Pierce County WA

Simonton, Rolvin David – Obituary

Colonel R. D. Simonton, one of the best-known railroad men in the Lewiston Country, died this morning [December 30, 1915] at 2:20 o’clock at the family home, 9223 Twenty Fourth Street from hemorrhage of the brain with which he was stricken last May. Colonel Simonton had been in failing health since first stricken and for the past month his condition was critical. It was known for several days that the end was near. Colonel Simonton would have been 74 years of age on January 24, 1916. He was employed by the Northern Pacific 27 years and was relieved from duty … Read more

Bratton, Sophia R. – Obituary

Bratton Rites Set Saturday Funeral services for Sophia R. Bratton, 56, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Ellensburg. Mrs. Bratton, a former Ellensburg resident, died Wednesday in Seattle. She was born January 16, 1909 in Tacoma and spent her childhood years in Ellensburg. She had lived in Seattle and Tacoma the past 43 years. She is survived by a son, Frank Frost of Chicago, Ill., a brother, W. R. Johnston, Tacoma; a sister, Mrs. Fred Lundstrom of Ellensburg; two half sister, Mrs. Margaret Hinkle of grand Coulee and Mrs. Dorothy Buroker, Renton; a granddaughter, Miss Deborah Frost, Seattle; and … Read more

Biography of Rev. Cushing Eels, D. D.

REV. CUSHING EELS, D.D. – Dr. Eells was born at Blandford, Massachusetts, February 16, 1810, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warner) Eells. He was descended from Samuel Eells, who was a major in Cromwell’s army, and who came to America in 1661. Cushing Eells was brought up at Blandford, became a Christian when fifteen years old, prepared for college at Monson Academy, Massachusetts, entered Williams College in 1830, and graduated four years later. The distance from his home to college was forty-five miles. Twice he rode the entire distance, – when he entered and after he graduated, … Read more

Biography of Boyd Elias Pollom

The men who came to Shawnee County in 1871 were of necessity patient plodders, content to await the rewards of a developing civilization. There were no short cuts to fortune such as fired the zeal of the argonauts of ’49, but there existed sane and practical opportunities for the man to whom labor was a beneflcent and necessary festure of his existence. To such a class belonged William Pollom, father of Boyd Elias Pollom, the latter one of the successful agrienlturists and substantial citizens of the vicinity of North Topeka. William Pollom was born in Ohio, in 1838, a son … Read more

Meagher, Agnes – Obituary

Agnes Meagher, 85, formerly of 608 E. 5th Ave., Ellensburg, died Sunday [August 31, 1980] in Cheyenne Mountain Nursing Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was born in Ellensburg, Aug. 8, 1895, a daughter of the late Michael and Mary Heraty. She attended Ellensburg Normal School for one year, business college in Tacoma for two years, and worked as a legal secretary in Seattle for a number of years. She married Martin Meagher in Seattle, Aug. 21, 1929. He preceded her in death June 29, 1951. Mrs. Meagher was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. She is survived by … Read more

Seattle, New Tacoma and Olympia, Washington

Map of the Railroads of Eastern Washington

Seattle, the metropolis of Washington, in 1880 had 7,000 inhabitants, and property valued at something over four millions. Its manufactures comprised three ship-yards, three foundries, two breweries, one tannery, three boiler-shops, six sash and door factories, five machine-shops, six sawmills, three brick yards, three fish packing factories, one fish cannery, one barrel factory, one ice factory, one soda water factory, besides boot and shoe shops, tin shops, and other minor industries. The commerce of Seattle with the coastline of settlements was considerable; but the chief export is coal from the mines cast of Lake Washington. There were few public buildings … Read more

Turner, James B. – Obituary

Graveside services for James B. Turner of Tacoma, Washington a former Haines resident were conducted at 10:00 a.m. Monday September 25, at the family plot in the Haines cemetery. Bishop J. LaRon Zundel of the LDS Church officiated. Vault interment followed. Arrangements were under the direction of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Mr. Turn died Thursday at his home in Tacoma. He was 73. He was born in Cheyenne, Oklahoma on December 18, 1904 and he was married to Ossie Davidson in Idaho Falls Temple. Mrs. Turner preceded him in death of January of 1976. He farmed in the … Read more

Biography of A. C. Campbell

A.C. CAMPBELL. – The respect Mr. Campbell commands in his community as a man of honesty and integrity, and as one who has acquired a very enviable competency by hard knocks and straightforward dealings, reminds one of Longfellow’s famous blacksmith; but, although Mr. Campbell has for years upon years listened to the “measured beat and slow’ of his hammer on the anvil, he no longer appears with leathern apron and bare, brown arms, because he is now settled down in a comfortable home, and in the midst of his loving family living happily by other and less arduous pursuits than … Read more

Bryson, Howard – Obituary

Native Walla Wallan Howard Roscoe Bryson, 76, died July 18, 1989, at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center. The funeral service was held today at Washington Soldiers’ Home Chapel in Orting, Wash., and the memorial service was at Sumner (Wash.) Presbyterian Church. Burial was at Veterans of all Wars Court in Mountain View Cemetery, Tacoma. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sumner Presbyterian Church through hill Funeral Home, 217 E. Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, Wash. 98372. Bryson was born July 21, 1912, in Walla Walla. He was a direct descendant of William I. Price of Orange. Bryson’s ancestors settled at … Read more

