Benton County OR

Cosens, Phoebe Ellen Day Mrs. – Obituary

Phoebe Ellen Cosens, 89, of Halfway, died Aug. 13, 2005, at Settlers Park Assisted Living center. Her graveside funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. The Bollman Funeral Home of Dallas is handling the arrangements. Phoebe was born on Nov. 6, 1916, at Wilder, Idaho, to Bertrum and Mable Waldron Day. She moved to Halfway as a child and lived there for most of the rest of her life. She married Royal Robert Cosens on May 29, 1935, at Halfway. They herded sheep and then raised cattle in Pine Valley. Phoebe and Roy … Read more

Green, Clarence Ellsworth “Clancy” – Obituary

Keating, Oregon Clarence Ellsworth “Clancy” Green, 82, of Baker City, died April 6, 2004, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise. At his request, there will be no formal service. There will be a celebration of life gathering by the pond at his ranch later this summer. The time will be announced. All friends and family will be welcomed. Clancy was born on May 2, 1921, at Corvallis to Seth and Alice Green. He graduated from Whittier College at Whittier, Calif. After graduation, he went into radio broadcasting and was a radio actor. He also worked at CBS as an announcer … 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

Colter, Norma Fay – Obituary

Norma Fay (Horn) Colter, 75, formerly of Elgin, died March 5 at Corvallis. A funeral was held for her at Northside Church in Corvallis on March 8. A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. March 22 at the Elgin Methodist Church. The family has indicated that floral arrangement are not necessary. Born July 6, 1932, to Mercedes McCain, Norma was raised from birth by Arthur and Annie McCain. At age 13 she traveled to Oregon with her grandparents and lived with her uncle and aunt, Jim and Agnes Hicks. On Oct. 23, 1948, at age 16, she married … 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 J. B. Congle

J.B. CONGLE. – Mr. Congle was one of the men of wealth who contributed largely to the early growth and prosperity of our state, and especially of Portland. He was born December 9, 1817, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. In the year 1832 he went to Philadelphia to learn the harness and saddlery trade, and in the spring of 1838 removed to Virginia, thence to Missouri, and in the year 1841 was at Lafayette, Indiana, where he resided ten years thereafter. On May 21, 1844, he was married to Miss Ellen H. Gray, of the place last named. He came as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. L. Andrews

C.L. ANDREWS. – The present county clerk of Morrow county was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, October, 1862. He came with his parents to Oregon in 1864, via the Isthmus, and lost his father by death soon after reaching the Pacific Ocean, and saw him buried from the ship in a watery grave. He located with the family near Brownsville, and here received his education, completing the same at Philomath College. He made his home near Brownsville until 1882. In that year he went over to Seattle, where he accepted a position as mailing clerk, filing it eight months. In … 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

Makinson, Ruth C. Parrish Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth C Makinson, 88, of Corvallis, a former Baker City resident, died March 3, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., in downtown Corvallis. Pastor Ralph Holcomb will officiate. Private interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Ruth Makinson was born April 26, 1914, at Dallas, Ore., the daughter of Mabel Guy Parrish and Elbert L. Parrish. She received her education at Dallas, graduating from Dallas High School. She married Joe Martin in 1931 while still in high … Read more

Biography of A. N. King

A.N. KING. – King’s valley in Benton and Polk counties, and King’s Addition to Portland, which embraces the beautiful city park, will perpetuate the name of the father of our subject and of Mr. King himself. The latter gentleman was born in Ohio in 1822; but as early as 1840 he removed to Missouri, operating a ferry across the Missouri river. A great flood destroyed his property; and in 1845 he was on the plains bound for Oregon. His father, mother, three brothers and five sisters were also in the company. The immigration numbered a hundred wagons; and it was … 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

