USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 82
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 82
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 82
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JOHN D. GRIFFITH.
Orcharding has for a number of years claimed the attention of John D. Griffith, who is one of the prosperous agriculturists of the Yakima valley, located in the Tieton district. A native of Delaware county, Ohio, he was born November 1, 1853, and is a son of John and Ann (McKinley) Griffith, the latter being a cousin of the martyred president. John Griffith, the father, followed agricultural pursuits through- out his life and was quite successful along that line. Both he and his wife have passed away.
John D. Griffith was reared under the careful guidance of his parents, acquiring his early education in the public schools and later rounding out his primary knowl- edge at the Ohio Wesleyan University, in which he spent two years. Subsequently he farmed for a few years but in 1900 went to Washington, D. C., becoming assist- ant postmaster at the house of representatives. While in the capital city he read law. The year 1909 marked his arrival in Seattle, Washington, to attend the fair, and he became interested in Yakima county to such an extent that he decided to remain and acquired title to forty acres of land on the Tieton which at that time was all sagebrush. However, he did not immediately take up the cultivation of this tract but spent a year and a half in Portland, Oregon, moving at the end of that time, in 1911, upon his ranch. In a comparatively few years Mr. Griffith has developed this land into a most valuable property, having built a fine home and erected suitable barns and other outbuildings to care for his fruit, for he has twenty-three acres in apples, the remainder of the land being under the plow. He is now considered one of the most successful orchardists of his section, his annual income from that source being very gratifying.
On December 31, 1891, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Sue M. Jones, also a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daughter of Philip and Jane (Tomley) Jones, who were natives of Ohio and Wales respectively. Throughout his career the father followed agricultural pursuits and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. Both he and his wife have passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith belong to the . Presbyterian church, both being active and helpful in the promotion of its interests. They are ruled by the true Christian spirit
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and are ever helpfully aiding in movements undertaken for the uplift of humanity. Politically Mr. Griffith is a republican, actively interested in the party's welfare but not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the word. He has served as trustee of the Water Users Association for the past five years and has done valuable work in this connection, fully realizing the importance of irrigation in regard to the cultivation of land here and being considered an expert on the subject. Fraternally he is prominent in the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union, through which associa- tion he gives and receives ideas, and has ever been interested in general improve- ment, thus being a valuable factor in the development of his section of the state along material, moral and mental lines. He has many friends in the Tieton district and is held in high regard by all who know him.
FRANK L. HARTMAN.
Frank L. Hartman, a successful farmer whose property is located near Ellens- burg, has been a resident of this vicinity for about thirty years and through his straightforward dealing, close application, industry and foresight has become one of the prosperous agriculturists of Kittitas county. For many years he gave his attention to the butcher business but since 1910 has been exclusively engaged in farming pursuits, now owning land to the extent of two hundred and eighty acres besides valuable city property. Although a native of Germany, Mr. Hartman has become thoroughly Americanized and has made the ideals of this country his guid- ance for life. Born in 1863. he was a youth of seventeen years when he crossed the Atlantic, having been reared and educated in Germany. His parents were Frank L. and Caroline Hartman, both of whom are now deceased.
As before indicated, Mr. Hartman of this review reached the United States in 1880 and for some time remained in New York but later made his way to Cincin- nati, Ohio, and subsequently to Birmingham, Alabama. In 1885 he arrived in Port- land, Oregon, and there gave his attention to the butcher business until 1889, which year marked his arrival in Ellensburg, where he continued along the same line of business until the fall of 1890. From 1890 until 1892 he worked as a butcher in Roslyn, Washington, and in the latter year opened a shop of his own account in that city, successfully continuing there until 1910, always following the most approved business methods. Being thoroughly reliable, he built up a gratifying trade and de- rived a substantial income from his venture. About 1896, many years before he discontinued the butcher business, Mr. Hartman had acquired one hundred and sixty acres in the Kittitas valley and upon this property he moved in 1910, having since resided thereon. There is a fine residence upon the property and suitable barns provide ample shelter for the stock. His fields are in a high state of cultivation and the latest equipment has been installed upon his place, which is now very valuable. As the years have passed Mr. Hartman has acquired additional farm land, his holdings now comprising two hundred and eighty acres which are located, however, in differ- ent places. Moreover, he has invested in valuable city property in Ellensburg. Mr. Hartman gives his attention largely to the raising of grain and hay, and being a shrewd business man disposes of his crops to the best advantage.
On the 30th of August, 1910, Mr. Hartman was united in marriage to Florence Genasci Camozzy, of Nevada City, California, a daughter of Charles Genasci, who arrived in California in 1847, two years before the rush of gold seekers to that state. There are two children in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Hartman: Milton Camozzy, who is a son of Mrs. Hartman by a former marriage and is in the United States naval air service: and Frank C., aged seven. The family are highly respected in Ellensburg and are numbered among the valued residents of the community.
