Captain J.D. Dammon, born on June 22, 1825, in Seabeck, Maine, was a notable pioneer in Kittitas Valley. After moving to Wisconsin in 1843 and then to Colorado in 1859, he engaged in blacksmithing and mining. He raised a company during the Civil War, serving as captain and later resigning due to health issues. Dammon settled in Yakima County, Washington, in 1872, where he established the first sawmill and gristmill. He was married twice and had five children.
Hon. Charles P. Cooke, born in 1824 in Erie County, Ohio, served as a second lieutenant in the Mexican War before moving westward to California and then to Oregon in 1850. Settling in the Yakima area in 1867, he held multiple legislative and administrative positions, including auditor and county commissioner. Cooke developed a fruitful ranch in Kittitas Valley, focusing on livestock. Married in 1851, he and his wife, Miss Brewster, have ten living children. His contributions helped shape the counties of Yakima and Kittitas.
David Ford, born on July 27, 1837, in Indiana, was a distinguished citizen and a dedicated soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, serving in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteers until a wound at Kenesaw Mountain ended his service. After marrying Mary Medler in 1857, he moved to Missouri in 1872 and later to California, ultimately settling in Ellensburg, Washington. There, he played an active role in the community, contributing to local education and church activities. Ford passed away in 1887, leaving a significant legacy.
S.R. Geddis, born on February 12, 1838, in Pennsylvania, became a prominent figure in Kittitass County, Washington, after moving there from Oregon. He achieved wealth through hard work, integrity, and wise financial management, starting with nothing but a good reputation. A veteran of the Rogue River War, Geddis settled in Kittitass County in the late 1860s, cultivating 120 acres into a successful farming enterprise. He is respected in his community, known for both his substantial wealth and upright character, and is the father of ten children.
Charles T. Kineth, born on November 3, 1855, near Coupeville on Whidby Island, is the son of John Kineth, who relocated to Oregon in 1848. Ignoring his wealthy parents’ assistance, Kineth pursued independence and settled in the Kittitas Valley in 1878, where he built a successful life with a home and livestock. He volunteered in December 1878, alongside four others, to apprehend Indians responsible for the Perkins family massacre, showcasing notable bravery during this perilous mission.
Kenneth LeRoy Bunce, 79, passed away on August 22, 2003, in Baker City, Oregon. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Grays West Co. Pioneer Chapel, with an ice cream social to follow. Born on December 14, 1923, Ken served in World War II, worked at Bremerton naval shipyards, and later ran a grocery and repair shop in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was a devoted family man, known for his humor, strong will, and love for the outdoors. He is survived by five children and numerous grandchildren.
Carol Rae Kingston, 61, formerly of Baker City, passed away on August 25, 2003, in Ellensburg, Washington. Born on May 1, 1942, to Esther Mae and John Harold Westerlund, she graduated from Baker High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army. Carol worked at Marvin Wood Products until 2000 and recently retired to Troy. An avid outdoorswoman, she enjoyed fishing, bowling, and was a member of the Eagles Lodge. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and family.
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.
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.