History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 57

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 57
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 57
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 57

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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

his life work and continued his residence in New York until called to his final rest in 1864. His widow afterward became the wife of Joshua Douglas, who in 1875 removed with the family to Nebraska and in 1892 came to Washington, settling in Zillah. There Mrs. Douglas died in 1902, while the death of Mr. Douglas occurred in 1903. The line of descent is thus traced down from several of the oldest New England families.

George M. Chase, having incurred the disfavor of his stepfather at the age of seven, was not permitted to attend school with the rest of the children and had attended less than six months up to his sixteenth birthday, when he left home. From then on he worked for farmers summers and attended the rural schools a short time during the winters until he was of age. In 1875 Mr. Chase went with his parents to Red Cloud, Nebraska, and in 1881 he worked on a sheep ranch in Kansas one year for one hundred and five dollars. In 1882 he went to Martin county, Minnesota.

On October 15, 1885, Mr. Chase was united in marriage to Miss Mattie May Frisbie who was born in Louisa county, Iowa. July 15, 1862. She is a daughter of Ichabod and Hanna (Patmor) Frisbie. Her mother was a native of Ohio. Her father was born in Southington, Connecticut, December 8, 1835, and died at Red Cloud, Nebraska, August 24, 1918. He enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Iowa regiment in 1861 and served four years during the Civil war. In 1875 he moved to Red Cloud, Ne- braska, where he was engaged in the milling business for forty-three years.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase started their married life at Welcome, Minnesota, and re- mained there until 1903, when on account of Mrs. Chase's health they removed to Zillah, Washington, where they bought and developed a thirty-three acre ranch, which they later sold. In 1907 Mr. Chase took charge of the "Grandview Orchard Tracts," which were then all in sagebrush. Grandview consisted of a postoffice, a general store and a bank which opened its doors one day each week for business. In 1910 Mr. Chase took charge of Northern Pacific Railroad officials' "Cherry Lane Orchard" at Prosser, where he remained for four years. Then he returned to Grandview where he is now getting settled on his Meadow Brook stock farm, where he plans to make his home the rest of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Chase think the Yakima valley a fine place for a home and the United States of America the best place on earth for a young couple to start out in life. What they have they have earned together and believe any young couple can do as well, if they will give up the idea of trying "to eat their cake and keep it too."

To Mr. and Mrs. Chase have been born six children: Charles Le Roy, now deceased; Fannie, at home; twins, who died in infancy; and Daisy and Marvin, also at home.

Mr. Chase, feeling the loss of his schooling, became a stanch supporter of the public schools and determined that his children should have what he had missed in the line of education. Fannie had one year at Whitworth college and then grad- uated from Ellensburg Normal; Daisy graduated from Whitworth college; and Mar- vin is now a junior at Pullman State College. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and in his political views Mr. Chase is a republican.

JAMES LUTHER CURTIS.

For only a comparatively brief period has James Luther Curtis lived in Washington. dating his residence in the Yakima valley from February, 1912, but through the inter- vening period he has made a creditable place as a capable, enterprising and alert orchard- ist, living on Pleasant hill. He was born in Porter county, Indiana, October 14, 1867, a son of H. L. and Mary V. (Curtis) Curtis, the former a native of New York city, while the latter was born in Connecticut. They became residents of Indiana when young people and in 1868 removed to Douglas county, Minnesota, making the journey to that state by team. 'The district in which they settled was largely a frontier region and the father purchased land from the government upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He performed the arduous task of developing the tract and converting it into rich and productive fields which would yield harvests

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sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities of life. Thereon he made his home to the time of his demise.

James Luther Curtis acquired a public school education and took up the occupa- tion of farming in Minnesota, where he had one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was busily employed in the further cultivation of his crops there until February, 1912, when he came to Yakima county and purchased a ten acre orchard on Pleasant hill, where he has since engaged in raising apples and pears. He is diligent and determined. He works industriously and his perserverance and energy have enabled him to over- come all obstacles in his path and advance steadily toward the goal of success.

