In 1890 Mr. Taylor made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of two hundred acres, which he bought at thirty dollars per acre. This was situated two and a half miles from Waitsburg and is located in Wilson Hollow, the Walla Walla and Columbia county division line passing through his property. Subsequently he bought one hundred and eight acres adjoining, making his home place a valuable tract of three hundred and eight acres. For the the second purchase he paid ninety-five dollars per acre, but today he would refuse one hundred and fifty dollars per acre for the entire farm. In addition to his interests in Walla Walla county he owns six hundred and forty acres in Dawson county, Montana, and an equity in one hundred and sixty acres in the mountains. His farming interests have always been wisely and carefully conducted. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and well kept fences divide his place into tracts of convenient size for development. He practices the rotation of crops and the latest improved methods of farming and understands the scientific principles which underlie his work. His efforts are of a most practical character and it seems that he makes the wisest possible use of his time and opportunities. In addition to his farming interests he became one of the incorporators of the Exchange Bank of Waitsburg and was elected a member of the board of directors, in which capacity he has since served.
To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was born a daughter, Estella, who is now the wife of Milan Smith, a merchant of Waitsburg. They also have a foster daughter whom they have reared from a child of four years—Isabelle Taylor, who is a graduate of the Waitsburg high school and is now at home.
Mr. Taylor belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., also to Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., while his wife is connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and also with the Rebekah degree of Odd Fellows. Mr. Taylor left the farm and removed to Waitsburg in 1900, after which he continued to operate his land from that point until 1917. He is now living retired, however, leaving the care and management of the property to others. He is one of Waitsburg's foremost citizens. He has one of the handsome homes of the town, with all modern improvements, and he is enjoying in the fullest degree the comforts of life. His success is indeed well merited, for it has been honorably won and his life record proves what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. He had no assistance when he started out for himself, but he early learned to place his dependence upon industry and indomitable energy and his progressive farming methods enabled him year by year to add to his capital until he is now the possessor of a substantial competence that classes him with the more successful men of Walla Walla county.
FRANCIS M. LOWDEN.
A notably successful career is that of Francis M. Lowden, who is engaged in farming and stock raising and still remains an active factor in business, although he has passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Boone county, Kentucky, February 7, 1832, but much of his youth was passed in Brown county, Illinois, where he resided until 1849, when at the age of seventeen years he crossed the plains with a party of four. The young men traveled on horseback, bringing with them a light wagon pulled by four horses to carry their effects. They first went to Sacramento and from that point Mr. Lowden proceeded to Downieville, where he followed placer mining for a season. Later he went to Nevada City and in 1851 he returned to Sacramento, where he invested the proceeds of his successful mining ventures in mules and engaged in packing, a business which he followed profitably for twenty-one years. His train conveyed freight into various parts of California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana and thus he became familiar with all of the west and its development. Hostile bands of Indians who were on marauding expeditions throughout the country were a menace to him, but by continued watchfulness he managed to avoid loss, standing guard himself and never trusting hired help to this duty. He allowed no fires to be built near his herd and his constant care was rewarded by success. In 1878 he sold his packing business and established his home between Walla Walla and Wallula, Washington, where he engaged in raising and dealing in cattle, but in 1880 he lost about ninety per cent of his herds. He did not allow himself to become discouraged but with resolute purpose sought to retrieve his losses and purchased about five thousand acres of land in Walla Walla valley with the view of again engaging in the business on an extensive scale. By means of ditches he brought water into every field of this vast tract and soon developed a most excellent stock ranch. This land is still in possession of the family, being owned by the Lowden Company, which was incorporated for the purpose of raising horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. They have imported many costly thoroughbred animals, never sparing expense to secure the best stock, and they have done much to promote the standards of stock raising in Washington. They have high grade horses, cattle, hogs and sheep upon their place and theirs is one of the leading stock ranches in southeastern Washington. Mr. Lowden has ever been a very active and enterprising man, possessed of courage, fortitude and resourcefulness—the characteristics of the true pioneer. Moreover, he is a very efficient business man, alert and enterprising and watchful of every opportunity pointing to success. His interests have ever been most wisely and carefully controlled and his sound judgment has ever stood as an important feature in his progress.
MR. AND MRS. SIMON TAYLOR