History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 53

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 53
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 53
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 53

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A. Z. Case, Sr., spent the first ten years of his life in Keokuk county, where he began his education. He then proceeded with his father to Kansas hut afterward went to Texas and later retraced his steps to Iowa. In 1880 he took up his residence in Missouri, which state remained his home until 1883, when he again removed to Kansas. Three years were spent in the Sunflower state at this time and in 1886 he once more went to Missouri, where he remained until 1888. In that year he came

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to the state of Washington, making his home in Snohomish for a time, and then re- moving to Salem, Oregon, where he remained from 1890 until 1896. In the latter year he came to Yakima county and settled near Outlook, where he gave his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1899 he proceeded to Adams county, Washington, and there he located on a homestead, upon which he continued until 1907, when he opened a harness shop in Franklin county, but remained owner of his farm. In 1909 he traded his homestead for land located five miles from Sunnyside, and in March, 1912, he opened a harness shop in that city, which he sold in 1919. The farm is devoted to diversified farming.

On March 1, 1882, Mr. Case was united in marriage to Eliney J. Buzzard, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Len Buzzard of Virginia. To this union were born seven children, namely: Eliney L., who married Roy McChesney, of Adams county, Wash- ington; D. Susan, the wife of C. C. Rouse, a resident of Sunnyside; A. Z., Jr., who is a successful farmer residing at Mountain Home, Idaho; John L., whose home is in Sunnyside; Ida, who married Julius Christianson, of Prosser, this state; Elbert L., who is serving his country as a member of the United States cavalry; and Clarence yet at home. The family are highly respected in the Yakima Valley where they have many friends.

Mr. Case is a republican in his political affiliations and the religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church. He is a member of the Commercial Club, readily cooperating in all of its projects and he belongs also to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Modern Woodmen.

JOSEPH FESER.

Joseph Feser makes his home in Fruitvale, where he has an excellent ranch of twenty-seven and a half acres devoted to the raising of various kinds of fruit. He also has other property interests, including eighty acres in the Moxee valley and valuable mine holdings in the Cascades, and in the management of his business affairs he displays sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise. He was born in Germany, April 24, 1864, a son of Gregor and Philippina (Bauknecht) Feser, who came to the United States in 1881, settling at Independence, Ohio. They resided there for three years and then removed to Glen Ullin, North Dakota. Both Joseph Feser and his father took up homestead and preemption claims there and resided in that section of the country until 1899, when they sold their property in North Dakota and came to Yakima county. The father purchased ten acres of land in Fruitvale and Joseph Feser bought one hundred and sixty acres in the Moxee valley. He afterward dis- posed of that property, however, and invested in ten acres in Fruitvale. He and his father also purchased forty acres on Nob Hill, which later they sold. They both improved the Fruitvale ranches and became well known in connection with the development of horticultural interests in this section of the state. The father dis- posed of his property in 1912, selling his ranch to his son Joseph, after which he removed to Oregon, where he is now living at the ripe old age of eighty-three. His wife passed away in 1915.

Joseph Feser received thorough business training under his father's direction and they were associated more or less closely in business affairs for many years. At length purchasing his father's land, the son has since added thereto until he now "has twenty-seven and a half acres in Fruitvale, constituting one of the valuable fruit ranches of the Yakima valley. The entire place is planted to fruit and he has in his orchards splendid apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry trees which bring forth fruit in abundance. Upon this place he has made all of the improvements himself, having never employed a carpenter as he is a mechanic of no mean ability. Mr. Feser also owns an eighty acre tract of land in the Moxee valley and has heavily invested in mining projects in the Cascade mountains. These properties are of a high order and are not only confidently looked upon by the stockholders but deserve the encour- agement of the state at large and especially of the people of Yakima since these holdings are located practically at their front door.

