History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 131

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 131
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 131
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 131

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Mr. Beavers was united in marriage to Miss Ida Armstrong, of Taylorville, Illi- nois, a daughter of Dr. L. C. and Josephine Armstrong, both of whom are promi- nent residents of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Beavers are very popular in the social circles of Kennewick.

Mr. Beavers has always taken an active interest in the development of the valley and has shown this particularly in developing his wonderful vineyard, which is the largest in the valley. It is a modern vineyard and many are those who come to in- quire of him as to his methods and procedures and ask his permission to look over the establishment. In fact it has made his name known far and wide in this section. In

VINEYARD OF AVERILL BEAVERS, KENNEWICK

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his political affiliations Mr. Beavers is a democrat, steadfastly supporting the prin- ciples and candidates of the party, his influence being felt in its councils. He attends the Christian Science church and is a member of the Kennewick Commercial Club, in the proceedings of which he takes an active and helpful interest, readily supporting its measures and projects for trade and industrial expansion. He is prominent in fra- ternal orders, being a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Seattle and he is also a chapter Mason and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. As a leader in grape culture, as a lawyer. as a government official and, last but not least, as a citizen, Mr. Beavers stands high among his fellows and all who know him speak of him in the highest terms, there being many who consider it an honor to call him friend.

THOMAS H. SMITH.

Thomas H. Smith is the owner of one of the beautiful homes of the Yakima valley, situated in the midst of a farm of one hundred and twenty-nine acres. He is of Canadian birth, born in New Brunswick, November 7, 1864, and is a son of John and Isabel (Amos) Smith. The mother was born while her parents were cross- ing the Atlantic from Scotland to the new world, her father being Adam Amos, a native of Scotland, who arrived in Canada at an early day. John Smith was born in Canada, a son of James Smith, who was also a Scotchman and came of Scotch and English ancestry. The maternal grandfather of Thomas H. Smith had engaged in sheep raising in Scotland but after coming to the new world followed farming in Canada. John Smith devoted his attention to farming and to the lumber business, and both he and his wife have passed away. His father, James Smith, was engaged in the boot and shoe business in Canada.

Thomas H. Smith acquired a public school education and came to the northwest in 1884. at which time he settled in Oregon and turned his attention to sheep rais- ing in connection with his brother Harvey, who had made his way to the Pacific coast at a very early day, settling first in California, but afterward removing to Wasco county, Oregon, where he joined his brother, Thomas H., in 1885, and became actively connected with sheep raising. They lived in Oregon for some years thereafter and in 1892 came to Yakima county. Purchasing twenty-three hundred head of sheep. they established a ranch on Cold Creek, there developing a large property devoted to sheep raising interests. In fact this became recognized as one of the best sheep ranches in Washington and the brothers attained prominence as most successful sheepmen in the valley. In the early days they bought large tracts of Union Pacific land, which they developed, adding all of the accessories and equipment necessary for the care of sheep. and during the winter months handled from five to nine thousand head after selling the lambs in the fall. They also have about three hundred head of beef cattle and raise horses for their own use. They handle very high grade stock but not registered. In 1911 Thomas H. Smith purchased the old Cameron Brothers ranch on the Moxee, remodeled the house and occupies that place. The Cameron Brothers had come to the northwest at a very early day and purchased the land and improved the ranch. They, too, were Scotch people and possessed the sterling qualities of the Scotch. Mr. Smith now has one hundred and twenty-nine acres of land in his home place and his residence is one of the most beautiful in the valley. He raises from three hun- dred and fifty to four hundred tons of hay each year and has a silo upon his place with a capacity of one hundred and eighty tons, which he fills annually. There is no feature of sheep raising with which he is not thoroughly familiar, and his enterprise and business ability are manifest in the substantial progress that has attended his efforts, making him one of the prosperous men of this section of the state.

In 1891 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Gesina Patjens, who became a resident of Oregon in her girlhood days, their marriage being celebrated in that state. They have become the parents of seven children: Harry, who is associated with his father in the live stock business; Abner, who is married and is connected with his father in cattle raising: Agnes, at home; and four who died in fancy.

Thomas H. Smith belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having membership in Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., while in the consistory he has attained the

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thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B. P. O. E .; to the Yakima Commercial Club and to the Country Club. He is accounted one of the prominent men of the valley. His business qualities are well balanced and his ready discrimination enables him to recognize the possibilities of any situation and the obstacles in the path. The latter he overcomes by persistent and earnest effort and utilizes the former in the attainment of a success that has placed him with the leading stockmen of his section of the state.

SAMUEL C. THOMAS.

Samuel C. Thomas, who owns a ranch six miles northeast of Ellensburg, on which he resides, was born near Marion, in Grant county, Indiana, March 3, 1848, a son of Isaac M. and Jane (Moore) Thomas, both of whom were born in Indiana. The father was a son of Solomon Thomas, a native of North Carolina, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Indiana, where he followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in the practice of medicine. Isaac M. Thomas devoted his attention to the occupation of farming and on leaving Indiana removed to Adams county, Iowa, where he took up his abode in 1855. There he resided for almost two decades but became a resident of Seattle, Washington, in 1874. He lived in the Sound country until 1878, when he removed to the Kittitas valley and took up government land. This he improved and made his home thereon to the time of his death, which oc- curred when he had reached the very venerable age of eighty-eight years. His wife also passed away upon the old homestead and she was eighty-seven years of age at the time of her demise.

Samuel C. Thomas pursued a public school education and throughout life has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He made his way to the northwest with his father, living in Seattle for a brief period, and in 1876 he removed to the Kittitas valley, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. At once he began to develop and improve the ranch, whereon he resided until about 1889, when he sold that property and returned to the coast, where he lived for seven years. He next made his way to the Columbia river and five years later located on the old home ranch in the Kittitas valley and took care of his parents throughout their remaining days. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres consti- tuting an excellent ranch six miles northeast of Ellensburg and thereon he engaged in raising grain and hay, producing the crops best adapted to soil and climatic con- ditions here up to the time of his retirement. He now rents the farm but continues to reside thereon.

In 1870 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Addie Yocom, a native of Minnesota, by whom he had four children, as follows: Edgar, who is deceased; Edwin, a resident of Wenatchee, Washington; Beulah, who is a nurse living in Seattle; and Edward, also a resident of Seattle.

In his political views Mr. Thomas has always been a republican and gives stal- wart support to the party. He has been a successful farmer, wisely and carefully directing his business affairs, and the thoroughness with which he did his work and managed his sales brought to him the substantial competence that now enables him to live retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

JAMES F. WOOD.

James F. Wood, a well known orchardist of Yakima county, has at various times been connected with other business interests and public duties, and in every rela- tion of life his course has been such as to commend him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated. Washington claims him as a na- tive son and his life record is typical of the progressive spirit of the northwest. He was born in Goldendale, Washington, June 5, 1879, a son of John H. and Emma B. (Berrian) Wood, the former a native of Illinois and a son of Francis Wood, who

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brought his family across the plains in 1860. They journeyed first to California and afterward made their way northward to The Dalles, in Oregon, where John H. Wood was reared to manhood. The grandfather continued his residence in Oregon through- out his remaining days, passing away at La Grande. At one time his son, John H. Wood, drove a stage between The Dalles and Goldendale, being thus engaged in young manhood. Later he took up his abode at Goldendale but afterward became a Methodist minister and engaged in preaching throughout the west. He was at one time pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Yakima, serving in that con- nection from 1898 until 1902, when he went to Oregon City, Oregon, where he spent two years. He was afterward at Kennewick, Washington, where he had a ranch, and upon that place he passed away in September, 1914. He had long survived his wife, whose death occurred at The Dalles, Oregon, in 1897. She was a daughter of George Berrian, one of the early pioneers of the state, who on removing to the northwest had settled at Columbus, Washington.

