The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 550

ROBERT P. ROCKETT.

Among the well known agriculturists of Cowiche is Robert P. Rockett, who has a
fine herd of high grade jerseys, and is an up-to-date and experienced stockman.
A native of Washington, he was born in Vancouver, May 27, 1860, and is a son of
Robert David and Katharine (Stice) Rockett, both of whom were natives of
Scotland, the former born in Edinburgh and the latter in Glasgow. At the age of
seven years the father went to sea with an uncle and continued as a sailor until
twenty-one. He was numbered among the early pioneers of this state, for he first
arrived here in 1848, in connection with the Hudson's Bay Company, coining by
water. Subsequently he returned to the land of hills and heather and there was
married. Later he brought his wife to America, making their way to Vancouver,
Washington. In early life he had been a cook while at sea. After coming here he
drove mule teams and otherwise occupied himself in order to earn some ready
money. He took up government land at what is now Rockett Hill, Vancouver, and
also acquired the old Ney ranch, thus becoming the owner of over four hundred
acres of land. To the cultivation of this he gave his careful attention,
gradually developing a valuable property, but in 1871 he was accidentally
drowned. His wife had passed away in 1867. She was a daughter of Peter Stice,
who had twenty-four children, the youngest of whom weighed four hundred and
twenty-six pounds after reaching maturity. Mr. Stice was a pioneer of Washington
and an honored veteran of the War of 1812, who died at the venerable age of
ninety-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Rockett were born two sons and two
daughters, Robert P., of this review, being the oldest in the family and the
only one now living.

Robert P. Rockett was but seven years of age when his mother died and four years
later his father was taken from him. Therefore he was early thrown upon his own
resources and attended school for only three months. However, he has since
improved his opportunities and has learned many valuable lessons in the school
of life, so that he is today a well informed man. When old enough he took up
butter making, which trade he learned thoroughly, and in 1877, when but
seventeen, went to Portland, Oregon, becoming connected with steamboating. For
five years he was a fireman and while in that position he utilized every
possible chance in order to improve his education, studying at night and
whenever he had a leisure moment. Later he became steamboat engineer and for
twenty-two years Mr. Rockett was engaged as a marine and stationary engineer. He
was also connected with railroading for several years, both in the capacities
of fireman and engineer, and at one time was in the employ of the street car
company at Portland when that company still used horses, Mr. Rockett breaking in
the horses. About 1889 he bought a ranch at Hillsboro, Oregon, to which place
his wife's people had gone many years before, and there he successfully engaged
in the dairy business for some time. At a later period he was manager of a
sawmill and still later was manager of Knapp's creamery. After this he again
farmed for a short time and then returned to steamboating. He also drove a stage
for one year for the Lewis River Transportation Company. For a time he was night
watchman in Castlerock, Washington, and later successfully operated a sawmill.
In 1905 Mr. Rockett bought a ranch and for nine years he gave his attention to
the cultivation of this property to good purpose. In 1914, however, he came to
Yakima county and for two years acted as manager of his brother's ranch. He then
acquired thirteen and a third acres in the Cowiche district and now receives a
gratifying return from this land, to which he devotes most of his attention,
although he acts at the same time as janitor of the Cowiche Central school. In
all of his various positions he has remained faithful to his trusts and to
himself and there has been no occasion in his life which ever needs to cause him
the slightest degree of regret. His land is used largely for dairy purposes as
he keeps a herd of high grade Jersey cattle.

On the 28th of January, 1886, Mr. Rockett was united in marriage to Mary M. Cox,
a native of Knoxville, Iowa, and a daughter of Mignon and Catherine
(McConauglhey) Cox, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Ohio. Her
parents crossed the plains in the days of pioneering, with ox teams, going to
Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1866. There the father bought land which he successfully
cultivated for a number of years, passing away in 1870. He was survived by his
widow for over a third of a century, her death occurring in 1905, when she had
reached the age of sixty-five years. Both parents were devoted members of the
Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockett were born five children: Robert M., a
rancher in the Cowiche district. who is married and has four children; Earl
Victor, deceased; Azalia, who married Charles Grove, by whom she has two
children, her husband being connected with the United States reclamation
service; Viola, a successful teacher; and Oliva, at home, who married Albert
Hilliard, also connected with the United States reclamation service.

Mr. and Mrs. Rockett enjoy the high esteem and regard of their neighbors. They
are devoted members of the Baptist church, being deeply interested in its work,
and fraternally Mr. Rockett belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His
political support has ever been given to the republican party and he has always
been a public-spirited citizen, aiding in every possible way movements for the
upbuilding, growth and advancement of his district.

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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.