The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 92 A. B. FOSSEEN. A. B. Fosseen, familiarly and affectionately known as Ben, is an alert and energetic business man and one who holds to advanced ideas in the treatment of employees and of the general public. He is dealing in building supplies at Yakima and has gained a very substantial trade during the seven years of the existence of the firm -- a trade that has come to him as the merited reward of persistent effort, earnest desire to please his patrons and straightforward. dealing. His career is one which should certainly receive the thoughtful consideration of young men who start out empty-handed as Mr. Fosseen has done and who desire to work their way upward through legitimate business methods. Mr. Fosseen was born in Leland, Illinois, on the 6th of October, 1876. a son of Osman and Isabel Fosseen. The father was engaged during his active business career in various lines, following farming and merchandising at different times, but eventually he retired and died in the year 1915. After completing his education in the University of Minnesota and thus becoming well equipped by thorough educational training for life's practical and responsible duties, A. B. Fosseen entered the lumber business in Minnesota and was there engaged until 1908, when he removed westward to Washington, making Yakima his destination. Here he entered the employ of the Hellison Lumber Company, with which he was connected until the 1st of January, 1911, when he established the firm of A. B. Fosseen & Company. It had long been his ambition to organize a company where fair play would be given employees and he has taken some of these in as members of the firm as fast as their ability has been proven. In this way and by his straightforward treatment of them, his fairness and his justice, he has built up a wonderful loyalty among the men in his service. He has always believed that honorable success is founded upon straightforward dealing with debtor and creditor alike, upon fairness to employees and by capable service to customers. When the business was organized Mr. Fosseen became president and treasurer, with H. F. Luhman as secretary, and both continue in office to the present time. W. E. Coleman is now vice president, with F. B. Sincel as treasurer. Neither Mr. Luhman nor Mr. Sincel are directors of the company, the board consisting of Mr. Fosseen, Mr. Coleman, A. E. Rassmussen, W. C. Rider and Eck Baughn. All are active in the business with the exception of Mr. Luhman, and Thomas S. Smiley and F. B. Baker are also stockholders in the concern. This company deals in building supplies, irrigation supplies, paints, oils, pumps, motors, coal, brick and cement and spraying supplies. They were first located in the Clegg building and then on A and First streets. In 1917 they erected a large building, one hundred by one hundred feet, at the corner of Yakima and First streets. This is a one-story and basement structure with cement floor and has beautiful offices. The building is constructed of hollow tile and brick. The company is capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars and now employs from twelve to twenty men according to the season. The prosperity of the undertaking may be attributed to three factors, namely: low cost of operation, volume of business and best grades of material obtainable. On the 22d of January, 1908, Mr. Fosseen was married to Miss Florence Vance Neal, of Fargo, North Dakota, and they now have one son, Neal Randolph. Mr. Fosseen is a prominent representative of Masonry, ever loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. He belongs to the lodge and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He also is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of the Commercial Club, the Country Club, the College Club of Seattle and Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as secretary of the district exemption board. Mr. Fosseen commands the highest respect of all who know him. He has many splendid qualities; not the least of which is his quick recognition of worth in others. He judges men by worth, not by wealth, and sterling traits of character can always win his regard. His course has never been such as to make him sacrifice his self-respect but on the contrary has gained for him the loyal friendship and admiration of all with whom he has been brought in contact. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.