The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 419

JOHN H. MIDDENDORF.

Among the prosperous agriculturists of Kittitas county is numbered John H.
Middendorf, who owns a productive, modern and up-to-date ranch about ten miles
northeast of Ellensburg. This is under a high state of cultivation and from it
he receives a gratifying income. Mr. Middendorf was born in New York city,
September 13, 1809, a son of Herman and Katie (Sturgens) Middendorff, both of
whom became residents of New York in their childhood and were natives of
Germany. The father was only fourteen years of age when he came to this country
and was largely influenced in his decision by the view which he and his family
took in regard to the military laws then maintaining in Germany. Having made his
way to America, Mr. Middendorf went to the middle west and began his independent
career by working as a farm hand, thus acquiring the means which permitted him
later to engage in the grocery and milk business. In 1872 he took his family to
Scott county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and there he
continued to reside until his death, which occurred in June, 1898. His widow
surviving him for about two years, passed away in 1900.

John H. Middendorf received his education in New York city and began his
independent career in connection with the grocery business, working for his
uncle for five years. Later he farmed in Illinois for about nine years, or until
1908, in which year he came to Kittitas county. taking up his residence in
Ellensburg, where he remained for eighteen months. He then bought one hundred
and sixty acres of land about ten miles northeast of the city and has since
resided upon this farm, which is in a high state of cultivation and improved
with modern buildings. Some time ago he sold eighty acres of his property but is
still giving his undivided attention to the remaining portion.

On February 8, 1898, Mr. Middendorf was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Burbank, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret Burbank, the latter a native of
Illinois. Both became pioneers of Kansas and are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs.
Middendorf have been born two children, a son and a daughter: Russell B., who is
nineteen years of age; and Edith Margaret, aged seventeen.

Mr. Middendorf and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, to which
denomination they are devoted and to which he readily gives his financial
support. In his political views he is a democrat but has never sought nor
desired public office although he has served for six years as a school director,
the cause of education always finding in him an earnest champion. Fraternally he
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Mr. Middendorf has many friends in Ellensburg and vicinity, all of whom
speak of him in terms of high regard, admiring him not only for what he has
achieved in life but also on account of those qualities of character which have
made possible his success. He is a man of his word who conscientiously fulfills
all of his obligations toward his fellowmen and who holds the bonds of
friendship inviolable.

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