James F. Wood acquired a public school education, supplemented by a business college course. He started out in the business world as a clerk in a general mer- chandise store at The Dalles, where he remained for six years, and subsequently he became a bookkeeper. The year 1898 witnessed his arrival in Yakima, after which he was employed for two years in the county treasurer's office. He afterward engaged in the insurance business and at a subsequent period entered the employ of the firm of Wyman & Fraser, implement dealers at Yakima. He was next at Prosser, Wash- ington, and later he purchased a half interest in the Green Mercantile Company at Yakima, continuing one of the factors in the management and conduct of that busi- ness until 1905, when he sold out. In the same year he bought ten acres of land two and a half miles south of Yakima and this he planted to fruit trees and has since greatly improved his orchard. In January, 1908, he became deputy county treasurer, which position he capably filled for four years. He was afterward elected to the office of county treasurer in recognition of his previous faithful service and continued in that capacity for two terms, proving a most able custodian of the public funds. While thus serving he lived upon his ranch, on which he still makes his home, and his place is largely planted to apples and pears. His orchards produce fine fruit and the annual sale of his crops brings him a substantial measure of success.

On the 8th of April, 1902, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Ada M. Putnam, who was born in Missouri and is a daughter of A. E. Putnam, of Maysville, that state. They have an adopted daughter, Frances Elizabeth.

Mr. Wood belongs to the Yakima County Horticultural Union, of which he served for a short time as treasurer. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, with the Royal Arcanum and with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church. Along various lines of activity he has directed his efforts and has ever been loyal to all those things entrusted to his care.

CHARLES EDWIN WYCKOFF.

Charles Edwin Wyckoff, an orchardist who since 1904 has been the owner of valuable fruit lands a mile and a half northwest of Buena, was born in Nemaha county, Kansas, August 5, 1864, a son of Jacob and Alvira ( Manlove) Wyckoff, who were na- tives of Schuyler county, Illinois. The father was a son of Garrett Wyckoff, who was born in Virginia and at the age of twenty years became one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois. His father was a native of Holland and established his home in Vir- ginia in colonial days. Jacob Wyckoff owned and operated a sawmill in Illinois and in 1863 removed to Kansas. In 1865 he removed from the Sunflower state to Mis- souri and while living in that state his wife passed away in 1871. He then returned to Kansas in 1872 and took up government land in Sumner county, six miles south of Wellington, where he resided until his death.

Charles E. Wyckoff of this review obtained a public school education in Kansas, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he started out in the business

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world independently. He worked for wages for ten years and then took up a home- stead in Noble county, Oklahoma, upon which he resided until October, 1903. In that year he sold out and came to the Yakima valley. In 1904 he purchased thirty acres a mile and a half northwest of Buena, which had been cleared and a part of it planted to hay, while seventy fruit trees had also been set out. Mr. Wyckoff has since sold ten acres of this property but retains possession of twenty acres and now has one-half of it planted to apples and peaches, while the remainder is devoted to the raising of diversified crops. His ranch is improved with a good dwelling and substantial barns and everything about the place indicates his practical methods and progressive spirit.

On the 22d of February, 1898, Mr. Wyckoff was married to Miss Amy Lucy Cooper, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cooper, the former now deceased, while the latter is a resident of Oklahoma. The children of this marriage are nine in number, namely: Elmer, Alvira, Alvin, Paul, Carl, Lucy, Lillian, Clara and Fern.

Mr. Wyckoff votes with the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker, preferring to con- centrate his thought and labor upon the management of his business affairs. He has used his time and talents wisely and well and by reason of his persistent effort, in- telligently directed, he has gained a place among the prosperous orchardists of his region.

ALVIN L. DUNCAN, D. D. S.

