Mrs. Nellie R. Whitson, 78, who first came to Yakima as a child in 1865 and was a member of one of the first white families to settle in the valley, died in St. Elizabeth’s hospital last night [January 2, 1939]. She was taken to the hospital Saturday for treatment for injuries received in a fall in her home. She lived with a daughter, Mrs. George W. Clark, wife of the city commissioner, at 602 South Eighteenth Avenue.
Born in Polk County, Oregon, Mrs. Whitson came to the valley with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Cooke and settled in the Moxee where the Scudder ranch is now. There were only a few other families here then, the Splawns, the Flints and the Thorpes.
In 1867 the family moved to Ellensburg. Mrs. Whitson was married there to A. B. Whitson and in 1889 they returned to Yakima where she had lived ever since. Mr. Whitson died a few years ago. Mrs. Whitson’s father was the auditor of Ferguson County and was one of those instrumental in having Yakima County established. In addition to Mrs. Clark, the family includes another daughter, Doris Whitson of Yakima; two sons, Sergeant Ben W. Whitson of Yakima police department and H. C. Whitson of California; a sister, Mrs. Henry Schnebly , and a brother, Morand Cooke, both of Ellensburg. Shaw & Sons has charge of arrangements.
[Interment at Tahoma Cemetery]
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman