One of the most attractive homes of Dayton, known as Normandy, is the property of Hon. J. A. Fontaine, a progressive business man and citizen who has also left the impress of his individuality upon the political records of Columbia county, which he has represented in the state legislature. He has long been actively, successfully and extensively identified with farming in this section of the state. He was born in Maryland, August 9, 1850, and is a son of Charles G. and Susan W. Fontaine, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they spent their entire lives. They reared a family of nine children, of whom four are now living.
HON. J. A. FONTAINE
J. A. Fontaine spent the period of his boyhood and youth in Maryland and in 1870 came to Washington, where he has now lived for forty-seven years. He made his way first to Walla Walla, where he was employed as a hired hand for a year. He afterward worked with a pack train for four years and later entered the employ of the Baker Railroad Company as check agent at Wallula. In 1875 he engaged with General Cook as a packer and spent three years in that connection. In the spring of 1878 he bought a ranch and turned his attention to the raising of live stock, in which business he successfully engaged for eleven years. He then sold out and bought a farm eight miles from Dayton, comprising five hundred and sixteen acres of valuable land. Mr. Fontaine is also a stockholder in the warehouse of Dayton and his home in the city is a most beautiful residence property.
Mr. Fontaine married and had one daughter, Leota, who is now thirteen years of age. Fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge in Dayton. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he served for two terms as a member of the state legislature, being first elected in 1911. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all vital political problems which came up for settlement while he was a member of the house and did much to secure the passage of wise legislative measures. He has many warm friends in Dayton and this section of the state and his legislative service has gained him the high regard of many of those who are most prominent in Washington's political circles.
CLYDE LESTER.
Clyde Lester, a partner in the firm of Young & Lester, leading florists and representative business men of Walla Walla, was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, December 31, 1877. His parents, Franklin P. and Keturah (Hurless) Lester, were also natives of Bloomfield, Iowa, their respective parents having been among the pioneer settlers who reclaimed that section of the state for the purposes of civilization in early pioneer times. Franklin P. Lester was of the prominent farmers of Davis county, Iowa, for many years. In 1885 he removed to western Kansas and subsequently became a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, where he resided until 1911, when again he heard and heeded the call of the west and this time made his way to Walla Walla, Washington. His wife passed away October 17, 1916, but Mr. Lester still remains a resident of Walla Walla and now makes his home with his son Clyde.