An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 109

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 109
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 109
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 109

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oughly understands, and is making a success of his work, at the same time winning the esteem of his fellow citizens, not alone by his industry and thrift but by his integrity of character and uniform square dealing.

GEORGE H. ELLIS, a Klickitat county farm- er and stockman, resides on his ranch, six miles south of the town of Bickleton. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, May 10, 1861, the son of Enos and Sitnah A. (Hiatt) Ellis. His father, who was likewise a farmer and stockman, was a native of Tennessee, born in 1820. He early removed to Iowa, whence he crossed the Plains to Califor- nia and Oregon, first in 1852, returning, however, after a short stay. Ten years later he again came west, by team as before, and this time he settled in Linn county, Oregon. He resided there and in Lake county, California, for eighteen years, coming, at the end of that period, to Klickitat county in the fall of 1880. He took up land six miles south of Bickleton, and there farmed and raised stock until his death, which occurred July 21, 1900. He was of German descent, but his fam- ily were old settlers and pioneers of the state of Tennessee. He had two brothers who served in the Civil war. Our subject's mother was of Irish parentage, though she was herself born in Iowa, in March, 1835. She also had two brothers who served during the War for the Union. Her death occurred when she was fifty-three years old. When only a year old the subject of this article accom- panied his parents to Oregon, this being on his father's second trip. He received his education in the schools of Lake county, California, and during his minority worked with his father on the farm, looking after his sheep and also riding the range. When the time came for him to take up independently the struggle of life, he likewise en- gaged in the sheep business, but after giving the greater part of six years to this industry, he engaged in the cattle business, as a partner of his father. He had taken a claim soon after coming to the county, but had later sold it and purchased other land. A few years before his father's death he bought out the interest of the old gentleman, and he has ever since followed the stock business alone.

On the 18th of November, 1885, in Klickitat county, Mr. Ellis married Viola Wristen, who was born in Kansas but brought up in the state of California, where she received her education and graduated. Her father, Milton W. Wristen, a farmer by occupation settled in Klickitat county in 1883. He came originally from Iowa. He and her mother, Jane (Harris) Wristen, now live in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have six chil- dren: Lellia, aged seventeen; Ina, George, aged thirteen ; Jane, aged eleven ; Carl, aged nine ; and Juanita, aged seven. Mr. Ellis has one brother,

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William H., living at Mission, in Chelan county, Washington, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Clonin- ger, also a resident of Mission. Fraternally, Mr. Ellis is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, and politically, he is a Republican, sufficiently active to attend caucuses and conventions. The owner of a section of land, he is cultivating successfully three hundred acres, raising wheat and hay, and also stock of various kinds. Like all other indus- trions men of good judgment, he is finding Klickitat county an excellent place in which to acquire a competence, and he is well pleased with his own prospects and those of the section in which his lot has been cast.

CONRAD G. WATTENBARGER, a Klicki- tat county stockman and rancher, living in the town of Bickleton, was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, in the year 1849. Adam Wattenbarger, his father, who was also a stockman and farmer, was a native of the state of Tennessee, whence, at an early age, he removed to Missouri. He came across the Plains to California in 1862, and set- tled in Yolo county, buying some land. Two years later he sold out and went to Mendocino county, where he spent two years, going thence to Lake county, in which was his home for a period of fourteen years. He owned considerable property in the east and was quite well off, but the war hurt him in a financial way, destroying the many improvements which he had at great pains placed on his land. Coming to Klickitat county in 1880, he lived near Bickleton until February 23, 1887, when he passed away, having reached the age of sixty-eight. He was of Ger- man descent, but his forefathers had lived in Pennsylvania for several generations. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Smith, was a native of Tennessee, born in the same town that her husband was brought up in. She died Feb- ruary 27, 1891, having survived her husband only four years. Conrad G. Wattenbarger was thir- teen years old when he came to California with his parents, and in the common schools of that state he was educated. He early exhibited a mechanical bent, also a liking for good horses, the latter a Southern trait. He was at home until reaching man's estate, but before he left the parental roof he had learned the blacksmith's and the carpenter's trade, acquiring the skill very easily on account of his great natural ability in mechanical lines. Upon attaining his majority, he engaged in freighting, also in buying and selling stock to the near-by mines; and in this manner he made considerable money. On coming to Klickitat county in 1880, he took up land just north of town-part of the tract as a timber and the rest as a pre-emption claim. He had brought a band of horses into the county with him, and he con-

tinued to range these and raise more, doing well in this line, also, until the panic of 1893 came. He continued farming until 1900, when he moved into town and built a residence, allowing his boys to have charge of the farm.

