An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 173

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 173
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 173
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 173

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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there. His work has been highly satisfactory and successful, as a result of which the Prosser mills have a most creditable reputation among their pa- trons.

Miss Alice M. Spencer became the bride of Mr. Smith in 1892, the wedding taking place in Mon- tana. She is the daughter of Collins and Mary (Baker) Spencer, natives of New York and Illi- nois respectively. Collins Spencer, a farmer by oc- cupation, immigrated to Missouri in 1860, and is still living in that state, at the advanced age of eighty ; Mrs. Spencer is dead. Mrs. Alice M. Smith was born in Illinois in 1866, and is a highly edu- cated young woman. She is a graduate of the Ap- pleton City, Missouri, academy, graduate of a New York college, and a school teacher of three years' experience in Missouri and two years' expe- rience in Montana. Her one brother, Herbert, is assistant miller under Mr. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are well known in Prosser's social life, and by their congenial qualities have drawn around them a wide circle of friends. The husband is con- nected with two fraternities, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, and both husband and wife are communicants of the Christian church. Mr. Smith has faith in the future of the Yakima valley, as is evidenced by his possession of fifty acres of land irrigated by the Prosser canal and a comfort- able home in the city. He is a man of action, abil- ity and true worth.

ORNIA S. BROWN, living two miles west of Prosser, one of the valley's well known stockmen, is a pioneer of the Yakima country, in which he has spent nearly his whole life. Born in Califor- nia, December 28, 1867, he is the son of Thomas and Mary (Coleman) Brown, pioneers of Califor- nia. Thomas Brown crossed the Plains by ox team conveyance from his home in Missouri to California in 1864, and was there married, his bride being also a Missourian, who crossed the Plains when a child. When Ornia S. was two years old, the loving care and devotion of a mother were taken from him by her death, and six years later, after the father had removed to Klickitat county, the young lad became an orphan. By working for his board and clothes, he was able to remain in school until he reached the age of fourteen. He then set out into the world, and was employed successively by Messrs. McCredy and Beckner, and later by Snipes & Allen, as one of their range riders. For five years he lived this rough life, at the end of that time taking charge of F. C. Sharkey's cattle outfit at the mouth of the Yakima river, with whom he remained six years. Then followed a season in Alaska, where lie placed a pack-train on the road between Dyea and Lake Bennett. Upon his return to Yakima. he entered the em- ploy of Nelson Rich as ranch superintendent, and

a year later purchased an interest in the business, to which he is now giving his attention. Their ranch is situated near the mouth of the river.

In 1900 Mr. Brown and Miss Sadie Evans, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Evans, of Pros- ser, were united in marriage. Mr. Morris is a Canadian, who has made his home near Prosser since 1893 and is one of the valley's prosperous ranchmen. Mrs. Brown was born in Canada, ed- ucated in Tacoma, North Yakima and Prosser, and was married at the age of twenty-three. She has five brothers : Richard, George, Benjamin, Robert and Harry, all living in and around Pros- ser; and three sisters: Mrs. Lillie Campbell, liv- ing near Prosser; Mrs. Annie Brown, near Ellens- burg, and Gertrude, at home. Mr. Brown is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and politically is affiliated with the Repub- lican party. His property interests consist of a half interest in eight hundred head of cattle and two hundred head of horses, and forty acres irri- gated by the Prosser Falls canal ; an eloquent testi- monial to his energy, ability and thrift. Last sum- mer his company shipped eleven car loads of horses to Montana. Mr. Brown is an excellent representa- tive of that class of self-made men who have made the Yakima valley what it is today. He commands the friendship and respect of his fellow pioneers and citizens.

HARRY W. FISK, residing upon his well in- proved farm a mile and one-half west of the city of Prosser, is one of Michigan's sons who is suc- cessfully engaged in developing the powerful la- tent resources of Washington, and in the Yakima country has achieved much worthy of commen- dation. His parents and their parents were pio- neers of the beautiful Michigan peninsula, the former, Lyman C. and Nancy (Bailey) Fisk, hav- ing been born in that state. Lyman C. Fisk fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in Michigan until his death. He was of Holland Dutch descent. The mother is now a resident of Michigan. Harry W. Fisk was educated in the district schools of his native state, working upon his father's farm until the age of twenty-one. At that time. 1894, the young "Wolverine" left his home in the East to seek what the West might have in store for one of his energies and talents. He chose the Yakima country as his field of endeavor, and immediately entered the employ of Kelso Brothers, working in the wheat fields of the Horse Heaven region. The next year he and W. L. Dimmick leased twenty-one hundred acres of wheat land, and dur- ing the - next four years successfully farmed the tract. Upon retiring from wheat raising, Mr. Fisk purchased thirty acres of land irrigated by the Prosser Falls canal, and this place is still his home. One of Prosser's well known daughters, Miss

