Thomas Ethan BURGEN

Sources:

1900 Census Waterville Precinct,Douglas,Washington
Washington State Digital Archives - Death Records
Rootsweb.com - nil
NewFamilySearch.org, Jul 2009
FamilySearch.org/FamilyTree, Nov 2018
Find A Grave Memorials
1910 Census Ephrata, Grant, Washington, pg8B, ED74

Notes:

                   Obituary included in notes.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., January 8, 1932, page 1THOMAS BURGEN, 84, KLICKITAT PIONEER, DIESThomas Burgen, son John Burgen, died at his home near Wenatchee, last Monday, at the age of 84 years. As Thomas Burgen was a pioneer resident of Klickitat county, and had a wide acquaintance here, the Argi. has gathered an interesting summary of Thomas Burgenâs life. So far as can be determined the death of Mr. Burgen marks the passing of the oldest pioneer in the point of continuous residence in all of eastern Washington. He came to Goldendale 78 years ago, or about 15 years before the first white settler came to theIinland Empire. Mr. Burgen was born near St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847, and came to Oregon with his parents, in 1857. They were a part of a large train of 250 wagons. Mr. Burgen is survived by his wife, Jessie Burgen, a son Collin Burgen, of Spokane and, and four sisters, Mary Wallace of Portland, Or.; Nancy Graham and Lydia Branton of Goldendale; and Emma Pierce of Seattle; and one brother, Oscar Burgen, of Cobert, in Spokane county. The great train of people came over the Old Oregon trail to make a new home in the Oregon country. The Burgens first settled in Lynn county, but a little later came over into the Klickitat country, where young Thomas grew to manhood. While in Klickitat, in 1885, Thomas Burgen was married to Miss Jessie Heskett, who survives him. To this union there were born five children, only two of whom grew to manhood, Harry who passed beyond in 1903 and his surviving son Colin Burgen. During his earlier years Thomas Burgen, in Klickitat, was engaged in the cattle business, and on several occasions assisted in trailing herds of cattle to Fort Cheyenne. In the spring of 1888, with his wife, Jessie, and his two sons, the Burgen people moved to Douglas county, bringing with him his herds of cattle and horses. The heart-breaking the winter of 1889 and 1890, entirely destroyed his stock, and the family moved over to the little town of Waterville, the county seat. They lived there for 13 years, and here the other children were born. With a courage natural to man of his stamp, Burgen again engaged in raising stock. His territory was then known as âthe desert.âWith the settling of the country Mr. Burgen quit stock raising and for many years past has engaged in farming, and was active on the farm until within two weeks of his death. The Agri. will conclude this article with a tribute to Thomas Burgen by a Klickitat pioneer who knew him well: His charity, neighborliness, honesty and industry was of the kind that built the west. At his home no man was refused food and lodging, and his purse was opened to the needy. His friends are to be found all over the state of Washington. He was honored and respected by all who knew him.