the party since its organization. He has served on the school board
and the cause of public education finds in him an earnest advocate.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, although of late years
he has not been active in lodge work. He and his wife are active and
consistent members of the Christian church and Mrs. Kennedy is now
the oldest member of the church at Walla Walla. Their lives have been
guided by its teachings and their many excellent traits of character
have won for them the warm regard and high esteem of all who know them.
Mr. Kennedy is one of the venerable citizens of Walla Walla county and
can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future
without fear, for his has ever been an honorable life. Fifty-six years
have come and gone since he arrived in the west and therefore he has
been a witness of the greater part of its growth and progress.
E. H. LEONARD.
E. H. Leonard, who has long been known as a prominent representative
of milling interests in the northwest, is now the vice president of
the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company and active manager of its mill at
Waitsburg. He was born in Walla Walla, May 16, 1873, and is a son of
Thomas S. and Sarilda R. (Herren) Leonard. The father was a native of
the state of New York, and the mother of Oregon having been one of
the first white children born in that state. The date of the father's
birth was April 25, 1840. He acquired a good education in the schools
of that early period and in 1860 removed westward to Illinois, where
for three years he engaged in teaching school, spending a part of the
time also in Iowa. In 1863 he enlisted in the government service,
being made a member of an organization for the purpose of rendering
assistance and guidance to emigrant trains crossing the plains. On
reaching the Boise river his train, feeling in comparative safety,
disbanded and Mr. Leonard continued his journey to the coast, arriving
in Portland, Oregon, late in November, 1863, when that now populous
and progressive city was a town of but three thousand inhabitants. He
afterward drifted to various points in the northwest and subsequently
again took up educational work, teaching in the vicinity of Salem,
Oregon, where he remained until about 1871. In the fall of that year
he came to Walla Walla and in the spring of 1872 he removed to Dayton,
where he has since resided. In the fall of that year he and his wife
took charge of the Dayton school and in the spring of 1873 removed to a
government land claim. In 1876 Mr. Leonard assisted in the organization
of Columbia county and was elected the first county superintendent of
schools. On the expiration of his term in that office he returned to
the homestead and has since been engaged in farming. He has taken an
active and important part in promoting the development of county and
state along material and intellectual lines and has left the impress
of his individuality for good upon the history of the community. In
1868 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Sarilda R. Herren, a
daughter of John and Docia (Robbins) Herren, who crossed the plains
from Kentucky to Oregon in 1845. They settled near Salem, among
the very early pioneers of that section. On her mother's side Mrs.
Leonard comes of a family represented in the Revolutionary war, her
great-grandfather, William Robbins, having been a participant in that
struggle which led to the attainment of American independence. T. S.
Leonard is one of the prominent citizens of Dayton and has for many
years taken a prominent and helpful part in the development of Columbia
county.
E. H. Leonard was reared to farm life and his education has been
practically self acquired. He worked in his father's fields until
his twenty-fifth year and in 1898 he became connected with milling
operations as an employe of the North Pacific Flour Mills Company at
Prescott. In March, 1900, he was made foreman of the mills and in
July of the same year, when the mills were acquired by the Portland
Flouring Mills Company, Mr. Leonard was made manager, which position
he continued to fill until 1904. In that year he was advanced to the
position of district manager with the Portland Flouring Mills Company
and in that connection had supervision over the mills of Dayton and
Prescott and later also of Walla Walla. He continued in that capacity
until January 1, 1916, at which time, having acquired an interest in
the Preston-Shaffer Milling Company at Waitsburg, he was made assistant
manager and removed to Waitsburg. This company also owns mills at
Athena, Oregon. At the first meeting of the directors after his removal
to Waitsburg, Mr. Leonard was elected to the vice presidency of the
company in recognition of his marked ability and his long experience
in the milling business. There is no phase of flour manufacture with
which he is not familiar and in the operation of the plants of the
Preston-Shaffer Company he utilizes the latest improved machinery
and the most modern processes, displaying marked enterprise in the
control of the business. While thus extensively engaged in milling
for nineteen years he has also continued his farming operations and
now owns and operates two farms in Walla Walla county, comprising
twenty-five hundred acres. He has thus become one of the prominent
wheat growers of the Inland Empire. Either one of his business
connections are sufficiently extensive and important to rank him with
the representative business men of this section of the country. He
is both forceful and resourceful and readily recognizes and utilizes
opportunities which others pass heedlessly by. He is fortunate in that
he possesses character and ability that awaken confidence in others and
the simple weight of his character and his ability have carried him
into important relations.
In November, 1900, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leonard and Miss Minnie
Belle Lieuallen, of Portland, Oregon, and they have become the parents
of three children: Mineta Belle, who is attending high school; Edgar
Hugh, a student in the graded schools; and Joanna Jeanne.
