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E.A. HOLMES. - A representative business man of Wallowa, and now retaining the prominent position of president of the Wallowa Mercantile Company, a house that stands among the leaders in both this and Union county, the subject of this sketch is justly entitled to representation in any compendium that purports to classify the leading men of our county and give review of their careers, since his energy, ability and fine executive force have originated the concern that he manages at the present time and brought it into being and is now its animating spirit, having made a reputation for himself both enviable and brilliantly successful in his chosen occupation.

A native son of the northwest, being born in Walla Walla, Washington, on December 1, 1868, Mr. Holmes is a product that has brought credit upon the country and his endeavors have been largely instrumental in giving the county of his residence a commercial standing. His early years were spent in the pursuit of knowledge, and at seventeen years of age he began the career that has thus far proved eminently successful and gives promise of a bright future. His first venture in the world of business was in the capacity of salesman for Baer & Church, general merchants at Island City. One year later he entered the employ of A. Levi & Company, and six months after this time he was working for A.J. Foster & Company, at Cove, Oregon, where he continued from 1886 to 1890, then engaged with the I.C.M.&M. Company at Island City for three years. He came to Wallowa in July, 1893, as manager for this company in their establishment in this city, and in 1897, after continuing four years in this capacity, he was a leading spirit in forming a new company that purchased the business of the old company and incorporated under the name of the Wallowa Mercantile Company, our subject being retained as president and general manager. The establishment is one of eminent success and has been instrumental in handling goods with a margin that has been very beneficial to the residents of our county.

Fraternally Mr. Holmes is affiliated with the Masons, Standley Lodge, No. 113, and also with the Royal Arch Chapter, Lodge No. 9, of Lagrande; he is also a member of the K.O.T.M., Lowland Tent No. 38; and of O.E.S., Chapter No. 68.

Mr. Holmes is a leading citizen of our county and has wrought with a faithfulness and assiduity that have rendered him the esteem and confidence of his fellows, while he has done much for the advancement of the county and its material progress.

W.R. HOLMES. - No class of men exert a greater influence upon the welfare of the community, or are more in a position to further the advancement of the county, than those who manipulate the finances of commerce and supervise the channels of trade, as do the bankers of the country, and it is necessary that they be a class of men who are above reproach, stanch, keen and unflinching. As a representative citizen of Wallowa county, a member of the banking firm that operates the Wallowa National Bank, the subject of this sketch has shown himself in all these relations of life to be possessed not only of capabilities that eminently fit him for the place he occupies, but to be endowed with an unswerving integrity and dominated by sagacity and financial ability that are both commendable and salutary.

Mr. Holmes was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1855, and was the son of L.R. and Jane (Gabriel) Holmes, who came to Walla Walla in 1864. His early education was received in Walla Walla, where he was well fitted for the responsible duties that were his to perform in later years. When he had attained his majority, he entered the employ of S.G. French, taking a position in the latter's mill, and later was foreman of the large stock ranches that were the property of Mr. French. It is proof of the ability and substantial qualities of our subject, that when Mr. French died, W.R. Holmes was named as the executor of the will. This trying and delicate and responsible position was filled to the satisfaction of all, and marked efficiency and ability were manifest in the disposition of the entire matter. Concluding these duties, Mr. Holmes removed to Enterprise in 1884 and engaged in the stock business for four years. Success attended his efforts and when the Wallowa National bank was organized at Enterprise, R.M. Steele was selected as the president but to Mr. Holmes was accorded the responsible position of cashier and real manager of the institution. Upon Mr. Steele's death J.M. Church of Lagrande was chosen president and has been since. The ability and integrity of Mr. Holmes were ample requisites for this position and he has made the bank one of utility and a good investment by his careful methods which are attended with aggressiveness in his policies.

In 1890 Mr. Holmes took unto himself a wife, Miss Mattie, daughter of William and Mary Aram, being the lady of his choice. To gladden this union, three children have been born, as follows: Fred, Elise and Gerald. Fraternally, Mr. Holmes is identified with the Masonic lodge in Enterprise, being Wallowa No. 82, while also he is affiliated with the Chapter and the Royal Arch. Mrs. Holmes is a member of the Eastern Star. Wallowa Chapter No. 50. To this leading and eminent citizen of our county, there is much due for his wise council and faithful manipulation of the important enterprise placed in his hands, as well as for the exemplary manner in which he orders all the walks of his life, both in private business and in public enterprise, and these commendable actions have won for him the esteem of his fellows and the confidence of the entire community.