F. J. Aldrich is a representative farmer of Columbia county who utilizes the most progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring for his crops. Western enterprise finds expression in his life. He is a western man by birth, by training and by preference. He was born in Walla Walla county, Washington, July 1, 1872, and is a son of Milton and Sarah (Stanfield) Aldrich, the former a native of Michigan, while the latter was born in Iowa. In 1850 the father crossed the plains to California, where he engaged in prospecting and mining, continuing his operations from California clear into Canada. In 1860 he made his way to Walla Walla county, Washington, where he took up a homestead on Dry creek, seven miles east of the city of Walla Walla. Later he acquired other lands until he became owner of eight hundred and fifteen acres in the home place and nine hundred and twenty acres on Coppei creek, five miles from Waitsburg. He devoted many years to the development and improvement of his farm land and about five years prior to his death removed to Walla Walla, where he passed away about 1912. His widow is still living and yet occupies the home ranch. Mr. Aldrich was a republican in his political views and was twice elected county commissioner of Walla Walla county. He took an active and helpful interest in community affairs and was actuated by a public-spirited devotion to duty. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and a lady of many admirable qualities which have gained for her the high esteem and goodwill of all with whom she has been brought in contact.
F. J. Aldrich was reared upon the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools and in Whitman College, where he won his academic degree, although he lacked three months of graduation. On attaining his twenty-first year he began farming for himself and has since been prominently identified with agricultural interests in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. In 1902 he removed to his present farm in Columbia county, where he owns one thousand acres of land and in addition to that tract he also operates another thousand acres under lease. He is thus one of the extensive farmers of his section of the state, his great, broad fields annually producing excellent harvests, while the methods that he employs are of the most progressive character. In fact his farm work is an indication of the last word in modern scientific agriculture.
In 1895 Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Lloyd, a daughter of Albert G. Lloyd, now deceased, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have become parents of two children, Elmo and Erick.
In his political views Mr. Aldrich is a stalwart republican, always supporting the party at the polls yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and also to Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E. He ranks with the foremost citizens of Columbia county and is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business methods which he has ever followed. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction and through legitimate channels has won his prosperity.
WALLACE R. COPELAND.
Wallace R. Copeland, residing in Walla Walla, is actively identified with the agricultural development of this section of the state. He is a western man by birth, training and preference and in his life exemplifies the spirit of enterprise which has ever been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, March 26, 1860, a son of Henry S. and Mary Ann (Morton) Copeland, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but two years of age when his parents removed from Yamhill county to Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he was reared to manhood upon the old homestead farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1882 his parents left the farm and removed to Walla Walla, where both died.
Wallace R. Copeland pursued his education in the district schools and began his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses with a puncheon floor, slab benches and sod roof. The methods of instruction were also somewhat primitive, but he has lived to see marked development in the educational system of the state until Washington stands foremost in many respects in regard to its public school work. He remained at home through the period of his youth and continued to assist his father in the farm work until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then started out independently as a farmer and as time has passed on has made for himself a most creditable and enviable position among the leading agriculturists of the state. He at first rented land from his father, cultivating four hundred and fifteen acres on the Cottonwood creek. This was in 1882. For ten years he farmed that place successfully as a renter and during the financial panic of 1892-3 he bought the farm of his father and has since extended his farming interests by the purchase of one hundred and seventy acres, so that he has in all five hundred and eighty-five acres. This is very valuable wheat land and upon it are produced some of the finest wheat crops that are grown in this section of the state. About 1911 he purchased five hundred and eighty-four acres of wheat land on Mill creek, for which he paid one hundred dollars per acre. He also owns a section of grazing land in the foothills. In the year 1916 he planted five hundred and sixty acres to wheat and there was an excellent yield. He is most progressive in his methods and has closely studied every phase of wheat cultivation, so that sound judgment directs his efforts and produces splendid results.
