The Rise And Decline Of The Olympia Oyster 



firm. J. J. Brenner is still president, while each of the 

 younger generations are officials of the corporation and 

 perform the more active duties. They are all capable and 

 highly respected by their fellow oystermen and fellow 

 citizens. They have inherited fine qualities of thrift and 

 natural ability from their ancestors. 



Dave McMillin, a biologist and former scholar of Dr. 

 Kincaid, formerly with the State Fisheries Department, 

 is now General Manager of the Olympia Oyster Com- 

 pany, and B. L. Taylor, President of the Pacific Coast 

 Oyster Growers Association, is Sales Manager. These 

 young m.en are taking over the operation of the largest 

 company in the oyster business in Puget Sound, in a very 

 able way. 



Any old timer v/ill remember J. Y. V/aldrip. He was 

 one of the first to file on Oyster Land. When I first knew 

 him, he was manager of the oyster beds for the Olympia 

 Oyster Com^pany, and was affectionately called " Old 

 Joe." His son J. S. Waldrip has been closely connected 

 with the Olympia Oyster business for many years, and 

 was mentioned by Dr. Hopkins, Biologist, as being of 

 m.uch help to him in carrying on the experimental work 

 for the Fisheries Departm.ent mentioned elsewhere. His 

 son Nat is associated with him at this time, operating the 

 land formierly owned bj^ Jesse Bov/man and family. 



Will Waldrip, a cousin of J. S. Waldrip, was also an 

 early employee of the Olympia Oyster Comxpany. Later 

 he puchased and operated the Weatherill beds. These 

 beds have again changed ownership, are owned by 

 Louise C. Wachsmuth of Portland, Oregon, and are oper- 

 ated by Ellison Brothers. 



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