History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 16

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 16
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 16
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 16

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GUY O. SHUMATE.

Guy O. Shumate, a well known member of the Yakima bar, was the first city attorney under the commission form of government and is a recognized leader in democratic circles in his county. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on the 1st of July, 1877, and is a son of Edgar H. and Nora J. (Andrew) Shumate. The father, who devoted his life to the occupation of farming and to the profession of school teaching, has now passed away, but the mother survives and makes her home in Oklahoma City.

Guy O. Shumate was a young lad when his parents removed from Iowa to Ohio and in the public school of the latter state he pursued his elementary educa- tion, while later he became a student in the Lebanon (Ohio) Normal school. He afterward attended the State University of Oklahoma, where he pursued a law course and was then admitted to the bar in Oklahoma City on the 10th of February, 1908. For a year thereafter he practiced there but was attracted by the opportuni- ties of the northwest and in 1909 came to Yakima, where has since maintained his office. He continues in the general practice of law and he is most thorough in the preparation of his cases and clear and strong in their presentation. He has been connected with much important litigation and the court records bear testimony to his ability in the number of favorable verdicts which he has won.

On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Shumate was married to Miss Annie J. Brooks, of Yakima, and they have become the parents of an interesting little family of three children: Mildred, Lorraine and Irene. Mr. and Mrs. Shumate are well known socially and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr.

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Shumate belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is also an active member of the Elks lodge. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he served as city attorney of North Yakima for three and half years, being the first one to hold that office under the commission form of government. He is now chairman of the democratic county central committee and does everything in his power to promote the success of his party. He belongs to the Commercial Club and his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any of its progressive projects.

W. O. SANDERS.

When the well developed home property of W. O. Sanders came into his posses- sion it was covered with sagebrush. With determined purpose and characteristic energy he began its development and the transformation which he has wrought is notable, for he today has a valuable and well improved property that annually pro- duces large crops. Mr. Sanders was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1872, a son of Madison and Amy (Mitchell) Sanders, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and have passed away. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and in following that pursuit provided for his family.

W. O. Sanders obtained a public school education and in 1888 took up the printing business. Later he became agent for the Adams Express Company and oc- cupied that position for six years. At a subsequent period he spent two years as as- sistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and then again gave his attention to the printing business. The year 1905 witnessed his arrival in Yakima, at which time he entered the employ of the Yakima Daily Republic and was associated with that paper until 1912. He was next with the Yakima Bindery for three years, in charge of the printing department, but wishing to benefit by the opportunities offered in connection with the productivity of the soil in this region, he purchased twenty acres of land on Naches Heights in 1912 and planted six acres to apples, while the remainder is plow land, devoted largely to the raising of hay and grain. He took up his abode upon this ranch in 1915 and has since built an attractive home thereon. The place today bears no resemblance whatever to the tract of land which came into his possession and which at that time was all covered with sagebrush. In 1918 he bought ten acres adjoining his original purchase. He has been very successful in the development and improvement of his place and his labors have been productive of excellent results.

On the 15th of October, 1895, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Ger- trude Clutter, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sanders is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Sanders gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is prominent in community affairs, serving at the present time as president of the Naches Heights Commercial Association. He is interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of the community in which he lives and cooperates heartily in any well devised plan for the general good.

AUBREY CHESTER GOODWIN.

Aubrey Chester Goodwin, who follows farming near Thorp, is one of the native sons of Kittitas county. He was born upon the old Goodwin homestead May 20, 1884, a son of Thomas B. and Sarah (Cumberland) Goodwin, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. He acquired a public school education and in his youthful days engaged in ranching with his father. He afterward rented his father's farm in connection with his brother Stanley and subsequently they purchased farm land, which they cultivated together for a time, but eventually Aubrey C. Goodwin sold his interest to his brother. He afterward leased the old home place, which he con- tinued to cultivate for two and a half years. He next conducted a livery stable in Ellensburg, where he lived for two years, and later he was engaged along various

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lines for a few years. He afterward again took charge of the home farm, which he then conducted for two years, and in 1918 he purchased fifty-eight acres of land a mile west of Thorp. Upon this place he has a fine house and large, substantial barns and in fact his is one of the well improved properties of the neighborhood. He is engaged in raising grain and hay and his business affairs are wisely and systemati- cally conducted, bringing him substantial success.

On the Ist of May, 1907, Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Ethel McMillan, of Ellensburg, and they are widely and favorably known in the section of the county in which they make their home. In politics Mr. Goodwin is a democrat where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and he is a representative of a family that has always been identi- fied with progressive farming. His father brought the first car load of farm machin- ery into the Kittitas valley, shipping it to The Dalles, Oregon, and hauling it by team the rest of the way. His stock included the first headers and binders ever used in the district. Throughout all the intervening years the Goodwin family have stood in the vanguard of progressiveness along all those lines which have to do with agricultural development and their worth as citizens is widely acknowledged.

