On the 13th of July, 1866, Mr. Harbert was united in marriage to Miss Emma Evans, a daughter of G. W. Evans, who came to Walla Walla county in 1861. To this union were born six children, three of whom survive, namely: Ida H., the wife of Thomas Paine, of Richland, Washington; Floy, who married Frank Holman, of Freewater, Oregon; and Liberty, the wife of Julius Jensen, of this county. On the 8th of January, 1878, Mrs. Harbert passed away and on the 8th of April, 1884, Mr. Harbert married Miss Lizzie D. Groff, a native of Iowa. They have two living children, Clifford G. and Hazel, both at home.
Mr. Harbert supports the republican party at the polls and for twenty years has served as school director, his continuance in the office indicating his ability and trustworthiness. Although he does not hold membership in the church his religious belief is in the main that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he contributes liberally to its support and also to various charitable projects. His many admirable qualities are generally recognized and there is no resident of the county more highly esteemed than he.
FRED M. YOUNG.
Fred M. Young, who since starting out in life on his own account at the age of sixteen has been continuously connected with the florist business, is now senior partner of the firm of Young & Lester, prominent florists and nurserymen of Walla Walla, where they conduct an extensive business. He was born in Cass county, Iowa, April 26, 1879, a son of Salathiel and Martha M. (Caughey) Young, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They were married in Iowa, however, having removed to that state in childhood with their respective parents. At the time of the Civil war the father responded to the country's call to arms, enlisting as a member of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for more than four years, participating in many of the hotly contested battles which finally resulted in the winning of victory for the Union. With a most creditable military record he returned to his home in Iowa after the war was closed and there he engaged in gardening and fruit growing at Grove City. In 1900 he removed to Denver, Colorado, and in the fall of 1916 he sold his Denver home and returned to Iowa, residing with a daughter in Council Bluffs up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1917. His widow survives and yet makes her home with the daughter in Council Bluffs.
Fred M. Young had the benefit of educational training in the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and went to Council Bluffs, entering the employ of his brother-in-law, J. F. Wilcox, a florist of that city. It was under his instruction that he acquainted himself with the florist business, gaining comprehensive and accurate knowledge in every department and in every connection. After three years he went to Chicago, where he was identified with the firm of Bassett & Washburn, well known florists, with whom he continued for a year. He next went to Denver, Colorado, where he was in the employ of the Colfax Floral Company for three years and on the expiration of that period he went to Pueblo, Colorado, as manager of the George Fleischer Floral Company, in which capacity he served for eighteen months. He was afterward in Salt Lake City, where he occupied the position of manager of the Huddard Floral Company, with which he remained for three years. He then spent a short time in San Francisco and still later went to Seattle, where he became head gardener at the Bremerton navy yards, occupying that position for about six months. At that time his sister, who was living in Walla Walla, persuaded him to come to this city and he arrived here with the intention of going into business but was disappointed in raising the necessary capital. He went to work for James Wait, a florist with whom he continued for ten months, and later removed to Portland, Oregon, where he was in the employ of Martin & Forbes, with whom he remained for about a year and a half. In November, 1907, he resigned this position and returned to Walla Walla, opening a small flower store at No. 7 East Main street known as Bedell's Bazaar. On the 1st of May following Hampton Huff, who had a small greenhouse property on the present site of the Young & Lester greenhouses and who had become too old to work proposed to Mr. Young to go into business with him. Their capital was limited and Mr. Young gave Mr. Huff his note for seven thousand dollars for a half interest in the business. Thus he started out independently. They made enough money that spring to build another greenhouse and put in a new boiler. The following year they were able to build three more greenhouses and in the succeeding year Mr. Huff retired and Mr. Young secured a lease on the whole property with an option to buy. In 1913 he sold Clyde Lester an interest in the business and the present firm of Young & Lester was thus formed. The business has developed rapidly. Their plant is strictly modern and up-to-date. They have eight and three-fourths acres of land under cultivation, with about twenty-five thousand square feet under glass. Their city store is at 19 East Main street and is one of the most modern and attractive florist establishments in eastern Washington. There is no phase of the business with which Mr. Young is not thoroughly familiar. He has made a close study of plant development and propagation and everything in the line of growing plants and blooming flowers that can be raised in this section of the country is found in his establishment.
RESIDENCE OF J. W. HARBERT