Mr. Leonard is a republican in his political views and fraternally is
connected with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M.; Dayton Chapter,
No. 5, R. A. M.; and Walla Walla Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He also has
membership with El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane, and
belongs to Whetstone Lodge, No. 157, K. of P., of Prescott. His record
is an inspiring one, for out of a struggle with small opportunities he
has come into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness.
Quick discernment and the faculty of separating the important features
of any subject from its incidental or accidental circumstances have
been strong phases in his career. His business has ever balanced up
with the principles of truth and honor. He has ever been possessed of
sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented
and his judgment and even-paced energy have carried him forward to
the goal of success. His quietude of deportment, his frankness and
cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister
or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any
obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of
conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual
regard for what is best in the exercise of human activity.
JOHN F. BREWER.
Twelve years have passed since John F. Brewer was called to his final
rest, but his memory is cherished by many who knew him, as he stood as
a high type of manhood and citizenship and was devoted to the welfare
and progress not only of his family but of the community in which he
lived. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, November 9, 1842, a
son of David and Susan (Small) Brewer, who crossed the plains with an
ox team in 1853, reaching Salem, Oregon, where they established their
home. Their son, John F., was then a little lad of ten years and he
completed his public school training in Salem, while later he pursued
a course of study in Sublimity College, some fourteen miles from
Salem. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed
in the public schools for many years, imparting readily and clearly
to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1872 he removed to
the Walla Walla valley, where he engaged in farming. His agricultural
interests were carefully and successfully conducted and for many years
he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development of the
fields. At length, however, he left the farm and removed to Walla
Walla, building a handsome home on Boyer avenue. In 1876 he purchased a
large tract of land east of the city and became one of the leading and
extensive farmers of Walla Walla county. In 1890 he removed to Seattle,
where he platted a tract of land which he called the Walla Walla
addition but in this enterprise he was not successful and returned to
Walla Walla, where his investments were judiciously made, his business
affairs capably managed and his enterprise brought to him a very
gratifying and substantial measure of success.
In March, 1872, Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Adora D.
Stanton, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Benjamin and Matilda
(Baldwin) Stanton. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and crossed
the plains by wagon in 1852, settling near Salem, Oregon. They had a
family of eleven children, of whom seven are still living. Mr. and
Mrs. Brewer became the parents of nine children, namely: John, who is
manager of the Commercial Club at The Dalles, Oregon, but is now in the
government service at Portland Oregon; Merton, a practicing attorney at
Auburn, Washington; Ada, who has passed away; Frank, living in Walla
Walla county; Maud, the wife of Charles Ulm, of Ritzville; Bertha, who
is the widow of Eugene Dunbar and now lives in Anchorage, Alaska; Dora,
who is the wife of Fred Snedecor, of Corona, California; Roy, who is a
sergeant in the United States army with the First Illinois Infantry;
and Luella, the wife of Frank Harlow, of Los Angeles, California.
[Illustration: JOHN F. BREWER]
[Illustration: MRS. JOHN F. BREWER]
Mrs. Brewer owns a fine residence on Boyer avenue in Walla Walla, where
she resides, and in addition she has five hundred and twenty acres of
valuable wheat land near the city and another tract of eight hundred
acres in Franklin county. She is an active and prominent member of
the Sunshine Club and is also connected with the Eastern Star and
church organizations. Mr. Brewer left his family in very comfortable
financial circumstances when death called him on the 21st of February,
1905. He was one of the valued and respected citizens of this section
of the country. He took an active part in the development of Walla
Walla county and never withheld his support from any enterprise that
he believed would prove beneficial in any way. He was intensely
patriotic and he stood for all that was progressive in relation to
public affairs. He served for several terms as alderman of his city
and at the time of his death was filling the position of councilman
for his ward. To him belongs the honor of being the father of the
paid fire department of Walla Walla, which has proven successful and
satisfactory even beyond his confident predictions. Fraternally he was
connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias. the ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arcanum,
while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First
Presbyterian church.
His home paper, in writing of his death, said: "In the death of
John Brewer, Walla Walla loses one of her best and most progressive
citizens. No citizen of the town had more warm personal friends, and
his demise has brought sadness to many a home. As private citizen and
public official he always strove to do his full duty. He endeavored to
be just to all men and he spoke ill of no one. He was broad-minded and
conservative, generous and public spirited. It would be hard to find
a man in the community with fewer faults and more virtues. His home
life was ideal and it is no wonder that those nearest and dearest to
him find it so hard to reconcile themselves to the loss of a kind and
loving husband and father."
