We are constrained to mention this genial and capable gentleman, who has labored with unflagging interest for the up building of the country and the handling of his business enterprises. He has a fine farm in the vicinity of Melrose, it being about three miles southeast from the town, and there he has bestowed his labors with excellent visible results and he is counted one of the substantial men of the community.
Arthur S. Cordiner was born in London County, Ontario, on April 13, 1866, being the son of Arthur and Ellen (Beatty) Cordiner. The father was born Scotland in 1818 and still lives. He came to Canada in 1848 and farmed there. He was one of the councilors in his County. The mother of our subject was born in Scotland in 1828 and died in 1893.
Our subject remained at home until he was eighteen, being educated in the famous schools of Ontario, which have justly gotten a worldwide reputation. Then he came to Walla Walla and worked on a farm for live years. His next move was to Whitman County where he farmed for himself. This was a trying time for Mr. Cordiner for he went to that County with two thousand dollars cash and came away in six years with one thousand dollars of debt. In 1896 he settled on his present place and two brothers took land adjoining his. They have labored together and our subject has a fine orchard and does a general farming business, also raising many shire horses.
Mr. Cordiner is a Democrat and always on the side of progress and advancement. He is a member of the M. W. A. and of the I. O. O. F., both at Melrose. He has the following named brothers and sisters: Alexander, John. Mary Jarron, William, George, Jessie Cunningham. Ella Cook, Anna Nevel, Peter F. and James B. twins, both graduates of Pullman, and Peter is now attending Ann Arbor University and Robert S.
Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903