Yakima County WA

Biographical Sketch of James J. Imbrie

JAMES J. IMBRIE. – Among those who have sketches of their lives in these pages, there are but few spoken of who, like the subject of this memoir, were “Webfoot” born. He first saw the light of day at his father’s farm on Tualatin Plains, January 29,1852. During his earlier years he learned the rudiments of his education at the log schoolhouse long since a thing of the past. Later on he attended and continued his studies at Pacific University at Forest Grove, and in June, 1877, graduated with high honors from the Willamette University at Salem. Removing to Portland … Read more

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

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

Hartsock, Gary David – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Gary David Hartsock, 45, of La Grande, died Jan. 13 at his home. A viewing runs from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the La Grande Church of Christ, 2107 Gekeler. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Gary was born in Yakima, Wash., on March 30, 1962. He attended elementary school through the third grade in Yakima. Gary’s family moved to Joseph in 1971. There he attended school in Enterprise and … Read more

Sitkoff, Terry Wayne, Jr. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Terry Wayne Sitkoff Jr., 26, of Yakima, Wash., died Oct. 4, 2004, in a one-vehicle accident near Halfway. His funeral was Friday at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. He was born on March 10, 1978, at La Grande to Terry and Diane Sitkoff. He was raised and educated in theYakima, Wash., area and attended Pine-Eagle High School at Halfway and Spokane Community College. Terry enjoyed rooting for his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, and cheering Mark Martin, No. 6, of NASCAR. He enjoyed snowboarding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his daughter, … Read more

Biography of William H. Peterson

WILLIAM H. PETERSON. – Mr. Peterson, an excellent portrait of whom is placed in this history, was born in West Virginia, August 31, 1836, and removed to Missouri in 1868. He became a teacher of schools and a collector of taxes in the latter state, and was so efficient in the position last-named as to remain in office three terms. In 1876 he put behind him the vast plains of the Mississippi, and even the more expanded region of the Rocky Mountains, and made his home by the Western sea in California. Over the northern part of that state he … Read more

Cooke, Morand – Obituary

Mode Cooke, 88, Valley Pioneer, Taken By Death Widely Known Fairview Farmer Resided Here 75 Years Death yesterday took Morand D. (Mode) Cooke, 88, in the Kittitas valley’s oldest pioneer in point of years and the last remaining member of one of the Northwest’s pioneer families. He died at his home in the Fairview district, where he had lived for 74 years, yesterday afternoon [died September 2, 1945]. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Cooke, Oregon and Washington pioneers, he came to the Kittitas valley with his parents in 1871. At his death he made his … Read more

Baxter, Joyce Viola – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Joyce Viola Baxter, 86, of Summerville, died Sept. 22 at a local care center. A service will be held later in Yakima. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Joyce was born on June 4, 1921, to Henry Harry and Hilda (Hall) Brown in Leicester, England. She was raised and educated in England. During World War II she enlisted in the British WAAF, serving in London with the balloon barrage troops. They deployed large zeppelin-shaped balloons during the Blitz, not allowing the German bombers to fly in low to inflict more damage. During the war … Read more

Biography of Alfred Harris Hecox

Alfred Harris Hecox. One of the native sons of Allen County who are now holding official positions in the employ of the United States Government, is Alfred Harris Hecox, who since July, 1914, had served in the capacity of postmaster of the City of Iola. Mr. Hecox had had a diversified and interesting career, in which he had visited various parts of the country and engaged in a number of different occupations which have brought him in close touch with the public and at the same time had given him a broadened experience. These qualities have served him well in … Read more

Whitson, Edward N. – Obituary

Edward N. Whitson, judge of the United States Circuit Court of the Eastern District of Washington, died at his home in this city Saturday night, following an attack of paralysis last Wednesday morning. Judge Whitson was born in Salem, Ore., October 6, 1852. His education was received in the public and high schools of that day and in Oregon College. In 1879 he was admitted to the bar. September 3, 1885, he was married to Leora Nellie Bateman at Walla Walla. He lived a large part of his life in the Yakima Valley and was prominently identified with the commercial … Read more

Wigle, Malinda Jane Dixon – Obituary

Mrs. Malinda J. Wigle died in Mabton, Dec. 29, 1916, aged 86 years, 2 months and 13 days. Funeral services were held in the M. E. Church Sunday, and burial was in Mabton cemetery. Mrs. Wigle was a native of Illinois, residing there until her marriage to Thomas Grewell, and moved to Corydon, Iowa. In 1863 she, with her husband and family, started across the plains. When in Wyoming, her husband was taken ill and died at Independence Rock, Wyo. With her children she resumed her journey westward, arriving at Vancouver, Wash. the same year. Two years later she was … Read more

