History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 42

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 42
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 42
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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tinent, at that time going up to Canada and from there to Alaska, where for one year he wooed the fickle goodess of fortune in the pursuit of mining. From the north he returned to Vancouver and thence removed to The Dalles, Oregon, where for two or three years he was engaged in operating an old flour mill. It was in 1865 that he came to the Yakima valley, where he continued operations as a miller, run- ning the old Barker mill near Yakima City, of which place he was accounted one of the earliest settlers. He thus acquired the means with which to become an indepen- dent farmer and ahout 1871 he took up a homestead in the Kittitas valley and also a preemption claim. He did not at once begin the cultivation of his land but located upon it about ten years later, in April, 1881, the year and month of his marriage. The land adjoins Ellensburg and the advantages of the town are therefore within his reach. Taking up one of the very first ranches in the valley, Mr. Sander devoted the remainder of his life to bringing it under cultivation and placing thereon modern im- provements. He always followed the latest methods of farming in the management of his property and as the years passed he prospered, becoming one of the foremost agriculturists of his section. In 1882 he also established a flour mill there and this he operated quite successfully until 1890, when it was destroyed by fire. As his finan- cial resources increased he added to his holdings until he became the owner of a fourteen-hundred acre ranch, which at the time of his death was one of the finest in the state. Upon the place stands the beautiful farm home, the original dwelling having been built in 1886, but it has since been rebuilt, and everything about the property indicates the foresight and perseverance of its owner, who here found those opportunities which many years before he had hoped to enjoy when he took fate in his own hands and came to this country as a young man of twenty-two.

On April 6, 1881, Mr. Sander was united in marriage to Miss Olive Cleman, a. native of Salem, Oregon, and a daughter of Charles August and Rehecca (Griffith) Clemen, both of whom removed from Missouri to Oregon in the early '50s, making their way by the overland trail and becoming pioneers of that state. To this union were born four children: Frederick, a successful cattleman at Lowgap, Washington, is married and has one child; Anna married Warren Hentin of Seattle; Clara Edith is the wife of Dr. R. R. Pincard, by whom she has two children; Mabel is the wife of R. L. Rutter, Jr., by whom she has two children.

Mr. Sander passed away February 16, 1910, his demise at the venerable age of eighty-four years occasioning deep regret among his many friends in the Yakima valley. The large farm property is now ably managed by his widow, who has proven herself thoroughly conversant with farming methods and is generally conceded to be one of the best business women of her section. Her parents were also among the early pioneers of Yakima county, whither they came in 1864. They homesteaded in the fall of that year on the Wenas, where David Longmire now lives. Subse- quently they removed into the Kittitas valley about 1878 and there the father acquired land upon which he and his family continued to make their home, and there both he and his wife passed away. He not only followed general farming but also gave a great deal of attention to stock raising. He and his wife were among those who early planted the seeds of civilization in a wilderness which has since become one of the most prosperous sections of the state.

In his religious affiliations Mr. Sander was a Lutheran, to which denomination he was very devoted. His political persuasion was that of the republican party, whose candidates he ever supported and in the principles of which he thoroughly believed. Although always in accord with movements undertaken for the upbuilding of his section, he never entered politics in order to obtain public office for himself, preferring to do his duty as an American citizen in a private capacity. Through his indefatigable energy he succeeded in building up a farm property which is today one of the "show places" of Washington and without challenge admitted to he the finest in Kittitas county. The grounds surrounding the handsome residence are beautified, while the barns and outbuildings as well as all the farm machinery are modern and up-to-date, thus insuring the best possible results. Mrs. Sander as owner and man- ager of this large estate, stands high in the estimation of her fellow citizens, who admire her as a woman of more than ordinary ability in carrying forward the work which for so many years was so successfully pursued by her late husband. While Mr. Sander's death occurred eight years ago, his memory is still revered by all those-

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to whom he was friend and who esteemed him as an upright, straightforward and loyal American who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who had to over- come hardships and difficulties. Many times he succeeded in instilling new hope into the discouraged and also helped them with financial aid. He was a keen observer of business conditions and was therefore enabled to dispose of his crops to the best advantage. To his family he was a loving husband and father, ever ready to make the greatest sacrifices in order to surround them with care and comfort.

