FRED W. KASER.
Fred W. Kaser is the secretary and treasurer of the Davis-Kaser Company, house furnishers, who control one of the leading business enterprises of Walla Walla and of the northwest. He was born in Madison county, Illinois, March 24, 1868, a son of Samuel and Magdalene (Kamm) Kaser, both of whom were natives of Switzerland and came to the new world in childhood with their respective parents. They were married in Illinois and there resided until 1869, when they removed to western Missouri.
Fred W. Kaser spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools of Missouri and also at the Empire Business College in Walla Walla, Washington. He arrived in this city in 1887, reaching his destination on the 20th of June. He was then a youth of nineteen years—empty-handed but possessed of an abundant amount of courage, determination and energy. He eagerly embraced any opportunity that offered whereby he might earn a living. He had been engaged in farm work when in the middle west and after reaching Walla Walla he was first employed at hop picking. He was not content with such a position save as an expedient to meet his momentary expenses and was constantly on the outlook for something better. He returned from the hop fields to the town and secured employment with the gas company. There he worked until almost midnight and through the school period he was busy with lessons, for he had come to a realization of the fact that educational training was necessary toward success in the business world. For two years he followed that course, working for the gas company and also in the Gilbert Hunt machine shop. He next turned his attention to commercial pursuits and secured a clerkship in the Schwabacher store. In the meantime he had pursued his course in business college and such was the thoroughness with which he did his work that the college sought his co-operation after his graduation and for one term he engaged in teaching there. He also correctly applied the knowledge that he had gained to his duties in the Schwabacher store and later he accepted the position of bookkeeper with G. H. Sutherland, with whom he remained for three years. In 1894 he embarked in business on his own account, becoming connected with John A. Davis in the purchase of a furniture store. They began business under the name of the Davis-Kaser Company in handling furniture and all kinds of house furnishings and after a year the business was incorporated under the present style, Mr. Davis becoming the president of the company, with Mr. Kaser as the secretary, treasurer and general manager. Their business has grown from a small concern with a stock valued at less than three thousand dollars until it is one of the largest mercantile institutions of Walla Walla.
On the 21st of October, 1894, Mr. Kaser was married to Miss Laura E. Davis, a daughter of John A. Davis, who was the president of the Davis-Kaser Company but is now deceased. Mrs. Kaser is a native of Walla Walla county, where she was reared and educated, and is an active worker in the Presbyterian church, to which she belongs. She is also a prominent member of the Women's Park Club of Walla Walla, the Sunshine Club and other similar organizations.
Mr. Kaser has always taken the deepest interest in community welfare and has done most efficient work for Walla Walla as president of the Commercial Club. He is a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F.; also of Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M.; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Washington Commandery, No. 2, K. T., of Walla Walla; and El Katif Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He is also connected with Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E.
EDWARD G. KNOTT.
Edward G. Knott, who is giving his entire time and attention to the operation of an excellent farm of twelve hundred acres in Columbia county, is a western man by birth as well as preference, being a native of Walla Walla. He was born May 12, 1883, a son of James and Josephine (Ulberg) Knott, who were natives respectively of England and Sweden, but were married in California. In the '70s they removed to the city of Walla Walla, where they still reside. For many years the father was actively engaged in the construction business, taking contracts for masonry.
Edward G. Knott is one of seven living children in a family of nine. He was reared at home and is indebted for his education to the public schools of Walla Walla. On attaining his majority he turned his attention to farming, recognizing the value of the fine land in this section, and after operating rented farms for ten years he bought twelve hundred acres, the greater part of which is fine wheat land in Columbia county and took up his residence on that place. He gives to his affairs the same careful attention that a business man gives to his interests and his work is conducted in a most systematic manner. He ranks among the most progressive and successful agriculturists of Columbia county and receives a gratifying profit from his land.