Carter, Stella Sharpe Mrs. – Obituary

Stella Carter, 99, of Baker City, died Sept. 1, 2005, at Meadowbrook Place. Her funeral was at noon today at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Tony Brandon officiated. Vault interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery. Stella was born on May 13, 1906, at Mabton, Wash., to Pearle and Edson Sharpe. Her childhood years were spent with her three brothers and two sisters in the Horse-Heaven Hills. She attended college at Ellensburg, Wash., earning a teaching certificate. She began her teaching career in the Horse-Heaven Hills area where she met Carl. Stella and Carl were married on Nov. 12, 1927, at … Read more

Stuth, Nellie M. Grunden – Obituary

Nell M. Stuth, 82, of Olympia died Saturday, Jan. 5, 1985, in an Olympia convalescent center. She was born July 1, 1902 in Ellensburg and lived in Seattle and Yakima before moving to Olympia in the 1930s. She was married in 1940 to Albert E. “Stubb” Stuth in Olympia. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Stuth worked for Miller’s Department Store and was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include two sisters, Anna Nichols, Port Orchard and Lottie Dale, Portland, Ore. The graveside funeral service for Mrs. Stuth was today, Jan. 8, in Masonic Memorial Park. Arrangements are by … Read more

Hoskins, Jerome – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jerome “Jerry” Hoskins, 78, of La Grande died Jan. 10 Services are planned 1 p.m. Monday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in La Grande. Viewing will be on Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. and again Monday from 9 until 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Hoskins was born Aug. 21, 1928, to Omar K. and Essie C. Hoskins at Havre, Mont. Mr. Hoskins attended grade school at Havre; Mobridge, S.D.; Baker City and Lewiston, Idaho. He attended junior high in Clarkston, Wash., and senior high at Yakima. While in high school Mr. Hoskins … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Carpenter

CHARLES CARPENTER. – Mr. Carpenter was born in Chattendon county, Vermont, February 1, 1838. He was the third son in a family of eight. Orrin and Jane (Basut) Carpenter were his parents. When thirteen years old he went with his parents to Franklin county, New York, and there received his education. In 1859 he came in company with his brothers J.W. and Henry, to California. They came via the Isthmus of Panama, and on the Pacific side took passage in the older steamer John L. Stevens for San Francisco. While in California Mr. Carpenter was engaged in various occupations, according … Read more

Cooke, Daisy Victoria Storey – Obituary

Mrs. Daisy Victoria Cooke, 78, of 410 S. 49th Ave., died Monday [September 19, 1977] in St. Elizabeth Hospital. Mrs. Cooke was born in Cumberland, Wash. Her parents, George C and Emma Storey, were Washington State pioneers. Mrs. Cooke was educated in Seattle Public Schools. On Sept. 19, 1922 she married Howard P. Cooke in Wenatchee. Today was their 55th wedding anniversary. They moved to Yakima 10 years ago from Port Orchard. She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, served as a musician for many drill and degree teams for fraternal organizations, was a member of the Veterans … Read more

Wells, Bert – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Bert L. Wells, 79, formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 28 at his home in Yakima. He was born Nov. 5, 1929, to Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Wells in Grandview, Wash. His primary and secondary education was completed in the Grandview area and he worked various jobs at fruit processing plants throughout high school. After a year of employment at an airport terminal in Point Barrow, Alaska, he took a job through General Electric at the Hanford Nuclear site outside of Tri-Cities, Wash. He was drafted in 1951 and spent the majority of his service in Japan … Read more

Renz, Dorothy Annette Saunders Mrs. – Obituary

Dorothy Annette Saunders Renz, 76, a former Baker County resident, died Sept. 22, 2002, at Ashley Manor Care Center in Redmond. Her graveside memorial service will be Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Dennis Hickman of First Lutheran Church will officiate. Disposition will be by cremation. A reception will follow at the Sumpter Junction Restaurant. Dorothy was born in New Bridge on March 25, 1926, to Merritt and Eva Saunders. She lived with her parents, and two younger brothers, Stan and Bud, on a beautiful ranch in Richland for the next 18 years. Dorothy lived … Read more

Livingston, Ardith Maxine – Obituary

Union, Oregon Ardith Maxene Livingston, 100, of Union, died at her residence May 31. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Union. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Maxene Livingston was born Aug. 29, 1907, the oldest of 13 children, in Santaquin, Utah. She grew up on the family farm owned by her parents, Albert and Chloe Tietjen Greenbalgh. As the oldest child, she was very involved in rearing her brothers and sisters. She also learned to operate all of the farm equipment except … Read more

Toy, Grace Y. Lee Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Grace Y. Toy, 1917 Court St., Baker, died Tuesday evening in St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. She was 72. Mrs. Toy was born April 8, 1896 at Sherwood, Ore., the daughter of Lee and June Ho Lee. She graduated from Yakima High School and was the first Chinese girl to graduate from Whitman College, Walla Walla. She was married to Henry Toy in 1930 and had resided in Baker ever since. She was owner and manager of the oldest restaurant in Baker, Toy’s Hostess House. Mrs. Toy was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Oregon Trail Auxiliary No. 78 VFW, … Read more