History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 126

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 126
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 126
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 126

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A. W. SEVERANCE.

A. W. Severance, an orchardist living near Wapato, was born in Pierce county, Wisconsin, April 18, 1863, but dates his residence in this part of the country from 1889 and thus has been identified with the northwest through three decades. His parents were Joseph and Lydia F. (Weston) Severance, the former a native of Old- town, Maine, while the latter was born in Skowhegan, Maine. They became pioneer residents of Wisconsin, where the father followed the occupation of farm- ing until 1896, when he made his way to the Pacific coast, settling first in Oregon. He afterward came to the Yakima valley about 1900 and lived retired to the time of his death. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having loyally served in defense of the Union cause during that dark hour in America's history, and at all times he was loyal to the best interests of the country. Both he and his wife have passed away.

Their son, A. W. Severance, having acquired a public school education, entered Carleton College at Northfield, Minnesota, and in due course of time was graduated from that institution. He afterward taught school for four years in the middle west and, attracted by the opportunities of the growing northwest, came to Washington in 1889, settling in Cowlitz county. He subsequently removed to Tillamook, Ore- gon, where he lived from 1890 until 1910 and during that period was engaged in the practice of law. In 1910 he opened a law office in Yakima, where he continued in active practice for two years. In 1905 he and his brother, E. W. Severance, had purchased twenty-one acres of sagebrush land on Parker Heights and the brother had occupied it from the beginning. They afterward divided their holdings, how- ever, and in 1912 Mr. Severance of this review took up his abode on his portion of the tract. He has eleven acres, all planted to orchards, making a specialty of the raising of apples, pears, peaches and prunes. He has built a nice home upon his place and has all modern accessories and conveniences there. In orcharding, as in law practice, he is winning success. He has the thoroughness and energy which constitute the basis of all honorable and legitimate success and he is putting forth every effort to thoroughly familiarize himself with the best methods of raising fruit in the northwest.

On the 11th of June, 1905, Mr. Severance was married to Miss Dora E. High, a native of Knoxville, Iowa, and a daughter of Solomon and Mary A. High. Their children are Ruth and Mildred. The parents are consistent members of the Presby- terian church and in social circles they occupy an enviable position, the hospitality of the best homes of their community being freely accorded them. Mr. Severance belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He served as chief clerk and as general clerk of the sen- ate of Oregon when a resident of that state. He was also the first mayor of Tilla- mook, Oregon, and likewise filled the office of prosecuting attorney and city attor- ney for several terms, making a most excellent record in those positions. He was active on the school board and in all public affairs and has ever cooperated heartily in all plans and projects for the general good. While now residing upon his ranch and giving much attention to its further development, he still accepts some law cases and has been heard before the supreme court since establishing his home on the ranch. He is interested in everything pertaining to the development of the land and the promotion of agricultural and horticultural interests in this section and is now an active member of the board of directors for the Union Gap Irrigation Dis- trict. He has one of the finest orchard tracts of the Yakima valley, clearing over

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four hundred dollars per acre on his place in 1918. The ranch is practically frost- proof and he obtains fine crops when others lose their fruit through freezing.