Hart, Helen Mildred Bell – Obituary

Mrs. Charles L. (Helen M.) Hart, 74 of 6810 South J St., died Monday [September 10, 1979]. Mrs. Hart was born in Ontario, Canada, and had lived in Tacoma since 1930. She was a retired nurse, and a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Steve (Michele E.) Hull of Gig Harbor; two sons, Duane Lee of Reno, Nev. and James A. of Bend, Ore.; a sister, Alice Mooney of Victor, B.C.; a brother, Doug Bell of Sidney, B.C.; and 10 grandchildren. Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge. Tacoma News … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Franklin Minton

It is with pleasure that we essay the task of epitomizing the salient points in the interesting career of the estimable and enterprising gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and it is very fitting that such be granted space in the history of Malheur County, since he has labored here for the up building of the county and has wrought with wisdom and energy for this end, while also he has spent much time on the frontier and in other places, always, however, manifesting that same energy and capability in furthering the chariot of progress and … Read more

Fix, Russell Oro – Obituary

Russell Oro Fix, 87, died Oct. 28, 1993. He was born Oct 3, 1906 in Anaheim, CA, however, he has lived in Kapowsin, WA, since he was three months old. His parents, Samuel Edgar Fix and Clara Jane Harris were early Washington pioneers. His father came to Orting, Washington Territory, in 1889 and his mother in 1874. Russ was graduated from Kapowsin High School in 1925 and attended the University of Washington where he majored in forestry and rowed on the UW crew team. Russ retired from Puget Sound Power and Light in 1972 as a hydroelectric operator. He had … Read more

Fix, Alice Ruth Vickers – Obituary

Alice Ruth Fix, passed peacefully away into the hands of her Heavenly Father on 2 June 1996 in Santa Barbara, CA. Born 18 June 1908 to Howard and Catherine Vickers in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. The family moved to Drumheller, Alberta, Canada when she was 3 years of age. Alice was the eldest of 5 children. She married Earl George Fix in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, on 10 Dec. 1925 and later emigrated to the United States. Alice lived in Orting and Tacoma, WA until Oct. 1962 when she moved to Santa Barbara, CA. Her husband; 1 sister, Vera Larsen of Seattle; … 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

Gray, Nellie Frances – Obituary

Nellie Frances Gray, 91, formerly of Union County, died Tuesday, May 25, 1993, of natural causes in Spanaway, Wash. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton. Interment will follow in Belle Passi Mausoleum in Woodburn. Mrs. Gray was born Sept. 25, 1901, in Lenox County, Iowa, to George Washington and Alice Mae Wiley Lemon. The family moved to Lynden, Wash., when she was very young. Her father died there when she was six, and her mother moved the family to Union, where she received her education. She married Ernest Merrell Gray on May 28, … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Brown

BENJAMIN BROWN. – Mr. Brown was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1831, and remained at his native place until 1857, receiving a common-school education. In this year he emigrated to American and settled in Michigan, remaining until March, 1858, when he came to California by way of New York and the Isthmus. From San Francisco he found his way to the Siskiyou mines, and operated until July of 1868, and thence came to the Frazer river mines. In the autumn of that year, he brought his journeyings to a close at Steilacoom, where he remained a year. Being favorably impressed … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Brackett

GEORGE BRACKETT. – Mr. Brackett, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Canada East, May 22, 1842. There he resided until eighteen years of age. He then with his parents moved to Maine, his father being a native of that state. There they lived for six years, and then moved Eu Clare, Wisconsin, and embarked in the lumber business, which he followed until December, 1869.Then George came west to Washington Territory, and first found employment in Pierce county. In 1870 he came to Seattle, and in 1872 began logging on Salmon Bay, which business he followed until 1877, … Read more

Thomas, Myrtis Mrs. – Obituary

Myrtis Thomas, 80, a former Baker City resident, died May 20, 2007, at Puyallup, Wash. There was a private family service. She was born on Aug. 2, 1928, at Jones County, Ga. She was the former wife of Eddie Thomas Sr. and the mother of 11 children who live throughout the United States. She had 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was quick to smile and loved many things, including working with children to help them with their reading. In her lifetime she traveled to Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. She was a woman of strength, courage, perseverance, … Read more

Tully, Guy – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Guy Tully died at the home of his parents here last Saturday evening as a result of the “Flu.” He was 29 years of age, a graduate of the Puyallup, Wash., high school and the Washington State College. He was born in Wallowa and many friends and relatives mourn his going. He was married last August to Miss Ethel Mitchell. His funeral service was held from the home Sunday afternoon, Rev. C.C. Pratt in charge.

Biography of Col. William H. Wallace

COL. WILLIAM H. WALLACE, – The subject of this sketch was born in Troy, Miami county, Ohio, July 19, 1811. His early life was spent in Indiana, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1835 he removed to Iowa, and was appointed, by Governor Lucas, colonel of the state troops. He was elected a member of the first legislature, and served as speaker of the house. He was thereafter elected to the council, and was president of that body. He was appointed, by President Taylor, receiver of public moneys at Fairfield, Iowa. In 1853 he removed … Read more