History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 125

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 125
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 125
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 125

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At the time of his death one who had known him intimately for many years wrote of him: "And thus another pioneer went out to take up his eternal abode, with those who have gone before, of that noble band of men and women who strove amidst hardships and inconveniences which the newer generation can scarcely comprehend and whose striving changed desert and wilderness and frowning menace into peaceful farm and city and security-I first met him at Old Yakima, Yakima county, Wash- ington territory, in the month of March, 1883, and from that time until the day of his death, just about thirty-six years, we were good friends and most of the time near neighbors and were frequently together, and now, looking back over the long road upon which we were travelers together, a close retrospection recalls none but pleasant memories with him. 'Doc,' as he was familiarly known, always retained the hospitable, kind and generous spirit of the old pioneer people. He enjoyed to mix with his friends as well as any man I ever knew. In the good old days when kindred souls were wont to meet and while away the moments in pleasant pastime and joy- ous camaraderie. he was ever a boon companion. Times have changed and the fes- tive occasions of auld-lang-syne have vanished to return no more, and the sunshine spirits that hrought them about are nearly all gone as well. Under those old con- ditions and influences friendships were established strong and enduring as life. It is doubtful, indeed, if such friendships can ever establish themselves under the changed and changing conditions of life that confront us now.

"He was always pleasant and by nature readily responsive to humor and good cheer. It delighted his soul to get a joke on his friends and he has always yielded in good nature to one on himself. In every gathering his presence engendered and dispensed sunshine. He had his ups and downs, his successes and failures, as all who endeavor have ever had, but his nature was never overshadowed by the one nor over elated by the other. His joys weighed above his sorrows. He gleaned more pleasure out of life than the average man. Millions of our race go through life from beginning to end. be that life short or long, and are never able to even up. Though our good friend has passed away before the full three score years and ten had been meted out, it may truly he said 'he was ahead of the game,' and his life was a suc- cess. He loved his home. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his country. He delighted to see prosperity all around. There was no envy in his heart. That others might succeed beyond himself cast no shadow over his nature but rather gave him gladness. He was self-sustaining, accommodating, sympathetic, agreeable, forgiving, humane. He filled his allotted place in the busy world among those of his generation full and well, and now that he is gone, that place will show a vacancy as long as his family, his friends and his associates live. When the call came he was ready to take the 'long trail' without hesitation, without a qualm, without a fear."

ALFRED W. BURNS, D. D. S.

A splendidly equipped office is indicative of the high efficiency to which Dr. Al- fred W. Burns has attained in the practice of dentistry. He ranks with the lead- ing representatives of the profession in Yakima, where since 1903 he has made his home and engaged in active practice. He was born in Buffalo, New York, August 29, 1878, a son of John Byron and Lillian (Hotchkiss) Burns. The father was a physician

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who practiced in Yakima to the time of his death, which occurred in 1917. He had been a resident on the Pacific coast since 1888, at which time he made his way to California, there following his profession until 1900, when he came to Yakima, where he opened an office. He was in general practice from that time until his demise and served as health officer of Yakima. He was also prominent in Masonry, attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he occupied the chairs in the various branches of the order. Moreover, he was the only man ever elected for a second term as exalted ruler of the Elks lodge of Yakima. His gennine personal worth, his fidelity to any cause which he espoused and his professional skill placed him high in the regard of his fellow townsmen.

Dr. Alfred W. Burns pursued a public school education and supplemented it by a year's study in the University of Buffalo. He was afterward graduated from the Northern Pacific Dental College of Portland, Oregon, as a member of the class of 1903, after which he returned to Yakima, where the family home had been es- tablished in 1900. Through the intervening period of sixteen years he has continued in active and successful practice here. His standing in the profession is indicated in the fact that he has been made a member of the state board of dental examiners.

On the 10th of June, 1914, Dr. Burns was united in marriage to Miss Marion Miller, a daughter of Alexander Miller, one of the prominent grain merchants of this section of the state, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Dr. and Mrs. Burns have a son, John L., now three years of age.

The Doctor belongs to Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., also to the Elks lodge, the Knights of Pythias and to the Country Club and the Commercial Club. His in- terests are broad and varied and his intelligently directed activities have brought him prominently to the front in his chosen field of labor. Those who know him, and his friends are legion, speak of him in terms of high personal regard and Yakima is proud to claim him as a citizen.

FRANK B. WOOD.

A richly hearing orchard one mile northeast of Buena represents the life work of Frank B. Wood, a progressive horticulturist of that district. He was born in Che- nango county, New York, April 8, 1864, a son of Joshua and Abbie Jane (Morgan) Wood, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut respectively. The father was a gun- smith by trade and in 1867 the family took up their residence in Otoe county, Ne- braska. Joshua Wood conducted a gun shop at Nebraska City until 1877, when he took up a homestead in Otoe county, and there he continued until 1898, when he removed to Dundy county, Nebraska, and there bought a ranch, to the further culti- vation of which he gave his attention until his death, which occurred February 10, 1916. His widow survives and is still a resident of that locality.

