History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 60

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 60
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 60
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 60

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carefully looked after. The firm carries a well assorted line of staple and fancy gro- ceries and always sees to it that the goods are in the best condition and as represented. It is therefore but natural that their trade has increased from year to year and today the firm is considered one of the best business houses of its kind in the city.

On December 11, 1907, Mr. Brockhausen was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Sicht, a native of Missouri, and to them were born two children, Genette and Karl. In his political views Mr. Brockhausen is independent. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. Always interested in the growth and development of his city, Mr. Brockhausen is ever ready to give his support to worthy measures and lend aid to any movement undertaken for the benefit of the city. He is a clear-sighted, high-minded business man of most honorable purposes and since coming to Prosser has made many friends, all of whom speak of him in the highest terms.

HARRY N. PAUL.

Harry N. Paul, one of the prominent agriculturists of the younger generation, is residing near Mabton and has been very successful along divers lines of agriculture. A valuable farm, known as Happy Home, stands as the visible evidence of his indus- try and energy. He was born in Sarpy county, Nebraska, January 2, 1878, a son of Charles C. and Caroline M. (Rosenstihl) Paul, the former born in Otsego county, New York, and the latter in Virginia. Her father, Jacob Rosenstihl, conducted the first blacksmith shop in Omaha, whither he had made his way by wagon, being one of the historic pioneers of that place. Charles C. Paul, the father of our subject, was in Chicago at the time of the great fire there and barely escaped with his life when he tried to save his trunk during that terrible conflagration. About 1875 he removed to Nebraska, where he farmed acquiring wild land which he placed in a good state of cultivation. He subsequently conducted a wagon and repair shop at Omaha for sev- eral years but in the '80s went to Douglas county, Nebraska, where he again followed farming until 1900, when he came to the state of Washington, settling in Seattle. That city remained his residence until 1911, when he went to Medford, Oregon, living in that city for six years. In 1917 he returned to this state and took up his residence in Sunnyside, where he now lives retired. His brother, Dr. C. H. Paul, was the first dentist in Omaha.

Harry N. Paul grew up amid pioneer conditions in Nebraska and in that state attended the publc schools. Upon laying aside his textbooks he assisted his father until 1898, when, being influenced by the glowing reports which he heard regarding the far west, he went to Spokane, where he attended a business college. He provided for his expenses by his own labors, thereby displaying the spirit of enterprise which has ever been one of the salient characteristics that have greatly contributed toward his later success. He also studied assaying during this period and followed that oc- cupation for about four years, but because of cyanide poisoning he then took up farm work, his health precluding further activity along mining lines.

In 1902 Mr. Paul came to Yakima county and he and his brother, Charles C. Paul, Jr., then bought sixty acres of land four and a half miles north of Mabton which at that time was in a wild state, being covered with a dense growth of sagebrush. The brother later sold out and Mr. Paul of this review has since bought forty acres more, making a total of seventy acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He has erected suitable barns and a fine home, thus making his one of the valuable prop- erties of the neighborhood. He raises hay and corn and also gives considerable attention to the live stock end of farming, specializing in blooded Percheron horses and Holstein cattle. Moreover, he is a large bee keeper and now has four hundred and seventy-five stands, which are located in a ten-mile circle all around the home. He produces the well known and justly celebrated Happy Home honey and in 1918 sold over thirteen tons of extracted honey. From this source Mr. Paul is deriving a very gratifying addition to his income and has become an authority in the apiary line and is often consulted upon subjects relating thereto. He does his own extracting and sells the product to jobbers entirely. The farm, which is one of the most modern

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and up-to-date in the vicinity of Mabton, is known as the Happy Home farm and Mr. Paul may well be proud of the success which he has achieved here as it is entirely due to his own labor, his energy and industry.

