History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 84

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 84
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 84
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 84

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Grant Matthews is indebted to the public school system of Missouri for the edu- cational opportunities which he enjoyed, his youthful days being there passed in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy. At the age of twenty-three years he went to Nebraska, where he carried on farming for several years, and in 1902 he arrived in the northwest, making his way to Oakland, Oregon. In the spring of 1903 he came to Yakima county and purchased twenty acres of land, to which he afterward added thirty-four acres on the banks of the Yakima river, six miles west of Sunnyside. His place is devoted to the raising of hay, grain and corn, but he specializes in the pro- duction of hay. He also raises some stock and his place presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating his practical methods and his careful supervision.

On the 17th of October, 1889, Mr. Matthews was married to Miss Nellie Hoover, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Jacob E. and Hannah C. (Iddings) Hoover. Her father was a son of John Hoover, of Logansport, Indiana, who was born in Ger- many. Jacob E. Hoover was a brother of the father of Herbert Hoover, United States food administrator, whose wonderful executive power and business ability has done so much toward furnishing food to starving thousands, bringing about a more equitable distribution of the food supply of the country that America might extend her aid to stricken lands whose people were starving owing to the fiendish spirit of Germany that would ruthlessly trample upon the rights of other countries without regard to the conditions that were thus brought upon women, children and all the helpless. Jacob E. Hoover devoted his life to the occupation of farming. He was reared in the Quaker faith and always adhered thereto. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have become the parents of seven children: Hazel, now the wife of Arthur Barrett, residing near Shelton, Washington, by whom she has three children, Bernice, Thur- low and Raymond; Walter, who enlisted November 16, 1917, and served with the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Spruce Squadron, being mustered out on the 27th of December, 1918; Fern, the wife of Guy Barnhart, a rancher of Yakima county, by whom she has one son. Philip G .: Effie, the wife of Ernest L. Nichols, residing near Tacoma; Edna and Rollin, both at home; and Helen, who is ten years of age and completes the family.

In his political views Mr. Matthews has always been a republican since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise yet is not bound by party ties, casting an

699

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He has usually confined his efforts to his business interests and his close application and energy have constituted the measure of his growing success.

JAMES H. FRASER.

James H. Fraser, a successful and prominent orchardist, lives on his ranch in the Naches valley in the summer and in Yakima during the winter. He was born in New Zealand, May 15, 1860. His parents, Hugh and Jennie (Thompson) Fraser, were natives of Scotland and in early life went to New Zealand, where the father engaged in the live stock business. Thinking to have still better opportunities, how- ever, he left that country and made his way to Oregon, arriving at The Dalles in 1877. There he became identified with the live stock business and in course of time was accounted one of the most prominent sheep men of that section, pasturing large flocks in the district. He was one of the first to take sheep into the state and he was one of the first to introduce sheep into the Mackenzie country, the southern part of New Zealand, where he had over thirty thousand head. He engaged in sheep raising on an almost equally extensive scale in Oregon, having twenty thousand head there, and in addition he raised cattle and horses. His business interests made him a man of prominence in the community and one whose contribution to the general development and upbuilding of the district was important. His demise occurred in 1914 and his wife has also passed away. Both were consistent members of the Pres- byterian church and their religious faith guided them in all of life's relations.

James H. Fraser pursued his education in the public schools and the University of New Zealand and also in Oakland, California. He then entered into active connec- tion with the sheep and cattle business in Oregon, having gained valuable experience along that line through assistance rendered to his father in previous years. He became one of the leading stockmen of the district and also one of the prominent wheat growers but disposed of his interests there in 1898 and came to the Yakima valley. He took up his abode in the city of Yakima, where he engaged in the vehicle and implement business for seven years, winning substantial success, but at the end of that time he sold out. He then purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land on the lower Naches, of which he afterward disposed of forty-five acres. The balance is devoted to the raising of apples and pears and he now has sev- enty-five acres in orchards. His equipment for handling his fruit is thoroughly ade- quate. He has his own packing plant and every modern facility for caring for the fruit and he has taken a most progressive stand in connection with all of his work.

On July 1, 1886, Mr. Fraser was married to Miss Lillian A. Wright, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of the Rev. John A. and Eva (Vestal) Wright. who removed to Oregon at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Fraser have been born the following named: Clifford M., who has a wife and three children; Lillian Zelah, the wife of C. B. White, an attorney of Seattle; and James E., who is attending high school.