JOHN DILLON.

John Dillon is still actively interested in orcharding although he has now passed eight points beyond the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. His birth occurred near Boston, Massachusetts, June 2, 1840, his parents being James and Ellen (Going) Dillon. The family home was established in Kansas in 1872 and in 1875 John Dillon of this review removed to Nevada. He later returned to Kansas, where he resided until 1888 and then became a resident of Klickitat county, Wash- ington, where he devoted his attention and energies to ranching for eight years. In 1896 he came to Yakima county and purchased five acres of land two miles south of the Yakima depot. This he planted to apples and pears. He also built a home upon the place and has since given his attention to the care of his fruit trees and the improvement of his orchard.

On the 16th of February, 1874, Mr. Dillon was united in marriage to Miss Julia Anna Walling, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota. Their children are six in number: Edward, a rancher of Outlook, Washington, who is married and has one child; Cora Mabel, the wife of William Moyer, now with her parents, while her husband is serving with the United States army in France; James, at home; Ernest, who is a member of the United States army; Harry, who attempted to join the army but was prevented on account of heart trouble; and John, thirteen years of age, at home. The mother is a member of the Christian church.

Mr. Dillon gives his political endorsement to the republican party and has ever been deeply interested in its success. He has a fine home and is one of the old-time residents of Yakima county, enjoying the respect and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.

J. REUBEN SCHWARTZE.

J. Reuben Schwartze, a well known orchardist of Yakima county, who in former years was closely associated with educational interests, was born in Philo, Cham- paign county, Illinois, December 2, 1872, a son of John E. and Sarah C. (Burnette) Schwartze, who came to the Yakima valley in 1888. The father purchased ten acres of land on south Nob Hill and planted a three-acre orchard. Later he removed to California but afterward returned to Yakima, where he passed away in the year 1915. His widow survives.

J. Reuben Schwartze acquired a public school education in his native state and also attended the North Yakima high school, becoming a member of its first class- that of 1890. He subsequently entered the University of Washington, in which he spent one year in study, and for fifteen years he devoted his life to the profession of teaching, spending thirteen years of that time in Yakima county. He was principal of the Prosser school for three years, of the Zillah school for one year, of the Nob Hill school for five years, of the Columbia school in Yakima for a year and for two years was superintendent of the Buckley school in Pierce county. In 1905 he pur- chased seven and a half acres of land on Nob Hill and planted it to apples, pears, peaches and cherries, continuing the cultivation of his orchards until 1907, when he sold that property and bought thirty-two acres of land three miles southwest of the depot in Yakima. This was at that time all hay land. He has since planted twenty- two acres to orchards and now has that entire district in apples, pears and cherries,

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all in bearing condition. He is a successful orchardist, thoroughly conversant with the latest and most scientific methods of caring for and developing the trees and in making shipments of his fruit as well.

On the 25th of November, 1903, Mr. Schwartze was married to Miss Helen M. Druse, a daughter of D. L. Druse, and they have one child, Lucille A., who is now a pupil in the high school of Yakima. Mr. Schwartze is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and is interested in everything that has to do with the fruit raising interests of this section of the state. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is a man of genuine personal worth, public-spirited and progressive in citizenship, and his loyal support can be counted upon for any movement or measure that tends to uplift the individual or promote the welfare of the community at large.

L. B. KINYON.

General farming as well as horticultural interests are prominently represented by the activities of L. B. Kinyon, a prosperous orchardist of the Naches district, in the Yakima valley. A native of St. Clair county, Illinois, he was born February 27. 1855, a son of John and Alvira (Reed) Kinyon, the former a native of the state of South Carolina and the latter of Illinois. The grandfather of our subject in the pa- ternal line was a pioneer of Illinois, going there before statehood was perfected in 1818. John Kinyon, the father, was not only successful as an agriculturist, but was also a devoted minister of the Baptist denomination. He passed away in 1896 and his wife died in 1869.

