History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 133

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 133
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 133
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 133

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

JEHU J. HAYS.

Jehu J. Hays, a prominent attorney and leading business man of Grandview, was born near Asheville, in Buncombe county, North Carolina, on the 4th of March, 1868, and is a son of James M. and Eliza (Embler) Hays, who were also natives of Buncombe county. His paternal grandfather, James Hays, was born in the same place and there spent his entire life. They belonged to a good old southern family and most of its representatives followed the occupation of farming. Both parents died in Buncombe county.

During his boyhood Jehu J. Hays had little opportunity to attend school and at

1099

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

the age of eightcen could read poorly, but he determined to have a better education after hearing his father read the life of James A. Garfield, in which was told the experiences of the president during his boyhood and how he overcame all obstacles in winning prominence. Mr. Hays at length entered the Carson and Newman Col- lege of Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he paid his own expenses, and after his graduation he taught school for some time. He began the study of law at home and when his eyes grew tired his wife often read to him. He took a two years' course with the Columbian Correspondence College of Washington, D. C., and at length was graduated from the law department of the University of Tennessee in 1907, winning the gold medal for the best work in Moot Court and Practice. After leaving college he taught for one year in the Jonesboro high school and later was for some years at the head of the Masonic Institute at Mountain City, the county seat of Johnson county, Tennessee. He continued to live there until he completed his law course, after which he practiced at that place for one year.

It was in the fall of 1908 that Mr. Hays came to Washington and spent the first winter in Kittitas county. In the spring of the following year he became a resident of Toppenish, where he made his home until March, 1912, when he removed to Grandview. He is today the oldest lawyer in the place and has served as city attor- ney during most of his residence here. He also filled the same position while living in Toppenish and was police justice for a time.

On the 13th of April, 1901, Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Helm, a native of Jefferson county, Tennessee, and a daughter of William B. F. Helm, a farmer by occupation. Both her parents are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hays have been born five children: Byron Jackson, Martha Lucille, Ruth Mary, Wil- liam and James Woodrow, all of whom are living with the exception of William.

Although Baptists in religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Hays now attend the Metho- dist church and he is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Foresters of America. In politics he is an independent republican. Although he started out in life with limited advantages, he has always made the most of his opportunities and has become one of the leading attorneys of Yakima county. He has had a degree of success financially and is today the owner of two ranches, which he is now developing. In addition to his law practice he also engages in the real estate and insurance business to some extent. He attributes much of his success to the assistance given him by his wife, who has helped him in every possible way. They were married before she finished her college course and she, too, was making her own way through school, having commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years. They are today numbered among the leading citizens of Grandview and wherever known are held in the highest esteem.

JOSEPH SLAVIN.

Joseph Slavin is identified with general agricultural interests on the Ahtanum. He was born in Winona county, Minnesota, April 12. 1868, a son of Andrew and Ann (Duncan) Slavin, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to the United States when young people and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Minne- sota, where for many years the father carried on farming. He died in that state and the mother afterward passed away at the home of a son in Yakima county.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof in Winona county, Minne- sota, Joseph Slavin there acquired a public school education and was thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He came to Yakima county on the 11th of December, 1885, and thus for more than a third of a century has lived in the northwest. For four years after his arrival he worked for wages, but he was de- sirous of engaging in business on his own account and therefore he practiced strict economy and unfaltering industry in order to gain a start. In 1896 he felt that his savings justified his purchase of land and he and his brother invested in ranch prop- erty. A decade later, or in 1906, Joseph Slavin bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Ahtanum and has built thereon a fine residence, large barns and (46)

1100

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

other buildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact the equipment of his place is thoroughly modern and the entire farm indicates his progressive spirit and unfaltering industry. He devotes his land to the raising of hay and grain and also to the production of hops, having large hop vineyards. He likewise has six acres planted to orchards, which are now in excellent bearing condition, and he carries on a dairy business. He is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the district in which he makes his home.

Mr. Slavin is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church and his political endorse- ment is given to the democratic party, which he has supported at all national elec- tions since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In local affairs, however, he casts an independent ballot nor has he ever been ambitious to hold office. On the contrary, he has preferred to give his undivided time and attention to his busi- ness affairs, which have been intelligently directed and have brought to him a most gratifying measure of prosperity.

METT LONGMIRE.

Among the young agriculturists of Yakima county and a native of this county is Mett Longmire, who was born December 20, 1884, a son of Charles and Laura Ann (Longmire) Longmire. The father is numbered among those pioneers who crossed the plains in a primitive way in order to establish a home upon the frontier and here, on the Wenas, he took up a homestead, to the cultivation of which he gave his undivided attention until he removed to Yakima, where he now makes his home.

