Ellensburg Washington

Biography of Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson, born in Canada in 1839, significantly contributed to the development of Goldendale, Ellensburgh, and Cle-Elum in Washington. Arriving in 1862, he initially operated a ferry and later ventured into cattle ranching and farming. In Goldendale, he laid out the city, established the first store, gristmill, and a bank. After a devastating fire in Ellensburgh, he rebuilt and expanded his business ventures. Johnson served in various public roles, prioritizing community growth and development. He resides in Cle-Elum with his wife and four children.

Biographical Sketch of James J. Imbrie

James J. Imbrie was born on January 29, 1852, on his father’s farm in Tualatin Plains. He received his early education at a log schoolhouse and graduated with honors from Willamette University in 1877. After clerical work in Portland, he pursued stock-raising in Eastern Washington until devastating losses in 1882 led him to open a hardware store. He later moved to Ellensburg, Washington, transitioning to the machine trade and then real estate. Imbrie married May Swetland in 1882, and they had three children, all of whom passed away.

Biography of David J. Schnebly

David J. Schnebly, born in 1818 near Hagerstown, Maryland, was a pioneering editor who established the first newspaper on the Pacific coast, the Spectator, in Oregon in 1850. After gaining the trust of the community, he became its editor and proprietor until 1854. Following his tenure in journalism, he ventured into ranching and later freight and toll bridge constructions, facing financial challenges. He eventually became the sole publisher of the Kittitass Localizer in 1883, where he continued to make significant contributions until his later years.

Biography of William H. Peterson

William H. Peterson was born in West Virginia on August 31, 1836, and moved to Missouri in 1868, where he became a teacher and tax collector. In 1876, he relocated to California before settling in Kittitas County, Washington Territory. Peterson served as the county’s school superintendent and auditor, holding various public positions, including clerk of the district court. He was married to Anna E. Roach in 1863 and had two children. His family’s pioneering legacy in West Virginia influenced his own frontier pursuits.

Biography of Fielden M. Thorp

Fielden M. Thorp, a rugged yet warm-hearted frontiersman, left Missouri for the Pacific coast in 1844. Traveling with a group, he navigated challenging terrains and famously shot the Cascades in a canoe. After settling near Portland and working in rail splitting, he later moved to the Yakima Valley for ranching. Thorp established a successful farm in Washington Territory, where he enjoys a contented life with his wife, Mrs. Bound Thorp, and their children. Their lives exemplify resilience and contribution to the Pacific Northwest.