History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 22

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 22
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 22
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 22

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Mr. Woodin belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a republican but not an aspirant for office. He has become a leading rancher of the district in which he resides, but feeling that his duty was to his country, he enlisted on the 5th of July, 1918, as a member of Company K of the Fourth Battery of the Twenty-second Regiment of Engineers and is now in France with the American Expeditionary Force, serving as sergeant. It is characteristic of Mr. Woodin that he never slights any duty that devolves upon him, however arduous, and his enlistment was the logical expression of this characteristic. It is, moreover, a matter of satisfaction that such a man has been spared to return to his home and resume the duties of civic life, for his aid and influence will be given here on the side of right and prog- ress, just as they have been given to further the interests of democracy when fighting on the soil of France.

WARREN L. FLAGG.

Warren L. Flagg is a well known and successful orchardist of Yakima county, owning fifteen acres of land planted to various kinds of fruit, and has thus been identified with horticultural interests here for the past decade. His birth occurred in Plainfield, Illinois, on the 10th of October, 1875, his parents being William H. and Margaret (Van Horn) Flagg, who resided on a farm in the Prairie state until their removal to Yakima county, Washington, where both passed away.

Warren L. Flagg supplemented his early educational training by a high school course and after putting aside his textbooks followed farming in association with his father until 1902. In that year he removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1908, when he disposed of his interests there and came to the northwest, settling in Yakima county. He purchased fifteen acres of orchard land near Yakima and planted the entire tract to apples, pears, peaches and cherries. His undertakings in this connection have since been attended with a measure of success which places him among the substantial and representative orchardists of the community.

On the 11th of June, 1902, Mr. Flagg was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Stewart, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John Stewart of that state. They have two adopted children, Clarence and Veda, who are seven and eight years of age respectively. In his political views Mr. Flagg is an independent democrat,

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supporting the party where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casting his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. His re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and his genuine personal worth has commended him to the confidence and goodwill of all who know him.

JOSEPH ROBEL.

Joseph Robel is a successful representative of horticultural interests in the Selah valley, where he has made his home for the past ten years and where he owns thirty- five acres of valuable land. He is a native of Germany, where his birth occurred on the 15th of July, 1849, his parents being Gottfried and Elizabeth (Busch) Robel. In 1854 the family emigrated to the United States, first taking up their abode near St. Louis, Missouri, and two years later in Minnesota, where the father secured a tract of government land which he cultivated successfully to the time of his demise. Both he and his wife passed away in Minnesota.

Joseph Robel, who was but five years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, obtained his education in the public schools and after putting aside his textbooks was for many years engaged in farming near Mankato, Minnesota, on until the time of his removal to Washington in 1909. Making his way to Yakima county, he purchased thirty-five acres of land in the Selah valley and has since followed horticultural pursuits here, devoting thirty acres of this place to the growing of apples, peaches, pears, grapes, etc. His undertakings in this connection have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity and he has made splendid improve- ments on his property, remodeling the residence and also erecting a fine barn and warehouse.

On the 17th of November, 1874, Mr. Robel was united in marriage to Miss Mag- dalena Oberle, who was born in Germany but came to the United States in her girl- hood days. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Anna, who is the wife of George Scheurer, of Eagle Lake Minnesota; Rosa, the wife of Adam Scheurer, who resides on the old home farm in Minnesota; Francisco, deceased; Josephine, a resident of California: Theressa, who married Edward Nuebel and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota; Joseph, who is engaged in merchandising in that state; John, a rancher residing in the Selah valley; Gregor, who is in the United States army; Lydia, the wife of Captain Hubert Jennings, who is in the United States navy as captain of a war vessel; and Bernard, at home.

In politics Mr. Robel is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Joseph's Catholic church, of which his wife is also a devout communicant. His interests have become thoroughly identified with those of the northwest and he has won an extensive circle of warm friends during the period of his residence in Yakima county.

JAMES W. BLACKBURN.

It was but a few years ago that the fruit raising possibilities of the Yakima valley became recognized and one of those who has made good use of the oppor- tunities presented here along that line is James W. Blackburn, a native of the Blue Grass state, who now owns twenty acres of valuable land one mile east of Zillah. Of this tract fourteen acres are dvoted to apples, while the rest is in alfalfa and under the plow. Mr. Blackburn was born in Caldwell county, Ken- tucky, March 5. 1868, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Black- burn, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. Throughout his life the father followed agricultural pursuits and was quite successful in his undertakings. Both he and his wife have now passed away, their demise occurring in Kentucky.

