MRS. RAYMOND R. REES
Mr. Rees formed a partnership with Nemiah Northrop and established the first newspaper in this section—the Washington Statesman. The firm sent to Portland for a press, which arrived on schedule time, and the first issue of the new paper appeared on November 27th. The publishers therein made the following announcement to the public: "We send forth this morning with our congratulations the first number of the Washington Statesman, and respectfully solicit the attention of the people of Walla Walla and county to its pages.... That a weekly publication devoted to the various interests of the country, containing all the news which may be gathered from different quarters, is essentially needed in the Walla Walla valley we premise no permanent resident will deny. This admitted, we have no misgivings as to the disposition of the people to come forward and promptly sustain an enterprise so materially calculated to further their interests as a community." In the meantime the firm of Rees & Northrop learned that two brothers named Smith intended starting a democratic paper in Walla Walla and had sent to Portland for a press, which, however, reached The Dalles just as the Columbia river, at that time the only highway, froze over, with the result that it could not be delivered for three months. Mr. Smith desired to become a member of his competing firm and his wish was granted. The first subscriptions did not come in to the new paper as readily as had been expected. Accordingly Mr. Smith made a tour on horseback of Walla Walla county and Umatilla county and succeeded in obtaining two hundred subscriptions at five dollars per year, the circulation list containing the names of practically all the men of the two counties. The Statesman was the first newspaper established in eastern Washington, then known as the "upper country," and was a factor of great importance in the early development of this region. Mr. Rees was one of the owners of that journal until November, 1865, when he sold his interest therein to W. H. Newell, and the following five years were devoted to farming in connection with his father-in-law. In 1870 he returned to Walla Walla and formed a partnership with H. E. Johnson for the conduct of a mercantile business under the style of Johnson & Rees. Two years later W. P. Winans bought into the firm and the name was changed to Johnson, Rees & Winans. With Mr. Johnson's subsequent retirement from the business the firm name became Rees & Winans and so remained until 1887, when the business was sold. In the meantime a two-story building was erected where now stands the Farmers Savings Bank. Plans were subsequently made for the erection of the Rees-Winans building but before construction work was begun Mr. Rees was called by death. His widow, with Mr. Winans, however, carried out the plans already made and the building was erected in due time and was an important addition to the downtown section of Walla Walla. As a merchant Mr. Rees was enterprising, progressive and sound of judgment, managing his affairs carefully and giving much thought to anticipating the demands of his customers. He based his success upon the firm foundation of the best service possible and full return for all money received.
Mr. Rees was married March 12, 1865, to Miss Augusta Ward, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Ward. She was born near Chicago, in De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1843 and in 1853 accompanied her parents to Oregon, the journey being made by ox team. The family settled near Lebanon, in Linn county, but the long wet season proved unhealthful and Mr. Ward developed serious throat trouble. On the advice of a physician he removed to Walla Walla county, bringing with him three hundred head of cattle. That winter, however, there was an unusually heavy snowfall and owing to the unfavorable weather conditions he lost all of his cattle but forty-four. However, the increase in prices enabled him to realize so much from the remaining cattle that his net loss was inconsiderable. He bought the Lewis McMorris ranch a few miles south of Walla Walla and operated that place for some time but at length disposed of it. He then removed to Walla Walla and erected there the most pretentious home in the city at the corner of East and Poplar streets. At the time of the visit of President Hayes and party the president and his wife were entertained at the home of Mr. Ward, as there were no suitable hotel accommodations to be found in the city. Mrs. Hayes insisted in helping with the house work and at her request fried apples were served at breakfast. The democratic spirit manifested by the president and his wife made their visit a genuine pleasure as well as an honor. To Mr. and Mrs. Rees were born three children: Frank W., a well known dentist of Walla Walla; Elma R., the wife of H. H. Turner, cashier of the Baker-Boyer Bank of Walla Walla; and Lora R., the wife of Paul Compton, of Los Angeles, California. Mr. Compton is a son of General Compton, who for years had command of the garrison at Walla Walla.
Mr. Rees was a prominent democrat and for many years took an active part in politics. He represented his district at two different times in the state legislature; for several years served as county treasurer, and his record as an official was highly creditable alike to his ability and his public spirit. He was always called upon with a certainty of response for aid in carrying out projects for the development of Walla Walla city and county and his demise, which occurred July 12, 1889, was recognized as a great loss to his community.
His widow survives and resides in one of the handsomest residences of the city, in which she takes great pride, for it was built in accordance with plans drawn by herself. After the death of her husband she carried on the business of the estate. She is one of the honored pioneer settlers of Walla Walla and her reminiscences of the early days when the present rapidly growing city was a little frontier settlement are much appreciated by the younger generation, who find it hard to realize that conditions have changed so radically within a half century. When she came to this region there were not more than twenty white women in the valley and she is one of the very few of the number now living.
JOHN H. ROMAINE.
John H. Romaine, who has been engaged in farming in Columbia county, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, April 15, 1857, a son of Garrit Romaine, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject grew to manhood in his native state and there received a good common school education. When twenty years old he accompanied his parents to Washington and not long after his arrival in this state took up a homestead on section 25, township 11 north, range 38 east. He brought his land to a high state of development, and gained recognition as a progressive and capable farmer. He raised both wheat and stock and his annual income reached gratifying proportions. He added to his holdings as the years passed until he owned fourteen hundred acres of fine land but sold out in the fall of 1917 and purchased a ranch of seven hundred and fifty-five acres in Umatilla county, Oregon, nine miles south of Walla Walla, Washington, on which he expects to locate.
In 1882 Mr. Romaine was united in marriage to Miss May McKellips and following her death married Miss Ella Davis, a daughter of Cyrus and Nancy (Holly) Davis, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio. They removed to Old Walla Walla county and here her father passed away in 1910. Her mother survives and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Romaine. The latter have become the parents of four children: Jean M., deceased; one who died in infancy; Garrit; and Jean Henry.