History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 91

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 91
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 91
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 91

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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

never been an aspirant for public office. He has made his home in Yakima since 1868 but spends much of his time upon the ranch, superintending his extensive interests in that connection, and his business by reason of his intelligent direction has brought to him a most gratifying measure of success. Moreover, he is one of the honored pioneers of this region, having resided continuously in Yakima county for over fifty years.

EDGAR W. SILVERS.

A life of diligence is resulting in the attainment of substantial success by Edgar W. Silvers, who has resided in Yakima county since 1902, arriving here when a young man of twenty-nine years. He was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, Febru- ary 25, 1873, a son of William H. and Nancy J. (Reeves) Silvers, the former now deceased. Extended mention of the family is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of William H. Silvers.

Edgar W. Silvers acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and Nebraska. He took up ranching while in the latter state and won substantial success through his efforts there. In 1902 he accompanied his father on his removal to Yakima county, Washington, and after reaching his destination purchased a ranch of ten acres a half mile east of Buena. It was already planted to fruit and thereon he built a fine residence. In 1910 he bought twenty acres in the Parker Bottoms, de- voted to the raising of hay. In 1917 he added to his holdings another tract of twenty acres in the same district, which is likewise hay land, and upon that place he also raises stock. Upon the home ranch he has a good orchard of prune, apple and pear trees and his fruit raising has become an important branch of his business.

On the 25th of February, 1895, Mr. Silvers was united in marriage to Miss Edith Cook, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of W. L. and Glendora (Daugherty) Cook. The children of this marriage are: Ethel, the wife of Vesper Cox, who is engaged in ranching near Zillah; Frank, who follows ranching in connection with his father; Earl, Raymond, William and Carmen, all at home.

In politics Mr. Silvers maintains an independent course nor is he identified with any lodge or church. He is an independent thinker and he gives his time and at- tention to his business affairs. Gradually he is nearing the goal of substantial suc- cess. already heing numbered among the men of affluence in his community.

JESSE C. CHILDS.

Jesse C. Childs, an orchardist of Donald, was born in Prescott, Wisconsin, April 12, 1875. His father, E. D. Childs, was a native of Westboro, Massachusetts, and in Wisconsin was married to Eliza McLorinan. E. D. Childs was a son of Elsworth Childs, who removed with his family to Wisconsin when the former was but thirteen years of age. There he was reared to the occupation of farming, which he made his life work, remaining in active identification with the agricultural interests of the Badger state until 1878, when he removed to Minnesota. There he again secured land and devoted his attention to general farming until he removed to Yakima county in the spring of 1907. At that date he purchased twenty acres of land on Parker Heights, all covered with sagebrush. He and one of his sons took up their abode upon that place in the summer of 1907. Mr. Childs built an attractive home on Sum- mit View, Yakima, and it has since been his place of abode.

Jesse C. Childs came to the Yakima valley in 1908 and has since been in charge of the orchard. He has the entire twenty-acre tract in fruit, raising apples, peaches, pears and cherries. In 1908 he built a pleasant and attractive residence upon the place. The business and property are incorporated under the name of the E. D. Childs & Sons Company, with E. D. Childs as the president and Jesse C. Childs as vice president and manager, while R. D. Childs is the secretary and treasurer. The father has charge of the selling of the fruit crop, going east each fall and selling the

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output of the company's ranch and of other ranches in this district. The business has been developed along progressive lines and is now a profitable source of income. Jesse C. Childs acquired a public school education, supplemented by a course in Oberlin College of Oberlin, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For eleven years in early manhood he successfully taught school, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He became professor of English in the State Normal School at Mayville, North Dakota, and occupied that position for four years before his removal to the northwest. He had previously been at the head of the department of English and history in the high school at Fargo, North Dakota, and has made continuous advance- ment in the educational field.

