History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 107

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 107
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 107
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 107

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Mr. Messer is well known in the valley, gaining a wide acquaintance during the eleven years of his residence here. His diligent efforts as the years have passed have won him gratifying prosperity and he is now enabled to enjoy all of the com- forts of life.

W. S. EARLS.

Since 1902 W. S. Earls has been connected with commercial interests in Yakima, for in that year he established a grocery store which he has since conducted, and with the passing of time his trade has steadily increased as the result of enterprising methods and thorough reliability. He was born in Andrew county, Missouri, in 1840 and still remains an active factor in business circles, although he has now reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His parents were Jonathan and Frances (Sleet) Earls, both of whom were natives of Boone county, Kentucky, whence they removed to Missiouri in 1837. The father took up government land in that state and there engaged in farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1849, while his wife, surviving him for many years, passed away in 1875.

W. S. Earls was but nine years of age at the time of his father's death. He ac- quired a public school education and then gave his attention to farming in Missouri until 1859, when he crossed the plains to Denver, Colorado, which at that time con- tained but one frame house. He was attracted by the reports concerning mining conditions in that section and for a year devoted his attention to mining, after which he returned to Missouri, making the trip to and from Colorado with ox teams. Dur- ing the period of the Civil war he served in the Missouri State Militia and was on one occasion taken prisoner while acting as messenger.

Mr. Earls' connection with commercial interests dates from 1862, at which time he entered business as a general merchant at Savannah, Missouri, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Walker & Earls. Later he was identified with the hardware trade in that place, being sole proprietor of the store. He afterward organized five other stores at various points in Missouri and Kansas and conducted a profitable business in that section of the country for some time but eventually sold out and entered the banking business at Union Star, Missouri, where he was thus prominently con- nected with financial interests for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he engaged in the furniture and carpet busi- ness until 1892. Soon afterward he sold out and went to New York city, where he was manager of the Atlantic coast branch of the Acme Cement Plaster Company for two years. On removing to Elko, Nevada, he carried on mercantile pursuits there for two years and two months and then went to Tintic, Utah, where he was manager of the Tintic Mercantile Company, spending two years at the place. On the 10th of June, 1902, he arrived in Yakima, where he opened a grocery store which he has since conducted and his, trade, steadily growing, brought him sales amount- ing to two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in 1917. He utilizes auto trucks for deliveries and has a very extensive patronage. He established his store in the Lesh building but in 1904 removed to 17 South First street and now has a building with a fifty foot frontage and a depth of one hundred and forty feet. His is one of the leading grocery establishments of the city and he has a warehouse, on a private track, that has a capacity of seventy-five car loads of groceries.

In 1862 Mr. Earls was married to Miss Mary J. Langford, of Andrew county,

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Missouri, and they became the parents of four children: Walter Lee, a merchant of Shreveport, Louisiana, who is married and has a child who has also married and has one child, the latter being the great-grandchild of W. S. Earls of this review; Jessie T., the wife of Phil P. Clark, residing in Salt Lake City; Frederick A., a mining engi- neer, living at Yakima; and Edna, the wife of Jackson C. McChrystal, a mine owner of Utah.

Through his long residence in Yakima, Mr. Earls has become very widely and favorably known through the valley. His grocery establishment is the oldest of the city and he has ever made it his policy to give to the public full value received. He has, moreover, followed progressive methods, seeking ever to meet the demands and wishes of his customers and recognizing at all times that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. His life has never been self-centered and Yakima has found in him a citizen whose aid and support are cheerfully and readily given to every movement for the general good.

HENRY M. HELLIESEN.

Henry M. Helliesen, president of the Helliesen Lumber Company of Yakima, was born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1865, a son of Henry Helliesen, Sr. He acquired a public school education in his native country and was a young man of twenty-two years when in 1887 he bade adieu to friends and relatives and sailed for the new world. He made his way to Minnesota, where he engaged in the lumber business for twelve years or until 1904, when he sought the opportunities of the west and came to Yakima. In the spring of the following year he established the lumber business of which he has since been the head. He was not long in building up a good trade and in 1909 he incorporated his business interests under the name of the Helliesen Lumber Company, of which he has since been president and general man- ager, with A. M. Eckmann as treasurer and J. O. Cull as secretary. He has a plant two hundred by two hundred feet and also a storage basement two hundred by one hundred and seventy feet, for rental to the public. This is used for storing fruit and potatoes. He handles an extensive line of lumber and building materials of all kinds and in the past has also engaged in the sale of farm implements. In addition to selling lumber he does considerable business as a contractor and builder. He builds property for sale and employs from eight to ten workmen. He has thus done much to improve the city and he is classed among its most representative and pro- gressive business men. There have been no unusual features in his career, but his perseverance and energy have enabled him to overcome all obstacles in his path, hon- orable methods have enabled him to meet all competition and gradually he has built up his business to gratifying proportions.

