History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 36

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 36
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 36
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 36

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On the 5th of June, 1906, Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Ethel E. Morse, a native of Iowa and a daughter of C. O. and Nancy (Eggleston) Morse. The chil- dren of this marriage are: Ralph, who was the first child born at Grandview, his natal day being in March, 1907; Isabel; and Lester.

Mr. Fleming is a Mason and assisted in organizing Grandview Lodge No. 191, A. F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the first class that was initiated here. He became a charter member

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of the Eastern Star and he was one of the organizers of the first Commercial Club of Grandview. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his re- ligious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church. He has been very active in establishing and promoting the church and school interests of the district and stands for all that is worth while along educational and moral lines. In fact his entire career has been one of benefit to the community in which he lives and he is justly accounted one of the foremost citizens of his section.

J. G. TERRY.

J. G. Terry, manager of the Yakiam Orchards Securities Company, engaged in developing and improving orchard properties in the Yakima valley, and a well known resident of the city of Yakima, was born in Northfield, Minnesota, July 4, 1873, and is a son of George R. and Caroline Thayer (Miller) Terry. The father was a farmer by occupation, but both he and his wife have now passed away.

J. G. Terry acquired a high school education, supplemented by commercial train- ing under special tutelage and started out in the business world as a traveling sales- man. Later he became active in editorial and publishing work with the Vir Publish- ing Company of Philadelphia, with which he was associated for several years. He had charge of distribution work all over the world, handling various publications, including, Self and Sex series. The house which he represented were pioneers in this and various other lines of publication. Mr. Terry remained with the firm for a number of years and afterward spent two years with the Knox School of Salesman- ship. He assisted in establishing the San Francisco office of that school and was its assistant manager. They instituted the first classes of salesmanship ever held and Mr. Terry was active therewith from 1906 until 1908. In the latter year he returned to the Vir Publishing Company as manager and in 1912 they began operating under the name of the Terry-Swain Company of Des Moines, Iowa. From 1912 until 1914 Mr. Terry lived retired from business but in the latter year invested in Yakima interests and property and in 1916 removed to the northwest, taking up his abode in the city of Yakima, where he became manager of the Yakima Orchards Securities Company, which is developing and operating orchard properties. The company has four hundred acres in orchards and one hundred and sixty acres devoted to general agriculture. These orchards will soon be producing at least three hundred car loads of fruit annually. They are among the finest of the west. The land is plentifully supplied with water, which comes from artesian wells, and there is also a full water right under canal supply. Mr. Terry is very enthusiastic ahout the Yakima valley and its opportunities and his labors are another proof for the exceptional possibili- ties for fruit culture in this section of the state.

In January, 1916. Mr. Terry was married to Miss Florence C. Cowles, of Minne- apolis, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Terry belongs to Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M., also to the Knights of Pythias and to the Country Club and the Commercial Club. His is the record of a successful business man who has made steady progress through intense effort intelligently directed. He is now closely identified with the interests of the northwest and the spirit of progress which is the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country characterizes him in his orchard undertakings.

VICTOR O. NICHOSON.

Among the valued residents of Sunnyside whom Michigan has furnished to this section is Victor O. Nichoson, a very successful young attorney of Yakima county. He was born in Baldwin, October 18, 1885, his parents being John W. and Mary (Walker) Nichoson, both natives of New York, who, moved by the pioneer spirit of the times, transferred their residence to Michigan. There the father died on the 13th of December, 1915, being survived by his widow. John W. Nichoson was a sur-

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veyor of considerable reputation in Michigan and was also very prominent in po- litical circles.

Victor O. Nichoson received his more advanced primary education in the Luther high school in Michigan and subsequently attended the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, that state, from which he was also graduated. In 1908 he received his law degree from the University of Michigan and on the 4th of November of the same year he came to Sunnyside, where he has ever since been engaged in successful practice. Not only is he well versed in the law but is a man of keen perception and ably con- ducts his cases before the court. As the years have passed he has been connected with much important litigation of his section and his services are now in frequent demand, his practice having attained very gratifying proportions.

On June 6, 1917, Mr. Nichoson was united in marriage to Miss Eva Scott, of Yakima, and both are very popular in the social circles of the valley. They are likable people and have many friends and the best homes of the community are always open to them.

In his political affiliations Mr. Nichoson is a republican and for the past six years has served as city attorney, representing the interests of the community greatly to the satisfaction of the public. He is a member of the State and County Bar Asso- ciations and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Sunnyside Encampment No. 80, and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, holding membership in Lodge No. 318 of Yakima. The further development and improvement of the valley along many lines are dear to his heart and he is ever ready to give his endorsement and cooperation to any worthy enterprise under- taken along those lines. He is a member of the Sunnyside Commercial Club and in thorough accord with its purposes. When Mr. Nichoson came to Sunnyside in 1908 he was only a young attorney who took his fate in his hands, trying to find a foot- hold in a new community, and today he is accounted among the best legal repre- sentatives of his district and, moreover, has made countless friends in Sunnyside, all of whom regard him highly not only for his professional attainments but because of his manly qualities of heart and character.

