History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 14

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 14
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 14
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 14

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).

THOMAS H. HOWAY.

Thomas H. Howay, successfully conducting a hardware and furniture business in Grandview, was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, June 26, 1868, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Howay, who were natives of Canada. They became pioneer settlers of Michigan, where the father engaged in business as a contractor and builder. Both he and his wife have passed away.

Thomas H. Howay pursued a high school education at Yale, Michigan, and started in the business world as a clerk in a hardware store before his schooldays were over. He continued to clerk and work for others for some time and later con- ducted business on his own account at Memphis, Michigan. Subsequently he spent two years in the employ of T. B. Rail Company at Detroit, Michigan, and in 1897 he came to Washington, making his way to Seattle, where he secured a position with the Seattle Hardware Company. After clerking there for two years he represented the house upon the road as a traveling salesman throughout the northwest for a period of eleven years and for six years more was manager of the sporting goods department. In May, 1910, he came to Grandview, where he bought out A. G. Holli- day, the first hardware merchant of the town. He now occupies a building fifty by one hundred and fifty feet and carries an extensive line of shelf and heavy hardware,

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furniture and implements. The business has reached substantial proportions, due to the enterprising methods and thorough reliability of the owner.

In 1900 Mr. Howay was married to Miss Margaret Cavan, who was born in Paris, Ontario, a daughter of Michael and Agnes (Torrance) Cavan, both of whom have now passed away. The children of this marriage are: Thomas Cavan, who is at- tending the Moran School for Boys; Dorothy, a high school pupil; and John Henry, eleven years of age, who is a most enterprising and energetic boy. He has earned the money to buy four fifty-dollar Liberty Bonds and has thirty dollars in War Savings Stamps. In order to do this he worked in a printing office, picked apples, turned off the lights in the town and in fact did anything that would enable him to turn an honest penny. It is certainly a splendid record for a boy of his years.

Mr. Howay belongs to the United Commercial Travelers and is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Roosevelt republican and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, interested in all that has to do with the welfare, upbuilding and progress of community, commonwealth and country. In business he is a self- made man and a successful merchant, one who is contributing in substantial meas- ure to the commercial development of his adopted town.

REV. CONRAD BRUSTEN.

Conrad Brusten, S. J., pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic church of Yakima, was. born in Germany in 1863 and came to the United States in 1889, when a young man of twenty-six years. He afterward attended St. Louis University and was or- dained to the priesthood in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 27th of June, 1900. He sub- sequently taught philosophy in Spokane for a year and in 1902 and 1903 was super- ior at St. Regis Mission, at Colville, Washington. In 1903 and 1904 he was again in St. Louis, where he pursued postgraduate studies, and from August until De- cember, 1904, he was located in Seattle. On the 11th of the latter month he came to Yakima, being assigned to the pastorate of St. Joseph's church, of which he has since had charge.

This church grew out of the Old Mission. It was established on the Ahtanum in 1871, but a new church was organized in Yakima City in 1878 and in 1885 was removed to North Yakima. It is today the oldest church of the Yakima valley. The present house of worship was completed in December, 1905, and in 1910 the school building was erected. The boys' school gives instruction from the fifth grade work up to the high school and has an attendance of eighty-five. St. Joseph's Academy was established as an Indian school in 1887, but now has all white pupils to the number of three hundred. St. Elizabeth's Hospital, also an auxiliary of the church, was established in 1889 and in 1913 a splendid new hospital building was erected, equipped with everything necessary for the conduct of the most advanced surgical work. St. Joseph's parish numbers fourteen hundred communicants. The work of the church has been thoroughly organized and under the direction of Father Brusten has been carried steadily forward. His labors have indeed proven a power in the development of Catholic interests in the Yakima valley.

FRANK HORSLEY.

Frank Horsley is a member of the firm of Lombard & Horsley, in which con- nection he has taken most active and helpful part in promoting development work in the Yakima valley. He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, April 16, 1856, and is a son of William and Laura (McGill) Horsley. The mother died in Iowa and the father afterward came to Yakima, while his last days were spent in California, where he passed away at the age of ninety-five years. He was born in England and came to the United States when a youth of eleven. His life was devoted to farming and thus he provided for his family.