In 1874, while still in California, Mr. Watten- barger married Mary Brophy, who was born at Snika Humboldt, in 1854, while her parents were crossing the Plains. Her father, Thomas Brophy, who was a stockman and dairyman in the Golden state, lost heavily in a big flood there, his cattle being all drowned. He died many years ago. His wife, Frances (Rouse) Brophy, a native of Tennessee, of German parentage, still lives in California. Mr. and Mrs. Wattenbarger have four children living: Mrs. Alice Howsington, residing near Bickleton; Adam and Grover, liv- ing in Yakima county, and Mrs. Amanda Camp- bell, living with them. They had six other chil- dren until 1900, when they all, unfortunately, suc- cumbed to that dread disease, diphtheria, and their loss is still very deeply mourned by their parents. Their names were: Cyrus, Thomas, Buel, Lulu, Sylvia and May. Mr. Wattenbarger has a number of brothers and sisters still living, namely: Jacob, at Butter Creek, Oregon ; Samuel, at Fossil, Oregon ; Frederick, in Lake county, California ; Mrs. Mary Bailey and Mrs. Sarah Eckle, in California; and Thomas, in Mendocino county, in the same state. Another sister, Mrs. Lizzie Bromley, is deceased. In politics, Mr. Wattenbarger is a Democrat, but while he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, he always refuses public office. Besides his ranch, he owns some town property. He is an honest, up- right man, highly esteemed by all who know him.

JAMES C. NELSON, a progressive farmer and stock raiser of Klickitat county and a stockholder in the Bank of Bickleton, lives on a 320-acre farm about a mile and a half northwest of the town of Bickleton. He is a native of Denmark, born July 19, 1853. His father, Nels P. Christisen, a Danish farmer, was born in 1800, and died at the age of seventy-five. His mother, whose maiden name was Johanna Jensen, was also a native of Denmark, and died the year after his father's death. James C. Nel- son grew to man's estate in his native land, there re- ceiving his education and working with his father on the farm. When eighteen years old, he served in the army of his country for six months. He immigrated to this country in the year 1878, going to San Fran- cisco, California, thence to Monterey county, in the same state, and working there for a space of three years. The following five years were spent in Las- sen county, at various occupations, then Mr. Nelson removed to Reno, Nevada, in which he lived for an additional three years. Coming to Klickitat county in 1889, he bought part of his present land from the railroad and he has since farmed the land continu- ously, raising grain and hay, and also engaging in

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the cattle business. At present he gives special at- tention to the Shorthorn breeds. Upon his place is a good, modern dwelling, a fine orchard of apple, pear, plum, cherry and apricot trees, and other im- provements denoting thrift and energy.

Mr. Nelson has been twice married, his first wife being Annie Christisen, whom he married in 1892, and who died on the 8th of December, 1898, leaving two children, Tena and Dora. His second marriage took place July 9, 1900, the lady being Anna Boy- son, a native of Denmark, who came to this country at an early age. By this marriage, Mr. Nelson also has two children: Ernest W., born February 24, 1901, and Elizabeth M., April 28, 1903. Mrs. Nel- son's father, Christensen Boyson, is a business man in her native country, where Mr. Nelson has two sisters, Sine and Stine. Fraternally, our subject is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and to him belongs the distinction of being past grand master of Bickleton lodge No. III. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and belongs to the Lutheran church, but there being no congregation of his denomination in the neighborhood, he lends his support to other churches. In politics, he is an active Republican, frequently attending caucuses and convention. He is greatly interested in furthering the educational facilities of the locality, and is in all respects public- spirited, meriting the esteem and respect of his fel- low citizens.

