History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 3

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 3
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 3
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 3

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HENRY SANDERSON.

Henry Sanderson, a partner of his brother, Cyrus E. Sanderson, in extensive and important fruit raising interests in the Yakima valley, was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, December 29, 1866. He is a high school graduate and after his school days were over he became actively engaged in the shoe trade in connection with his

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

brother, C. E. Sanderson, whose sketch is given above. Together they came to Yakima in 1912 and purchased land, since which time they have carried on an ex- tensive and profitable business as orchardists. They crected a 'commodious and beautiful double residence upon their land and they are concentrating their efforts upon the further development and care of their orchards.

On the 21st of November, 1888, Henry Sanderson was married to Miss Lillie G. Smith, of St. Louis, Missouri. He, too, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also of the Royal Highlanders, the Royal Arcanum and the Fraternal Union. His religious faith is indicated by his connection with the Presbyterian church and in politics he maintains an independent course. The Sanderson family have long been personal friends of William Jennings Bryan and his family, with whom they became acquainted during their residence in Jacksonville, Illinois. The Sanderson brothers occupy an enviable position in the business circles of the Yakima valley, for they are actuated in all that they undertake by a spirit of enter- prise that never stops short of the successful accomplishment of their purpose, and the methods which they have ever pursued are those which measure up to the high- est standards of integrity and reliability.

HON. GARRISON W. HAMILTON.

The legal fraternity of Benton county is prominently represented in Hon. Gar- rison W. Hamilton, who since 1905 has practiced in Prosser, Washington. Thorough study at one of the best known law schools of the country and long experience are the foundation stones upon which his reputation has been erected. He now has a large clientage in Prosser and vicinity and stands high in the regard of the public, in the estimation of his professional confreres and before the courts. He was born in Lewisville, Ohio, March 26, 1854, his parents being Jacob H. and Maria (Robin- son) Hamilton, both of whom passed away in Ohio, where the father followed agri- cultural pursuits throughout his life with considerable success.

Garrison W. Hamilton was reared under the parental roof and in the acquire- ment of his primary education attended the schools of the neighborhood and other institutions in order to prepare himself for college. Entering Mount Union College. he was graduated from that institution in the, class of 1877 with the degree of Ph. B. Having surveyed the various careers open to a young man in business or pro- fessional life,' he decided on the profession of the law as best suited to his tastes and inclinations and for that purpose entered the Law School of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1880. He then located for practice at Woodsfield, Ohio, and there continned for twenty-two years, building up a reputation for ability, re- liability and trustworthiness. The far west always having held attractions for him, he decided to come to Washington, selecting as his field or labor Spokane, where he maintained an office for about three years. Then perceiving a field or greater possibilities in the newly opened Yakima valley, he came to Prosser in 1905 and has remained here ever since. His practice is of an important character and he has been connected with many of the better known cases which have come up before the courts of this district. On account of his ability he has naturally risen, so that today he is numbered among the most prominent lawyers of Yakima county. His legal learning, his analytical mind and the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the best lawyers before the courts. Besides Mr. Hamilton is well versed in legal precedence and ably builds up his cause upon his knowledge.

In 1885 Mr. Hamilton wedded Miss Emma Bircher, of Summerfield, Ohio, and to this union were born three children. Dr. B. J. Hamilton, a graduate of the Chicago College of Medicine, is a well known physician of Detroit, Michigan, where he enjoys a large practice. Flora J. is the wife of J. Kelly De Priest, of Prosser; and they are the parents of one child. Miss Marie Hamilton, the youngest of the family, is at home. In 1910 the family circle was broken by the hand of death when Mrs. Hamil- ton passed away. On April 27, 1912, Mr. Hamilton was again married, his second union being with Nellie J. Lundquist, of Prosser, and they have a son, Orris Lee.

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They are popular in the social life of their city and maintain a hospitable fireside for their many friends.

