Funeral services will be held this afternoon at Honeycutt’s for Swan Sorensen, 73, well-known farmer here for the past 50 years, who passed away Tuesday [January 9, 1937] at his home on Route 2. Rev. R. A. Hansen will conduct the ceremonies. Surviving are his wife, Amelia Marguerite; a son, Andrew of Ellensburg; and two daughters, Amelia and Marguerite of Seattle. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
Mrs. Ida M. Gerard, 91, a former Ellensburg resident, died Wednesday at the Central Memorial Hospital in Toppenish. She had been in the hospital one day, having been in the Parkside Sanitarium in Toppenish since March 21. She was born July 26, 1866, in Covington, Kentucky. She was married to Joseph N. Gerard in Mt. Vernon, Ill. in 1884. He preceded her in death in February, 1938 in Los Angeles. Mrs. Gerard came to Ellensburg from Mt. Vernon in 1888, moved to Spokane in 1901, to Wapato in 1916, to Detroit, Mich. in 1923, to Seattle in 1925, returned to … Read more
William Bender, a 71-year-old bachelor farmer of the Menastash Canyon District, died in his bed sometime Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Eugene King, a hired man, told the sheriff’s deputies and assistant prosecuting attorney Philip A. Davidson that he was in the habit of sleeping with Mr. Bender and arose at the customary hour Thursday morning, watered and fed the stock and started breakfast. He called Mr. Bender and after he failed to appear in a few minutes he went to the bed to awaken him and found him dead. As we go to press details of the funeral arrangements … Read more
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
John Alva Bull, 78, died suddenly at his home on Route 5, Saturday [September 20]. Bull was born at the family farm, September 10, 1891 to Walter A. and Rebecca Bull and spent his entire life in the Kittitas Valley. He graduated from the local school and attended the University of Washington where he studied law. On Dec. 24, 1915 in Salt Lake City, he married Margaret Porter whom he had met while both where students of the University. Since their marriage they have made their home on Route 5 on the farm his mother, Rebecca Nelson [Bull], had homesteaded. … Read more
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
Moses Peffers, a pioneer of the Kittitas Valley since 1882, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Oscar McEwen, 801 East First Street, Sunday evening [April 13, 1930] at the age of 79. He came to this valley in 1882 and resided on his ranch in the Fairview District until the time of his illness, one and one-half years ago, when he came to the city to live with his daughter. He is survived by five sons, John, Elmer, William, Burton, and Albert and one daughter, Mrs. Oscar McEwen, all residents of this city. Another daughter, Mrs. Henry … Read more
Death Take Mrs. Laura Wheeler 88, Valley Pioneer Came Here by Ox Team in ’71. Death this morning took one of the oldest pioneers of Yakima County, Mrs. Laura E. Wheeler, 88, in Sorensen Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Wheeler died of complications of old age after having been in the hospital seven weeks. Mrs. Wheeler was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. McEwen and was born in Shelton in 1867. In 1871 she accompanied her parents by ox-team and horseback over the Cascade mountains to the Kittitas Valley. At that time Indian war scares were frequent, a it had … Read more
Mrs. Nettie Churchill [w/o Alfred Churchill], mother of Mrs. Chester Cook, died Sunday night [February 16, 1914] at the home of her daughter in the Southeast part of the valley. Mrs. Churchill was 53 years old and had been sick for some time. The funeral was held from the Methodist Church, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Nathan, pastor of the church conducted the services. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
Mrs. Leona E. McGlothlen, 89, of 1004 S. 3rd Ave., Yakima, died Monday [May 26, 1975] in Madison Fountains Convalescent Center. Mrs. McGlothlen was born in Smith Center, Kan. She moved to Yakima when she was 10. She was married to Purdy McGlothlen when she was 19. He died in July 1937. She was the last surviving charter member of the Yakima Seventh Day Adventist Church. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Stella Hill of Yakima; two sisters, Mrs. Ada Cooke of Ellensburg and Mrs. Levina Perin of St. Maries, Idaho; a half sister, Mrs. Vern Carson of Orleans, Calif.; two … Read more