James W. Blackburn was reared amid farm surroundings and in the acquire- ment of an education attended the public schools. His father died when he was

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH ROBEL

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but fifteen years old and he then laid aside his textbooks and assisted in looking after the farm. At the age of twenty he was married and then began farming independently, renting land. Having heard many favorable reports in regard to the opportunities presented in the northwest, he left Kentucky, April 26, 1904, and on th first of May of that year arrived in Yakima county, Washington, where for the first two years he worked for wages. Ever keeping his eyes open for an oppor- tunity to make himself independent and carefully husbanding his resources, he was then enabled to rent land for one year. He operated this to such good purpose that on March 10, 1907, he was able to acquire title to twenty acres one mile east of Zillah which was partly improved. This tract is now in a high state of cultivation, fourteen acres being planted to apples, while the remainder is in alfalfa and under the plow. Mr. Blackburn has now resided here for eleven years and today receives a most gratifying income from his land. He has ever followed progressive methods and has made many improvements and instituted modern equipment, so that his place is considered a model one.

On October 13, 1887, Mr. Blackburn was united in marriage to Miss Ida Brown, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of P. H. C. and Nancy J. (Guess) Brown. To this union were born seven children: Nora, who married Reed White, a rancher on the Ahtanum, and has had three children, one of whom is deceased; Shelley J., who is now serving his country in the United States army in France; Chester, Alvin and Leah, all at home; and Raymond and William Henry, both deceased.

The family are devoted adherents of the Christian church and are ever help- fully interested in measures which have for their purpose the moral or intellectual upbuilding of the people. Politically Mr. Blackburn is a republican but has never desired office, preferring to give his whole attention to his business affairs and his family. Here he has found the opportunities which he sought and is today one of the most enthusiastic fruit raisers of the Yakima valley who has not only made good use of the chances here presented but has improved upon his opportunities and through energy and industry has attained a position which places him among the substantial residents of Zillah and vicinity.

HON. JULIUS CAESAR HUBBELL.

Hon. Julius Caesar Hubbell, capitalist and statesman, has been identified with the interests of Ellensburg and of Washington since 1893. In his business career he has been active in the development of water power and of irrigation projects and has also figured prominently in financial circles as a banker. Honored and re- spected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in public regard, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. His personal qualities, his reliability in all business transactions and his progressiveness in mat- ters of citizenship have led to his selection for high political honors and he is now representing his district in the state legislature. Mr. Hubbell is a native of Chazy, New York. He was born on the 4th of June, 1863, and is a son of John Wolcott and Margaret (Beckwith) Hubbell, who are also natives of the Empire state, where they still reside.

Julius C. Hubbell was provided with liberal educational advantages. He was graduated from Williams College in 1885. He specialized in the study of chemistry and after leaving college became identified with leading steel companies of the east. For a time he was connected with the Crown Point Iron Company and later with the Chateaugay Ore & Iron Company. He assisted in developing the first malleable iron and also aided in developing Bessemer steel. His broad experience made him thoroughly familiar with the utilization of the iron interests of the east, but the opportunities of the west attracted him and he made his way to this great and growing section of the country, arriving in Tacoma, Washington, in the fall of 1893.

In the following year Mr. Hubbell removed to Ellensburg, whither he came to develop a large water power. He then took charge of the interests of the Ellens-

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burg Water & Supply Company and remained as manager until 1911. He is now the president of the Cascade Irrigation District and was one of the builders of the irrigation system. He has made a close study of problems of this character and his engineering skill, his scientific and practical experience have enabled him to do valuable work in this connection. He has also become the owner of and has de- veloped several fine ranches in western Washington and he has likewise been prominent in banking circles. He has never been afraid to venture where favor- ing opportunity has led the way and his even-paced energy has carried him into im- portant relations.

On the 11th of June, 1889, Mr. Hubbell was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Loomis, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, a daughter of Calvin Loomis. She passed away December 21, 1909, and in 1912 Mr. Hubbell was again married, his second union being with Josephine Holgate, of Tacoma, who was the assistant state librarian. She is a daughter of John Holgate. By his first marriage Mr. Huhbell had several children, namely: Wolcott, who is now a sergeant of Company A of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Engineers, and is now in France; Frances, the wife of Dr. Taylor, of Ellensburg: Beckwith, who is married and has one child and who is a member of the National Guard; and Ruth, the wife of George Heron, now serving with the United States army.