In 1904 Mr. Paul was married to Miss Clara E. Scott, a native of Whitman county, Washington, and a daughter of J. A. M. Scott. To this union four children were born, Allen, Vance, and Helen and Harold, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Paul are well and favorably known socially in Mabton and vicinity, being welcomed in the best homes of the neighborhood and often entertaining their friends at their own fireside.

In politics Mr. Paul is not bound to any party but follows his own judgment, voting for men and measures according to his lights, taking into consideration only their qualifications. He has ever been interested in the cause of education and mental and moral development and has served on the local school board. Great credit is due him for what he has achieved, as his success has been built upon his own efforts and he therefore is entitled to be numbered among the self-made men of the state.

NORVAL STUART JOHNSON.

Norval Stuart Johnson was one of the prominent hotel men of the northwest, becoming proprietor of the Yakima Hotel in Yakima, with which he was connected to the time of his demise. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1860 and his life record covered the intervening period to 1904. His forefathers were among the earli- est settlers of ichmond, as he was descended from one of the distinguished families of England, a picture of his great-great-grandfather hanging now in the house of parliament in London.

Mr. Johnson pursued his education in the south and early in his business career became conected with the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri, for which house he traveled for several years. He represented that business in California and subsequently he became the traveling representative of a western hardware com- pany. At a later period he resided for five years in Tacoma and in 1901 he and his wife purchased the Yakima Hotel, with which he was connected to the time of his death.

It was in 1888 that Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha B. Benson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Johannes and Lena Benson, who came to America when Mrs. Johnson was a young girl. They engaged in the hotel business and Mrs. Johnson had experience along that line throughout her early life. After her mar- riage she and Mr. Johnson purchased a hotel and following their removal to Yakima they built an addition to the Yakima Hotel. Mrs. Johnson is well known in hotel circles throughout the northwest. She has been the owner of hotels at Seattle, Tacoma and elsewhere and the one which is now being conducted by herself and her son is one of the leading hotels of Yakima, containing seventy-five rooms, many with bath, and four sample rooms. She was formerly connected with the St. Francis Hotel of Seattle, also the Rochester Hotel of Tacoma for five years, and she now has the Samuels Hotel at Wallace, Idaho. She has closely studied the question of hotel management and conduct and knows just what is demanded by the traveling public. She arranges everything possible for the convenience and comfort of guests and maintains her hotels on the highest standards. She is conducting the best furnished and most attractive hotel in Yakima and displays the most progressive methods in the management of her interests.

To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born three children: David, who is manager of the hotel of Wallace, Idaho, a five story brick structure; Norval Stuart, who is now a member of the United States army; and William O., who is in the Aviation Corps. The sons are fine looking men of whom the mother has every reason to be proud and they are making an excellent record as defenders of the cause of democracy.

Mr. Johnson's many friends referred to him as a man of attractive personal qualities, of splendid business ability and of sterling worth. His business throughout life was principally that of a traveling salesman, while Mrs. Johnson managed their property interests. She possesses marked business acumen and enterprise and has given proof of splendid executive ability in the conduct of all of her affairs. In ad-

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dition to the hotels in which she is interested she has a fine fruit farm and a most attractive country home called Johnson's Corner on Nob Hill boulevard. She owns much city and country property and has large garages. In the early days she pur- chased property from time to time even when her friends doubted the wisdom of her course, but time has proven her sagacity and business insight, for as the years have passed this property has greatly increased in value and has brought to her a most substantial income. She now ranks among Yakima's capitalists who have made their fortunes in the city and, like others, she has done much for the development of the valley. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson traveled quite extensively. He was a member of the Elks and a most popular man wherever known, having the attractive social qualities which won him friends wherever he went. Mrs. Johnson has always had charge of the property which she and her husband acquired and she has added largely to her hold- ings in the meantime. She has had the assitance of her sons in later years until the two youngest joined the colors, having prepared for active service with the national army. Alert and energetic, Mrs. Johnson has carried out her purposes in a business way and her labors have been productive of most gratifying results. She is well known socially in Yakima and is a most influential and valued resident of the valley.

