utilizes the most progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring
for his crops. Western enterprise finds expression in his life. He is
a western man by birth, by training and by preference. He was born in
Walla Walla county, Washington, July 1, 1872, and is a son of Milton
and Sarah (Stanfield) Aldrich, the former a native of Michigan, while
the latter was born in Iowa. In 1850 the father crossed the plains to
California, where he engaged in prospecting and mining, continuing his
operations from California clear into Canada. In 1860 he made his way
to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he took up a homestead on Dry
creek, seven miles east of the city of Walla Walla. Later he acquired
other lands until he became owner of eight hundred and fifteen acres
in the home place and nine hundred and twenty acres on Coppei creek,
five miles from Waitsburg. He devoted many years to the development
and improvement of his farm land and about five years prior to his
death removed to Walla Walla, where he passed away about 1912. His
widow is still living and yet occupies the home ranch. Mr. Aldrich
was a republican in his political views and was twice elected county
commissioner of Walla Walla county. He took an active and helpful
interest in community affairs and was actuated by a public-spirited
devotion to duty. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and a
lady of many admirable qualities which have gained for her the high
esteem and goodwill of all with whom she has been brought in contact.
F. J. Aldrich was reared upon the home farm and acquired his education
in the common schools and in Whitman College, where he won his academic
degree, although he lacked three months of graduation. On attaining
his twenty-first year he began farming for himself and has since been
prominently identified with agricultural interests in Walla Walla and
Columbia counties. In 1902 he removed to his present farm in Columbia
county, where he owns one thousand acres of land and in addition to
that tract he also operates another thousand acres under lease. He is
thus one of the extensive farmers of his section of the state, his
great, broad fields annually producing excellent harvests, while the
methods that he employs are of the most progressive character. In fact
his farm work is an indication of the last word in modern scientific
agriculture.
In 1895 Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Lloyd, a
daughter of Albert G. Lloyd, now deceased, of whom extended mention is
made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have become parents
of two children, Elmo and Erick.
In his political views Mr. Aldrich is a stalwart republican, always
supporting the party at the polls yet never seeking office as a reward
for party fealty. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M.,
and also to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. He ranks with the
foremost citizens of Columbia county and is honored and respected by
all, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but
also owing to the straightforward business methods which he has ever
followed. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities
of another in any business transaction and through legitimate channels
has won his prosperity.
WALLACE R. COPELAND.
Wallace R. Copeland, residing in Walla Walla, is actively identified
with the agricultural development of this section of the state. He
is a western man by birth, training and preference and in his life
exemplifies the spirit of enterprise which has ever been the dominant
factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in
Yamhill county, Oregon, March 26, 1860, a son of Henry S. and Mary Ann
(Morton) Copeland, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but
two years of age when his parents removed from Yamhill county to Walla
Walla county, Washington, and here he was reared to manhood upon the
old homestead farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of
tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1882 his parents left the
farm and removed to Walla Walla, where both died.
Wallace R. Copeland pursued his education in the district schools
and began his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses with a
puncheon floor, slab benches and sod roof. The methods of instruction
were also somewhat primitive, but he has lived to see marked
development in the educational system of the state until Washington
stands foremost in many respects in regard to its public school work.
He remained at home through the period of his youth and continued
to assist his father in the farm work until he reached the age of
twenty-two years. He then started out independently as a farmer and as
time has passed on has made for himself a most creditable and enviable
position among the leading agriculturists of the state. He at first
rented land from his father, cultivating four hundred and fifteen acres
on the Cottonwood creek. This was in 1882. For ten years he farmed that
place successfully as a renter and during the financial panic of 1892-3
he bought the farm of his father and has since extended his farming
interests by the purchase of one hundred and seventy acres, so that he
has in all five hundred and eighty-five acres. This is very valuable
wheat land and upon it are produced some of the finest wheat crops
that are grown in this section of the state. About 1911 he purchased
five hundred and eighty-four acres of wheat land on Mill creek, for
which he paid one hundred dollars per acre. He also owns a section of
grazing land in the foothills. In the year 1916 he planted five hundred
and sixty acres to wheat and there was an excellent yield. He is most
progressive in his methods and has closely studied every phase of wheat
cultivation, so that sound judgment directs his efforts and produces
splendid results.