On the 13th of August, 1900, Mr. Helliesen was married to Miss Ingeburg Somme, a native of Norway, and to them have been born four children: Edith, Harold, Margaret and Ruth. Mr. Helliesen belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while in Masonic circles he has attained high rank, having member- ship in lodge, chapter and commandery and also in Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. He belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club, also to the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and to the Yakima Country Club and he enjoys the friendship and kindly regard of his associates in these organizations.

CHARLES NATHAN GILBERT.

Charles Nathan Gilbert, who dates his residence in the Yakima valley from 1910, is the owner of thirteen acres of land two miles north of Buena. He was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, September 23, 1871, a son of Silman N. and Emily (Rundle) Gilbert, the former a native of Connecticut and a son of Silas Gilbert. The mother was born in Pennsylvania. In young manhood Silman N. Gilbert went

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to Minnesota and subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in the sawmill business until 1880, when he established his home in South Dakota. He came to Yakima county about 1902 and is now a rancher living near Zillah.

Charles N. Gilbert, after attending the public schools, started out in the business world at the age of seventeen by securing employment in a flour mill, where he was made engineer. In 1893 he went to California and obtained a situation in a sash and door factory. Later he conducted a dancing school in Oakland, California, for ten years and then, attracted by the opportunities for successful fruit raising in the Yakima valley, he made his way to this section in 1910. His earnings were then invested in thirteen acres of land two miles north of Buena, of which eight acres was still covered with the native sagebrush. Today he has four acres planted to fruit, while the remainder of his land is devoted to the raising of hay.

On the 1st of June, 1898, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage of Miss Anna Osborn, a native of Oakland, California, and a daughter of William and Laura (Olson) Osborn, both of whom were born in Norway. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States, they became pioneer settlers of California, where Mr. Osborn con- tinned to reside until called to his final rest. His widow still survives and makes her home in Oakland, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of three children: Laura, Charlotte and Nathan. Mrs. Gilbert has a brother, Roy Harry Osborn, who has been on active duty with the United States army in France as a member of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ammunition Train of the Ninety-first Division. Mrs. Gilbert is a lady of charming manner and wide popularity whose gracious hospitality has made their home the center of many delightful social func- tions. Mr. Gilbert is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Felliws and with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics he maintains an independent course. Political office has never had attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully managed, and thus he is attaining substantial success.

OSWALD H. WIRSIG.

Oswald H. Wirsig, actively engaged in fruit raising in the Zillah district of Yakima county, was born in Rothwasser, Saxony, Germany, November 10, 1846, a son of John G. and Christiana (Gruender) Wirsig, who brought their family to the United States in 1856. They settled in Lee county, Iowa, where the mother's death occurred, and in later life the father made a visit to a daughter in another part of the state and in her home passed away.

Oswald H. Wirsig obtained a public school education, beginning his studies in his native country and continuing them in Lee county, Iowa. When twenty-two years of age he pursued a business course and then devoted fourteen years to railway work, being agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. He lived in various towns as his duties took him from place to place and when fourteen years had passed he retired from railroad service to engage in farming. He was also a merchant for a time at Champion, Nebraska, and afterward became a bank clerk in that state. The year 1902 witnessed his arrival in Yakima county. On the 1st of July he purchased forty acres of land adjoining Buena and one mile from the railroad station and a quarter of a mile from the school, while the rural free delivery over the county road brought his mail to his door. The land which he secured was partly improved, a portion of it having been planted to al- falfa. With characteristic energy he began preparation for fruit raising and now has twenty-eight acres planted to apples, pears and cherries. He has a frost proof ware- house and has developed one of the best orchards in the valley. The land has fine nat- ural drainage so that it is easy to irrigate and all of the equipments and accessories of the model ranch property of the northwest in the twentieth century are found upon his place. Moreover, his farm is splendidly located and his home commands a magnificent view of snow-capped Mount Adams and of Mount Rainier.

In 1870 Mr. Wirsig was united in marriage to Miss Sarah W. Skinner, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and a daughter of William Skinner, who was of English descent.

OSWALD H. WIRSIG

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MRS. OSWALD H. WIRSIG

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To them were born four children, namely: Nora, Bertha, Carl and William, all of whom are still living and have received good educational advantages. The younger son served for four years in the United States Navy. In early life Mrs. Wirsig was a teacher and taught both in the common schools and in the State Normal. After a useful and well spent life she passed away in October, 1914, mourned by all who knew her.