L. B. Kinyon of this review was reared under the parental roof and grew to manhood amid the refining influences of a good home. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools, subsequently taking a course at a husi- ness college, at the end of which time he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits in Illinois, there continuing until 1882, when, at the age of twenty-seven, he made removal to Oregon, settling at Eugene, where he remained for one year. The next year and a half he spent at Walla Walla, Washington, but in the winter of 1884 he came to Yakima county, acquiring title to a farm in the Moxee valley. To its cultivation he devoted a number of years, making this a valuable property, but in 1893 sold out and then rented the Redmond ranch near Yakima, which he cultivated for about ten years. He then lived in Yakima City for three years. In 1907 Mr. Kinyon bought ninety acres of rich and valuable land on the upper Naches and here he is now extensively engaged in orcharding, having twenty acres in apples, pears, cherries and peaches. Following progressive methods and readily adopting modern ideas in regard to fruit raising, he has been very successful in his enterprise. Of the remainder of his land part is under the plow, part is in pasture, while a portion is devoted to the raising of hay. He has built a handsome residence since coming into possession of this property and has also erected suitable modern barns, thus trans- forming his place into an up-to-date fruit farm.

Mr. Kinyon has the reputation of being one of the foremost orchardists not only of the state but of the entire country. He grew the largest apple ever produced any- where in the world and this apple was on exhibition at the World's Fair in St. Louis and an American flag was presented to him in recognition of it. The apple was over five inches in diameter and weighed forty-eight ounces and was of the variety known as Spokane Beauty. At Seattle on the 18th of January, 1907, he won a hand- some cup, which was awarded by the Northwestern Fruit Growers Association for the best display of apples. At the St. Louis World's Fair he also won first award for a general display of apples, this award consisting of a gold medal. At the Portland World's Fair in 1905 he won the first award (gold medal) for a general display of apples and also won the first award, consisting of a gold medal, at the Alaska-Yukon- Pacific Exposition held at Seattle in 1909. Five times he made up the Yakima county exhibits at the Washington State Fair and every time he won the blue ribbon for this display; in fact he has never failed to win the highest award when he exhibited. Not only is he thoroughly trained in regard to fruit raising, having practical experience

L. B. KINYON

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as well as theoretical knowledge, but he has evolved many new methods which have led to success. He is therefore today considered one of the leading horticulturists of the state and nation. He produces only a very high grade of fruit, growing in the line of apples Arkansas Blacks, Spitzenbergs, Jonathans, Rome Beauties and Wine- saps, while in the line of pears he raises the Bartlett and Winter Nellis.

On the 16th of August, 1883, Mr. Kinyon was united in marriage to Isabel Brown, a native of New York and a daughter of John and Sarah (Simmons) Brown, both natives of England, who upon coming to this country, followed agricultural pur- suits, and both have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Kinyon have become the parents of three children: Florence, who married Dr. Lloyd Moffett, who is in the United States army and by whom she has a son; Arthur, a rancher in the Naches district, who married Martha Bamford, by whom he has two children; and Elmer, a dairyman of Issaquah, Washington, who is married and has three children.

Mr. Kinyon has always taken a most laudable interest in progress and advance- ment, particularly as regards Yakima county, and thoroughly appreciating the im- portance of irrigation, has served as trustee of the Fowler ditch and also the Moxee, which he assisted in building. He is a warm champion of the cause of education and he has for many years served on the school board, having been connected with the board since he took up his residence here. The movement for building the hand- some new Nob Hill school was largely started by him. Fraternally he is a Yeoman and also belongs to the Grange. Moreover, he is a charter member and an ex-trustee of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and in this connection it may be of interest to mention that he invented the trays which are now generally used for exhibiting fruit. He and his wife are devoted members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested. Mr. Kinyon gives his political support to the republican party, in whose principles he firmly believes. As one of the prom- inent fruit raisers of the state and especially Yakima county and as one of its pio- neers there is great credit due him for what he has achieved not only for himself but in the interests of others, who have greatly profited through his labors.