The life record of Mr. Severance would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to the military history of the family. His great-grandfather, George Severance, was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. His grandfather served in the War of 1812 and the father and seven uncles of Mr. Severance of this review were soldiers of the Civil war. His mother was a daughter of Edward Weston, also a veteran of the Civil war, while her grandfather served in the War of 1812 and was descended from Colonel Abel Weston, who fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. In both the paternal and maternal lines the ancestry is connected with old colonial families and their descendants have ever worked and fought for the best interests of America. President Franklin Pierce was a cousin of the grandfather of A. W. Severance in the maternal line. But while the story of the military record of his ancestors is being given, one must not for- get the splendid part which the two sons of Mr. Severance, born of his first mar- riage, have played in the recently concluded great European war. Warren, the elder son, born September 5, 1893, is now a member of the United States navy on the ship Shawmut, an oil-burning mine-laying vessel. During the past six months this ves- sel has made twenty thousand miles, including fourteen thousand miles in the North Sea, and has sunk eighteen submarines. The average life of a British vessel doing the same work has been seventeen days, but the Shawmut has been particularly fortunate. Now that the war is over and its crew safe from German treachery, they have every reason to be proud of the record which they have made. The younger son, Logan Severance, horn February 9, 1896, is a member of the United States Marines, stationed on the island of Guam. Both boys enlisted and the elder son had seen service on the Mexican border before enlisting for service in the war against Germany and its policy of world-wide militarism. Mr. Severance has every reason to be proud of the course of his two sons His own career has been marked by equal faithfulness to duties of citizenship and by a helpful interest in all that has pertained to the welfare and progress of the northwest during the long period of his residence in this section of the country.

JAMES WOLCOTT.

James Wolcott, of Cle Elum, master mechanic for the Independent Coal & Coke Company, was born in Flint, Michigan, December 10, 1866, a son of James and Margaret (Gillespie) Wolcott. The father was born in Orleans county, New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Ireland. They went to Michigan in 1837, traveling across the country with ox team and casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of that region. They aided in reclaiming the wild district for the purposes of civilization and lived to see remarkable changes as the years passed on. The mother died at the birth of her son James, but the father survived to old age, passing away in 1918, after reaching the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey.

James Wolcott obtained a high school education in his native city and after- ward took up railway work in the engineering department of the Pere Marquette Railroad. He advanced until he was made engineer and remained with the road until 1893, when he entered the employ of Belding Brothers at Belding, Michigan. He represented that firm as master mechanic for fourteen years and in 1906 he made his way to the Pacific coast. Settling first at Baker City, Oregon, he was there employed in railway work as shop foreman and later removed to Portland and afterward to Tacoma and Seattle, where he started work for the Heffernan Engine Works, with which he was connected until January, 1909. He then went to Beek- man, Washington, and installed the machinery for the Roslyn Fuel Company, with which he continued for five years as master mechanic. Later he was again at Seattle, and on the 1st of May, 1916, he arrived in Cle Elum as master mechanic for the Independent Coal & Coke Company, which responsible position he is now filling.

On the 21st of November, 1891, Mr. Wolcott was united in marriage to Miss

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Fischer, who was born in Saginaw, Michigan, a daughter of Frederick Fischer. Mr. Wolcott belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which these orders are based. His political endorsement is given to the republican party at national elections but he casts an independent local ballot. He has made steady advancement in his business career since starting out along mechanical lines and has developed superior ability as a mechanical engineer.

WILLIAM H. FRANCE.

William H. France is a successful general farmer and stock raiser of Kittitas county. He now owns two hundred acres of land, which he has greatly improved, and his farm has become one of the valuable properties of the neighborhood. A na- tive of Iowa, he was born in Linn county, on the 17th of October, 1873, and is a son of L. N. and Angeline (Taylor) France, the former a native of Illinois. Early in life they removed to Iowa, of which state they became pioneers, and there the father followed agricultural pursuits for a number of years. In 1885, however, they decided upon a removal to the west and came to Yakima, taking up a homestead on Wenas creek. This the father brought under a high state of cultivation but later sold and now resides at Centralia, surviving his wife, who passed away several years ago.

William H. France was reared under the guidance of his good parents and re- ceived a public school education, after which he entered the live stock business as a young man. Becoming thoroughly acquainted with this line of occupation and also closely studying farming methods, in 1907 he began to operate a farm in Kittitas county and now has two hundred acres of valuable land, largely devoted to the rais- ing of hay and grain. He also gives close attention to the live stock business and has been very successful, so that he is now numbered among the prosperous agri- culturists of his section of the state. He had the misfortune to have his residence de- stroyed by fire December 23, 1918.

