History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 121

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 121
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 121
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 121

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In 1881 Mr. James was married to Miss Achsa Hayward ,of Weybridge, Vermont, a daughter of Judge A. D. Hayward. They have two children. Laura Susan, the elder, became the wife of Harvey Young, of Yakima, and has two children. The younger daughter, Julia Lucile, residing in New York, is a graduate of Whitman Col- lege, pursued a library course at Columbia College, and is now librarian in the Na- tional City Bank of New York.

Mr. and Mrs. James hold membership in the Congregational church, taking an active and helpful interest in its work and upbuilding . Mr. James is a life member of the Commercial Club, one of three thus identified with the organibation, and he served as its secretary from 1906 until 1911. He has been a most thorough and earnest student of conditions which have to do with the commercial progress of his section of the state and especially with the development of the fruit raising and ship- ping interests and his work in this connection has been far-reaching and beneficial. His splendid qualities as a business man and as a citizen number him among the rep- resentative and honored residents of the valley.

JOSEPH B. ELLIOTT.

Joseph B. Elliott, who is living in Yakima at the venerable age of eighty years, has been engaged in the conduct of a valuable fruit ranch near the city. This land is now included in the city limits and most of it Mr. Elliott has disposed of, retaining, nowever, two and a half acres, where he resides. He was born in Lorain county, Ohio, on the 8th of September, 1838, a son of Moses A. and Hannah (Barnard) Elliott. The father, a native of Vermont, removed to Ohio in 1833 and about a third of a century later, in 1867, made his way to Putnam county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was called to her final rest while a resident of Ohio.

Joseph B. Elliott pursued his education in the schools of the Buckeye state and was there married. In 1865 he removed to Putnam county, Illinois, while subse- quently he took up his abode in LaSalle county, that state, where he continued to make his home until the time of his removal to the Pacific northwest in 1901. Dis- posing of his interests in Illinois, he came to Yakima and purchased a fruit ranch of twenty acres near the city which he cultivated most successfully for a number of years. Later the city limits were extended to include this ranch. He has now sold all except two and a half acres of the tract and there he is living in the enjoyment of good health, ease and comfort.

In 1863 Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Gott, who passed

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away in Yakima in 1903, leaving four children: Lina and Minnie, both at home; and Grant and Judd, twins. Grant Elliott is now a real estate owner of Seattle, is mar- ried and has three daughters and a son. Judd also lives in Seattle and is married and has two sons.

Politically Mr. Elliott is a stanch republican, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He attends the Congregational church and his career has ever been such that he well merits the regard and esteem accorded him. During the period of his residence in Yakima, covering seventeen years, he has gained many friends and is now spending the evening of life in quiet and content.

WILLIAM S. JOHNSTON.

William S. Johnston, a well known orchardist and rancher living near Sunnyside, was born in Ontario, Canada, Navember 29, 1847, a son of Robert T. and Mary (Kidd) Johnston, both of whom were natives of England. They crossed the Atlantic to Canada in early life and in 1872 the father removed with his family to Michigan and there spent his remaining days.

The son, William S. Johnston, acquired a public school education and through the period of his boyhood and youth farmed with his father when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He thus early received practical training in the occu- pation which he has made a life work. In 1874 he arrived in Walla Walla, Wash- ington, and in 1877 took up government land in Whitman county, where for many years he carried on farming, devoting his attention to the tilling of the soil there until 1903. In that year he sold his property in Whitman county and bought eighty acres in Yakima county, two miles northwest of Sunnyside. It was then a tract of wild land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began its development and the results which he has achieved are most creditable and satisfying. He now has fifteen acres planted to fruit trees and his orchard is in excellent condition. The remainder of his land is devoted to the raising of hay and to general farming and both branches of his busi- ness are proving profitable. His farm presents a most neat and attractive appear- ance, indicting his careful supervision and progressive methods.

