BIOGRAPHICAL (continued 17)

Mr. Baumeister was a charter member of Enterprise Lodge, I. O. O. F., but in later years was not an active worker in the organization. He also became a member of Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. He was also one of the charter members of the Pioneer Society of Walla Walla and maintained most pleasant relationships with those who became early residents of this section of the state and aided in advancing the work of general progress and improvement. He became an American citizen after crossing the Atlantic and long gave loyal support to the republican party. During the early period of his residence in Walla Walla he was a dominant factor in civic affairs but in later years took no active part in politics beyond assisting and promoting any movement for the advancement of the interests of the town. There was no movement, however, which looked to the benefit and further upbuilding of the community that sought his aid in vain. He stood for progress and improvement at all times and Walla Walla numbered him for many years as one of its foremost citizens, and his death was the occasion of profound and widespread regret throughout eastern Washington. Mrs. Baumeister and her family are members of the Christian Science church and she is deeply interested in all those things which have cultural value or which promote benevolent interests. She has been president of the Walla Walla Symphony Club, is a member of the Parent Teachers' Association, is an active worker in the Young Women's Christian Association and is the secretary of the Red Cross. She has much influence in these connections and her work is of the greatest benefit.

JOHN GRANT KELLY.

John Grant Kelly, manager of the Daily Bulletin, published at Walla Walla, has made this one of the most influential dailies of the northwest outside of the large cities and he has ever been recognized as a fearless defender of what he believes to be for the best interests of the state. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, July 16, 1872, a son of William and Sarah Ann (Roberts) Kelly, the former a native of New York city, of Irish parentage, while the latter was born in Clay county, Missouri, and is of Scotch descent. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served with Company I of the Ninety-first Illinois Infantry. He died in the year 1914 and is still survived by his widow.

John Grant Kelly acquired a public school education in Kansas City, Missouri, being graduated from the Central high school there with the class of 1892. After his textbooks were put aside he became connected with the Kansas City Journal, with which he was identified for seven years. Later he was advertising and business manager of the Drovers Journal-Stockman of Omaha, Nebraska, for a decade and on the 1st of February, 1910, he purchased the Walla Walla (Wash.) Daily Bulletin, which he has since published and which is owned by himself and Mrs. Kelly. As editor and publisher of this paper he has made the Bulletin thoroughly independent in its espousal of issues strictly on a merit basis. He was the leader in the movement that brought the commission form of government to Walla Walla in 1911, and the Bulletin was the only daily newspaper in the state of Washington that supported state-wide prohibition in 1914. It has ever been an advocate of measures of reform and improvement and is regarded as one of the most influential dailies in the Pacific northwest outside of those published in the larger cities. It has ever stood consistently for clean and efficient government and has disregarded party lines.

On the 22d of June, 1900, in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Martha Violet Miller, a daughter of Jacob J. and Laura E. Miller, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The father, a native of Switzerland, engaged in jewelry manufacturing in both Milwaukee and in Kansas City. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have been born three children: Norman Miller, Eugene Armand and Virginia. The parents are members of the First Congregational church of Walla Walla and Mr. Kelly is also identified with the Young Men's Christian Association. Fraternally he is connected with several Masonic bodies and also with the Knights of Pythias and he belongs to the Shrine Club and to the Walla Walla Commercial Club. In his political views he is independent and has favored non-partisan government of city, county and state affairs. His military record covers ten years' connection with the Third Regiment of the National Guard of Missouri at Kansas City, during which time he rose from private to first lieutenant and served as first lieutenant of Company G of the Third Regiment of the Missouri National Guard during the Spanish-American war. He has never aspired to public office but has ever given his aid and influence on the side of reform and progress and he is now serving on the State Council of Defense in the state of Washington.