History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 112

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 112
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 112
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 112

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Following the acquirement of his public school education Adelard J. Lemieux entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, which in 1909 conferred upon him the degree of D. D. S. Feeling that the Pacific northwest offered good opportuni- ties for a young dentist, he made his way at once to Yakima and has here remained continuously since, building up a lucrative practice. He belongs to the Washington State Dental Association and thus keeps in close touch with the progress of the pro- fession.

On the 7th of January, 1918, Dr. Lemieux was united in marriage to Miss Gene- vieve Ditter, a daughter of John and Gertrude (Mechtel) Ditter. The father, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work, is a prominent pio- neer of the Yakima valley.

In politics Dr. Lemieux is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic church and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Country Club and is a valued member of the Com- mercial Club and the Business Men's Association, interested in all plans and move- ments for the development and upbuilding of the district. His course has ever been such as to merit the confidence and esteem accorded him and the circle of his friends is a wide one.

ROBERT EDWIN CAMERON.

The productive lands of the Yakima valley which have been so purposefully developed in the last quarter of a century are the evidence of the spirit of enter- prise which has moved all those who have here located. Among these is numbered Robert Edwin Cameron, a successful agriculturist, who owns a valuable property comprising one hundred and sixty acres in the Wenas district. A native of the Pacific coast country, he was born in Chico, California, October 23, 1873, a son of Ephraim and Emily J. (Butler) Cameron. The father, a native of Ohio, was born on May 26, 1830; and the mother in Illinois in 1846. He threw in his lot with the pio- neers of California and in 1874 came to the Wenas valley, in Yakima county, where he traded in a team for a homestead claim. Not long after his arrival, however, he passed away in the '70s. His widow survives and now makes her home in Yakima, residing at No. 110 Third avenue, North. In their family were three children who grew to adult age. John, who is a foreman of sawmill hands at Nile, Washington; Robert Edwin; and Clara, who makes her home with her mother in Yakima.

Robert E. Cameron received a public school education in old Yakima City and still well remembers the days when the railroad was built to this town. After laying aside his textbooks he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming thor- oughly acquainted with efficacious methods and all proccedings connected with farm work. At the age of sixteen he and his older brother, John F. Cameron, took charge of the mother's ranch, which they successfully operated, he remaining in that con- nection for quite some time with the exception of two years. About 1910 Robert E. Cameron acquired title to a valuable property comprising one hundred and sixty acres, nearly all of which he now has in a high state of cultivation. He raises hay and grain and also gives considerable attention to stock and along these lines his

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labors have been gratifyingly resultant. A fine new home stands as evidence of his thrift and industry besides other commodious and well appointed farm buildings, indicating the progressive spirit of the owner.

On the 10th of November, 1901, was solemnized the marriage of Robert E. Cameron and Maude Agnes Best, the latter a native of Missouri, born July 17, 1882. She is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Best. The Best family came to Washington when Mrs. Cameron was a babe in arms and settled in the Puget Sound district. Later, when Mrs. Cameron was nine years old, the family came to Yakima county, where she was educated. To this union has been born a son, Glen, on March 12, 1906, in Yakima. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are both very popular in the Wenas valley and vicinity, where they have many friends. Having been connected with the growth and development of his district from early boyhood, Mr. Cameron is num- bered among its honored pioneers and not only has he witnessed remarkable changes but has participated in those movements which have been undertaken in order to bring a higher civilization to this new country. He has ever been interested in edu- cational and material upbuilding and readily gives of his means and efforts to good causes although he has never aspired to public office. He is a republican, which party he generally supports, but deeply studying questions and issues, he largely con- siders the qualificatians of candidates and not their party affiliations. He is a rep- resentative western farmer, energetic, industrious and progressive, and through his labors has contributed toward the public wealth of the state.

MARWIN W. BEECHAM.

