History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 44

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 44
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 44
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 44

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).

Miss Grupe is a member of various women's clubs, teachers' associations and of community welfare organizations. She has been an active worker for woman suff- rage and for child health and welfare, her lahors along these lines proving far- reaching and effective.

WILLIAM ALBERT STEINMAN.

William Albert Steinman, the owner of an excellent ranch property of forty acres near Mabton, was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, December 1, 1870, a son of Christian and Mary (Wheeler) Steinman, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. They came to the United States soon after their marriage and made their way to Minnesota, where they took up their abode. Later they removed to California, settling at Orangeville, where the mother passed away, while subsequently the father died in San Jose, California.

William A. Steinman obtained a public school education in Minnesota and in 1891, when a young man of about twenty-one years, arrived in Ellensburg, Wash- ington. He first engaged in clerking in a grocery store there and afterward estab-

366

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

lished a grocery business on his own account in connection with his brother, A. C. Steinman. The brother sold out in 1908, but William A. Steinman continued the business successfully until 1912. He then visited California and the Puget Sound country but continued to make his home in Ellensburg until March, 1918, when he came to Yakima county and bought forty acres of land near Mabton, on which he is extensively engaged in the raising of hay. He has greatly developed and improved his property and is one of the progressive ranchmen of the district.

In October, 1895, Mr. Steinman was united in marriage to Miss Eva Lower, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Charles and Louisa Lower, who removed to Roslyn, Washington, at a very early day. There the father pased away, but the mother survives and is now living at South Cle Elum. Mr. and Mrs. Steinman became the parents of two children: Mark, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Louisa, who was born December 11, 1917.

Mr. Steinman is a republican in his political views but not an aspirant for office. He is very prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Ellensburg Lodge No. 39, A. F. & A. M .; Ellensburg Chapter No. 11, R. A. M .; Temple Commandery No. 5, K. T .; and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, of which she is a past worthy matron. Mr. Steinman has filled various offices in the fraternity, being a past master of the lodge, a past high priest and a past eminent commander. He enjoys in the highest degree the respect, confidence and good will of his brethren of the order and all who know him esteem him as a man of sterling worth.

CHARLES P. BABCOCK.

Charles P. Babcock, an orchardist and machinist of Grandview, showing equal ability along both lines of business, was born near LaSalle, Illinois, on the 3d of August, 1862, a son of John W. and Abbie L. (Bagg) Babcock. The father was born in Oneida county, New York, while the mother's birth occurred in Illinois. She was reared, however, in Massachusetts and came of old Puritan stock. Both the Bagg and Babcock families were represented in the Revolutionary war. After living for some time in Illinois, John W. Babcock removed with his family to Good- hue county, Minnesota, casting his lot with the pioneer settlers of that section in 1864. He took up land which was entirely wild and undeveloped and with charac- teristic energy he began transforming the tract into cultivable fields. He afterward removed to Minneapolis, where he lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil, as he had been long and successfully connected with agricultural interests. His remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest in Minneapolis, where he passed away July 4, 1915. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in that city.

Charles P. Babcock was but two years of age when the family removed to Minne- sota. He acquired his education in public schools of that state and was afterward employed by the American Type Foundry Company for twenty years, acting as fore- man for fifteen years. He is a machinist by trade and possesses marked ability along that line. In 1908 he removed to the northwest and for two years was a resident of Yakima. In 1909 he purchased six acres of land near Grandview and took up his abode thereon the following year. He secured a few tools to do work for himself along mechanical lines and found that there was a big demand for service of that character. He therefore established a machine shop and now has a large plant of that kind, splendidly equipped. His business in that connection has constantly in- creased and has reached very profitable proportions. At the same time he is giving a part of his attention to the development and care of his orchard and he has a fine home near Grandview.

