History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 85

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 85
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 85
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 85

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).

THOMAS HALEY.

Few white men had penetrated into the Kittitas valley when Thomas Haley became a resident there and until his demise he was identified with its farming inter- ests. A pioneer of fifty years ago, Mr. Haley had attained the age of seventy-two years when he suddenly passed away on March 18, 1919, the immediate cause of his death being a stroke of paralysis. He had not been well for some time and had planned a trip to California for his health. Through his sterling qualities and by reason of his straightforward character he had made many friends in the Kittitas valley, all of whom keenly feel his loss and were deeply shocked when the news of his death reached them.

Mr. Haley was born in Waterville, Oneida county, New York, January 8, 1847, a son of Michael and Elizabeth B. (Feeny) Haley, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to the United States in 1822, settling in New York, where the father took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in Oneida county for a number of years. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

Thomas Haley was reared in the Empire state and left school at the age of fifteen years, at which time he went to Pennsylvania, where for two and a half years he worked in the oil fields. His first removal westward, in 1867, took him to Omaha, Nebraska, where he ran a stationary engine in a foundry. For two years he was employed on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad between Laramie and Cheyenne and also in Utah, and he saw the gold spike driven near Salt Lake City in 1869, at which time the two divisions of the road were united, for the work had been carried from either end until the two parts joined. In July, 1869, Mr. Haley came to the Kittitas valley and was among the first settlers here. He turned his attention to the cattle business and later he engaged in buying and selling cattle. He traveled across the Cascades to the Sound with his stock and thus gained his start in the business world in the northwest. In 1878 he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land near Ellensburg and afterward purchased forty acres, so that he owned two hundred acres in all. Upon this tract he engaged in raising hay and grain and the care and precision with which his business affairs were conducted and managed constituted the salient forces in the attainment of his growing success. In 1896 his home and farm buildings were destroyed by fire, but Mr. Haley immediately rebuilt and again increased his holdings. For many years he was a director of the High Line canal and was always identified with movements for the development of the valley and county.

On the 10th of April, 1878, Mr. Haley was united in marriage to Miss Vancha Hackett, a native of Oregon City, Oregon, and a daughter of John and Ellen (John- son) Hackett, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. They became pioneer settlers of Oregon, where the father devoted his time and energies to ranch- ing, but both he and his wife have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Haley were born two children: Katie, the deceased wife of John Sheldon, a resident of Idaho, by whom she had four children; and Allie, a rancher of the Kittitas valley, who is mar- ried and has one son.

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS HALEY

709

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

Mr. Haley was well known as a representative of the Masonic fraternity. He had taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, commandery and of the Mystic Shrine and he was also a past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he was a republican but he was chiefly known as a prominent rancher and one whose business affairs were wisely conducted. From pioneer times he was identified with the development of this section of the state and his worth was widely acknowledged by all with whom he came in contact. In his death Kittitas county lost one of its loyal and public-spirited citizens as well as a man who ever conscientiously met all obligations of life. An old friend, Austin Mires, said of Mr. Haley shortly after his death: "Mr. Haley was one of the squarest men I have ever known. He was born a square, unvarnished man, and he was a friend of every honest man. All his life he had it in for crooks." At the time of his death a local paper wrote as follows: "Mr. * Haley has been prominent as one of the pioneer farmers of the county *

He was widely known and liked in the valley and news of his sudden death comes as a shock to his many friends." Truly there were many friends whom he had made during a long and righteous life-friends whom he ever upheld and in whom he trusted and who in turn gave to him their entire confidence. Having passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, those dear to him may find solace in the beautiful life which he led, which gained for him the high respect of all those with whom he came in contact and which through incessant and painstaking labor was crowned with a most gratifying material success.

WILLIAM V. E. ROBBINS.