On the 26th of November, 1890, Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Mabel Alice Ells- worth, who was born in Douglas county, Minnesota, being the first white child born in Belle River township. Her parents were Andrew and Delia (Griffin) Ellsworth, who were natives of Massachusetts and became pioneer residents of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had four children: Hazel, who died at the age of seven years; Willis, who was born August 12, 1893, and is now with the United States Army in France as a member of Battery E, Three Hundred and Forty-sixth Field Artillery; Phillip, who was born April 12, 1895, and is a member of the same command; and Grace, who was born August 16, 1898, and is at home. She is a graduate of the Selah high school. The parents have every reason to be proud of the two sons, both of whom enlisted in 1917 and about the 13th of July, 1918, sailed for France, where they have since engaged in active duty, defending not only American interests but also taking their part in bringing about the democratization of Europe. The elder son, Willis, married Zada Krabill.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis and their daughter are members of the Methodist church, and in politics Mr. Curtis is usually a republican but does not consider himself bound by party ties and at local elections frequently casts an independent ballot. The family is highly esteemed in the community where they make their home, substantial traits of character gaining for them high regard.

L. O. HOOD.

L. O. Hood, manager of the Golden Rule Store at Cle Elum, was born in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1878, a son of A. J. and Phoebe Hood, both of whom were natives of Indiana, where they were reared and married. They became pioneer settlers of Lucas county, Iowa, where they resided for a numbr of years, and in 1894 they ar- rived in Yakima county, Washington. Mrs. Hood was a neice of George Taylor, one of the pioneers of Yakima county. On reaching the northwest A. J. Hood purchased a fruit ranch and thereon resided to the time of his death, while his widow passed away in Yakima in 1916.

L. O. Hood spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native county and dur- ing that period acquired a good public school education. He then accompanied his parents to Yakima, where he made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a store. He was afterward employed for several years in the post office and even- tually he embarked in business on his own account, conducting a grocery store in Yakima for a short tinie. He then secured a position in the Golden Rule Store at Yakima, entering upon that connection in 1915. He had previously clerked for sev- cral of the leading stores in Yakima and in 1918 he became manager of the Golden Rule Store at Cle Elum. This store was established in August, 1915, by Snyder, Callahan & Barney and was one of a chain of over three hundred stores. Mr. Snyder was manager until January, 1918, when Mr. Hood purchased his interest in the local store, of which he has since been manager. He is now wisely, carefully and success- fully directing its interests.

On the 25th of December, 1903, Mr. Hood was united in marriage to Miss Florence McWain, who passed away in 1905. On the 3d of January, 1918, Mr. Hood wedded Fannie Beardsley, of Yakima. He has a daughter born of the first marriage, Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Hood are members of the Christian church and his political support is given to the democratic party. They are people of genuine worth, enjoying the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Hood has

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made steady progress since starting out in the business world and, directing his efforts and attention along a single line, has constantly promoted his efficiency and broadened his experience.

LENOX GILLILAND.

Lenox Gilliland owns twenty acres of land near Zillah, of which ten are in orchard. Recently the Northern Pacific Railroad has placed a switch on his ranch and the sta- tion has been named in honor of our subject. Mr. Gilliland was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, July 4, 1850, and is a son of Robert and Henrietta Caroline (Marsh) Gilli- land, natives of Maryland and Connecticut respectively. They became pioneers of Ohio, in which state they lived during its early history. The father was a prominent lawyer in his locality and was often employed by the United States government and also by his county and state. He took a most helpful interest in politics, and held many offices of distinction. He assisted in establishing the Insane Asylum at Dayton, Ohio, among many other public measures which have proven of benefit and in which he took part. Both parents passed away in Ohio.

