History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 37

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 37
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 37
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 37

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Mr. and Mrs. Hillbery are prominent socially. and have many friends in the neighborhood of Zillah. In his political affiliation he is independent to a large ex- tent although he gives his allegiance to the republican party as far as national issues

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are concerned. He has ever given the subject of education careful attention and while a resident of Minnesota he served for two terms as a member of the school board and was also road overscer in that state. Mr. Hillbery is now numbered among the substantial and prosperous residents of his district and there is great credit due him for what he has achieved, as his success is entirely attributable to his own efforts.

RALPH O. WALTON.

Ralph O. Walton is one of the more recent arrivals in Kittitas county, having resided within its borders only since 1915. He makes his home near Thorp, where he has nine hundred and twenty acres of land which he is rapidly bringing under cultivation. He was born in Sturgis, South Dakota, July 5, 1887, a son of Andrew and Lillian (McLean) Walton. The father was born in Utah but in his boyhood days became a resident of Iowa, where he resided until he reached young manhood, when he took up his abode in South Dakota, remaining in the latter state to the time of his death in 1901. His widow afterward came to Washington with her son, Ralph O. Walton, their home being established in Tacoma in 1907. Later the mother removed to California and is now residing in Los Angeles.

Reared in South Dakota, Ralph O. Walton accompanied his mother to Tacoma in 1907, when a young man of twenty years, and there resided until 1912, when he removed to Auburn, Washington. He thence came to Kittitas county in June, 1915, and purchased nine hundred and twenty acres of land two miles southwest of Thorp, of which fifty-five acres is irrigated land, while about one hundred and forty- five acres is devoted to dry farming. The remainder is in pasture and his attention is given to the raising of hay and grain and live stock. The farm is splendidly im- proved with an attractive residence, good barns and sheds, and a spirit of neat- ness, thrift and enterprise pervades the place, indicating the progressive plans that are at all times followed by the owner in the cultivation of his farm.

On the 26th of February, 1913. Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Estella H. Waggoner, a native of Kittitas county and a daughter of John C. and Ella I. (Pease) Waggoner. The father is a native of Ellington, New York, while the mother was born at Sauk Center, Minnesota. The latter was a daughter of Benjamin Pease, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Kittitas county. John C. Waggoner also arrived in the Kittitas valley before the railroad was built through this section and he purchased the ranch property upon which Mr. and Mrs. Walton now reside. At the present writing Mr. Waggoner makes his home in Des Moines, Washington, having retired from active business life. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton have been born two children, Garna Louise and Calvin Andrew.

Mr. and Mrs. Walton attend the Christian church and are among the highly esteemed residents of the community, occupying a prominent position in social circles. Politically he maintains an independent course. He holds the rank of corporal in a federalized machine gun company of the Third Regiment of Infantry, Washington National Guard.

C. H. RICHEY.

C. H. Richey is the owner of a beautiful home, Sunnycrest, situated on Nob Hill, and is accounted one of the representative and leading business men of Yakima. He was born in Tonica, Lasalle county, Illinois, on the 3d of September, 1870, a son of James and Anna (Hamilton) Richey, both of whom were natives of the same state. The father was a farmer and stock raiser in Illinois and in 1900 came to the north- west, settling in Yakima county. Here he entered into business relations as a mem- ber of the firm of Richey & Gilbert, prominent fruit growers, packers and shippers, in which he became senior partner. He made his home' at No. 206 North Naches avenue in the city of Yakima, where he passed away on the 13th of December, 1903.

JAMES RICHEY

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His widow survived him for about five and a half years, her death occurring April 30, 1909. In his political views Mr. Richey was a republican and while residing in Tonica, Illinois, served as mayor of that city. He was a loyal adherent of the Ma- sonic fraternity and an equally faithful member of the Congregational church, these associations indicating the nature of his interests and the rules which governed his con- duct. To him and his wife were born three children: Marion, the wife of H. M. Gil- bert; Luella, the deceased wife of Fred A. Hall; and C. H., of this review.

