An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 142

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 142
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 142
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 142

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JOHN F. McCLURE. The pioneer farmer whose name commences this biographical sketch has been a resident of Wide Hollow basin since 1876, when he came to Yakima county. In that

more than a quarter of a century spent in central Washington, he has undergone the trials incident to the civilizing of a great isolated section, has joyfully watched the gradual settlement of the valley of the Yakima and its tributary valleys and neighboring hills, and now in his mature manhood is reaping the fruits of courage, perseverance and energy. A Kentuckian by birth, having come into the home of William and Margaret (Acre) Mc- Clure in the year 1844, John McClure grew to his majority in the blue-grass state, and there at- tended the public schools. William McClure was born in Virginia in 1800 and emigrated to the sparsely settled state of Indiana thirty vears later. His declining years were spent in Kentucky, where, before being long in the middle west, he was united in marriage to Margaret Acre, who was a native of that state. Of Scotch-Irish an- cestry, young McClure was naturally a tireless, thrifty worker, and prospered from his youth. After leaving home, he spent four years in Indiana and then went westward to Colorado, settling in Fremont county, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1876, or for a period of six years. That year he migrated to Washington territory, and there, in Wide Hollow basin, filed a pre-emp- tion claim to a quarter section of excellent land upon which he is at present living. The continuity of his residence in the county has been broken but once, in 1902, when he made a trip to his old Kentucky home. Two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Bryant and Mrs. Martha E. Gooch, live in that state ; also a brother, James M., whose home is the old McClure homestead. Mr. McClure, although not a man of family, is thoroughly devoted to the educational interests of his country and is honored by his fellow citizens of Wide Hollow by a posi- tion on the school board of that district-a sub- stantial indication of the esteem and trust in which he is held by those who best know him. Seventy- five acres of the quarter section are producing al- falfa, one acre is in orchard, forty acres are plow land, and the remainder is pasture. Excellent buildings have been erected on the place, and other improvements made, which make it a com- fortable home. As it is only six miles southwest of the city, it is on a rural free delivery route, No. 4, and its possesses all the conveniences of a suburban residence. Politically, Mr. McClure is a Democrat, but, as a lover of good government and a progressive man, he is liberal-minded on this question as well as others.

SAMUEL B. HUGHS, residing upon his farm, seven miles west and three south of North Yakima, where he is engaged extensively in hop raising. is one of the early pioneers of the county, having settled in the Ahtanum valley in 1871. He is also a pioneer of Oregon, where he lived for

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several years prior to moving to Washington, and he comes from pioneer stock. He was born in Ohio in 1822, from the marriage of Asa and Sallie (O'Neil) Hughs. The former, a Kentuckian by birth and of Welsh parentage, moved to the new country of Ohio in the very early days and then went to Iowa in 1836, where he finally departed this life. The mother was a Tennesseean by birth, and her ancestors, who were of English descent, were pioneers in that state. Our subject was six- teen when his parents moved to Iowa; and here he lived and farmed until 1865, when he crossed the Plains to Oregon, settling near Forest Grove, where he purchased a ranch and farmed for six years. He sold out at that time and moved to his present location, purchased a claim on the Ahta- num, where he lived for five years, proving up, then moved to Yakima City. Here he opened a livery barn, which he ran until 1885, at which time he moved to the new town of North Yakima, just then building, and engaged in the livery business, which he followed four years. He then sold out and moved upon the farnt, where he has since lived. He was married in Iowa, in 1848, to Miss Mary A. Brown, to which union four children, Lewis, William, Taylor and Wallace, were born. His wife died in Idaho in 1865, while en route across the Plains. He was married again in 1867, in Oregon, to Mrs. Louise F. (Brown) Catching, a native of Missouri, born in 1843. She moved from her native state to Oregon with her parents, when but three years of age; there she was ed- ucated and married to Mr. Hughs at the age of twenty-three. Her father, Benjamin Brown, was born in Kentucky in 1812, moved to Missouri in an early day, and from there took his family to Oregon in 1847, locating in Washington county, where he resided until his death. Her mother, Lavina (Murrie) Brown, was born in Tennessee in 1815, of Irish parents. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hughs were born three children: Wilbur, Benjamin and Arthur. The family are members of the Christian church, and, politically, Mr. Hughs is an active Democrat. He owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, with a good seven-room house, and in addition to growing hops on an extensive scale, he also raises a great deal of stock, cattle, horses and hogs. He is counted one of the thrifty, substantial citizens of his community and county, and one who can be depended upon at all times.

