Astoria Oregon

Biography of Dr. W. C. McKay

DR. W.C. McKAY. – One by one the pioneers who braved the wilderness and its dangers, in order that their posterity might enjoy the fruits of their hazardous conquests of the domain of the savage are passing away. As the poet sang of the valorous knights of the days of chivalry, “Their souls are with the saints, we trust,” so, at no distant day, will the same be sung o’er the graves of the last of the pioneers. So, while yet alive, let us honor them as they deserve to be honored; and when dead let their deeds be recorded … Read more

Rea, George Whitefield – Obituary

George Whitefield Rea was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 7, 1839. He was early thrown upon his own responsibility by his mother’s death. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Rea was desirous of enlisting, but as he was in the railroad service when he was needed in the transportation of troops and supplies, he was not permitted to enlist till the year 1864. He served to the end of the war and was honorably discharged. After the war Judge Rea took up the study of law, and followed that profession ever since. He first practiced in Nebraska, and in … Read more

Biography of Col. John Colgate Bell

COL. JOHN COLGATE BELL. – Colonel Bell, enjoying a wide reputation from Southern Oregon to Idaho, and back again to the Pacific seashore throughout the state in which he has successively lived and made a multitude of personal acquaintances, merits a special recognition on account of his public services in official relations and in the early Indian wars of Southern Oregon. He was born at Sterling, Kentucky, February 24, 1814. His parents were from Virginia; and among his ancestors were those distinguished in the early history of the nation, his father having served with General Harrison in the war of … Read more

Biography of John J. Owen

The history of the first things is always interesting. In any town the first settler’s is the name most carefully preserved. The places where he established his home and first worked at his primitive vocation are carefully noted, and his deeds and words are recounted often and with increasing interest as generations succeed one another. There lives in Genesee, Idaho, a man, now the postmaster of the city, who was its pioneer in more ways than one and it is the purpose of the biographer to record now a brief statement of the facts of his life and of his … Read more

Cooper, Ada Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Ada May Cooper, 62, of Portland died May 29 at the U. S. naval hospital at Astoria, following a long illness. The Cooper family moved to La Grande in 1924, and lived here until they moved to Portland in 1941. Mrs. Cooper will be remembered as the mother of Alice Jeanette and Maelizabeth Cooper, both of whom are dead. the girls were talented La Grande violinists. Surviving here are her sons, Lt. Leonard Cooper U. S. N. R., stationed at the Astoria naval air station, and Ellery “Bud” Cooper of Portland, recently discharged from … Read more

Hylton, Glen L. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Glen L. Hylton, 78, of Baker City died Saturday, January 24, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Care Center. His memorial service will be announced at a later date. Mr. Hylton was born on December 3, 1925 in Enterprise, Oregon to Alex and Susie (Wakefield) Hylton. He was raised in LaGrande attending school in the area until he enlisted in the Navy. He served during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific from 1943-1946. During his time in LaGrande, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Mae Fihn. They were united in marriage on December 15, 1946 at the … Read more

Biography of Clark Nicholas Starry, M. D.

Clark Nicholas Starry, M. D. Representing the first class ability and skill of his profession and enjoying a large general practice, Clark Starry has devoted all his active lifetime to medicine as a profession, and began his career with an excellent equipment, the test of real practice finding him well qualified for important service. For the past fifteen years he has practiced at Coffeyville. He represents a family that came originally from England and settled in Virginia during colonial days. Clark Nicholas Starry, M. D., was born in Marshfield, Indiana, February 28, 1871, and his parents soon afterward came to … Read more

1899 Trullinger Scrapbook

1899 Trullinger Scrapbook

This scrapbook created by the Trullinger family of Clatsop County, Oregon contains clippings of various articles found in the local newspapers, letters, book articles, and other curiosities which intrigued the compiler at the time. Interspersed throughout are handwritten notes. The scrapbook commences on 22 May 1897 and ends on 24 January 1899 with a final handwritten note. The Clatsop Historical Society which has published this online does not state the creator and writer of the scrapbook, only that it was donated to them by the Trullinger family of Clatsop County, Oregon. Notes About the Document Scrapbook with hardback maroon covers. … Read more

Biography of William H. Gray

WILLIAM H. GRAY. – This pioneer of pioneers, and historian of events in which he took so conspicuous a part, was born in 1810 at Fairfield, New York, of Scotch descent. While but a lad of fourteen, he lost his father and was apprenticed to learn the cabinetmaker’s trade, and even before finishing his time became foreman of the shop. Upon attaining his majority he studied medicine, and being a member of the Presbyterian church, and known as a promising young man, he was sought and intrusted by the American board with the work of going as missionary in company … Read more

