An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 139

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 139
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 139
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 139

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CHARLES LONGMIRE, living in North Yakima, is one of the prominent stockmen and land owners in Yakima county, and for thirty- two years has been identified with its growth and upbuilding, having settled upon its bunch-grass plains in 1872. He has watched the desert trans- formed into a garden, has witnessed the rise of the county from one of small importance into a position among the leading counties of the state, and himself has joined with others in rolling on- ward the wheel of progress. Born in Illinois, May 30, 1848, the son of Charles and Susanna (Rod-

erick) Longmire, he bears the name of a family a portion of which became well known pioneers of California. His father crossed the Plains to California with his family in 1854, where they re- sided until the death of the father, in the sixties. The family farmed and raised stock, and the mother passed away in the early seventies. At the new home in California, Charles was given as good an education as possible under the circum- stances, and remained at home until of age, when he commenced farming on his own place. Until May 6, 1872, he lived in California, but on that date he started for the Yakima country, where he immediately entered the stock raising and farming industries, in which he is at present en- gaged, though living in the city. In 1853 James Longmire and his family left the prairies of Illi- nois and began a memorable trip across the Plains and mountains to the farthest settlement in the Northwest, the Olympia and Steilacoom settle- ment on Puget Sound. There they settled on Yelm prairie, where the mother, Varinda (Taylor) Longmire, still lives in her seventy-seventh year. To this place Charles Longmire journeyed in 1869 and there married Miss Laura M. Longmire, the fifth of a family of eleven children, the others be- ing Elcain, David, Talatha Kandle, John, Melissa Rice, Martha Conine, Frank, Robert, George and James, all of whom but James are living. Charles Longmire's brothers and sisters are as follows : Simon, living in Washington; Andrew, a Califor- nia farmer; Cyrus, Lewis and Leonard, also in California; Susanna Shaw, Ellen McIntyre and Martha, residents of California also. Eight chil- dren were the issue of the marriage, three of whom-Edith, Wilmer and Emma-are dead. The others are Mrs. Louisa Backer, whose home is in Yakima county; Merritt, Mrs. Ora Taylor, Mett and Lewis, all of whom except Louisa were born in Yakima county. Mr. Longmire is a Democrat in politics, but is such an admirer of President Roosevelt that he will support him for a second term as chief executive of the United States. In county affairs he votes for the most capable man. Both himself and wife are members of the Con- gregational church. Six hundred and sixty-nine acres of fine farming land in Yakima county, two houses and lots in the city of North Yakima and considerable stock constitute the major portion of Mr. Longmire's worldly possessions, and the management of this property occupies most of his time. A hardy life on the frontier, full of rough knocks and interesting experiences, the excite- ment of numerous Indian scares, among which may be mentioned the one of 1878 in Yakima county, prosperity in financial matters and a good home have fitted Mr. and Mrs. Longmire for the enjoyment of their declining years-a reward justly due them.

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

WILLIAM H. WHIPPLE. The subject of this biographical sketch is a well known and highly respected stockman residing in North Yak- ima, where he is engaged in buying and shipping - cattle, horses and sheep. His whole life has been a preparation for this difficult business, requiring as it does long experience, a thorough knowledge of stock and keen business abilities, so that it is not strange that Mr. Whipple has reaped success. He was born in New York state in the year 1848, his parents being Eli and Marion (Bosworth) Whipple, pioneers and natives of that state, where both are buried. The Bosworths were sailors and citizens of Massachusetts before removing to New York. William H. very early in life manifested unusual business ability, as may be seen from the fact that when only twenty years old he purchased a farm, paying seven thousand five hundred dol- lars therefor. His father died when our subject was only seven years of age, leaving the son to secure his education as best he could and other- wise do for himself. By working industriously on dairy farms the fatherless boy was able to not only secure an education, but obtain a better start in life than do most young men. Ten years he continued in the dairy business in New York. He then sold out and removed to Nebraska, where he was engaged in the same occupation for the following five years. In 1883 he went to Cali- fornia, remained there a short time and drove back to Nebraska, visiting several mining camps on the journey. Arriving at his old home, he again engaged in dairying and successfully carried on that business until 1891, when he again turned westward, locating his home in Salt Lake City. Thence he went to Ogden, where he conducted a hotel for two years, and then purchased a band of sheep at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Two years later he came to North Yakima, where for two years previous to entering the present commission busi- ness he owned a meat market. He was married to Helen E., daughter of Harvey and Harriet (Webb) Knickerbocker, natives of New York, in New York state. Her paternal ancestors were of Holland Dutch descent; the maternal ancestors of French descent, Mrs. Knickerbocker being one of fourteen children. Both grandparents are dead. Helen E. Knickerbocker was born in New York in 1848 and was married at the age of twenty. One child was the result of this union, William K. Whipple, born in New York, June II, 1870, and now living in North Yakima. Mr. Whipple belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, is a stalwart Republican and a member of the . Methodist church. He owns valuable city prop- erty and is one of the leading business men of central Washington's progressive metropolis.