JOHN COWAN was born in Scotland, May 26, 1842, and is engaged in farming and stock raising, seventeen miles north of North Yakima, Washing- ton. His postoffice is Wenas. His father, John Cowan, was born in 1790, and his mother, Margaret (McNeil) Cowan, was born in 1808. Both are na- tives of Scotland. Their other children were: James

Cowan, who is dead; Anna (Cowan) Milvain and Maggie (Cowan) Wilson, both living in Scotland. Mr. Cowan was educated in the common schools and an academy in Scotland, and when seventeen years old he engaged in farming. He followed that for twenty-one years, with great success. In June, 1880, he left Scotland and came directly to Yakima county, and soon afterward purchased his present place. He was married in Scotland, June 8, 1880, to Margaret Kerr, daughter of Charles and Mar- garet (Jackson) Kerr, all natives of Scotland. She was the third child of a family of eight, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan have six children, born as follows: Maggie, August 16, 1881 ; Anna, March 7, 1884 ; Charles, December, 23, 1885 ; James,. November 9, 1887; Mary, October 17, 1889, and Robert, November 29, 1892. Mr. Cowan is a Demo- crat, and belongs to the Presbyterian church. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is under irrigation, a house and barn, and has about one hundred head of cattle and horses. He is a thoroughly informed farmer in all of its branches,. and is making a success of his work in this county.

JOHN B. HITT is a farmer, living at Wenas,. Washington, northwest of North Yakima. He was born in Missouri, November 25, 1854, being the son of Jacob H. and Elizabeth (Whobery) Hitt. His father was born in Virginia, about 1818, and is now dead. His mother was a native of Missouri, and is still living. Mr. Hitt was educated in the common schools of his native state. When he was fifteen years old, he engaged in labor on his father's farm, his father being dead, and he remained there until 1876. Then he moved to Kansas, where he re- mained a short time. Then, after a short visit in Colorado, he came to Yakima City, in August,. 1883. He followed different employments there for eight years. In 1891, he purchased a re- linquishment to one hundred and sixty acres of land, on Iowa Flat, and farmed there

until 1904. Of this farm he had about forty acres under cultivation and under irrigation, In 1904, he sold all his land on Iowa Flat and purchased six hundred and forty acres on the Umtanum, about twenty-eight miles northwest of North Yakima. Mr. Hitt is the sixth child of a family of seven girls and five boys, all of whom are living. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. In political matters, he is a Democrat. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land, free from debt, and a good house and about forty-five head of horses and cattle. He is progressive and indus- trious, and is gradually adding to his property and wealth.

MILTON SHEARER was born in Iowa, No- vember 20, 1849, and is now engaged in farming, six miles northwest of North Yakima, Washington, .

JOSEPH O. CLARK.

JOHN F. MCCLURE.

SAMUEL B. HUGHS

JOHN COWAN.

JOHN B. HITT

MILTON SHEARER.

JOHN LOUDON.

THOMAS HOWSON.

HORACE M. BENTON.

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on the line of rural free delivery route No. 3. His father, Joel Shearer, was born in North Carolina, about 1823, and served in the Mexican war. His mother, Emily (Tyler) Shearer, was born in Missouri about 1833, and was a second cousin of President Tyler. Both are dead. They had four children, theothers being : Joel S. Shearer, of Grange- ville, Idaho; Robert Shearer, of Colfax, Wash- ington, and John W. Shearer, who was killed by a kick of a horse when seven years old. Mr. Shearer attended school in Iowa, and crossed the Plains with his parents, in 1864, to Oregon. There he com- pleted his education. When he was eighteen years old he engaged in farming with his father. After he was twenty he farmed for himself. In 1880, he moved to Klickitat county and farmed and con- ducted a dairy farm for a number of years, and later traded for town property and lived in Goldendale four years. He then moved to Yakima county, and. after leasing a farm for five years, purchased his present home. He was married in Oregon, October 5. 1871, to Miss Susan J. Flanary, who was born in that state, September 14, 1855. Her father, Thomas G. Flanary, was born in Missouri, in 1828, and died in 1899. Her mother, Emily (Chamberlain) Flan- ary, was a native of Kentucky, and died in 1899, at the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Shearer's brothers and sisters are: Sonora Hess, of Yakima county ; William P. Flanary, a photographer, of this state; Letitia A. Bonebrake, wife of a Goldendale, Wash- ington, physician, and Jasper W. Flanary, city elec- trician, at Pomeroy, Washington. Mr. Shearer has been the father of nine children, as follows: Walter. born September 29. 1874; Charles E. Shearer, born August 2, 1876; Thomas A., born October 13, 1878; Emily E., born November 29, 1880; Josie C. ( Shearer) Mitchell, born December 24. 1882; Allen Shearer, born October 8, 1885 : Eunice Shearer, born September 25, 1886; Orin A., born August 5, 1888, and Glenn H. Shearer, born August 20, 1896. Wal- ter. Thomas, Emily and Allen died within a year, three of them in the same week. Mr. and Mrs. Shearer belong to the Baptist church. He is a Democrat. He is possessed of rare business judg- ment and ability, as is evidenced by the fact that in the past six years he has accumulated a property valued at ten thousand dollars, and also has very promising mining interests north of the Cascade tunnel. Mrs. Shearer is the owner of an estate at Goldendale, worth two thousand dollars. They are well esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances for their many excellent qualities. Mr. Shearer and wife made a trip back to his old Iowa home this year, which he had not seen since leaving it as a boy. forty years ago, and also visited the great St. Louis exposition.

