Herbert McArthur, deceased, was one of the representative residents of Walla Walla county and a self-made man who in his business career steadily progressed. He started out to earn his living when a little lad of but nine years and from that time forward depended entirely upon his own resources. He was born in the state of New York, November 11, 1868, and was a son of Albert and Grace (Scoville) McArthur, both of whom are natives of the Empire state and are still living there. In their family were four children, two of whom survive.
Herbert McArthur pursued his education in the schools of his native state but his opportunities in that direction were quite limited, for he left home when only nine years of age and began to earn his living. He came in time to be one of the most successful men of the Walla Walla valley. In 1890 he arrived in the city of Walla Walla without a cent. He was then a young man of twenty-two years, and though he lacked capital, he possessed ambition, determination and energy. He utilized every opportunity that promised advancement and he was not afraid of hard work. After a time he embarked in merchandising in Walla Walla and so continued for eight years, after which he sold his business and took charge of the interests of the Blalock Fruit Company, of which he became a large stockholder. This company owned seventeen hundred acres of valuable land devoted to fruit cultivation and Mr. McArthur remained in charge until his death. He closely studied every phase of fruit culture in the northwest, knew where to secure the best nursery stock and also knew just what soil conditions were required for the best production. He studied scientific methods for the care of his trees and the fertilization of the soil, the spraying of the trees, and in fact every branch of work that could facilitate the interests of the company was carefully looked after by him. Following his death Mrs. McArthur purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres of raw prairie land which she has since improved, erecting thereon fine buildings and bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. She now has one of the finest farms in the state of Washington. All of the trees upon the place have been planted since it came into possession of Mrs. McArthur, who is a most capable business woman, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and discriminating quickly between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs.
It was in 1886 that Mr. McArthur was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Abel Gee, who was born in Cuba, New York, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron G. Gee, who were also natives of the Empire state, where her father passed away, as did the mother, whose death occurred in Cuba. Both were laid to rest in New York. In their family were three children, two of whom are now living.
The death of Mr. McArthur occurred in June, 1908, and he was laid to rest in Walla Walla cemetery. His demise was deeply regretted by many friends, for he had won for himself a creditable position not only in business circles but in the regard of those with whom he was associated. Mrs. McArthur is also widely and favorably known in Walla Walla county and ranks with the most representative business women, controlling an estate valued at over three hundred thousand dollars. She possesses notable energy and sound judgment and carries forward to successful completion whatever she begins.
HENRY A. JOHNSON.
Henry A. Johnson, a well known stock raiser of Columbia county, has been a resident of Washington for forty years and has therefore been a witness of much of the growth and development of this section of the state. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born in Lincoln county, August 18, 1844, a son of W. G. D. and Catherine (Miller) Johnson, who were also natives of Canada, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living.
HENRY A. JOHNSON