Death this morning claimed one of the earliest and best known residents of the Kittitas valley when Rufus Cooke passed away. Mr. Cooke died this morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. P. H. Schnebly where he has been ill for the past two weeks. The Kittitas Valley had been his home since 1870 when he came here from Yakima with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Schnebly. Both are now deceased.
Mr. Cooke was born in Yakima on Sept. 12, 1867, the family removing to Ellensburg three years later, where they took up a government homestead 12 miles northeast of the city.
For the past 12 years Mr. Cooke had resided on the original homestead. He was married on Sept. 14, 1889 to Miss Della Fulton, who survives him. They have no children, but a niece, Miss Ruby Fulton, has always made her home with them.
He also is survived by three brothers, George B. Cooke and M. D. Cooke, of Ellensburg and E. N. Cooke of Wenatchee, and two sisters, Mrs. P. H. Schnebly, of Ellensburg, and Mrs. A. B. Whitson of Yakima.
Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. J. W. Caughlan officiating.