DANIEL W. NELSON, farmer and stock- man, living in the Naches valley, is a member of

the well known Nelson family of pioneers, who were among the earliest settlers in central Wash- ington and the first permanent settlers on the Naches river. The head of this family, Judge John B. Nelson, was born in Indiana in 1817; the mother, Clarissa (James) Nelson, was a Ken- tuckian, born the same year as her husband. Through many a wilderness and over many a trail these two indomitable pioneers went, ever seeking the westernmost west and always hov- ering along the frontier, reaching their journey's end at last in the beautiful valley of the Naches, where they laid down life's burdens. Daniel W. was born in Oregon, March 29, 1851, seven years after the arrival of his parents in the Willamette. valley, and there his education was begun. In the sixties the Nelsons removed to the Klickitat valley and finally, in 1865, brought their stock over the divide into the Yakima country and took claims near the mouth of the Naches river. A little later they moved through the gap and into the valley proper. Daniel remaining with his parents until seventeen years old, when he went to Oregon and assisted in laying the first twenty miles of railroad track built from Portland up to Parrott creek. The following spring he en- tered the blacksmithing department of the Ore- gon & California Railroad Company. When this company was merged into the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, Daniel worked for that corporation two years, after which he began pros- pecting in the Cascade mountains, with the result that he became one of the discoverers of the Gold Hill placers in 1876. Together with H. L. Tucker, George Gibbs and James Robinson, he mined in that district until 1880, spending, be- sides his time, his share of two thousand eight hundred dollars in taking out an aggregate of one thousand four hundred dollars in dust. Since then the district has become one of importance. After another year in railroad work, Mr. Nelson became a freighter between The Dalles and Yak- ima City. at which occupation he continued until 1872, when he filed a pre-emption claim to the land that he at present occupies as his home. The quarter section was eventually, however, deeded to him as a homestead. With the excep- tion of one vear, that of 1900, when he went to Alaska and spent a year in the Nome district, in which he located a claim eighteen miles north- west of Nome Citv, Mr. Nelson has lived on his place in the Naches vallev, farming and rais- ing stock. Mr. Nelson's brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Margaret Frush, Jasper, Mrs. Elizabeth VanSickle, Thomas B., John J., George W., Adam, Mrs. Alice Sinclair, Arabella and Mrs. Louisa Dix. Mr. Nelson and Miss Isabella Drys- dale, daughter of George and Margaret (Shearer) Drysdale, natives of Nova Scotia, where both were born in 1820 and where the latter is still living, were united in marriage, and to them have been

613

BIOGRAPHICAL.

born the following children: Helen F., born September 14, 1885, now attending the North Yakima High school; Daniel D., born March 6, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Congregational church, and Mr. Nelson belongs to the Fraternal Brotherhood. Fourteen hundred acres of land stand in his name, including the well improved ranch he lives upon. He leases three sections of grazing land and has a herd of sixty cattle. The possession of this valuable property speaks well for the industry that Mr. Nelson has displayed, and such is his integrity that those who know him consider his word as good as his bond.