In his political affiliations Mr. Hartman is a republican and has ever loyally supported that party. He is interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and readily supports worthy public measures to the extent of his ability and means. At one time he was quite prominent as a stockman in his neighborhood, running seven hundred head of cattle, but he has now given up that line of business. He is
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a self-made man and there is much credit due him for what he has achieved, as his prosperity has come to him entirely through his own efforts. A loyal American citizen who is ever ready to make sacrifices on the altar of the nation, Mr. Hart- man is appreciative of the opportunities which he here found and has made the democratic principles represented in American ideals of government his own.
HUBERT L. STRAUSZ.
A comparatively young man, Hubert S. Strausz has already attained success as an agriculturist in the Cowiche district of the Yakima valley, being the owner of twenty acres of rich and valuable land, which he has independently operated since 1910. A good farm home bespeaks his prosperity and everything about his place indicates the progressive and resultant methods that he has always employed in his work. A native of Barton county, Missouri, Mr. Strausz was born December 15, 1886, his parents being Jacob and Ida (Lively) Strausz, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. The family arrived in Yakima county on the 30th of Novem- ber, 1900, and here the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Cowiche, of which at that time one hundred acres were under the plow. Now, how- ever, all of the land is in a high state of cultivation, the father, with the help of his family developing the property until it is today one of the most valuable of the neighborhood. As his income increased he subsequenly added forty acres more, which is planted to grain, and he also has ten acres in orchard. He now resides on Nob Hill in Yakima and most of the old farm he has deeded to his children. His wife passed away in 1901, her demise being a great shock to the family as well as to many friends, who esteemed in her a woman of high qualities of character.
Hubert L. Strausz was reared under the parental roof and attended school in his native state but in 1900, when only fourteen years of age, came with the family to the Yakima valley. After completing his public school work he also took a course at a business college in Yakima, thus acquiring that knowledge which is so indis- pensable to the farmer of modern times. Later he received twenty acres of the home farm in a deed from his father and since 1910 has given his whole attention to the cultivation of this land. He has erected a good residence and suitable barns and everything about his place bespeaks the progressive agriculturist. He raises hay, grain, potatoes and beets and also has important dairy interests.
On February 11, 1906, Mr. Strausz was united in marriage to Maude Hobson, a native of Kansas and a daughter of Mark and Susan Mary Hobson. Her father is now deceased and her mother resides in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Strausz have four children, Cleva, Melvin, Fenwick and Helen. The family are highly respected in their community and both Mr. and Mrs. Strausz enjoy the friendship of many in their neighborhood. Mr. Strausz is a member of the Evangelical church. In his political views he is a prohibitionist and in local affairs supports the candidates whom he considers best fitted for the offices to which they aspire. In the conduct of his affairs he has already attained a degree of prosperity which promises well for the future.
E. W. BRACKETT.
Nature has been not only kindly but lavish in her gifts. Nestled among the mountains are to be found the valleys whose fertility responds readily to the care and labor of man. The Yakima valley has proven one of the most productive regions of the great west, for within its boundaries are raised great crops of wheat and other grains and the land has been found to be equally valuable for fruit production. Numbered among the successful farmers of this district is E. W. Brackett, who has come to the Pacific coast from the Atlantic seaboard. He was born in Sharon, Massachusetts, April 9, 1869, a son of Francis A. and Maria (Drake) Brackett. The latter died in 1872. The family came to Yakima county on the 16th of September, 1890. The father purchased eighty acres of land on the Tieton drive, about two miles
E. W. BRACKETT'S RESIDENCE
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west of Yakima, of which only twenty acres was under water, but when the Congdon ditch was built the entire tract was irrigated. There the father extensively and suc- cessfully engaged in the raising of cantaloupes and other melons, also hay and various crops. Eventually, however, he removed to Corning, California, where he passed away in 1915. During the period of the Civil war Francis A. Brackett ably defended the interests of the Union as a soldier of the First Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
E. W. Brackett spent his youthful days upon his father's farm and carly became familiar with all of the work necessary for its development and cultivation. After attaining man's estate he purchased a part of his father's land and has since success- fully operated it. He now has about seventy acres, of which sixty acres is planted to orchard, and he raises large crops of apples, pears, peaches and cherries. He has his own packing plant and storage basement-in fact every equipment for the care of the fruit is to be found upon his place. He has made a close study of the kinds of fruit that may best be raised in this locality and has also exhaustively studied the best methods of keeping the soil in good condition. His orchards are a picture of beauty in green and red, tints and gold-a picture of bountiful nature's gifts when in season red and golden apples and multicolored other luscious fruit in rich ripeness grace the foliage of vigorous trees bent under loads of harvest blessings.
