Reared in his native city, William Gaylord Coleman, after mastering the preliminary branches of learning, decided upon the practice of law as a life work and with that end in view entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was there graduated in June, 1909, "with honors" and with the LL. B. degree. He returned to the northwest, opening an office in Walla Walla, and has since engaged in practice here. In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has made steady progress and public opinion names him as one of the able lawyers of the Walla Walla bar.
On the 5th of September, 1911, in Walla Walla, Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Margaret S. Steel, a daughter of T. S. and Annie J. Steel. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Coleman is a past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge. A lifelong resident of Walla Walla, he has a wide acquaintance and his sterling worth as a man, as a lawyer and a citizen is indicated by the high regard entertained for him by his fellow citizens.
JOHN MARTIN.
John Martin, living retired in Walla Walla after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits, was born in Ireland, January 1, 1842, a son of John and Ann Martin, who spent their entire lives on the Emerald isle. The educational opportunities accorded John Martin were those common to the boys of his time, he attending the national schools, and he remained in Ireland until he was twenty-five years old, when, in 1867, he emigrated to the United States. He first resided in New York state, where he secured employment in a brickyard at Haverstraw, and subsequently went to Baltimore, Maryland, but finding it too hot to suit him there, he went to Chicago, where he was employed by the Armour Packing Company, during the winters for several years, but in summer followed his work of brick burning and helped to manufacture the brick used in the construction of the United States customs house in Chicago. After remaining in the metropolis of the middle west for eight years he came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1882 and settled on a farm on Dry creek. He operated that place until 1905, when he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where he purchased land and built his home on Grove street, where he has since lived. He is still prominently connected with agricultural affairs, however, as he owns fourteen hundred acres of fine wheat land, all of which is well improved. He gives his personal supervision to the management of his farm although he leaves the actual work of its operation to others. All that he has he has made since coming to Walla Walla county and it is but natural that he should be enthusiastic concerning conditions here.
JOHN MARTIN AND FAMILY
In 1875, in Chicago, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McAvaney, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of fourteen children, of whom two are deceased, the others being: James, who is now chief of police of Walla Walla; John P., who is farming in Spring valley; Mary, the wife of Joe Martin, who although of the same name is not a relative; Elizabeth, the wife of Albert Schiller; Margaret, the wife of Roy Davies; and Katherine, Agnes, Grace, Theresa, George, Lillian and William, all at home.