In 1885 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Mrs. Viola Flowers, who re- moved to Oregon in 1851, with her people, taking up their abode among the pioneer settlers of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of five children, namely: Lulu, Ora and Leo, all at home; Mabel, who is the wife of Charles Hamilton, of Yakima; and Perry, who is also yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Johnson is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he has held all of the chairs. In politics he is a republican and while living in Whitman county he was chosen as its representative to the state legislature in 1895. That he is interested in the cause of education is indicated by his service on the school board. He at all times stands for progress and improvement in relation to public affairs, while in his business interests he is actuated by a spirit of enterprise that never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.

J. EDGAR BARKES.

J. Edgar Barkes, a well known and successful young business man of Yakima, is the president of the Central Drug Company, of which concern he has been at the head since its establishment in March, 1913. His birth occurred in Columbus, Indiana, on the 4th of March, 1885, his parents being Isaac N. and Emma (Williams) Barkes, the latter now deceased. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, still resides in Indiana.

After pursuing his public school education J. Edgar Barkes entered the School of Pharmacy of Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and following his grad- uation in 1904 was employed as a clerk in the Hoosier state for two years. On attain-

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ing his majority, in 1906, he made his way westward to Spokane, Washington, and sub- sequently worked as a clerk in that and other cities of the state. The year 1912 wit- nessed his arrival in Yakima and at the end of a six months' period of clerkship here he purchased the business of the Stafford Drug Company, changing the name to the Central Drug Company, Incorporated He has acted as president since its establish- ment in March, 1913, while H. E. Tim is the secretary and treasurer. In 1917 removal was made from the first location at No. 416 West Yakima avenue to the corner of West Yakima and Fifth avenues, where they have a modern drug store, twenty-five by sixty feet, with tile floor. In February, 1915, they opened a branch store at Ros- lyn, Washington, which was conducted by Mr. Tim until 1918, when he entered the military service of his country and the establishment was sold. The business in Yakima has reached extensive and gratifying proportions, for Mr. Barkes thoroughly understands his profession and, moreover, manifests excellent business ability and the utmost integrity in the conduct of the enterprise A large line of drugs and druggists' sundries is attractively arranged and the patronage is continually growing.

On the 8th of March, 1908, Mr. Barkes was united in marriage to Miss Alma Fisher, of Denver, Colorado, by whom he has a son, Robert, who is now in his third year. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Foresters. He has become widely and favorably known in both business and social circles of Yakima and has made many friends who rejoice in his prosperity, for it has been most honorably won.

ROBERT H. WILKINSON.

Robert H. Wilkinson acquired a public school education and farmed with his brother upon the old home place during the period of his youth and early manhood. In 1897 he rented land in Illinois and continued its cultivation until he came to Yakima county in 1912, at which time he purchased thirty acres of land a mile and a half north of Sunnyside. This was all improved. He now has thirteen acres planted to fruit and his orchards are in excellent condition, forming a most attractive fea- ture of the landscape. The balance of his farm is devoted to the production of corn, potatoes and general crops.

On the 28th of April, 1897, Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Inez Josephine Strawn, who was born at Kirkland, Illinois, and passed away January 21, 1917. She was a member of the Congregational church and Mr. Wilkinson also has membership in that church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has never sought political office but for fifteen years while in Illinois he served as a member of the school board. Since coming to the northwest he has concen- trated his efforts and energies upon the development of his ranch property and is re- garded as one of the successful orchardists of his part of Yakima county.

JOHN W. SKINNER.

John W. Skinner, whose ranch of sixty acres is situated two and a half miles northwest of Sunnyside, was born in Cass county, Indiana, March 10, 1860, a son of Andrew J. and Eliza Jane (Payton) Skinner. The father was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, as was the mother, and their marriage was celebrated in their native state. Soon afterward they removed to Indiana and Mr. Skinner engaged in farming in that state until 1872, when he went to Osage county, Kansas, where both he and his wife passed away.