Dr. Alvin L. Duncan has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry at Cle Elum since September, 1913, and is widely recognized as an able representative of his profession. His birth occurred in Louisa county, Iowa, on the 5th of November, 1881, his parents being Joseph J. and Ida L. (Stopp) Duncan. The father, also a native of Louisa county, Iowa, was a son of Kennedy Duncan, who re- moved to the Hawkeye state in pioneer times and there took up a tract of govern- ment land. Joseph J. Duncan has passed away and his widow now makes her home with her son Alvin.

In preparation for his chosen profession Alvin L. Duncan entered the College of Dentistry of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, being graduated on the completion of his course in 1904. He opened an office at Sanborn, Iowa, where he remained for seven years and then did not practice for a year. In 1912 he came to Washington, locating first at Selah, while in September, 1913, he removed to Cle Elum, where he has continued to the present time. As a dental practitioner he has demonstrated his skill and ability and has long enjoyed a large and lucrative patronage. In 1907 Dr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Austin, a native of Emmet county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Jennie (Lines) Austin. They have become the parents of two children, Dorothy and Joseph.

The Doctor is a republican in his political views but in exercising his right of franchise does not consider himself bound by party ties, always considering the capability of a candidate rather than his party affiliations. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His life is upright and honorable in every relation and he has won an extensive circle of warm friends during the period of his residence in the Yakima valley.

PETER OLLIVIER.

Peter Ollivier, who is engaged in the conduct of a stock ranch four and a half miles southeast of Yakima, was born in France on the 14th of February. 1871, a son of Peter and Rose (Vilaron) Ollivier, both of whom were natives of France. The son was a young man of nineteen years when he crossed the Atlantic and made his

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way to Los Angeles, California. In that state he engaged in herding sheep and working on ranches until 1893, when he made his way northwest to Walla Walla, Washington, where he again became a sheep herder. In 1901 he removed to Sunny- side, Washington, and in the meantime had accumulated three thousand sheep of his own. He there had five thousand acres of grazing land and carried on sheep raising, continuing actively and successfully in the business until 1917, when he sold out his interest there and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land four and a half miles southeast of Yakima. This is a stock ranch, of which he has forty acres planted to hay, while the balance is in pasture. His business interests are carefully and wisely conducted and success in substantial measure is crowning his labors.

In 1917 Mr. Ollivier was married to Mrs. Martha Amear, of Yakima. By a former marriage he has three children: Emilient, eighteen years of age, who is now a member of the United States artillery: Peter, who is attending school; and Louise. In his political views Mr. Ollivier has always been a republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. He has made good use of his time and his opportunities, has worked diligently and persistently, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties in his path by persistent effort, and with the passing years he has gained a place among the substantial residents of the Yakima valley.

GEORGE ANSON KANDLE.

Ranching interests in the Naches valley are well represented by George Anson Kandle, a prominent young farmer of that locality and a native of Washington, who was born in Thurston county on the 1st of January, 1885, a son of Robert H. Kandle, of whom more extended mention is made on other pages of this work.

George A. Kandle attended the public schools in the acquirement of his edu- cation and in 1903, when eighteen years of age, came with his father's family to- Yakima county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits in connection with his father for about two years, or until 1905. By that time he had reached the age of twenty and decided to start upon his independent career, renting land which he farmed on his own account. As a result of his labors he obtained the sum necessary to purchase land and now has forty acres on the lower Naches, of which two acres are planted to orchard. The rest is in hay and plow land and also in pasture. Mr. Kandle is progressive in his ideas and has made many improvements upon his place.

On September 21, 1904, George A. Kandle was united in marriage to Sylvia Tay- lor, a daughter of Isaac Taylor, who is numbered among the pioneers of Yakima county. To this union has been born a daughter, Leone. Mr. and Mrs. Kandle have many friends in Naches. He gives his political support to the republican party but has never been desirous of holding office, preferring to give his whole attention to his private interests.

JOHN A. STEIN.

