The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 844 

OTHO IRA BURTON.

Otho Ira Burton, the owner of a valuable ranch property of one hundred and
twelve acres, all of which he has under cultivation, was born at Elkader,
Clayton county, Iowa, December 18, 1867, a son of Ira L. and Mary (Banister)
Burton. The father was born in New York and the mother in Pennsylvania, and they
became early settlers of Iowa. In childhood they had gone to Wisconsin, where
they were reared, and it was after their marriage that they took up their abode
in Iowa. The father is a veteran of the Civil war, joining the Union army, as a
member of the Second Wiscousin Cavalry, with which he served until the close of
hostilities. In days of peace he has devoted his attention to farming. After
living in Iowa for a number of years he removed with his family to California in
1874 and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1878, when he
made his way northward to Ellensburg, Washington, and became a successful
rancher of this state. In 1908 he went to Canyon county,  Idaho, where he is
still devoting his energies to farming.

Otho Ira Burton completed his education in the public schools of Kittitas
county, Washington, and engaged in ranching with his father after putting aside
his textbooks. In 1899 he came to Sunnyside and bought one hundred and fifty
acres of land two miles northwest of the town. The entire tract was covered with
the native growth of sagebrush and there was no indication that it would soon
become a productive property, but with characteristic energy Mr. Burton began
clearing the land and soon placed it under cultivation, planting it to alfalfa.
He also raised fine Percheron horses upon that place. In March, 1910, however,
he sold that ranch and for a few years traveled. In March, 1917, he bought a
ranch adjoining Sunnyside on the east and has added to it until he now owns one
hundred and twelve acres, all under a high state of cultivation. His principal
crops are sugar beets, hay and corn, which are raised upon his place in large
quantities. Mr. Burton lives in Sunnyside at the present time and the work of
the ranch is done by a renter.

In November, 1912, Mr. Burton was united in marriage to Miss Mae Kresse, a
native of North Dakota and a daughter of George E. Kresse, one of the early
settlers of Yakima county. Her father was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin,
February 23, 1859, a son of George E. and Christina (Koenig) Kresse, who came to
the United States from Germany in 1855, establishing their home in Wisconsin.
George E. Kresse, Sr., was a miller by trade but farmed in Wisconsin, and both
he and his wife have now passed away. George E. Kresse, Jr., engaged in flour
milling and also in farming in Wisconsin until 1880, when he went to Cass
county, North Dakota, and there farmed and conducted a general store. He had
twelve hundred and eighty acres of fine land. In 1906 he came to Yakima county, 
Washington, and purchased land near Sunnyside, removing to that ranch in the
spring of 1908. He now has one hundred acres, on which he raises corn and hay
and carries on general farming, being one of the prominent ranchmen of the
district. He has a fine home upon the place which is surrounded by a beautiful
lawn. There is a well-kept drive, a new barn and all modern improvements. George
E. Kresse was married November 1880, to Elizabeth J. Muller a native of
Wisconsin and a daughter of Jose and Margaret Muller, who were pioneers of that
state, where they were identified with farming until called to their final rest.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kresse are members of the Methodist church and politically he
is a republican. For fourteen years he served as treasurer of his school
district in North Dakota. To him and his wife have been born eight children:
Ede, the wife of William B. Cushney, of Sunnyside; Mae, now Mrs. Burton; George
E., who is associated with his father in business and now owns sixty acres of
land besides operating the home ranch; Arno E., a rancher of North Dakota; Lena,
the wife of Medley Lynd, occupying tier brother's ranch; Margaret, the wife of
Dana Smith, of Grandview; Henry, a rancher residing in Pomeroy, Washington, who
is married and has one child: and Alice, at home.

As stated, it was in November, 1912, that Mae Kresse became the wife of Mr.
Burton. They are among the leading residents of their section of the state and
they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of the district. Mr. Burton has
made substantial progress in his business and his well directed efforts and
energies have gained for him a place among the successful ranchmen of the Yakima
valley. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and
fraternally is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.