The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 704

ELDRIDGE A. SMITH.

Representative among the younger agriculturists of Kittitas county is Eldridge
A. Smith, who is now the owner of a valuable farm about four and a half miles
southwest of Ellensburg. A native of Virginia, he was born in Franklin county,
June 10, 1887, and is a son of James R. and Ann Martha (Bennett) Smith, both of
whom were also born in Franklin county, Virginia. The grandfather, Stephen
Smith, was also born in the Old Dominion, of an honored pioneer family. James R.
Smith served to the Confederate army during the rebellion and in that state he
passed away in August, 1893. His wife was a daughter of Coleman and Pamelia
(Glass) Bennett, also members of a distinguished pioneer family of Virginia. In
1896 the family removed to West Virginia, in which state they made their home
for about six years, or until 1902, when they came to Kittitas county, where
they resided for a time on the farm of Reese Smith, a brother of our subject. In
1908 Eldridge A. Smith and his brother Walter bought eighty acres four and a
half miles southwest of Ellensburg, to the cultivation of which they assiduously
devoted themselves. In 1911 another eighty acre tract was purchased and each of
the two brothers then took eighty acres individually. Our subject now largely
raises hay and grain but also gives some attention to live stock. He has a
pleasant and comfortable home and has greatly improved his farm, upon which he
has installed modern equipment. His mother now makes her home with him and his
brother Walter. He is the fourth in order of birth in the family, having the
following brothers and sisters: Willie Esther, a resident of Ellensburg and the
widow of Charles Collins; Reese, who successfully follows ranching in Kittitas
county; Frank, who still resides in West Virginia; and Walter, who follows
farming in conjunction with our subject.

Although the educational advantages of Eldridge A. Smith were limited, as his
father died when he was but six years old, he has learned many valuable lessons
by life's experiences and today is a well informed young man to whom great
credit is due for what he has achieved, as he has made his own way entirely
unassisted. On the 22d of October, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Etta
Blanche McKee, a daughter of W. H. McKee, who is mentioned more extensively
elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Smith has made many friends since coming to Kittitas county for he is a
stalwart, pleasant and dependable young man who is guided by the most honorable
principles and largely devotes his attention to his own business affairs to good
purpose. Politics have never held attraction for him and he is not closely
allied with any party but prefers to give his support to candidates irrespective
of their party affiliations, taking into consideration only their personal
qualifications and record. Any movement undertaken to upbuild Kittitas county
and Ellensburg finds in him a true champion, who is ever ready to give of his
time and means to promote the general welfare. Although yet a young man, Mr.
Smith has already made his mark and a prosperous future may be predicted for
him.

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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.