The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 801

WILLIAM M. HUFNAIL.

William M. Hufnail has twenty-seven acres of land which he is devoting to fruit raising, having become well known as one of the successful and prominent orchardists in the vicinity of Grandview. He was born in Wisconsin on the 6th of March, 1886, a son of Dr. William H. Hufnail, whose birth occurred in Montgomery county, New York, on the 3d of May, 1836. The latter was a son of George and Catherine (Wormuth) Hufnail, who were likewise born in the Empire state. The great-grandfather, Christian Houghnagle, was a native of Holland and, crossing the Atlantic, became one of the earliest settlers of Herkimer county, New York. He served in defense of his adopted country in the War of 1812 and in days of peace devoted his life to the occupation of farming. It was George Hufnail who changed the orthography of the name. On leaving New York he removed to Sauk county, Wisconsin, in 1845, becoming one of its first settlers. He purchased a tract of wild land, which he converted into fertile fields, and was numbered among the successful farmers of that district, in which he continued to reside until called to his final rest.

His son, Dr. William H. Hufnail, was graduated from the Bennett Medical College of Chicago when about fifty years of age. He had been reared to the occupation of farming, which he continued to follow until he determined to devote his further time and attention to the practice of medicine. He then studied medicine according to the eclectic system and was graduated as indicated, after which he located for practice in Wisconsin, where he remained until 1909. With his removal to Washington in that year he purchased ten acres of land near Grandview. It was a wild tract covered with the native growth of sagebrush, but his characteristic energy and effort soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of this place. In the midst of the brush he built a good home and at once began cultivating the land, which he planted largely to fruit trees.

On the 24th of May, 1864, Dr. Hufnail was united in marriage to Miss Abigail Ann Dammon, who was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, a daughter of Chandler and Matilda (Doan) Dammon, the former a native of Maine. To Dr. and Mrs. Hufnail were born six children; Dr. Francis E., now residing in Minneapolis; Albert C., whose home is at Sunnyside, Washington; Katherine E., the wife of W. H. Denny, living at Williston, North Dakota; May R., the wife of R. W. Wilson, who is located at Sunnyside; William M., of this review; and Ada D., deceased.

Dr. Hufnail is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, for he has constantly extended a helping hand to those in need of assistance. His attitude on the temperance question is indicated in the loyal support which he gives to the prohibition party. He is a man wonderfully preserved for one of his years, as he has passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, yet he remains hale and hearty and gives out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others.

His fifth child, William M. Hufnail, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days under the parental roof and in 1912 purchased the Grandview ranch from his father. He also rents ten acres of land that he and his brother own and seven acres more which is in orchard tracts. He has altogether twenty-seven acres in apples and is one of the prominent fruit growers of this section. His business interests are wisely and carefully conducted. He is thoroughly progressive and energetic in all that he undertakes and at the same time is most systematic. His labors are producing most desirable results.

Mr. Hufnail belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a past secretary of Grand view Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A. M. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. Much of his life has been spent in the northwest and his sturdy qualities and admirable characteristics have impressed themselves upon all with whom he has come in contact.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.