History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 27

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 27
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 27
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 27

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On the 26th of March, 1895, Dr. Munsell was married to Miss Artie B. Job, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Taylor Job, a farmer of that state. They now have one child, Helen Louise, at home. Dr. Munsell is a stalwart champion of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the latter lodge he has held all of the chairs. He has likewise filled all of the offices in the Modern Woodmen camp to which he belongs and he has membership with the Royal Neighbors and with the Elks lodge at Yakima and the Foresters of America. He attends the Presbyterian church and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his time, energies and efforts upon his professional duties, which have constantly developed in volume and importance. In September, 1918, the Doctor offered his services to his country and after passing the required examination at Camp Lewis was appointed captain in the Medical Corps, but before being called into active service the armistice was signed. His commission, however, runs for five years.

OSCAR W. MIDDLETON.

Oscar W. Middleton a garage proprietor at Grandview, having the agency for the Chalmers, Reo, Maxwell and Dodge cars, was born in Beatrice, Nebraska, April 18. 1876, a son of Jesse and Margaret (Murgatroyd) Middleton. The father was born in Columbus, Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred near Racine, Wisconsin. They became pioneer residents of Nebraska and were married in that state. The father there engaged in farming for a number of years but eventually came with his family to the northwest, settling at Grandview, Washington, where he purchased a ranch. This he further improved and developed, residing thereon until he retired and rented his ranch, while he -now makes hs home at Grandview. Both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the United Brethren church and their genuine worth has gained for them the friendly regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

Oscar W. Middleton acquired a public school education attending the high school, while later he became a student in the Fremont (Neb.) Business College. During his residence in his native state he served for three years as a member of the National Guard. He also taught school for a year and afterward engaged in farm- ing in Nebraska for five years. In 1903 he arrived in Grandview and purchased twenty acres of land, to which he has since added until he now has forty-two and a half acres of rich, productive and valuable land upon which he raises hay, grain and potatoes. He also taught school in this locality in 1904 and 1905 but the greater part of his time and attention has been devoted to his ranching interests. His land was all covered with sagebrush when it came into his possession and there were no roads through the district. He assisted in laying out the first roads and in establish- ing the schools and as a pioneer settler has contributed much to the development, progress and upbuilding of the section in which he lives. He has also greatly improved his ranch and for four years he was engaged in the dairy business. He now spends the winter months in Grandview and in April, 1918, he opened a garage which he is now successfully conducting, having in connection therewith the agency for the Chalmers, Reo, Maxwell and Dodge cars. His sales have reached a gratifying figure and the business is steadily growing.

On the 17th of August, 1907, Mr. Middleton was married to Miss Nellie Lewis. a native of Illinois and a daughter of John W. and Florence (Malone) Lewis, whe

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in 1909 removed to Sunnyside where the father is engaged in ranching. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton have become the parents of three children: Claude H., Edith J. and Ruby Joyce.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and fra- ternalty Mr. Middleton is connected with the Foresters. In politics he is a republi- can, giving stalwart support to the party and its principles. For three years he acceptably filled the office of drainage supervisor and for six years he served as deputy assessor for the Grandview district. He is a public-spirited citizen, ever loyal to any trust reposed in him, and his interest in the welfare and development of the district in which he lives is manifest in many tangible and helpful ways.

J. CLIFFORD KAYNOR.

J. Clifford Kaynor is well known in journalistic circles in eastern Washington as editor of the Evening Record, published at Ellensburg. He was born in Ames, Iowa, February 20, 1887, a son of H. G. and Sarah (Stamp) Kaynor, both of whom were natives of New York, whence they removed to the middle west, becoming early settlers of Iowa. The father was associated with the American and Great Northern Express Companies until 1912, when he joined his son J. Clifford, in Ellensburg.

