History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 79

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 79
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 79
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 79

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In his political views Mr. Gammons is independent, not considering himself bound by party ties but casting his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, which he joined in Massachusetts. His career has been upright and honorable in every rela- tion of life and he well merits the respect and esteem so uniformly accorded him.

WILLIAM J. HAMBELTON.

Among the successful orchardists of the Tieton district is William J. Hambelton, who was born at Prescott, Maine, September 16, 1885. His parents, John N. and Ellen (Fennell) Hambelton, were natives of Main and New Orleans, Louisiana, respectively, and the mother is of Irish descent. John N. Hambelton, who passed away in July, 1918, was a son of Samuel Hambelton, who was born in England and abont 1817, at the age of seventeen years, became a resident of the state of Maine, where throughout the remainder of his life he followed agricultural pursuits. His son, John N., engaged in the same occupation, but when a young man for several years followed a seafaring life. The mother of our subject still survives.

William J. Hambelton was reared under the parental roof and in the acquire- ment of his education attended the public schools, rounding out his primary learning by attendance at a business college. He entered upon his independent career in con- nection with the commission business at Boston, securing a position with John B. Drake & Company. Later he was with Allen, Hurd & Company of Boston but in 1913 he came to Yakima county. In the following year Mr. Hambelton bought twenty acres of land on the Tieton and there he has since built a handsome home. Ten acres of this tract are in apples and he derives a gratifying income from this source, being an up-to-date fruit raiser who has always followed progressive methods. He also leases thirty acres of land and also raises hay, beans and other produce.

On December 5, 1917, Mr. Hambelton was united in marriage to Miss Myra Warburton Abbott, a native of Bellingham, Washington, and a daughter of Harry and Ellen (Warburton) Abbott, the former deceased. They were early pioneers of this state and both were natives of England. The father throughout life was con- nected with railroading as an engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Hambelton are very popular in the social circles of Tieton and vicinity and have many friends. Politically he is independent, giving his support to the candidate whom he considers best for the position to which he aspires, irrespective of party affiliations. By developing a valu- able property he has not only won prosperity for himself but has given a stimulus to others engaged in fruit raising. He has thus proved a useful and substantial citi- žen, who ever takes an active part in the promotion of the public welfare.

CHARLES J. ANDERSON.

Charles J. Anderson is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in the vicinity of Ellensburg, one hundred and eighty acres of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and is devoting to the raising of hay and grain. He was born in Sweden on the 5th of November, 1867, a son of Swan and Christina (Nelson) Anderson, both of whom are deceased.

In 1886, when nineteen years of age, Charles J. Anderson determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and after landing on American shores made his way into the interior of the country to Champaign county, Illinois, where he remained for two and a half years. It was on the expiration of that period that he came to the northwest, arriving in Roslyn, Kittitas county, Washington, on the 3d of December, 1889. He was first employed on a ranch for one year but during the

CHARLES J. ANDERSON

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following eleven years worked in the mines. In 1904 he took up his abode on a ranch in the Kittitas valley which he had purchased in July, 1902, and whereon he has remained continuously to the present time. It comprises three hundred and twenty acres of land, one hundred and eighty acres of which is devoted to the culti- vation of hay and grain, of which he annually gathers excellent crops. Mr. Anderson has erected substantial new barns on the place and has made the many improvements which have converted it into one of the fine ranch properties of the valley. His well directed efforts have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity and he has won an enviable reputation as a substantial and enterprising agriculturist of Kittitas county.

Politically Mr. Anderson is a stanch republican, supporting the men and meas- ures of that party at the polls. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lake Valley Lodge, No. 112, at Roslyn, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he eagerly availed himself of the opportunities offered in this country and through persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy has worked his way steadily upward to a position among the successful farmers and representative citizens of his community.

MERRITT MONROE DAMMAN.