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Luna S. Burk, became the bride of Mr. Fisk in 1898. Her parents, Elijah R. and Emily (Bishop) Burk, were born in Oregon and came into the homes of Oregon's earliest pioneers, the grand- parents having crossed the Plains in the early fif- ties and settled in the Willamette valley. Mr. and Mrs. Burk were married in Oregon, subsequently removed to Dayton, Washington, where Mrs. Fisk was born in 1882, and for a time resided in Pen- dleton. Mr. Burk, now dead, was engaged in the real estate business. Mrs. Burk, now Mrs. Thorp Roberts, lives in Prosser. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisk two children have been born: Ernest W., in Pros- ser, January 27, 1900, and Grace, in Prosser, De- cember 5, 1901. Mrs. Fisk is a devout member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Fisk's political af- filiations are with the Democratic party. His property interests now consist of thirty-six acres, all under cultivation; three acres in orchard, six- teen acres in alfalfa, six acres in clover, seven in garden produce and the balance occupied by vari- ous buildings. He is devoting especial attention to raising blooded Durham cattle, of which he now has nine head. Mr. and Mrs. Fisk are pop- ular, and are respected by all who know them. Mr. Fisk has reason to feel proud of the position to which he has attained since coming to Wash- ington.

ARTHUR M. CAMPBELL. The respected citizen of Prosser whose name commences this biography was born in New York state, in New- burgh, in 1843, the son of Amos and Harriet E. (Brundage) Campbell, the father a native of the same place; the mother born in Middleton. In 1865 Amos Campbell removed his family to the densely wooded Michigan frontier and there erected a home, where he lived until his death in 1880. He was a veteran of the Mexican war. The Brundage family is one of New York's pio- neer families. Harriet Brundage's father served in the War of 1812. At the age of twelve her son, Arthur M., was apprenticed to the black- smith's trade, working at the trade four years in New York. He then accompanied his parents to Michigan and for two years helped his father clear his land and put it under cultivation. He was occupied in various ways until the winter of 1862. when the young man offered Uncle Sam his serv- ices but was rejected. He again offered them in 1864, and this time was accepted and enrolled in the Sixth Michigan cavalry under General Cus- ter. After the close of the war he returned to Michigan and farmed until 1873, in that year re- moving to Nebraska and settling upon a home- stend. A year later he returned to Michigan and engaged in the warehouse business, as employee and half-owner until 1870. He then removed to Kansas and farmed two years; again returned to

Michigan and re-entered the service of his former warehouse company employers, remaining with them until 1887. North Dakota then became his home for eight years or until 1895, when he came to Prosser. In Yakima county he was engaged in the sheep business until 1899, at that time sell- ing his flocks and investing in sixty acres of irri- gated land two and one-half miles west of Pros- ser, upon which he has established his home.

In 1867 lie was married to Miss Melissa A. Paull, the daughter of Lemuel and Amanda ( Har- wood) Paull, natives of New York. Lemuel Paull was one of Michigan's earliest pioneer farm- ers, and his step-father was the first white settler of Barry county. Mrs. Paull was likewise the daughter of Michigan pioneers. Mrs. Campbell was born in Barry county, 1846; was educated in the common schools and the Grand Rapids high school, of which she is a graduate, and for five years previous to her marriage taught school in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have three children: Mrs. Harriet McNabb, born in Mich- igan, July 31, 1868, living in Prosser ; Fred A., born in Michigan, November 4, 1872, a prosper- ous farmer living near Prosser, and Mrs. Kate B. Cullen, born in Kansas, July 23, 1881, also resid- ing in Prosser. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Odd Fel- lows, and both himself and wife are connected with the Methodist church. He is a stanch Republican, and in Michigan served in a public capacity for some time. Although owning a fine farm a little more than two miles from Prosser, Mr. Campbell is at present residing in the city. He is a man of unques- tioned integrity, capable and public spirited, and possesses no small number of warm friends.