"I cannot say and will not say
That he is dead, he is just away;
He has wandered into an unknown land
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand;
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there."
VICTOR E. SIEBERT.
Victor E. Siebert is a member of the firm of Osterman & Siebert, known
as Walla Walla's foremost architects, in which connection he has
developed skill of the highest degree, and his patronage is indicative
of the high order of his work. He is a native son of Walla Walla,
born October 3, 1884, his parents being Chris and Minnie (Nahen)
Siebert, the former a native of Berlin, Germany, while the latter was
born in Red Bluff, California. The father was reared to manhood and
pursued his education in his native country and served throughout the
Franco-Prussian war. Following that conflict, in 1875, he came to the
United States, making his way to Oconto, Wisconsin, but after a brief
period there passed he removed westward to Washington, establishing his
home in Asotin county, where he took up a homestead claim and lived
for a few years. He later removed to Walla Walla county and purchased
a farm six or eight miles east of the city of Walla Walla, on which he
resided for some time. He next removed to the city, where he now makes
his home. He is still active in farming in a small way but in a measure
has put aside the arduous duties of life.
Victor E. Siebert, whose name introduces this review, was educated
in the Baker school of Walla Walla and when eighteen years of age he
began the study of architecture in the office of Henry Osterman, with
whom he thus remained for three years. He then went east to complete
his education and entered the Boston Technical School in the fall of
1906. There he pursued a special course in architecture, attending the
institution for four years. After completing his studies he entered
into partnership with Peter F. McLaughlin and established business
in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, under the firm style of McLaughlin &
Siebert. This relationship existed for two and a half years, at the
end of which time the partnership was dissolved and in the fall of
1912 Mr. Siebert returned to Walla Walla and entered into partnership
relations with Mr. Osterman, his former preceptor. They are well known
architects of this city, the firm of Osterman & Siebert occupying a
very creditable and enviable position in professional circles. Many of
the most important buildings of the northwest have been designed and
erected by them and stand as monuments of their skill, their enterprise
and business ability.
In 1910 Mr. Siebert was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hoelzel, of
Adams, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of two children,
Henry and Gretchen. Mr. Siebert is a consistent member of Blue Mountain
Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., and also belongs to Columbus Council of the
Knights of Kadosh, No. 6, of Walla Walla, and to Oriental Consistory,
No. 2, A. & A. S. R. He is also connected with El Katif Temple, A.
A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party. He belongs to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and
is one of the city's representative men, his aid and influence being
always given on the side of progress and advancement, reform and
improvement. He and his wife are members of the Christian Science
church and their genuine personal worth has gained for them a circle
of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
Thorough preliminary training has constituted the basis of Mr.
Siebert's success in a professional way and fidelity to the highest
standards of business has actuated him at every point in his career.
The northwest is fortunate in having his services in connection with
its important growth and development and Walla Walla is proud to number
him among her citizens.
WILLIAM T. LANE.
William T. Lane is a Civil war veteran and a retired farmer who is
now living in Starbuck. He was born in Tennessee, December 27, 1841,
and is a son of Tidence and Rebecca (Huhn) Lane, who were natives of
Tennessee. The father was killed in that state by a falling tree. The
mother afterward removed to Missouri, where her last days were passed.
They had a family of three children but William T. is the only one now
living.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth William T. Lane remained
a resident of Tennessee but in 1865, when twenty-four years of age,
went to Missouri and established his home in Johnson county. In 1880 he
came to Columbia county, where he rented a farm for two years and later
he invested his savings in land, becoming owner of a place four miles
south of Starbuck, comprising four hundred acres. He occupied that
farm for twenty years, devoting his time and energies to its further
development and improvement with the result that he converted it into a
most valuable and productive agricultural property. At length he sold
the place and settled in Starbuck, where he now resides, and through
the intervening period he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned
rest.
In 1870 Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Oliphant, a
native of Missouri, and they became the parents of seven children:
Nancy E., who is the wife of C. A. Gregory; Hattie E., who is the wife
of W. E. Phillips; and five who have passed away. The wife and mother
died in December, 1908, and was laid to rest in the Starbuck cemetery.
She left a husband and two daughters to mourn her Loss. She was devoted
to the welfare of her family and had many excellent traits of character
which endeared her to all with whom she was brought in contact.
Mr. Lane is a member of the Christian church. He is a veteran of
the Civil war, having enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company C,
Sixty-first Tennessee Regiment. He was paroled at Vicksburg and
came out without a scratch although he had taken part in several
hotly contested battles. His life has been a busy and useful one,
largely devoted to farming interests, and by unfaltering industry and
determination he has advanced steadily on the highroad to success. He
is one of the leading men of the valley in which he resides and is
enjoying a prosperity which is the merited reward of his labors.
