The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 924 

EDWIN M. MELLEN.

Edwin M. Mellen, connected with the industrial activity of Yakima as a
representative of the plumbing business, was born in Byron, Minnesota, May 17,
1867, a son of William H. and Lucy (Tennent) Mellen. The father, who devoted his
life to the occupation of farming, passed away in Minnesota and the mother is
now living with her son Edwin.

After his school days were over Edwin M. Mellen learned the plumbing and heating
business in Minneapolis and gained valuable experience in the employ of others,
after which he entered upon business on his own account at Redwood Falls,
Minnesota, in 1903. There he remained until 1907, when the lure of the west came
upon him and he made his way to Washington. Settling in Yakima, he opened a
plumbing establishment at No. 12 South Fourth avenue, where he remained until
1915, when he removed to 12 South First street, where he occupies room space
covering twenty-five by one hundred feet. He does an extensive plumbing and
heating business, having as patrons many of the leading business houses of the
city. He has installed the plumbing and heating systems for the high school and
five other schools, for the Wilson building, the Mitchell building, the Armory,
for twenty school buildings outside of the city, including the Ellensburg
Normal School and several high school buildings, and many residences. He employs
from six to twelve men and has one of the largest plumbing establishments of
Yakima, conducting business under the firm style of Mellen & Bender, the latter
having succeeded to the interests of Milton Morton in the firm in January, 1918.
Mr. Mellen's long experience and close study of the trade have made him familiar
with every phase of the plumbing business and his actual experience has enabled
him to wisely direct the labors of those in his employ.

On the 17th of September, 1890, Mr. Mellen was married to Miss Matilda R.
Parker, a native of Washington, D. C., and a daughter of Captain C. C. Parker of
the United States army. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias and the Foresters. He belongs to the Yakima Commercial Club and is
interested in all that has to do with the business development and progress of
his city. In politics he is an independent republican, usually supporting the
men and measures of the party but not hesitating to vote otherwise if his
judgment so dictates. He has never regretted his removal to Washington, for here
he has found business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has
made continuous progress toward the goal of success.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.