History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 50

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 50
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 50
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 50

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Mr. Walters married Miss Nettie Gulick, of Kansas, who has passed away, leaving a daughter, Edna Fay, who is at home. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Walters wedded her twin sister, Miss Rettie Gulick, and they have three children: Dorothy, Eugene and Stanley.

Mr. and Mrs. Walters and their children are members of the Congregational church and guide their lives according to its teachings. They are people of genuine worth to whom the hospitality of the best homes of the community is freely extended. In politics Mr. Walters is a republican. He stands behind all projects of progressive citizenship and is interested in everything that pertains to the public welfare. For more than a quarter of a century he has been a resident of the northwest and through- out this entire period has been identified with sheep raising interests and with other features of agricultural life. Step by step he has advanced and his career illustrates the opportunities that are open to all, for there have been no spectacular phases in his career and no unusual chances; but by persistent effort he has won success and the enterprise and integrity of his methods have constituted the basis of his contin- ited progress.

OLUF S. HANSEN.

Oluf S. Hansen, a prominent orchardist living in the vicinity of Yakima, was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, January 18, 1864, a son of Christopher and Betsy (Moen) Hansen, who were natives of the Land of the Midnight Sun. They came to the United States as young people and were married on this side of the Atlantic, the wedding being celebrated in Iowa. They lived in Mitchell county throughout their

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remaining days and the father was the first wagon maker of that county. In addi- tion to following his trade he also owned and operated a fine farm.

Oluf S. Hansen acquired a public school education in Iowa and in 1886 went to North Dakota, where he was employed as a farm hand for a year. He then took up · government land and began the occupation of farming on his own account. He secured six hundred and forty acres of fine land in that state and successfully con- tinued its development and improvement for a number of years. He was also iden- tified with commercial pursuits, owning a general merchandise store at Wyndmere, North Dakota.

In 1905 Mr. Hansen arrived in Yakima and the following year purchased twenty acres of land two miles south of the city. Soon after this he disposed of his interests in North Dakota and also sold a ranch which he owned in Canada. He has eighteen acres planted to orchard, making a specialty of apples and pears, of which he pro- duces splendid crops. He also has planted alfalfa between the trees. He has greatly improved his ranch, upon which are now found a substantial residence and good barns. Everything is kept in excellent condition, the buildings are well painted and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of a practical and pro- gressive owner.

In February, 1886, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Kate May Faville, a sister of E. E. Faville, the editor of the Western Farmer. She passed away October 30, 1908. The children of this marriage are: Grace C., now the wife of Lee Johnston, a resident of Yakima county; and Frank, who resides in Seattle. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Hansen was married in January, 1910, to Miss Emma L. Remquist, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Fraternally Mr. Hansen is connected with Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M., and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party. He belongs to the Yakima County Horticultural Union and is interested in everything that has to do with fruit growing interests in this section. He met with many discouraging circumstances during the first few years of his residence in this part of the state, but persevering in the face of obstacles and difficulties, he has now developed one of the leading fruit ranches of the valley and is an enthusiastic champion of this section of the state and its opportunities. Moreover, his sterling worth, his determined nature and his many excellent qualities have gained for him the respect and goodwill of all.

HUGH STUART.

Hugh Stuart has passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey but is still actively identified with horticultural interests in Yakima county. He was born in Ontario, Canada, November 10, 1847, a son of Alexander and Margaret (Crawford) Stuart, the latter a native of Ontario, while the former was born in Ireland but was of Scotch parentage. He crossed the Atlantic to Canada in 1830 and resided for more than a third of a century in that country. In 1864, however, he became a resident of Michigan, where he followed the carpenter's trade, being busily identified with build- ing operations in that state to the time of his death. His wife passed away in Ontario.