In his political affiliations Mr. Hamilton is a democrat and has been quite active in party ranks not only locally but also as far as the state at large is concerned. Dur- ing the term of 1906-7 he served in the state legislature, making his opinion felt upon the floor of the house and in committee rooms and well representing the interests of his constituents. He is now prosecuting attorney of Benton county. While in Ohio he served as judge of the probate court of Monroe county for six years, his continu- ance in office indicating the confidence his constituents had in his ability, fairness and impartiality. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Benton County and State Bar Asso- ciations and takes an active part in their proceedings. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge in Prosser, and also is a life member of Zanesville (Ohio) lodge No. 14, B. P. O. E. He has always taken a deep interest in the development and progress of his city and the Yakima Valley and has ever been ready to lend his ability and means to worthy projects. He owns an excellent farm property near Prosser, which he has developed from the sagebrush and which yields a gratifying addition to his income. He takes great pride in this farm, which largely through his own labors and own ideas has been created out of the wilderness.

DAVID LONGMIRE.

Among the earliest and most honored pioneers of the Yakima valley is David Longmire, who during his long connection with agricultural interests here has greatly contributed toward the development and upbuilding of the district and whose career has indeed been an unusual one, for it reaches back to the, days of the Indians, and lie experienced all of those hardships which were connected with the early days of frontier life. For nearly fifty years he has been a resident of Yakima county and is therefore thoroughly familiar with the history of the valley from its primitive condi- tion to its present-day progress.

A native of Fountain county, Indiana, Mr. Longmire was born May 8, 1844, a son of James and Susan (Neisley) Longmire. The father, a native of Indiana, was born March 17, 1820, a son of George Longmire, who was a native of Georgia. The latter was one of the early pioneers of Indiana and participated in the War of 1812, taking part in that conflict under General Harrison. Later the family removed to Illinois, where the grandfather died on the 6th of January, 1868. Throughout his life he had followed the occupation of farming. James Longmire largely spent his boy- hood in Indiana, but on the 6th of March, 1853, decided to take his chances in the newer country of the west and by the water route proceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri. There he bought ox teams and by that mode of travel came to Washington. Septem- ber 20, 1853, marked the date of his arrival at Wenas creek, in the Yakima valley. Mr. Longmire of this review, who was then a boy of nine years, accompanied his parents on this hazardous trip and he still remembers the time when he went through Omaha, or rather passed the site upon which now stands Omaha before a house was built thereon. The Missouri river was crossed near Council Bluffs on a steamboat which was run by a half-breed Indian called Sar Pee. On the Wenas they made their camp and the Longmire train was the first to camp in this valley and theirs were the first wagons ever to come into Benton, or what is now Yakima county, which was then not organized. Breaking camp, they went on to the Puget Sound, arriving there on the 10th of October, 1853. Theirs was the first wagon train to cross the Cascades and also the first to cross the Columbia river at another place than The Dalles, which was the regular crossing. From the Wenas they went up the Naches and over the Cascades and as there was no road the journey was fraught with hardships and difficulties, yet they succeeded in making it in less than a month. Subsequently the father engaged in the cattle business at Yelm Prairie, in Thurston county. However, his business pursuits were often interrupted by calls to arms on account of Indian uprisings and he participated in the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856. Few were the settlers in that district but the Longmires did not lose hope but on · the contrary vigorously took up the work of colonization and built a home. The