Luhrs, Sarah J. – Obituary

Sarah J. Luhrs, 88, formerly of North Powder and La Grande, died Tuesday March 11 in Eugene. A service will be start at noon Monday at West Lawn Funeral Home in Eugene. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon at West Lawn Funeral Home. Mrs. Luhrs was born March 1, 1920 in North Powder to Dick and Enolia (Gorham) Brothers. She married John Luhrs on Aug. 23, 1938 in Wallowa. They were married 47 years. John Luhrs died Feb. 16, 1984. She was a foster home care giver in La Grande, Corvallis, and Clarkston, Wash. She had lived in … Read more

Vernholm, Willard Dale – Obituary

Willard Dale Vernholm, 73, of Baker City, died Sept. 25, 2005, at Idlewood Manor. At his request there will be no services. Cremation by Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory. Dale was born on Feb. 11, 1932, in York, Neb., to Carl Willard and Lois Louetta Middleton Vernholm. When Dale was about 4 years old the family moved to Corvallis. He attended school at Lewisburg and Corvallis High School. In 1947, at 15, Dale’s family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho. When Dale was only 16, but needing to be 18, he lied about his age and went to work for the Payette … Read more

Biography of Charles B. Bellinger

Judge Bellinger was born in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois, November 21, 1839, and at the age of eight years came to Oregon with his parents and grandparents. After receiving the advantages of a common school education, supplemented with some two years at the Willamette University, he began to read law at Salem, in the office of B. F. Bonham; at present United States Consul. at Calcutta, and was admitted to the bar at the September term of the Supreme Court, in 1863. He immediately thereafter engaged in the practice of law at Salem in partnership with J. C. Cartwright, since … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. V. C. Balkans

A well known and popular physician of Prairie City, and one whose kind, attentive treatment of the sick, and geniality of manner towards the well have made hint deservedly the favorite of all classes, was born near Corvallis, Ore, in 1871. He received his preliminary education in the schools of Prineville, and later in Portland. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1894, and then practiced for a while in the hospital there. In January 1895, he located at Prairie City, where he is still practicing. He is married to Miss Clara McHaley, and his home is the … Read more

Whitt, Ivan Jim – Obituary

Ivan Jim Whitt, 86, who lived in Baker City before moving to the Tri-Cities area, died December 16, 2005, in the loving arms of his family. He was born April 7, 1915, in Leander, Texas, and resided in Tularosa, New Mexico, until going into the Army in October 1942. Jim served with the 690th Replacement Company throughout the Luzon campaign during World War II. He was discharged in February 1946 and served as an Air Force reservist until January 1960. He lived in Baker City several years before moving to the Tri-Cities. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post … Read more

Olp, Cleo “Barbara” Valentine Mrs. – Obituary

Cleo “Barbara” Olp, 70, a former Baker City resident, died July 7, 2001, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Burial was Thursday at Jefferson Cemetery at Jefferson. Mrs. Olp was born on July 27, 1930, at Baker City to Leonard W. and Lola Morin Valentine. She lived all her life in Oregon, moving from Baker City to La Grande, to The Dalles and then to Salem and finally to Albany. She married Fred B. Olp on March 2, 1949, in Baker City. She was a homemaker and loved cooking and gardening. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved … Read more

Biography of Marion Francis Mulkey

MARION FRANCIS MULKEY.- This gentleman, the eldest son of Johnson Mulkey, and who took up, and conducted in the spirit, and to some extent in the method, the pioneer activities of his father, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, November 14, 1836. He was therefore but a boy of ten when, in 1847, he accompanied his father across the continent to Oregon. His, however, was one of those old heads on young shoulders; and so responsible was he, and so capable of affairs, that he was intrusted with the driving of oxen, and all work adapted to his strength, with … 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

Wagner, Marion – Obituary

Funeral Saturday For Marion Wagner Marion Wagner, 58, resident of 1408 M Ave., La Grande, died Wednesday at the Grande Ronde Hospital. Requiem mass will be at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic church Saturday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Eldon Curtiss officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary cemetery. Born in Corvallis, Mr. Wagner has lived in the Grande Ronde Valley for the past 36 years. He as president of H. L. Wagner and Sons of Imbler. Among survivors are the widow, Ethel Wagner of La Grande; two daughters, Christina Bunting and Sharon Wagner, both of La Grande; three … Read more