In 1907 Mr. France was united in marriage to Mrs. Katinka A. Toner, of Kittitas county, who was formerly a resident of California. Both Mr. and Mrs. France are popular socially and have many friends in and near Ellensburg.

Mr. France is a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 1102, and in his political affilia- tions is a republican as far as national issues are concerned. In local affairs, however, he prefers to support candidates irrespective of party, taking into consideration the qualifications and ability of the man who runs for office. In successfully carrying forward his agricultural labors Mr. France has not only become financially indepen- dent but has also set a good example for those who have come after him. By his work he has demonstrated the opportunities which await willing hands in this part of the state and his work has therefore not only been of value to himself but also as a factor in the upbuilding of his section.

LEANDER EDWARD LAWRENCE.

Leander Edward Lawrence, a successful orchardist near Zillah, was born at New Point, Indiana, April 16, 1859, a son of Daniel P. and Sarah A. (Coen) Law- rence. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Indiana, in which state her parents had located in early pioneer times. Mrs. Lawrence passed away when her son Leander was but three months old and the father afterward wedded Mary Ann Gerard. In 1876 he removed with his family to Nebraska, settling in Harvard, and later resided near Hastings, where both he and his wife passed away.

L. E. Lawrence spent his youthful days in his native state and acquired his public school education there. When a youth of eighteen he started out in the business world to provide for his own support. He worked for wages for about

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three years and on attaining his majority took up government land in Kansas. He afterward returned, to Nebraska, however, and there remained until 1899, when he came to the Yakima valley and turned his attention to general merchandising and the undertaking business in Zillah. Recognizing the opportunities for successful fruit growing in this section, in 1908, he bought fifty-seven acres of land a mile and a quarter north of Zillah, which at that time was covered with a native growth of sagebrush. He sold his store in 1910 in order to concentrate his efforts and atten- tion upon the development and improvement of his ranch, upon which he took up his abode, building there a fine residence. He now has fifty acres of land planted to fruit. Of his orchards thrity-five acres are in apples, ten acres in pears and the balance in prunes and peaches. This is one of the largest private orchards in his part of the county. He has a substantial packing house and every facility for hand- ling and shipping the fruit and he has followed the most progressive methods in the care of his orchards. He is continually studying everything that bears upon horticultural development in the northwest and his broad experience and his suc- cess enable him to speak with authority upon questions relative to fruit raising in this section.

In 1879 Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Miss Rose Hans, of Nebraska, who passed away in 1889, leaving two children: Bertha, the wife of George Elliott, a resident of Salem, Oregon, by whom she has five children; and Charles, who died at the age of eighteen years. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Lawrence afterward married Miss Martha J. Diamond, of Nebraska, and they became parents of three children: Harry, who is living in Aberdeen, Washington; Claude S., who died in January, 1918, at the age of sixteen years; and Lenora, at home. In 1908 Mr. Lawrence wedded Mary Ellen Drake, of Outlook, Washington, but formerly of South Dakota.

Mr. Lawrence is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are consistent members of the Christian church, taking an active interest in its work and doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics he is a republican and for ten years he served as constable. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home and is a public-spirited citizen. His plans of life have ever been well formulated and promptly executed and from each experience he has gleaned the lessons therein contained. Starting out on his own account at the age of eighteen years, he has worked persistently and energetically, and ever seeking broader opportunities, he has come at length to rank with the successful orchardists of the Yakima valley.

ARTHUR W. HODDER.

Arthur W. Hodder was born in England, October 3, 1868, a son of Jacob and Ann Hodder, who came to the United States in 1870, settling first at Belleville, Illinois. The father was a coal merchant in England and engaged in mining coal in the new world. After living for some time in Illinois he removed to Colorado, where he resided for five years and then became a resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa. In his later life he returned to Illinois, settling at Canton, and afterward became manager of a mine at Norris, Illinois, where he was residing at the time of his death, which occurred in 1913. His widow survives and makes her home in Canton, Illinois, at the age of eighty years.

