John N. Fall received the education usually afforded boys in pioneer communities and remained with his parents until he reached mature years. In 1861 he decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered the ambitious young man in the Pacific northwest and crossed the plains with ox teams. He at once settled in Walla Walla county, buying a farm on Mill creek, on which he resided until 1867. He then removed to Walla Walla but continued to operate his farm and, although as the years passed his holdings increased rapidly, he never ceased to exercise direct personal supervision over his agricultural interests. He was at once practical and progressive, being ready to adopt any new method or implement whose value had been reasonably well proven. He gave careful study to the problems of increased production, the conservation of soil fertility and advantageous marketing, and it was recognized that he was an authority on everything pertaining to wheat raising.
Mr. Fall was married in Missouri in 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Williams, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Williams, both of whom were born in Kentucky, but for a number of years resided in Missouri, whence they finally removed to Iowa, where the father passed away. The mother then came to Walla Walla county, where she spent her last years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fall was born a son, Dr. E. E. Fall, who died in February, 1917, leaving a son, Edmond E.
Mr. Fall supported the democratic party at the polls and manifested the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the spirit which characterized his life was that of fraternity and consideration for others. He passed away in 1900 and was laid to rest in Mountain View cemetery. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he contributed generously, and his sterling worth gained him a warm place in the regard of those who were closely associated with him. Mrs. Fall was also a member of that denomination and was likewise keenly interested in its various activities. After the death of her husband she owned and personally managed the operation of two thousand and forty acres of wheat land and two hundred and forty acres on the mountain, a part of which was wheat land and a part pasture. In looking after her extensive interests she manifested an executive ability and keen insight into business that was far above the average and she was recognized as a factor in the development of the county along agricultural lines.
ELMER L. WOODS.
Elmer L. Woods, who resides on section 7, township 9 north, range 27 east, is one of the leading horticulturists of Walla Walla county, his apple orchard comprising almost four thousand trees of the finest varieties. He was born in that township, November 4, 1888, and is a son of Joel and Viola M. (Hull) Woods, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared at home and during his boyhood and youth attended the Waitsburg public schools, thus receiving a good education. On reaching man's estate he became associated with his father in the operation of the home farm, and this relation was continued until the father's death. In 1911 forty acres were planted to apple trees, ninety-six to an acre, by Walter & Morris, the administrators of the estate. This orchard of three thousand eight hundred and forty trees is now bearing, and is one of the finest fruit orchards in the county. At the time the estate was settled Mr. Woods of this review acquired title to the orchard, and it yielded about two thousand boxes of apples in 1917. He has given the orchard the most thorough and systematic care and is ever businesslike in solving problems of packing and marketing.
Mr. Woods belongs to Delta Lodge, No. 70, K. P., of Waitsburg and is in hearty sympathy with the ideals of the fraternity upon which that organization is based. He possesses in marked measure the enterprise and self-reliance characteristic of the western man, and he has the utmost confidence in the future of his county and state.
FRANK SINGLETON.
There are few residents of Walla Walla who can claim connection with the city from 1857. The memory of Frank Singleton, however, harks back to the period when this was a frontier fort and the work of progress and civilization had scarcely been begun in all this section of the country. The Indians were more numerous than the white settlers and only here and there had some venturesome spirit penetrated into the western wilderness to plant the seeds of civilization. Frank Singleton, who is now extensively interested in mining and is engaged in the real estate business in Walla Walla, was but six years of age at the time of his arrival in Washington. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, November 7, 1850, and after the removal of the family to the northwest pursued his education in the public and parochial schools of Walla Walla. On reaching manhood he engaged in the live stock business, with which he was prominently identified for many years. At one time he was a heavy holder of farm lands, but in 1916 he sold his farm north of Prescott, comprising six hundred acres, which was the last of his farm possessions. For the past twelve years he has been prominently identified with mining and has large holdings in mining property. For six years he has been engaged in the real estate business in Walla Walla and has negotiated many important realty transfers. In a word, he is a progressive business man, alert and energetic, his activities guided by sound judgment, while his laudable ambition has brought to him gratifying success.