HENRY C. BAKER.
Prominent and important business interests have come under the direction of Henry C. Baker, who is a leading figure in real estate circles of Walla Walla and one of the best known orchardists of the Pacific northwest. The spirit of western enterprise and progress has ever found expression in his life. He was born in Portland, Oregon, November 17, 1858, a son of Dr. Dorsey S. Baker, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. He acquired his early education in the schools of Walla Walla and in the Whitman Seminary and afterward attended the high school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he spent two years as a student. He then entered his father's bank and devoted two years to that business, after which he went to Moscow, Idaho, where he again engaged in the banking business. He is now president of the firm of Baker & Baker, dealers in farm loans, and is also one of the owners of the Baker-Langdon orchards, the greatest orchards on the coast. He is likewise one of the stockholders of the Baker-Boyer Bank. In a word, his business connections are of a most extensive and important character and have been most wisely managed, so that splendid results have accrued.
In 1887 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Young, of Oakland, Oregon, a daughter of E. G. and Martha (Barnett) Young, who crossed the plains in an early day, settling in the Umpqua valley. The father is still a resident of Oakland, Oregon, but the mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have become the parents of one daughter, Henrietta Lucile, who is a graduate of Whitman College and is at home with her parents.
In his political views Mr. Baker is a stalwart republican, and while never an office seeker, he has done everything in his power to advance public interests both along the lines of political activity and otherwise. In his business life he has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker, possessing strong executive powers and keeping his hand steadily upon the helm of his business. He is strictly conscientious in his dealings with debtor and creditor alike. Keenly alive to the possibilities of every new avenue opened in the natural ramifications of trade, he has passed over the pitfalls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so frequently led and has been enabled to focus his energies in directions where fruition is certain. If a pen picture could accurately delineate his business characteristics, it might be given in these words: a progressive spirit ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judgment; a deep earnestness impelled and fostered by indomitable perseverance; a native justice expressing itself in correct principle and practice.
JOSEPH DAVIN.
Joseph Davin, of Walla Walla, is one of the foremost citizens of Walla Walla county, owning in addition to a ten thousand acre sheep ranch large tracts of excellent farming land, and the success which he has gained seems doubly remarkable when contrasted with his financial circumstances when he arrived in the United States a young man of eighteen years. He was then empty-handed, but he believed that opportunities were open to all in this country and was energetic and determined to gain prosperity. He was born in France, March 1, 1856, a son of Joseph Davin, an account of whose life appears in the sketch of his son, S. V.
Joseph Davin of this review grew to manhood in his native country and was indebted for his education to its public schools. In 1874 he came to the United States and for eight years remained in California, whence he came to Walla Walla county, Washington. For two years he was employed as a sheep herder but at the end of that time was able to buy a small flock of sheep, and has since engaged in ranching on his own account. He now owns ten thousand acres devoted to the raising of sheep and is one of the largest operators in that line of activity in this part of Washington. He also owns another ranch of fifteen hundred acres, eight hundred acres of wheat land and a stock ranch of six hundred and forty acres, and likewise holds title to a number of valuable properties in the city of Walla Walla. His business interests include as well, a large block of stock in the mercantile business conducted by Gardner & Company. He still gives careful personal supervision to his extensive interests and ranks as one of the capitalists of Walla Walla county.
Mr. Davin was married in 1892 to Miss Mary Ayraud, also a native of France. To them have been born eight children: Alix, the wife of Captain August Stemer, U. S. A.; Mary, at home; Sarah, the wife of Peter Reno; Bertha, who is a graduate of the Walla Walla high school and is at home; Anna; Ida; Joseph, Jr.; and Margaret.