Mr. Hubbell is widely known through various connections. He belongs to the Elks Lodge No. 1102 of Ellensburg and also to the Grange, to the Congregational church, and to the Y. M. C. A. All of these indicate the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he has been a close student of the vital questions and problems of the day. In 1909 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and has been reelected at every ensuing election since that time with the exception of the year 1913. He was chairman of the committee on roads and bridges in 1917 and 1919 and is a very active working member of the house, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of his party, while at all times his devotion to the public good is widely recognized. His public service has included duty as receiver of the Ellens- burg National Bank, as a member of the State Fair Board for ten years and also active work in behalf of many other projects which tend to promote public im- provement and stimulate action of worth to the community. He likewise has a military record, for he served as a first lieutenant of the First Battalion of Washing- ton in 1897 and he is now corporal of the Machine Gun Company of the Third Washington Infantry, being the oldest man in his regiment. His spirit of patriotism has ever been one of the dominant factors in his career. While holding to high ideals he has ever utilized the most practical methods in their achievement. His service in the state legislature covers an extended period and the record of none other has been more fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation than his.

ARCHIE G. FLEMING.

As vice president of the Sunnyside Land & Investment Company Archie G. Fleming represents important real estate interests of the Yakima valley. He is an energetic young business man, gifted with ability and discretion and always following the highest commercial standards. He has been connected with the in- stitution of which he is vice president for about ten years, having been largely instrumental in making it what it is today. The company deals in city and farm lands and also maintains a loan department, all of its branches securing a gratifying in- come to its owners.

Mr. Fleming was born in Mound City, Missouri, in 1878 and is a son of G. W. and Emma (Bobletts) Fleming, who in 1883, when our subject was five years of age, removed to Tacoma, Washington, where the father was for many years suc- cessfully engaged as a contractor but is now retired. His wife has passed away.

Archie G. Fleming was reared under the parental roof and received a thorough public school education, upon the completion of which he entered mercantile lines, with which he was connected until 1908. In 1899 he had removed to Sunnyside, at

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first holding clerical positions in some of the local stores but later engaging in the drug business on his own account until 1908, when he and William H. Harrison acquired the Sunnyside Land & Investment Company, of which he has been vice president ever since. There are, however, numerous other business organizations with which Mr. Fleming has been identified, among them the Fidelity Abstract Company, which he founded and of which he remained a director until he sold out his interest. For several years he was also president of the North Coast Lumber Company. Moreover, he has large farming interests throughout the county and de- rives a gratifying addition to his income from this source.

In 1904, at the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Williams, a daughter of T. C. and M. C. Williams, of Sunnyside, and to this union has been born a son, Harold W. In his political views Mr. Flem- ing is a republican but has never cared for office. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 318, of Yakima and is very prominent in the Masonic order, not only belonging to the blue lodge but also to the Royal Arch chapter. He is connected with the Commercial Club of Sunnyside and is thoroughly in accord with its purposes and activities. He is very patriotic and has done valuable field work in promoting war activities, serving as local chairman of the Red Cross. Since the 26th of October, 1918, he has been assistant regional athletic director of the Y. M. C. A. stationed at Bordeaux, France.

CHARLES C. MCCOWN, M. D.

Dr. Charles C. McCown, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Grandview, has devoted his attention to the profession for more than a third of a century and constant reading, investigation and experience have continually broad- ened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency. That he is an able representative of the profession is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him.

Dr. McCown is a native of Harrison county, Indiana. He was born on the 23d of August, 1856, of the marriage of John Nelson and Ruth (Miller) McCown, who were also natives of that state. The father was a son of Edward McCown, whose birth occurred in Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky and afterward became a pioneer settler of Indiana, where he followed the occupation of farming. His son, John Nelson McCown, also devoted his life to farming and both he and his wife have now passed away.

Dr. McCown supplemented a public school education by study in the Paoli (Ind.) Preparatory School and subsequently he took up the profession of teach- ing, which he followed for four years, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, as it was his desire to become a medical practitioner. In 1882 he completed a course in the Louisville Medical College and following his graduation practiced at Ireland, Indiana. He was afterward located at Washington, Indiana, for fifteen years and in 1902 he made his way to the northwest, settling at Prosser, Washington, where he practiced until 1908. He then went to Vancouver, Washington, where he remained until 1916, when he removed to Grandview, where he has since followed his profession and during the intervening period he has been accorded a liberal patronage by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and efficiency.

In March, 1883, Dr. McCown was married to Miss Elizabeth Harris, a daughter of John A. and Mary (McMahan) Harris, of Indiana. Her father was born, how- ever, in Kentucky but her mother's birth occurred in Indiana, and both have now passed away. The children of Dr. and Mrs. McCown are five in number. Ruth is the wife of William Kinnally, residing in Boise, Idaho. Lieutenant Arthur C. is a physician and surgeon with base hospital 46 in France. He has a wife and child, Sergeant Ernest K. is connected with the Red Cross service in France. Helen is at home, and Robert in school.