ISAIAH CAMPBELL is a Klickitat county ranchman living two miles north and two east of Bickleton on a farm of four hundred and eighty acres of fertile land. He is a native of the Quaker state, born in Butler county in 1848. His father, James Campbell, was also a farmer and a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent most of his lifetime and where he died in 1893. He was of Scotch de- scent. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Campbell, was with Commodore Oliver H. Perry, during the maneuvers on Lake Erie, and his great- grandfather was one of the soldiers who served with General Washington during the desolate winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. His mother, Elizabeth (Lykins) Campbell, was of German descent, but was brought up and married in the state of Penn- sylvania, and died there when Isaiah was a boy. Our subject acquired his education in the common schools of the Keystone state, and until he reached the age of eighteen, remained at home, assisting his father on the farm. In 1867 he went to Mis- souri, where for the ensuing fourteen and a half years he followed farming continuously. In the spring of 1882 he moved to California, whence a little over a year later he came to Klickitat county. Upon arrival he immediately took up a homestead and a timber culture claim, and to cultivation and improvement of this land he has devoted his time and energies ever since. He now owns four hun-

dred and eighty acres, most of it in excellent culti- vation. A successful devotee of diversified farming, he not only raises the cereals but also several kinds of live stock, especially fine Berkshire hogs, of which he has ninety head at present.

In Missouri, on the 25th of December, 1873, Mr. Campbell married Mary A. Hill, whose father, Am- brose B. Hill, a Virginian, was a millwright and farmer. When a young boy, he had gone to Mis- souri, and there married, bringing up a family of thirteen children. He died in 1892. His wife, Eliza- beth (Williams ) Hill, mother of Mrs. Campbell, was a native of Virginia and a daughter of one of the early pioneers of Missouri. She died in the latter state. Mrs. Campbell was born in Missouri in 1847 and was reared and educated there. She and Mr. Campbell are parents of four children, namely : Alex- ander C., born in Missouri September 22, 1874, liv- ing in Yakima county ; Mrs. Janella V. Collins, now on her homestead adjoining her father's farm; Mrs. Elizabeth E. Smith. horn February 12, 1880, resid- ing in the Glade, Yakima county, and Jessie D., born in Washington September 2, 1886, living with her parents. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Mission- ary Baptist church. A man of strict integrity, he enjoys a very enviable standing in his community, the fullest confidence of all his neighbors being his.

WALTER BAKER, proprietor of a harness store at Bickleton, was born in Davisville, Yolo county, California, August 24, 1876. His father, John Baker, is a tinsmith by trade, but also fol- lows the occupation of a farmer. He was born in England, in 1847, and when eight years old immigrated to the United States, settling in New York. His father, grandfather of our subject, came to this country with him, and died two years after his arrival. John Baker grew up in the east and moved to Colorado in 1873, going thence two years later to California. He came overland to Klickitat county in 1879, and settled on his present place, which he has improved ex- tensively, giving his attention to the related pur- suits of farming and stock raising. He was the first man to experiment in fruit raising in this locality, and soon had a large orchard. It is worthy of mention that some of the peach trees that he set out over twenty years ago are still alive. His wife, Mary (Burner) Baker, is of the old Holland Dutch stock that settled in New York in the early days, and she is a native of the Empire state, born in 1850. Her paternal grand- father fought in the War of 1812 and lost his life in that struggle. Walter Baker came to Klicki- tat county with his parents when three years of age, and attended the local public schools, going later to.the Portland Academy, at Portland, Ore- gon, where he took a two years' course, working for his tuition before and after school hours. At the time of the first gold excitement in Alaska

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he went there and for a while he freighted over the White Pass, from Skagway to Lake Bennett, at the same time prospecting some. Returning to Bickleton, after some experiences that taught him the delusions of the Alaskan country, he soon went thence to Portland and started to learn the blacksmith's trade, but gave it up and returned home once more. Purchasing some tim- ber land, he then engaged in cutting wood. Dur- ing this stay at home he tried his hand at making a set of harness for his farm and so well did he succeed that he resolved to learn the harness maker's trade. Again he went to Portland, this time to serve a three years' apprenticeship with the firm of George Lawrence & Company, wholesale harness and saddle makers. Having thoroughly learned the trade, he returned to Bickleton, bought and enlarged a harness shop, replenished the stock and began operations. This was in February, 1903. He is still in the harness business and meeting with a success which justifies abundantly his choice of a handi- craft. He is a first-class workman, the best the town ever had, and carries a stock which is a credit to so small a town.