JOHN LOUDON, farmer and stockman, living six miles southeast of North Yakima, came to Yak- ima county in 1883. Mr. Loudon is a native of

Scotland, where he was born, December 12, 1848, the son of John and Janet (Templeton) Loudon. His parents were natives of Scotland; his father, born in 1813, died in Scotland in 1860; the mother, born in 1826, died in New Zealand in 1873. Mr. Loudon is the oldest of a family of seven children, all born in Scotland. One brother, William, died in Yakima county in 1885. One brother and four sisters are living in New Zealand; their names fol- low: Gavin, Mrs. Jessie Thompson, Mrs. Anna Copeland, Mrs. Elizabeth Drummond and Mrs. Maggie Mansfield. The marriage of John London and Miss Maggie Gordon was celebrated in New Zealand in 1882. Miss Gordon was born in Scot- land, February 7, 1864, the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Stewart) Gordon. The parents are dead. Mrs. Loudon was the fifth of a family of twelve children, all of whom reached the age of maturity before a death occurred. Their names are as follows: James Gordon, living in Australia ; Mary and Anna, living in Scotland; Alexander, Stewart, Jane, Henry, Peter and William, living in New Zealand; John and Bella, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon have been blessed with six chil- dren, all born in Yakima county : John, born Octo- ber 17, 1884; Lizzie, born December 9, 1885; Will- iam, born May 10, 1887; Gavin, born July 4, 1888; Alexander, born February 8, 1890, and Jessie, born April 5, 1891. Mr. Loudon spent his youth in his native land, and received his education in tuition schools. When he was sixteen years old the family removed to New Zealand, and for twenty years he followed farming there with excellent success, being the fourth largest wheat grower on the island. He was also prominently connected with road and county business, being from 1876 to 1882 a mem- ber of the Waimate road board and county council. In 1883 he disposed of his interests there, and, com- ing direct to Yakima county, purchased six hundred and forty acres of railroad land on the Cowiche, and, for eleven years, engaged in the stock business. He then sold his stock ranch and purchased seventy acres, where he now resides, and which he has de- veloped into one of the most desirable homes in the valley. Although gradually working out of the stock business, that he may give his time entirely to the farm, he still has two hundred head of cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Loudon are members of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Loudon is a prominent Mason, and. in politics, an active and influential Republican. He has always been especially interested in educa- tional matters; has been a member of his home school board almost continuously since settling in the valley. As one of the active participants in the development of the valley, and as a man of enter- prise and strictest integrity, he has the confidence and highest respect of all who know him.

THOMAS HOWSON, living six miles north- west of North Yakima, on his farm, on which

