WILLIAM T. WALLSINGER. – It is very gratifying to find that as the old pioneers lay down the noble work that they were doing in this couhty, and go hence to the rewards of another world, there are those left behind, whose willing hearts and strong hands will take up the toil of development nad continue to build in a becoming manner on the broad and deep foundation that those faithful hands laid, perhaps even better than they then knew. One such, a product of Union county, and a son of whom his native place may well be proud, is named at the head of this article, and we are pleased to grant him space in this volume that purports to give reviews of the leading citizens of our county.
William T. was born on May 8, 1870, to John Q. and Eliza (Woodell) Wallsinger, four miles south of Summerville, on Sand Ridge. His parents were pioneers to the Grande Ronde valley in 1862, the father then taking a homestead three miles northwest from Summerville, In 1898 he passed away but the mother is still living in Lagrande. Our subject attended school in the valley and in this county received the entire educational training with which he is supplied. He was one of the home circle until he was twenty-five years of age, working, however, for two or three years for wages, meanwhile. In 1897 he bought his present place of one hudred and sixty acres, which lies two and one-half miles southeast from Alicel. His farm is well improved, producing grain principally, although he has a good orchard and handles some stock.
In 1897, Mr. Wallsinger married Miss Letha, daughter of John and Margaret S. Peach, pioneers to California in 1849 and to the Grande Ronde valley in 1861. Mr. Peach was manager of the mill at Orodell and also operated a large dairy, importing the first throughbred Jerseys that came to the county. He died in 1894, and his wife passed away in 1892. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born one child, Harold. Mr. Wallsinger is a member of the Modern Woodmen, Island City Camp. No. 103. He is one of the progressive and successful young agriculturists of the county, and gives promise of a useful and bright future. His father assisted to build the first house on Sand Ridge nad was a typical pioneer in all ways.
Mr. Wallsinger has a fine home, well appointed, where his wife presides with gracious dignity.