USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 87
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 87
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 87
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On the 4th of September, 1881, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Anna R. Wilson, a native of New York and a daughter of Washington and Paulina (Madi- son) Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become parents of one child, Alva, who was born June 4, 1884, and is at home. Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Baptist church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He is interested, however, in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of his
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community and his aid and support can be counted upon to further progressive plans and measures. His reliability as a business man is attested by all with whom he has dealings and his enterprising labors have constituted a valuable contribu- tion to the material upbuilding of the section in which he lives.
JOSEPH B. FREEMAN.
Joseph B. Freeman is the owner of an excellent property of twenty acres, which he purchased before the town of Grandview was established. He acquird this land in 1905, at which time it was a tract of sagebrush. Today it is a most highly culti- vated property, devoted to the raising of cereals and fruit, and in his business affairs Mr. Freeman is meeting with gratifying success. He was born in Germany, August 24, 1865, a son of Jacob and Mary Freeman, who were farming people. He came to the United States in 1882 and took up his abode in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided for eight years. Afterward he traveled largely over the United States and about 1890 became a resident of the Yakima valley, where he worked for wages and was also engaged in railroad work for several years.
It was in April, 1906, that Mr. Freeman purchased his present propety, acquir- ing twenty acres near the present townsite of Grandview. It seemed a difficult task to clear away the sagebrush and make this a fertile and productive tract of land, but with characteristic energy he began the work and good results were secured because of his untiring industry and determination. He improved the farm erected thereon a good house and barns and he has now four acres planted to fruit trees, while the remainder is plow land, on which he is raising hay and corn. His fields now bring forth good crops and his orchards produce a large amount of fruit annually. His work is wisely, systematically and successfully conducted and he is meeting with gratifying returns as a reward for his labors.
On November 26, 1895, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Margaret A. Karney, who was born in Iowa. Their children were six in number: Myrtle, who died at the age of nineteen years; and Thomas, Josephine, Irene, Joseph and Margaret, all yet at home.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Freeman is connected with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he served for one term as a mem- ber of the school board. He prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention, how- ever, upon his ranching interests. He has long realized that close application is one of the strong foundation stones of success and his indefatigable energy and indus- try are bringing to him the substantial and desirable rewards of labor.
FINGAL A. GOTHBERG.
Fingal A. Gothberg is prominent among the citizens of Swedish birth who have contributed in such large measure to the development of Academy Heights and other sections of Yakima county. He is winning substantial success as an orchardist and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual effort and determination. Mr. Gothberg was born in Sweden, October 25, 1870, a brother of Gottfreid Gothberg, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He remained a resident of his native country until he had attained his majority, coming to the United States in 1891. He first took up his abode in Chicago, where he was employed at sheet metal building work, and in 1900 he made his way to Nome, Alaska, where he remained for about seven years, owning a fine mine near Nome. Eventually, however, he disposed of his mining interests there and in 1909 visited Sweden. As he did not care to remain, however, and after spending some time in pleasant association with relatives and friends of his early life he returned to the new world. He visited for a brief period in California and then came to Yakima county, where he purchased twelve acres of land on Academy
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FINGAL A. GOTHBERG
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Heights, and in connection with two others purchased four hundred and fifty acres here, which he developed and sold in small tracts. In this undertaking he was asso- ciated with F. Nelson and L. Stephenson and the undertaking proved one of sub- stantial profit. They have sold about two-thirds of the entire amount and are now developing the balance, selling it in small lots. They recognized the value of the land when properly developed and knew that there must come a demand for it. They have thus realized a good income on their investment. Mr. Gothberg has also greatly improved his private holdings. He built a fine home upon his place, also erected large barns and in fact has added all modern equipment. His interests in association with his partners are conducted under the name of the Jupiter Invest- ment Company, with Mr. Gothberg as the vice president. This company also still owns mining interests in Alaska, together with the orchard property in the Yakima valley.
On the 4th of February, 1913, Mr. Gothberg was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth S. Isaacson, who was born in Sweden, a daughter of August and Emma Isaac- son, the former now deceased, while the latter resides in Minnesota, to which place the family removed during the early girlhood of Mrs. Gothberg. They were farm- ing people, the father always devoting his life to general agricultural pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Gothberg have been born two children, Irma Elizabeth and Dagmar Marie. The parents are members of the Swedish Mission church, in the work of which they are deeply interested, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
Mr. Gothberg supports the republican party but has never been an office seeker. He was the first man to break land on Academy Heights and his example as a pio- neer settler has been followed by many, so that the district in which he took the initial step along the line of cultivation and improvement has been transformed into one of the productive regions of the Yakima valley. Mr. Gothberg has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has advanced steadily toward success.
