History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 23

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 23
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 23
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 23

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In the public schools John Miles Newman acquired his education and in 1878 he came to the Kittitas valley and purchased a ranch two miles south of Thorp. In 1882 he bought ranch property adjoining Thorp, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, and in 1896 he took up his abode in the suburbs of Thorp, where he has since resided. He was one of those who laid out the town of Thorp, the town site covering a part of land owned by Mr. Newman and by Frank Martin and Milford Thorp. All of the land was deeded to Mr. Newman, who then deeded it to the purchasers. The town was named in honor of Mortimer F. Thorp, who was one of the first settlers of the locality. A postoffice had previously been estab- lished that was called Thorp, and when the town was laid out, Mr. Newman called it Thorp in honor of this carly pioneer. Mr. Newman was also the first man to advocate the raising of grain without water in this part of the country and inter- ested other people in trying the experiment, which was profitably followed. He was also for a long period identified with blacksmithing, conducting a shop at Thorp until 1905.

In January, 1873, Mr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Forgey, a daughter of John and Matilda Forgey, who crossed the plains in 1852 and settled in Oregon. Mrs. Newman passed away in June, 1896, and in 1903 Mr. Newman was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Edna (Hay) Hulbert, of Iowa, who was born in Wisconsin. The children of the first marriage were ten in num- ber: Olive, the wife of J. A. Wilcox, a rancher of Kittitas county; Lillie, the wife of John Marshall, an electrician now at Camp Lewis in government employ; Otis, who makes his home at Alderton, Washington; Minnie, the wife of Charles Shull, living at Ellensburg; Fred P., a rancher of Kittitas county; Jacob, at home; John

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A., who also follows ranching in Kittitas county; Jesse R., who is with a machine gun company in the United States army; and two children who died in infancy. By the second marriage there has also been one child, Esther, now fifteen years of age, at home.

Mr. Newman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Tanum Lodge, No. 155, at Thorp. His political allegiance is given to the demo- cratic party and he served for four years as county comissioner and also as justice of the peace. He has likewise been a member of the school board and he is inter- ested in everything that has to do with the progress and welfare of the community in which he makes his home. He is a well known pioneer who from early days has resided in this section of Kittitas county, where he has a wide acquaintance. He enjoys the high regard of all with whom he has been associated, for his qualities measure up to high standards of manhood and citizenship. In business, too, his course has been most commendable and his energy has brought to him a very desirable measure of success.

ELLIS RAGAN.

With one hundred and twenty-two thousand acres of land under lease and run- ning eighteen thousand head of sheep, Ellis Ragan ranks with the most prominent and prosperous sheepmen of the northwest. The story of his life is the record of earnest endeavor crowned with successful achievement. He was born in Kentucky, October 5, 1872, a son of Shelby and Lucetta (Shearer) Ragan. The father is a farmer and stock raiser and both parents were early settlers of Wayne county, Ken- tucky, where they still make their home.

Ellis Ragan acquired a public school education in his native state and was a young man of twenty years when in 1892 he came to the northwest, settling at Pendleton, Oregon. He was there employed in connection with the sheep industry and in the fall of 1897 he removed to Prosser, Washington, where he continued in active business as a sheepman. In 1900 he came to Yakima and worked with sheep until 1904. He next entered the employ of C. H. Frye & Company of Seattle, whom he represented as a sheep buyer all over the west. He thus continued until the fall of 1914. In 1913, however, he purchased an interest in a band of sheep and in the spring of the following year, in connection with Alexander Dunnett, bought a band of sheep and has since been actively and successfully engaged in sheep raising. He now runs eighteen thousand head of sheep and has sixty-six hundred ewes. He ranges part of these on the reservation and a part at Cle Elum and employs about twenty-three men. He has one hundred and twenty-two thousand acres of land under lease and is today regarded as one of the representative, progressive and suc- cessful sheepmen of this section of the country.

On the 18th of June, 1908, Mr. Ragan was married to Miss Lillian Palmer, of Yakima, and they have two children, Gladys and Lois. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he stands for progressiveness in public affairs as he does in business life.

JOHN H. LYNCH.

While John H. Lynch is known as an able member of the Yakima bar, his connection with the city covers a still broader scope, for he has contributed to its material and moral development in many ways during the long period of his resi- dence here and is today an honored member of the Pioneers Association. He is a native son of Washington, his birth having occurred at Chehalis on the 6th of October, 1876, his parents being Timothy J. and Julia (McCarthy) Lynch, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in early life. They were married in 1862 and lived for some time in New York and in Boston. The father was en- gaged in shipbuilding for the government during the period of the Civil war and

ELLIS RAGAN

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was stationed at San Francisco and at New Orleans. He removed his family to San Francisco after the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south and continued to follow the shipbuilding trade there until 1870, when he made his way northward to Washington, taking up his abode on the Newankum river, near what is now Chehalis. There he entered government land and began the develop- ment of his claim, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He resided upon that property for eight years and then became a resident of Yakima county, where he took up government land in the Ahtanum valley, where he continued to reside until 1896. At that date he established his home in the city of Yakima, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1910. He is survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Yakima.