Mett Longmire attended public school until he had acquired a good practical education and then entered the sheep business. In 1906 he acquired a ranch in the Wenas valley and has since been so successful that he has been able to add to his acreage from time to time until he now owns over three thousand acres of land, ninety of which are under cultivation. The remainder of his land is used as pasture, for while he raises some hay, he gives his principal attention to sheep raising.

Mr. Longmire was united in marriage to Miss Reba Addington, a daughter of J. B. Addington, and to this union three children have been born: Bernice, Kenneth and Metta.

Mr. Longmire is a republican in politics but not a politician in the sense of office seeking, although he is thoroughly familiar with the issues of the day and conditions as they affect local government. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks and in that organization has many friends.

PETER JOHN NORLING.

Peter John Norling, who passed away on the 2d of April, 1919, had witnessed the growth and development of the Kittitas valley during more than a third of a century and had been actively identified with its ranching and stock raising interests through- out that entire period, owning a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the vicin- ity of Ellensburg. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 16th of November, 1848, his parents being John and Elsie Norling, who passed away in that country before their son, Peter John, had reached the age of six years.

Peter J. Norling spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the land of his nativity and then, attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the superior advantages and opportunities offered in the United States, he crossed the Atlantic and after reaching American shores made his way into the interior of the country, arriving in Chicago on the 7th of June, 1871. A month later he removed to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he remained for two years and then took up his abode in Sycamore county, that state, working as a farm hand in order to earn a livelihood. In 1875 he journeyed westward to Blackhawk. Colorado, and four years later removed to Ten-mile, that state, where he remained until 1883. In that year hc made his way to the Kittitas valley in Washington, traveling via San Francisco, Cali-

1101

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

fornia, and The Dalles, Oregon. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land but later disposed of the property and purchased another tract of equal size near Ellensburg. He subsequently sold forty acres of the latter place but re- tained the remaining one hundred and twenty acres and was successfully engaged in the cultivation of hay and grain and the raising of stock throughout the remainder of his life. As the years passed his labors were attended with gratifying results and he long ranked with the prosperons and representative ranchers and stockmen of the valley. He also possessed considerable inventive genins and patented a ditcher.

On the 17th of July. 1895, Mr. Norling was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna Maria Swanson, the widow of Charles Swanson. She bore the maiden name of Anna Maria Munson, is a native of Sweden and emigrated to the United States in the year 1884. By her first marriage she had three children, namely: Augusta, now the wife of Olaf Johnson, who is engaged in ranching in the Kittitas valley; John, at home; and Oscar, a resident of Ellensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Norling had one son, George William, who is a member of the United States army.

In politics Mr. Norling was a republican, stanchly supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. Both he and his wife attended the Lutheran church and were highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization won a place among the substantial and respected citi- zens of his community. His demise, which occurred in the seventy-first year of his age, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends during the long period of his residence in the Kittitas valley.

JOHN G. SODEN.

John G. Soden, engaged in the butchering business in Toppenish, was born in Warren county, Illinois, in 1870. His parents, Frank and Julia Soden, removed to Brookings county, South Dakota, in the year 1877, casting in their lot with the pio- neer settlers who were reclaiming that district for the uses of civilization. The father took up government land there upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made and with characteristic energy he began to develop a farm, upon which he lived to the time of his death. His wife passed away on the 6th of April, 1915, and he died a year later to the day and hour.

John G. Soden acquired a public school education and also received instruction from his father at night. The father was most devoted to the welfare of his family and was a most progressive citizen. He had manifested his loyalty to his country during the period of the Civil war by service at the front, enlisting in August, -1862, as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, with which he remained on active duty until mustered out at the close of the war in 1865, when he returned to his home with a most creditable military record, having aided in winning victory on many a southern battlefield. He was an active supporter of the republican party throughout his entire life, believing firmly in that party, which had stood for the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He became a prominent and well known resident of Brookings county, South Dakota, heartily cooperating in all measures and movements for the general good from the time when he established his home there in pioneer days. His son Charles was the first white child born in that county.

John G. Soden was but a little lad when the family home was established there and upon his father's farm he was reared, early assisting in the work of further development and improvement. When his schooldays were over he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the farm work and so continued until he reached the age of twenty-three years. when he left home to engage in farming on his own account and spent four years in that way. It was in 1897 that he left South Dakota for the west, making his way to Genesee, Idaho. The following year he entered the butch- ering husiness in that state, devoting a year to the conduct of his shop. Later he engaged in buying heeves for various firms for a period of five years and then once more started in business on his own account at Sprague, Idaho, where he continued

1102

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

until the 1st of February, 1915. On that date he came to Toppenish, where he pur- chased a meat market, which he has since conducted. He carries an excellent line of meat, has a splendid refrigerator and other equipment and has built up a good trade, his patrons finding him always courteous and obliging as well as thoroughly reliable.