JERRY M. WHEELER.
Jerry M. Wheeler, proprietor of a country store situated ten miles up the Naches valley from Yakima, is there conducting a profitable and growing business owing to the enterprising spirit that underlies all that he attempts. He was born in In- dependence, Iowa, December. 10, 1863, a son of John P. and Elizabeth (Middleton) Wheeler. The father was one of the first settlers of Independence, where he es- tablished a lumberyard which he conducted successfully for sixteen years and then removed to Kansas in 1879. He was engaged in ranching in the Sunflower state until 1885, in which year he came to Washington, settling at Grays Harbor, where he resided until 1888. He then became a resident of Yakima county and purchased a small ranch near the city of Yakima, upon which he continued to reside until the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. His widow survived him for a number of years, passing away in 1908.
Jerry M. Wheeler is indebted to the public school system of Iowa for his educa- tional opportunities. He went with his father to Kansas and assisted in the develop- ment of the home place there until he began ranching on his own account in that state. He afterward came to Yakima county, bringing his father with him, and worked in various ways in the northwest. He was the first express delivery agent in Yakima, acting in that capacity for two years. Later he cultivated a tract of rented land for eight years and in 1906 he opened a general store ten miles from Yakima up the Naches valley and has since successfully conducted it. He carries a large and carefully selected line of groceries, hardware, dry goods and shoes, having an ex- cellent country store. He studies the wishes and needs of the surrounding popula- tion and is thus ready to meet their demands. Moreover, the integrity of his busi- ness methods and the enterprise which governs the conduct of his business have been salient elements in the attainment of his prosperity.
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On the 10th of December, 1885, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Amelia Koehn, a native of Illinois. Their children are four in number: Edith, the wife of George Coverdale, a rancher of Naches; Clara, deceased; Alvina and Caroline, both at home.
Fraternally Mr. Wheeler is connected with the Loyal Order of Moose, the Royal Neighbors and is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Yakima. In politics he is a republican where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections votes independent of party ties. He has served on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is the pioneer merchant of the Naches valley and as a representative business man and reliable citizen is highly esteemed in the community.
JOSEPH CALVIN WALKER.
Joseph Calvin Walker is a self-made man whose success is the direct result of earnest and unfaltering labor. Today he is the owner of a good ranch property of thirty-five acres two miles west of Emerald. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, August 27, 1863, a son of Jesse and Rhoda Miranda (Childers) Walker, who were pioneer settlers of the Hawkeye state, where the father died in 1865 and the mother in 1871.
Joseph C. Walker was thus left an orphan when a little lad of but eight years and spent his youthful days in the home of an uncle, acquiring a public school educa- tion. In 1879 he went to Nebraska, where he worked on a ranch, and later he took up government land and began the development of a farm. Eventually he sold that property preparatory to removing to the northwest. He made his way to Port Townsend, Washington, where he arrived on the 9th of November, 1882, and there he engaged in the draying and transfer business until 1894, when he came to Yakima county and entered the employ of David Longmire, for whom he worked for his board. Later he worked for wages and in due course of time he leased land near Yakima, which he cultivated for three years. While thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings and in 1899 he purchased ten acres on South Nob Hill, of which he planted four acres to orchards. The remainder of his land was devoted to the raising of hay and potatoes. He sold out there in October, 1917, however, and pur chased thirty-five acres two miles west of Emerald, Washington. Upon this place he raises hay, potatoes and corn and he now has a well developed ranch property from which he annually derives a substantial income.
On Christmas day of 1894 Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Cora Aumiller, who was born in Mendota, Illinois, a daughter of William and Anna Eliza- heth (McIlroy) Aumiller, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have become parents of three children: Jesse Edgar, who married Myrtle Whidden and is now a member of the United States army; William Eugene, who enlisted on the 10th of April, 1917, and has been with the United States Marines in France; and Earl, at home.
Mr. Walker and his family are well known in the community where they re- side and have gained many warm friends in their part of Yakima county. He has won a place among the substantial ranchers and certainly deserves much credit for ,what he has accomplished. His life illustrates the possibilities for achievement through energy, enterprise and determination and his record should serve to in- spire and encourage others.
WILLIAM S. ROSS.
The agricultural interests of the Kittitas valley find a worthy representative in William S. Ross, who has followed farming in Kittitas county for the past eleven years and now resides on a highly improved property five miles west of Ellens- burg. His birth occurred in Harrison county, Missouri, on the 25th of June, 1874.
