History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 98

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 98
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 98
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 98

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Mr. White usually gives his allegiance to the republican party, which he supports at national elections, but in local contests prefers to follow his own judgment, sup- porting the man whom he considers best qualified for the office to which he as- pires. Although not a politician, he keeps thoroughly informed in regard to all questions that pertain to advancement and development and is ever ready to give his support to such measures. He has served as a member of the school board and fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Wood- men of the World, in the proceedings of both of which organizations he takes a keen interest.

WILLIAM H. SILVERS.

A richly bearing orchard three miles west of Zillah stands as a monument to the work of William H. Silvers, who was a leading horticulturist of his district. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him and his death, which occurred January 22, 1917, caused deep sorrow to his many friends. A native of Fountain county, In- diana, Mr. Silvers was born July 18, 1844, a son of John and Jane (Waymeyers) Sil- vers, also natives of Indiana, where the father was a successful agriculturist.

William H. Silvers grew up under the parental roof and early became acquainted with thorough agricultural methods, assisting his father in the work of the farm. He received his education in the public schools but in 1861, when a youth of but seven- teen years, he enlisted in Company G, Fortieth Indiana Regiment, and gallantly served for three years, one month and ten days in the Union army. He was wounded in the battle of Chattanooga. After the close of the war he farmed in Indiana, for three years and then followed the same line of work in Iroquois county, Illinois, for eighteen years. Following the general westward trend, he removed to Boone county, Nebraska, where he remained for another period of eighteen years, having taken up a homestead claim, to the cultivation of which he gave his whole attention, becoming a successful farmer there. The year 1902 marked his arrival in Yakima county, Washington, and here he bought eighteen acres of land three miles west of Zillah. This tract was to some extent improved but Mr. Silvers set out apple trees and also a few pears and prunes. He erected a handsome residence, built a sub- stantial harn, packing sheds and made other improvements, thus making his one of the most valuable fruit farms of the neighborhood.

On March 15, 1864, Mr. Silvers was united in marriage to Nancy J. Reeves, a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Rebecca (Wells) Reeves, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Indiana. Her father followed farming and removed to Illinois, where his demise occurred. His wife passed away in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Silvers became the parents of four children, as follows: Charles N., who is ranching, is married and has had seven children, of whom four are liv- ing. Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of Richard Hardell, of Zillah, and they have eight children. William Edgar, who is ranching near his father's place, is married and has had eight children hut two are now deceased. Annie married John Nobles, a resident of Nebraska, by whom she has five children. Mrs. Silvers has twenty-eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

In his political affiliation Mr. Silvers was a democrat but held no political office after coming to Yakima county. While a resident of Boone county, Nebraska, how- ever, he served for four years as sheriff. Fraternally he was connected with the

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Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a valued member of Kit Carson Post, G. A. R., to the Relief Corps of which organization Mrs. Silvers belongs. He was a devoted adherent of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Silvers is a faithful member, and in fact was deeply interested in all movements which had to do with moral and intellectual upbuilding. When death claimed him in his seventy-third year the news of his passing was received with profound regret by his many friends, all of whom appreciated his high character. He was ever ready to extend a help- ing hand to others in order to lighten life's burdens for them and he held friendship inviolable. In his business affairs he always followed the strictest principles of hon- esty and integrity, and his word stood in the estimation of any who had business dealings with him as high as any bond solemnized by signature and seal.

ERNEST V. COX.

A fine fruit farm of ten acres, which is planted to apples, cherries and pears, pro- claims the prosperity of Ernest V. Cox, who built upon his place in 1914 a modern seven-room bungalow. Mr. Cox was born in Texas, September 11, 1879, a son of J. K. Cox, who is mentioned at greater length on other pages of this work. In the acquirement of his education the son attended the public schools in Arkansas and Missouri but in 1901, at the age of twenty-two years, came to Big Bend, Washington, and in the fall of the same year located in Yakima valley. For two years he worked for wages but in 1903 he and his brother, Lucien M. Cox, acquired title to forty acres of land a mile northeast of Buena, the whole tract being practically undeveloped at that time. The brothers energetically took up the task of converting the raw land into a fruit farm and set out thirty acres to apples and peaches. In 1904 Mr. Cox of this review sold his interest in the property to his brother and bought ten acres adjoining, which was then in alfalfa. He has since planted this tract to apples, cherries and pears and now receives a very gratifying income from his ranch. He has thoroughly studied the latest methods in regard to horticulture and by applying new ideas to his work has been quite successful. In 1914 he erected a handsome seven-room bungalow which is entirely modern in its appointments, having running hot and cold water, electric lights, etc. Moreover, he has made numerous other improvements upon his place, denoting his progressiveness.

