Mr. Taylor is a democrat in his political views and has served as deputy assessor of Columbia county for two years. He was afterward elected to the office of county clerk and served in that position for one term. He is well known as a valued member of Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Waitsburg, and he and his wife are faithful members of the Christian church. His genuine worth is widely acknowledged by all who have come in contact with him. His record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously, for while he has prospered in his undertakings, he has always conducted his affairs in a way that has brought good results and yet the integrity of his methods has ever been above question.
HON. ARTHUR F. KEES.
Among the highly esteemed residents of Walla Walla is Arthur F. Kees, who is devoting his attention to farming and stock raising. He is a native of Walla Walla county and was born November 13, 1867. His parents, Samuel M. and Elizabeth (Coyle) Kees, were born respectively in Pennsylvania and Illinois, but became residents of Oregon in an early day in the history of that state. There they were married and continued to reside until the early '60s, when they came to Walla Walla county, Washington. The father engaged in the stock business here, which was the leading industry at that time, but subsequently turned his attention to farming when the range disappeared with the incoming of large numbers of settlers. He continued to cultivate land until his death in January, 1914. The mother's demise took place September 6, 1917. To them were born seven children, of whom only two survive, our subject and Mrs. Lillian Julian, also of Walla Walla.
Arthur F. Kees remained at home until he had attained his majority and in the meantime he had attended the common schools, the Whitman College and a business college at Portland, Oregon, and had gained familiarity with farm work. He decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and for a considerable period devoted his entire time and attention to farming. In 1898, however, he was elected sheriff of Walla Walla county and served in that capacity for four years and in 1903 was elected to the state legislature, and during his service as a member of that body proved ready in his discrimination between bills calculated to promote the general welfare and those inimical to the good of the commonwealth. He makes his home in the city of Walla Walla, but gives careful supervision to the operation of his farm of two hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Kees was married in 1891 to Miss Susan M. Stetson, a native of Oregon and a daughter of Clinton and Mary (Dixon) Stetson, the former born in New York state and the latter in Illinois. In 1849 the father went to California and later removed successively to Oregon and to Walla Walla county. He was married in the northwest and took up a homestead in Umatilla county, near the state line. He at once set about bringing that place under cultivation and continued to operate it until his death in 1872. His widow still resides there. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Kees has been born a daughter, Arline, who is a graduate of Pullman College and is the wife of Harry Struthers, by whom she has a daughter, Dorothy Susan.
Mr. Kees is a stanch republican and has filled a number of local offices in addition to serving as sheriff and state representative. His official record is one of which he has just cause to be proud, for he has consistently sought to further the general welfare and has discharged his duties with signal ability. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Eagles, and his friends are many both within and without these organizations.
WILLIAM A. STRUTHERS.
William A. Struthers, one of the foremost farmers and largest wheat growers of Walla Walla county, makes his home in the city of Walla Walla and from that point superintends his extensive agricultural interests. He was born in Cannon City, Rice county, Minnesota, December 24, 1867, a son of James and Margaret (McDonald) Struthers, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter of Canada. They were married, however, in Wisconsin, the father having come to the United States when a young man. He was a blacksmith by trade and soon after his marriage he removed to Cannon City, Minnesota, where the active years of his life were spent at the forge.