SURMAN N. YEEND.
Surman N. Yeend, one of the leading wheat raisers of the Walla Walla valley, residing at Valley Grove, was born in England, May 21, 1866, a son of William and Ellen Yeend, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of their son James.
Surman N. Yeend was reared and educated in Walla Walla county, having been but a young lad when brought by his parents to the new world. The family home was established in the northwest and he has since been familiar with the upbuilding and progress of this section of the country. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields, and his early training in farm work well qualified him to take up work of that character on his own account after he had reached man's estate. He located on the place which is now his home and which comprises seven hundred acres of rich and productive land, all under cultivation. He makes a specialty of the growing of wheat and his broad fields present a most pleasing picture, giving indication of abundant harvests. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising and keeps upon his farm high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In all of his business affairs he displays a progressive spirit and keeps in touch with every improvement that has to do with farm life.
Mr. Yeend has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna M. Harper and to them were born two children: Charles E.; and Helen, the wife of Arthur Anderson. The wife and mother passed away and in 1901 Mr. Yeend was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Loland, a native of Washington. They have become parents of six children: Cleola M., Roland A., Allen C., Wilbur H., Lowell W. and Howard S.
Mr. and Mrs. Yeend are members of the Nazarene church. Mr. Yeend votes with the republican party and has served on the census board, filling that position in 1900. He is not active in politics, however, preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his farming interests, and by his close application in business affairs and his unremitting industry he has won a very gratifying measure of success, being now numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county.
WILLIS RESER.
Willis Reser is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 5, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county. He has been a resident of the Walla Walla valley since 1863 and in the intervening period, covering fifty-four years, has been closely and prominently identified with its agricultural development.
He was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 29, 1856, and is a son of George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, William Reser, on another page of this work. The family arrived in the Walla Walla valley in 1863, so that Willis Reser was here reared and educated. He became familiar with every phase of pioneer life and with the arduous task of developing a new farm. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and later purchased the property upon which he now resides, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which constituted his father's old homestead. Upon this place he has since lived and he also has a residence in Walla Walla, which he occupies a part of the time. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In his pastures are found good grades of stock and everything about his place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive spirit and one who is thoroughly familiar with the line of work in which he engages. He has closely studied the soil and climatic conditions in relation to the production of crops and he has made an equally close study of the best methods of stock raising. Success is therefore attending his efforts and he is numbered among the substantial farmers of this section of the state.
In May, 1884, Mr. Reser was united in marriage to Miss Mima Kirkland, who was born in Oregon, a daughter of Joseph E. and Mary (Standefer) Kirkland. The father was a native of Illinois but was reared principally in Arkansas and crossed the plains in the '50s. The journey was made with teams over the long, hot stretches of sand and across the mountain passes until ultimately he reached Oregon. Still later he removed to Walla Walla county and settled upon a farm. Joseph E. Kirkland was an attorney by profession and engaged in the practice of law for several years in addition to the conduct of his agricultural interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Reser have been born four children: George, who is now located in Detroit, Michigan; Joseph, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Willis H., who is still at home.