Taylor, Terry Grant “Shorty” – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Terry Grant “Shorty” Taylor, 41, of Albany, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 29, 2002, at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. At his request, there will be no funeral. Mr. Taylor was born on Nov. 7, 1961, at Baker City to Kenneth and Roberta Miles Taylor. He lived in Baker City until he was 17 and then lived in various places before moving to Albany about 11 years ago. He enjoyed drawing and writing poetry. He served in the Oregon National Guard. Survivors include his father, Kenneth Taylor of Baker City; brothers, Bob Taylor of … Read more

Odell, William Holman – Obituary

Plans have been completed for funeral services this afternoon in Salem for W. H. Odell, who died here late Wednesday night [April 26, 1922] at the age of 92. He was formerly editor and owner of the Oregon Statesman of Salem and a well-known educator and political figure. Mr. Odell came to Oregon from Indiana in 1851. He attended Willamette University. After his marriage, he and his wife had charge for a time of the old Santiam Academy. Later he was identified with the public schools of Albany. In 1864 he moved to Eugene and was appointed United States Deputy … Read more

Hearing, William Albert – Obituary

W. A. Hearing was Pioneer Freighter Death called William Albert Hearing, pioneer freighter and farmer, Jan. 17 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred Pembrook, in the Mt. Carmel district. Mr. Hearing was born Feb. 28, 1868 at Albany, Oregon, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hearing, Western Oregon and Wallowa County pioneers. When a small child his parents brought him from Western Oregon to Wallowa County. He freighted from The Dalles to Eastern Oregon and came to Baker County in 1898, where he engaged in farming in the Muddy Creek district until 1930, when he … Read more

Wilson, Bradley Dean – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Bradley Dean Wilson, 58, of Elgin died Jan. 4 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., after a year-long battle with cancer. A funeral service is planned for noon Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin. A viewing will be available from 8 to 10 a.m. that morning at the Loveland Funeral Chapel in La Grande. Burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery immediately following the services. Mr. Wilson was born Sept. 8, 1948, in Albany to Marion W. and Berna Clara Wilson and was educated in Albany and Portland. After … Read more

Sherod, Tony – Obituary

Services Held For Tony Sherod Wallowa, Oregon Funeral services were held at Albany November 21 for Tony L. Sherod, 74. He was reard in Wallowa County and formerly owned the Gerald Gelsinger place in middle valley. He had been bedfast for the past month. He leaves his wife, Laura Heskett Sherod, two sons, Vincent, of Blodgett, Ore. and Willie of Lebanon. His brother, Earl H. Sherod went down from here to attend the funeral. Wallowa County Chieftain, Thursday, 26 November 1953, Page 1 Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sherod attended the funeral services on November 21st of his brother Tony Sherod … Read more

Williamson, John Harold – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon John Harold Williamson John Harold “Jack” Williamson, 70, of La Grande died Feb. 15 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in La Grande. Jack was born May 26, 1936, to Harold and Shirley (Thomas) Williamson in Albany. He graduated from Jewel High School and later from Western Oregon University with a degree in teaching. He married Sandra Allen from Portland Nov. 29, 1958, and they lived in Fossil. In 1960 he enlisted for one term in the Army. He went on to work for NASA … Read more

Biography of Archimedes Hanan

ARCHIMEDES HANAN. – This venerable pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born on the 9th of November, 1810, in Harrison county, Kentucky. The early years of his life were truly those of a wanderer. Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota reckoned him as a citizen at sundry times and places up to the year 1852. In the spring of that year he started on the long and wearisome journey across the plains. Oregon was his objective point; and after the usual trying though interesting incidents of the immigrants’ career, he stopped at Albany in the fall of 1852. There … Read more

Biography of Rev. John F. Devore, D. D.

REV. JOHN F. DEVORE, D.D. – Doctor Devore was a native of Kentucky, being born near Lexington, December 7, 1817. He was of French descent, as the name indicates, and owed very much to the pious example of religious parents, who urged him with their last words to be “faithful to his God.” The “Life of Bramwell” fell into his hands at an early date, was read with great relish, and had much to do in molding the shape of his after life. Entering the ministry, he joined the Rock river conference in 1842, Bishop Roberts presiding. He was ordained … Read more

Hanna, Raymond E. – Obituary

Raymond E. Hanna, 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 19, 2007, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with his wife and sons by his side. Raymond was born in Raymond, Wash. He moved to Baker, Ore., in 1930, where he attended Baker schools. He served in the U.S. Navy from March 1943 to March 1946. He trained at Farragut, Idaho and Treasure Island, Calif., and was assigned to the U.S.S. Reno. He married Betty Arlene Fleming on Aug. 26, 1950, in Baker. He attended Baker Business College in 1955 and was employed as an office manager for auto dealerships … Read more

Biographical Sketch of M. C. George

M.C. GEORGE. – M.C. George is the third son of Presley and Mahala George. He is a gentleman of brisk mental qualities and great force, with refined popular attainments, and an honorable reputation that extends to every corner of Oregon. He was born in Noble county, Ohio, May 13, 1849. He received his education in our own state, at the Santiam Academy and at the Willamette University. He began independent life as principal of the public schools of Albany, and subsequently of the Academy at Jefferson. He was also engaged for a time in journalistic employment; but choosing the legal … Read more

