The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 467

MAHAN BROTHERS.

Among the best known automobile firms in their part of the state is that of
Mahan Brothers of Prosser, composed of E. H. and W. B. Mahan. They not only
maintain a very large garage and a general repair shop but have the agency for
the Ford cars, tractors and trucks, the Federal trucks, and also sell the
Studebaker machines. An indication as to the extent of their business is the
fact that in 1917 the overturn exceeded one hundred thousand dollars.

E. H. Mayan was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1879, a son of William R.
and Emma (Sparr) Mahan. The father was one of the early pathfinders of the west,
over which he traveled when a young man. He participated in the Modoc war and
during that time had "Captain Jack" under his care. In 1879 he removed to
Bozeman, Montana, and thence in 1881 to Red Lodge, where he was the first white
settler. There he remained for twenty-two years, or until 1903, engaging in the
stock business and being very successful along that line. He sold out in that
year and spent the winter in the south but in 1905 came to Prosser, having been
elected to the office of sheriff of Benton county. He died while in office and
his wife has also passed away.

For five years E. H. and W. B. Mahan were engaged in the hardware business but
at the end of that time they sold out. E. H. Mahan served as deputy sheriff
under his father and next with his brother for the full two terms, proving
himself a fearless, faithful and capable official. Upon the death of the father
W. B. Mahan succeeded him in the office of sheriff and so capably did he
discharge his duties in this connection that he was subsequently reelected. E.
H. and W. B. Mahan later entered the garage business, which they now have made
such a successful and profitable enterprise.

On the 20th of June, 1908, E. H. Mahan was united in marriage to Miss Grace
Crook, of Benton county, and both he and his wife are prominent socially in
their community. He is a republican in politics but not committed to the party
as far as local affairs are concerned, preferring to follow his own judgment in
regard to measures and candidates. Four fraternal organizations claim Mr. Mahan
as member -- the blue lodge of Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Brotherhood
of American Yeomen and the Woodmen.

W. B. Mahan was born in Bozeman, Montana, in 1881, and has been connected with
his brother in business and public life throughout his whole career. His father
having died while sheriff of Benton county, the public honored him and itself
by asking him to fill out the unexpired term and this he did to such good
purpose that at the expiration of the term he was reelected for the full term
as sheriff of Benton county, serving the public with unflagging zeal. In fact
the days when he was sheriff are still remembered by many in Benton county, all
of whom have for him the greatest respect. Many of the worst characters were
driven out of the county during his incumbency and many a gang of bad men was
laid fast by his alertness, zeal and cleverness in apprehending them, ably
assisted by his brother. In December, 1914, the Mahan brothers established the
fine garage which they now own, although it needed rebuilding in 1918, its
capacity having already proved too small. It is made of cement blocks and the
floors are also of cement. There is a floor space of fourteen hundred square
feet, with a storage capacity for sixty cars. The garage is in every way
modernly equipped and a complete repair department is maintained. Mahan Brothers
have the agency for the Ford cars, tractors and trucks and the Federal trucks
and also sell the Studebaker autos. Their district covers upper Benton county
and they have an extensive trade in this section of the state. The enormous
growth of their business must be largely ascribed to the ability and foresight
which both brothers possess. Moreover, there is no doubt that a great deal of
their prosperity is due to their close cooperation. In fact, their partnership
is an ideal one. They have many friends in Prosser and Benton county and all who
know them speak of them in terms of the highest regard. They take part in all
movements for the public good and always stand for progress, ever ready to give
of their means to worthy measures undertaken for the benefit of the community.
While ably building up an enterprise of this magnitude they have not only served
themselves but have largely contributed toward making Prosser the center of
enterprise which it is today in the Yakima valley.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.