At Portland, November 23, 1899, Mr. Baker married Matilda Kanne. a native of Waterville, Minnesota. She canie to Oregon with her father, August Kanne, and mother, Wilhelmina (Rose- nan) Kanne, in 1888. Her father, a native of Germany, born in 1844, came to this country when thirteen years old, and now lives at Port- land, as does also her mother, who is likewise of German birth. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one daughter, Margaret, born March 20, 1902. Mr. Baker has one brother, Ralph E., living with his father, and a married sister, Mrs. Ella Mitty, also a resident of Bickleton. Mr. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the. Woodmen of the World. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist.

ONNA J. WOMMACK, of the firm of Wom- mack & Richardson, blacksmiths, Bickleton, was born in Greene county. Illinois, April 26, 1875. His father is Willianı Streetman Wommack, a farmer and merchant, and a native of Illinois. He removed to Klickitat county in 1883, settled near Bickleton and engaged in farming and stock raising. At present he is residing at Mabton. During the Civil war he served three years with the Illinois volunteers. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Matilda Renner, was of German parentage, but a native of Illinois. She died in 1899 at the age of sixty-seven. Mr. Wommack, of this review, came west with his parents when eight years old, and grew up in the country, working with his father and attend- ing the public schools of the state when possible. At the age of eighteen he started out to make his

own living, and for some time he was employed as a sheep shearer, and in general work. In due time he engaged in farming, at which he con- tinued for several years. During this period he fed on some land in Yakima county, just over the line from Bickleton, and to the improvement and cultivation of this property he has given much attention since. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in the shop of McClain & Flower, and in the fall of 1903, he, with his present part- ner, bought out this firm, and began building up their present extensive blacksmithing business.

On the 22d of October, 1899, in Yakima coun- ty, Mr. Wommack married Lucy M. Miller, a native of Switzerland, who came to this country with her parents in 1891. Her father, Christian, a farmer by occupation, and her mother, Matilda, are still living. Mr. Wommack has brothers and sisters as follows: Cyrus O., living at Mabton; Mrs. Tillie Smith, living in Klickitat county ; William, a Yakima county farmer, and Mrs. Hattie B. Shattuck, a resident of the Glade dis- trict of Yakima county. Mr. and Mrs. Wom- mack have two children: Virgie, born July 17, 1900, and Ethel, March 18, 1902. Fraternally, Mr. Wommack is affiliated with Bickleton Camp No. 6,249, Modern Woodmen of America, and Simcoe Lodge No. 113, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican. Besides his shop, with house and lots in town, he owns a three liundred and twenty acre ranch in the Glade dis- trict of Yakima county.

JAMES C. RICHARDSON, a partner in the blacksmithing business of Wommack & Richard- son, a firm engaged in business at Bickleton, was born May 27, 1872, on his father's ranch, about four miles south and one mile east of the city of Goldendale, Washington. His father, Jesse H. Richardson, a farmer and stockman, was born in Ohio, in 1829, his parents being pioneers of that state and also of the state of Illinois, to which they later removed. He crossed the Plains in 1871, settling near the location of the present city of Goldendale, and taking up land in that locality. At that time the district was nothing but a wild stock country and the Indians were quite troublesome; in fact, he had several skirmishes with them during the first years of his residence there. He has since continued to farm and raise stock, and now lives about a mile from the city. Lydia J. (Groves) Richardson, mother of our subject, was also a native of Ohio, born in 1836. She crossed the Plains with her husband, with whom she still lives. James C., of this review, was born on the claim his father first took up, and worked on the farm while young, at the same time attending school at Goldendale. After leaving school he rode the range for several years and then took up the-

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barber's trade for a period of two years, but not finding this employment congenial, he engaged in driving stage from Bickleton to Arlington. After a year at this, he decided to learn the black- smith's trade and accordingly, in 1895, entered the shop of James C. Sigler, at Bickleton. After spending eighteen months with him, he went to Goldendale, and put in four years there at his trade, also working a year at North Yakima. He returned to Bickleton in 1901, and resumed work at his trade there in 1903, buying in with Mr. Wommack and forming the present firm of Wom- mack & Richardson. This firm is the successor of McClain & Flower.

Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Maud Watson at Goldendale, February 28, 1897. She is a native of California, born in 1878, the daughter of Robert Watson, one of the early California settlers, now a North Yakima farmer. He is still living, as is also her mother, whose maiden name was Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have one child, Lavern, born May 27, 1903. Mr. Richardson has a number of broth- ers and sisters living: Jacob, a government sur- veyor, living near Goldendale; Mrs. Katie Lacey, also living near Goldendale; Jesse and Lyman, both residents of Klickitat county, the latter be- ing a blacksmith at Goldendale; David, a Bickle- ton farmer; Lewis, a blacksmith at The Dalles, Oregon ; Sarah Pearl, living at home. Mr. Rich- ardson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics, he is a Republican and he takes an active interest in all matters of public concern. A young man of industry and intelligence, he certainly has a bright and promising future.

HENRY GOLAY, a farmer and stockman, living half a mile south of Blue Light postoffice, is a native of Switzerland, born in 1862. His father, Henry Golay, a Swiss watchmaker, passed most of his life in his native land in the pur- suit of his trade, and died there in 1901. His mother, Clara Golay, who was also of Swiss birth, died when Henry was two years old. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native land and in the college of Brassus. Upon completing his education, he started to learn watchmaking, but he did not serve out a full apprenticeship, though he remained at the trade three years. April 2, 1884, he left for the United States, and the same spring he reached Washington territory and took up a pre-emption and a timber culture claim in Yakima county. This land was his home for a number of years, but he eventually sold his improvements to Charles Ber- ney, and bought a place south of T. Beckner's farm. Two years were spent on this place in the business of stock raising, then two years on the Naches, above North Yakima, after which Mr.

Golay moved around considerably, spending a summer in Walla Walla and short periods in the Palouse country, Weston, Oregon and the Nez Perce country in Idaho. Returning to Klickitat county in 1893, he took a homestead claim, and upon it he lived until the spring of 1903, when he purchased his present place, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, most of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. A believer in diversified farming, he keeps stock of various kinds, and divides his attention between that and agriculture proper. Mr. Golay has two mar- ried sisters, Mrs. Julia Droz, in her native land, and Mrs. Mary Crook, in London, England; two brothers, Jules and Paul, both railroad engineers in Switzerland, and two unmarried sisters, Frances and Emma, at the family home in the northern part of Switzerland. In politics, Mr. Golay is a Republican, actively interested in local affairs. An agreeable, approachable gentleman, he makes friends of all who become acquainted with him, while his integrity and square dealing have won him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and associates.

JULES MARTINET, a farmer at Blue Light postoffice in Klickitat county, was born in Switzer- land on the 22nd of March, 1861, the son of Jules and Julie (Addor) Martinet. His father is a native of Switzerland, where he still lives. His mother, born and married in Switzerland, was the mother of nine children; she passed away in her forty-fourth year. Mr. Martinet received his education in the common schools of his native country, and remained with his parents until he reached the age of seven- teen, then took up the trade of a blacksmith and followed it for one year. For the next six years, he followed stage driving as a means of gaining a live- lihood. In the spring of 1885, he emigrated to this country, settled in Klickitat county and took up a pre-emption claim, upon which he lived for six months; then he filed on a homestead, and upon it the next seven years were spent, his time during this period being given to placing his land under culti- vation and to raising stock on the ranges. In 1893. he bought a place a mile southeast of Blue Light, upon which in 1903 he seeded three hundred and fifty acres of wheat, obtaining a good crop. His farm contains one of the best springs in the county, affording him an unlimited supply of excellent water.

Mr. Martinet was married in Walla Walla in the early part of 1898, the lady being Miss Fannie Des- ponds. Her father, Frank Desponds, was of Swiss parentage and a farmer : he died in May, 1901. Her mother, Sophie (Berger) Desponds was also of Swiss extraction ; she died when Mrs. Martinet was a small child. Mrs. Martinet was brought up in Switzerland, and educated in the common schools of that country, coming to America and settling in

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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 109

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