Frank Horsley is indebted to the public school system of Iowa for the educa-

REV. CONRAD BRUSTEN

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tional opportunities which he enjoyed, and in his youth and young manhood he gave his attention to farm work, while later he took up the fruit and produce commission business in Des Moines, Iowa, gaining considerable knowledge of horticultural inter- ests in this way. In July, 1889, he arrived in Yakima and entered into partnership with H. H. Lombard in organizing the firm of Lombard & Horsley. They purchased an established furniture business and continued active in that line for a number of years but before closing out their interests in that connection they turned their attention to the real estate business and development work. Through all the inter- vening period they have been active in that field and have developed a large tract of fruit land and have thus contributed in great degree to the material growth and improvement of the valley. Their efforts have been conducted along most progres- sive lines and scientific methods have been employed in the cultivation and propaga- tion of their orchards. Their work has been a strong element in promoting the value of properties in this locality and as the result of their labors they have won a sub- stantial measure of success.

In 1887 Mr. Horsley was united in marriage to Miss Angenette Lombard, a sis- ter of his partner, H. H. Lombard. She died on the 27th of June, 1915, and Mr. Horsley afterward wedded her sister, Sue M. Lombard, on the 25th of October, 1917. The children of the first marriage are: William H., now residing in Seattle; and Frank Sears, sixteen years of age.

Mr. Horsley is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also with the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for four years as county commissioner, making an excellent record in the office. He is now a member of the school board and he stands at all times for progress and improvement in pub- lic affairs, to which end he is a member of the Commercial Club, actively cooperating in all well defined plans and measures for the general good. He has gained a wide acquaintance during the long period of his residence in Yakima, covering almost thirty years, and throughout the entire period the integrity of his business methods has never been questioned, while his enterprise and insight are recognized as salient features in the growth and upbuilding of this section of the state. All who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard both as a business man and citizen and his. record at all times measures up to high standards.

FRANK J. TAYLOR.

Frank J. Taylor, of Sunnyside, Washington, is one of those men who by their labors have greatly contributed toward the development of the Yakima valley along various lines. He still owns a fine farm, which is run by his son, and also is prom- inently connected with banking interests, but most of his time is devoted to the man- .„jement of the local telephone company. A native of Iowa, he was born in Fayette, October 5, 1866, a son of Milton M. and Hessie M. (Crawford) Taylor, both of whom have passed away, the former in Iowa, while the latter's death occurred in Sunnyside, Washington. They were among the honored pioneer people of their neighborhood in lowa and the father filled a pulpit of the United Brethren church.

Frank J. Taylor was reared amid the influences of a refined home and under the guidance of good Christian parents. After having absorbed an ordinary school education he attended a business college in Des Moines, Iowa, and then took up the occupation of farming, in which he was successfully engaged in his native state "until 1904. The far west, however, had attractions for him and he therefore in 1904, severed home ties and removed to the Yakima valley, buying sixty acres of land near Sunnyside, which under his direction has been brought to a high state of cul- tivation. The property is now very valuable, as all modern improvements have been instituted and the latest facilities in machinery have been installed thereon. The buildings are in excellent condition and everything about the place shows the pro- gressive methods which Mr. Taylor has always followed. The farm is devoted to various lines of agriculture and is now under the management of his son, Fredi Dewey.

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For many years Frank J. Taylor has been connected with the local banking busi- ness, being a director of the First National Bank of Sunnyside. He served as presi- dent for one year and is now holding the position of vice-president, his business ability and sound judgment having been of great importance in the growth of the institution. In 1905 he was one of the main factors in the organization of the Farm- ers Independent Telephone Company, which in 1907 was incorporated as the Sunny- side Telephone Company. On July 1, 1917, the City Telephone Company was or- ganized, which is owned by the Valley Telephone Company and the Sunnyside Tele- phone Company. Mr. Taylor is manager of both the Sunnyside Telephone Company and the City Telephone Company and the excellent service which is furnished by these institutions is largely due to the unremitting attention which he gives to these business interests. His entire time is taken up with his duties in this connection and he has received the warm commendation of the people of the neighborhood on ac- count of the excellent service furnished.