John H. Lynch has spent the greater part of his life in the city which is still his place of residence and he supplemented his early education, acquired in the public schools, by study in the Washington State Normal School at Ellensburg. Still later he became a student in the School of Expression in Boston, Massachusetts, and in preparation for the bar pursued a course in law in the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated with the class of 1903. Returning to Yakima, he opened an office and has since engaged in practice. His increasing ability has brought to him a liberal clientage that has connected him with much important litigation heard in the courts of the district. His success in a profes- sional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court, and his present prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor and fidelity to trust, for his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial.

In 1908 Mr. Lynch was united in marrage to Miss Rosalia McNamara, who died July 6, 1910. In 1914 he was again married, his second union being with Grace McCafferty, a native of Yakima and a daughter of J. P. McCafferty. His children are two in number, John Robert and Eleanor, the former two years of age. The parents are members of St. Paul's Catholic church and Mr. Lynch is much interested in the Catholic history of the valley. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, in which he has filled all of the offices, and he is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the re- publican party. He belongs to the County and State Bar Associations and to the Pioneers Association and the Yakima Columbian Association, serving as secretary of the last two. Forty-two years' connection with the state has made him largely familiar with its history and his mind bears the impress of many of its most im- portant historical events.

FRANK G. PARK.

Frank G. Park, who is engaged in ranching on the Cowiche, was born at St. Paul, Minnesota, September 1, 1885, a son of Frank L. and Amanda (Ayers) Park, who were natives of the Empire state and became pioneer residents of Minnesota. The father was a son of Charles Park, who was also born in New York and who re- moved with his family to Minnesota in 1851. After losing his first wife, who passed away in 1889, Frank L. Park married again, his second union being with Elizabeth Hill. He followed farming and stock raising as a life work, residing for many years in Minnesota, but in 1906 he removed to the northwest and purchased a ranch on Nob Hill in Yakima county. After cultivating that place for several years he sold the property and removed to Fruitvale in 1914.

In the public schools of his native state Frank G. Park pursued his education and in 1900 went to Montana, where he engaged in ranching. He was engaged in cattle raising with his brother, C. J. Park, and in 1907 he removed to Yakima county and made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Cowiche. He has since engaged in raising sheep and hogs and he also annually produces large crops of wheat, corn and hay. He has sold part of his original holdings, retaining only seventy acres. Upon this place he has built a nice residence and has put up all the barns and sheds necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. The place was

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covered with sagebrush when it came into his possession and his labors have con- verted it into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers excellent crops. The attractive appearance of the place is due entirely to his efforts and labors and his work has brought splendid results.

On Christmas day of 1908 Mr. Park was united in marriage to Miss Grace Simmons, who was born in Custer county, Montana, a daughter of John and Mar- garet Simmons, who were early settlers of Montana, removing to that state from Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Park have become parents of four children: Gertrude, Hazel, Alvin and Doris. Fraternally Mr. Park is connected with the Modern Wood- men of America and his political belief is that of the republican party. His wife is a member of the Baptist church and they are highly esteemed people of the commu- nity. Mr. Park has served as a member of the school board and is interested in all plans and projects for the general good. The comfortable competence which he has acquired is the direct result of his industry. He has worked his way steadily up- ward and his property interests now return to him a gratifying annual income.

DANIEL McKIE.

Daniel McKie, living in Yakima, has long been numbered among the prominent sheepmen of the valley and his flocks today number over fifty-five hundred head. He is leaving the active management of his interests to others but still gives general supervision to his important business affairs. He was born in Scotland, July 9, 1873, a son of John and Jane (Bell) McKie, both of whom have passed away. He ac- quired a public school education and the year 1899 witnessed his arrival in Yakima, at which time he entered the employ of John Clemmens, a sheepman, with whom he remained for eight years, gaining valuable knowledge and experience concerning the business. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to purchase property. He then bought a farm and continued its cultivation for four years, giving his time to the general de- velopment of crops. In 1912, however, he turned his attention to the sheep business, purchasing a considerable number of sheep, and has since continued along this line. He has over fifty-five hundred head of sheep and his ranges are near White Bluffs and Selah Springs. He has closely studied all questions bearing upon sheep-raising and the care of the sheep and his progressive methods and advanced ideas are prov- ing an important element in the attainment of his success.

On the 29th of April, 1906, Mr. McKie was married to Miss Sarah Rennie, a native of Scotland and a schoolmate of his boyhood days. They have become parents of four children: Robert, Mary, John and Rachel.