Marwin W. Beecham is one of the successful orchardists of Yakima county. He is operating thirty acres of land, which are planted to orchard, and he also car- ries on general farming. His business interests have been carefully and wisely con- ducted and the enterprising and scientific methods which he has followed have led to success. Mr. Beccham is a native of Minnesota, his birth having occurred in Forest Prairie township, Meeker county, on the 2d of April, 1870, his parents being Robert and Emma (Watkins) Beecham. The father was born in New Brunswick, while the mother's birth occurred in London, England. They were married in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where their parents had located in pioneer times. Robert Beecham is a veteran of the Civil war. Hc enlisted in the Second Wisconsin In- fantry and became captain of his company during the last year of the war. He par- ticipated in a number of hotly contested engagements and his valor and loyalty won him promotion. In 1866 he removed with his family to Minnesota, where he took up government land and began the development of a new claim. In 1880 he removed to Nebraska, where he carried on farming until 1887 and then returned to Wisconsin, establishing his home in Dane county, where he lived for seven years. In 1894 he came to Washington, settling at Everett, where he and his wife still make their home, and they have reached the ages of eighty-one and seventy-three years re- spectively.

Marwin W. Beccham acquired a public school education while spending his youthful days under the parental roof. Hc carried on farming in Wisconsin and afterward learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for twelve years in Everett and in Seattle, Washington, and during part of that time he was assistant instructor in mechanics at the State University in Seattle. In 1912 he removed to Yakima county and purchased twenty acres of land on Ahtanum Heights. This was covered with sagebrush. He worked diligently to uproot the native growth and make the land cultivable. Of this tract he has planted eight acres to apple trees and he also operates twenty-five acres of land belonging to his sisters, of which twenty-two acres is in orchard. Thus he has altogether thirty acres in orchard and his trees are in excellent bearing condition. He employs the most scientific methods in the care of his trees, enriches the soil by the use of fertilizers, and by spraying and in other ways protects the trees from all that proves detrimental to the produc- tion of the finest fruit. He likewise engages in raising hay and grain and makes the

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raising of hogs one of the features of his business. He has built a good house and substantial barns upon his place and has a splendidly improved property.

On the 17th of November, 1906, Mr. Beecham was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Burlingame, who was born at Dufur, Oregon, a daughter of George and Mary Burlingame, who were pioneers of that state, where the father engaged in ranching. They now reside on the Ahtanum, Mr. Burlingame having become a rancher of Yakima county. To Mr. and Mrs. Beecham has been born a son, Robert, who is now eight years of age.

Fraternally Mr. Beecham is connected with Everett Lodge No. 122, I. O. O. F., also with Evergreen Camp of the Woodmen of the World at Everett. He holds membership with the Congregational church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is highly esteemed as a man of sterling worth, enjoying the respect and confi- dence of all. Both he and his wife have many friends in their part of the county and Mr. Beecham is a representative of the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding and development of the northwest. Coming to this section of the country in boyhood days, he has witnessed much of its develop- ment and at all times has borne his part in the work of general progress and im- provement.

DIETRICH GERHART LEUNING.

Dietrich Gerhart Leuning, whose wide experience and success as an orchardist enables him to speak authoritatively upon questions relative to fruit raising in the Yakima valley, makes his home a mile northwest of Buena, where he has lived since the fall of 1909. He was born in Germany, January 5, 1858, a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Tisfeld) Leuning. The father died in Germany but the mother came to the United States at the age of seventy-five years and spent her last days in South Dakota.

D. G. Leuning remained a resident of Germany until he reached the age of twen- ty-five and then came to America in 1883, settling in Illinois. After five years spent in that state he established his home in Iowa, where he lived for twelve years, after which he was a resident of South Dakota for nine years. On the 16th of October, 1909, he arrived in the Yakima valley and purchased twenty acres of land a mile northwest of Buena. A part of this is in alfalfa. He also bought nineteen acres more above the canal but that tract was covered with sagebrush. He has since sold all but seven acres of the home farm, which is planted to orchard. He put a pumping plant on the upper nineteen acres, cleared it and also planted apples, pears and peaches there, converting the place into a splendid orchard property. From both tracts he gathers a large amount of fine fruit annually and as the years have passed he has prospered as one of the best fruit raisers of the northwest. Upon his home place he has erected a good residence and barns.