Mr. Fraser is a well known Mason, belonging to Yakima Lodge No. 24. F. & A. M., and Yakima Chapter No. 21, R. A. M. He also has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which he loyally adheres. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring that his undivided attention shall be given to his business affairs. He has, however, been chairman of the Commercial Club of Yakima for one term and he was chairman of the committee that adjusted the water rights of the Yakima valley up to the Columbia river and appointed all of the sub-committees having this work in charge. Mr. Fraser was also active in politics and in public affairs in Oregon and has ever been a man of wide influence. owing to the fact that his vision is keen, his judgment sound and his views at all times practical. His orchards, however, are the paramount interests in his life and he has attained prominence as one of the fruit growers of his section of the state. In his undertakings his sons are now associated with him. They raise their own

700

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

nursery stock and they develop their orchards according to the most modern, pro- gressive and scientific methods. They closely study the trees, the demands made upon the soil and the care of their orchards to protect them from blight or hurt of any kind. They have the latest spraying devices and everything necessary to keep their trees in good condition and the extent of their interests as well as their pro- gressive methods have made the name of Fraser synonymous with progressive orcharding in the Yakima valley.

EMORY THOMPSON.

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Yakima county is Emory Thompson, who has important ranching interests near Sunnyside but whose business activities have also extended into various other lines which have constituted important elements in the growth and progress of the dis- trict in which he has operated. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, August 1, 1865, a son of Emory and Sarah A. (Cross) Thompson. The father's birth occurred in Summit county, Ohio, which was also the birthplace of the mother, and the former was a son of William Thompson, one of the pioneer residents of the Buckeye state. The maternal grandfather was John D. Cross, who was born in Connecticut and es- tablished his home in Ohio during the period when it was a frontier state. Emory Thompson, Sr., devoted his life to the occupation of farming and to the operation of a sawmill. He continued a resident of Ohio until his death and his widow still lives in that state at the age of eighty-one years. She has survived her husband for a number of years, for his death occurred on the 1st of April, 1907, when he was seven- ty-four years of age. In their family were thirteen children, of whom the eldest, Adelbert, is deceased. The others are: Elbridge, a farmer residing at Hartford, Ohio; Nora, the wife of Sanford E. Ferrell, living at Ravenna, Ohio; Cora, twin sister of Nora, and the wife of Ichabod Payne, of Indiana; Sadie E., who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Alice E., the wife of Charles Logan, living at Farmdale, Ohio; Emory, of this review; J. D., a farmer at Kinsman, Ohio; Sanford F., also living at Kinsman, Ohio; Blanche, the wife of Clare True, of Pennsylvania; Pearl M., the wife of Wilbur McCormick, of Kinsman, Ohio; Norman W., residing upon the old home farm at Kinsman; and Ralph W., who was a farmer of Ohio but has now passed away.

Emory Thompson, whose name introduces this review, supplemented his public school education by two years' study in the Grove City College of Pennsylvania. After his education was completed he began farming in his native state, where he continued to engage in the cultivation of rented land until 1894. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and in the year mentioned he removed to the north- west with Yakima county as his destination. Here he made investment of his earn- ings in twenty acres of land southeast of Sunnyside, which at that time was a wild tract covered with sagebrush. He has since concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development of ranch property in this section of the state. He planted a part of his first tract to orchards and a part to alfalfa but later retired from fruit raising. At length he sold his original land and in 1900 bought eighty acres two and a half miles southeast of Sunnyside. This, too, was at the time producing a crop of sagebrush but nothing else. With characteristic energy he began its development and has added to it many modern improvements, converting it into one of the ex- cellent farm properties of the district. He raises hay and potatoes and annually gathers good crops. He built a fine residence upon his place in 1905 and he has also put up good barns and other substantial outbuildings which furnish ample shelter to grain and stock. The progressiveness of his methods renders him one of the leading ranchmen of this part of the valley. In addition to his other busi- ness interests Mr. Thompson is a director of the First National Bank of Sunnyside, also a director of the Yakima Valley Potato Growers' Association and a director and the vice-president of the Sunnyside Telephone Company. He was one of the organ- izers of both the telephone company and the bank. He is a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination and readily recognizes the value of each business opportunity. He also sees with equal clearness the obstacles between him and the successful accomplishment of a purpose and by reason of this is enabled to form

EMORY THOMPSON

703

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

his plans and direct his actions so that such obstacles and difficulties shall be readily overcome.

