History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 83

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 83
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 83
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 83

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ROBERT HEPBURN.

Robert Hepburn is one of the successful agriculturists of the Yakima valley whom the Dominion of Canada has furnished to this country, for he is a native of Quebec, Canada, and was born June 26, 1864, his parents being James and Jean (Gilbraith) Hepburn, natives of Scotland, who removed to Canada in their early lives. There the father was successful along agricultural lines and in the Dominion both he and his wife passed away.

Robert Hepburn was reared under the parental roof and from his good parents learned the first lessons of life. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools of the Dominion and after laying aside his textbooks took up the serious and arduous duties of life. In 1889, at the age of twenty-five, he became a resident of Kittitas county, Washington, and for about three years, or until 1892, worked as a farm hand. He carefully saved his earnings and in that year was able to lease one hundred and sixty acres of land four miles southwest of Ellensburg and so well did he apply himself to the cultivation of this tract that in five years he was able to buy the property. Mr. Hepburn has built a residence upon the property and has also erected barns to afford shelter for his stock and grain. He has ever followed progressive methods and has made many improvements upon the farm, devoting his acres largely to the raising of hay and grain and also deriving a grati- fying income from dairying, to which he gives considerable attention. He has planted an orchard and is thoroughly acquainted with the climatic conditions pre- vailing here and has carefully studied the soil, so that he is able to operate his farm to the best advantage. Moreover, he is a business man of more than ordinary acumen and carefully gauges his opportunities in order to obtain the best prices for his produce and stock.

On April 16, 1901, Mr. Hepburn was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Rogers, a daughter of W. S. Rogers, a Civil war veteran. Her father came to the Kittitas valley in 1887 and here took up farming but is now deceased. Mrs. Hepburn is a native of Texas and by her marriage she has become the mother of eight children: Henry, who is in the United States navy; Nellie, who married J. R. Jones, a resident

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of Ellensburg; Alja, the wife of Ed Polley, of Ellensburg; Blanche, who is the wife of Tracy Phelps, of Sunnyside, Washington; Spencer, seventeen years of age; Frank, aged fifteen; Margaret Jean, eleven; and Alfred, nine years of age.

In his political affiliations Mr. Hepburn is a republican, being thoroughly in accord with the principles of that party. Although interested in anything that has for its purpose the upbuilding of the community, he is not a public man in the com- monly accepted sense of the word, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his private interests and doing his dutics as a citizen at the ballot box only. He has made many friends in Ellensburg and vicinity, all of whom are agreed as to his high qualities of character. Being a self-made man, there is great credit due Mr. Hepburn for what he has achieved, as his prosperity has been brought about entirely through his own efforts. Farsighted, progressive, industrious and reliable, he is a loyal American and typically western, demonstrating in his career what may be achieved in this state when industry and perseverance lead the way.

EUCLID J. DUPRE.

A large number of the residents of Moxee City and vicinity are of French Canadian birth. This number includes Euclid J. Dupre, who was born in Quebec, Canada, March 25, 1873, and whose parents were Andrew and Rosalie Dupre. Re- moving to Massachusetts in 1876, they spent their remaining days in that state.

Their son Euclid acquired a public school education in Ware, Massachusetts, and after his textbooks were put aside began working in the mills of that state, be- ing thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then turned his attention to commercial pursuits, securing a clerkship in a store at Gardner, Massachusetts. He was thus employed until 1908, when he removed to Alberta, Canada, settling near Edmonton, and establishing a furniture store at River Que- barre. He afterward disposed of his business there and accepted the position of manager of a hardware store at that place. The year 1909 witnessed his removal from Canada to Washington, at which time he took up his abode in Yakima county. This was in the month of October. He purchased seven acres of land in the Moxee valley and devoted his attention to agricultural interests for two years, but in 1911 sold his farm and purchased the general store of A. Champoux & Brother at Moxee City. Through the intervening period he has carried on general merchandising and has a well selected line of goods, while the enterprise and integrity of his business methods have secured for him a very liberal and gratifying patronage.

On th 21st of May, 1894, Mr. Dupre was married to Miss Angeline Mandeville, a native of Canada and a daughter of Henry and Louise (Befford) Mandeville, who were married in Massachusetts. Her mother has passed away and her father is now living with Mr. Dupre. It was in Massachusetts that Mr. and Mrs. Dupre were married and to them were born six children: Edmund, who is a member of the United States Navy; Alice and Lucy, twins, at home; Cora; Lelia; and Elizabeth.

Mr. Dupre and his family are communicants of the Holy Rosary Catholic church of Moxee City, in which he is serving as a trustee. He takes an active interest in the work of the church and does everything in his power to further its growth and extend its influence. His political endorsements is given to the republican party hut he has never sought nor desired political office. He has, however, served for three years on the school board and he is interested in all those activities which make for the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community.