On the 28th of October, 1890, Mr. Feser was married to Miss Julia Geck, who

JOSEPH FESER

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was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents, the family settling in Detroit, Michigan, in 1881 and subsequently removing to North Dakota. Mrs. Feser passed away September 23, 1898. The children of that marriage are as follows: Anna Julia, who was born February 7, 1892, and is the wife of Frank Abhold, a rancher of the Yakima valley, by whom she has four children, a son and three daughters: Margaret Katherin, who was born April 25, 1893, and is the wife of Mr. Joseph Rochel, a rancher living on Nob Hill; Joseph John, who was born November 24, 1894, and is at home; and Lawrence Francis, who was born June 28, 1897, and is also at home. Mr. Feser was again married January 7, 1899, his second nnion being with Margaretha Lutz, who was born at Torontal Setchany, Austria-Hungary, March 9,. 1883. They became the parents of three children but all have passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Feser are communicants of St. Paul's Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. Hle concentrates his activities and interests upon his business affairs and he is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and of the Yakima Commercial Club. Every phase of the development and · progress of fruit raising in this section is familiar to him and he has kept in the vanguard with those who have been the leaders in the advancement of horticultural interests in this section of the state.

MORAND D. COOKE.

One of the most successful and prosperous ranch owners of Kittitas county is Morand Deliss Cooke, who has witnessed the entire growth of the Yakima valley, as this section was yet untouched by man's labor when he arrived, while today it is one of the richest agricultural districts of the state. Mr. Cooke is now considered one of the most prosperous farmers in his vicinity, having many acres in hay and grain and also giving considerable attention to stock raising, ranging over seven hundred head of cattle.

He was born in Polk county, Oregon, November 27, 1855, and is a son of Charles P. and Susan E. (Vander Cooke) Cooke, honored pioneers of Oregon. In 1849 the father made the long trip to California, where he expected to profit through gold mining, but soon thereafter removed to Oregon. Both he and his wife were born in Ohio. He had enlisted from Ohio for service in the Mexican war, serving in that conflict with the rank of lieutenant. Mrs. Charles P. Cooke had removed to Oregon in 1850, by the overland route, the family locating in Independence. The father of onr subject was for many years a successful farmer in that state, having taken up a preemption claim. In 1867, however, he came to Yakima county, Washington, where for three years he farmed on the Moxee, at the end of which period he removed to the Kittitas valley, where the Cooke family was the third to settle. Wild game was plentiful at this time and many Indians were yet roaming the wilds. Cariboo creek then had the name of Salaham and Cooke creek was called Pachunme, while Cole- man creek had the name of Altapus creek and Wilson creek that of Nannm creek. Those were the original appellations and the creeks have since been renamed. In their part of the valley the Cooke family were the first settlers, although there were two families living at some distance away. With them they brought one hundred and seventy-five head of cattle and the father became one of the large cattle raisers here. In the early days all the supplies had to be bronght from The Dalles, a long journey of about two hundred and twenty-five miles. This hazardous trip was under- taken every fall and enough provisions were brought in to last for a year. At that time the cattle were taken to the Pacific coast, where they were sold and in order to take them there they had to be trailed across the Cascades. That the rural deliv- ery system was not yet in operation may be inferred from the fact that while they were residing on the Moxee their postoffice was one hundred and thirty miles re- moved, as they had to get their letters from Umatilla. At that time members of four families took turns to ride to the postoffice about every two weeks in order to get the mail. When the Cooke family made their way to the Kittitas valley they had. to move along on the Indian trails, as no roads or bridges were in existence, and for three vears after they had settled here they rarely saw a white man. Upon locating (16)

