History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 94

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 94
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 94
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 94

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On the 18th of April, 1898, Mr. Bernier was married to Miss Marie Poulin, who was born in Polk county, Minnesota, and they have become the parents of ten children: Bert, Odele, Sydney, Rosabel, Mabel, A. J., Teles, Maurice, Ernest and Nelson, who died in infancy.

The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church and are loyal adherents of its teachings. Mr. Bernier is a republican in his political views but is not an office seeker. He served as school clerk in Minnesota but has always avoided public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs that he might provide a comfortable living for himself and family. In this he has succeeded and his prosperity is shown in the fact that in 1918 he purchased thirty- three acres of land adjoining his original holdings and now has eighteen acres of this planted in orchard. He also has forty acres in Grant county, Washington, which makes a total of one hundred and fifty-three acres in this state. He is con- stantly developing his orchard property and displays the utmost care in propagat- ing and nourishing his trees, studying the condition of the soil and the needs of the fruit. That his labors have brought most excellent results is indicated in the fine apples, cherries, prunes and grapes which are annually shipped from his place and which command the highest market price.

WALLACE J. MORRISON.

Wallace J. Morrison has made his home in Yakima county since 1902 and in 1903 purchased his present ranch, comprising twenty-two acres a mile and a quarter northwest of Buena. It would have seemed impossible to one unfamiliar with the country and its conditions that the tract of sagebrush land which he acquired could ever be converted into a fine fruit ranch, but this has been accomplished through the labors of Mr. Morrison, whose sound judgment and energy have ever worked for success in his undertakings.

Mr. Morrison is a native of Iowa. He was born in Wapello county, January 17, 1866, of the marriage of James and Amanda (Shaw) Morrison, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The progenitor of the Morrison family came to the United States in the early part of the eighteenth century and the family is of Scandinavian and Scotch descent. James Morrison was a farmer by occupation and became a pioneer settler of Iowa. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all bus- iness and personal considerations, responding to the country's call for troops as a member of an lowa regiment. With the close of the war he resumed farming in the Hawkeye state, but in the early '70s removed with his family to Clay county, South Dakota, and two years later to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where he lived for twenty-five years. He next went to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, where his wife died, and later he removed to the northwest, coming to Yakima county, his death occurring at the home of his son, Wallace J.

Largely reared in South Dakota, Wallace J. Morrison attended the public schools and also spent one term in Sioux Falls College. When not busy with his textbooks he engaged in ranching with his father until he reached the age of twenty years, after which he worked for wages for a year. He then went to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, where he was employed for eleven years in a flour mill by his brother. On the expiration of that period he purchased land and engaged in farming thereon until the spring of 1902, when he sold his property in South Dakota and came to the Yakima valley. Here he first invested in twenty acres of land a half mile north-

CHARLES F. MORRISON

WENDELL W. MORRISON

JOSEPHINE MORRISON

WALLACE J. MORRISON

MRS. ELIZABETH MORRISON

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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

west of Buena, which was partially improved, but after a year he sold that property to his father and bought twenty-two acres of land a mile and a quarter northwest of Buena. It was a tract of sagebrush, but withf characteristic energy he began its cultivation and development and now has a splendidly improved property, of which fifteen acres has been planted to apple, pear, cherry and peach orchards. He has built upon his place one of the best homes to be found in this part of the county. The remainder of his land, aside from his orchards, is devoted to the raising of alfalfa. He has closely studied the best methods of caring for and perfecting his fruit trees and there is little concerning progressive horticultural interests with which Mr. Morrison is not familiar.

On the 26th of November, 1892, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Gilbert, who was born near Lake City, Minnesota, a daughter of S. N. and Emily J. ( Rundle) Gilbert, who now occupy a ranch in the Yakima valley. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have a most interesting family of three children: Charles F., who is now with the United States marines as a first lieutenant in the Hawaiian Islands, married Cosette Whitaker, of San Francisco; Wendell W. is a member of the United States troops with the army of occupation in Germany, he is a corporal in Battery E, Heavy Artillery, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment, Forty-first Division, and saw four months' active fighting. The daughter, Josephine, is at home. The military record of the sons is one of which the parents have every reason to be proud.

In politics Mr. Morrison is a republican but is not an office seeker. His life has been that of an active business man who has used wisely and well his opportuni- ties for the attainment of success. His persistency of purpose and his indefatigable energy have brought results that are most desirable and he is now owner of valu- ahle orchard property in Yakima county.

WILLIAM M. MCGINNIS.

The attractive home of William M. McGinnis is situated six and a half miles northwest of Ellensburg, in the midst of one hundred and thirteen acres of rich and productive land which he owns. He has been a permanent resident of Kittitas county since 1892 and had previously remained for a brief period in the county, where he arrived in 1889. There have heen few idle hours in his life. His record is one of unfaltering industry and perseverance, leading ultimately to the attainment of substantial success.