In the death of Merritt Monroe Damman, who passed away April 19, 1915, Ellensburg and Kittitas county lost a public-spirited citizen who was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Febru- ary 27, 1851, a son of Jeremiah Douglas and Mary J. (Cushing) Damman, natives of Maine, who migrated to Wisconsin as pioneers of that state and later crossed the plains to Utah in 1869. The following year they came to the Kittitas valley and there the father operated one of the first sawmills, also taking up a homestead claim, to the cultivation of which he devoted his remaining days, passing away February 27, 1898. His wife had preceded him many years, her death occurring January 4, 1865.

Merritt M. Dammon passed his boyhood days under the parental roof and attended the schools in the neighborhood of his father's farms in Wisconsin and in Utah. The year 1872 marked his arrival in the Kittitas valley, whither he came from Ogden, Utah, the latter city having been his home for several years. He soon turned his attention to farming and in 1885 took up a homestead two and a half miles south of Ellensburg, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which he later sold eighty acres. To the cultivation and improvement of this property he devoted his life, making it one of the valuable farms of the neighborhood, and here he followed agricultural pursuits with growing success, always using modern and up-to-date methods, making many improvements and installing modern equipment. As the years passed his industry, tenacity and straightforwardness combined in bringing to him success.

On the 28th of March, 1883, Mr. Damman was united in marriage to Miss Flor- ence Agnes Stickney, a native of Horicon, New York, and a daughter of Henry J. and Fannie Jane (Bunker) Stickney. While residing in the east Mrs. Damman was a successful teacher but in 1884 she crossed the continent, becoming a resident of Yakima county, where she continued in her chosen profession in old Yakima City. She was there when the railroad first reached the town but later she moved to the Kittitas valley, where she also witnessed the first coming in of the railroad. When on a visit from here to Wisconsin she made the journey on the first passenger train out of Ellensburg with her three-months-old son, Harold, who was the first baby to ride out of this city on a train. Mrs. Damman's parents came to Ellensburg in 1887 and there they lived until their deaths, the father passing away April 15, 1901, and the mother, February 4, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Damman were born the following children: Harold, who is an efficiency engineer and resides at Bremerton, married Ruth Fulmer, of Port Angeles, Washington, by whom he has a son; Fannie M. married Benjamin Cleveland, of Summit, Idaho, and they have three children, two daughters and a son; Raymond Merritt is also married and resides in Seattle, Wash-

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ington. The fourth member of the family, Dorothy Agnes, died at the age of eight years.

Merritt M. Damman attended the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow and family belongs. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his political persuasion was that of the democratic party. Although not active in public life he was ever ready to give his support to worthy movements undertaken on behalf of the public and his name was connected with various enterprises which have proven of benefit to the inhabitants of Kittitas county. All who knew him, and he had many friends, had the highest regard for him and esteemed him as a straightforward, honorable man whose word was as good as his bond. His death was a great blow to his family, who lost in him a beloved husband and father, who had ever at heart the welfare of those dear to him.

CHARLES HUGH WHITE.

Among the young and successful agriculturists of Yakima county is Charles Hugh White, a native of this county who was born in Cowiche, February 20, 1888, and is a son of Anson and Almeda (Tigard) White, pioneers of Yakima county. More extended mention is made of his parents on other pages of this work. The son was reared under the parental roof and subsequently rounded out his school work by attending a business college in Yakima. Laying aside his textbooks, he then engaged in ranching with his father, thus early in life acquiring valuable knowledge of agri- cultural pursuits. In November, 1913, he bought forty acres of the old homestead and to the cultivation of this tract has since given his undivided attention, raising hay and grain and also having important live stock interests, specializing in sheep and hogs.

On the 16th of November, 1911, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Caddie Bonney, a native of Thurston county, Washington, and a daughter of Clarence Bonney, a pioneer of this state. To this union have been born two children, Al- meda Bonney and Clarence Anson.

