LAURA MCEWEN WHEELER
KITTITAS COUNTY, WA

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Contributed by:  Shelli Steedman 4/20/2007


DEATH TAKES MRS. LAURA WHEELER, 88, VALLEY PIONEER CAME HERE BY OX-TEAM IN
'71.  Death this morning took one of the oldest pioneers of Yakima County,
Mrs. Laura E. Wheeler, 88, in Sorensen Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Wheeler died of complications of old age after having been in the
hospital seven weeks.  Mrs. Wheeler was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H.
McEwen and was born in Shelton in 1867.  In 1871 she accompanied her parents
by ox-team and horseback over the Cascade mountains to the Kittitas Valley.
At that time Indian war scares were frequent, a it had not been long since
Gov. Isaac Stevens had subdued the Indians of Central Washington.  The
Perkins murders in the Yakima Valley and the Bannock war was yet to come.

Mrs. Wheeler generally was known as 'Aunt Laura' to her many friends and
relatives.  She married the late Abe Wheeler in 1888, and she was the last
survivor of her immediate family.  Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were married 53
years.  They lived on a farm south of Kittitas, but of late years Mrs.
Wheeler has been living with a daughter, Mrs. John L. Harder of Ellensburg.

Mrs. Wheeler was a long time member of the Baptist church.  Other survivors
include another daughter, Mrs. P. B. Moran, Seattle, two grandchildren and
three great grandchildren.  A son, Charles Wesley Wheeler, died six years
ago.  

Funeral services have been set for 2 p.m.  Monday at the First Baptist Church
with Rev. Dan Rueb officiating.  Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

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Laura's parents were John Hager McEwen and Jerusah Morrow.  I have Laura's
birthday as November 28 1965.  The headstone has 1866.  She died May 7, 1955.