History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 47

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 47
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 47
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 47

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Rufus Cooke was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended school near his father's ranch. He has given his attention largely to ranching and now has a valuable property, comprising two hundred and forty acres, which is mostly devoted to hay and grain. He has always followed modern and progressive methods and through industry and perseverance has become financially independent.

In 1889, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Della Fulton, a native of Idaho, who came to the Kittitas valley in 1884 with her parents, Frank and Belle (Clemmons) Fulton. Mrs. Cooke is a devoted member of the Chris- tian church.

Mr. Cooke is a democrat in his political affiliations, having always given his support to that party, in the principles of which he thoroughly believes are the best form of government. Although he has always aided movements undertaken for the public good and is ever ready to give financial support to anything that will promote the advancement of the Yakima valley, he has never aspired to public office, prefer- ring to do his duty as a citizen in a private capacity. Not only is he a descendant of one of the historic pioneer families of this region and is connected with another prominent family of equal distinction through his wife, but he is, moreover, today the oldest living native of Yakima and Kittitas counties. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the underlying principles of this organization guiding him to a large extent in his conduct toward his fellowmen. He has made many friends in and near Ellensburg and all who know him agree as to his high qualities of heart and mind.

NORMAN WOODHOUSE.

Norman Woodhouse, owning a valuable ranch near Wiley City, was born in Beaver county, Utah, January 13, 1861, a son of Charles C. and Sophia (Kershaw) Woodhouse. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, and it was his father who brought the family to the United States at an early date. They landed at New Orleans and later made their way northward to St. Louis, Missouri, where they lived for a number of years, and in fact the grandfather, who was a tailor by trade, passed away in that city. Charles C. Woodhouse, the father, was among the earliest of the emigrants to Utah. He made two trips across the plains and was engaged in ranching and in merchandising in that state, spending his last days in Beaver, Utah.

Norman Woodhouse acquired a public school education and his business train- ing was received in his father's store. In May, 1884, he came to Yakima county and purchased one hundred and thirty-four acres of land on the Ahtanum, known as the Olney ranch. This was one of the first settled ranches in the valley and upon it were found fine springs. He built a large and attractive residence, also substantial barns and added all the latest improved machinery and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. He engages in raising hay and grain and also conducts an extensive dairy business. He established one of the first cheese factories in the county. He keeps fine Holstein cattle and by reason of his well directed business interests has become one of the leading farmers of his section of the valley. In 1912

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he built a beautiful home at Wiley City and retired from the active work of the farm but still owns his ranch property and derives therefrom a substantial income. He is likewise the owner of the plant conducted under the name of the Woodhouse Telephone Company, which covers the Ahtanum valley and part of the Cowiche valley and Wide Hollow. He now supervises this telephone business and rents his ranch to his sons.

On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Woodhouse was married to Miss Isabella Wiley, a sister of James Wiley, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The children of this marriage are: Earl, who has a wife and resides upon the home farm; Myron, who is also upon the home ranch; and Clarke, who is with his parents and acts as manager of the telephone company.

Mr. Woodhouse votes with the republican party, of which he has always been a stalwart champion. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are people of the highest respectability. He has won a gratifying measure of suc- cess in the conduct of his business affairs since he became a pioneer rancher of his district. There have been no esoteric phases in his career. He has worked persist- ently and energetically, realizing that industry is the basis of all honorable success, and it has been by reason of his unwearied industry that he has gained his present creditable place as a substantial and prosperous business man of Wiley City.

J. EVERETT STEVENS.

J. Everett Stevens occupies a fine modern home, which was built in the spring of 1916 upon his ranch of ten acres in the Selah valley. Mr. Stevens is a western man and has spent his entire life upon the Pacific coast. He was born in Modoc county, California, March 17, 1882, a son of Ward S. and Martha J. (Dyke) Stevens, who were natives of Maine and of Illinois respectively. The father crossed the plains to California in 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, and later he returned to the east and brought his wife and family to California in 1852, making the long journey across the plains. He became a rancher and farmer of that district and continued his residence in the Golden state until 1916, when his labors were terminated in death. His wife also passed away in that year.

J. Everett Stevens, having acquired a public school education, engaged in ranch- ing with his father and also in mining for two years. In the spring of 1907 he went to Alaska and was identified with mining in the northwest until the fall of 1908. He did not meet with the success that he had anticipated, however, and believed that he would have better opportunities in Washington. Accordingly he made his way to Yakima county and purchased twenty acres of land in the Selah valley in connection with his brother-in-law, who later sold his holdings. Mr. Stevens now has ten acres, all planted to apples. In the spring of 1916 he built a fine modern residence upon this place. It is a very attractive home, light and airy and, conveniently arranged, and not the least of its pleasing features is its warm-hearted hospitality.

