History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 124

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 124
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 124
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 124

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1032

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

have become parents of two sons, Clarence and Carl, the former born March 1, 1899, and the latter on the 15th of April, 1901.

In his political views Mr. Nystrom is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has not been an office seeker. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are recognized as people of sterling worth, meriting the high regard and good will which are uniformly extended to them by those with whom they have become acquainted during the years of their residence in the northwest.

DEWEY BARNS.

Among the younger representatives of agricultural life in Kittitas county is Dewey Barns, who is one of the native sons of this region. He was born in this county on the 19th of April, 1899, a son of Absalom and Anna Melinda (Geddis) Barns, who were pioneer people of this section of the state. The father became a well known farmer of Kittitas county, having one hundred and sixty acres of land which he converted into a productive farm. He died on the 4th of July. 1918, having for a long period sur- vived his wife, who passed away on the 27th of February, 1903. In their family were seven children: Louise, who is now the wife of A. L. McCumber, a resident of Puyallup, Washington; Homer, living upon the old home place: Ethel, who married C. W. Miller and resides in California; Earl, Chester, Dewey and Bernice, all at home.

Dewey Barns spent his youthful days under the parental roof and his educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools. When not busy with his textbooks he worked in the fields and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He is engaged in the raising of hay and grain and is associated with his brothers in the management and conduct of the old home ranch. They are also devoting their attention to the raising of cattle and horses and are meeting with substantial success in the conduct of their interests. They are progressive young men, alert and energetic, and their systematic and carefully defined labors are bringing to them substantial returns.

JAMES W. ADKISON.

James W. Adkison, well known as a real estate dealer of Yakima, was born in Mason City, Illinois, March 13, 1864, a son of George W. and Euphrasia Jane (Gard- ner) Adkison, both of whom were natives of Ohio but removed westward to Illinois in 1856. The father there devoted his life to the occupation of farming until 1869. when he removed with his family to Kansas. There he took up government land and in 1879 he went to Colorado, settling at Leadville. However, he afterward re- turned to Kansas, where his last days were spent, and his wife later passed away in Oklahoma.

James W. Adkison acquired a public school education in Girard, Kansas, where he completed the high school course. He accompanied his parents to Colorado and afterward located near what is now Glenwood, in that state. There he took up three hundred and twenty acres of land and he put in the first irrigation project in Gar- field county, Colorado. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that district and his daughter, Euphrasia Jane, was the first white child born in the county. It was in 1882 that Mr. Adkison located there, after which he carefully developed his ranch and for about twelve years was successfully engaged in raising horses in that district. In fact, he bought and sold horses all over the west. About 1896 he removed to Noble county, Oklahoma, where he took up government land, being in the famous race for land when all the settlers started at a gunshot for choice tracts. Mr. Ad- kison was the first in the race and therefore had his choice. He obtained a fine quarter section and developed an excellent ranch property, remaining thereon for six years. He then sold his interests in Oklahoma and made his way to the north-

10.33

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

west, arriving in Yakima on the 10th of August, 1902. He purchased property in the town and entered the real estate and insurance business the following year. His office was first located in the Ditter block, but in 1906 he removed his office to the west side of the railway tracks on West Yakima avenue and later went to Fourth avenue, while in 1916 a removal took him to 317 West Yakima avenue. He has done much to improve the west side of the city and has witnessed its entire growth and development on that side of the tracks. His work has been of great importance in furthering Yakima's growth and at the same time his labors have brought to him substantial returns on his investment.

On the 26th of July, 1881, Mr. Adkison was married to Miss Sarah Emma Bald- win, of Garfield county, Colorado, theirs being the first marriage celebrated in that county. She was a daughter of Fred A. and Sarah Baldwin, who located in Colorado during early pioneer times. Mrs. Adkison passed away on the 16th of April, 1899, and in 1907 Mr. Adkison was again married, his second union being with Myrtle M. Fullbright of Yakima, a daughter of James L. Fullbright, who became a resident of this city in 1900 and took up the business of ranching. Mr. Adkison's children are: Euphrasia Jane, who became the wife of Dave Clark, a Yakima pioneer, by whom she has one child, Renna; Lanora, who married Emmet R. Zerkle, a farmer of the Yakima valley, by whom she has one son, Ralph; and William W., who is a baker of Seattle. He is married and has one child, Robert.

