some of the most important realty transactions in the history of Walla
Walla, was born in North Carolina, June 18, 1877, a son of Sidney
Butler and Mary Ann (Cooper) Harris, both natives of North Carolina,
where they lived and died. To them were born nine children, of whom
our subject is the eighth in order of birth and of whom only four now
survive. The father served throughout the entire period of the Civil
war and was so fortunate as to come out without a scratch. He was
mustered out of the military service at Chattanooga, after which he
returned to North Carolina, where he engaged in farming until he passed
away in 1898. His widow survived for sixteen years, her death occurring
in 1914.
Pinckney N. Harris grew to manhood under the parental roof and in
the acquirement of his education attended the district schools. As
a young man he held the position of foreman in a large tannery for
two years but at the time of the Spanish-American war put aside all
personal interests and enlisted in Company B, First Tennessee Volunteer
Infantry, with which he was connected until 1900, when he received
his discharge in Nebraska. He then located in Walla Walla county,
Washington, and for three years followed agricultural pursuits, with
which he had become familiar in his boyhood. Later he was for one and a
half years engaged in mercantile business at Prescott, after which he
disposed of his interests there and removed to Walla Walla, where he
has since been active in the real estate field. He has carried through
some of the largest sales of real estate that had ever been made in the
county and is generally recognized as an authority upon conditions and
prices in his line of work. He owns personally a number of valuable
pieces of property in Walla Walla and has great faith in the future of
the city, believing that realty here will show a steady increase in
value.
In 1904 Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Edith Ogden, who is a
native of Oklahoma and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ogden. Her
parents now reside in Waitsburg, Washington, but were born respectively
in Illinois and Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born three
children, Arline, Edgar and Arthur T.
Mr. Harris is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at
Walla Walla and he also belongs to the Commercial Club, which numbers
within its ranks practically all of the public-spirited and up-to-date
business men of the city. He has won prominence in real estate circles
and his success is doubly creditable in that it is due entirely to his
own efforts.
CHARLES THOMAS MAXWELL.
Charles Thomas Maxwell is one of the pioneer photographers of western
Washington, conducting a gallery at Walla Walla. He arrived in this
state in April, 1883, and through all the intervening period, covering
more than a third of a century, he has been closely associated with the
photographic art and has maintained the highest standards in his work.
He has been identified with the business in several of the leading
cities of the state but has long maintained a studio in Walla Walla,
where he makes his home.
Thomas Maxwell, as he is called, was born at Piney, Monroe county,
Tennessee, May 20, 1865, a son of Samuel G. and Martha E. (Allison)
Maxwell. He is connected in the paternal line with the Greer
family. His great-grandfather, Samuel Greer, was a soldier of the
Revolutionary war, serving as a private in Captain Asa Hill's company
of the Second Battalion of the Cumberland County (Pa.) Militia. In
the maternal line Mr. Maxwell is connected with the Allison family,
his great-grandfather, John Allison, serving as a captain under
Colonel Isaac of Sullivan county, Tennessee, in the battle of Kings
Mountain in October, 1780, and otherwise actively sharing in all the
experiences which went to make up the record of the Continental soldier
in the Revolutionary war. His great-great-grandfather, John Allison,
emigrating from Ireland, became a resident of Pennsylvania and was one
of the Allison family from whom have descended the well known Allisons
of Pennsylvania, also W. B. Allison of Iowa and Nancy (Allison)
McKinley, the mother of President William McKinley. Samuel G. Maxwell,
father of C. Thomas Maxwell, was born about a mile from Jonesboro,
Tennessee, in 1820 and there passed away in 1867. He had attained the
thirty-second degree in Masonry at the age of twenty-four years. His
wife was born in Jonesboro, Tennessee, in 1826 and died in Walla Walla
in 1901. Both were educated in Jonesboro and they had a family of ten
children, of whom Thomas was the youngest. His eldest brother was
killed in the Civil war before the birth of Thomas.
[Illustration: CHARLES T. MAXWELL]
The latter acquired a district school education at Piney and
Sweetwater, Tennessee, and was a youth of eighteen years when in
April, 1883, he came to Washington, making his way to Dayton, where he
entered into business with his brother, Joseph D. Maxwell, who was a
photographer and had made photographs in Walla Walla in 1878. He had
reached Washington territory in 1877 and continued in the photographic
business until his death, which occurred in 1915. Thomas Maxwell and
his brother Joseph were the first photographers in Spokane, opening a
permanent studio there in 1884. They were later joined by two other
brothers, Grayson Y. and W. W. Maxwell, and they conducted three
studios for many years--one in Spokane, one in Dayton and one in Walla
Walla. Thomas Maxwell took charge of the Walla Walla establishment and
is still conducting business in this city. He has at all times kept in
close touch the most advanced and progressive methods and employs the
latest scientific processes in photographic production.