ED J. AUMILLER.

For a quarter of a century Ed J. Anmiller has lived in the Yakima valley, where he is successfully engaged in farming, his attention being divided between the production of fruit and the raising of alfalfa and corn. He was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, on the 28th of April, 1872, a son of William and Anna (Markell) Aumiller. The father was a carpenter, came to Yakima in the year 1894 and now follows farming near the city. His wife passed away in 1912.

After completing a high school education in Illinois, Ed J. Aumiller learned the carpenter's trade and was employed along that line in connection with the buildings of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. In the latter part of that year he made his way to Yakima and has since been identified with the northwest. In 1896 he purchased twenty acres of land three miles southwest of the city of Yakima and at once began its improvement. In the intervening years he has steadily carried forward the work of development, but after a time he sold ten acres of his land. He now has five acres planted to apples, pears and cherries and his orchards are in excellent bearing condition. The remainder of his land is devoted to the raising of alfalfa and corn.

On the 25th of December, 1900, Mr. Aumiller was married to Miss Laura Wright, a native of London, England, and a daughter of Mathew and Emily Wright, who crossed the Atlantic to Canada during the girlhood days of Mrs. Aumiller, who some years afterward came to Washington. To this marriage have been born seven chil- dren, Mabel, Esther, Florence, Clarence, Lucille, Grace and Robert. Mrs. Aumiller is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Aumiller votes with the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. During the twenty-five years of his residence in the Yakima valley he has witnessed much of its development, growth and progress. He has seen its arid lands, on which nothing grew but sagebrush, transformed into rich fields and productive orchards and has long borne his share in the agricultural development of the district.

MICHAEL SCHULLER.

A valuable property of eighty acres on the Tieton stands as a monument to the life activities of Michael Schuller, who was one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his neighborhood. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in March, 1862, and was a son of Michael and Mary Schuller, pioneers of that state. There he was reared and received his education, early in life becoming acquainted with agri-

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cultural methods. In 1888, at the age of twenty-six years, he decided to move west- ward in order to profit by the opportunities presented in a newer country and came to Yakima county, Washington, where he worked for wages. Saving his earnings, he began operating rented land and in 1898 he and his wife bought eighty acres and also homesteaded eighty acres on the Tieton. To the cultivation of this property Mr. Schuller devoted himself industriously, ever following progressive methods until he made this one of the valuable farms of the neighborhood. He built a handsome resi- dence, erected suitable barns, instituted modern machinery, and added other neces- sary equipment. After his death Mrs. Schuller sold half of the property but still retains eighty acres.

On June. 4. 1891, Mr. Schuller was united in marriage to Ann Sleavin, a native of New York, and a daughter of Andrew and Ann Sleavin, who in 1863 removed from the Empire state to Minnesota, locating in Winona county, where Mr. Sleavin took up agricultural pursuits, there passing away. His widow and the rest of the family subsequently came to Yakima county in 1888, and in this district she resided for many years. She died October 1, 1916. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuller were born six children: Mary, deceased; Angela; at home; Edward, who is now serving in the United States army: Nicholas Joseph, at home; Francis, deceased; and Theresa, at home.

Mr. Schuller was a devoted member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, which his widow and the remaining members of the family now attend. He was much inter- ested in the higher things in life, particularly in educational progress, serving as school director in his district and thus instituting a number of improvements which have been of great benefit to the community. In his political affiliation he was a democrat and ever true to the principles of that party although he was not a politi- cian in the commonly accepted sense of the word, preferring to devote himself to his farming and his family. In his death the family lost a beloved husband and father and many lost a sincere and faithful friend. He was ever moved by the most honorable principles and his word was as good as his bond. There was nothing in his life of which he might ever need be ashamed, but on the contrary there were many acts which could be cited as being of great credit to him. However, Mr. Schuller was a modest man and was content in his own assurance of having pursued a righteous course in life. It is therefore but natural that he is greatly missed by those who knew him and who venerate his memory. As a pioneer he contributed toward material upbuilding along agricultural lines and thus made possible the pros- perous conditions that now maintain in the Yakima valley, while as a citizen he was ever loyal to American ideals and American standards.

THOMAS E. GRADY.

Thomas E. Grady, a member of the Yakima bar, who since December, 1917, has filled the office of city attorney, was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, November 19, 1880, a son of Thomas and Eliza Grady. The father has devoted his life to the occupation of farming but since 1907 has lived retired in Yakima, enjoying a well- earned rest.