The life record of William V. E. Robbins is an interesting story of a man who has carefully formulated and given shape to his own character and career. Actuated by a spirit of progress, he has faced hardships and difficulties, has overcome obstacles and step by step has advanced to a desired goal. He is now one of the highly re- spected ranchers living in the vicinity of Zillah. He was born in Birmingham, Eng- land, September 26, 1863, a son of Dr. John and Elizabeth (Benton) Robbins. The father's birth occurred in Birmingham, May 21, 1834, and his death occurred on the 22d of February, 1907, while his wife passed away on the 2d of December, 1902. The paternal grandaprents were John and Elizabeth (Burton) Robbins, both natives of England. The former, who was born in England in 1810, died when seventy years of age and the latter, whose birth occurred in 1812, passed away in 1850. They were married in 1833. Their son, Dr. John Robbins, acquired his education in a Church of England school and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed to a noted en- graver, for whom he worked for seven years. He then entered business on his own account with a partner and his work received prizes at the World's Exposition in Lon- don in the early '50s. He afterward took up the study of medicine under Dr. Hast- ing, R. C. S., and Dr. Lawrence, S. M. B., but his health failed, and resorting to outdoor life, he engaged in farming until 1872, when he came to the United States, taking up his abode in Lincoln, Nebraska. He secured a homestead near Hastings, Nebraska, but afterward returned to Lincoln and later went to Omaha, where he re- mained for three years, and while there he engraved the first map of Nebraska for the Omaha Bee. Subsequently he removed to San Francisco in 1875 and went to Portland, Oregon, in the same year. In 1878 he removed to the Kittitas valley with his wife and fourteen children and settled on what is now known as the Springfield farm, there remaining until his death. He was the first physician in the Kittitas valley and practiced for three years but gave up professional work when other physicians came who could take care of the needs of the population in that vicinity. In the year 1854 Dr. Robbins was married to Mary Ann Garrett, of England, who passed away March 18, 1859, and later he wedded Elizabeth Benton, who was born at Leamington. England, March 7, 1839, and passed away December 3, 1902, at the age of sixty-three years. She was the only child of William Benton, who was valet to an English nobleman in early life and later engaged in general merchandising. He and his wife died in England. Dr. Robbins had seventeen children, two of whom were born of his first marriage and fifteen of the second. The family became a prom- (28)

710

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

inent and well known one in Washington. In the fall of 1878, during the Indian outbreak in Kittitas county, their home was used as a fort by the few families living in that locality. The life of Dr. Robbins was one of great usefulness. He attained a high degree of efficiency in various lines and not only was he an able meical prac- titioner but he also studied veterinary surgery and was the first representative of the profession in Kittitas county. Both he and his wife were members of the Church of England and they possessed many admirable traits of character which won them the confidence, high regard and love of those with whom they came in contact. In many ways Dr. Robbins left the impress of his ability and individuality upon the history of the community in which he lived and no record of pioneer development in this section of the state would be complete without a tribute to the worth of his work in connection with the early settlement and upbuilding of the state.

William V. E. Robbins of this review acquired a public school education in Omaha, San Francisco and Portland, as his parents followed the tide of western emigration and established the family home in these various cities. When his text- books were put aside he assisted his father in the development of the home farm until he had attained his majority, when he and his brother, Charles O., rented the home place of the father and later purchased the farm, which they have since culti- vated together. The ranch is located on Reeser creek, in Kittitas county, and com- prises six hundred and forty acres of farm land and an equal amount of ranch land. Upon this place they raise grain, hay and stock, and Mr. Robbins of this review was busily engaged in the further cultivation and development of that property until 1912, when he and his brother sold the land and the two entered the hardware busi- ness in Ellensburg, Washington. They conducted their store until 1915, when they disposed of their stock of hardware and removed to Yakima county. Here they purchased one hundred and forty-two acres of land four miles north of Toppenish, constituting one of the improved ranches of the district, whereon they have since engaged in the raising of hay and corn. They also handle cattle and are conducting a dairy business.

