Mr. Isecke was born in Pommern, western Prussia, May 8, 1842, and had therefore completed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten when called to his final rest. He acquired his education in the common and normal schools of his native country and after putting aside his textbooks began learning the miller's trade, with which he became thoroughly familiar. He was twenty-four years of age when in 1866 he severed home ties and bade adieu to his native land preparatory to becoming a resident of America. Crossing the Atlantic, he located at Buffalo, New York, and was there employed for a time in carpenter work but afterward turned his attention to railway bridge building. The west, however, attracted him and in 1874 he made his way to California, where for four years he was employed in the car shops at Salida. In the spring of 1878 he arrived in Washington, and after seeking a favorable location decided upon Anatone, where he purchased a small store that had been established only a short time before. Increasing the size of the stock immediately, he continued to carry on the business for eleven years with substantial success and in 1889 sold out to W. J. Clemans. He then removed to Asotin and during the period of his residence in that city was connected with various important industries and business enterprises, becoming president of the Blue Mountain Lumber & Manufacturing Company and also president of the bank of Asotin from its organization until his demise.
CHARLES ISECKE
Mr. Isecke was married in 1879, about a year after taking up his abode in Anatone, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary L. Sutherland, of Truro, Nova Scotia, with whom he had become acquainted in California. Mr. Isecke was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and became a charter member of Hope Lodge, No. 30, at Anatone. He regularly attended the lodge meetings, had filled all of the offices in the organization and was always in attendance at the annual sessions of the Grand Lodge. He gave his financial aid and assistance to all movements calculated to benefit the community in which he lived and he was most generous in his contributions to religious organizations and charitable societies. He possessed a cheery nature, was ever considerate of others and never failed to extend a helping hand where he could give assistance. At Christmas time he was most generous in his gifts to the poor and it was his desire that all people should be happy. His kindly nature made him loved by all and his circle of friends was coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. On the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a poem concerning his classmates in which he termed them "The Boys." Speaking of one of them he said:
"You see that boy laughing, you think he's all fun
But the angels laugh, too, at the good he has done.
The children laugh loud as they troop to his call
But the poor man that knows him laughs loudest of all."
These words are entirely applicable to Mr. Isecke, who belonged to that class of men who shed around them much of life's sunshine and who are ever putting forth earnest and effective effort to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate.
WILLIAM H. LEONARD.