History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 128

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 128
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 128
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 128

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ALEXANDER D. SLOAN.

Alexander D. Sloan, a representative of Yakima's commercial interests, being engaged in the drug business, was born in Maryland on the 12th of November, 1866, a son of Alexander and Sarah (Percy) Sloan, who were natives of Scotland and came to the United States when young people, being married on this side of the Atlantic. The father was superintendent of the New Central Coal Company and both he and his wife are now deceased.

Alexander D. Sloan acquired a public school education in his native state and afterward was graduated from the University of Virginia, while in 1889 he com- pleted a course in the University of Maryland. He had served an apprenticeship to the drug business in Baltimore and pursued a scientific course in pharmacy in the Maryland university. In 1896 he arrived in Yakima, where he purchased the Mercer

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drug store, and about 1899 he made a removal to the corner of First street and Yakima avenue, where he occupies a building twenty-five by one hundred feet. He has the oldest drug store of the city and has been continuously in business in Yakima for a longer period than any other druggist. His prescriptions number over two hundred and twenty-five thousand since the time the store was established. Every prescription is on file and there is no drug store of the entire northwest which enjoys or more deserves the confidence of the people. The store is taste- fully and attractively arranged and an extensive line of the more reliable drugs is carried.

On the 5th of September, 1902, Mr. Sloan was married to Miss Clara J. Sin- clair, of Yakima, a daughter of Hugh K. Sinclair, one of the old-time ranchmen of this section of the state. Mrs. Sloan was born in Nova Scotia and came to the northwest in her childhood days, her parents being among the pioneer settlers of thc Naches valley.

Mr. Sloan is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Yakima Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M .; Yakima Chapter, R. A. M .; to the Knights of Pythias; to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; to the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and to the Woodmen of the World. He is also a member of the Yakima Country Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, in which he is an active worker. He served as a delegate to the national convention in 1912 and again in 1916. He has been a member of the state central committee for many years and has thus taken an active part in directing the affairs and shaping the interests of the party in Washington. He has also served as chairman of the county central committee. The nature of his interests is furthermore indicated in the fact that he is a charter member of the Yakima Historical Society and is now serving as its treasurer. He is interested in everything that has to do with the west, its history and its upbuild- ing, and he has played an important part in promoting its activities along various lines. His long residence in Yakima and his close connection with its business affairs have made him widely known and high regard is entertained for him, for his career has ever been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In connection with his other business interests Mr. Sloan is a director of the Yakima Trust Company.

WILLIS R. BIRGE.

Important farming interests near Sunnyside claim the attention of Willis R. Birge, a native of Minnesota, who was born in Rice county, February 9, 1857, a son of Rodger P. and Isabel (Reed) Birge. The father was born in East Windsor, Con- necticut. while his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. He was numbered among the honored pioneers of Iowa, whence in 1852 he made his way to Rice county, Minne- sota, where he took up a homestead and there farmed until 1868, returning at the end of that period to Iowa, where he spent a year. In April. 1869. removal was made to Seward county. Nebraska, where he arrived while pioneer conditions still maintained, in fact buffalo still roamed within thirty-five miles of his place. That property he improved and operated until the spring of 1889, or for a period of twenty years Per- ceiving greater opportunities in the Pacific northwest, he made up his mind to profit by the chances here offered and in the summer came to Washington, remaining at that time, however, only a few months and continuing on to California. Later, how- ever, he returned to this state, going to Sumner, and there he passed away in 1904. His wife had preceded him by over a third of a century, her demise occurring in 1867.

