USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 34
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 34
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 34
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bringing him broader experiences and wider opportunities which he has eagerly utilized for the benefit of his own fortunes and for the advancement of community welfare. He is now the president and manager of the Yakima Meat Company and of Gibson Brothers, Incorporated, and ranks with the foremost business men of his section of the state.
On the 10th of September, 1901, Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Lillian Gholson, of Walla Walla, Washington. Mrs. Gibson, who had many friends in Yakima, passed away on December 27, 1918, her death causing deep sorrow to all who knew her. Mr. Gibson is well known in lodge circles, beonging to Trinity Lodge No. 121, I: O. O. F., and to the Elks Lodge No. 318, of Yakima. He also belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club and to the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his connection with the Yakima Country Club. In politics he is a democrat but without desire or ambition for office. During 1905 Mr. Gibson was engaged in breaking wild horses for the firm of Stoffer & Switzler and in the intervening period of thirteen years he has steadily advanced until he stands in the foremost rank among the packers and the live stock men of the northwest. He has utilized every opportunity which has come his way and difficulties and obstacles have been regarded as an impetus for renewed effort on his part. He has studied every phase of the business in which he has en- gaged, has given due attention to every detail and at the same time has most wisely directed the principal features of his business, his life record showing what can be accomplished through determined energy intelligently directed.
LYMAN J. GIBSON.
Lyman J. Gibson is the vice-president of the Yakima Meat Company and thus active in the control of the foremost business enterprise of the character in the valley. A native of Oregon, he was born at Wasco on the 2d of June, 1883, his parents being James D. and Mary Gibson, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of E. S. Gibson on another page of this work. The educational opportunities accorded him were those of the public schools, supplemented by a course in the Holmes Busi- ness College at Portland, Oregon. When his textbooks were put aside he entered the business of stock buying, becoming a representative in this connection ot the Walla Walla Meat Company. Later he entered the employ of James Henry of Seattle and afterward was identified with the Union Meat Company of Portland, which company was taken over by the Swift interests. He continued one year with them after the Swifts had taken over the company, and bought stock for their Los Angeles and San Francisco plants. At a subsequent date he returned to the employ of James Henry of Seattle and bought stock over Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. He next became a member of the firm of Gibson Brothers of Seattle, whom he rep- resented as buyer and he is now a member thereof. He is vice-president of the Squaw Creek Land Company, in which the Gibson Brothers own a one-third interest, besides being lessors of much land. He is also identified with the Yakima Meat Com- pany as its vice-president, the two organizations working hand in hand in the rais- ing of stock and its preparation for the market as well as the sale of the finished product.
On the 30th of July, 1913, Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Mrs. Pauline Cos- tamagno Ronketto, who was born in southern France of Italian descent. She came to the United States with her mother when eleven years of age, the family home being first established in Wakefield, Michigan. Subsequently, Mrs. Gibson lived in Seattle for a time and on two different occasions lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. By her first marriage she became the mother of three children, Helen, Laura and John. Onc child, Lyman James, Jr., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibson.
Fraternally Mr. Gibson is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club and to the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and is deeply interested in all those questions and projects which have to do with the development of the resources of the country and the pro- motion of its business connections. His political endorsement is given to the repub-
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lican party but without desire for office. He is preeminently a business man and one who concentrates unfaltering effort and attention upon his activities. He has util- ized his opportunities wisely and well and each forward step in his career has brought him a broader outlook. The course of his orderly progression is easily discernihle and his record should serve to inspire and encourage others, for he belongs to that class of representative American business men who are known as self-made.
CHARLES A. GIBSON.
The name of Gibson is closely associated with the meat industry and with ranching interests in the Yakima valley, and Charles A. Gibson of this review is the treasurer of the Yakima Meat Company, controlling one of the most important packing interests of this section of the state. He was born in Wasco, Oregon, on the 15th of October, 1889, and is therefore a western man by birth and training as well as by preference. His life has exemplified the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has led to the rapid upbuilding of this section of the country. He is a son of James D. Gibson, mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of E. S. Gibson, brother of Charles A. Gibson.
