USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 81
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 81
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 81
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WALTER L. ARMS.
General farming interests near Outlook have for a number of years claimed the attention of Walter L. Arms, who now owns fifty acres in this district, largely de- voted to hay, corn and potatoes, although he also gives close attention to the dairy which he operates in connection with the farm. A native of Randolph, Wisconsin, he was born October 31, 1876, his parents being Myron and Mary (Parish) Arms, both natives of Vermont and pioneers of Wisconsin. The father was a son of Richard Arms, who brought the family to Wisconsin when his son Myron was but a small boy. The father and grandfather successfully followed agricultural pursuits and both died in Wisconsin, in which state the mother is still living.
Walter L. Arms was reared upon his father's farm and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools, while at the same time, under the guidance of his father, he became acquainted with thorough agricultural methods. Desiring to take up the same line of work as his ancestors, he realized the value of scientific training along that vocation and took an agricultural course at Madison, Wisconsin. He at first rented land in Wisconsin, but having heard favorable reports of condi- tions in the greater west, he went to Livingston, Montana, in 1900. There, however, he did not follow his old line of work but became connected with a mercantile es- tablishment. In 1902 he went to Seattle, Washington, where he was connected with a street car line. In 1905 he came to Yakima county and acquired a tract of forty acres of raw land, which was then all sagebrush, located four miles northwest of Outlook. He immediately began clearing the land and bringing it under cultivation. Energetically and industriously he set himself to work and, applying the methods which he considered best, he soon had his farm in a prosperous condition. He has built a fine house and suitable barns and gives his attention largely to the raising of hay, corn and potatoes, while also operating a dairy, from which he receives a gratifying addition to his income. He also acquired an additional ten acres, so that his farm now comprises fifty acres.
On March 28, 1900, Mr. Arms was united in marriage to Laura Armstrong, who was born near Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of J. P. and Louise Arm- strong, farming people of that neighborhood. To this union were born two daugh- ters, Dorothy and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Arms are widely and favorably known in the Outlook district, where they have made many friends. Both are members of the Eastern Star, while Mr. Arms also belongs to the blue lodge of Masons. More- over, he is a member of the Grange, in which organization he always takes a great
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interest. Their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Arms is a republican. In the progress and development of his district he has ever taken a laudable interest and has never failed to give his support to matters of public concern. Especially has the cause of education found in him a warm champion and for the past five years he has served on the local school board. There is much credit due him for what he has achieved, as in a comparatively few years he has built up a valuable property and by transforming a wild tract into a prosperous farm has contributed toward the wealth of his district and county.
JAMES WALKER MOREN.
James Walker Moren, who since 1914, has resided upon his ranch on the lower Naches and is there extensively and successfully engaged in raising apples and other fruit, was born in Lanrel county, Kentucky, May 20, 1876, a son of Daniel O, and Sarah (Patton) Moren, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and were well known farming people of Carroll county, that state.
James W. Moren acquired a public school education and began teaching when but fifteen years of age. He afterward attended the Williamsburg Institute and throughout his entire life he has been a man of stadions habits who has continually broadened his knowledge by reading, study and research. He is a graduate of law, having completed a course in Center College of Danville, Kentucky, with the class of 1898. Following his graduation he took up the practice of law at London, Ken- tucky, where he remained for eight years, and during that period he served for four years as county attorney in a most acceptable manner. The opportunities of the northwest attracted him and in 1906 he removed to Yakima, where he opened a law office, continuing in the practice of his profession in the city for six years, during which period he was deputy prosecuting attorney for two years. He exerted much influence over public thought and action, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability, called upon him to serve as their representative in the state legislature for two years, he being a member of the general assembly of Washington in 1911 and again in 1913.
In the meantime, however, Mr. Moren became interested in farming and orchard- ing in this state. In 1907 he purchased forty acres of land on the lower Naches, of which he has since sold twenty acres. In 1914 he removed to his ranch and now has fifteen acres planted to apples, with peaches and pears as fillers. He has built a nice home upon his place and added all modern accessories and conveniences for the further development of his orchards and the care of his fruit. Everything is thoroughly modern and his work is most systematically and efficiently done.
On the 12th of November, 1912, Mr. Moren was married to Miss Alma Lesh, a daughter of D. E. Lesh, a pioneer settler of Yakima county, and they now have one child, Alma. Mr. Moren belongs to the Elks Lodge, No. 318, of Yakima, while politically he is a republican. He does not seek or desire office, however, notwith- standing his fitness for public position has been demonstrated in the past. He pre- fers now to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and has made a creditable name and place for himself as a leading orchardist on the Naches.
ANDREW CROOKSTON.
