History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 95

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 95
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 95
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 95

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LEWIS CLARK WAKELEE.

Lewis Clark Wakelee, a resident of Kittitas county for the past decade, has since 1912 been actively and successfully engaged in the operation of his farm of fifty-one acres five miles northwest of Ellensburg. His birth occurred in Washing- ton county, lowa, on the 7th of September, 1868, his parents being Charles L. and Sarah (Duer) Wakelee, who passed away in the Hawkeye state. The father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career.

Lewis C. Wakelee was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the operation of the home place. He continued farming in Jowa until forty years of age and then determined to establish his home in the Pacific northwest, making his way to Kittitas county, Washington, in 1908. Here he was employed in a lumber yard for a period of four years and then took up his abode on a ranch of fifty-one acres, situated five miles northwest of Ellensburg which he had purchased in 1910. Thereon he has since engaged in the cultivation of hay and grain and also raises cattle, both branches of his business proving profitable, for he is an indefatigable worker and follows the most progressive methods in his farming operations.

On the 9th of September, 1890, Mr. Wakelee was united in marriage to Miss Agnes White, a native of Washington county, Iowa, and a daughter of Addison and Rebecca (Lewis) White. The father still follows farming in Iowa, but the mother has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Wakelee have become the parents of two children, Eva E. and Charles Lloyd, the former being now a successful teacher.

In his political views Mr. Wakelee is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. These associations indicate much concerning the rules which govern his life and he has become widely recognized as a substantial agriculturist and esteemed citizen of his community.

JOHN BOONE JONES.

Jolın Boone Jones, who still occupies his farm near Ellensburg, although he is leaving its cultivation to a tenant, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 23d of June, 1833. His parents died during his childhood days and he was reared in Ar- kansas. He crossed the plains to California in 1850, attracted by the early discovery of gold in that state, and was identified with mining there for some time. In 1877 he came to the Kittitas valley and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land five miles from Ellensburg. With characteristic energy he began the improvement and development of the place, upon which he erected a nice house and has made other substantial improvements. He brought a large amount of stock and also farm ma- chinery with him and for many years he engaged successfully in stock raising. From time to time, as his financial resources increased, he purchased more land and now has three hundred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable property. He bought forty acres of land from the railroad company and also took a timber culture of one hun- dred and sixty acres. For many years he carefully conducted his farm and annually

JOHN B. JONES

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derived therefrom a substantial income, owing to the care and labor which he be- stowed upon his fields. At length, however, he rented his land, although he still continues to make his home thereon.

On the 1st of July, 1863, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Martha Brown, a daughter of Dyer Brown, a native of Canada, who crossed the plains to California in the '50s. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born eight children: Belle. who is the wife of Benjamin Hanson, of North Puyallup, Washington; Mary, the wife of Alhert Kobell and a resident of Oregon; John, who lives at Ramona, Cali- fornia; Mattie, who is the widow of Jefferson Parker; Nettie, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Washhorn, of Ellensburg; Walter, who is a member of the United States army, belonging to a company of artillery; and Narcissus, the wife of J. H. Needham of Ellensburg; and Alfreda, deceased.

Mr. Jones is identified with the Grange and has always given his political alle- giance to the democratic party. As a pioneer ranchman of Kittitas county he is widely and favorably known and has many friends who speak of him in terms of the highest regard.

I. BENEDIKTSON.

Actively connected with the management of one of the most important interests of Yakima is I. Benediktson, who is the vice president of the Cascade Creamery Company. He was born in Iceland in 1873, a son of Benedikt Krist Janson. Both the parents spent their entire lives in their native country of Iceland. The son ac- quired a public school education there and afterward went to England, where he learned the creamery and dairy business. Later he went to Denmark, where he took up the trade of butter making, which he followed for two years, gaining broad and valuable experience in that country, where dairying in all of its branches has reached a great height of perfection. The new world, however, attracted him and he crossed the Atlantic to Canada about 1905. After remaining in that country for a brief period he made his way across the border into the United States and journeyed west- ward to Washington, establishing his home near Tacoma, where he entered the employ of the Lake Park Creamery Company. His experience throughout his en- tire business career has been along the line in which he is now engaged. For the past three years he has been connected with the Cascade Creamery Company, of which he is the vice president, and throughout the decade he has acted as manager of manufacturing. His broad experience and wide knowledge along this line well quali- fy him for the important and responsible duties that devolve upon him in connec- tion with the control of one of the largest and finest creameries of the entire state.