Allen, Alford B. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Alford B. Allen was born in Washington, Indiana, on July 23, 1929. However at the age of 17, he spent two weeks convincing the county clerk to change his birth records to indicate he was born in 1928 so that he could enlist during WWII. While in the Navy, in addition to performing duties as an electrician’s mate, he was a member of a Navy boxing team and was known for his fierce left hook, winning all of his bouts by knockout. Towards the end of his service, he was stationed in Astoria where he met Dora … Read more

Culley, Catherine E. Starr Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Catherine E. Culley, 81, a longtime Baker City resident and former Sumpter resident, died July 6, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Ed Niswender of Calvary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at Calvary Baptist Church, 2107 Third St. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Catherine was born on July 7, 1920, at Astoria to Clarence E. and Lucille Lockwood … Read more

Weeks, Nancy E. Beason Mrs. – Obituary

Nancy E. Weeks, 77, of Portland, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 16, 2001, at a Portland care home. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peace House in Portland. Mrs. Weeks was born on Sept. 8, 1924, at Portland to Walter and Nan Beason. As a child, she moved with her family to Baker City where she was raised and educated. She was a 1942 Baker High School graduate. After graduating, she returned to Portland where she met William G. Weeks. Mr. Weeks was honorably discharged from the military after serving in World World II. … Read more

Biography of Col. James Taylor

COL. JAMES TAYLOR. – The immigration of 1845 was large, and furnished many of the leading men of the Northwest, among that number being Colonel James Taylor of Astoria, Oregon. Although now past eighty years of age, he is still one of the active citizens of a city which boasts of many men of energy. He is one of the fathers of the place, not only in point of time, but as owner of considerable property in the city and adjacent country, embracing the heights west of the city, which will one day be occupied with handsome residences, as they … Read more

Mitchell, Dorothy Margaret Schoenbaechler Mrs. – Obituary

Dorothy Margaret Mitchell was born Feb. 28, 1908, at Astoria to August “Gus” and Jeannette “Nettie” (Lawrence) Schoenbaechler. She died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston at the age of 95. Dorothy was raised in Baker City and graduated from high school there. She was a resident of the Hermiston area for the past 24 years. She was a homemaker and a member of the Catholic Church. She is survived by daughters, Mary Jane Guyer of Walla Walla Wash., Margaret Ray of Hermiston, and Jeanne Smith of Pendleton; brother-in-law, Rev. Thomas J. Mitchell OSB of … Read more

Lillard, Forrest J. – Obituary

Haines, Oregon Funeral services for Forrest Jenkins Lillard, Rt. 1, Haines, 50 yrs., will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at West and Co. Memorial Chapel The Reverand Lawrence Roumpf of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate with the Blue Mountain Lodge No. 176 A.F. and A.M. also conducting services. Internment will follow at the family plot in North Powder Cemetery, North Powder, Oregon. Mr. Lillard was born May 10, 1917 at Baker, Oregon, the son of Willis W. and Ruth Jenkins Lillard. He had his early schooling at Mt. Carmel and then attended schools at North Powder where he … Read more

Wahmaskie, A Lower Chinook Indian Genealogy

Clyde Chenois and unidentified man

This provides the descendants of Wahmaskie, a Lower Chinook Indian who married James Huckquist, a white man. Using census and vital records, as well as Native American specific records, this research provides several generations of her descendants through her son, Dixie James, who was the only surviving heir.

Biography of Alanson Hinman

ALANSON HINMAN. – The career of this well-known pioneer, whose portrait appears herein, has been unique and interesting; and in one respect, at least, he occupies at the present time a peculiar place among the early settlers of our country. That is, he is almost the only man yet living, of the earliest pioneers, who still remains in the full vigor of mind and body. There are, indeed, a few yet living whose immigration dates further back than Mr. Hinman’s; but they are almost all now in extreme old age. He, on the other hand, though he has now been … Read more

Biography of John Hobson

JOHN HOBSON. – Mr. Hobson, with his father and brother Richard and three sisters, came to Oregon as early as 1843, being members of the first large immigration. The story of their trip and the influences which directed their footsteps hither is one of the pleasantest and most romantic among our early annals; and there is no novel nor history more fascinating than to listen half a day as we did to the recital of his adventures. He is a native of England, having been born in Derbyshire in 1824. His father was a hatter, and, losing his wife by … Read more

Biography of Garrison G. Gray

To the prominent and esteemed citizen of Malheur County whose name appears above we grant a representation in the history of the County, since he is today one of the leading men domiciled here, has always labored for the up building of the County, is a man of integrity and uprightness, and receives the commendation of his fellows. Mr. Gray’s grandfather, John Gray, was said to be the last living soldier from the Revolution. He was a drummer boy at Bunker Hill and saw his father fall, then seized his sire’s musket and fought until the struggle closed. He worked … Read more