Oldest Valley Pioneer Passes Elizabeth J. Brown, 98 Succumbs to Heart Attack
Elizabeth J. Brown, oldest pioneer resident of the Kittitas Valley, who lacked just six weeks of becoming 99 years of age, succumbed to a heart attack yesterday in her home at 108 North Ruby Street died October 24, 1949.
An invalid for the past 10 years, Mrs. Brown has made the valley her home for the past 70 years, since she first came here August 6, 1879.
Born December 8, 1850, in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of Rev. Keathley Bailes and Mrs. Bailes, she and her family crossed the plains by covered wagon and horseback when she was 10 years old, settling in Marion County, Oregon, before coming here.
She married Joseph Tucker in 1866 and they came to the Fairview District of this valley in 1879. Her father was the first Protestant minister in the valley.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Brown was the widow of Thomas C. Brown and surviving members of her family include three daughters, Mrs. Sara Jane Teeter of Burlington, Wn., Mrs. Eva G. Price of Ellensburg and Mrs. Ella L. Sigman, Spokane; three sons, John M. Tucker of Yakima, Frank M. Tucker of Fairfield, Idaho, and James N. Tucker of Seattle. Also surviving are three sisters, Mrs. W. K. Rader of Puyallup, Mrs. Frank Barnhart of Castle Rock; and two brothers, James Bailes of Hoquiam, and George Bailes of Cottage Grove. Mrs. Brown also leaves 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Honeycutt-Evenson Chapel with the Rev. Dan J. Rueb officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery.
Contributed by: Sheli Steedman