On the 2d of April, 1891, Mr. Babcock was united in marriage to Leoline Booth, who was born in Buffalo, New York, January 12, 1870, a daughter of Ansel Lee and Katherine (Clark) Booth. The father was born in England, while the mother was a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and a daughter of Thomas Clark, a Hudson Bay trader, who became one of the early pioneers in the region of the Great Lakes. Eventually he settled in Buffalo, New York, where he passed away. The father of

367

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Mrs. Babcock was a civil engineer in the east and also a printer. He passed away in Buffalo, New York, after which his widow again married, becoming the wife of H. A. Irish, who settled in Minnesota as one of its pioneer residents and afterward removed to Yakima county, Washington, in 1905, taking up his abode near the city of Yakima. He has passed away but Mrs. Irish survives and is living in Yakima at the present time. To Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have been born three children: Charles Lee, who is now in the naval aviation service, on duty in France and Italy; Edward Booth, who is in the motor mechanics department of the Signal Corps of the United States army in France; and Margery at home.

Mr. Babcock and his family attend the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a democrat, but Mrs. Babcock exercises her right of franchise independent of party ties. She is a member of the Sagebrush Sisters, an organization formed of the wives of the early settlers. She also belongs to the Neighborhood Club and is very active and prominent in the social life and affairs of the community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are held in high esteem and their worth is attested by all who know them. They give active aid and cooperation to all plans and projects for the public good, assisting greatly in promoting those interests which are of material, intellectual, so- cial and moral benefit to the community.

GEORGE W. SNODGRASS.

George W. Snodgrass came to Ellensburg, Kittitas county, in July, 1882, and since then has pursued an agricultural career in this section of the Yakima valley, where he has attained success. He has also become connected with other enter- prises which have largely contributed toward the growth and prosperity of the county, being at this writing president of the Kittitas State Bank. He was born in Davis county, Iowa, February 12, 1861, a son of Dr. George W. and Sarah (Billups) Snodgrass, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia, both removing to Iowa during the pioneer period of that state. The father was a suc- cessful physician and for many years practiced that profession at Milton, Iowa, where he passed away, as has also his wife.

George W. Snodgrass received a public school education, subsequent to which he spent several years in his native state. Being much impressed, however, with the greater opportunities offered in the far west, he decided to take advantage of them and in 1882 went to Arizona, in which state he remained for a few months, but in July of the same year went to Ellensburg. The latter part of the journey from The Dalles he made on foot. For a few years he was in the employ of others. Becoming thoroughly acquainted with farming methods such as obtain in this section of the state and having saved his earnings, he then acquired land, to which he has gradually added until he now owns five hundred and sixty acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has made numerous improvements and instituted modern equipment and has readily embraced the latest methods of farming in order to obtain the best results. Efficiency, industry and close application are the qualities upon which his present prosperity is largely built. He has his land in hay and grain, raising large crops of a high quality for which he receives gratifying returns, care- fully watching market conditions when disposing of his produce. Mr. Snodgrass is now numbered among the most prosperous agriculturists of his section. As his means have increased he has become connected with other enterprises, among them the Kittitas State Bank, of which he has been the president since its organization, August 15, 1911. Mr. Higman is the cashier of this institution, which is capitalized for ten thousand dollars, now has about one hundred and ten thousand dollars in deposits, owns its building and is a healthy, well managed and fast growing institu- tion, enjoying the full confidence of the public.

On the 27th of June, 1888, Mr. Snodgrass married Flora C. Walker, a daughter of Charles and Caroline B. Walker. Mrs. Snodgrass was a resident of Portland at the time of her marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass are popular and well liked in their section of the valley, where they have made many friends. She is a member of the Baptist church, in the work of which she is deeply interested, and is ever

368

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

ready to make sacrifices on behalf of the organization, to the support of which she generously contributes.