The last named supplemented his public school training by a course in a business college at Dixon, Illinois, and was thus well qualified for life's practical and respon- sible duties. He came to Yakima with his father and they were associated in busi- ness until the father's death. He is now the vice-president of the firm of the Richey & Gilbert Company, which was organized in 1900 for the conduct of fruit farming interests and which was incorporated in 1904. They are now extensively engaged in the wholesale fruit trade as dealers, packers and shippers. Something of the extent and importance of their business is indicated by the fact that while their main office is in Toppenish, they also have warehouses at Zillah, Buena, Wapato, Donald, Yakima and Selah. They ship over one thousand carloads of fruit annually, their interests in this line placing them among the prominent fruit growers and dealers of the northwest.

On the 24th of May, 1908, Mr. Richey was united in marriage to Miss Effie A. Stewart, a daughter of John and Annie C. (Johnson) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Scotland and in childhood days came to America, crossing the Atlantic in the '30s. They first settled in Canada and afterward removed to Illinois, where the father of Mrs. Richey followed agricultural pursuits. In 1908 he removed with his family to Yakima and passed away in February, 1917, at the age of eighty-eight years. The mother is still living at the age of eighty-five. Their family numbered eleven children. Mrs. Richey was the eighth in order of birth and is one of six of the family now residing in Yakima county. By her marriage she became the mother of two children, but the little daughter, Ruth, died in infancy. The son, James A., is now eight years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Richey hold membership in the Congregational church and his attitude upon the temperance question is indicated by the stanch support which he gives to the prohibition party. His life has ever been actuated by high and hon- orable principles and his entire business carecr has been characterized by unfaltering integrity as well as enterprise.

FRANK R. HENRY.

Fine orchards, large packing houses and every facility for the raising and ship- ment of fruit are the visible evidences of the life of well directed energy and thrift which Frank R. Henry has led. His ranch properties are indeed attractive, his or- chards presenting a scene of rare beauty in blossom time and bespeaking prosperity when the fruit hangs heavy on the trees.

Mr. Henry was born in Nova Scotia, June 16, 1863, a son of Charles and Eliza- beth (Kitchen) Henry. The father passed away in Nova Scotia but the mother is still living there. Mr. Henry had engaged in school teaching and farming and thus provided for the support of his family.

His son, Frank R. Henry, acquired his education in the public schools. In November, 1889, he crossed the continent to Tacoma, Washington, where for seven years he served as a conductor on the electric car lines. In March, 1896, he arrived in the Yakima valley, where in 1893 he had purchased ten acres of land in the Selah. He was the eleventh farmer to buy land under the project and in 1895 he invested in twelve and a half acres additional, so that he then had twenty-two and a half acres. When he came the entire district was covered with sagebrush. He sold his ten acre tract and improved the remaining twelve and a half acres and in 1900 he bought six acres more. In 1907 he invested in one hundred and twelve acres in the extension district of the Selah but has sold all save fifteen acres of that tract. He now has about thirty-two acres in orchard, largely devoted to the raising of apples, and all (13b)

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of the trees are of his own planting. He has fine packing houses on both ranches and all modern equipment. He built a splendid hollow tile packing house on the upper ranch, where he also has a most attractive residence, and his is one of the best orchards in the Selah valley. His entire place is seeded to alfalfa and he is thus following intensive farming methods, making his land bring forth two crops-fruit and hay.

In October, 1889, Mr. Henry was married to Miss Mary E. Mitchell, of Nova Scotia, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Mitchell. Their children are: Myrtle, the wife of Earl Cebelle, of Auburn, Washington, by whom she has a son five years of age; and Dell M., who conducts the upper ranch.

Mr. Henry is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is a republican where national issues and questions are involved but casts an independent local ballot. Not only does his memory compass the period of the entire develop- ment of the Selah valley but in the work he has been an active and helpful factor and his labors have been marked by the attainment of most substantial success.

