The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1102 JOSEPH A. RICHARTZ. A highly improved farm property of eighty acres on Ahtanum Heights is owned By Joseph A. Richartz, who acquired possession of this place by purchase in 1914. A part of it was then wild land but his efforts have converted it into productive fields on which he is raising large crops. Mr. Richartz has always lived in Yakima county, for he is numbered among its native sons, born on the 22d of February, 1893. His parents were Joseph and Catherine Marie (Powell) Richartz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They became residents of Yakima county in 1886 and took up a homestead claim on Nob Hill. Later the father sold that property and purchased a ranch on the Moxee, whereon Mrs. Catherine M. Richartz passed away. Subsequently the father disposed of that property and now lives in Wisconsin. Joseph A. Richartz acquired a public school education, supplemented by a commercial course in the Yakima Business College. He was thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After completing his studies he worked for five years at the dairy business and thus gained broad experience along that line. In 1913, desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he rented eighty acres of land on the Cowiche and the following years he purchased eighty acres on Ahtanum Heights, a part of which was wild and undeveloped. He has since greatly improved his farm, which is now one of the attractive ranch properties of the district. In its excellent appearance it indicates the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it and he is now successfully engaged in raising hay, corn, grain and potatoes. He also handles considerable live stock and makes a specialty of dairying. His farm work is carefully and systematically conducted and excellent results have rewarded his labors. On the 19th of January, 1915, Mr. Richartz was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Marie Bennette, who was born at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Catherine (Murphy) Bennette. Mr. Richartz and his wife have membership in St. Paul's Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He votes with the republican party upon national questions but otherwise casts an independent ballot, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is one of the representative young farmers of the community, having passed little beyond his first quarter of a century mark. Already, however, he has made for himself a creditable place as a ranchman and the qualities that he has displayed in his business career indicate that his future will be well worth watching. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.