History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 26

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 26
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 26
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 26

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).

216

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

following year arrived in Yakima, since which time he has made his home in this section of the state. For a considerable period he engaged in the life insurance business after having spent four years as an organizer all over southeastern Wash- ington for the Modern Woodmen of America. He established during that period many of the lodges in the state. He then concentrated his energies upon life insurance, in which he continued until 1911, after which he occupied the position of chief deputy sheriff for two years. He next became superintendent of the jute warehouse mill at the state penitentiary and he was also steward at the state reformatory in the years 1913 and 1914. In the latter year he was again called to public service in his election to the office of sheriff of Yakima county, at which time he received the largest majority ever given to a candidate for that position. He made a most ex- cellent record in the office and was then reelected in 1917 with three times the ma- jority that had been given him before, and moreover he has the distinction of being the first sheriff to be re-elected in more than ten years. This fact is indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. All recognize in him a most faithful custodian of public interests. He stands for law and order and his name brings a sense of safety to all law-abiding people and carries with it a menace to those who do not hold themselves amenable to law. He is prompt in the execution of his duties and he has served as president of the State Sheriffs' Associa- tion.

On the 15th of July, 1896 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Martha Rhine, of Washington county, Illinois, and to them have been born five children: Lavata, eighteen years of age: Lawson, aged fifteen; Zenas, a youth of fourteen; Norma, six years of age; and Wilbur, aged three.

Mr. Murphy is a well known member of the Masonic fraternity and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He belongs to Yakima Lodge No. 24. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 22 and of the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp of Yakima and in the latter has filled all of the offices. In politics he is a republican, stalwart in his support of the principles of the party and doing everything in his power to secure their adoption and to win success for the party candidates. He was deeply and helpfully interested in war work and served as chairman of the local exemption board. He stands for those things which are of vital worth to the city, the commonwealth and the country and his aid and influ- ence are always given on the side of right, progress and improvement. Washington gained a subsantial and worthy citizen when he left his native sate and cast in his fortunes with those of the northwest.

BENJAMIN F. LINSE.

The younger agricultural fraternity of Yakima county is represented by Benja- min F. Linse, the owner of twenty acres of land on the Tieton, part of which is in apple orchard, the remainder being devoted to hay and grain. A native of South Dakota, he was born in Marshall county, February 12, 1886, and is a son of Fred and Anna (Berg) Linse, pioneers of Minnesota, who in 1881, five years before the birth of our subject, removed to South Dakota, where the father continued to follow farming, the family home being established in Day county. There they continued until 1902, Benjamin F. Linse receiving his educational training in the rural schools near his father's farm, and on the removal of the family to Yakima county he accom- panied them, at which time he was sixteen years of age. He continued upon the home farm until 1906, when, at the age of twenty, he bought twenty acres of land on the Tieton, which was then covered with sagebrush. He has since improved this place and now has four acres in apples, while the remainder is devoted to grain and hay.

On the 6th of October, 1910, Mr. Linse was united in marriage to Miss Ella Spcich, a native of Renwick, Iowa, and a daughter of Mathias and Barbara Speich, who were born in Switzerland and in early life crossed the ocean to the United States. They at first located in Wisconsin, later removing to Iowa and in 1906 coming to Yakima county. The father was an agriculturist, following that occupation in the

217

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

various states in which the family resided and continuing ranching at Nob Hill until his death. His widow survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Linse has been born a son, Edmond Burton, whose birth occurred December 19, 1913.

Mr. and Mrs. Linse attend the Evangelical church. In his political views Mr. Linse is independent, giving his support to measures and candidates as his judge- ment dictates. From 1902 until 1915 he was a member of the National Guard of the state of Washington and reached the rank of first lieutenant in the organiza- tion.

OSCAR R. STRAND.