Lenox Gilliland was reared in his native state and there he received his primary education, subsequently attending college at Niagara Falls, New York, and also at Ford- ham, that state. After completing his studies he worked in a clock factory in Con- necticut and subsequently taught school in Ohio. Later he became superintendent of a stave mill in Ohio and was afterward connected with a similar enterprise in Indiana. The year 1907 marked his arrival in Yakima county and in 1908 he acquired twenty acres of land a mile southeast of Zillah, having previously investigated local conditions and found everything to his liking. He has ten acres in orchard, devoted to apples, pears and prunes, while the remainder of the land is under the plow and in hay. He has erected a handsome residence and substantial barns and outbuildings and every- thing about the place denotes the up-to-date agriculturist.

In 1879 Mr. Gilliland was united in marriage to Miss Amanda C. Kopp, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born the following children: Bertha, the wife of E. J. Brand, of Grandview, Washington, by whom she has two children; Henry, a rancher near Zillah, who married Susie Bush, by whom he has two children; Hiram, who wedded Miss May Allsbarry and has one child, their home being in Zillah; Katie, who married M. O. Thomas, a rancher near Zillah, and they have three children; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilland and their family are highly respected by all who know them, having proven themselves valuable, public-spirited citizens. In politics he is a re- publican, stanchly upholding the principles of'the party but has never been an office seeker. The branch station, Gilliland, which has been placed upon his property by the Northern Pacific Railroad, promises to make the place more valuable and is there- fore to be considered highly advantageous. There is great credit due Mr. Gilliland for what he has accomplished in life, as he started out practically empty-handed and is now numbered among the prosperous orchardists of Yakima county.

WILLIAM MINER THOMPSON.

William Miner Thompson, who since his admission to the bar in 1890 has engaged in the practice of law in Yakima, was born April 14, 1870, upon the present site of the city of Pueblo, Colorado, his parents being William Joseph and Ellen (Winter) Thomp- son, the former a native of Vermont, while the latter was born in London, England. The father went to Colorado in 1866 after having previously participated in the Civil war as a stanch advocate of the Union cause. He spent a brief period in the west and then returned to Elmira, New York. In 1888, however, he made his way to the Pacific coast, reaching Tacoma, Washington, where he cast in his lot with the pioneer busi- ness men. He became a merchant there, establishing the first wholesale grocery house of that city. He remained at Tacoma for about five years and in 1893 he removed to

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Yakima, purchasing a ranch, upon which he resided until he retired from active busi- ness. He passed away in February, 1914, and is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home upon the ranch. Mr. Thompson was very active in Colorado politics as a supporter of the republican party at an early day. He became widely and favor- ably known during the period of his residence in the Yakima valley and was classed with its substantial and representative citizens.

William M. Thompson after pursuing his education in the public schools of Elmira, New York, attended the Free Academy there and later entered upon preparation for the bar as a law student in the office and under the direction of Hon. Mahlon Pitney, an attorney of Morristown, New Jersey, now one of the justices of the supreme court of the United States, whom he afterward served as private secretary for three years while Mr. Pitney was a member of congress. Mr. Thompson was admitted to the bar in May, 1900, in the state of Washington, having completed his studies here under the tutelage of H. J. Snively, of Yakima. He then opened an office and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has since continued, making steady progress as he has dem- onstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law. He has never specialized along a certain line but has continued in general practice and has conducted many important cases.

On the 23d of July, 1901, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Minnie Alice Leach, a native of California and a resident of Yakima. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became pa- rents of two children, William Lisle and Thelma Bernice, aged respectively fifteen and fourteen years.

Mr. Thompson belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and for five years served as its organist. He is active as a member of the County Bar Association and was its first secretary. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has filled the office of city councilman and also that of deputy prosecuting attor- ney. He has been a delegate to various local, state and national conventions, including the one at which William Howard Taft was nominated for the presidency. He has marked characteristics which render him a natural leader of public thought and opinion and his work in behalf of progressive citizenship in Yakima has been pronounced and resultant.

OSCAR JOSEPH SIMON.