On November 24, 1904, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Malinda B. Walker, a native of Missouri and a daughter of John W. and Lorena S. (Wood) Walker, who in 1902 became residents of the Yakima valley, at which time the father took up a ranch. He has passed away but the mother survives and is re- siding a mile west of Buena. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox were born three children: Stew- art, who died at the age of four months; Frances O., who was born March 12, 1909; and Evelyn Walker, horn April 16, 1917.

While Mr. Cox has ever been interested in the development of his district and has. supported many valuable measures undertaken for the general benefit, he has never been a politician or aspired to public office; in fact, as regards politics, he is independent, giving his support to the candidates best qualified for the offices to which they aspire regardless of party affiliation. He devotes his time and attention principally to the further development of his fruit ranch, from which he now de- rives a most gratifying income.

CHARLES A. JONES, D. V. S.

Dr. Charles A. Jones, one of the well known veterinary surgeons of Yakima, was born on the 6th of February, 1885, in the county which is still his home. his parents being W. F. and Jennie (Hanson) Jones, both of whom were natives of Oregon. The paternal grandfather, W. R. Jones, of Ohio, crossed the plains to the northwest in 1852, making the journey with ox teams to Walla Walla and then down the Columbia river to Eugene, Oregon, where a settlement was made. W. R. Jones

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was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit at Eugene for some time but eventually came with his son, W. F. Jones, to the Yakima valley in 1879. The two took up homesteads and entered the live stock business, in which the grandfather continued to the time of his death in 1904. The father is still living and is now en- gaged in the real estate business in Yakima. For years, however, he was one of the extensive stock raisers of this section of the country and had six hundred or more head of cattle and horses upon his ranch. His wife, who passed away in 1889, was a daughter of one of the pioneers of the northwest, her father having come to this section of the country at a very early day.

Dr. Jones acquired a public school education and later attended high school in Yakima and Washington State College at Pullman. In preparation for a professional career he entered the Toronto Veterinary College of Toronto, Canada, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1908. He has since taken post-graduate work in the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago in the years 1915 and . 1916. He has practiced his profession in Yakima for the past ten years and during the interven- ing period he has enjoyed a large patronage, for the value of his service is widely recognized. He seems to almost intuitively recognize the need and the cause back of it, and his services have been of great value. He is the oldest veterinary surgeon of Yakima and since 1917 he has practiced as senior partner in the firm of Jones & Mackintosh.

On the 15th of October. 1910, Dr. Jones was married to Miss Loie B. Cruver, of Grantsburg, Wisconsin. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also to the Commercial Club of Yakima; while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party, of which he has always been a stanch advocate. His ac- tivities center in his profession and his thoroughness and enterprise have brought him prominently to the front in this connection.

DENNISON F. SANDERS.

The apple orchards and vineyards of Dennison F. Sanders indicate the thorough- ness of his work and the progressive spirit which has always guided him in his busi- ness affairs. He is now the owner of an excellent property in the Selah valley and its careful cultivation is bringing to him deserved success. Mr. Sanders comes to the northwest from the far-off state of New York, his birth having occurred there, in Cattaraugus county, on the 19th of December, 1842, so that he has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. His parents were James and Anna (Wildey) Sanders, the former a native of Massachusetts, born at Salem, while the latter was born at Kinderhook, New York. Removing westward in 1848, they set- tled in Waushara county, Wisconsin, and the father purchased a soldier's claim on government land. He afterward removed to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he became prominent not only as an agriculturist and business man but as a public official, serving as treasurer of the county for many years and proving a most faith- ful custodian of the public funds. He was a very active and influential citizen of that district and left the impress of his individuality for good upon public thought and opinion in many ways. He died in November, 1888, having long survived his wife. who passed away in 1866.

At the usual age Dennison F. Sanders became a pupil in the public schools of Waushara county, Wisconsin, and, mastering the elementary branches of learning there taught, eventually became a high school student. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two terms, and later he concen- trated his efforts and attention upon farming and general merchandising, becoming proprietor of a store in Wisconsin. He resided in that state until 1878, when he removed to Cherokce county, Iowa, and purchased land, devoting three years to the development and improvement of that property. He next established a hardware store at Balaton, Minnesota, and conducted it with profit for eleven years, ranking with the leading and representative merchants of the town. He afterward removed to Summit, South Dakota, where he again engaged in the hardware business, and that he was a citizen of prominence and influence there is indicated in the fact that

DENNISON F. SANDERS

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he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature on two different occa- sions. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement in the general assembly and was regarded as one of the able working members of the house. In 1906 he removed to the west, making Yakima county his destination. On reaching this section of the state he purchased thirty acres of land in connection with C. L. Bradley and together they conducted a farm for some time but eventually dissolved their interests. Mr. Sanders had previously been a newspaper man in Minnesota for a few years and in all that he has under- taken he has met with a fair measure of success. He now owns six and eight- tenths acres of land, all of which is planted to apples and grapes. He has built a fine home upon his place, together with large and substantial barns, and the equipment of his ranch is thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every respect.