The latter pursued his education in the public schools of Walla Walla and also spent one year as a student in Whitman College and another in Pullman College. Thus liberally trained for life's practical and responsible duties, he entered into busi- ness relations as a member of the firm of Gibson Brothers and was manager of their butchering business at Auburn, Washington, for five years. In 1914 he removed to Yakima and became treasurer of the Yakima Meat Company and also secretary of the firm of Gibson Brothers. The former conducts an extensive packing business. having a large plant splendidly equipped according to most modern, scientific and sanitary, methods. Their trade in this direction has reached large proportions and the enterprise has become one of the important industries of the district. The brothers also own a one-third interest in the Squaw Creek Land Company, which comprises twenty sections in Yakima and Kittitas counties, and their ranching prop- erty is conducted under the style of Gibson Brothers, Incorporated. Of the latter Charles A. Gibson is also the secretary. Each brother who is a member of the firm is well qualified for the duties which devolve upon him in his particular con- nection, making this a strong business organization.
In 1910 Charles A. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Kittie Horn, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Rohert A. and Ferdinanda Horn, the former a jeweler of Walla Walla. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have one child, Roberta. In the Elks lodge No. 318, of Yakima, Charles A. Gibson is a popular and well-known member and he also has a very wide and favorable acquaintance in the Yakima Country Club. He likewise belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club and to the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and cooperates heartily in their plans and projects for the improvement of business and trade relations throughout this section of the state. In politics he maintains an independent course nor has he ever been ambitious to hold office, yet he does not neglect the duties of citizenship and his cooperation can be counted upon to further plans and measures which are looking to the upbuilding of the city's welfare and the advancement of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
F. G. MILLIRON.
F. G. Milliron, the progressive owner and proprietor of one of the best general merchandise stores in Tieton and one of the town's foremost citizens, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Knapp, August 6, 1874, and is a son of George and Angeline (Geroy) Milliron, pioneers of that state, who in 1890 removed to Minnesota, where the father was successfully engaged in ranching until death claimed him. He is survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Washington, D. C.
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F. G. Milliron was reared under the parental roof, receiving such lessons as would instill into him the priciples of industry, honesty and perserverance. These qualities have never left him and have given vent to activities that have ever been honorable. His education was received in the public schools of Wisconsin and after laying aside his textbooks he assisted his father with the farm work, until 1905, when, at the age of thirty-one, he made his way to Mount Vernon, Washington, where he found a position as a farm hand, thus continuing for several years. In 1911 he came to Yakima county and turned his attention to merchandising, being employed for a year and a half as a clerk in Naches. On January 11, 1912, Mr. Milliron, With F. E. Crumb, became interested in the first store at Tieton and from a modest beginning the present splendid enterprise has resulted. Later Mr. Crumb sold out to G. W. Mortimer, who is now the partner of Mr. Milliron, the latter being manager of the store. A well assorted line of general merchandise is carried and everything about the establishment indicates the progressive methods followed by Mr. Milliron. The goods carried is of the highest standard and in all of his dealings he has been found dependable. As the years have passed his list of cus- tomers has increased and he now has a very profitable trade. In 1918 a modern building was especially erected for the business, which gives added convenience to the many patrons.
On the 7th of June, 1899, Mr. Milliron was united in marriage to Miss Amy Eckenroad and they have become the parents of six children: Russell, who is now in the United States army; and Howard, Angeline, Frederick, Ella and Mabel. The family are highly respected by all who know them, Mr. and Mrs. Milliron occupy- ing an enviable 'position in the best social circles of the town. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and politically is a republican as far as na- tional issues are concerned, but in local affairs prefers to follow his own judgment. irrespective of party issues. As one of the leading men and progressive merchants of his community he has ever been interested in progress and development and is ready to give his support to worthy movements. He has many friends in Tieton and all who know him are thoroughly agreed in regard to his high qualities as a private citizen and as a successful business man.
