Biography of Henry K. Hartley

The middle portion of the nineteenth century might properly be termed the age of utility, especially in the northwest. This vast region was then being opened up to civilization, and the honored pioneers who found homes in this rich but undeveloped region were men who had to contend with the trials and difficulties of frontier life. Theirs were lives of toil. They were endeavoring to make homes to cultivate farms, establish stock ranches, develop mineral resources, found business enterprises, and from early manhood to old age their lot was generally one of labor; but their importance to the community cannot … Read more

Butterfield, Gertrude – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Gertrude Butterfield died at her daughter’s home in Caldwell, Idaho, on July 28. The viewing will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, followed by a graveside service at the Cove Cemetery at 11. Gertrude was born in Cove on Aug. 21, 1915, to Ernest Houx Bell and Irene Seaberg Bell. She was raised in Cove and graduated from Cove High School. As a teenager she raised registered champion Jersey cows, taking the grand champion trophy at the Oregon State Fair two years in a row. She married George Butterfield in 1936 and … Read more

Houser, Elizabeth Olsen Mrs. – Obituary

Elizabeth Houser, 74, of Wasilla, Alaska, a former Huntington resident, died March 28, 2002, at Mary Conrad Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel in La Grande. The Rev. Hank Albrecht will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral chapel. Mrs. Houser was born to Elbert Herman and Prudence Conrad Olsen on May 7, 1927, at Caldwell, Idaho. She also had lived at Caldwell and La Grande. She was married to Donald Leon Houser in September … Read more

Biography of Albert K. Steunenberg

Numbered among the successful and representative citizens of Caldwell, Canyon County is Albert K. Steunenberg, brother of the present governor of Idaho. He is cashier of the Commercial Bank of Caldwell, which institution was established in January, 1894. During the five years of its existence the bank has flourished, largely owing to the fine executive ability and genius as a financier which are marked qualities of Mr. Steunenberg. The capital stock of the bank is twenty-five thousand dollars, and an annual dividend of ten per cent is paid to stockholders. The volume of business transacted has materially increased from year … Read more

Pearce, Charles R. – Obituary

Charles R. Pearce, 89, of Nampa, Idaho, died at his home with his family by his side on April 4, 2003. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. at the McEwen Bible Fellowship Hall at 15403 Sumpter Stage Highway near Sumpter. Pastor Bill Cox will perform the service at the Fellowship Hall. Charles and his wife Jeanette were members of this church when they lived in Sumpter. Arrangements are under the direction of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. S. at Nampa. Charles was born to Clara and David Penn Pearce at Belton, Texas, on Sept. 5, … Read more

Biography of Hon. John C. Rice

John Campbell Rice, president of the Commercial Bank of Caldwell and a prominent member of the bar of Canyon County, is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Cass County, that state, January 27, 1864. He is of Welsh descent, tracing his ancestry back to the Welsh emigrants of the name who located in the colony of Massachusetts during the early settlement of America. Later, members of the family removed to Tennessee. The grandfather, Ebenezer Rice, removed with his family from Tennessee to Illinois in 1839. Elbert Gallatin Rice, the father, was born in Tennessee … Read more

Fisher, Oscar Obit – Obituary

Oscar Fisher Dies Suddenly  Relatives here have received word that Oscar Fisher, 63, passed away suddenly with a hear attack on Thanksgiving Day at the home of his nephew’s in Caldwell, Idaho. He is survived by three brothers; Jim of Alder Slope, Guy of Lostine, Harry of Union, and four sisters; Mrs. Landy (Nell) Ward, Mrs.. Minnie Hodges of Spokane, Mrs. Hazel Knutson and Mrs. Stella Colvin of Colfax, Wash. Burial was in the Wallowa cemetery. Wallowa County Chieftain Newspaper dated December 11, 1958. Contributed by: Michelle Drayton-Fisher

Biography of Sumner W. Dee

Mr. Dee is the only clothing merchant who deals exclusively in everything that pertains to men’s and boys’ wearing apparel in the city of Caldwell. He was born in Holton, Jackson County, Kansas, November 26, 1862, and is a son of Chester Dee, of Burlington, Vermont whose ancestors settled in Virginia in 1620. He is a direct descendant of the first colonial governor of Vermont, and members of the family were prominent in the early history of the colonies and in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, when a boy, saw the battle at Ticonderoga. Mr. Dee married Miss Elizabeth Blake, … Read more

Holcomb, Richard – Obituary

Funeral services for Richard Holcomb, 57, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 26th at The Langrell Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Robert McNeil of the First Methodist Church will officiate. Pastor Ronald Kratzer of the Church of the Nazarene assisting. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mr. Holcomb was born September 27, 1910 at Middleton, Idaho, the son of Charles and Alice Holcomb. He attended schools in Idaho and came to Baker in 1930 and has worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for the past 38 years. Baker Democrat Herald – – July 24, 1968.

