History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 99

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 99
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 99
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II > Part 99

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Mr. and Mrs. Eschbach are very popular in their neighborhood, where they have many friends, to whom they often extend a hospitable welcome at their own fireside. Mr. Eschbach votes independently, preferring to follow his own judgment in regard to supporting candidates without considering party affiliations. He has ever been helpfully interested in the progress of his district and while he has de- veloped a valuable property has also contributed to general agricultural interests.

DAVID JOHNSON.

For eleven years David Johnson has been a resident of the Yakima valley and through the intervening period his persistent, earnest and unfaltering labor has been crowned with a substantial measure of success, for he is now profitably engaged in orcharding. He was born in Sweden, June 25, 1866, a son of John and Johanna An- derson. The father is now deceased, while the mother yet remains a resident of her native land.

David Johnson was a young man of twenty-one years when he severed home ties and came to the new world, for the reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities offered in America attracted him to this country with the belief that he might more quickly secure success on this side of the Atlantic. He made his way first to Sioux City, Iowa, where he followed the plasterer's trade, which he had previously learned in Sweden. He was thus actively identified with industrial inter- ests at that place for twenty-one years and then determined to seek a home in the Pacific northwest. In 1908, therefore, he came to Washington, making the trip in company with Charles G. Johnson, who though of the same name and a native of Sweden, is not' a relative. They traveled to Yakima county and David Johnson invested in nine acres of land on Selah Heights. This he planted to apples and pears and his orchards are now in excellent bearing condition. He also raises Italian prunes and the crops which he annually gathers bring to him a very gratifying in- come. His prosperity is further evidenced in the fact that in 1918 he erected a fine new residence upon his ranch.

On the 21st of November, 1890, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Betty Brunsell, a native of Sweden, who came to America in 1888, making her way to Sioux City, Iowa. The children of this marriage are: Ruth, who died at the age of twenty-two years; David Jonathan, at home; and Elsie, who completes the family.

In his political views Mr. Johnson maintains an independent course voting for men and measures rather than party. He belongs to the Grange and is deeply inter- ested in all that has to do with the agricultural and horticultural development of the region. He and his wife are consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are people whose many admirable traits of character have gained them high regard and warm friendship.

JOHN W. SWOPE.

John W. Swope, who has lived in the northwest for more than a third of a cen- tury and has been successfully engaged in horticultural pursuits in Yakima county since 1906, owns ten and a half acres of land on the lower Naches which he has planted to apples and pears. His birth occurred in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, on the 4th of January, 1858, his parents being John and Susan (Warner) Swope, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Scotland. They were brought to the United States in childhood and John Swope was identified with farm-

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ing interests throughout his active business career. On leaving Illinois he removed with his family to the vicinity of Newton, Iowa, and subsequently established his home in Guthrie Center, that state, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest.

John W. Swope, whose name introduces this review, acquired a public school education in his youth and when seventeen years of age began working for wages at Des Moines, Iowa, remaining in the employ of others until 1884. He then made his way westward to Butte, Montana, where he continued for five years, while sub- sequently he spent six years in Idaho. On the expiration of that period he removed to Walla Walla, Washington, and was there identified with railway work for six years. In 1904 he came to the Yakima valley and two years later purchased ten and a half acres of land on the lower Naches, where he has since developed an excellent apple and pear orchard which yields him a gratifying annual income. He has erected an attractive residence on the place and has become widely recognized as one of the successful and enterprising horticulturists of Yakima county.

In 1877 Mr. Swope was united in marriage to Miss Maude Huntley, of Des Moines, Iowa, who passed away in 1898, leaving five children, as follows: Charles, who is engaged in ranching on the lower Naches; George, who is married and is now with the United States Army in France; Clinton, who is married and has one child, Sybil; Mabel, at home; and Pearl, who is the wife of Arthur Fulbright, of Fruitvale, Washington. In 1902 Mr. Swope was again married, his second union being with Miss Georgia McPherson, of Des Moines, Iowa, who departed this life in June, 1911.

Mr. Swope gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a most loyal and public-spirited citizen whose aid and cooperation are ever found on the side of advancement and upbuilding. His life has been straightforward and honor- able in every relation, commanding the confidence, esteem and regard of those with whom he has been associated.

JOHN W. GREER.

