Kittitas County WA

Kinkade, Rawlin Madison – Obituary

R. M. Kinkade, Pioneer, dies. Farmed in valley over Half-Century. Rawlin Madison (Roll) Kinkade, 86-year-old long-time Kittitas Valley resident and the last surviving son of a pioneer valley family, died last night [February 16, 1955] in Sorensen Memorial Hospital here. In ill health for some time, he had been hospitalized 12 days Kinkade came to the Kittitas Valley with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. David Kinkade, in September, 1882. He farmed here more than half a century before retiring in 1940. He was born in Denver, Ill., Nov. 4, 1868, and the family came here from California Kinkade … Read more

Cowell, Thomas – Obituary

Well Known Badger Pocket Farmer Dies Of Heart Attack Thomas E. Cowell, 65, widely-known Kittitas valley farmer died suddenly this morning [November 21, 1945] at his home in Badger Rocket, presumably from a heart attack. A resident of the valley since the early part of the century, he was married to Ida Cook, who survives him, in 1910. They have resided in the Fairview and Badger Pocket districts since that time. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Clara Charlton of Ellensburg; a son, Elwin, recently discharged from the Army; two grandchildren; a brother, Willis Cowell of … Read more

Phelps, Bessie McEwen – Obituary

Bessie L. Phelps, 87, lifetime Ellensburg area resident, died Monday [November 8, 1976] at a local nursing home. She was born in Ellensburg, Sept. 15, 1889, a daughter of the late James E. and Elizabeth McEwen Ferguson. She attended Dysart School No. 5 in the Fairview district. She and Odie N. Phelps, were married in 1914 (correct date was August 30, 1911) and they operated the Palm Café and Candy Store on Pearl Street for a number of years in partnership with the late Dan Bates. The Phelps lived in Lewiston, Ida. And Portland, Ore. For a time during the … Read more

Bailes, Andrew Jackson – Obituary

Death came here early this morning September 18, 1943 to an early and widely known Kittitas Valley pioneer, Andrew Jackson Bailes, 83. Born in Springfield, Mo., November 4, 1859, he came to the valley in 1878 and resided in the Fairview District most of his life. At the time of his death, he resided at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarence Houser, in Ellensburg. He was a charter member of the Ellensburg Christian Church. Besides Mrs. Houser, he is survived by three other daughters, Mrs. E. R. Edwards and Mrs. Ray Ayers of Ellensburg, and Mrs. H. M. Shephard … Read more

Hayes, Mae Etta Noland – Obituary

Mrs. May Hayes, the wife of Harry Hayes who has lived in the valley for many years, recently being employed by the county, died Tuesday morning [December 1, 1925] from pneumonia, having been ill less than two weeks. Mrs. Hayes was born and raised in the Okanogan country. Besides her husband, she is survived by two small children, Homer, aged five years and Juanita, aged three years. Her mother, Mrs. Etta Vaughn is living in the Okanogan country. She also leaves her father, Barney Noland of Wenatchee and several brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held this afternoon from the … Read more

Sorenson, Soren – Obituary

Soren Sorenson, prominent farmer of the Denmark District, died Tuesday afternoon [December 29, 1931] at the hospital from a heart ailment after an illness that confined him to his bed for little more than two weeks. The end came peaceably and while it was a great shock to relatives and friends was not unexpected. Soren Sorenson first entered the hospital on December 11 for the second serious illness of his entire life. He was taken there suffering from a heart ailment that terminated in a blood clot. After a bad two or three days during which time his life was … 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

Schnebly, Elizabeth May Barnhart – Obituary

Elizabeth Barnhart Schnebly, 95, of 502 E. Fifth, a life-time resident of the Kittitas Valley, died Saturday [May 21, 1983] at Haven House Nursing Home. She was born Oct. 15, 1887, in the Fairview District, a daughter of the late Frank C. and Matilda (Bailes) Barnhart and a granddaughter of the Rev. Keithley and Sarah (Marshall) Bailes and Thomas Henderson and Mary (Letterman) Barnhart, all pioneer settlers of the Kittitas Valley. Mrs. Schnebly was educated in local schools and attended one of the early classes at the then Ellensburg Normal School. She and Joseph Jay Schnebly were married on Oct. … Read more

Dawes Laurin T. – Obituary

Laurin T. Dawes, 70, died at his Fairview District ranch on Sunday [December 5, 1976]. He was born February 21, 1906 at Silverton, Ore. He came to Ellensburg from Portland in 1930. He was married to Edna Cooke in 1933 and was a carpenter for many years prior to moving to his ranch in 1945. He is survived by his wife Edna and one brother, Walter Dawes of Portland, Ore. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Evenson Chapel. The Rev. Don Meekhof will officiate. Entombment will follow at the IOOF Mausoleum. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Hayes, George W. – Obituary

