Washington

McEwen, Ralph Newell – Obituary

Toppenish—Ralph N. McEwen, 83, died Saturday, April 19, 2003 at his home. He was born November 20, 1919 in Ellensburg, WA to Oscar and Mary McEwen, a pioneer family of the Kittitas Valley. He served in the Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater and was a decorated veteran. He graduated from Ellensburg High School and Ellensburg Normal School (now Central Washington University) receiving his Teachers Degree. He was a teacher and principal at Buena Grade School, McKinley Grade School and Lincoln Grade School all in the Toppenish School District. He was instrumental in the implementation of Bilingual education in … Read more

McEwen, John Hager – Obituary

J. H. McEwen, formerly known as “Grandpa McEwen,” was born Bartholomew County, Feb. 4, 1832. When but an infant his parents moved to Decatur Co., Ind., where they resided until 1848, when with their family they moved to Fremont, Mahaska County, Iowa, where their son, J. H. was married to Miss Jerusha Amelia Morrow, Aug. 11, 1850. With his wife and young family, McEwen left Iowa in 1860, making his way across the great plains with an ox team. After a long and perilous journey they arrived at the Dallas, Ore., from which point the family were sent by boat … Read more

Ferguson, James – Obituary

James Harvey Ferguson, 93, member of a pioneer Kittitas Valley family, died Saturday, October 18, 1969 in a Seattle nursing home. He was the son of James Ferguson and Elizabeth McEwen Ferguson, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John McEwen. The Ferguson and McEwen families came to the Kittitas Valley in 1871 over the Snoqualmie Pass from the Puget Sound Country. The McEwens bought land in what is now known as the Denmark District. The Fergusons settled on a homestead close by Naneum Creek, where they built a log cabin. In this log cabin, James Harvey Ferguson was born … Read more

Evans, Martha Belle – Obituary

Funeral services are pending for Mrs. Martha Belle Evans, 81, a resident of Toppenish since 1905, who died Sunday May 22, 1966 in Toppenish. Mrs. Evans was born March 29, 1885 in Ellensburg, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey McEwen, pioneers of the Kittitas Valley. She married Lou Evans in 1904 and he died in 1949. She was a member of the Christian Congregational Church in Toppenish. Survivors include three brothers, Oscar McEwen, Ellensburg, Carl McEwen, Toppenish, and Clarence McEwen of Seattle; a niece, Mrs. Gladys Benz, Toppenish; and two nephews, Don McEwen, Portland, Ore., and Ralph McEwen, Toppenish.

Schnebly, Philip Henry – Obituary

The Kittitas Valley lost another of its well known pioneers Sunday [October 17, 1926] when Philip Henry Schnebly passed away after an illness that extended over a period of more than three years. Death came at 7 o’clock Sunday, morning but was not unexpected, as Mr. Schnebly had suffered an acute sinking spell Friday. Coming here from Oregon, his birthplace, in 1872, Mr. Schnebly became one of the most important growers of beef cattle in the state, both stock and acreage mounting into the thousands. For a number of years, however, his livestock interests have been handled by his six … Read more

Dixon, Mary A. Unzicker – Obituary

Mrs. Dixon dies after lingering illness. Mrs. Mary A. Dixon, wife of James S. Dixon of 210 B Street, passed away this morning after a lingering illness of several months December 5, 1918. Mrs. Dixon was born in McClean County, Ill., about 54 years ago and later moved to Nebraska with her parents, where she was married to Mr. Twyman. Shortly afterwards she moved West and has lived in Ellensburg or the vicinity for many years. In 1895 she was married a second time to James Dixon, by whom she is survived In addition to her husband she is survived … Read more

Hayes, William – Obituary

William Hayes, 71, a resident of the Kittitas Valley for 60 years, died here Saturday evening. He came here in 1882. For the past few years, he made his home with a niece, Mrs. Dora Willis, here He is survived by a brother, Samuel T. Hayes, of Yakima; a sister Mrs. W. T. Sheldon, of Twin Falls, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews ************* William was the son of Sanford Hayes and Rebecca Fry. He died May 30, 1942. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery with a marker provided by the cemetery Contributed by: Sheli Steedman

Rader, Hilda G. Brunn – Obituary

Former Ellensburg area resident Hilda G. Rader, 90, died Monday [January 16, 1984] following a short illness in Modesto, Calif. She had been living in California with her son and daughter-in-law since 1980 She was born in Freeport, Ill., on Jan. 3, 1894, one of eight children of Christian and Marie Brunn. Her father emigrated from Sweden in the early 1880’s and her mother, Marie Horz [Hertz], was a native of Germany. The Brunn family moved to the Kittitas Valley shortly after the turn of the century Mrs. Rader was graduated from Ellensburg Normal School and taught in public schools … Read more

Schnebly, Marguerite Nelson – Obituary

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday [February 27, 1966] at Evanson’s Chapel for Mrs. Marguerite A. Schnebly, pioneer resident of the Kittitas Valley, who died Friday at Bernath’s Nursing Home Mrs. Schnebly, 80, was born August 8, 1885, in Copenhagen, Denmark and came with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. James P. Nelson. They lived in the Fairview District until 1934, when she and her husband, Frank Schnebly, moved to Ellensburg to make their home at 101 W. Eighth The Schneblys were married September 27, 1905 in Ellensburg and Mr. Schnebly preceded her in death April 12, … Read more

