W. H. Wood was reared under the parental roof, being only about a year old when brought by his parents to the northwest. He became familiar with every phase of pioneer life in this section of Washington and has lived to witness the remarkable growth and development that has occurred in the intervening years. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the age of eighteen he started out independently in the business world by leasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he began farming. He sold his wheat at thirty-eight cents per bushel and realized three hundred dollars profit from his crop. He continued to carry on farming on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase, in 1902, his first land. He invested in one hundred and sixty acres, the purchase price of which was one thousand dollars. He borrowed much of the money with which to pay for his farm and thus made his start toward success. He continued to practice the most rigid economy and the most unfaltering industry and within three years he had cleared his ranch of all indebtedness. From that time forward he made it his purpose to add to his holdings whenever favorable opportunity offered and today he owns and cultivates four hundred and fifty-seven acres and also leases another tract of four hundred and eighty acres, and is now extensively engaged in farming in Thorn Hollow. He has brought his land under high cultivation, has added many improvements to the place and thereon are found all the accessories, conveniences and modern equipment of a model farm. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Wood is a stockholder in the Dayton Mercantile Company. Opportunity is to him ever a call to action and a call to which he readily responds.
In 1902 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Maud McCall, a daughter of Charles T. McCall, one of the early settlers of Columbia county, who now makes his home in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have two children, Daniel W. and Walter H.
In his political views Mr. Wood is a republican and always votes for the men and measures of the party but has never been an office seeker. He prefers to concentrate his thought and attention upon his business affairs. He is a man of strong purpose whose plans are well defined and he displays resourcefulness in accomplishing any object for which he starts out. Practically a lifelong resident of Washington, there is no phase of its development through three decades with which he is not familiar and as a farmer he has contributed much to the agricultural progress of this section of the state.
JOHN F. MARTIN.
John F. Martin, one of the leading stock raisers of Walla Walla county, is living on section 3, township 6 north, range 33 east, where he has a valuable tract of land of three hundred and thirty acres. His business affairs are wisely directed and his efforts have done much to raise the standard of stock raising in this section of the state.
From early pioneer times Mr. Martin has resided within the borders of Washington. In fact he is one of the native sons, having been born in Thurston county on the 1st of May, 1858. His parents are William and Ann E. (Yantis) Martin, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Missouri. They crossed the plains to the northwest in 1852 and settled first in Thurston county but after about two decades established their home in Walla Walla, where they resided until 1901 and where Mr. Martin was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1901 they removed to Touchet.
John F. Martin was reared and educated in this state, becoming a resident of Walla Walla county in 1872, when a youth of fourteen years. In 1883 he removed to Wallula, where he engaged in buying cattle, and in 1900 he purchased his present farm of three hundred and thirty acres, then a tract of pasture and alfalfa land. He has since concentrated his efforts and attention upon its development and improvement and the result of his labors is seen in highly cultivated fields, in well kept fences, in substantial buildings and in the latest improved machinery. He has made a specialty of stock raising and is now engaged extensively in handling Percheron horses, Durham cattle and Oxford sheep. He has closely studied the best methods of caring for stock and is familiar with all of the scientific principles that underlie his work as well as the practical phases of his activities. In addition to his live stock interests Mr. Martin is connected with the Touchet State Bank as one of its directors.
In 1886 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Belle Tyson, a native of Nebraska, by whom he has six children, namely: Charles W., who is coach at the Pennsylvania State College, which position he has held for four years; Frank J.; May, the wife of H. J. Hanson; Lucy,. who gave her hand in marriage to Wendel Barker, of Walla Walla; Blanche M., a high school graduate; and Pearl.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Eagles. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has served for twelve years on the school board and the cause of education has found in him a faithful friend whose labors have done much to promote educational interests in this section. As a business man he is thoroughly alert and progressive, watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, and his long experience and close study enable him to speak with authority upon all matters relative to stock raising. He has, indeed, won a place of prominence in this connection in Walla Walla county.