The Rise And Decline Of The Olympia Oyster 



ot the markets, without the mention of J. J. Brenner. 

 The story of Mr. Brenner's life is enveloped in, and be- 

 comes a part of the story of the Olympia Oyster. 



Mr. Brenner was a Charter Member and served as 

 Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the 

 Olympia Oyster Growers Association from it's beginning 

 until 1937 when he resigned and was succeeded by his 

 son E. G. Brenner. 



W. H. Kneeland was an original filer upon important 

 oyster land; he, Joe Y. Waldrip, Ole Hanson, and G. W. 

 Draham (son-in-law of W. H. Kneeland) was made presi- 

 dent of the Olympia Oyster Co., and served as such for 

 many years, he also has taken a leading part in the his- 

 tory of the Olympia Oyster. Mr. Kneeland passed on 

 many years ago, but George W. Draham was one of those 

 honored at the Golden Anniversary Banquet; at this Ban- 

 quet he responded to a toast and his response was full of 

 humor and stories of the old days. As president of the 

 Olympia Oyster Company George has also taken an ac- 

 tive part in all phases of the industry — the growing, 

 packing and marketing of the Olympia Oyster. 



The Olympia Oyster Co., represented by Mr. Draham, 

 was a Charter member of the Olympia Oyster Growers 

 Association. George was elected vice president and di- 

 rector at the first meeting and continued to serve until 

 1941. The records show that during all those years he at- 

 tended every regular meeting and m.issed very few 

 committee meetings 



The writer of this thesis — E. N. Steele, was the third 

 and youngest honored guest as a Pioneer; his age was 74 



(17) 