The latter, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, completed a high school course at Fort Dodge, Iowa, by graduation and then, with the lure of the west upon him, made his way to Seattle, where he arrived in March, 1907. He worked for a few months on the Morning Times and also for a few mouths on the Yakima Republic. He later spent two years on the Post-Intelligencer of Seattle and his newspaper work in the northwest followed four years' experience in news- paper circles in Iowa. He also spent a short time in the University of Washington, pursuing a journalistic course.

It was in July, 1909, that Mr. Kaynor arrived in Ellensburg and purchased the paper of which he is now editor and owner. The Evening Record was estab- lished on the Ist of July, 1909 as successor to the Ellensburg Localizer, which had been founded in 1883 by D. J. Schnebly. In 1905 the daily edition of the Local- izer was established and on the 1st of July, 1909, the Evening Record issued its first copy, absorbing the Daily Localizer. In 1915 a new building, sixty by one hundred and twenty feet, was erected. This is the finest country newspaper building in the northwest. It was erected especially for the purpose used and the plant in- cludes the most modern equipment, including two linotype machines and every- thing necessary to produce first class work. The company prints on an average of six pages to the paper, all home print, and the circulation is about nineteen hun- dred copies per day. They use Associated Press service and Mr. Kaynor displays a most progressive spirit in editing and publishing the Evening Record, which ranks with the leading daily papers of the northwest.

On the 14th of October, 1908, Mr. Kaynor was married to Miss Bessie B. How- ard, a daughter of A. E. and Grace (Ashfield) Howard of Yakima. Mr. and Mrs. Kaynor have become the parents of two children: Margaret Elizabeth, who was born in March, 1910; and Howard Henry, born August 30, 1913.

Fraternally Mr. Kaynor is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 1102, of Ellens- burg and is also a Mason, belongng to Lodge No. 39. He is an honorary member of Sigma Delta Chi, being identified with the Zeta Chapter of Washington. In professional circles he is widely known and honored, as indicated in the fact that he has served as president of the Washington State Press Association in the years 1917-18. He is now chairman of its executive committee and he has been very active in the organization, filling all of its offices. His political allegiance has ever been given to the progressive branch of the republican party since he reached his major- ity and while not an office seeker he has been a most stalwart champion of the policy of the party, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has served as chairman of the school board and has been identified with many activities for public benefit and progress. He has been president of the

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Young Men's Christian Association, has been vice chairman of the county commit- tee of the National Council of Defense has been a director of the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce and active in Red Cross work. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He is a first lieutenant of Machine Gun Company of the Third Washington Infantry, in which he is very active. His edi- torials, his personal labor and his influence have all been directed strongly in favor of the war activities and the national policy, and there is no plan or measure for the public good that does not receive his endorsement and cooperation. His edi- torials are concise and trenchant his arguments logical and convincing. He pre- sents any cause which he espouses with clearness and his writing has the "touch" which carries it across. He is justly accounted one of the leading newspaper men of the state and, moreover, he is one who recognizes the fact that the press is both the mirror and the molder of public opinion and that as such it can do much to regulate public standards and shape public thought and action.

GEORGE F. STEAN.

George F. Stean's early experience in the hotel business in the east well quali- fied him for the conduct of similar interests in the northwest and he is now manager of the Hotel Commercial of Yakima. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 16, 1872, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Brown) Stean. The father was a hotel man of Cleveland and there passed away but the mother is still living.

George F. Stean obtained a public school education and when his school days were over entered the hotel business in connection with his Father, thus receiving thorough practical training, and gaining knowledge and experience which have been of great worth to him in later years. He left Cleveland in 1891 and went to Pitts- burgh, where he accepted the position of manager of the Duquesne Hotel, while sub- sequently he was manager of the Engineers Club of Chicago. I ater he went to New York, where he was manager of Archibald's Restaurant. He became identified with hotel interests upon the Pacific coast on his removal to Seattle, where he assumed the management of the Chelsea Hotel. He then took over the management of the Sol Duc Hot Springs Company's Hotel, in the Olympic mountains, thirty-eight miles from Port Angeles, and at a later period became manager and proprietor of the Wixon Hotel at Sedro Woolley, Washington. In 1915 he moved to Yakima to become manager of the Hotel Commercial, of which he has since had charge. He thoroughly understands every demand of hotel service and provides for his patrons all of the conveniences of the modern hotel of the twentieth century.