In politics Mr. Adkison is an independent democrat, for while he usually votes with the party he does not consider himself bound by party ties. Coming to Yakima at an early day, he has done a most important part in promoting its interests, and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. He has social qualities which render him popular and the circle of his friends has constantly broadened as the circle of his acquaintance has been extended with the passing years.

JAMES K. COX.

Although James K. Cox has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey he is still active as an orchardist in the Yakima valley, having a ten acre fruit ranch near Zillah. At one time he owned seventy acres but has now sold most of the tract to his children. His career is interesting, as it has been pursued in various western states, and thus he has been identified with the development of the northwest.

A native of Hannibal, Missouri, James K. Cox was born November 27, 1844, and is a son of Louis Allen and Caroline P. (Baird) Cox, natives of Barren county, Kentucky. They removed to Missouri in 1842, later taking up their residence in Macon county, that state, where the father followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and there both parents passed away. Louis A. Cox went to California in search of the golden fleece in 1850 and in that state he remained for fifteen years, his efforts being attended with more or less success. He then returned to Missouri.

James K. Cox was reared upon a Missouri farm and in his youth became familiar with life under pioneer conditions. He learned lessons in agriculture and in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he began his independent career. When twenty-one years of age, in 1865, he crossed the plains to Virginia City, Montana, where he remained for eighteen months, but in the latter part of 1866 he returned to Missouri. In 1869 he was married in that state and then went to Boone county, Arkansas, where for five years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, at the end of which period he returned to Missouri, again remaining in that state for a year. Later he went to Texas, where for four years he was engaged in the stock business and as a rancher in the central part of the state. Going from there to Arkansas, he resided for nine years in that state, from 1880 until 1889, and from the latter year until 1901 he was again a resident of Missouri. He then came to the Yakima valley and in 1901 acquired title to twenty acres of land a half mile east of Buena, which was then in alfalfa but which he has since planted to fruit. He has sold ten acres of this tract, retaining the remaining ten, from which he receives a very gratifying income, always following the most pro-

1034

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

gressive methods. He has built a fine home and instituted other improvements, so that his place has now become a very valuable one. Since coming to the Yakima valley he has acquired other laid, owning at one time seventy acres in all, but he now has sold this to his children in order that they might have homes of their own.

On January 24, 1869, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Merrill, a native of Marion county, West Virginia, and a daughter of Andrew and Julia (Davis) Merrill, who in 1851 became residents of Kentucky and in 1854 removed to Missouri, where hoth passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have become the parents of the following children. Nora Etta, the first born, died at the age of nineteen years. Lucian M., who follows ranching near his father's place, is married and has two children. Roma Ella first married M. Smith, who has passed away, and she is now the wife of J. L. Love, by whom she has one child, and they reside in the state of Missouri. Olive May wedded William E. Gibson, of Toppenish, Washington, and they have three sons. Ida Caroline is the wife of Everett T. Brown, who is a rancher on the Yakima Indian reservation, and they have two children. Erhest V., who is ranching near his father's placc, is married and has two children. Andrew B. is at home. Spruce McCoy, who is ranching nearby, is married and has one child. Julia Virginia is a successful teacher and now makes her home in Montana. Lola Lyda, the youngest member of the family, also follows the profession of teaching. On the 24th of January, 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Cox celebrated their golden wedding, being on that occasion surrounded by all of their children except one. The ceremony was made memorable by this reunion of practically all of the family and many were the ex- pressions of felicitation which this worthy couple received from their many friends and neighhors. A group picture of the whole family was taken to commemorate the event and remain as a memento to future generations. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cox all received an excellent education and six of them have been school teachers. The family are devoted members of the Christian church, in the work of which they take a helpful interest.