Willis R. Birge received his education largely in the public schools of Nebraska and he also attended Doane College of that state for a year, perceiving the advan- tages gained from a thorough educational foundation in order to better pursue life's arduous duties. After leaving college he decided to follow farming, remaining with his father. until the spring of 1890. when he came to Washington and for three years lived in Tacoma, while for six years Spokane was his residence. He was largely engaged in railroading during this period. In 1898, however, Mr. Birge took up a

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desert claim four and a half miles southwest of Sunnyside but in 1900 changed it to a homestead, on which he proved up. Under the homestead rights he received one hundred and twenty acres but traded eighty acres of it for one hundred and twenty acres near Mabton, in the Horse Heaven country This tract he now rents. The remaining forty acres of the original home farm are highly developed and there he erected a beautiful modern home in 1910. He also has good barns and everything about the place indicates his progressive methods and the energy and industry which he has exercised in making his one of the model farms of his neighborhood. He has excellent barns and modern machinery, thus increasing the value of the annual yield. He largely raises alfalfa and corn.

On the 3d of August, 1903, Mr. Birge was married to Almeda Alexander, a na- tive of Greenville, Tennessee, through which state Mr. Birge made a most interest- ing anto trip. Mrs. Birge is a daughter of James G. and Louise (Wagner) Alexander, the former a native of Greenville, Tennessee, while the latter was born in Virginia. Mr. Alexander was of Scotch descent. His original American ancestor came to the United States in colonial days and served in the Revolutionary war, thus assisting in winning independence and liberty for this country. The mother of Mrs. Birge was of German descent, the family having come to this country prior to the Revolu- tionary war, in which conflict some of them participated. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have both passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Birge attend the Presbyterian church, of which the latter is a de- voted member. Fraternally Mr. Birge belongs to the Masons, being connected with the blue lodge in Sunnyside and also the chapter. In politics he is independent but gives preference to republican principles and candidates. Mrs. Birge is also con- nected with the Masonic order, being a member of the Eastern Star. Both are very popular in social circles of Sunnyside, where they have many friends. They are inter- ested in intellectual and moral development and Mr. Birge is ever ready to give his support to measures which have for their purpose the upbuilding of his district.

CHRISTY G. THOMAS.

Christy G. Thomas, postmaster of Cle Elum, is a native of Monroe county, Mis- souri. He was born February 18, 1849, of the marriage of David and Isabel J. (Sparks) Thomas, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the latter being a daughter of James Sparks, who in 1839 removed to Missouri. David Thomas was a son of Parson Thomas, who died in 1838, while en route to Missouri. It was in the year 1847 that David Thomas and Isabel J. Sparks were married in Missouri. The former was the first postmaster at Woodlawn, that state, having been appointed to the position in 1851. He afterward went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, attracted by the gold discoveries in that region, and later he settled in Carroll county, Missouri. He subsequently became a resident of Jackson county, Missouri, where he was killed by lightning on the 29th of April, 1872. His widow survived for a number of years, passing away in Missouri in 1887.

Their son, Christy G. Thomas, acquired a public school education, the little temple of learning in which he pursued his studies being one of the old-time log schoolhouses of his native state. In young manhood he took up the occupation of farming and also learned the carpenter's trade. He was afterward engaged in the grocery business in Missouri in 1883 and 1884 and was otherwise identified with business activity in that state for a considerable period. In 1901 he arrived in Cle Elum, Washington, and for five years thereafter engaged in the cultivation of a rented ranch. Subsequently he turned his attention to the livery business, in which he engaged for four years. He next entered the hotel business purchasing the Reed Hotel, but sold that property six months later. He then lived retired until the 10th of July, 1913, when he was appointed postmaster of Cle Elum and on the expiration of his four years' term was reappointed on the 24th of January, 1918, so that he has now entered upon a period of service that will cover eight years.

On the 27th of February, 1876, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary E. Stalcup, who was born in Monroe county, Missouri, in 1849, a daughter of William

CHRISTY G. THOMAS

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and Sarah A. Stalcup. The children of this marriage are: William B., now deceased; Anna B., the wife of O. D. Chapman, a resident of Pasco, Washington; Mande, the wife of A. W. Byers, living at Cle Elum; one who died in infancy; Leonard, who died at the age of one year; and Christy Ray, who is now acting as clerk in the postoffice. He is married and makes his home in Cle Elum.

