An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 187

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 187
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 187
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 187

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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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

when he passes from their midst it will be as one of the honored pioneers and beloved citizens of the Kittitas valley.

KARL O. KOHLER, who started in the sheep business as a herder in the later eighties, has built up the business until he is now consid- ered one of the leading sheep raisers in the Northwest. His home is in Ellensburg, Wash- ington. Mr. Kohler was born April 14, 1861, in Switzerland, his ancestors being farmers. His father, John Kohler, was born about 1818, and served as a sergeant in the army of 1848, during the religious wars. The mother, Anna Barbara (Thomy) Kohler, was born about 1818. Both parents were natives of Switzerland. They had ten children. Beside Mr. Kohler, these children were: Mrs. Lizzie Zumastein, now a widow; John, now farming in Lewis county, New York ; Mrs. Rosa Kreps, now in the dairy business in Shelbyville, Indiana; Mrs. Mary Schnebli, who owns a candy factory in Baden, Switzerland; Mrs. Mary Ann Hunsiker, a widow; Fred, a merchant in his native land; Alfred, a cheese- maker; Amel, a farmer living in Wasco county, Oregon, and Arnold, now herding sheep in Kit- titas county, Washington. All were born in Switz- erland. Karl O. was educated in Switzerland until sixteen years of age, wlien he learned the cheese- making trade, which he followed until he was twenty years old. He then served in the army eight weeks, when he came to the United States and settled in Lewis county, New York. He there worked on farms four years. In the spring of 1885 he went to Kansas, and later to Ne- braska, and after a stay of about eight months he came west and went to work on a milk ranch near The Dalles, Oregon. Shortly afterward he engaged in herding sheep. He took charge of a band of 3,000 on shares, with such success that at the end of five years he had a half-interest in 4,200 head of sheep and a good bank account. In 1895 he disposed of his real estate holdings in Wasco county and shipped a trainload of sheep to the Chicago markets. He moved about 2,500 head of sheep to Kittitas county, which has since been his headquarters. In June of that year he went back to Switzerland on a visit and returned October 20, 1895, since which time he has given his attention to his sheep business and has also engaged in raising considerable hay.

Mr. Kohler was married May 28, 1900, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Miss Anna R. Stauffer, born in that city, September 9, 1877. Mrs. Kohler's father, a native of Switzerland, born about 1848, was a farmer and merchant. He held public office for eleven years after he moved to the United States, having served as county clerk of Platte county, Nebraska, during that period. Mrs. Kohler's mother, Elsie (Plaser)

Stauffer, was born in Switzerland and came to this county when fifteen years old. Mrs. Kohler has one brother and three sisters. The brother, John Stauffer, born in Columbus, Nebraska, August 1, 1875, is now living with her. Two sisters, Bertha and Martha, still reside in Colum- bus, and the other sister, Rosa, lives in Ellens- burg, Washington.

Mr. and Mrs. Kohler have one child, John G., born in Ellensburg, June 28, 1901. The father is an active member of the Republican party. He and his wife are Protestants. Their home, a fine brick house of thoroughly modern construction, occupies one of the finest locations in Ellensburg, the site including ten lots. Mr. Kohler has 180 acres of hay land. He is run- ning about 6,100 head of sheep and owns about twenty-five head of horses. He is the owner of fifty shares of stock in the Pacific Oil Company and 250 shares in a Texas company, and carries a $5,000 life insurance policy in the Northwest- ern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

THOMAS HALEY, residing two miles north and a mile and one-half east of Ellensburg, Washington, has been engaged in the live stock business in that locality since 1879. He is now arranging to engage in the hay and dairy busi- ness because of the shortage of range. He has 680 acres of land, about 250 head of horses and cattle, and an up-to-date creamery plant with an output of about 3,000 pounds per month. He has a large and thoroughly modern home on the place and is considered one of the most thrifty and successful farmers of the county. He was born in New York, January 8, 1847. His father, Michael Haley, was born in Ireland in 1810, and died May 3, 1882. His mother, Bridget (Pheney) Haley, was born in Ireland in 1819, and has since passed away. Thomas was one of a family of nine children, as follows: John, living with him ; Michael, a farmer in New York; James, farming in Michigan; William and Martin, both farmers of New York; Peter, a cattle raiser of Minot, North Dakota; Kate Cross, wife of a New York merchant, and Mary Goram, the wife of a New York hotel man. Mr. Haley left the schools of his native state when he was fifteen years old and worked on a farm three years. For the suc- · ceeding two and one-half years he worked in the Pennsylvania oil fields. In 1867 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and ran a stationary engine in a foundry. Later he was employed on the construction of the Union Pacific railroad be- tween Cheyenne and Laramie City. He came from Utah to Kittitas county, Washington, July 5. 1869, and filed on 160 acres of desert land. He devoted particular attention to stock raising in all its branches, doing much buying and ship- ping. He soon transformed his desert land into

SIMEON WALKER MAXEY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

833

a beautiful home, but in October, 1896, a fire started which wiped out the house and well-filled barns, and everything he had accumulated, ex- cept the live stock. By indomitable pluck and perseverance, however, he has regained a greater fortune than that lost by the severe fire, and is now counted one of the most substantial men of the county.

