The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 245

CHARLES W. GRANT.

Charles W. Grant, a wholesale fruit shipper of Toppenish and one whose business
interests are being constantly developed, was born in Wichita, Kansas, June 6,
1877, a son of J. W. and Ida (Gordon) Grant, both of whom were natives of Iowa.
In the year 1868 the father went to Kansas. He was there engaged in business as
a government contractor and also dealt in cattle. He afterward resided in
Coldwater, Kansas, and in 1889 came with his family to Washington, settling in
Tacoma, where he was engaged in the paint business and also in shipwrecking, but
both he and his wife have now passed away.

Charles W. Grant after leaving high school pursued a business course in a night
school and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He early
accepted the position as clerk in the county treasurer's office at Tacoma, where
he was employed for two years, and subsequently he spent five years as
secretary of the state board of control, during which time Governor Lister was
chairman. In 1904 he came to Toppenish and here entered the employ of the Richey
& Gilbert Company and has been manager with them since 1910. In this connection
he has been active in the development of important interests and is one of the
prominent representatives of the wholesale fruit trade of the Yakima valley.
The Richey & Gilbert Company have a very large warehouse at Toppenish and own
nine others in different parts of the Yakima valley, Mr. Grant acting as
general manager over all and shipping a thousand carloads of produce annually.
Theirs is one of the most extensive interests of the kind in the Yakima valley.
They handle produce as packers and shippers and employ from thirty to two
hundred people. Mr. Grant is well qualified for the important duties that
devolve upon him in this connection and is thoroughly familiar with the Yakima
valley and the products produced within its borders. He is also the owner of one
hundred and thirty acres of excellent farm land on the Yakima Indian
reservation. He built the first dwelling house in West Toppenish, also assisted
in platting the town and sold the Gilbert addition. From the first he has been
largely instrumental in promoting the growth and development of this district.
He aided in getting the first patents issued from the government to the Indians
so they could sell the land and the town could be built. He was a factor in
establishing the first newspaper called the Toppenish Review, and he served as
postmaster for two years under President Wilson's first administration. He has
ever been an enthusiastic champion of the city, promoting its progress in many
ways, his efforts being far-reaching and beneficial.

In 1898 Mr. Grant was married to Miss Luella M. Campbell, of Steilacoom,
Washington, who passed away in 1909. In 1910 he wedded Martha Anna Barclay, of
Toppenish. He has one daughter, Florence, born of the first marriage.

Fraternally Mr. Grant is connected with the Elks lodge No. 318, of Yakima and
also with the Woodmen and the Foresters. His political allegiance is given to
the democratic party and he is a recognized leader in its local ranks. He was
not only one of the incorporators of Toppenish but also served as a member of
its first council and at different times has again represented his ward in that
connection. He was also the second mayor of Toppenish and gave to the new city a
progressive administration which largely promoted its interests. He is a member
of the Commercial Club and there is no project put forth by that organization
or in other connections for the benefit of Toppenish that does not receive the
hearty endorsement and earnest support of Mr. Grant, who is actuated in all that
he does by a public-spirited devotion to the general good.

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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.