John W. Greer dates his residence in Washington from 1903 and has made his home in Yakima county most of the time since 1905. He is now devoting his atten- tion to ranching interests, being owner of a place of twenty-five and three-fourths acres about two and a half miles east of Sunnyside. Mr. Greer is of Canadian birth. He was born in Huron county, Ontario, December 27, 1863, a son of Moses and Sarah (Davis) Greer, who were natives of Ireland and of Canada respectively. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and in 1872 removed with his family to Douglas county, Nebraska, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

John W. Greer mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools, going a distance of between six and seven miles to attend school. Through vacation periods he worked in the fields and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When a young man of twenty-two years he removed to Keyapaha county, Nebraska, where he took up government land, and subsequently he went to Sheridan county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead claim, residing thereon for twelve years. He afterward spent two years in Douglas county. Nebraska, and for a year made his home in Oklahoma. He then returned to Douglas county, where he again lived for two years, and in August, 1903, he ar- rived in Washington, making his way to Seattle. There he worked in a mill until 1905, when he came to Yakima county and purchased forty acres a mile west of Sunnyside. He owned that property for about a year but in 1906 sold it and bought two acres near Sunnyside, which he sold soon afterward. He then spent a few- months in California, after which he returned to Yakima county and bought two acres south of Sunnyside. In 1915 he became the owner of his present ranch prop- erty two and a half miles east of Sunnyside and comprising twenty-five and three- quarters acres of land. Upon this place he is engaged in the cultivation of sugar

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beets, corn and hay. He also raises chickens and is conducting a dairy business. He likewise owns a residence in Sunnyside that he rents.

On the 22d of December, 1891, Mr. Greer was married to Mae Burke, a native of Indiana. They have become the parents of two children: Frank, who is engaged in ranching near Sunnyside and is married and has two sons; and lone, at home. Mr. Greer's children are identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and all of the family are members of the Christian church. Politically he maintains an independent attitude. Whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy. He has worked diligently throughout his entire life and step by step has advanced until he is now one of the substantial citizens of Yakima county.

PETER G. MACKINTOSH. D. V. S.

Dr. Peter G. Mackintosh, an able veterinary surgeon practicing in Yakima as junior partner in the firm of Jones & Mackintosh, was born in Inverness, Scotland, on the 5th of December, 1888, a son of George and Mary (Smith) Mackintosh, both of whom have now passed away. In the acquirement of his education, after con- cluding the public school course, he attended the Edinburgh University and the Aberdeen University and completed his preparation for veterinary practice by study in the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago, Illinois, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1916. He then located in Buena Vista county, Towa, where he remained for a short time but in the same year removed to the northwest, settling in Yakima. He had spent ahout six years in Iowa prior to his graduation from the veterinary college, but the opportunities of the growing northwest attracted him and upon reaching Yakima he bought out the interest of Dr. Prior in the firm of Prior & Jones, the firm of Jones & Mackintosh being thus formed. They have a very extensive and important practice, both men being splendidly qualified for the dutics that devolve upon them in this connection.

On the 21st of February, 1917, Dr. Mackintosh was married to Miss Jessie Alma Ballard, a graduate of the University of Nebraska and also of the University of Washington. Dr. Mackintosh belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having member- ship in Universal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Marathon, Iowa. He is independent in politics and that he is interested in the welfare and progress of his city is manifest in his support of the Commercial Club and his interest in the projects and plans put forth by that organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He is a man of many excellent qualities and of progressive spirit, while his professional suc- cess is the direct result of close study and earnest application.

WILLIAM H. STRAUSZ.

Those who early traveled to the Yakima Valley and saw the stretches of arid land surrounding what is now the beautiful and enterprising city of Yakima would scarcely have dreamed that the district ever would be converted into a rich horti- cultural section, but the labors of wide-awake, alert and energetic men have brought about this result and today substantial fortunes are being won in the development of fine orchards. To this work William H. Strausz is giving his attention, having resided in this section for almost two decades. He was born in Shelby county, Illinois, January 28, 1863, a son of Michael and Mary (Fritz) Strausz, who were farming people. On leaving Illinois they removed to Barton county, Missouri, in 1876 and there remained until 1900, when they made their way to the northwest with Yakima county as their destination. They are now living retired in Yakima, the father at the age of eighty-three years and the mother at the age of eighty. They have traveled life's journey together as husband and wife for sixty-one years.

William H. Strausz, after putting aside his textbooks, through which he had become familiar with the usual branches of learning taught in the public schools,

WILLIAM H. STRAUSZ

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began farming with his father and was thus active in business until nearly thirty years of age. He then desired to start out independently and purchased one hun- dred acres of land in Missouri, which he owned and cultivated successfully until 1899. He then resolved to become a resident of the northwest and removed to Washington, at which time he purchased sixteen and a quarter acres of wild land on Nob Hill. At once he began the development and improvement of the prop- erty. After a time he sold eleven acres of that tract but later purchased twenty- five acres two miles west of the city of Yakima and has planted this, together with the remaining five and a quarter acres of his first purchase, to fruit, having large orchards of apples, pears and cherries which annually produce extensive crops. owing to the very thorough, systematic and scientific manner in which he improves his orchards and cares for his trees. He belongs to the Yakima County Horticul- tural Union and is widely recognized as one of the leading farmers of the valley.