On the 2d of April, 1890, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Addie Wilbur, also a native of Iowa, and to this union two children were born: Blanche, now the wife of Harold Elliott and they reside on their ranch near Sunnyside; and Fred Dewey, born in 1898, who is now in full charge of his father's farm.

Mr. Taylor has always taken a most laudable part in all movements undertaken in the interests of his community as a member of the Sunnyside Commercial Club. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and his religious be- lief is that of the Methodist church. In his political views he is independent, giving his support to those candidates whom he regards most worthy of office regardless of party affiliation. He has many friends in the valley, all of whom speak of him in terms of the highest admiration and respect, recognizing in him a successful business man of the highest qualities of character.

WILLIAM THRUSH.

The efforts of William Thrush along orcharding and general agriculture in the Yakima valley have been exceedingly satisfactory and he now owns valuable prop- erty near Granger, six acres of which are in orchard, while the rest is devoted to hay, corn and potatoes. He also conducts a small dairy and derives from this a gratifying addition to his income. A native of Nebraska, he was born in Dodge county, June 8, 1861, and is a son of Charles and Martha (Reese) Thrush, the former a native' of England and the latter of Wales. Shortly after their marriage which was performed in England, they came to the United States and a few years later, in 1856, went to Omaha, Nebraska, which city at that time consisted of two log shanties. For one year they remained in the wilderness on the Missouri but subse- quently they removed to Florence, Nebraska, where Charles Thrush built the first house. In 1858 they proceeded on their westward course, starting for Salt Lake City, Utah, but stopped at Genoa, Nebraska, where they remained for a short time. They then went to Dodge county of which they became pioneers, as in those days Indians and buffaloes were still plentiful. There the father not only became a prominent rancher but also prospered in the freighting business. He took up a homestead and in addition bought land from the Union Pacific Railway Company, to the cultiva- tion of which property he devoted the remainder of his days, both he and his wife dying in that county. Mr. Thrush was a minister in the Church of Latter-day Saints but never devoted his whole time to that work.

William Thrush of this review grew up on his father's place in Dodge county, Nebraska, amid the conditions of the western frontier. Many were the privations which the family underwent but in the school of hardship he developed a strong and good character. He early became acquainted with agricultural methods and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of his neighborhood, con- tinuing with his father until he was twenty-five years of age. At that time he rented land and engaged in its cultivation until he came to the Yakima valley in 1903, having heard many favorable reports in regard to this district. He acquired title to twenty acres of land two miles north of Granger, which was seeded to alfalfa.

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He has since greatly developed this property, has erected thereon a comfortable resi- dence and has given considerable attention to fruit raising, now having a profitable orchard of six acres, while the remainder of his land is devoted to hay, corn and potatoes. Live stock interests are also represented in his interests, as he conducts a small dairy.

On the 26th of March, 1902, Mr. Thrush was married to Miss Harriet Moore, a native of Nebraska and a daughter of J. P. and Ida L. (Fox) Moore, natives of Indiana, who during pioneer days settled in Nebraska. Mrs. Moore has passed away but her husband survives and is still a resident of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Trush have been born a son and a daughter: William P., and Hazel June, who are attending high school. The latter is quite proficient in music and with her talent often delights the friends of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Thrush have made many friends since coming to Granger and all who know them speak highly of them. He has given his aid and co-operation to measures of public importance which he considers worth while and is in every way a public-spirited citizen and a valuable addition to his district. In politics he is in- dependent, following his own judgment rather than party lines. He is a valued mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America.

