J. W. SWEAZY.
J. W. Sweazy, a farmer of Columbia county, living on section 34, township 10 north, range 37 east, was born in Wallula, Washington, on the 8th of May, 1884, a son of Frank and Allie J. (Barnes) Sweazy. The father was a native of Portugal, while the mother was born in Missouri. When a youth of fourteen the father came to the United States, having relatives living in Petaluma, California. To that point he made his way. His wife crossed the plains with her mother in 1880, her father having previously been killed while serving as a soldier in the Civil war. She and her mother located on a ranch near Waitsburg, Washington. About the same time Frank Sweazy made his way to Walla Walla county and soon afterward they were married. He then purchased the farm which is now the home of his son, the subject of this review, and thereon he resided for a number of years. Ultimately, however, he removed to Waitsburg, where he continued his residence for twenty years, or until the time of his death in 1914. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Waitsburg.
J. W. Sweazy was educated in the public schools and also attended the Waitsburg Academy. In 1902, at the age of eighteen years, he became a wage earner, entering the employ of Corbett Brothers in the capacity of bookkeeper at their mill at Huntsville. A year later he resigned to accept a position with John Smith, a hardware merchant of Waitsburg, where he filled the position of bookkeeper for four years. On the expiration of that period he went to Walla Walla, where he held the office of deputy county auditor under J. N. McCaw, in which capacity he served for four years. In November, 1910, he was elected county auditor and so continued for two terms of two years each, making a most creditable record in that position by the promptness and systematic manner and general capability with which he discharged his duties. On the expiration of his second term he returned to the home farm, which he has since occupied and operated. It is a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the fields are now bringing forth rich crops. They are divided into tracts of convenient size by well kept fences and there are valuable improvements upon the place, and the spirit of neatness and thrift which there prevails indicates the progressive methods of the owner.
In 1909 Mr. Sweazy was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Ramseur, of Waitsburg, and they have many friends in the community where they live. Mrs. Sweazy is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Sweazy holds membership with Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and is a loyal exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office as reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his thought, attention and purpose upon his farming interests, which are bringing to him substantial success.
JUDGE MACK F. GOSE.
Judge Mack F. Gose is one of the distinguished representatives of the bench and bar in Washington. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the judicial history of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community, and he proved himself the peer of the ablest members of the court of last resort while serving as one of the supreme judges of the state. He was born in Missouri, July 8, 1859, and is a son of John M. and Hannah Gose, natives of Virginia. In 1864 the family came west and after spending a year at Boise, Idaho, proceeded to Walla Walla county, Washington, where the father turned his attention to horticulture, becoming a prominent fruit grower of this region.