Mr. Thomas has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party, of which he became a stanch supporter on attaining his majority. He is an enthusiastic champion of the northwest and its opportunities and has lived to see remarkable progress in the section in which he elected to make his home.

L. L. HEER.

L. L. Heer, president of the Valley Iron Works of Yakima and thus closely con- nected with the industrial development of the city, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, in 1864. He acquired a public school education in the east and there learned the machinist's trade. Later he occupied the position of manager with the Morgan Engineering Company of Alliance, Ohio, and subsequently became assistant works manager with the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Company of Cleveland. He continued his residence in that section of the country until his removal to Yakima and he was also at one time general foreman for the Fraser & Chalmers Engine Works at Chi- cago. His training has been most thorough and comprehensive along the line in which he is now engaged. The Valley Iron Works, of which he is proprietor, was established in the old town of Yakima in the '80s by Mr. Schichtl, who conducted the business under his own name and subsequently sold to Mr. Holstein, who in turn was succeeded by the Moffett Patent Manufacturing Company, from whom Mr. Heer pur- chased the business, changing the name to the Valley Iron Works in 1911. He has greatly enlarged and improved the plant and occupies a building fifty by one hun- dred and fifty feet. He does a general line of machine shop work and repairs and employs ahout twelve skilled mechanics. Mr. Heer's experience in that direction well qualifies him to direct the labors of these in his service, and to supply the knowl- edge that must underlie efficient workmanship.

In 1893 Mr. Heer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Ellett, of Alliance, Ohio, and they have hecome parents of a son and two daughters, but William is now deceased. The others are Helen and Lois.

Mr. Heer is a republican in his political views and while well informed on the questions and issues of the day and an earnest supporter of the party with which he has voted since attaining adult age, he has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and he concentrates his efforts and attention upon his individual interests, which are most wisely and carefully directed and which are now bringing to him substantial success.

JULIUS O. STRAND.

The soil of Yakima county is naturally rich and productive when water can be added thereto and the development of the land has greatly increased the wealth of the population, for it has been found that fruit, various cereals and all kinds of garden product can be profitably raised. The region once wild and desolate, covered with nothing but sagebrush, has been transformed into what is veritably one of the garden spots of the world, and among those who are successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil in this section is Julius O. Strand, who is the owner of forty acres of valuable land which he has carefully and profitably cultivated. He was born in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, June 11, 1864, a son of Ole and Ingeborg Strand, who were pioneer people of Wisconsin. They were the second family to locate in the Boswick valley. They came from Norway in 1848, and made their way across the country to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they lived for a time and then took up their abode in La

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Crosse county, where they remained from 1852 until late in life, when they became residents of Tacoma, Washington, where their last days were passed.

Julius O. Strand acquired a public school education and through the period of his youth and early manhood engaged in farming with his father. Later he purchased the old homestead property and continued in . active identification with agricultural interests in the Mississippi valley until 1903, when he sold the property and came to Yakima county, where he spent a week. He afterward spent the winter in Colorado and then returned to Wisconsin, where he remained through the succeeding three years. In 1906 he again arrived in Yakima county, where he and his brother and brother-in-law purchased two hundred acres on the Cowiche. This they later sold. after which Julius O. Strand made investment in eighty acres adjoining. He built a fine home upon this place and began its development but later sold forty acres.of the land to his brother. He still retains an equal amount and he is now successfully engaged in the raising of grain and hay. He also makes a specialty of raising sugar beets and he has twelve acres planted to apples, his orchards being in excellent bear- ing condition. All the work upon his place is carefully and systematically done and his practical and progressive methods are manifest in the excellent results which have heen achieved.

On the 15th of December, 1891, Mr. Strand was united in marriage to Miss An- netta Strand, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Ole Strand. The children of this marriage are as follows: Florence, who is the wife of Guy Simmons, a rancher on the Cowiche; Elsie, who died at the age of eleven years; Esther, at home; Walter, who died in infancy; and Wilbur and Oscar, who are also at home.

