No student of the history of Columbia county can carry his investigations far without learning of the important part which the Neace family has taken in the agricultural development of this section of the country. John C. Neace is now extensively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, having fifteen hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Columbia county. He was born on the Tucanon, in what is now Columbia county, July 14, 1865, a son of Louis Neace, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. After acquiring a public school education he continued his studies in the schools of Forest Grove, Oregon, where he had as an instructor Professor W. D. Lyman. On reaching manhood he became associated with J. H. Marrow, of Waitsburg, in the mercantile business, under the firm name of J. H. Marrow & Company, and remained in that connection until 1895, when Mr. Neace and T. M. Hanger bought out the interest of Mr. Marrow in the business and thus formed the firm of Neace, Hanger & Company. Mr. Neace was thereafter identified with commercial interests until 1897, when he sold out and in 1898 went to Montana, where he and his brothers, together with their father, formed the Neace Cattle Company and engaged extensively in raising cattle in that state. John C. Neace remained in Montana until May, 1916, when he returned to Columbia county. The Neace Cattle Company owns twenty thousand acres of land in Montana and John C. Neace individually owns fifteen hundred and thirty-two acres in a body in Columbia county, where he now resides. This land is being operated by his son, Donald D.
On the 8th of April, 1888, Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Miss India A. Denney, of Waitsburg, a daughter of Nathaniel B. and Priscilla (Hawk) Denney. The father first crossed the plains to Washington in 1861 and subsequently returned to Iowa, but in 1870 he again came to this state, making the journey across the plains from Iowa in company with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Neace are the parents of a daughter and son: Mildred L., who is the wife of Dr. A. T. Gilhus, of White Sulphur Springs, Montana; and Donald D., who is operating the home farm.
In politics Mr. Neace maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and is a loyal Mason. He has always been closely connected with Columbia county even during the period of his residence in Montana and is widely known as one of its progressive agriculturists. His business methods constitute the last word in modern farming, and undeterred by any obstacles or difficulties which he may meet, he pushes his way steadily forward to success.
J. G. BRUNTON.
J. G. Brunton, a well known and successful farmer residing an section 20, township 8 north, range 38 east, Walla Walla county, was born in that township on the 23d of January, 1881. His parents, W. H. H. and Sarah A. (Lewis) Brunton, are mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. He received his education in the Fix district schools and at Whitman Academy, which he attended for three or four terms. He was a young man of twenty years at the time of his father's death and a year later he left school and turned his attention to farming. In 1903 he filed upon a homestead in Franklin county, but in 1904 he commuted his claim and returned to the home farm. He has since operated about three hundred acres of the land owned by the estate and one hundred and ten acres adjoining, and the large crops which he annually raises are proof of his industry and his practical knowledge of agriculture. He still owns valuable property in Walla Walla which he obtained in trade for his homestead, and he has already gained a competence although still a young man. He gives the most careful attention to whatever task he has in hand and this habit of concentration has been an important factor in his success.
J. G. BRUNTON AND FAMILY