Mr. Wirsig is a stalwart republican in his political views. Though born in Germany, he is thoroughly American in thought and spirit. His father was in 1848 one of those who participated in the uprising in Germany to overthrow monarchical rule. He was a man of very liberal education and well read. It was his desire to live in a land of liberty that brought him to the new world, where he immediately be- came a naturalized American citizen, manifesting the utmost loyalty to his adopted country from the first. The same spirit has been manifest in the son, who in all matters of citizenship casts his influence on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In business affairs he has persevered in the face of difficulties. While a merchant in Nebraska he prospered for some time until he was worth over twenty thousand dollars but during the widespread financial panic of 1893 failure overtook him. When he obtained his present ranch he had only twenty-two hundred and fifty dollars and was fifty-seven years of age. Indomitable courage and indefatigable industry have advanced his interests until he is now worth over forty thousand dollars. His business record is indeed worthy of emulation and should inspire and encourage others who, like him- self, had to start out in life empty-handed.

AUGUST DAHLIN.

August Dahlin, a well known orchardist living on Ahtanum Heights, was born in Sweden, May 19, 1870, a son of Olaf and Brita Dahlin, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. The son acquired a good public school education and at the age of twenty-two years severed home ties and came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in 1892. He first located at St. Cloud, Minnesota, and for four years thereafter was engaged in railroad work. In 1898 he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he resided for a year, and then returned to his native land, spending four months in visiting the scenes and friends of his boyhood in Sweden. On the expira- tion of that period he again came to the United States, making his way to Buffalo, New York, in 1900. There he worked on the exposition buildings for a year, after which in 1901 he again went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was connected with building and contracting work for about ten years. He was an active figure in in- dustrial circles in the city and secured a business of substantial proportions.

In 1910 Mr. Dahlin arrived in Yakima county, Washington, and invested in ten acres of land on Ahtanum Heights. Of this he planted seven and a half acres to apples and began the development of a splendid orchard. He also built a home upon his ranch and made other improvements and he is now extensively and successfully engaged in the raising of fruit and alfalfa. He also works at his trade to some extent and he has developed expert skill along building lines. He had no experience as an orchardist when he came to the west but his ready adaptability has enabled him to quickly understand the needs and demands of fruit as to the nature of the soil and other progressive methods of propagating fruit.

On the 24th of September, 1903, Mr. Dahlin was united in marriage to Miss Alma Karlgren, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of Carl and Christine Karlgren, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlin have become the parents of five children: Alpha Elizabeth, Carl Raymond, David Gilbert, Esther Marie and Ruth Sana.

The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Dahlin maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. He has never stopped short of

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the successful fulfillment of his purposes and plans, and his energy and industry have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and work his way steadily upward to prosperity.

FRANK R. STEWART.

Frank R. Stewart, energetic, ambitious and determined, is now the owner of one of the finest ranches in the Yakima valley and his life record should serve as an inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort and perseverance intelligently guided. Mr. Stewart was born in Dekalb county, Illi- nois, August 26, 1862, a son of George and Elizabeth (Terpening) Stewart. The father was born in Scotland in 1818 and was a son of James Stewart, who brought his family to the United States in 1822, settling in New York, where he purchased land from the Oneida Indians. This land is still in possession of the familiy. The grand- father afterward made his way westward to Illinois in the '50s and died at Belvidere, that state. George Stewart also went to Illinois at the same time and settled in Dekalb county. He served with the rank of captain in the Mexican war, organizing a company for duty at the front and remaining with his command for two years. Again his patriotic spirit was aroused to the point of military activity when in 1861 the south attempted to overthrow the Union and he organized the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, of which he remained captain for six years. He did reconstruction work over the south after the war and passed away at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1875, where he engaged in clearing the Red river for the government. He had taken his family to the south and he there died of swamp fever. He was a very prominent and influential man, active in public affairs and at all times a most loyal and progressive citizen. During the period of the Civil war he was captured and incarcerated in Andersonville prison but escaped after thirty days. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and was always a worthy exemplar of the craft. In early manhood he wedded Elizabeth Terpening, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, and was a descendant of General Herkimer, while her father was Lucas Terpening, a pioneer of the Empire state, who enlarged the New York and Erie canal. After the death of her husband Mrs. Stewart with her family re- moved to McLean county, Illinois, where they purchased a farm and the children were reared upon that place. Mrs. Stewart passed away at Danville, Illinois, in February, 1893. By her marriage she had become the mother of five children: A. G., a prominent farmer residing at Genoa, Illinois; J. L., a well known agriculturist who makes his home at Hinckley, Illinois; May, the wife of Charles Meyers, of Forrest, Illinois; Frank R., of this review; and Sue, a teacher of Bellingham.