In 1901 Mr. Stean was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Starck, a native of Chicago, and they have become the parents of two children, Ardath and Adrianne. The family resides on Thirteenth avenue, south, and they have a fine summer home on the Naches river.

Fraternally Mr. Stean is connected with the Elks and he belongs to the Com- mercial Club and also to the Country Club. He is a gentleman of genial manner, social disposition, keen business sagacity and indefatigable enterprise, and all these qualities combine to make for him success in his chosen field of labor.

WALTER G. DAMEROW.

Walter G. Damerow, who for four years filled the office of county auditor of Kittitas county and is recognized as one of the republican leaders of Ellensburg and that part of the state, was born in Lockport, New York, April 3, 1882, a son of W. G. and M. E. (Plaster) Damerow, both of whom passed away in New York, where the father had engaged in business as a manufacturer.

Walter G. Damerow, after completing his public school education in his native state, devoted four years to business along mechanical lines and then, attracted by the west, made his way to the Pacific coast. He settled first in Portland, Oregon, in

Mo. F. Clean.

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1899 and the following year became a resident of Washington, establishing his home in Tacoma, where he lived for two years. He came to Ellensburg in 1902 and for several years was employed at office work for the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany. In 1908 he was appointed to the position of deputy treasurer, in which capac- ity he served for two years, and afterward was made deputy auditor, serving in that office for four years. He was next elected to the position of county auditor for a four years' term and after eight years' association with the office retired. In the fall of 1918 he was nominated on the republican ticket for the office of county treas- urer. His previous record as auditor commended him for the positon and his public service has been at all times marked by devotion to the general good. He has also been a member of the local draft board for Kittitas county since June 1, 1917.

In 1905 Mr. Damerow was married to Miss Willie .L. Hardwick, who was born in Texas, a daughter of F. P. and Maude (Hoskins) Hardwick, who became pioneer settlers of Ellensburg, where they arrived about 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Damerow have one son, Charles.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Damerow is an Elk, belonging to Lodge No. 1102 at Ellensburg, also to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has ever felt the keenest interest in politics and has loyally supported the party in every possible way. He is widely and favorably known as a representative young man and citizen of Ellens- burg and enjoys the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

EDWARD A. BANNISTER.

The name of Edward A. Bannister is synonymous with progressiveness along agricultural and horticultural lines in the Yakima valley. He has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open and by reason of his intelligently directed efforts he has risen to a position in the foremost ranks of the successful horticulturists of his section of the state. He is a western man by birth and train- ing and the spirit of western enterprise finds exemplification in his career.

Mr. Bannister was born in Alameda, California, February 19, 1882, a son of Alfred and Emma T. (Barber) Bannister. His paternal grandfather, Rev. Edward Ban- nister, was one of the pioneer settlers of California of 1850. He was a leading minister of the Methodist church who did much to promote moral progress in that section of the country in an early day and he also contributed to the educational development of the state as president of the University of the Pacific, in which position he continued for several years. He remained a resident of California until called to his final rest and left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of that state. His son, Alfred Bannister, became a civil engineer at Berkeley, California. He wedded Emma T. Barber a daughter of A. S. Barber, who removed to California in 1848, the year in which gold was discovered on the Pacific coast. He served as postmaster at Almeda, where he also engaged in general merchandis- ing being one of the pioneer business men and representative citzens of that locality.

