JOSEPH J. ROSE.
Among those whom death has called and who were contributing factors to the agricultural development and improvement of Columbia county was Joseph J. Rose, who while still active in the world's work made his home on section 5, township 9 north, range 39 east, in Columbia county. He was born in Oregon, on the present site of the town of Milton, June 12, 1860, a son of Eli and Catherine (Boldman) Rose, who crossed the plains from Iowa with ox teams in 1859. One child was born to them on their journey. On their arrival in Oregon they camped on the present site of Milton and it was there that the birth of Joseph J. Rose occurred. Not long afterward the parents removed with their family to Washington, taking up their abode in what is now Walla Walla county, about three miles from Dixie. There they lived for many years, giving their attention to agricultural pursuits, but ultimately removed to Dayton, at which time Mr. Rose retired from active business life, having in the intervening years acquired a comfortable competence that was sufficient to supply him and his wife with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life.
Joseph J. Rose assisted his father until he reached his twenty-third year and for about two years thereafter operated his father's farm. His youthful experiences were those of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in that period. After cultivating his father's land for two years he removed to Columbia county in 1885 and purchased a portion of what is now his old home place about a mile and a half south of Dayton. His first purchase made him owner of two hundred and twenty acres and subsequently he bought other land from time to time, thus adding to his holdings until he had fourteen hundred acres at the time of his demise. The farm which he left is one of the most productive and valuable farms of Columbia county. The soil is naturally rich and careful cultivation has added much to its value. Good buildings have been put upon the farm and the place has been divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences.
Mr. Rose was married twice. In 1884 he wedded Miss Ida Williams, of Walla Walla county, by whom he had three children, namely: Lena, who is now the wife of T. O. Webster, of Walla Walla; Zelma, who gave her hand in marriage to Earl Harting, of Walla Walla county; and Zenobia, a resident of Walla Walla. In July, 1900, Mr. Rose was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Brockman, a daughter of W. J. Brockman, who came to Columbia county, Washington, in 1887 and has since passed away. By his second wife Mr. Rose had two pairs of twins, the first of whom died in infancy, while the surviving are Joseph Eli and Emma Catherine.
Mr. Rose gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and he served for several years as a member of the school board but was too busy to give much attention to politics and never sought or desired political preferment. He belonged to Columbia Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a faithful follower of the teachings of the craft. He was also a consistent member of the Christian church and died in that faith December 7, 1916, leaving to his family not only the fruits of earnest toil but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, which the wise man of old said is more to be chosen than great riches. Mrs. Rose not only possesses those qualities which are essentially womanly and which everywhere command respect, but she is also a capable business woman. Upon the death of her husband she immediately took up the heavy responsibilities in connection with the operation of a farm of fourteen hundred acres and in her management of affairs has proven herself one woman in a thousand. She is now operating the farm on an extensive scale and is meeting with excellent success by reason of her careful management, her systematic methods, her keen sagacity and her enterprise. She occupies one of the prettiest country homes in the county and by reason of her business management is enabled to enjoy not only all of the comforts but also many of the luxuries of life. She belongs to Waitsburg Chapter, No. 9, of the Order of the Eastern Star, and is a devoted member of the Christian church, guiding her life according to its teachings.