On the 12th of May, 1914, Mr. Robbins of this review was married to Wil- helmina Agnes Finley, who was born in Washington, D. C., a daughter of B. L. and Maude (Thompson) Finley, who were also natives of the national capital and came to Washington in 1909, in which year they settled in Ellensburg. There the father entered the real estate business, in which he has since been engaged. To Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have been born two children: Wilhelmina Katherine, now three years of age; and Esther Blanche.

Mrs. Robbins is a member of the Christian Science church. Mr. Robbins is an independent democrat in politics and has never been an office seeker. He is a suc- cessful pioneer rancher and one whose record in the development of his business interests denotes close application, honorable purpose and successful accomplish- ment.

MICHAEL A. O'LOUGHLIN.

Michael A. O'Loughlin has the distinction of being the pioneer merchant of Moxee City. He opened the first store in the town, placing a stock of hardware on sale, and since that time he has figured prominently in connection with the commer- cial interests of the place. Mr. O'Loughlin is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Clare in February, 1852. His parents, Michael and Margaret (Maroney) O'Loughlin, coming to America in 1867, established their home in Wright county, Minnesota, where the father purchased land and thereafter devoted his atten- tion to farming, but was only permitted to enjoy his new home for three years when death claimed him. The family afterward settled near Fort Snelling, not far from St. Paul, Minnesota, and subsequently became residents of Rosetown, Minnesota. At a subsequent period they returned to the old homestead in Wright county and there the mother passed away in the year 1897.

Michael O'Loughlin, assuming charge of the old farm, cleared and developed it, transforming it into a valuable property which he afterward sold for the highest

711

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

price paid for any land in the county up to the year 1910, which was the year in which he disposed of it. He had added to it many modern improvements and equipment and the eighty-acre tract was indeed a valuable and desirable one.

On disposing of his landed interests in the Mississippi valley Mr. O'Loughlin came to the northwest, arriving in Yakima county in 1910. Moxee City had just been founded and he purchased two lots, upon which he erected a store building and opened a stock of hardware, thus establishing the first mercantile enterprise of the town. He has added a stock of farm implements and has since conducted an excellent business, having a large trade. He likewise has a service station for gaso- line and oil and he also handles Goodyear tires. In his hardware and farm implement line he handles the best grade of goods obtainable and he has become very widely known as a most progressive, alert, enterprising and thoroughly reliable merchant.

Mr. O'Loughlin is a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic church of Moxee City and votes with the republican party. He is well known in his community, where he has long resided, and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.

THOMAS C. McNAMARA.

Thomas C. McNamara, one of the leading orchardists of Yakima county, whose progressive spirit is manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts, was born in Dayton, Ohio, July 26, 1854, a son of Martin and Johanna (McNahan) Mc Namara, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to the United States in 1849 and established their home in Wisconsin. Later they removed to Dayton, Ohio, but subsequently returned to Wisconsin, settling in Manitowoc county in 1856. There they lived until 1876, when they went to Nebraska, where the father engaged in farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. The mother afterward died at the home of her son Thomas, when she had reached the notable old age of ninety-three years.