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his parents being Branson M. and Susan Anise (Terhune) Ross, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively and were married in Iowa. They removed to Missouri in 1862 and there continued to make their home until 1888, when they journeyed westward to Idaho. In the latter state Mr. Ross turned his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits, being engaged in farming and in fruit raising with good success. He is still living in Idaho, but his wife has passed away.
William S. Ross acquired a public school education in Missouri and was a youth of fourteen when he accompanied his parents to the west. Aiding in the operation of the home farm in Idaho, he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and he remained the active assistant of his father until thirty-one years of age. The year 1907 witnessed his arrival in Kittitas county, Washington, where he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of land but subsequently sold forty acres of the property. He disposed of the entire farm three years later and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixteen acres near Thrall, on which he resided for seven years. On the expiration of that period, in 1917, he again acquired possession of his former place of seventy-five acres, situated five miles west of Ellensburg, where he has since made his home. His holdings now comprise one hundred and ninety-one acres of rich and productive land and he is successfully engaged in the raising of hay and grain as well as stock, including horses. His farming interests are conducted along progressive and modern lines and prosperity is attending his well directed labors.
On the 13th of November, 1907, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Norna Roth, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, and a daughter of August and Lucy Roth, who were pioneer settlers of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Ross now have three children: Delta, Anise and William Edward.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Ross has supported the men and measures of the republican party and his cooperation can ever be counted upon to further measures and movements looking to the general welfare. By the able management of his business affairs he has won the proud American title of : self-made man and his career has ever been such as to elicit the esteem and regard of those who know him.
ROSS K. TIFFANY.
It is a current saying in the Yakima valley that if you want to know anything about irrigation ask Ross K. Tiffany, project manager for the United States recla- mation service. His active work in this field has indeed made him an authority upon questions relative to the development of irrigation systems in otherwise arid dis- tricts and his labors have been of the greatest benefit to the northwest. He was born in Union, Iowa, June 11, 1879, a son of W. J. and Harriet Emily (Kerr) Tif- fany, who became residents of lowa in 1872, removing to that state from Ohio. The father devoted his early life to the occupation of farming and afterward turned his attention to merchandising but is now living retired.
Ross K. Tiffany was accorded liberal educational opportunities and is a graduate of the civil engineering course in Cornell College of Iowa of the class of 1900. He later took up special work in irrigation in the Washington State College in 1901, after which he became connected with private irrigation companies in the Yakima valley, including a company having in charge the Sunnyside canal. He was thus associated from 1901 until 1906, having to do with the development and operation of that canal system, which was owned by the Washington Irrigation Company. In the latter year he was given charge of land development work by the Washington Irrigation Company and continued to serve in that capacity until 1910. He also did outside engineering work in Washington and Oregon. In the year indicated he be- came superintendent of irrigation on the Sunnyside canal for the United States gov- ernment and in 1912 was made project manager for Sunnyside. In 1914 he was made project manager for the Sunnyside and Tieton systems and also of the development of a complete reservoir system. His work is largely in charge of operation in con- nection with the irrigation interests of the district and he has also built important
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extensions to the systems under his control, which cover one hundred and forty thousand acres of land. He is one of the most active and valued men of the Yakima valley in connection with the development of the irrigation interests and his labors have been most far-reaching and resultant. He has closely studied every problem connected with the work, is familiar with every practical and scientific phase of the business and knows the value of land and the possibilities of development. He is in charge of the investigation concerning the development of new projects for irrigation and as he prosecutes his work he is continually adding to the productivity of hitherto arid regions and thus enhancing property values and the general pros- perity of the state.
On the 3d of July, 1903, Mr. Tiffany was married to Miss Ella Eicher, of Ains- worth, Nebraska, and they have become parents of a son and a daughter, Ross K., Jr., and June. In addition to a pleasant home in Yakima Mr. Tiffany owns two fine fruit ranches in the valley from which he is deriving a substantial income. He helongs to Sunnyside Lodge, No. 138, A. F. & A. M., also to Sunnyside Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he maintains an independent course. He is president of the Com- mercial Club of Yakima and in that connection is doing important work along the lines of public development and improvement, his labors bringing about many desired results, while his leadership in this connection at all times works for public good.
THOMAS B. GOODWIN.
