to be
found in the state of Washington.
On the 17th of October, 1917, Mr. De Ruwe was united in marriage to
Miss Mabel Davidson, a daughter of Daniel and Ethel Davidson, of
Starbuck, Washington, who were also ranch people. Mr. De Ruwe is a
member of the Catholic church, while his wife holds membership in the
Christian church. While he has been on this side the Atlantic for only
a few years he is thoroughly American in spirit and interests, having
a strong attachment for the government and the institutions of the new
world. It often seems that native born citizens come by the privileges
of American life too easily to appreciate them in the fullest degree.
At least some of those who have sacrificed and suffered to obtain them
value their blessings more highly than those to whom they come as a
matter of course. Mr. De Ruwe is among the loyal residents of the
northwest and in the utilization of the opportunities which have come
to him he has made for himself a very creditable position among the
successful business men of Washington.
F. E. MOJONNIER.