CHARLES PLUCKER.
Charles Plucker was one of the honored citizens of the Walla Walla valley. He attained the age of eighty-two years but at the time of his death was still giving personal direction to his extensive and important farming interests. His life experiences were varied and prominently connected him with the upbuilding and development of this section of the country. He was born in Germany, November 9, 1835, and was a son of Carl and Mary Plucker, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of eight children, four of whom are now living.
Charles Plucker, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Germany, spending the first seventeen years of his life in that country. He then determined to try his fortune in the new world and become a resident of America. In 1854, therefore, he made the voyage across the Atlantic and for two years remained a resident of New York. In 1856 he enlisted at the age of nineteen years in the army of his adopted land and was located on Governors island. In 1857 he went to Fort Simcoe as a soldier and was on active military duty there for five years. He was later sent to Fort Colwell and in 1861 he received an honorable discharge, having for five years rendered active aid to the United States government in its efforts to protect American interests and the lives and property of the people upon the northwestern frontier.
Mr. Plucker was then honorably discharged and came to Walla Walla, where he opened a paint shop. He continued in active business in that city for fourteen years and in 1875 he turned his attention to general agricultural interests, purchasing a farm on the Touchet river on section 14, township 8 north, range 33 east. He continued to reside upon that property until his death, being the owner of ten hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land which he greatly improved, adding thereto many commodious and substantial modern buildings and all the accessories and conveniences of the highly improved farm of the present day. Few men of his years remain in such active connection with business affairs as did Mr. Plucker. He was, however, a well preserved man physically and mentally and seemed much younger than the record indicated.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES PLUCKER
On the 7th of October, 1868, Mr. Plucker was united in marriage to Miss Katherine A. Hauer, also a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1868. She is a daughter of Christian and Augusta (Lüder) Hauer, who were born, reared and married in Schleswig-Holstein, The father, who was a hatter by trade, died there August 6, 1866. In 1880 the mother came to America with a nephew and her daughter, Mrs. Frederika Roehl Behl, who located in San Francisco. After spending a few months in that city Mrs. Hauer came to Washington to make her home with another daughter, Mrs. Charles Plucker, and here she passed away April 29, 1881, at the age of eighty years. She was the mother of six children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Plucker. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Plucker, namely: Frederick and Charles, now deceased; W. H., who died at the age of forty-five years; Magdalena, the wife of Peter Conrad; and F. C., at home with his mother.
After a useful and well spent life Mr. Plucker passed away on the 30th of October, 1917. In his political views he was a democrat, supporting the party from the time he became a naturalized American citizen. He served on the school board but did not seek office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He especially deserves mention among the self-made men of the state, for he started out in life empty-handed and all that he possessed was acquired through his persistent, earnest and honorable effort. The family is one of prominence here and has been widely and favorably known in the valley since early days.