On the 1st of July, 1903, Mr. Childs was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Kenyon, a native of Norwood, New York, and a daughter of Herbert J. and Ida C. (Rood) Kenyon, the former a native of Troy, New York, and the latter of Green- wich, that state. Her parents removed to Minnesota in 1874 and the father became an officer of the state penitentiary at Stillwater, that state. He had previously been engaged in the grain business. To Mr. and Mrs. Childs have been born three chil- dren, Herbert, Ralph and Marshall.

In politics Mr. Childs is a republican and a stanch supporter of the principles of the party. He has served on the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles, commending him to the confidence and goodwill of all. His sterling traits of character are many, his busi- ness ability pronounced, his loyalty in citizenship unquestioned and he has gained a place among the valued residents of Yakima county.

FRED HANSON.

Among the successful native sons of Washington who give their attention to agricultural lahors is Fred Hanson, a native of the Kittitas valley, who was born December 17, 1890. His parents, Olaf and Ingeborg (Peterson) Hanson, were natives of Sweden and in their youth came to the United States. The father came to the Kittitas valley in 1871 and is therefore numbered among its pioneers, taking up a homestead west of Ellensburg. As he prospered in his undertakings he acquired more land until he owned over four hundred acres, all of which was well improved. Besides general farming he gave his attention to the raising of horses and cattle and was quite successful along that line. At present, however, he lives retired, making his home in Seattle, and there he enjoys the comforts of life which his former labors have made possible. He terminated his active connection with farm work in 1906. To him and his wife were born five children: Henry, who passed away in February, 1917; Tillie, the wife of A. S. Jensen, of Seattle; Fred; Clara, at home; and Oscar William, who died at the age of seven years.

Fred Hanson, the third in the family, was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools. In order to better fit himself for life's practical and responsible duties he then pursued a business course at Everett, subsequent to which time he decided upon agricultural pursuits as best suited to his tastes and ability. For a few years he rented the home ranch but since 1912 has operated the property on his own account. Not only does he raise large crops of grain and hay but he also has one hundred and seventy-five head of cattle. In all of his undertakings he follows progressive and modern methods and since taking charge of the place has made a number of improvements which show his effi- ciency and wise management. He is a business man who carefully watches his oppor- tunities and therefore always succeeds in marketing his produce and stock most advantageously.

On October 1, 1913, Mr. Hanson and Miss Laura Jeannette McNeil were united in marriage. She is a daughter of H. G. and Eva (Buck) McNeil, who are men- tioned at greater length on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have three children, Helen Eva, Frederick Herbert and Lorene Esther.

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Mr. Hanson is a republican in his political affiliations, loyally supporting the measures and candidates of that party. Although he is thoroughly informed in regard to local political issues and takes a laudable interest therein, he prefers to do so as a private citizen, having never shown any inclination for public office. In his fraternal associations he is a member of Elks Lodge No. 1102, of Ellensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are valued members of the younger social set of their neighbor- hood and have many friends in Ellensburg and vicinity. Mr. Hanson, although com- paratively speaking a young man, has made a good start toward prosperity and while promoting his own fortunes he also assists in the upbuilding of his county and district by making his one of the valuable farm properties of the state.

ALBERT STENGLE.

Albert Stengle is the manager of a ranch covering one hundred and thirty acres for the Netherlands American Mortgage Bank, of which eighty-five acres is planted to orchards. He has lived in the Yakima valley since 1902 and in the United States since 1871. He was born in Norway, May 25, 1849, a son of Emil and Paulina Stengle, both of whom have passed away. His youthful days were spent in the land of the midnight sun and when he had reached the age of twenty-two he determined to try his fortune in the new world. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic in 1871 and took up his abode in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he followed farming until 1892. The succeeding six years were spent in Oregon and then he went to California, where he resided until 1902, when he removed to the Yakima valley. The following year he entered the employ of the Buchell Land Company as manager, thus representing them for a few years, after which he became manager for the Netherlands American Mortgage Bank in charge of their orchards. He is now controlling a ranch of one hundred and thirty acres, of which eighty-five acres is planted to fruit and fifty-five acres to alfalfa. Thereon he is engaged in raising apples, pears and peaches and his orchards are in excellent bearing condition, so that he annually harvests large crops, He has also had large farming interests on the Yakima Indian reservation and he likewise developed a twenty-acre orchard of his own near Grandview which he has now sold. In 1917 he bought another ten acres near Grandview and took up his abode thereon in 1919.

