History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 123

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 123
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 123
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 123

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On the 5th of September, 1900, Mr. Harsch was united in marriage to Miss M. Ardelle Travis, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and they have two children, Alfred and Orlena.

WILLIAM R. BENHAM.

William R. Benham is living retired in Yakima but is still the owner of an ex- cellent ranch property near the city, which he rents. He was born in Syracuse, New York, September 24. 1863, a son of James V. and Isabel (Hamilton) Benham. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and engaged in preaching all over the state of New York.

William R. Benham spent the days of his hoyhood and early youth in the east and in 1880, when a lad of seventeen years, made his way westward to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he entered the cattle business, remaining in that state for a decade. He afterward went to Idaho, where he was similarly employed, and in 1903 he ar-

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rived in Yakima, after which he purchased a stock ranch near the city. This he stocked with fine Holstein cattle and high grade hogs and his stock raising interests have been an important source of revenue to him since that time. At present he is renting his ranch property and living in Yakima, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.

On the 1st of October, 1888. Mr. Benham was married to Miss Emily Guest, of Fort Collins, a daughter of James and Annie (Morris) Guest, both of whom were natives of London, England. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world they set- tled first in New York and afterward removed to Colorado, where the father con- ducted business, being a jeweler by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Benham have one child, V'eva Grace, who is now a teacher in the high school of Yakima.

Mr. Benham belongs to the Woodmen of the World and his political endorse- ment is given to the republican party. In his business career he has steadily advanced and it has been by reason of his close application, keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise that he has gained a place among the men of affluence in Yakima, with interests sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor.

CHARLES E. HEWITT.

Charles E. Hewitt, a civil engineer of Yakima, was born in. Iowa, October 30, 1868, a son of W. J. and Amy Ann (Bergan) Hewitt, who were farming people, and the father, in addition to tilling the soil, was also engaged in contracting and build- ing. He lived for many years in Louisa county, Iowa, but has now passed away. His widow, however, survives and has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.

Charles E. Hewitt is a graduate of the Iowa State University of the class of 1897, in which he completed a course in civil engineering. He was afterward with the geo- logical survey and did work in connection with railways until 1903, being engaged in work in the central states. Later he became connected with the reclamation service of the United States government and came to Washington on the Okanogan project, having charge of it during the second year. He was connected therewith until 1909, when he retired from the government service and has since been engaged in private practice in Yakima. His thorough preliminary training, his broad experi- ence and his wide scientific knowledge well qualify him for important duties in this connection and his clientage is now large. His work has identified him with many important civil engineering projects in the northwest and he has, in addition to pri- vate work, served as water commissioner for the past three years under the state hydraulic engineer.

In 1906 Mr. Hewitt was united in marriage to Miss Cora L. Eichar, a native of Conway, Iowa, and to them has heen born a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth. The relig- ious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt is that of the Presbyterian church and in political belief he is a republican. He belongs to the Yakima Engineering Club and also to the Pacific Northwest Society of Engineers and is held in the highest esteem by his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession, who recognize his superior worth and ability along engineering lines.

VALENTINE RETTIG.

Valentine Rettig, now deceased, became a farmer of Yakima county in 1899. He was born in Germany, October 30, 1846, and acquired his education in the schools of that country. He came to the United States in 1866, when twenty years of age, and first settled near Erie, Kansas, where he purchased railway land and engaged in farming. For a third of a century he resided in that locality and on the 4th of August, 1899, arrived in Yakima county, where he purchased forty acres of land seven miles southwest of the city of Yakima. The greater part of the tract was still wild and undeveloped and with characteristic energy and determination he began the im-

MR. AND MRS. VALENTINE RETTIG

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provement of the place. He built thereon a comfortable residence and added various other improvements, carrying on the work of the fields year by year as time passed on. Barns have been built upon the farm since he died and the equipment is now thoroughly modern. Mr. Rettig planted two acres to orchard, raising apples and pears, and the remainder of the farm is devoted to the growing of alfalfa, grain' and potatoes.

In 1878 Mr. Rettig was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Miller, who was born in Indiana in 1860, a daughter of David and Emma (Guthrie) Miller, who in the year 1872 removed westward to Kansas, where her father continued to engage in farming until about 1904, when he brought his family to Yakima county, Washing- ton. The father died at the age of eighty-three years, while the mother passed away in 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Rettig were born ten children: E. H., who has followed farming on the Cowiche and is now working in the navy yard at Olympia, is mar- ried and has eight children; G. W., residing in Idaho, is also married; Mary Kath- erine is the wife of Samuel Taylor, a resident of Gooding, Idaho, and has four chil- dren; Alice is the wife of William Beden, living on a ranch on the Cowiche, and they have two children; Annie is the wife of M. J. Gardner, a resident of Prosser, and they have three children; Augusta is the wife of Ben Hartley, of Idaho, by whom she has one child: Otto is at home: Mark is a member of the United States navy, and John and Charles are both at home.