Mr. McGinnis was born in Pike county, Illinois, November 14, 1872, a son of Joseph and Katherine (Todd) McGinnis, the former a native of Indiana and the latter. of Missouri. They settled in Illinois when young people and after living in that state for a number of years started for the northwest, arriving in Ellensburg. Washington, in 1889. The father took up government land south of the Taneum, but afterward sold that property. He then removed to Yakima, where his last days were passed, his death occurring in 1910, while his widow survived until 1913.

William M. McGinnis acquired a public school education and in 1889 came with his parents to Washington but in the same year returned to Illinois, where he re- mained until 1892, when he again became a resident of Kittitas county. Here he worked for wages until 1907, when desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he rented land, upon which he resided until 1913. While thus en- gaged he attained a fair measure of prosperity that enabled him to purchase two hundred and eighty acres of land. He sold eighty acres of that tract the same year and subsequently disposed of the remaining two hundred acres. He then pur- chased one hundred and thirteen acres six and a half miles northwest of Ellensburg and upon this place he has a fine home and substantial barns, together with all the modern improvements and equipments of a model farm property of the twentieth century. His fields are carefully cultivated in the production of grain and hav and he also raises horses and cattle. He specializes in Jersey cattle and conducts a profit- able dairy business.

111 1898 Mr. McGinnis was united in marriage to Miss Kate Shields, a native of

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Nevada and a daughter of Daniel Shields, who came to the Kittitas valley in pioneer times. The children of this marriage are Everett, Mervin, Iola, Helen and Warren.

In his political views Mr. McGinnis is a republican, having continuously sup- ported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a self- made man and successful farmer whose industry has been the basis of his growing prosperity. Without friends or influence to aid him, he has steadily worked his way upward, his labor bringing to him all that he has possessed or enjoyed, and he is now one of the well-to-do citizens in the vicinity of Ellensburg.

GEORGE B. DUNCAN, D. V. S.

Dr. George B. Duncan, deceased, became a resident of Yakima in 1904 and continued to make his home in the city until death called him seven years later. He was born in Iowa about the year 1868 and acquired a public school education in that state. He afterward prepared for a professional carecr by study in the Ontario University of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine, from which he won his degrees upon graduation. He located for practice in Beloit, Kansas, where he remained until 1904 and then sought the Pacific northwest, making his way to Yakima, where he continued to abide until called to the home beyond. Here he successfully practiced and his patronage grew with the passing years. His ability in his profession was widely acknowledged and his personal worth won him the respect and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. Fraternally he was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America.

In 1899 Dr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Nettie E. Craft, a native of Iowa, who removed to Kansas with her parents during her girlhood. Mrs. Duncan has been secretary and treasurer of the Cascade Creamery Company since its organ- ization and is thus actively identified with a business which has been built up to ex- tensive proportions. Its output is today five hundred thousand pounds of hutter and five hundred thousand pounds of condensed milk annually, together with fifty thousand gallons of ice cream, which is sold throughout the Yakima valley. The company maintains the highest standards of excellence in its products and employs the most modern and scientific methods in their production and handling. A new building has been erected especially for their purpose, finished in white throughout, and theirs is one of the finest dairies in the state. Mrs. Duncan is active in the man- agement and control of this business, in which connection she displays marked enter- prise and ability.

JOHN M. KEENE.

John M. Keene is nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war and he is still interested in agricultural and horti- cultural pursuits in Yakima county. He was born in Livermore county, Maine, November 27. 1839, a son of Appolos and Abigail (McClench) Keene, both of whom passed away in the Pine Tree state, where they were farming people.

John M. Keene acquired a public school education and was reared to farm life, carly becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He carried on farming in Maine until 1873, and then removed westward to Washington county, Minnesota, where he resided for almost a decade. He left that state, however, in 1882 and removed to Steele county, North Dakota, where he carried on farming for twenty-four years or until 1906, when he came to Yakima county and purchased a farm on the lower Naches. Three years later he sold that property and bought thirty acres nearby and also a twenty-acre tract adjoining. He has sixteen acres planted to orchards, while the remainder of his farm is devoted to the cultivation of cereals or is used for pasture. He has a well improved property and the careful supervision which has always been given to the cultivation and de-

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velopment of the place has made it a productive and valuable property. He is like- wise still the owner of the North Dakota farm.

