The family attend the Presbyterian church and contribute to its support. Mr. Toner holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Walla Walla and is popular in that organization. In political belief he is a democrat and he is now capably serving as a member of the school board.
JOHN A. BAILEY.
For thirty years John A. Bailey has resided upon the Pacific coast and since 1898 has made his home in Walla Walla, where he is now actively engaged in business as the president of the Lumber & Fuel Company. He was born in Colchester county, Nova Scotia, January 10, 1862, a son of Alexander and Jane (Ferguson) Bailey, both of whom were natives of that country, where the father passed away, while the mother is still living there. They had a family of four children, all of whom are still residents of Canada with the exception of John A.
The last named was reared and educated in his native country, pursuing a public school course, and in 1883, having attained his majority, he left home and crossed the border into the United States, taking up his abode in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for a brief period. The west attracted him, however, for he believed that its opportunities were limitless and in 1887 he crossed the country to California. There he remained for about two and one-half years, after which he went to Portland, Oregon, and there resided until his removal to Grays Harbor. He came to Walla Walla, Washington, about 1898, and here took up the business of contracting and building, which he followed successfully until 1916. He then became connected with the Lumber & Fuel Company, of which he is now the head, and in this connection he is conducting a business of extensive and gratifying proportions.
In Los Angeles, California, in 1887, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Christina M. Bailey, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. She, too, was born in Canada, where her mother, one sister and two brothers still reside, and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter, Edith M., who is now the wife of Clarence G. Ludwigs. She is a graduate of the high school of Walla Walla and also of the Washington State University. Mrs. Bailey and her daughter hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Bailey is identified with the Masonic fraternity and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish rites and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. Opportunity has ever been to him the call to action and in his business career he has so wisely utilized his opportunities that success in substantial measure has come to him. With him every day must mark off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more. He early recognized that where there is no advancement there has been no effort, and putting forth earnest and persistent effort, he has passed many others who perhaps started out ahead of him on life's journey. He is stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action; and thus he has made for himself a most creditable position on the stage of business activity in Walla Walla.
J. H. COYLE.
The business upbuilding of a city is attributable not to one individual but to the combined efforts of many. However, there are some who occupy positions of leadership in their respective lines—men well trained in a given field and whose intelligently directed efforts produce substantial results that work not only for their own benefit but constitute a most important force in general business progress and prosperity. Such a man is J. H. Coyle, the president and manager of the Walla Walla Mill Company, and thus prominently identified with the milling interests of Walla Walla. He was born in Crawford county, Wisconsin, December 5, 1859, a son of J. B. and S. A. (Lemons) Coyle. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in Wisconsin, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom are now living.