In 1909 Mr. Benediktson was married to Miss Bergthora Magnusson, of Du- luth, Minnesota, and they have become parents of four daughters. Fraternally Mr. Benediktson is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to leave his native country and seek his fortune elsewhere, and least of all has he had occasion to regret his resolu- tion of becoming an American citizen. Here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has steadily worked his way upward. His ability and determination have brought him to the front along his chosen line and he is today accounted one of the foremost creamery men of the state.

FRANK S. VAN DE WALL.

Frank S. Van De Wall, well known as an alfalfa grower, makes his home within a short distance of Grandview. He was born at Lancaster, Grant county, Wisconsin. August 14, 1852, a son of Frank and Jane Ann (Russell) Van De Wall. The father was born in England in 1819 and was a son of Francis Van De Wall, of French descent, who was born, reared and died in England, however. Frank Van De Wall,

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father of Frank S. Van De Wall, came to the United States about 1844 and es- tablished his home in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he became a pioneer settler, connected with the early development of that region. He was by profession a pho- tographer. He wedded Jane Ann Russell, a native of Wisconsin, and they spent their remaining days in that state.

Frank S. Van De Wall of this review acquired a public school education and early began working for wages. He afterward rented his father's farm and for about seventeen years he was employed in a warehouse in the responsible position of manager. Subsequently he bought one hundred and fifty-six acres of farm land in Wisconsin, which he owned and cultivated successfully until about 1910, when he came to Grandview, Washington, and bought twenty acres near the town. He also purchased a three-acre tract for a home nearer the town and thereon huilt a fine residence. His farm is all given to the raising of alfalfa, of which he gathers large crops.

On the 30th of October, 1878, Mr. Van De Wall was married to Miss Elizabeth S. Ivey, a native of Houghton county, Michigan, and a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Retallick) Ivey, who were natives of the county of Cornwall, England. The father settled in Michigan in 1844 and the mother in 1846, joining her husband after he had prepared a home for her in the new world. They removed to Wisconsin in 1854 and both have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Van De Wall have been born seven children: Fred, who for the past seventeen years has lived in Alaska; Ralph, a practicing dentist of Seattle: Elizabeth, the wife of Oswald Holmes, resid- ing at Platteville, Wisconsin; two who died in infancy; Hazel, the wife of Fred S. Williams, a resident of Portland, Oregon; and Velma, the wife of Clyde O. Gar- mire, an attorney and farmer who makes his home at Goldendale, Washington.

Mr. Van De Wall is a republican in his political views. He belongs to the For- esters and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, to the teachings of which he is loyal, giving earnest support to the principles which he has long endorsed and guiding his life thereby in all of its varied relations.

ERIE J. WARNER.

Erie J. Warner, busily engaged in the further development of a ranch property of thirty-three and a half acres near Sunnyside, comes to Washington from the state of Michigan. His birth occurred at Volinia, October 13, 1869, a son of James H. and Rachel (Rich) Warner, the former a native of New York, while the latter was also a native of Michigan. They were farming people of that state and both have now passed away.