In October, 1875, Mr. Stengle was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Nelson, a na- tive of Norway and a daughter of Nels and Mary Nelson. She crossed the Atlantic to the United States when a young woman of twenty years and became the wife of Mr. Stengle in Wisconsin. Ten children have been born to them but only two sur- vive, namely: Edward, who is married and is the owner of a garage at Wapato, Washington; and Carrie, the wife of E. E. Norling, who is engaged in ranching near Grandview and by whom she has one child.

In his political views Mr. Stengle is a republican and while at Butternut, Wis- consin, he served for two terms as assessor. While in Oregon he was a school clerk. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he is a member of the Frater- nal Brotherhood. His success in life is the direct result of his perseverance and energy. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he came to the new world to try his for- tune and has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities as the years have gone on. He is now most comfortably situated in life and has never had occasion to regret the step that brought him from his native country to the United States.

JOHN W. ALEXANDER.

John W. Alexander owns and occupies a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres a mile southeast of Sunnyside, which came into his possession through purchase in 1902. Mr. Alexander is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Dubuque county on the 25th of November, 1853. He is a son of Philip and Adeline (Higgins) Alexander. The father was born in Vermont and the mother in Connecticut and they

ALBERT STENGLE

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became pioneer residents of Iowa, where Mr. Alexander carried on farming to the time of his death. His wife also passed away in that state.

John W. Alexander supplemented a public school education by study in the Hopkinton University of Iowa and when his textbooks were put aside devoted his attention to farming in his native state for a time and later for sixteen years in South Dakota. In 1902 he arrived in Yakima county and made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of land near Sunnyside. The greater part of the tract was wild and undeveloped, but he now has one hundred acres under cultivation and has made his place one of the excellent ranch properties of the district. He annually produces large crops of hay, corn, potatoes and sugar beets and he is conducting an extensive dairy business, keeping fine graded Holstein cattle for this purpose. In business affairs his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfalter- ing. He displays the most progressive spirit in connection with his dairy interests. He milks from thirty to forty-five cows, utilizing a modern electric-driven milking machine and a cream separator. His house and his barns are supplied with electric light and all modern improvements and accessories are found upon his farm.

On the 6th of March, 1878, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet McElwain, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, a daughter of Moses McElwain, one of the pioneers of that state. They have become the parents of a large family of six daughters and eight sons, and with the exception of two sons' all are yet living. Mrs. Addie Smith, residing one hundred miles northwest of Seat- tle. has two daughters. Frank, who is engaged in ranching near his father's place, is married and has two sons. Sarah is the wife of Gordon Vance, a rancher near Sunnyside, and they have five daughters. Mrs. Mary Cry is a resident of California. Judd, Oscar and Benjamin are at home. Laura is engaged in teaching school. Eliza- beth and Grace are likewise still under the parental roof. Philip is deceased. Henry is also yet at home. Millard and Ernest were twins but the latter has departed this life. The children were all given good educational opportunities.

Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Alex- ander is a democrat in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker. His has been an active and useful life along agricultural lines and his persistent effort and energy have con- stituted the foundation of his growing success.

FRANK B. SHARDLOW.

Frank B. Shardlow became a resident of North Yakima about the time the town was started, and while he has not continued uninterruptedly here, he has for much of the period been actively connected with the city. He is now living retired from business, deriving his income largely from judicious investments in ranch prop- erty and city real estate. He was born in Rochester, New York, July 15, 1855, a son of Richard and Fannie Shardlow, both of whom have passed away. The father was a printer by trade.

