Joseph, Oregon
Born in Newton Falls, OH, April 20, 1841 five years before the beginning of the Mexican war, she still retained faint recollections of those long ago times.
Her girlhood was spent in front of the fire place, before the stove, the lamp or sewing machine were heard of.
In the year 1868 at the age of 27 years, Mary E. Strock was united in marriage to James J. Stanley, a veteran of the Civil war. A year later they became residents of Gold Hill, Boulder County, Colorado. Here her two children were born.
In 1883 the family came to Oregon making the trip from Colorado by team and wagon. They live a short time on Prairie Creek, moving into the village of Joseph in 1884. Here Mrs. Stanley has since resided having been a continuous resident of Joseph nearly 43 years.
Her daughter, now Mrs. G.M. Cannon and son Charles N. Stanley, set type on the first issues of the Chieftain at that time published in Joseph.
Mrs. Stanley was laid away in her wedding dress fashioned and made by her mother nearly 60-years ago. For years she had lived her quiet kindly life, pursuing her way untouched by the passing world. In death she was clothed in the quaint loveliness in which she had lived. Ripe in age, wisdom and character, her passing is mourned by her two children, one sister and three brothers, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, besides a host of friends. Dying at the ripe age of 85 years, 8 months and 11 days, verily we say with the Psalmist, “She spent her days as a tale that is told.”
Wallowa County Chieftain 1936, Death Notice
Contributed by Jim Jay Stanley