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.
[Illustration: JAMES B. WARREN]
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.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR P. BLOOMFIELD]
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.
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.