History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 6

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 6
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 6
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 6

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On the 11th of April, 1894, Mr. Diteman was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Alinda Tingley, who was born in Aroostook county, Maine, a daughter of Ernest Herbert and Elizabeth (Tilley) Tingley. The father was born in New Brunswick, May 24, 1851, and the mother was also a native of that country. They removed to Maine during childhood, however, and the father was a farmer in that state. The mother has now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Diteman have been born eight children, as follows: Leatha, who is the wife of Earl DeFrece, a resident of Centralia, Washington; Annie, who is deceased; Wallace R .; Roy; Mae; Curtis; Linley, who has passed away; and Ernest.

Mr. Diteman is a republican in his political views, but though loyal and pro- gressive in matters of citizenship, has never been active in public life, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs.

THOMAS FEAR.

Thomas Fear, deceased, became a resident of Yakima county when much of its land was still unclaimed and undeveloped and took up a tract from the government six miles west of the city. He afterward purchased other land and continued one of the active farmers and stock raisers of the district to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 1st of March, 1916. He was born in England, February 22, 1852, a son of William Alfred Fear. The father was also a native of England and in the schools of that country Thomas Fear pursued his education, remaining in the land of his birth until 1873, when, at the age of twenty-one years, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. A year later his father also made the trip to the United States. They settled first in Colorado, where the father took up government land. In the year 1876 Thomas Fear arrived in Yakima county and entered a claim from the gov- ernment six miles west of the city of Yakima. With characteristic energy he began the development of that place and later he bought land on the Cowiche and in many other places. He became one of the large landowners and stock raisers of this sec- tion of the state and in 1908 he built a beautiful home upon his place, which he con- tinued to occupy to the time of his demise.

On the 2d of January, 1898, Mr. Fear was married to Miss Aimee Reynolds, of Yakima, a daughter of J. W. and Susan E. Reynolds, who came to Yakima county in 1883. Her father passed away in 1913 and her mother died in 1914. Mr. Reynolds was born in Missouri and for a year was a resident of Kansas before he started across the plains in 1879. He first went to Oregon and from that point removed to the Yakima valley. In this section of the country he purchased a farm and con- tinned a resident of Yakima county until his demise. To Mr. and Mrs. Fear was born a son, Thomas Reynolds, whose birth occurred December 17, 1899, and who is now in the United States navy as a seaman. He was for two years a student in T'ullman College and is a graduate of a business college at Yakima.

THOMAS FEAR

MRS. AIMEE REYNOLDS FEAR

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

In his political views Mr. Fear was a democrat and his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church, while fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man of striking appearance and personality-hon- orable, upright and respected by all who knew him, and in his death Yakima county lost one of its most valued citizens.

CHARLES HEATH.

The banking fraternity of Yakima finds a worthy representative in Charles Heath, cashier of the Yakima Valley Bank, who came to his present position in 1905. He was born in Wisconsin in January, 1864, and is a son of Charles H. and Eliza Heath, who in the year 1874 left Wisconsin and removed to Iowa, where they established their home on a farm, the father devoting his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, both he and his wife dying in Iowa.

Charles Heath was a lad of but ten years when the family went to the Hawkeye state and there he acquired his education. Attracted by the opportunities of the west, he made his way to Park City, Utah, in 1890 and was there engaged in the banking business. He dates his residence in Yakima from 1905, in which year he was chosen cashier of the Yakima Valley Bank. He has since acted in that capacity and through the intervening period of thirteen years has contributed in marked measure to the development and upbuilding of the business of the bank. He has closely and thoroughly studied every phase of the banking business and his efforts have been a contributing factor to the success of the institution.

1n 1895 Mr. Heath was married to Miss Millie Getsch, a native of Iowa, and to them has heen born a daughter, Dorothy, who is now a senior in the high school. Fraternally Mr. Heath is a Mason, belonging to Uinta Lodge No. 7 of Park City, Utah, of which he is a past master. He is also a past master of Yakima Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M., having been master when the lodge first occupied the new build- ing here. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is a stanch supporter of its principles but has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. He prefers to do his public service as a private citizen and at all times his aid and cooperation are given on the side of advancement and improvement.

LAWRENCE E. JOHNSON.

Among the financiers of the Yakima valley none enjoys a higher reputation than Lawrence E. Johnson, president of the First National Bank, to which office he was called in 1908. The rapid growth of this institution is largely due to the business foresight, natural ability and unfailing watchfulness of its president, who gives most of his time to the interests of this enterprise.