C. H. M. GRONVOLD.

The late C. H. M. Gronvold was well known as manager of the Grand Hotel of Yakima. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 9, 1869, a son of Chris- tian and Mary Gronvold. The father has departed this life, but the mother is still living in Denmark. The son acquired a public school education in his native country and came to America in 1887, when a youth of eighteen years. He made his way first to Chicago, Illinois, then to Denver, Colorado, and later settled in Pueblo, that state. Subsequently he became one of the pioneers in the Cripple Creek district, where he engaged in mining for seven years, and afterward he was at Nelson and at Rossland, British Columbia, where he followed mining for three years. In 1900 he was married and spent his honeymoon in Alaska, after which he returned to Seattle. Later he went to Skagway, Alaska, where he devoted a year and a half to mining, and next was at Valdez, Alaska, where he continued in mining for a year and a half. On returning to Washington he became connected with the hotel business in Astoria, where he spent five years, after which he was proprietor of the Princess Hotel in Portland, Oregon, for two years. Removing to Roseburg, Oregon, he con- ducted the Mcclellan Hotel of that place for a year and then again spent a year in Portland. In 1913 he arrived in Yakima and became proprietor of the Grand Hotel. so continuing until his death on September 9, 1918. The hotel was established in 1912. It is a five-story structure, one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and forty- three feet, and contains two hundred rooms. It is a brick and cement building with basement and of steel and fireproof construction. It has forty-nine rooms with bath and there are three public baths on each floor. A cafe is carried on in connection with the hotel, which is conducted on the European plan. A fine auto bus meets all trains and the hotel is steam heated throughout, with hot and cold water in each room and telephone connection to each room. About thirty people are employed and everything is strictly modern and conducted to the utmost point of comfort for the guests. All this had been brought about through the unceasing activities of Mr. Gronvold, who thus won a well deserved reputation as a leading and popular hotel proprietor in the northwest. In addition to his hotel business he was the owner of valuable properties, including three fine ranches, one in the Yakima valley and two in Oregon.

In 1900 Mr. Gronvold was married to Miss Anna Josephine Bott, who was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. They had one child, George, whose birth occurred in Skag- way, Alaska, in 1901. and who is now in Siberia with the Canadian army, having been refused enlistment in the United States army on account of his age. Mr. Gron- vold belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Commercial Club, to the Yakima Valley Business Men's

C. H. M. GRONVOLD

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Association and to the Sour Doughs, an Alaskan society. In politics he was an in- dependent republican. He possessed a genial, social nature which constituted an element in his success as hotel manager and at the same time he was well endowed with those business qualifications-executive ability and administrative direction- which are so essential in the conduct of interests such as claimed his time and at- tention. His death, which was quite sudden, came as a distinct shock to his many friends as well as his wife and son, and in him Yakima lost a most progressive and valuable citizen. His memory will long be cherished by those who knew him more intimately and who thus were able to judge of his noble traits of character. In his friendships he was ever steadfast and true, but he was above all else deeply devoted to his family.

Mrs. Gronvold is now very ably carrying on the business, the years of collabora- tion with her husband having brought her the needed experience. With pride she anticipates the return of her son from foreign battlefields, who then will assist her in the conduct of the large enterprise, thus relieving her of much of the burden which her manifold duties now lay upon her.

DE WITT DAVID CLARK.

De Witt David Clark, engaged in fruit raising and general farming near Grand- view, is one of the enterprising young orchardists of this section to whom oppor- tunity is ever a call to action-a call to which he makes ready response. He was born at Brush Prairie, Washington, September 27, 1892, a son of Edmond Howard and Susan Annie (Harris) Clark. The father was born in Iowa and the mother's birth occurred at Cedar Rapids, that state. When a lad of but nine years Edmond H. Clark crossed the plains with his father, Alvin Clark, in the year 1852 and the family home was later established at Brush Prairie, Washington, where they were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers. The grandfather continued to reside in that locality to the time of his death and devoted his attention to ranching and also engaged in preaching as a minister of the Baptist church. Edmond H. Clark was there reared amid the scenes and environment of pioneer life and assisted in the ardnous task of developing new land, upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made when the place came into their possession. Later he removed to the Palouse country and afterward took up his abode at Sunnyside, Washington, about 1902. He then purchased land and at once began to farm it, continuing its cultivation and further development until his demise.

