Benton County OR

Carper, John – Obituary

Promise, Wallowa County, Oregon Obit 1955-2004 John Wesley Carper, 49, of Promise died Dec. 10. A celebration of life and potluck will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the IOOF hall in Wallowa. Mr. Carper was born March 8, 1955, to John Edgar and Linda Juhola Carper in La Grande. He graduated from high school in Alsea where he was a member of the state champion football team. He had a ranch in Wallowa County and worked at Rogge’s Mill, where he received awards as a lumber grader. He enjoyed hunting; gathering mushrooms and rocks, and loved the history of … Read more

Biography of George M. Jasper

GEORGE M. JASPER. Among the prosperous and thrifty agricultural and stock-raising population of Union county there should be mentioned in a work of the character of the volume now under consideration of the substantial citizen whose name initiates this paragraph, because he has lived since an early day in the county, being practically a product of its institutions, and because he has achieved here a worthy and commendable success, and because of the stanch qualities with which he is endowed so richly. In Oregon have been born some of the leading citizens of Oregon, and one among the number is … Read more

Talbott, Lester Elvin – Obituary

Lester Elvin Talbott, 94, of Junction City, and a former Baker City resident, died March 22, 2002. His funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Chapel in Junction City. Visitations will be Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at Alford Cemetery. Mr. Talbott was born Dec. 23, 1907, at Tillamook to Francis and Franky (Farley) Talbott. He graduated from high school in Tillamook. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II. After the war he worked as a farmer and mill worker, retiring from … Read more

Biography of Andrew Roberts

ANDREW ROBERTS. – Andrew Roberts was born in Dundee, Scotland, August 12, 1822. When one year old he had lost both of his parents. He was then removed to Forfar. As soon as he was of proper age he learned the trade of a tailor, and when he had earned and saved sufficient money he left his native land for the United States. He thus states that venture: “I left my home in 1842, and on foot started to Dundee, distant fourteen miles. I took the steamer from there to Edinburgh, and traveled thence by rail to Glasgow. I then … Read more

Biography of George C. Gray

GEORGE C. GRAY. – Mr. Gray was born in East Tennessee in 1840. His father was a farmer, and also an active worker as preacher in the Baptist church, and upon arriving in Oregon in 1853 laid a Donation claim near Corvallis, conducting his farm six days in the week and carrying on religious work on Sundays. It was in these surroundings that young George grew to man’s estate; and his first independent exertions were as a laborer in Corvallis from 1854 to 1860. In 1861 he went to the Oro Fino mines, and in 1862 brought cattle to Walla … Read more

Huffman, Estella C. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Estella C. Huffman, a resident of Corvallis, died at the Corvallis Care Center Thursday, September 10, 1981. She was 84. The daughter of Julius and Mary Breshears Bendshadler, she was born January 31, 1897, at Elgin, where she received her early schooling. She graduated from Northwest Christian College in Eugene in 1922. She was married to Fred M. Huffman in 1927 at Elgin. Afterward the couple lived in La Grande for many years prior to moving to Corvallis. He preceded her in death in 1966. She is survived by her son, Wallace of Portland; brothers Ben Bendshadler of … Read more

Aldrich, Lewis Eugene “Bud”, Jr. – Obituary

Haines, Oregon Lewis Eugene “Bud” Aldrich Jr., 82, of Haines, died Sept. 19, 2004, at his home. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets in Baker City. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the St. Francis Parish Hall. Disposition was by cremation at Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory. Inurnment will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the Haines Cemetery. Bud was born May 22, 1922, at the old St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City, to Lewis and Edna Burnside Aldrich. In … Read more

Biography of Werner A. Wrenn

Among the agriculturists and business men of Wallowa County, the subject of this sketch stands as a leader, having manifested capabilities that justly entitle him to that position, while also he possesses an adaptability and perseverance coupled with energy, that have enabled him to handle large interests and manipulate them in a manner that brings success, while also his characteristic integrity and stanch principles of truth and uprightness have given him a prestige enviable and commendable. Mr. Wrenn was born in Benton County, Oregon, on March 3, 1866, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Watt) Wrenn, natives respectively of … Read more

Biography of G. W. Ozmont

G.W. OZMENT. – This gentleman is a veteran of the Indian wars, a survivor of many a bloody fight in Southern Oregon, and a pioneer of 1852. Born at Greensborough, North Carolina, in 1833, he became an orphan at the age of ten, and at fifteen went to Western Virginia with an uncle, and somewhat later was in Tennessee, working on his own account. The far West, however, was the land of his dreams; and he saved his earnings to go to Paducah, and from that point to St. Louis. Three months later he was on his way to St. … Read more

Battrick, Robin Louise – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robin Louise Battrick, 56, formerly of La Grande, died July 31 at her home in Coffey, Mo., following a 10-month battle with cancer. A funeral service and burial will be in Coffey, with memorial services to follow in Corvallis and La Grande. Robin was born July 17, 1951, in Bloomington, Ind. After a transient childhood with stops from Florida to Alaska, her family settled in La Grande in September 1965. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1969 as co-valedictorian. She attended Reed College in Portland and Oregon State University. Robin served a mission for the … Read more

