While Wallowa county has domiciled within her borders many of the stanch and sturdy pioneers of early days, men who fought the savages and broke the sod here before the subject of this sketch had opened his eyes to the light, still it is found that to make the progress continuous and equal to the day, new blood and young vigor is to be added to the working force of the county, and when the young man, whose name heads this article, came hither there was added one whose capabilities and sagacity and excellent powers were equal to the talk of pushing far in advance the car of achievement and making a record which in every way would do credit to the founders of the county. All expectations, bright as they were that were centered in him have been more than realized and he bids fair of achieving in the future a success that will place him among the giants of business operators in the northwest.
Mr. Rumble was born in Iowa in the year 1867, his parents being J.A. and Lue L. (Summers) Rumble. He was educated in the primaries at the public schools in his native place and completed the training that fitted him for the duties of life in the business college at Portland. Subsequent to his graduation from this institution he entered the employ of Mr. McCulley as salesman, the year being 1886. His services manifested the ability with which he was endowed and he soon began to rise to the position for which he was eminently fitted. After a time he was taken into the firm as partner, and today he is vice-president of the company and manager of the store at Lostine. In addition to this Mr. Rumble is a stockholder in the electric light plant of Lostine, has an interest in the flour mill of the same place and is director of the bank of Joseph.
Mr. Rumble married Miss Clara, daughter of W.A. and Jennie (McDonald) McCulley in 1892. Fraternally Mr. Rumble is identified with the Masons and his estimable wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Rumble is well and favorably known over the county, has made his influence felt in its money circles and his excellent wisdom is conducive of progress and development throughout, while his integrity, uprightness and sound principles give him the confidence of all. Mr. Rumble has also displayed the executive ability in manipulating the enterprises that have come to his hand and herein also lies one secret of his success, and it is with pleasure that we accord him here a representation in the county’s history as one of the real builders of Wallowa county.