Oscar Joseph Simon, whose ranch property on the Moxee bears every evidence of careful supervision and practical cultivation, was born in Norton county, Kansas, De- cember 17, 1887, a son of J. D. and Olive S. (Olds) Simon, the former a native of Ken- tucky, while the latter was born in Iowa. When young people they removed to Kansas and in 1888, after living for a number of years in the Sunflower state, made their way to Tenino, Washington, traveling across the country with mule team. They were four months and seventeen days en route, bearing all the hardships and privations incident to travel in that manner and at that period. After reaching the northwest Mr. Simon purchased an eighty-acre ranch, upon which he resided until 1897, when he came to the Yakima valley and took up a homestead of eighty acres on the Moxee. He proved up on that property, which he afterward sold and then invested in twenty acres of land, which he also later sold. His next purchase made him owner of forty acres under the Selah-Moxee canal, the tract being entirely wild and undeveloped, however, when it came into his possession. He at once began its improvement and cultivation and his labors wrought a marked change in the appearance of the place, which he converted into a fine farm and which he sold in 1917. He now resides upon a new ranch on the hills south of the Moxee valley.

Oscar J. Simon was brought to the northwest when but a little child and acquired his education in the schools of the Moxee valley. In 1909 he purchased twenty-seven acres of wild land on the Moxee and has since concentrated his atten- tion upon its development and improvement. He now has twenty-five acres of the tract under cultivation, devoted to the raising of hay, corn and beans. By reason of his practical methods, his progressive spirit and his enterprise he has made this a valuable tract of land, from which he annually harvests good crops.

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On the 20th of June, 1908, Mr. Simon was married to Miss Bertha Vivian Phipps, who was born at Bickleton, Washington, a daughter of Ellis and Laura (Mathews) Phipps. They now have two children, Archie Lawrence and Clyde Ernest. Mr. Simon votes independently nor does he seek office. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public connection but has given undivided attention to his business affairs, and energy and enterprise have constituted the salient features in his success.

EDWARD HAMLON HARREL.

Edward Hamlon Harrel, deceased, was for a number of years actively identi- fied with with ranching interests in the vicinity of Ellensburg and won for himself a place among the substantial and highly respected citizens of that community. A native of Tennessee, he was born in Hawkins county on the 18th of July, 1874, a son of Thomas and Julia Harrel, who are now engaged in ranching in Kittitas county.

Edward H. Harrel acquired a public school education and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was actively identified with agricultural interests in his native state until 1902, when he came to the Kittitas valley and in 1906 he pur- chased a ranch nine miles east of Ellensburg, which he sold in 1912. About 1910 he had purchased eighty acres eight and a half miles northwest of Ellensburg and re- moved to this place. He purchased other land from time to time until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised one hundred and eighty-two acres. His at- tention was given to the raising of grain and hay and he annually gathered good crops as the reward of the care and cultivation which he bestowed upon his fields. He also made a specialty of raising cattle, handling the Hereford and Holstein breeds.

On the 11th of February, 1896, Mr. Harrel was united in marriage to Miss Julia Derrick, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Andrew and Julia (Winegar) Der- rick, both of whom have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrel were born five chil- dren: Arley, who is married and resides upon the home farm, which he manages; Ella: William; Ervan and Claude. The family circle, however, was broken by the hand of death when on the 14th of May, 1918, Mr. Harrel was called to his final rest, leav- ing behind him not only family and relatives to greatly mourn his loss but also many friends. He was a republican in his political views and fraternally was connected with the Masons. He was always loyal to the teachings of the craft and his life was guided by the beneficent principles upon which the order is founded. Mrs. Harrel is a member of the Christian church and, like her husband, shares in the high regard of friends and neighbors.

ISRAEL RABIE.

Israel Rabie, who since 1899 has engaged in farming in Yakima county, was born in Montreal, Canada, January 11, 1859, a son of Mitchell and Margaret Rabie, the former of Canadian birth. The mother died in Minnesota but the father passed away in Canada.

