Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 636. WALTER CORNELL VAN EMON A scion of two of America's earliest families, Walter Cornell Van Emon, was born in Yorkville, Illinois, on the 1st of January, 1887. His parents were George H. and Stella (Cornell) Van Emon, the former being a descendant of Holland-Dutch ancestry, who settled in America in 1650. They were prominent and well known people from the establishment of the city of New Amsterdam on down through the Revolutionary period to the present day. They emigrated to Illinois when that state was a part of Virginia and in the Civil war their patriotic spirit prompted voluntary enlistment. For generations the Van Emons were successful farmers, as were the Cornells, who came from Wales to America as early as 1604. The Cornells have always been worthy and representative citizens and their name may be found along with those of other families who fought so gallantly for their adopted country in times of war. The schools of Yorkville, Illinois, afforded Walter C. Van Emon his early education and then removing to Washington, D. C., with his father, who had accepted a position in one of the government departments, he entered the high school, from which he was graduated in the required time. He then entered Georgetown University, taking up the study of law, and in 1909 he was graduated from that institution with the LL. B. degree. Soon afterward he received an appointment as special agent of the United States land office in field work and this work carried him to all parts of America, the west in particular. In 1917 he tendered his resignation from government service and located at Klamath Falls, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession, being numbered among the most prominent members of the Oregon bar. He brought to the profession thorough training and natural qualifications of a high order, and the able services he has already rendered constitute a promise of many years of usefulness to any community where he lives. He has built up a large clientele, specializing in corporation law, and it is said that he represents a large percentage of the lumber concerns of southern Oregon. Mr. Van Emon is clear and concise in his presentation of a cause, logical in his deductions and sound in his reasoning, while in the application of legal principles he is seldom at fault. He determined on Klamath Falls as a suitable location because of the climate and opportunities it offered and he has made many friends who hold him in high esteem. In 1915 Mr. Van Emon was united in marriage to Miss Julia Edith Rinker, a daughter of James Rinker of Wakeeney, Kansas, and they have three children: Walter Cornell, III; Carlton Allen; and Elizabeth Ruth. Mrs. Van Emon is a graduate of the University of Kansas and a woman of much culture and social grace. She is a model mother and housewife and her home is noted for its hospitality. In politics Mr. Van Emon is an earnest republican and he stands for all that is progressive in matters of citizenship. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and he has traveled both branches, being a Knight Templar as well as a thirty-second degree Mason. He is likewise a Noble of Hillah Temple, A. A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Van Emon has filled all the chairs in the Blue lodge and he endeavors in every way to live up to the teachings of the craft. In line with his profession he has membership in the State Bar and the American Bar Associations and his interest in the development and welfare of the community is demonstrated by his connection with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Van Emon is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta college fraternity, in which organization he takes great pride and pleasure. There is no man more familiar with the land laws of the country than Mr. Van Emon and he is regarded as one of the rising young lawyers of the coast. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.