Hugh Stuart acquired a public school education and in early life learned the carpenter's trade with his father. Through the winter months he worked in the logging camps, and advancing in that connection, became a logging contractor. He devoted his energies to that pursuit until 1891, when he made his way to the north- west. On reaching the Yakima valley he entered the employ of the Sunnyside Ditch Company and afterward wisely invested his earnings in land. He first bought, ten acres on the Moxee, which he planted to hops, but that proved an unprofitable ven- ture. He then again took up carpentering and bridge building and later he planted some hop vineyards but in that undertaking lost three hundred and fifty dollars. Un- discouraged, however, he tried again, renting twenty-six acres of land, and on this occasion his losses amounted to three thousand dollars. He was by this time con-

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vinced that hop-raising was not the vocation for which nature intended him. Again he followed carpentering and bridge building, taking contract work until 1907, when he proved up on a homestead in Stevens county, Washington, which he sold in 1907. In 1901 he had purchased eighty acres of land two and a half miles east of Yakima before the water was on it. In 1902 the Selah-Moxee canal was built and his ranch was then well irrigated. He improved the tract of eighty acres, bringing it to a high point of productivity, and later he sold sixty acres. He has planted eighteen acres of the remainder to fruit and upon the place has built a fine home.

In 1871 Mr. Stuart was married to Miss Margaret Mckay, a native of England but of Scotch parentage. She is a daughter of John McKay, who served in the Ninety-second Highlanders for twenty-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuart have been born five children, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of W. C. Stayt, a resident of Yakima county; W. A., an attorney residing in Chicago, Illinois; Edith Alberta, who died at the age of two years: John E., at home; and Eva May, the wife of J. H. Campbell.

In politics Mr. Stuart maintains an independent course, nor has he ever sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. Although obstacles and difficulties have at times confronted him in his career he has steadily worked his way upward and is now the owner of an excellent fruit ranch in the Yakima valley.

JOHN H. MIDDENDORF.

Among the prosperous agriculturists of Kittitas county is numbered John H. Middendorf, who owns a productive, modern and up-to-date ranch about ten miles northeast of Ellensburg. This is under a high state of cultivation and from it he re- ceives a gratifying income. Mr. Middendorf was born in New York city, September 13, 1869, a son of Herman and Katie (Sturgens) Middendorff, both of whom became residents of New York in their childhood and were natives of Germany. The father was only fourteen years of age when he came to this country and was largely in- fluenced in his decision by the view which he and his family took in regard to the military laws then maintaining in Germany. Having made his way to America, Mr. Middendorf went to the middle west and began his independent career by working as a farm hand, thus acquiring the means which permitted him later to engage in the grocery and milk business. In 1872 he took his family to Scott county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and there he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in June, 1898. His widow surviving him for about two years, passed away in 1900.

John H. Middendorf received his education in New York city and began his in- dependent career in connection with the grocery business, working for his uncle for five years. Later he farmed in Illinois for about nine years, or until 1908, in which year he came to Kittitas county, taking up his residence in Ellensburg, where he re- mained for eighteen months. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land about ten miles northeast of the city and has since resided upon this farm, which is in a high state of cultivation and improved with modern buildings. Some time ago he sold eighty acres of his property but is still giving his undivided attention to the remaining portion.

On February 8, 1898, Mr. Middendorf was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bur- bank, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret Burbank, the latter a native of Illinois. Both became pioneers of Kansas and are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Middendorf have been born two children, a son and a daughter: Russell B., who is nineteen years of age; and Edith Margaret, aged seventeen.

Mr. Middendorf and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination they are devoted and to which he readily gives his financial support. In his political views he is a democrat but has never sought nor desired public office although he has served for six years as a school director, the cause of education always finding in him an earnest champion. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Middendorf has many friends in Ellensburg and vicinity, all of whom speak of him

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in terms of high regard, admiring him not only for what he has achieved in life but also on account of those qualities of character which have made possible his suc- cess. He is a man of his word who conscientiously fulfills all of his obligations toward his fellowmen and who holds the bonds of friendship inviolable.

ARCHIE M. PADELFORD.

