The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 668

WILLIAM A. CHESS.

A fine farming property of eighty acres four miles southwest of Sunnyside is the
visible evidence of the industry and energy with which William A. Chess has
pursued his life's vocation. Today he is recognized as one of the prosperous
agriculturists of his district and, moreover, has made valuable contribution to
agricultural development through his labors and investigations along that line.
He has therefore become an important factor in the progress of Yakima county and
great credit is due him for what he has achieved.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Chess was born in Bristoria, October 25, 1855, and
is a son of Thomas and Martha (Grimm) Chess, both natives of the Keystone state,
the latter born in Hallbrock. Throughout his active career the father followed
farming and stock raising. He was born January 28, 1824, a son of Peter Chess,
whose birth occurred in Harveys, Pennsylvania, in 1799, on the day George
Washington died. He was a son of Peter Chess, Sr., who was born in Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, and gallantly served his country in the Revolutionary war, while
the father of our subject was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars, in latter
conflict serving with the Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry. He died on the farm
upon which he was born. When he loyally and bravely took up the cause of the
Union he participated in many important engagements of that sanguinary war and
was seriously wounded at the famous battle of Gettysburg. He was a successful
farmer of his district but took an active part in public affairs, serving as
school director and also as road commissioner. His political affiliation was
with the democratic party.

William A. Chess attended the public schools of his native state in the
acquirement of his education and early in life became acquainted with farming
methods by assisting his father in the work of the home farm. He continued along
agricultural lines until 1890, when he became connected with the oil business
and at this writing he still has important interests of that character in
Pennsylvania, where he owned several oil wells and has also bought large tracts
of land rich in oil and gas but later sold the title to the land although he
retained his oil and gas rights. He still receives today a good sized royalty
from this source. In August, 1904, Mr. Chess arrived in Yakima county and,
immediately perceiving the wonderful opportunities presented here, invested in
one and a half sections of wheat land in Horse Heaven. This venture, however,
did not turn out as well as he expected on account of crop failures and he
subsequently sold out. In 1909, undiscouraged, he bought eighty acres four miles
southwest of Sunnyside, which was then all wild land covered with sagebrush. He
now has this tract entirely under cultivation with the exception of ten acres
and has made many improvements thereon, including a handsome home. He has ever
been progressive and enterprising and as his land bears rich harvests his yearly
income is substantially increasing. He specializes in the raising of alfalfa.

On the 30th of November, 1878, Mr. Chess was united in marriage to Miss Hannah
E. Garey, a native of Aleppo, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Gideon and
Patience (Limber) Garey, both of whom have passed away. The father pursued a
successful career as a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Chess have been born six sons and
in this connection it may he stated as a curious fact that Mr. Chess is one of a
family of eight sons and no daughters. The sons of Mr. and Mrs. Chess of this
review are: John T., a resident of Toppenish, Washington; Michael K., whose home
is in the state of Idaho; Samuel C., at home; Grover Cleveland, who has joined
the United States army, as have Allen T. and Andrew L. The last named is with
the famous Marines in France. Thus there are three who have represented the
family in the struggle for world democracy.

Mr. and Mrs. Chess enjoy the greatest popularity among their friends and
neighbors in and near Mabton. In politics he is a democrat and has ever kept in
close touch with the questions and issues of the day in regard to local affairs
as well as state and national problems. The cause of education has found in him
a stalwart champion and he has served as school director. His time is largely
taken up with his farming pursuits and the management of his other business
affairs as well as the many duties of devotion which bind him to his family. He
has ever largely been a home man and at his fireside is happiest and most
contented. He is, however, by no means a recluse and has made many friends since
coming here, all of whom are agreed as to his high qualities of character, which
have made possible his success and which also constitute the foundation of a
thoroughly loyal and unselfish American citizenship.

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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.