Mr. Hayes has lived to see the pioneer cabins replaced by the more commodious and beautiful homes on the farms as well as in the cities. He has seen his family grow to manhood and womanhood, and though not possessed of wealth, he is spending his late years in comfort on his productive farm in the foothills. He takes great pleasure in discussing his many interesting experiences, and when in a reminiscent mood can relate most thrilling tales of the days when the Indians were constantly on the warpath, and when he and his comrades traveled many miles over unbroken roads, swam their horses across swollen streams, and often subsisted for days on scanty rations. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone in life's journey, but is still hale and hearty and boasts an endurance equal to that of his sons.
MARCUS ZÜGER.
Few men control farming interests of such extent in Walla Walla county as does Marcus Züger, who is the owner of forty-two hundred acres of land. Moreover, he figures in financial circles as the president of the Exchange Bank of Waitsburg. Alert and enterprising in business, he has carefully watched his opportunities, which he has wisely improved, and his energy and determination have carried him forward into important relations in business circles. A native of Switzerland, he was born June 18, 1852, a son of Carl and Elizabeth (Horner) Züger, who were also natives of the land of the Alps, where they spent their entire lives and reared their family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living.
Marcus Züger was reared and educated in Switzerland and in 1871, when a young man of nineteen years, bade adieu to friends and native country in order to try his fortune in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic, he spent five years in Boston, Massachusetts, but in 1877 heard and heeded the call of the west. It was in that year that he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, and took up a homestead claim on which he built a box house. In true pioneer style he began life on the western frontier, but with the passing years he has been able to secure all of the comforts and conveniences known to the older east, for his labors have brought substantial success and his sound judgment has enabled him to wisely invest his earnings in real estate. Adding to his property from time to time, his landed possessions now aggregate forty-two hundred acres in the great wheat belt of southeastern Washington. He is now extensively engaged in the raising of wheat and also pays some attention to stock raising, he and his sons farming all of his land. His cooperation has also been sought in connection with banking and he is now the president of the Exchange Bank of Waitsburg.
In June, 1872, in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Züger was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Jacober, a native of Switzerland, and they became the parents of five sons: Fred, who has passed away; Marcus, a farmer; Carl, who died while serving in the Spanish-American war; and Henry and Frank, who are associated with their father and their brother Marcus in farming operations. The wife and mother passed away in February, 1909, and was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery in Walla Walla. Her death was the occasion of deep regret not only to her family but to many friends, for she had gained the warm regard and friendship of many with whom she had been brought in contact.
Fraternally Mr. Züger is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has always voted the republican ticket since becoming a naturalized American citizen and he has done active service for the community as a member of the school board. He has never regretted his determination to come to America, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and has steadily worked his way upward, winning the proud title of a self-made man. He arrayed determination, perseverance and capability against drawbacks, poverty and trials and the result was absolutely certain, for the former three are invincible—they know no defeat. He today therefore ranks among the most prosperous residents of Walla Walla county and his activities are of a character that have contributed much to the agricultural development of this section of the state. Making his home in Waitsburg, he is now able to enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so worthily has it been won.
JOHN W. WOODS, D. V. S.
Dr. John W. Woods, one of the incorporators of the Veterinary Hospital Company, builders of the City Veterinary Hospital of Walla Walla, was born in Contra Costa county, California, on the 20th of May, 1868. His parents, Daniel and Sarah (Golden) Woods, crossed the plains to California about the time of the gold excitement in that state, locating in Contra Costa county, where the father engaged in mining and subsequently turned his attention to merchandising. Both he and his wife remained residents of Contra Costa county, California, until called to their final rest.