DAVID W. MILLER.
David W. Miller, one of the representative and prosperous agriculturists of Walla Walla county, within the borders of which he has spent almost his entire life, makes his home in the city of Walla Walla. He owns six hundred and twenty acres of productive land in Spring Valley and operates altogether about fifteen hundred acres. His birth occurred in Wyoming on the 22d of August, 1874, his parents being David and Isabelle (King) Miller, who were born, reared and married in Scotland. About 1870 they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and in subsequent years resided in Pennsylvania, Utah and other states but eventually came to Washington and about 1877 took up their abode in Walla Walla county. Here David Miller gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits, locating in Spring Valley, where he acquired a section of land and in his undertakings won gratifying prosperity. He was chosen to represent his district in the state senate for eight years, being first elected in 1893 and making a splendid record that gained the approval and continued support of his constituents. He was one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Farmers Alliance and was always foremost in any movement instituted to promote the interests and welfare of the community. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His demise, which occurred on the 6th of October, 1902, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for in his passing the community lost one of its most valued and esteemed citizens. His widow, surviving him for a number of years, was called to her final rest in November, 1911.
David W. Miller, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and also spent one year in study in Whitman College. He then devoted about six years to farming and on the expiration of that period embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at Waitsburg, conducting an enterprise of that character for two years. At the end of that time he engaged in the coal and wood business at Walla Walla, being thus occupied until 1910, when he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which have since claimed his time and energies. He owns six hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Spring Valley and operates altogether about fifteen hundred acres, his interests being thus extensive and important. Success has attended his efforts in this connection by reason of the fact that he utilizes the most modern and progressive methods of agriculture and has ever manifested industry, enterprise and unremitting energy.
On the 12th of August, 1903, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ida Breeze, a daughter of R. M. Breeze, of Waitsburg. They now have three children, namely: James T., Earl W. and Ella Isabelle. In his political views Mr. Miller is a democrat and fraternally he is identified with Trinity Lodge, I. O. O. F., and with Columbia Lodge No. 70, K. P. His life has been upright and honorable in every relation and he well merits the warm regard and high esteem in which he is uniformly held.
SILAS W. SMITH.
For almost sixty years Silas W. Smith made his home upon the Pacific coast and was long identified with its mercantile interests, conducting a store in Walla Walla during the last years of his business career. He was born in Monmouth, Illinois, August 16, 1844, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Butler) Smith, who were also natives of that state. In 1853 the family crossed the plains and located on a farm near Dallas, Oregon. They traveled in covered wagons drawn by horses and experienced the usual hardships of such a journey. Upon a claim of three hundred and twenty acres the father built the first log cabin in that locality and he became one of the prominent and influential men of the valley where he and his wife continued to make their home until called to their final rest. He always took a very active part in politics and for two terms was an honored member of the legislature. In his family were nine children, only four of whom are now living.
Silas W. Smith was about nine years of age when he came with the family to the far west and he was reared and educated at Dallas, Oregon, graduating from the academy at that place. After leaving school he was engaged in mercantile business at Independence, Oregon, for several years, but in 1888 removed to Waitsburg, Washington, where he conducted a store for some time, and later engaged in the same business in Walla Walla in partnership with John Fitzgerald. He finally sold out and lived retired until his death in 1912.
On the 5th of November, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Esther M. Barney, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, and a daughter of Harlow and Mary A. (Curtis) Barney. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Vermont. They were among the pioneers who crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853 and settled near Dallas, Oregon, where Mr. Barney took up six hundred and forty acres of land, making his home thereon until his death. His wife also died there. Two of their three children are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five children, namely: Mary Ellen, the deceased wife of W. W. Maxwell; E. H., also deceased; O. B., a resident of Waitsburg, Washington; Lenna, the wife of Laverne Bartlett of Walla Walla; and Milan W., a merchant of Waitsburg.