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

Hills, Glenda L. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Glenda L. Hills, 55, of Baker City, died Nov. 21, 2000, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. At her request there will be no funeral. Coles-Strommer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ms. Hills was born Nov. 13, 1945, at Vallejo, Calif., to Guy F. and Fordyce (Willian) Hills. She moved to Oregon when she was five years old and lived in many communities within the state. She graduated from Heppner High School in 1964, and attended Blue Mountain Community College for one year. After her schooling she made her home in Idaho. While living in Caldwell, … Read more

Hathaway, Becky Lou – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Funeral services for Becky Lou Hathaway, five-year-old daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Harry Hathaway, 2405 Estes St., will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday from the West and Co. Chapel. Pastor Victor Ernest will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Becky Lou was born in Caldwell, Ida., on Jan. 30, 1954. She cane to Baker with her parents when she was 2 ½ years old. Besides her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Bradley Ray and Byron Linn, both of Baker; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Hathaway of Chico, Calif., and Mr. … 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

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

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

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

Biography of Garner Miner

For thirty-eight years Garner Miner has been a resident of Idaho, having come to the territory in 1861, when the development of this great northwest was in its incipiency and the frontiersmen had to meet many privations and dangers. The Indians were frequently on the warpath, carrying death and devastation wherever they went; and separated from the base of sup-plies, from the comforts and luxuries of the east the pioneers endured hardships undreamed of by the present generation. In those days brave hearts were necessary, indeed, but the same spirit of Anglo-Saxon daring, fortitude and stability, which, has characterized the … 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 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

Biography of George Little

The list of the leading citizens of Caldwell contains the name of Judge George Little, one of the representative and honored citizens of Canyon County. His record as a soldier, as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and as probate judge and superintendent of public instruction he won still higher encomiums from his fellow men by reason of the fidelity and ability which he manifested in the discharge of his duties. He retired from office in … 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

Biography of Thomas J. Huff

One of the pioneers of the northwest and one of the old residents of Caldwell is Thomas Jefferson Huff, the present assessor of Canyon County. He is a man of the highest integrity and ability, and stands well in the estimation of all who know him. A lifelong Democrat, and devoted to his party, he has never occupied a public office before, and has not been an aspirant for political honors and emoluments. In his business career he has met with success, and by well directed energy and good judgment he has amassed a comfortable fortune. Philip Huff, the paternal … Read more

Gargan, Vivian W. Dening Mrs. – Obituary

Vivian W. Gargan, 85, a former longtime Baker City resident, died May 15, 2005, at her home in Caldwell, Idaho. Her funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Rev. Lewis Hank Albrecht of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Grande will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Vivian was born Oct. 24, 1919, at Portland to Alfred and Hilja Johanna Taskinen Dening. Vivian was raised in Gresham and graduated from Gresham High School. She married James F. Gargan on Oct. 22, 1949, in Baker City. … 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