LINCOLN D. LUCE.

Lincoln D. Luce has for thirteen years resided in the Yakima valley but his en- tire life has been passed on the Pacific coast and he possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the rapid upbuilding of the northwest. His attention is now given to horticultural pursuits, his holdings em- hracing nineteen acres of valuable land devoted to the raising of apples and pears. Mr. Luce was born in Grant county, Oregon, August 19, 1869, a son of John C. and Anna C. (Hodson) Luce. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Luce, was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and on leaving that city went to Iowa in 1843. A decade later he crossed the plains to Oregon, making the trip with ox teams and wagons, and after traveling for six months over the long, hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes he reached Eugene, Oregon, which he made the terminus of his trip. Soon afterward he took up government land and with characteristic energy he began its development and improvement, continuing thereon to the time of his death. His son, John C. Luce, also became a ranchman of that state, residing in Oregon until called to his final rest in 1904, when sixty-one years of age. He was very active in political circles, although not an office seeker. He gave his support to the republi- can party and was an earnest and convincing speaker, ever able to hold the close attention of his auditors. His wife was a daughter of James Hodson, of Ohio, who in 1843 removed westward to Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1854 cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Josephine county, Oregon, having made the overland trip to the far west by ox team. In 1863 he removed with his family to Canyon City, Oregon, John C. Luce having in 1861 become a resident of that place. It was there that the latter met and married Anna C. Hodson, the wedding being celebrated in 1868. Mrs. Luce departed this life in 1890. She had become the mother of eight children, of whom Lincoln D. is the eldest.

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In the public schools of his native state Lincoln D. Luce pursued his education and was also at one time a student in the Portland Business College. After his textbooks were put aside he became actively engaged in the live stock business and remained a resident of Oregon until 1905, when he removed to the Yakima valley, settling on a ranch. The previous year he had purchased forty acres of land three and one-half miles southwest of the city of Yakima and has since resided upon this place but has sold twenty-one acres. He has remodeled the home, transforming it into a most attractive and comfortable residence, and he has planted all of his land to fruit, specializing in the propagation of apples and pears. He belongs to the Yakima County Horticultural Union and is interested in everything that has to do with the development and progress of the fruit raising interests of this section. He is quick to adopt nny improved methods in the case of his trees or in the methods of shipping his product and he is numbered among the representative business men of the district.

On September 3, 1891, Mr. Luce was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Officer, who was born in Dayville, Oregon, a daughter of Casey and Martha Officer, who were pioneer settlers of that state, the father making his way to the coast from Mis- souri in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Luce have been born three children: Alta V., the wife of E. H. Cornell, a resident of Yakima county, who is now with the United States army. doing motor work; Floyd E., a member of the United States marines, now in a hospital in Rimancourt, France; and Alma V., at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Luce are members of the First Christian church and are highly esteemed throughout the community in which they make their home. In politics Mr. Luce is a republican and in November, 1917, was appointed to the office of county assessor to fill out the unexpired term of W. D. McNair. He is now a candidate for the position and the record which he has made indicates that he will prove a most cap- able and faithful officer if chosen by popular suffrage. He is most widely known, being highly esteemed both as a business man and as a citizen, his sterling quali- ties being such as make for personal popularity among all with whom he has been associated.

HARRY G. BROWN.

Harry G. Brown is well known as a representative of the automobile trade in the Yakima valley, being a member of the Hesse & Brown Motor Car Company. He was born in Louisiana on the 15th of July, 1876, and is a son of M. F. and Mary E. Brown. The father passed away in the year 1905, but the mother is living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. E. M. Turner, of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Harry G. Brown acquired his education in the State Normal School of Louisi- ana. He left home as a boy and traveled in thirty-seven different states of the Union, learning the machinist's trade and ultimately becoming a steam engineer. He de- veloped his native talents and powers in this connection, for he is of a mechanical trend and easily masters problems of that character. He became connected with the automobile trade in 1905 in Nevada, working for others for some time. In October 1912, he came to Yakima, Washington, and organized the Hesse & Brown Motor Car Company on the 15th of September, 1915, in association with Walter Hesse. They established their business at No. 15 North Third street, where they did repair- ing and overhauling. In August, 1916, they removed to the corner of Front and A streets and extended the scope of their business to include a line of accessories in connection with their garage and repair shop. In March, 1917, they accepted the agency for the Dort automobile and for the National car and later added the Moline truck and the Stephens Salient Six, also the Moline one-man tractor. Their business has grown rapidly and they have enlarged their quarters, now having three floors of a building one hundred by seventy feet. Something of the extent of their patron- age is indicated in the fact that they now employ fifteen people. Mr. Hesse has become a member of Company C of the Second Battalion of the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Depot Brigade with the National army, while Mr. Brown remains as manager of the business. In fact he has occupied that position since its establish-

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ment and the growing success of the firm has been largely due to his efforts and enterprise as well as his mechanical skill. An indication as to the rapid development of their business is given in the fact that in 1918 their trade amounted to over two hundred thousand dollars.