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he settled on first coming to the county in 1880, is one of the sturdy men who came from the east to the Pacific coast in an early day, making the trip from Iowa to California, in 1862, with ox teams. He was born in Canada of English par- ents in January, 1834, where he lived with his father until twenty, working with him upon the farm. The father, whose name was John, was a native of England, going to Canada in the early thirties, leaving his family in England, where he later sent for them. He died in Canada. The mother, Eliza (Pickard) Howson, was born in Canada and married at an early age; she died at the birth of her son Thomas. At the age of twenty-two, our subject moved to Iowa and en- gaged in farming for six years. He then farmed for some eighteen years in California, coming di- rectly from there to Yakima county, where he took up a pre-emption on the Naches, where he lived until 1886, when he removed to Kittitas county and took up a homestead near Lake Cle- Elum, which he proved up on and still owns. He later returned to his farm in Yakima county, where he has since continued to reside. He was united in marriage in Canada, in 1856, to Miss Ellen Pickard, a native of Canada and the daugh- ter of John and Ann (Adkinson) Pickard, the former a native of England, who came first to Canada, later moving to Iowa, and in 1862 crossed the Plains to California, where he finally passed away. The mother was of Canadian birth. Mr. and Mrs. Howson have three children-Josiah, born in California in 1863; Chester, born in same state in 1865; and Sylvester H., born in same state in 1867. They are connected with the Sev- enth Day Adventist church. Mr. Howson owns four hundred and sixty-two acres of land, the greater portion timber and pasture. He is counted an upright, worthy citizen.

DAYTON D. REYNOLDS, living upon his farm five miles west and three south of North Yakima, has been a resident of the county ever since he was eleven years of age, at which time he came to this country with his parents, Jesse W. and Susan E. (Garoutte) Reynolds. His father was born in Missouri in 1838, his parents being David and Mary (Kelley) Reynolds, na- tives of Tennessee. Jesse W. was a pioneer of Missouri, and was a veteran of the late Civil war, in which he served during almost its entire length, a portion of the time with Capt. Abernathy. He moved to Kansas in 1876; to Union county, Ore- gon, in 1877, and to the Ahtanum valley, Washı- ington, in 1884, where he still resides. Young Reynolds remained at home until nineteen, and then began working out; at which he accumu- lated sufficient money to purchase a twenty-acre tract of land near the fair grounds, on which he

resided some five years. He then sold the land and purchased his present place in 1900. He was married in Ellensburg, April 6, 1896, to Mrs. Mary Libby, daughter of Horace M. and Mary (Allen) Benton. Her father, a native of Connec- ticut, was in early life a sea captain, and came to the Yakima valley in 1866, where he resided until his death. A portrait of Horace M. Ben- ton is reproduced in this volume. Mrs. Reynolds' mother was a native of Oregon, her people being among the first settlers in Yakima county, where she still lives. Mrs. Reynolds was born in the Ahtanum valley, 'February 6, 1867, the first white child that valley ever produced. She was first married to A. L. Libby, to which union was born one child, Mabel. Mrs. Reynolds has one sister, Sarah C. Finburg, North Yakima. Mrs. Reynolds is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her husband is connected with the Modern Wood- men of America, and politically, he is aligned with the Republican party, of which he is an active member. He is a successful grower of hops, and is accumulating considerable stock. He is counted a good citizen and a desirable neighbor.

ALFRED SINCLAIR is engaged in farming and stock raising twelve miles northwest of North Yakima. He is the son of Hugh and Frances (Bishop) Sinclair, both natives of Nova Scotia, in which country he also was born, August 27, 1867. He was educated there, and when twelve years old came to the United States with his par- ents and located in the upper Naches valley. He attended the common schools in this county and worked with his father until he was twenty-one years old, since which time he has been accu- mulating for himself, although he has always been connected with his father in business. He was married at Tacoma December 31, 1896, to Miss Grace McMillan, who was born in Sumner, Wash- ington, November 16, 1874, and who was the daughter of James McMillan, now deceased, and Mary (Stone) McMillan, of Tacoma. Her broth- ers and sisters are: Ida (McMillan) Pierce, of England ; Clyde ( McMillan) Shanks, of Portland, Oregon; Edith (McMillan) Pritchard, of Alaska, and Roy McMillan, also of Alaska. Mr. Sinclair's brothers and sisters are: Clara J. (Sinclair) Sloan, of North Yakima; Winnie F., now dead; Edgar, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair have two children-James K., born May I, 1898, and Francis, born March 1, 1900, both in Tacoma. Mr. Sinclair is a charter member of North Yak- ima lodge, No. 53, Knights of Pythias. In poli- tics, he is an active Republican, though he votes for the man in local elections. He has been very successful in business, and now owns one hun- dred and seventy-three acres in his home farm, a one-fifteenth interest in the Naches Cattle Land

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Company, which has seventeen sections, and a one- third interest in two sections of railroad land. He has an eight-room house and two good barns, one hundred and seventy-five head of cattle and about twenty horses. He is industrious and de- serving of the popularity he enjoys.

