The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1104 HENRY GOEMMER. Henry Goemmer is an enthusiastic supporter of the Yakima valley, recognizing its opportunities and advantages. He is now the owner of a forty-acre ranch situated near Outlook and its well developed appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. Mr. Goemmer was born in Germany, November 11, 1863, a son of Martin and Katherine Goemmer, who came to the United States with their family in 1884. They made their way to Kansas, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, there remaining until 1896, when they came to the Yakima valley, and both the father and mother spent their last days in the home of a daughter in Washington. Henry Goemmer acquired his education in the schools of Germany and after coming to the new world assisted his father in farming in Kansas for ten years. He afterward spent five years in Colorado and in November, 1898, came to the Yakima valley, where for a year he was employed by a brother-in-law. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he then purchased twenty acres of land half way between Outlook and Granger. At the time of his arrival he had a cash capital of but one hundred dollars and a family consisting of wife and four children. The land which he purchased was but partially improved, but he converted it into a fine ranch and made his home thereon for ten years. In 1902 he purchased thirty acres north of his original tract, all covered with sagebrush, and later he sold his first property and moved onto the second ranch. He now has forty acres in his home place, devoted to the raising of hay, corn, potatoes and sugar beets, and he likewise conducts a dairy business. He is a most zealous champion of the Yakima valley, its opportunities and its interests, having found no place in all the world that suits him better than the district in which he now lives. He turns for recreation to motoring and has made extensive trips through Yellowstone National Park and to other sections. On the 27th of May, 1884, Mr. Goemmer was married to Miss Christiana Emrich, who was born in Ottenburg, Germany, and came to the United States in her girlhood days with her parents, Philip and Katherine Emrich. The children of this marriage are as follows: O. A., the eldest son, is married and resides in Seattle, where he is connected with the Commercial Club. He served in the quartermasters department on the Yakima local board during the World war. Henry J., who is married and has two children, resides at Jerome, Idaho, where he follows farming. C. P., who is married and has three daughters, is engaged in the insurance business at Oakland, California. R. R. is married and devotes his attention to farming near Jerome, Idaho. All were given good educational opportunities and the eldest son and C. P. both attended business college, while Henry and R. R. attended the Washington Agricultural College at Pullman. Mr. Goemmer has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past thirty years and has served as representative to the grand lodge held in Walla Walla in 1918. Five years ago he was presented with the veteran jewel of the order, in which he has filled all of the offices of the local lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Goemmer are members of the Presbyterian church, but then assisted in establishing the Liberty Federation church in their home neighborhood, formed of people of Presbyterian and Methodist faith. They are very active in the work of the church, Mr. Goemmer having served as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has served on the election board and for many years has been a member of the school board, and his aid and influence are potent factors in bringing about progress, development and improvement in the community in which they have now long made their home. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.