Thelma Ferguson Maxson, 80, of Ellensburg, died Monday at Royal Vista Care Center following a lingering illness [died February 13, 1990]. She was born in Ellensburg on October 23, 1909, one of two daughters of George H. and Mayme (Wyatt) Ferguson. She and John Maxson were married in Tacoma in 1935. they lived in various locations throughout the United States until 1983 when they returned to Ellensburg to make their permanent home. Survivors include her husband, John Maxson, of Ellensburg; and her sister, Phyllis Gage, of Ellensburg. No public service is planned. Family suggests memorials to charity of donors’ choice. … Read more
Wilfred A. Gore Dies After Brief Illness Wilfred A. Gore, of 320 ½ North Main Street, died at his home early this morning after a ten days’ illness with appendicitis, which later developed into peritonitis. Mr. Gore who was born in Harrisburg, Ore., in 1874, came to Washington with his father in September, 1889. On Christmas day, 1898, he was married to Ella McEwen Lee. Beside his wife he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Hazel Waldusky, of Ellensburg. His father and stepmother, Mr. And Mrs. H. A. Gore, live in Los Angeles, Cal., Mr. Gore having come north during the illness … Read more
FREDERICK D. SCHNEBLY – Our subject was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1832, and was educated in the Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1854 he started for California by way of Nicaragua. In passing up the Pacific, the steamer, Star of the West, on which he had taken passage, took fire; but the horrors of a burning ship tragedy were avoided by the timely and effective labors of the crew and passengers. After stopping for a time in San Francisco, he visited the Sandwich Islands, but, returning to the Golden state, spent two unsuccessful years in mining. … Read more
B. M. Shelton of Ellensburg has received word of the death of his sister, Mrs. Martha Nealis, 92, Saturday morning in Seattle [October 25, 1941], at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. T. Gott. Mrs. Nealis and Mr. and Mrs. Gott will be remembered by may friends in Ellensburg, where they lived for 17 years before moving to Seattle in 1923. Funeral services will be held Tuesday in Seattle. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
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
Absalom Barns, better known as ‘Pet’ Barns, a well-known rancher of the west side and a Kittitas Valley pioneer of 45 years ago, died yesterday morning at the home farm after a long illness from acute Bright’s Disease Mr. Barns was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, 69 years ago. At the age of four his family moved to Dodge County, Wisconsin, where he lived until grown. He then moved to La Crosse, Wis., and from there came to Kittitas County, taking the train to San Francisco, the boat from there to Portland, and making the rest of the distance on … Read more
Mrs. Gladys Thomas, 30, died suddenly in Seattle early this morning [April 13, 1943], according to work received here today. Mrs. Thomas, daughter of Mrs. Bertha Godbey of Ellensburg, was born here July 9, 913. She is also survived by an aunt and four uncles. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Gladys’ parents were Frank Brown and Bertha Looney. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
Annie M. Wheeler Pioneer, Passes; Death Comes To Valley Resident of Past 65 Years Mrs. Annie Montgomery Wheeler, 82, a Kittitas valley resident 65 years and one of he valley’s oldest remaining pioneers, died here last night following an illness of six weeks [died April 26, 1945]. Mrs. Wheeler had not been in good health, for several years. However, she survived a fall five years ago in which she suffered fractures of both hips, learning to walk again. Mrs. Wheeler was born near St. Helena in Napa county, California, March 27, 1863. She made her home there with her parents, … Read more
Elmer Peffers, 47, died here this morning [June 14, 1935] after a short illness. Born here and for most of his life a resident of the valley. Mr. Peffers is survived by two sisters, Emma Waters and Mary McEwen; and four brothers, John, Leavenworth; William and Burton, Ellensburg; and Albert, Sunnyside. Funeral arrangements have not been made. [Interment in IOOF Cemetery] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
Ernest Rutledge, 44, Ellensburg, was critically injured early this morning [June 28, 1943] when the westbound section of the Milwaukee Olympian passenger train crashed into the logging truck he was driving at the “B” Street crossing. Physicians at the Ellensburg General Hospital, where he was rushed in a Honeycutt ambulance, said he suffered a skull fracture and a severe back injury. The accident happened about 5:45 o’clock this morning [June 26, 1943] as Rutledge who was driving a truck belonging to A. J. McCracken, was leaving for logging operations in the Menastash Canyon. He lives with his mother, Mrs. W. … Read more