Politically Mr. Cox is a democrat, having ever stanchly supported that party. While a resident of Missouri he served as justice of the peace and also as school director. While his career has heen pursued in various states, each removal has marked a forward step and he now is numbered among the prosperous and substantial residents of his section of Yakima county.

FERD K. HARTER.

Ferd K. Harter, now deceased, was identified with farming interests in Yakima county from 1903 until his demise. He was born in Miami county, Indiana, May 23, 1862, a son of John and Emmeline (Krider) Harter. He acquired a public school education and also attended a preparatory college at Fort Wayne, Indiana, after which he entered the State Normal School. Subsequently he went to Nebraska in 1883 and there engaged in teaching school for a year. On the expiration of that period he took up government land in Sheridan county, Nebraska, and proved up on his claim, securing title to the property. He continued its further cultivation and development for fifteen years, save that during that time he spent two years in Indiana on account of the ill health of members of his family. In 1901 he removed to Cheyenne county, Wyoming, where he resided for a year, and next took up his abode at Priest River, Idaho, where he remained for six months.

In 1903 Mr. Harter arrived in Yakima county and purchased forty acres of land four miles southeast of Yakima. This he improved and developed, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits thereon to the time of his death. which occurred March 30, 1912.

On the 10th of February, 1892, Mr. Harter was united in marriage to Miss Lina MacDougal, who was born in Liberty, Indiana, a daughter of Alexander and Amanda (Showalter) MacDougal. The children of this marriage are two in num- ber; Emmeline, the wife of Harold Milne, residing with Mrs. Harter; and Daniel MacDougal, a rancher, eighteen years of age, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Milne have one child, Katherine.

FERD K. HARTER

1037

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

In his political views Mr. Harter maintained an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He was a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. His preference was the Methodist church. He possessed many sterling traits of character and his admirable qualities gained for him the high regard of all with whom he was associated.

EARL D. CALKINS.

E. D. Calkins, whose name is associated with the wholesale fruit trade at Yakima, comes to the northwest from Nebraska. His birth occurred in Ashland, that state, on the 1st of January, 1890, his parents being Charles E. and Ida May Calkins. The mother passed away in 1896 and the father, removing to the northwest, is now en- gaged in farming near Sunnyside in Yakima county.

E. D. Calkins, after acquiring a public school education in Nebraska, went to Seattle, Washington, where he was graduated from the high school, and later he spent a year as a student in the University of Washington, thus becoming well qualified by liberal educational opportunities for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward turned his attention to the fruit commission business in Tacoma, where he remained for a year, and in 1910 he came to Yakima, where for one year he was associated with the firm of Richey & Gilbert. Subsequently he spent three years with the Yakima Valley Fruit Growers' Association as warehouse manager and for one year he served as deputy horticulturist for Yakima. In 1916 he joined C. R. Pad- dock and in 1918 purchased an interest in the wholesale fruit business of which he is now one of the proprietors. They are conducting one of the important enter- prises of this character in Yakima, enjoying an extensive patronage, their sales cover- ing a wide territory.

On the 27th of February, 1914, Mr. Calkins was married to Miss Verna B. Pratt, of Yakima, and they have become parents of a daughter and son, Dorothy Jean and Richard Earl. Mr. Calkins is a member of the Elks Lodge No. 318 of Yakima and also a member of the Cameretta Club, which is a male chorus, Mr. Calkins possess- ing an excellent baritone voice. Much of his pleasure and recreation comes to him through music. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never been active in politics as an office seeker. His business career is free from any spectacular phases. He has gradually worked his way upward and won his success by legiti- mate methods and unfaltering industry and he has today gained an enviable position in commercial circles of his adopted city.

BURT F. IRISH.

