The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 244 WALTON D. McNAIR. Walton D. McNair, active in directing municipal affairs in Yakima as one of the city commissioners, was born at Versailles, Morgan county, Missouri, March 7, 1871, his parents being James and Virginia L. (Thruston) McNair, both of whom have now passed away. The father served as circuit clerk and recorder of Morgan county, Missouri, and later became a member of the bar there, continuing in the practice of law successfully for many years. Walton D. McNair received his college training, supplementing his public school course, in Central College at Fayette, Missouri, and afterward entered upon railway work in connection with the office of the master mechanic of a railroad company in Kansas. He devoted three years to the position and in 1895 went to Alaska, spending ten years in the far northwest. He was there largely engaged in public work, filling a position in the office of the United States district clerk and alto acting as chief deputy collector of customs at Sitka. The year 1907 witnessed the arrival of Mr. McNair in Yakima, where he has since made his home. In this city he accepted the position of bookkeeper at the Horticultural Union and there continued for three years. He next prepared an abstract index for the Consolidated Abstract Company, after which he was called to public office, becoming chief deputy county assessor, in which position he capably served for three years. His efficiency and fidelity were indicated in the fact that in 1914 he was elected by popular suffrage to the office of county assessor and served for three years. He then resigned in order to accept the office of city commissioner, being made superintendent of finance and accounting. He entered upon the duties of this position on the 17th of December, 1917, for a three years, term, and is now serving. His previous training and experience well qualified him for the work that now devolves upon him and his record in office is characterized by marked efficiency and fidelity. On the 1st of November, 1899, Mr. McNair was married to Miss Stella D. Butler, of Portland, Oregon, and they have become parents of a daughter, Virginia. Mr. McNair votes with the republican party and seeks the welfare of the city also through his co-operation with the plans of the Commercial Club, of which he is a member. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks but is chiefly active outside of office in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M.; Yakima Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., of which he was high priest in 1916; Yakima Commandery, No. 13, K. T., of which he was eminent commander in 1916; and Afifi Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is most loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. In fact loyalty to duty is one of the marked characteristics of Mr. McNair and, moreover, he is actuated by a progressive spirit in all that he undertakes. He is a typical western man, holding to high ideals on behalf of the public and putting forth every effort to advance civic standards. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.