Otto Labudde, a representative agriculturist residing in Walla Walla, was born in Germany on the 2d of September, 1861, his parents being Carl and Charlotte (Ratzenburg) Labudde, both of whom passed away in that country. There he attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the first twenty-three years of his life. In 1884 he determined to try his fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where for three years he worked at the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his native land. On the expiration of that period, in 1887, he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, here continuing work at his trade for seven or eight months. The railroad was at that time being built through to Eureka and Mr. Labudde therefore erected a shop at Eureka Junction, conducting business there for four or five years. He then embarked in merchandising at Eureka and was made postmaster of the town, ably serving in that capacity for eight years. While a resident of Eureka he took up three quarter sections of land, using his homestead, his preemption and his timber culture rights, and in 1897 he removed to the ranch and turned his attention to the stock business. Two years later he rented the property and took up his abode in the city of Walla Walla, where he has since remained. He had purchased land adjoining his homestead and at one time owned fourteen hundred and fourteen acres in one body on Snake river, at Page Station, all of which he recently sold to John Reser. However, he still owns a farm of one hundred and seventy acres a mile and a half south of Walla Walla and a tract of twenty-two acres on the Milton road, a mile and a half south of College Place. Success has attended his undertakings, for in the conduct of his interests he has ever displayed close application, unremitting energy and sound judgment that have brought desired results.
In 1893 Mr. Labudde was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Luckenbill, a native of Walla Walla and a daughter of Martin Luckenbill, who crossed the plains from Wisconsin to California in 1859 and was engaged in placer mining for a time. In 1863 he came to Walla Walla county and here operated a pack train in partnership with Dick Kelling for a number of years, while subsequently he embarked in business at Walla Walla.
Politically Mr. Labudde is a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He is past grand of Washington Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the encampment and the canton, while both he and his wife are identified with the Rebekahs, the latter being past noble grand. Mr. Labudde likewise belongs to the Ancient Order of Foresters, of which he is past chief ranger. Mr. Labudde is one of the charter members of the Farmers' Union and was chosen secretary soon after the organization was perfected and served in the office for several years. In religious faith he is a Lutheran but attends the services of the Presbyterian church with his wife. Mrs. Labudde belongs to the Pioneers' Association of Walla Walla and is honored as a native daughter of the county in which her entire life has been spent. Mr. Labudde has never regretted his determination to seek a home in America, for he has wisely utilized the opportunities here offered and during the period of his residence in Walla Walla county, covering three decades, has gained an enviable measure of prosperity.
L. W. ESTES.
L. W. Estes, residing in Walla Walla, is the owner of valuable farming property in Walla Walla county, having twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, which he continued to personally cultivate and develop until 1917, when he rented his ranch to his sons. He was born in Arkansas on the 13th of January, 1859, a son of Thomas and Renie (Long) Estes. The father was a native of North Carolina, while the mother was born in Tennessee. They were married in the former state and subsequently removed to Arkansas, where they resided until 1861. In that year they crossed the plains with ox teams to Washington. The wagon train with which they traveled had a great deal of trouble with the Indians and one man who had lingered behind the others in order to fish was scalped, while another was shot through the leg but succeeded in eluding his pursuers and later joined the train. They arrived in Walla Walla, where they spent the hard winter of 1861 and 1862. Mr. Estes, however, soon after reaching his destination, homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on Dry creek, about six miles northwest of Walla Walla, and there built a log house which he weatherboarded and made habitable. He lived upon that ranch until 1879, at which time he sold four hundred and eighty acres and removed to Pleasant View on the Eureka Flats. There he bought three hundred and twenty acres and made his home at that place until his death, which occurred in August, 1887, when he was eighty-six years of age. His wife passed away two years later at the age of sixty-seven years.
L. W. Estes was but an infant when brought by his parents to the northwest, so that practically his entire life has been passed here and he is entirely familiar with the story of its development and progress from pioneer times down to the present. He was educated in the district schools and worked with his father until his twenty-fourth year, at which time he began farming on his own account, his previous training and experience well qualifying him for heavy responsibilities and duties of this character. In 1882 he took up a homestead on the Eureka Flats and the following year began cultivating his land. Subsequently he bought adjoining land and increased his farm until he had nine hundred acres. This he traded in 1893 for Walla Walla business property and removed to the city but continued to operate his farm. He still owned a small tract of land and in 1903 he bought four hundred and forty acres in Umatilla county, near Athena, Oregon. This he subsequently traded for six hundred and forty acres in the foothills, about nine miles south of Walla Walla, known as the Bay Shore ranch. After owning that property for two years he exchanged it for a ranch of twelve hundred and eighty acres north of Prescott, in Walla Walla county. This property he still owns and was continuously and successfully engaged in its cultivation and improvement until 1917, when he rented his farm to his sons. He is now engaged in the real estate business, handling city property and Montana farm lands as well as farm lands in Washington. In 1903 Mr. Estes built his present residence in the Green Park addition to Walla Walla at the corner of Valencia and Elvarado streets. Upon the place was a fine spring called the Chinese Garden spring, and it was the only water to be had at that time. His was the second house in the addition and Mr. Estes planted the hedge around it and made many modern improvements to the place.
L. W. ESTES