On the 29th of November, 1888, while a resident of Ohio, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Carrie D. Morse, who was born in Williamsfield, Ohio, a daughter of A. L. and Mary P. (Treat) Morse, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in New York. Her father was a son of Ansel Morse, who was born in Connecticut and was a veteran of the War of 1812, in which he served as a musician. He belonged to one of the early colonial families long established on American soil. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Thompson was an own cousin of Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. The parents of Mrs. Thompson were farming .people, the father devoting his entire life to agricultural pursuits, but both he and his wife have now passed away. Mrs. Thompson has one brother, Grant A. Morse, still living in Ohio, and three sisters: Flora, who is the wife of Edgar A. Rose of Wil- liamsfield, Ohio, now residing at Sunnyside, Washington; Elsie, who married Clyde L. Smith of Ohio and also lives at Sunnyside; and Ida, the wife of Burke Rice, whose home is at Andover, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born three chil- dren: Celia M., who was graduated from the Washington State College at Pullman with the class of 1916 and is now successfully engaged in teaching: Howard, who was drowned at the age of sixteen years; and Elmer Eugene, who married Florence George and resides at Sunnyside.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Congregational church and in politics he maintains an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his part of the valley. He has done much to improve roads and he takes an active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare. He passed the first petition around for the Yellowstone Trail, which will be paved in 1919 and passes his house. He secured the signatures of one hundred and eight farmers and at the meeting the resolution passed without a dissenting vote. His father was a man who enjoyed a reputa- tion for unsullied integrity, his word being as good as his bond, and the life record of both his father and mother has ever been an inspiration to Emory Thompson, who has ever endeavored to follow in their footsteps, living up to the highest standards in all things. His course has indeed been a commendable one, commanding for him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has been associated.

CALVIN L. BRADLEY.

Calvin L. Bradley occupies an attractive home in the Selah valley which he built in 1908. It stands in the midst of his ranch property of ten acres, which is largely devoted to the raising of apples. He is an alert, energetic business man and whatever success he has achieved is entirely attributable to his own labors. He comes to the northwest from the Empire state, for his birth occurred at Otto, New York, on the 10th of April, 1858, his parents being Charles and Catherine (Widrig) Bradley, both of whom were natives of New York. The mother was a daughter of George Widrig, also a native of the Empire state and a representative of one of its old colonial families. Charles Bradley was a son of Levi Bradley, a native of Vermont, who in 1832 removed from New England to New York. His father had served with the colonial army in the Revolutionary war and aided in winning independence for the colonies. Charles Bradley became a farmer of New York, and that he possessed the same spirit of patriotism that characterized his ancestors is indicated in the fact that at the time of the Civil war he joined the Union army and went to the front in defense of the Stars and Stripes. He died in a hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, his health having been broken down through the rigors of war. He had been taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville but was afterward exchanged. However, he could not overcome the disease which the hard- ships of war and the rigors of prison life had brought on and he passed away, as previously indicated. His widow long survived him and died at New York in 1895.

Calvin L. Bradley was accorded liberal educational opportunities. He com- pleted a course of study in Hamilton College of New York by graduation as a mem-

704

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

ber of the class of 1882, after which he taught school for a year. He next went to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1883 and there took up the study of law, to which he de- voted his time for about four years, when he was admitted to the bar. He then located for practice in Fargo and also followed the profession in Wahpeton, North Dakota, until 1906, when, attracted by the opportunities of the far west, he made his way to Yakima county, Washington, and in connection with D. F. Sanders pur- chased thirty acres of land on Selah Heights. The partnership between them was afterward dissolved but Mr. Bradley still remains active in horticultural pursuits and is now the owner of ten acres, planted to apples. In 1908 he erected his attractive home, which is supplied with all modern conveniences and comforts. He is now most pleasantly situated in life and is accounted one of the progressive agri- culturists and fruit raisers of his section of the state. He belongs to the Yakima Valley Fruit Growers Association and he has also served as a director of the Selah Water Users Association, occupying that office during the existence of the company. He is now secretary of the Naches-Selah Irrigation District.

On the 12th of October, 1897, Mr. Bradley was married to Miss Millie Sanders, a daughter of D. F. and Nettie (Carey) Sanders. The father was born in New York and the mother in Pennsylvania and in childhood they removed to Wisconsin with their respective parents and were married in that state. Subsequently they became residents of Minnesota, afterward removed to Iowa and still later to South Dakota. From that point they came to the northwest, settling in Yakima county, and the mother passed away in this district. The father is still living and now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, who by their marriage have become the parents of three children: Beatrice, who is now a student in the State University; Florence; and Roland. All three of the children are yet at home.

Mrs. Bradley is a consistent member of the Congregational church. Mr. Bradley has been an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and was also identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but has demitted from these societies. In politics he maintains an independent course, pre- ferring to vote according to the dictates of his judgment. He is interested in the public welfare, however, and cooperates in many well defined plans and measures for the general good. He came to the Selah valley when it was new and unde- veloped and is now one of the leading farmers in that section. He has lived to see remarkable changes and, moreover, he has the satisfaction of having borne his full share in the work of general improvement and development.

ELDRIDGE A. SMITH.