Mr. McKie helongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church. His political sup- port is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a loyal adopted son of America, true to high principles of citizenship and high standards of business, and through his enterprise and close application he has won the creditable position which he now occupies as one of the leading sheepmen of the northwest.

EMUEL B. HIMMELSBACH.

Emuel B. Himmelsbach, who is extensively and successfully engaged in fruit raising and general farming not far from Yakima, was born in Wabasha county, Min- nesota, December 15, 1859. a son of Bernard and Mary Himmelsbach, both of whom have departed this life. They were pioneer settlers of Minnesota and the father there followed the occupation of farming for many years.

Emuel B. Himmelsbach was reared to agricultural life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to assist his father until 1878, when he and his father removed to Polk county, Minne-

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sota, where for many years he was actively engaged in the cultivation of a section and a half of land. Subsequently he became owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, which he developed and improved, residing thereon until he sold that property in order to become a resident of the northwest in 1906. In that year he made his way to Yakima county, having purchased fifteen acres of land in 1902. He planted this to orchards and afterward sold ten acres of it. More recently he pur- chased other property and now has twenty-five acres planted to fruit and ten acres of hay land. He is extensively engaged in raising apples, pears, peaches and cherries as well as other fruits and his orchards are in splendid bearing condition. Every- thing about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates his careful super- vision and unfaltering energy.

In 1891 Mr. Himmelsbach was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Bullan, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Jesse P. and Maria A. (Tubbs) Bullan, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Roy P. Bullan, a brother of Mrs. Himmelsbach. To Mr. and Mrs. Him- melsbach have been born two children, namely: Jesse, who is a graduate of the University of Washington and a member of the Aviation Corps of the United States army; and Dora, a high school graduate, now attending the Washington State Col- lege at Pullman.

Mr. Himmelsbach built his home upon his ranch and has found his greatest de- light in providing the comforts of life for his family. In politics he maintains an in- dependent course nor has he ever been ambitious to hold office, preferring to con- centrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which, wisely directed, have brought to him gratifying prosperity.

GEORGE E. TWEEDT.

Among the younger business men of Kennewick who have been quite success- ful is George E. Tweedt, who is engaged in the insurance business. He was born in Genessee, Idaho, in 1887 and is a son of H. C. and S. E. (Nelson) Tweedt, who in 1877 settled in Idaho, whence in 1904 they removed to Kennewick, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until he removed to Honolulu in 1912, where he is now residing.

George E. Tweedt attended the common schools in the pursuit of his primary education, subsequently rounding out his learning by attending a business college at Spokane. He then became connected with banking and was assistant cashier in the Bank of Kennewick until 1914, when he entered the insurance and real estate business under the firm name of Trenbath & Tweedt, which has ever since had a con- tinuous and prosperous existence. In his transactions he has strictly adhered to the highest principles and it is therefore but natural that a large clientage has been gained by the firm and their business is now an extensive one.

On June 11, 1913, Mr. Tweedt was united in marriage to Miss May E. Holloway, of Kennewick, and they have a daughter, Eleanor. The young couple are popular in the social circles of their city, where they have many friends. They are members of the Congregational church and politically Mr. Tweedt is a republican, faithfully supporting the principles of the party. In 1918 he was elected mayor of Kennewick and is now acceptably filling that office. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Pythias, in which organization he has many friends.

JAMES L. SEARLES.

For sixteen years James L. Searles has been a resident of Mabton, where he is now successfully engaged in the real estate business. He was born in Greenwich, Con- necticut. October 25, 1860, a son of Merritt and Mary Elizabeth Searles, the former of whom followed agricultural pursuits. Both died in Connecticut.

James L. Searles received his education in the public schools of that state and

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after having completed his education in 1878 removed to Miles City, Montana, where he was connected with a railroad crew as a cook and also took part in the roundups for several years. He came to Washington in 1883 and located in Ellensburg, where he remained until 1890, when he removed to Centralia. This city remained his home until 1902, which year witnessed his arrival in Mabton. There his brother-in-law, Tilton Phillips, was the owner of the first store and Mr. Phillips and our subject conducted the store together until 1906, when Mr. Searles sold his interest to his brother-in-law and engaged in the real estate business. He has since been interested along this line and is considered a good judge of local properties, his advice being often sought in regard to real estate values. He has earned a reputation for the strictest principles of honesty and his clients are sure to receive fair dealing at his hands. It is therefore but natural that he has built up a very substantial business. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, from which he derives a grati- fying income. This property is in a high state of cultivation and its improvements are modern and in every way up-to-date.

On the 3d of August, 1889, Mr. Searles was married to Miss Ella F. Begg, of Ellensburg, this state, and to this union two daughters have been born: Dora, who married Fred Story, an agriculturist living near Mabton; and Laura, at home.