On the 3d of July, 1911, in Walla Walla, Washington, Mr. Maxwell was
united in marriage to Miss May Bradlee, who was born at San Francisco,
California, December 12, 1882. The birth of her father, Frank Kimball
Bradlee, occurred in California in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have one
son, Charles Thomas (called Thomas), who was born on the 16th of July,
1913.
In politics Mr. Maxwell sometimes votes the democratic ticket,
sometimes the republican. In fact he is non-partisan, supporting the
candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office. For many years
he has been identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. His religious faith
is that of the Presbyterian church. His has been an active, useful
and honorable life, winning him the high esteem of all with whom he
has come in contact, and Walla Walla has long numbered him among its
valued, respected and representative citizens.
ALEXANDER MILNE.
Alexander Milne, who owns valuable farm holdings in Umatilla county,
Oregon, now resides in Walla Walla and is well and favorably known in
the city. He was born in Scotland, August 1, 1856, a son of William and
Janet (Reid) Milne, also natives of that country, where they passed
their entire lives. Our subject, who is one of three living children in
a family of eight, received his education in his native country and
remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old. He then
started out on his own account and came to America, believing that this
country offered better opportunities to an ambitious young man than the
older countries of Europe. He went at once to Umatilla county, Oregon,
and for some time was employed as a common laborer, although later he
was engaged in railroad work and in freighting. In 1882 he purchased a
farm in Umatilla county, Oregon, and for almost three decades his time
and attention were given to the operation of that place. He worked hard
and, moreover, so planned his labors as to receive the maximum result
and the business phase of farming also received his careful study and
he accumulated a competence which in 1910 enabled him to retire from
active life. He then rented his farm of three hundred and twenty acres
and removed to Walla Walla. The value of his place is enhanced by the
excellence of the improvements thereon and he derives a good income
from its rental.
In 1887 Mr. Milne was united in marriage to Miss Mary Armour, a native
of Canada, and they have one son, Edmund, who after graduating from
Whitman College went to Harvard University, where he completed his
course in 1915. He is now a member of the faculty of Bowdoin College of
Brunswick, Maine.
Mr. Milne is a stanch republican but his interests in public affairs
is that of a public-spirited citizen and not that of a would-be office
holder. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian church and his support can
always be counted upon for movements seeking higher moral standards.
Although he came to the northwest a boy in his teens without money or
any usual advantages of any kind he has through his own efforts gained
financial independence and justly ranks as one of the substantial
residents of Walla Walla.
J. C. MELGER.
J. C. Melger, who since 1914 has owned and operated the farm that he
now occupies on section 14, township 8 north, range 37 east in Walla
Walla county, has in the course of an active and well spent life won
substantial reward from his labors. While he acquired the ownership
of his present farm only three years ago he has long been a resident
of Walla Walla county, where he arrived in 1888, while Washington was
still a territory. He was born in Russia, January 31, 1868, a son of
Christ and Mary (Layman) Melger, both of whom spent their entire lives
in Russia.
J. C. Melger was reared to his eighteenth year in his native country
and acquired his education in its public schools. The favorable reports
which had reached him concerning America and its opportunities led him
to the determination to try his fortune in the new world and in 1886
he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United
States. He was penniless when he arrived in New York city, but a fellow
traveler advanced him money with which to reach Chicago and from there
he wired to some friends in Kansas to send him the funds to continue
his journey westward. Accordingly he made his way to the Sunflower
state, where he spent two years. But still the lure of the west was
upon him, beckoning him farther on, and in 1888 he made his way to the
Pacific coast country. It was in that year that he arrived in Walla
Walla county, Washington, where he secured employment on a ranch. He
thus worked for eleven years in order to gain a start, after which he
began farming on his own account as a renter. He was thus engaged until
1914, when his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital
to enable him to purchase his present place, comprising two hundred and
eighteen acres, on which he now resides. He has since operated this
farm and in connection with his home place he cultivates one hundred
and sixty acres of rented land. He is industrious and energetic and is
meeting with good success in his undertakings.
[Illustration: MRS. J. C. MELGER]
[Illustration: J. C. MELGER]
On July 20, 1915, Mr. Melger was united in marriage to Mrs. Clara
Matthews and to them has been born a son, Clyde Joseph. By her former
marriage Mrs. Melger had a daughter, Mary Thelma. Politically Mr.
Melger is a republican, having supported the party since becoming a
naturalized American citizen. His study of the political questions and
issues of the day has led him to a belief in the efficacy of republican
principles as a factor in good government. He belongs to Welcome Lodge,
No. 117, I. O. O. F., of Dixie, and to Mountain Gem Lodge, No. 136,
K. P. He came to this country a poor boy unable to speak the English
language, but he soon mastered the tongue of his adopted land and he
is today one of the progressive and influential men of his section,
actuated in all that he does by the spirit of western enterprise and
allowing no obstacles or difficulties to bar his path if they can be
overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort.
