An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 102

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Washington > Kittitas County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 102
USA > Washington > Yakima County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 102
USA > Washington > Klickitat County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 102

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in the common schools of Wisconsin. When fif- teen years of age he went to Kansas, where he re- mained for three years. In 1872, he came to Klickitat county. Upon his arrival he went into partnership with his uncle, John Presby, in the fruit growing business, at which vocation he was engaged for many years. In 1875, he filed on a homestead-his present farm-and with his uncle, put in a sawmill, ten miles north of Goldendale, which became known as the Three-Mile Presby mill. They operated it jointly for four years, then sold out. Mr. Trask has since given his attention to the sheep business, and at present he owns one thousand head.

Mr. Trask was married at Lyle, Washington, August 21, 1882, to Sarah J. Bateman, a native of Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, born August 21, 1864. She was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and of Washington. Her father died when she was a babe of two years, and the mother later married again. She is now Mrs. Jane Bennett, residing at Baker City, Oregon. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trask, namely, George W., Martha W., Pearl M., Lizzie M., Harry W., Wilhelmina J., Bertha G., Elmer E., John H., Hazel A. and Chester D. All were born in Klickitat county, and all, excepting John, are living. Fraternally, Mr. Trask is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, also with Enterprise Grange, No. 85, which he joined sixteen years ago; and in politics, with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist church. Among those of his community who rank high in the attributes of honesty, industry and stability of in- tentions, Mr. Trask is one of the foremost. He is not an extremist in any line, either for wealth or community influence, but in the more reliable qualities of good citizenship he is reputed not to be lacking.

GEORGE M. BUNNELL, a sheep man and a partner in the firm of Phillips, Aldrich & Bunnell, residing at Goldendale, in Klickitat county, Wash- ington, was born in Clackamas county, Oregon, November 13, 1864. Charles B. Bunnell, his father, a native of Illinois, crossed the Plains in 1851-2, and settled in Clackamas county, Oregon, there taking up land. He still resides on his ranch. He is of Scotch parentage, and his wife, Louise (Crow) Bunnell, was a native of Missouri. In 1849, when a small child, she came across the Plains with her parents, and settled in Oregon, where she died in the year 1873.

George M. grew to young manhood in Ore- gon, being educated there, and when fourteen years old learned the iron-molder's trade in the shops at East Portland. After working at that handicraft for several years, he took up dairying and ranching, following that line of work until he

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reached the age of twenty-eight. He first came to Klickitat county, Washington, in 1885, but re- turned after two years to Oregon, and for the several years following was back and forth be- tween the two states, for a time locating on the Sound. He formed a partnership with his brother, James A. Bunnell, in the spring of 1896, and the young men leased sheep from A. R. Thompson, a large sheep man of The Dalles, Oregon, and ran them in Klickitat county for two years, feeding in the Sunnyside district. At the expiration of four years, they dissolved partnership, and George went to Yakima county, and took up land near Outlook. He spent some time in the improve- ment of this property. Thinking that he might do better somewhere else, he took a trip through Mexico, also looking for a suitable location in the state of Texas and Arizona, but, not finding a place to his liking, he returned to Washington, and soon after bought a band of six hundred sheep. These he kept on C. S. Childers' place. A year ago his present partners bought into the business. Altogether the three men have about one thousand six hundred head of sheep, which they winter in the Sunnyside coun- try. His brother, James A. Bunnell, is still engaged in the stock business in Klickitat county, and two other brothers, John F. and Charles F., are ranchers in the same county. A sister, Mrs. Rillie A. Taylor, resides at Portland, Oregon, and another sister, Mrs. Manda Goetz, is living in Mexico. Mr. Bunnell thinks the state of Washington a better sheep country than Ore- gon, judging by the parts of Oregon that he has visited, and states that he gets better grass, and the sheep shear more, when fed in this state, and that, outside of the John Day and Grande Ronde districts in Oregon, more sheep are run in Wash- ington. He has property in Clark county. In politics, he is a Republican, and an admirer of President Roosevelt.