L. O. MEIGS.

L. O. Meigs, a well known attorney of Yakima, was born on Grand Manan island, Canada, April 28, 1879, a son of Lorenzo E. and Mary E. (Wormell) Meigs. The father was a millwright and shipbuilder, who in the '60s removed to California but afterward returned to Canada, although he later again became a resident of Cali- fornia and once more went to Canada. In 1890 he made his way to the Palouse coun- try of Washington.

L. O. Meigs acquired a public school education in Canada and in Washington and afterward attended the State College of Washington, while in 1902 he completed a law course in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He then located in Yakima in the same year and has since followed .his profession in this city. For a time he practiced as a member of the firm of McAulay & Meigs. They have been joined by a third partner, forming the present firm of Preble, McAulay & Meigs.

In 1902 Mr. Meigs was married to Miss Laura M. Crawford, a daughter of P. L. Crawford. of Oakesdale, Washington. The children of this marriage are: Doris, eleven years of age; and Robert C., aged five.

Fraternally Mr. Meigs is widely known as an exemplary representative of Ma- sonry. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he is now venerable master of Yakima Lodge of Perfection No. 11, and is orator of the Rose Croix. He is also a past exalted ruler and life member of Elks Lodge No. 318, and ' is very prominent in both organizations. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party and was speaker of the house of representatives in the regular and special sessions of 1909, having been elected to represent his district in the general assembly. He has served for a term as a member of the city council of Yakima and has occupied the position of city attorney for three years. While the practice of law has been his real life work, he has become heavily interested in fruit lands and has given much attention in recent years to the propagation of apple orchards, realizing the possi- bilities for the cultivation of that fruit in this state.

LE ROY W. TAYLOR.

Le Roy W. Taylor, who since 1910 has been the cashier of the First National Bank of Wapato, was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on the 6th of December, 1872, a son of M. M. and Ella H. (Hare) Taylor, who were pioneer settlers of that state. The father engaged in the milling business and in 1884 left Iowa for the northwest,

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making Tacoma, Washington, his destination. In later years he became prominently identified with financial interests in this state and was president of the Washington National Bank of Tacoma. In 1898 the family went to Alaska and the father con- ducted a store in the Atlin district, there remaining until 1903. In that year removal was made to Connell, Washington, where M. M. Taylor opened the Franklin County Bank. He was president of this institution, which was later called the Connell Na- tional Bank, and after some time was sold to the Union Securities Company. Mr. Taylor figured prominently for many years as a banker of the northwest but is now living retired in Yakima. His wife passed away in December, 1916.

L. W. Taylor supplemented his public school education, acquired in Tacoma, by further study in Washington College. He was with his father in Alaska and after- ward in the bank at Tacoma and thus received thorough business training and ex- perience. He afterward became cashier of the Connell National Bank. His father owned the townsite of Connell and established the town. It was in October, 1909, that Mr. Taylor of this review came to Wapato as assistant cashier of the First. National Bank and served in that capacity until 1910, when he was elected to his pres- ent position. As the bank's cashier he has proved a most capable, courteous and obliging official. He is always ready to extend credit whenever it will not endanger the interests of depositors, for he has recognized that the bank is the most worthy of credit which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors.

On the 28th of June, 1905, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss May Inman, of Con- nell, Washington, and they have made many friends during the period of their resi- dence in Wapato. Mr. Taylor is a member of Wapato Lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master. He also belongs to Yakima Lodge No. 318, B. P. O. E. and is treasurer of the Wapato Commercial Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is a recognized leader in its local ranks. He is now serving for the second term as mayor of Wapato and for several years was a member of the city council, having at all times exercised his official prerogatives in support of valuable plans and measures for the general good. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He is widely and favorably known both as a busi- ness man and citizen, and his cooperation has been of the greatest value and worth in the upbuilding of the city along financial and civic lines. In addition to his other interests he has a fine fruit and stock farm on the Columbia river and his invest- ments have been most judiciously and profitably made.

FRED T. HOFMANN.

