The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1039 OLIVER HINMAN. Oliver Hinman, who passed away January 31, 1919, spent his last years in retirement from active business upon a ranch near Ellensburg. At different periods in his life he had been active in commercial and official circles as well as along agricultural lines but in his later years enjoyed that rest which came to him as the reward of persistent and earnest effort. Oliver Hinman, moreover, was a typical representative of western enterprise and progress. He had always lived in this section of the country, his birth having occurred at Forest Grove, Oregon, March 27, 1857, his parents being Alanson and Martha (Gerrish) Hinman, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Missouri. The paternal grandfather was Alanson Hinman, Sr., who was also a native of the Empire state, where he spent his entire life. His son and namesake started across the country with ox teams in 1844, with Oregon as his destination. For a time he engaged in teaching in Whitman College and later removed to Salem. Oregon, where he took up a donation claim between Yamhill and Washington counties. At a subsequent date he removed to Forest Grove, where he purchased a farm and thereon continued to reside throughout his remaining days. He not only bore all of the hardships of travel across the long, hot stretches of sand and over the high mountain ranges in the year 1844 but for many years faced the difficulties and privations of pioneer life. However, he lived to see many changes and at all times bore his part in the work of general improvement and development. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to public office and he was twice chosen to represent his district in the state legislature. He was also collector of customs at Astoria for two years. His wife was a daughter of James Gerrish, who made his way to Oregon in the middle part of the '40s. He, too, was one of the earliest settlers of the state and continued to reside within its borders until called to his final rest. Oliver Hinman attended the Pacific University after completing his public school course and then entered mercantile business in connection with his father. He became identified with the Yakima valley in 1881, at which time he removed to the city of Yakima, where he opened a hardware store. Later he went to North Yakima when the town moved there and in 1885 he sold his business to the firm of Weed & Rowe. In 1886 they opened a branch establishment at Ellensburg, with Mr. Hinman as local manager, and in 1888 Mr. Hinman and S. R. Geddis purchased the store, which was destroyed by fire in 1889 with a loss of over thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Hinman then devoted his attention to ranching for a few years and in 1902 he was appointed postmaster, serving in that position until 1914 or for a period of twelve years. Throughout this entire time he also kept his ranch and at the time of his death was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land which is devoted to general farming and is now being conducted by his son, A. R. Hinman. On the 25th of July, 1883, Mr. Hinman was united in marriage to Miss Ella F. McDonald, who was born in Portland, Oregon, a daughter of Harley M. and Elizabeth (Hampson) McDonald, who were pioneers of the Sunset state. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinman were born three children: Mrs. Mary E, Bradshaw, living in Ellensburg; Alfred R., who is conducting the home ranch; and Laurada F., who is a teacher of music. Mr. Hinman belonged to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he also crossed the sands of the desert. He likewise belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, having his membership in Lodge No. 1102 at Ellensburg. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and in office he proved most capable and faithful, while at all times his course was that of a public-spirited citizen devoted to the general good. He deserved all the credit implied in the term a self-made man, for by persistent effort he worked steadily upward and his achievements brought him the gratifying measure of success that enabled him to spend his last years in retirement. At the time of his death one who had known him intimately for many years wrote of him: "And thus another pioneer went out to take up his eternal abode, with those who have gone before, of that noble hand of men and women who strove amidst hardships and inconveniences which the newer generation can scarcely comprehend and whose striving changed desert and wilderness and frowning menace into peaceful farm and city and security -- I first met him at Old Yakima, Yakima county, Washington territory, in the month of March, 1883, and from that time until the day of his death, just about thirty-six years, we were good friends and most of the time near neighbors and were frequently together, and now, looking back over the long road upon which we were travelers together, a close retrospection recalls none but pleasant memories with him. 'Doc,' as he was familiarly known, always retained the hospitable, kind and generous spirit of the old pioneer people. He enjoyed to mix with his friends as well as any man I ever knew. In the good old days when kindred souls were wont to meet and while away the moments in pleasant pastime and joyous camaraderie, he was ever a boon companion. Times have changed and the festive occasions of auld-land-syne have vanished to return no more, and the sunshine spirits that brought them about are nearly all gone as well. Under those old conditions and influences friendships were established strong and enduring as life. It is doubtful, indeed, if such friendships can ever establish themselves under the changed and changing conditions of life that confront us now. "He was always pleasant and by nature readily responsive to humor and good cheer. It delighted his soul to get a joke on his friends and he has always yielded in good nature to one on himself. In every gathering his presence engendered and dispensed sunshine. He had his ups and downs. his successes and failures, as all who endeavor have ever had, but his nature was never overshadowed by the one nor over elated by the other. His joys weighed above his sorrows. He gleaned more pleasure out of life than the average man. Millions of our race go through life from beginning to end, be that life short or long, and are never able to even up. Though our good friend has passed away before the full three score years and ten had been meted out, it may truly be said 'he was ahead of the game.' and his life was a success. He loved his home. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his country. He delighted to see prosperity all around. There was no envy in his heart. That others might succeed beyond himself cast no shadow over his nature but rather gave him gladness He was self-sustaining, accommodating, sympathetic, agreeable, forgiving, humane. He filled his allotted place in the busy world among those of his generation full and well, and now that he is gone, that place will show a vacancy as long as his family, his friends and his associates live. When the call came he was ready to take the `long trail' without hesitation. without a qualm, without a fear." ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.