The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 977 

JOHN L. BEDELL.

Important ranching interests near Grandview claim the attention of John L.
Bedell, who was born in Alabama in May, 1858, and in 1878 went with the family
to Tennessee. In 1880 removal was made to Kansas, and he located in Cherokee
county, taking up railroad land. There he farmed for two years, selling at the
end of that period. He then worked for wages on farms in Missouri and also in
the mines there but subsequently went to Illinois, where he was engaged in the
latter line of work until he came to the state of Washington, locating in Roslyn
in March, 1889. There he again engaged in mining and so continued until 1890,
when he took up a homestead in the lower part of Yakima county about five miles
southeast of the present townsite of Sunnyside. To get an idea of the conditions
which he had to face at the time of his arrival it may be mentioned in this
connection that he had to pay at that time five dollars for having a barrel of
water hauled from the Yakima river. Prosser was then the nearest market and it
was therefore necessary for him to travel a distance of fourteen miles in order
to do his shopping. He was among the first settlers of his part of the county.
In fact there were only two other families who were living at that time within
range of his farm. Water for irrigation was not available until 1907 and here
Mr. Bedell made his home for seventeen years until irrigation came about. In
the beginning he had one hundred and sixty acres of land but gradually he has
sold all of this except a tract of thirty acres, which is now in a high state of
cultivation, and he raises corn, potatoes and alfalfa. He has one of the finest
farms in the neighborhood, the property having become valuable entirely through
his own labors. Following progressive methods, he has succeeded to a very
gratifying extent and has erected a fine home.

On the 25th of June, 1883, Mr. Bedell was married to Miss Carrie Wilson, a
native of Rock Island, Illinois, the ceremony being performed in Port Byron,
that state. To this union were born the following children: Amy O., at home; and
Orange B., who married A. C. Tribble, a resident of Tacoma, Washington.

Mr. Bedell is a valued member of the Baptist church and in his political
affiliations is a republican. He served for some time as postmaster of Ronald,
Washington, near Roslyn, holding that position for four years prior to coming
to his ranch. He was also a member of the school board there and has served as a
member of the local school board of district No. 35, for ten years, the cause of
education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. For two terms, or four years.
he served as trustee of the Water Users Association and also has been
commissioner of drainage district, No. 9, for four years. At this writing he is
master of Wanita Grange, in which organization he has many friends and where he
exchanges his views and experiences in regard to local ranching conditions. All
who know him respect him as a loyal citizen who is thoroughly devoted to public
interests and ever ready to lend a helping hand in order to promote worthy
public enterprises. While he has attained individual prosperity, he has never
lost sight of his duties as a citizen and, moreover, has led a blameless life in
all of his private connections so that not the least shadow of evil or suspicion
falls upon his career. In fact those who have known him longest esteem him
highest and are most appreciative of his honorable qualities of heart and mind.

********************************
Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.