HARRY W. MARTIN.
Harry W. Martin is one of the wide-awake and enterprising business men
of Walla Walla county. He is now secretary and treasurer of the Blalock
Fruit & Produce Company of Walla Walla, becoming half owner in this
business in April, 1917. He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin,
June 4, 1875, a son of Levi F. and Julia (Girard) Martin, both of whom
were natives of the state of New York, whence they removed westward to
Wisconsin after their marriage. The mother died in Wisconsin and at a
later period, following his retirement from active business, the father
came to Walla Walla and spent the last five years of his life in the
home of his son, Harry W., passing away in 1910. He was for many years
one of the leading business men of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where
during the years of his active business life he devoted his attention
to merchandising.
Well defined business plans and purposes have actuated Harry W. Martin
at every point in his career since he made his initial step in the
business world. He was educated in the public schools of Chippewa Falls
and in the University of Wisconsin, thus being splendidly qualified
for life's practical duties and responsibilities. On the completion
of his university course he became associated with his father in
merchandising and was identified with the business until 1898, when
he responded to the call of the west and made his way to Walla Walla.
His first business connection here was with the Pacific Coast Elevator
Company, With which he was associated for four years. Subsequently he
served as private secretary to the firm of Moore & Sons, the senior
partner being Governor Miles C. Moore. That association was maintained
for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Martin became teller of
the Baker-Boyer National Bank, in which capacity he continued for six
years. He then resigned on the organization of the Inland Transfer
Company, which he formed as a partner of R. H. Johnson. That business
was subsequently sold to good advantage and Mr. Martin continued with
Mr. Johnson as office manager of the Electric Feed Mill. During his
connection with Mr. Johnson he also conducted a fire insurance business
on his own account and yet remains active in that line, writing a large
amount of insurance each year. In 1917 he purchased a half interest in
the Blalock Fruit & Produce Company, of which he became the secretary
and treasurer, and he is now bending his efforts to the executive
management and direction of this business, which, carefully conducted,
is meeting with very substantial success.
In 1904 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Ada Goodhue, her
father being James P. Goodhue, one of the pioneers of Walla Walla. Mr.
and Mrs. Martin now have two daughters, Marion and George.
Mr. Martin gives his political allegiance to the democratic party,
while fraternally he is identified with the following organizations:
Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Washington Commandery,
No. 1, K. T.; Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.; El Katif
Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane; and Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287,
B. P. O. E. Loyalty to any cause which he espouses has ever been one of
the marked characteristics of Mr. Martin. Those who know him recognize
his sterling worth, place dependence upon his substantial qualities
and feel that his word is as good as his bond, for that fact has
been demonstrated throughout his entire connection with the business
interests of the west. The limitless opportunities of the Pacific coast
country make constant call to the men of business ability and learning
of the east and Mr. Martin has found here ample opportunity for the
exercise of his industry and enterprise--his dominant qualities.
FRANK ZÜGER.
No student of history can carry his investigations far into the records
of Walla Walla county without learning of the close and prominent
connection which the Züger family has had with the agricultural
development of this section of the state. Their labors have been of the
greatest benefit in converting the wild land into productive fields,
making the Walla Walla valley one of the great wheat producing regions
of the northwest. Frank Züger is now extensively engaged in farming on
section 2, township 9 north, range 37 east. It was in this township of
Walla Walla county that he was born August 4, 1888, his parents being
Marcus and Martha (Jacober) Züger, of whom mention is made elsewhere
in this work. He pursued a district school education, supplemented by
study in the city schools of Walla Walla and by a course in the Empire
Business College, thus becoming well qualified for life's practical
and responsible duties. In 1908, at the age of twenty years, he began
farming on his own account, operating a portion of his father's
extensive land holdings, and at the present time he is cultivating
between sixteen and seventeen hundred acres of wheat land, thus being
one of the big operators in this section of the state. His great broad
fields, a waving sea of grain, are a delight to the eye, indicating the
ready response which nature makes when intelligent care and cultivation
are applied to the fields.
On the 15th of September, 1908, Mr. Züger was united in marriage to
Miss Lulu Edith Corkrum, a daughter of Jasper Corkrum, who was one
of the early pioneers of Walla Walla county but is now residing in
Alberta, Canada. To this union have been born four children, Martha
Magdalene, Wanda Belle, Walter Elroy and Frances Elizabeth.
In his political views Mr. Züger is an earnest republican. Fraternally
he is connected with Delta Lodge, No. 70, K. P., and with El Kinda
Temple, D. O. K. K., of Walla Walla. He is also a member of Waitsburg
Lodge, F. & A. M. His business attainments place him with the foremost
representatives of agricultural life in this section of the state.