Mr. Haley was married April 10, 1878, to Miss Vancha Hackett, daughter of John and Ellen (Johnson) Hackett. Her father was born in Illinois in 1827, and is dead. Her mother, born in Indiana in 1834, is now a resident of Oregon. Mrs. Haley was born in Oregon City, Oregon, May 4, 1857. Her brothers and sisters are: Erwin, a school teacher in Oregon City ; Mary Knox, wife of an Oregon farmer; Stella Hackett, of Oregon City; Alvin, in the real estate business in Mississippi, and Mrs. Florence Wolf, of Sunnyside, Oregon.

Mr. and Mrs. Haley have two children, both of whom are at the family home. Katie, the eldest, was born April 27, 1879, and Allie, Sep- tember 11, 1880. Their father belongs to the royal arch degree of Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been through all the chairs in that order. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen and is highly respected.

SIMEON WALKER MAXEY, now residing near Ellensburg, was born in' Jefferson county, Illinois, August 9, 1832. His father, William Mc- Kendery Maxey, was a physician and minister, born in Tennessee, January 18, 1812, and died February 4, 1885. The mother, Eddy (Owens) Maxey, was born in Tennessee, March 2, 1811, and died January 5, 1880, Her father was Peter Owens, a farmer. Simeon W. received his early education in the common schools of Jefferson county, Illinois, and remained with his father until he reached his majority. Then, in 1853, he borrowed money and purchased forty acres of government land, which he devoted exclusively to horticulture. He set ont an orchard which later took the premium as the best selected and ar- ranged orchard in the county. At county fairs he was a frequent exhibitor, and invariably cap- tured some of the best prizes. He served as county superintendent of the Mount Vernon, Illi- nois, fair, and was one of the members of the awarding committee. Mr. Maxey has now, for over half a century, been an enthusiastic and successful horticulturist. In 1882 he sold out his property holdings in Jefferson county, Illinois, and moved to Washington, where he bought land in Kittitas county, where he has since resided. In 1889 he sold this place and bought a brick block in Ellensburg, now known as the I. O. O. F. hall. He was appointed by Governor Ferry as

commissioner of horticulture for the fourth dis- trict, and after serving for three years and a half he was reappointed by Governor McGraw, and continueu lu the office until the law creating it was abolished. He was superintendent of the state fruit exhibit at the World's Fair in 1893, and was county inspector of horticulture from 1902 till 1904.

During the Civil war Mr. Maxey served with honor and distinction. He enlisted in the 110th volunteer infantry of Illinois in 1862, in Com- pany B, under Captain C. H. Maxey, and was assigned to the 14th army corps, commanded by General Jefferson C. Davis, Second division, com- manded by General John M. Palmer, and 19th brigade, commanded by General W. B. Hazen. He was in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, against General Bragg, which forced the Confed- erates through Cumberland Gap, and later, as first duty sergeant, was in charge of a detach- ment of six men which made a hazardous sixty- mile trip in taking sixty-eight prisoners to Dan- ville, Kentucky. He took part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. In the chase after General Johnston he was engaged in one of the last battles of the war, which was at Bentonville, North Carolina. On this occasion army orders were issued to prevent any foraging ahead of the command. Notwithstanding, on the morning of the battle of Bentonville, Mr. Maxey started out before day- light and got in advance of the army. Near sun- rise he fell in with six other soldiers and the party shortly afterward encountered a picket reserve of the enemy and were promptly fired upon. By good fortune no one of them was hit, due likely to the closeness of the range. He was mustered out of service at Washington, D. C., and received his discharge at Chicago, in 1865.