[Illustration: WALLACE R. COPELAND]
On the 9th of March, 1884, Mr. Copeland was united in marriage to Miss
Augusta Kaseberg, of Walla Walla, a daughter of John and Henrietta
Kaseberg, natives of Germany, who came to this country when children
and were married here. For a time they made their home in Illinois,
but in 1882 came west and settled in Walla Walla county, Washington.
By trade the father was a wagon maker but his last years were devoted
to farming. He died in 1905 and the mother passed away about three
years later. In their family were eight children, of whom six are still
living. To Mr. and Mrs. Copeland have been born five children: Henry,
who is engaged in farming in Walla Walla county; Laura, the wife of
Chester Offner, of Walla Walla; Elizabeth, the wife of Mathew Ennis, a
farmer of this county; Ella, at home; and Edwin, who attended school
at Pullman and later engaged in farming in Walla Walla county, but in
December, 1917, he enlisted as machinist mate in the aviation service
of the United States navy and went to San Diego, California.
Mrs. Copeland is an active member of the Presbyterian church and its
auxiliary societies and is also an earnest worker in the Red Cross
service. In his political views Mr. Copeland is a republican and gives
stalwart support to the party, but is not an office seeker. He belongs
to the Farmers Union of Walla Walla and there is no resident of this
section of the state who is more able to speak with authority upon
agricultural questions, especially those relating to the cultivation of
wheat. His career has been notably successful. He had no assistance at
the outset but has steadily worked his way upward and his persistent
energy has brought him to a most enviable position. He has extensive
holdings and his labors have been the foundation of his present
prosperity.
J. R. AULT.
J. R. Ault, residing on section 26, township 11 north, range 37 east,
is well known as one of the leading farmers and representative citizens
of Columbia county. His birth occurred in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, on
the 7th of May, 1884, his parents being John N. and Rebecca (Kinnear)
Ault, who were born, reared and married in that province. The father
was for a number of years engaged in wool buying at Cornwall, where he
is now living retired. The mother, however, is deceased, having been
called to her final rest in 1898.
J. R. Ault was reared under the parental roof and acquired his
education in the city schools of Cornwall. In 1904, when a young man
of twenty years, he came to the state of Washington and took up his
abode in the vicinity of his present home, here beginning farming
as a renter. In 1909 he came into possession of his first property,
purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in association with
his brother, S. C. Ault, in partnership with whom he operated the
place until the fall of 1916, since which time he has carried on
his agricultural interests independently. He now owns three hundred
and sixty acres of land and leases one hundred and sixty more, and
in the conduct of his farming operations he has won a well deserved
and gratifying measure of success by reason of his enterprise, close
application and progressiveness.
In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Ault supports the men
and measures of the democratic party and fraternally he is a prominent
Mason, belonging to Tucanon Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of Starbuck;
Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; Washington Commandery, No. 5, K. T.,
of Walla Walla; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane.
He has already won a most creditable position as an agriculturist of
Columbia county, and all with whom he comes in contact recognize him as
a young man of sterling personal worth and many commendable qualities.
JAMES P. SEITZ.
