Ellensburg Washington

Prater, Felix – Obituary

An illness of three weeks with heart disease brought death early this morning [August 5, 1937] to Felix G. Prater, 58-year-old, well-known farmer, at his home on the West Side. Mr. Prater was born on October 23, 1878, on the West Side, on a farm near that on which he lived for most of his adult life and resided there and in Ellensburg throughout his life. For a short time he operated an automobile agency in Ellensburg. He was married to Miss Alice Harrell on August 10, 1904. He is survived by his widow; a son, Dorsey Prater of Ellensburg; … Read more

Bull, Rebecca Nelson Frisbee – Obituary

One of Kittitas County’s best beloved pioneers, Mrs. Rebecca N. Bull, passed away Saturday [April 4, 1936] at the Ellensburg General Hospital, following a short illness. She was 80 years of age and had been a resident of this community for almost 60 years, coming here shortly after the Indian uprising. She was a great conversationalist and with her wonderful memory and charming personality entertained her friends with the recounting of many episodes of the early days and her own experiences of pioneer life in this valley. Mrs. Bull was born in Norway, March 1, 1856, and came to America … Read more

Fulton, Arabella Clemens – Obituary

Arabella Fulton, Valley Pioneer, Succumbs Today. Mrs. Arabella Clemens Fulton passed away July 30 1934 at 3:45 a.m. at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Will German. She was born in Boone County, Missouri, on January 23, 1844. She crossed the plains in the spring of 1864 by wagon trains to Boise, Idaho. On November 24, 1864, she married Francis M. Fulton. Four children were born in Idaho; J. L., John Hugh, Della, and Isabelle. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Fulton moved by wagon train to Decatur, Wise County, Texas. In Texas the following four children … Read more

Grimm, Anna Bailes – Obituary

Mrs. Annie Grimm died in this city at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Poland, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1911. Funeral from Briley’s Chapel, Friday at 2 p.m., Rev. A. L. Crim officiates. Mrs. Grimm was born in Missouri, October 19, 1852. When yet a child, she moved with her parents to Salem, Oregon, where she married William Grimm, who died seven years ago this month. A few years after her marriage, the family moved to this valley where she has lived for 34 years. She became a member of the Christian Church in her early life and lived a … Read more

Ferguson, Susan Matilda Carver – Obituary

Susie Matilda Ferguson, native pioneer resident, passed away Wednesday May 24, 1967 at the Burien General Hospital in Seattle at the age of 87 years. She was born October 18, 1879 in Ellensburg, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Washington Carver [mother Rosetta Curtis] and was married to James Harvey Ferguson on December 25, 1898. They farmed for several years in the Kittitas Valley, moving 17 years ago to Kent. She is survived by her husband, James Harvey Ferguson, Kent; one son, Lester J. Ferguson, Lynnwood; one daughter, Mrs. Bertha Wright, Seattle; four grandchildren, including Marvin Rutledge, … Read more

Hayes, Robert Lewis – Obituary

The body of Robert Lewis Hayes, 36, who was electrocuted north of Spokane Monday morning [November 30, 1964], will be returned here by the Evenson Funeral Home for services and burial. His home was at Kittitas. Arrangements are pending the arrival [IOOF Cemetery]. Mr. Hayes was born May 30, 1928 in Ellensburg, attended Kittitas High School and served with the US Navy during the Korean War. He married Mollie Mullen on Sept. 21, 1957 in Kittitas and they had made their home there since that time. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Electrical Workers Union NO. … Read more

Cooke, Lloyd R. – Obituary

Lloyd R. Cooke, 63, of 517 N. J. St., died Thursday [June 20, 1963] while visiting in Fresno, California. Born in Ellensburg, he had lived in Tacoma 30 years. He was a retired smelter worker and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Ancient Order of United Workman. He is survived by his wife, Betty; a son, Kenneth of Tacoma; a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Keller of Torrance, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Charles Bull of Calgary, Alta.; and three grandchildren. Services are announced today by the Cassady and Allen Mortuary. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Harris, Susan Margaret Bearden – Obituary

The funeral of Mrs. Susan M. Harris, who died from paralysis Saturday night, took place yesterday afternoon from the Rose & Inman undertaking parlors, the Rev. W. L. Straub of the Christian Church officiating. Interment followed in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery. The deceased, who was 72 years old at the time of her death, is survived by eleven children, as follows: G. P. Harris, Charles Harris, Tom Harris, Bob Harris, Mrs. Perry, and Mrs. [Lula] Shuey of Ellensburg; Mrs. Clem See of Nevada; Jim Harris, John Harris and Paul Harris, Hubert Harris of Toppenish. The husband of the late Mrs. … Read more

Biography of Walter A. Bull

WALTER A. BULL.- In the gentleman whose name heads this brief memoir, we find one of the most substantial farmers of the Kittitass valley, and the owner of the beautiful ranch, a view of which finds a place in this work. He is a native of Albany, New York, and was born June 20, 1838, being the son of John and Sarah (Fish) Bull. When our subject was ten years of age, he with his parents moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where his father engaged in the shipping business on the lakes, and where Walter attended school and resided until twenty … Read more

Dixon, Melinda Banister – Obituary

Mrs. Melinda B. Dixon, pioneer of Kittitas Valley, died at Bernath’s Nursing Home early today at the age of 91 years January 13, 1964. Melinda Banister, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Banister, was born Feb. 6, 1872 in Clark County, Washington and came to Ellensburg with her parents in 1870. Because of the Indian disturbance in the valley they moved to Walla Walla, returning here in 1884, making the trip in a covered wagon. She was married to Elwood J. Dixon, Dec. 18, 1890 in Ellensburg. He died here in 1937. She was also preceded in … Read more