DAVID LONGMIRE

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

father, a man of more than ordinary intelligence and purpose, readily participated in public affairs and represented Thurston county in the territorial legislature in 1857 and later in 1865 he drew up the bill for the organization of Yakima county, although it was presented for passage by the representative from Klickitat county. As his prosperity increased James Longmire acquired much land in Yakima county on the Wenas, thus becoming a prosperous and substantial citizen, and it was he who located the famous Longmire Springs at Paradise valley, in the neighborhood of Mount Rainier. In fact he and "Uncle Billy" Packwood were early explorers of the Mount Rainier country. In 1883 the father started a hostelry at Longmire Springs, which then was the farthest point to the northwest which could be reached by an estab- lished trail. August 16, 1883, was a remarkable day in his career, for it was on that date that James Longmire made the ascent and reached the top of Mount Rainier. It was upon this trip that they found the well-known springs and shortly thereafter they started to build a two-log house there, which was completed in the fall. The proprietary rights to the springs are still vested in the family and these springs are now known all over the world, a fine hotel having been erected there. As above in- dicated, the father was very active in public affairs and through his incessant and energetic lahor and prophetic vision foresaw and anticipated many things which he tried to turn into realities to the profit of a later generation. For many terms he sat in the territorial legislature, thus devoting time and effort to the general cause of civilization. He was a democrat in his political affiliations and loyally upheld the principles of that party. His death occurred September 12, 1897, and in him the state of Washington lost one of its foremost citizens, who blazed the trail for those who came after him and helped to plant the seeds of civilization under conditions which would have tried the most resolute man. However, Mr. Longmire steeled himself against vicissitudes, and having complete faith in the future of the common- wealth, went ahead with his projects unerringly and unceasingly until success crowned his labors. The mother of our subject had passed away four days before the western trip was undertaken, but in 1848 the father had married Virindia Taylor, of Indiana, who has also since passed away. She was a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Taylor. In the father's family were eleven children, of whom David Longmire of this review was the second in order of birth. The eldest in the family was Elcaine Longmire, who for many years successfully engaged in ranching at Longmire Springs and passed away June 21, 1915. The third in order of birth was Tillatha, who married Robert Kandle, now living retired in Yakima, Washington. John A: Longmire is a rancher of Thurston county, this state. Laura Ann married Charles Longmire, of Yakima. Melissa was the wife of L. N. Rice and they resided on the old homestead in Thurston county. She is now deceased. Martha married Joseph Conine, a resident of Thurston county, who about ten years ago was a mem- ber of the legislature. Mrs. Conine has passed away. Robert is sheriff of Pierce county, Washington. Frank, the next in order of birth, is deputy sheriff of the same county. George is engaged in ranching in the Wenas valley in Yakima county. The eleventh of the family, James William, died at the age of fourteen years.

David Longmire spent his early boyhood days under the parental roof in Indiana and in that state he began his education by attending school in a log schoolhouse. He was nine years of age when removal was made to this state and here he con- tinued his education in Olympia, attending school there from 1855 until 1857. while his father was a member of the territorial legislature. In 1858 he went to school at Chambers Prairie, but in 1859 Mr. Longmire, Sr., succeeded in having a log school- house established near his ranch and David Longmire completed his education there. L'pon laying aside his textbooks he continued along agricultural lines with his father in Thurston county but in 1871 removed to Yakima county, where he preempted land on the Wenas. It was during these days that the Indians were yet very troublesome and often attacked the white men, looking upon them as intruders. Many are the experiences which Mr. Longmire is able to recount relative to this period and in this connection it may be mentioned that he was in that party which went forth to cap- ture and punish those Indians who had so treacherously murdered the Perkins fam- ily. Of this record he may well be proud, as he assisted in bringing to justice some of the most desperate and degenerate characters among the red men and thereby aided in teaching a lesson which did much toward making conditions less dangerous

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for the white settlers. Later Mr. Longmire took up a homestead and it is upon this property that he now resides. Forceful and resourceful, he has ever followed pro- gressive methods and has made his farm one of the most valuable in the neighbor- hood, erecting suitable and commodious barns, building a fine residence and institut- ing other facilities and equipment which denote twentieth century development in agricultural lines. As his income increased he acquired more land until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of irrigated land as well as several thousand acres of range land. In later years, however, he has given inuch of this property to his children, in fact he has built seven fine farm homes for them and his family still lives near the old home place. It was in 1883 that Mr. Longmire built a fine resi- dence on the Wenas which then was one of the most pretentious in the Yakima val- ley and still remains as one of the landmarks here. In order to build this house he had to send to Tumwater, by way of Olympia, for sash and doors, the difficulties besetting the early home-builder being more readily understood if it is recalled that no railroads then existed. Besides general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Longmire has also given much attention to live stock and has become one of the large stock raisers of the valley. Moreover, he was one of the first orchardists here, planting his first orchard in 1872. Although he thus gave great impetus to an industry that is now very important to the valley and proved the suitability of climate and soil for that purpose, he never went into orchardizing commercially.