The attractive home of Archie M. Padelford is situated a mile and a half east of Sunnyside, where in 1903 he and his father purchased sixty acres of land. He was born in Minnesota, March 10, 1887, a son of Manley and Roxie (Rhodes) Padelford, who are natives of New York but became pioneer residents of Minnesota, the father there following the occupation of farming. In the year 1901 the entire family left the middle west and made their way to the Pacific coast, settling at Portland, Oregon, where they lived until 1903 and then came to Yakima county, Washington, at which time Archie M. Padelford and his father purchased sixty acres of land a mile and a half east of Sunnyside. They have built a fine new house and barns and have added many modern equipments and accessories to the place, utilizing the latest improved machinery in the development of the fields. Archie M. Padelford cultivates the ranch and is annually raising good crops of hay, potatoes, corn and sugar beets.

On the 2d of February, 1912, Mr. Padelford was married to Miss Ida Oswalt, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Franklin Oswalt, who is now engaged in ranching near Mabton, having come to Washington in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Padelford now have four children, namely: Bessie, Florence, Emily and Ferne.

In his political views Mr. Padelford is a republican but without ambition for office. His entire time and attention are concentrated upon his ranching interests and he is regarded as one of the energetic and progressive young farmers of his section of the state, wisely and successfully directing his interests.

ASA VAN VLECK.

Asa Van Vleck, who is engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres of land on Naches Heights, has always lived in the northwest and is actuated by the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in Bear Lake county, Idaho, January 13, 1893, and is therefore a young man, but the success he has already achieved indicates that his future career will be well worth watching. His parents were Thomas and Agnes (Hards) Van Vleck, both of whom were natives of England. The mother's birth occurred in Kent, England, while the father was born in South Staffordshire. Thomas Van Vleck came to the northwest in 1884, taking up his abode in Idaho, in which state he wedded Agnes Hards. The latter was a daughter of George Hards, who arrived in Yakima county in the early '70s, after residing for a time in Idaho. He was a florist and continued to reside in Yakima to the time of his death, which occurred in 1918. He was one of the real pioneers of the valley and contributed in no small measure to its development and improvement. Charles Simpson, an uncle of Asa Van Vleck, was also one of the worthy pioneers of Yakima county. His father, Thomas Van Vleck, removed from Idaho to Alberta, Canada, in 1900 and there took up a homestead. His death occurred on the 20th of August, 1911. His widow is still living in Alberta.

Asa Van Vleck accompanied his parents to Canada, acquired a public school education there and afterward engaged in farming with his father until December, 1915, when he purchased thirty acres of land near Harwood, Washington. He owned and developed that property until 1918, when he and his brother Amos purchased eighty acres of land on Naches Heights. Of this they have sixty acres under culti- vation, devoted to the raising of hay and potatoes. They annually gather large crops and their efforts are greatly enhancing the fertility of the soil and the value of the place.

MR. AND MRS. MANLEY PADELFORD

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On the 12th of October, 1918, Mr. Van Vleck was married to Miss Annie Cur- nock, of Vancouver, British Columbia, a daughter of Dudley Curnock. Politically Mr. Van Vleck is a republican and is interested in matters of general concern but has never been an aspirant for office. He concentrates his efforts and energies upon his business affairs and has reached a most creditable position for one of his years. He works steadily and persistently nor is he afraid of hard labor. On the contrary, he recognizes the truth of the old Greek adage. "Earn thy reward; the gods give nought to sloth," and he is putting forth every effort to make for himself a creditable name and place as one of the ranchmen of the Yakima valley.

JAMES E. DAVIS.