CHARLES BULL.
Charles Bull is one of the leading live stock raisers of the Yakima valley, being extensively engaged in the raising of full blooded cattle, hogs and sheep. He is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of highly cultivated land near Mabton, upon which he took up his abode in the spring of 1914. His entire life has been passed in Washington, however. He was born in the Kittitas valley of Yakima county on the 8th of October, 1878, a son of Walter A. and Jennie (Olmstead) Bull. The father was one of the most prominent, influential and valued citizens of this part of the state. He was born in Albany, New York, June 20, 1839, and was a rep- resentative of one of the distinguished old families of that state. He died March 4. 1898, at the comparatively early age of fifty-nine years. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Quartermaster's Department, and after the war he became a contractor on the Union Pacific Railroad. It was about 1868 that he came into the Kittitas valley. It was in Kittitas county that he was united in marriage to Tennie Olmstead, a native of Illinois and a daughter of J. D. Olmstead, who arrived in the Kittitas valley in 1871. The death of Mrs. Bull occurred January 27, 1885, and she left besides her husband, five children to mourn her loss: John, who is now a retired rancher living in Ellensburg, Washington; Lewis, who was a prominent rancher of Kittitas county and passed away in 1907, at the age of thirty-three years; Cora, the wife of Charles S. Wright, who is principal of a school on Long Island, New York: Charles, of this review; and Grant, who resides in Ellensburg and is the owner of a ranch near the city which he rents. Having lost his first wife, the father married Mrs. Rebecca Frishie, and they had two sons: Alvadore, who is ranching in Kittitas county; and Leland, who is a physician now serving with the United States. army.
CHARLES BULL
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Walter A. Bull was one of the first of the pioneer settlers in the Kittitas valley and acquired over two thousand acres of land in one tract. This he devoted to gen- eral farming, to the raising of hay and to stock raising. He was most progressive in all that he undertook and he was one of the first to begin irrigating land in the valley. In 1893, however, he met with financial reverses. Later he had mining interests on the Okanogan, where he passed away. He served as local probate judge at an early day and he exerted much influence over public thought and action, being a most loyal and devoted citizen and one well qualified by nature for a position of leadership. In politics he was ever a stalwart republican and fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, becoming a charter member of the lodge at Ellensburg. His worth was attested by his brethren of the fraternity, by those with whom he had business relations and by those whom he met socially. All spoke of him in terms of the high- est regard and his name is written high on the roll of honored pioneer settlers who contributed much to the upbuilding and development of the county.
Charles Bull acquired a public school education and attended Pullman College, where he pursued a three years' agricultural course. He was thus qualified by liberal training as well as practical experience for the business which he took up as a life work. When his college days were over he became identified with live stock raising in the Kittitas valley where he had a fine ranch of one thousand acres, all under cultivation. In the spring of 1914 he sold this property and removed to Yakima county, taking up his abode on two hundred and twenty acres of land between Sun- nyside and Mabton. He purchased this property, which was then a wild tract cov- ered with sagebrush, and today he has nearly the entire amount under cultivation. Upon the place he built a very attractive home, also splendid barns and has all of the modern equipments of the model farm of the twentieth century. He raises full blooded Hereford cattle, also full blooded hogs and sheep and he has received va- rious prizes upon his cattle at the state fair. He ranked with the most extensive cattle raisers of Kittitas county and he occupies an enviable position as a prominent ranch- man of Yakima county.
On the 24th of October, 1906, Mr. Bull was united in marriage to Miss Kate Cooke, a daughter of George B. Cooke, who was a son of C. P. Cooke, one of the pioneers of the Yakima valley and of the Kittitas valley. He was a very prominent cattle man in the latter district and the Cooke family has long occupied a leading position in business and social circles in this part of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Bull have been born three children: J. Lewis, George Walter and Elma Katherine.