On the 22nd of February, 1888, Mr. Strausz was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Yates, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Jones) Yates, the former being a relative of ex-Governor Yates. They were numbered among the pioneer settlers of Illinois, making their home near Roodhouse, and later removed to Missouri, in which state was celebrated the marriage of William H. Strausz and Emma C. Yates. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Yates subsequently took up their abode in South Dakota and in that state spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Strausz have become the parents of three children, as follows: Alva L., who married Olive Turner and is now acting as state horticulturist of Montana; Verla Gladys, who is now a student in Pullman College, entering that institution after her graduation from the high school: and Herbert Glen, who is attending school.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church, while in politics Mr. Strausz is a stanch republican. There were only three houses on the Summit View road when he established his home in the Yakima valley and he has been an interested witness of the growth and development which have since occurred and in which he has aided materially through his active support of all movements and measures promoted to advance the interests of this section.

CLAUDE BRIGGS.

Claude Briggs, of the Bush & Lane Piano Company, is one of the foremost deal- ers in his line in the northwest. The business was established in Yakima on the 1st of January, 1913, with Mr. Briggs as manager and he has since remained in charge, his efforts carrying the enterprise forward to continued success. Mr. Briggs is a native of New York. He was born in 1855, a son of John and Jane A. Briggs. The father was a farmer throughout his active life but spent his last days in retirement and passed away at the very venerable age of ninety-three years, his death occurring in 1913. His widow is still living at the age of ninety-four years. They had become residents of Wisconsin in 1855 and there resided until 1875, when they removed to Minnesota and with the farming interests of that state the father was connected up to the time of his retirement from business. He was a man who possessed a wonderfully fine constitution and his longevity was largely the result of a well spent life.

Claude Briggs, after pursuing a public school education in Wisconsin, attended a business college there. He entered the sewing machine business when a youth of but fifteen years and became connected with the piano trade in 1881. He has sold pianos and sewing machines constantly from the age of fifteen. In 1885 he arrived in Sprague, Washington, and was manager for the Singer Sewing Machine Company for several years, in connection with which he also sold pianos, but his place of business was destroyed by fire in 1895 and in the same year he came to Yakima. He here turned his attention to the sale of pianos, organs, sewing machines and household furniture. He rented a building at five dollars per month but could not at that time make a success of the piano trade. He then began selling fruit trees and was the agent in the sale of trees for most of the old established orchards found in this section of the state. He worked hard, winning success as the result of his

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unfaltering energy and close application, being one of the pioneer nurserymen of the district, whose eloquence and logic in making sales converted many into prosperous fruit growers. He traveled on horseback and by team all over the valley and his arguments convinced many that fruit growing might be profitably followed in this section of the state-a fact which has been demonstrated by many of his customers. He again started in the piano trade in connection with Wiley B. Allen and later organized the firm of Briggs & Dam, having the only piano store between Spokane and Tacoma. He sold goods all through the territory, but later the firm was dis- solved. In 1911 Mr. Briggs closed out his piano business and entered the real estate field, to which he devoted his energies for about two years. He afterward accepted the position of manager with the Bush & Lane Piano Company, in which capacity he is still serving. This company established a store in Yakima on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1913, placing Mr. Briggs in charge. His first location was opposite the Com- mercial Hotel and in 1914 a removal was made to 29 South Second street, the build- ing being twenty-five by one hundred and thirty feet. The firm carries a full line of pianos and musical instruments. This company had at one time over six thousand retail stores in the United States but in 1918 closed out over five thousand of their stores, the Yakima establishment being one of the four left in the five northwest states of California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Mr. Briggs does the leading business in the piano trade in Yakima and has over six hundred paying ac- counts. He has made most of the sales himself and has sold hundreds of pianos and phonographs. He possesses in large measure that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense. He is a splendid type of modern salesman and even in the present unfavorable conditions for the music trade, owing to the war, he is building up a substantial business that indicates his excellent ability.

Mr. Briggs belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of Pythias. He maintains an independent course in politics but loyally stands by all progressive elements and movements in citizenship and is one of the reliable and substantial residents of Yakima. His business affairs have been carefully and wisely directed and he eagerly avails himself of any oppor- tunity pointing to success. He is a man of genial qualities, of kindly spirit, and his popularity is the direct result of his many admirable characteristics. While serving as alderman of Yakima he was instrumental in the planting of the beautiful shade trees on Naches avenue which now make that thoroughfare one of the most attrac- tive in the west.

LUCIEN M. COX.