On the 8th of October, 1867, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Carey, a daughter of Allen and Mary (Billings) Carey. In 1915 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in May of that year, leaving two children: Mattie, who is now the wife of Gus Randolph, a merchant of Excelsior, Minnesota, by whom she has three children; and Millie, the wife of C. L. Bradley, who is engaged in ranching on Selah Heights.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Sanders has been a loyal Mason since joining the order in 1862, becoming a member of Lodge No. 248 of Wautoma, Wisconsin. He is today one of the oldest Masons in Yakima county in years of continuous connection with the order. In politics he has long been an earnest republican and was an earnest worker in party ranks in his younger days, holding various local and state offices in South Dakota. His wife was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Sanders is identified with various temperance societies and has always been a strong opponent of the use and sale of intoxicants, in fact his aid and influence have always been given on the side of right, justice, truth and uplift, and his example and work have been a potent factor for good in every community in which he has lived. He commands the highest respect and confidence of all who know him and everywhere is spoken of in terms of warm regard.

JOHN J. RODGERS.

Among the successful agriculturists of the Naches district is John J. Rodgers, who was born on the 15th of October, 1853, in Des Moines, Iowa, a son of Asa and Nancy (Case) Rodgers, both natives of Kentucky, their marriage, however, occurring in Indiana. They became pioneers of Iowa when in 1851 they removed to that state, where both died. The father was an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which conflict he served for two years, at the end of which time he received his honorable discharge on account of disability. His strong patriotism, however, moved him to re-enlist, at which time he joined the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, and he subsequently was crippled by a horse. He was then placed in the Nashville Hospital and in March, 1865, died of smallpox, leaving a widow and eight children. At the beginning of his career the father traded cordwood in pay for his meals but gradually succeeded so far that he was enabled to rent land. The mother died in Nebraska in 1889 and four of the children survive.

John J. Rodgers was but twelve years old when his father died and subsequently lived with an uncle, attending the public schools in the pursuit of his education. He then worked for wages and on July 29, 1878, made his way to Omaha, Nebraska, and later to Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado, where he remained for a year. From 1879 until October, 1881, he was in Idaho and subsequently spent a similar period in Salt Lake City, Utah. Crossing the great desert with a four-horse team, he then returned to Nebraska, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of government land in Sioux county. To the cultivation of this property he gave his whole atten- tion until May 1, 1900, when removal was made to Custer county, Montana, where he operated a stock ranch until 1914, when he came to Yakima county. On the Mon- tana ranch his son yet resides. On the 31st of July of that year Mr. Rodgers of this review bought twenty acres on the lower Naches and has since remodeled the (33)

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house and also built a fine barn. This property is on mail route seven out of Yakima. He not only raises grain and hay but also gives considerable attention to fruit and is likewise raising hogs. Having had considerable experience in various sections of the country, he makes good use of his knowledge and is now numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of his district.

On the 20th of September, 1881, Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Mills, nee Labanth, a native of Toronto, Canada, and they have an adopted son, Joseph C., who is married and has two children, and yet makes his home on the old ranch in Montana. Mrs. Rodgers' parents were pioneer residents of Iowa, to which state they removed from Canada in 1849.

Mr. Rodgers, as is evident from his career, has traveled a great deal in this country and has made thousands of miles by wagon, in fact most of his trips have been accomplished in this way. There is great honor due him for what he has achieved, as he is a self-made man in the best sense of the word, having started out in life empty-handed and friendless. In his political views he is a democrat and loyally supports the principles and candidates of that party.

JOHN H. SUTTON.

John H. Sutton, who in partnership with his son is the owner of thirty-three acres near Grandview devoted to the raising of apples and pears, was born in Cass county, Illinois, August 21, 1848, a son of Nathan and Ann (La Mar) Sutton, the former a native of New Jersey, while the latter was born in Indiana. The paternal grandfather was Benjamin Sutton, who was one of the first settlers in Cass county, Illinois, where he purchased eighteen thousand acres of land on the Sangamon river. He built the first flour mill in that locality and people came for many miles to patron- ize the mill. Nathan Sutton served as a chain carrier for Abraham Lincoln when he did surveying in that part of Illinois. He afterward concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits and was extensively engaged in farming. He was identified with all the pioneer experiences of his part of the state, living in Illi- nois at a time when he had to drive hogs forty miles to market. He was not only well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln but also with Duff Armstrong, whom Lin- coln cleared from the charge of murder. On one occasion Mr. Sutton witnessed a fight between Abraham Lincoln and Ashley Hickey. The latter thought that he was the "best man" in the county and picked a fight with Lincoln when the latter was surveying. Lincoln knocked Hickey down and rubbed smartweed in his eyes. Later Hickey told Mr. Sutton that he and his five sons were voting for Lincoln be- cause he was the only man who could rub smartweed in his eyes. This was an instance when Lincoln used the only argument-brute force-that would have any effect.