Erie J. Warner obtained a public school education and through the period of his boyhood and youth assisted in the work of the home farm, of which he after- ward took charge, continuing its cultivation until September, 1899, when he removed to the northwest and purchased nineteen and a half acres of land six and a half miles west of Sunnyside, in Yakima county. It was then a wild tract covered with sagebrush, but his labors soon wrought a marked change in the appearance of the place. He afterward bought fourteen acres more and he is devoting his land to the production of corn and hay. He has built a good house and substantial barns upon the place and has added many modern improvements, making it one of the attractive ranch properties of the district. -

On the 4th of December, 1893, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Lottie B. Jewell, a native of Michigan and a daughter of James R. and Charlotte ( Young) Jewell. They became the parents of four children: Harold C., a mem- ber of the United States Army; Otto, who died in 1918. in Philadelphia, while a member of the army; Olive, at home; and Fred, who died at the age of nine years. The wife and mother passed away in April, 1914, and on the 21st of January, 1917, Mr. Warner was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Inez (Kline) Searls, of Yakima, who by her former marriage had three children; Wanda, de- ceased; and Harry and Neil, at home.

Fraternally Mr. Warner is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and

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his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. He has gained a wide acquaintance during the period of his residence in this section and all with whom he has become acquainted entertain for him high regard, recognizing his progressive- ness in business affairs and his substantial qualities of citizenship.

EUGENE F. MOORE.

With the pioneer development of Yakima county Eugene F. Moore has been identified and as the years have passed he has borne his full share in the work of general progress and development. He has owned various ranch properties and still derives his income from his lands, which are largely devoted to fruit produc- tion.

Mr. Moore is a native of Bedford county, Tennessee. He was born December 19, 1871, and is a son of Robert B. and Delilah N. (Swafford) Moore, both of whom were natives of Bledsoe county, Tennessee, the former born in 1837 and the latter in 1842. The Moore family has long been represented on this side of the Atlantic. Among the ancestors of Eugene F. Moore were those who participated in the Revo- lutionary war, in the War of 1812 and in the Civil war. His grandfather, Samuel G. Moore, was one of the first settlers of Tennessee, removing to that state frou North Carolina in 1790, when it was a wild and undeveloped region, its inhabitants yet numbering many Indians, while over great portions of the state no white settlement had as yet been made. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Moore was James B. Swafford, whose father was a native of Virginia and removed to Ten- nessee about 1790. The Swaffords were related to the Lees, Nails, Howards and other prominent families of Tennessee and Mrs. Delilah N. Moore was a relative of the distinguished Confederate general, Robert E. Lee. The representatives of both the Moore and Swafford families were planters and traders of the south and were people of prominence and influence in Tennessee. Both the father and mother of Eugene F. Moore have now passed away.

Eugene F. Moore acquired a public school education and with his parents went to Texas in 1882. There they resided until 1887, when the family started for Wash- ington and on the 1st of February, 1888, arrived at Goldendale, this state. The father took up land and afterward purchased land in Yakima county and also in the vicinity of Prosser, Washington. About 1903 he removed to the Naches valley in Yakima county, where he passed away September 25, 1907. His wife survived him for only a brief period, passing away on the 25th of February, 1909. Both were consistent members of the Missionary Baptist church and guided their lives accord- ing to its teachings. They displayed many sterling traits of character which en- deared them to all with whom they came in contact. The father gave his political allegiance to the democratic party.

Eugene F. Moore was a lad of eleven years at the time of the removal of the family from Tennessee to Texas and was a youth of sixteen when he came with his parents to Washington. He continued to engage in farming in connection with his father until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he started out in the business world independently by renting land near Goldendale. He afterward bought and sold cattle and later engaged in buying and selling land, in which undertaking he was associated with his brother, Samuel G. Moore. In 1901 he purchased land in Rattlesnake county and about 1906 he took up his abode in the Naches valley, where he was engaged in sheep raising for a year. He has since bought and sold a considerable amount of land in the Naches valley and has had ranches all over this part of Yakima county. On the 15th of March, 1914, he purchased forty acres of land on Selah Heights, of which he afterward sold ten acres. On the remaining thirty-acre tract he is engaged extensively and successfully in raising apples and his orchards are in excellent condition. He also has a fine home upon this place and all modern comforts and conveniences, together with all of the improvements neces- sary for the development of the farm. He likewise owns ninety-five acres two miles southeast of Grandview in Benton county, this, however, being largely raw land.