Thomas E. Grady, spending his youthful days under the parental roof near Chippewa Falls, acquired a public school education, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He also attended business college and later entered the University of Minnesota for the study of law, as he had determined to make the practice of the profession his life work. He completed the course there and was graduated with the class of 1904. In looking about for a favorable field of labor he- decided upon the northwest and in June, 1905, arrived in Yakima and was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney. After serving for a brief period as court reporter he took up private law work and has been engaged in general practice, although he has held several other offices in the strict path of his profession. In March, 1911, he was appointed judge of the superior court and was elected to the office in 1912, serving continuously until 1917. He made a most excellent record upon the bench by the fairness and impartiality of his decisions and his course was at all times character- ized by a masterful grasp of the problems presented for solution. In December,.

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1917, he was appointed city attorney and is now acting in that capacity. No one better realizes the necessity for thorough preparation of cases, and his legal learn- ing, his analytical mind and the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argu- ment all combine to make him one of the able lawyers practicing at the Yakima bar.

On the 3d of June, 1908, Mr. Grady was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Beane, of Spokane, and to them have been born three children: Thomas E., who was born July 22, 1911; James E., born December 11, 1916; and Howard M., born Febru- ary 12, 1918.

Mr. Grady is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a past exalted ruler. He was also district deputy of the Grand Lodge for eastern Washington. He likewise has membership in the Commercial Club and is thoroughly in sympathy with its purposes concerning the upbuilding of Yakima and the develop- ment of its civic welfare. His political allegiance has always been given to the re- publican party and aside from the offices already mentioned that he has filled he has served as a member of the city council of Yakima. He belongs to that class of young men who are upbuilding the west and whose labors have been of far-reaching and beneficial effect.

A. C. WALLIN.

A. C. Wallin now lives largely retired upon a valuable farm property of twenty acres in the upper Naches valley which he bought in 1909, ten acres of which are devoted to orcharding, but he is still active in the affairs of this world, appearing to be much younger than his age would indicate. Although past seventy-for years of age he still retains his mental and physical vigor to a remarkable degree. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served in that memorable conflict from August, 1862, until its close. He participated in a number of the most noted engage- ments of the war and the loyalty which he gave to his country in times of stress has remained with him throughout his life. Outside of his agricultural interests Mr. Wallin has also been quite successful as a teacher, thus contributing to educational development in the district in which he lived.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, he was born August 14, 1844, and is a son of Richard and Harriet (Gale) Wallin, natives of Kidderminster, England, the father born May 11, 1819, and the mother on the 17th of February of the same year. When nineteen years of age they were married and subsequently came to the United States. The father was a carpenter by trade. Perceiving greater opportunities in the then un- developed middle west, he removed in 1857 to Crawford county, Wisconsin, taking with him his nine children. There he took up one hundred and sixty acres of gov- ernment land and this tract he farmed until death claimed him. Four of his sons, including our subject, voluntarily served in the Civil war.

A. C. Wallin was reared under the parental roof in Brooklyn and in that city largely received his education, removing with the family to Wisconsin when thir- teen years of age. After laying aside his textbooks he assisted his father but on the 11th of August, 1862, enlisted in Company A, Thirty-first Wisconsin Infantry, and he still has in his possession his original enlistment papers. Through the suc- ceeding years until the close of the war he served bravely and unflinchingly, stoutly performing his duties. He went through the siege of Atlanta, was at Sandysville when that engagement was fought and participated in Sherman's march to the sea and in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. After the close of the war he re- turned to Wisconsin, where he took up farm work during the summer season and attended normal school at Whitewater, Wisconsin, during the winter months. He also went to Chicago, where he took a commercial course. Being thus well prepared for teaching, he turned his attention to that profession and for twenty years acted as principal and superintendent of schools at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He then became connected with railroad work, acting in the capacity of accountant for the Wisconsin Western Railway for eleven years. He was next for two years engaged in the abstract business on his own account but at the end of that time came to Yakima county, taking up his home on the farm which was cultivated by his sons

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and which he had acquired in 1909. This property comprises twenty acres on the upper Naches, ten acres of which are devoted to orchard. The residence on the place has been remodeled and modern improvements have been installed throughout, so that the property is now considered one of the most valuable of the district.

On the 5th of September, 1883, Mr. Wallin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. King, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, and a daughter of L. O. and Sarah (Beldon) King, the family being numbered among the pioneers of that state. The Kings are of Revolutionary stock and long occupied a prominent position in the city of Cleve- land. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallin were born four children: Oscar K., who follows agri- cultural pursuits on the upper Naches and is married; Jennie B., who married E. W. Bailey, an agriculturist, also located in the upper Naches valley; Mary E., a resident of Seattle; and Helen H., a trained nurse, being a graduate of the Deaconess Hospital of Spokane.