Mr. Strand is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while his political belief is that of the republi- can party. He stands loyally by any cause which he espouses and never hesitates to voice his honest opinions. He is a self-made man and successful farmer and one whose sterling personal worth as well as business ability has gained for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

HERMAN A. HARLAN.

Herman A. Harlan, engaged in the lumber business at Zillah, comes to the north- west from Iowa. He was born in Lee county of that state on the 1st of December, 1879, a son of Howard and Allie (Cox) Harlan. In the year 1893 his parents removed to South Dakota, settling at Elk Point, and later took up their abode at Alexandria, where the father engaged in the practice of dentistry, for which he had qualified in early manfrocd. In 1905 he came to the Yakima valley and purchased a fruit ranch near Zillah, upon which he has since resided, concentrating his efforts and attention most successfully upon horticultural interests.

Herman A. Harlan was a lad of thirteen years when his parents removed to South Dakota and there he continued his education, which had been begun in the public schools of his native state. After his textbooks were put aside he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Standard Oil Company and in 1905 he made his way to the northwest, with Seattle as his destination. He was employed in that city by the Pacific Coast Coal Company and also by the Lee P. Ketcham Coal Company. In 1912, however, he removed to Zillah and purchased an interest in the Morgan Lumber Company, of which he has since been the vice president and manager. This com- pany carries a large line of all kinds of lumber and building supplies and has built up a business of gratifying proportions. The trade under the wise direction of the officers is constantly increasing, for they put forth every effort to please their patrons and are thoroughly reliable in their business methods. In addition to his lumber interests Mr. Harlan is a director of the Lynch-Pennington Fruit Company of Yakima and is the owner of an excellent fruit ranch near Zillah.

In 1909 Mr. Harlan was united in marriage to Miss Katheryn Knight, a native of Nebraska. In his fraternal relations Mr. Harlan is connected with Meridian Lodge, No. 198, A. F. & A. M., the Rose Croix chapter of Yakima, the consistory of Tacoma and also the Mystic Shrine of Tacoma. He belongs to Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B.

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P. O. E., and is a loyal adherent of the teachings of these organizations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but without desire for office, as he prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs.

EVAN OWEN.

Evan Owen, whose fellow townsmen speak of him as a man of genuine worth, a man whose word is as good as his bond, makes his home near Sunnyside, where he is engaged in ranching. He was born in Wales, June 12, 1854, a son of John and Betsey Owen, who were farming people of that country but have now passed away. Evan Owen remained a resident of his native country through the period of his boyhood and youth and came to the United States in 1881, making his way to Kan- sas. He afterward worked for wages in that state, in California, in Oregon and in Washington and for many years was employed in herding sheep. In 1914 he pur- chased a half interest in a sheep ranch near Outlook, Washington, his partner being Frank Rufrock. Together they own twenty-four hundred head of sheep and a fine forty acre ranch. In 1918 they had about ten thousand head of sheep but have sold a great number. They are now planting the ranch to alfalfa, devoting it largely to the raising of hay, and to the property they have added many modern improvements.

In 1883 Mr. Owen was married to Miss Jane Reese, who was born in Wales and came to the United States in her girlhood days. She passed away in 1886, leaving two children: Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Crouch, a resident of Oceanside, California, by whom she has one son, Herbert; and John William, usually known as Will, who married Minnie Sachman and resides in Sprague, Washington. He has two children, Robert and Clarence.