A native of Utah, Andrew Crookston has throughout his life been connected with the development and upbuilding of the west and besides watching the wonder- ful transformation that has taken place in the Pacific states has participated in their growth. He is now a successful rancher near Sunnyside, Washington, and here he has found opportunities that have permitted him to attain a substantial position in life. He was born in American Fork, Utah, June 2, 1878, a son of Thomas and Betsy (Crystal) Crookston, both of whom were natives of Scotland and became pioncer
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residents of Utah, where the father has for many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Andrew Crookston there received his public school education and subsequently turned to farming as a life work, learning the best methods under the able guidance of his father. He subsequently worked for others but in 1905 came to Yakima county, Washington, where he was again in the employ of others for a period of one year and then operated rented land for a year. Having carefully saved his earnings, in 1905 he was enabled to purchase forty acres of land four and a half miles southwest of Sunnyside and he has since developed this property into a valuable ranch, a part of which is devoted to fruit raising. He has seven acres in apples, the remainder being devoted to hay and plow land. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. Crookston has embraced many new methods and ideas in regard to farming and fruit raising and thus has made rapid progress, being today numbered among the substantial agri- culturists of his neighborhood.
On June 21, 1910, Mr. Crookston was married to Miss Mary Jane Wallace, a daughter of John and Ellen Wallace, pioneers of Yakima county, the former a whom has passed away. They have become the parents of two sons, Leroy and Sheldon, and a daughter unnamed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crookston are widely and favorably known in their neighborhood, where they have made many friends, all of whom speak of them in terms of warm regard. In his political affiliations he is a republican, loyally supporting the candidates of that party, in the principles of which he thoroughly believes. He is a self-made man and all credit must be given him for what he has achieved.
HARVEY A. ZIRKLE.
Harvey A. Zirkle, a well known representative of fruit growing interests, living in the vicinity of Yakima, was born in Clinton county, Missouri, October 1, 1878, a son of T. L. and Artie E. (Brown) Zirkle, who are natives of Virginia and of Missouri respectively. The father, removing to the latter state, there became identi- fied with farming interests and continued the cultivation of the land there until 1886, when he removed with his family to Yakima, Washington, living in the city for three months. He then took up his abode on the Naches and in 1887 rented the Cliff Clemens ranch. He afterward resided on the Gibbs ranch for a year and later rented the Housen ranch, which he occupied and cultivated for six years. On the expira- tion of that period he purchased a ranch property on the Cowiche, obtaining one hundred and eighty-two acres, all of which was wild and undeveloped when it came into his possession. It is now planted to orchards and the father has divided the land among his sons, while he is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.
Harvey A. Zirkle acquired a public school education and in his youthful days worked with his father upon the home place, being thus employed until he attained his majority. He was afterward in the employ of others for three years and on the 25th of June, 1903, he bought twenty acres on the lower Naches from his father, a part of which was still undeveloped and unimproved. With characteristic energy he began to transform this into a productive tract and now has six acres planted to apples and pears, while one acre is given to the growing of Elberta peaches and cherries, his trees being in excellent bearing condition. The remainder of his land is devoted to the raising of corn, hay and potatoes, of which he annually gathers good crops. The cultivation of his place is conducted along modern, progressive lines and the results achieved are very gratifying.
On the 18th of May, 1901, Mr. Zirkle was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Ann Capps, a native of California and a daughter of Carl and Hulda Jane Capps, who were carly settlers of Yakima county, where the father took up the work of ranching. To Mr. and Mrs. Zirkle have been born five children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others are: Gordon, thirteen years of age; Paul; Lester; and Norman.
In his political views Mr. Zirkle is a socialist. He has little time or inclination, however, to figure prominently in connection with political or public affairs, for he
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prefers to give his attention to his business and as the result of his judicious invest- ment and indefatigable energy he has gained an enviable place among the successful ranchmen and orchardists of his part of the state.
ROY J. RINGER.
Roy J. Ringer, an enterprising and successful young farmer of Kittitas county, owns and cultivates eighty acres of valuable land four and a half miles west of Ellensburg. His birth occurred in Galion, Ohio, on the 2d of February, 1888, his parents being John H. and Lois (McConnell) Ringer, who removed to Washington in 1901, settling in the Kittitas valley. The father cultivated a tract of rented land for about seven years and then purchased a farm of eighty acres on the Yakima river, which he operated until disposing of the property in 1910. In that year he bought a tract of eighty acres four and a half miles west of Ellensburg, where he carried on agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until he sold the place to his son Roy in 1918. He has become widely recognized as one of the substantial and es- teemed citizens of his community and is now living retired in Ellensburg, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest.
Roy J. Ringer, who began his education in the public schools of his native state, continued his studies in Ellensburg, for he was but thirteen years of age at the time of the removal of his parents to the northwest. Through the assistance which he rendered in the operation of the home farm he early became familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and aftr his textbooks were put aside he continued to aid his father in the work of the fields until the latter's retirement. He then purchased the home place and has since been actively engaged in its further cultivation and improvement. It is a tract of land comprising eighty acres, four and a half miles west of Ellensburg, which is highly productive and an- nually yields excellent harvests as a return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. In the conduct of his farming interests Mr. Ringer has manifested a spirit of pro- gressiveness and energy which augurs well for his continued prosperity.