On the 12th of September, 1869, David Longmire was united in marriage to Elizabeth Pollard, of Thurston county, Washington, a daughter of Asa and Tillatha (Taylor) Pollard, who in 1864 came by ox team to Washington from Iowa, taking up their abode in Thurston county and being numbered among the pioneer settlers of this state. After nineteen years of happy married life Mrs. Longmire passed away November 16, 1888. and on the 23d of December, 1890, Mr. Longmire married Mrs. Lizzie (Lotz) Treat, a daughter of George and Katherine Lotz, natives of Germany. Mr. Lotz came to Washington in 1851, during the early days in pioneering, his wife following him in 1855. for they had been married in Germany previous to that time. She brought with her her three children, one of whom died while she was en route. Mr. Lotz was a cabinetmaker hy trade but he turned his attention to farming after coming to this state, locating in Thurston county. There he died in 1895, being sur- vived by his widow until 1901. To the first marriage of Mr. Longmire were born the following children: Alice, who married A. J. Lotz, a successful rancher of the Wenas valley, by whom she has five children, of whom four are daughters; Asa and Walter, both of whom died in infancy; Martha, who married C. C. Porter, a rancher on the Tieton, by whom she has two sons and five daughters; Burnetta, the wife of B. F. Small, a rancher of the Wenas valley, by whom she has a son. Clarence; David E., also engaged in ranching in the Wenas valley and who is mentioned more exten- sively on other pages of this work; George B., who is ranching in the Wenas valley and is married and has two daughters; and James Guy, who is a rancher in the same locality and is married and has one child. Of the second marriage of Mr. Longmire was born a son, Roy Bryan, who is in the United States army. He is married and has a son, Donald Roy, three years of age. Mrs. Lizzie Longmire had three children by her marriage to Mr. Treat. A. E. Treat, the eldest, is a rancher residing near Wapato with his wife and daughter. Harvey C., a resident of Tacoma, is also mar- ried and has two children. The other, Oliver R. Treat, died at the age of eighteen months.

Mr. and Mrs. Longmire enjoy the highest regard and esteem in their neighbor- hood and in fact throughout the Yakima valley, where they are widely known. Both being members of distinguished pioneer families, their lives have been closely con- nected with the growth which has made this valley one of the most prosperous in the state. They are members of the Christian church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested.

Along political lines Mr. Longmire is a democrat and follows the party's lead as far as national politics are concerned, but in local affairs prefers to give his sup- port to the man whom he considers best fitted to the office to which he aspires, irre- spective of party affiliation. He has ever been deeply interested in public issues and in fact has promoted numerous measures which have proven of great benefit to the general public. He has served as justice of the peace, ever dispensing fair and impar-

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

tial judgments, and twice has held the position of county commissioner, doing every- thing in his power to make Yakima county one of the best governed within the state. Many are the projects which he has promoted in order to bring his county to the front by instituting public improvements which would be of benefit to the county along material as well as ideal lines. Fraternally Mr. Longmire is a Mason, having been a member of the blue lodge since 1883, and the principles which underlie this organization have guided him in his conduct toward his fellowmen. There is nothing surprising in the success which he has achieved as it is the outcome of energy and industry, applied to opportunities which were within the reach of all those who came here as pioneers, yet he has shown besides these qualities the foresight which is necessary in launching enterprises of the right kind at the right time and place and the conviction of being on the right road and thus bringing them to a satisfactory end. He stands today as one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens, and looking back in retrospect to the days of the Indians, he has the satisfaction of feel- ing that he has had a great part in hringing about the prosperous conditions which now prevail.

FREDERICK A. WUSSOW.

