Ellensburg Washington

McEwen, Harvey – Obituary

Harvey McEwen Dies In Seattle Pioneer Valley Resident Came To Ellensburg In 1871 Harvey McEwen, 79-year-old former Ellensburg resident and one of the Kittitas Valley’s earliest pioneers, died in Columbus Hospital in Seattle yesterday afternoon [June 9, 1937]. He had made his home at Wapato for many years, and died while in Seattle on a visit. Mr. McEwen came to the valley in 1871 and lived near Ellensburg for 40 years. In 1921 he went to Wapato to farm, later retiring. He is survived by four sons, Oscar and Ernie McEwen of Ellensburg; Carl McEwen of Seattle, and Clarence McEwen … Read more

Sorenson, E. Peter – Obituary

E. Peter Sorenson, 65, pioneer Denmark District farmer, died suddenly Tuesday evening [October 12, 1937] of a heart attack. Mr. Sorenson was born near Aarhus, Denmark, on April 7, 1872, and came to Minnesota in 1888 where he joined his brother, the late Soren Sorenson. They came together to the Kittitas Valley in the fall of that year. Active in enterprises connected with the development of the valley, he worked and farmed near Ellensburg until 1892, when he obtained land in the Denmark District where he has resided ever since. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ann Sorenson, a … Read more

Cooke, Lester Vaner

Lester V. Cooke, 96, of Ellensburg died Thursday in Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born January 27, 1890, in a house on the banks of Coleman Creek north of Ellensburg. He parents were early Kittitas Valley pioneers Mode and Isabella (Fulton) Cooke. After graduating from Ellensburg High School in 1910, Mr. Cooke entered Washington State College, where he received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1914. While attending school he was well known as a sprinter and competed in track events, attaining undefeated status. He married Mary B. Edwards in Drain, Oregon, in 1917, and they farmed … Read more

Harrison, James – Obituary

James Harrison, 35, an Ellensburg resident for the past 10 years, died here Monday afternoon. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at the Honeycutt chapel at 3 o’clock, with the Rev. Floyd Brown in charge. Mr. Harrison is survived by his widow, Lucille; two children, Betty Jean, 6, and Jimmie, 4; his mother, Mrs. Lottie Harrison of La Veta, Colorado; four brothers, including Henry of Ellensburg and Ray of Kelso; and two sisters. Taken from a newspaper obituary; Ellensburg Cap., August 27, 1937. James Harrison Dies on Monday. Death came to James Harrison, 35, an Ellensburg resident for the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Ford

DAVID FORD. – This highly esteemed citizen, a portrait of whom is placed in this history, was born in Indiana July 27,1837. After his marriage to Miss Mary Medler, October 11, 1857, he was occupied at his home until the war of the Rebellion, in which he served as a soldier in the Union army, bearing an honorable part, and making a brave record up to the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, where he received a wound which made him unfit for service. He belonged to Company A, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. In 1872 he came to Missouri, and five years later … Read more

Morrison, Chester J. – Obituary

Chet Morrison, 73, Rt. 5 Box 270, died Friday evening [December 5, 1980] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born in Ellensburg on August 9, 1907, a son of the late Thomas J. and Lilly (Ferguson) Morrison. He attended school in Kittitas and from 1923 to 1950 he followed the rodeo circuit. He and Bertha Zumbrunnen were married in Yakima on April 8, 1938. Since 1942, they have operated a ranch in the Fairview District on Nanum Road. Morrison helped to start the Kittitas County Calf Ropers Assocation with Bud McNeil. In addition to his wife, he is survived … 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

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 Fielden M. Thorp

FIELDEN M. THORP. – Mr. Thorp is spoken of as rough in his exterior, but as having a warm heart, a man who has taken great interest in improving the Indians among whom he has lived, and as of such strict honesty that his word is taken everywhere to be as good as hi bond. He is every inch a frontiersman, and is the son of a frontiersman who ranged over Missouri before that region was set off as a state. This old father was, moreover, a veteran and pensioner of the war of 1812. Fielden left Missouri in 1844 … Read more

Wangeman, Minnie Myrtle Prater – Obituary

Funeral services will be Monday at Greens Funeral Home, Bellevue for Mrs. Minnie Wangeman, former Ellensburg resident who died at her home on Mercer Island Tuesday [November 4, 1958]. She was a long-time resident of Ellensburg, having come here in the early 1880s with her parents, the Felix Praters, and lived here until 10 years ago when she went to live with her son, Dr. C. P. Wangeman in the coast. She was born in Missouri [Ellensburg, WA], October 19, 1876. She is survived by her son, Dr. Wangeman, a daughter, Mrs. Harold Murley of Dearborn, Mich.; a stepson Max … Read more

Cooke, Cora Parmeter – Obituary

Mrs. Cora Cooke, 80, died Saturday in a local rest home. Born July 1, 1890 in Ohio, she was married to Henry D. Cooke on June 17, 1911 at Ellensburg. They farmed in the Fairview District for many years. He preceded her in death on July 2, 1951. She made her home at 1007 E. 8th Ave., prior to entering a nursing home 10 years ago. Survivors include two brothers-in-law, Carl and Ed Cooke of Ellensburg; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Gillis of Kittitas and Mrs. Susan Huss of Ellensburg; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held … Read more