Mr. Maxey has brothers and sisters as fol- lows: Samuel T., born August 29, 1834, who served through the war and was discharged as a captain ; John V., born in 1836, also in the war; Harriet J., born in 1838, now the widow of Frank- lin J. Centerfield; William C., born in 1843, who was, during the war, first sergeant of the 80th Illinois regiment ; Sarah C., born in 1847, now the wife of Sanford Hill, and Hardy N., born in 1850. Mr. Maxey was married at Richview. Il- linois, to Miss Manevia T. Whitenberg, daughter of Daniel T. and Polly A. (Hill) Whitenberg. She was born in Tennessee, March 26, 1838, and died in Ellensburg, January 25, 1902. Their children were Brovahtus A., born January 17, 1859: Morton M., born July 4. 1860, and died September 24. 1897; Franceska D., born January 18. 1862, William C., born April 18. 1863, and Sina C., born October 15, 1865. Mr. Maxey is a mem- ber of David Ford Post, G. A. R., at Ellensburg, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON.

MRS. REBECCA N. BULL was born in Nor- way. Her father, Nels H. Gran, was born in Nor- way, December 15, 1815, and died in Nebraska. He was a farmer and the inventor of a threshing machine. The mother, Sophia Graverholt, was born in Norway, near Christiania, in 1816. Mrs. Bull received her early education in the district schools of Norway and was fourteen years old when her parents came to the United States. Upon their arrival they settled in Dixon county, Nebraska, in 1870, where the father took up gov- ernment land. She finished her education in the schools at Omaha, and later in the normal school, after which she taught in the district schools of Nebraska and also after she came West on the Sound. She came to Ellensburg in 1879, and lived with her brother until her marriage, May 26, 1881, to B. W. Frisbee, when she began her residence on her present farm home. Mr. Fris- bee was by profession a photographer and also a teacher. He taught one of the first schools in the valley near Ellensburg. He was a native of New York and was active in building up educa- tional interest where he resided. His death oc- curred on February 21, 1888. By this marriage two children were born: Leroy W., September 15, 1882, who was educated in the Ellensburg high school and is now attending the university of Washington, with a view to becoming an elec- trical engineer, and Emma F., April 12, 1884. She was also educated in the Ellensburg high school.

February 6, 1889, Mrs. Frisbee married Walter A. Bull. who was born in Albany, New York, June 20, 1838. Mr. Bull was a descendant on his mother's side of the old Fish family of New York. His forefathers were of English extraction and of a seafaring inclination. Mr. Bull spent his early days at Racine, Wisconsin, and at the outbreak of the war became government commissary clerk. During his service he was superintendent of com- missary and later was superintendent of the Freed- man bureau. At one time he was charged with the care and feeding of twenty-eight hundred negroes. After his discharge from the govern- ment service he engaged in the construction of the Union Pacific until 1869. When on a tour of the west he was attracted to the Kittitas valley and settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres nearly south of Ellensburg, which he im- proved and added to until he accumulated nearly 1,700 acres. This he put in a high state of culti- vation. He devoted much attention to raising of fine stock. He introduced Holstein cattle into the valley and had a fine herd of Polled-Angus. He was an Odd Fellow and Mason and also a meni- ber of the A. O. U. W .; was the first probate judge of Kittitas county, under appointment by the commissioners, and served two years; de- signed the probate court seal-a bull's head ; and was also president of the Snoqualmie toll road to

Seattle. Mr. and Mrs. Bull had two children: J. A. Evadore Bull, born September 10, 1891, and Leland L. Bull, born September 15, 1893, both on their father's farm. Mrs. Bull's brothers and sisters are: Caroline, now Mrs. Andrew Hia, in Norway; Halvor Nelson, in Ellensburg; Andrew N., in Nebraska; Mrs. Mattie Gilbertson, in Washington county, Nebraska, and Juliana, now Mrs. Christian Johnson, in Dixon county, Ne- braska. Mrs. Bull came to Kittitas valley after the Indian troubles were over, but she often talked with the late Chief Moses concerning the strenuous pioneer days. She has many valuable records of the early history of the Kittitas coun- try, and is a lady of intelligence and culture.

PHILIP H. SCHNEBLY, who lives in an elegant home eleven miles northeast of Ellens- burg, was born in Washington county, Oregon, October 8, 1852. His father, David J. Schnebly, was born in Maryland, and came to Oregon in 1850. He was a man of finished education, and during his lifetime followed the vocations of teacher and editor. He was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. The subject's mother was Mar- garet A. (Painter) Schnebly, a native of Mis- souri, and came west with her father during the early days.