In 1912 Mr. Ringer was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Nelson, a daughter of Albert and Minnie (Strande) Nelson. They now have two children, Marvel and Wilma. The family attend the Christian church. Mr. Ringer gives his political allegiance to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections usually casts an independent ballot. His aid and cooperation are ever given on the side of progress and advancement and his many friends es- teem him as a young man of many commendable qualities.
JAMES F. LINCE.
James F. Lince is engaged in the cultivation of apples and peaches and has become one of the successful orchardists of the Selah valley, where he owns and operates twenty acres of land. He was born in Middlesex county, Ontario, Canada, April 22, 1881, a son of Leonard and Rachel (Wait) Lince, who were also natives of Middlesex county. The mother passed away in the year 1881. The father afterward wedded Sarah Sugden, also a native of Ontario, Canada, while her parents were born in England. In the year 1894 Leonard Lince came to Yakima county, where he spent a summer. He was pleased with the country and its prospects and in October, 1895, he disposed of his interests in Canada and removed with his family to Yakima county. He then rented land on Nob hill and also purchased twenty acres in that section. He afterward disposed of that property and bought ninety acres in the Selah valley, most of which was wild and undeveloped. Three of his sons have since pur- chased twenty acres each from him and he afterward sold the balance. He then bought an acre tract on Nob hill and is there living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits. His has been an active life and it is well
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that in the evening of his days he should have this period in which to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.
James F. Lince acquired a public school education in Canada and aiso spent two winters as a student in a business college at Yakima. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked with his uncle upon his farm and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He also spent one winter in British Columbia and a summer in Idaho. In 1907 he pur- chased twenty acres of land from his father and although it was in cultivation it contained no fruit. He at once began its improvement and he now has six acres of the land planted to orchard, wherein he is raising fine apples and peaches. The balance of his place is given over to the cultivation of alfalfa and other crops and he is meeting with success in his undertakings.
On the 25th of December, 1906, Mr. Lince was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Lyon, who was born in Michigan and is a daughter of B. F. and Narcissus (Weimer) Lyon, who were natives of West Virginia and at an early day removed to Michigan. Subsequently, however, they returned to West Virginia but at a later date became residents of Idaho and in 1902 came to the Yakima Valley, where Mr. Lyon pur- chased ten acres of land in the Selah valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Lince have been born four children, Oswald, Arthur, Harold and Lillie Rachel. Mrs. Lince is a member of the Dunkard church.
Mr. Lince gives his political support to the republican party, with which he has been connected since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He stands for progress and improvement in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community and he is at the same time a successful farmer whose close appli- cation and undaunted energy in business affairs have brought to him the measure of success which he now enjoys.
AUGUST M. OTTO.
Among the successful orchardists and bankers of the Naches valley is August M. Otto, a native of Wisconsin, who was born in Prairie du Chien, May 25, 1865, his parents being Henry and Ann (Hoffman) Otto, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. As pioneers they removed to Wisconsin and there the father was quite prominent, successfully conducting a hotel and also serving as county treasurer in his district and as mayor of his town. Both he and his wife have passed away.
August M. Otto received a public school education and after laying aside his text- books in 1883, when eighteen years of age, began work by entering the employ of the Northern Pacific Express Company, with which organization he remained untif 1906, or for a period of twenty-three years, thus demonstrating his ability and loyalty, his long years of service standing as incontrovertible proof of the appreciation his work received from his superior officers. During the two following years he was. connected with the Wells Fargo Company in Nevada. Previous to this time, in the employ of the Northern Pacific Company, he had been at Spokane in 1889 and in 1901 had been in Seattle, acting in the capacity of general agent in both places. He remained in Seattle until 1907, when he was appointed agent at Goldfield, Nevada, but in 1909 left the company and came to Yakima county, where in the spring of that year he bought twenty acres of valuable land on the upper Naches. Ten acres of this is devoted to orchard and from this enterprise he derives a very gratifying income, the rest of his land being devoted to mixed farming. He has erected com- modious barns and installed modern equipment and his residence is one of the best of the neighborhood, being supplied with hot and cold running water, electric lights and other conveniences. Mr. Otto is also prominent in financial circles, being presi- dent of the Naches State Bank, to which position he attained in January. 1917, having since had much to do with the successful conduct of this enterprise. The bank was established in 1910 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars and is well worthy- of the confidence of the public.