James P. Seitz, who from the age of sixteen years has been a resident
of Walla Walla county, is now actively engaged in farming, his land
being situated on section 9, township 6 north, range 36 east. He is a
progressive man, alert and energetic, and his well defined plans have
been carried forward to successful completion. He was born in Missouri,
April 13, 1870, and is a son of John P. and Lydia J. (Chambers) Seitz,
whose family numbered eight children, five of whom are yet living. The
father was a native of Germany and when a young boy came to America,
the family home being established in Illinois, and for a time they
also lived in Indiana. Subsequently a removal was made to Missouri and
there John P. Seitz met and married Miss Chambers, who was a native of
Ohio and was of English descent. For twenty-five years he continued
his residence in Missouri and in 1886 came to the northwest with Walla
Walla county as his destination. After reaching this section of the
country he invested in farm land, which his son James now owns. Here
he continued to devote his time and energies to general agricultural
pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1911. His wife
had passed away in 1910. In early life Mr. Seitz had learned the trades
of millwright and blacksmith, possessing much natural mechanical skill
and ability. He was a soldier of the Civil war, responding to the call
of his adopted country for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south,
and upon the field of battle he proved his loyalty to his adopted land.
He was also greatly interested in the cause of education and insisted
that English should be more thoroughly taught in our schools even if it
was necessary to exclude foreign languages.
[Illustration: JAMES P. SEITZ]
[Illustration: MRS. JAMES P. SEITZ]
James P. Seitz spent the first fifteen years of his life in the state
of his nativity and then came with his parents to Washington. He
supplemented his public school training by a high school education
and also attended Whitman College. He thus became well qualified for
life's practical and responsible duties. He was reared to farm work
and has never sought to change his occupation, for he finds farming
congenial and has made it profitable as a result of his indefatigable
energy and close application. He first rented the old homestead and
later he purchased the property, which is situated on sections 9 and
10, township 6 north, range 36 east. His farm comprises three hundred
and twenty acres in the valley between the foothills and constitutes
a desirable, beautiful and valuable property, for it has been highly
improved. In fact it is one of the finest farms in this section of the
state. Substantial buildings furnish ample shelter for grain and stock.
Mr. Seitz has erected a large, modern, circular barn, for which he made
the plans, and he also did much of the work of construction himself.
He even cut and sawed the timber and in this and other ways did much
toward completing the structure. He has also erected other buildings
upon his farm, including one containing the large engine which is the
motive power for his machinery, drill forge, electric dynamo, etc. His
residence is as complete and modern as a city home and is a monument to
the enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner. Everything about
his place is kept in good repair and fences divide the farm into fields
of convenient size, so that the work is carried on more advantageously.
He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of
plowing, planting and harvesting, and in wheat production he displays
the most progressive methods in handling the crop, which is a very
large one, as the soil is excellently adapted for the production of
that cereal. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising. He is a
man of pronounced business ability in his chosen line of endeavor and
is constantly seeking out new methods which will promote his interests
and augment the productiveness and the general value of his farm.
On the 8th of April, 1903, Mr. Seitz was united in marriage to Miss
Adina Chambers, a native of Washington and a daughter of Joseph and
Mollie (Bulen) Chambers, the former a native of Missouri, while the
latter was born in Dayton, Washington. They had a family of two
children, Mrs. Seitz and Richard Chambers, who is now a soldier in
the United States army. To Mr. and Mrs. Seitz have been born seven
children: Lydia V., Helen, John P., May, Ina, Ara and Earl.
Mr. and Mrs. Seitz attend the Presbyterian church and are people of
genuine worth, enjoying the confidence and goodwill of all with whom
they have been associated. Mr. Seitz belongs to the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Lodge No. 121. In politics
he maintains an independent course, voting for the candidate whom he
regards as best qualified for the office without considering party
ties. He is actuated by a patriotic desire to stand for all that tends
to promote the best interests of the community and of the commonwealth
and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further various
movements and measures for the public good.
SMITH F. HENDERSON.
Smith F. Henderson, a prominent brick and cement contractor of Walla
Walla, was born in Pennsylvania, January 28, 1849, a son of R. S. and
Margaret (Keys) Henderson, who were born in the Keystone state, of
Irish descent. Both passed away in Pennsylvania and three of their ten
children are also deceased.