Fred T. Hofmann, who is filling the position of county clerk of Kittitas county and makes his home in Ellensburg, has long been identified with public service here and his record is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, for he has always been most loyal to the interests entrusted to his care. He was born in Portage, Columbia county, Wisconsin, January 15, 1881, a son of Fred F. and Bertha Frieda Hofmann, both of whom were natives of Columbia county, where they were reared and married. The father is now engaged in the hotel business at Wa- basha, Minnesota, where he has resided for some time.

Fred T. Hofmann pursued his early education in the public schools of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was afterward graduated from the high school at Wabasha, Minne- sota. He then entered the hotel business there and was actively engaged along that line until July, 1905. Subsequently he became connected with the National Cash Register Company as salesman, traveling in Washington, and he thus represented that corporation until 1907. He came to Ellensburg in August, 1908, and was em- ployed by the dining car department of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company as manager of the eating house at this place for a year. In 1909 he was appointed to the position of deputy county auditor and acted in that capacity for two terms. He was next elected city clerk of Ellensburg and occupied the office from January, 1913, until January, 1915, or for two terms, and later was elected county clerk, in which position he is now serving for the second term. His record in office is a most cred- itable one and his loyalty to duty is one of his marked characteristics.

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On the 23d of April, 1908, Mr. Hofmann was united in marriage to Miss May- belle A. Dorrance, of Swanville, Minnesota, a daughter of John A. and Cynthia E. Dorrance. The children of this marriage are Helen Marion, Dorothy Blanche and Elsbeth Maybelle.

Mr. Hofmann is well known in fraternal circles. He belongs to the Elks lodge No. 1102 at Ellensburg, also to Wapahasa Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., and to the Royal Arch Chapter. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church of Lake City, Minnesota, and both are stanch supporters of the republican party. Mr. Hofmann served as county clerk and ex-officio clerk of the superior court. At the beginning of the war he volunteered for service in France, but was rejected on account of defective hearing. He was afterward accepted by the Y. M. C. A., but was not called for active service. As her husband had enlisted, and having three children to take care of, Mrs. Hofmann then made the run for county clerk, and was elected by the largest majority of any candidate having opposition.

Both are very prominent in musical circles and are deeply interested in the art. Mr. Hofmann has conducted what is known as Hofmann's Orchestra for several years and in which he plays the violin. His wife is a fine pianist and also a vocal- ist of more than ordinary ability. They are very prominently and favorably known in Ellensburg, occupying an enviable position in social circles.

EDWIN H. KIELSMEJER.

Comparatively speaking Edwin H. Kielsmeier is yet a young man, but has already become one of the prosperous horticulturists of the Zillah district in the Yakima valley. He was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, January 5, 1883, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Gaterman) Kielsmeier, pioneer farmers of Wisconsin. In 1890 the family removed to Denver, Colorado, and there they remained for ten years, the father being connected with railroad work as car inspector. In 1901 he removed to Hancock county, Iowa, but in December of the same year the family came to Yakima county, where he bought forty acres of land three and a half miles southeast of Zillah, which at that time was all sagebrush. He immediately set him- self to the task of clearing the land and bringing the same under cultivation, trans- forming the raw land into fertile fields. In 1905 he built a fine residence and made other valuable improvements upon his property. In 1910, he and his wife removed to Los Angeles, California, where they now live retired. In their family were two children, Edwin H. and Ruben, the later being engaged in business in Los Angeles. He married and has two children.

Edwin H. Kielsmeier was but a young boy when the family removed to Denver and in that city he received his public school education. He subsequently assisted his father in farming and remained with him until twenty-four years of age. He then bought sixteen and a half acres adjoining his father's farm, seven acres of which he planted to orchard, while the balance is plow land. He now has a substantial farm- house and barns upon his place and in addition to operating his own land rents his father's ranch, which has an orchard of twenty-two acres upon it, the remainder also being plow land. The orchards are devoted to apples, peaches and pears, while four acres are in grapes. Mr. Kielsmeier has thoroughly studied the subject of orcharding and applies the latest methods and ideas to his labors with surprisingly satisfactory results. He has instituted up-to-date equipment to facilitate the work and in every way handles the property in a businesslike manner. He now resides on his father's farm.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 14

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