Heart Trouble Fatal To Youth, George W. Hayes, 20, Born In Ellensburg, Succumbs Last Night. George Wesley Hayes, 20, son of Mr. and Mr. J. J. Hayes, died Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock at the home of his uncle, Harry K. Hayes at 14th and Water streets. He had been ill for a year with heart trouble. The deceased leaves, in addition to his parents, two sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Martin Indermuhle of Meridian, Idaho; and Velma, Earl and James Hayes of Ellensburg. He was born in Ellensburg Feb. 15, 1904. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 … Read more

Hayes, Harry Klondike – Obituary

Harry K. Hayes, 79, died Monday [May 2, 1977] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born June 16, 1897 in Ellensburg. He farmed in the Denmark District until retirement in 1962. He continued to live on the farm until he moved to Ellensburg in 1972. He and his wife Ruby then made their home at 700 S. Whitman St Survivors in addition to his wife include four sons, Homer Hayes of Oak Harbor, bill Hayes of Oak Harbor, bill Hayes of Prosser, Jerry Hayes of Yakima, and Joel Hayes of Renton; four daughters, Mrs. Juanita Dusbabek of Seattle, Mrs. … 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

Godbey, Bert – Obituary

Funeral services for Bert (Bertie) Godbey, 95, longtime Ellensburg resident, who died Friday [December 27, 1968] at Bernath Nursing Home, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Evenson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Maurice Swisher will officiate. Interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery. Born April 13, 1893 in Kearney, Neb., Godbey was a veteran of army service in World War I. He came to Ellensburg from Nebraska in 1932 an was married to Bertha Looney Aug. 22, 1936 in Yakima. Godbey followed the cement finisher’s trade. Surviving are his wife, Bertha at the family home, 504 S. Pearl; … Read more

Biography of Edward P. Cadwell

EDWARD P. CADWELL. – This substantial capitalist of Washington, and leading member of the legal profession of Tacoma, was born in Independence, Iowa, December 23, 1855, and was the son of Carlos C. and Emily E. (Ross) Cadwell, his mother having been a sister of Chief Justice Ross of Vermont. He resided in his native town, where he attended a public school, and in his seventeenth year entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, graduating as civil engineer in 1875. Returning home, he became principal for one year of the grammar department of the high school at Independence. Upon the completion … Read more

Thomas, Edith Ferguson – Obituary

Edith M. Thomas, 77, died Monday, July 11, 1994 at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. She was born on March 17, 1917 in Ellensburg, the youngest of three children born to Benjamin Franklin and Nora Estella (Wyatt) Ferguson. By horseback she attended Dysart, or No. 5 school. After her education, she helped her family on the ranch, breaking, and riding young horses, caught from the herd of wild horses that they owned. In 1920, Mrs. Thomas assisted in establishing the first rodeo held in the Kittitas Valley at the Ferguson Ranch. Also the Ferguson’s supplied some of the bucking stock for … Read more

Byam, Susan Mariah Yocom – Obituary

Mrs. Susan Yocum [Yocom] died at the home of her son, Alva, three miles west of town at the advanced age of 79 years, Sunday [December 25, 1909]. She had lived in the valley since 1876. She was loved and esteemed by a host of friends. The following appeared about three months later: IN MEMORY OF GRANDMA YOCUM On Christmas Day, 1909, this good pioneer woman died. She was born on the other side of the continent in hearing of the restless flow of Atlantic’s wave; born in the very heart of education, culture, and refinement; born in the city … 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

Schnebly, Joseph Henry – Obituary

J. Henry Schnebly, 78, Thorp area rancher and member of a pioneer Kittitas Valley family, died Saturday [April 8, 1967] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 17, 1889 in the Schnebly Fruitlands District, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pointer Schnebly. [His wife, Edna Emily Smith, died September 1, 1971. Interment in IOOF Cemetery] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Dixon, Elmer H. – Obituary

Elmer H. Dixon Dies Yesterday. Former Ellensburg Man Succumbs To Pneumonia In Yakima. Ellensburg friends and relatives of Elmer H. Dixon, 44, of Sunnyside were shocked today to learn of his death yesterday in St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Yakima of pneumonia, following a tonsil operation [died August 7, 1936]. Mr. Dixon was born on a farm near Ellensburg on January 10, 1892. He spent his boyhood and early manhood here, graduating from Ellensburg High School and the Normal school. He attended the University of Washington and Washington State College. For several years he was a teacher and athletic coach, then … Read more

Gage, Tami – Obituary

Tami Gage, 34, passed away April 12, 1997 at Levan, Utah. She was a frequent visitor to Ellensburg. As a teenager, she was very active in 4H and FFA; show her sheep here on many occasions. She attended the University of Utah and received her Master’s degree in biology and animal research from there. She is survived by her parents, Fred Gage of Tonasket and Linda Pauly of Levan, Utah; brothers Marty (Tara) of Levan, Utah and Stacy (Crystal) of Tonasket; uncles, Cliff, Bob and Seth of Ellensburg and Harrell of Dufur, Ore.; aunts Tressa, Esther, and Ellen, of Ellensburg, … Read more