Mr. Owen has been a resident of the Yakima valley for many years, first taking up his abode here in 1906. In the intervening period he has become recognized as one of the successful stockmen of the northwest. He has engaged extensively in buying and selling sheep, purchasing sheep to the value of sixty thousand dollars in a single day. He possesses a most retentive memory, keeping all of the details of a business transaction in his head, and he is known absolutely as a man of his word. His life has been characterized by unfaltering industry and diligence. He concen- trates his efforts and attention upon business and maintains an even balance in all things. In politics he prefers the republican party and he does not believe in the Non-Partisan League or the I. W. W.'s. He looks at life always from a sane stand- point and recognizes its values. Losing his wife only three years after their mar- riage and being left with two small children, he has educated them and has given them a good start in life. He early recognized the fact that if the individual does not succeed he must place the blame upon himself. He saw that industry is the basis of prosperity and that hard work and economy will always enable one to attain success. His own career is an illustration of this fact and all who know him give him great credit for what he has accomplished.

PORTER ALLENBAUGH.

Porter Allenbaugh, deceased, was the owner of a valuable property of twenty acres three and one-half miles west of Grandview, largely devoted to general farm- ing, and he also had dairying interests here. He made agriculture largely his life work and through progressive methods, untiring industry and intelligent study of conditions of soil and climate succeeded so that he gained recognition as one of the well-to-do ranchers of the valley.

A native of Indiana, Mr. Allenbaugh was born in Porter county, March 2, 1859, a son of George and Eva Allenbaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel S. Allen- baugh, who as a pioneer resided in Illinois about 1848, building the first house in his part of Cumberland county, that state. George Allenbaugh was successfully con-

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nected with agricultural pursuits in Illinois and also served throughout the whole period of the Civil war, rendering valuable service to his country, while his farm was conducted by his wife during his absence. In 1876 the family removed to Elk county, Kansas, and there both parents died in 1879.

Porter Allenbaugh was reared amid farm surroundings, thus early becoming acquainted with valuable farming methods. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools in his native state as well as in Kansas and subsequently took up farming in the Sunflower state. He acquired the old homestead but in 1890 sold it and on the 14th of April of that year arrived in Yakima county. He at first worked for wages and soon demonstrated his ability as well as experience and knowledge, becoming manager of a five-hundred acre ranch on the Ahtanum of which J. R. Patton was the owner. Later he removed to Yakima, where for six years he worked for H. L. Nicker. He next rented land and in 1896 became manager of a ranch on the Columbia river for a Mr. Tucker. As his means increased he acquired property and owned several farms, all of which he conducted to good purpose. In 1916 he came into possession of twenty acres three and one-half miles west of Grandview, which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life, raising corn, potatoes, beans and hay and also giving some attention to live stock, raising hogs for the market. He conducted an up-to-date dairy, from which he derived an ad- ditional income that was very gratifying. He was a thoroughly modern and enter- prising agriculturist, energetic and industrions, and made his property very valuable.

In November, 1883, Mr. Allenbaugh was united in marriage to Miss Alice Pit- zer, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Joseph and Emily (Butts) Pitzer, both of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Allenbaugh became the parents of four daughters. They are: Edith, the wife of E. L. Lennington, a rancher of Yakima county; Edna, who married B. F. Lambert, a resident of Yakima; Anna, who married H. L. Boyd, of Seattle: and Carrie, the wife of George Godette, also residing in Seattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Allenbaugh occupied an enviable position in the social circle of their neighborhood, where they were esteemed and respected by all who knew them. Fraternally he was a member of the Woodmen of the World and also belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, while in politics he was a republican. He was at all times interested in the development and upbuilding of his section of the state and gave valuahle cooperation to measures undertaken on behalf of the general welfare.

ALBERT GARFIELD BERRY.

Albert Garfield Berry, who follows farming in the vicinity of Thorp, was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 5, 1880, a son of John and Maggie (Schrcffler) Berry, the former a native of the Buckeye state, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. In 1885 they made their way to the northwest, taking up their abode in Klickitat county, Washington, where Mr. Berry secured a homestead claim. With character- istic energy he began the cultivation and development of that place, which he con- tinued to carefully farm until 1902, when he retired from active business life and re- moved to The Dalles, Oregon, there spending his remaining days, his death occurring January 18, 1909. His wife survived for a number of years, passing away October 15, 1916.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 128

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