Biography of Lewis Fleischner

Fleischner, Lewis, one of the leading merchants of Portland was born in the village of Vogelgesang, Bohemia, in 1829. He was educated in his native village and at Tissan a small town near his home. At the age of fifteen years he came to America, and for a short time remained in New York City. He then went to Philadelphia, where he was employed for five years by a dealer in horses and cattle. At the end of this period, in 1849, he came to Drakeville, Davis County, Iowa, and for three years was engaged in merchandising. In 1852 he … Read more

Durr, Carolyn Bonitz Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Carolyn Durr, 70, died Nov. 5, 2004, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise. Her graveside service was at 1 p.m. today at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception at the Lions Hall afterward. Carolyn Durr was born to Aubrey and Thelma Bonitz at Oklahoma City, Okla., on June 14, 1934. Her family later moved to Albany where she graduated from Albany High School. It was in high school that she met David Durr. They were married in 1954 while he was serving in the U.S. Marines. They spent the … Read more

Kinnison, Beulah Adelia Starmer Mrs. – Obituary

Kinnison Rites Slated Thursday Mrs. Beulah Adelia Kinnison, 56, of 2035 East street, died Tuesday morning at St. Elizabeth hospital. She was born on May 6, 1901 to the Rev. A.J. and Minnie R. Starmer at Ashland. She moved from Ashland to Albany, coming to Baker from Albany 39 years ago. Two and a half years ago she became co-owner of the Corset Clinic in the Antlers hotel building, and was manager until her illness. Mrs. Kinnison was a member of the Pythian Sisters and of the Methodist church. She is survived by three daughters and one son, Lilith B. … Read more

Shurtz, Aletta Fae Dunn Mrs. – Obituary

Aletta Fae Dunn Shurtz, 84, of Albany, a former Baker County resident, died June 10, 2008, at Albany. A memorial service will be scheduled later at Baker City. Fae was born on Sept. 1, 1923, at Haines to Roy and Clara Walling Dunn. She spent her early childhood at Sparta and attended Baker schools. During World War II she worked at the Kaiser Shipyard at Vancouver, Wash. She also worked as a waitress, a bartender and as a beautician and instructor. She married Ab Shurtz and they lived for several years at Yuma, Ariz. After Ab died she moved to … Read more

Collins, Ora O. Jackson Mrs. – Obituary

Ora O. Collins Dies, Burial Friday Funeral services for Ora Odelia Collins, 67, will be conducted at 2 pm Friday at West and Company Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Robert McNeil of the First Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Haines Cemetery. Mrs. Collins was born March 24, 1900 at Perry, Oregon and married Charlie E. Collins Feb. 22, 1920 at Haines. The daughter of G. W. and Ida Long Jackson, she spent her early life in Baker County. The family moved to Medford where they made their home for many years. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Collins moved … Read more

Harpole, Howard – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Howard Harpole, 82, of Albany and formerly of La Grande, died June 15 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital with his family at his side. Memorial services will begin at 10 a.m. June 28, at the First Christian Church in Albany. Howard was born in 1926 to Marvon and Rosetta (Marsh) Harpole in Elmira. He was raised in the Cottage Grove area, where he lived until enlisting in the Army. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and was in the 341st Infantry, 86th Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war he … Read more

Biography of Henry M. Thatcher

Throughout the greater part of his life Judge Henry M. Thatcher has resided on the Pacific slope, and as one of the honored pioneers of this section of the country has been prominently identified with its development, progress and up-building from an early day. He was born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1833, and is of German lineage. His grandfather, Samuel Thatcher, was born in Germany, and when a young man emigrated to the United States, settling in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Hannah Smith. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and lived to … Read more

Williams, Melvin F. – Obituary

Melvin F. Williams, 51, a former Baker City resident, died July 18, 2003, at the Veterans Hospital in Boise. There will be a private family service. Melvin was born Aug. 30, 1951, in Baker City to Fred and Enola (Derrick) Williams. He was raised and educated in the Baker City area. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served in Vietnam as a medic. He married Kathy Schuh in 1969. They had two children. In 1976 he married Charlotte (Wood) Stephens, and they moved to Albany in 1980. After Vietnam he worked for the Union Pacific … Read more

Calavan, Virgil L. – Obituary

Virgil L. Calavan, 75, former Albany mayor who was active in civic affairs here for many years, died Friday morning in a Corvallis hospital after a long illness. Mr. Calavan was the former owner of a drug store in East Albany which is now Lammers’ Pharmacy. After selling the East Albany store he operated Mason’s Drug Store in downtown Albany, which is now owned by Gerald Steele. He had lived in Corvallis since 1946. A 1911 graduate of Oregon State College, Mr. Calavan was a school principal in eastern Linn County before he opened his first drug store in Albany. … Read more

Keith, Lyall – Obituary

Lyall Keith of Box 300, Walton, passed away February 9, 1970 at the age of 66. He was born November 13, 1903 in Portland, Oregon and had resided in Lane County for the past 31 years. He was united in marriage to Edith Bilyeu, December 24, 1930 in Albany, Oregon. Besides his wife, he is survived by a half brother, Gordon Keith of Eureka, California; several aunts and uncles. He was a member of the Eugene Moose Lodge. Funeral services will be held in the Poole-Larsen Chapel Thursday, February 12th at 3 p.m. with private cremation to follow. [Interment Pine … Read more