The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 86
A portrait of Joseph T. Steenbergen appears in this publication.

JOSEPH THEODORE STEENBERGEN.

Joseph Theodore Steenbergen is the owner of one of the valuable ranch
properties of the Selah valley, having forty-seven acres of rich and productive
land, largely devoted to the raising of apples. He comes to the northwest from
Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Barren county on the 27th of August,
1868, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Gillock) Steenbergen, both of
whom were natives of the Blue Grass state. The father was a son of Joseph
Steenbergen, who was also born in Kentucky. William Steenbergen followed the
occupation of farming for many years but is now living retired, still making his
home in his native state. His wife, however, has passed away.

Joseph T. Steenbergen, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the
public schools, took up farming as a young man and later was engaged in the
lumber business in California in 1889. He afterward became identified with the
hotel business in that state and in 1900 went to Alaska, devoting his attentions
to mining in various sections of that country. Three times he made and lost a
fortune, but with undaunted courage he persisted and eventually discovered the
Engleside mine at Nome. A month later he was offered seventy-five thousand
dollars for this property but he worked it out. In 1910 he left Alaska with the
money earned in his mining operations in that country and came to the Yakima
valley, where he purchased forty acres of land in the Selah. Subsequently he
added seven acres to the original tract and he has the place all in orchard,
largely devoted to apples and pears. His land is also seeded to alfalfa and an
air of neatness and thrift pervades every part of the ranch and indicates the
supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He has a fine home upon the
place, also a large and substantial barn and every needed facility to promote
his fruit raising interests.

On November 27, 1912, Mr. Steenhergen was married to Miss Sue Dobson, who was
born in Kentucky, a daughter of John Dobson. Their marriage was celebrated in
her native state and they have become parents of two daughters; Helen, born
September 27, 1915, and Ruth, born November 17, 1917.

Mr. Steenbergen is a well known Mason, holding membership in Yakima Lodge, No.
24, F. & A. M., while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second
degree, and he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine of Seattle. His name is
likewise on the membership roll of Yakima Lodge, No. 318, B. P. O. E., and of
the Yakima Commercial Club. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. His
political endorsement is given to the democratic party but never has he been an
aspirant for office. In matters of citizenship he is not remiss but prefers that
his public service shall be done as a private citizen. His life's experiences
have been broad and varied. He has visited many parts of the globe and many
lands. During 1911 he went to South America, spending some time in Peru, Bolivia
and Ecuador, where he engaged in prospecting and also in touring the country
generally. He crossed the Andes to the headwaters of the Amazon, traveling on
pack mules for eight hundred miles. He made the trip over Mount Sarata at an
altitude of seventeen thousand feet. His extensive travels have convinced him
that he prefers the Yakima valley to any other section that he has visited and,
concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development of his business
affairs, he is now engaged in the raising of very high-grade fruit and is the
owner of one of the finest fruit ranches of the valley, fitted with splendid
modern equipments.

********************************
Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.