On the 27th of December, 1911, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss J.

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Myrtle Gunn, a daughter of L. Scott and Julia (Marsh) Gunn. Mrs. Moore was born in Minnesota, while her father is a native of Indiana and her mother of Maine. Her parents became pioneer people of Spokane, Washington, and they are now living near Mr. and Mrs. Moore. Her father was one of the early settlers of Minnesota. He was a son of the Rev. Thomas S. Gunn, a Methodist minister, who became one of the first preachers of that denomination in Minnesota, and Mary J. Patterson Gunn, a cousin of Walter Q. Gresham, ex-postmaster general, and also a relative of Robert E. Lee. L. Scott Gunn came to Washington in 1889 but returned to Minne- sota in 1896. 1n 1903, however, he once more made his way to the northwest, settl. ing in Yakima county, where he took up carpentering and building but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home near Mr. and Mrs. Moore. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been born four children: Mary Anita, born October 4, 1912; Vir- ginia Isola, born January 30, 1914; Myrtle Lavera, November 8, 1915; and one who died in infancy.

In his political views Mr. Moore has always been a democrat since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and they are highly esteemed people, enjoying the warm regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact. In his business career Mr. Moore has displayed many sterling qualities. He has always been watchful of opportunities and has utilized his chances to the best possible advantage. He has closely studied every phase of busi- ness conditions bearing upon the line of his activities and his investments have been so judiciously made that his purchases and sales of land have brought him a substantial financial return, while the integrity of his methods has gained for him that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN YOUNG.

Benjamin Franklin Young is concentrating his efforts and attention upon fruit raising, which he successfully follows in Yakima. He was born in Salem, Wisconsin, May 13, 1870, a son of Lucius and Maria (Lewis) Young. The mother passed away in the year 1877, while still residing in Wisconsin, after which the father removed to Tennessee, where his death occurred. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pur- suits.

Benjamin F. Young pursued a public school education and then took up the occu- pation to which he had been reared. He followed farming until 1897, when he became connected with the hardware trade at Colfax, Illinois, and was thus engaged until 1903. In that year he arrived in the Yakima valley, removing to the northwest on account of ill health. At first he did not like the valley, for conditions were so different from those to which he had become accustomed in the middle west. After a time, however, he recognized opportunities and he has become an enthusiastic and zealous champion of this section of the country. He received a gift of ten acres of land near Yakima from relatives and began the development and improvement of the place, which is today all planted to orchard, including pears, apples, cherries and peaches. Mr. Young was also engaged in the concrete block business in Yakima for a period of twelve years, but has recently traded his business .there for six acres more of fruit land and now has sixteen acres in all, upon which he has built a fine home and placed other excellent and modern improvements. He is deeply interested in the subject of fruit raising and does everything in his power to promote scientific work of that character. He is a member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union and cooperates heartily in any movement for the benefit of the horticultural inter- ests of the state.

On the 2d of October, 1891, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Howard, of Kalkaska, Michigan, and they have become parents of five children: Edgar, who is now engaged in the fruit business and is married and has two chil- dren: Ellen Marie, at home; Elgie Franklin, who is a member of the United States navy; and Eldora Frances and Howard, both at home.

Mr. Young is a member of Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M., also of the Chris-

BENJAMIN F. YOUNG

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tian church and in politics is a prohibitionist. His aid and influence are always given on the side of those forces which work for mental and moral culture and which per- tain to progress of the community along that line.

LOUIS BREAUM.

Louis Breaum is the owner of a fine home and splendid orchards in the lower Naches valley. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, May 12, 1873, a son of Louis and Annie C. Breaum, both of whom have passed away. About 1879 they removed with their family to Stark county, North Dakota, hecoming early settlers of that region. The father erected the first building at Taylor and also at Richard- ton. North Dakota, where he and his wife lived until called to their final rest. They were farming people and he contributed in considerable measure to the pioneer development of that region.

