Biography of James Johnson

JAMES JOHNSON. – James Johnson, a pioneer of 1844, son of James Johnson of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was born on his father’s farm in 1814, and as a child moved with his parents to a new home in Onondaga county, New York, living there until he attained his manhood. In 1836 he gave rein to the desire for change and adventure and freedom, which ultimately made of him one of the early pioneers of Oregon, going in that year with his brother Daniel to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and engaging in work as carpenter near Lafayette. In the winters, when there … Read more

Eidson, Patsy Lorene “Pat” – Obituary

Patsy Lorene “Pat” Eidson, 73, of Baker City died April 16, 2006. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Patsy was born on Nov. 2, 1932, at New Bridge to Tracy and Fluvia Fuller Eidson. She was a descendant of Mayflower immigrants. She was a 1950 Baker High School graduate. She received her registered nurse degree … Read more

Biography of Hon. John M. Bacon

HON. JOHN M. BACON. – There are three places in the Northwest that have almost antique associations. These are Astoria, Vancouver and Oregon City. Of none of them is the flavor of old times more pronounced than amid the rocks and bluffs and by the falls and the old buildings of the latter place. Here one of the old pioneers may be found in the person of a gentleman whose portrait appears on the opposite page. It was as to the last place to go that Mr. Bacon came to Oregon. A native of Buffalo, New York, born in 1822, … Read more

Hallock, Mary Peninger – Obituary

Mary P. Hallock, who resided at 8413 SW 14th Ave., died Wednesday [April 9] at a Portland hospital. A native of Central Point, Mrs. Hallock was 82 and lived most of her life in Portland. Surviving are her husband Joseph H., a son, State Sen. Ted Hallock, a sister, Bertha Pomerene, all of Portland; and a brother, William Peninger, Central Point. There will be no funeral. Entombment will be at Riverview Cemetery Mausoleum. The Oregonian, April 11, 1975 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

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

Gray, Ernest Merrill – Obituary

Former Union County resident, Ernest M. Gray, 84, of Woodburn, died Thursday at a hospital in Oregon City. Mr. Gray was born March 18, 1903, in Lower Cove to George M. and Mary (Miller) Gray. He married Nellie Lemon on May 28, 1921, in La Grande. Survivors include his wife; daughters, Mrs. Everett (Muriel) Ellis, Boise, Idaho, and Mrs. Ed (Darlene) O’Mahundro [sic – O’Mohundro], Silverton; sisters, Mrs. Eudelle Olson and Mrs. Othella Purvine, both of Milwaukie; five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; aunt Mrs. Eugene (Dillie) Millering, La Grande, three nieces and a nephew. Mr. Gray had … Read more

Biography of A. Lawrence Lovejoy

A. LAWRENCE LOVEJOY. – The subject of this memoir was born in Groton, Massachusetts, March 14, 1808, and was the third son of Doctor Samuel and Betsey Lawrence Lovejoy, descendants of good English families. His mother, Betsey Lawrence Lovejoy, was a cousin and adopted sister of Amos and Abbot Lawrence of Boston. When quite young he moved with his parents to Townson, Massachusetts, where he was a pupil of the Reverend David Palmer until the age of sixteen, when the death of his mother made it necessary for him to reside with an elder brother in Boston, where he engaged … Read more

Oldland, James Leonard, III – Obituary

James Leonard Oldland III, 76, of Central Point, died Friday, March 7, 2003, at Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford. His funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the First Church of the Nazarene at Medford. Pastor Kevin Gowland officiated. There was a reception at the church after the service. Mr. Oldland was born on March 25, 1926, at Bellingham, Wash. At the age of 8, his family returned to Coos Bay. He attended Bay area schools and was a graduate of Marshfield High School where he played football. After a year of college he joined the … Read more

Odell, Gladys Louise Linn – Obituary

Funeral for Gladys Louise Odell, who resided at 6962 NE Morris St., will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham. Private interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Mrs. Odell died Thursday [December 1] after a long illness. She was 66. Her early school years were spent at Salem School for the Deaf and the Vancouver, Wash., School for the Deaf. She was born Aug. 2, 1911, in Estacada. She married Ralph Odell in 1941 and spent most of her adult life in the Sandy community. She was a member of Lutheran Church for the … Read more

Biography of Napolean McGilvery

NAPOLEON McGILVERY. – The life of this pioneer is full of interest, and embraces many of the most interesting occurrences on the coast, particularly the campaign of Frémont’s little band, which secured California to the union. Mr. McGilvery was born in the Lake of the Woods, Upper Canada, at the Hudson’s Bay post, his father being for many years an officer in that company. In 1839 he came to Vancouver with a considerable party, and was occupied in the service of the company until 1844, when he left the British and became his own American master on Howell’s Prairie. In … Read more

