JUDGE MACK F. GOSE
Judge Gose was only five years of age when the family arrived in Walla Walla county and he is indebted to the public schools of Walla Walla for the early educational advantages he enjoyed. After leaving school he entered the office of ex-Senator John B. Allen, one of the distinguished attorneys of the northwest at that time. After reading law for some time, Judge Gose was admitted to the bar in 1883 and at once began the practice of his chosen profession in Pomeroy, where he has since remained, becoming in the meantime one of the leading lawyers of this section of the state. He won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he followed. He has ever displayed remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterize his preparation of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys of the state. It was the qualities which he had displayed in private practice that commended him for judicial service and he was elected a judge of the supreme court, serving on the bench of the court of final appeals in Washington for six years. His opinions are fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical and as brief as the character of the case will permit. He never enlarged beyond the necessities of the legal thought in order to indulge in the drapery of literature. His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar and on the bench has been directed in the line of his profession and his duty.
In 1886 Judge Gose was united in marriage to Miss Lelah Seeley, a daughter of Charles H. Seeley, and to them was born a daughter, L. Vyvien, who is now the wife of Charles A. McCleary, of Olympia. Judge Gose makes his home in Pomeroy, where he occupies an attractive residence, and in addition he owns and supervises a large ranch, taking considerable interest and pride in his agricultural labors. His political endorsement has, since 1896, been given to the republican party and upon that ticket he was elected to the office of mayor of Pomeroy, the reins of city government being in most capable hands during his administration of civic affairs. He is today one of the honored and representative men of the state.
CHARLES F. FLATHERS.
Charles F. Flathers is a representative agriculturist of Walla Walla county, owning and cultivating six hundred and fifty-two acres of valuable land situated on section 32, township 10 north, range 36 east. It was upon this farm that he was born March 17, 1875, a son of Benjamin F. and Melinda (McQuown) Flathers, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the old homestead and became a pupil in the Prescott schools, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father until 1905, when he joined his brothers, John and Emery Flathers, and for five years the three brothers conducted farming interests in a partnership relation. Emery then withdrew but Charles F. and John continued their interests together until 1914. Since that time Charles F. Flathers has carried on farming interests independently and is now the owner of six hundred and fifty-two acres of valuable wheat land, which he carefully and successfully cultivates. He has become one of the most substantial agriculturists of Walla Walla county. He studies closely everything bearing upon wheat culture and the production of other crops suited to soil and climatic conditions here and his progressive methods produce splendid results. His farm with its broad fields, its substantial buildings and its modern improvements presents a most pleasing appearance and is a very attractive feature of the landscape.
On the 20th of October, 1911, Mr. Flathers was married to Miss Elizabeth Fowler, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Colonel Alexander Fowler, of Fort Scott, Kansas, who won his title by service in the Civil war and has now passed away. In politics Mr. Flathers is a democrat but not desirous to hold office. He is a member of Prescott Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Flathers was engaged in nursing in Walla Walla. She is a lady of liberal education and culture and both Mr. and Mrs. Flathers are widely and favorably known in their section of the county, enjoying the high regard of an extensive circle of friends.
S. F. ATWOOD.