Mr. White is a member of the Methodist church and his wife of the Christian church, in the work of which organizations they are actively and helpfully interested. In his political affiliations he is a republican and is thoroughly informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day although he has never sought office, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private affairs. Both he and his wife have many friends in their part of Yakima county and are highly respected by all who know them.

WILLIAM L. MILLER.

William L. Miller, devoting his time and attention to the raising of apples and pears in the Selah valley, has been a permanent resident of Yakima county since 1909. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. September 27, 1847, a son of Hugh and Mary (Lockhart) Miller, who were natives of Ireland and of Pennsylvania respec- tively. The father became a resident of Pennsylvania when a young man and there devoted his life to the occupation of farming. The mother was a representative of one of the old pioneer families of that state and both Mr. and Mrs. Miller passed away in Pennsylvania.

William L. Miller of this review acquired a public school education and followed farming in his native state to the age of nineteen years, when he left the cast and re- moved to Iowa. He worked at the carpenter's trade in Lucas county, Iowa, and also owned and cultivated a farm there. In 1898, however, he made his way to the north- west and took up his abode in Yakima county, where he purchased ten acres of orchard land on Nob Hill. The following year, however, he disposed of that prop- erty and returned to Iowa, where he remained for five years longer. He then spent a summer in Yakima county but once more returned to Iowa, where he continued

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to reside for four years. In 1909 he took up his permanent abode in Yakima county, however, and purchased twenty acres of land in the Selah valley, eight acres of which was in orchard. Later he sold ten acres of this but has the remaining ten acres, of which eight acres is given over to the raising of apples and pears. He has very fine trees upon his place and is annually gathering good crops.

On the 19th of October, 1865, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Searight, who was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Mary J. Searight, both of whom have now passed away. The father died in Pennsyl- vania, while the mother afterward removed to Iowa, where her last days were passed. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born four children: Jennie M., now the wife of Everett Taylor, a rancher living in the Selah valley George W., ho resides in Des Moines, lowa, and is married; Edgar A., a rancher of the Selah valley, who is married and has eight children; and Ad. L., who is engaged in farming in Saskatchewan, Canada, and is married and has one child.

In his political views Mr. Miller is a republican, which party he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has always been loyal and progressive in citizenship, standing for those things which are most worth while in the community, and his enterprise and diligence have brought to him a substantial measure of prosperity.

A. J. GLADSON.

A. J. Gladson represents important commercial interests in Yakima as president of the Valley Electric Supply Company, which he established in May, 1911, and the business of which extends over a wide territory. Moreover, he has always taken a helpful part in building up commercial activities in his city and extending its trade relations, serving at the present time as president of the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association. A native of Iowa, he was born in Corning, July 11, 1879, and is a son of James Marion and Almira (Newcomb) Gladson, the former of whom is yet living at the age of eighty-five years, while the latter passed away in 1912. The father, who is a native of Indiana, removed to Iowa during the primitive period in the development of that state, being one of the pioneers of 1854. He is highly esteemed in his neighborhood and is honored as the oldest living settler of Adams county, still residing on the farm which he took up under government grant upon arriving in that state. In the conduct of his business affairs he has always been hon- orable, careful and successful and is numbered among the affluent agriculturists of his county. Mrs. Gladson, a native of the Pine Tree state, came of an old family of Maine, the original ancestor of which came to this country in the Mayflower. In her early life she removed to lowa and there she passed her remaining days.

A. J. Gladson was reared upon the home farm near Corning, Iowa, and under- went the usual experiences of the farmbred boy. His parents, being desirous of giving him a thorough education and thus well preparing him for life's arduous duties, sent him, after the completion of a public school course, to the high school of Corning, which he attended until he entered the State University of Arkansas, of which one of his brothers, Professor William N. Gladson, was at that time dean and vice president. Mr. Gladson, of this review, graduated from Arkansas Univer- sity in 1901, having pursued an electrical engineering course. Being impressed with the opportunities offered in the west, he then decided to cross the prairies and moun- tains and in 1901 removed to Seattle, Washington, where for some time he was con- nected with the engineering department of the Seattle Electric Company. Later he secured a position with the Seattle-Tacoma Power Company and continued in that connection until 1910, when he came to Yakima. Looking over the field of business opportunities along his line, he in 1911 established the Valley Electric Supply Com- pany, of which he has since been the president and which under his guidance has become one of the most important enterprises of its kind not only in the city of Yakima, but throughout the whole section which is generally described as the Yakima valley. The business was established in May, 1911. by A. J. Gladson and K. L. Wade, but in 1912 Mr. Wade sold his interest to Mr. Gladson. The plant was

