Ada County ID

Ada County ID, established in December 1864, is located in southwestern Idaho and serves as the state’s most populous county, with Boise as its county seat and largest city. The county’s establishment came during a period of significant expansion and settlement in the Pacific Northwest, spurred by the discovery of gold and the subsequent mining booms in Idaho Territory. Its geographic features, including the Boise River and surrounding foothills, have played a pivotal role in its development, influencing settlement patterns, agriculture, and the establishment of transportation routes. Ada County’s early records, crucial for genealogical research, begin in the 1860s and encompass land transactions, mining claims, and vital records that detail the lives of early settlers, many of whom were miners, farmers, and entrepreneurs drawn to the region by economic opportunities. The area was traditionally inhabited by the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, who utilized the river valleys and foothills for hunting, fishing, and gathering. For genealogists, Ada County’s historical records, including census data, marriage, birth, and death records, provide invaluable insights into the socio-economic dynamics of the region and the ancestries of families who have called it home since its establishment.

Lundgren, Keith Mickey – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Keith Mickey Lundgren, 89, of Boise and formerly of La Grande died Jan. 9 at his home. Mr. Lundgren was born May 6, 1917, in Osceola, Neb. As a young man growing up on the Great Plains, Keith was drawn to the romance of the railroad and the possibilities of the West. After graduating from Grand Island High School in Nebraska, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent six years, just prior to World War II, aboard the U.S.S. Lexington traveling around the Pacific and through the Panama Canal, including several weeks searching for the lost aviator … Read more

Biography of Hon. Zenas Ferry Moody

HON. Z.F. MOODY. – Zenas Ferry Moody, ex-Governor of the State of Oregon, was born on the 27th of May, 1832, in Granby, Massachusetts. His father was Major Thomas H. Moody. His mother was Hannah M. Ferry, an aunt of ex-Senator T.W. Ferry, of Michigan, formerly vice-president of the United States. Governor Moody comes of good old New England Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Gideon Moody, having borne arms as a soldier during the Revolutionary war. He has proved himself worthy of his lineage; and the principles which he imbibed on New England soil have been the guide of his whole … Read more

Thomas, Frank A. – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Frank W. Thomas, 58, died at the Veterans Hospital in Boise, Id., on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1980. He had been in poor health for the past 25 years. He listed Wallowa as his home address. Born in Wallowa on July 7, 1921, he was the son of Bill and Laura Thomas. A veteran of World War II, he was a cook by occupation. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 1980, at the Wallowa Christian Church, with Bruce Hill officiating. Soloist and organist, Nyoda Scott sang “In The Garden” and “How Great Thou Art.” … Read more

Biography of John S. White

The subject of this review has been long and conspicuously identified with the history of the great west, and in varied official positions has proved a wise and discriminating factor in the public life. He is at the present time the incumbent of the important office of judge of probate of Elmore County, retaining his residence at Mountain Home, the flourishing and attractive little city which is the capital of said County. Judge White is a native son of the old Empire state, and may look with satisfaction upon a lineage which traces back to the stanchest of old New … Read more

Weaver, Elizabeth May VanSlyke Mrs. – Obituary

Elizabeth May Weaver, 96, passed away on March 9, 2007, at Boise, Idaho. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at 11 a.m. at the University Christian Church, 1801 University Drive, Boise. Elizabeth was born May 25, 1910, in Stevenson, Calif., to Asa and Blanche Prescott VanSlyke. The family moved to Idaho in 1912. Elizabeth graduated from Nampa (Idaho) High School in 1927. She attended Lewiston Normal School, earning a “life certificate” to teach in Idaho. She taught for several years in the Nampa area, during which time she met Harry A. Weaver. The couple married on … Read more

Huffman, Donald Wayne – Obituary

Union, Oregon Donald Wayne Huffman, 73, of Union died Aug. 10 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Boise. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the Union United Methodist Church. Burial at the Union Cemetery will be followed by a reception at the United Methodist Church. Mr. Huffman was born March 25, 1933, in Pyles Canyon. He attended school in Tolecaset until the eight grade. Don later graduated with the Union High School class of 1951. After high school, Don enlisted in the United States Army and after his honorable discharge he returned to the family ranch. … Read more

Planting, Freada Lucille – Obituary

Freada Lucille Planting, 86, of Boise, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, in a Boise care center. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Central Assembly Christian Life Center, 12000 Fairview Ave., with Pastors Loren Yadon Ted Buck and Marion Fretwell (Freada’s brother) officiating. Burial will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery. Services are under direction of the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, Boise. A viewing will be held today from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home, with the family greeting friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Freada Lucille Planting was born April 7, 1916, at the family … Read more

Barnhart, Vera Willett Glenn Mrs. – Obituary

Vera W. Glenn Barnhart, 86, of Boise, died Dec. 9, 2001, in a Boise hospital. Her memorial service was Dec. 12, 2001, at the Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise. Inurnment is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Vera was born Oct. 31, 1915, at Baker City to Glen Willett and Florence James Willett. She attended elementary school at Baker City and high school at Meridian, Idaho. She married James R. Glenn on May 11, 1935, at Boise. They had two children: Jacqueline and Gary. She enjoyed fishing, was an avid dancer, a world traveler and she … Read more