Arthur W. Hodder acquired a public school education in Iowa and entered the coal mines when seventeen years of age. Since that time he has been identified with mining interests in various capacities. He came to Washington in 1897, making his way to Roslyn, where soon afterward he accepted a position as fire boss at the mines, in which capacity he served for nine years. On the expiration of that period he became foreman of the Dip mine and was occupying that position at the time that the connecting mine was blown up. In September, 1913, he became super- intendent of No. 57 Extension of the Cle Elum mine at Cle Elum, which employs two hundred and seventy men and has an output of three thousand tons of coal

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per day. His position therefore was one of heavy responsibility, but his duties were most faithfully and capably discharged. He brought long experience to his work and with every feature of mining he is thoroughly familiar. He resigned his position February 1, 1919.

In 1902 Mr. Hodder was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Stewart, who was born in England, a daughter of David Stewart, who was a coal miner and on coming to the new world settled at Streator, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Hodder are parents of two children, Rena May and Earl.

From the time he attained his majority Mr. Hodder has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and his political support is given to the republican party. His entire life has been devoted to mining and he has enjoyed growing success and progress in that field of labor. While born across the water, practically his entire life has been spent in this country and he is strictly American in thought, feeling and principle.

ROBERT WEBER.

Robert Weber is a well known shoe merchant of Prosser, where he has con- ducted a store of that kind for a number of years. In the promotion of his enter- prise he has been quite successful and today enjoys a large trade .. Born in Germany in 1861, he is a son of Frederick and Emily Weber, both of whom have passed away.

The son was reared in his native land and there received his early education. Upon laying aside his textbooks he turned to the shoe making trade, which he had learned in Germany. In 1882, at the age of twenty-one, he went to Bismarck, North Dakota, where for four years he conducted a shoe store and served for the same length of time in the state militia, thereby demonstrating his patriotic spirit and his appreciation of the duties of citizenship. He then took up a homestead claim north of Bismarck, upon which he remained from 1886 to 1890, and also acted as mail car- rier during this period. For ten years he was postmaster of Conger. North Dakota. ably dischaging the duties of the office and also giving his attention to farming at the same time. In 1908 he sold his interests there and in April, 1909, came to Prosser, where he bought land, but established a shoe store at the same time and to its conduct he has since given his time. As the years have passd he has built up a good business, from which he now derives a gratifying income.

In 1890 Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Brown, of North Dakota, and they have eight children: Albert, who has a clerical position in Prosser; Edna. the wife of Rohert Evans, who is farming near Prosser; Robert, who is wag- ing the fight for democracy in the United States navy: Clara: Emma; Rosie: Bertha and Walter.

Mr. Weher has always taken a laudable interest in the growth and prosperity of his community and through his business activities has contributed thereto. The land which he owns near Prosser is of the best quality and of considerable value. In his political affiliations he is a republican, steadfastly upholding the principles of that party and ever supporting its candidates. He is a man of high principles and character and all who know him speak of him in the most complimentary terms.

EARL W. BAILEY.

The fruit growing industry in the Yakima valley has of late taken exceedingly forward strides and among the younger successful orchardists of this district is numbered Earl W. Bailey, a native of Illinois, who was born in Dixon, March 20, 1887, and is a son of Duane W. and Julia G. (Graves) Bailey, both natives of Rupert. Vermont. They removed to Illinois in their youth and there Duane W. Bailey followed agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he went to Nebraska, where he con-

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tinued to engage in farming until he passed away in 1900. His widow removed to Seattle in 1909.

Earl W. Bailey was only two years of age when his parents took up their abode in Nebraska and in that state he received his education. Early in life he became acquainted with agricultural labor and later took over his father's farm, operating the same until 1907, when he came to the Yakima valley, where he worked for wages for a few years. In 1912, however, he acquired title to forty acres on the upper Naches and now has twenty-five acres, largely in apples, but also has some of his land in peaches and pears. The rest of the ranch is devoted to alfalfa, Mr. Bailey has embraced all the latest methods in orcharding in order to obtain good results. He has built an excellent barn on the property and also a packing house, these improvements denoting the forward strides he has made toward success. He also has a good modern residence, conveniently arranged.