JOHN E. MORGAN.

As the work of developing the rich mineral resources of Kittitas county has been carried forward, many men of ability have been drawn to this region and have become actively concerned with the task of making a marketable commodity out of the rich coal deposits of this district. Working his way steadily upward since first becoming identified with mining, John E. Morgan is now holding the import- ant position of assistant superintendent with the Northwest Improvement Com- pany at Roslyn. He was born in Colorado, March 19, 1882, a son of Ezekiel and Essie (Weir) Morgan, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Nova Scotia. In the early '70s they became residents of Colorado and Mr. Mor- gan devoted his attention to mining in that state. Later, however, he removed to Glenrock, Wyoming.

John E. Morgan was but a young lad at that time and he pursued his educa- tion in the public schools of the latter state. He was but thirteen years of age, however, when he began work in the coal mines and along that line has since been employed. He arrived at Roslyn in 1906 and entered the mines here. The follow- ing year he was elected to the position of national board member of the United Mine Workers, representing the state of Washington, and continued to serve in that capacity for two years. He next became special organizer for the United Mine Workers and in 1911 he was appointed commissioner of the Washington Coal Oper- ators' Association for the state. He also served in that capacity for two years and in 1913 he became assistant superintendent of the Northwest Improvement Com- pany and has since served in that position. He also represents all of the coal oper- ators of Kittitas county on the State First Aid. He is likewise the president of the Roslyn and Cle Elum Beneficial Company and is very active and prominent in the last mentioned connection.

On the 16th of April, 1909, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Mamie A. Goff, who was born in Wyoming, a daughter of Willard Goff. They now have two sons, (13d)

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Thomas and Richard. In politics Mr. Morgan maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Masons and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He is truly a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well, for he started out in business life at the age of thirteen years without special educational or other advantages and his progress is the direct result of his native talents and acquired ability.

JACOB PELTO.

Although Jacob Pelto is a recent arrival among the horticulturists of Yakima county he has already demonstrated his ability along that line, now owning twenty acres on the Tieton, all of which is in orchard. For many years he was success- fully engaged in farming in Minnesota, but the land of his birth is Finland. He was born June 10, 1862, and is a son of Olaf and Margaret Susan Pelto, who came to the United States in 1881, and continued to make their home with our subject in Minnesota until called to the home beyond.

Jacob Pelto was reared under the parental roof in his native country and there attended school in the acquirement of his education. When a young men of nine- teen, in 1881, he came to the United States and for two years remaind in Michigan, whence he went to Lead City, South Dakota, in 1883. In 1887 he made his way to Minnesota and there he bought a farm in Ottertail county but spent a year in the Black Hills before he took up farming in Minnesota. In 1913 he came to Yakima county, Washington, and bought ten acres of land which is now all planted to apples. As his means increased he added ten acres to his tract and this is also devoted to orchard. He has erected suitable barns and has built a fine farm residence, adding other improvements and equipment, so that his property today is very valuable.

In 1892 Mr. Pelto was united in marriage to Miss Hilma Blomberg, also a native of Finland, who came to the United States when a little maiden of nine years with her parents, Henry and Matilda Blomberg. Her father is now deceased but her mother survives. Mrs. Pelto has a brother, A. E. Blomberg, who was born in Minne- sota, February 21, 1886, the parents having emigrated from Finland to Michigan in 1881, and removed to Minnesota in 1883. A. E. Blomberg was engaged in farming in Minnesota until June, 1918, in which year he came to Yakima county, acquiring ten acres of orchard on the Tieton. To Mr. and Mrs. Pelto four children have been born, Sadie, Esther, Walter and Ethel.