JOSEPH F. CHAMBERLAIN, one of the proprietors of the Wenas livery stables, North Yakima, is the son of James L. and Christiana (Kincaid) Chamberlain, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively, his mother being born in 1832 and his father in 1830. His father crossed the Plains to Oregon in 1851 and his mother came to the Willamette valley with her parents a year later, where, August 7, 1853, the two young immigrants were united in marriage. A varied life in California and Oregon followed, but in 1878 they came to Klickitat county and subse- quently to Yakima county, and in these two politicial divisions they have since lived. Mr. Chamberlain was a pioneer merchant at Cleve- land and Prosser. At present, in their declining years, they are happily settled on a fine suburban tract near the city of North Yakima. To them have been born the following children, of which the subject of this biography was one: John G., July 1, 1854, now dead; Mrs. America J. Hamil- ton, September, 1856, living in Klickitat county ; Mrs. Mary E. Grant, December 15, 1858, living in Oregon ; Ida B. (deceased), born February 20, 1861; Paul P., March 15, 1862, living in Klickitat county ; Joseph F., August 27, 1868; William F., 1871 (deceased) ; Erwin L., March 15, 1872, living on the reservation; Fran- ces, August 9, 1865 (deceased) ; Mrs. Emily White, November 24, 1874, living on the Naches. river, and James B., April 7, 1878, living in North Yakima (see his biography). Joseph F. was educated in Oregon and Washington. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Klicki- tat county and there, at the age of eleven, young Chamberlain manfully took his part in the pioneer life around him, riding the range for J. M. Bax- ster, then for Sharkey and later for Snipes & Allen ; his work, however, not being confined to his home county. A four years' service for the Moxee Company followed and in 1895 the pur- chase of a ranch on the Naches. Subsequently Mr. Chamberlain removed to the Wenas and in 1902 came to North Yakima, where he engaged in the transfer business and continued at this

occupation until November, 1903, when he and his brother James bought the Wenas livery stables. In 1894 he was married to Miss Maggie R. Mowery, a daughter of James and Lizzie (Cor- dell) Mowery, her father being a coal merchant in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Chamberlain was born in Kansas in the centennial year, edu- cated in the schools of her native state and mar- ried at the age of nineteen. She has two broth- ers and one sister : Charles, living in North Yak- ima, and John, whose home is in Kansas City, and Mrs. Laura Davis, who lives in North Yakima. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cham- berlain have been born six children: Charles, born on the Naches in 1896; Edgar and Edwin, twins, born in North Yakima, 1898; Mildred and Netia, twins, 1899, and Alvin, born in North Yakima in 1902. Mr. Chamberlain is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and in politics, is affiliated with the Democratic party, in which lie is an active worker. Besides his real estate inter- ests and his interest in the livery business, he owns a fine bunch of sixty-five cattle and several horses. He is one of North Yakima's progressive business men and wide-awake citizens, and by his genial qualities has drawn to his side hosts of loyal friends.

JAMES B. CHAMBERLAIN. As among the energetic, bright young business men of the bustling city of North Yakima, the subject of this biographical sketch deserves mention. At the age of twenty-five he is a partner in a thriving livery business, which bids fair to prosper and grow, and during his quarter of a century of life has taken a full share of the trials and struggles incident to the development of a western valley. His parents, James L. and Christiana (Kincaid) Chamberlain, were pioneers of Kentucky and Illi- nois, respectively, and crossed the Plains in the early fifties, settling in the Willamette valley, Oregon. A short account of their lives will be found in the biography of their son, Joseph F. Just before leaving Oregon for Klickitat county, in 1878, the son James was born, his birthday being April 7th. In Klickitat county he remained until four years old, when his parents removed to Yakima county, where his education was com- pleted. When seventeen years of age James entered the occupation so general in bunch-grass regions, that of riding the range, and at this and ranching he labored until 1899, when he entered the service of the government as a packer. In this department he was chiefly occupied in trans- porting stores and equipage of surveying parties, a pleasant as well as healthy vocation for any young man. Four years he remained in Uncle Sam's employ. Then, in 1903, he and his brother Joseph formed a partnership and purchased the Wenas stables on South First street, North Yak-