In 1869 Mr. Keene was united in marriage to Miss Lena Fairbanks, a native of Maine, who passed away in 1904. On the 23d of September, 1907, Mr. Keene was again married, his second union being with Alice Lyons, who was born at Red Bud, Illinois, a daughter of Richard and Mary Welch but adopted by Thomas and Belinda Lyons, whose name she took. The children of Mr. Keene are as follows: Leslie E., who died in infancy; Edward O., who became a rancher of Benton county; Lewis, also engaged in ranching in Benton county; Rena, the wife of Manford McLanghlin, who follows ranching in Yakima county; and also a daughter of the second marriage, Ruth, who is ten years of age.

Mr. Keene belongs to the Masonic lodge at Hope, North Dakota, of which he is a charter member. His Civil war record is an interesting one. He enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company C, Sixteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, becoming a corporal. He was taken prisoner at Gettys- burg and after being incarcerated for a month was exchanged. He participated in various hotly contested engagements, including the hattles of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg. He has two brothers, Lyman M. and Walter F., who likewise served in the war and they, too, are still living. They are probably the only three brothers in the United States who were Civil war veterans who yet sur- vive. In all matters of citizenship Mr. Keene has been as true and loyal to his country and her best interests as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south.

BRUCE WEES.

Bruce Wecs, of Wapato, came from one fruit-growing section of the country to become identified with the horticultural interests of another section, now owning valuable fruit land in Yakima county. He was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, December 14, 1870, a son of William and Isabel (Randall) Wees, both of whom were natives of Glasgow, Scotland. They crossed the Atlantic to Canada with their respective parents in their childhood days and were married in that country. At a later period they became residents of the United States, settling in Michigan, where they spent their remaining days and where the father, in support of his family, fol- lowed the occupation of farming.

Bruce Wees, reared under the parental roof, pursued his education in public schools of Michigan and, as indicated, was reared in a fruit raising district. On attaining his majority he became a fruit buyer for F. Newhall & Sons of Chicago, whom he thus represented for many years. He was naturally attracted by the re- ports concerning the opportunities for fruit raising in the northwest and at length he determined to try his fortune in this section of the country. In 1900, accordingly, he arrived in the Yakima valley, first for the purpose of buying fruit, and he contin- ued to visit this section every fall in order to buy fruit until 1907, when he took up his abode here, purchasing twenty-two acres of land on Parker Heights. At that time the tract was covered with its native growth of sagebrush, but with character- istic energy he cleared away the brush, plowed the land and brought it under a high state of development. He used his ranch for fruit raising and in 1917 he ex- tended the boundaries of his place by an additional purchase of ten acres adjoining. The entire tract of thirty-two acres is in orchards, mainly pears and peaches, and his trees are in excellent condition. He utilizes the most progressive and systematic manner of spraying and caring for his trees and in harvesting his crops. His orchards are an attractive feature of the landscape and his annual shipments of fruit are exten- sive. He has built a fine home upon his ranch and also has a good tenant house there. He has likewise put up substantial barns and in fact has added all the latest improved machinery to facilitate the ranch work.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Wees is a Mason. Having taken the degrees of the lodge, he then advanced through the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry and eventually became a Knight Templar of Yakima Commandery No. 13. He has likewise crossed

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the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Tacoma. He belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club and is interested in every plan and project put forth by that organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the district. In politics he maintains an independent course nor has he ever sought or desircd office. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship but prefers that his public service shall be done in a private capacity and his support of public interests is moral rather than political. Hc has made for himself a place as a successful rancher of the district and he commands the confidence and respect of all by reason of an upright life as well as by the success which he has attained through persistent, energetic and diligent effort.

J. BEAUDRY.

J. Beaudry, who for eighteen years has been a resident of the Yakima valley and is now successfully engaged in farming near Moxee City, was born in Quebec, Canada, April 19, 1871, a son of John Beaudry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his brother, Vanace Beaudry. He was reared in Minnesota, the family removing to that state during his boyhood days, and he early became familiar with al lthe duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work there and continued a resident of Minnesota until 1901, when at the age of thirty years he removed to the Pacific coast country, taking up his abode in the Moxee valley. He purchased twenty acres of land which was entirely wild and undeveloped, but with characteristic energy he began its cultivation and improve- ment and is now successfully raising alfalfa and potatoes upon that tract.

On the 20th of January, 1896, Mr. Beaudry was united in marriage to Miss Olvina Sabourian, a native of Minnesota, by whom he has two children, namely: Lourina, now the wife of West Morford, who is engaged in ranching on the Yakima Indian reservation; and William, at home.

Mr. Beaudry and his family are all communicants of the Holy Rosary Catholic church and he is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters. Attracted by the opportunities of the west, he has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in this section of the country, for here his activities have brought him substantial rewards of labor and he is now classed with the representative and prosperous farmers of his section of the state.

GEORGE KNICKREHM.