The family are members of the Presbyterian church, to which they are sin- cerely devoted, and in politics Mr. Pelto is a republican. He is a successful orchard- ist who has not only promoted his own prosperity by following progressive methods but has contributed to general prosperity through his activities. Mr. Pelto has never regretted leaving his fatherland, for in this country he has found the oppor- tunities which made it possible for him to win a degree of prosperity that is most satisfying. He has become thoroughly Americanized and American ideals are his standards. As a loyal and devoted citizen who is ever ready to give of his time, effort and means in order to promote the general welfare, he expresses his grati- tude to his adopted country.

ALAN L. PARK.

Alan L. Park, who for about twelve years has resided on his present ranch on the Cowiche in Yakima county, was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, on the 12th of March, 1887, a brother of Frank G. Park, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he acquired a public school edu- cation in Minnesota and in 1906 made his way to Yakima county, attracted by the opportunities of the growing northwest. He was then a young man of nineteen years. Later he returned to Idaho, where he took up a homestead of which he is still the owner. He was engaged in the cattle business in that state until August,

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1907, when he returned to Washington and in connection with his father purchased twenty-five acres on the Cowiche. This land is devoted to the raising of hay and stock and in the conduct of his business affairs he displays sound judgment and un- remitting industry.

On the 7th of December, 1909, Mr. Park was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Ellis, who was born in Minnesota, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Goodrich) Ellis, who were pioneer people of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Park has been born a son. George, whose birth occurred April 28, 1912. Fraternally Mr. Park is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his political support is given to the republican party, with which he has been identified since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He is thoroughly familiar with conditions in the northwest, recognizes the opportunities and in their utilization, especially the utilization of agricultural opportunities, he has steadily worked his way upward. He works persistently day after day in the further development of his ranch and has closely studied every condition that bears upon the successful conduct of ranch property in this section.

CAPTAIN E. K. BROWN.

Edwin Keech Brown was born at Morse, Johnson county, Iowa, July 10, 1879, a son of John W. and Mary Ruth (Morse) Brown. He is descended from actual participants on the American side in the Revolutionary war through all four grand- parents and either a direct or collateral ancestor has participated in every war from colonial days down to the present time. His father was born at Solon, Johnson county, Iowa, January 1, 1852, a son of Julius G. and Amaretta Brown, who settled in that county in 1838. John W. Brown wedded Mary Ruth Morse, who was born at Morse, Johnson county, in December, 1853, a daughter of Edwin Keech and Mary Morse, who became residents of Johnson county in 1837. Both parents of Edwin K. Brown have passed away. The father died at Solon, Iowa, October 12, 1884, and the mother died in Tustin, Orange county, California, in March, 1894, having survived her husband for a decade.

In the acquirement of his education Edwin K. Brown attended the Iowa City Academy, from which he was graduated in June, 1898, after which he spent five years in the University of Iowa, where he pursued the arts and law courses, win- ning the degree of LL. B. in June, 1904. He also won a number of oratorical and debating prizes, including the Iowa-Wisconsin joint debate in April, 1902, and first place in the Northern Oratorical League Contest in May, 1902. Since the comple- tion of his law course he was engaged in the practice of his profession, which he followed in Iowa City, Iowa, from June, 1904, until February, 1906. He then re- moved to the northwest and has practiced in Kittitas county, Washington, since April, 1906, being in Cle Elum until December, 1908, and in Ellensburg since that time. He served as city attorney of Cle Elum in 1908 and from 1909 until 1912 inclusive was prosecuting attorney of Kittitas county, covering two terms. He has always been actively engaged in his profession, especially as a trial lawyer, and his preparation of his cases is thorough and exhaustive, his presentation of his cause clear and cogent. Aside from his public service as city and county attorney he has been numbered among the lawmakers of the state, having represented Kittitas county in the state legislature during the 1913 session.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 42

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