WILLIAM RESER.
William Reser, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Walla Walla county, living on section 4, township 6 north, range 35 east, came to the northwest from Davis county, Iowa, where he was born on the 18th of April, 1859, his parents being George and Mary (Waterman) Reser, who were reared and married in Iowa and in 1863 crossed the plains with horse teams to Washington. On reaching Walla Walla county the father homesteaded, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land in the valley near where is now seen the Whitman monument, and upon that place he and his wife lived until called to their final rest.
William Reser was a little lad of four years when the parents came to Washington. He acquired his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses common at that frontier period. During his youth he rode the plains as a cowboy and he experienced all of the hardships and privations of frontier life. He has lived to witness marked transformation in all that pertains to agricultural progress and development in this section. An important event in his life occurred on Christmas day of 1883, at which date he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Kirkland, a daughter of Andrew J. Kirkland, who crossed the plains from Arkansas to Oregon in 1852 and became a resident of Walla Walla county, Washington, in 1864. Here he took up a homestead claim in the township where his daughter still resides, and upon that place he spent his remaining days.
Following his marriage Mr. Reser purchased land in Umatilla county, Oregon, and there carried on farming for seven years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in township 6 north, Walla Walla county, and to his property has since added from time to time as his financial resources have increased until he and his wife today own three hundred and sixty-five acres, constituting one of the valuable farm properties of this section of the state. He has carefully tilled his fields and developed his farm and as the years have gone by his labors have brought good results. To the household were added two sons: Byron E., who is now engaged in the automobile business in Kennewick, Washington; and Raymond K., who is operating the home farm for his father.
In his political views Mr. Reser has long been a stalwart democrat and, while not an office seeker, he has served as a member of the school board. He is interested in the cause of public education and in all that pertains to progress and improvement along any desired line. He ranks with the leading and representative citizens of Walla Walla. There have been no spectacular phases in his career. Almost his entire life has been devoted to the quiet pursuit of farming and through energy and persistency of purpose he has won success. His business affairs are always carefully managed and directed and the integrity of his business methods in trade transactions is questioned by none. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, acknowledge his sterling worth.
HON. H. H. HANSON.
Hon. H. H. Hanson is a wide-awake and progressive business man who figures prominently in connection with the agricultural and financial interests of Walla Walla county. He is the president of the Touchet State Bank and since 1900 he has been actively identified with farming, giving his attention largely to fruit growing and to dairying. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this section of the state. His birth occurred in New Hampshire, February 24, 1865, his parents being John and Frances Hanson. The father was a native of Maine, while the mother was born in the old Granite state and there she spent her entire life. In 1876 the father left New England and made his way westward to California, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Walla Walla county and entered the employ of Mr. Baker. Here he continued to reside until called to his final rest. In the family were but two children: H. H., of this review; and Ena, now deceased.
H. H. Hanson was reared and educated in the east, continuing his residence in that section of the country until 1883, when owing to the fact that his father was living in Washington, he made his way to this state. Here he entered the employ of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, which he represented as an operator until 1900. He preferred, however, to engage in business on his own account and in that year turned his attention to farming on the place on which he now resides on section 34, Hill township. Here he owns two hundred acres of alfalfa land and he is also engaged quite extensively in dairying and in fruit raising. He is thoroughly familiar with progressive methods of horticulture and his orchards indicate the most thorough and scientific care. His dairy interests, too, are characterized by the most capable management and the sanitary conditions that prevail make the products of his dairy a very much desired article. His business interests are wisely and carefully managed and he pursues with thoroughness anything that he undertakes, so that successful accomplishment crowns his labors.
In 1888 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Hall, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has twelve children, namely: Hayden, Fred, Preston, Ollie, Helen, Oliver, Francis, Allen, Ena May, Harry, Lawrence and Georgie.