J. W. CLODIUS.
J. W. Clodius is a well known representative of farming interests
in Walla Walla county, where he is now engaged in the cultivation
of thirteen hundred acres of land. He makes his home on section 34,
township 9 north, range 37 east, and his well directed energy and
careful management are bringing to him substantial success. He was born
April 28, 1889, in the county where he yet resides, his parents being
Hans F. and Catherine (Rhode) Clodius, who came to Walla Walla county
in 1881. They were both natives of Germany, where they were reared
and married, and about 1870 they crossed the Atlantic to the United
States, settling in Illinois, where they remained until they came to
Washington. On removing to the northwest they established their home
in Walla Walla county and the father acquired land from time to time
until he owned thirteen hundred acres. He settled on Mill creek and
about 1897 removed to the home farm, upon which his son, J. W. Clodius,
now resides. There he continued to live until 1913, when he put aside
the active work of the fields and removed to Waitsburg, where he is now
located. He is numbered among the honored and valued pioneer settlers
of his section of the state and made for himself a creditable record
in business circles, for through his individual effort, persistency of
purpose and honorable dealing he gained a most substantial competence.
J. W. Clodius acquired a public school education and through the period
of his boyhood and youth remained at home, assisting his father in the
operation of the farm. Upon the latter's removal to Waitsburg he then
took charge of the home property and is now engaged in cultivating
thirteen hundred acres of rich land. He is thus numbered among the
leading agriculturists of the community. The methods which he pursues
are most practical and progressive. He is systematic and methodical
in all that he does, he employs the latest improved machinery to
facilitate the work of the fields and by energy and persistency of
purpose is winning success.
On the 8th of November, 1911, Mr. Clodius was united in marriage to
Miss Ina Mary Harkins, of Waitsburg, a daughter of James Harkins,
who is now deceased. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna
Elizabeth Harris, is now living on a farm in Bolles Junction. She was
born, reared and married in Illinois, though her husband was a native
of Davenport, Iowa. Shortly after their marriage they came west and
located in Lane county, Oregon, where they remained until 1898 and
then removed to Waitsburg, Washington, where the death of Mr. Harkins
occurred. In their family were eight children, seven of whom are still
living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harkins held membership in the Christian
church. Mr. and Mrs. Clodius have become the parents of two children,
Emory W. and Brenda M.
Fraternally Mr. Clodius is connected with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287,
B. P. O. E. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting
according to the dictates of his judgment. He is yet a comparatively
young man but has made for himself a most creditable position in
agricultural circles and the extent and importance of his farming
interests are indicative of his business ability.
THEODORE GROTE.
Theodore Grote, one of the foremost farmers of Columbia county,
Washington, owning ten thousand acres of fine wheat and pasture land,
was born in Germany, July 5, 1881, a son of John and Anna (Dryer)
Grote, also natives of that country. In 1882 they emigrated to America
with their family and took up their residence in Ohio, whence three
years later they removed to Kansas. They resided in that state for
three years and then came to Washington, first locating in Whitman
county. In 1893, however, they removed to Walla Walla county, and there
the father passed away in 1915, while the mother survives.
[Illustration: THEODORE GROTE]
Theodore Grote, who is one of a family of five children, was brought
to Washington when a child and in the acquirement of his education
attended the common schools. In 1897 he began farming in partnership
with his father and brothers, operating eighteen hundred acres of
leased land. He devoted six years to that work and then removed to
Canada, where for a year he was in the sheep business. He then returned
to Walla Walla and purchased fifty-five hundred acres of land and
leased six thousand acres. Four years later he sold his property to
his brother Ben, but after a period of two years he again purchased
land, becoming the owner of a valuable tract in Columbia County on
section 10, township 11 north, range 38 east. He has since added to
his holdings and is now the owner of ten thousand acres, of which
forty-three hundred acres is wheat land and the remainder pasture land.
He has a herd of six hundred head of cattle and his stock raising
interests are very profitable. As a wheat grower he met with unusual
success, and he is always among the first to adopt a new method or
implement of value. He is systematic and businesslike in the management
of his affairs, realizing that the day of haphazard, unthinking farming
has passed.
Mr. Grote was married in February, 1911, to Miss Matie C. Baumann,
who was born in Washington. He is an advocate of the principles of
the republican party but confines his participation in public affairs
to the exercise of his right of franchise. He belongs to the Elks at
Walla Walla and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 106 F. & A.
M., at Starbuck and of the Royal Arch Chapter at Dayton. His ability
stands out as an unquestioned fact and it is generally recognized that
he is an important factor in the development of Columbia county along
agricultural and stock raising lines.
A. G. LLOYD.