On the 2d of May, 1882, Mr. Leuning was married to Johanna Kremer, a native of Germany, and they have become parents of twelve children: Anna, the wife of Andrew Barker, a rancher near Zillah, by whom she has four children; Ernest, who is also engaged in ranching in the same locality and has a wife and five children; John, who is likewise a rancher and is married and has four children; Ella, the wife of William Eiler, a ranchman living in the Zillah district, by whom she has two children; Mary, the wife of Nels Nasby of South Dakota and the mother of two children; Hannah, the wife of William E. Laupp, a farmer of the Yakima valley, and they now have one child; Katherine, who is in the United States reclamation service; Minnie, the wife of Elliott Johnston, of Yakima; and George, William, Antze and Lydia, all at home. There are also seventeen grandchildren and the family record is notable in that there have been no deaths among the twelve childrn.

When Mr. Leuning came to. the United States he was seventy-five dollars in debt. As the years have passed he has prospered and at the same time has provided a most comfortable living for his family. He and his sons have cleaned up and im-

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proved many acres of fine land and his property holdings are now valuable and return to him a substantial income.

Mr. Leuning and his family are all members of the Evangelical Association and he assisted in founding the church near his home. His position upon the temper- ance question is indicated by the fact that he has voted the prohibition ticket the greater part of his life. His aid and influence are given to the support of measures which tend to uplift the individual and advance the interests of humanity.

HUGH D. SMITH.

Hugh D. Smith, a representative rancher living near Sunnyside, was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, March 17, 1871, a son of W. R. and Louisa (Birchill) Smith, who were natives of Tennessee but became early settlers of Missouri, where the father followed the occupation of farming for many years. He has now passed away, but the mother still survives and is at present living in Spokane, Washington.

Hugh D. Smith acquired a public school education and was reared in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy who divides his time between the work of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks connected with farm work. He continued to engage in farming with his father until he attained his majority and afterward he bought farm land in Missouri. There he carried on agricultural inter- ests on his own account until 1910, when he sold the property, and in 1911 he came to Yakima county and purchased forty-two acres two and a half miles northeast of Sunnyside. This was an improved ranch, which he has since owned and occupied. He has a fine home and his attention is given to the raising of corn, potatoes and hay. He also makes a specialty of raising sheep and hogs and likewise conducts a dairy business, having a good herd of full-blooded shorthorn cattle. His business interests are wisely and carefully conducted and results that accrue are most grati- fying.

On the 12th of March, 1902, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Docia A. Young, a native of Missouri and a daughter of H. W. and Kate (Catron) Young, They now have four children, namely: Young, Docia, Kenneth and George. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist church.

Mr. Smith gives his political support to the democratic party. While living in Missouri he served on the school board but has never been an office seeker, pre- ferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, and he is known as one of the successful ranchers of the Yakima valley. He has ever culti- vated the qualities of diligence and determination and allows no obstacle or diffi- culty to bar his path if it can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.

BURT L. HARRIS.

For fourteen years Burt L. Harris has been connected with important ranching interests in Yakima county. His long experience in the live stock business has been one of the causes of his success which he has achieved along that line and he is, moreover, interested in other enterprises, being interested in financial and commer- cial institutions.

Mr. Harris was born in Stella, Nebraska, May I, 1875, his parents being Isaac and Rosie G. Harris, both of whom removed from the state of Illinois to Nebraska in the '60s, being numbered among the honored pioneers of the latter state. There the father gave his attention to the live stock business, attaining considerable suc- cess, and he was popular in the community, in which he had made many friends during his long residence.