For twelve years Oscar R. Strand has been a resident of the Yakima valley, having come here in 1907, and he now is the owner of a twenty-four-acre ranch, twelve of which are in orchard. His labors here have been attended with success and he is today a prosperous horticulturist of his neighborhood. A native of Chi- cago, Illinois, he was born March 2, 1880, and is a son of Ole and Madeline (Thomp- son) Strand, natives of Norway, who came to the United States many years ago. For a number of years the father worked for wages but later was engaged in the ex- press business in Chicago.

Oscar R. Strand was reared under the parental roof and received his early edu- cation in the public schools of the metropolis on the lakes, but at the early age of fourteen started out for himself. He not only worked on farms but also taught school, from which fact it is evident that he improved his education to a considerable extent, although the opportunities offered him were meager. In 1902 he came to Yakima county, Washington, where he worked for a year, at the end of which period he went to Jowa. In 1907, however, he again took up his residence in the Yakima valley, working at first for wages. He then operated rented land until 1918, when he bought sixteen acres of land, having previously, in 1915, purchased eight acres. Thus he today owns twenty-four acres, twelve of which is in orchard, while the remainder is devoted to alfalfa and under the plow. There is great credit due Mr. Strand for what he has achieved, as he has worked up from the bottom and therefore is en- titled to the proud American title of a self-made man.

Mr. Strand married Miss Nellie Forrest, a daughter of Eben U. and Clara (Selfies) Forrest, who are mentioned at greater length on other pages of this work. To this union has been born a son, Forrest Le Roy, whose birth occurred March 29, 1909.

Mr. Strand is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, while he also is a member of the Grand Lodge and has served as a delegate to the same. He belongs to the Christian church, in the work of which he is helpfully interested, and politically is a republican. Fully realizing the importance of irrigation and drainage, he has closely studied that sub- ject and at this writing is ably serving as supervisor of drainage district No. 15.

AARON F. JAEGER.

For twelve years horticultural interests have claimed the attention of Aaron F. Jaeger, who has a fine ranch of twenty acres within the city limits of Zillah, twelve of which are in orchard. Moreover, Mr. Jaeger is conducting a small dairy, from which he receives a gratifying addition to his income. A native of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, he was born December 10, 1857, of the marriage of John Philip and Mary (Durr) Jaeger, natives of Germany. Both were brought to this country during their childhood, in 1837. They spent their youth in New York city, where they were married, and subsequently went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when that city was but a village, traveling the last ninety-five miles with ox teams. Subsequently the father bought land in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, which was still in a wild state, but undismayed he set himself to the task of bringing it under cultivation and in the

218

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

course of years became a successful agriculturist. Both parents passed away in Wisconsin.

Aaron F. Jaeger was reared under the parental roof amid farm conditions and thus early became acquainted with agricultural methods. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. Desiring to take up a trade, he learned coopering and subsequently became manager for the Symes Cooperage Company at Glenwood, Wisconsin, having been first with that firm at Appleton, that state. He was asso- ciated with that company for twenty years. He then attended to the setlement of his father's estate and was so engaged for five years, at the end of which time he removed to Yakima county, Washington, where he arrived March 6, 1906. He ac- quired twenty acres of land within the city limits of Zillah and immediately set himself to the task of transforming this into a valuable orchard. He now has twelve acres thus planted, while the remainder is plow land, being devoted to hay and corn. He also conducts a small dairy, out of which enterprise he makes a hand- some profit yearly.

On October 18, 1882, Mr. Jaeger was married to Miss Mary McLelland, of Mill- town, Maine, the ceremony, however, being performed at Neenah, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Ingersoll) McLelland, the former a native of New Brunswick and the latter of Maine, but in an early day they became residents of Neenah, Wisconsin. For many years Mr. McLelland was connected with mining, but both he and his wife have now passed away, the father dying in 1914, at the age of eighty-six years, while the mother passed away in October, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger have become the parents of two children: Lester R., who was born at Neenah, Wisconsin, June 10, 1884, is now engaged in ranching in the neighborhood of Zillah. He married Miss Clara Nelson of Zillah, and they have two children. Kesten Phillip, born April 17, 1898, is at home.