CHARLES A. WARNER, living a mile east of Prosser, is one of Yakima county's prosperous horticulturists. He is a native of New York, born in 1853, his parents being John H. and Melinda (Cronk) Warner, also New Yorkers. Until he removed to Minnesota in 1867 the father was fore- man of the largest tannery in the state. In Min- nesota he followed farming and stock raising until 1902, when he and his wife came to Prosser. They are at present living with their son Charles. Both are well advanced in life's journey, the mother be- ing eighty-one years old. Charles A. Warner was educated in New York and Minnesota, and as- sisted his father until twenty-two years old. At that time he commenced railroad work and rose to the position of engineer. In 1880 he engaged in the mercantile business in Brooten and Sedan, Minnesota, and also served as postmaster. Ten years later we find him buying wheat, in which occupation he was also engaged ten years; he then purchased a two hundred-acre farm and cultivated it until 1899, when he came to Washington and

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located in Prosser. Here he purchased the place upon which he is now living.

Mr. Warner was married in Minnesota, 1874, to Miss Mary Brown, daughter of Hanse P. and Ann Brown, natives of Denmark and England respectively. Mr. Brown cane to America in 1858, settling in Illinois. At the commencement of the Civil war he enlisted in an Illinois heavy artillery battery and served until 1863. At the battle of Gettysburg he became overheated, a circumstance which led to his death shortly afterward. Mrs. Warner was born in Illinois in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have three children living-Ernest A., employed in the Puget Sound Flouring Mills, Tacoma ; Mrs. Hattie M. Geer, living in Tacoma, and Mrs. Todie A. Geer, also a resident of Ta- coma. Three children are dead-Janie. Merritt B. and Marcus M. The children were all born in Minnesota. Mr. Warner is affiliated with two fraternities, the Masons and Modern Woodmen. He is an active member of the Republican party, and at one time served his community in the ca- pacity of justice of the peace. His thirteen and one-half acres are all in a high state of cultiva- tion, four acres being in alfalfa, four in strawber- ries and orchard, and the balance in garden truck. He has, besides, considerable stock. Most of his time is given to the culture of strawberries. He has over thirty varieties of this luscious berry and is shipping plants to all parts of the state. Mr. Warner is a man of recognized integrity and in- dustry, two qualities which give him a high place in the esteem of his friends and neighbors.

CARL C. REIMER, whose farm lies a mile and one-quarter east of Prosser, is a native of Germany and of German descent. He was born 1859 to the marriage of John P. and Christena ( Haas) Reimer. His parents came to America in 1880 and settled in Nebraska, where his father died in 1901. Mrs. Reimer is still living. The subject of this biography received his education in the common schools of Germany. At the age of seventeen he came to the United States, locat- ing in Iowa, and living four years in that state. Subsequently he went to Oregon and there, also, pursued farming four years, spending the remain- der of the nine years he lived in Oregon in the liquor business. In 1890 he went to Puget Sound, making his home in that country some ten years. His residence near Prosser dates from 1900, at which time he purchased his present farm.

Mr. Reimer and Mrs. Alice Gibson were united in marriage in Gray's Harbor, Washington, in 1894. She is the daughter of Samuel and Mar- tha (Readman) Benn, of Aberdeen, Washington. Mr. Benn crossed the Plains to California in 1849. lived in that state until 1853, and then moved to Puget Sound, where he settled upon the land now

forming the site of the city of Aberdeen. Both parents are residents of that city. Alice Benn was born upon this homestead in 1862 and edu- cated in the town of Aberdeen. She was first married to H. Gibson, who died in 1893, leaving three children-Pauline, who died at the age of nineteen; Corney and George. Mr. and Mrs. Rei- mier have been blessed with two children-Miles J., born in Gray's Harbor, November 15. 1896; Martha C., born in Prosser, July 25, 1901. Mr. Reimer is an active member of the Democratic party and takes part in every election. His farm consists of twenty-one acres; two acres being in orchard, seven in alfalfa, two in clover, one in strawberries and the balance in grain and build- ing sites. Mr. Reimer is a successful gardener and orchardist, and during his comparatively short residence in the community has made many friends.