Mr. Snodgrass is a republican in politics but has never been connected with public life in any official position, preferring to give his whole attention to his private enterprises. He is, however, greatly interested in the growth and advancement of his county and town, readily supporting movements undertaken in behalf of the general welfare. Fraternally he is a member of Ellensburg Lodge No. 1102, B. P. O. E., in which he has many friends. Having been a resident of this neighborhood for over thirty-six years, Mr. Snodgrass is numbered among the honored pioneers of his section, to the development and upbuilding of which he has greatly contributed through his untiring labors.

JOHN A. BREEDING.

John A. Breeding is the owner of one of the largest and finest apple orchards of the valley. He has resided in this section of the state since 1903 and through the intervening period has been closely and prominently connected with the development of its orchard industry. He is recognized as a man of marked business ability, of keen sagacity and of undaunted enterprise, and these salient qualities in his career have brought to him notable and well merited success. Mr. Breeding comes to the northwest from Illinois. He was born in Shelby county, that state, on the 24th of November, 1869, a son of S. L. and Rachel (Clark) Breeding, both of whom were born near Loveland, Ohio, whence they removed to Illinois in 1856 and became pioneers in the uphuilding of that great state. The father died in Illinois in 1899 and the mother passed away the following year.

Mr. Breeding belongs to a family of exceptional longevity: his grandfather Clark passed his eighty-seventh birthday, his grandmothers on either side celebrated their seventy-fifth anniversaries, and his great-great-grandfather Clark attained the un- usual age of one hunded and seven years.

John A. Breeding acquired a public school education and afterward went to Val- paraiso, Indiana, where he pursued a course in the normal department of Valparaiso University. Later he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Illi- nois for a time, and then turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Valparaiso, Indiana, for a few years and also in Illinois. In July, 1903, he arrived in Yakima county and in 1904 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on the Selah Heights all covered with sagebrush. He was one of the pioneers of the district, being among the first to buy in this part of the county. He planted seventy-five acres to apples, with also a few peaches and pears. He is now engaged in raising Winesaps, Jonathans, Rome Beauties and Delicious apples, varieties that are most splendidly adapted to soil and climatic conditions here, and the beauty and flavor of the fruit which he raises enables him to command the highest market prices. He has one of the big orchards of the valley and one of the finest. It is splendidly kept in every particular, well irrigated and the trees are cared for in the most scien- tific manner. The remainder of his land, aside from his orchards is planted to alfalfa. grain and potatoes.

In June, 1897, Mr. Breeding was married to Miss Lillian Goodfellow, a native of Michigan, who passed away in the year 1898. On the 1st of February, 1912. he was again married, his second union being with Florence O. Carlstrom, a daughter of August and Fannie F. (Tomlinson) Carlstrom. The children of this marriage are Charles Allen, Henry O., Paul Edward and Walter Eli.

Mr. Breeding is a member of Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He is a loyal examplar of the craft and faithfully follows its teachings in every particular. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. In 1916 he erected a fine home upon his ranch and his is one of the valuable and attractive properties in this section of the state. His resi- lence is situated on an eminence which provides a wonderful view of the different valleys radiating from the Selah valley and of the tiers of hills encircling the valleys,

JOHN A. BREEDING

371

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

with snow-capped Mount Adams overtopping the hills and majestic Mount Rainier towcring above all.

Mr. Breeding deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, in that he started out in life without financial resources and has since been dependent entirely upon his own efforts. Sound judgment and ready adaptability have featured largely in his success, making him one of the men of affluence in the vicinity of Selah.

JAMES W. YOUNG.

James W. Young, whose success as an orchardist has been most gratifying, was born at Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1827, and is there- fore now in the ninety-second year of his age. He is a son of Isaiah and Susan (Ambrose) Young, who removed westward to Michigan in 1848. The parents were natives of Ireland but came to the new world when young people and were married in the state of New York. Subsequently they established their home in Pennsylvania and, as stated, became residents of Michigan in 1848. The father was a cooper by trade and both he and his wife died in Michigan.