On the 14th of August, 1912. Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Leona Pearl Swank, who was born in New York, a daughter of Theodore and Minnie (Culver) Swank, the latter now deceased, while the former is living with Mr. and Mrs. Stevens.

Mr. Stevens belongs to Yakima Lodge No. 318, B. P. O. E., which has drawn its membership from the leading and valued citizens of this section of the state, being one of the strongest fraternal organizations of the entire valley.

BENJAMIN F. HUGGINS.

Benjamin F. Huggins, who is carrying on general farming near Yakima, was born in Washington county, New York, May 7. 1877, and acquired a public school education in his native state while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, John W. and Sarah Louise (Flack) Huggins. The mother died in the Empire state, while the father is now living in Iowa.

J. EVERETT STEVENS

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After mastering the common branches of learning in the public schools of New York, Benjamin F. Huggins became a pupil in the University of Denver at Denver, Colorado, in which he spent three years. He was afterward associated with the Rocky Mountain News of Denver, working in the press room and afterward in the circulation department. He has been a resident of the northwest since 1905, at which time he took up his abode in Lewiston, Idaho, where he engaged in the dairy busi- ness, there remaining until 1911. In that year he sold a half interest in the business and removed to Yakima valley, where he purchased one hundred acres of land two and a half miles south of the Yakima post office. He has since sold forty acres of his land, retaining possession of a sixty-acre tract, on which he is successfully en- gaged in the raising of hay and grain in connection with his dairy. He has one hundred cows for that purpose. Whatever he has undertaken has been carried for- ward to successful completion, but at the present time he prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon dairying and the raising of hay and cereals best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. His business affairs are capably and wisely directed and he has become numbered among the men of affluence in his locality.

On the 30th of November, 1912, Mr. Huggins was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Gertrude Armstrong, a native of Lewiston, Idaho, and a daughter of James L. Arm- strong, who was one of the pioneers of that state. Her father is a well known sheep rancher and business man and also figures prominently in public affairs, serving at the present time as county assessor. To Mr. and Mrs. Huggins have been born four chil- dren: Mary Louise, Gladys Eleanor, Margaret and John Douglas.

Mr. Huggins belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also has membership with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and he is a loyal adherent of the principles of these societies. His wife is a member of the Christian Science church. In his political views Mr. Huggins maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He is, however, never remiss in the duties of citizenship but has ever supported measures which have had to do with the prog- ress and upbuilding of this section of the country and has at the same time carefully and wisely directed his individual affairs, so that he has become one of the success- ful men of his community.

ELIJAH P. SANFORD.

Elijah P. Sanford is one of the best known and prominent representatives of extensive ranching and stock raising interests in Yakima county. His business activi- ties have been most wisely directed and success in substantial measure has crowned his labors. Mr. Sanford is a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, born March 22, 1840. He is a son of Sylvester and Nancy (Cahoon) Sanford, who in the year 1844 left the Buckeye state and removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where their remain- ing days were passed.

Elijah P. Sanford acquired a meagre public school education and in 1858 he went to Iowa, while later he became a resident of Illinois and of Minnesota. From the latter state he crossed the plains in 1862, being with the first train to make the trip north of the Missouri river. At length, after a long and arduous trip, they reached the Pacific coast and spent the first winter in Oregon. Later he removed to the Gallatin valley and there remained until 1869, after which he returned to Wis- consin, where he spent another winter. He later removed to Dekalb county, Mis- souri, and there lived for twenty-two years, being actively engaged during that period in the live stock business. In 1893 Mr. Sanford arrived in the Yakima valley and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles southeast of Yakima. Throughout the intervening period he has been extensively and successfully engaged in the live stock business, handling sheep, horses, cattle and hogs. He also has a fine ranch on the Moxee and he owns and leases several thousand acres of range land, on which he pastures his fine Red Polled cattle. He has come to be recognized as an authority upon anything relating to stock raising and is regarded as one of the leading stock men of the valley. He has had long experience in this connection

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and has ever made it his purpose to employ the most progressive methods in the care of his stock and in the development of his herds.

In 1882 Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Miss Grace Doughty, who was born in Illinois but removed to Missouri, where their marriage was celebrated. They have become the parents of four children: Clara, who is at home; Lucy, deceased; Albert E., who is engaged in the live stock business with his father; and L. H., who is also at home and is the active assistant of his father in business. Mrs. Sanford is a member of the Methodist church and a lady of many attractive attributes of character. Mr. Sanford gives his political endorsement to the republican party but has never sought or desired office, although he is ever loyal to any cause which he espouses. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons as a member of Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M .; and Yakima Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M. In his work in the west he has displayed the same pioneering spirit which took both his paternal and maternal grandparents from New York to Ohio when that district was situated upon the western frontier and later to Wisconsin when it was upon the far west- ern border. Mr. Sanford sought the opportunities offered in a new country and as the years have gone by his success has proven the wisdom of his course, both as to the selection of a place of residence and the selection of a business.