James E. Davis, who is successfully engaged in the cultivation of forty acres of land on the Cowiche, which he owns, was born in Howard county, Kansas, on the 22d of December, 1881, a son of Isaac and Catherine Davis, both of whom were natives of Illinois. After living in that state for a number of years they removed west- ward, becoming pioneers of Kansas. They established their home in Howard county, where they lived for some time, but in 1888 they left that section of the country and made their way to Yakima county, Washington. The father took up a homestead claim on the Cowiche and with characteristic energy began its development and im- provement. Year after year his land was more highly cultivated and as time passed on Mr. Davis became the owner of a well improved ranch, which continued to be his place of residence until his demise. He died in March, 1918, but the mother sur- vives and resides in Yakima. Mr. Davis had become one of the prosperous ranchers of the community and was widely and favorably known.

James E. Davis is indebted to the public school system of the state for the edu- cational opportunities which he enjoyed and when his textbooks were put aside he engaged in ranching with his father, working for wages. Later he purchased his farm but eventually sold this and bought forty acres adjoining the old home place. He is successfully engaged in the production of hay and potatoes and he is also devoting considerable time to the raising of cattle and other live stock, both branches of his business proving profitable.

On the 14th of February, 1905, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Field, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of George and Susan Field. The chil- dren of this marriage are six in number: Kenneth Edward, Charles Noble, Clifford Earl, Alfred Clinton, Leonard LeRoy and Myrtle Luella. In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Davis is found as a stanch supporter of the republican party. His attention and efforts, however, are concentrated upon his business affairs and he has won a creditable place among the leading farmers of his community.

OSCAR R. SCHUMANN.

Oscar R. Schumann, filling the office of prosecuting attorney at Yakima, was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, August 31, 1885, a son of Ferdinand C. and Bertha Schumann, the former a farmer of Wisconsin. Oscar R. Schumann, in the acquire- ment of his education, attended the high school at Beaver Dam and following his graduation there became a student in the School of Law of Valparaiso University in Indiana, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. He then came to Yakima and in April, 1907, entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has since been active. His ability in this direction suggested him for the office of prosecuting attorney, to which he was elected in November, 1916, and in January, 1917, he assumed the duties of the position for a term of two years. In November, 1918, he was reelected to the office for a two-year term. He had previously served as deputy prosecuting attorney for five and a half years and had made an excellent record in' that connection.

On the 6th of August, 1914, Mr. Schumann was united in marriage to Miss Irma (15)

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Lum, of Yakima, who is a graduate of the Ellensburg ( Wash.) Normal School and is a lady of culture as well as liberal education. By her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter, Roberta.

Fraternally Mr. Schumann is connected with the Knights of Pythias and has filled all of the chairs in his lodge. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles. He belongs to the English Lutheran church and along the line of his profession his membership 'relations are with the County Bar Association and the State Bar Association. Thoroughly im- bued with the enterprising spirit of the west, he stands for progress and improvement and is making steady advancement in his profession.

ALEXANDER TAYLOR.

Alexander Taylor is living in Yakima but is still the owner of valuable ranch property and employs a number of men in the conduct of his farming and stock-rais- ing interests. He was born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, on the 1st of February, 1872, and is a son of William and Jane (Copeland) Taylor. The father was a stock- man but both he and his wife have now passed away.

The son pursued his education in the schools of Scotland and was a young man of twenty-four years when in 1896 he arrived in Yakima. Later he made his way to the Sound country, where he remained for a year, but on the expiration of that period returned to the Yakima valley and became identified with the sheep industry in 1900. He has since developed his interests to large proportions, having about ten thousand head of sheep at the present time. He ranges in the hills of Wenas, Blewett Pass and other districts. He has also purchased the Parker ridge for a winter range and he leases from four to five townships of land for a winter range, besides owning several sections. Since July, 1905, he has made his home in Yakima and from this city directs his business interests. He employs from fifteen to twenty-five men throughout the year. He has altogether five different ranches and his proper- ties are very valuable and well equipped. On them are found substantial buildings and a spirit of progressiveness and enterprise characterizes the different places. Mr. Taylor gives to these his personal supervision, directing the efforts of his men, and his sound judgment is manifest in the excellent results secured.

