MAJOR PAUL H. WEYRAUCH
Following his return to the United States, Lieutenant Weyrauch was assigned to duty as quartermaster at Boise Barracks in Boise, Idaho, and later was detailed to the Army School of the line at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He returned to Fort Walla Walla in the fall of 1906 and was retired from active service on the 1st of March, 1907, at which time he again entered civil life.
On the 11th of February, 1907, Major Weyrauch was united in marriage to Miss Edith Moffatt, a daughter of Mrs. Edith G. Moffatt, widow of Lieutenant William P. Moffatt. The father of Mrs. Edith G. Moffatt was the son of the old pioneer, James P. Goodhue, who was among the first, if not the first, settlers of the Walla Walla valley. To Major and Mrs. Weyrauch have been born two children, Paul Russell and Mary Jane.
Soon after his retirement from the army Major Weyrauch served as assistant engineer of the city of Walla Walla for a short time and on the 11th of April, 1907, he became connected with the Blalock Fruit Company, with which he filled various positions, his first position being that of bookkeeper. He was later assistant secretary, also assistant manager, and in April, 1910, became general manager of the company, in which position he still continues. On the 1st of January, 1916, he organized the Blalock Fruit & Produce Company, of which he is the president. This company is a shipping concern and handles the entire output of the Blalock orchards and also that of adjacent tracts. This organization is also a factor in the marketing of all the fruits and vegetables grown in the valley and the business, under the guidance of Major Weyrauch, has been very profitably conducted from the beginning.
Aside from his connection with interests of a personal character Major Weyrauch has figured prominently in promoting interests that have to do with the material upbuilding and prosperity of the community. In April, 1913, he was elected a member of the board of trustees of the Walla Walla Commercial Club and he served as president of the club from April, 1914, until April, 1916. He was also instrumental in organizing the Fruit Growers' Agency, Incorporated, was elected its first president and has done much to further the interests of the organization, which is composed of growers' and shippers' organizations in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, and is fostered by the bureau of markets of the Department of Agriculture. He was reelected president in April, 1917, and is still serving in that capacity. He has been a director of the National Apple Show held in Spokane since 1913. Fraternally Major Weyrauch is a prominent Mason, belonging to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M.; Walla Walla Chapter, R. A. M.; Walla Walla Commandery, K. T.; Spokane Consistory, A. & A. S. R.; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane. He likewise belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E., and is a member of the Spanish War Veterans, belonging to General Lawton Camp No. 7, of which he is a past commander. His interest in military affairs has never ceased. In February, 1910, he organized Company K of the Second Infantry Regiment of the Washington National Guard and commanded the company until January 1, 1911, when he was appointed quartermaster of the Second Infantry and thus served until July, 1912, when it became necessary to resign owing to his increasing business interests, which were making constantly greater and greater demand upon his time and attention. But there came a day when he felt that military duty was paramount to all else and in July, 1917, he organized the First Battalion of the Washington Field Artillery and on the 9th of July was commissioned major. The battalion was mustered into the federal service September 30, 1917, and on the 9th of October left Walla Walla for Camp Green, North Carolina, where they remained until October 25th. They then proceeded to an Atlantic seaport and sailed for France, December 24th, arriving there safely January 9, 1918. Major Weyrauch has faithfully served his adopted land in military capacities for many years—a splendid example of the loyalty expressed by many men of German birth who recognize their obligations to the country under whose laws they have found protection and by whose privileges and opportunities they have benefited, while in return they render the utmost allegiance and loyalty.
OSCAR E. GRANT.
Oscar E. Grant, who is extensively and successfully engaged in farming in Walla Walla county, near Prescott, was born January 23, 1870, and is a native son of the state of Washington. His parents were Jonathan and Elizabeth Grant, the former a native of Indiana, whence he removed westward and established his home in Walla Walla county, Washington, at a very early day. Here he passed away, while his widow, who was also born in Indiana, is still living.
Oscar E. Grant spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Walla Walla county, as he has the period of his manhood. He was early trained to the active work of the farm upon his father's place and devoted the summer months to the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting but in the winter seasons attended the public schools. He has never sought to change his occupation but has found in agriculture a vocation thoroughly congenial and one which has proven highly profitable to him. He now owns eight hundred acres of fine wheat land in this section of the state, together with some pasture land. His fields are thoroughly cultivated and his progressive methods produce substantial results.