MARTIN HANSEN.
Martin Hansen is a self-made man who has gained a creditable position among the representative and prosperous farmers of Walla Walla county. He arrived in this section of the state empty-handed but he saw the opportunities here offered and has utilized them to good advantage. He is now the owner of a valuable farm property situated on section 33, township 7 north, range 35 east. He was born in Denmark on the 12th of January, 1876, and is a son of Lars and Mary Hansen, who came to the United States when he was a lad of twelve years. The family home was established in Nebraska, four sons of the family having preceded the parents to the new world. There the father and mother located and both passed away in that state, the death of the father occurring in 1915, while his wife died in 1914.
In the common schools of Denmark, Mr. Hansen pursued his education, supplemented by a winter term's study in Nebraska and by two winter terms in Walla Walla county. He also took two six-weeks winter courses at the State College of Washington. He made good use of his time and opportunities in promoting his intellectual development and he has always continued a student of men and events. In other words he has learned much in life through observation and experience and has become a substantial and well informed business man.
It was in 1887 that Martin Hansen crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States and about three years later he made his way to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he was employed for wages for five years. He saved carefully and systematically until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him, in 1895, to engage in farming on his own account. He then rented land and again he practiced economy and industry until in 1897 he had a capital sufficient to enable him to purchase his present home farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres. Upon that place he has since resided and has made many valuable improvements thereon, among others drilling in 1912 two artesian wells which flow one thousand gallons of water per minute, greatly enhancing the value of the farm. Its splendid appearance is indicative of the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it. He arrived in Walla Walla without capital and today he is one of the substantial farmers of this section of the state, and what means more, the result achieved is due to his industry, his perseverance and his determination alone. He has never been afraid of hard work and he early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins.
Mr. Hansen is a republican in his political views, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has served for a number of years on the school board and is one of the influential men of his community, his opinions carrying weight regarding public affairs. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when energy points out the way.
JAMES H. SCHNECKLOTH.
James H. Schneckloth, the well-known and popular postmaster of Pomeroy, was born on the 25th of October, 1868, in Scott county, Iowa, a son of Henry and Margaretha (Kuhl) Schneckloth, who were natives of Germany and on coming to America in early life settled in Scott county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for some years. In 1881 he brought his family to Washington and located on a farm near Pomeroy, where he still resides. His wife died in 1914. To them were born eight children and seven of them survive.
James H. Schneckloth began his education in the public schools of his native county, where the first thirteen years of his life were passed in much the usual manner of farmer boys in the middle west. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Washington and here grew to manhood. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in the stock business and is still interested in that enterprise. As time passed he prospered in his undertakings and is today the owner of a fine stock ranch of one thousand acres.