In early manhood Edmond H. Clark had married Susan Annie Harris, a daughter of Samuel C. Harris, who was also one of the pioneers on the Pacific coast. He brought his family to this section of the country by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1869, with Brush Prairie as his destination. He then began farming and continued in active identification with the agricultural interests of that region until the time of his demise. His daughter was reared in this locality and is still living, but her hus- band, Edmond H. Clark, passed away on the 14th of October, 1914.

This worthy couple were the parents of seven children: Francis, a farmer re- siding at Sunnyside, who is married and has six children: Laura, the wife of Herbert K. Oliver, living at Hood River, Washington; Edwin H., deceased; Jessamine, who is the wife of Roy A. Johnson, occupying the old home ranch in Yakima county, and has one child; Lawrence, an orchardist living near Grandview, who is married and has four children :: Alvin, an orchardist, also residing near Grandview, who is married and has two children; and De Witt David, of this review, who makes his home with his mother.

The last named acquired a public school education and through the period of his boyhood and youth assisted in the development of the home ranch. In the fall of 1915 he and his mother purchased seven acres of land at Grandview, of which three and a half acres is planted to orchard, while the remainder is plow land. They have a nice home and there are also good barns upon the place, in fact the equipment of the place is that which is found upon a model ranch property of the twentieth century and Mr. Clark is very successfully engaged in raising fruit, being now well known as

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one of the representative young orchardists of the community. Mrs. Clark is a mem- ber of the Christian church. The son gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not desire public office as a reward for party fcalty. He prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, and the thoroughness and progressiveness of his mehtods have brought to him substantial success.

THOMAS L. MARTIN.

Thomas L. Martin, president of the Yakima Abstract & Title Company and also engaged in the insurance business in Yakima, was born in Dodbridge county, West Virginia, in 1867, a son of Luther and Ann M. (Harrison) Martin. The parents, leav- ing the Atlantic coast, made their way across the country to Yakima and spent their remaining days in the Pacific northwest, both being laid to rest herc. The father was engaged in the lumber business in West Virginia for forty years.

Thomas L. Martin acquired a public school education, supplemented by study in the West Virginia University. He arrived in Yakima on the 1st of December, 1888, and served as deputy sheriff under Dan Lesh. He was afterward active along various lines of business until 1903, when, in connection with Fred Chandler, he purchased the business of the Yakima Abstract & Title Company, which was organized in 1882 by Mrs. Kate Tyler, formerly Kate Fuerbach, who was one of the early auditors of the county. This was the first abstract company formed in Yakima county. The busi- ness had passed through various ownerships, being ultimately taken over by the firm of Chandler & Martin, but Mr. Chandler sold his interest to Mr. Martin, who now conducts the abstract business alone. He is also interested in the insurance business as a member of the firm of Martin & Miller.

On the 14th of January, 1904, Mr. Martin was married to Mrs. Dora (Allen) Brooke, of Yakima, and they now have a daughter, Virginia Harrison. Mr. Martin votes with the republican party, having long supported its principles and with firm belief in its policy. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonic circles has attained high rank, having membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery at Yakima and in Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

PATRICK H. TYRRELL.

Patrick H. Tyrrell has the care of a twenty acre orchard in the Selah valley, of which he became the owner in 1907, and in connection with the cultivation of apples he is engaged also in raising alfalfa. Thus his time is busily spent and his com- munity finds in him an active and representative citizen.