Zelten, Bessie Pedersen – Obituary

Mrs. Walter Zelten, 77, of 1001 E. 32nd St., died Wednesday [February 4, 1981]. Mrs. Zelten was born in Ellensburg and moved to Tacoma in 1942. Survivors include a son, Walter, Jr. of Tacoma; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Aylett of Tacoma; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Henry of Tigard, Ore., and Mrs. Louise Durland of Portland; four grandchildren and a great grandchild. Buckley-King at Brookside is in charge. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Montgomery, James M. – Obituary

Following a brief illness J. M. Montgomery, one of Kittitas Valley’s oldest residents died at the Ellensburg General Hospital Friday afternoon [October 29, 1937]. Mr. Montgomery was born at Scio, Linn County, Oregon, June 30, 1852. Until 1881 he lived with his family in Salinas, Calif., when he moved to Kittitas County where he lived the remainder of his 56 years. Besides owning a farm in the Broadview District where he has made a home since 1881 he operated a freighting line from various supply points until the railroad was built into this section in 1886. He is survived by … Read more

Wippel, Frederick – Obituary

Fred Wippel, 72, a Kittitas Valley resident since 1901, died Monday [December 9, 1940] from a heart ailment. Fred Wippel was born in Sunman, Indiana in 1868, and spent his early years in that state. He married Kathryn Renyer in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and came to Ellensburg shortly afterwards. He joined his brothers, Simon P. and Peter Wippel in the operation of a creamery for six years when he retired to farm on his present Woldale property which he has operated since that time. Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Clarence Wippel of Ellensburg and Rev. … Read more

Clymer, Doris Schnebly – Obituary

Doris Schnebly Clymer, 99, of Issaquah, Washington, died Sunday May 18, 2008 after a short illness. She was born April 3, 1909, in Ellensburg, Washington to Joseph Jay and Elizabeth Barnhart Schnebly. Her early years were spent on the family ranch which was located in the Fairview District, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse. After graduating from Ellensburg High School, Doris went on to study History and English at Washington State College (now WSU), where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1931. In 1932, Doris married high school sweetheart and artist John Ford Clymer. Over the 58 years of their … Read more

Cooke, Guy Wolford – Obituary

Funeral services will be held here Wednesday afternoon for Guy W. Cooke, 64, Ellensburg native and prominent Kittitas Valley cattlemen who died of a heart attack Saturday morning [December 17, 1955] at his home in the Wilson Creek area. Cooke was Kittitas County Cattleman of the Year in 1953. The services will be held at 2 o’clock at the First Methodist Church with Rev. Miller C. Lovett officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery. The family requests that those who desire to send remembrances in lieu of flowers make memorial contributions to the Heart Fund. Six first cousins will … Read more

Cornwall, Hiram D. – Obituary

Pioneer man of Ellensburg dies. H. D. Cornwall, Civil War Veteran, succumbs. Funeral service will be held at the home. 707 South Pine Tuesday Afternoon. Hiram D. Cornwall, 82, Ellensburg pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, died at his home, 707 South Pine Street Saturday evening, following an illness of three months [died August 20, 1921]. Mr. Cornwall was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1839 and was married to Emily Eberle in 1883. In 1864 he enlisted in the 3rd Michigan Cavalry Co., and in the summer of 1889 moved to Ellensburg where he was engaged in farming until … Read more

Cooke, Abraham Lincoln – Obituary

Abe L. Cooke Dies in Seattle Abe L. Cooke, 47, of Yakima, a former Ellensburg resident and a veteran of the first World War, died Wednesday in the Marine hospital in Seattle after an illness of several months. He was born April 27, 1897, at Coberg, Ore., the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Cooke, Kittitas valley pioneers. The Cooke family returned to this valley while he was still an infant and he received his education in valley schools. He served with a National Guard company which was sent to patrol the Mexican border in the fall of 1916. … Read more

Bradshaw, Pearl Catlin – Obituary

Mrs. Frank H. Bradshaw, 59, passed away at her home at 408 North Kittitas Street last evening of a heart attack following a protracted illness. Pearl Catlin Bradshaw was born in Ellensburg, November 16, 1873, and on June 9, 1905 was married to Frank H. Bradshaw, who survives her. She leaves five children, all of whom are present except John F. Bradshaw, who is an assayist for a gold mining company in Baguio, Philippine Islands; Charles A. and Paul R. of Ellensburg; Maud, a teacher in Montesano; and Mrs. Dennis Dinchen of Sedro Woolley and a brother, Claude. Funeral services … Read more

Biography of William H. Peterson

WILLIAM H. PETERSON. – Mr. Peterson, an excellent portrait of whom is placed in this history, was born in West Virginia, August 31, 1836, and removed to Missouri in 1868. He became a teacher of schools and a collector of taxes in the latter state, and was so efficient in the position last-named as to remain in office three terms. In 1876 he put behind him the vast plains of the Mississippi, and even the more expanded region of the Rocky Mountains, and made his home by the Western sea in California. Over the northern part of that state he … Read more

Biography of Capt. J. D. Dammon

CAPTAIN J.D. DAMMON. – This pioneer of the Kittitass valley was born in Seabeck, Maine, June 22, 1825. In 1843 he removed to Wisconsin, then a territory, living in Dane and Monroe counties. In the spring of 1859, he went with others to Colorado. Denver was then a small place of a few tents and log huts. At Arrapahoe and on Clear creek he engaged in blacksmithing; then with his partner, R.S. Kingman, he bought the Bob Tail Lead in Gregor’s gulch, from which millions of dollars have since been taken; but his partner sold it for $300 during Mr. … Read more