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on the Pachunme creek they renamed it Cooke creek and that name has been used ever since. In their relations with the Indians they were fortunate, as the family always treated them with consideration and justly. The Indians therefore remained friendly except during the period of the Umatilla war, when all of the settlers had to retire into the fort and hostile Indians made raids through the valley. The settlers armed themselves with two hundred Springfield army rifles, taking them from the eight hundred at the fort and each settler was given fifty rounds of ammunition. Thus they were well fortified to await further developments and depredations, but only twelve hostile Indians passed through the valley, stealing sixty horses. The Perkins family, however, was murdered during this uprising. At that time Morand D. Cooke and his brother-in-law were camping out with a pack outfit but somehow they escaped the watchfulness of the Indians, who passed their camp at night within a few hundred feet. Mr. Cooke well knew old Chief Joseph, who often camped on his ranch. He was chief of the Umatillas and one of the leading Indians of his time. He was at the head of hundreds of them who were permitted to camp upon the Cooke ranch each spring. In the pursuit of game they still used bows and arrows. Near the ranch of Mr. Cooke, Sr., grew in profusion the camas or tub lily, the great Indian vegetable. These were eagerly gathered by the Indians, who came here for that purpose by the thousands. The roots of these lilies were dug up, dried and afterward made into flour. They also used to have great horse races here and Mr. Cooke himself learned to speak the Indian language well. Charles P. Cooke lived to the age of eighty-eight years and is still survived by his widow, who has now reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years. He not only took a most prominent part in the early agricultural development of his section but also was deeply interested in public affairs and his prominence is easily gleaned from the fact that he served for four terms in the territorial legislature, ably performing his duties in framing the laws of the state and well taking care of the interests of his constituents and sec- tion. In this way his activities became part of the history of the Yakima valley. In conjunction with Mortimer Thorp, Elvin Thorp and Charles Splawn, C. P. Cooke organized the original Yakima county, which then extended from The Dalles, Oregon, to the British line. He subsequently also assisted in organizing Kittitas county and during all of his career held numerous public offices, the duties of which he ever dis- charged with faithfulness and ability. Even when he was a member of the territorial legislature he stood for woman's rights and throughout his active political career maintained that standpoint. He was a democrat by persuasion and faithfully sup- ported that party. He also had the distinction of having been instrumental in found- ing the first school in the Kittitas valley, when he hired a private tutor in order to instruct members of his family. His importance along agricultural lines is evident from the fact that it was he who planted the first timothy hay in the valley and also set out the first fruit trees, thus laying the foundations for two industries which have proven of the greatest value to later settlers. From the beginning success at- tended the efforts of Mr. Cooke, for he was ever circumspect, industrious and per- severing and closely studied conditions. It was he who built the first irrigation ditch in the Kittitas valley in 1870, taking it from Cooke creek to his orchard, which thereby was greatly benefited.

Morand D. Cooke was reared under the parental roof and received his first les- sons of life under the guidance of his good parents, who instilled in him those prin- ciples of honesty, industry and perseverance which have been the foundation of his success. He received his first education through the private tutor which his father had provided and also attended schools of the neighborhood and at Independence, Oregon, remaining upon the home farm and assisting his father in its work until twenty-one years of age, thus becoming thoroughly acquainted with the latest and most resultant methods of agriculture. Having reached his majority, Mr. Cooke started upon his independent career, which has been devoted exclusively to farming. In the course of time he has owned three farms, of which he has disposed, however, but now has a fine ranch eleven miles northeast of Ellensburg which is largely de- voted to stock interests. He is one of the most prominent horse and cattle men of his section and now has over seven hundred head of cattle, being very successful in the range cattle and stock business. Keeping thoroughly informed in regard to

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market conditions, he disposes of his cattle to the best advantage, displaying in all of his business activities, sound judgment and keen discrimination. With the details of the live stock business he is thoroughly familiar and it is therefore but natural that prosperity has come to him. When a young man of only nineteen years, in 1874, Mr. Cooke and his brother-in-law, Charles Coleman, were the first assessors of the Wenatchee valley, property there being put upon the assessor's books in that year for the first time.

In 1888 Mr. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Belle Fulton, a native of Idaho and a daughter of Frank and Belle (Clemmons) Fulton, pioneers of Idaho, who later removed to Texas and thence to the Kittitas valley about 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooke were born six children: Lester B., a graduate of Pullman College, who during his university days was renowned as the greatest athletic star of his school, is now following ranching near Sunnyside, Washington, is married and has one child; Frank attended Pullman College for two years and is now engaged in the creamery business in Bremerton, Washington, he is also married; Charles P., twin to Frank, remains upon the home farm, being in partnership with his father; Earl is also at home and now, at the age of twenty-one, is attending Pullman College; Edna. at home, is a graduate of Wilson's Modern Business College at Seattle; Ruth, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Cecil Houser, who is a rancher of the Kittitas valley. Mrs. Cooke attends the Christian church, which denomination she readily supports.

