The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 390

JAMES D. BEAN.

The family residence of James D. Bean at Naches commands a beautiful view of the
valley and surrounding country, and thus amid pleasant surroundings Mr. Bean is
spending his days, devoting his attention to the further development and
improvements of his fine orchards. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri,
September 27, 1872, a son of Henry R. and Jane (Blacklock) Bean, the former a
native of England, while the latter was born in Scotland. Both came to the
United States in early life and were married on this side of the Atlantic. The
father was a carpenter and contractor and carried on business along building
lines for many years. In 1872 he established his home in Racine, Wisconsin,
where he followed his trade for some time, and later he was killed in Kansas
while engaged in building a bridge. His wife passed away in Racine.

James D. Bean obtained a public school education in Racine and after starting
out in the business world on his own account learned the tinner's trade. He
arrived in Yakima, Washington, in 1908 and spent five years in the city in the
employ of the Yakima Hardware Company, but noticing the success that was to he
achieved in the raising and development of fruit in this section, he purchased
in 1913 forty acres of land on Naches Heights and now has eleven acres in fruit.
He has erected a nice residence upon his place and in 1918 he built a fine
warehouse. He is engaged extensively in raising apples, making a specialty of
Jonathans and Winesaps. He is also planting another five acres to "Delicious"
apples and his orchards are in excellent condition, showing the utmost care of
the owner. He likewise raises potatoes and hay and annually gathers good crops.

Mr. Bean's sister Minnie, the wife of J. B. Riley, is making her home with him.
In politics Mr. Bean is a republican and always keeps well informed on the
questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, for he
feels that his time and attention are fully occupied by his business affairs,
which are constantly growing in volume and importance, and he is now accounted
one of the successful orchardists of the Naches Heights.

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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.