Frank R. Stewart acquired a public school education and through the period of his youth engaged in farming for his mother upon the homestead in McLean county, Illinois. At the age of twenty-eight years he purchased a farm in Vermilion county, Illinois, and later he removed to Ford county and subsequently to Boone county. He next went to Daviess county, Indiana, and in each of these places was the owner of a fine farm. The year 1903 witnessed his arrival in Yakima county, Wash- ington, at which time he purchased ninety-six acres of land near Outlook and, add- ing to the property, is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He built a beautiful residence and fine barns upon his place and has equipped it with every accessory and convenience of the model farm of the twentieth century. He raises grain, corn and hay and he handles full-blooded Percheron horses and registered Guernsey cattle of the milking strain and has a fine dairy. In fact his is one of the best ranches in the Yakima valley and the owner is recognized as one of the most energetic, farsighted and successful agriculturists of his portion of the state.

On the 5th of February, 1891, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Lottie I. Crouch, who was born in Fairbury, Livingston county, Illinois, a daughter of Richard and Johanna Crouch and the youngest of a family of eleven children, one of whom has passed away. Her father was born in New Hampshire in 1818 and died May 16,

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1904, while her mother, who was a native of Pennsylvania, passed away in 1887. They were pioneer residents of Illinois, where they were identified with farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have become the parents of eleven children: George, who is deceased; Hattie, who is the wife of Floyd Howard, occupying a ranch near her father and who has a daughter, Ruth; Howard, who has passed away; Jessie, a teacher by profession; Bessie, twin sister of Jessie, who is deceased; Edward, who enlisted in the United States army in June, 1918, and is now with the Marine Corps in France; Walter; Harry; Margaret; Pearl; and Louise.

Mr. Stewart is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge and chapter at Sunnyside, and he is also a member of the Yakima lodge of Elks. His wife has membership in the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republi- can party, and while he has never been an office seeker, he is regarded as one of the progressive and valued citizens of his community. He had an uncle, Henry L. Terpening, who served for eight years in the Illinois state legislature, working the entire time to get a bill passed to tax mortgages. The same spirit of fidelity to what he believes to be right has ever characterized Frank R. Stewart of this review-a citizen in whom his fellow townsmen manifest unqualified confidence. His sterling worth has been attested by all with whom he has been associated and his work has constituted an example for progressive development in his section of the state. He is indeed one of the prominent ranchers of Yakima county and his labors have shown what can be accomplished along various lines, He is now devoting much attention to the cultivation of sugar beets and in other ways he has illustrated on his own place the possibilities for the development of various crops. He has his house and barns lighted by electricity and everything is thoroughly modern upon his place. He well deserves mention as a prominent rancher and one who at all times commands the good will and trust of his fellowmen.

FORREST E. FAIRBANKS.

After having engaged in various lines of business with more or less success Forrest E. Fairbanks is now meeting with substantial profit as an orchardist in the vicinity of Selah. He was born at East Dixmont, Maine, October 10, 1867, a son of John Judson and Mary Jane (Hilton) Fairbanks, the former a native of the Pine Tree state, while the latter was born in Marymeshe, Canada. In 1877 they removed westward to California and later in the same year came to Washington, settling in Seattle, but returned east the same year. In 1878 they again made their way to California, establishing their home at San Francisco. The father was a race horse trainer and afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in Cali- fornia until 1885. In that year lie removed to Sauk, Washington, and secured gov- ernment land, upon which he resided for a year and a half. He next removed to Snohomish county, Washington, where he carried on farming for two years, and then became a resident of Everett, Washington, where he engaged in the laundry business. There he and his wife spent their rmaining days.

In the public schools of the Pacific coast Forrest E. Fairbanks pursued his educa- tion. His entire life has been spent in this section of the country and he is possessed of the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant element in the upbuilding of the great western empire. He was identified with his father in the training of horses until he reached the age of twenty years, when he turned his attention to the logging business and afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until 1893. He then went to Seattle and was engaged in the com- mission business for five years. He was also connected with mercantile ineterests in that city, where he remained until 1907, when he came to Yakima county and pur- chased ten acres of land on Pleasant hill. He has since cultivated that tract and also operates another tract of ten acres. He has planted sixteen acres of this land to apples, pears, peaches and cherries and his orchards are in fine condition, bring- ing forth large crops. He has also built an attractive modern residence upon his ranch, together with good barns and all the necessary sheds and equipment for the

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care of his fruit. In addition to his personal interests he has set out thirty acres more in fruit for others.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 107

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1138