Mr. Cooke, who not only enjoys a high reputation as a substantial citizen but also is honored as a pioneer, has witnessed the entire growth of the Yakima and Kittitas valleys, to which growth he has largely and helpfully contributed through his valuable activities. Politically he is independent, voting according to the dic- tates of his judgment. Of his valuable stock farm he now has one hundred and seventy-four acres in hay, most of which he uses in feeding his stock. He has many friends in the valley, all of whom admire him as a man of sterling character whose word is as good as his bond. His and his family's history are a part of the history of the state in which he resides and are closely interwoven and his record is there- fore of interest to all those who have now become settlers of this prosperous valley.

THOMAS J. LOCKETT.

Important orcharding interests claim the attention of Thomas J. Lockett, whose ranch is located near Zillah. Moreover, he has ever taken a helpful part in the de- velopment and upbuilding of his district and in many ways has given his aid to public measures which have proven of benefit to his community. Mr. Lockett is a western man by birth and inclination. He was born in Baker county, Oregon, February 4, 1878, a son of Robert A. and Mary E. (Owens) Lockett, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of Missouri. Both became early residents of Oregon, in which state they were married, and there the father for many years took an active part in the public affairs of the commonwealth, having twice served as a member of the Ore- gon state legislature. His wife has now passed away.

Thomas J. Lockett was reared in the state of Oregon, where he attended the public and high schools. Having duly prepared for life's arduous duties, he then assisted his father in the live stock business until he was twenty years of age. As a live stock dealer he was then quite successful but in 1905 sold his Oregon interests and removed to Goldfield, Nevada, where he was connected with mining. This venture did not prove successful but on the contrary Mr. Lockett lost a great deal of money and he also had the misfortune to lose his right arm in a mill accident. In June, 1910, he came to Yakima county and at that time acquired ten acres of land near Zillah, of which two and a half acres was bearing orchard and five and a half acres new orchard, while the remainder was in alfalfa. The whole ten acres are now in bearing, thanks to the energy and industry of Mr. Lockett, and in 1915 he acquired an additional ten acres two miles southeast of Zillah, which is planted to apples and pears, also having on it a few prune trecs. Closely studying the subject, Mr. Lockett has become one of the most successful orchardists of his neighborhood.

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On August 10, 1901, Mr. Lockett was united in marriage to Miss Edythe Rickard, a native of Winnemucca, Nevada, and a daughter of L. L. Rickard, a pioneer of that state. To this union has been born a son, Schirley, who is now sixteen years of age.

Mr. Lockett gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never desired public office, although he is interested in politics and public affairs. His whole time is taken up with his private business, although he is ever ready to give his aid to movements which he considers of value to the general public. Both he and his wife have many friends in Zillah and their pleasant home is a temple of hospitality for all who know them.

D. V. MORTHLAND.

D. V. Morthland, attorney-at-law of Yakima, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Warren on the 6th of February, 1880, his parents being Joseplı M. and Mary E. (Frederick) Morthland. The father was a farmer and stock raiser, devoting his life to that occupation. He passed away in Missouri but his widow is yet living.

D. V. Morthland acquired a public school education and afterward attended the Missouri State University for the study of law, winning his LL. B. degree there upon graduation with the class of 1907. Upon his diploma was inscribed "Cum Laude." Mr. Morthland entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in St. Joseph Missouri, where he remained until March, 1908, and then came to the northwest, settling at Yakima, where he has since practiced, covering a period of ten years. He has gained a liberal clientage during this time and while he continues in the general practice of law, he also specializes in irrigation and probate law.