Mr. Johnson was born in Greene county, Illinois, February 6, 1877, a son of Lee A. and Margaret (Search) Johnson, who went to Oregon in 1883, locating in Albany, and in 1885 removed to Sherman county, that state, where the father engaged in farming. In 1889 he entered the Methodist ministry and was in Spokane in 1890, whence he was transferred to Waitsburg in 1893. Desiring to better fit himself for the work, he then attended the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, there taking a three years' course. He later served as pastor of the Methodist, Episcopal church in Walla Walla for several years, after which he retired from holy orders and moved to Sunnyside in 1902, engaging in the hardware business there until 1912, when he proceeded to Portland, Oregon, where death claimed him on January 5, 1914. His widow survives and resides at Sunnyside. Lee A. Johnson was one of the most prominent men in the development of the Yakima valley, which greatly bene- fitted through his stimulating activities. For several terms he represented his dis-

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

trict in the state legislature, always ably representing his constituency in the halls of legislation and securing for them those measures which he considered of great- est value. He was a candidate for congress but was not successful. For many years he was a regent of Pullman College and was acting in that capacity at the time of his death, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. In finan- cial circles he was equally well known, being the organizer of the First National Bank of Sunnyside, of which he was the first president, and he also served as vice- president of the Scandinavian Bank of Portland, Oregon. He was a forceful and resourceful man of unabating energy, extraordinary foresight and one who always achieved what he set out to do, yet he was a man of kind heart who was ever ready to help a struggling traveler on life's journey and assist those less fortunate than himself, contributing liberally to charitable and benevolent purposes, and his memory will long live among the people of the valley.

His son, Lawrence E. Johnson grew up among the refining influences of a Chris- tian home and in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools of Albany, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington. Desiring to better his opportunities in practical life, he then entered the Spokane Business College, from which he was graduated. Fully prepared to take up the arduous burden of making a living, he then secured a position in the First National Bank of Waitsburg, with which he remained for four years, from 1894 to 1898, thus thoroughly acquainting himself with banking methods and practices. His next position was with the Moro Mercantile Company at Moro, Oregon, where he again made use of all opportunities to learn the details of that line of business, at the end of which time he became assistant cashier and later cashier of the Merchants Bank at Waitsburg. In 1903 he went to Sunnyside as cashier of the Sunnyside Bank but sold his interest in that institution in 1905. His next position was with the First National Bank of Ritzville, Washington, of which he was for a short time cashier and which was sold the same year. In August, 1905, Mr. Johnson came to Kennewick, connecting himself with the Exchange Bank at that time. This bank was established in 1903 by Howard S. Amon as a private bank and it was the first institution of its kind in Kennewick. In 1905, upon his arrival in this city, Mr. Johnson acquired the interest of Howard S. Amon and he and W. R. Amon became the owners. In December, 1907, however, the First Na- tional Bank was organized as successor to the Exchange Bank and its first officers were: W. R. Amon, president; and L. E. Johnson, cashier, our subject having suc- ceeded C. F. Breighthaupt as cashier of the Exchange Bank. In 1908 W. R. Amon disposed of most of his stock to Mr. Johnson and others, and L. E. Johnson was then clected president of the institution, J. L. Johnson becoming cashier at that time. In 1918, however, E. C. Tweet succeeded him. T. M. Fine has been vice- president since 1908. The present bank building, which was erected in 1908, is thor- oughly modern in every respect and adequate to the needs of the institution. It has large, well protected vaults and the counting rooms are nicely furnished and conveniently arranged for the customers. The growth of the institution may be gleaned from the fact that the first capitalization of the Exchange Bank was ten thousand dollars. When it was nationalized this stock was raised to the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars and in 1910 the capital was increased to fifty thousand dollars. The resources of this highly reliable banking enterprise are now over six hundred thousand dollars and its deposits exceed five hundred thousand dollars. As the head of the institution Mr. Johnson is proving a banker of eminent qualities, watchful in every way of the interests of stockholders and depositors alike. While he follows conservative methods as regards the investments of the bank, he is ever ready to extend the credit of the institution to those who are able to furnish good reason for such and ample security in order to help hem in heir business or facilitate farming enterprises. He is consedered one of the financial leaders of the Yakima valley and his advice is frequently sought in regard to investments in real estate, stocks, bonds and other securities. He does not stand aloof but comes in contact with anyone who desires to see him, ever willing to render his valuable services when asked. In building up this institution Mr. Johnson has not only built for him- self but has greatly contributed toward the development of his secion, as it is well recognized that a strong financial enterprise is one of the mainsays in growth and prosperity.

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

In 1900 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ada Fine, a daughter of T. M. Fine, of Walla Walla, and to them have been born three sons: Ward, who is sixteen years old; Lawrence Glenn, aged fourteen; and Robert Lee, one and a half years old.