Mr. Harris of this review was reared under the parental roof and from his parents received his first lessons in regard to life's duties. He acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood and after laying aside his textbooks entered upon the same line of business in which his father was engaged, assisting the latter in his

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live stock interests. He so continned for nearly twenty years, but in 1904 conceived the idea of making removal to the far west, having heard many favorable reports of the opportunities and advantages presented to a young man in the state of Wash- ington and particularly in Yakima county. He at first located upon a ranch on the Moxee, where he remained for some time, but later acquired a large property on the reservation and this has remained the headquarters of his live stock interests ever since. In the conduct of his business he has utilized progressive methods and now has about four hundred head of beef steers and also raises a valuable hay crop upon his property. He is a trustee of the Yakima Trust Company, his business abil- ity and good judgment being readily recognized by his co-directors of the institu- tion. He is also connected with the Pasco Union Stock Yards, of which he is a director, and is president of Harris Brothers, Inc., which firm he founded in part- nership with his brother, George W. Harris, who is representing the family in war activities, being connected with Red Cross work in Europe.

On June 25, 1913, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Nevene Pelham, a native of Indiana and a daughter of J. M. Pelham, who became a resident of Pasco, Washington, in 1910. He was connected in an official capacity with the Northern Pacific Railroad and was respected by his superior officers and esteemed by those who worked under him, all recognizing in him an able and loyal official. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris has been born a son, Guy Pelham.

Mr. Harris has always taken a laudable part in the further upbuilding of his county and the particular section in which he lives and is ever ready to give of his time and means in order to promote objects which he considers worthy and useful. Since coming here he has made many friends and is particularly well known in the local blue lodge of Masons, of which he has become a member, while he is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Both he and his wife are a welcome addition to the younger set of the neighborhood in which they reside and there are many who enjoy the open-hearted hospitality of their pleasant home.

ALFRED F. GUINAN.

Alfred F. Guinan, a teacher in the schools of Iowa, a miner and prospector in Alaska and now successfully identified with fruit raising in the Yakima valley, is the owner of valuable orchards covering about eighty-four acres of land near Selah. Mr. Guinan was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, in June, 1868, a son of Charles and Mary Ann (Kelly) Guinan, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Canada, in which country their marriage was celebrated. Crossing the border into the United States, they became residents of Iowa about 1865 or 1866 and there the father engaged in farming until his death. Both he and his wife have passed away and they left to their family a most creditable name.

Alfred F. Guinan acquired a public school education and during vacation periods assisted his father in the work of the fields. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his attention largely upon farm work but also took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a year in Iowa. He then removed to the northwest and for a year was identified with educational interests in Montana. Later he be- came associated with the Blackfoot Milling Company as bookkeeper and scaler, oc- cupying that dual position for five years. He was next bookkeeper with the Mam- moth Gold Mining Company in Montana and in 1899 he went to the Klondike, spend- ing four months in Dawson. In the spring of 1900 he removed to Nome and there remained continuously with the exception of two winter seasons, until 1907. During his stay in the far north he located a group of claims near Nome and still has mining inter- ests in that section. He is also the owner of a large dredge which is being operated in that part of the country. In the fall of 1907 Mr. Guinan, however, came to Yakima and bought an interest in orchard land on Selah Heights. He finally made indi- vidual investment in eighty-four acres, whereon he now resides, and of this he has eighty acres planted to apples and pears. His orchards are among the best in this section of the state. They are in excellent bearing condition and everything is done along the most modern, progressive and scientific lines to keep his trees healthy

ALFRED F. GUINAN

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that fruit of the finest size, quality and flavor may be produced. He has also seeded the greater part of his land to alfalfa and is thus raising a double crop. In 1911 he erected a fine home upon his place, it being one of the attractive residences of that part of the valley.