Mr. Rettig was a member of the Lutheran church and his wife and children adhere to the same religious faith. His political allegiance was given to the demo- cratic party. He was very active in church work and was widely known and loved throughout the community in which he resided. He passed away April 7, 1915.

JOHN WAYENBERG.

John Wayenberg was a representative of that Holland community that has con- tributed so largely and beneficially to the upbuilding and development of the Yakima valley. He was born in Holland, December 31, 1862, a son of Tennis and Grace (Van de Braak) Wayenberg and is a brother of Henry Wayenberg, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. He acquired a public school education and thus became well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. When his schoolbooks were put aside he took up farming and later purchased land from his father. He followed agricultural pursuits in Iowa until 1901, when he came west to Yakima county and made investment in forty acres of land, which was then entirely wild. He cleared this and placed improvements upon it, erecting a fine home, large and commodious barns and also putting up good fences. Later he bought four acres more and his landed possessions then comprised a valuable ranch property of forty- four acres. Of this he planted nine acres to fruit, the four which he bought having already been thus planted. He made a specialty of raising apples, pears and grapes and annually produced large crops. The remainder of his land was devoted to gen- eral farming and his labors were attended by substantial success. He understood the nature and condition of the soil, the demands of his crops in this particular and the best methods of propagating his grain and fruit. His labors were followed by very gratifying results and he became known as one of the substantial agriculturists and horticulturists of his district. He was a member of the Yakima County Horti- cultural Union and he did everything in his power to bring about improved condi- tions for the fruit raisers.

On the 19th of January, 1888, Mr. Wayenberg was married to Miss Dina Hul- shof, a native of Holland and a daughter of Herman and Cornelia (Endendyk) Hul- shof. The father died in Holland and the mother afterward became the wife of Herman Naberhauis, who brought the family to the United States in 1885, settling in Iowa, where the wife and mother passed away in 1916. Mr. Naberhauis, however, still survives and yet makes his home in lowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Wayenberg have been born four children. Grace is the wife of Charles Van Wechel, who cultivates the old homestead farm, and they have two children. Cornelia is the wife of Frank Gerritson, a rancher living on the Moxee, and they have one child. Peter is a mem-

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her of the Aviation Corps of the United States army and is now in France. Lawrence Henry, eleven years of age, completes the family.

The death of John Wayenberg occurred March 23, 1917. He was a loyal and de- voted member of the Reformed church to which his wife also belonged, but Mrs. Wayenberg has since joined the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wayenberg was a stanch republican in his political views and his worth as a man and citizen was widely ac- knowledged. All who knew him esteemed him for his many sterling traits of char- acter and his active and useful career constitutes an example that others may profit- ably follow, for his record shows what can be accomplished through individual ef- fort, not only in the way of building up a successful business but also in the way of building up character and winning the good name that is rather to be chosen than great riches.

CARLOS A. ENGLES.

Carlos A. Engles, who is engaged in general farming in Yakima county, was born in Germany in 1841. His boyhood and youth were passed in his native country and in 1870 he came to the United States, after which he secured employment in Pennsylvania. He afterward worked in Minnesota for two years and in 1874 made his way westward to the Pacific coast, settling in California. There he engaged in ranching until 1885, when he came to the Yakima valley and purchased thirty acres of land five and a half miles southwest of the city of Yakima. Upon that place he built a home and has since occupied it. His attention is given to the raising of grain, hay and cattle and his well directed energies are bringing to him substantial success.

In 1889 Mr. Engles was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Schroeder, of New York, who passed away in October, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Engles became the parents of two children: Emma, at home; and Minnie, who has departed this life. Mr. Engles and his daughter manage the ranch together, the father depending largely upon his daughter, whose assistance and business judgment have been of the greatest benefit in the conduct of the ranch. They are pioneer people of this section of the state who have lived lives of intelligently directed industry, and they are highly esteemed wherever known.

CORNELIUS J. LYNCH, M. D.

Dr. Cornelius J. Lynch, a prominent member of the medical profession, prac- ticing at Yakima, where he makes a specialty of surgery, was born in Chehalis. Lewis county, Washington, on the 4th of August, 1874, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, his parents being T. J. and Julia (McCarty) Lynch, who were natives of Ireland and who established their home in Lewis county, Washington, in 1869. They had gone to San Francisco, California, in 1849 and after twenty years' residence in that state made their way northward to Washington, traveling by team and wagon. In 1878 they became residents of Yakima county, and Mr. Lynch took up a homestead claim and began irrigating the place. He engaged in raising hops until 1880 and afterward followed stock raising and di- versified farming. At the time of the Perkins massacre he and his family lived in a sod fort for six weeks. At a later period Mr. Lynch removed to North Yakima, where his remaining days were spent in retirement, enjoying a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. His widow survives and is now living in Yakima.

