A. B. Whitson Is Taken By Death-Stock Raiser and Business Man Continuous Resident in Valley for 42 years.
Yakima lost another pioneer in the death this morning of A. B. Whitson [October 14, 1931], who came to the valley 60 years ago and had lived in Yakima continuously since 1889. He had been confined to the hospital for one week and was operated upon some time ago. In the 42 years he had made his home here, he had been prominently identified with community affairs.
Born in Lind County, Oregon, March 4, 1855, Mr. Whitson moved with his parents to Kittitas County in 1871. With his father and his brother, the late Judge Edward Whitson, he engaged in stock raising in the upper valley for a number of years. His parents had come west in 1840. His father was Benjamin Franklin Whitson, a native of Kentucky. In 1878 Mr. Whitson was married to Nellie Cooke, who survives him. Had he lived they would have celebrated their 53rd weeding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day.
For 15 years Mr. Whitson was superintendent of the local light and water system. Since that time he had devoted himself to varied business interests. He had lived in one home on North Avenue for 30 years.
Mr. Whitson was a life member of the Masonic Lodge, having joined the order 45 years ago. The family includes his widow, Mrs. Nellie Whitson; two daughters, Mrs. George W. Clark and Miss Doris Whitson of Yakima; two sons, Benjamin E. and Harold C. Whitson; five grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Lyda Thompson of Worchester, Mass; three nieces.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
