Clark County WA

Biography of Hon. William Lair Hill

HON. WILLIAM LAIR HILL. – The distinguished lawyer, author, versatile writer and thorough student whose name introduces this sketch was asked to furnish such data as might contribute in its production; and he diffidently and reluctantly responded. Among other hastily prepared notes, he answered: “Have lived an honest a life as my environments seemed to allow, mainly for the reason that, according to my hereditary creed, one who is not at least indifferently honest, cannot be very happy. In all my laborious life the one single fact in which I have the slightest pride is that, like Jim Bludsoe, I … 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

Dixon, Elwood J. – Obituary

Resident Here Since 1882, Former Mail Carrier Dies Sunday. Death came to another pioneer resident of the Kittitas valley here Sunday when Elwood J. Dixon, 82, died at the Ellensburg General hospital following a major operation [died May 9, 1937]. A resident of this valley since 1882, and one of the earliest rural mail carriers here, Mr. Dixon was widely known throughout this section. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, on October 3, 1854 and came west to Vancouver, W., with his parents [John Wesley Dixon and Sarah E. Smith] when he was 24 years old. The family came … Read more

Wood, Martha Mrs. – Obituary

Ridgefield, Wash. – Mrs. Martha Wood died at the home of her daughter Mrs. T. Cook, here July 23 at the age of 97 years. She was born in Kentucky, October 19, 1820. She was married to Judge Wood and to them was born nine children. As Judge Wood was leaving the courthouse one day he was shot in the back by a confederate. After this Mrs. Wood and the children crossed the plains and came west living since in Oregon and Wash. She is survived by one son, four daughters, 26 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 15 great great … Read more

Davis, Darnell – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Darnell Davis, 54, of Huntington, died July 8, 2005, at his home. His memorial service will be scheduled later at Vancouver, Wash. Darnell Davis was born on April 10, 1951, at Fort Towson, Okla. He was raised and educated in Oklahoma. He started working outside of the home at the age of 13 to help support his family. Darnell was awarded a football scholarship and attended college in Oklahoma. Earning his degree, he joined the U.S. Navy, completing his tour of duty in 1974. After serving in the Navy, Darnell began driving truck in Oklahoma. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Matthias Spurgeon

MATTHIAS SPURGEON. – This pioneer of Clarke County is a native of Iowa, having been born in Cedar County in 1838. In his childhood he was bereft of his parents, and found a home in the family of an uncle, Mr. George Spurgeon. With this relative he came to Oregon while but a boy of fourteen, and found a home in the household of Mr. William H. Dillon. Soon after becoming of age, he spent two years in the mountains and gorges of Idaho prospecting for gold, meeting, however, with but little success. Returning to Clarke county he took up … Read more

Gray, Elton Hughes – Obituary

E. Hughes Gray, a former resident of Union County, died Thursday, Dec. 24, in Vancouver, Washington. He was born in Lower Cove, the youngest son of George M. and Mary Miller Gray. He was a graduate of La Grande High School. He is survived by his wife, Etta; one son, Milton Gray of Los Angeles and one daughter, Sandra of San Diego; one brother, Ernest M. Gray of Woodburn, Ore.; two sisters, Eudelle Olson and Othella Purvine, both of Milwaukie, Ore.; many cousins in this area and one aunt, Mrs. Eugene Millering of La Grande. Funeral services will be held … Read more

Biography of Joseph Holman

JOSEPH HOLMAN. – This pioneer of the North Pacific was born in Devonshire, England, in 1817, and came to the United States when nineteen years of age. Three years later he was at Peoria, Illinois, at which place he listened to a lecture on Oregon by Reverend Jason Lee, and was one of the party organized to cross the plains which left early in the spring of 1839, reaching the Willamette after fourteen months of travel, toil, hardships and privation. Many of the incidents of his trip are mentioned in the biographical sketch of Francis Fletcher in this book, he … Read more

Dixon, Melinda Banister – Obituary

Mrs. Melinda B. Dixon, pioneer of Kittitas Valley, died at Bernath’s Nursing Home early today at the age of 91 years January 13, 1964. Melinda Banister, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Banister, was born Feb. 6, 1872 in Clark County, Washington and came to Ellensburg with her parents in 1870. Because of the Indian disturbance in the valley they moved to Walla Walla, returning here in 1884, making the trip in a covered wagon. She was married to Elwood J. Dixon, Dec. 18, 1890 in Ellensburg. He died here in 1937. She was also preceded in … Read more

Brown, Sandra Nadine “Sandy” Larson Mrs. – Obituary

Sandra Nadine “Sandy” Brown, 58, a resident of Clark County, Wash., since 1989, and a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 31, 2001, at a Portland hospital. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Brown was born on Sept. 7, 1943, at Baker City. She was a 1961 Baker High School graduate. She moved to Woodland, Wash., in 1968 and to Vancouver, Wash., in 1989. She was employed as a production worker for several companies in the area. She enjoyed her family and friends, flowers and trips to the mountains and the … Read more