John W. Skinner acquired a public school education and at the age of twenty years started in business on his own account. He rented land in the middle west until 1911, when he came to Yakima county, Washington, and continued the cultiva- tion of rented land until 1916. He then purchased a tract of sixty acres two and a half miles northwest of Sunnyside, an improved ranch property on which is a good

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house, substantial barns and other modern equipments. His attention is given to the cultivation of such crops as hay, corn and potatoes and he also conducts a dairy business. His plans are well defined and promptly executed and his energy has been the strong foundation of his success.

On the 24th of December, 1882, Mr. Skinner was united in marriage to Miss Mellie M. Burkett, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of G. W. and Melissa (Dariberry) Burkett, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have two daughters: Jessie Belle, the wife of William Burt, a farmer of Osage county, Kansas, by whom she has three children; and Jennie Jeanette, the wife of John A. Frye, a ranchman of Yakima. by whom she has one child.

Fraternally Mr. Skinner is connected with the Ancient Order of United Work- men and politically he is a republican, but his attention and interest center upon his business affairs and his close application thereto has brought to him a graifying measure of prosperity.

De WITT TUFTS.

DeWitt Tufts, an enterprising and successful business man of Yakima, is the active manager of the West Side Drug Company at No. 602 West Yakima avenne. He was born near Fargo, North Dakota, in 1888, a son of D. C. and Belle (Camp- bell) Tufts, who established their home in Yakima in the year 1907. They have since become widely and favorably known here and the father has been engaged in the fruit business.

After completing his public school education DeWitt Tufts became a student in the department of pharmacy in the North Dakota Agricultural College at Fargo, while subsequently he was employed as a drug clerk in that city for four years. Coming to Yakima, he continued clerking until 1913, when in association with R. W. Lennon he purchased the interests of W. A. Coffin and established the West Side Drug Company on the 13th of March. In 1916 Murray Brown purchased an interest in the business and in January of the following year the Brown Pharmacy was opened in the Majestic building. Mr. Brown has since been in charge there, while Mr. Tufts manages the store of the company at No. 602 West Yakima avenne, where they have a handsome and up-to-date establishment. They carry a complete stock of goods in their line and have built up an extensive and enviable patronage which places them among the substantial and representative business men of the city.

On the 31st of December, 1911, Mr. Tufts was united in marriage to Miss Marvel Kauffman, of Yakima, hy whom he has two children, Joan and Roy. In his political views he is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party, and fra- ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also an interested and active member of the Yakima Commercial Club and the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and is widely recognized as an alert, energetic and enterprising young business man who has already gained a most creditable and well deserved measure of prosperity.

FRANKLIN R. FULMER.

Franklin R. Fulmer is a member of the firm of Fulmer Brothers, proprietors of the best equipped machine shop and garage in Yakima. His business has been de- veloped along substantial lines, showing him to be thoroughly conversant with every branch of the trade and possessing at the same time the mechanical skill and in- genuity upon which success of that character must depend.

Mr. Fulmer was born in Rochelle, Illinois, September 12, 1887, and is a son of John and Mary Fulmer. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family, has now passed away, but the mother survives and is living in Moline, Illinois.

In the year 1893 the family removed to Olin, Iowa, and it was there that Franklin

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R. Fulmer acquired his public school education. He afterward learned the machin- ist's trade in Moline, Illinois, and has followed the trade in various parts of the United States, his skill and ability enabling him to readily obtain work wherever he lived. In 1911 he came to Yakima and was employed in a local shop for a year. He was then appointed to the position of deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for nearly two years, after which he established business on his own account in 1914 by becoming one of the organizers of the firm of Fulmer Brothers. Their business was established at No. 317 West Yakima avenue and in 1916 a removal was made to No. 510 West Yakima avenue. In 1917 F. R. Fulmer was joined by H. B. Fulmer and the partnership relation still continues. They have a machine shop which is ninety-five by one hundred and forty feet. It is the best equipped shop in Yakima county, being supplied with all the latest improved machinery for work of this char- acter, and they employ from ten to twelve men. They do acetylene welding and they are sales agents for the Velie trucks and touring cars throughout Yakima county.

