Among the successful sheep raisers of Columbia county is numbered Reme De Ruwe, who was born in Belgium, September 15, 1882, a son of Peter and Julia De Ruwe, also natives of that country, where their entire lives were passed. To them were born fifteen children. The subject of this review is indebted for his education to the schools of his native land, and remained at home until he was about twenty years old. Then, in 1902, he decided to try his fortune in the United States and located in Walla Walla county, Washington, where he at once turned his attention to raising sheep. He has since continued in that occupation on an extensive scale. He pastures his sheep on a ranch comprising twelve hundred acres of land in Columbia county. The success which he has gained in fifteen years is quite unusual, demonstrating his ability to adapt himself to a new condition, his sound judgment and his enterprise. His ranch is well improved and is a very valuable property.
In 1914 Mr. De Ruwe was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kregger, and they have a son, Marvin, and have also adopted three children. Mr. De Ruwe casts his ballot in support of the republican party, whose principles accord with his political beliefs. He was reared in the Catholic faith and consistently gives his influence on the side of moral advancement. He has gained many friends since coming to eastern Washington, his salient characteristics being such as never fail to command respect and win regard.
Charles L. Whitney, who is living retired on section 6, township 6 north, range 36 east, Walla Walla county, is now enjoying a period of well merited leisure made possible by his former successful labors as a nurseryman and horticulturist. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1857, of the marriage of William G. and Marcia M. (Pettis) Whitney, the former a native of Onondaga county, New York. They removed to California in 1879; two years before their son Charles L. had made his way to the Pacific coast, and after residing there for one or two years they came to Walla Walla county, Washington. Here the father, in partnership with his son Charles L., bought the farm where the latter still resides. This place was the site of the Sims mill, which was the first mill built in the state and possibly the first in the northwest. The date of its erection was 1858 and there was also a distillery operated within the limits of the farm. In the early days pack trains, numbering one hundred animals were sent to the outlying camps loaded with flour, bacon and whiskey, and the farm is indeed one of the historic places of the state. The father established the Home nursery and the son the North Western nurseries, and both proved successful in that business. The father remained active in the management of his affairs both as a nurseryman and as a farmer until his death in 1912. The mother passed away in 1910.