Since 1913 Burt F. Irish has been identified with fruit raising in Yakima county. A life of activity along other lines led up to his present connection and now he is classed with the successful orchardists of his section of the valley. He was born in Linn county, Kansas, February 1, 1858, a son of Columbus G. and Frances A. (Hurd) Irish, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Massachusetts respectively and be- came pioneer settlers of Kansas, where they located in the '60s. The father was in the United States army during the Civil war and afterward participated in Indian fighting, being stationed at a later period at Fort Sill and Fort Randall in Dakota territory. He was a carpenter by trade and eventually became a contractor. He located at Yankton, South Dakota, after leaving the army and later went to El Paso, Texas, where his last days were passed. His wife survived him and died in Colfax, California, in 1918, at the age of eighty-one years.

Burt F. Irish acquired a public school education in Minnesota and started out in the business world to provide for his own support when a youth of seventeen. He learned the printer's trade and became manager of the press department in a print- ing house at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was connected with the Fergus Falls Daily

1038

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Journal for thirty years and severed his connection with that paper in 1910, at which time he came to the Yakima valley. For one winter he worked on the Yakima Herald. In 1913 he purchased ten acres of land on Parker Heights, which was already planted to orchard, and is now raising apples, pears, peaches and cherries. He has built an attactive residence upon his place and also substantial barns. He likewise has a good packing shed and every facility for the care of his fruit and he is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union.

On the 9th of May, 1885, Mr. Irish was married to Miss Amy U. Hawes, who was born in Minnesota, and they have become parents of a daughter, Nina E., who is now attending the normal school at Bellingham, Washington.

Mr. Irish is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Wood- men of America and his wife has membership with the Presbyterian church. In politics he votes as an independent republican. He is interested in all matters of citizenship and gives his support and co-operation to well defined plans and measures for the general good. He does not seek nor desire office, however, preferring to concen- trate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been carefully and wisely directed during the period of his residence in the Yakima valley. Today he is the owner of excellent orchards and in addition to the cultivation of his fruit he raises a few full blooded trotting horses and Guernsey cattle. Fine horses have always been his hobby and he has broken and trained horses for pastime through- out his entire life He is an excellent judge of fine stock and takes great delight in raising such upon his ranch.

CARL H. HANSEN.

Carl H. Hansen, the able deputy sheriff of Benton county, is a native of Minne- apolis, Minnesota, born in 1888, and is a son of Iver and Josephine Hansen, the for- mer of whom is engaged in the grocery business in Minneapolis. The son received a public school education and after putting aside his textbooks turned his attention to a business career becoming connected with a wholesale hardware house. Later he was employed in a retail hardware store in Minnesota. In 1914 he came to Prosser, at that time holding the important position of special officer of the deparment of the interior. For the past eight months he has served as deputy sheriff of Benton county and his ability has been recognized by the public. His government work as special officer had much to do with the supression of illicit liquor traffic among the Indians and in the discharge of his duties he went to Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washing- ton under orders from the main office at Denver.

In 1909 Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Nanna Oftedal, of Minne- apolis, and they have two children, Leone and Robert, aged respectively seven and five years. Mr. Hansen owns a valuable tract of land near Prosser. In his political views he is a republican and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Yeomen and the Foresters of America. Both he and his wife are popular in the social circles of Prosser and have many friends in the city, all of whom speak of them in terms of high appreciation.

FOLKERT NICHOLAS SICKENGA, D. D. S.

Dr. Folkert Nicholas Sickenga, who for nine years has been successfully en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in Yakima, comes to the new world from Holland, where his birth occurred on the 25th of February, 1880, his parents being Jacob and Baroness (Van Heemstre) Sickenga. The father was an attorney and was a member of the first chamber appellate court, serving as judge for a number of years. He has now passed away, but the mother still resides in Holland.