On the 21st of March, 1900, Mr. Brackett was married to Miss Ida H. Carvosso, of Yakima, and they have three children: Leroy, Cecil and Rosemary. Mr. Brackett became a charter member of the Grange and he attends the Methodist church. In politics his attitude is that of an independent republican who, usually voting for the men and measures of the party, does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates.
REV. JOHN T. ROBERTS.
Rev. John T. Roberts, who since 1909 has made his home in Yakima, Washing- ton, having retired from the ministry, was for many years a helpful factor in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was active in various parts of the country. In this city he took up the line of fire insurance, opening offices in the Yakima National Bank building, and he has ever since successfully followed this vocation, being now in his seventieth year. A native of England, he was born in Shropshire, March 22, 1848, a son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Phillips) Roberts. The father passed away in England and in the '50s the mother crossed the Atlantic with her three children and located in Utica, New York. In 1863 the family removed to . Auburn, that state, and there Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts passed away in August, 1866.
John T. Roberts was the second child in this family, his older sister being Eliza- beth, who married George B. Lewis, a resident of Boulder, while his younger sister, Rose, died in 1868. He received his education in the public schools of Utica, New York, subsequently entering Cazenovia Seminary of that state and later Hillsdale College of Michigan and also attending the Northwestern University of Chicago. Of a studious nature and serious in the pursuit of his lessons, he was able at the early age of sixteen to take up teaching and thus employed himself at that age. There is great credit due him for his efforts in gaining an education, as he provided the means to pursue his college course entirely by his own labors, working as a clerk in a cloth- ing store in order to provide the necessary funds. During the Civil war he stood loyally for the Union cause and his patriotic spirit is evident from the fact that at the early age of sixteen, in the fall of 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-second New York Regiment, serving as a drummer boy and being mus- tered out in February, 1866. Subsequent to this Mr. Roberts taught school during the winters and during the summers provided the means for his subsistence by herd- ing cattle. In 1868 he united with the Illinois Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 1870 was ordained a deacon in Shelbyville, that state. Two years later, in Decatur, Illinois, he was ordained an elder by Bishop Andrews and traveled as a Methodist Episcopal minister in Illinois for sixteen years or until 1884, when he was transferred to Nebraska, becoming a member of the Nebraska (27)
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Conference. In that state he was active in spreading the gospel and converted many to his church, so continuing for about twenty-five years, or until 1909, and being placed in charge of about eight different churches in that commonwealth at various times. In the latter year he made removal to Yakima, Washington, which has ever since remained his home. He has now retired from the ministry and gives his atten- tion to the fire insurance business, having built up a gratifying patronage which assures him of a good income. He also has acquired land, which he has developed and which is devoted to fruit and alfalfa growing.
In 1876 Rev. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Holloway, of Piatt county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of the following children: Logan Hall, who was born July 10, 1877, in Buffalo, Illinois, is mentioned at greater length on other pages of this work. Webster W. enlisted in Company A, Third Bat- talion of Engineers, U. S. A., loyally taking up the cause of his country, but was discharged on account of ill health, his malady having been incurred while serving in the army. Ethel I. married M. K. Peck and they reside in Garrett Park, Maryland. J. Vincent is a well known attorney of Yakima, assistant secretary of the Yakima Savings & Loan Association, and was connected with Company D, Forty-Third Engineers, U. S. A., receiving his training at Washington University.
Rev. Roberts has always taken a decided stand on the prohibition question and has been an adherent of the prohibition party since it was founded. He has been very active in the cause of temperance and was an active agitator for prohibition in Illinois in 1870, helping to form the prohibition party in that state. He has ever since continued in the canse and has been active in every campaign since, helpfully assisting in making Washington a dry state. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been connected with various posts in the communi- ties in which he has lived and now identifies himself with Meade Post. No. 9, of this state. He is also a valued member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Rev. Roberts has followed out the well known saying, "there is something higher than making a living- making a life," and through his activities has greatly helped to guide the human race toward loftier ideals.
ALVA E. GOODWIN.
Alva E. Goodwin is the owner of an excellent ranch property of twenty acres on the Parker Bottoms, which he acquired by purchase in 1893. He was also identified in former years with contracting interests in the Yakima valley, being active in the building of roads, ditches and railways. His life therefore has been characterized by energy, enterprise and industry and has brought him a substantial measure of suc- cess. Mr. Goodwin is a native son of the Yakima valley, born January 5, 1870, his father being John W. Goodwin, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools and when his textbooks were put aside he hegan working for wages, but he was ambitions to engage in busi- ness on his own account and eventually rented land. He also rode the range in the stock business and in time acquired horses and cattle of his own. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. As his industry brought him sufficient capital he made investment along business lines and in 1893 purchased twenty acres of land on the Parker Bottoms. Annually he gathers a large hay crop and a con- siderable amount of fruit, for he is always busily engaged in the development of his ranch, keeping it up to a high standard of productiveness. Twelve years of his life were devoted to contracting in the Yakima valley, during which time he assisted largely in building roads, ditches and railways and thus contributed to the substan- tial development of the section.
