THOMAS B. McKEIRNAN.
Thomas B. McKeirnan was well known as an extensive farmer of Garfield county, Washington, and his death, which occurred at a comparatively early age, was recognized as a loss to the community as well as to his friends. He was born in Pennsylvania, March 29, 1874, a son of Michael and Mary (Donnelly) McKeirnan, the former born in Ireland and the latter in Pennsylvania. The parents were married in the Keystone state and resided there until 1884, when they made their way to Garfield county, Washington, and located upon a farm, which remained their home until they retired from active life and removed to Pomeroy, where they still live. To them were born six children, of whom three survive.
Thomas B. McKeirnan was about ten years of age at the time of the removal of the family to the west and the greater part of his education was acquired in the public schools of Garfield county. He was reared to farm work and on starting out upon his independent career continued to follow agricultural pursuits. He prospered and as the years passed added to his holdings, owning at the time of his death eleven hundred acres, which is still in possession of his widow. He was systematic, practical and progressive in carrying on his work and the success that came to him was but the natural result of his industry and good management.
Mr. McKeirnan was married in 1897 to Miss Hattie Edwards, who was born in western Oregon, a daughter of Orlando and Ella (Ritz) Edwards, both natives of Oregon and representatives of two of the earliest families of that state. Both survive and their six children are also living. Mrs. McKeirnan is a graduate of the Walla Walla high school and taught for two terms prior to her marriage. She personally manages the estate and possesses an unusual degree of executive ability and sound business judgment. She owns a fine residence in Pomeroy and since her husband's death has lived in town. To them were born seven children, namely: Thomas L., who spent five years at Gonzaga University in Spokane and is now at Columbia University in Portland but in March, 1918, expects to take the examination for West Point Military Academy; Marie, a high school student; Leland, deceased; Frances J., in high school; John J.; William R.; and Alice E.
Mr. McKeirnan supported the candidates of the democratic party at the polls but was not otherwise active in public affairs, preferring to devote his attention to his farming interests. He passed away November 6, 1913, and was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery. His salient characteristics were such as invariably command respect and regard and he won many friends who still cherish his memory.
KRISTIAN FALKENBERG.
There are many chapters of unusual interest in the life record of Kristian Falkenberg although he is now quietly engaged in commercial pursuits, being recognized as the leading jeweler of Walla Walla and one of the city's most progressive business men.
He was born in Norway on the 16th of August, 1872, where he lived until a young man of twenty, having graduated from high school and completed his apprenticeship as a watchmaker with Frederick August Michelet, the leading chronometer and watchmaker of Norway. At this time Mr. Falkenberg decided to come to the United States, choosing Chicago as his destination, and there he lived for nearly five years. In 1897 he went to Alaska, leaving on the 15th of September with the second party that left Chicago for the gold fields. They went by way of Edmonton and the Mackenzie river, which was the all Canadian route. It required twenty-two months to make the trip, on which they were engaged in hunting and prospecting. There were three who started together but only two of them reached their destination. They arrived in Dawson on the 8th of July, 1899, after having made nine hundred miles of their journey on foot through the wilderness, carrying from eighty-five to one hundred and fifty pounds on their backs and in winter time pulling as high as five hundred pounds each on a sled. During the latter part of the journey their supply of provisions became exhausted and they lived on decayed vegetables and lynx meat, shooting lynx from time to time as needed. From the time Mr. Falkenberg left Chicago until his return, a period of four years and six weeks, he kept a daily record of his journey. He left Dawson for Rampart City on the Yukon in company with a manufacturing jeweler from Dawson and they engaged in the jewelry business in Rampart. In 1900 they followed the rush to Nome and were engaged in the jewelry business at St. Michael. In November, 1901, Mr. Falkenberg returned to Chicago for a visit, but in the spring of 1902 he again went to St. Michael, where he reopened his store. In the fall of that year he returned to Rampart City, where he conducted a jewelry business until 1905, when he again made his way to Chicago. He was not satisfied with life in that section of the country, however, after having been for so long a period in the west with its boundless opportunities and spirit of undaunted enterprise, so after two weeks spent in the Illinois metropolis he again turned his face toward the west. He arrived in Walla Walla on the 10th of October and after deciding to remain here opened a jewelry house at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, on what is known as the Dacres Hotel corner. Ten months later he removed to No. 42 East Main street, his present location. Here he has built up an extensive business and he has one of the most attractive and modern jewelry houses of the state. He carries a large and well selected line of goods of domestic and foreign manufacture, and, in fact, everything to be found in the jewelry trade can be had in this establishment. Practically his entire life has been devoted to this line of business, with which he is thoroughly familiar, and his progressive methods are manifest in the substantial patronage accorded him.