Mr. Hanson is a member of the Grange and is interested in everything that has to do with advancing agricultural progress and welfare in the state. He thus cooperates in the organized movements to promote the interests of farmers and to promulgate knowledge that will render their labors of greatest effect in crop production and in stock raising. Moreover, Mr. Hanson is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in Walla Walla county. For one term he filled the office of county commissioner and in 1908-9 he represented his district in the general assembly, where he gave careful consideration to all the vital questions that came up for settlement. His position upon any important subject is never an equivocal one. He does not hesitate to express his honest convictions and in fact he puts forth every effort to support his views and secure their adoption. In all matters of citizenship he is very progressive and has displayed as well the spirit of enterprise in all of his business undertakings, so that he now ranks with the leading bankers and farmers of his part of the state.
ORLANDO DEMARIS.
Orlando Demaris, who throughout his active business life followed farming but is now living retired in the city of Walla Walla, was born in Iowa on the 7th of January, 1851, and is a son of James and Eliza J. (White) Demaris, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They came to Washington in 1863 and located on a farm in Walla Walla county on Dry creek, where the father built a log cabin with a clapboard roof, board floor and stick chimney, which was the home of the family for several years. Later the parents removed to Walla Walla, where both died. In their family were twelve children, of whom nine still survive.
Orlando Demaris was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Walla Walla county, where he grew to manhood and attended school. After completing his education he remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, giving his father the benefit of his labors. He then purchased a farm and engaged in its operation until his retirement, since which time he has made his home in the city of Walla Walla. He is still the owner, however, of seven hundred acres of land, well improved and under cultivation.
ORLANDO DEMARIS
In 1875 Mr. Demaris married Miss Mary M. Lewis, a native of Iowa, which state was also the birthplace of her parents, Reese and Mary (Jackson) Lewis, who brought their family to Walla Walla county in 1863 and settled on a farm, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. They had four children and three of the number are still living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Demaris are as follows: Laura and Frankie, both deceased; David, Fred, Guy, Alva and Edwin. Guy and Alva are now in the government service at Fort Riley, Kansas. The three other sons now operate their father's farm.