Mr. Bull is a democrat in his political views but has never been an office seeker. Business affairs have made full demand upon his time and energies and the spirit of enterprise which has actuated him in all that he has undertaken has brought him to a creditable position among the successful ranchers of the state.
HARRY E. SCHROEDER.
Harry E. Schroeder, cashier of the Outlook State Bank, was born in Freeport, Illinois, January 26, 1870, a son of Henry W. and Belinda L. (Hane) Schroeder, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Ohio. They became early settlers of Illinois, where they took up their abode in the latter part of the '50s. The mother was reared near Canton, Ohio, and was a schoolmate of Mrs. William McKinley. The father had come to the United States on a sailing vessel with his parents during his boyhood days and with the outbreak of the Civil war the grand- father proved his loyalty to his adopted country by active service in defense of the Union. Throughout his entire life Henry W. Schroeder engaged in merchandising but is now deceased. His widow survives and makes her home in New York city.
Harry E. Schroeder of this review acquired a public school education and was afterward graduated from the Benton College of Law at St. Louis as a member of the class of 1907. His brother William was also a student in that institution and was graduated at the same time. For a year thereafter Harry E. Schroeder practiced law in St. Louis and then removed to Outlook, Washington, where he became one of the organizers of the Outlook State Bank, which was established in 1909 with Wallace (13a)
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Goodsell as the president. W. H. Norman as vice president and H. E. Schroeder as cashier. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and the deposits in 1919 have reached over one hundred and ten thousand dollars, there being now more than three hundred active accounts. In 1910 Mr. Goodsell retired from the presi- dency and was succeeded by W. H. Norman. The institution has built up an excel- lent business and serves a fine farming country. The bank has the confidence and support of the public and has been an important factor in the development of the surrounding district, placing advantageous loans that have been' of great assistance in carrying on the development of this region. While the bank was established on a small scale, its growth has been continuous and the institution is regarded as one of the strong moneyed concerns of this section of the state.
On the 18th of January, 1909, Mr. Schroeder was married to May Meyers Doug- las, who was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has neither time nor inclination to take public office, his entire energies being devoted to the successful conduct of the bank.
CHARLES S. BILGER.
Charles S. Bilger, conducting a growing and substantial business at Wapato under the name of the Hub Mercantile Company, was born at Jacksonville, Oregon, on the 13th of November, 1866, a son of John A. and Amanda (Schick) Bilger, both of whom were of German lineage. The mother came to the United States when thirteen years of age and the father crossed the Atlantic in young manhood. The former, with a twin sister and a brother, came to the new world in childhood and crossed the plains from Burlington, Iowa, with ox teams, making the long journey to the Pacific coast, after which they settled at Jacksonville, Oregon. Mrs. Bilger and her twin sister are both living at the age of sexenty-eight years. John A. Bilger also made the trip across the plains and they were married in Jacksonville. There he conducted business for many years as a hardware merchant and his life's labors were ended in death on the 3d of April, 1877. Following the demise of her husband, Mrs. Bilger and her son, W. L., continued the business for some time, after which they sold out and removed to Portland, Oregon, in 1885.
