Mr. Ankeny's identification with financial interests in the northwest began on the 1st of January, 1878, when he organized the First National Bank of Walla Walla. He thus entered actively into a field of business in which he has made substantial progress and in which his efforts have contributed much to the upbuilding and development of this section as well. In 1882 he organized the First National Bank of Pendleton, Oregon, and a year later organized the First National Bank of Baker City, Oregon. The same year he founded the First National Bank of Waitsburg, Washington, and subsequently became the founder of the Columbia National Bank of Dayton, Washington. He settled the affairs of the Vancouver National Bank of Vancouver, British Columbia. He has since disposed of the bank at Baker City, Oregon, and also of the one in Vancouver hut is still president of the other four banking institutions, the combined deposits of which at the present time amount to over seven million dollars. There is no phase of the banking business with which he is not familiar and he is thoroughly acquainted with all of the grave problems of finance which confront the country. He has served as president of the State Bankers' Association. He is actuated in all that he does by a most progressive spirit and, readily discriminating between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs, he has so directed his efforts that success in notable measure has attended his endeavors and reputation names him as the wealthiest resident of his county. Moreover, the policy that he has pursued is one which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and may well constitute an example that others may profitably follow.
In 1867 Mr. Ankeny was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Nesmith, a daughter of James Nesmith, who was United States senator from Oregon. By this marriage have been born five children, four of whom are living: Nesmith, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Pendleton, Oregon; John who is vice president of the First National Bank at Walla Walla; Robert, who operated a farm in the Willamette valley of Oregon but has volunteered and is now serving as a machinist in the Navy; and Harriett, who is the wife of Colonel Francis Pope, of the United States army, formerly stationed at San Antonio, Texas, but now in France.
Mr. Ankeny has not only done much to develop the material interests and resources of this section of the country but has also contributed in large measure to shaping its political history. He has always been a stalwart champion of the republican party and upon its ticket was elected in 1903 to represent Washington in the United States senate, serving in that august body for six years, during which period he most carefully considered the vital questions which came up for settlement and threw the weight of his aid and influence on the side of progress, reform and improvement. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being identified with all the Masonic bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites. He has served as grand master. He belongs to Walla Walla Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and is a member of El Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Episcopal church and that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his identification with the Country Club. Mr. Ankeny is recognized as one of the strong men of the northwest, strong in his honor and his good name, strong in his ability to plan and perform. What he has undertaken he has accomplished and, moreover, he has not only promoted his individual interests but his activities have ever been of a character which have advanced the public prosperity as well.
CARY MELVIN RADER.
Cary Melvin Rader, a leading member of the bar of Walla Walla, engaged in general practice, was born in Carroll county, Indiana, July 27, 1868. His father, Solomon Rader, was also a native of the Hoosier state, born October 8, 1827. He devoted his life to farming in early manhood and afterward took up merchandising. He was a veteran of the Indian wars of the northwest and crossed the plains in 1852. He participated in the Modoc and Rogue River wars of 1853 and 1857. Later he returned to Indiana and became actively identified with its agricultural and commercial interests. But longing for the west he came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1901, there remaining until his death, which occurred December 2, 1912. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Stewart, was born in Indiana, May 30, 1827, and is still living at the notable old age of ninety years, her home being in Walla Walla.
Cary M. Rader was the only child of that marriage. He obtained a common school education in his native state and afterward attended the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, where he pursued a law course. He was there graduated on the 28th of July, 1891, and was admitted to the bar, but in May, 1892, came to Walla Walla and has since been an active representative of the legal profession of this city. He entered into partnership with Senator Poindexter, with whom he was associated for about four years, after which he practiced alone for a few years, and then became a partner of Frank B. Sharpstein. Their connection continued for four years and Mr. Rader was then alone in practice for a brief period. He afterward entered into partnership with W. R. King, who later became a supreme judge of Oregon, and upon the dissolution of that partnership he became connected with E. F. Barker, forming the present firm of Rader & Barker. This association has since been maintained and the firm occupies a very prominent position at the Walla Walla bar. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer Mr. Rader brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts, including forcefulness of expression and a strong personality. He possesses a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work. He has, too, an excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner and marked strength of character, which, combined with a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles, has made him a most effective advocate and a wise counselor. While continuing in general law practice, he has specialized in corporation law and is thoroughly well informed concerning that department of jurisprudence. He served for one term as city attorney in 1896. In addition to his professional interests he is a director of the Peoples State Bank, to which office he was elected on the organization of the bank, and he has considerable farming interests.
On the 13th of September, 1893, Mr. Rader was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Miller, a native of Eaton, Ohio, and a daughter of Charles Miller, a resident of that city. Her mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Rader have become the parents of three children, Ralph Waldo, Martha Bernice and Melvin Miller.
In his political views Mr. Rader is an earnest democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party, yet never seeking office. He attends the Congregational church and is a faithful follower of the Masonic fraternity, being now a past master of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. There have been no spectacular phases in his career, but in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has worked his way steadily upward. His practice is now extensive and of an important character. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the question at issue and he is recognized not only in professional circles but otherwise as a man of well rounded character, of finely balanced mind and splendid intellectual attainments.