One of the finest orchards in the Yakima valley is that situated near Buena belonging to Lucien M. Cox, a native of Arkansas. He was born September 13, 1871, a son of J. K. Cox, who is mentioned at greater length on other pages of this work. Lucien M. Cox attended the public school of Arkansas but in 1901 removed to Big Bend, Washington, having heard many favorable reports in regard to the opportu- nities awaiting a young man in this district. In March, 1902, he came to Yakima county, where he continued to teach school, having followed that profession while a resident of Big Bend. He was well fitted for this work as he had attended the Kirksville Normal School of Missouri. He taught school in Yakima county for eight years, during two years of which period he was a teacher in the tenth grade in Zillah. He also was principal of the Springdale school for five years.

In 1902 Lucien M. Cox and his brother, Ernest V., bought a forty-acre tract one mile east of Buena, paying nineteen hundred dollars as the purchase price, and a few months later their father paid the same sum for an adjoining tract of twenty acres, while a little later Ernest V. Cox paid nineteen hundred dollars for ten acres adjoining, these figures plainly indicating how rapidly fruit lands have advanced in this district. In fact in the last three years the land has nearly quadrupled in value. In 1903 Mr. Cox of this review bought his brother's interest in the forty acres but later, in 1907, he sold the whole tract for eighty-five hundred dollars. He then acquired title to ten acres a half mile east of Buena and there he has built a

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fine home and has planted his ranch largely to apples, prunes and cherries. At the time he acquired the land he paid three hundred dollars per acre but it netted Mr. Cox over five thousand dollars above running expenses, including his own wages. In 1918 he refused a cash offer of ten thousand dollars for it. It is one of the finest ten-acre orchards in the Yakima valley with good roads, good drainage and good air drainage. From the ranch a beautiful view of Mounts Adams and Rainier may be had, while the residence is thoroughly modern and has electric lights, hot and cold water and all conveniences which can be found in the best city homes.

On August 10, 1904, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Kendrick, a native of Canton, Missouri, and a daughter of James H. and Delia Kendrick. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have had three children: James K., Edgar C., and Dorothy who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Cox is an independent democrat who generally gives his sup- port to that party, particularly as far as national politics are concerned, but at local elections supports the candidate whom he considers best qualified to fill the office to which he aspires without taking into consideration party issues. Everything that has to do with the development and growth of the valley is of interest to him and he readily lends his aid and influence toward worthy movements for the moral and intellectual growth. Through the development of one of the finest fruit ranches in his district he has largely contributed toward the wealth of his part of the county and while his labors have directly benefited himself, they have been of value in promoting the fruit raising industry in the Yakima valley.

WILLIAM R. REEVES.

William R. Reeves, a veteran of the Spanish-American war and a well known business man of Yakima county who has done much to aid in the development of Naches Heights, where he is now engaged in ranching, was born in Utica, Livingston county, Missouri, May 2, 1871, a son of John D. and Nancy (Williams) Reeves. The father passed away in Missouri, where for many years he had followed farming. The mother afterward died in Oklahoma.

William R. Reeves acquired a public school education and when thirteen years of age went to Leadville, Colorado, traveling overland with a mule team. He made the journey with a freighting outfit and after reaching Colorado turned his attention to mining, working his way steadily upward in that connection until he became a mine owner. He saved ten thousand dollars but lost it all in the failure of the Car- bonit Bank of Leadville. Thus rendered penniless, he again went to work for wages and later he was with the Gurley Investment Company as a mining expert. In 1902 he started for British Columbia but stopped off in Yakima county and, being pleased with the district, decided to remain. He worked for the gas company of Yakima county for five years and helped lay the first gas mains in the city of Yakima. He was afterward for five years with the Consolidated Fuel Company, but ambitious to engage in business on his own account, in 1910 he bought eighty acres on Naches Heights all covered with sagebrush. To this place he removed in 1914 and thereon has since resided. He now has fifty-six acres under cultivation, bringing forth good crops, and he also has property in Fruitvale. His ranch on Naches Heights is a fine one, and the products gathered therefrom annually bring to him a substantial income.

On the 15th of September, 1907, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Maggie Jones, who was born in Whitman county, Washington, a daughter of John D. Jones, a pioneer of this state, who lived for a time at Colton, Washington. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves have two sons, Raymond and Dean.

Mr. Reeves is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Yakima Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M., and to Yakima Chapter No. 21, R. & A. M. His wife attends the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Reeves maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. He is a veteran of the Spanish- American war, having served as a member of Company C in the Seventh United States Infantry. His regiment was the second to land at Cuba and he participated in the battle of San Juan Hill. He remained with the army for three years. His

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has been an interesting and varied experience, covering his military record, his life as a miner in Colorado and his business activity in the northwest. He is now far on the highroad to success and is classed with the representative ranchmen of the Yakima valley.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. II, Part 99

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