Thomas A. Russel, deceased, was for a number of years actively engaged in farming on section 3, township 6 north, range 35 east, Walla Walla county, and met with gratifying success. He was born in Ohio, September 26, 1831, and there grew to manhood and received his education. In 1849 he accompanied his father John Russel, to California, crossing the great unsettled plains of the west by team, a long, tedious and dangerous journey, and again in 1852 he came to the coast by the overland route, but each time he returned to Ohio, where he maintained his residence until 1864. In that year he went with his bride by horse team to the Sacramento valley of California, where he lived for three years, during which time he taught school. They then removed to Bowling Green, Missouri, and for twenty-one years he was a resident of that state. During that time he engaged in the practice of law, successfully appearing in most of the more important trials of his district. In 1888, however, he removed with his family to Walla Walla county, Washington and the remainder of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Russel was married in 1864 in Ohio to Miss Mary C. Willman, also a native of that state. To their union were born ten children: John B. and William, both of whom are deceased; Frank; Thomas and Anna, who have passed away; Phoebe L.; Lincoln and Grant, twins, and Leslie, the two latter being deceased; and Joseph, who resides in Canada.
Many interesting experiences came to Mr. Russel in his long life, and from the time he accompanied his father to the west in 1849 until his death he was much interested in this section of the country, even while still residing in the east or middle west. He found great pleasure in watching the process of development that has made the west a rival of the east in all that pertains to the highest civilization, and his influence was invariably cast on the side of progress. He passed away in January, 1901, and was laid to rest in the Mountain View cemetery.
Hon. F. M. Weatherford is now living practically retired in Dayton but for many years was actively and extensively connected with farming interests and is still the owner of much valuable wheat land in this section of the state. Moreover, he has been prominently connected with public affairs and has been called upon to represent his district in the general assembly. He was born in Missouri, November 12, 1855, and is a son of Alfred H. and Sophia (Smith) Weatherford, both of whom were natives of Virginia and at an early day removed westward to Missouri, where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of nine children but only three are now living.