Mr. Brown's gift as an inventor has been mentioned before and referring to it, it should be stated here that in 1918 he brought out and patented a rotary gas engine which is the first of its kind and which undoubtedly will compel the attention of aeroplane, marine engine and stationery engine manufacturers. Its principal points are that there is no crank, no fly wheel, no timing or other gear, no magneto and no dead center,, it being so constructed that it is off of dead at all times. Mr. Brown closely applied himself for some years to bringing out this engine and has succeeded despite many setbacks.

On the 15th of May, 1913, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Frances Wattle, of Yakima, and they had four children, of whom three are living: Florence Lucile. Reta and Joseph Harry. Theresa died at the age of three months. Mr. Brown is a member of the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association and also of the Auto Deal- ers' Association, organizations that further the interests of trade and commerce and have to do with the material upbuilding of the city. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and while he gives to it stalwart support because of his belief in its principles, he does not seek nor desire office his attention being concen- trated upon his business affairs.

GEORGE W. MASON.

George W. Mason, who for many years was a respected and valued resident of Yakima county, was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1837, a son of Jacob and Amanda (Harroun) Mason. The father was also a native of the Keystone state, while the mother was born in Vermont in 1806. They became pioneer resi- dents of Minnesota and it was in that state that George W. Mason acquired a public school education. He was reared to farm life and continued to assist his father in the further cultivation and development of the home property until he reached the age of about twenty-six years. He then enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company B, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, with which command lie was connected from the 14th of August, 1862, until the 22d of May, 1865, being on active service throughout that entire period. Prior to 1862 lie was in active service against the Sioux Indians in Minnesota and Dakota. After the war he engaged in farming in Minnesota for ten years and in 1875 removed to Linn county, Oregon, devoting his attention to farming near Harrisburg for three years. In 1879 he took up his abode in Goldendale, Washington, where he devoted ten years to farming and carpenter work, and in 1890 he came to Yakima, where he opened a hotel and also continued carpentering. In 1892 he bought forty acres south of Zillah, all covered with sagebrush. and at once began the ardnous task of developing the property, which is today a well improved place. At the end of two years he sold twenty acres of this tract. He built a good house and substantial barns, planted a fine orchard and otherwise increased the value of his property, which is today one of the fine ranches of the district. It was Mr. Mason who erected the first building in Prosser, Washington, hauling the lumber a distance of fifty miles.

In 1869 Mr. Mason was married to Miss Malinda Twitchell, who was born in Maine, August 18, 1844, a daughter of Hiram and Maria (Dodge) Twitchell, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state and have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Mason were born six children: Mrs. Lettie Faulkner, a resident of Bickleton, Washington; Mrs. Clara B. Sprague, of Bickleton, Washington; Artemus, who is engaged in ranching near Bickleton; Ralplı, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Albert, who is operating the home farm; and Ethel, who became the wife of Napoleon Dooley, a resident of Yakima, and died June 5, 1911, leaving three children. Edwin, a son of Mrs. Mason's sister, Mrs. Effie Hackley, was three

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months old when he became a member of their household and has now reached the age of fifteen.

The death of the husband and father occurred March 17, 1916. He was most widely and favorably known, having been for many years a representative and honored resident of the district. While in Minnesota he served on the board of county supervisors and as township treasurer but after coming to Washington did not take an active part in public affairs as an office seeker. He possessed many sterling traits of character that made him greatly beloved by all who knew him and most of all by the members of his own household.

FRED W. MAY.

Modern scientific attainment has contributed much to the development of the natural resources of the Yakima valley. Advanced knowledge concerning fruit rais- ing and the development of nursery stock constitutes an important element in the success of the Yakima & Columbia River Nursery Company, of which Fred W. May is one of the officers, and in this connection he is contributing in substantial meas- ure to the improvement of his and other sections of the northwest through the production of nursery stock specially adapted to soil and climatic conditions in this section of the country.