Smith F. Henderson spent the days of his boyhood and youth under
the parental roof and received the usual educational advantages,
attending the public schools. In 1875, in early manhood, he went to
California but three years later came to Walla Walla, where he has
since remained. He has always followed the brick and cement contracting
business and his thorough knowledge of the principles of construction
in those materials and his scrupulous fulfillment of every detail of
his contracts have enabled him to build up a large patronage. He has
erected many of the better buildings in the city and ranks as one of
its leading contractors. He holds title to an excellent building, from
the rental of which he derives a gratifying profit.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1880 to Miss Katherine Root, who was born
in Tennessee, but who has resided in Walla Walla since the early '60s.
To them have been born four children, of whom three have passed away,
one son, Arthur G., surviving.
Mr. Henderson gives his political allegiance to the republican party
and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church, to which his
wife also belongs, and of which he has served as chairman of the board
of trustees. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows in which local lodge he has filled all the chairs, and with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His integrity, his public spirit
and his business ability are generally recognized and his personal
friends are many.
O. M. RICHMOND.
O. M. Richmond, a well known resident of Walla Walla, owns twelve
hundred acres of fine land in Walla Walla county and derives a
gratifying profit from its rental. He was born in Illinois, July 12,
1860, a son of Andrew J. and Mary J. (Lane) Richmond. The father was
born in Ohio but for a number of years resided in Illinois. In 1880 he
came to the Pacific northwest and took up his home in Oregon, where
both he and his wife passed away. All of their six children survive.
O. M. Richmond was a student in the public schools of his native state
and thus obtained his education. He was nineteen years of age when
he accompanied his parents on the long journey across the plains and
he assisted his father in developing the homestead. He continued to
farm in that state until 1913, when he came to Walla Walla, where he
has since resided. He purchased land in Walla Walla county and now
owns twelve hundred acres but rents it to others, preferring to live
retired. He has gained the success which is his through industry and
sound judgment and the rest which he is now enjoying is well deserved.
Mr. Richmond was married in 1889 to Miss Nellie Preston, who was born
in Illinois and is a daughter of William and Margaret (Hatch) Preston,
natives of Illinois. In 1879 the Preston family removed to Oregon and
for a number of years resided on a farm in that state. The father
died in Oregon and the mother subsequently came to Walla Walla and is
now living with Mr. and Mrs. Richmond. The latter have two daughters:
Gladys, the wife of O. Taylor, of Walla Walla county; and N. Bernice,
who is a graduate of Whitman College and is teaching music.
[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. O. M. RICHMOND]
Mr. Richmond belongs to the Baptist church and seeks to further its
work in every way possible. In politics he is a democrat and has served
capably on the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Artisans.
Although he has resided in Walla Walla for only a few years he has
already won the sincere friendship of many, his salient characteristics
being such as invariably command respect and regard.
ALVIN G. BAUMEISTER.
Formerly as a clothing merchant and later in the real estate and
insurance field Alvin G. Baumeister has made for himself a most
creditable position in the business circles of Walla Walla, where he
has been conducting his interests as a member of the firm of Shaw &
Baumeister. He is a native son of the city in which he resides and the
course which he has pursued throughout his entire life has been such as
to commend him to the confidence, goodwill and high respect of all with
whom he has been associated. He was born in this city January 23, 1883,
and is a representative of one of its oldest and most honored pioneer
families, his parents being Max and Alvine (Schweiker) Baumeister, of
whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work.
Alvin G. Baumeister began his education in the schools of Walla Walla,
passing through consecutive grades to the high school. On the 1st of
February, 1905, when he was a young man of about twenty-two years, he
was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle E. Wilson, a daughter of P. H.
