Benton County OR

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

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

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

Bell, Letha Alma McCullough Mrs. – Obituary

March 4, 1917 – Dec. 19, 2006 Letha Alma (McCullough) Bell died Tuesday at Corvallis Manor. She was born in Haines. She attended school nearby at Rock Creek Elementary and graduated from high school in Haines. She married Howard Bell in Baker City on December 24, 1936. They lived and worked in the local mining and timber industry until moving to Hoskins in 1949. Letha was involved in local women’s clubs and some church-related groups until moving to Corvallis in 1995. Letha was a mother of three children, Ivan, Carol and Ronald, and grandmother to seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. … Read more

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

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

Mehlhorn, Dale – Obituary

Dale Mehlhorn, 72, of Hood River died April 24, 2003 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be scheduled later. In lieu of flowers, Dale would have appreciated your donation to your school sports program. Dale was born Nov. 2, 1930, at Halfway to Audrey and Clyde Mehlhorn. He attended school at Halfway where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. He married Jean Smith in 1948. They moved to Corvallis where Dale attended and graduated from Oregon State University. Dale and Jean made their home in Baker County with their two sons. Dale acted 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

Ball, Margaret Ann Carroll – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Margaret Ann Carroll Ball, 80, of La Grande, died July 2 at her home. The funeral will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday July 6 at the First Baptist Church, at Sixth Street and Spring Avenue, with Pastor Kent Hug officiating. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday July 5 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mrs. Ball was born April 27, 1926. to Mr. and Mrs. J.P. McCann of Hattiesburg, Miss. She married Herb Carroll in March, 1946. They lived in Corvallis and Valley Falls, … Read more

Biography of Haman C. Lewis

HAMAN C. LEWIS. – This dauntless pioneer of the earliest times in our state was born in New York City January 31, 1803, and was the son of a ship carpenter. He early was apprenticed to learn the trade of a cooper, but while only a boy of fourteen went to sea, serving six months as cabin boy, and later was apprenticed to the ship carpenter. At eighteen he went as sailor – or perhaps more strictly speaking as “fillibusterer” – to the Gulf coast, taking service on a Mexican privateer. For a number of years he followed a most … Read more

Gray, George Grant – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon George Gray Is Called Beyond Grim Death Angel Takes Another of County’s Respected Pioneers Death took another of Union county’s respected pioneers yesterday when George Grant Gray died at his residence in Lower Cove at 2:15 o’clock in the afternoon. Burial will be at the Summerville cemetery tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. The body will be at the residence from Monday evening until 1:30 p. m. Tuesday at which time it will be taken to Summerville where funeral services will be held. Mr. Gray was born in Granger County, Tennessee, April 10, 1840 er’s family, in 1853, … Read more

Biography of Col. Cornelius Gilliam

COL. CORNELIUS GILLIAM. – Colonel Gilliam was a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1798. But his recollection of that state in after years was like a dream; for when but a youth he accompanied his parents to Missouri, where he lived for many years. August 31, 1820, he married Miss Mary Crawford of that state. Ten years later he was elected sheriff of Clay county for a term of two years; and at the expiration of that time he joined the Black Hawk war. In 1837 he served as captain of the company which fought all through … Read more

Biography of Hon. William Wallace Thayer

HON. W.W. THAYER- William Wallace Thayer, the present chief justice of the supreme court of Oregon, came to this state in 1862. He was born at Lima, Livingston county, New York, July 15, 1827. His boyhood was spent upon a farm in that county, where he attended the common schools and received the meager instruction that the times and circumstances of farm life afforded. But an early love for books and a retentive memory, characteristics that mark him even to-day, supplied what was lacking in his school education. He became a wide reader of standard literature; and, having determined to … Read more

Palmer, Katie Lee – Obituary

Katie Lee Palmer, 85, Corvallis, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 1968, at a local nursing home. Private services will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Fred Knickrehm officiating at the DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Colfax Cemetery at Colfax, Washington. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Palmer to the Oregon 4-H Club Foundation for the 4-H center. These may be sent to the DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Emmons, L. B. Mrs. – Obituary

Death of Mrs. L. B. Emmons Last Saturday at 7:30 o’clock, the spirit of Mrs. Iva M. Emmons quietly passed from earth at the age of 21 years and 4 days. Mrs. Emmons had been suffering with the dread malady, consumption, for some time, and although the physicians had pronounced her case hopeless the end was not thought to be so near, and the summons came as a terrible shock to relatives and friends. The deceased was the second daughter of R.W. Bloom and Mary Etta Bloom, a native of Wallowa County and was married to Leonard B. Emmons about … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Harris

GEORGE W. HARRIS. – This successful business man of Morrow county was born at Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, February 18, 1858. During his minor years he followed the fortunes of his parents, who moved to Iowa in 1860, and four years later crossed the plains to California with ox-teams, locating at Red Bluff. In 1865 they came to Oregon and located at Monmouth. From that date many changes and removals were undergone, including a return to California, a residence at Corvallis and again at Eugene; also a trip across the continent to Missouri, Texas and Iowa, and a return to … Read more

Slater, Olive – Obituary

Final Rites to Be Tomorrow for Olive Slater, Early-Day Teacher Olive Agnes Slater, for whom funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday at the Snodgrass Funeral home, daughter of the late James H. and Edna Elizabeth Slater was born at Corvallis March 29, 1860. She with her parents went to Auburn, Ore., in 1864, coming to La Grande two years later. Miss Slater attended the public schools of Union county and later graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal school in Walla Walla, Wash., majoring in art and music. She taught for a number of years in public schools then … Read more

Dunlavy, Phyllis Lillian Crabill Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Phyllis Lillian Dunlavy, 90, of Corvallis, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 25, 2004, at her home. Her graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. The Rev. William McCarthy will officiate. Phyllis was born on June 22, 1913, at Baker City to Roy and Blanche Phillips Crabill. She was the granddaughter of Philander Crabill, an early settler in Baker City. She attended Baker schools and was a Baker High School graduate. She attended Eastern Oregon College of Education (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande, which was a two-year … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Crawford

THOMAS H. CRAWFORD. – While Union county enjoys especial favor in possesing a large, well informed, and enterprising class of citizens who fill the walks of the industrial and professional callings she is to be congratulated in having such substantial, broad minded and capable devotees of the legal profession. Prominent in this number, and deserving of a large share of honor for his faithful and successful labors in the courts and in the manipulation of the affairs of the county, and also in a measure of the state politics wherein he has bestowed much care and thought for the welfare … 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