Frank B. Wood received a public school education and in 1886, when twenty-two years of age, took up a homestead claim in Dundy county, Nebraska. He became quite successful as a rancher there but in the fall of 1898 removed to Gallatin county, Montana, where he purchased a farm, which he operated for eleven years, selling out in 1909. At that time he came to Yakima county, Washington, and bought ten acres of land one mile northeast of Buena, five acres of which were in orchard. He has since planted the remainder of the tract to apples, pears and peaches and has built a good home and made other improvements, so that his fruit ranch is now valuable, his annual profits being very gratifying.

On April 8, 1888, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Anna Alsbury, a native . of Missouri and a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Veath) Alsbury, natives of Illinois, in which state they were born near Springfield. They became early settlers of Mis- souri but in 1886 removed to Nebraska and in 1899 came to Zillah, Washington, where the father owned part of the present town site of Zillah, his tract comprising fifteen acres, which he transformed into a richly bearing orchard, and there he lived until his demise. His wife passed away when Mrs. Wood was but four years old and sub- sequently her father married Mrs. Rosamond Mudd, who still resides in Zillah. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have ten children: Nettie, who married William Frakes, of Yakima,

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by whom she has two children; Burk, deceased, who is survived by a wife and one child; Elmer, a rancher of Benton City, Washington, who is married and has one child; Myrtle, the wife of Otto Hillbury, a rancher near Zillah, by whom she has a son; Bessie, who married Charles Zurnstein, of Mullan, Idaho, by whom she has one child; and Leona, Warren, Albert, Mary and Olive.

Fraternally Mr. Wood belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. While a resident of Nebraska he served on the local school board and although he has held no public office since coming to Yakima county he ever gives his aid and support to measures which he considers of value in promoting the general welfare. He is now a prosperous orchardist of his region, and his prosperity is well deserved as it is the result of his own labors. He has partici- pated in the upbuilding of the west not only in Nebraska but also in Montana, whither the family, including five children, removed hy team, and later in the Yakima valley, where he now represents important horticultural interests. Mr. Wood has many friends in Zillah and vicinity and all see in him a loyal citizen, a reliable business man and a faithful friend.

JOHN P. LOUDON, M. D.

Among the successful practicing physicians of Yakima who employ the latest scientific knowledge in their professional duties is Dr. John P. Loudon, who was horn in New Zealand on the 30th of October, 1883, and is a son of William and Elizabeth London, who came to the United States in 1884. Making their way across the country, they settled in the Yakima valley, taking up a homestead to which the father devoted his attention throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1885. The mother survives and is yet living in this state.

Dr. Loudon concluded his public school education by study in the high school at Yakima and afterward entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a medical student, being graduated with the class of 1908. In that year he went to Youngstown, Ohio, and entered the City Hospital as an interne, occupying the position for two years and gaining very broad, valuable and practical knowledge through hospital practice. In 1910 he returned to Yakima, where he opened an office which he has since maintained. He has resumed his studies at various periods and at all times has been a broad reader of medical literature, so that he has kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress. He concentrates upon no particular line but continues in general practice and his ability is recognized and attested by the public and the profession.

On the 4th of June, 1914, Dr. Loudon was married to Miss Florence E. Jones, a daughter of Owen Jones, of Yakima, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Dr. Loudon belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Country Club and of the Commercial Club. His interest in the latter indicates his devotion to the welfare and progress of the community in which he makes his home. Along strictly professional lines he has connections with the County and State Medical Socie- ties and also with the American Medical Association and through the proceedings of these bodies keeps in touch with the trend of professional thought and discovery.

ELLWOOD P. HINMAN.

The rapid growth and development of some of the western cities is a matter of marvel to the staid, conservative east, but when one considers that it is men of enterprise who are seeking opportunities that have been the builders of such cities, the reason for their rapid development is found. To this class belongs Ellwood P. Hinman, who was born in Henry county, Illinois, on the 19th of May, 1878, a son of W. W. and Elizabeth (Townsend) Hinman. The father is now deceased but the mother survives and is now living in Moline, Illinois. In pioneer days in that sec- tion of that country W. W. Hinman took up a homestead claim in Henry county, Illi-

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nois, and became actively identified with its interests. He was a son of Willis Hin- man, a native of Ohio, who left that state, accompanied by his wife, two sons and a daughter, and made his way westward to Illinois, where he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the early '30s. At that time there were still many evidences of Indian occupancy in that section of the country and the work of progress and improve- ment seemed scareely begun. With the further upbuilding of that section both Willis and W. W. Hinman were closely associated for many years.