"Westward the star of empire takes its way," and Thomas B. Goodwin, now deceased, was among those who followed that star on its westward way. He became identified with the pioneer development of various states and eventually reached the Pacific coast country, and Washington numbered him among her substantial and worthy citizens. He was born in Putnam, Indiana, July 24, 1846, a son of Rolla and Hannah (Gardner) Goodwin, who in 1852 removed with their family to Iowa. casting in their lot with the early settlers of that state. In 1864 Mr. Goodwin trav- eled by ox team and wagon to Omaha, Nebraska, in company with a brother and neighbor and also went on to Montana but returned the same year. Thomas B. Goodwin then spent two years upon his father's farm in Iowa, after which he pur- chased a home in Wayne county, that state, and concentrated his efforts and atten- tion upon its development. He later sold that property and invested in cattle, but the investment proved an unfortunate one and he lost everything. In 1873 he made his way westward to California and after living for a time in the Golden state pro- ceeded northward to Portland, Oregon, where he remained until 1877 and then came to Kittitas county, Washington. He and his cousin, Thomas Goodwin, brought the first "header" into the valley. Thomas B. Goodwin purchased land a mile and a half west of Thorp and in time acquired one thousand acres of land, of which he placed nearly five hundred acres under cultivation, becoming one of the prominent and representative farmers of his section of the state.
It was in 1865 that Thomas B. Goodwin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cumberland, who was born in Indiana in 1841, a daughter of Moses and Amanda (McClung) Cumberland, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Indiana. The death of Mrs. Goodwin occurred in 1893 and on the 3d of June, 1896, Mr. Goodwin married her sister, Jennie Cumberland. The children born of the first marriage are: Elmer. a rancher on the Wenas, who is married and has six children: Launa, the wife of Isaac Burns, a rancher, hy whom she has four sons and three daughters; Jennie, the wife of Reuhen M. Osborn of Kittitas county and the mother of one son; Norman, of Tacoma, who is married and has one son; Lillian, Oce and Olive, all at home; Stanley E., a rancher of the Kittitas valley, who has a wife and one son; and Aubrey, who is married and follows ranching in the Kittitas valley. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin also reared Patrick C. Cox, who became a member of their household at the age of ten years and remained with them a part of the time until he attained his majority. He is now mess sergeant in the Marine Corps of the United States navy. He has served in China, having been connected with the navy since 1911. He is married and has a daughter.
THOMAS B. GOODWIN
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Mr. Goodwin attended the Christian church and guided his life by high and honorable principles. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he exerted considerable influence over public thought and action, especially along political lines. In 1891 he served as a member of the state legislature and gave earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. He passed away on the 15th of April, 1917, when he was in the seventy- first year of his age. He was widely known and greatly beloved by all with whom he had come in contact, for he possessed many sterling traits of character and his worth was recognized by all who knew him.
JOHN A. KINNEAR.
John A. Kinnear, largely devoting his time to fruit raising near Zillah, was born in New Brunswick, April 27, 1860, a son of Lennox and Zena (Tingley) Kinnear, both of whom were natives of New Brunswick, where the father devoted his atten- tion to the occupation of farming and where he continued to make his home until his demise. His wife also died in that country.
John A. Kinnear acquired a public school education and remained upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty, dividing his time between attendance at school and the work of the fields. On leaving home he went to Illinois, where he worked for wages, remaining in the employ of one man for five years-a fact indi- cative of his capability and faithfulness. He then returned home, spending another year in New Brunswick, after which he went to Manitoba, Canada, where he took up government land and carried on farming for fifteen years. In 1901 he arrived in the Yakima valley and purchased twenty acres near Outlook. After five months, however, he sold that property, receiving more than double what he had paid for it. He next invested in eleven acres two miles west of Zillah, the land being at that time planted to alfalfa. He has converted this, however, into an orchard property, rais- ing apples, pears and prunes, and his trees are in excellent condition owing to the thoroughness of his care and propagation. He has built a good house upon his place, also substantial barns and now has a fine ranch property.
On the 18th of May, 1884, Mr. Kinnear was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Lund, who was born in New Brunswick, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Lund. Their children are: Jennie, who died at the age of four years; and Mabel, the wife of George Silvers, a rancher near Zillah, by whom she has two children, Frances and Mildred.
Mr. Kinnear gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He cooperates in all plans and measures for the general good and does everything in his power to bring about public progress and improvement, while at the same time he is carefully and suc- cessfully directing his private business interests.
CHARLES MOREHEAD.
There is great credit due Charles Morehead, a successful agriculturist of Kittitas county, for what he has achieved in life, as he has attained his present prosperity practically unassisted, now owning a valuable property of one hundred and seventy acres four and a half miles west of Ellensburg. He is a native of Linn county, Iowa, and was born February 11, 1870, his parents being Joseph Charles and Matilda Jane (Larkin) Morehead, honored pioneers of Iowa. Subsequently they decided to remove farther west in order to profit by the opportunities presented in a newer country and became residents of Goldendale, Washington, in 1870, journeying here by team. The father took up a homestead, to the cultivation of which he devoted the rest of his active life, but is now living retired in Goldendale. His birth oc- curred in 1842, while his wife was born in Iowa in 1843.
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