Mr. Davin, although faithful in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him as a citizen, has never had the time nor inclination to seek office. His political views accord in the main with the principles of the democratic party, and its candidates receive his support. He and his wife both belong to the Catholic church and take a considerable interest in the furtherance of its work. There are few men in Walla Walla with a wider acquaintance than he, and his genuine worth is indicated by the fact that those who have been most closely connected with him hold him in the highest esteem.
CHARLES J. BROUGHTON.
Charles J. Broughton, a capitalist of Dayton, was born in Maryland, September 7, 1854, a son of Elijah S. and Harriett A. (Buck) Broughton, the former a native of Maryland, while the latter was born in Vermont. Both passed away, however, in the state of Maryland. In their family were four children, of whom three are yet living.
Charles J. Broughton was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and started out in life on his own account when a youth of seventeen years. He made his way westward to the Pacific coast and acted as cook for a pack train for six months, working at a salary of forty dollars per month. He afterward became clerk in a store and was thus engaged for three years. In 1877 he purchased a pony and thus came to Walla Walla. After reaching his destination he obtained a position at Dayton in the employ of Alexander McDonald, who was proprietor of a general store and with whom he remained for ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a half interest in the business, which he continued to carry on and develop for thirteen years, the firm being known during that period as Fallbacher & Broughton. At the end of that time he purchased the interest of his partner in the business and thus became sole owner. He carried on the store for five years longer and then sold the stock but is still owner of the store building. As the years have passed and he has prospered in his undertakings he has added to his holdings from time to time and he now owns over eight thousand acres of wheat land in the northwest. He is also the president of the Broughton Bank of Dayton, which was organized in 1909.
In 1890 Mr. Broughton was united in marriage to Miss Ina McCleary and to them have been born eleven children: Mary, who is a graduate of Smith College of Massachusetts; Charles; Hattie, who is now in college in Massachusetts; E. Van, a high school pupil; Helen, also attending high school; Francis; Ruth; James; Elizabeth; and two who have passed away. Mrs. Broughton is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Broughton is a republican in his political views and for one term served as county treasurer but has never been ambitious to hold office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely conducted and have brought to him a substantial measure of success. His plans have always been carefully formulated and promptly executed, and his sound judgment has been manifest in his judicious investments, which have made him one of the capitalists of his section of the state. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge and also to the commandery at Walla Walla, in which he has filled some of the chairs.
MAX BAUMEISTER.
Max Baumeister was for many years a prominent figure in real estate, insurance and loan circles in Walla Walla and belonged to that class of men whose business enterprise and ability won them prominence and success. His indefatigable energy, his marked strength of character and his persistency of purpose featured largely in the attainment of the handsome competence which he ultimately won. A native of Germany, he was born on the 13th of March, 1840, a son of Dr. Ernest Baumeister, who crossed the Atlantic to the new world with his family when his son Max was a youth of fourteen years. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call of his adopted country for military aid and was killed on the field of battle, his remains being laid to rest in the National cemetery at Arlington.
Max Baumeister spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native country and during that period attended the public schools after reaching the age of six years. He then left Germany for the United States in company with his parents, the family home being established in New York city, where he remained until after he had attained his majority. It was in 1859 that he came to the Pacific northwest by way of the Panama route to California, and after residing in that state for two years he returned to New York and thence made his way to Europe, where he traveled extensively. At a later period, however, he once more went to San Francisco and in 1862 established his home at Portland, Oregon, where he remained for a brief period and then removed to Walla Walla, coming up the river by boat to Wallula and thence walking across the country with Henry Ankeny. At that early day there was but little employment to be had and in order to provide for his own support he opened a barber shop after he had worked for a time in other connections. He had but fifteen dollars when he reached Walla Walla. He was of a saving disposition and was a hard worker. He understood but little English at the time of his arrival and thus encountered some difficulties owing to lack of knowledge of the language. However, he was quick to learn and he made the best possible use of his opportunities. He often worked from three o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock at night and on Saturdays until midnight. At 3:00 A. M. he would rise to heat water for the miners' baths. For a time he acted as hired man but after three months he bought out his employer and thus began laying the foundation of his later success. He conducted his barber shop until about 1882, after which he engaged for a little time in merchandising and later established himself in the real estate, loan and insurance business. He also engaged in farming quite extensively. He readily recognized and utilized opportunities and such were ever to him the call to action, to which he made immediate response. He was prominently identified with real estate, loan and insurance interests up to the time of his demise, which occurred February 3, 1909, and through all these years he occupied a prominent position in business circles because of the enterprise which he displayed, by reason of his initiative and also owing to his thorough reliability.