JOSEPH SMART, builder and contractor, living two miles west of Prosser, has been iden- tined with the history of that city since 1892, prin- cipally because of the important part he has taken in constructing its homes and business houses. Born in England in 1841, Mr. Smart comes of two old English families, his father being Thomas Smart and his mother, before her marriage, Mary Hopkis. Thomas Smart was an expert mathe- ratical instrument maker. Both parents lived and died within the confines of their native coun- try. After attending school until he was fourteen years old, Joseph served seven years as an appren- tice to the carpenter's trade, and then worked at lis trade six years in England. In 1868 he de- termined to employ his talents in America, and so came to Chicago. He traveled considerably during his early American life, spending six months in Chicago, three years in Cleveland, Ohio, a year and a half in St. Louis, Missouri, three years in Colorado, then ten months in St. Louis once more, a short time in Canada, a year and one-half in Cleveland again, another four years in St. Louis, two years in Denver, seven years in Los Angeles, a year in Portland, a short period in Port Angeles, Washington, a short time in Se- attle, another short period in Olympia and a year in Tacoma, during all this time following his trade successfully. In 1892 he came to Prosser. Dur- ing the next two years he lived in that town, as- sisting in its construction. In 1894 he saw the cpportunity and filed a homestead claim to a quar- ter-section two miles west of Prosser, and has since resided upon this place, though still contin- ning to accept construction contracts and other business. Mr. Smart built the Lape Hotel, the Catholic church, the schoolhouse and many other public buildings, business houses and dwellings in Prosser.

WILLIS MERCER.

MRS. WILLIS MERCER.

RESIDENCE OF WILLIS MERCER, PROSSER, WASH.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

He assumed the responsibilities of matrimony in 1871, in St. Louis, his bride being Miss Janie Banks. also a native of England. Her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Scribbins) Banks, were married in England and came to the United States in 1854, settling in St. Louis. Mr. Banks died in 1874; his wife in 1869. Mrs. Smart was born in England, came to America with her parents and was educated in the public schools of St. Louis. She was eighteen years old at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Smart have five children-Thomas W., born in Colorado, 1882; Elizabeth, in Los Angeles, 1884; Rebecca, in Los Angeles, 1887; Louise, also born in California, 1889, and Alice, whose birth occurred in Prosser, 1895. Both himself and wife are affiliated with the Methodist church. Although never seeking the emoluments of office for himself, Mr. Smart, as an active Republican, is always ready to assist his friends and is a believer in good government. Of his two hundred acres of land, fifty are de- voted to hay. He is one of his community's pro- gressive, energetic and able citizens, who wields a deal of influence among his fellow men and com- mands their highest respect.

WILLIS MERCER. The citizen upon the re- cording of whose biography we now enter is one of Prosser's substantial business men who devotes most of his time to stock raising and farming and is at present serving his townsinen as a member of the city council. Like many another North- western pioneer, Mr. Mercer is a Kentuckian and the descendant of a well known pioneer family of the 'Blue Grass state. Born in the year 1862, he gladdened the home of William and Rebecca (Bradfield) Mercer, natives of Kentucky and Penn- sylvania respectively ; the father was of English de- scent, the mother of Pennsylvania Dutch. The year after Willis was born, his father removed to Illinois. Three years later the home was bereaved by the death of the loving mother and wife. The father died in Illinois nine years ago. As one of a family of ten children, Willis was obliged to take up life's responsibilities at an early age. He re- mained with his father on the farm until 1877, when he commenced working for others during the warm months and attending school in the winter, thus securing a good education. At the age of twenty he went to Wisconsin and for two years toiled in its forests and on its farms, returning to Illinois in 1884. He there leased land and farmed until 1886, the year that marks his advent into the Northwest. A short stay in Pendleton was followed by his set- tling upon a homestead and a timber culture claim in the Horse Heaven region ; a venture that proved unsuccessful, and he abandoned the claims some three years later. He then entered the employ of T. K. Beard for a year, spent two years in the

dairy business near Walla Walla, and returned to the Horse Heaven country to enter the sheep rais- ing industry with William Cripps. He was with Mr. Cripps three years, two years with E. Kemp and the succeeding three years was alone in business. He then sold a quarter-interest to A. E. Rothrock, and together, they commenced to raise wheat. This partnership still exists, the firm ranging sheep and utilizing several hundred acres of wheat land. They have one thousand acres, of which, at the present writing, three hundred and fifty are sown to wheat.