Biography of S. P. Marsh

S.P. MARSH. – This leading citizen of Vancouver, Washington, was born in Ohio in 1826. At Cleveland he received his education and learned the trade of a blacksmith. At the age of twenty-four the stories of fabulous wealth on the Pacific, and an invitation from a special friend, started him across the continent for Oregon. He was in the great emigration of 1850, when it is said one hundred and eighty thousand persons were on the plains. Heavy luck struck his party on the Platte. Not far out they were surrounded by a thousand Pawnee Indians, and were given ten … Read more

Fix, Stella F. Hall – Obituary

Mrs. Stella F. Fix, 93, of 112 S. 36th St., Tacoma, died in a local hospital Wednesday [February 12]. She was born in Battle Ground, and had lived in this area all her life. She is survived by a son-in-law, Fred Ferritti of Tacoma; and a cousin, Bill Burt of Portland. Services are announced by Orting Funeral Home. [Interment Orting Cemetery] Tacoma News Tribune, February 14, 1969 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Youngman, Barbara J. Woodbeck Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Barbara J. Youngman, 80, a longtime Pendleton resident, died Sept. 6, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Care Center in Baker City surrounded by her family. There was a private memorial service for her immediate family Saturday at the First Lutheran Church in Baker City. Pastor Dennis Hickman officiated. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Crematory. Interment will be with her family in Vancouver, Wash. Mrs. Youngman was born on Jan. 15, 1921, to Henry and Jennie Woodbeck. She was raised at Vancouver, Wash. She married Walter J. Youngman on March 16, 1940. She made … Read more

Brothers, Gloria A. Newall Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Gloria Brothers, 78, of Newberg died Friday, Aug. 23, 2002, at her home. Attrell’s Funeral Home of Newberg was in charge of arrangements with inurnment in Valley View Memorial Park in Newberg. Mrs. Brothers was born Nov. 1, 1923, in Port Angeles, Wash., the daughter of Evah and Edgar C. Newall. The family resettled in the Newberg area where landmarks like Newall Road and others record the family’s influence in the community. After graduation from high school in Vancouver, Wash., she attended the University of Oregon to obtain a degree in English. She was a member of … Read more

Gooderham, Steven Douglas – Obituary

Steven Douglas Gooderham, 62, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died Oct. 12 at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. A military service was held at the Willamette National Cemetery Oct. 17. Steven was born on May 30, 1945, to Wayne and Lois in La Grande. In 1952 his mother married Alfred Martens and the family moved to Portland. His siblings, Susan, Pam and Bill, were born. The family traveled around Oregon as Alfred helped build the I-84 and I-5 freeways. Steven graduated from Madison High School and joined the Army. He served two of his four years in … Read more

Hearing, Ross Ellwood – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon La Grande 1921-2000 Ross E. Hearing, 78, of La Grande, died April 23. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum with the Rev. Norm Shrumm of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Following the service, Mrs. Hearing’s friends and family will honor him at a luncheon at noon at Hoke Hall room 309 on the Eastern Oregon University campus. Viewing will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mr. Hearing was born Sept. 6, 1921, to Merle and Alma McCullough … Read more

Backlund, Donna Ratliff Kowing Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Donna Kowing Backlund, 61, of Baker City, died Sept. 27, 2002, at John Day. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Shiela Kowing, who live up Laycock Creek in the John Day area. Mrs. Backlund was born May 4, 1941, at Tillamook to Lawrence and Frieda Ammeter Ratliff. She grew up on a homestead near Washougal, Wash., where she was schooled. She later attended Blue Mountain Community College and was a certified dental assistant employed at Baker City for several years. On Dec. … Read more

Coles, Roger Duane Obituary

Haines, Oregon Roger Duane Coles, 86, of Vancouver, Wash., and a former Baker and Haines resident, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003. A celebration of life ceremony was held to honor him on Saturday, Jan. 25. The service was held at 3 p.m. at Felida Baptist Church located in Vancouver, Wash. Born in Haines, on June 2, 1916, he graduated from Haines High School and later attended Brooks Institute of Photography. He received an Honorary Master of Science in Photography from Brooks in 2001 for representing “our craft with diligence, fortitude, honesty, service, and … Read more

Gross, William G. – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William G. Gross, 81, of Island City died June 20 at a hospital in Boise. A private service will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Gross was born Nov. 1, 1924, to Glenn and Margurite Mathewson Gross in Portland. He attended school in Battleground, Wash., and served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trains and being with his family. He moved to the Grande Ronde Valley around 1960 from Reith. Survivors include children, James Gross of Island City, David Gross … Read more

Biography of John Wagener

John Wagener is one of the owners of the Trook and Jennings mine and five-stamp mill, one mile southeast of Silver City. He is also proprietor of several stock ranches and since pioneer days has been active in the development of the business resources of this state. A native of Germany, he came to America hoping to better his financial condition, and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors. Mr. Wagener was born June 30, 1833 and in his native land acquired his education. When a young man of nineteen years he bade adieu to … Read more