Dr. Lynch was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children. Hc has spent his entire life in Washington and in his youthful days attended the coun- try school, to which he had to go a distance of three and a half miles. Later he had the advantage of high school training in Yakima and subsequently he entered the Washington State Normal School at Ellensburg, while his professional course was pursued in the University of Louisville at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institu-

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tion he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1900. Having thus qualified for a professional career, Dr. Lynch returned to Yakima after one year of hospital work and has since devoted his time and attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery but largely specializes in the latter field, in which he has developed notable talent.

In 1903 Dr. Lynch was united in marriage to Miss Pearl M. Painter, of Walla Walla, Washington, and to them have been born two children, Herbert and Margaret. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Dr. Lynch holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Country Club of Yakima. In politics he main- tains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Along strictly professional lines his association is with the Yakima County and the Washington States Medical Societies and his prominence in the profession is in- dicated in the fact that he was in 1912 honored with election to the presidency of the state association, in which position he served for a term of two years. He is also a past president of the county association and he is a charter member of the American College of Surgeons. He puts forth every possible effort to promote his knowledge along professional lines and thus advance his efficiency.

A. L. CLARK.

With marked ability in the line of his chosen vocation, A. L. Clark has been connected with some of the most important building projects of the northwest, con- tributing in substantial measure to the development of this section of the country. He is the manager for the Yakima Paving Company at Yakima and brings to his im- portant duties in this connection thorough training and broad experience, although he is still a young man.

Mr. Clark was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the 1st of January, 1884, a son of Byron T. and Ella (Dye) Clark, who removed to Tacoma in the year 1905. The father was engaged in the grain business and became one of the representative mer- chants in that field in his adopted city but is now living retired.

A. L. Clark acquired a public school education and in his youthful days took up the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He afterward turned his attention, how- ever. to construction work in Tacoma and for ten years was connected with the Washington Paving Company, which was organized in Tacoma. The Yakima office was established in 1915 in the Wilson building and in 1918 was removed to the Miller building. Mr. Clark then severed his connection with the Washington Paving Company and organized the Yakima Paving Company, of which he is now manager. He has organized the A. L. Clark Company, which operates in the Yakima valley.

On the 8th of April, 1908, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Ethel Savage and they have an interesting little daughter, Frances Ellen. Politically Mr. Clark is a re- publican, having supported the party since reaching voting age, but is not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons. He is recognized as a man of genuine worth and marked ability and Yakima numbers him among her valned and representative citizens.

ARTHUR LESLIE HUSS.

Arthur Leslie Huss, a native of the Kittitas valley and now one of its prosper- ons farmers, operating a ranch comprising two hundred and forty acres about eleven miles northeast of Ellensburg, was born March 21, 1893, and comes of an old pioneer family of this section of the state. His parents were Edward H. and Rose (Rader) Huss, the former a son of Harvey Huss, one of the honored pioneers of the Kittitas valley. Edward H. Huss passed away May 4, 1917, shooting himself accidentally. He came to the Kittitas valley as a young man and became very successful as a farmer.

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His widow now resides upon the old home farm with her son, Arthur Leslie. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Rader, also honored pioneers of this section.

Arthur L. Huss was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools of the neighborhood. He early became familiar with farming methods under the able guidance of his father and continued upon the home place, which he now operates and which comprises two hundred and forty acres, largely devoted to hay and grain. The land is under a good state of cultiva- tion. the buildings upon the place are modern and up-to-date equipment proclaims the progressive methods of the owner.

On the 30th of April, 1918, Mr. Huss was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Sheneberger, who was also born in this section of the state and is a daughter of John and Kate Sheneberger. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huss attend the Christian church. to which denomination they are sincerely devoted.

Mr. Huss belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and politically he votes independently, giving his support to men and measures that he believes will prove of the greatest benefit to the general public without taking into consideration party lines. He is a well known agriculturist and business man, ahly managing the farm, and although now only twenty-six years of age has already demonstrated capability and good business judgment. Among the younger people both he and his wife are very popular and their hospitable fireside is often the meeting place of their friends.

DELMAR F. BICE. M. D.

Dr. Delmar F. Bice is a successful physician and surgeon of Yakima, enjoying a large practice. He was born in Iowa, on the 24th of February, 1883, a son of Isaac and Mary C. Bice, who were early settlers of the Hawkeye state. The father, who successfully followed farming throughout his active business career, is now living re- tired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. The mother, however, is deceased.