FRED LINIGER.

Switzerland has furnished many valuable citizens to the United States and among the number is Fred Liniger, who was born January 27, 1867, in the land of the Alps. He is now a successful agriculturist on the Tieton, owning twenty aeres of valuable land, largely devoted to hay, potatoes and grain, while he also does some orchard- ing. His parents were Frederick and Selma Liniger, both now deceased. The father followed agricultural pursuits as well as stock dealing throughout his life and also successfully engaged in the meat business.

In 1886 at the age of nineteen, Fred Liniger arrived in the United States and for seventeen years was successfully engaged in farming in Allegan county, Michigan, at the end of which period, or in 1903, he came to Yakima county. He bought fifteen acres of land on the Moxee, which he sold in 1911, and purchased twenty acres on the Tieton, which property he has since greatly improved. He raises hay, potatoes and grain and also has one acre in orchard. A substantial farmhouse as well as other suitable buildings stand as a monument to his thrift and industry.

On the 4th of March, 1893, Mr. Liniger was united in marriage to Mary Plosted, a native of Germany, who at the age of ten years was brought to the United States and passed her girlhood in Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Liniger were born six chil- dren: Clara, the wife of Otto Precious, who is with the British army in France; Alice, the wife of Albert Beddo, a resident of Yakima; Mabel, who resided with her sister Clara in Seattle; and Nellie, Reuben and Gilbert, all at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Liniger are devoted members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, to which they are ever ready to give assistance. In his political affiliations Mr. Liniger is independent, voting for the man whom he considers best fitted for the office to which he aspires. He has many friends in his neighborhood, all of whom are agreed as to his high qualities of heart and mind.

JOHN J. KOWALSKY.

One of the hospitable and really accommodating hostelries of Benton county is the Palace Hotel of Prosser, which has gained its reputation largely under the able management of its present lessee, John J. Kowalsky. It is a favorite stopping place for all those who come to the city or pass through here and many make it a point to enjoy its homelike comforts even if only for a few hours. It is thoroughly modern in all respects and provides everything for the convenience of guests that may be expected of a good hotel in a small town. The building was erected in 1909 by George

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Finn, who in 1916 sold out to the Prosser Investment Company. In 1914 the hotel was leased by John J. Kowalsky, who has since remained its able manager and who in 1917 also leased the Kemp building. The hotel now has sixty rooms, all modernly furnished and fitted with up-to-date conveniences for the guests. In connection with the hotel he conducts a first class cafe, which enjoys quite a reputation for its high class cuisine. While offering his guests the best food obtainable, Mr. Kowalsky has succeeded in keeping down the prices within a reasonable limit, contenting himself with a moderate profit, and thereby his dining establishment has gained a large patronage.

Mr. Kowalsky is a Wisconsin man, having been born in Milwaukee in 1879, and is a son of John Frank and Mary Kowalsky, who were among the pioneers of Mil- waukee. The father, who was engaged in a private banking business, has now passed away, but the mother still survives. Mr. Kowalsky of this review received his education in the public schools of his native city and subsequently was connected with the jewelry business. Later he studied medicine for a time and then decided upon a trip to Australia but while on the way to the Antipodes stopped off in Wash- ington. Being very favorably impressed with the opportunities offered in this new state, he remained in Seattle for three years and then went to Alaska, where he spent one year. He has traveled all over the western coast and also over Montana and Wyoming and has done much work along the line of advertising western lands in the east. Upon coming to Prosser he leased the Palace Hotel and has been here ever since. Under his able management the hotel has become widely known and it now furnishes him a gratifying source of income. He is a man of pronounced business ability and well understands the wants of the public, having acquired broad ex- perience owing to his wide travels, and makes an ideal host to all who partake of his hospitality.

On the 2d of July, 1915, Mr. Kowalsky was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Cutting and they have a daughter, Margaret Mary. He is a member of Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B. P. O. E., and also belongs to the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the United Commerical Travelers. He has always taken a most active part in the growth and development of the city which is now his residence and in many ways has given positive evidence of his interest. He laid out the high school park for Prosser and was among the most ardent of those who promoted the movement for its establish- ment. Mr. Kowalsky has some highly improved land near Prosser and also owns an attractive garden in the city. In his political affiliations he is a republican.

CHARLES C. MARTEL.

One of the enterprising commercial interests of Toppenish is the drug store of Charles C. Martel, whose eastern training has found scope in the opportunities of the west. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 14th of February, 1873, a son of Edward and Zoe (Maynard) Martel. He is a representative of one of the old colonial families established in Massachusetts at an early period in the develop- ment of that state. The father was also a druggist and passed away in the year 1908. The mother has likewise departed this life.