JOHN McPHEE, who lives twelve miles northwest of North Yakima, Washington, is a farmer and stock raiser. He was born in Nova Scotia May 27, 1836, and was the son of Archi- bald and Jennett (McPhie) McPhee, both na- tives of Scotland, who have died. He was edu- cated in Canada, and left school when twenty years old and engaged as miller in his father's flour-mill. He also farmed. He was thus em- ployed with fair success for twenty-three years. He moved to the Naches valley July, 17, 1882, and the following year purchased his present farm. This was one of the first farms cultivated in the upper Naches valley. During the first year of his residence he was engaged in logging for a time. He was married in Canada December 19, 1871, to Miss Isabell Sinclair, who was born in Nova Scotia February 10, 1844. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mckenzie) Sin- clair, both of Scotch parentage and now deceased. She was the only girl of a family of twelve chil- dren. But three of her brothers are yet living. Mr. McPhee's brothers and sister were: Dou- gald, now dead, Hugh and Archibald, of Nova Scotia, and Mary (McPhee) McEachern, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. McPhee have the follow- ing children: William S., Bessie J., Minnie F., Archie, Edna R., Ruby M. Mr. McPhee is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He has one hundred and forty-three acres in his farm, a nice nine-room house of modern construction and a good barn. He has about seven acres in hops and a good hop house. He is one of the successful farmers of the district and highly respected.

HENRY SEDGE is government forest ranger and a farmer whose home is fifteen miles north- west of North Yakima, Washington. He was born in Ohio October 4, 1855, the son of Alexan- der and Elenor (Stone) Sedge, both of whom are dead. His brothers and sisters were: Fre- ling, now dead; George, of Oregon; John W., of Missouri: Florence (Sedge) Foley, deceased ; William P., of Oregon; Charles and Morgan, liv- ing in Missouri; Taylor, deceased.

Mr. Sedge attended common school in Ohio and a high school in Virginia. He left school when about twelve years of age, and when his parents moved to Missouri he went to Texas and entered the service of a cattle owner as cowboy,

an occupation which he followed until 1874, when he was injured by being thrown and tramped on by a horse, so went to California for his health. He followed the general merchandise business there until 1881, then moved to Klickitat county, Washington, and engaged in farming and stock raising. He sold out in 1890 and opened a butcher shop at Yakima City, but the hard times coming on he gave up the business and located a farm on the Nile river in Yakima county, which he cultivated until 1899. He also established the first and only sawmill there. In the fall of 1899 he bought the farm he is now cultivating. In May of that year he had been appointed forest ranger for that part of the Rainier reserve east of the Cascade mountains, a position which he still holds. He is the only ranger east of the Cascades holding a second grade. He was married in Cal- ifornia September 3, 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Plum- ley, who was born in California December 23, 1855, the daughter of Alonzo and Julia (Chilson) Plumley. She was the third of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Sedge have the following children: Julia, born August 21, 1880; Olive, September 3, 1884; Maude, March 4, 1886; William H., June 3, 1888; Lillian S., December 10, 1890; Alonzo, January 1, 1893, and Willard, February 15, 1897. Mr. Sedge is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, and in politics is an active Re- publican. He has a good farm of forty-five acres and a fine house. Besides being a successful agri- culturist, he is considered one of the best forest rangers in the government service.

WILLIAM S. CLARK is a native of Missouri and was born June 16, 1858. He is engaged in farming and stock raising seventeen miles north- west of North Yakima, Washington. His parents, John H. and Mary J. (Moore) Clark, are both dead. His father was born in Ohio about 1822 and was a Mexican war veteran. Mr. Clark at- tended school in Kansas until he was sixteen years old. In 1876 he crossed the Plains with his parents to Washington, stopping a year on the way in Wyoming. They remained at Walla Walla, Washington, about thirty months, and then came to the upper Naches valley and located on government land. Mr. Clark has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married at Yakima City November, 1882, to Miss Elizabeth Kincaid, who was born in Oregon July 29, 1861. Her parents were James and Mar- tha A. (Liscomb) Kincaid. She was the second child of a family of seven. Mr. Clark's brothers and sisters were: Winfield, Priscilla, Martha, Amanda, John and Flora, who are dead; Nancy J. (Clark) Stevens, of Yakima county; Clara A. (Clark) Case, of Yakima county, and Mary E. (Clark) Beck, of Yakima county, Washington.

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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 142

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