Mr. Clodius votes with the democratic party and he has twice been a candidate for the office of county commissioner but failed of election. He belongs to Walla Walla Lodge, K. P. He is one of the wealthy farmers of Walla Walla county, is one of its broad gauged men and enjoys the friendship and regard of a great majority of those with whom he has come in contact. He is forceful and resourceful, has ever accomplished what he has undertaken and in the attainment of his success has followed well defined plans and purposes.
LEWIS SCHMUCK.
Lewis Schmuck, now living retired, was for many years a prominent figure in the business circles of Walla Walla, where he operated extensively in connection with the lumber industry as a member of the firm that established the business now conducted under the name of Whitehouse-Crawford Company. His start in business life was most humble. He began earning his living by selling newspapers and shining shoes. His educational advantages were naturally limited but he made such good use of his time and opportunities for securing intellectual advancement that in young manhood he was able to secure a teacher's certificate and for a time engaged in teaching school. Each point in his career has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and his life has been characterized by a most splendid and steady progression.
Mr. Schmuck was born in Peoria, Illinois, June 2, 1852, a son of Xavier and Mary Schmuck. The father was born in Alsace, and as a member of the French army fought against the Germans. The mother died when Lewis Schmuck was but a young child and at the early age of ten years he left home and began to shift for himself. He sold newspapers on the streets of Peoria during war times, when many extras were being published, and he also shined shoes, thus picking up many a stray nickel wherever possible. Later he drifted into the country, where he worked as a farm hand, and immediately following the close of the Civil war he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farm work. Still later he was employed in a stone quarry and worked on the building of the state prison. He continued in Nebraska for almost seven years and by reason of his continuous employment that he might provide for his own support he had little chance to obtain an education. However, he was desirous of progressing along the line of intellectual culture and when possible attended a few months' school. He had pursued his studies to a limited extent before he left home in his tenth year and he did not again attend school until after he had attained his majority, when he devoted three months each winter for three years to improving his education in Nebraska. In the school of experience, however, he had learned many valuable lessons and, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, was continually adding to his knowledge. After his nine months' school training in Nebraska he was able to secure two third grade certificates and later a second grade certificate. He taught one summer term in Nebraska, after which he resolved to try his fortune in the northwest, having heard favorable reports concerning this section of the country.
Arriving in Walla Walla on the 24th of December, 1877, Mr. Schmuck spent the following winter as an employe in the sawmill of Dr. Blalock and thus he obtained his initial experience in connection with the lumber industry. In the summer of 1878 he carried the hod in connection with the erection of the Schwabacher store building on the present site of the Gardner building. In the fall of that year he was employed in a wheat warehouse, loading grain on the Dr. Baker Railroad. Late in the fall of that year, in company with Charles Cooper, he established a small chop mill adjoining the Glassford planing mill, securing power from the latter plant. Subsequently they built a factory on the present site of the Whitehouse-Crawford Company and engaged in the manufacture of the cheaper kinds of household furniture. This business was conducted successfully for several years and was finally developed into the lumber business. In the meantime Mr. Schmuck and his partner acquired a ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres in Whitman county and stocked the ranch, after which Mr. Schmuck located thereon in order to look after their cattle business, while his partner attended to their lumber interests in Walla Walla. This business was subsequently purchased by the firm of Whitehouse & Crimmins and later became the Whitehouse-Crawford Company. Mr. Schmuck remained upon the ranch for twelve years and then established his home in Colfax, where he engaged in the farm implement business for five years. On the expiration of that period, or in 1911, he sold out and returned to Walla Walla, where he has since lived retired. He is still, however, the owner of twenty-two hundred and seventy acres of wheat land in Umatilla county, Oregon, and a tract of four hundred and twenty-seven acres in Dixie, Walla Walla county. His investments have been most judiciously made and from his realty holdings he derives a very gratifying annual income.
On the 30th of July, 1883, Mr. Schmuck was united in marriage to Miss Bettie Wade, a niece of T. T. Burgess, by whom she was reared. They became parents of a daughter, Sarah E., who is now the wife of Frank Vollendorff, state clerk of the penitentiary. The wife and mother passed away July 6, 1906, and Mr. Schmuck was again married on the 26th of September, 1907, when Mrs. J. B. Chamberlain became his wife. They had become acquainted in early life while he was boarding with her parents in Nebraska. In her maidenhood she was Miss Martha Gerking and was a native of Missouri. By her former marriage she had a daughter, Blanche, who is the wife of C. A. Sprague, owner and editor of the Journal-Times of Ritzville, Washington.
Mr. Schmuck has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for one term as justice of the peace of Whitman county but has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Schmuck belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and to the United Artisans. Mr. Schmuck is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Walla Walla. He has always been a liberal contributor to church and charitable work and has been foremost in all movements for the advancement of the community and its substantial upbuilding. He gave to the city of Colfax what is known as Schmuck Park and many other evidences of his public spirit could be cited. In business affairs he has always displayed sound judgment that has enabled him readily to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential. The methods which he has employed in the attainment of success awaken approval and admiration, for his course has been characterized by enterprise, by indefatigable energy and clear judgment which has won advancement in the business world without infringing on the rights of others. He is a man of well balanced capacities and powers and has long occupied a central place on the stage of action, being accorded leadership almost from the time when he made his initial effort in the field of business in the northwest.
HERBERT McARTHUR.