JOHN H. WEIGEL.

John H. Weigel has since 1903 been numbered among the leading merchants of Yakima, where he is engaged in the clothing, shoe and hat trade, having the second oldest clothing house of the city. Mr. Weigel is of European birth. His natal year was 1872 and when a lad of nine years he came to the United States with

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his parents, C. C. and Elizabeth Weigel, who settled in Wisconsin, where they lived for about two years and then removed to Huron, South Dakota. They afterward took up their abode upon the Pacific coast, making their way to The Dalles, Oregon, in 1886, and there the father is now living retired.

John H. Weigel acquired a public school education in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and when a youth of sixteen years entered the dry goods business as a clerk and thus gained his initial experience along commercial lines. He started in business for himself in Yakima in 1903 and has the second oldest clothing house of the city. He established the business, in connection with E. M. Williams, under the firm style of John H. Weigel & Company and their first location was at the corner of Third street and East Yakima avenue. In January, 1906, a removal was made to the Wash- ington Hotel building, Mr. Weigel becoming the first tenant of that building. He handles an extensive line of men's and boy's clothing and furnishings, purchasing his stock from a number of the best known and most reliable manufacturing houses of the country. The business includes a complete shoe and hat department and four people are regularly employed. The building occupied has a fifty foot frontage on East Yakima avenue and a depth of seventy feet. A gratifying trade is enjoyed and the business is one of the important commercial enterprises of the city.

Mr. Weigel was married in 1900 to Miss Mattie Cushing, of The Dalles, Oregon, and their children are Maurice and John. Mr. Weigel belongs to Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., also to the Elks lodge and to the Commercial Club, and in the last named has served on the board of directors for many years. He also has mem- bership in the Yakima Valley Business Men's Association, of which he was formerly the president. He is also a member of the Country Club and his political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his commercial activities. A spirit of progressiveness and energy has carried him steadily forward and he has prominent rank among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of his adopted city.

EDWARD H. DUFFY.

Edward H. Duffy, of Midvale, has not only been successful along agricultural lines but also been in mercantile enterprises. Moreover, he has assisted in promoting social and public life and has become particularly well known in connection with the Knights of Pythias lodge in Yakima, which he helped to organize. He is a well informed and well read man who has gained much experience and knowledge through travel, having visited most parts of the United States. A native of Penn- sylvania, he was born near Darlington, in Beaver county, January 10, 1866, his parents being John and Mary (Haddie) Duffy, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Scotland. The parents were married in the land of hills and heather but in 1862 decided to emigrate to the new world and in that year went to Penn- sylvania, where they made their home throughout the remainder of their lives, both passing away in that state. Although the father was a butcher by trade he also took up agricultural labors and was Quite successful along both lines of occupation.

Edward H. Duffy was reared in Pennsylvania and in that state attended the public schools. After laying aside his textbooks he took up the boilermakers' trade. which he thoroughly learned, but subsequently decided not to follow that vocation and at the age of eighteen removed westward to Illinois, where he worked on farms for wages for a short time. In the same year, 1884, having heard favorable reports in regard to New Mexico, he decided to go to that state and there was engaged in mining for two years. Fortunes being made in old Mexico, these reports decided him to try his luck in that country, which remained his home for a year and a half, being engaged in mining at Durango. He subsequently returned to New Mexico, where he continued to follow the same line of occupation. Another change took him to Wyoming, where he was connected with a cattle ranch, and subsequently he ob- tained a position in connection with the smelters in Anaconda, Montana. All these removals covered about four years, his entrance into the state of Washington taking place on February 28, 1888, when he located in Roslyn, where for about four years

EDWARD H. DUFFY

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he was engaged in mining. The year 1892 finds him again in Montana, hut later he returned to Roslyn and in April, 1898, undertook the hazardous trip to Alaska, being for four and a half years connected with that far northern empire of riches. While he did not acquire millions in the north he did fairly well, far outstripping the aver- age, and in the fall of 1902 returned southward, taking up a homestead in October of that year, buying a relinquishment. This land, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, situated two miles south of Sunnyside, had been homesteaded seven time be- fore and everyone else had given up the work of further cultivation. However, the enterprising spirit of Mr. Duffy was not so easily conquered. On the contrary he set himself seriously to the task of making this a valuable property and how well he has succeeded is evident from its present value. He now has water for about one hundred acres and forty acres are in a high state of cultivation. In 1907 the Union Pacific Railroad Company built a track across the farm and put a station here called Midvale. Mr. Duffy has opened a country store here and in July, 1915, a post- office was established and he has since been postmaster. As the years have gone by he has rapidly developed his property, not passing up anything that may be of value to its further improvement. He built a good house, suitable and commo- dious barns and other outbuildings, which unfortunately were destroyed by fire in 1919. He has installed modern machinery and other equipment which make his a modern, twentieth century farming establishment. He raises alfalfa, potatoes, ruta- bagas and beets and also gives considerable attention to apiaries, marketing a high grade of honey. Moreover, he acts as assistant at the depot.

