“James Webb’s Death Ends Long Illness”
Death came to James Webb, old-time resident of Union, last Saturday at Hot Lake after a long illness. He was born in Iowa in 1874, and was aged 56 years, nine months and two days. He came west with the George Wilkinson family in 1890, and settled in High Valley, where he lived until his marriage to Nora Wilkinson in 1897. Thereafter he was a Union resident. He is survived by his widow and relatives in Iowa and Illinois.
Mr. Webb was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Woodmen of the World and Methodist church.
Funeral services were held Sunday at the Methodist church under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias, with Rev. R. C. Lee officiating, and were attended by many sorrowing friends, including members of the La Grande Pythian lodge. H. E. Dixon of that city delivered an address at the grave.
“Tributes Are paid to James Webb, Worthy Citizen”
A large number of relatives and friends gathered at the Methodist church Monday afternoon, October 6, to pay tributes of respect to James Webb, who passed away Saturday afternoon, October 4.
His passing brought sorrow to the whole community, having been a life-long resident of fifty year’s standing, and his genial nature and disposition having made him a host of friends.
The following obituary was read at the services:
James Webb, only son of John and Arminda Webb, was born near Bladensburg, Wapello county, Iowa, January 2, 1874, and passed on at Hot Lake, Oregon, Saturday, October 4, after a long illness.
He did not know the guiding hand of mother or father, as they and his baby sister died before he was three years old, leaving him to the care of his grandmother McKinnis, who tenderly reared him to young manhood.
In the fall of 1890, he came to Oregon with the George Wilkinson family, making his home with them in High Valley.
In August, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Wilkinson eldest daughter of Andrew and Virginia La Mere Wilkinson.
He is survived by his widow, and relatives in Iowa and Illinois, besides a host of friends here.
He united with the Methodist church in the fall of 1928, under the pastorate of Rev. R. C. Lee, who paid high tribute to his worth as a friend and Christian.
The large crowed and beautiful floral offerings attested to the high esteem in which he was held in the community.
He was an active member of the Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters and Woodmen of the World. He was Grand Vizier of the Knights of Khorassen of La Grande, and a past grand officer of the grand lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Oregon.
Active pallbearers from the La Grande lodge were Ralph Byers, Claude Berry, Walter Jones, Joe Kinney, Dr, Riley and Mr. Buell.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist church, in charge of Rev. R. C. Lee, who read from the 14th Chapter of John, his text being, Because I Live Ye Shall Live Also. Music was furnished by the choir, who sang “Rock of Ages, Beautiful tale of Somewhere”, “Abide With Me” and “(illegible)”.
Services at the grave were in charge of the Knights of Pythias of Union and La Grande. The choir sang “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.”
The Weekly Eastern Oregon Republican. Union, Oregon.
Friday, October 10, 1930. Volume 43, Number 8, Page 3.
Contributed by: Robin Church