The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 328 A portrait of Ordia R. Leaming appears in this publication. ORDIA R. LEARNING. Ordia R. Learning, engaged in the welding business in Yakima, is numbered among the native sons of the northwest, for his birth occurred in Adams county, Oregon, on the 21st of June, 1881. His parents, Ezra and Frances (Gerkin) Learning, were pioneers of Oregon, where the father devoted his life to the occupation of farming. He passed away and in 1888 the mother removed to North Yakima, where her death occurred. Ordia R. Learning acquired a public school education in Yakima, for he was a lad of but seven years at the time the family home was established in this city. After reaching young manhood he turned his attention to the hay trade, having in the meantime followed farming to the age of sixteen years. For some time he continued to engage in the sale of hay and later entered upon gas engine repair work. He was employed at the gas plant for several years in the manufacture and repairing of gas engines and later he went to Seattle where he learned acetylene welding. Subsequently he returned to Yakima and purchased a bicycle shop and a little later he added an acetylene welding plant. He now does more of this welding than any of the other plants of the kind in Yakima, his business having reached extensive proportions because he has developed expert skill in this particular. He has thoroughly mastered a work that never ceases to excite the wonder of all-a work whereby metal raised to an almost incredible degree of heat fuses at an instant touch, the process enabling the individual to effect repairs that could not have been accomplished before this method was invented and perfected. In 1910 Mr. Learning was married to Miss Albertine Poirire, of Yakima, and they have three children: Frances, Ordia Rollins, Jr., and Mabel. Mr. Learning has never been active in lodge or club circles but has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and his home, and finds his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his wife and children. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.