The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 566

EMIL STENSTROM.

Emil Stenstrom is not only very successful as a rancher in Yakima county but
also specializes in baling hay, having during the season of 1918 baled over four
thousand tons. Thus he derives a gratifying addition to his income and he
promotes his prosperity in every legitimate way, thus purposefully and
energetically attaining a substantial position among the agriculturists of his
district in Yakima county. A native of Sweden, he was born December 9, 1869, and
is a son of Alexander and Clara (Jacobson) Stenstrom, both of whom have passed
away. The father was a miller by vocation and thus provided for the needs of the
family.

Emil Stenstrom received a public school education in the excellent institutions
of his native country but at the age of twenty-two years decided upon emigration
to the United States, having heard many favorable reports in regard to
conditions maintaining in this country, permitting a young man to more quickly
gain an independent position. For a few months he remained in Minneapolis,
whither he had made his way, and subsequently resided in Harvest, North Dakota.
There he took up railroad work, being for one year in the employ of the Great
Northern Railroad, while he also was on the pay roll of the Burlington. The
stories of substantial fortunes to be quickly secured which emanated from
Alaska decided him in 1898 to go to that far northern country and there he spent
four years, returning at the end of that time to civilization and taking up his
residence in Seattle, Washington, in 1902. There he worked in the employ of
others for two years and then visited Sweden. Upon his return to this country he
took up the millwright's trade in the state of Washington. In 1905 he came to
Yakima county, and, having carefully husbanded his resources, was enabled to
acquire title to eighty acres of land five miles southwest of Sunnyside. All of
the tract was then covered with sagebrush but Mr. Stenstrom energetically set
himself to the task of bringing the land under cultivation and as the years
passed greatly improved it. Later he sold thirty-nine acres and he now has
forty-one acres, on which he raises alfalfa, potatoes and corn. He has modern
machinery and every up-to-date farm equipment and has erected good barns and
also built a fine residence in 1915. Upon his place he has two hay-baling
machines and he does this work for many of his neighbors, baling over four
thousand tons in 1918 and thus receiving a gratifying addition to his income.

In 1910 Mr. Stenstrom was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, a native of
Washington and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Jones, pioneers of this state.
The father is now a prosperous farmer of Yakima county. To Mr. and Mrs.
Stenstrom have been born two children, Clara and Marshall. The parents are ever
ready to give their support to worthy movements undertaken on behalf of the
moral, intellectual and material upbuilding of their district and are highly
respected citizens and loyal Americans.

Politically Mr. Stenstrom has never allied himself with any party, following his
judgment in voting, based upon a careful study of the issues of the day. He is
not only well versed in local affairs but gives close attention to questions
pertaining to the growth and expansion of state interests as well as national
and world problems. Fraternally he is a Mason, having joined the blue lodge at
Mabton, Washington, and for three years he has served on the school board, of
which for two years he has been clerk. There is great credit due him for what he
has achieved, for he is a self-made man who has to thank no one for the position
he has attained. It has been acquired solely through his own energy and industry
and his enterprising spirit, which has led him to take advantage of the
opportunities that are here presented to anyone who is willing to dare and to
do.

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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.