The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 266

EDWIN W. TRENBATH.

It is a well recognized fact that real estate activities largely contribute
toward the growth and development of any community, and in that line of business
Edwin W. Trenbath has aided in the upbuilding of Kennewick, where he has
maintained a real estate office for several years in partnership with George E.
Tweedt. He was born in Soverville, New Jersey, February 2, 1889, his parents
being Robert C. and Alice Alva (Wight) Trenbath, both of whom have passed away.
The father, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic to the United States at
the age of twenty-one and for many years was a buyer for the famous firm of A.
T. Stewart & Company. Later, however, he turned his attention to farming,
following that pursuit until his demise. The mother came of an old American
family, the first ancestor having emigrated to this country in 1634 from the
Isle of Wight.

Amid the refining influences of a Christian home Edwin W. Trenbath received the
first lessons of life from his parents. In the acquirement of his education he
attended the common school in Somerville, subsequently entering the high school,
from which he was graduated. Well prepared to take up life's active duties, he
then entered the employ of the American Steel & Wire Company of Trenton, New
Jersey, with which he remained for three and a half years, coming in 1910 to
Kennewick, Washington, where he secured a position with the Hover Investment
Company. He remained with that concern until 1914 and in that connection
acquired much valuable experience which has stood him in good stead in his
present business enterprise. In 1914 he joined George E. Tweedt in establishing
a real estate and insurance business which has since grown to extensive
proportions. They handle not only farm but also city property and write various
lines of insurance, representing some of the best known companies of the
country. Mr. Trenbath has given much time to the study of local real estate
conditions and is considered an expert in his line, so that his judgment is
regarded as practically infallible and his advice often sought. He is equally
well versed in insurance matters and this knowledge, in combination with his
natural abilitv, has made him one of the foremost business men in his line
within the Yakima valley. The most honorable business standards have guided all
the transactions of the firm and their reputation is of the highest, so that
they enjoy the full trust and confidence of the public.

On the 18th of September, 1913, Mr. Trenbath married Alice Armstrong Ashmun, of
Waupaca, Wisconsin, and both are popular members of the social set of
Kennewick, their hospitable home often being the meeting place of their many
friends. They have an adopted daughter, Margaret Middleton, upon whom they
bestow all the love and care of an own child.

Mr. Trenbath has always taken a laudable and active interest in the growth and
development of his city and county and has particularly concerned himself in
industrial and commercial expansion, serving at present as vice-president of
the Commercial Club and having in his official position advocated many measures
which have proven of great benefit to the community. He has also been a strong
advocate of the good roads movement, realizing the value of improved roads in
order to bring tourists, motorists and other travelers to the district and also
to facilitate transportation generally, and serves at present as the secretary
of the Benton County Good Roads .Association. The family identify themselves
with the Episcopal church and take a laudable and helpful part in its work.
Fraternally Mr. Trenbath is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in
which he is a past noble grand. In his political affiliations he is a democrat
and has always faithfully supported the party, although he has never desired
office for himself, preferring to devote his time and efforts to his other
interests. As a business man and as a private citizen he is a valuable addition
to Kennewick, which city has now been his home for over eight years, and all who
have the honor of his closer acquaintance are agreed as to his high qualities of
heart and character. On the 10th of September, 1918, Mr. Trenbath enlisted in
the United States military service and was sent to the Infantry Central
Officers' Training School at Camp Pike, Arkansas, where he remained until after
the armistice was signed. He was then honorably discharged December 7, 1918, and
returned home to resume business affairs.

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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.