On September 14, 1893, Mr. Otto was united in marriage to Sadie B. King, who
AUGUST M. OTTO
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like her husband is a native of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of L. O. and Sarah B. (Belden) King, both natives of Cleveland, Ohio. The parents became pioneers of Wisconsin and in that state they passed away.
In his political affiliations Mr. Otto is a democrat and has always loyally adhered to the principles of that party. He is very prominent in Masonic circles, having assisted in organizing Naches Lodge No. 211, A. F. & A. M., and having served as master from 1915, the year of its organization, until 1919. He is also a member of the chapter and commandery at Yakima and belongs to El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Spokane. Along the line of his business he is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union, receiving and giving new ideas in regard to horticulture through contact with others engaged in that business. He also was at one time president of the Naches Commercial Club, which was organized in 1911, largely through the instrumentality of Wallace Goodsell, who died in December, 1916, since which time Mr. Otto has taken a most laudable and leading part in the affairs and purposes of this club, which has done most valuable work in securing for Naches City efficient railroad, freight and express service and has also ever inter- ested itself in road building and many other things undertaken for the benefit and welfare of the public. Mr. Otto's part in this connection can not be overestimated, as he has given much time and thought to valuable projects, even at a personal sac- rifice. He is ever interested in public affairs and has cooperated in many movements which have contributed toward the development and growth of his section. A loyal American citizen, he is now numbered among the substantial residents of the Yakima valley.
E. B. VELIKANJE.
E. B. Velikanje, a prominent attorney of Yakima, also connected with im- portant cattle and mining interests, was born in Brown county, Minnesota, Decem- ber 31, 1874, a son of John B. and Louise (Werdick) Velikanje. The father was a ranchman of Minnesota who in 1863 removed to that state. He was also identified with the educational interests of the community in which he lived, devoting some time to teaching and also serving as superintendent of schools of Brown county. His wife became a resident of Minnesota in 1854, when she accompanied her parents to St. Anthony, and thus they were closely associated with the pioneer develop- ment of the state, witnessed much of its progress and bore a helpful part in its advancement. Both have now passed away.
E. B. Velikanje was reared upon his father's farm in Minnesota, where he re- mained until 1900, when he went to Alaska, spending two and a half years in that country. In 1904 and 1905 he was in Mexico as manager of the Transvaal Copper Company of Cumpas, Sonora, where he remained for two years, and in 1905 he fed four hundred head of cattle near Outlook, Washington. The following year he drove his herds to Alaska and has made four trips to that country, spending six years in all in the northwest. He was with the White Pass Railway Company for eighteen months while in Alaska. He took his cattle over the trail into the heart of the country and gained knowledge concerning Alaska, its resources and its op- portunities. Making investments there, he now has mining properties in the Eagle Creek Circle mining district. In 1906 he walked out from Fairbanks, Alaska, having in the meantime determined to enter upon preparation for the practice of law. He made his way back to his native state and matriculated in the University of Minne- sota as a law student, being graduated there with the class of 1909. He then prac- ticed in Minnesota for a brief period and before his admission to the bar did pro- bate court work there. In June, 1909. however, he sought the opportunities of the northwest and made his way to Yakima, where he took up law work, in which he has since engaged. He has continued in general practice and his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is comprehensive. In addition he has other business interests, being the owner of a fine twelve acre fruit ranch, while in 1912 he or- ganized the Western Farm & Cattle Company, of which he served as secretary and treasurer for several years and of which he is still a director. He has a large ranch
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in eastern Oregon and in addition to his mining interests in Alaska he is the secre- tary of the Kellogg-Peak Midland Mining Company, which owns ten claims at Wardner, Idaho. His investments have been most judiciously made and his enter- prise has brought to him substantial success.
On the 3d of January, 1906, Mr. Velikanje was married to Miss Louise C. Plath, of Iberia, Minnesota, a daughter of Herman and Louise Plath. Her father became a resident of that state in 1857 and was there residing at the time of the Indian massacre. He died in Yakima on November 28, 1918, at the venerable age of ninety-one years less five days. Mr. and Mrs. Velikanje have become the parents of four children, Stanley, Richard, Frederick and Robert.
Mr. Velikanje is a prominent representative of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Yakima Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, having served in 1918. He also belongs to the Lodge of Perfection, No. 11, and to the Rose. Croix Chapter, No. 9. He is also connected with the Council of Kadosh, No. 8, of which he is commander, and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Tacoma Consistory, No. 3. His Masonic connection entitles him to membership in Afifi Temple and thus he has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has long been an active worker in Masonry and a most loyal supporter of the craft. In professional lines he is connected with the County and State Bar Associations. He likewise has membership with the Alaska Sour Doughs, in fact he was one of the organizers of this society in 1914, which now has a membership of four hundred, being formed of men who have been in Alaska. He is likewise connected with the Arctic Brotherhood. His experiences have been broad and varied and his enterprise and progressiveness have brought him promi- nently to the front in various connections.
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