In 1906 Mr. Duffy was married to Mrs. Alma (Neuling) Delea, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of August and Clara Neuling. To this union three children were born: Tessie, Ray and May. Mrs. Duffy also has a son by her former mar- riage, Eugene, who is thirteen years of age.

Mr. Duffy has always taken a helpful part in public affairs and has ever had at heart the progress and development of his section of the state. He is a democrat in his political affiliations and has ever supported the principles and candidates of that party but has never sought office for himself. Fraternally he stands high in the Knights of Pythias, of which he has now been a member for thirty years, having held all of the chairs in the lodge. He helped to organize the local lodge at Yakima and also was a representative to the Grand Lodge at Olympia, Washington, in 1894. He is a member of the Grange, where he meets those from whom he receives valn- ahle information, giving out as well from his own rich store of experiences. He is a successful rancher and merchant, a loyal American and a man who has become thoroughly imbued with the western spirit of enterprise. Although his educational privileges were limited in his youth he has become a well informed man, having traveled extensively in this country and possessing the valuable gift of ready obser- vation and assimilation.

WILLIAM SQUIER.

William Squier, a well known orchardist living near Zillah, was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 26, 1848, a son of Seymour and Lois (Wheeler) Squier. The father was a native of Vermont, while the mother's birth occurred at Alstead, New Hampshire. The paternal grandfather was Timothy Squier, of Massachusetts, who died at the age of ninety-seven years. Seymour Squier became a farmer of Vermont and spent his last days in that state. The mother afterward removed west- ward to Illinois, where her death occurred.

William Squier was reared in New England and acquired a public school educa- tion, after which he devoted his attention to farming in the Green Mountain state until 1878. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he then went to Kansas and afterward to Lyon county, Iowa, where he located in 1881. There he followed the carpenter's trade until 1895, when he removed to Zillah, Washington. He purchased twenty acres a mile northwest of the town, which was all covered with a native growth of sagebrush, and with characteristic energy he began the work of improving and developing the ranch. He now has an excellent property, of which

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ten acres are devoted to apples. He has built a good packing house and storage warehouse and he has also crected a comfortable residence upon the place. He is a carpenter by trade and his building operations have enabled him to make excellent improvements upon his ranch. He followed his trade in order to gain a start on coming to the northwest, working for others, but now he gives his entire attention to the care of the orchard.

On the 5th of April, 1869, Mr. Squier was united in marriage to Miss Roxana Allen, a native of New York. Their children were: Cora and Allen, both deceased; Alvin and Allen, twins, who have also passed away; Lottie, the wife of J. E. Ray- mond, of Yakima; and Ralph, who is married and has one child and now largely carries on his father's farm.

Mr. Squier is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a progressive republican. He has always stood for advancement and improvement and his influence is ever given on the side of the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community in which he lives.

SAMUEL B. MOREN.

Samuel B. Moren, devoting his time and attention to the raising of fruit in Yakima county, was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, December 21, 1878, and is a brother of James W. Moren, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded him. He supplemented his public school training by a course in Berea College of Kentucky and then took np farming in connection with his father, being thus engaged until 1906. That year witnessed his removal to the northwest. He bade adieu to his old Kentucky home and the friends of his boyhood and made his way to Yakima county, after which he cultivated his brother's farm for three years. He then purchased ten acres ad- joining his brother's place and now has the entire tract planted to orchards, giving his attention largely to apples, with peaches and pears as fillers. His orchards are in excellent condition and are now in full bearing.

On the 10th of September, 1905, Mr. Moren was married to Miss Cora Dalton, who was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Dalton, who in the year 1912 arrived in Yakima county, since which time they have been identified with farming interests in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Moren have two children, Clarence and Donald. Their religious faith is that of the Baptist church and their sterling worth is attested by all who know them. Mr. Moren is today accounted among the successful farmers of his district and the spirit of enterprise and determination which he has always manifested points to further success in the future.

