Mr. McKay grew to manhood in Canada with the usual advantages of a boy of that period, attending school as he found opportunity. He subsequently served three years apprenticeship in a general merchandise store and remained in the Dominion in various capacities until in 1861 he left Canada and came to Walla Walla, Washington, where he engaged in the confectionery and tobacco business for five years. His former experience stood him in good stead and that he was successful along business lines is evident from the fact that at the end of that period he was enabled to secure a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres on Russell creek and he has since given his time and attention to farming with good results, becoming one of the well-to-do men of his community.
In 1866 Mr. McKay married Mrs. Mary A. Winship, a native of Ohio, who crossed the plains with her parents in 1852 in a covered wagon drawn by ox teams and settled in Oregon. To this union have been born seven children, of whom three are living, namely: March, residing and assisting on the ranch; Angus, living in Prossor; and Bessie, the wife of Oscar M. Shelton.
Mr. and Mrs. McKay are living on the ranch which has been their home for over half a century and besides this property they own a residence in the city of Walla Walla. Fraternally Mr. McKay is a member of the Masonic order and being a strong temperance man he organized the first Good Templars lodge in this region in 1866. In politics he is a republican and for fifty years he has efficiently served as justice of the peace, his rulings being fair and impartial. He has also filled the office of assessor for several years and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. His honorable principles have won him many friends and all who know him hold him in the highest esteem.
JOHN W. FOLEY.
The life record of John W. Foley spells success. He has succeeded in whatever he has undertaken by reason of close application, determined purpose and indefatigable energy. Early in life, when little more than a youth, he started out upon a mercantile career in Adam, Oregon, and the prosperity which attended that venture gave him his start for bigger things. He was likewise successful in the live stock business and later in farming operations, which he has carried on extensively, being regarded today as one of the foremost representatives of agricultural interests in Garfield county, his home being on section 3, township 12 north, range 41 east. He was born in the Willamette valley of Oregon on the 1st of November, 1866, and is a son of Francis and Hannah (Reese) Foley. The father is a native of Ohio and the mother of Kansas and in early life they crossed the plains, becoming residents of Oregon. They now make their home in California.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded John W. Foley. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools he became a student in the Willamette University of Salem, Oregon, and subsequently attended the Portland University, thus becoming well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. In young manhood he turned his attention to the hardware business, establishing a store in Adam, Oregon, where he remained for two years. The venture proved profitable and he sold out at a good advance. He then went to Rock Lake in Whitman county, Washington, and for seven years was engaged in the cattle business. Again success attended his undertaking and on the expiration of that period he removed to Walla Walla, where he was engaged in the hardware and implement business for two years. He also devoted a part of his attention to farming when in Walla Walla county and in March, 1916, he took up his abode upon his present home farm in Meadow Gulch, Garfield county, where he owns sixteen hundred acres of rich and valuable land that responds readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. In business affairs he displays sound judgment and discriminates readily between the essential and the non-essential, discarding the latter and utilizing the former to the best possible advantage.
In 1893 Mr. Foley was united in marriage to Miss Edith Babcock, a daughter of W. A. Babcock, one of the early pioneer settlers of Whitman county who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Foley have three children: Harold F., Eva and Wayne C. Mr. Foley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a stanch advocate of its principles but he has no desire for public office. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist church, contributing generously to its support and doing their part in its work. They are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which they reside and have been active factors in advancing its material, social and moral progress. They are widely and favorably known and the hospitality of the best homes of their locality is accorded them.
ANDREW J. ABEL.