Frederick A. Wussow, whose ranch of forty acres in the Cowiche valley is devoted to fruit raising and to the production of hay and garden products, was born in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, August 4, 1880, a son of Frederick and Emma (Hahm) Wussow. who were pioneer settlers of Milwaukee, where the father engaged in the livery and undertaking business for a number of years. His parents were also numbered among the early residents of that state. Frederick Wussow, Sr., is still a resident of Mil- waukee, but his wife has passed away.

Frederick A. Wussow acquired a public school education in his native city and afterward took up the trade of horseshoeing, developing expert skill and ability in that connection. He had a blacksmith shop at Burlington, Wisconsin, and afterward at Milwaukee. In 1909 he came to Yakima and purchased twenty acres of land in the Cowiche valley, to which he afterward added by purchase until he became the owner of a forty-acre tract. He now has twenty-eight acres planted to orchards, largely raising apples and pears, while the remaining twelve acres is devoted to the produc- tion of hay and garden products. He has built a fine home upon his place and the improvements which he has put thereon and the manner in which he has cultivated his land have greatly enhanced its value as well as its fertility. Since coming to the west he has also conducted a blacksmith shop in Yakima, where he carried on business for four years and was recognized as an expert horseshoer.

On the 6th of October, 1906, Mr. Wussow was married to Miss Hulda Hafmeister, who was born in Milwaukee, a daughter of William Hafmeister.

Mr. Wussow has an interesting war record inasmuch as he is a veteran of the Spanish-American war. He enlisted in the Third United States Regiment at the time of the difficulty with Spain and he served in the campaign against the Chippewa Indians in Minnesota in 1898. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church and politically he maintains an independent course. His life has not been marked by any spectacular events but his course has been that of a substantial citizen who is progressive and enterprising in business and loyal to the best public interests.

WILLIAM F. MORGAN.

William F. Morgan, actively and successfully identified with the farming interests of the Yakima valley, was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, on the 6th of June, 1871, a son of Robert S. and Minerva (Mason) Morgan. The father was born in Pennsyl- vania and at the time of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops, en- listing in the Tenth Missouri Infantry, with which he served from 1861 until 1864, and (2)

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

during that period he was wounded. His wife was born in Missouri and for a number of years they resided in that state. In the spring of 1886 they came to the Yakima valley, where Mr. Morgan purchased a homestead right from "Doc" Morris, securing one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the northwest quarter of section 27. It was all sagebrush and dry land without irrigation when it came into his posses- sion. With characteristic energy he began its development and improvement and he was very active in establishing irrigation in this section of the state. He put in a mile extension of the Hubbard ditch, covering twelve acres of his land, and thereon he engaged in gardening. He also followed the carpenter's trade in Yakima and through carrying on both occupations made a good living. Later the Congdon ditch was built and all of his farm was thus watered. About 1890 he started a small orchard, to which he furnished water by a windmill. After the ditch was completed the orchard was extended, fruit trees being planted which soon came into bearing and gave another proof of the fact that the soil was admirably adapted to horticulture. Robert S. Morgan became the pioneer commission man of Yakima, selling not only his own produce but that of his neighbors and finding a market for the Yakima produce in the mining districts of the Cascades. He built the first produce warehouse in Yakima and continued actively in the business to the time of his death. He also shipped the first alfalfa from the Yakima valley, sending it to the coast. Mr. Morgan remained an honored, valued and respected citizen of Yakima until called to his final rest on the 10th of August, 1909. He is survived by his wife, who yet makes her home on the old home ranch. They had a family of ten children, nine of whom reached adult age, while eight are living.

William F. Morgan was the second in order of birth. He acquired a public school education and was a youth of sixteen years when the family home was established in the Yakima valley, after which he devoted his time and attention to work upon the ranch with his father. Later he took charge of the ranch in connection with his brother Robert and afterward he purchased the southwest forty acres of his father's prop- erty and cleared and improved the tract. He has since sold ten acres of this and now owns thirty acres, of which twenty-two acres is planted to orchard, including apples, pears and cherries. On the remainder he raises some alfalfa and also diver- sified crops. He has had close association with his father in all of his fruit raising and his broad experience and wide knowledge are of great value to him in the further conduct of his business.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 3

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