JOHN B. WEEBER

John B. Weeber, who after long identification with meat packing and mining interests in other sections of the country came to the Yakima valley in 1910, has since been engaged in orcharding and farming on Naches Heights, where he owns seventy acres of rich and productive land. The life story of John B. Weeber is one that indicates triumph over adversity and steady progress, actuated by a laud- able ambition and stimulated by unfaltering industry.

Mr. Weeber was born in Albany, New York, July 4, 1864, a son of Christian and Dora (Amond) Weeber, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, however, had to leave that country on account of being a revolutionist opposed to the military power and autocracy of that land. He was a butcher by trade and followed the business in Albany, New York, for many years. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

John B. Weeber obtamed a public scool education in his native city and became an active associate of his father in the development of a farm which his father owned in the vicinity of Albany. He continued to assist in its cultivation until 1881, when at the age of seventeen years he made his way westward to Denver, Colorado. In that state he devoted his attention to the butchering business and to mining, be- coming owner of several mines. He was interested with a number of the most prominent mining men of Denver and took out sixty-four thousand dollars in six weeks from one mine but afterward lost it all. He was a large operator of several mines and later developed copper mines at various points in Wyoming, Montana and Utah, but the price of copper slumped as silver had done in 1893.

In 1907 Mr. Weeber arrived on the Pacific coast. He made his way to Port- land, Oregon, and traveled largely over the state. He also spent some time in Kittitas county, Washington, at Roslyn and at Cle Elum, in the meat packing busi- ness, and in the fall of 1910 he purchased thirty acres of land on Naches Heights. He was induced to take this step by an old associate from Denver, a Mr. Johnson, who interested him in buying the place. He has added to his original purchase from time to time until he now has seventy acres, constituting a very fine ranch property, of which twenty-two acres is planted to orchards. Everything about the place is indicative of his progressive methods and the systematic care with which he con- ducts his interests.

On the 16th of October, 1887, Mr. Weeber was married to Miss Kate Firsich, a native of Indiana. Their children were three in number: Arthur J., who is now with the United States Army in France; Pearl, the wife of Frank Wiethoff, of Den- ver, who is also a member of the United States Army; and Emil, who died at the age of three years.

Mr. Weeber was very active in the Masonic and Elks lodges while in Denver. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is one of the earnest workers in its ranks, while his opinions carry weight in its local councils. He has

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ever stood for progress and improvement in all things relating to the public welfare and has been largely instrumental in the development of good roads, in the es- tablishment of the telephone system and in securing the rural free delivery for new neighborhoods in Yakima county. His efforts have been far-reaching, resultant and beneficial and his fellow citizens recognize the value of his efforts along the line ot gencial development and progress.

SEAMEN VAN VLIET.

Scamen Van Vliet, proprietor of the Yakima Business College and holding to the highest standards in the purpose and in the conduct of the institution, was born in the tow nof Aurora, Erie county, New York, January- 20, 1858, and is a son of Richard S. and Ann (Chapman) Van Vliet. He acquired a district school educa- tion, supplemented by study in an academy, while later he became a student in the State Normal School at Buffalo, New York, and afterward was graduated from the Bryant & Stratton College of that city. He then began teaching in the insti- tution, where he remained as a teacher from June, 1881, until his connection with the school had covered twenty-one years, becoming its superintendent after a few years had passed. In 1902 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in connection with two others purchased the Spencerian Commercial School, of which he became the presi- dent and so served for three years. He then returned to Buffalo and had charge of the Caton Business College for a year, after which he removed to Yakima and in 1906 purchased the North Yakima Business College, which had been established in the fall of 1903 by Miss Van Slyke and Mr. Churchill, who conducted the school for three years, first in the Ditter block and later in the Union block. In 1906 Mr. Van Vliet purchased the school, which he conducted in the Union block until April, 1912, when he removed it to the Clogg building. The school has enjoyed splendid growth under his direction. There were only a few pupils twelve years ago, when he took charge, but today the enrollment during the year approximates two hun- dred and this is acknowledged to be one of the leading business schools of the west. Its growth has been continuous and its success is largely due to the excellent record of the pupils, which is the most satisfactory proof of the value of the course of instruction. The school has never issued a catalogue but has been conducted upon the maxim that "to get, one must give." In other words the school has been built up from the inside. Carefully formulated plans of instruction, thorough methods, competent teaching and pronounced ability have led to the gradual development of the school and the increase of the patronage. The first year Mr. Van Vliet found it rather uphill work, but the next year the good words spoken by former pupils led to doubling the attendance and the growth of the school has continued rapidly since that time. All branches of commercial study are taught and Mr. Van Vliet has every reason to be proud of the loyalty of his former pupils. He has made it possible for many of them to work their way through school and is actuated in large degree by a spirit of humanitarianism in conducting the institution, for he never turns a pupil away for lack of money, feeling that when he has placed them in a self-supporting position they will repay him, and such has proved to be the case on invariable occasions. Many of his pupils are now occupying important and responsible positions.