Charles C. Martel was "to the manner born" inasmuch as from early boyhood he was practically in his father's store when not in school and picked up much valn- able knowledge concerning the drug trade. He did not regard this as sufficient, how- ever, to qualify him for a business career of that character and received thorough scientific training in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1911. He spent his early manhood as a clerk in the drug stores of Boston and other New England cities and in 1909 came to Washington, going first to Tacoma. In the same year, however, he came to Toppenish and purchased the drug store of R. H. Brown, since which time he has successfully carried on the busi- ness. He now has a well appointed and well equipped drug store, carrying a full line of drugs and druggists' sundries, and the neat and tasteful arrangement of his place, his reliable business methods and his progressive spirit have proven potent elements in the upbuilding of a business of gratifying proportions.

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Mr. Martel is a prominent Mason, belonging to Toppenish Lodge, No. 178, A. F. & A. M .; Yakima Council, No. 21, R. A. M .; Yakima Commandery, No. 31, K. T .; and Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Tacoma. He also has membership in the Elks lodge, No. 318, of Yakima, and is identified with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a republican and he belongs to the Toppenish Commercial Club, cooperating in all of the purposes and plans of that organization for the upbuilding of the city, the extension of its business relations and the upholding of its civic standards.

A. A. BOGGESS.

A. A. Boggess is numbered among those enterprising farmers who have accom- plished notable results in the production of crops to which they have turned their attention. Mr. Boggess is especially well known because of the fine corn which he has raised upon his ranch in the Yakima valley. He now occupies an attractive home, supplied with all modern conveniences, and has won success by reason of close application and honorable dealing. He was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, November 8, 1853, a son of William S. and Melissa (Robey) Boggess, who were likewise natives of West Virginia. The father was a son of Samuel Boggess, who was born in the same state and was a representative of one of the old southern families. William S. Boggess removed to Tennessee in his later life and there passed away in February, 1917, but his wife died in West Virginia. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family.

At the usual age A. A. Boggess became a public school pupil and when his text- books were put aside he took up farming in West Virginia and was thus engaged until April 20, 1906, when he arrived in Yakima county, Washington. The opportu- nities of the northwest had long been an attraction to him and at lengeth he deter- mined to try his fortune in this section of the country. He purchased five acres of land two and a half miles south of Yakima and has built thereon a fine residence of cement blocks. His home contains eight rooms and is supplied with hot and cold water, electric lights and all modern conveniences. There are beautiful shade trees upon the place, including one beautiful old maple that is over seventy feet across its branches. This is the finest shade tree in Yakima county. In addition to his home place Mr. Boggess purchased other tracts of land which he has sold, and by reason of his judicious investments has been able to realize considerable profits on his sales. He has his land planted to fruit and alfalfa and he has also won a well deserved rep- utation for the fine corn which he has raised.

On the 20th of March, 1871, Mr. Boggess was united in marriage to Miss Louisa R. Robinson, a daughter of John R. and Caroline (Boggess) Robinson, who were representatives of old southern families of West Virginia, who were established for more than a hundred years near Clarksburg, that state. Mr. Boggess was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1917, her death occurring on the 13th of July. By their marriage they had become the parents of the following named: Clinton T., who is now a teacher in West Liberty, West Virginia, is married and has one child; Melissa is the wife of Clarence Starcher, a fruit grower of Yakima, and has four children; Dalton A., a fruit grower of Yakima county, has a wife and two children, a son and a daughter; Lena M., is the wife of William B. Lawson, of West Virginia, and has two children; Homer is a fruit grower of Yakima county, who is married and has two children; D. R. resides near Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife and two daughters; Olney is a surveyor of Yakima county and has a wife and two chil- dren: Guy is engaged in ranching in Wyoming and is married but has no children; Vance, residing in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is married and has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Boggess reared an adopted son, Roy, who is now engaged in ranching in Yakima county.

While in West Virginia Mr. and Mrs. Boggess were members of the United Brethren church and after coming to the northwest united with the Methodist church. He has been Sunday school superintendent for many years and has never failed in attendance at the Sunday school for nine years. In recognition of his work the church presented him with a fine gold medal. In politics he is a prohibitionist and throughout his entire life he has stood stanchly for the right. He has never

A. A. BOGGESS

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been in a saloon, a picture show or a theatre, to a baseball game, to a horse race or a dance and has never used tobacco. Not one man in a million has such a record. While in West Virginia he was a member of the Grange and he now belongs to the Yakima County Horticultural Union. He has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and has a splendidly improved farm property, while the hospitality of his fine home is greatly enjoyed by his many friends owing to his charming southern personality.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 47

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