| Name |
Frank Thurston KEISER |
| Birth |
3 Sep 1856, Silverton, Clackamas Co., OR |
| Death |
1 Jan 1932, Walla Walla, Walla Walla Co., WA |
| Burial |
3 Jan 1932, IOOF Cemetery, Waitsburg, Walla Walla, WA |
| Occupation |
Farmer |
| Religion |
Christian Church, Waitsburg, WA |
| Father |
William M. KISER (1825-1877) |
| Mother |
Roxinda INGALLS (1828-1920) |
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Frank T. Keiser, of Waitsburg, is one of the most prominent, progressive and extensive farmers of Walla Walla County, owning seventeen hundred and seventy acres of the finest wheat land to be found in this section of the state. In addition he leases and controls one thousand acres, and thus his agricultural interests are most important. He was born in Clackamas County, Oregon on September 3, 1865, and is a son of William and Roxie (Ingalls) Keiser, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work.
The public schools of Walla Walla and Clackamas Counties afforded him his education privileges, as at the age of sixteen years he accompanied his parents on their removal from Oregon to Walla Walla County, Washington. He remained at home through the period of his boyhood and youth, assisting in the work of the farm, and was thus engaged up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated January 1st, 1880, when Miss Cora B. Dickinson became his wife. She was born at Fort Bridger, Wyoming while her parents were crossing the plains in 1863.
Following his marriage Mr. Keiser began farming on a homestead in Spring Valley which he had previously filed on. He had also filed and proved up on a preemption, and had filed on a timber claim. He continued to live upon his farm for seven or eight years, after which he removed to Waitsburg, where he has since made his home. For several years he has operated farm lands from this point, and his holdings are now very extensive, for he owns seventeen hundred acres of the finest wheat land in the county and has leased and cultivated another tract of one thousand acres. He is thus most extensively engaged in farming and the magnitude of his operations is an indication of the nature of his success. He is familiar with every phase of wheat culture in the Inland Empire, and his wise and careful management of his business affairs has brought splendid results. In addition to his other interests Mr. Keiser is a stockholder in the Exchange Bank of Waitsburg.
To Mr. & Mrs. Keiser have been born nine children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Mabel, the wife of Arthur J. Woodworth, of Waitsburg; Chester A., who is operating one of his father's farms; Hazel, the wife of Z. O. Atkinson, who is connected with the Farmers Union and resides in Waitsburg; Verl D. and Velma, twins, and Helen, Gordon and Donald J., all at home.
Mr. Keiser votes with the Democratic Party and has served as a member of the City Council of Waitsburg. He stands for all that is progressive in public affairs and cooperates in many well defined plans and measures for the public good. He belongs to Touchet Lodge, No. 51 I.O.O.F., of Waitsburg, also the Coppei Encampment, No. 73, and to the Woodmen of the World. He is likewise connected with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. He and his wife attend the Christian Church and they are generous supporters of many improvements that seek to advance the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. Mr. Keiser is a typical citizen of the west. His entire life has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise that recognizes and utilizes opportunities. His words and actions spell progress. He has continually taken a forward step and his efforts have contributed in large measure to the building and development of the section with which he is concerned.
Frank bought the first automobile in Waitsburg in 1904. An article in the Waitsburg Times describes the event. The vehicle was a Queen Detachable Toureau, purchased from W. A. Hunt of the Cash Cycle Co., of Walla Walla. "The machine has an 18-horsepower motor, is equiped with both high and low gears. The auto climbs the steepest hills with a load of 4 or 5 people." |