In fraternal circles Mr. Johnson is well known as a member of Kennewick Lodge No. 153, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His wife is a member of the Episcopal church. In his political views he is a republican and has long been a dominent factor in the councils of his party. In 1907 his fellow citizens elected him to the highest position within their power, that of mayor, and he served for two terms in that position. His administrations were fraught with progressive measures and movements, many of which were originated by him and which have been of the greatest benefit. It would take some time to enumerate the manifold public and semi-public duties and offices with which Mr. Johnson has been connected but among them may be men- tioned that he is a past president of the Kennewick Commercial Club, in which he has always taken a great interest and which organization has accomplished much by reason of his initiative. He is a director of the Columbia Irrigation District and is also president of the White Bluffs Bank. He has always cooperated in all efforts undertaken for the benefit and improvement of the valley, his county and city, of which he has become one of the most prominent business men and financiers. He is greatly admired for his sterling qualities of character and the high morale which underlies all his business transactions. His friends in Kennewick are many and he is regarded by them as an example of trne American manhood. He is a patriotic American in the best sense of the word and has built not only for himself but for those who honor him as a valned citizen.

BERNARD N. COE.

Bernard N. Coe is the oldest merchant in Grandview in length of connection with the town. There were but four other stores when he established his business here and all have passed out of existence. Mr. Coe has throughout the entire period conducted a well appointed drug store, enlarging his stock in accordance with the growth and development of the community and carrying a line of goods fully equal to public demands, expressing the spirit of western enterprise in all that he under- takes and does.

Mr. Coe is a native of Virginia. He was born at Falmouth, that state, on the 11th of October, 1857, a son of the Rev. William G. and Annie M. (Armstrong) Coe, both of whom were natives of Baltimore, Maryland. The father was a son of Alfred B. Coe and he, too, was born in Baltimore. The mother was a daughter of James L. Armstrong, a native of New York. The Rev. William G. Coe was a minister of a southern Methodist church and passed away in Virginia in 1877. His widow long survived him, her death occurring in 1900.

Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Bernard N. Coe, who attended the Washington and Lee University of Virginia and also the Randolph-Mason Col- lege. He afterward prepared for his chosen life work by a course in the Maryland College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He served his apprenticeship with the firm of J. Brown Baxley & Son of Baltimore, remaining in their establishment for eleven years. He afterward engaged in clerk- ing until he came to North Yakima in June, 1890, and he worked for several of the old-time druggists of Yakima, including the firm of Allen & Chapman, also Alex- ander D. Sloan and C. C. Case. He afterward was the owner of a drug store at Cle Elum for eight months and on the 15th of January, 1907, he came to Grandview and opened a drug store in a little frame shack. The town had been established only the previous year. He has seen jack rabbits and coyotes come right into the town. Sagebrush was all around and the conditions were those of a wild western frontier. Today the town is situated in the midst of a fine orchard and farming country and the work of progress and development has been carried steadily forward until this is one of the most attractive sections of the valley. (3)

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

On the 18th of August, 1897, Mr. Coe was married to Miss Lela V. Baisley, who was born at Baker, Oregon, a daughter of Samuel B. and Addie (Warfield) Baisley, who removed to Oregon in 1866, making the overland trip. The father was a rancher and mining man. To Mr. and Mrs. Coe were born two children but the elder died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Marie, now seventeen years of age, is at home.

Mr. Coe is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, also of the Elks lodge at Yakima and he attends the Presbyterian church. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and for one year he served as deputy county clerk at Yakima. Otherwise he has never sought or filled public offices, preferring to con- centrate his energy and attention upon his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully directed. Since opening his store in Grandview his business has steadily increased with the growth of the community and he has an establishment which is well appointed in every particular, while his thoroughly reliable business methods have secured for him the confidence and liberal support of the public.

A. B. SNIDER.

A. B. Snider was elected to the presidency of the First National Bank of Sunny- side on the 1st of April, 1918. Previously, however, he had been identified with bank- ing interests in the state, so that he brought to his present position wide experience and accurate knowledge. He is a man of marked progressiveness and enterprise and since starting out in the business world on his own account has made steady ad- vancement. He was born in Ontario, Canada, April 19, 1885, a son of T. B. and Magdalene (Groff) Snider, who in 1890 removed to northwestern Iowa, where the father engaged in the milling business at Sanborn.

A. B. Snider acquired a high school education and made his initial step in the business world as bookkeeper in a bank at Beaver Creek, Minnesota. He was after- ward for two years in charge of his father's mill in Nebraska. Later he returned to the bank and subsequently again took up milling. The year 1910 witnessed his ar- rival in Washington, at which time he settled at Lacrosse, where he was assistant cashier in the private bank of Scriber, Lyons & Moore. There he remained for six months, at the end of which time the bank was sold. Mr. Snider then engaged in the real estate business at Lacrosse for two and a half years and in 1913 went to Colton as cashier of the Colton State Bank. He was identified with that institu- tion until the 1st of April, 1918, when he came to Sunnyside to accept the presi- dency of the First National Bank and he is now active in directing its business. His long experience has thoroughly qualified him for the responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection. He is remodeling the bank building, putting in new fixtures, and under his guidance the business of the bank has already shown a sub- stantial and steady increase.

