FRED GLAFKE.
The upbuilding of the west is one of the wonders of the world. Those who travel to that section of the country are astounded by the beauty of the cities, well laid out with wide streets, equipped with every modern convenience and holding to the highest standards of progressiveness. This is due to the ability and enterprise of the men who have concentrated their business interests in that section of the country. Prominent among this class of men in Walla Walla is Fred Glafke, the manager and treasurer of the Interior Grocery Company, conducting a wholesale grocery business.
He was born in the state of New York, May 24, 1856, a son of Fred and Catherine (Brusher) Glafke, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in young manhood and womanhood respectively and settled in Wayne county, New York, where they were later married. The father was a wagon maker by trade and conducted a shop in Wayne county until 1865, when he removed to Mendon, Michigan, where he carried on business as a wagon maker for many years. At length he removed to Portland, Oregon, in 1892 and there lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1914. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1905.
Fred Glafke was reared at home and acquired his education in the village and high schools of Mendon, Michigan, and in the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School. He began teaching in the Mendon graded schools in 1878 and was made principal of the schools of Mendon in 1882, continuing to serve in that capacity for six years. He proved a capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he had acquired. In 1888 he took charge of the schools of Centerville, the county seat of St. Joseph county, and continued as principal there until 1890, when he came to the Pacific coast, making his way to Portland, Oregon. There he was prominent in educational work for eleven years, having charge of the Holladay school, the Stephens school, the Atkinson school and afterward the Harrison school, which was the largest grammar school in that city. He did much to develop the educational activities and interests of Portland and the value of his work is still finding fruition in the public school system there today. In 1901 he resigned the position of principal and became connected with the Pacific Coast Biscuit Company of Portland, being placed in charge of the general books. He remained with that company in the office until 1904, at which time he came to Walla Walla, and entered into partnership with his brother, W. B. Glafke, in establishing a wholesale grocery business known as the W. B. Glafke Company. Their interests were conducted under that name until 1907, when the business was reorganized and incorporated under the name of the Interior Grocery Company, of which Fred Glafke became treasurer and manager. This business has been developed into one of the leading commercial enterprises of Walla Walla. They carry an extensive stock and their ramifying trade interests cover a broad territory. The house enjoys a most enviable reputation for progressiveness and reliability, for promptness and efficiency. The partners are men of well known business ability and executive force who are thoroughly acquainted with the trade and whose well directed efforts are producing most substantial results.
On the 23d of December, 1879, Mr. Glafke was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Hazen, of Colon, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three sons: Ransom F., who is living in Walla Walla; Dr. William Harley, a physician and surgeon of New York city; and Ralph H., whose home remains in Walla Walla. The oldest and the youngest are associated with the father in business and are representative and wide-awake young merchants of the city.
In his political views Mr. Glafke is a stalwart republican and he has served for many years as a member of the board of education of Walla Walla but does not seek office along strictly political lines. He stands for everything that tends to advance the public welfare, however, and his aid and co-operation can always be counted upon to further measures and movements for the general good. He has indeed been a stalwart supporter of the public school system and he does everything in his power to advance the material, intellectual, social and moral interests of the state. He belongs to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., and he and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving on the board of trustees. He belongs also to the Walla Walla Commercial Club and is one of its directors. Interested in the horticultural development of this section of the country, he has become the owner of a splendidly developed orchard in Umatilla county, Oregon.
It is to such men as he that the west owes her splendid development, men who have had the insight to recognize the natural resources of the country and its possibilities, who have foreseen something of what the future had in store and who have found justification for their faith and judgment in the results that have been attained.
GEORGE COCHRAN.