In 1914 Mr. Fulmer was married to Miss Katherine Shuk, of Yakima, and they have one child, Francis. Mr. Fulmer has never been prominent as a lodge man or clubman, preferring in his leisure hours to devote his time to his family, while in business he has displayed that close application and unabating energy which are always dominant factors in the attainment of legitimate success.

EDWARD A. LINDSEY.

Edward A. Lindsey, manager for Bradner & Company of Yakima, is one of the native sons of the city in which he makes his home. He was born in 1868, his pa- rents being William and Addie J. Lindsey, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Indiana. The father was a son of Walter Lindsey, who came to Yakima in 1865 when the work of development and progress had scarcely been begun in this section of the state. Walter Lindsey took up a homestead, owning the old Chambers place and later the Sanford place, and he became well known as a stock- man in this part of Washington, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. William Lindsey was in the government service on the plains during the Civil war and made his way to the northwest in 1867, at which time he took up govern- ment land and developed a claim, becoming one of the well known ranchmen of the district. He is now living retired. In the early days he drove a freight team in this district and was one of the typical pioneers of the period. At one time he was the owner of forty acres of land now included within the center of Yakima, having traded a horse for that land, which later he sold for one thousand dollars. At differ- ent periods he has owned land throughout this district and he has been an active factor in promoting the development and upbuilding of the section in which he lives. He served as assessor and as deputy sheriff in an early day and at all times he has stood for the best interests of the community.

Edward A. Lindsey, whose name introduces this review, is indebted to the public school system for his educational opportunities. In his youthful days he rode the range in connection with the stock business and was quite active in connection with the buying and selling of horses. He afterward turned his attention to farming, in which he engaged until 1904, when he removed to Yakima, where he purchased a home which he has since occupied. On the 15th of June, 1906, he began working for the firm of Bradner & Company in their office. This branch buys cream for the creamery in Seattle and Mr. Lindsey, proving his worth and ability, was appointed to the position of manager of the Yakima establishment in 1908 and has so served to the present time.

In November, 1892, Mr. Lindsey was married to Miss Ida Parker, of Kansas, who came to Yakima with her parents in 1890. The children of this marriage are: Harry A., who is a first lieutenant in the United States artillery; William, twenty- one years of age, who is a lieutenant in the United States army; and Eva, twelve years of age, at home.

Mr. Lindsey maintains an independent political course, voting for the candidates

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whom he regards as best qualified for office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, but has never been active in lodge or club circles. He served for three years as school director and the cause of educatoon finds in him a stalwart champion. A lifelong resident of the northwest. he has made his home in Yakima for a half cen- tury and there are few so familiar with the history of its growth as he. He has lived to witness great changes and has always had much faith in the future of city and district-a faith which he has lived to see justified in the rapid development and substantial business upbuilding of the valley in recent years.

MICHAEL LENTZ.

Michael Lentz is well known in business circles of Yakima as the president of the Lentz Hardware Company, which was established in 1910. He is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, where his birth occurred in 1870, his parents being Philip and Frances (Ernsdorff) Lentz. The father, who successfully followed farming through- out his active business career, is now living retired in Yakima.

