germant
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
THOMAS A. GERMAN is one of the
sturdy and progressive citizens of Adams county who gives his attention
to tilling the soil. His postoffice is Delight and he has a good
farm near by. Thomas A. German was born in Lewis county, Missouri,
on September 27, 1867. His parents, R. D. and M. N. (Hamilton) German,
were natives of Germany and Missouri, respectively. The father came
to America in 1841 and located in Missouri, where he remained until his
death. The mother now lives at Ellensburg, Washington. They
are the parents of twelve children named as follows: William, deceased,
Bell, E. R., L. A., Alice E., Nettie, John O., R. S., C. A., B. H., Dollie,
deceased, and Blanch, deceased. Our subject received his education
from the common schools of his native county and at the age of seventeen
exchanged the schoolroom for work on the farm, having to assist his mother
in the support of the family. For five years, he labored there then
came on west to Oregon. At first he gave his attention to stock raising
and general work on the railroad. After that, he spent five years
in a flour mill and perfected himself in the art of the miller during this
time, then he came to Adams county in 1896 and took a homestead where he
now resides. He has improved the place in first class shape, having
it all under cultivation, fenced, provided with water, buildings, orchard
and so forth. Mr. German does not handle as much land as some of
the farmers but he does well what he does do and his farm is very productive.
In 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. German
and Maude Burkhart, the daughter of M. L. and M. E. Burkhart, natives of
Missouri. In 1889, Mr. Burkhart came to Washington bringing his family
with him and locating in Adams county, where they now reside. He
has a very large farm and is one of the leading men of the section. Mrs.
German has one sister, Rose L., and two brothers, L. G. and Archie.
To Mr. and Mrs. German, four children have been born, Helen, Claude, Neva
and R. D. Mr. German is an old fashioned Jeffersonian Democrat and
well posted in matters pertaining to politics. He is now holding
the office of school director and has given much attention to the improvement
and betterment of educational facilities.
Fraternally, he is affiliated with the I.
O. O. F. and the W. W. His wife belongs to the Rebekah lodge and
they are both active and leading members of the Christian church.
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