JAMES H. LASATER.
James H. Lasater became one of the pioneer residents and early attorneys of Walla Walla and for many years was closely associated with public events of importance which left their impress upon the growth, development and progress of city and state. He arrived in the northwest in April, 1863, and from that date until his death, or for a third of a century, was closely connected with interests which have had important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of Washington.
The birth of James H. Lasater occurred in McMinn county, Tennessee, on the 19th of October, 1823. He was reared in his native county, where he spent the period of his boyhood and youth and in fact there remained for a few years after reaching adult age. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, where the gold fields were attracting thousands of fortune seekers, but in 1851 he returned to Tennessee, again making his way over the plains until he reached Illinois. Through the two following years he devoted his attention to the study of law under the direction of Judge William Kellogg in Canton and in Bloomington, Illinois, but in the fall of 1852 he again made his way westward, this time settling in Oregon City, Oregon, where he arrived in October. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar at Salem, Oregon, and became one of the well known attorneys of that section of the Sunset state.
There Mr. Lasater continued until April, 1863, when he removed to Walla Walla, where he opened a law office and entered upon the active practice of his profession. He was connected with much of the principal litigation heard in the courts of the district and was also prominent in public affairs. He was one of the leaders of the democratic party and was for years chairman of the county central committee. In 1864 he was elected district attorney but refused to qualify, and in 1869 he became a member of the legislature. He proved one of the ablest men in that body and contributed largely toward shaping the laws enacted in that session. In early manhood he had taken a medical course and received his degree and for a short time practiced, but disliking many features of the work, he abandoned that profession and turned his attention to law, in which he found a congenial field. He was quick to recognize the opportunity for becoming the owner of valuable lands open to the early settler and in the course of time acquired title to nineteen hundred acres in Walla Walla county and in Oregon. Much of his land is located in the richest part of Walla Walla valley and is now very valuable. He also owned city properties and was one of the men of affluence of Walla Walla county.
James H. Lasater was united in marriage to Miss Emily Moore, a native of Illinois, and for many years they traveled life's journey happily together, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Mr. Lasater passed away on the 20th of August, 1896, and thus was brought to a close a life that had been instrumental in the upbuilding of his county along many lines. He was familiar with every phase of pioneer experience in the west and his spirit of enterprise and progress wrought results the benefits of which have been most lasting.
EDWARD BYRNES.
Edward Byrnes was a very substantial citizen of Walla Walla county whose death in 1916 was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He belonged to that class who proudly wear the American title of a self-made man. He owed his progress and his prosperity entirely to his individual efforts, for he started out in life when very young and had no assistance from others as the years went on.