Dr. Sickenga pursued a public school education in his native country and in 1903 came to the United States. He afterward pursued a business course at Omaha, Ne- braska, and subsequently accepted the position of assistant cashier with the Cudahy

1039

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Packing Company of that city. There he remained until 1905, when he came to the Pacific coast and, entering upon preparation for the practice of dentistry, was gradu- ated from the School of Dentistry of the North Pacific College with the class of 1909. The same year he opened an office in Yakima, where he has since remained. He has a splendidly equipped suite of rooms, having secured all the latest and most approved equipment for dental practice, and his knowledge has given him place among the ablest dentists of the city.

On the 13th of November, 1913, Dr. Sickenga was married to Miss Eva Mar- childon, of Yakima, and they have two children, Mary Louise and Eva Jane. The Doctor is a charter member of the Delta Sigma Delta, a dental fraternity. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while in politics he maintains an independent course.

OLIVER HINMAN.

Oliver Hinman, who passed away January 31, 1919, spent his last years in retire- ment from active business upon a ranch near Ellensburg. At different periods in his life he had been active in commercial and official circles as well as along agricultural lines but in his later years enjoyed that rest which came to him as the reward of per- sistent and earnest effort. Oliver Hinman, moreover, was a typical representative of western enterprise and progress. He had always lived in this section of the country, his birth having occurred at Forest Grove, Oregon, March 27, 1857, his parents being Alanson and Martha (Gerrish) Hinman, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Missouri. The paternal grandfather was Alanson Hinman, Sr., who was also a native of the Empire state, where he spent his entire life. His son and namesake started across the country with ox teams in 1844, with Oregon as his destination. For a time he engaged in teaching in Whitman College and later re- moved to Salem, Oregon, where he took up a donation claim between Yamhill and Washington counties. At a subsequent date he removed to Forest Grove, where he purchased a farm and thereon continued to reside throughout his remaining days. He not only bore all of the hardships of travel across the long, hot stretches of sand and over the high mountain ranges in the year 1844 but for many years faced the difficulties and privations of pioneer life. However, he lived to see many changes and at all times bore his part in the work of general improvement and development. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to public office and he was twice chosen to represent his district in the state legislature. He was also collector of customs at Astoria for two years. His wife was a daughter of James Gerrish, who made his way to Oregon in the middle part of the '40s. He, too, was one of the earliest settlers of the state and continued to reside within its borders until called to his final rest.

Oliver Hinman attended the Pacific University after completing his public school course and then entered mercantile business in connection with his father. He be- came identified with the Yakima valley in 1881, at which time he removed to the city of Yakima, where he opened a hardware store. Later he went to North Yakima when the town moved there and in 1885 he sold his business to the firm of Weed & Rowe. In 1886 they opened a branch establishment at Ellensburg. with Mr. Hin- man as local manager, and in 1888 Mr. Hinman and S. R. Geddis purchased the store, which was destroyed by fire in 1889 with a loss of over thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Hinman then devoted his attention to ranching for a few years and in 1902 he was ap- pointed postmaster, serving in that position until 1914 or for a period of twelve years. Throughout this entire time he also kept his ranch and at the time of his death was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land which is devoted to gen- eral farming and is now being conducted by his son. A. R. Hinman.

On the 25th of July, 1883, Mr. Hinman was united in marriage to Miss Ella F. McDonald, who was born in Portland, Oregon, a daughter of Harley M. and Eliza- beth (Hampson) McDonald, who were pioneers of the Sunset state. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinman were born three children: Mrs. Mary E. Bradshaw, living in Ellens-

1040

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

burg; Alfred R., who is conducting the home ranch; and Laurada F., who is a teacher of music.

Mr. Hinman belonged to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he also crossed the sands of the desert. He likewise belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, having his membership in Lodge No. 1102 at Ellensburg. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and in office he proved most capable and faithful, while at all times his course was that of a public-spirited citizen devoted to the general good. He deserved all the credit implied in the term a self-made man, for by persistent effort he worked steadily upward and his achievements brought him the gratifying measure of success that enabled him to spend his last years in retirement.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 124

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