The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 336
A portrait of John Alderson appears in this publication.
A portrait of Mrs. Elizabeth Alderson appears in this publication.

JOHN ALDERSON.

The fine home formerly occupied by John Alderson, now deceased, stands in the
midst of the oldest ranch in that part of the Yakima valley. In the development
and improvement of the property he displayed keen sagacity and persistency of
purpose that brought rich results. Mr. Alderson was born in England, December
27, 1836, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Alderson, the latter's maiden name being
Walker. He had a public school education and after his textbooks were put aside
began learning the butchering business, which he followed in his native country
until 1864. The stories that reached him concerning the opportunities of the new
world led him to the determination to try his fortune on the west side of the
Atlantic and he made his way to the United States, settling at Clinton,
Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. He afterwards removed to
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, establishing his home in Wilkes-Barge, where he
remained until 1888, when he came to the northwest. He purchased eighty acres of
land in Fruitvale, Yakima county, the greater part of which was still wild and
undeveloped, being covered with the native sagebrush and giving little
indication that it could be converted into rich and productive orchard land. He
afterward sold a part of the place, which now comprises forty acres within its
borders. He planted most of this to fruit and developed what is today the oldest
ranch in this part of the valley. Upon the place he built a fine home and added
other modern improvements which were indicative of the progressive spirit by
which he was ruled.

On the 12th of October, 1860, Mr. Alderson was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Martin, who was born near Carlisle, in Northumberland, England, May
31, 1840, a daughter of John and Mary (Parker) Martin, representatives of old
English families. To Mr. and Mrs. Alderson were born nine children: Jennie, the
wife of T. J. More, a resident of Harwood, Washington; John T., who served in
the Spanish-American war as a lieutenant and died soon afterward; William Henry,
who has passed away; Elizabeth, at home; Zippie, also at home; Samuel E., who is
with the Pacific Power & Light Company of Yakima and is married and has four
children, three sons and a daughter; Lilly Anna, deceased; Emily A., who was
killed while riding a horse when fourteen years of age; and Adelia May, the wife
of J. W. Freeman, of Yakima, by whom she has four children.

The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 10th of May,
1916, Mr. Alderson passed away when in the eightieth year of his age. His
political allegiance had long been given to the republican party; in fact he
became one of its stalwart champions on taking out his naturalization papers. He
held membership in the Methodist church as do all of the family. Its teachings
guided him in all of the relations of life and his was an honorable and upright
career that commended him to the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he
came in contact.

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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.