FRANK ALDRICH, of the well known firm of Phillips & Aldrich, grain and real estate deal- ers, Goldendale, is one of the substantial business men of Klickitat county and one of the influential men of his community. A native of Michigan, he was born in Clinton county, February II, 1859, to the union of Wells and Sarah J. (Ives) Aldrich and in one of the choicest sections of the great Peninsula state he spent the early days of his life. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born in New York state in 1834, removed to southern Michigan in 1848, becoming a pioneer of the newly born state, and with his wife is at present living in Bay City in that commonwealth. His wife, likewise a native of New York, was married in Michigan. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native state and remained with his parents until twenty

years of age, when he commenced teaching school. He followed that means of livelihood four years, then, in 1883, went to Dakota and for the next seven years was engaged in farming. During the winter of 1890, he came to the Pacific coast. He taught school in Washington county, Oregon, dur- ing the following year, and in February, 1892, came to Klickitat county. The year 1892 was passed in the school room. In the spring of 1893 he moved to Goldendale, where that year and the next he was occupied in assisting the assessor and as deputy treasurer. In the fall of 1894 he began buying grain, a line of work he has since followed with notable success, purchasing for the Pacific Coast Elevator Company and the Wasco Warehouse Company. In the spring of 1899 Mr. Aldrich entered into a partnership with H. C. Phillips for the purpose of handling grain, a busi- ness relation which is still maintained. This firm is also doing an extensive real estate business. It owns a half interest in the ferry at Grants and a two-thirds interest in the Arlington ferry. In November, 1903, it became interested in the Gold- endale Milling Company, of which concern it has the management at present. Stock raising has also occupied its attention, for the firm owns two thousand acres of farm and grazing land in Klicki- tat county, and a year ago engaged in the sheep business, ranging about six thousand head this year.

Mr. Aldrich was married at Bay City, Michi- gan, July 16, 1882, to Miss Clara J. Parker, whose father, a farmer, moved to Dakota in 1886 and passed away in that state eight years ago. Mrs. Aldrich was born near the little city of Flint, Michigan, November 7, 1858, and received her education in Michigan's public schools. She was married when twenty-three years old. Three chil- dren have blessed the Aldrich home, Lee, born in Dakota, November, 1889; Harry, in Washington county, Oregon, August 27, 1891, and Wells, in Goldendale, June 24, 1893. Mr. Aldrich is con- nected with four fraternities, the Knights of Pythias, Woodmeu of the World, Artisans and the Rathbone Sisters. He is interested in political affairs, and a Republican in politics. His property accumulations show him to be a man of business ability and diversified talents, while his qualities of character have won for him the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.

THOMAS N. CROFTON is engaged in the mercantile and hotel business at Centerville, Wash- ington. He was born in New York City, June 13, 1862, the son of Jolin and Rachel (Nugent) Crofton, both born in Ireland in 1833, the former in county Roscommon; the latter in county Gal- way. The elder Crofton came to the United States in 1848, and settled in New York City, there accepting employment of the Cunard Steam-

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ship Company, with which he worked, altogether, for thirty years. In 1873 he came to Klickitat county and took up a homestead ten miles west of Goldendale, which is now known as the Crof- ton Prairie. He lived on this place till 1880, then moved to the swale south of Goldendale. From this place he returned in 1885 to New York City and again entered the employ of the Cunard Steamship Company, with which he remained till his death, June 22, 1892. Rachel (Nugent) Crof- ton, the mother, arrived in New York City when a maid of thirteen years, having previously received her common school instruction in Ireland. She married Mr. Crofton when twenty-five years of age. Her death occurred in Klickitat county, November 5, 1879. Thomas N. began his educa- tion in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and completed it in Klickitat county, where he arrived with his parents when eleven years old. At the age of twenty he began working out, but after six months thus spent, he took up a claim and worked independently. This he farmed for two years, then sold out. In 1885 he bought his father's place, which consisted of two hundred and forty acres, situated in the swale south of Center- ville. He farmed this place till 1896, then moved to Centerville and opened a hotel. Later, he and his father-in-law became partners in a gen- eral merchandise business in Centerville, which was conducted under the firm name of Gilmore & Crofton. In 1898, having left the business to the management of his wife, he went to Dawson City, Alaska. After spending a summer in that place he returned to his home in Centerville, and he has since devoted his time to his store and hotel and his large farming interests. In July, 1899, Mr. Gilmore died, then Mr. Crofton purchased his partner's interest in the business, and has since conducted the establishment under his own name. His brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Isa- bella Gilmore, now residing three miles west of Goldendale; George, living in Weiser, Idaho; Wil- liam, of Linn, Idaho, and Catherine, now deceased.