Thomas C. McNamara acquired a public school education in Wisconsin and through his youthful days was with his father upon the home farm, there remaining until 1885, at which time his father deeded him one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was obliged to give up his farm, however, through losses entailed by the hog cholera. He afterward went to Sterling, Colorado, where he followed railway con- struction work, and he took up a homestead in Weld county, Colorado. He subse- quently removed to Utah, where he assisted in building a big canal near Bear creek. Later he engaged in railway work again, teaming and doing contract work in con- nection with buildings. It was always his desire, however, to obtain land and have a home for himself. Selling his team, he went to Montana in 1892 and there entered upon railway work in connection with the Great Northern. He was next at Ana- conda, Montana, where he was employed in the smelters for two and a half years. He had heard much concerning the Yakima country and came to the district to look at it, arriving in the city of Yakima on the 20th of June, 1898. He had previously been in twenty different states of the Union and was more pleased with the Yakima valley than any other district which he had ever seen. He began working in the hay fields at a wage of a dollar per day. He found that the homestead law had been changed, so that he could take another homestead, and looking over the new country on Selah Heights and the lower Naches, he bought a relinquishment on a homestead from a Mr. Webster, obtaining one hundred and sixty acres of land in all. This was right in the hills of the lower Naches and there was not a house within a mile. The land was all wild and undeveloped, being covered with sagebrush, and no one considered the hills worth anything. Mr. McNamara, however, cleared twenty acres of his land the following year and thereon raised a good crop of potatoes, onions and alfalfa, obtaining water from the Selah ditch. Later the Wapentox ditch extension was built and Mr. McNamara became foreman of the construction work. This fur- nished water for ninety acres of his land. About 1907 he also bought a water right from the Selah ditch and in 1908 he planted ten acres to apples. He has since sold all of his land save fifty acres and he now has twenty-five acres planted to fruit trees and is numbered among the leading orchardists of this section of the state.

712

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

His orchards are in splendid condition. They present a most beautiful picture in blossom time and one of equal loveliness when the fruit hangs heavy on the trees. He cares for his fruit in the most systematic and progressive manner and his sales annually reach a large figure.

On the 27th of November, 1884, Mr. McNamara was married to Miss Catherine Hanlon, who was born in Nebraska City, a daughter of Edward and Catherine (McGraw) Hanlon, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to America when young people and were married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. About 1853 they arrived in Nebraska, being numbered among its pioneers. They lost all of their goods in the Mississippi river while crossing by boat, but notwithstanding this early handicap, Mr. Hanlon became an extensive and successful farmer of Ne- braska, where he took up a homestead near Dunbar. Later he sold that property and purchased a large ranch ten miles south of Nebraska City. Both he and his wife have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. McNamara have been born seven children: Mary Rosalia, the deecased wife of John Lynch, an attorney of Yakima; Thomas Albertus, who is ranching on the Ahtanum and is married and has three children; Ellen Johanna, who died at the age of seven years and eight months while the family were in Montana; Edward Patrick, a rancher near Toppenish, who has a wife and two children; Martin Marcus, a sergeant in the Signal Corps of the United States army. now in France; John James, who is ranching with his brother; and Bernard Joseph, at home.

Mr. McNamara and his family are communicants of St. Paul's Catholic church. in which he has always taken an active and helpful interest. He has also been a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He was formerly a Bryan democrat but is now a member of the Non-Partisan League. He is a successful farmer, progressive and enterprising, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his life should serve as a stimulus to others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort.

CHARLES L. CHAPPLE, M. D.

Fruit raising interests in the Tieton valley claim the attention of Dr. Charles L. Chapple, who to some extent still follows the medical profession but limits his prac- tice to a small circle. A native of Beldenville, Wisconsin, Dr. Chapple was born September 5, 1869, a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Phillips) Chapple. The father's birth occurred in 1819. The mother was born in Canada and was of French descent. John Chapple, the grandfather, took the family to Canada about 1832 and in the country passed away. His son, William H. Chapple, in 1856 removed to Wis- consin, where he bought a farm and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1892. He survived his wife for about nine years, her death occurring in 1883.

Charles L. Chapple was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools. He was graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1892, at the age of twenty-three, with the degree of B. L. He later turned his attention to medicine and in 1898 was graduated from the medical department of that institution. He then served for fourteen months as interne at the St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis and subsequently was for twelve years connected with the State Hospital for the Insane at Rochester, Minnesota. In 1911 Dr. Chapple came to Yakima county and bought twenty acres of land on the Tieton, his brother, B. P. Chapple, also acquiring twenty acres adjoining. The Doctor now has fifteen acres planted to apples, the remainder being under the plow. He has devoted himself to the cultivation of his tract and is now comfortably situated.