On the 3d of November, 1891, Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Mattie E. Alexander, a native of Oregon and a daughter of G. W. and Mary F. Alexander, who removed to the Yakima valley in 1890, after devoting some years to ranching in Oregon. The father has now passed away, but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have one son, Chester E., at home.
In his political views Mr. Goodwin is a democrat but office holding has never
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had any attraction for him, as he has always preferred to give his attention to his business affairs. His cooperation, however, can always be counted upon in matters of progressive citizenship and he is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and progress of the county in which his entire life has been passed.
THOMAS J. TAYLOR.
Thomas J. Taylor, owner of a farm of forty-four acres on the Naches, was born in Wapello county, lowa, April 27, 1849, a son of Mayfield and Tempy (Harris) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father was a son of Jacob Taylor, one of the pioneer settlers of the Hoosier state. Mayfield Taylor in early life went to Iowa and after residing for a number of years in that state removed to Yakima county, Washington, where he arrived in the early '70s. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and he took up a claim on the Wenas, securing a tract of wild land which he at once began to develop and improve. His remaining days were devoted to the further cultivation of that farm, upon which he lived until called to his final rest. His first wife had died in Iowa, after which he married again and his second wife passed away in Washington.
Thomas J. Taylor enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the public schools of his native state and after his textbooks were put aside he devoted his attention to farming in Iowa until 1877, when he sought the opportunities of the northwest and arrived in Yakima county. He, too, took up a homestead on the Wenas and thereon resided until 1908, when he sold that property and removed to his forty-four acres on the Naches, upon which he is engaged in the raising of grain and hay. This place originally contained eighty-four acres but some time before locating on it he disposed of forty acres of the place. His crops are systematically cultivated and the thoroughness with which he prepares his fields and does the work insures success in his undertakings.
On the 9th of July, 1870, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Ann Malone, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Malone, who removed to Iowa and afterward became residents of Missouri, where the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was celebrated. The latter passed away in 1917, her death being the occasion of deep regret not only to her immediate family but also to many friends. By her marriage she had become the mother of ten children: Tempy and Frankie, both deceased; Albert, who resides at Selah and has a wife and four children; Henry, who is mar- ried and is engaged in the real estate business in Yakima; Russell, a resident of Selah, who is married and has two children; Cora and Eva, who have passed away; George, of Wapato, Washington, who has a wife and one child; Everett, of Wapato, who has a wife and two children; Lillie, the wife of Charles Swoope, who is farming the home place and by whom she has four children.
Mr. Taylor was numbered among the pioneer agriculturists of his section of the state. Great changes have occurred during the years that have intervened since his arrival here and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past, with its hardships and privations, and the progressive present with its opportunities and advantages. He has contributed to the work of general improvement, especially along agricultural lines, and he still gives general supervision to the development of his home farm.
LESTER VANDER COOKE.
Lester Vander Cooke, who follows ranching near Mabton, is numbered among the native sons of Washington, his birth having occurred in Kittitas county, January 26, 1890, his parents being M. D. and Belle (Fulton) Cooke. Extended mention of the family is made on another page of this work in connection with a sketch of the father.
Lester Vander Cooke acquired a public school education and afterward entered
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the Washington State College at Pullman, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914. He then engaged in ranching with his father for two years and in 1916 he made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of thirty-five acres three and a half miles south of Sunnyside. There he is raising hay and hogs and also con- ducts a dairy business. The various branches of his business are proving profitable, for he is energetic and persistent and carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes.
On the 28th of April, 1917, Mr. Cooke was married to Miss Mary Bernice Edwards, who was born in Junction City, Oregon, a daughter of William C. and Lucinda (Akers) Edwards. Her father, a native of Ohio, was a son of James Edwards, who brought the family over the plains in 1854 and located in Oregon. The mother was a daughter of J. H. Akers, who came to the Pacific coast country about 1868, proceeding to San Francisco and thence by boat to Portland, Oregon. The parents of Mrs. Cooke were married in Oregon and are still identified with the ranching interests of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooke has been born a son, William Rufus, whose birth occurred February 12, 1918. The parents attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Cooke gives his political allegiance to the democratic party where national questions and issues are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elections. During his college days he took great interest in athletic sports and was well known as a sprinter. He held the championship high school record of a quarter-mile dash in fifty-one and two-fifths seconds. He also holds the record of a two hundred and twenty yard dash in twenty-two seconds flat. He yet displays enthusiasm concerning athletic ports, but his business demands his time and attention, preventing active participation therein. He is a progressive young man, alert and energetic, realizing the opportunities that are before him and utilizing them to accomplish desired results.
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