Brainard, Bertha Alice “Babs” Crawford Mrs. – Obituary

Bertha Alice “Babs” Brainard, 91, a longtime resident of Prairie City, passed away at John Day, on Sunday, November 16, 2003. Babs was born May 29, 1912 in Canby, Oregon to Noah Mac and Suzanna Crawford, and was raised in the Madras area. She married Ben Brainard in Fossil, Oregon on July 18, 1929, and with her husband lived most of the time in Grant County. She was quite active in the outdoors with her husband, and in about 1970 became the Justice of the Peace at Prairie City. She is mostly remembered here as the spark behind the improvements … Read more

Alexander, Susan – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Susan Alexander, 57, of Elgin, died Oct. 25 at her home. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – October 26, 2009 ________________________ Susan L. Alexander Elgin 1952-2009 Susan Lorraine Alexander, 57, of Elgin, and formerly of Wallowa, died Oct. 24 at her home. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday at the Wallowa Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande is in charge of arrangements. Susan was born Sept. 3, 1952, to Ardeth and Patricia Spruill in Oregon City. She was raised in … Read more

Biography of Capt. Charles H. Kellogg

CAPT. CHARLES H. KELLOGG. – Charles was the second son of Captain Joseph Kellogg, and was born October 1, 1846, in Wood county, Ohio. Coming as a child to our state, he spent his early years upon the farm of his father at Milwaukee, and learned habits of industry there and in the sawmill. His early education at the Milwaukee district school was further advanced at the Central School and Academy of Portland, and was completed at the Portland Business College, of which he was one of the first graduates. After a short apprenticeship under Captain Baughman, he took command … Read more

Biography of Dr. Alden H. Steele

DR. ALDEN H. STEELE. – “Olympia will always be a place for pleasant homes,” says one of her citizens well qualified to render an opinion, – the gentleman whose name appears above. The wide streets, magnificent shade-trees and comfortable residences of the capital of Washington Territory, together with her delightful climate, an extensive view of water and mountains, fully justify the remark; and no place could have a more pleasant recommendation. The Doctor has also examined the facilities of the place for a naval station, and finds that the location is most desirable from the following particulars: Safe anchorage and … Read more

Biography of J. C. Moreland

J. C. Moreland was born in the State of Tennessee, June 10, 1844, and is the youngest of nine children of Rev. Jesse and Susan (Robertson) Moreland. His father, a well known and highly respected pioneer of Oregon, was a native of North Carolina, while his grandfather, on the maternal side, fought in the war of the Revolution; and two of his mother’s brothers took part in the war of 1812, the elder of whom rose to the rank of a Brigadier-General under Jackson in the Creek war. In 1848, in view of the baleful influence of slavery, his father … Read more

Biography of George E. Wells

GEORGE E. WELLS. – The subject of this sketch is a man of great energy and power of adaptability, as is manifested in the occupations that have been engaged in by him during the years in which he has been in this western country, and it is pleasant to remark that during all of these varied undertakings, some of which have been exceedingly arduous and fraught with hardship and danger, he has manifested a stanch and unflinching courage, marked industry and enterprise, with excellent personal qualities of integrity and upright principles, while a good success has attended his efforts, both … Read more

Hochbrueckner, Thomas Peter “Tom” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Thomas Peter “Tom” Hochbrueckner, 79, of Baker City died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His graveside memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. James R. Watt of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will officiate. Tom was born on Jan. 5, 1925, at Estacada. His father died when he was 5 and the family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. During the Depression years, he gained experience by working jobs out of the city during the summer. He worked in a crab canning factory in Maryland, on a small … Read more

Wright, David Nixon “Cruiser” – Obituary

David Nixon “Cruiser” Wright, 69, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 28, 2006. There was a gathering of family and friends Saturday at Golden’s Funeral Home in Salem. Dave was born on May 20, 1936, at Oregon City to LeRoy and Helena Wright. His parents spent most of their adult lives in Baker City. LeRoy was an Extension agent and Helena was a Baker teacher. Dave was a 1954 Baker High School graduate. He spent his career in banking and the automobile industries. He was an avid golfer and spent many enjoyable hours with his family and friends on … Read more

Biography of Green Arnold

GREEN ARNOLD. – One of the earliest pioneers of the country lying east of the Cascade Mountains is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Niagara county, New York, in 1919, and received his education at his native place. In 1833, he moved to Michigan with his parents, where he remained until 1850, when hearing of the wonderful stories of the rich discoveries of gold in California, he buckled on his armor of faith and started across the plains, landing in Hangtown (now Placerville) on the 6th day of August of the same year. He remained … Read more

Biography of Capt. Orrin Kellogg, Jr.

CAPT. ORRIN KELLOGG, JR. – This gentleman is the son of Captain Joseph Kellogg, and was born October 16, 1845, in Wood county, Ohio. Coming as a child to Oregon, he received in this state the training and education which have fitted him for his career in business, and upon the navigation lines of the Northwest Pacific. His boyhood was spent upon his father’s farm, and in attendance upon school at Milwaukee, rendering his father assistance in the meantime upon the farm and in the sawmill. Upon removing to Portland, he attended the Central School, and, desiring to fit himself … Read more