Charles S. Bilger acquired a public school education and then, too, turned to merchandising, securing a clerkship in a general store when a lad of fifteen years. Finding the business congenial, he resolved to engage in trade on his own account and established a general store at Roslyn, Washington, in 1888 as junior partner in the firm of Miller & Bilger. There he continued until 1892, when he removed to Ellensburg, Washington, where he spent six years in clerical work. In 1898 he went to Portland, Oregon, where for two years he conducted a grocery store, and in 1901 he removed to Mabton, Washington, where he purchased a store and also be- came identified with the business interests of Sunnyside, Washington, conducting his business under the name of the Hub Mercantile Company. In 1906, however, he removed to Wapato, where his company, The Hub Mercantile Company, bought the business of the A. E. McCredy Trading Post. They built their present building, which is fifty-five by one hundred and twenty-five feet. It is built in the form of an L and opens on two streets. Since that time he has erected a one story and base- ment concrete warehouse fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet and is thus well equipped for carrying on the business. His is a department store containing all lines of goods, including farm machinery and heavy hardware, as well as dry goods, groceries and other lines usually found in the modern department store. The stock carried is extensive and the trade is steadily growing. The Hub Mercantile Company now has as its officers: George S. Rankin, of Yakima, president; J. F. Douglas, vice- president; I. H. Dills, of Yakima, treasurer; and C. S. Bilger as secretary and man- ager, with W. L. Bilger as one of the directors. The company was organized by these men on the 5th of February, 1901, and they have since been associated in the ownership and conduct of the business.
On the 23d of September, 1891, Charles S. Bilger was married to Miss Lillie B. Hall, of Ellensburg, a daughter of Newberry and Margaret A. Hall, the former now
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deceased, while the latter, at the age of eighty-seven years, is living in Ellensburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Bilger have been born two children: Raymond, born August 2, 1892, is manager of the hardware department of the Hub Mercantile Company; Lavilla, born June 7, 1894, is the wife of A. W. Nussbaumer, a resident of Wapato.
Mr. Bilger is a member of Wapato Lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he has taken all of the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-second. He is also a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being identified with the lodge at Yakima, and for twenty-eight years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which' he is a past chancellor. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for one term he served as mayor of Wapato but has never been, a politician in the sense of office seeking, pre- ferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, and step by step he has worked his way steadily upward, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. These he has been quick to utilize and his laudable ambition and even-paced energy have carried him forward into important commercial relations.
ALEXANDER SIMPSON.
Ranching interests near Mabton, Washington, have a typical representative in Alexander Simpson, a progressive agriculturist of that district. There is much credit due him for what he has achieved as he is a self-made man who started out in life empty-handed. A native of Scotland, he was born January 15, 1866, his parents being Alexander and Elsie (Hepburn) Simpson, the former deceased, but the latter is still living, yet making her home in Scotland. The father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life.
Alexander Simpson of this review was reared in Scotland under the strict guid- ance ot loving parents, who instilled into him the first lessons in regard to life's conduct. He acquired his education in his native land, but upon looking around for business opportunities decided he would find better chances to succeed in life on the other side of the Atlantic, and crossing the ocean, reached Argyle, Minnesota, on the 1st of March, 1888. He there worked for wages for fifteen years, and carefully saving his earnings, he was enabled at the end of that period to take up a homestead claim in Polk county, Minnesota, which he subsequently sold. In 1902 he went to California and for five years raised oranges near Pomona but in 1907 sold out. He then came to the Yakima valley, and, buying twenty acres of land on the Moxee, gave his whole attention to the cultivation of this tract for about four years. In 1911 he acquired title to eighty acres near Mahton, of which he later sold twenty. He cleared all of his land, which he has made very valuable, and now raises corn, potatoes and alfalfa, also conducting a dairy and deriving a gratifying income from these various sources. He has made many improvements and instituted modern facilities and machinery and his farm is now one of the most valuable in his neigh- borhood. He has a fine home and suitable barns and other outbuildings and every- thing about the place bespeaks the progressive methods of the owner.
O1: March 9, 1898, Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Katie Johnson, a native of Red Wing, Minnesota, and a daughter of Martin Johnson, who is a successful rancher at Ada, Minnesota. To this union were born six children, of whom Roy, the eldest, died at the age of eighteen years. The others are Alexander, Elsie, Edna, George and Norman. Mrs. Simpson died in February, 1916, after eighteen years of happy married life. Her deathi was a great blow to the family and caused deep sorrow to her many friends, as she was a woman of high qualities of character, who was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need.
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