The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 749 JOHN B. LACHANCE. Among the substantial residents of Yakima county who are French Canadians is John B. Lachance, who was born in Quebec, Canada, February 2, 1856, a son of Joseph and Sophia (Roy) Lachance, who on leaving Canada crossed the border into Minnesota, establishing their home in Mower county, where the father purchased a tract of wild land in 1875. In 1881 he removed to Crookston, Minnesota, taking up government land on Poplar river. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon that place and he at once began its development and cultivation, there successfully carrying on farming for a number of years, or until he retired from active business. Both he and his wife have now passed away. John B. Lachance acquired a public school education and through vacation periods worked with his father upon the home farm. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the work of the old homestead until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he secured employment in the lumber woods of Wisconsin and there spent several years. He next took up government land near Crookston, Minnesota, but afterward sold that property and removed to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he followed carpentering for a time. Later he became a resident of Duluth, Minnesota, and subsequently established his home at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Through this entire period he was leading a most active life and whatever success he achieved and enjoyed was attributable entirely to his own labors and determination. In the fall of 1901 he came to Yakima county and, settling in the city of Yakima, there took up carpentering and contract work. He has since made his home in the city, where he has a very wide and favorable acquaintance. In June, 1916, he purchased ten acres of land on the Moxee and has since remodeled the house and unproved the property. In addition to cultivating his land he does carpenter work in his locality. He also raises hay, potatoes, beets and other crops well adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. On the 7th of January, 1884, Mr. Lachance was united in marriage to Miss Odile Tessier, who was born June 17, 1863, at Georgian Bay, Canada, a daughter of Xavier and Celina (Deroche) Tessier. The father died in Canada and the mother afterward removed with the family to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, in 1880. She is now living at Moxee with her son. To Mr. and Mrs. Lachance have been born the following named. Rose is the wife of Ildedge Beaudry, a merchant of Yakima, by whom she had three children, one of whom has passed away. Delia married E. F. Benoit, a resident of Cle Elum, Washington, and they have six children. Harvey, who is married, is now in the United States army as a member of the Aviation Corps. Arad is a member of the United States navy. Elsie is at home and Walter and Leo complete the family. Mr. Lachance and his family are communicants of the Holy Rosary Catholic church at Moxee City. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a republican where national issues and Questions are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has never been an aspirant for office but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, and the success which he has achieved is the direct result of his persistent and earnest labors. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.