John A. Stein, living near Wiley City, Yakima county, has devoted the greater part of his life to industrial pursuits and at the present time is concentrating his efforts and attention upon agricultural interests, owning a valuable farm property. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 11, 1862, a son of Jacoh and Eliza- beth (Schulte). Stein, both of whom were natives of New York. The father removed westward during the pioneer epoch in the development of Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee in 1846. There Elizabeth Schulte had taken up her abode in 1844 and they were married in that city. The father was a merchant and continued in busi- ness in Milwaukee until 1868, when he removed to New London, Wisconsin, where he carried on merchandising to the time of his death. His wife has also passed away.

John A. Stein is indebted to the public school system of Wisconsin for the edu- cational opportunities which he enjoyed and which fitted him for life's practical and

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responsible duties. When his textbooks were put aside he began learning the ma- chinist's trade and in February, 1896, he embarked in business on his own account by establishing the Virginia Iron Works at Virginia, Minnesota. He became president of the company, controlling the business and operated his plant at that place until 1905, when he sold out there and removed to Hoquiam, Washington. He then pur- chased the business of the Grays Harbor Iron & Steel Company, of which he became president and manager, so remaining until the spring of 1918. At that date he dis- posed of his industrial interests, which had proven profitable, and removed to Yakima county. He purchased forty acres of land on Tieton Heights and took up his abode upon this place. In 1908 he also bought twenty acres of land near Yakima, all of which is planted to orchard. He still owns this property but has never resided thereon. The home farm is now devoted to the raising of grain, corn, potatoes and other crops. He has recently erected a very fine modern residence upon his place and it is equipped with the latest improvements and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century.

On the 24th of September, 1889, Mr. Stein was united in marriage to Miss Kate Wink, of Marinette, Wisconsin, who passed away in 1893. On the 19th of April, 1898, he was again married, his second union being with Theresa Meath, of Troy, New York. The children of his first marriage are: Joseph, who is in the aviation service of the United States army in France; and Mary, who is a Sister in the Cath- olic church. To the second marriage five children have been born: John, residing in Aberdeen, Washington, where he is employed in the shipyards; Cecelia, at home; Raymond; Edmond; and Virginia. The family are communicants of St. Paul's Cath- olic church.

Mr. Stein maintains an independent course politically, voting for men and meas- ures rather than party. He has never taken an active part in politics, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely directed and have brought to him good returns upon his investment. Ob- stacles and difficulties in his path have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part and his capability has found visible expression in the business in- terests which he has owned and controlled and in the ranch properties which are now returning to him a most gratifying annual income.

GEORGE WEIKEL.

George Weikel, who is extensively engaged in ranching in Yakima county, his business affairs being most wisely, carefully and profitably conducted, was born in Canyonville, Douglas county, Oregon, on the 5th of September, 1865, a son of John and Celestia A. (Chapman) Weikel. The father's birth occurred in Union county, Pennsylvania, while the mother was born near Des Moines, Iowa, and was a daughter of Andrew J. Chapman, who came to the northwest in 1852, settling at Wilbur, Oregon. John Weikel was a soldier of the Mexican war and removed to Oregon in 1848, affer being honorably discharged from the army. His father also became one of the pioneers of Oregon, where he settled in 1852. John Weikel devoted his atten- tion to gold mining in the west and to cattle raising and experienced all the hard- ships and privations of western frontier life. He participated in many Indian fights, but notwithstanding all the difficulties of settlement here in the early days, he persevered in his efforts to establish a home in the western wilds. In 1865 he removed to Riddle, Oregon, and in 1871 became a resident of Yakima county, at which time he located where the old South farm is now found near Kennewick, being one of the first settlers of the region. In 1877 he took up his abode in the city of Yakima. He was extensively engaged in stock raising, running over ten thousand head of cat- tle. He passed away at Wilbur, Oregon, March 6, 1882, and was survived until 1890 by his wife. They had a family of six children, of whom George is the eldest, the others being: Mrs. George Glazier: Mrs. Eva Ferrell; Ada; Roy, a resident of Everett, Washington; and Ethel, who died in 1892.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 131

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