Israel Rabie acquired a public school education and in early life learned the tin- smith's trade. He afterward went to Nevada in 1877 and there worked in a sawmill for about two years, when he went to California, where he took up his abode about 1879. He spent six years in the Golden state at Sacramento and worked on a farm for a similar period. He afterward removed to Crookston, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead and also purchased land, concentrating his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits in that locality for thirteen years. When that period had elapsed he came to Yakima county, where he arrived in 1899. He purchased twenty acres of land on the Moxee and has purchased twenty-four acres additional since that time. He also bought twenty acres, which he gave to one

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD H. HARREL

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son, and a ten-acre tract, which he gave to another son. He has engaged extensively and successfully in raising hay, potatoes and corn and also conducted a dairy busi- ness, keeping a large number of good cows for this purpose. He has now sold his dairy, concentrating his efforts and attention upon the cultivation of his fields and garden.

In 1886 Mr. Rabie was united in marriage to Miss Philomena Danaharant, of Minnesota. The children of this marriage are: Albert, who is engaged in ranch- ing on the Moxee and has a wife and two children; Albertina, the wife of Ed Pat- tenande, a rancher on the Moxee, by whom she has five children; Valentine, who married Nick Seebaat, who also follows ranching on the Moxee, and has three children; Amanda, who is the wife of Joseph Fortert, a ranchman on the Moxee, by whom she has four children; Florida, who mrrried Lucian Scharrow, who also is ranching on the Moxee, and they have three children; Henry, who carries on farming on his father's ranch and is married and has two children; Thomas, at home; Uldege, who is attending Wilson's College at Seattle; and two who died in Minne- sota in childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Rabie are members of the Catholic church at Moxee and Mr. Rabie gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is a self-made man and one whose success is the direct outcome of his persistency of purpose and unfaltering labors. He has met many difficulties and obstacles as the years have gone by, but has recognized the fact that these could be overcome by determined purpose and effort and has worked continuously to gain the substantial place which he now occupies as one of the prosperous farmers of his district.

ROBERT McCORMICK.

A tract of twenty-five acres of sagebrush land was acquired by Robert McCor- mick in 1903. The way in which he has occupied his time since then is evidenced in the appearance of his place at the present. The gray sage has been replaced by fine orchards and crops of various kinds, in the midst of which stand an attractive residence and substantial barns that he has built. In a word, all modern equip- ment and accessories of the model ranch property of the northwest are found upon his place and are indicative of his enterprise and progressive spirit. Mr. McCor- mick is a native of Ontario, Canada. He was born October 20, 1868, a son of John and Ellen (Keley) McCormick, who were also natives of Canada. The father was a carpenter and contractor, following that pursuit to the time of his death.

Robert McCormick acquired a public school education and when twenty-one years of age went to Buffalo, New York, where he worked for wages on a dairy farm. He afterward removed to Michigan, where he was employed in the lumber camps, and subsequently he worked in the lumber woods of Minnesota for a period of three years. It was on the expiration of that period taht he sought the oppor- tunities of the Pacific northwest and made his way to Yakima county, where he arrived in February, 1900. Still his financial resources at this time were not suffi- cient to enable him to engage in business on his own account and he again sought employment, working for wages through the succeeding three years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to purchase property and be acquired a twenty-five acre ranch two and a half miles northwest of Zillah, which he has since owned and occupied. He surveyed the tract with prescience of what could be accomplished in his mind and he saw in prospect the sagebrush uprotted and supplanted by bearing fruit trees. He at once began making this vision a tangible one and today he has fifteen acres in orchard, growing fine apples, pears and peaches. He has built thereon a com- modious and attractive residence with large barns to furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He also has a portion of his land planted to hay, corn and pota- toes, of which he annually gathers good crops.

In April, 1903, Mr. McCormick was married to Miss Rachel Furman, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of C. H. and Ella (Hopkins) Furman. Her father is a

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 57

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