John A. Lane was educated in the district schools and in the Waitsburg Academy, which he attended through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. Upon the completion of his education he began farming on his own account, renting a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land in the township where he still resides. He cultivated that place for three years and then took up a homestead in what was Yakima county, now Benton county. This he improved and cultivated for five years and he still owns that place. In 1907, however, he returned to the old homestead farm, which is owned conjointly by himself and his mother. He cultivates this place of three hundred and forty-six acres and rents adjoining land, operating altogether eleven hundred acres. He has thus come to rank with the leading and extensive farmers of his section of the state and his business affairs are carefully managed and conducted.
On October 16, 1898, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Nora P. Smith, a daughter of Mrs. Charles Ellis, of Dixie. Her father died during her infancy and her mother afterward married again. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane have been born three children of whom two are living, Dorothy M., who is attending the Walla Walla high school, and John A., Jr.
In his political views Mr. Lane maintains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures in preference to party dictation. He is now serving on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his wife and daughter hold memberships in the Christian church. The members of the family are highly esteemed in the part of the county where they reside and have a circle of friends almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances.
JESSE DRUMHELLER.
Jesse Drumheller, deceased, an honored pioneer of the west of 1852, was during the remainder of his life a prominent factor in the advancement of the business interests and development of this section of the country. Widely known, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to the many friends who still cherish his memory, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his career to our readers. His birth occurred in Tennessee in 1835. There the first eight years of his life were passed, after which he accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri, the family home being established near Springfield, where he remained until 1851. He then located near Savannah, Missouri, where he remained for a year, and in 1852 he heard and heeded the call of the west. He started out across the plains with ox teams for Washington and located in Cowlitz county, where he turned his attention to the lumber business. Soon afterward he removed to California, where for several years he engaged in mining, and in 1855 he became a resident of Oregon. There he joined the Oregon Volunteers for service in the Indian war and was sent to Walla Walla. During the eleven months in which he was a part of that command he participated in several severe engagements with the red men and aided in winning the victory which crowned the arms of the white troops. After the cessation of hostilities he entered the employ of the United States government and assisted in building the government posts at The Dalles, at Walla Walla, at Colville and at Simcoe. His activities thus became an important factor in the development of this section of the country. In 1859 he took up his abode on land two miles south of Walla Walla and turned his attention to stock raising and general farming, a business which he followed until about 1900. In this he prospered and from time to time added to his holdings until his landed possessions aggregated nearly six thousand acres. He thus carried on farming most extensively and in 1899 his crop of wheat amounted to about sixty-five thousand bushels. He followed the most progressive methods in the development of his land and stood at all times as one of the most enterprising and representative farmers of the northwest. He also carried on stock raising with success and his diligence and determination brought him prominently to the front in connection with the line of his chosen occupation.
On the 8th of October, 1863, in Walla Walla, Mr. Drumheller was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Maxson, a pioneer of 1859. They became the parents of five sons: Samuel, of Calgary, Alberta; Oscar; George, a stock-raiser of Walla Walla; Thomas J., who is engaged in the hardware business with his older brother, Oscar, they being members of the well known firm of Drumheller & Company, dealers in hardware, furniture and crockery; and R. M., collector of customs at Seattle.
Jesse Drumheller was a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge and in the chapter. His death occurred on December 2, 1907. He stood in the front rank among those who have planted civilization in the northwest and was particularly active in the growth of Walla Walla county, where for many years he made his home, and his labors were of a nature that contributed in marked measure to the substantial and moral development and upbuilding of this section of the country. He was a progressive business man, wide-awake, alert and energetic, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. While his business interests became very extensive and important, he always found time to cooperate in plans and measures for the public good and was a most loyal and devoted citizen from the time when he aided in subduing the Indian uprising, through the period of later development and progress up to the time when death called him to the home beyond.
OLE HANNAS.