Bender, Maria Elizabeth Hayes – Obituary

Mrs. Maria E. Bender, daughter of one of the earliest Kittitas Valley pioneer families, died Saturday morning March 30, 1968, at Bernaths Nursing Home at the age of 82 years. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James T. Hayes A Valley resident all of her life, she was married to Louis Bender June 22, 1907, at Ellensburg. He preceded her in death in 1946. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Moose for 40 years Mrs. Bender is survived by four sons; Bernard, Louis, Russell, and Harrell, all of Ellensburg; one daughter, Mrs. … Read more

Montgomery, William Thomas – Obituary

Valley Pioneer, Tom Montgomery, Succumbs today. Death follows a three months Illness; funeral to be held her on Thursday. W. T. Montgomery, 74, Kittitas Valley pioneer, passed away at the home of his daughter Mrs. Leta Bates, 200 N. Sprague Street early this afternoon [December 22, 1931]. Mr. Montgomery’s death followed an ailment of three months duration, which confined him to bed. His passing marks the end of another pioneer life vividly reminiscent of long treks over the plains in covered wagons. His entry to the Kittitas Valley was from California in 1861 when he made the trip in a … Read more

Olin, Susan Cooke – Obituary

Mrs. Susan Cooke Olin, 39, well-known resident of Entiat, died at a local hospital Thursday [May 11, 1949] following an extended illness. Mrs. Olin was born at Malaga on February 22, 1910 where she resided until moving to Entiat with her family as a little girl. She attended Entiat schools and grew to young womanhood at Entiat, and was united in marriage to John Olin, February 6, 1929. She had since made her home there. Mrs. Olin was a member of Reliance Rebekah Lodge, Past Noble Grand Circle, and the Entiat PTA. Surviving are her husband, John of Entiat, one … Read more

Uebelacker, Urban L. – Obituary

Urban L. Uebelacker, 85, of Ellensburg, died Thursday [September 22, 1988] at Gold Leaf-Washington Health Care Center. He was born in Ellensburg June 23, 1903, a son of Frank and Anna Uebelacker. Following graduation from Ellensburg High School, he attended St. Martin’s College in Olympia. He was employed by Kittitas County as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic for 30 years, and later was employed by the Kittitas School District for 10 years. He retired in 1968. Mr. Uebelacker was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and the Moose Lodge, and was a life member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed … Read more

Cooke, Alta Mae Hill Mullen – Obituary

Funeral services will be held Friday at the Buckley Undertaking Parlors, Tacoma, at 3 p.m. for an early-day Kittitas Valley resident, Mrs. Alta Mae Cooke, 77, who died Wednesday morning in Tacoma, following eight days in a hospital there. Cremation will follow the service and the ashes will be brought to Ellensburg at a later date. The family requests no flowers, but those who wish to may make a contribution to the Cancer Fund. Mrs. Cooke was the widow of the late Jay Cooke, son of the late Charles P. and Susan Cooke, valley pioneers. Alta Mae Hill and Jay … Read more

Indermuhle, Estelle Montgomery Thompson – Obituary

Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle Elizabeth (Betty) Indermuhle, 77, of 700 S. Chestnut St., will be held in the Evenson Chapel at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Silas Erickson officiating. Mrs. Indermuhle died Wednesday night [April 14, 1965] at the Community Hospital. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery. Betty Montgomery was born May 18, 1887 in Centralia and was married to Sam Indermuhle in 1936 in Ritzville. They farmed in the Badger Pocket District until moving to town last year. Survivors include her husband at the family home, three sons, Perry Thompson, Portland, Boyce Thompson, Castle Rock, and … Read more

Cooke, Susan Brewster – Obituary

Mrs. Susan E. Cooke, Kittitas Pioneer, Dies At Age Of 89. Was Resident Of Valley Since 1870; Crossed Plains In 1851; Funeral Monday; Deceased Came From Noted Family; Was Descendant Of Pilgrim Following a decline suffered nearly two years ago, Mrs. Susan Eliza Brewster Cooke, one of the oldest pioneers of Kittitas Valley, died last night at the family residence, 11 miles northeast of Ellensburg [died March 11, 1921]. Last Monday Mrs. Cooke celebrated her 89th birthday, having been born in Waterford County, four miles from Troy, New York, on March 7, 1832. Mrs. Cooke was a direct descendant of … Read more

Poland, Arthur Melvin – Obituary

Stricken by a heart attack on the local bus, Arthur Melvin Poland, 43, Collins school teacher, died Friday [June 8, 1945] in a shipyard hospital where he had been taken for emergency attention. Poland was a native of Ellensburg and had resided in Tacoma 10 years. He is survived at the home, 2356 South G Street, by his wife, Esther, and daughter, Patricia Poland; mother, Mrs. Cora [Grimm] Poland, Sumner; brothers, Elmer and Lynn Poland, Ellensburg; five sisters, Miss Ann Poland, Montana, Mrs. Clinton Morrow and Mrs. Edna Kenyon, Seattle; Mrs. Dollie Brown, Portland, and Mrs. Leta Doyle, Spanaway. C. … Read more

Parker, Orilla Fogarty – Obituary

Mrs. Orilla Fogarty Parker, 49, a native of Ellensburg, died at her home at 608 North Ruby Street last night [November 23, 1948] following an illness of two months. She had been in failing health for several years. Mrs. Parker, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Fogarty, Kittitas Valley pioneers, was born here in 1899. She married her husband, Fred C. Parker, on January 23, 1926. For the past 11 years, Mrs. Parker had been employed at the Washington National Bank. Her last position with the bank was chief of the safety deposit vault department. Mrs. Parker … Read more