The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 960 

YAKINIA COUNTY HORTICUILTURAL UNION.

The Yakima County Horticultural Union is an institution which has had much to do
with the history of development in the Yakima valley. An organization was
effected in June, 1902, known as the Yakima Horticultural Union and was
incorporated under the name of the Yakima County Horticultural Union in 1903. It
was organized by Edward Remy, who saw the necessity for and benefit of such an
organization, believing that the interests of the fruit growers must he
protected and knowing that much could be accomplished in the way of development
along horticultural lines through concerted effort. The first officers of the
company were: W. L. Wright, president: Edward Remy, treasurer: R. O. Bacon, vice
president: J. M. Brown, secretary; and L. B. Kenyon, trustee. M. N. Richards
succeeded Mr. Wright in the presidency in 1905 and he in turn was succeeded by
W. N. Irish in 1909. In 1913 W. M. Nelson became the president and Mr. Richards
was again elected to that office in 1917, followed by Edward Remy, who was
chosen the chief executive in 1918. Mr. Remy had been a member of the board
since the organization was effected and is well qualified for his position as
chief executive.

In 1905, R. O. Bacon was succeeded in the vice presidency by E. G. Peck and in
the same year Mr. Remy was reelected treasurer and J. M. Brown the secretary. In
1906 W. N. Irish was elected secretary, with Mr. Remy continuing in the office
of treasurer. In 1907 there was no change in the official personnel of the Union
and on the 9th of May, 1908, the same officers were reelected. In 1909, however,
W. N. Irish became the president, with W. M. Richards as vice president, Edward
Remy as treasurer and E. G. Peck as secretary. E. E. Samson was made manager and
so continued until the spring of 1910, when he was succeeded by C. R. Paddock,
who served until 1912, when E. E. Samson was recalled to the office and
continued until 1915. Fred Eberle then assumed the position and is still
manager. The election of officers brought no change in the board in 1910, and
in 1911 W. N. Irish was chosen president, with W. M. Nelson as vice president
and E. G. Peck as secretary and treasurer. In the election of 1912, W. N. Irish
was continued in the presidency, with W. M. Nelson as vice president and O. K.
Conant as secretary and treasurer. The last named still fills that position. In
1913 W. M. Nelson was elected president, with W. M. Richards as vice president,
and there was no change in the list of officials in 1914. In 1915 LeRoy Pease
was elected vice president, but otherwise the board remained the same. In 1916
W. W. Scott became vice president and in 1907 he was succeeded by Edward Remy.

When the Union was organized in 1902 offices were opened in the J. M. Perry
warehouse. In 1903 a removal was made to C street and First avenue, North, and
in 1907 the Union erected its present stone building at the corner of A street
and North First avenue, a building that is fifty by one hundred and seventy
feet. In 1914 a warehouse was built at Naches that is fifty by one hundred and
fifty feet and one story in height with basement. In 1915 a second warehouse,
fifty by one hundred feet, was built at Selah and in 1916 a one-story warehouse,
fifty by one hundred feet, was erected at Wapato. In the same year an addition
was built to the Yakima establishment. This is two stories in height with
basement and is fifty by one hundred and seventy-two feet. It contains a cold
storage plant. In 1917 the Union purchased the Yakima Fruit Growers' Exchange on
West Nob Hill, a building one hundred by one hundred and fifty feet, also
enlarged the Selah building with a two-story and basement brick structure fifty
by one hundred and twelve feet. A warehouse fifty by one hundred feet was built
at Tieton and in 1918 its capacity was increased by putting a basement
underneath.

The Yakima County Horticultural Union is a corporation that handles fruit and
produce for its stockholders and it has three hundred and fifty members. The
shipments in 1918 amounted to more than fourteen hundred cars. There is a
waiting list of those who would become members, many wishing to enjoy the
service and benefits of the organization. There are packing plants at all the
warehouses, with gravity conveyors, and the plants are supplied with electric
power and the most modern equipment of all kinds for the handling of fruit and
produce. Each grade, size and variety of fruit is pooled and sold together. The
company has earned a surplus of forty thousand dollars and has paid six and
seven per cent dividends. The main object is to sell the growers' products at
the best prices but not to make big dividends. The Union has established the
Blue Ribbon brand and the Red Ribbon brand. The products are sold all over the
United States and Europe and anything bearing the name of the Yakima County
Horticultural Union may be taken as of high standard quality. Only the best
growers are admitted and the Union is formed of only the best men in the valley.
It has done a great work for the development and protection of horticultural
interests and is a most valuable element in horticultural progress in this
section of the state.

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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.