Biography of Tom K. Little

From his boyhood until the present time the subject of this sketch has been connected with mercantile interests, and is thoroughly acquainted with that line of business in every detail. Almost a decade ago he became a resident of Caldwell, Canyon county, and during the intervening years ne has been one of the enterprising business men of the place, devoting his time and energies to the conduct of a general store. So ably has he managed his interests that he has met with most gratifying success, and at the same time has gained the public confidence and good will by … Read more

Smith, Duane Stuart Stadman – Obituary

Duane Stuart Stadman Smith, 74, of Caldwell, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died May 1, 2006, at his home. Cremation is under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel of Caldwell. Duane was born on March 17, 1932, at Baker City. So many words come to mind to describe this gentle, caring, witty charismatic cowboy, his family said. He was a husband, dad, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend. He was an artist, rodeo clown, painter, jokester, woodcarver, toy craftsman, animal lover and avid gardener. “Our best memories of Dad are of growing up in Lovelock, Nev., riding horses, playing with … Read more

Biography of Abner E. Callaway

The old adage that ‘”truth is stranger than fiction” finds exemplification in the annals of the northwest. The most marvelous characters of the novelist cannot exceed in courage and daring the hardy pioneers who have opened up this vast region to the advance of civilization. Traveling across the hot, arid, sandy plains, climbing the steep mountains, threading their way through dense forests of towering trees, they came to this land of the “silent, sullen people,” whose hostility made existence most uncertain, and here they have established homes, churches and schools, developed the rich agricultural and mineral resources of the country … Read more

Biography of Columbus R. Shaw

One of the most enterprising, energetic and successful businessmen of Caldwell, is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is a native of the state of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Ray County, in 1859. His father, William P. Shaw, was a native of Tennessee, whence he removed to Missouri, in 1833, becoming one of the pioneers of the latter state. He married Miss Julia A. Waterman, a native of New York, whose people were also numbered among the early settlers of Missouri. The Shaw family is of Irish origin, and leaving the Emerald Isle crossed the Atlantic to … Read more

Biography of Henry D. Blatchley

Henry D. Blatchley came to Caldwell when it contained but one building, and has therefore witnessed its entire growth and development. In the work of progress and advancement he has ever borne his part and today is numbered among the pioneers and leading business men to whom the city is indebted for its upbuilding. A spirit of enterprise, so characteristic of the west, is noticeable in all that he does and has been manifest in his connection with Caldwell. He has ever merited the confidence and regard of his fellow men, which he receives in an unlimited degree, and in … Read more

Adams, Carol G. Cope Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Carol G. Adams, 84, a Baker City resident, died July 22, 2001, in a La Grande care center. Her memorial service was Saturday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home. Pastor Ken Evans of the Baker City Baptist Church officiated. Mrs. Adams was born on Sept. 30, 1916, at Winchester, Idaho, to William and Grace Chrisopher Cope. She received her education at Winchester, Idaho, and then moved to Bates where she stayed with her parents for a time. She married Melvin Adams on Feb. 20, 1940, at Caldwell, Idaho. They moved to Baker City in the early 1960s from … Read more

Biography of Ed E. Maxey, M. D.

Illinois has furnished to Idaho a number of her leading citizens, including Dr. E. E. Maxey of Caldwell. He was born in Irvington, Washington County, Illinois, on the 21st of August 1867. His ancestors resided in Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee. His father, Dr. W. C. Maxey, was a practicing physician of Illinois for many years. He was graduated in the University of Tennessee, and, determining to devote his energies to the medical profession, has gained marked prestige therein. During the civil war he joined the First Illinois Cavalry and afterward re-enlisted in the Eightieth Illinois Infantry, being promoted to the … Read more

Biography of William H. Redway

Business enterprise and success at Caldwell, Idaho, have an able representative in the subject of this sketch, William H. Redway, dealer in hardware and groceries. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1858, son of A. G. Redway, an honored pioneer of Idaho, whose history is referred to at length on another page of this work. William H. was very small at the time the family came west and settled on the Idaho frontier, and here he was reared, his education being received in St. Michael’s school at Boise and St. Mark’s school at Salt Lake City, both institutions … Read more

Cardwell, Bryan Stanley – Obituary

Bryan Stanley Cardwell, 75, a former Baker City resident, died April 27, 2003, at his home in Netarts. At his request, disposition was by cremation. Bryan was born Aug. 16, 1927, at Caldwell, Idaho, to Lloyd E. “Blackie” and Clara W. Shuey Cardwell. He was the oldest of three children. The family moved to Baker City in the early 1930s. He married Eujeanna O’Brien on Sept. 5, 1946. She died in 1965. Bryan and Eujeanna had four daughters. He married Nellie Padgett in September 1965. She died in 1997. Bryan worked in the logging industry, sawmills and mining. He also … Read more

Smith, John D. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon John D. Smith, 96, of Baker City died Nov. 21, 2000, at his home at Baker City. A family memorial service will be scheduled later. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory. Mr. Smith was born on May 2, 1904, at Elkhart, Ind., to Joseph and Florance Denny Smith. His family homesteaded at Molt, Mt., in 1908. He made Billings, Mt., his home in his youth. He played basketball for his high school team there. He enjoyed many firsts in the early part of the century, from automobiles to airplanes, golf and tennis. He loved … Read more

Nichols, Murphy Andrew – Obituary

Murphy Andrew Nichols, “Our Little Big Man,” age 3, died after an ATV accident Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003. Graveside services were held on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Caldwell, Idaho. Services were under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. Murphy was born March 30, 2000, in Nampa, to Curt and Cynde Nichols. He was a vivacious, beautiful child, with the world by the tail, who loved his short life to the fullest. He enjoyed fishing and camping, golfing with Grandpa Chub and riding the 4-wheeler with Daddy. He wanted to ride Grandma’s horses, … Read more