On the 30th of June, 1909, Mr. Morthland was united in marriage to Miss Nelle A. Lane, of Palmyra, Missouri, and to them have been born three children: Lane, Mary Frances and Mildred. Mr. Morthland is identified with two college fraterni- ties, the Delta Tau Delta and the Theta Kappa Nu. He likewise belongs to the Commercial Club of Yakima and to the County Bar Association. His political alle- giance is given to the republican party and he is a recognized leader in its ranks, having served since 1917 as state senator from the fifteenth district. He is proving an able member of the upper house. taking active interest in promoting necessary legislation at this critical period when most vital problems connected with the war are continually coming up for consideration. His patriotism knows no bounds and his loyalty to duty remains unquestioned.

OVIDE BRULOTTE.

Ovide Brulotte, who since 1901 has made his home in Yakima county, is actively and successfully identified with farming interests on the Moxee and also has agri- cultural interests elsewhere in the state. He was born near Quebec, Canada, August 22, 1881, a son of Ferdinand and Ida (Blae) Brulotte, who in 1884 left Canada and established their home in Polk county, Minnesota, where they resided until 1901. In that year they became residents of Yakima county, Washington, and the father purchased forty-four acres of land on the Moxee. This he owned and cultivated until 1912, when he sold that property and removed to Alberta, Canada, where he and his wife now reside, his attention being given to the live stock business.

Ovide Brulotte acquired a public school education and in 1901 left Minnesota with his parents and came to Washington. He has since lived in Yakima county. He was twenty years of age at the time of his arrival. He soon afterward purchased forty acres of land on the Moxee and began its development, for it was a wild tract upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. In this under- taking he was associated with his brother and their labors transformed the unde- veloped tract into one of rich fertility. Later the brother sold out but Ovide Brulotte still retains thirty acres of the land and in addition he has a one hundred and sixty acre ranch in connection with his brother, J. E. Brulotte, on the Columbia river.

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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Sixty acres of the tract is planted to alfalfa and beans and the place is conducted by J. E. Brulotte. On his home place on the Moxee, Ovide Brulotte engages in the raising of hay, hops, potatoes, beans and hogs. He annually produces large crops and also raises a large number of hogs and both branches of his business are proving profitable.

On the 15th of February, 1907, Mr. Brulotte was married to Miss Zelia Conil- lerier, a native of Polk county, Minnesota, and a daughter of Noah Couillerier, who came to Yakima county in 1898. Their children are Harvey, Walter, Amos and Marcelline. The family are members of the Holy Rosary Catholic church at Moxee City. In politics Mr. Brulotte maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party, nor has he ever sought or desired political office. He served, however, for one term as school director. He is a self-made man and one who owes his advancement entirely to his personal efforts, determination and abil- ity. He has worked persistently and energetically and has gained a place among the men of affluence in his community.

ALBERT JONGEWAARD.

Albert Jongewaard is the owner of a valuable farm property of nineteen acres, devoted to the raising of fruit and vegetables, and the progressive methods which he follows in this undertaking are making his work very profitable. A native of Oregon, he was born on the 10th of January, 1865, a son of Arie and Dora (Van Rossum) Jongewaard, who took up their residence in Oregon in 1864 and spent seven years in that state, the father there passing away. The mother afterward returned with her family to Iowa and continued to make her home in Sioux county, that state, until her death.

Albert Jongewaard acquired a public school education in Iowa and through the period of his boyhood and youth worked upon farms in that state. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and his early diligence and industry constituted the foundation upon which he has built his later success. After working for others for some time he rented farm land, which he cultivated on his own account. The lure of the west, however, was upon him and in 1901 he came to Yakima county, where he purchased twenty acres of land. He afterward sold one acre of that tract for school purposes. His place was all wild land but he at once began to cultivate it and his labors soon brought about a marked change in its appearance and in its value. He still owns this tract of ninetcen acres and he has four acres planted to apples and pears, while the remainder of the farm is used for the raising of corn, potatoes, beets and hay.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 53

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