James W. Young acquired a public school education in Pennsylvania and in young manhood followed farming and also worked at the cooper's trade in Michi- gan, learning the business under his father's direction. He continued to reside in Michigan until 1881, when he went to Howell county, Missouri, where he made his home until 1889. In that year he arrived in Yakima county and rented land near the city of Yakima, upon which he resided until 1893, when he purchased forty acres two and a half miles south of Yakima and has since planted thirty acres of this to fruit, making a specialty of apples and pears. He has erected the house upon the place and has continuously occupied the farm from that date to the present. He is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and has ever been deeply inter- ested in all that has to do with the propagation of fruit in this section of the state. His methods of farming have been progressive and resultant, bringing him very sub- stantial crops that have been the basis of a satisfying annual income.

On the 1st of October, 1867, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Goodnow, who passed away in September, 1915. She was born in New York city and was a daughter of Lewis and Libbey Goodnow. The children of that marriage were: Edward, who is engaged in merchandising at Sunnyside; Bessie, who married Spencer Jacobs, and both have passed away, leaving two children; Caroline, who resides with her father; Mary, the wife of Allen Dow, of Yakima, by whom she has four children; Ethel, who married Archie McPhee, of Naches, and has three children; Harvey, a resident of Yakima, who is married and has two children; and Jennie, the wife of Andrew Fisk, of Toppenish, Washington, by whom she has one child.

Mr. Young is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also be- longed, and his political endorsement has always been given to the men and measures of the democratic party. He is interested in all organized efforts for the benefit and upbuilding of the community, while his own business career indicates that he has been actuated by a spirit of progress and advancement in all that he has undertaken.

CLAYTON S. SPECK.

Clayton S. Speck, a member of the firm of Speck & Rowland, is one of the most enterprising young business men of Sunnyside, where the firm conducts a large auto- mobile business. He was born in Lanark, Illinois, September 3, 1885, and is a son of Frank B. and Laura E. Speck, who in 1916 came to Sunnyside, where they now live retired. The father was formerly engaged in the restaurant business in Illinois and was quite successful along that line.

Clayton S. Speck passed his boyhood days under the parental roof in Illinois and in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools and a high school. Being well prepared for life's duties, he then entered the employ of the Chicago,

372

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, continuing in the operating department of that cor- poration for about four years. He remained in his native state until he was twenty- three years of age, when, in 1908, he came to Sunnyside, Washington, where he opened a restaurant now known as the Austin Cafe, which he conducted for three years, making it one of the popular places of the community. He sold out in 1911 and then entered the automobile business in connection with Messrs. Weber and Miller, their establishment being known as the Sunnyside Garage, Mr. Speck owning a one-third interest therein. One year later, however, in 1912, he sold his interest and in the same year founded the Morrow-Speck Machine Company, his partner being E. A. Morrow. A year later C. Rowland acquired the interest of Mr. Mor- row and the firm has been known as Speck & Rowland ever since. They have an excellent garage seventy-five by one hundred and twenty feet, affording storage for thirty cars. They are agents for the Buick cars, of which they carry a full line, and also for the G. M. C. trucks. Their territory covers all of Benton county and a part of Yakima and Franklin counties, and they have built up a trade which is very profit- able. In their dealings they always follow the most honorable methods and every- thing sold is as it is represented. They have a complete machine shop and are ready to make any kind of repairs as regards automobiles. They do a large business in automobile accessories, carrying a complete line and also handling the Goodyear tires. In the success of the enterprise Mr. Speck has had a dominant part, his pro- gressive methods and honest principles being important factors in the conduct of the business affairs of the firm.

In October, 1908, Mr. Speck was united in marriage to Miss Grace D. Rowland, of Lanark, Illinois, and to this union has been born a son, James, who is now two years old. In his church affiliations Mr. Speck has united with the Brethren and as far as politics is concerned keeps himself free from party ties, voting for the man who in his judgment is best qualified for the office in question. He is an active mem- ber of the Sunnyside. Commercial Club and thoroughly in accord with its methods and projects in regard to promoting and extending the business activities of the valley.