George Knickrehm, farmer, orchardist and dairyman on the lower Naches, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1864, a son of Frederick and Harriett ( Hemerly) Knickrehm, the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Germany and in his boyhood days came to the United States. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and aided in its defense on southern battlefields. He was the owner of a coal mine in Pennsylvania hut in 1876 left that state and removed to Monroe county, Wisconsin. After five years were there passed he established his home in Beadle county, South Dakota, in 1881 and there took up government land. He had gone to the state in 1880 and the following year took his family there. He became one of the prominent and successful farmers and stock raisers of that locality and he and his wife continued residents of that region until called to the home beyond.

George Knickrehm acquired a public school education in Pennsylvania and Wis- consin and remained with his father until 1893. when he purchased a farm, becoming the owner of eight hundred acres of land in South Dakota, which he continued to successfully cultivate and develop for a number of years. In 1908 he arrived in Yakima county and purchased five acres of land on Lincoln avenue, devoted to fruit raising. He sold that property in 1912 and made investment in thirty-eight acres

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on the lower Naches. He rebuilt the house upon the place and has made other modern and substantial improvements, transforming the ranch into one of the attrac- tive properties of the neighborhood. He has three acres planted to apples and pears and his orchards are in excellent bearing condition. The remainder is devoted to the raising of hay, corn, and potatoes and he also conducts a small dairy, keeping reg- istered Holstein cattle for this purpose.

On the 24th of May, 1893, Mr. Knickrehm was married to Miss Monetta C. Osgood, a native of Galesburg, Michigan, and a daughter of Augustus B. and Elda (Crane) Osgood. The children of this marriage are four in number: Bertha, Marie, Marjorie and Frederick, all at home.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Knickrehm is an Odd Fellow and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party. He served on his township board in South Dakota for fifteen years but has never been active as an office seeker, for his business affairs have made full demand upon his time and energies. He is successfully conducting his farming interests in the northwest and is a firm believer in this section of the country, its opportunities and possibilities. His efforts are well directed and the success which he has achieved is the direct result of his enterprise and indefatigable labor, for he early realized that success is the outcome of industry and perseverance.

JOHN SHELLENBERGER.

In August, 1918, John Shellenberger acquired thirty-five acres of land one-half mile east of Buena, of which ten acres are in orchard. He also gives close attention to a highly productive dairy, and receives a gratifying addition to his income from the raising of hogs, specializing in Chester Whites. Although Mr. Shellenberger has now passed the age of seventy-one years he is still active in the management of his ranching enterprise and appears as vigorous as a man much younger. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1847, a son of James and Christina Shellenberger, who passed away in the Keystone state. The father followed the trade of a stonemason.

In the acquirement of his education John Shellenberger attended the public schools and at the age of eighteen removed to Kansas, where he learned the trade of a stonemason, thus following in his father's footsteps. He was engaged in that occupation in various Kansas communities and assisted in building many of the pub- lic structures in that state. For eighteen years he followed his trade and then turned his attention to agriculture, renting land in Kansas. In 1897, however, he decided to move to the far west, having heard many favorable reports in regard to the oppor- tunities presented here and taking up his residence in the Chehalis valley, in Wash- ington, where he successfully operated a dairy until 1915. He then leased land on the Yakima Indian reservation for two years, and having become thoroughly ac- quainted with local conditions, then acquired title to a tract near Buena, which he sold in May, 1918. In August of the same year he bought thirty-five acres a half mile east of Buena and of this ten acres are planted to peaches, while the remainder is plow land. He now receives a very gratifying income from fruit raising, having thoroughly studied the latest methods of horticulture in order to bring his orchard to the highest state of productivity. Moreover, he successfully conducts a dairy here, profiting by his former extensive experience, and also raises Chester White hogs. He has a fine home and good outbuildings, everything about his place indi- cating the thoughtful management of a modern twentieth century agriculturist.

On April 13, 1875, Mr. Shellenberger was married to Miss Julia Thomas, a native of Indiana and a daughter of the Rev. John and Julia Ann (Hoover) Thomas, the former for many years a preacher in the United Brethren church. Both parents have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Shellenberger were born five children. John. the eldest, is assisting his father in his ranching and live stock interests. Thomas. who is married and has one son, resides in Kelso, Washington, where he is success- fully operating a shingle mill. Maude is the wife of Albert Flint, a merchant of Toppenish, Washington. Nellie married George Pechtel, of Sprague, Washington,

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and they have four sons. Paul, who is engaged in ranching on the Yakima Indian reservation, is married and has two children.

Mr. Shellenberger is independent in his political affiliation, giving his support to the candidates whom he considers best qualified to fill the offices to which they aspire. In a general way, however, he gives his preference to the democratic party. He has made many friends in his neighborhood and all who know him are agreed as to his high qualities of heart and mind. As a business man he is trustworthy and reliable, as an orchardist he is progressive, as a friend he is faithful and as a citizen he is loyal and public-spirited.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 94

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