Dr. McCown is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and a past master of Euclid Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Prosser, Washington, while his mem- bership is now with the lodge at Grandview. He belongs to the Methodist church (9)

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and his political faith is that of the republican party. He served for six years as coroner in Washington, Daviess county, Indiana, but otherwise has not been active as an office seeker. He is a well known physician, highly esteemed for his pro- fessional and for his personal worth, and Grandview numbers him among her rep- resentative citizens.

DAVID ADAMS RAY.

The beautiful home of David Adams Ray, situated on Nob Hill, just outside of Yakima, is one of the most attractive in the valley and the most progressive and scientific methods are utilized by him in the conduct of his horticultural inter- ests. Mr. Ray comes to the northwest from Scotland. He was born in the land of hills and heather on the 22d of September, 1855, a son of Robert and Deborah (Barnes) Ray, who spent their entire lives in Scotland, where the father was a landowner and farmer.

David A. Ray, bidding adieu to friends and native country when fifteen years of age, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way into the interior of the country, settling near Monmouth, Illinois. Later he removed to North Dakota, where he lived with a brother for a time and then located near Crookston, Minnesota. He became a prominent merchant and banker there and won a position among the capitalists of that section of the country. Throughout his business career he has ever been watchful of opportunities pointing to success and has never hesitated to take a forward step. Moreover, he has readily discriminated between the essential and non-essential in all business transactions and his investments have been wisely placed and his interests most carefully and judiciously managed. In 1910 he came to Yakima county but has not disposed of his valuable property holdings in Minnesota, where he still has fifteen hundred acres of fine land. On reaching the northwest he purchased a beautiful mansion on Nob Hill, for which he paid thirty thousand dollars. It stands in the midst of five acres of land set out in orchards and his is one of the finest homes in the valley. He raises apples, pears and cherries and he is greatly interested in all that pertains to the further development and progress of the section in which he lives.

In early manhood Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Weslie, of Minnesota, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Esther, at home; Elizabeth, who is also at home and is a teacher by profession; Emily, who passed away at the age of twenty-five years; Henry, who died in infancy; Robert, who resides in Yakima and who is married and has one child; Crawford, who owns a fruit ranch and who is also married and has one child; Francis, who is in the United States army; and Dora, a student in the University of Washington.

Mr. Ray and his family attend the Presbyterian church and are loyal adherents of its teachings. In politics Mr. Ray maintains an independent course, voting accord- ing to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He has ever been actuated by a spirit of progress and improvement and his life has at all times measured up to high standards. His course has been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and his sterling traits of character are such as commend him to the confidence and high regard of all.

THOMAS S. COOPER.

Thomas S. Cooper has since 1892 resided upon his present farm not far from Outlook and is the oldest settler of that portion of the county. He was born in California, January 8, 1848, a son of James and Sarah (Bigelow) Cooper, who were natives of Scotland and of Nova Scotia respectively. They were married, however, in California, to which state they had gone in 1845. The father was a ship carpen- ter and both he and his wife remained residents of California to the time of their death.

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Thomas S. Cooper obtained a public school education in California and there followed farming until 1884, when he came to Yakima county and took up a desert claim and timber culture of six hundred and forty acres, the place being located four and a half miles northwest of what is now Sunnyside. He left that district but re- turned in 1892 and homesteaded a part of the land which he had secured, chang- ing one hundred and sixty acres of the tract from a desert claim to a homestead. He settled upon this property and has since occupied it. He has one hundred and twenty-five acres under cultivation, producing large crops of corn, potatoes and alfalfa, and conducts his farming interests along progressive lines.

Mr. Cooper has two children: Raymond, twenty-eight years of age, now in the United States hospital service in Scotland; and Edna, a teacher in California. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Native Sons of California. His political endorse- ment is given to the republican party but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, always preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his busi- ness affairs. As the years have passed, covering more than a quarter of a century in which he has lived upon his present ranch, he has wrought a marked transfor- mation in the appearance of the place and it is today one of the valuable farm properties of the district.

JOHN MILES NEWMAN.

John Miles Newman has taken many progressive steps leading to the develop- ment of the section of Kittitas county in which he makes his home. He was one of the founders and promoters of the town of Thorp, has been actively identified with ranching interests and also with industrial activity as a blacksmith. He has prospered in his undertakings and his progressiveness has placed him with the leading business men of his section. He was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, August 10, 1851, a son of Michael P. and Olive (Thurlow) Newman, who in 1859 removed from Missouri to Texas, where the death of the mother occurred. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, afterward took the family back to Missouri and in 1864 he crossed the plains with ox teams and established his home in Union county, Oregon. In 1865 he removed to Silverton, Oregon, where he resided until 1870 and then became a resident of Benton county, that state, remaining within its borders to the time of his demise.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 22

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