Ellwood P. Hinman there acquired his public school education, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school. He next entered the employ of the Farmers National Bank at Cambridge, Illinois, where he spent six years, be- coming assistant cashier of that institution. He afterward removed to Wyoming, Illinois, and was cashier of the National Bank of that place for five years. Then, at- traeted by the opportunities of the growing west, he made his way to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he spent eight months, and in July, 1910, he arrived in Toppenish, where he spent eight months, and secured the position of assistant cashier of the Central Bank of Toppenish, thus remaining until November, 1916. In the fall of the following year he purchased an interest in the store of E. H. Dobrin and in 1918 they incor- porated their interests under the name of the Arcade Department Store. They have a fine new building, which was erected by Mr. Dorbin and is two stories in height, seventy-five by one hundred feet. They conduct a general department store, carrying a well selected, large stock, and their business methods insure them a liberal patronage. They hold to high standards in the line of goods carried, in the personnel of the house and in the treatment accorded patrons and their progressiveness in these particulars has won for them a very satisfactory patronage. In addition to his commercial inter- ests Mr. Hinman owns fine ranch land on the Yakima Indian reservation.

On the 14th of June, 1905, Mr. Hinman was married to Miss Bessie B. Long, of Moline, Illinois, but who was born in Lynn, Henry county, that state. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of two children, Isla and Ellwood P., Jr.

Mr. Hinman gives his political allegiance to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elec- tions. He has served as a member of the city council and exercised his official prerogatives in that connection in support of many progressive public measures. He belongs to the Toppenish Commercial Club and every feature of the city's growth and development is of interest to him. He is a Mason, holding membership in Toppenish Lodge No. 178. A., F. & A. M .. and he has taken the degrees in the various Scottish Rite bodies, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Mohammed Temple of Peoria, Illinois, he has crossed the sands of the desert. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are people of the high- est respectability and worth, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact, while the hospitality of the best homes of Toppenish is freely and generously accorded them.

JOHN J. MACDONALD.

John J. Macdonald is one of those valuable American citizens that Scotland has furnished to this country. His innate thriftiness, enterprise and perseverance have led him to a successful position among the agriculturists of Yakima county, where he now owns a valuable property of about seventy acres. Especial credit is due Mr. Macdonald, for his enterprise along horticultural lines, as he has assisted in making fruit raising a prosperous venture in his district. He now has thirty-four acres in apples, using peaches and pears as fillers, and from his orchard he receives a very gratifying income. His progressive methods serve as an example to other horticulturists and he has greatly contributed toward prosperity in the valley.

A native of Scotland, Mr. Macdonald was born September 17. 1869, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Macdonald who passed away in their native land. The father there followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active life and was esteemed and respected in his community.

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John J. Macdonald was reared in Scotland and attended the schools of his native land. When old enough he become connected with farming to some extent, acquir- ing a thorough knowledge of agricultural methods. It was in 1889, at the age of twenty, that he went to Portland, Oregon, selecting that city as his residence be- cause he believed in its growth and that there he would find good business oppor- tunities. For ten years he was connected with the firm of Olds, Wortman & King as manager of their cloak department. He saw the opportunities presented in the Yakima valley and in March, 1899, came to this district, where he opened a dry goods store, which he conducted until 1911. Then turning to agriculture, he ac- quired one hundred and twenty acres under the Tieton project but of this he later sold fifty acres and now has a tract of seventy acres which is highly developed. On his property he has built an excellent home as well as modern barns and other buildings needed for fruit storing and packing. He has installed modern machin- ery and added other equipment, so that his place is now among the best developed and most valuable of his neighborhood. Thirty-four acres of the land is planted to apples, with peaches and pears as fillers. The balance of the land is in hay, of which crop he raises a good quality.

In March, 1898. Mr. Macdonald was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette John- stone, a native of Victoria, Canada, and a daughter of J. S. Johnstone. To this union were born four children: Lyall, who is attending the State University at Seattle; and Ronald, Barbara and Margaret.

Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald have many friends in Tieton and vicinity and all who know them speak of them in the highest terms. As one of the leading and substan- tial citizens and one of the foremost orchardists Mr. Macdonald has greatly con- tributed to the upbuilding and development of this region. He is ever ready to give his support to public projects of worth and as merchant as well as agriculturist has ever enjoyed the highest reputation. In his political affiliation he is a republican but outside of supporting party issucs and candidates at the ballot box is not active. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take a deep interest and to which they helpfully contribute. There is great credit due Mr. Macdonald for what he has achieved, as he came to this country empty-handcd and now has acquired a competence which places him among the men of affluence of his district, he being well entitled to the proud American title of a self-made man.

VESTAL STANLEY SNYDER.