Representative among the younger agriculturists of Kittitas county is Eldridge A. Smith, who is now the owner of a valuable farm about four and a half miles southwest of Ellensburg. A native of Virginia, he was born in Franklin county, June 10, 1887, and is a son of James R. and Ann Martha (Bennett) Smith, both of whom were also born in Franklin county, Virginia. The grandfather, Stephen Smith, was also born in the Old Dominion, of an honored pioneer family. James R. Smith served in the Confederate army during the rebellion and in that state he passed away in August, 1893. His wife was a daughter of Coleman and Pamelia (Glass) Bennett, also members of a distinguished pioneer family of Virginia. In 1896 the family removed to West Virginia, in which state they made their home for about six years, or until 1902, when they came to Kittitas county, where they resided for a time on the farm of Reese Smith, a brother of our subject. In 1908 Eldridge A. Smith and his brother Walter bought eighty acres four and a half miles southwest of Ellensburg, to the cultivation of which they assiduously devoted themselves. 1n 1911 another eighty acre tract was purchased and each of the two brothers then took eighty acres individually. Our subject now largely raises hay and grain but also gives some attention to live stock. He has a pleasant and comfortable home and has greatly improved his farm, upon which he has installed modern equipment. His mother now makes her home with him and his brother Walter. He is the fourth in order of birth in the family, having the following brothers and sisters: Willie

705

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Esther, a resident of Ellensburg and the widow of Charles Collins; Reese, who suc- cessfully follows ranching in Kittitas county; Frank, who still resides in West Vir- ginia: and Walter, who follows farming in conjunction with our subject.

Although the educational advantages of Eldridge A. Smith were limited, as his father died when he was but six years old, he has learned many valuable lessons by life's experiences and today is a well informed young man to whom great credit is due for what he has achieved, as he has made his own way entirely unassisted. On the 22d of October, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Etta Blanche McKee, a daughter of W. H. McKee, who is mentioned more extensively elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Smith has made many friends since coming to Kittitas county for he is a stalwart, pleasant and dependable young man who is guided by the most honorable principles and largely devotes his attention to his own business affairs to good pur- pose. Politics have never held attraction for him and he is not closely allied with any party but prefers to give his support to candidates irrespective of their party affiliations, taking into consideration only their personal qualifications and record. Any movement undertaken to upbuild Kittitas county and Ellensburg finds in him a true champion, who is exer ready to give of his time and means to promote the gen- eral welfare. Although yet a young man, Mr. Smith has already made his mark and a prosperous future may be predicted for him.

H. W. CHASE.

H. W. Chase, who for about four years has been a resident of Yakima, has during this period been prominently identified with the real estate business and since 1912 has been the president of the Washington Realty Investment Company, which he established in that year. Great success has attended this enterprise, which under his ahle management has grown from year to year so that it is today one of the im- portant institutions of its kind in the Yakima valley.

As indicated above, the Washington Realty Investment Company was established about six years ago, at which time it acquired about six thousand acres of land in Benton county under the Horse Heaven irrigation district. The scheme, which has proven of such great success, was carefully thought out and promoted by Mr. Chasc. who organized the company and largely sold the stock in the east. Five thousand acres of this land are now under cultivation and devoted to wheat raising and it is expected that they will soon be put under irrigation. Mr. Chase has been very active in promoting irrigation development in his district but this beneficial measure has naturally been retarded by war conditions.

A native of Wisconsin. H. W. Chase was born August 25, 1867, his parents being O. C. and Harriet Jane (Hadley) Chase, both of whom have passed away. The father throughout his life followed agricultural pursuits and well earned prosperity attended his arduous and earnest labors. Our subject received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin, preparing himself for a commercial carcer by attend- ing a business college. He subsequently gave his attention to the insurance busi- ness, which he decided upon as a suitable field for his activities, and from 1895 until 1908 was actively engaged in this line. In that year, however, he turned his atten- tion to real estate and for a short time conducted a business of that kind at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The opportunities presented in the newly developed west, how- ever, attracted his attention and he therefore crossed the continent in order to profit by the advantages here offered. In 1910 he began to sell western lands for the Yakima Realty Investment Company and in 1912 organized the Washington Realty Investment Company of Yakima, which he has since so ably managed. The highest business principles guide him in all of his dealings and he has built up a reputation which begets for him the trust and confidence of the public. The present officers of the company are: H. W. Chase, president; L. E. Gerde, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, vice president; and W. S. Woodruff, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Chase has entire charge of the local affairs, being the resident manager of the property. The importance of the company and its vast business dealings may

706

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

well be imagined when it is stated that there are two hundred and twenty-five stock- holders.

On June 24, 1896, Mr. Chase was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Hobbs. of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and they have three children: Warren L., Joseph Wayland and Kendall Leigh. Politically Mr. Chase is a republican, strongly and effectively supporting the candidates and measures of that party. and is also strongly imbued with prohibition principles, which he warmly advocates and upholds. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Yakima Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is an American citizen in the best sense of the word, ever ready to support his government, his state, his county and his city in worthy measures, and has made many friends in Yakima, all of whom speak of him in terms of respect not only on account of his business success but because of those honorable qualities of his character which have made that success largely possible.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 84

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