Biography of McCauley Porter

McCAULEY PORTER. – This gentleman, one of the oldest and best farmers in the Willamette valley, was born in Todd county, Kentucky, November 28, 1829. At the age of five he removed with his parents to Montgomery county, Illinois, and in 1845 made with them a new home in Missouri. In 1848, by the prevalent reports and fabulous stories of Oregon everywhere circulated, his attention was drawn to the land by the sunset sea; and with his two brothers, William G. and John E., he set out upon the journey across the plains and mountains. He had ox-teams and loose … Read more

Linfoot, Delbert B. – Obituary

Formerly of Elgin Delmer B. Linfoot, 87, of Jefferson and formerly of Elgin, died Sept. 14 in Salem. Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Bishop Funeral Chapel in Pendleton. Funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Monday at Mission Assembly of God Church, 47328 Short Mile Road in Pendleton. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Island City Cemetery. Delmer was born Jan. 12, 1920, in Dacoma, Okla. He grew up in Elgin. A full obituary will be available later. La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending September 15, 2007 Published: … Read more

Biography of Hon. James P. Stewart

HON. JAMES P. STEWART. – In a notice of the Honorable James P. Stewart by the local press, when his name was presented for the suffrages of his fellow-citizens for a seat in the legislature of Washington Territory, it was most truthfully said: “he is a man of affairs, – a big, bronzed, broad-shouldered man, who moves about among his fellow-men with that quiet consciousness of strength that carries conviction and wins. He has been a winner all his life; and people applaud his winning. He has been as honest as he has been progressive. Mr. Stewart is a native … Read more

Conklin, Albert – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Albert C. Conklin, 57, Cove, died unexpectedly at Salem today, his family at Cove reported today. Funeral services will be held from the Cove Episcopal church Saturday afternoon at 2 with Rev. Clarence A. Kopp in charge. Burial will be in the family plot in Cove Cemetery. Arrangements are by Snodgrass Funeral Home. Conklin was born at Cove June 10, 1896 and had been a resident of Union county nearly all his life. He is survived by two brothers, Tom, Cove, and Philip, Phoenix, Ariz., and other relatives. Observer La Grande, Oregon Wednesday, July 22, 1953 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nicholas W. Ownbey

The esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this article is one of Wallowa’s best and most substantial citizens, having gained a prestige here by his faithfulness and uprightness, while he has also wrought for the advancement of the interests of the county in all ways and at all times, demonstrating him to be one of the public minded and progressive men of the section, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him a representation in this volume since also his life has been a bright example in manifestation of moral qualities of worth. In Benton … Read more

Donnelly, Roderick – Obituary

Formerly of La Grande 1921-2009 Roderick W. ‘Doc’ Donnelly, 88, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 12 at his home in Richmond. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Sweeney Mortuary of Condon is in charge of arrangements. Roderick was born May 23, 1921, the first son of Virginia Odessa Wechter and Hamilton Keyes Donnelly at his grandmother’s house at the top of the Donnelly Grade in Wheeler County. He was the grandson of a founding father of Wheeler County. He attended grade school in a one-room school at Service Creek. He attended high school in … Read more

Biography of Henry Heppner

HENRY HEPPNER. – This s the gentleman after whom the city, in which he resides, and of which he was one of the first proprietors, and the builder of the first brick building, has been worthily named. He was born in Germany in 1843. He came to New York in 1858 and in 1863 via Cape Horn to San Francisco. His first venture was in Shasta, California, in the mercantile business; but after two years he transferred his business to Corvallis, Oregon. Meeting with little encouragement there he opened a stock at The Dalles, doing well for six years. As … Read more

Lawson, Harry – Obituary

Harry Lawson, 86, of Corvallis, and a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 3, 2000, at his home. His funeral was Friday at Kings Circle Assembly of God Church. Pastor Kerry McRoberts officiated. Interment was at Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Albany. Mr. Lawson was born Feb. 18, 1914, at Bayfield, Colo., to Harry and Mary (Shoemaker) Lawson. As a teenager he moved to Oregon, where he met and married the love of his life, Grace Lucille Conn. They were married June 15, 1932, at Coquille. He worked in timber-related jobs and also did radio repair. Mr. Lawson served in … Read more

Biography of A. H. Reynolds

A.H. REYNOLDS. – This pioneer of Walla Walla, Washington, is a bank director, a large real-estate owner, and has been active in many of the early enterprises, not only of that city, but of Oregon and California. He was born in 1808, in St. Lawrence county, New York; and his memories of early life are deeply tinged with the exciting events of the war of 1812, in which his parents had an active part. Receiving the rigid and economical training of the old times, he added to his education by efforts of his own, and qualified himself for active life … Read more

Biography of Major James Bruce

MAJOR JAMES BRUCE. – Major Bruce is one of our citizens who needs no introduction to the people of the Northwest; since he is known personally, not only to all the old pioneers, but to most of the second generation of the toilers of Oregon. He was born November 3, 1827, in Harrison county, Indiana, and at the age of ten moved with his parents to Quincy, Illinois. At twenty he began a border career, going to Texas, making many excursions in that then unsettled region, and at Cross Timbers joined Major Johnson’s rangers. He accompanied these troopers upon their … Read more