Wilson, one of the prominent farmers of Walla Walla county and one of
its well known pioneer citizens. With a good education and now with a
home for which to provide, Mr. Baumeister seriously took up the duties
of life and in the year of his marriage became identified with the
commercial interests of Walla Walla, establishing and conducting a
clothing and furnishing goods store. He carried on the business with
growing success for about three years or until 1908, when he disposed
of his store and removed to Seattle. He remained for nine months in
that city and was employed in a clothing store, but upon his father's
death in 1909 he returned to Walla Walla and became his successor in
the real estate and insurance business, in which he has been engaged
until recently. He had one of the large agencies of this character and
negotiated many important realty transfers. He thoroughly understands
property values and has handled business interests of importance
in this line. He also had a well organized insurance department,
representing a number of the most reliable companies, and he wrote
a large amount of insurance. Thus his interests were profitably
managed and his course illustrates what may be accomplished by serious
endeavor. Recently he has sold his insurance business in Walla Walla
and has now identified himself with a new organization, established in
St. Louis, Missouri. This new company is to be known as The Liberty
Insurance Corporation of which all capital is to be invested in liberty
bonds.
Mr. Baumeister also figures prominently in fraternal circles. He has
membership in Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M.; in Walla Walla
Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; in Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T.;
in Oriental Consistory, A. & A. S. R., of Spokane; and in El Katif
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., also of Spokane. His name is likewise on
the membership rolls of Trinity Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., and of the
encampment, and he belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O.
E. He likewise belongs to the Commercial Club and is a member of the
Walla Walla Golf Club--associations that further indicate the nature
of his interests. In politics he is a republican, well versed on the
questions and issues of the day and believing firmly in the principles
of his party, yet he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to
concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs. He
ranks with the leading and representative business men of Walla Walla,
where his entire life has been passed. His record is a commendable one,
for at all times his course has displayed no esoteric phase. In all
things he is open and aboveboard and an analyzation of his career shows
that it is close application and indefatigable energy which have placed
him in his present enviable position in real estate and insurance
circles.
EDWARD BAUMEISTER.
In Saxe-Weimar, Germany, on June 24, 1848, was born the subject of this
sketch. His father, Ernest Baumeister, was a native of Erfurt, Germany,
and came to the United States in 1854, bringing his family. Settlement
was made in New York state and so thoroughly did the elder Baumeister
identify himself with the interests of the country of his adoption,
that upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he promptly enlisted in a
New York regiment of volunteer cavalry and served with distinction and
valor until the last conflict at Fredericksburg when he was wounded
and soon gave his life for his country. He had married Miss Charlotte
Schroeder, also a native of Germany.
Our subject was but a lad when his father died and the same spirit that
pervaded the breast of the ancestor, was found well planted in the
heart of his son. He, too, has taken up the cause of his country in a
determined and loyal way, championing those measures and principles
which are for the upbuilding of our free institutions. After attending
the common schools of New York until he was twelve years old, he
accompanied his brother, Max, to California. For two years he served an
apprenticeship there as a barber and in April, 1863, he and his brother
moved to Washington and settled in Walla Walla where for nineteen years
they followed the barber trade. Then selling out they engaged for two
years in the real estate and insurance business.
In 1885 Edward Baumeister moved to Lewiston and accepted a position
in the general store of John P. Vollmer & Company. For seven months
he served faithfully there and in the fall of 1885, came to the town
of Asotin, then located farther up the river than at present. Mr.
Baumeister selected the place where Asotin now stands and opened a fine
general merchandise establishment. This general store was, for many
years, the commercial center of the county. The upper rooms of the
building were used for lodge and court room purposes. During the panic
of 1893-5, the firm practically financed the county. Much of the grain
and live stock of the county was bought by the company and shipped
away. At one time, several hundred horses were driven by the firm back
to Missouri and Illinois. During these years, the store acted as the
bank and financial clearinghouse of the county and in 1900, the first
bank in the county was opened in connection with the business. In 1908,
the general store was sold but the bank was retained, and is still
doing a leading business in the county.
[Illustration: EDWARD BAUMEISTER]