At the usual age Richard D. Roberts became a pupil in the district schools and there mastered the elementary branches of learning. He afterward attended the public schools of Waitsburg and also spent one term as a student in the Waitsburg Academy. In the spring of 1898, prior to his father's death, he took over the management and development of the home farm, which he has since operated. He owns a five-sevenths interest in the home place, together with a half interest in another farm of five hundred and twenty acres in Columbia county. He also has two hundred and forty acres in the Imperial valley of California. He cultivates the home place of three hundred and thirty-five acres, the Columbia county farm of five hundred and twenty acres, of which he owns a half interest, and he leases five hundred and eighty acres, thus farming in all fourteen hundred and thirty-five acres of land in the Inland Empire. His extensive operations are most carefully and wisely conducted. Scientific methods underlie his work. He early realized the fact that farm interests should be as carefully systematized as a commercial undertaking and in all of his work he is methodical and progressive. His farm machinery is of the latest improved kind and there is no accessory of a model farm property of the twentieth century that is not to be found upon his place.
In 1900 Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Bateman, a daughter of Henry Bateman, who was one of the earliest of Walla Walla county's pioneers, first coming here in 1849 and the following year settling on a claim on Coppei creek. He was an Indian war veteran and one of the conspicuous figures in the early pioneer life of Walla Walla county. His demise occurred in Waitsburg in December, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts now have two sons, Harold and Henry.
In politics Mr. Roberts maintains an independent course, not caring to bind himself by party ties. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, F. & A. M.; to Touchet Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F.; and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and his wife holds membership in the Methodist church. Their lives are guided by high and honorable principles and in all business affairs Mr. Roberts is regarded as thoroughly reliable as well as energetic. His life record is as an open book. He has always lived in this section of the state, has always carried on general agricultural pursuits, and although there are no spectacular phases in his career, he has ever been regarded as a substantial and valued citizen because of his loyalty to the best interests of the community and his cooperation in plans and measures which are calculated to advance and uphold civic standards.
JAMES H. BOWLES.
The consensus of public opinion names James H. Bowles among the leading citizens of Walla Walla county. He is the owner of a valuable farming property and also of a fine residence in Prescott, where he makes his home. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, November 11, 1854, and is a son of Thomas H. and Lucinda (Gibson) Bowles, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Missouri. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom survive, but both the father and mother died in Missouri.
James H. Bowles was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and had reached the age of thirty-five years when in the spring of 1889 he came to Walla Walla county, Washington. He established his home in Prescott and later he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which he has carefully and persistently cultivated, bringing the entire place under a high state of development. Upon the farm are excellent improvements and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes his home, however, in Prescott, where he owns an attractive residence. His business affairs have been carefully managed and his thorough reliability has gained for him the respect and confidence of all, while unfaltering energy has furthered his prosperity.
On the 14th of November, 1880, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Reavis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Woodson Reavis. They have become the parents of the following children: Thomas Woodson, who died at the age of seven months; Mary Almeda, the wife of J. T. Janes, who is living near Prescott; James William, residing near Prescott, who married Lillian N. Coble and has one child, James Eugene; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of F. E. Grubb, also living near Prescott, and they have two children, Ora Vale and James Roy; Virginia Frances, who is the wife of Vergil N. Harris, of Prescott, and has two children, Genevra Elizabeth and Virginia Ann; one child who died at the age of nine months; Pearl Margaret, who is the wife of C. L. Jones, living near Prescott, and they have five children, William Lawrence, Dale Walter, Ernest Monroe, Alma Elizabeth and James Dewey; Archie Eugene, who married Elizabeth Helms and resides in Prescott; Walter Jennings, who married Fay Hazel Nail; and Elizabeth.