In the acquirement of his more advanced education Delmar F. Bice attended Cornell College of Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which institution he won the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1908. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the Northwestern University Medical School of Chicago and there completed his course by graduation with the class of 1912. The period of his internship was spent in the Chicago Lying-In Hospital and in St. Mary's Hos- pital of Pueblo, Colorado, and in 1913 he opened an office at Toppenish, Washington, where he followed his profession until January, 1918. Since that time he has prac- ticed in Yakima and has already built up an extensive patronage. He is a member of the Yakima County Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In 1913 Dr. Bice was united in marriage to Miss Edith Williamson, of Tama. Iowa, by whom he has a son, Max Herbert. He is a member of Nu Sigma Nu and also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Toppenish Lodge, No. 178, F. & A. M. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a popular member of the Country Club.

ANTON R. FOSSUM.

Anton R. Fossum is numbered among the American citizens that Norway has furnished to this country, many of whom have in such marked degree contributed toward agricultural development in various sections of the United States. Although he has now retired to some extent from the more ardous duties of agriculture he still gives his attention to about ten acres which are planted to apples and pears. In this country he has found the success which he sought by bringing into play his natural ability and supplementing this quality with foresight, business acumen and industry. Mr. Fossum was born in Norway, December 27, 1862, his parents being Andreas and

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Margaret Fossum, the latter of whom is deceased. The father, who is an agriculturist, still resides in Norway.

Anton R. Fossum was reared under the parental roof and in the excellent schools of his native country received his education until he was well prepared for life's arduous duties. He remained in Norway until about twenty-one years of age, but not being content with the opportunities presented in his native land, he decided to cross the Atlantic and came to America in order to profit by the chances here of- fered. He did not tarry on the Atlantic scaboard but soon after his arrival went to Chicago, reaching that city in 1883, and there he remained for a year and a half. At the end of that period he made his way to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he fol- lowed his trade as a painter. He next located in Virginia City, Montana, there stay- ing for a year, and thence went to Butte, where eighteen months were spent. At the end of that time he returned to Rock Springs and that remained his residence for about six years, although he returned to Europe during this space of time and also spent one year in Boston. Later he returned to Chicago, where he followed the trade of painting for about twelve years, but the fascination of the western country was upon him and in 1908 he decided to again seek the Pacific slope. He came to the Yakima valley, where he acquired twenty-five acres on the lower Naches and to its cultivation he gave his attention for some time but has since sold fifteen acres. At the present time he has ten acres, which are planted to apples and pears and from which he derives a very gratifying income. Mr. Fossum has set out all of these trees and he has built a nice home and suitable barns, everything about the place indicat- ing his progressive and up-to-date methods.

In 1912 Mr. Fossum was united in marriage to Miss Thora Tenesen, a native of Norway, who came to this country as a young girl, and to this union has been born a son, Andreas Thor, whose birth occurred June 5, 1913.

In his political views Mr. Fossum is a democrat, steadfastly supporting the can- didates of that party. He has never had the desire to hold public office although he takes a great interest in anything that pertains to the development of his section of the state. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being a member of Pleiades Lodge, No. 475, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, Illinois, having joined the Masonic order while a resident of that city. He has ever remained true to the principles underlying this organization, which guide him in his conduct toward his fellowmen. There is much credit due Mr. Fossum for what he has achieved, as he has made his way in life entirely unaided and now is numbered among the substantial citizens of his part of the Yakima valley.

NELS NYSTROM.

Nels Nystrom, a successful orchardist, who in 1913 began the development of a place on Ahtanum Heights, was born in Sweden on the 14th of September, 1865, a son of Per and Martha (Nelson) Nystrom. On coming to the United States they made their way first to Omaha, Nebraska, where their latter days were passed, both dying in that city.

Nels Nystrom acquired a public school education and crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1883. He first made his way to Kansas, where he was employed as a farm hand for about five years, and in 1888 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he took up carpentering and eventually became a contractor. He was thus identified with building interests until about 1904, when he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he engaged in contracting and in carpenter work until 1913. In the latter year he arrived in Yakima county, Washington, and purchased ten acres of land on Ah- tanum Heights. He has since planted this to apples, using pears and peaches as fillers. He has builts an attractive home upon his place and is now successfully carry- ing on his work as an orchardist.

On the 5th of May, 1898, Mr. Nystrom was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Carlson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Carl and Sarah Carlson, who came to the United States in 1900. The mother has passed away but the father survives and is living retired from active business in Yakima county. Mr. and Mrs. Nystrom

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 123

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