In Chicago, in 1901, Mr. Halle was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rick, who was born in that city, a daughter of J. S. Rick, who is yet living, while her mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Halle have become the parents of two children, Laura and Dorothy. In the social circles of Walla Walla Mr. and Mrs. Halle are widely and favorably known, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them.
Mr. Halle has made steady progress since coming to the United States, advancing step by step in the business world, and his enterprise and perseverance have made him one of the successful hotel men of the northwest. His membership relations include connection with the Lutheran church, the Elks and the Commercial Club.
WILLIAM CHARLES PAINTER.
The days of chivalry and knighthood in Europe cannot furnish more interesting or romantic tales than our own western history. Into the wild mountain fastnesses of the unexplored west went brave men whose courage was often called forth in encounters with hostile savages. The land was rich in all natural resources, in metals, in agricultural and commercial possibilities, and awaited the demands of man to yield up its treasures. But its mountain heights were hard to climb, its forests difficult to penetrate and the magnificent trees, the dense bushes or jagged rocks often sheltered the skulking foe, who resented the encroachment of the pale faces upon these "hunting grounds." The establishment of homes in this beautiful region therefore meant sacrifices, hardships and ofttimes death, but there were some men, however, brave enough to meet the red man in his own familiar haunts and undertake the task of reclaiming the district for purposes of civilization. The rich mineral stores of the northwest were thus added to the wealth of the nation, its magnificent forests contributed to the lumber industry and its fertile valleys added to the opportunities of the farmer and stock raiser; and today the northwest is one of the most productive sections of the entire country. That this is so is due to such men as William Charles Painter, whose name is inseparably interwoven with the history of the region. No story of fiction contains more exciting chapters than may be found in his life record. He was one of the most prominent of those who engaged in Indian warfare and for many years he was also a leading figure in the agricultural development of this section of the state. Walla Walla numbered him among her most honored and valued citizens and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
William C. Painter was born in St. Genevieve, Missouri, April 18, 1830, and there the earliest years of his life were passed. His paternal ancestors came from Mercer county, Pennsylvania. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Jean Moore, was a daughter of Major Robert Moore, a veteran of the War of 1812 and well known in connection with the early history of Oregon. In 1850 the father with his family started for Oregon, but when the Little Blue river was reached the father and two of the sons died of cholera. The mother and the surviving children continued the journey westward with sore hearts but with undaunted courage and finally reached Washington county, Oregon, where donation land claims were secured.
WILLIAM C. PAINTER