On the 12th of December, 1893, Mr. Soden was married to Miss Lillie Lord, a native of South Dakota, and they have become the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters.

Mr. Soden is a member of Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B. P. O. E., and also of the Knights of Pythias. He is likewise connected with the Toppenish Commercial Club and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. He was reared in that faith and has never seen occasion to change his views or allegiance. He stands for that which is progressive in public affairs of the community and his aid and influence are always given for the benefit and progress of his adopted city.

JOSEPH A. RICHARTZ.

A highly improved farm property of eighty acres on Ahtanum Heights is owned by Joseph A. Richartz, who acquired possession of this place by purchase in 1914. A part of it was then wild land but his efforts have converted it into productive fields on which he is raising large crops. Mr. Richartz has always lived in Yakima county, for he is numbered among its native sons, born on the 22d of February, 1893. His parents were Joseph and Catherine Marie (Powell) Richartz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They became residents of Yakima county in 1886 and took up a homestead claim on Nob Hill. Later the father sold that property and purchased a ranch on the Moxee, whereon Mrs. Catherine M. Richartz passed away. Subse- quently the father disposed of that property and now lives in Wisconsin.

Joseph A. Richartz acquired a public school education, supplemented by a com- mercial course in the Yakima Business College. He was thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After completing his studies he worked for five years at the dairy business and thus gained broad experience along that line. In 1913, desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he rented eighty acres of land on the Cowiche and the following years he purchased eighty acres on Ahtanum Heights, a part of which was wild and undeveloped. He has since greatly improved his farm, which is now one of the attractive ranch properties of the dis- trict. In its excellent appearance it indicates the care and labor which he has be- stowed upon it and he is now successfully engaged in raising hay, corn, grain and potatoes. He also handles considerable live stock and makes a specialty of dairying. His farm work is carefully and systematically conducted and excellent results have rewarded his labors.

On the 19th of January, 1915, Mr. Richartz was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Marie Bennette, who was born at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Catherine (Murphy) Bennette. Mr. Richartz and his wife have member- ship in St. Paul's Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He votes with the republican party upon national questions but otherwise casts an independent ballot, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is one of the representative young farmers of the community, having passed little beyond his first quarter of a century mark. Already, however, he has made for himself a credit- able place as a ranchman and the qualities that he has displayed in his business career indicate that his future will be well worth watching.

ALBERT MALLON.

Although Albert Mallon has acquired his present farm only recently he has for a number of years been connected with agricultural interests in Yakima county. He now owns eighty acres of valuable land on the Ahtanum and there he raises grain, hay and potatoes, also successfully conducting a dairy. He was born in Germany

1103

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

on the 4th of March, 1865, a son of Christ and Carrie (Kaiser) Mallon. The latter passed away in Germany. The father and remainder of the family subsequently crossed the Atlantic, taking up their residence in this country, and in 1886 Christ Mallon and his son Albert became agriculturists of Hennepin county, Minnesota, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until. his death.

Albert Mallon received his education in Germany, and having removed to Min- nesota, he there assisted his father and later engaged in farming independently until 1903, coming in the fall of that year to the Yakima valley. He engaged in ranching on Nob Hill until 1918, when he acquired eighty acres of land on the Ahtanum and here he is now successfully following his chosen occupation. The farm is in good condition and he has already made improvements which characterize him as a pro- gressive. modern agriculturist. He raises grain, hay and potatoes and also success- fully conducts a dairy.

In 1888 Mr. Mallon was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Fischer, who was born in Germany and as a young girl was brought to the United States. Their mar- riage occurred in Minnesota and to them have been born five children: John, a resi- dent of Yakima, who is married and has one child; Alma, who married John Siegert. an agriculturist residing on Nob Hill, by whom she has a son; Emma, the wife of Charles E. Barrett, of Bremerton, Washington, and the mother of one son; and Helmuth and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Mallon are respected by all who know them, for they are reliable people who readily participate in measures undertaken on behalf of community welfare. They are devoted members of the Lutheran church, in which faith they were reared.

In his political affiliations Mr. Mallon is a republican. He is a loyal, patriotic American and has ever given of his time and effort in order to promote movements undertaken on behalf of the nation, state or district. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, as he began life empty-handed and is now the possessor of a valuable ranch property.

GEORGE W. EGLIN.