Mr. Searles is independent in his political views, giving his support to those candidates whom he regards as most worthy of office. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and for the last seven years has been secretary of Lodge No. 238. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias. As a busi- ness man as well as a citizen, Mr. Searles is a valuable component part of the com- munity of Mabton, where he has many friends, all of whom admire him because of his straightforward dealing, his kindness of heart and his genial, cordial manner.

WALTER ARNOLD.

Among the leading orchardists of Washington is Walter Arnold, who is not only widely known as an able business man in this state but has extensive interests in South America. A far-seeing, energetic man, he has used his qualities toward building up a career which lifts him out of the ordinary and places him among those who are not only considered as substantial citizens but who have contributed toward development wherever their activities have led them. A native of London, England, Mr. Arnold was born August 9, 1855, and is a son of John and Esther (Jones) Arnold, both deceased. The father throughout his life followed contracting and was quite successful along that line.

Walter Arnold was reared amid the refining influences of an English home and received his education in the public schools, but when thirteen years of age joined the British navy, serving for one year. He made his advent into the United States in 1870 and his first place of residence was North Adams, Massachusetts, where he spent a year, after which a short stay was made in New York. In 1873 we find him in Chicago, where he entered the stone-cutting trade. Three years later, in 1876, Mr. Arnold removed to Toronto, Canada, and for five years he made that city his home, going from there again to New York and later to Chicago and thence to Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time he was a stone contractor and as such located at St. Cloud, Minnesota, doing contracting and railroad work all over the northwest, with that city as his headquarters. Among the prominent enterprises of that period with which he was connected was the building of the Milwaukee Rail- road. In 1909 Mr. Arnold organized the Yakima Orchard Development Company, of which for three years he was president, having over six hundred acres of orchard. The extent of their operations may be inferred from the fact that during one spring ninety-seven thousand trees were planted. This property is located at Parker Heights but in 1911 he sold his interest in the company. In 1909 he also bought eighty acres on the upper Naches, which he has since retained, and of this forty- seven acres are in apples, pears and peaches. He has built a sheltering building and barns in order to house his orchard interests and also has erected a fine residence, his property now being one of the most valuable in the valley. Recently Mr. Arnold

WALTER ARNOLD

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has organized a syndicate which purchased a tract of a half million acres, all in one body, in Brazil, the organization being known as The American Brazilian Company, our subject being the secretary.

On the 14th of May, 1878, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Jones, a native of Canada and a daughter of Lewis and Maria (Richmond) Jones. To this union the following children have been born: Walter, a ranches of Yakima county; Lillian, the wife of A. L. Knouse, of Seattle, by whom she has two children; Edward, who has mercantile interests at Naches, where he resides with his wife and three children; Zella, the wife of Grover Hines, of Baker City, Oregon; Alma, who married E. G. Johnson, foreman of Mr. Arnold's ranch; Ruth, attending the State University; Esther, who married C. Philip Shank, of Seattle, now a lieutenant with the United States army in France; and Mildred, who is also attending the State Uni- versity.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are welcome additions to the social life of their neighbor- hood and have made many friends since coming here. Both have agreeable qualities which make them very popular and they often entertain at their home. As a busi- ness man and orchardist the reputation of Mr. Arnold is of the highest. He has not only acquired an individual fortune but has introduced valuable methods in fruit raising thus contributing to local development. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, while fraternally he belongs to the blue lodge of Masons, the prin- ciples of that organization guiding him in his relations with his fellowmen. His po- litical affiliation is that of the republican party but although well informed upon all questions of the day in regard to local. state and national politics he has never de- sired public honors for himself, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his busi- ness affairs.

JOHN WELLARD STEVENSON.

John Wellard Stevenson has the distinction of being the first native son living on the Cowiche and is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of that section. He was born in the Cowiche valley of Yakima county on the 16th of June, 1873, a son of John Wellard and Hannah (Lewis) Stevenson. The father was born in 1835, in Edwards county, Illinois, and was a son of John Wellard Stevenson, a native of England, who came to the United States about 1830. He cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Illinois, taking up his abode in that state prior to the time of the Black Hawk war, whereby the question of Indian supremacy was for- ever settled in that state. After residing there for almost a quarter of a century he made the overland trip to Oregon in 1853 and in 1854 established the family home near Vancouver, Washington. He took up a government donation claim and resided thereon to the time of his death. His son, John Wellard Stevenson, the father of John Wellard Stevenson of this review, took up government land at Cape Horn, Washington, in 1857 and is now residing thereon, although his residence there has not been continuous. In the year 1870 he came to Yakima county and bought the improvements on a squatter's claim on the Cowiche, being the first white settler along that stream. He was married in this locality and resided here until 1890, since which time he has made his home at Cape Horn, Washington. His wife, who was a native of Indiana, passed away in 1913.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 23

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