John H. Sutton remembers seeing Lincoln as a boy while spending his youth- ful days in Illinois, where both his parents resided until their life's labors were ended in death. The son acquired a public school education and engaged in farm- ing with his father until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when in response to the country's call for troops he joined the army, enlisting as a member of Company K of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Pontonier Regiment. He helped lay the last pontoon bridge built during the war, this being constructed across the Alabama river at Montgomery, Alabama. Later he engaged in farming in his native state until 1879, when he removed to Merrick county, Nebraska, where he purchased farm land and engaged in the raising of grain and stock. He was quite prominent in that locality and served for four years as sheriff of his county. He contributed to the early development and upbuilding of that region and planted the first twenty acres of corn ever raised in the county.

It was in the year 1904 that Mr. Sutton arrived in Yakima county and for two years he made his home at Fruitvale. In the spring of 1907 he and his son bought seventeen acres on the north slope of the Grandview orchard tracts. They were the first to locate in the neighborhood and the land which came into their possession was all wild, covered with the native growth of sagebrush. This they cleared away

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and during the first year built thereon a shack, but as time passed on they added more modern improvements, converting their place into a valuable ranch property. In 1914 they erected a large and beautiful residence upon the farm and they now have thirty-three acres, all planted to apples and pears.

In 1867 Mr. Sutton was married to Miss Hannah A. Ogden, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mathew Ogden. She passed away in 1883 and in 1884 Mr. Sut- ton was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Teegarden, whose birth occurred in Orange county, Indiana. Her father, William Teegarden, was killed in the battle of Prairie Grove during the Civil war. Her mother long survived and passed away in Los Angeles, California, in January, 1917, her death resulting from an operation for cancer. Mr. Sutton's children born of the second marriage are: Ora, who is now residing with his father and who married Blanche Harmon; and Elta, the wife of Dr. Lew Christopherson, of Silverton, Oregon, by whom she has one daughter, Mary.

Mr. Sutton is well known in fraternal circles. He has membership with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Highlanders and he also proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He joined the Baptist church in Illinois in January, 1861, and was baptized in the Sangamon river. He has since been an active worker in behalf of the church, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influ- ence. He has assisted in building four different houses of worship, three in Ne- braska and one in Yakima, and at all times he has been a generous contributor to the support of the church. In politics he is a republican and for many years he served as county supervisor while in Nebraska. In Washington, however, he has preferred to concentrate his efforts and his energies upon his business affairs and today his orchard is valued at more than a thousand dollars per acre. He has closely studied modern scientific methods of developing his trees and the results achieved have been highly satisfactory. His efforts have been most intelligently directed and his enterprise has placed him far on the highroad to success.

EDWARD A. ESCHBACH.

A native of Yakima, Washington, Edward A. Eschbach is today numbered among the younger generation of successful agriculturists in Yakima county. He is thor- oughly western in all his inclinations, energetic and enterprising, and it is there- fore but natural that success has come to him as the reward of these qualities. He was born December 24, 1883, a son of Arment and Rosalia (Moser) Eschbach, the former a native of France and the latter of New York. In childhood both were taken to Minnesota and in that state they grew to manhood and womanhood and were married in 1881. In the fall of that year they decided to take advantage of the excellent opportunities which they had heard were offered in Yakima county, Wash- ington. Shortly after arriving here the father bought two hundred acres of wild land on the South Naches and here engaged in general farming and in the stock business, gradually bringing his place under cultivation and developing his interests until his has become one of the most valuable farms in the neighborhood. He erected modern buildings, instituted up-to-date farm machinery and other equipment and thus transformed his tract into a desirable farm. In 1916, after many years of ardu- ous labor, he retired in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence, taking up his residence in Yakima city.

Edward A. Eschbach was reared under the guidance of his good parents and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools, thus preparing for life's arduous duties. Having been reared on a farm, he decided upon that line of work as a life occupation and remained with his father until 1917, thus acquiring practical methods and knowledge in regard to local conditions which have since stood him in good stead. In the last mentioned year he bought a farm, which he has con- tinued to operate, utilizing the latest ideas of modern agriculture, and here he raises hay and grain besides other produce and also gives considerable attention to stock, especially cattle and hogs.

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On May 15, 1913, Mr. Eschbach was united in marriage to Irene Louise Sand- meyer, a native of Yakima and a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Rexleau) Sandmeyer, who as pioneers came to Yakima county in 1883. The father died in 1912 but is survived by his widow, who lives in Yakima. Mr. and Mrs. Eschbach have three children: Alfred Mathew, who was born June 16, 1914; Beatrice Ellen, born December 24, 1916; and Ernestine Marie, born September 10, 1918.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 98

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