T. C. WOLD.

T. C. Wold, manager of the Monarch Orchard Company, in which he is inter- ested, was born in Norway, November 25, 1864, a son of Christian and Maren Wold, both of whom have now passed away. The son spent his youthful days in his native country, pursuing his education in its public schools and upon attaining his majority determined to try his fortune in the new world. Accordingly he left the land of the midnight sun in 1885 and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He settled first in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was employed in a sash and door factory and where he afterward engaged in the grocery business until 1910. He then became associated with others in organizing the Monarch Orchard Company, which was formed in that year with Mr. Wold as manager. H. A. Brastad, a resident of Minne- apolis, became the vice president, with George L. Davis, also of that city, as the president. O. N. Dyste, of Minneapolis, was elected secretary and treasurer and other stockholders are A. N. Dyste, M. Dyste and Matilda Wold. The company

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has eighty-five acres in apples, all in bearing. They are raising Winesaps, Roman Beauties, Spitzenbergs, Jonathan and Yellow Newton apples. The trees are in ex- cellent condition. They are systematically sprayed to prevent blight or destruction of any kind and the soil, naturally rich and productive, is carefully cultivated so that large crops of fruit are annually gathered. All of the orchard is seeded to alfalfa. Upon the place is a fine residence and large barns and all equipment necessary to care for the fruit and facilitate its shipment. With the organization of this company Mr. Wold was chosen manager, and removing to Yakima county, has since occupied the position, the success of the enterprise being attributable in large measure to his ability, energy and determination. He has made a close study of the questions relat- ing to the propagation of fruit, particularly apples, in this district and the result of his study and experience is found in the substantial success which the company is now enjoying.

On the 6th of June, 1891, Mr. Wold was married to Miss Matilda Brastad, who was born in Norway, and their children are Carl, now residing in Seattle; Henry, who makes his home in Pasco, Washington; Rudolph, at home; Margaret, deceased: and Sigme, at home.

Mr. Wold maintains an independent course politically, voting for the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office without considering party ties. His own time and attention are given exclusively to his business affairs and he has made for himself a most creditable position as one of the leading orchardists of this sec- tion of the country.

LOGAN H. ROBERTS.

Among the well known attorneys and bankers of Yakima is numbered Logan H. Roberts, a native of Illinois, born July 10, 1877. He is a son of the Rev. John T. and Mrs. Elizabeth (Phillips) Roberts, who are mentioned on other pages of this work. In the acquirement of his education he attended public school in Nebraska and in 1899 was graduated from the Nebraska Wesleyan University, removing with his parents to the various places of residence to which the call of the gospel took his father. He subsequently took a post graduate course in the New York Univer- sity and in 1903 graduated from the law department of that school. Like his hon- ored father, he vigorously took up the cause of prohibition and for three years served as one of the field secretaries of the International Collegiate Prohibition Association and assisted in its organization, being one of its first secretaries. After he had filled the position of secretary for about three years he came to Yakima on a visit in 1906 and was so favorably impressed with the opportunities here offered that he decided to remain. He has since built up a gratifying practice, readily demonstrating his legal ability and worth. He not only has a logical, analytical mind and is well versed in the precedents and fundamentals of the law but he has a convincing way of pre- senting his canse and is effective before judge and jury. He has been connected with much important litigation since establishing himself in this city and the success which has come to him is well merited. He maintains offices in the Yakima National Bank building. Outside of his private practice he is secretary and attorney of the Yakima Savings & Loan Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a member of the firm of Roberts & Udell.

In October, 1905, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Grace May Hud- son, of Nebraska, and to this union were born six children, one of whom, Corena, has passed away. The others are Loma, Roberta C., Mildred, Grace and Donald. The family are prominent socially in Yakima, where both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have made many friends, and the hospitality of the best homes is accorded them. In fact they are to a large extent the life and spirit of the social set to which intelligence and high minded purposes in life are the passports.

Mr. Roberts has always taken a deep interest in educational progress and par- ticularly in university work and he finds opportunity to realize his ideas in his posi- tion as a trustee of the Puget Sound University. In the Masonic order he stands high, being a member of the blue lodge and having attained the thirty-second degree

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in the Scottish Rite. In politics he is a republican, strongly representing the pro- hibition interests in the party, and although he is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word he is ever active in upholding the principles of the organization and loyally supports the candidates of his party. He is a member of the Commer- cial Club, being thoroughly in accord with the purposes of that organization in ex- panding the trade relationship of his city and the Yakima valley, and he is also active as secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, of the local branch of which he was one of the organizers. Along professional lines he belongs to the County and State Bar Associations and his religions faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He finds recreation and relaxation from his arduous duties in outdoor life and can frequently be seen on the grounds of the Country Club, of which he is a member. Well known and popular in Yakima. Mr. Roberts has attained to a high position in professional circles as well as to an honored place as an American citizen.

GRANT MATTHEWS.

Grant Matthews is the owner of fifty-four acres of land bordering the Yakima river, six miles west of Sunnyside, and is there bending his efforts and energies to the further development and improvement of what has become an excellent ranch property. He was born in Harrison county, Missouri, November 20, 1861, a som of Newton Lee and Minerva (Hildebrand) Matthews, both of whom were natives of Illinois. In early life they removed to Missouri and became identified with the farm- ing interests of that state. The father afterward went to Kansas and secured one hundred and sixty acres of land but did not move his family to that state. His death, however, occurred in Kansas, while his wife passed away in Missouri. Newton L. Matthews was a veteran of the Civil War.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 83

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