612

CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

WILLIAM H. WHIPPLE. The subject of this biographical sketch is a well known and highly respected stockman residing in North Yak- ima, where he is engaged in buying and shipping cattle, horses and sheep. His whole life has been a preparation for this difficult business, requiring as it does long experience, a thorough knowledge of stock and keen business abilities, so that it is not strange that Mr. Whipple has reaped success. He was born in New York state in the year 1848, his parents being Eli and Marion (Bosworth) Whipple, pioneers and natives of that state, where both are buried. The Bosworths were sailors and citizens of Massachusetts before removing to New York. William H. very early in life manifested unusual business ability, as may be seen from the fact that when only twenty years old he purchased a farm, paying seven thousand five hundred dol- lars therefor. His father died when our subject was only seven years of age, leaving the son to secure his education as best he could and other- wise do for himself. By working industriously on dairy farms the fatherless boy was able to not only secure an education, but obtain a better start in life than do most young men. Ten years he continued in the dairy business in New York. He then sold out and removed to Nebraska, where he was engaged in the same occupation for the following five years. In 1883 he went to Cali- fornia, remained there a short time and drove back to Nebraska, visiting several mining camps on the journey. Arriving at his old home, he again engaged in dairying and successfully carried on that business until 1891, when he again turned westward, locating his home in Salt Lake City. Thence he went to Ogden, where he conducted a hotel for two years, and then purchased a band of sheep at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Two years later he came to North Yakima, where for two years previous to entering the present commission busi- ness he owned a meat market. He was married to Helen E., daughter of Harvey and Harriet (Webb) Knickerbocker, natives of New York, in New York state. Her paternal ancestors were of Holland Dutch descent; the maternal ancestors of French descent, Mrs. Knickerbocker being one of fourteen children. Both grandparents are dead. Helen E. Knickerbocker was born in New York in 1848 and was married at the age of twenty. One child was the result of this union, William K. Whipple, born in New York, June 1I, 1870, and now living in North Yakima. Mr. Whipple belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, is a stalwart Republican and a member of the . Methodist church. He owns valuable city prop- erty and is one of the leading business men of central Washington's progressive metropolis.

DANIEL W. NELSON, farmer and stock- man, living in the Naches valley, is a member of

the well known Nelson family of pioneers, who were among the earliest settlers in central Wash- ington and the first permanent settlers on the Naches river. The head of this family, Judge John B. Nelson, was born in Indiana in 1817; the mother, Clarissa (James) Nelson, was a Ken- tuckian, born the same year as her husband. Through many a wilderness and over many a trail these two indomitable pioneers went, ever seeking the westernmost west and always lov- ering along the frontier, reaching their journey's end at last in the beautiful valley of the Naches, where they laid down life's burdens. Daniel W. was born in Oregon, March 29, 1851, seven years after the arrival of his parents in the Willamette. valley, and there his education was begun. In the sixties the Nelsons removed to the Klickitat valley and finally, in 1865, brought their stock over the divide into the Yakima country and took claims near the mouth of the Naches river. A little later they moved through the gap and into the valley proper, Daniel remaining with his parents until seventeen years old, when he went to Oregon and assisted in laying the first twenty miles of railroad track built from Portland up to Parrott creek. The following spring he en- tered the blacksmithing department of the Ore- gon & California Railroad Company. When this company was merged into the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, Daniel worked for that corporation two years, after which he began pros- pecting in the Cascade mountains, with the result that he became one of the discoverers of the Gold Hill placers in 1876. Together with H. L. Tucker, George Gibbs and James Robinson, he mined in that district until 1880, spending, be- sides his time, his share of two thousand eight hundred dollars in taking out an aggregate of one thousand four hundred dollars in dust. Since then the district has become one of importance. After another year in railroad work, Mr. Nelson became a freighter between The Dalles and Yak- ima City. at which occupation he continued until 1872, when he filed a pre-emption claim to the land that he at present occupies as his home. The quarter section was eventually, however, deeded to him as a homestead. With the excep- tion of one vear, that of 1900, when he went to Alaska and spent a year in the Nome district, in which he located a claim eighteen miles north- west of Nome Citv, Mr. Nelson has lived on his place in the Naches vallev, farming and rais- ing stock. Mr. Nelson's brothers and sisters are : Mrs. Margaret Frush, Jasper, Mrs. Elizabeth VanSickle, Thomas B., John J., George W., Adam, Mrs. Alice Sinclair. Arabella and Mrs. Louisa Dix. Mr. Nelson and Miss Isabella Drys- dale, daughter of George and Margaret (Shearer) Drysdale, natives of Nova Scotia, where both were born in 1820 and where the latter is still living, were united in marriage, and to them have been