He is alert, energetic and resourceful in business affairs, while at
the same time his influence and aid are given on the side of progress
and improvement. His entire life has been actuated by a spirit of
advancement and he stands for a high type of American manhood and
citizenship.
P. S. ALDRICH.
The time and attention of P. S. Aldrich, a resident of Walla Walla, are
given to the supervision of his farming interests. He is a native of
Walla Walla county, born January 6, 1877, and is a son of Milton and
Sarah Ann (Stanfield) Aldrich. The father was born in New York state,
and the mother in Iowa. In their youth they became convinced that there
were better opportunities for advancement in the far west. They made
the long journey across the plains with ox teams and located in Walla
Walla county, Washington, where, after their marriage, they engaged in
farming. The father passed away here in 1910, but the mother survives
at the age of seventy-two years. They became the parents of three
children: Dora, now the wife of F. M. Walker; Fred; and P. S., of this
review.
The last named has passed his entire life in Walla Walla county and is
indebted for his education to its public schools. Under his father's
able direction he early became familiar with farm work and aided in the
operation of the homestead until he became of age. He then began his
independent career and since starting out for himself his resources
have steadily increased. He now owns eight hundred acres of good land
in Walla Walla county and is engaged in both wheat and stock raising,
finding such a course more profitable than specializing in either
industry. He owns an attractive and commodious residence in Walla Walla
and is financially independent.
Mr. Aldrich was married in 1908 to Miss Mary Abbey, who was born in
Clay county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children,
Percy M., Robert W. and Hazel E. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich hold membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church and do everything in their power to
further its work. Mr. Aldrich supports the republican party but has
never held office with the exception of serving on the school board.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dixie and is
also identified with the Elks. The same qualities which have made him
popular in those organizations have gained him the goodwill of all who
have come in contact with him. Eastern Washington offers the best of
opportunities to her citizens but in order to gain success a man must
be ready to take advantage of these opportunities and must display the
characteristics of industry, determination and good judgment, all of
which are strongly marked characteristics of P. S. Aldrich.
A. G. WEARY.
A. G. Weary is well known in agricultural and financial circles in
Walla Walla county. He is engaged in farming on section 12, township
6 north, range 33 east, and he is a member of the board of directors
of the Touchet State Bank. England numbers him among her native sons,
for he was born in that country in the county of Cornwall, August 2,
1861, his parents being Edwin and Eliza (Oliver) Weary. The mother died
in England in 1877, the father having come to the United States about
1870. For several years he worked in the mines of Pennsylvania and of
Nevada. About 1878 he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, where
he turned his attention to farming and, adding to his possessions from
time to time as his financial resources permitted, he acquired twelve
hundred and forty acres of land in the vicinity of Touchet and a tract
of one hundred and sixty acres about six miles west of the town. He was
also heavily interested in both the cattle and sheep industries, owning
five thousand head of sheep at the time of his death. In a word he was
a most progressive, enterprising and prosperous business man, owing his
success entirely to well directed energy and thrift. He died July 21,
1896, while his wife had passed away in 1877.
A. G. Weary came to the United States in 1878, when a youth of
seventeen years. He had acquired his education in the public schools
of England, supplemented by an academic course, and after reaching
the new world he worked on his father's ranch and was associated with
his father in the live stock business up to the time of the latter's
death. He is now the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres of rich and
valuable land and is still extensively engaged in raising cattle and
sheep in connection with the operation of his fields. In fact he stands
as one of the foremost farmers and stock raisers in eastern Washington,
and in addition to tilling his own soil he also operates six hundred
and forty acres belonging to his father's estate which was willed to
the children of Mr. Weary. He has been one of the dominant factors in
the organization of the Touchet State Bank and was made a member of its
board of directors, in which position he still continues.
On November 2, 1901, Mr. Weary was united in marriage to Miss Minnie
Hesser, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in
young womanhood. They have two children, Edwin F. and Hilda M., both at
home.
[Illustration: A. G. WEARY AND FAMILY]
In politics Mr. Weary is a republican and he belongs to the Community
church of Touchet, while his wife is identified with the Lutheran
church. Their aid and influence are always given on the side of
progress and improvement, of righteousness, truth and reform. Mr.
Weary is a man of marked force, ability and resourcefulness. His plans
are well defined and promptly executed. He recognizes and utilizes
opportunities that others pass heedlessly by, and fortunate in
possessing character and ability that inspire confidence in others,
the simple weight of these qualities has carried him into important
relations. He is today one of the foremost business men of Walla Walla
county and his course has won him honor and the respect of all with
whom he has been associated.
A. B. ROTHROCK.