Mr. Mercer and Myrtle Rothrock became hus- band and wife in Illinois February 28, 1899. Mrs. Mercer is the daughter of Henry and Susan (Hinkle) Rothrock, of Illinois. Both parents were born in North Carolina, Mr. Rothrock being a pio- neer of Edwards county, Illinois, where his daugh- ter Myrtle was born, September II, 1881. Mrs. Rothrock is dead. Mrs. Mercer was reared and educated in Illinois, and was married at the age of seventeen. Three children have blessed the mar- riage: William H., born in North Yakima, Octo- ber 15, 1900; Velma, born in Prosser, December 26, 1901, and the baby, also born in Prosser, Octo- ber 20, 1903. Mr. Mercer is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and is the present noble grand of the Prosser lodge. He takes an active interest in political matters and all city affairs and is one of the city's councilmen. He is a Republican. His property interests include a section of wheat land in the Horse Heaven region, ten acres of land irri- gated by the Sunnyside canal, a three-quarters in- terest in 3,500 sheep, a good many horses, besides his leasing interests in the wheat region. Mr. Mercer and his wife are deservedly popular in the community and, as one of the county's prominent citizens, Mr. Mercer is public-spirited, progressive, energetic and a man of integrity in all matters.

JOHN H. LEE, whose estate lies seven miles west of Prosser, is an Englishman both by birth and by descent, who has, however, made America his home since 1882, and has been a resident of the Yakima country since 1889. His birth occurred in the year 1849, Joseph and Elizabeth (Chatman) Lee being his parents. Joseph Lee was an optician by trade. At the age of four, the subject of this biography was left an orphan. The little fellow was kindly cared for until he was eight years of age, when he commenced working in the coal mines of England, following that work there for twenty-four years. In 1872 he immigrated to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania. He was employed in the great coal mines of that state until 1885, at that time going to Indian Territory. Three years he worked in that region, then six months in Arkansas. followed by six months as superintend- ent of the Tennessee Company coal and iron mine

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

owned by Pratt & Company, in Alabama. Yellow fever finally forced him to leave the South, as the result of which he came to the Roslyn, Washington, mines in 1889. Realizing the great opportunities afforded by the farming industry of Washington, Mr. Lee, in July, 1891, settled upon a homestead near Prosser and lived there five years, in 1897 purchasing his place upon which he now lives. He has met with success in agriculture and stock raising and has amassed a comfortable property.

Mr. Lee was wedded to Miss Sarah E. Taylor in England, that memorable event in their lives taking place in the year 1872. Her parents, Will- iam and Mary ( Turner) Taylor, both dead, were English, her father being a miner. Mrs. Lee was born and reared in England and was eighteen years old when she was married. Eleven children have been born to this union: Henry, born in England, 1872, conducting a store in Los Angeles; Mary, born in England, December, 1874, died in Prosser ; Joseph, born in England, January 18, 1877, killed by a mine explosion; Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, born in England, August 24, 1879; Albert E., Pennsyl- vania, May 14, 1882; William, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 28, 1884, deceased; Thomas, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1885, deceased; John, Indian Territory, September 10, 1886. deceased; Sarah, Alabama, January II, 1889, living at home; Rosa, Roslyn, June 22, 1890, deceased; George, Prosser, June 8, 1892, living at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lee are communicants of the English church. He is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Lee has nearly sixty-nine acres, all supplied with water; thirty acres are devoted to alfalfa, five acres are set out in a fine orchard, and the balance is in plow land. Mr. Lee is esteemed as a friend and neigh- bor by all in the community in which he lives and is recognized as a citizen of the class that com- prises our best citizenry.

JOHN T. WILSON, whose estate lies seven miles west of Prosser, is an 1883 pioneer of Yak- ima county and one of its host of prosperous, thrifty farmers. Of Scotch and German descent, Mr. Wilson is the son of Archibald and Elizabeth (Hungate) Wilson, among Kentucky's earliest white inhabitants, the father having been born there in 1818 and the mother in 1810. When fifteen years old Archibald Wilson left his native state and settled in Illinois, where the subject of this biog- raphy first looked out upon the world in 1857. In 1866 the family removed to Missouri, and in that state John T. gained the greater part of his edu- cation and grew to manhood. His father died in 1883, but his mother lives in Illinois at an age at- tained by very few. John Wilson lived with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, the last four years farming for himself. In 1882, however, he determined to seek a home in the Northwest

and with that idea in view canie to Pendleton, Ore- gon. The following year he settled upon a home- stead in the Horse Heaven region and his resi- dence in Yakima county commenced. He placed his quarter section in cultivation, filed upon a tim- ber culture claim and placed it in cultivation, as also a section of railroad land, which he purchased from the Northern Pacific Company. This large farm he tilled successfully until 1902, when he sold his holdings in the wheat belt and purchased his present home. At the time he bought it the land was covered by sage-brush; now it is all in culti- vation, well irrigated, fenced, and upon it is a modern dwelling.

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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 173

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