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613

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOSEPH F. CHAMBERLAIN, one of the proprietors of the Wenas livery stables, North Yakima, is the son of James L. and Christiana (Kincaid) Chamberlain, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively, his mother being born in 1832 and his father in 1830. His father crossed the Plains to Oregon in 1851 and his mother came to the Willamette valley with her parents a year later, where, August 7, 1853, the two young immigrants were united in marriage. A varied life in California and Oregon followed, but in 1878 they came to Klickitat county and subse- quently to Yakima county, and in these two politicial divisions they have since lived. Mr. Chamberlain was a pioneer merchant at Cleve- land and Prosser. At present, in their declining years, they are happily settled on a fine suburban tract near the city of North Yakima. To them have been born the following children, of which the subject of this biography was one: John G., July 1, 1854, now dead; Mrs. America J. Hamil- ton, September, 1856, living in Klickitat county ; Mrs. Mary E. Grant, December 15, 1858, living in Oregon ; Ida B. (deceased), born February 20, 1861; Paul P., March 15, 1862, living in Klickitat county; Joseph F., August 27, 1868; William F., 1871 (deceased) ; Erwin L., March 15, 1872, living on the reservation; Fran- ces, August 9, 1865 (deceased) ; Mrs. Emily White, November 24, 1874, living on the Naches, river, and James B., April 7, 1878, living in North Yakima (see his biography). Joseph F. was educated in Oregon and Washington. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Klicki- tat county and there, at the age of eleven, young Chamberlain manfully took his part in the pioneer life around him, riding the range for J. M. Bax- ster, then for Sharkey and later for Snipes & Allen ; his work, however, not being confined to his home county. A four years' service for the Moxee Company followed and in 1895 the pur- chase of a ranch on the Naches. Subsequently Mr. Chamberlain removed to the Wenas and in 1902 came to North Yakima, where he engaged in the transfer business and continued at this

occupation until November, 1903, when he and his brother James bought the Wenas livery stables. In 1894 he was married to Miss Maggie R. Mowery, a daughter of James and Lizzie (Cor- dell) Mowery, her father being a coal merchant in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Chamberlain was born in Kansas in the centennial year, edu- cated in the schools of her native state and mar- ried at the age of nineteen. She has two broth- ers and one sister : Charles, living in North Yak- ima, and John, whose home is in Kansas City, and Mrs. Laura Davis, who lives in North Yakima. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cham- berlain have been born six children: Charles, born on the Naches in 1896; Edgar and Edwin, twins, born in North Yakima, 1898; Mildred and Netia, twins, 1899, and Alvin, born in North Yakima in 1902. Mr. Chamberlain is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and in politics, is affiliated with the Democratic party, in which he is an active worker. Besides his real estate inter- ests and his interest in the livery business, he owns a fine bunch of sixty-five cattle and several horses. He is one of North Yakima's progressive business men and wide-awake citizens, and by his genial qualities has drawn to his side hosts of loyal friends.

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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 139

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