Liberal educational advantages were accorded Edward A. Bannister, who was graduated from the University of California in the class of 1905 with the degree of mining engineer. He then practiced his profession until the winter of 1910, being thus engaged in various sections of California, Montana, Nevada and Minnesota. He represented the Chester Congdon interests on the Mesabe iron range at Coler- aine, Minnesota, for a year, after which he came to Yakima county and rebuilt the Congdon ditch, the work covering the years 1911, 1912 and 1913. In this undertaking he replaced the wooden flume built by his father in 1892 by a cement flume. While engaged in building the Congdon flume he also took up fruit raising and now concentrates his entire time and attention upon that business. He is engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres of orchard and twenty acres devoted to diversified farming. He raises all the standard varieties of fruit produced in the northwest, including the Jonathan and Winesap apples, the Bartlett, D'Anjou and Winter Nelis

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pears, Bing cherries and English walnuts. His place is splendidly equipped. He has his own packing plant and warehouses and his ranch is supplied with every facility for the propagation care, packing and shipping of the fruit. He owns fifty- five acres of his land and rents forty-five acres.

On the 15th of February, 1909 Mr. Bannister was married to Miss Emily A. Thorning, of Almeda, California, a daughter of Edwin T. and Christina J. (Thomas) Thorning, who came to California in 1880. Her father is engaged in the tent and awning business. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister have become the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth T.

MARVIN H. THOMAS.

Among the successful agriculturists of Yakima county who have attained their prosperity entirely through their own efforts and are therefore entitled to honor and distinction is Marvin H. Thomas, who now has a fine ranch of sixty acres on the Tieton. He located here in 1907 and has made profitable use of the past years to develop his land, so that the ranch is a very valuable one today. Mr. Thomas was born in Marshall county, Indana, August 25, 1854, a son of Samuel S. and Mary Magdalene (Linard) Thomas, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respec- tively. They were married in the Keystone state and subsequently took up their residence in Ohio, where the father as a railway contractor assisted in building the Pennsylvania Railroad. Later they removed to Indiana where he helped to lay out the town of Bourbon and also built the first sawmill in that section. In subse- quent years he turned his attention to agriculture and became quite successful along that line. He also bought and sold farm properties acquiring run-down land, which through his labors he put in fine shape and then disposed of at a good profit. He and his wife died in Indiana. Both were members of the Brethren church, to which they were very devoted.

Marvin H. Thomas was reared under the parental roof, attending the public schools of Indiana in order to acquire an education. Laying aside his textbooks, he turned his attention to carpentering and became very proficient along that line. As a millwright he engaged in the manufacture of sash and doors and also en- gaged in building barns, in his native state until 1898, when he decided to seek his fortune in the far west and made his way to Tacoma, Washington, where he worked for others for some years. Later he assisted in organizing a factory for the manu- facture of washing machines, churns and similar products. In the spring of 1899 he made his way to Alaska and for four years he remained in the far north, being occupied with railroad construction work during that period. The fall of 1903 found him in Seattle and there he continued in sash and door manufacturing until 1905, in which year he came to Yakima county, buying one hundred acres of rich land on the north fork of the Cowiche. Later Mr. Thomas spent two years in Seattle and when the Tieton irrigation project came into existence and brought the neces- sary water to his ranch he moved upon the property, which he had acquired in 1907. Since that time he has given his undivided attention to its cultivaton although he has now sold forty acres of the tract, retaining sixty acres. The land is largely devoted to hay and grain but he also has three acres in orchard. In 1910 Mr. Thomas met with a rather serious accident when upon taking a rifle out of his wagon, the weapon was discharged the bullet lodging near his heart, where it has remained ever since.