ANDRE ST. AUBIN.

Andre St. Aubin, who since 1900 has lived in the Selah valley, where he is owner of a good ranch of twenty-three acres, of which fifteen acres is planted to fruit, was born in Montreal, Canada, May 30, 1870, a son of Michael and Amelia (Dow) St. Aubin. In 1880 they removed to Crookston, Minnesota, where the father devoted his time and energies to the occupation of farming until 1900, when he became a resi- dent of the northwest. Removing to the Yakima valley, he purchased twenty acres of orchard land in the Selah valley. It was, however, at that time covered with sage- brush, but with characteristic energy he began its development and improvement and set out an orchard of five acres. Eventually he sold that property and retired, taking up his abode in Yakima, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 11th of April, 1916. His wife passed away December 21, 1917, when seventy- eight years of age.

The educational opportunities of Andre St. Aubin were extremely limited. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked with his father and was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he started out in the business world independently. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Crookston, Minnesota, but eventually disposed of that property and in 1900 came to the Selah valley, where he purchased eighteen acres of wild land. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place and one looking over the stretch of sagebrush could scarcely dream that a few years would be sufficient to transform this into splendid orchards. He afterward bought five acres additional and he now has fifteen acres of his place planted to apples, peaches, prunes and pears. He has been most successful in his fruit raising, studies everything that is detrimental or beneficial to the trees and, guarding against the former, utilizes the latter to the best possible advantage. His orchards are now

373

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

in excellent bearing condition and his fruit finds a ready and profitable sale on the market. His place is well improved with substantial buildings, including a fine residence and barn.

On the 1st of February, 1898, Mr. St. Aubin was married to Miss Ernestine Rabie, a daughter of Philemon and Angelina (Lefevre) Rabie, who in 1881 became residents of Crookston, Minnesota, and in 1901 arrived in the Moxee valley. The father purchased one hundred acres of land and thereon resided until his death. He passed away in Yakima, December 24, 1915, having retired there in 1910, and the mother is now living there. He was a prominent French farmer of this district. Mr. and Mrs. St. Aubin have become the parents of three children: Arthur, born February 17, 1899; Leona, November 4, 1909; and Hobart, born September 16, 1914.

Mr. St. Aubin and his family are all members of St. Joseph's Catholic church and he is loyal to its teachings. His success represents the fit utilization of the powers and talents with which nature endowed him. He has always wisely used his time and his talents and along the line of steady progression he has reached a place among the successful orchardists of the Selah valley.

AUGUST LIENKAEMPER.

A richly bearing orchard near Zillah stands as the visible evidence of the life work of August Lienkaemper, who was born in Lowell, Wisconsin, January 20, 1867, a son of Charles and Marguerite Lienkaemper. When our subject was but four years of age, in 1871, his parents removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, where the father continued in his life's vocation, being a minister in the Reformed church. He preached the Gospel in Iowa until he died, after which his widow removed to Frank- lin, Wisconsin, where she passed away.

August Lienkaemper was reared amid the influences of a refined household and in the acquirement of his education attended public schools in Iowa. After laying aside his textbooks he decided upon a trade as suitable to his tastes and talents and became a carpenter. Along that line he was quite successful in Michigan and Wis- consin and subsequently he followed farming for six years in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. In 1904 he came to Yakima county and here he bought ten acres of valuable land about two miles southeast of Zillah, which was then in alfalfa. Six acres of this tract he has transformed into a richly bearing orchard of apples and pears and here he has built a substantial home. He has ever followed the most progressive methods in his orcharding and has been successful in his enterprise.

In February, 1896, Mr. Lienkaemper was united in marriage to Miss Clara Schu- macher, a native of Wisconsin, and to this union have been born four children: Karl, who is ranching near his father's place; Arthur, who died at the age of fifteen years; Luella, at home; and Helen Marie, a babe of four months.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 44

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