In 1904 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Annie Smith, also a native of Kin- cardineshire, Scotland, and they have become the parents of three children: Jessie Jane, William James and Allister Robert. In his political views Mr. Taylor has been a republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He and his family occupy a beautiful home in Yakima which stands in the midst of five acres of land, beautifully adorned with trees and shrubs. His record is indeed a creditable one, showing what may be accomplished by persistent effort. He came to the new world empty-handed, but by judicious investment and indefatigable energy he has steadily advanced until he is today one of the men of affluence in the Yakima valley.

FRANK H. GILBERT.

Frank H. Gilbert, a successful and leading orchardist near Tieton, in the Yakima' valley, comes of a family that has a long and distinguished war record. His ances- tors participated in the Revolutionary war, the War of 1912 and the Civil war, in which three members of the family fought on the Union side. He was born in Steuben county, New York, June 11, 1852, his parents being Joseph and Esther (Gil- hert) Gilbert, natives of Ontario county, New York. The Gilberts were among the earliest families to settle in America, having come to this country in the same year the Mayflower brought the Pilgrims, from England. The great-grandfather, Thomas Gilbert, participated in the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather. Franklin Gil-

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bert, took part in the War of 1812. Joseph Gilbert, the father of our subject, defended the cause of the Union in the Civil war, as did two brothers of our subject. The father was a teacher and later gave his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1852 he made his way from the Empire state to Wisconsin, remaining there four years, at the end of which period he returned to New York, where he lived until 1862. He then returned to Wisconsin, being a resident of Green county until 1876. He next removed to Oregon, that state, where he was connected with agricultural pursuits until 1884. In that year he and his family, including our subject, removed to Barren county, Wisconsin, which remained his home until death claimed him. His wife has also passed away.

Frank H. Gilbert was reared amid farm surroundings and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of New York and Wisconsin. He then turned his attention to the carpenter's trade and became a successful contractor in Wisconsin. He also owned farms, having invested his earnings in land. In 1909 he came to Yakima county and acquired title to ten acres of valuable land on the Tie- ton which at that time, however, was all sagebrush. Two years later he located on this ranch and planted it to apples and pears. He has since brought this prop- certy to a high state of cultivation, making many improvements, and now derives a very gratifying income therefrom in return for his industry and foresight. He has erected suitable buildings, including a handsome farm residence, and his property is now considered one of the most valuable in his part of the valley.

On May 5, 1872, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Clara L. Tait, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Tait. To this union were born seven children, of whom two are deceased. The others are as follows: Roy, a successful rancher, who has a half interest in the ten-acre fruit farm of his father, is married and has four children; J. W., managing editor of the Post-Intelli- gencer of Seattle, is married and has two children; Edith is the wife of H. E. Beck- with, by whom she has one child, and they reside at Chetek, Wisconsin; Percy, who is serving as secretary of the Industrial Insurance Commission, resides at Olympia with his wife and two children; Kenneth, city editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, is married and has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert take an active part in the social life of their community and ever exert their efforts in order to bring about uplift and improvement along various lines which make for a higher plane of humanity.

In his political affiliations Mr. Gilbert is a democrat and fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge. He is likewise identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mystic Workers, the hon- orable and brotherly principles underlying these organizations guiding him in his conduct toward his fellowmen. At present he is not connected with any public office hut while a resident of Wisconsin served as secretary of the local board of education. He is enterprising and progressive and gives his aid readily to worthy measures in order to promote development and advancement. He does not regard party issues as of paramount importance, but supports measures and candidates that he deems of the greatest value. Along his line of occupation he is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union, through which association he often receives valuable information by the interchange of opinions with other members, thus bringing fruit- raising efforts to a higher and more productive stage. There is great credit duc Mr. Gilbert for what he has achieved, as he is in the best sense of the word a self-made man who has attained his substantial position in life entirely through his own efforts. He has many friends in Tieton and vicinity who appreciate him as an upright, re- liable and enterprising man.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 50

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