Mr. Jaeger has always maintained his independence in regard to political mat- ters, preferring to follow his own judgment in supporting candidates. While he has not been politically active he became more or less interested in public affairs while a resident of Wisconsin. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally Mr. Jaeger is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, on the roster of which organization his name has appeared since 1890. He has held all of the chairs in the subordinate lodge and also is a member of the en- campment and the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. He is one of the substantial residents of Zillah, in the growth and development of which he is ever ready to cooperate, and since becoming a resident of this city he has made many friends, all of whom are agreed as to his high qualities of character, which make him a public-spirited citizen, a reliable and trustworthy business man and a loyal and true friend.

ARCHIE M. PRIOR.

Archie M. Prior has for a number of years been numbered among the most prominent stockmen of the northwest. He is now largely living retired, his invest- ments in property and stock being heavy. He makes his home in Yakima and the fruits of his former toil are providing him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Mr. Prior is a native of Kingston, Missouri. He was born on the 7th of August, 1882, a son of George Prior, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The family home was established in Washington in 1895, at which time settlement was made in Klicki- tat county, where they remained for a year and then came to Yakima county.

Archie M. Prior attended the public schools of Missouri until thirteen years of age and afterward became a student in a business college at Yakima which he at- tended for two terms. His father became identified with the sheep industry in Wash- ington and Mr. Prior of this review was his active assistant until 1915, thus gaining broad experience concerning the best methods of caring for sheep in the north- west. He afterward became associated with Robert Herron in the care of eighteen hundred head of sheep and they are now the owners of thirty-six hundred ewes and

ARCHIE M. PRIOR

221

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

twenty-one hundred wethers. They run sheep on the Colville reservation. Mr. Prior has leased a range in Horse Heaven and has been very successful in sheep raising. There is no one more able to speak with authority upon the industry in any of its phases or branches, for long experience has given him most practical knowledge and at all times he has followed the most progressive methods in the care and marketing of his sheep. Throughout the entire period of his close connection with the industry he has made his home in Yakima and now owns and occupies a beautiful residence on West Yakima avenue.

In October, 1905, Mr. Prior was united in marriage to Miss Martha Beck, a daughter of Ross and Martha (Frederick) Beck, who were pioneer residents of the Yakima valley and have now passed away. Her grandmother, Mrs. Martha Beck, taught the first school in Yakima county, and Edna Beck, a cousin of Mrs. Prior, was the first female child born in Yakima. Mr. and Mrs. Prior have become the parents of four children: George, Dorothy, Donald and Catherine, The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which Mr. and Mrs. Prior loyally adhere. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has no thought of nor desire for public office. He belongs to the Com- mercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with its purposes to upbuild the city and country, extend its trade relations and advance its civic interests. Practically his entire life has been passed in Washington and he is a most enthusiastic champion of the state and its opportunities, while at all times he has borne his full share in the work of general progress and improvement.

HERBERT C. WALKER.

Herbert C. Walker, who is devoting his time to the raising of apples and pears upon a good ranch near Yakima, was born in Dansville, New York, July 31, 1878, a son of F. C. and Charlotte .(Pickstock) Walker, who in 1895 left the east and removed with their family to Tacoma, Washington, where the father is now vice president and manager of the department store owned by the Stone & Fisher Company.