Frank B. Shardlow, after acquiring a public school education, entered the nursery business in New York, in which he continued for a short time. He then removed to Oregon in 1876 and with George Thomas and John Edwards, of The Dalles, Ore- gon, came to the city of Yakima in 1879. He took a desert claim about 1882, the place being located on Sulphur creek, but he did not prove up on the property. Later he secured other land near Zillah and improved one hundred and sixty acres, winning title to his claim. Thereon he raised hops, fruit and other crops. In 1885 he came to North Yakima, in which year the town was established, but in 1886 he removed to Ellensburg, Washington, where he resided for two years. In 1888 he returned to North Yakima, however, and was in business here until 1915, when he retired. In 1902 he built a fine brick business block, from which he now derives a good rental, and he also has some excellent ranch properties in this section of the state.

On the 8th of May, 1888, Mr. Shardlow was united in marriage to Mrs. Jennie (Lee) Munson, a daughter of Josiah and Lucinda (Hatton) Lee, the former a native of Iowa. Her father came with ox teams across the plains as a pioneer to Waslı-

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ington, being one of the early ranchers of Whitman county, Later he removed to Canada, where he resided for ten years and afterward took up his abode in Felida, Washington, where he passed away on the 18th of November, 1910, his widow sur- viving him until 1914. On October 16, 1900, there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Shard- low a daughter, Lois Lee, who is now attending high school at the age of eighteen years.

Fraternally Mr. Shardlow is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife have been members of Isabella Rebekah Lodge No. 23, for more than twenty-five years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an aspirant for office, concentrating his efforts and atten- tion upon other interests. He was one of the early members of the Commercial Club and continued his identification therewith until his retirement from business. He and his family occupy one of the beautiful homes of Yakima, erected in 1910 and situated on a lot which Mrs. Shardlow selected when North Yakima was first estab- lished. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shardlow have been identified with the city throughout the entire period of its progress and development and have been most interested wit- nesses of what has been accomplished.

PETER VAN MAVERN.

Peter Van Mavern, who is engaged in the raising of fruit and farm products in Yakima county, was born in Marion county, Iowa, September 23, 1861, a son of Arthur and Bertha (Mullenberg) Van Mavern, both of whom were natives of Hol- land and became pioneer settlers of Iowa. They resided for a time in Marion county and subsequently became residents of Sioux county, that state, where both passed away.

The educational opportunities of Peter Van Mavern were somewhat limited, owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to provide for his own support at an early age. When he had reached the age of twenty-six he began renting land and throughout his entire life he has been identified with agricultural pursuits. He ar- rived in Yakima county in 1896 and for fourteen years was employed by the firm of Coffin Brothers. In 1900 he purchased ten acres of land on the lower Naches and in 1913 sold that property and purchased another tract of ten acres in the same district. He has three and a half acres planted to fruit trees and his orchards are in good bearing. The remainder of his land is devoted to the cultivation of alfalfa and the raising of grain and his place is now in excellent condition, returning a sub- stantial income for the care and labor which he bestows upon it.

In 1887 Mr. Van Mavern was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williamson, a native of Holland, who came to the United States in early life. Their children are: Arthur, who resides in Alaska; and Bert, who is a member of the United States army and is now in France. He is married. The parents are members of the Congrega- tional church and are highly esteemed people of the community in which they make their home. Mr. Van Mavern votes with the republican party, which he has sup- ported since attaining adult age. He is a self-made man and now ranks with the successful farmers of Yakima county.

WILLIAM O. HARRISON.

William O. Harrison, for fourteen years a resident of Washington, was for a considerable period identified with industrial activity but is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon ranching in the vicinity of Grandview. He was born in Acworth, Georgia, August 10, 1875, a son of Bill and Bettie (Chastine) Harrison, who were farming people. The mother died in the latter part of the '70s.

William O. Harrison acquired a public school education in his native state and took up the occupation of farming in Georgia but later removed to Tennessee, where he became identified with mechanical interests, running an engine for nine years.