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located on North Second street until 1915, when in order to gain more spacious and convenient quarters, removal was made to No. 313 East Yakima avenue, where it occupies a space of twenty-five by one hundred and forty feet with basement. The company carries a full line of electric fixtures, also farm lighting plants, and acts as agent for Yakima and Benton counties for the Lally light, which is largely used upon farms. Moreover, they are agents for the Willard batteries, their territory com- prising Yakima county. Outside of carrying a large supply of electrical goods they have also engaged in electrical contracting and construction work and among others have equipped the five hundred thousand dollar Congdon residence with electricity. In fact they have wired and installed electrical apparatus in about ninety per cent of the leading buildings of the city, including both business blocks and residences, among them being the Commercial Hotel, the Miller building and many others. The success of the Valley Electric Supply Company must be largely ascribed to the able management of Mr. Gladson, who is not only thoroughly versed in commercial methods but has made a comprehensive study of the subject of electricity and by his long connection with large companies has gained experience which now proves of the utmost value to him. As the years have passed his business has grown to large proportions and the income he derives therefrom is most gratifying.

On the 30th of June, 1908, Mr. Gladson was married to Miss Edna Smart, a native of Seattle, and to this union two sons have been born, Donald and Richard. The family are prominent in the social circles of their city and their hospitable home is often the gathering place of their many friends.

Mr. Gladson is a member of Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., and also be- longs to Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine, while in the Scottish Rite he has at- tained the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He is likewise a member of the Ben- evolent Protective Order of Elks. a trustee of the Commercial Club and president of the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association. In this executive position he has done much toward promoting the objects and purposes of the organization and many are the plans which he has inaugurated and carried through that have con- tributed toward the commercial development of the valley and his city. Mr. Glad- son has always been interested in farming pursuits and outside of his principal busi- ness interests leases a valuable fruit farm near Yakima, in the cultivation of which he not only finds pleasure and recreation but also a gratifying addition to his in- come. In his political views he is independent, preferring to follow his own judg- ment in supporting measures and candidates and is always giving his aid to those movements and projects which he considers of the greatest benefit to the greatest number. An enterprising, progressive and aggressive business man, he stands high in the commercial circles of his community, where he is also respected as a patriotic and public-spirited citizen and a man of high character, ever ready to cooperate in measures and movements which contribute toward the general welfare and uplift.

ANSEL R. KEITH.

For more than a third of a century Ansel R. Keith has been identified with the northwest and now makes his home a mile north of Buena, where he is busily en- gaged in the further development and improvement of fifty-five acres planted to orchards. He was born in Winslow, Maine, July 4, 1855, a son of Richard and Jane (Hiscock) Keith, both of whom were natives of the Pine Tree state. The family was an old one in New England. The grandfather, Sydney Keith, resided in Massa- chusetts, whence he removed to Maine, where he followed the occupation of farming. which also became the life work of Richard Keith. For many years the latter re- sided in the east but eventually crossed the continent and lived retired in Washing- ton throughout his remaining days. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served with the Third Maine Battery of Heavy Artillery, and his life, ever honorable and upright, always commended him to the confidence and good will of those who knew him.