Mr. Crofton was married in The Dalles, Ore- gon, June 4, 1889, to Miss Nannie Gilmore, a native of Buchanan county, Missouri, born August 22, 1870. She was the daughter of James A. and Catherine (Kline) Gilmore, both natives of Mis- souri. The father came to Klickitat county in 1886 and settled near The Dalles. He died in Centerville, July 31, 1889, and the mother in Mis- souri, June 10, 1876. Previous to her marriage, Mrs. Crofton acquired an education in the com- mon schools of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Crofton have had six children, Raymond E. V., born Sep- tember 1, 1891, died at the age of nine months ; William H., March 31, 1893; James W., January 23, 1895; Estella F., February 11, 1897; Ernest H., July 18, 1899, and Isabella, January 21, 1901. Fraternally, Mr. Crofton is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the A. O. U. W., the Modern

Woodmen of America, and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Episcopalian church. His property interests comprise a fine farm adjoining the town of Centerville, and the hotel and store, above mentioned, together with other town property. He is one of the most sub- stantial residents of the county, and commands the respect of all.

FRED H. VUNK is a comfortably situated farmer residing in Centerville, Washington. He was born in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, March 4, 1854, and was the son of Horatio G. and Lucina (Wendel) Vunk, both natives of New York state, the former born in Herkimer county, in 1827. The elder Vunk was a machinist by vocation and a dentist by avocation. He came to Wisconsin in 1850 and settled in Milwaukee, where he helped build the first locomotive that ran on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. He died in Mil- waukee, in November, 1854, when Fred H., the subject of this sketch, was eight months old. During his boyhood, Mr. Vunk received a prac- tical education in the common schools of Wiscon- sin .. When seventeen, he began working in the lumber camps of Wisconsin and remained in this employment until he was twenty- two, at which time he went to Portland, Oregon, arriving in 1876. Here he accepted em- ployment on a steamboat plying on the Columbia river between Portland and The Dalles. The fol- lowing year, February 3, 1877, he arrived in Klick- itat county. He thereupon took a homestead of eighty acres four miles southwest of Centerville, upon which he resided till 1889, when he sold out and went to Oregon. There he followed freight- ing till 1892. He then returned to Klickitat coun- ty and took up a homestead in Cedar valley, where he lived till 1899, since which time he has been living in Centerville. He bought some property in this town in 1892. His mother married Mr. E. R. Hatch, and to this marriage six children were born. Fraternally, Mr. Vunk is affiliated with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He is a stanch Republican on all national issues, but in municipal affairs supports the most worthy is- sue largely free from partisan prejudice. He has filled the office of justice of the peace with credit to himself, and has also served as captain of the national guard. Higher offices than these he has not sought, his preference being for a quiet, unos- tentatious life rather than the strenuous require- ments of official position. By his many friends he is termed a "good old bach," which homely char- acterization is easily understood as an encomium to his manly worth.

LARS MATTSON was the first Finlander that settled in Klickitat county, and now resides three-

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quarters of a mile west of Centerville. He was born in Finland, April 23, 1841, the son of Mat and Retta Mattson, both natives of Finland, and now deceased. The father died at the age of ninety-eight. Mr. Mattson, when a youth, received an education in the common schools of Finland. He lived at home until he was twenty-one, and afterward, when twenty- three, purchased a farm on which he lived for ten years. In 1873 he sold out and came to the United States, his objective point being Michigan. In Mich- igan he remained for four years, then, with three other families of Finlanders, came to Klickitat coun- ty, Washington. Upon his arrival he took up a homestead one mile north of Centerville. where he lived until 1893. He then bought his present farm near Centerville, and he has resided upon it contin- uously for the past ten years and more.