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In 1900 he removed to Oklahoma, where he was again employed as an engineer, and in 1905 he arrived in Montesano, Washington, where he resided until his removal to Renton, Washington. He next took up his abode in South Tacoma and also lived at other points in the state, being employed as an engineer and machinist. He con- tinued to devote his attention to mechanical pursuits for a long period. In 1910 he removed to Mabton, Washington, where he lived until 1914, when he turned his at- tention to agricultural interests, taking up a homestead near Grandview. He now owns about thirteen acres of land and devotes it largely to the raising of cantaloupes and hay. The buildings upon it were erected by him and include a pleasant, attrac- tive dwelling and good barns. The equipment of his farm meets all modern-day re- quirements and his methods are at once scientific and progressive.

On the 24th of May, 1902, Mr. Harrison was married to Miss Rachel Eiklor, who was born in Arkansas. Their children are Harper, Wheeler, Kelley, Naomi, Marie and Kenneth.

Mr. Harrison votes with the democratic party where national issues and ques- tions are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, a loyal adherent of the craft and an exemplary representa- tive of the principles upon which the order is founded. He is ever loyal to its teach- ings and his worth, not only as a Mason but as a man and citizen, is widely acknowl- edged.

HENRY JENKINS.

The great fertility and productiveness of the lands of the Yakima valley are indicated in the results which have come of the efforts of Henry Jenkins, one of the successful farmers living in the vicinity of the city of Yakima. He is certainly entitled to representation in this work as one of the leading orchardists of the sec- tion and, moreover, as a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of the north- west. He was born in Douglas county, Oregon, May 6, 1860, a son of William and Emeline (Belieu) Jenkins, who were natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively. The paternal grandfather, Willis Jenkins, brought his family to Washington in 1844, crossing the country with ox teams, and located in Klickitat county, where he was engaged in the stock business to the time of his death. His son, William Jenkins, removed to Douglas county, Oregon, as a young man and there engaged in farming, having six hundred and forty acres of valuable land. He is now living retired, mak- ing his home in Marshfield, Oregon. He served in the Indian wars in the north- west, participating in the battle of Union Gap in Yakima county in 1856 and also in the Cayuse war in Oregon. He married Emeline Belieu, a daughter of M. B. Belien, who took his family to Douglas county, Oregon, in the early '40s. Mrs. Jenkins passed away in 1903.

Henry Jenkins acquired a public school education and at the age of nineteen years started out in the world on his own account. He was employed in railroad work and in the lumber woods and in 1907 he took up his abode in Yakima county upon a ranch which he had purchased in 1904-a tract of twenty acres on the lower Naches. It was all wild and unimproved, but with characteristic energy he began its development and now has five acres in orchards, while the remainder is devoted to the raising of hay and such cereals as are best adapted to soil and climatic condi- tions in the northwest. He has been very successful in his undertakings and has followed the most progressive methods in the conduct and care of his place. He belongs to the Yakima County Fruit Growers' Association. Something of the wis- dom and the enterprise of his business methods is indicated in the fact that during 1918 he packed twelve hundred boxes of apples raised on three and a half acres and five hundred and twenty-five boxes of peaches produced on a half acre. He also har- vested forty tons of alfalfa from seven acres and one hundred and fifty bushels of corn from three acres. He also sold potatoes to the amount of seventy-four dollars and has eighteen sacks left. all raised on a sixth of an acre. These are of a very fine grade. The ranch produced an income of more than two thousand dollars in 1918. On the 19th of February, 1884, Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Mary Tomlin-

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son, a native of Marion county, Oregon, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Elizabeth (White) Tomlinson, the former a native of Missouri, while the latter was born in Michigan. The mother was a daughter of James White, who arrived in Oregon in 1843. Mr. Tomlinson became a resident of Oregon in 1853 and it was in that state that he married Miss White, who has now passed away, but Mr. Tomlinson is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins has been born a daughter, Stella, now the wife of E. T. Barnett, a rancher of Yakima county, by whom she has three children.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 91

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