Mr. Thomas was married August 2, 1910, to Martha A. Linse, a sister of Samuel D. Linse, of whom more extended mention is made on other pages of this work, and a daughter of Fred and Anna (Berg) Linse, pioneers of Minnesota, who there farmed until the family removed to South Dakota in 1881, the father taking up land in Day county. In 1902 he brought his family to Yakima county, where he now makes his home on a seven acre farm near Nob Hill. Mrs. Thomas was largely reared in South Dakota and Yakima county. Mr. Thomas had been married before and by his first union had a son and two daughters who are still living. Burt Ellsworth, the eldest, is successfully engaged in engineering in Seattle. Winifred

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Pearl married Frank E. Brown and they reside at White Horse, Alaska, where she holds the position of librarian. Sarah May married Edward A. Kennedy, their home being in San Francisco California, but Mr. Kennedy is now in the service of his country wearing Uncle Sam's uniform. There were two other children of Mr. Thomas' first marriage but both have passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are highly respected members of their community and have many friends. They are welcomed in the best homes of their neighborhood and at their own fireside cheerfully and generously extend hospitality. He is a member of the Church of God, to which denomination he is devotedly attached. and in politics he is a republican, being more or less allied with the progressive wing of that party. Prosperity has come to him as the result of untiring industry, close application, foresight and his inherent honesty, which has guided him in all of his business transactions.

CLARENCE E. DUFFY.

Clarence E. Duffy, who is now serving his second term as sheriff of Benton county, was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, December 3, 1878, his parents being William John and Ruth (Van Sickle) Duffy, natives of Virginia and Missouri re- spectively. In the '70s they removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, later to Sioux county and still later to Lyon county that state, the father always following agri- cultural pursuits. At a subsequent period they took up their residence in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and in 1898 they came to Washington, settling at Sunnyside, where the father acquired wild land which he improved to a considerable extent and then sold. He is now cultivating another farm, being still actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His wife has passed away, her death occurring in 1885.

Clarence E. Duffy was educated in the public schools of Iowa and throughout his life has followed agricultural pursuits with the exception of the period from 1906 to 1914, when he was engaged in road and ditch construction work in the Yakima valley. Having become well known throughout Benton county, his name was tendered the public for the office of Sheriff and in 1913 he was elected to that office. So faithfully and fearlessly did he discharge his duties and with such good results that in 1915 he was reelected and is now serving. He has succeeded in ridding the county to a large extent of the bad element and has in return earned the admiration of all law-abiding citizens.

In 1904 Mr. Duffy was united in marriage to Miss Leah Anderson and their children are five in number, namely: . Alpha, William E., Paul, Dorothy and Don. Both Mr. and Mrs. Duffy are well known in Prosser and have many friends in the city.

Mr. Duffy is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and in politics is a republican, always upholding the standards of that party. He has ever stood for the development and upbuilding of his district and is always ready to aid worthy public movements. He has wild land in Idaho and the Yakima valley and some day expects to give more attention to its cultivation. As a sheriff he ranks with the best Benton county has ever had and it is therefore but natural that his untiring labors have earned the appreciation of his constituents.

F. B. SINSEL.

F. B. Sinsel, treasurer of the firm of A. B. Fosseen & Company of Yakima, was born in Nebraska in 1889, his parents being Albert and Lucia (Boise) Sinsel who remained residents of Nebraska until 1890 and then took up their abode in Iowa. The mother is now residing in Yakima.

F. B. Sinsel obtained a high school education in Iowa, completing his course by graduation with the class of 1907, after which he spent two years in study in the Bellevue (Neb.) College. His liberal training thus well qualified him for an active (11)

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business career. He came to the Yakima valley in 1911 and spent two years on a ranch. In 1914 he entered the employ of A. B. Fosseen & Company and his faith- fulness to the interests of the house combined with his efficient service led to his being taken into the firm in January, 1917. In 1918 he was elected to the office of treasurer and is now serving in that capacity. He is a progressive young business man, putting forth every effort to legitimately develop the trade of the house, which covers a line of builders' supplies, irrigation and drainage supplies, coal, paints, spray-oils and hollow clay interlocking blocks. The business has grown steadily, Mr. Sinsel contributing to the desirable results that have been attained.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 27

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