In 1904 Mr. Guinan was married to Miss Alice Weober, of Davenport, Iowa. Fraternally he is connected with Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B. P. O. E., and also with the Knights of Columbus and his membership in the latter also indicates the con- nection of the family with the Catholic faith, being communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic church. His political support is given to the democratic party, and while never an office seeker, he keeps well informed on the questions and vital political problems of the day. He is a member of the Arctic Brotherhood of Alaska and a life member of the Arctic Club, of Seattle, and has had most interesting and varied experiences during his sojourn in the northwest. Today he is ranked among the wide-awake, alert and energetic business men of Yakima county, his wisely directed efforts being a potent force in bringing to him substantial prosperity.

FRED P. KAPPELMAN.

Fred P. Kappelman is a member of the firm of Kappelman Brothers, proprietors of a noonday eating house of Yakima and well known manufacturers of candy, ice cream, etc. This business, which was established in February, 1910, has grown stead- ily under the capable management and wise direction of the Kappelman Brothers, whose enterprise ranks them with the foremost business men of their adopted city.

Fred P. Kappelman was born October 18, 1876, in Chicago, a son of Fred P. and Minnie L. (Kliese) Kappelman. The father has now passed away but the mother is living in Evanston, Illinois. It was in the schools of that attractive suburb that Fred P. Kappelman pursued his education and in 1901 he went to Alaska, where his brother Frank had located in 1897. The brothers were associated in the candy busi- ness there for sixteen months and in 1909 came to Yakima and established business in February, 1910, in a corner of Clarke's drug store, where they conducted their in- terests for three years. They then removed to No. 213 East Yakima avenue, where they continued for four years, after which they secured a pleasing location at No. 218 East Yakima avenue, where they occupy a room twenty-eight by one hundred and forty feet. They conduct a fine noonday luncheon and have a seating capacity for one hundred. Their place is liberally patronized by reason of the excellent cook- ing and the high quality of food products there served. The firm also manufactures candy, ice cream, syrups and other goods of that character and they employ eighteen people. Their patronage is steadily increasing and the business has proven profit- able from the beginning.

Fred P. Kappelman was married January 5, 1911, to Miss Jennie C. Culver, of Chicago. He belongs to the Elks Lodge No. 318, of Yakima, also to the Knights of Pythias and to the Commercial Club and has many warm friends in all of these or- ganizations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship but stands loyally for those interests which are of civic worth. He does not seek or desire office, however, as his time and energy are concentrated upon the development of the business, which has steadily grown to its present gratifying proportions.

FRANK G. KAPPELMAN.

The name of Kappelman is synonymous with high standards of restaurant service in Yakima and Frank G. Kappelman is one of the proprietors of a noonday eating establishment of merit, in connection with which is conducted the manufacture of candies, ice cream, syrups and other goods of that character. In this enterprise he is associated with his twin brother, Fred P. Kappelman. They were born on the 18th of October, 1876, in Chicago, Illinois, and pursued their education in the public

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schools of Evanston, where the family home was maintained. Frank G. Kappelman learned the printing business in Chicago and in 1897 he went to Alaska, where he carried on mining. Later he was engaged in the printing business there, first in Dawson, and afterward in Nome. He was connected with Major Strong, recently governor of Alaska, in the founding of the Nome News in 1899 and was in charge of the mechanical end of the business, with which lie was connected for several years. Later he again resumed mining operations in the vicinity of Mount Mckinley, being one of the few to see that noted peak. He spent thirteen years in Alaska, including the winter as well as the summer of seasons, and during the last year and a half which he spent in that country he was associated with his twin brother in the candy manufacturing business at Nome. Returning to the states, they settled at Yakima in 1909 and in 1910 opened the business which they now carry on. They began on a small scale, occupying a corner of Clarke's drug store but after three years were obliged to seek larger quarters and a second time have been forced to remove in order to secure a greater space. They now have a well appointed noonday rcs- taurant with a seating capacity of a hundred and their trade is cared for by eighteen employes. They also enjoy a liberal patronage in the manufacture of syrups, ice cream and candy and their business- is of a very substantial size.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 112

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