On the 8th of February, 1913. Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie B. Wallin, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of A. C. and Mary E. (King) Wallin and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, of whom Beldon died in infancy, while Duane Wallin is five years of age.

Politically Mr. Bailey is a republican but outside of his service as a member of the school board has not held any public office. Both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, in the growth of which they take a helpful interest, while fraternally Mr. Bailey is connected with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge and also the Modern Woodmen of America. Along the line of his occupation he is connected with the Horticultural Union of Yakima County and in that organi- zation often receives new ideas, also readily giving the value of his experience to others. Although a comparatively young man, Mr. Bailey has already attained financial independence and a prosperous future may be predicted for him.

WARD H. CRAMER.

For almost forty-four years Ward H. Cramer has been identified with some phase or other of the development of the west. He is now engaged in general farming near Ellensburg, having a ranch of eighty acres which he is successfully cultivating and improving. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, August 25, 1853, a son of Henry V. and Betsy (Lamberson) Cramer, who were also natives of Onondaga county, while both have passed away. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming. The mother, who was a daughter of John H. Lamber- son, a pioneer farmer of Onondaga county, New York, departed this life in 1918, at the notable old age of ninety-nine years.

Ward H. Cramer acquired a public school education and then became a student in an academy at Homer, New York. Attracted by the opportunities of the grow- ing west, he made his way to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the spring of 1875, and after- ward engaged in freighting for the government. In 1884 he removed to Billings, Montana, where he entered the cattle business, and subsequently he purchased land and conducted a cattle ranch, becoming one of the successful cattlemen of that section of the country. His business affairs were wisely and carefully conducted and his annual sales brought him a good financial return. In 1902, however, he disposed of his interests there and afterward traveled to a considerable extent. In 1904 he bought an eighty-acre ranch near Ellensburg and has since engaged in general farming in this locality. In 1904 he began the erection of a fine residence upon his place, has also built a new barn and has added the latest improved farm machinery and all modern equipments and accessories which are features of the model farm of the twentieth century.

In 1889 Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie P. Owens, who was born near Ripon, Wisconsin, and removed to Park City, Montana, in 1883. There was one child by Mrs. Cramer's former marriage, Madison S., who is engaged in farming with Mr. Cramer and owns thirty acres of ranch property.

Mr. Cramer belongs to the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of

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the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring always to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests. By close application and inde- fatigable industry he has won a place among the leading farmers of Kittitas county and has never had occasion to regret his determination to leave the east in order to become identified with the great western empire. He has felt the stimulus of opportunity in this section and has not only promoted his individual interests but in many ways his activities have proven an element in general development and upbuilding.

JAMES N. HAND.

James N. Hand is one of the progressive ranchmen of the Kittitas valley. Associated with his brother he has twelve hundred acres of range land, with six hundred acres under irrigation and he has gained for himself a creditable position among the successful ranchers of his section of the state. He was born at Kings- court, County Cavan, Ireland, July 1. 1862, a son of Patrick and Bridget Hand, both of whom passed away on the Emerald Isle. The son came to the United States in 1885, when a young man of twenty-three years, and remained a resident of Iowa from that date until 1889, during which period he engaged in the cultivation of rented land. Thinking to find better business opportunities in the northwest, he then made his way to the Kittitas valley and purchased forty acres of land, which constituted the nucleus of his present extensive holdings. To this property he has added from time to time until he and his brother Edward now have twelve hundred acres of range land, together with a tract of six hundred acres under irrigation. They own and conduct the farm together and are most progressive in their methods. They raise hay and grain, annually gathering good crops, and they also devote con .. siderable attention to stock raising, keeping good grades of cattle, sheep and horses.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 126

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