In 1864 Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth (Harrington) Sickler, widow of Daniel Sickler, who was a native of Pennsylvania and died in Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1863. To her first marriage one daughter was born, Minnie, now the wife of D. C. Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Neace became the parents of the following children: John, Lewis and Isaac, all of whom are farming; Ellen, the wife of C. A. Hauber, of Portland, Oregon; Frank and James K., both of whom are farming; Sarah D., the wife of S. F. Patton, postmaster of Waitsburg, and the mother of two children, Serita F. and J. Lewis; and Charles, who is farming.
Mr. Neace was a democrat and was quite prominent in local political circles. He passed away January 12, 1916, and there were many who felt a personal sorrow at his demise, for during the more than half-century that he resided in Walla Walla county he had gained a large number of friends. When he came here he was without capital but possessed great energy and an unshakable determination to succeed and as the years passed his resources steadily increased. His widow still has large land holdings and personally supervises her business interests and is also one of the directors of the First National Bank, of which she is a large stockholder. She, too, is widely and favorably known throughout the county.
JOHN R. BLIZE.
Among the energetic and alert farmers who have made Columbia county the excellent agricultural region it is may be mentioned John R. Blize. His birth occurred in Missouri, October 4, 1869, and he was a son of James T. and Nancy (Beard) Blize, who passed their entire lives in that state. To them were born ten children, of whom four are now living.
John R. Blize was reared in Missouri and during his boyhood and youth attended the public schools there. In 1889, when about twenty years old, he made his way to Washington and for a number of years was employed as a laborer. In 1893 he rented land and engaged in farming on his own account. Although this was a marked step forward he was not satisfied to remain a renter and carefully saved his money with the object of purchasing a farm. At length he bought a tract of land on section 5, township 9 north, range 38 east, Columbia county, and resided thereon until his death, November 1, 1917. His practical methods and his close attention to all phases of farm work enabled him to harvest large crops, and from time to time he invested his capital in additional land so that he owned at his death four hundred and ninety-four acres, the value of which is enhanced by the excellent buildings thereon. He also operated rented land and altogether had about one thousand acres in wheat. He owned his own warehouse and was thoroughly equipped for taking care of the grain which he harvested.
On the 1st of October, 1894, Mr. Blize was married to Miss Hattie B. Chapman, a resident of Dallas county, Iowa. To them were born seven children, namely: James O., who is now in Battery D, Field Artillery, Washington National Guard; Ica T., deceased; Mildred C., now in high school; Clarence A.; Harold T.; John W.; and Roy E.
JOHN R. BLIZE