On the 19th of March, 1882, Mr. Van Vliet was married to Miss Rinda M. Churchill, of Aurora, New York, and their children are: Mrs. E. V. Lockhart, Mrs. Frank Sharkey, Mrs. Wheeler Warren, Mrs. Ted Holland and Mrs. Kenneth Arrow- smith, all of Yakima; Richard Churchill, who is a sergeant in the United States army in France; and Carolyn, at home.

Fraternally Mr. Van Vliet is a Mason, belonging to Yakima Lodge, No 24, A. F. & A. M .; Yakima Chapter, R. A. M .; Yakima Council, R. & S. M .; Yakima Com- mandery, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander; and in the Scottish Rite he has attanied the thirty-second degree. He is a past reigning sovereign of St. Alban Chapter of the Red Cross of Constantine, and he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a republican and he is well known as a member of the

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Country Club and of the Commercial Club. His acquaintance in Yakima is wide and he is held in favorable regard by all who know him. His entire life has been de- voted to the profession which he follows and his labors have constituted a contri- bution of worth to the world's work.

ORVAL ROY FLECK.

Modern agriculture in all of its up-to-date ramifications as regards conditions in the west is ably represented by Orval Roy Fleck, who is a prosperous rancher near Wiley City. He was born in Klickitat county, Washington, May 19, 1882, and is a son of Peter and Allie (White) Fleck, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Iowa. His maternal grandfather, George White, brought his family to Washing- ton in 1871 and settled at Vancouver but later came to Klickitat county. Peter Fleck, who for many years was successfully connected with the sheep business, was also numbered among the early settlers of this district but later he removed to The Dalles, Oregon, and there passed away. In 1918 his wife came to Wiley City, where she now makes her home.

Orval R. Fleck was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools. After laying aside his textbooks he de- cided upon the cattle business as most suited to his tastes and ability and was suc- cessfully engaged along that line at The Dalles, Oregon. In June, 1917, he acquired title to forty acres of land on the Ahtanum, in Yakima county, and there he raises hay but also gives considerable attention to live stock interests, having cattle and conducting a dairy. In all that he does he is progressive and enterprising and as he works early and late the income from his property is yearly increasing so that he is already numbered among the successful agriculturists of his section. Mr. Fleck worked upon the ranch which he now owns in 1901.

On November 28, 1907, Mr. Fleck was united in marriage to Gertrude Kinney, who was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, in 1880, a daughter of Peter and Mavina Kinney, Oregon pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Fleck have an adopted daughter, Marg- aret. They are valued members of the younger social set of Wiley City and vicinity, where they have many friends. They have reliable qualities of character and are respected by all who know them.

Fraternally Mr. Fleck belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of Columbia Lodge, No. 5, at The Dalles, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is devotedly attached to the Adventist church, of which she is a member. In his political affiliations Mr. Fleck is a republican, being thoroughly in accord with the principles of that party and a stanch supporter of its candidates. He is a self-made man and a successful agriculturist of his district. to the development of which along agricultural lines he has greatly contributed through his labors. A bright future may be predicted for him, as his underlying qualities give a sure promise of his further advancement.