Ansel R. Keith acquired a public school education in Maine and when twenty- one years of age went to the Black Hills of South Dakota. He afterward took up

ANSEL R. KEITH AND FAMILY

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his abode in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, becoming a successful farmer there, and while devoting his attention to the work of the fields through the summer months he also taught school in the winter seasons. The year 1885 witnessed his removal to the northwest, at which time he became a resident of Umatilla county, Oregon, where he took up government land. In 1889 he came to this state, settling at Puyal- lup, where he purchased a fruit ranch upon which he resided until 1908. He then came to the Yakima valley and bought ten acres of land a mile north of Buena, while his sons became owners of an equal amount. In 1909 Mr. Keith purchased additional tract of thirty-five acres, so that they now have fifty-five acres in all. It was covered with sagebrush at the time of the purchase. Today it is all in orchards -apples, pears and peaches, and Mr. Keith has won classification with the represen- tative orchardists of his section of the state. He has built a good home upon the ranch and everything about the place is indicative of his progressive spirit and practical methods, which have produced splendid results. He annually makes large shipments of fruit and because of the size and excellent quality of his product he finds a very ready sale on the market.

On the 2d of April, 1882, Mr. Keith was married to Miss Mary Warner, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Robert and Margaret Warner, who came from Ireland to the new world and took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin. The father followed farming throughout his active business career and both he and his wife have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have two sons : George W., at home; and Mark, who is with the United States army in France.

Mr. Keith and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are people of genuine worth, their many excellent traits of character having gained for them high regard among all who know them.

COLMAN ROSENSTEIN.

Commercial activity in Toppenish finds a worthy and progressive representative in Colman Rosenstein, a dealer in men's furnishings and clothing. During the period of his residence in this city, dating from December, 1910, he has built up a business of substantial proportions. He was born in Roumania in 1880, a son of Mendel and Rachel Rosenstein, who were also natives of that country and in the year 1907 crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Chicago, where the father died and the mother still makes her home.

It was in 1900 that Colman Rosenstein came to the United States, but he did not tarry on the Atlantic coast or even in the central section of the country but crossed the continent to California, where he began work on farms. Later he clerked for two years in a store and subsequently he spent six years as a bricklayer in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1907 he took up his abode at Portland, Oregon, where he worked for the Portland Sash & Door Company, and in this way he gained the capital that enabled him to engage in business on his own account. All through his previons career he was actuated by the laudable ambition of some day entering the mercantile field as proprietor of a store and his energy, industry and eonomy enabled him at length to accomplish his purpose. He opened a men's furnish- ing goods establishment in Portland and continued in the trade in that city for eight months. In July, 1910, he removed to Goldendale, Washington, where he purchased a store, but disposed of it in December of the same year and removed to Toppenish, bringing his stock of goods with him overland. He then opened a store on First avenue, where he remained for four and a half years, after which he secured a loca- tion on South Toppenish avenue, where he has since continued. He carries a large line of clothing and men's furnishings and his business has steadily grown and de- veloped. He has made it his purpose to please his patrons and his enterprise and progressiveness are manifest in the excellent stock which he carries and in the suc- cess which has attended his venture.

On the 15th of August, 1910, Mr. Rosenstein was married to Miss Ethel Cohan, who was then living in Portland but is a native of Roumania. His political endorse- (26)

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ment is given to the republican party. He became a citizen of the United States in 1915 and is a loyal supporter of its interests. He was elected to the city council in 1916 by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability and his de- votion to the welfare of the community. That he proved loyal to the trust reposed in him is indicated in the fact that he is now serving in the position for the third term, at all times exercising his official prerogatives for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. Mr. Rosenstein has become the owner of an attractive home in Toppen- ish and he also has property in Portland, which stands as a monument to his thrift and well directed business activities. He has never had occasion to regret his de- termination to come to America when a young man of twenty years, for on this side of the Atlantic he found the opportunities which he sought. He did not think that success was to be had for the asking, but recognized that industry will always win its reward and by reason of unfaltering perseverance in business and straightforward dealing he has made steady advancement and is now classed among the representa- tive merchants of his adopted city.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 79

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