George W. Eglin owns and occupies a beautiful home standing in the midst of a valuable ranch property of one hundred and twenty acres. He is one of the most ex- tensive hop growers of this section and has every equipment upon his place neces- sary for the care of the crop. Mr. Eglin is numbered among Yakima county's native sons, his birth having occurred on the old homestead place on the Ahtanum, Decem- ber 26, 1875, his parents being Abraham D. and Margaret (Crews) Eglin. The father was born at Woodstock, Canada, on the 11th of June, 1834, and the mother's birth occurred in Missouri, August 21, 1837. The paternal grandfather, Cornelius Eglin, was a native of New York but in young manhood went to Canada, where he worked as a millwright and carpenter. Later he recrossed the border into the United States, settling in Indiana, where he engaged in farming to the time of his death. His son, Abraham D. Eglin. was a lad of but ten years when the family home was established in Indiana. In 1854 he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast and settled in Oregon, near the present site of the city of Portland, which at that time, however, was but a tiny hamlet, covering but one or two streets of the now beautiful Rose City. Mr. Eglin became extensively engaged in farming and stock raising and was also inter- ested in mining. In 1871 he left Oregon and removed to Yakima county, Washing- ton, taking up a squatter's right on the Ahtanum, while later he preempted the claim. It was a tract of wild land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an im- provement made. With characteristic energy he began the development of the ranch, which he converted into a valuable and productive property. Later in life he retired from active farming and took up his abode in Yakima, where he passed away . in September, 1911. He had been prominent in the public life of the community as well as in its agricultural development and had served as county commissioner, to which office he was elected on the republican ticket, having long been a stalwart supporter of that party. He was most highly esteemed as a man and citizen and ranked with the honored and representative pioneer ranchers of the district. His

1104

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

wife was a daughter of a pioneer settler, her father having crossed the plains in 1852, at which time he located in Oregon, where he passed away when Mrs. Eglin was a young girl. She survives her husband and is still living in Yakima. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham D. Eglin were thirteen children, eleven of whom reached adult age, while ten are still living. Benjamin C., born in Oregon, June 1, 1860, is a resident of Seattle. Lavina, born November 14, 1861, makes her home in Twisp, Washington. John S., born April 8, 1863, is deceased. Judith F., born July 25, 1865, is living in Yakima. Warren M., born January 27, 1867, is also a resident of Yakima. Olive L., born July 25, 1868, is the wife of Charles Barth, of Yakima. Thomas W., born June 27, 1870, makes his home in the city of Yakima, as does Charles D., who was born November 1, 1872. The next of the family is Mr. Eglin of this review. James B., born March 1, 1877, is living in Yakima. Frank, born October 12, 1878, is a rancher on the Ahtanum.

George W. Eglin is indebted to the public school system of Yakima county for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. When not busy with his textbooks he assisted his father upon the ranch and after his school days were over continued with his father in ranching operations, until 1897, when he rented land from his father and so continned until 1902. In the latter year the father gave him a part of the ranch and he has since purchased more until he now owns one hundred and twenty acres in all. Upon this place he has built a fine house and barn and added all modern equipments and conveniences. He conducts a small dairy and engages in the raising of hay but devotes much of his time and the greater part of his land to the raising of hops, being one of the prominent representatives of that industry in this section. He has the most modern equipment for the care of the crop, including a fine hop house, twenty-six by fifty feet, and a big twenty-six foot square hop kiln. He also has exceedingly fine hop trellises in his vineyards.

On the 23d of December, 1897, George W. Eglin was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Johnson, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Andrew and Katie John- son, who removed to Kansas in 1890 and came to Yakima county in 1892. The father was a rancher, but both he and his wife have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Eglin have been born five children. Andrew Lee, born November 20, 1898, joined the United States navy, returned home ill and passed away on the 20th of October, 1918. Basil, born May 11, 1902, died on the 3d of August, 1903. Laura, horn Novem- ber 10, 1905, is at home. Howard, born January 9, 1910, died Angust 31, 1911. Volney, born December 13, 1911, completes the family.

Mr. Eglin is a republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. He stands, however, for all that has to do with the upbuilding and progress of the com- munity in which he lives and is never neglectful of his duties of citizenship. His life has been devoted to ranching interests from early boyhood and as the years have passed he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now the owner of a valuable and attractive ranch property and is one of the most prominent hop grow- ers of this section.

HENRY GOEMMER.

Henry Goemmer is an enthusiastic supporter of the Yakima valley, recognizing its opportunities and advantages. He is now the owner of a forty-acre ranch sit- uated near Outlook and its well developed appearance indicates his careful super- vision and practical methods. Mr. Goemmer was born in Germany, November 11, 1863, a son of Martin and Katherine Goemmer, who came to the United States with their family in 1884. They made their way to Kansas, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, there remaining until 1896, when they came to the Yakima valley, and both the father and mother spent their last days in the home of a daughter in Washington.

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

History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 133

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