DANIEL WEBSTER.

Daniel Webster, who for a number of years was a highly respected resident of Yakima county, where he engaged in fruit raising, passed away on the 18th of February, 1917, and left behind him many friends who had held him in high regard and who counted him as one of the substantial citizens of the community. Mr. Webster was born in Weld, Maine, March 4, 1854, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Masterman) Webster, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state and were rep- resentatives of old families founded in America during colonial days. Removing to the west, they settled near Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1856 and were there identi- fied with farming interests throughout their remaining days.

In young manhood Daniel Webster of this review went to North Dakota, cs- tablishing his home in what was first called Webster township and afterward Gunkle

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township, in Cass county, in 1878. He took up government land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made, securing a tract of three hun- dred and twenty acres which he at once began to convert into productive fields. He lived thereon until March, 1906, when he brought his family to Yakima county, Washington, where in 1905 he had purchased eight acres of land on Grandview avenue, west of Yakima. Here he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the business of fruit raising, making a specialty of apples, cherries and pears. He wisely and carefully directed his activities and the years brought to him substantial success as a reward for his intelligently guided labor.

On the 19th of February, 1884, Mr. Webster was united in marriage to Miss Lura Masterman, a daughter of Levi and Celestia (Doble) Masterman, who were also natives of Maine and were of English descent. The father died in Maine and the mother afterward became the wife of Holland Newman, who in 1876 removed to Minnesota, where the death of both occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Webster were born seven children: Clifton, who died March 2, 1915; Gertrude, who died at the age of two years; Margie, the wife of C. R. Barber, residing at Schoolcraft, Michigan; Guy, who died at the age of four years; Agnes, at home; and Vera and Lois, who are also with their mother.

Mr. Webster was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church, to the teachings of which he was ever loyal. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was an active worker in its ranks while residing in North Dakota. He served as township assessor for fifteen years and was also a member of the school board, but office seeking was not his aim. He gave his support to the party because of his fırın belief in its principles and his desire that his country should have the best possible government. He was descended from the same family as the distinguished American statesman of the same name, Daniel Webster, and he ever displayed the same qualities of patriotic loyalty to the country that has characterized the family. He had the respect and good will of all who knew him, was faithful in friendship and devoted to the welfare of his family and his many sterling traits won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact.

ALLAN GRANT LEWIS.

Allan Grant Lewis is numbered among the pioneer settlers on the Cowiche and is today the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which he has placed twenty acres under a high state of cultivation. Almost his entire life has been passed in this section of the state, for he was a lad of but eight years when brought to Yakima county. His birth occurred in Illinois, September 27, 1863, his parents being Andrew J. and Isabel L. (Parker) Lewis, the former a native of Indianapolis, while the latter was also born in Indiana. In 1864 the parents crossed the plains to Clarke county, Washington, and took up a homestead upon which they resided until 1871, when they removed to Yakima county, where the father purchased rail- way land on the Cowiche, after living on the Ahtanum for three years. They were among the first settlers there and Mr. Lewis and B. F. Parker built the Cowiche ditch. also known as the Dolly. Varden ditch. This was the first on the north side of the Cowiche. Mr. Lewis owned three-quarters of a section of land and for a considerable period was actively identified with the agricultural interests of the district but passed away on the 11th of January, 1914. His widow survives and now makes her home with her son, Allan G., at the age of eighty-one years.

Allan Grant Lewis acquired a public school education. He has lived continu- ously in the northwest from the age of one year and the spirit of western enterprise and progress finds exemplification in his career. He carried on ranching in con- nection with his father and at the age of twenty-one years took up a homestead on the Cowiche. Later he bought thirty-nine acres and sold part of the old place. He is today the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in all, of which he has cultivated twenty acres, transforming it into a highly productive tract. In fact he

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 37

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