Farnsworth, Jesse Elmer – Obituary

Jesse E. Farnsworth, a former resident of 620 S.E. 2nd Ave. in Canby, died at a Canby nursing home early Thursday [April 10] morning at the age of 84. He was born to Levi and Annie Farnsworth at Dayton, Ore. June 11, 1895. As a child, he moved to Multnomah County and attended Gilbert School for eight years and then spent two years at Washington High School. He worked in a furniture store in Portland for 10 years, and later owned and operated a grocery store at Lents. He was a World War I veteran. He married Hazel M. Mason … Read more

Biography of E. D. Stillman

E.D. STILLMAN. – Mr. Stillman was born in New York in 1828, and learned the trade of a mechanic and machinist. In 1849 he crossed the plains to Oregon in the capacity of wheelwright for the regiment of mounted riflemen who were sent here on the strength of Joe Meek’s urgent representations at Washington, and for the protection of the settlers of this little-cared for wilderness on the Pacific. He well remembers an exciting incident near Green river. The command was there met by one Baptiste, who bore messages from Governor Joe Lane. This Baptiste proved to be a desperado, … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Julia A. McCarver

MRS. JULIA A. McCARVER. – Julia A. McCoy was born November 19, 1825, in St. Charles county, Missouri. Her parents died before she was three years old; and she was brought up by her grandfather and grandmother. At an early age she was married to Garrett Buckalew, and thereafter lived in the State of Illinois until the spring of 1847, when, with her husband and two children, and the families of eighteen neighbors, she started across the plains for Oregon. At St. Joseph, Missouri, they joined a host of other emigrants, the combined party including ninety families, who continued their … Read more

Josi, Robert E. – Obituary

Robert E. Josi, 74, of Wallowa died June 13 at St. Mary’s Hospital. A memorial service was held June 23. Mr. Josi was born Oct. 26, 1931, to Fred and Olga Elmer Josi in Oregon City. The family lived in Snowden and White Salmon, Wash. He worked on ranches at at the Mount Emily logging camp. He served in the Army during the Korean War, and in 1954 he married Agnes Tsiatsos of Starkey. The couple moved to Wallowa. He worked as a logger, and during layoffs he would find ranch jobs. After a divorce in 1983 he married Bonnie … Read more

Biography of Dr. John McLoughlin

DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN. – Doctor McLoughlin has been very well called the first real governor of Oregon. As chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company west of the Rocky Mountains, he was more than this; – he was autocrat. He was a great man, – large physically, of large views and ideas, and above all, very large-hearted. He was nearly forty years on this coast, and during that time was the chief man in it. The Indians called him the “white-headed eagle;” and the Whites went to him with their troubles. In a pathetic little manuscript found among his papers, … Read more

Cox, Ollie – Obituary

Haines, Baker County, Oregon Ollie Young Cox, 88 of Canby, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 12, 1998, at Canby. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Avenue. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. Interment will be at the Haines Cemetery. Mrs. Cox was born March 14, 1910, at Hartville, Missouri to Herman and Artie Young. She and her family moved west to Morrow County when she was 8. She was raised and educated in Pine City. She was married to Emery Cox on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Prosser

GEORGE W. PROSSER. – George W. Prosser was born in Des Moines, Iowa, December 20, 1846, and crossed the plains in 1852-53 with his father and mother. They wintered at old Fort Hall, and left there the following spring, arriving in Clackamas county, Oregon, on the 25th of June, 1853. He with his father first settled eleven miles east of East Portland. they abandoned that claim, and took up a claim three miles west of Oswego; and the subject of this sketch discovered and opened the iron mines now owned by the Oregon Iron & Steel Company, on said claim. … Read more

Biography of Ephraim W. Baughman

Few men are more widely known in the northwest than Captain E. W. Baughman, of Lewiston, who for forty-eight years has sailed on the rivers in this section of the country. His circle of friends is indeed extensive, and his genial manner and social disposition win him the regard of all. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, May 18, 1835, and is of German lineage, his ancestors having long been residents of Pennsylvania, however. His father, John Baughman, was born in that state and married Miss Jane Murphy, a lady of German descent. In an early day they removed … 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 Capt. John H. Couch

CAPT. JOHN H. COUCH. – A native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, he was one of the handful of hardy, brave, adventurous settlers who made the wilderness their home, and devoted the best portions of their lives in opening the way and preparing the land for the immigration and occupation of their brothers across the mountains. He was born February 21, 1811, and was perhaps influenced by the surroundings in his native place; for Newburyport is noted as one of the oldest and most famous seaports and nurseries of maritime enterprises in America. Be that as it may, he manifested in early … Read more

Bigley, William Clive ‘Bill’ – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon William Clive Bigley, 86, of Baker City, died July 30, 2002, at his home. His memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Aaron Oglesbee of the Agape Christian Center in Baker City will officiate. Mr. Bigley was born Dec. 23, 1915, to Clyde and Fern (Swan) Bigley. He was raised in and received his schooling in West Linn. He moved to Baker City in 1933. On Jan. 21, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged on … Read more