Louis Breaum acquired a public school education in North Dakota and after- ward spent some time in Michigan and in Minnesota, where he worked in the lumber camps and on farms. His identification with the northwest dates from 1890, in which year he arrived in Seattle, Washington, where he was employed for seven years. Subsequently he returned to the east and later became a resident of Mon- tana, where he engaged in the live stock business. Removing to Idaho, he there devoted his attention to mining and in 1904 he came to Yakima county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Wenas but after occupying that place for two years sold it. He then took up his abode in the lower Naches and purchased his present farm property. He now has twelve and a half acres of land, all planted to apples, pears, peaches and cherries, and his orchards are among the finest of the locality. He cultivates his trees according to the most modern and scientific methods and everything about his place is indicative of thorough care and system. He has built a fine home and he has modern improvements and equip- ment, facilitating the care of his orchards and rendering life comfortable.

On the 12th of July, 1903, Mr. Breaum was married to Miss Christina Olson, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Thomas and Annie Olson, who were pioneer peo- ple of North Dakota, where they followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Breaum have become parents of four children: Albert Lloyd, who died July 26, 1915, at the age of nine years, eight months and four days; one who died in infancy; Thomas Llewellyn, born September 5, 1909; and Louis Lloyd, born March 2, 1918. Mr. Breaum maintains an independent political course nor has he ever been ambitious to hold office. He prefers to be known as a successful farmer and to this end he is hending every effort and every ounce of his energy to the development and im- provement of his orchard land. He is greatly interested in the subject of fruit raising from every possible standpoint and that his methods are at once practical and progressive is indicated in the excellent results which have attended them.

GEORGE H. CADLE.

George H. Cadle, a successful orchardist living near Zillah, had for years im- portant landed interests but has now disposed of most of his holdings to good ad- vantage, retaining, however, a valuable orchard of eight acres, which is planted to apples, pears and cherrics. His residence is one of the finest in the neighborhood and proclaims the prosperity which has come to him since he settled in the Yakima valley. A native of Muscatine, Iowa, he was born January 4, 1853, and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Magoon) Cadle, the former a native of New York city and the latter of Lancaster, Ohio. The father was a son of Cornelius and Hannah Cadle, the former of whom was born in England but in his youth emigrated to the United States, taking up his abode in New York, where he became a successful merchant. In his younger days the father of our subject removed from the east to Illinois and thence to Iowa, where he arrived when pioneer conditions still maintained in (32)

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that state. There he was married and successfully engaged in sash and door manu- facturing. Later a further removal westward took him to Colorado, where his death occurred. His widow subsequently came to Yakima county, Washington, and re- sided with her son, George H., until her demise.

Mr. Cadle of this review was reared in Iowa amid pioneer conditions and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of Muscatine. After laying aside his textbooks he entered the sash and door business with his father and so continued until he removed to the San Luis valley in Colorado in 1886. There he was connected with the live stock business for about seventeen years, or until 1903. Having Heard many favorable reports in regard to the opportunities presented in the Yakima valley, Mr. Cadle then came to this district and bought forty-seven acres of land adjoining Buena. He has now sold all of this valuable tract except eight acres, which are set out to apples, pears and cherries. He has ever followed pro- gressive methods and today his tract is in good bearing, furnishing him with a hand- some annual income. He has built an attractive home, which is modernly appointed, and everything about the place indicates that success has been his. Part of his holdings he sold in small home tracts and he received most gratifying returns from this land. He bought forty acres of the land in partnership with his sister, Eva, who throughout her life lived on a portion of the ranch, passing away in December, 1917. She was married and had a daughter, Ella, who also is married and has a daughter, Verna, now ten years of age, residing with our subject. To him and his wife she is like an own daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Cadle surrounding her with all the loving care they would bestow upon their own child.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 95

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