Eaden, Myrtle Dixon – Obituary

Funeral services will be held at the Honeycutt Chapel here at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon for Myrtle Dixon Eaden, former valley resident, who died in Tacoma on Sunday [April 21, 1946] Born in Ellensburg on February 16, 1899, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Dixon, valley pioneers. She attended local grade schools and high school and spent the most of her life here until she moved to Tacoma 15 years ago In 1922 she was married to William Eaden, who survives her. She is also survived by a brother, Archie Dixon of Vancouver, Wash.; a half brother, … Read more

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

Robertson, Mary Virginia Morrison – Obituary

Mrs. J. W. Robertson departed this life May 1, 1903, aged 23 years, 11 months, and 19 days. Mrs. Robertson was born in Ellensburg, May 11, 1879, and lived there till June 2, 1899, when she went to Tacoma, and after a short time was married to J. W. Robertson and resided there until her death. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother, and was beloved by all who knew her. She leaves a husband, one child, four brothers, a sister, a mother and father an many friends, and relatives to mourn their loss When our earthly life … 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

McEwen, Martha Grewell – Obituary

Old Pioneer of Valley dies at Toppenish. Mrs. Martha McEwen passes away after lingering illness of several months. Mrs. Martha Grewell McEwen, an old pioneer of this vicinity, passed away at Toppenish Sunday morning at 7 o’clock after a lingering illness which confined her to her bed for the past several months [died December 22, 1918] Mrs. McEwen was born February 22, 1860, in Iowa, and three years later crossed the prairies in an ox team with her parents, settling at Vancouver, Wash. When she was 13 years old she moved to this vicinity where she has since made her … Read more

Schnebly, Joseph Carroll – Obituary

Joseph Carroll Schnebly, 67, of Ellensburg, died Sunday [February 10, 1985] at his home following a brief illness. He was born May 6, 1917, in Ellensburg, the son of the late Joseph Jay and Elizabeth (Barnhart) Schnebly He was graduated from Ellensburg High School and Washington State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He operated a ranch in the Fairview District until his retirement in 1972 Mr. Schnebly was a past president of the Kittitas County Farm Bureau, and was a member of the Kittitas County Cattlemen’s Association and the county board of tax … Read more

Stevens, Nell S. Wright Burnett – Obituary

Mrs. Nell S. Stevens, 77, who was injured in an automobile crash in the Teanaway District Sunday, died Monday at the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital [June 10, 1968]. Her husband, Avery, received serious injuries in the mishap She was born July 27, 1890, the daughter of pioneer residents, Mr. and Mrs. Al Wright. She was marred to Robert O. Burnett, Nov. 9, 1910, and he preceded her in death in February of 1952. She was later married to Avery Stevens, Oct. 15, 1953. They have farmed in the Woldale District since that time. She was a member of the Eastern … Read more

Davis, Ina Lorene Dewees – Obituary

Mrs. Ina Lorene Davis died this morning [January 12, 1959] at the Ellensburg General Hospital where she has been a patient for the past month She was born in Enid, Okla. and came here about 55 years ago with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William DeWees and has made her home here since then For many years she was a grade school teacher here, her most recent work having been with the handicapped children as their first instructor at the Lincoln School She was married in June 1916 to Ellis Davis who died here Dec. 16, 1958. She was a … Read more

Dewees, George W. – Obituary

George W. Dewees, Valley Pioneer, taken by death widely known Ellensburg resident dies here today George William DeWees, 78, an Ellensburg resident for the past 56 years, died at the Ellensburg General Hospital this morning. In failing health for several years, he suffered a stroke Wednesday [October 6, 1945] morning and failed to rally The son of the late William and Valinda DeWees, he was born April 14, 1867, near Leitchfield, KY. When he was six years old his parents moved to the Middle West, where he spent his boyhood. He came to Ellensburg February 28, 1889, and went to … Read more

Dixon, Florence Richards – Obituary

Mrs. Florence E. Dixon, 24, wife of Archie Dixon, died at 10:30 o’clock this morning at the family residence in the Sunnyside addition. She had not been ill long In addition to her husband, Mrs. Dixon leaves three small children, Wesley, William and Rachael. The oldest is five years old and the youngest six months. Her mother, Mrs. Sylvia Richards, resides in Cle Elum Funeral announcements will be made later Florence was born in January 1899 in Washington and died in Ellensburg on September 27, 1922. She was the daughter of David Richards and Sylvia Bridge. Florence is buried in … Read more

Davis, Maria Harris – Obituary

Funeral Of Pioneer To Be Held Tomorrow. Mrs. Maria Davis Was In Valley In 1869 Crossed Plains On Horseback At Age Of Six Years-First Settler On Lake Washington The death of Mrs. Maria Davis, 77 years old, one of the earliest pioneers of Washington, who passed through the Kittitas Valley on her way to Lake Washington in 1869 and met at the summit of Snoqualmie Pass, Tillman Houser and Gus Nesalhouse, first settlers here, resulted from a short illness from pneumonia, according to information received here today Mrs. Davis and her husband, John Davis, lived in Yakima in 1867 to … Read more