Mr. Schnebly received his education in the state of Oregon in the district schools, and came to the Kittitas valley in 1872. After coming here he at once engaged in the stock business and has made that branch of industry his business since that time. He owns one of the finest farms in the county, and lives in an elegant home. He has "cattle on a thousand hills," in all about fif- teen hundred head, most of which are Hereford and Shorthorn Durham stock. He has one brother and one sister: Charles P., born in Ore- gon, and who is now a farmer; and Mrs. Jean C. Davidson, native of Walla Walla, and now living in Ellensburg. He was married November II, 1877, to Eliza F. Cooke, the daughter of Hon. Charles P. and Susan E. (Brewster) Cooke. Mr. Cooke was one of the earliest settlers in Kittitas valley, and was a man much in public life. A sketch of his life is to be found elsewhere in this history. Mrs. Cooke was born in New York state, in 1838, and was a descendant from the old Vander Cooke family, historic in the state of New York. Mrs. Schnebly's brothers and sisters are, Mrs. Charles Coleman, Edwin N., Morand D., Edward W., George B., Rufus, Mrs. Al Whitson, and Jay Cooke.

Mr. and Mrs. Schnebly are the parents of ten children, as follows: Lillian M., born January 16, 1879; Fred C., November 12, 1881; Philip D., July 19, 1884: Joseph J., April 20, 1885; Jean, February 14, 1887; Frank, October 5, 1890; Edith, February 8, 1892; Edna, February 28, 1894, and

835

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Rufus and Robert, March 30, 1897. All were born in Kittitas county. The eldest daughter, Lillian M., was educated in the State Normal school, and has traveled extensively. "She has marked ability and taste in a literary way, and has contributed some high class articles to the magazines. She was a delegate to the National Press Association in 1895 and 1900.

MELVIN C. SPRAGUE. Melvin Sprague, dealer in paints, oils, and glass, is one of the rugged pioneers of the Pacific states. Born in Barry county, Michigan, July 14, 1842, he is the son of Nelson and Lucinda (Barnum) Sprague. His father was a farmer and saw mill operator, born in the state of New York, and died in 1844, when Melvin was a child of two years. His mother, also a native of New York, was born November 7, 1807, and upon the death of her husband was left a widow with five small children. She died at the age of seventy-nine years and twenty days.

Melvin C. Sprague's life from the beginning has been one of strenuousness and toil. From early boyhood and until sixteen years old he worked during six months of the year, the re- mainder being spent in the common schools. Giving up this mode of life at that time, he started to walk from Hastings, Michigan, to Nebraska City, Nebraska. Arriving there, he joined an un- cle and started on an overland jonrney to Pike's Peak, in search of gold. On the way thither, however, they met so many returning prospect- ors that they became discouraged with their Pike's Peak venture, and decided to abandon it and push on to California. This they did, arriv- ing in the Golden state in 1859. Here our sub- ject entered the mining camps and became in time a full fledged miner and prospector. In 1863 he went to Granite creek, in eastern Oregon, thence to Canyon City, Oregon, where he wintered. In the spring he once more went to Granite creek, thence to the Owyhee mines, and shortly after started for Idaho. The party with whom he started on the trip encamped for a week near the big bend on the Snake river, in order to rest their pack horses; the night before they started to move the Indians stampeded the animals and it was with difficulty that they recovered three or four horses out of the original band of a large number. After some time spent on a hard trail the party finally reached their destination in Idaho, and Mr. Sprague shortly after left for the mines near Bannock City, Oregon, where he worked some time. He then removed to Auburn, in the same state, and with an old California partner of his, worked a claim on Gimlet creek. Here, it is interesting to note, he found a nugget valued at some $355. While in Oregon he followed for a time the vocation of carrying express between

Canyon City and Baker City; in summer on horseback and during the winter months on snow- shoes. He has many interesting incidents to re- late regarding his experience among the mining camps and mountains of California, Oregon and Idaho, where he encountered wild Indians in plenty. In 1876 he returned on a visit to his old home in Michigan. Later, he came to Seattle and from there went again on a prospecting trip in the vicinity of his present home. On his re- turn to Ellensburg he bade farewell to his former life and went to work at the carpenter's trade. In 1887, in partnership with P. Pressy, he built a carpenter shop and planing-mill. This he later sold, and again paid a visit to his Michigan home. Upon returning to Ellensburg he bought an in- terest in the store of Harvey Barton, dealer in paints and oils. From that time his business has continued to grow; his place of business having increased from a mere shack to a first class paint store. Mr. Sprague has never married. He is an Odd Fellow, having been a member of that order for the past twenty-seven years. During his life he has seen hardship and misfortune in plenty, and, like all pioneers, has had his quota of ups and downs. He is now comfortably situ- ated and is regarded by his fellow townsmen as a valuable man in the community.