Oscar K. Wallin, who was born November 30, 1884, is one of the leading and most successful orchardists of his section, having devoted much study to that line of business. He received an excellent education, rounding out his ordinary school course by two years' attendance at the University of Wisconsin. Being impressed with the great opportunities offered in the Pacific coast country, he then made an extensive trip over the west, in the course of which he came to the Yakima valley. Here he selected a ranch which his father bought and which under his able man- agement has become a valuable property. He married Aline Ross, of Delavan, Wis- consin, a highly cultured lady, who was at the time of her marriage a teacher in the schools of Sioux City, Iowa, in which position she was employed for two years. Oscar K. Wallin shipped the first carload of seed corn ever sent out from Yakima county in 1917, most of which he raised on his own land. This statement indicates along which line of agricultural endeavor he gives his closest attention. He received for this carload twenty-eight hundred dollars.

A. C. Wallin is a charter member of P. W. Plummer Post No. 37, G. A. R., in which he has held all the chairs. Since 1870 he has been a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Crawford Lodge No. 98, of Wisconsin, and also having held all of the offices in that organization. He is very prominent in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and also to the chapter. He is a past master of the lodge, having held the office of master for five years, and he has ever been very active in Masonic work, the principles underlying that organization guiding him in his conduct toward his fellowmen. Along political lines Mr. Wallin votes independently, giving his support to the candidates whom he considers best qualified irrespective of party issues, in fact Mr. Wallin has not voted a straight ticket for years. In 1918, however, he voted the straight republican ticket, being largely inflenced in his action by the seemingly uncalled-for pressure exerted upon the public in favor of the democratic organization from administrative headquarters. To all worthy movements which have been under- taken in any of the districts in which Mr. Wallin has lived he has ever given his unqualified support, readily supplying means and effort in order to bring about mate- rial and mental growth. He has not only become a substantial citizen who now en- joys life in rest and comfort, but has also rendered service to his county in times of peace as well as in times of war. His son now ably represents the interests of the family, his name standing high among the successful men of the Naches valley, where many of those who know him are proud to call him friend.

WILLIAM H. HARRISON.

One of the foremost factors in promoting the interests of a community is real estate dealing and William H. Harrison, president and manager of the Sunnyside Land & Investment Company, is therefore one who has greatly contributed toward the upbuilding of his district. The business was organized by C. E. Woods and Elza Dean, who later sold out to A. G. Flemming and E. B. Jones. Subsequently it was acquired by M. G. Duncan and Oliver Dean, after which George Irish purchased it. In September, 1908, William H. Harrison became president and manager; A. G.

WILLIAM H. HARRISON

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Flemming, vice-president, and H. L. Miller secretary and treasurer, the latter buying into the business in April, 1909. The Sunnyside Land & Investment Company, as its name indicates, buys and sells land, including not only farming properties but also city plats, and is largely engaged in loaning money, mostly upon real estate security. This part of the business is very important and in this way the company has assisted many agriculturists of the neighborhood to successfully tide over hard times. Its principles are of the highest and its methods are exemplary.

William H. Harrison was born in Marion, Iowa, in 1878, his parents being Thomas and Sarah (Waters) Harrison. The family removed to Sunnyside, Wash- ington, in March, 1900, buying wild land and also taking up a homestead claim near Sunnyside. This property the father developed and there continued to make his home until he passed away.

Mr. Harrison of this review had a public school and business college education and in the fall of 1899 came to Sunnyside, preceding the family and taking up a home- stead on the 30th of October, 1899. He greatly improved this place, which he sold in 1908, at which time he became head of the Sunnyside Land & Investment Com- pany, but also continued in farming until 1917, in which year he sold his ranch.

On the 14th of August, 1912, Mr. Harrison was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve Persis Searle, of Minnesota, and to this union has been born a son, William H., Jr. In his political views Mr. Harrison is a republican, while fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the financial life of the town he also has a part, being a director of the Sunnyside Bank. He also belongs to the Sunnyside Commercial Club, in whose progressive movements he takes an active part. All projects, for the upbuilding of his locality and the welfare of the public receive his hearty support and he is ever ready to aid in furthering the ma- terial, moral and intellectual development of the district.

LOUIS H. DESMARAIS.

Louis H. Desmarais, now identified with the farming interests at Moxee City, was born on the St. Lawrence river sixty miles east of Montreal, Canada, February 2, 1871, a son of Israel and Sophia (Desmarais) Desmarais. His parents removed to Crookston, Minnesota, in 1881, when he was a lad of ten years, and there the father engaged in farming until November, 1900, when he came to the Yakima valley and took up his abode on the Moxee river. He bought fifty acres of land but afterward sold that property and purchased ten acres on Nob Hill. This he planted to fruit and successfully developed his orchard but afterward sold out. His last days were spent in the home of his son, Louis H., and there he passed away in August, 1917. His widow survives and is yet living with her son.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 16

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