Biography of Timothy Regan

Among the pioneers of Idaho is Timothy Regan, of Boise, who came to the territory in 1864, and has since been largely instrumental in developing the rich mineral resources of the state. He is a native of Rochester, New York, born November 14, 1843, and is of Irish extraction. His parents, Morgan and Mary (Burk) Regan, were both natives of the Emerald Isle, whence they emigrated to the state of Maine, in 1831, bringing with them their two infant daughters. At a later date they removed to New York, thence to Chicago and afterward to Wisconsin, where the father secured … Read more

Dielman, Byrdie “Opal” Shropshire Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Byrdie “Opal” Dielman, 85, died Sept. 12, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Care Center, where she had been a resident for three weeks. Her memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Opal, the first of six children of Robert David and Hazel Viola Fox Shropshire, was born on Jan. 14, 1917, at the family farm near Ashland, Kan., 50 miles south of Dodge City. She obtained her education there graduating as valedictorian of the Ashland High School class of 1935. She married Raymond “Ray” Charles Dielman, who … Read more

Biography of Frank C. Ramsey

The history of a state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges of the character of a community by those of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius or learning or accomplishment of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state’s prosperity and pride. In a review of the events that constitute the annals of Idaho we learn that Frank C. Ramsey is numbered among those who have … Read more

Holt, Thomas Martin – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Thomas Martin Holt Thomas Martin Holt, 72, died at his home Feb. 21. He was born Sept. 2, 1934, in Marquette, Kan., to John Charles Lucas and Eunice Louise (Johnson) Holt. The family intends to hold a memorial service for family and friends in the La Grande area sometime this summer. Details for this will be forthcoming. Memorials in Tom Holt’s name can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 902 Fourth St., La Grande 97850. Mr Holt was raised and educated in Marquette. He graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., with a BA in business administration … Read more

Fisk, Roy A. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Roy A. Fisk Passes After Heart Attack Roy A. Fisk passed away at the hospital Monday, Jan. 29, 1940. For several years he had realized that his heart was not strong and he had been careful not to over exert himself and he felt he was improving. However, he suffered a sever attack Sunday, after doing his morning chores on the old Jacob Bauer farm south of town, and he was taken to the hospital. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at two o’clock in the Christian Church. Mr. Fisk was born at Chippewa Falls, … Read more

Biography of James King

A leading representative of the building interests, of Boise, and the present register of the land office of this city, James King is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Pittsburg, on the 15th of August 1832. He is of both German and English descent, his ancestors of those nationalities having settled in New York in 1664. They came with General Braddock and always remained in this land. In the war of the Revolution the family was represented by loyal Americans, who fought for liberty, and throughout many years they were prominently identified with the Presbyterian Church. The … Read more

Biography of Calvin R. White

Calvin R. White, one of the best known pioneers of Idaho, now residing in Boise, was born near Boston, Massachusetts, July 27, 1836, his parents being Samuel B. and Sarah (Richardson) White, natives of the Bay state. The father was for many years connected with the Boston & Lowell Railway, and died in the city of Boston when about seventy-six years of age. He was a son of Samuel White, also a native of Massachusetts, in which state his death occurred when he had passed the psalmist’s span of life of three-score years and ten. The mother of our subject … Read more

Biography of George Gumbert

The proprietor of the city meat market and the pioneer butcher of Boise, where he has been in business since 1864, is George Gumbert, who is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having taken place in Pittsburg on June 11, 1835. Of German extraction, his ancestors were early settlers of Pennsylvania and his great grandfather, Gumbert, fought in the colonial army during the Revolutionary war. His paternal grandfather was a farmer in Westmoreland County. His father, George Gumbert, was born in Pittsburg, where he followed the meat business nearly all his life, having attained the advanced age of ninety years. … Read more

Lay, Lois Irene Deardorff Mrs. – Obituary

Lois Irene Lay, 92, of Boise, a former longtime Northeastern Oregon resident, died of complications from a stroke on July 16, 2006, at Boise. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Ginger Creek Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11918 W. Ustick Road, Boise. Visitations will be at the church from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. There will be a short graveside service at the Union, Ore., Cemetery, at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Lois was born on June 14, 1914, at Baker City to Charlie Lewis Deardorff and Minnie Meyer. … Read more

Lewis, Merle M. – Obituary

Merle M. Lewis, 85, a former Baker City resident, died July 4, 2001, at a Boise care facility. Her funeral was today at 1 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel in Boise. Burial was at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise. Arrangements were under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel. Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 13, 2001 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

Guyer, Erma Gladys Mrs. – Obituary

Erma Gladys Guyer, 93, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 4, 2004 at Boise after having lived a long life filled with simple pleasures. Her funeral will be Monday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. PDT at the Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave. in Boise. Interment with graveside services will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery on Monday at 2:30 p.m. PDT. Erma was born Oct. 23, 1910, at Richland. She grew up on her parents’ sheep ranch on the Powder River and attended Sunnyside School in Eagle Valley. As a teenager, Erma worked as a cook at the … Read more

McClaren, C. M. – Obituary

C. M. McClaren Passes (From the Haines Record) It was learned yesterday that C.M. McClaren, formerly of Haines died at Boise, Sunday. Mr. McClaren was 80 years of age and is survived by a wife and a son, Frank. North Powder News – Oregon Trail Weekly Friday May 1 1931 Transcribed by Charlotte Carper