October 10, 1864, Mr. Mattson married Miss Annie Tamow. The ceremony was performed in Finland. Miss Tamow's parents were Lars and Sarah Tamow, both natives of Sweden, and now deceased. The father died in Finland, and the mother in Klickitat county. During girlhood Mrs. Mattson, like her husband, attended the common schools of Finland, and there received a practical education. Her marriage to Mr. Mattson occurred when she was nineteen years of age. To this mar- riage eleven children have been born. Those born in Finland are Mat, John, Elmer and Tilda Ahola. Ida, Minnie Neva, Frank, Arthur, Albene and August were born in Klickitat county, Annie in Michigan. In religion Mr. Mattson belongs to the Lutheran church, and in politics he favors Republicanism. He owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres of land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation, also live stock of several varieties, Though a Fin- lander by birth, Mr. Mattson is now so thoroughly Americanized that it is doubtful if there is any man in Klickitat county more ready to contend for the interests of the American republic than he.

DANIEL FINLAYSON is a well-to-do farmer residing one mile east of the town of Centerville. He was born in Michigan, near Detroit, February 25, 1850, the son of Daniel and Annie (Chase) Fin- layson, both natives of New York state. Daniel Fin- layson, the elder, was a sailor during the early part of his life, but eventually gave up the sea and settled on a farm in Michigan. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the army, and for a time was in active service. At the close of the war he went to Florida, and later to Nebraska, where he resided till the time of his death. He married Miss Annie Chase, mother of the subject of this sketch, during his stay in Florida. Daniel received the greater part of his education in a Montana mining camp, and its character was such as to give him a greater knowledge of men and the world than of books. Up to the age of thirteen he was partly under the care of an uncle, with whom he arrived in Mon-

tana when a child. The uncle was shot and killed when Daniel was the age above mentioned, and the boy was obliged to shift for himself afterward among scenes admittedly the roughest and toughest known in the United States. Young Finlayson, however, possessed the attribute of being able to take care of himself and mind his own business, and to this may be credited the fact that he reached the age of twenty-nine without being injuriously influ- enced by his environments. At the age mentioned he went to St. Louis, and there accepted employment on a small river steamer. Afterward he worked as a farm hand for different farmers, and finally, in 1876, he landed in Klickitat county. During the first five years of his stay he was a lumberman in different camps of the county, at the end of which time he purchased his present farm. Here he has since re- sided, giving his attention principally to the raising of stock.

Mr. Finlayson married Mrs. Mary McQueen, December 25, 1880, in Klickitat county. Mrs. Mc- Queen was the daughter of Lewis Dopkins, a farm- er, who came to Klickitat county in 1878, here re- siding until . the time of his death. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother, Emeline (Lane) Dopkins, a native of Ohio, is now deceased, her death having occurred in Wisconsin. Mrs. Mc- Queen was born in Wisconsin, March 10, 1851. Be- fore her marriage to Mr. Finlayson she received a practical education in the common schools of that state. Her first husband was Alex. McQueen, who died in Klickitat county in 1878. Two children were born to this marriage, Myrtle, now married to a Mr. Shoemaker, and residing in Klickitat county ; James, living in the same county, near Ellensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Finlayson have had two children, Bessie. born July 22, 1882, and Jasper, in 1891. Both are natives of Klickitat county. Fraternally, Mr. Fin- layson is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religion he adheres to the faith and practice of the Christian church. He belongs to the Republican party, and is one of the most en- ergetic men in municipal politics in the county. His work along this line, however, is not that of an office-seeker. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation. The place is supplied with all necessary implements and stock and under the able management of its owner is becoming one of the most valuable farm properties in the county.

JOHN P. GRAHAM is a prosperous and highly respected farmer residing three miles east of Center- ville, in Klickitat county, Washington. He was born in Washington county, Oregon, March 28. 1858, the son of John and Matilda ( White) Graham, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Iowa. John Graham, the elder, went to sea when sixteen years of age and followed its fortunes for nine years, at the end of which time he gave up the

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"JOHN JAEKEL.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

life of a sailor, leaving his vessel at Portland. Im- mediately afterward he settled in Washington coun- ty, Oregon. During the years of his life at sea and later, in Oregon, he lost trace of his parents, and, though he has made attempts to find them, has thus far failed to obtain knowledge of their whereabouts. In 1870, he came to Klickitat county, and, after re- siding there for a time, moved to The Dalles, Or- egon, where he is living at the present time. The mother of John P. was married to the elder Graham in Oregon. Her people crossed the Plains to Oregon in 1844, and became well known pioneers of that state. The force of circum- stances under which he grew up deprived Mr. Graham of the advantages of higher education. When very young he attended the common schools of Oregon, but when he was twelve years of age his parents moved to Klickitat county and he ceased attendance at school and began riding the range for his father, who was a stockman. This vocation he followed till he reached his majority. At that time he settled on a tract of railroad land, and, after living on it for six months, sold his right. His next move was to Chamberlin Flats, where he took up a home- stead, on which he lived for seven years. At the end of this time he sold out and bought the old family homestead of his father, on which place he is residing at present.

