MRS. WOODSON CUMMINS
Woodson Cummins was a little lad of but seven summers when the family came to the northwest. He was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of Touchet. In the spring of 1880 he went to Elgin, Oregon, and for three years was engaged in the livestock business, after which he returned to Walla Walla county. In 1882 he purchased the old home farm and continued to engage in the livestock business. He also cultivated his fields and became recognized as one of the energetic and representative farmers of the community. He took up a homestead claim adjoining his father's old farm and in subsequent years he has purchased other land and now owns six hundred and forty acres. Year by year his farming and livestock interests were carefully conducted and his business affairs grew in volume and importance. He displayed sound judgment in the management of his interests and utilized the most progressive methods in conducting his work. Prosperity therefore came to him and at length, having become the possessor of a very substantial competence, he removed to Touchet about 1908 and a year later gave up active farming, since which time he has lived practically retired. He was, however, one of the organizers of the Touchet State Bank, has been a member of its board of directors from the beginning and also has filled the office of vice president from the organization.
On the 12th of September, 1880, Mr. Cummins was united in marriage to Miss Jemima J. Weaver, of Elgin, Oregon, by whom he has five children, as follows: Clarence E., who is yard manager of the Touchet yards of the Tum-a-Lum Lumber Company; Walter R., who cultivates a farm of his own and also some of his father's land; Hettie, who is the wife of W. E. Burnap, an agriculturist of township 7 north; Leila M., the wife of K. W. Parsons, who is engaged in farming near Lowden, Walla Walla county; and Elmer J., the proprietor of a garage in Touchet. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins also have an adopted daughter, Eva Pearl, now the wife of A. Hanson, residing near Touchet.
In his political views Mr. Cummins has long been a republican, giving stalwart support to the party and doing all in his power to promote its successes, yet never seeking nor desiring office for himself. He holds membership in Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Primitive Baptist church. His religious faith has guided him in all of his relations and has made his business career one of unquestioned integrity and honor. He has combined high purpose with laudable ambition and his career proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN SPREITZER.
Among the retired farmers residing in Walla Walla is numbered John Spreitzer, who was born in Austria in 1860, of the marriage of Stephen and Gertrude Spreitzer, also natives of that country. There the mother passed away and there the father still maintains his home. To them were born nine children, of whom three are deceased.
John Spreitzer was reared at home and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of Austria. When twenty-three years of age, or in 1883, he crossed the Atlantic to America, having determined to seek his fortune in this comparatively new country. For six years he lived in Chicago and then went to Colorado, where he spent one year. At the end of that time, in 1890, he came to Walla Walla county, Washington, and for five years operated rented land. He then bought six hundred and forty acres and devoted his time to the cultivation of that tract until 1911, when, feeling that he had accumulated a competence, he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where he purchased an attractive residence on East Chestnut street. The value of his property is enhanced by the fact that there are many fruit trees upon the farm which bear abundantly.
In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Spreitzer and Mrs. Katie Hendricks, a native of Germany. Mr. Spreitzer is a republican in politics but has confined his participation in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. Fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and has many friends within and without that organization. He came to America empty-handed, but being quick to recognize and take advantage of the opportunities here offered, has by his own efforts gained the prosperity which he now enjoys.