Mr. May is a native of Ontario, Canada. He was born November 29, 1877, and is a son of Silas and Emma (Thomas) May. In young manhood he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, with an uncle and there remained for sixteen years, during which time he was active in the nursery business in connection with his uncle, L. L. May. The year 1909 witnessed his arrival in Yakima, where he established business under the name of the Yakima & Columbia River Nursery Company, in which undertaking he was associated with I. H. Dills. The company grows a general line of nursery stock, including fruit and ornamental trees, and their place is located near Parker, Washington. It is a tract of forty acres and includes ten acres of orchard. This is today one of the oldest as well as one of the most flourishing nurseries in the valley. The company enjoys a large local trade, their sales extending over the northwest and into California. They also ship to Montana and British Columbia. The business has steadily grown in volume and importance and they employ from eight to twenty-five people according to the season-a fact indicative of the liberal patronage which is now theirs.

In 1912 Mr. May was united in marirage to Miss Inez Clay, of Tacoma. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., and he is likewise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. May gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is well known as a representative citizen who heartily cooperates with every movement of that organization to upbuild the interests of the city, extend its business connections and stimulate those agencies which pro- mote civic virtue, civic improvement and civic pride.

JOSEPH F. LAFRAMBOISE.

Canada's contribution to the Moxee region of Washington includes Joseph F. Laframboise, who is now identified with farming intersets in this state. He was born near Montreal, Canada, December 9, 1872, a son of Joseph Laframboise, who is mentioned in connection with the sketch of Antoine Laframboise, on another page of this work.

Joseph F. Laframboise was largely educated in the public schools of Crookston, Minnesota, for his parents removed to that state during his youthful days and the period of his minority was there passed. He was thirty-two years of age when in 1904 he came to Yakima county and for seven years he was employed by others, acting as manager of hop ranches. In 1907 he invested his savings in thirty acres

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of land on the Moxee and took up his abode upon that property in 1911. He has built a pleasant residence and good barns and outbuildings and now has a well .improved farm, upon which he raises hay and potatoes. He is also engaged in rais- ing graded Percheron horses for sale, and both branches of his business are bring- ing to him substantial financial returns.

In 1898 Mr. Laframboise was married to Miss Rose Alva Delorme, a native of Canada, who in her early girlhood went with her parents to Minnesota, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Laframboise, who sought her hand in marriage. Their children are: Aram, who was a member of the United States army and was honorably discharged at the close of the World's war; Armand, who is working in the shipyards as a representative of the United States army; one who died in infancy; and Eliane.

The parents and children are members of the Holy Rosary Catholic church of Moxee, and in politics Mr. Laframboise is a republican where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, consider- ing the capability of a candidate rather than his party ties. He has ever been ready and willing to aid in any movement for the public good and cooperates in many well defined plans for the progress and upbuilding of the section in which he has now lived for fourteen years. He has brought his farm under a high state of culti- vation and the many improvements which he has added thereto constitute it one of the valable properties of the district.

LEWIS J. HILLBERY.

The fruit industry of the Yakima valley finds a foremost representative in Lewis J. Hillbery, who now owns forty acres of valuable land one mile north of Zillah, fifteen of which are devoted to orchard. From this source he now derives a gratify- ing income which is greatly augmented because he not only raises the fruit but also packs the same, having upon his place a frost proof packing house with storage for two thousand boxes.

Mr. Hillbery was born in Sweden, March 16, 1856, a son of Peter and Emeline Hillbery. He began his education in his native country but in 1870 the family took up their abode in Polk county, Wisconsin, where the father secured a homestead. They remained in that state for ten years, when removal was made to Pope county,. Minnesota, and there Lewis J. Hillbery bought a farm, his parents living with him. In that state his mother passed away.

Having heard many favorable reports in regard to the opportunities presented in Yakima county, Mr. Hillbery came to this district in the fall of 1901 and bought seventy-five acres of land one mile north of Zillah which was partly improved, but of this tract he has sold thirty-five acres, so that he now owns forty acres. About fifteen acres are in orchard, devoted to the raising of apples, pears, peaches and cherries, the remainder of the tract being under the plow or in alfalfa. Mr. Hill- bery has remodeled the house, which is now a modern and substantial residence, and has built suitable barns and made other improvements which have enhanced the value of his property. He built a frost proof packing house with a storage capacity of two thousand boxes and thus has in every way anticipated the needs of the modern fruit raiser.

On the 20th of December, 1899, Mr. Hillbery was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bryce, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of John and Esther (Smith) Bryce, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Wisconsin. The parents are suc- cessful agriculturists and reside in Minnesota. By a former marriage Mr. Hillbery had the following children: Wilber, who is employed in the postoffice at Yakima and is married and has five children; Otto, who has a wife and one child and is residing at home; and Clarence, who is serving his country in the United States navy on a cruiser and has crossed the ocean seven times.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 36

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