PHILIP H. ADAMS, a farmer and stockman, living twelve miles northeast of Ellensburg, was born in Walla Walla, Washington, February 12, 1876. His father, F. F. Adams, now a merchant of Seattle, is a native of Ohio, where his early life was spent. He is a veteran of the Civil war, hav- ing served in an Ohio regiment of infantry. The mother of Philip H. Adams was Mary V. (Schne- bly) Adams, who was born in Oregon and who died there March 31, 1887. When Philip was ten years old his parents immigrated to California and here he was educated in the public schools. Fin- ishing the public school course, for two years he engaged in the study of law, but decided eventu- ally that there were better opportunities for suc- cess in other fields, and abandoned the law for agriculture and stock raising, establishing himself on the ranch he now occupies in 1898. This ranch consists of 480 acres, over one-half of which is in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Adams has had as many as 400 head of stock on the farm at one time, and at the present is caring for about 250 head, feeding them alfalfa, timothy and clover, all of which are raised in abundance on the culti- vated portions of the estate. Mr. Adans has one brother and two sisters: Herbert H. Adams, an electrical engineer of New York; Mrs. James Ramsey of Ellensburg, and Mrs. H. E. Boyrie of Seattle. Mr. Adams was married in Ellensburg February 27, 1899, to Bertha K. Stephens, daugh- ter of W. V. and Kate Stephens. The father is a

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CENTRAL WASHINGTON. .

railway train dispatcher; the mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one child, Frederick D. Adams, born June 16, 1901. Husband and wife are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Adams is independent in politics but rather favors the doctrines of the Democratic party. He is among the successful agriculturists and stockmen of the valley and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

GEORGE W. SALLADAY, living twelve miles northeast of Ellensburg, has for a number of years been engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with good success in the business. His farm consists of 600 acres; 400 acres in culti- vation, and the remainder pasture land. The prin- cipal crop raised in this part of the valley is hay, for which there is always a ready market at good prices, much of the crop, however, being consumed at home in wintering the flocks and herds. Mr. Salladay settled here in 1900, having been, for a short time previous to this date, engaged in stock raising near Ellensburg. Before going into the business on his own account, he received a liberal education in the public schools and in the high school of Ellensburg, thus preparing himself for the successful career he has since had. George W. Salladay is the son of Jacob and Mary A. (See- rest) Salladay, both natives of Ohio and both still living, retired from the more active duties of life, in Ellensburg. The subject of this article has two brothers, L. Elmer Salladay, a hardware merchant of Nez Perce, Idaho, and S. O. Salladay of Ellens- burg. He has eight sisters: Anna and Letta, both school teachers of Kittitas county; Minnie Spiker oí Nez Perce: Ida Pease of Seattle ; Opha, Flora, Loretta and Gladys, attending the Normal school at Ellensburg. Mr. Salladay was born in Sonoma county, California. Combined with the energy of youth he has natural and acquired busi- ness ability and is making for himself an enviable position among the successful men of the valley. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is progressive and public spirited and has the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.

THOMAS J. RANDALL, a retired Christian minister and carpenter, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1827. His father, John Randall, a farmer and blacksmith, was a native of Tennessee, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was a pioneer in Indiana, where he died in 1830. The mother, Fan- nie (Glover) Randall, was born in Indiana. Her parents settled on the banks of the Ohio river, below Madison, at the mouth of Saluda creek, in days when the settlers had to live in stockades to protect themselves from Indians. Thomas J. Ran- dall grew to manhood in his native state. When he

was only three years old his father died. He worked on a farm and attended district school. When he was fourteen years old he went to live with his sister. When seventeen he worked out and went to school. It was a struggle in those days to secure education, for all schooling had to be paid for, but he never faltered in his efforts after knowl- edge. Even while he was learning the trade of a carpenter he continued his schooling. Later he alternated as a teacher and working as a carpenter. In 1856 he moved to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, and took up a pre-emption claim and worked as a carpenter and millwright. He was there through the whole of the Sioux Indian troubles and mas- sacres and has a lively recollection of pioneer expe- riences in that country. In those days they had to take the lumber from the rough and make every- thing by hand. He was converted in Indiana at the age of sixteen years and united with the Chris- tian church. He was a faithful student of the Bible, reading late into the night, after his hard day's work, and finally became noted for his famil- iarity with the Great Book. From speaking at social gatherings he had become a fluent talker, so he took to preaching and making appointments which he filled acceptably. He preached for seventeen years for one congregation, working all the time at his trade and farm. He continued to live in the same neighborhood until 1888, when he moved to Ellens- burg. His family followed shortly afterward. He bought his present home then, where he has since resided.

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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 187

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