Herbert C. Walker acquired a public school education in the Empire state, supplemented by study in the Whitworth College and the Tacoma Business Col- lege. His practical business training was received under the direction of his father in the store at Tacoma and after preliminary experience he was made manager of the linen department, so continuing until 1908, when he removed to the Yakima valley, for he had determined to withdraw from commercial connections and enter upon a business career that would keep him out of doors. Attracted by the possi- bilties for horticultural development in the Yakima valley, he purchased ten acres of land four and a quarter miles west of the Yakima depot. A part of the tract was already planted to fruit and he has set out the halance to fruit, making a specialty of apples and pears. The old house upon the place was destroyed by fire and Mr. Walker built a modern and attractive residence. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and his unfaltering care and unwearied industry have converted his ranch into one of the profit bearing properties of the district. He also rents ten acres more of fruit orchard and he has a twenty acre tract, which he has planted to hay and corn. He is prompted by a laudable ambition in all that he undertakes and wisely utilizes every opportunity that comes to him.

On the 24th of August, 1904, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Alberta Race, of Tacoma, a daughter of Frank E. and Anna Race, who were pioneer settlers of Beloit, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have five children, Charlotte, Kathryn, Franklin, Robert and Charles.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker are highly esteemed people of the community in which they reside. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife has membership in the Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while he has never sought public office, he has served as school director for the past six years and is a most earnest advocate of progressive education, the schools finding in him a stalwart friend. He is likewise a member of the Yakima County

222

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Horticultural Union and is interested in all that pertains to the dissemination of knowledge concerning the most advanced horticultural methods. In fact he stands for progress along all lines that have to do with the material, intellectual, social and moral advancement of the community.

FRANK S. WEED.

A quarter of a century has passed since Frank S. Weed became a permanent resident of Kittitas county, where he now follows farming in the neighborhood of Thorp. He was born in New Hampshire, November 7, 1862, a son of W. O. and Sarah (Bennett) Weed, both of whom passed away before the year 1865, so that Frank S. Weed was early left an orphan. He was reared in the home of his uncle, W. P. Ames, who removed to łowa in 1870 and in 1878 became a resident of Wash- ington, establishng his home in Klickitat county. There he resided for five years, at the end of which time he removed to Kittitas county, where he still makes his home.

Frank S. Weed was a youth of sixteen years at the time he came with his uncle to Washington. He remained in Klickitat county until 1888 and then went to Tacoma, while in 1894 he removed to Kittitas county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land two miles south of Thorp. He then began the development and improvement of his place, upon which he has erected a comfortable and com- modious residence, together with large barns and sheds. In 1915 he suffered the loss of his barn by fire but immediately rebuilt. He has added modern improve- ments and equipments to his place, which is now an attractive one of the neigh- borhood.

On the 6th of November, 1887, Mr. Weed was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Lusby, a daughter of Meredith Lusby, who was one of the first settlers of Klicki- tat county. He was born in Kentucky and was a son of John Lusby, a native of England. In 1870 he went to California, making the trip over the hot, sandy plains and through the mountain passes, and in 1876 he arrived in Klickitat county, casting in his lot with the earliest settlers who were reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization. To Mr. and Mrs. Weed have been born three children: William, who is now engaged in ranching in Kittitas county; Mildred, the wife of Arthur Ribard, who is also a ranchman of the Kittitas valley; and Elton M., at home.

Mr. Weed is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and politically is a republican where national questions and issues are involved but at local elec- tions casts an independent ballot. He is separated by the width of the continent from his birthplace. The sterling traits inherited from New England ancestry, however, he has brought to the west with its countless opportunities and the years have chronicled his success as he has systematically carried on his farm work.

NELGIS T. ROULEAU.

Nelgis T. Rouleau is not only numbered among the representative farmers in the vicinity of Moxee City but also deserves special notice as one whose efforts have been most effective in promoting the good roads movements in his part of the state. He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, February 7, 1868, a son of Peter and Emily (Valencourt) Rouleau, both of whom were natives of Canada and of French descent. They crossed the border into the United States when young peo- ple, settling in Wisconsin, where they were married, and there the father engaged in farming. He afterward removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and subsequently lived at Minneapolis and later at Hancock, Minnesota. He was in various parts of that state and was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land near Brecken- ridge, Minnesota, which he owned until 1900, when he sold that property and made his way to Yakima county, Washington. Arriving in the Moxee valley, he pur- chased twenty acres of land and thereon resided for a number of years. He after-

223

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

ward bought other farm property and devoted his time and energies to its cultiva- tion and improvement until his death, which occurred in 1911. His wife survived him for four years, passing away in 1915.