Vestal Stanley Snyder was for a number of years prominently connected with the Yakima bar, continuing in active practice to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of March, 1911. He was then in the forty-fourth year of his age, his birth having occurred in Indiana, December 27, 1867, his parents being Henry W. and Henrietta (Jackson) Snyder, who were also natives of the Hoosier state, where they remained for many years. In later life, however, they established their home at Hutchinson, Kansas, where the father passed away, and the mother is now living in Chicago.

Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, Vestal Stanley Snyder matriculated in the law department of Valparaiso University of Indiana, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. He then came to the northwest, going first to Spokane but soon afterward taking up his abode at Cheney, Washington, where he followed his profession until 1894. He then opened an office in Yakima and con- tinued in active practice throughout his remaining days. He was for two terms prosecuting attorney here. He displayed marked ability along professional lines. preparing his cases with great thoroughness and care and presenting his cause with notable clearness and cogency. In 1902 he purchased one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land six miles west of Yakima, of which property his widow has now sold a part but still retains sixty-five acres, of which forty-one acres is planted to or- chards, both apple and pear. Mr. Snyder built a beautiful home upon the ranch- one of the prettiest in the valley. It was all planned by Mrs. Snyder, who person-

VESTAL SNYDER

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ally supervised its construction. It is built upon a hill, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, and there is a car line adjacent, so that the advantages of the city are easily obtainable.

It was on the 26th of November, 1891, that Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Nona M. Marquis, who was born in Danville, Illinois, a daughter of James F. and Mary C. (Salman) Marquis, who were also natives of Illinois and have now passed away. Mrs. Snyder is a graduate of the Normal School of Valparaiso Uni- versity. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Helen Mar- quis is the wife of Walter H. Johnson, a resident of St. Michael, Alaska, and they have a son, Robert Stanley; Marion Henrietta is a graduate of the high school of Yakima and also of a business college at Seattle.

Mr. Snyder and his wife attended the Episcopal church, of which she is a mem- her, and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, which Mrs. Snyder also supports. Mr. Snyder was a member of the Knights of Pythias, also the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and Elks Lodge No. 318, of Yakima. He was a self-made and successful man and one who had many friends. He possessed sterling traits of character which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact and his mem- ory is yet enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him.

THOMAS L. JONES.

Thomas L. Jones, who since 1912 has occupied the position of superintendent with the Roslyn Fuel Company at Roslyn, Washington, was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of August, 1853. His father, William Jones, entered the coke business there in 1835, taking his coke on flatboats down the Ohio river. He was one of the pioneer coke manufacturers and throughout his entire life engaged in the coke and coal trade, remaining a resident of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, to the time of his death. As early as 1836 he engaged in making coke for the old Overholt distillery in Pennsylvania, was the pioneer coke maker of the United States and a very prominent mining man. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary White.

Thomas L. Jones started work in the coal mines when but ten years of age and for a quarter of a century remained in the employ of one firm, becoming man- ager of a coal mine at Carnegie, Pennsylvania, when but twenty-three years of age. He was connected with the Summerhill Coal & Coke Company during the period of the great riot at Pittsburgh. Later he went to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he opened a mine for the Argyle Coal Company, which he operated for three years. He next went to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he opened a mine for the Key- stone Coal & Coke Company and continued as superintendent thereof until 1900. He was afterward with the National Steel Company and assisted in building three large coke plants in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he spent ten years in expert work in examining coal fields in Virginia, Ohio and Illinois, and in 1912 he came to Roslyn, Washington, as superintendent of the Roslyn Fuel Company. Since 1917 he has also been superintendent of the Queen mine of the Independent Coal & Coke Company at Roslyn. He is a typical mining man, thoroughly success- ful, and he has gained expert knowledge and ability as a mining and electrical cngi- neer through his wide experience and study. During the past few years he has also assisted in installing twenty-five or more dry kiln plants for drying lumber at various points in the northwest. He has a nephew, Charles E. Jones, who, coming to the northwest, established the Beekman mine at Jonesville, the town being named in his honor.

In the year 1882 Mr. Jones of this review was married to Clarissa Baker. of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Simon Baker, a contractor and builder. The children of this marriage are: Mary Martha, the wife of J. C. Seanor, living in Seattle: Harry, who is engineer for the Roslyn Fuel Company; Clarissa, who is with her mother in Seattle: and three children who died in infancy. The family home is maintained in Seattle, from which point Mr. Jones makes trips to the mine at Roslyn.

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He is a member of the German Reformed church and in politics is a democrat. His time and attention, however, have been mostly given to his business affairs and, entering upon his present line of work when a lad of only ten years, he has had broad and varied experience that has brought him to the front as a mining and electrical engineer. His position at the present time is one of large responsibility and the duties thereof are most efficiently discharged.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 125

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