On June 6, 1879, Mr. Grahamı married Miss Nancy Burgen, a native of Oregon, born in Sep- tember, 1859. Her father, John Burgen, was a farmer and a native of Indiana. He left the state of his nativity and moved to Missouri, and in 1852 crossed the Plains to Oregon. He settled in Klick- itat county in 1859 and there resided till the time of his death in 1900. The mother was a native of In- diana, and in that state married Mr. Burgen. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham, namely, Minnie M., now the wife of Charles Mc- Ewen; Thomas F. and Fred E., all in Klickitat county. Fraternally, Mr. Graham is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, and in politics with the Republican party. He has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, all in a high state of cul- tivation. The place is well equipped with build- ings, implements and stock such as go to make an ideal farm home. He is spoken of by acquaint- ances as one of the most reliable men in the county, and those who are fortunate enough to make his acquaintance never fail to be convinced that he is worthy of such commendation.

JOHN JAEKEL, one of the old timers of Klickitat county, is in every way deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by his ac- quaintances. Mr. Jaekel was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, April 25, 1846, the son of John and Margaret (Myer) Jaekel, the former born in Germany in 1808, and the latter also in Germany June 13, 1818. The elder Jaekel came

to the United States in 1832 and settled in Man- itowoc county, there residing till the time of his death in 1862. He was married in Wisconsin to Miss Margaret Myer, afterward the mother of John Jaekel, of whom this sketch is written. During his boyhood Mr. Jaekel attended the common schools of Wisconsin till he had re- ceived a practical education. He remained at home till he was sixteen years of age, and at that time enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Wis- consin volunteer infantry. He was in active service during the Civil war from February 4, 1862, to October 9, 1865, and was mustered out at Mobile. Upon leaving the army he returned home, and afterward accepted employment on a Mississippi river flatboat plying between St. Louis and New Orleans. This vocation he fol- lowed for eight months, then bought a farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, on which he lived for six years. In 1872 he sold out this property, migrated to Linn county, Oregon, and bought a farm which he cultivated for the ensuing two years. His next move was to Klickitat county. Arriving in 1874, he immediately filed a home- stead claim to the place on which he is living at the present time. Later he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land additional, part of which is now under cultivation.

October 19. 1867, Mr. Jaekel married Miss Christina Linderman, the ceremony being per- formed in Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Ida (Hefka) Linderman, both na- tives of Germany. Nicholas Linderman was a farmer. He came to the United States in 1842 and settled in Wisconsin. His death occurred in 1868. Mrs. Linderman survives her husband, and is now residing in Wisconsin. Christina Linderman, now the wife of Mr. Jaekel, was born in Germany, June 13, 1846. She received the best education offered by the common schools. of Wisconsin during girlhood, and at the age of twenty-one married Mr. Jaekel. To this mar- riage the following children have been born: Charles, in Wisconsin, August 26, 1868; Minnie, now Mrs. McQueen, March 4, 1877; Frank A., October 9, 1879; John A., January 15, 1881 ; Ida M., May 3, 1883; James R., December 19, 1885; Albert O., May 15, 1886, and Annie, April 18, 1888. Excepting Charles, the first mentioned, all were born in Klickitat county. Fraternally, Mr. Jaekel is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and the G. A. R. organizations, while in religion he is a Lutheran. His views in politics are strongly in favor of the Republican party on national issues, but in municipal politics he can be depended upon to support the most wor- thy issue, regardless of party. Mr. Jaekel's land- holdings, in all, comprise twenty-five hundred acres of land, twenty-one hundred acres of which are used for a sheep pasture. He has been in the sheep business for the past fifteen years, at

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An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 102

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146