In politics Mr. Maxwell sometimes votes the democratic ticket, sometimes the republican. In fact he is non-partisan, supporting the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office. For many years he has been identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His has been an active, useful and honorable life, winning him the high esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and Walla Walla has long numbered him among its valued, respected and representative citizens.
ALEXANDER MILNE.
Alexander Milne, who owns valuable farm holdings in Umatilla county, Oregon, now resides in Walla Walla and is well and favorably known in the city. He was born in Scotland, August 1, 1856, a son of William and Janet (Reid) Milne, also natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Our subject, who is one of three living children in a family of eight, received his education in his native country and remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old. He then started out on his own account and came to America, believing that this country offered better opportunities to an ambitious young man than the older countries of Europe. He went at once to Umatilla county, Oregon, and for some time was employed as a common laborer, although later he was engaged in railroad work and in freighting. In 1882 he purchased a farm in Umatilla county, Oregon, and for almost three decades his time and attention were given to the operation of that place. He worked hard and, moreover, so planned his labors as to receive the maximum result and the business phase of farming also received his careful study and he accumulated a competence which in 1910 enabled him to retire from active life. He then rented his farm of three hundred and twenty acres and removed to Walla Walla. The value of his place is enhanced by the excellence of the improvements thereon and he derives a good income from its rental.
In 1887 Mr. Milne was united in marriage to Miss Mary Armour, a native of Canada, and they have one son, Edmund, who after graduating from Whitman College went to Harvard University, where he completed his course in 1915. He is now a member of the faculty of Bowdoin College of Brunswick, Maine.
Mr. Milne is a stanch republican but his interests in public affairs is that of a public-spirited citizen and not that of a would-be office holder. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian church and his support can always be counted upon for movements seeking higher moral standards. Although he came to the northwest a boy in his teens without money or any usual advantages of any kind he has through his own efforts gained financial independence and justly ranks as one of the substantial residents of Walla Walla.
J. C. MELGER.
J. C. Melger, who since 1914 has owned and operated the farm that he now occupies on section 14, township 8 north, range 37 east in Walla Walla county, has in the course of an active and well spent life won substantial reward from his labors. While he acquired the ownership of his present farm only three years ago he has long been a resident of Walla Walla county, where he arrived in 1888, while Washington was still a territory. He was born in Russia, January 31, 1868, a son of Christ and Mary (Layman) Melger, both of whom spent their entire lives in Russia.
J. C. Melger was reared to his eighteenth year in his native country and acquired his education in its public schools. The favorable reports which had reached him concerning America and its opportunities led him to the determination to try his fortune in the new world and in 1886 he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States. He was penniless when he arrived in New York city, but a fellow traveler advanced him money with which to reach Chicago and from there he wired to some friends in Kansas to send him the funds to continue his journey westward. Accordingly he made his way to the Sunflower state, where he spent two years. But still the lure of the west was upon him, beckoning him farther on, and in 1888 he made his way to the Pacific coast country. It was in that year that he arrived in Walla Walla county, Washington, where he secured employment on a ranch. He thus worked for eleven years in order to gain a start, after which he began farming on his own account as a renter. He was thus engaged until 1914, when his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase his present place, comprising two hundred and eighteen acres, on which he now resides. He has since operated this farm and in connection with his home place he cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rented land. He is industrious and energetic and is meeting with good success in his undertakings.