Ellery J. Nelson is engaged in general farming on section 30, township 8 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, and it was upon this farm that he was born on the 22d of August, 1871, a son of Hiram and Sarah (McInroe) Nelson. He was educated in the Valley Grove district school and also in the Walla Walla Business College, thus becoming well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. His youth was also largely devoted to farm work and he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After reaching young manhood he continued to assist his father in his extensive farming operations and was thus engaged until 1900, when he began farming on his own account. He is now operating a portion of his father's landed holdings and is ranked among the successful and progressive agriculturists of the county. He pursues the most thoroughly up-to-date methods in caring for his fields, and in the cultivation of his crops is meeting with excellent success, annually gathering substantial harvests.
On the 1st of July, 1915, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kane, of St. Louis, Missouri, and to them were born two sons, Ellery J., Jr., deceased, and Joseph Vincent. In his political views Mr. Nelson has always been a republican since attaining his majority, and while he does not seek nor desire office he is always loyal to the best interests of the community and gives active aid and cooperation to many measures for the benefit of town and county. He concentrates his efforts and attention upon his farming interests, which are wisely and carefully directed, and as the years pass by he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success.
WILLIAM E. GROSS.
William E. Gross, a resident farmer of Walla Walla township who is engaged in dairying and stock raising, was born in Davis county, Iowa, on the 15th of February, 1858, his parents being B. H. and Julia A. (Rice) Gross, the former a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in Ohio. They resided for some time in Iowa and then determined to cross the plains, making the journey with ox teams. This was in the year 1862. They first settled in Nevada, where they resided for eight years, and then removed to northern California, where they remained for a decade. On the expiration of that period, or in the fall of 1880, they came to Walla Walla county, Washington, where they took up their abode upon a farm which continued to be their home until a few years before they were called to their final rest. They moved to Walla Walla, where they passed the last years of their lives. They had a family of nine children, of whom six are now living.
William E. Gross was largely reared and educated in Nevada and in California, his opportunities being those offered by the common schools. He studied through the winter months and in the summer seasons aided in the farm work. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his entire attention upon farming and became identified with the agricultural interests of Walla Walla county, where he owned nine hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. He afterward disposed of the more extensive tract and bought the farm upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty-seven acres. This he has since improved with fine buildings. He now makes a specialty of dairying and has an excellent herd of Holstein cattle. His dairy is well equipped in every particular and he has the most sanitary arrangements for the care of the milk and the handling of his products. He also engaged in raising Duroc Jersey hogs and his live stock interests as well as his dairying constitute important features of his business.
On the 11th of December, 1881, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Cusker, who was born in Walla Walla county and is a daughter of James and Clementine (Hayworth) Cusker, the former a native of Washington, D. C., while the latter was born in Indiana. The father made his way westward to Oregon when a youth of but thirteen years and later he became a resident of Walla Walla county. Over forty years ago he settled upon the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Gross and both he and his wife died upon this place. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross have been born six children: Elsie R., at home; Mabel A., the wife of E. Fluke, who has now departed this life; James B., at home; Orien W.; Myron W.; and Myrtle Irene.
Mr. Gross holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a member of the Christian church, guiding his life by its teachings and conforming his actions to its principles. He has been progressive in all that he has undertaken and in his business affairs has shown sound judgment and keen discrimination. He has never been afraid of hard work nor of close application and is numbered among those who, taking advantage of the great natural resources of the northwest, have won success, gaining a place among the most substantial citizens of this part of the state.
HON. CHESTER F. MILLER.