On the 4th of June, 1913, Mr. Snider was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette A. Jones, of Iowa, and they have a son, Norman W. Mr. Snider and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church and in social circles occupy an enviable position, having made many warm friends in Sunnyside.

In politics Mr. Snider maintains an independent course. He has been a helpful assistant in various war activities and while at Colton had charge of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, doing effective work in putting the community over the top.

JOHN HENRY MORGAN.

John Henry Morgan, who has devoted his life to educational interests and is now principal of the high school at Ellensburg, was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Cochran) Morgan, who were also natives of North Carolina, where the father followed the occupation of farming as a life work ,thus providing for the support of his family. Both he and his wife have passed away.

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

John Henry Morgan supplemented his public school education by study in a private academy and was afterward graduated from the Furman University of South Carolina as a member of the class of 1879. In the same year he sought the oppor- tunities of the northwest, making his way to Walla Walla, Washington. He took up teaching in the country schools of this state and as his ability became recognized he was called to the principalship of the schools of Dayton, where he served for a year. He then accepted the position of principal of the schools at Waitsburg, where he remained for four years, and on the 25th of May, 1887, he came to Ellensburg and for four years was principal of the public schools of this city, during which time he also served as county superintendent of schools. In 1893 he became head of the department of mathematics and vice-principal of the State Normal School at Ellensburg and continued in the dual position until 1916. Since then he has held the head professorship of mathematics in the high school and is now principal. He is regarded as one of the ahlest educators of the state, having for many years been prominently identified with the schools of Washington. He has ever displayed marked ability in imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired and he has ever held to the highest standards of his profession. He served as superintendent of schools for Walla Walla county and also for Kittitas county and served as superintendent of schools for the territory of Washington during the last term before the admission to the Union. He has likewise been a candidate for state superintendent of schools on three different occasions but met defeat.

On the 25th of February, 1891, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Margaret Bradshaw Hawkins, of Tacoma, a daughter of H. T. Hawkins. Nessa Margaret Morgan, their only child, is a graduate of the State Normal School of Ellensburg and is now teaching in the schools of Tacoma. She is also a graduate of the Pratt Institute of New York.

Mr. Morgan is a Mason, belonging to Ellensburg Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M. He also has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Wood- men of the World and the Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has been a close student of the vital questions and problems of the day. He has served in the city council and also as mayor of the city of Fllensburg. He was secretary of the library board from its beginnig and did the corresponding with Mr. Carnegie at the time the donation was received. He is still a member of the board. Since 1898 he has been an active member of the National Educational Association and is also a member of the state board of education and president of the Washington Educational Association and also of he Educational Council. His life has ever been characterized by devotion to the public good and along professional lines and as a citizen he has put forth every effort to advance the welfare of his fellowmen. He has many admirable qualities which have made him greatly beloved. so that his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance in Washington.

CHARLES YERGEN.

Charles Yergen first visited the Yakima valley in 1900 but did not become a permanent resident until 1905. He was born in Germany, July 28, 1874, a son of William and Ernestine (Pretzel) Yergen, who in 1880 left their native country and came to the new world, settling in Minnesota. There they remained until 1905, when they removed with their family to Yakima county, Washington, and William Yergen and his son Charles then purchased land two miles west of the city of Yakima, he- coming owners of a ten-acre tract. Later they added five acres to their original pur- chase and now have an excellent property of fifteen acres, of which twelve acres is planted to fruit. They specialize in apples, peaches and cherries. They have greatly improved the place through the erection of an attractive modern residence, suh- stantial barn and other buildings, and all of the equipments of the model farm prop- erty of the twentieth century are found upon their land.

On the 15th of November, 1899, Mr. Yergen was united in marriage to Miss

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Olga Schwarzkopf, of Minnesota, by whom he has five children, namely: William, Arnold, Annie, Walter and Irvin.

The religious faith of the family is that of the German Lutheran church. In political belief Mr. Yergen is a republican but has never sought or desired office, preferring always to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. In addition to fruit growing he raises Jersey cattle and rents eight and one-half acres of land near his home place. He also has been very successful in raising hay as well as fruit and is regarded as one of the prominent and leading farmers of the community. He is likewise a stockholder in the Yakima Savings & Loan Associa- tion, in which his sons also have stock.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 6

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