Nelgis T. Rouleau obtained a public school education in Wisconsin and through the period of his boyhood and youth worked with his father upon the home farm, assisting in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting when not in school. He also followed logging in Wisconsin and likewise worked on farms there. He after- ward became interested in horse racing in connection with E. H. Everette and was engaged in raising and training race horses. He also engaged in clerking in stores and did collecting. He bought and sold horses and thus in various lines of busi- ness developed his powers and cultivated that alertness which made him wide-awake to every business opportunity. In 1899 he went to Helena, Montana, and after- ward to Missoula, that state. He subsequently spent a few months in Idaho and then made his way to Seattle and afterward to Everett, Washington, where he worked in logging camps. He traveled at different periods over various parts of British Columbia, Oregon, Washington and other sections of the northwest and again had varied experiences along business lines. In 1911, upon the death of his father, he came to the Yakima valley and purchased the old homestead property, having now twenty acres of land which is highly cultivated and well improved. He engaged in raising hops until 1916 and he has been identified with many progressive elements in farming in this neighborhood. He spent one year in northern Alaska, where he went in the spring of 1906, making his way north of Cape Prince of Wales. Mr. Rouleau is now quite extensively engaged in raising high grade Percheron horses and was the first man to bring full blooded Percherons to the Moxee valley. He has two standard bred trotting horses, Norlock and Darklork, whose pedigree dates back over a hundred years. He has every reason to be proud of his fine horses and his efforts have done much to promote an interest in the raising of high grade horses in this section of the country.

Mr. Rouleau belongs to the Yakima lodge of Elks, No. 318, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He is a most public spirited and ener- getic citizen, who stands loyally for any cause which he espouses, and he has been particularly helpful in promoting the good roads movement and improving the public highways in this section of the state. There is no plan or measure for the general god that does not receive his endorsement and support, and he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm that never fails to bring desired results.

WILLIAM M. MUNSELL, M. D.

Dr. William M. Munsell, physician and surgeon of Grandview who has prac- ticed there since 1913 and who has ever kept in touch with the trend of modern pro- fessional thought and methods, was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, November 17. 1871, a son of Ward L. and Margaret J. (Logan) Munsell, who were natives of Ohio and of Kentucky respectively. They became early settlers of Missouri, where the father followed the occupation of farming, and he also bcame a prominent figure in political circles there. He frequently was called upon to fill positions of public honor and trust and died while serving as circuit clerk in 1878. His wife passed away the same year.

Dr. Munsell was reared by his maternal grandfather, Addison Logan, for he was but a young lad of seven years when left an orphan. His grandfather was a native of Kentucky and for many years followed farming in Missouri. Dr. Mun- sell acquired a public school education and, having determined to make the prac- tice of medicine his life work, he then entered the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1895. He atter- ward pursued post-graduate work in Chicago in 1910, making a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He entered upon the active practice of his pro- fession at Downing, Missouri, where he remained through 1896 and 1897 and then went to Granger, Missouri, where he continued to reside until 1910. Following his post-graduate work in Chicago he came to Yakima county, Washington, and pur-

224

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

chased a ranch near Grandview. He was out of practice for three years but in 1913 resumed his professional duties and has since practiced at Grandview, having sold his ranch. He is accorded a large general practice and does considerable surg- ical work, for which he is splendidly qualified. He is cool and collected in emer- gencies, possesses steady nerve and hand and, moreover, has intimate knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body together with the on- slaughts made upon it by disease. He is acting as local surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railway and for the Oregon-Washington Railway, in addition to which he does a large amount of private surgical work.

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

History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 26

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