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MELCENA V. BARTMESS. - The esteemed lady of whom we deem it an especial pleasure to write nad whose life's career will form the subject of this brief review, is quite deserving of a representation in any volume that purports to give data of the leading personages of Union county, inasmuch as she has been here since the days of early pioneers and has wrought with display of faithfulness, ability, and conscientious deportment continually, while she has also shown judicious manipulation of the resources placed in her hands, thereby augmenting her own exchequer as well as increasing the wealth of the county.

Mrs. Bartmess was born in Clark county, Illinois, on a farm, the date being October 30, 1852, being the daughter of Daniel W. and Cyntha A. (Hicklin) Elledge, her father an elder in the Christian church. In 1864 the father gathered his substance and fitted the usual conveyance with ox teams and began the weary journey across the plains with his family. They were in the famous train known as the "Hog train." This appellation was accredited to them because each wagon bore the picture of that omnivorous brute and the motto, "Root hog or die." On the 8th of August, in the same year, they reached the Grande Ronde valley,, and as our subject had a sister living here then, she remained while the balance of the family continued their journey to the Willamette valley, settling there and there the father remained until the time of his death. Our subject was twelve years of age when she stopped with her sister and she lived in that abode until she had attained the age of fifteen, and then was married to Mr. George W. Bartmess, the date being February 24, 1867. Mr. Bartmess had provided a fine house and the couple went immediately to housekeeping, living on the quarter section across the road from where the widow resides to-day. Mrs. Bartmess owns eighty acres of good land, two miles east from Lagrande, which she is handling in a becoming manner, having it well improved and stocked with cattle and horses and provided with comfortable and convenient buildings and all accountrements necessary for the proper tilling of the same.

To our subject have been born six children, as follows: Edward C., married to Lizzie Robbs, and living in Lagrande; Frank L., married to Hattie Ackley, living in Cottonwood, Idaho; Jay, living in Cottonwood, Idaho; Louis J., living in Dayton, Washington; Grace and Rollie W., living at home. Mrs. Bartmess hasled a noble, Christian life in this pilgrim way, manifesting the graces of her faith, and has faithfully brought up a good family, setting a gracious and good example for them. She is a member of the Christian church and is highly esteemed resident of the county, respected and admired by all.

WILLIAM T. BARTMESS.- It is with pleasure that we embrace the opportunity to epitomize the career of the well-known and representative business man of our county, whose name initiates this paragraph, who at the present time is interested in farming and fruit raising and is one of the progressive and capable men of the county.

William T. is the son of James R. and Eliza J. (Elledge) Bartmess, being born December 11, 1852, in Clark county, Illinois. His early life was spent on a farm, and his education was acquired in the various schools where he resided. In the spring of 1855, the parents removed to Putnam county, Missouri, and from that place, in1863, they set out with a train of sixty-three wagons across the plains to Oregon. No trouble was incurred with the Indians, but the younger sister of our subject drooped and died and she sleeps beside the historic emigrant road of many years ago. Horses and oxen were used to make the trip, but at the best it was slow and dreary. In due time, however, they reached the famed Grande Ronde valley, and although a few settlers were there the little handful stopped and started to make a home for themselves. In 1865, on account of the illness of the mother, the father sold and went to the Willamette valley, but returned the following year. The sickness refused to be healed, and on May 22, 1872, in the western home, there was mourning as death snatched thence the beloved mother and devoted wife. Our subject worked on the farm with his father until April 21, 1880, then married Mary A., daughter of William N. and Mary J. Glass, who crossed the plains from Clark county, Illinois, in 1861, with ox teams, coming through the Grande Ronde valley and on to Walla Walla, Washington. They remained there for a time and thence went to Umatilla, and in 1870 came back to the Grande Ronde valley. Mr. Glass died on January 28, 1882, and his wife is still living in Lagrande and is a devoted member of the Christian church.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born the following children: Charles O., deceased; James William, Ethel Pearl, Franklin Elmer, Lila Elma, Maud May, George Elisha. In 1883, Mr. Bartmess moved to Denver, Colorado, and two years later he returned to the valley. In 1893, having entered land formerly, he sold and removed to Washington county, Idaho, where his father was and is now living. In 1897 he came to his present place, adjoining Lagrande on the east. He has six acres well improved with fruit trees and good buildings. He is affiliated with the Masons, Lodge No. 41, of Lagrande. Mr. Bartmess has always taken an active part in politics, and is especially solicitous for the advancement of educational facilities and has assisted in this measure by serving on the school board as clerk for many years. He is a man of uprightness and has always made a good record and is esteemed by his fellows.