Michael Lentz supplemented his early educational advantages by a course of study in an Iowa business college and when a young man of twenty-two years entered the heavy wholesale hardware business in Dubuque. This line of activity has always claimed his attention and to his steady application to this one business his success is undoubtedly due in large measure. In 1909 he left the Hawkeye state and made his way to Yakima, Washington, where for a year he was employed in a hardware store. In 1910 he established the Lentz Hardware Company, purchasing the inter- ests of the Haney Hardware Company, which had been organized in 1908. The store is situated at the corner of Fourth and West Yakima avenues and is fifty by one hun- dred and forty feet, with basement throughout. The company carries a general line of hardware, also paints, oils and glass and does plumbing and installation work of heating systems, having built up an extensive and gratifying patronage in these lines. The officers of the concern are as follows: Michael Lentz, president: Jacob Lentz, secretary and treasurer; and J. B. Lentz, vice president. In addition to the hardware establishment Mr. Lentz also owns a fine fruit orchard and his present prosperity is indeed well deserved, for he is a man of excellent business ability, sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise.

In 1897 Mr. Lentz was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kass, of Illinois, by whom he has five children, as follows: Marie, who is a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy; Loleti, a student in St. Joseph's Academy: Raymond, who is pursuing his studies in Marquette College; and Cyril and Eva, both at home.

Politically Mr. Lentz is a stanch republican and he belongs to the Commercial Club and to the Business Men's Association, taking an active part in the work of these organizations to promote the advancemene of Yakima along material lines. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Joseph's Catholic church and his identification with the Knights of Columbus. His course has ever been such as to win the esteem and regard of those with whom he has been associated and he enjoys an enviable reputation as a representative and successful citizen of Yakima.

WILLIAM TODD.

William Todd, successfully engaged in the dairy business near Yakima, belongs to that class of men whose individual efforts, resulting in the attainment of success, have won for them the proud American title of a self-made man. He was born in Scotland, February 7, 1843, a son of Alexander and Hannah Todd, both of whom spent their entire lives in Scotland.

The son acquired a public school education in his native country and then took up the occupation of farming, which he followed there for a considerable period. At length, however, he decided to leave the land of crag and glen, of mountain peak and mountain lake, of lowland, heath and plain, the land of liberty, poetry and song.

WILLIAM TODD

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of religious and educational zeal, the home of Wallace and Bruce, of Scott and Burns, whose heroes have honored Britain's flag on every field, from Waterloo to the Marne, the ancestral home of many of America's brightest, best and most distinguished men. When home ties were severed he crossed the Atlantic in the year 1892 and made his way to Minnesota. There he resided for about two years and on the 1st of February, 1894. arrived in Yakima, where for a time he worked for wages. He then began farming on his own account on rented land, and prospering in the undertaking, on the 1st of March, 1902, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, one-half of which is plow land. He then entered the dairy business and is now the owner of registered Holstein cattle. He is engaged in milking twenty cows and is thus conducting a large dairy business, finding a ready sale for his product. He has forty acres planted to alfalfa and also engages in raising corn and other grains. Upon his place he has built a fine home, large barns and sheds and has all of the modern equipment of a twentieth century model dairy farm. He has purchased five registered bulls for his herd since taking up his abode upon this place and has one of the finest herds of Holstein cattle to be found in the northwest. His business interests are conducted under the name of William Todd & Sons, for he has associated his sons with him in the undertaking.

In 1874 Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Grace Milroy, a native of Scotland, and to them have been born five children: Hannah, now the wife of George Jackson and the mother of one daughter; Alexander, at home; Maggie, the wife of William Allan, by whom she has five sons and a daughter; Grace, who is the wife of Herman Helmich and the mother of three daughters and one son; and William, who is also at home, associated with his father in the dairy business.

Mr. Todd and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and the sons as well as the father, are republicans in their political views. Mr. Todd has now reached the age of seventy-six years, but is still an active and alert man, carefully directing his business affairs and taking active part in the work of the farm. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. When he arrived in the new world his financial resources were limited but with determined purpose he set out to wrest fortune from the hands of fate in this country. With love for his native land, he is nevertheless deeply attached to his adopted country and is an enthusiastic sup- porter of the northwest and its opportunities. Here he has gradually worked his way upward until he now occupies a place among the men of affluence who are Inter- ested in farming and dairying in the vicinity of Yakima.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 121

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