Johnson, Frederick William, Jr. – Obituary

Federick William Johnson Jr., 68, of Boring, a former longtime Baker City resident, died June 29, 2003. His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with U.S. Army honors. Mr. Johnson was born on June 11, 1935, at Tillamook to Frederick Sr. and Myrtle Johnson. He was raised and educated in the Gresham/Boring area, attending Orient Grade School and Gresham High School. He then attended Oregon State University at Corvallis. He served in the U.S. Army from January of 1955 to December of 1956. He then lived in the Portland Metro area … Read more

Biography of Judge Columbia Lancaster

JUDGE COLUMBIA LANCASTER. – Judge Lancaster, one of our earliest and most eminent judges, was born at New Milford, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the 26th of August, 1893. His father was of Quaker descent, and settled in Ohio at an early date. Columbia read law under Whittlesy & Newton in Ohio. The Whittlesy of the firm was the honorable Elisha who was a long time in Congress, and afterwards held office in the auditor’s department under both Whig and Democratic administrations with no charge of his political sentiments. He though almost as much of his student Lancaster as of his … Read more

Wilkinson, Merritt – Obituary

Merritt Wilkinson, brother of Andrew Wilkinson, of Union, died at Central Point, Oregon, Monday of this week. Interment took place at Central Point. Andrew Wilkinson, who recently returned from Central Point, was satisfied that his brother could not live, and the announcement of his death was not unexpected. Contributed by: Robin Church Obituaries and Other Vital Records of Union County, Oregon. 1890 – 1930. Compiled by Clara Cline Lee. Reproduced by Walter M. Pierce Library, Eastern Oregon Library, 1972.

Biography of Rev. Gustavus Hines

REV. GUSTAVUS HINES. – Gustavus Hines was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1809. On his mother’s side he was descended from the Carvets and Wilkensons of the old Massachusetts colony, and on his father’s from the Hopkinns of Rhode Island, all names of the highest respectability and even celebrity in the early history of New England. Governor Carvet of Massachusetts colony, and Stephen Hopkinns, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were of the same families. he grew to his majority in the county of his birth, and in 1832 removed to Cattaraugus county, in the … Read more

Rogers, Helen Margaret Galley Mrs. – Obituary

Helen Margaret Rogers, 85, of Baker City, died March 29, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Care Center. There will be a gathering of friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sunridge Inn, 1 Sunridge Lane. Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Helen was born on Oct. 25, 1922, at Nucla, Colo., to John A. and Margaret Biglin Galley. She lived at Nucla and attended Colorado A&M University where she was the first woman to receive a degree in forestry. Helen married John L. Rogers … Read more

Michels, Mabel Anita Yocom – Obituary

Oregon Funeral Notice -Michels–At Milwaukie, Or., Feb. 23, Mabel Anita Michels, aged 26 years, beloved wife of Martin L. Michels, mother of Beatrice Louise Michels. The remains will be forwarded this Tuesday morning by the F. S. Dunning, Inc., 414 East Alder, to Ellensburg, Wash., for services and interment. [IOOF Cemetery] Mrs. Martin Mitchell [Michels] died at her home in Portland [Clackamas Co. not Multnomah Co.] Monday morning. The remains were shipped to Ellensburg and funeral services were held at the home of her uncle, B. A. Gault, yesterday afternoon, Rev. Lux officiating. Mrs. Mitchell was born and raised in … Read more

Martin, Emily Jo Mrs. – Obituary

Emily Jo Martin, 87, of Milwaukie, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Feb. 5, 2002, at the Willamette Falls Hospital at Oregon City. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Gladstone Christian Church. Emily Jo Gholston was born on March 17, 1914, at Stonewall County, Texas. She worked as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Baker City for 35 years. She retired in 1983. She moved to the Gladstone and Milwaukie areas from Baker City in 1996. Mrs. Martin was a member of the Gladstone Christian Church and the Baker City Christian Church. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Martha H. Barlow

MRS. MARTHA H. BARLOW, wife of the foregoing, was born September 2, 1822, at the historic site of Spottsylvania, Virginia. In 1836, she accompanied her father, Elijah Portlaw, to Tennessee, and in 1840 was married to Doctor William E. Allen, of Palmyra, Missouri. In 1850 she crossed the plains with her husband bringing a family of two children, and endured great toils and dangers on account of the prevalence of cholera, and the necessary pre-occupation of her husband in administering to the sock. Except for this she would have much enjoyed the trip. With her husband she made the first … Read more

Diehl, Marilyn Marie Bond Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Marilyn Marie Diehl, 66, of Pendleton, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 31, 2005, at Willowbrook Terrace in Pendleton. Her funeral will be scheduled later in Baker City. Disposition was by cremation. Mrs. Diehl was born on June 10, 1939, at Baker City to John and Vera Speelman Bond. She attended Baker High School and was a graduate of Eastern Oregon State College at La Grande (now Eastern Oregon University). She was an elementary school teacher at Union and Oregon City. Her hobbies included music, drawing and arts and crafts. She was a member … Read more