The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 371

CLAYTON S. SPECK.

Clayton S. Speck, a member of the firm of Speck & Rowland, is one of the most
enterprising young business men of Sunnyside, where the firth conducts a large
automobile business. He was born in Lanark, Illinois, September 3, 1885, and is
a son of Frank B. and Laura E. Speck, who in 1916 came to Sunnyside, where they
now live retired. The father was formerly engaged in the restaurant business in
Illinois and was quite successful along that line.

Clayton S. Speck passed his boyhood days under the parental roof in Illinois and
in the acquirement of an education attended the public schools and a high
school. Being well prepared for life's duties, he then entered the employ of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, continuing in the operating department
of that corporation for about four years. He remained in his native state until
he was twenty-three years of age, when, in 1908, he came to Sunnyside,
Washington, where he opened a restaurant now known as the Austin Cafe, which he
conducted for three years, making it one of the popular places of the community.
He sold out in 1911 and then entered the automobile business in connection with
Messrs. Weber and Miller, their establishment being known as the Sunnyside
Garage, Mr. Speck owning a one-third interest therein. One year later, however,
in 1912, he sold his interest and in the same year founded the Morrow-Speck
Machine Company, his partner being E. A. Morrow. A year later C. Rowland
acquired the interest of Mr. Morrow and the firm has been known as Speck &
Rowland ever since. They have an excellent garage seventy-five by one hundred
and twenty feet, affording storage for thirty cars. They are agents for the
Buick cars, of which they carry a full line, and also for the G. M. C. trucks.
Their territory covers all of Benton county and a part of Yakima and Franklin
counties, and they have built up a trade which is very profitable. In their
dealings they always follow the most honorable methods and everything sold is
as it is represented. They have a complete machine shop and are ready to make
any kind of repairs as regards automobiles. They do a large business in
automobile accessories, carrying a complete line and also handling the Goodyear
tires. In the success of the enterprise Mr. Speck has had a dominant part, his
progressive methods and honest principles being important factors in the
conduct of the business affairs of the firm.

In October, 1908, Mr. Speck was united in marriage to Miss Grace D. Rowland, of
Lanark, Illinois, and to this union has been born a son, James, who is now two
years old. In his church affiliations Mr. Speck has united with the Brethren and
as far as politics is concerned keeps himself free from party ties, voting for
the man who in his judgment is best qualified for the office in question. He is
an active member of the Sunnyside Commercial Club and thoroughly in accord with
its methods and projects in regard to promoting and extending the business
activities of the 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.