On the 8th of October, 1905, Dr. Chapple was united in marriage to Miss Grace Guernsey, who was born in Almond, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of George H. and Miranda (Beare) Guernsey, natives of New York, the former born at Mount Upton and the latter in Delaware county. In 1855 they removed to Wisconsin and the father, who was a nurseryman in New York state, took up general farming in Wisconsin. Both have passed away. Dr. and Mrs. Chapple have two children, a son and a daughter, Guernsey Phillips and Helen Marion. They attended the Presbyterian

713

HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested. Politically the Doctor is a republican as regards national politics but in local affairs he prefers to follow his own judgment irrespective of party issues. Mrs. Chapple is quite gifted along musical lines and is a popular teacher. Fraternally Dr. Chapple is a Mason, belong- ing to the blue lodge, and he and his wife are esteemed residents of Yakima county, being people of culture and refinement.

JAMES WILLIAM VAUGHN.

Agricultural interests of Kittitas county find an active and foremost represen- tative in James William Vaughn, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, born Angust 3, 1859, and a son of Drake and Jennie (Jackson) Vaughn, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Kentucky. During the early history of Kansas City the parents removed to that place, near which the father successfully cultivated a farm. In 1861 the family removed to Leadville, Colorado, and Mr. Vaughn was numbered among the discoverers of the famous mines there. Later he took up his residence in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was employed as a blacksmith on railroad. con- struction work, being connected with the construction gang which built the road up to Corinne, Utah. In 1870 he and his family made their way by wagon to Seattle, passing through Kittitas county. The next year, however, they returned to this county, theirs being the seventh family to settle in the valley. The father took up government land, to the improvement of which he gave his undivided attention, and he continued in the successful cultivation of his fields until a few years before his death, when he retired. His demise occurred in 1914. He was at the head of the first postoffice to be established in the valley, which was known as Pleasant Grove and which opened its doors in 1872. He was postmaster there for four or five years, or until an office was started at Ellensburg. He suffered to some extent from Indian depredations although no serious consequences resulted. Once three Indians came to his home, asking for supper, and on being refused for good reasons, they burned up a lot of valuable fence rails which Mr. Vaughn had brought together with much labor. His wife is still living in Ellensburg and "has now reached the venerable age of eighty-four years. 1

James W. Vaughn, having made the various removals with the rest of the family, was reared under the parental roof and attended public school in the neighborhoods in which the family resided. At the age of twenty-four years he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land six miles southwest of Ellensburg, but he has since sold most of his property, retaining only forty-five acres. He raises hay and also gives con- siderable attention to live stock, being successful along both lines.

On the 18th of April, 1886, Mr. Vaughn was united in marriage to Miss Lavinnia Haynes, a native of Oregon and a daughter of William and Amelia (Stephens) Haynes, pioneers of that state. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Haynes came to the Kittitas valley and here the father engaged in ranching. He now resides in Hunters, Wash- ington, hut his wife has passed away. He conducted the first hotel-restaurant and harness shop in Ellensburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn were horn the following children: Lottie, who married Grover Castor, of Ellensburg: Millie, the wife of Nor- man Bland, who successfully follows ranching in the Kittitas valley; Benjamin, at home; and Archie, aged eleven.

In his political affiliations Mr. Vaughn is a republican, loyally supporting the candidates of that party. He has ever taken a great interest in local advancement and has contributed toward the upbuilding and growth of Ellensburg and vicinity. He is numbered among the early farmers of his district, where his family arrived at an early day. There they lived amid the pioneer conditions that prevailed upon the frontier among the red men. In those days the family had to freight their flour from Walla Walla to Ellensburg and later had to hring it from The Dalles. Such were the conditions when hardly a furrow had been turned in this section of Washington and Mr. Vanghn is thoroughly conversant with conditions as they existed in the primi- tive days and also with the development of the present day, having in no small measure contributed to this development. He has a large acquaintance in the Yakima

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 85

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