JOHN T. REDMAN. – The subject of this sketch was born in Linn county, Oregon, January 3, 1856. He is the second son of B.W. Redman, who was a prominent citizen of that county, and a staunch Union man, who upheld the old flag during the early part of the sixties, when it required more than ordinary courage to take that stand. In the great flood of 1861-62 the family lost everything in the way of property, except horses. Early in February, 1862, John moved with his family and settled on a farm near Scio, in Linn county, and there worked the remainder of the year, and attended the public school during the winter. The next four years he was occupied in teaching and clerking in the general merchandise house of A.J. Houston in Scio. His father dying in 1876, he settled the estate and also was co-administrator with J.B. Miller in settling the estate of John Miller.
His health becoming somewhat impaired, he was advised to seek a drier climate, and in 1877 came to Walla Walla, and attended Whitman Seminary for a short time. February 14, 1878, he accepted a position as book-keeper with Saling & Reese, dealers in general merchandise at Weston, Oregon. He remained with that firm as book-keeper and head salesman until 1883. June 6, 1880, he was married to Fannie M. Reese, eldest daughter of J.T. Reese, Jr., partner of the firm. Mr. Reese is one of the pioneer merchants and wheat dealer of Eastern Oregon, and is well and favorably known as one of the first pillars upon which has rested the prosperity of the Walla Walla and Umatilla region. In July, 1883, J.T. Reese and John T. Redman opened a general merchandise store in the town of Adams, under the firm name of Reese & Redman, where they have done an immense business, and are now the largest shippers of wheat from Eastern Oregon. Mr. Redman is a Republican in politics, and stands very high as an earnest worker for his party, having been a delegate to the state convention in 1886. He is a prominent member of the order of F. & A.M., and holds his membership with Weston Lodge. He will shortly remove to Tacoma, where with his old partner he will conduct a wholesale grocery business.
The union of John T. Redman and Fannie M. Reese, has been blest with two beautiful and attractive children, Grace and Herbert. Mrs. Redman was born in Walla Walla City, March 13, 1862, and is a faithful and efficient member of the Episcopal church, and is greatly beloved by all who know her.
