The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-07-20
THE WEBER TANNERY.
Frank Weber e. Sons, Proprietors.
WaIIa WaIla, Wash.

1t may not be a matter Of common
knowledge that Walla Walla has the
distinction of having a greater num-
Der of pioneer enterprises of Wash
ington than any other city or town in
the state, but such is the fact, anu
the subject of this sketch is one of
them.
This old pioneer tannery was estab-
lished in 1865 by Frank Ruch, brother
of Mrs. Frank 1. Weber Sr. Following
the death of Mr.. Ruch, Mr.. Weber
| took over the property in 1871, and
| by force of circumstances became a
J tanner. Being apt to learn previously
he had been a miller, a miner, team
ster and farmer), he soon mastered
the trade and personally conducted the
business, assisted by skilled help until
his sons grew to manhood and relieved
him of further labor and RESPONSE
bility.
|
nous in it's day. 1t was for years
! the one and only place in the whole
Pacific Northwest where leather was
manufactured, and it's products were
in demand not only in Washington
Oregon and Idaho, but in British CO.
lumbia as well.
Then was the time the public were
glad to get the home product. There
! came an after time when it was the
custom to buy all obtainable from the
| east. 1t is cause for graduation
| that the time has come again that
| patronize home enterprises. And it
/ occasions surprise among strangers
visiting Walla Walla that so many
things of local demand are manufact-
| ured here. This is especially so with
travelling leather statesmen from east
| ern tanneries.
The Walla Walla farmer raises the
| calf to become the beef, to furnish the
! hide, to make the leather, to make the
| harness for the farmer. This uniting
| of production and consumption, in har-
mOny, is the true economy. 1t is per-
tinent to state, too, that Frank Weber
| & Sons are manufacturers of harness
as well as leather, under the style of
The Weber Harness & Shoe Findings
| Co., the harness department being I'M
| der the personal management of Joseph
A, the elder of the three brothers.
Frank l. Weber Jr. gives his time and
attention to the tannery, and W. H.
| Weber, late representative in the state
! legislature, is general manager of the
| whole business which in toto includes
, the manufacture of oak tanned leather
! for harness, saddles and shOemaking
purposes and the manufacture and sale
! of harnesses and saddles. Also the
| sale Of shoemakers' tools and findings.
While in a general way always pros
porous, this old pioneer enterprises has
had it's share of misfortune. In 1879
the tannery was completely destroyed
by fire. the loss being total, as there
was no insurance on the property or
stock But with characteristic German
pluck Mr.. Weber Immediately built a
new tannery and of larger capacity.
At the present writing the tannery is
again being enlarged by the erection
of additional buildings and the installa-
ton of modern machinery which will
place this time honored old enterprise
again in the front rank as one of the
most complete tanneries in the whole
Pacific Northwest, and it will hence
forth, as in the past, furnish a home
market for Walla Walla hides, and
leather to supply the general demands
of the valley.
1t is gratifying to be able to state
that Mr. Frank l. Weber Sr. is still
hale and hearty at three score years
and ten, and is esteemed and held in
honor for a useful and upright life by
all who know him.
The three sons are all skilled tanners
and practical business men and we'll
known as native Walla Wallans. They
take a becoming interest in public al
fairs and are always liberal in sup
port of enterprises for the common
good.