Mr. Tyrrell was born in Chisago county, Minnesota, July 28, 1864, a son of James and Margaret Tyrrell, who were natives of Ireland and became residents of Chisago county in early life, their marriage being there celebrated. It was in 1864 that James Tyrrell settled in Minnesota, where he engaged in farming throughout his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1916. His widow still occupies the old homestead in that state, where for more than a half century she has lived.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Patrick H. Tyrrell in his boyhood days. He acquired a public school education and remained at home until he had attained his majority, after which he worked at the barber's trade for a few years. He was later engaged in the drug business in Minne- sota for thirteen years and in 1907 came to Yakima county, purchasing twenty acres of land in the Selah valley, for which he paid twelve thousand dollars, the tract being planted to apples. He has it all seeded to alfalfa at the present time and is thus producing a good crop of hay as well as apples.

On the 14th of May, 1898, Mr. Tyrrell was married to Miss Mary Irene Burns, of Stillwater, Minnesota, a daughter of Daniel and Ann (Shortle) Burns. They have

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become the parents of nine children: Gerald, at home; Catharine R., who is deceased; Theodore; Nathalie; Phillip; Patricia; Daniel; Helen and Elizabeth.

Mr. Tyrrell and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and he also belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. In politics he is a republican and while living in Minnesota he served for two years as a member of the city council of Linstrom. He has never sought public office since removing to the northwest, preferring to concentrate his attention and his efforts upon his busi- ness affairs. He is today the owner of an excellent property, highly developed, and the progressive methods which marked his grain raising in the Mississippi valley are equally manifest in the care of his orchards in the Pacific northwest. His plans are well defined and promptly executed and the faithful performance of each day's duty as it comes to him gives him strength, inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day.

JOHN J. LUDENS.

John J. Ludens, who has departed this life, was born in Gibbsville, Wisconsin, October 14, 1872, and was called to his final rest on the 2d of December, 1905. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ludens, were both natives of Holland. They made the long voyage across the Atlantic and established their home in Wisconsin.

After acquiring a public school education John J. Ludens engaged in farming with his father in his native state and afterward became a resident of Sioux county, lowa, where he lived until 1900, when he made his way to the northwest. Attracted by the opportunities which report told him were to be found in Yakima county, he traveled to this district and made investment in twenty acres of land, to which he afterward added another twenty acre tract. His place is situated on the Moxee and thereon he erected a comfortable residence and made other substantial improvments in accord with the spirit of modern progressive agriculture at the present day. His time and attention were devoted to farming interests here until his death.

On the 28th of February, 1895, Mr. Ludens was married to Miss Bertha Bakker, who was born in Holland in 1872, a daughter of Jacob and Grace (Stavinga) Bakker, who in 1890 became residents of Sioux county, Iowa, where the mother passed away, but the father is now living in Yakima county. Mr. and Mrs. Ludens' children are Nellie, the wife of Rev. R. Kroodsma, residing at Clymer, New York; and Gertrude, Jacob. John and Jeannette, all at home.

The family are all members of the First Reformed church. Mrs. Ludens and the children manage the old homestead and are meeting with substantial success in the conduct of the property. Mr. Ludens was one of the pioneers of the Moxee valley and became widely and favorably known in that section of the state, leaving behind him many friends when he was called to his final rest and leaving to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.

CHARLES F. WHIPPEY.

Charles F. Whippey, who now owns a valuable apple orchard of fifteen acres, one and a quarter miles east of Zillah, his whole tract comprising twenty acres, has had a most interesting career as a navigator of racing yachts. Many were the races in which he participated and many are the victories that stand to his credit. A native of Nantucket, Massachusetts, he was born March 28, 1862, and is a son of Henry C. and Hannah M. (Bates) Whippey, also natives of that state. The father was a son of Frederick Whippey, who was also born in Nantucket and was descended from a long line of American ancestors, the original one of whom came from Wales in the third ship after the Mayflower. The father and grandfather of our subject were carpenters, the former making his home in New York for many years, where he was engaged in contracting and building.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 60

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