Biographical Sketch of Per Lee Alvin Lieghley

Per Lee Alvin Lieghley, born March 9, 1872, in Navarre, Ohio, was a lawyer educated at several institutions, including Kent College of Law. He married Clara Marie Alexander in 1895 and had two daughters. After practicing law in Chicago, he returned to Ohio due to health issues, serving as principal of Strasburg schools and as Justice of the Peace. In Cleveland, he held various legal positions, including county prosecutor, and was active in multiple fraternal organizations.

Biography of Clarence William Turner

Clarence William Turner, born in 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio, was a pivotal figure in the commercial development of Muskogee, Oklahoma. He learned the mercantile trade from his father, John E. Turner, a prominent merchant and pioneer. After establishing the Turner Hardware Company in Muskogee in 1882, Clarence expanded the business and made significant real estate investments, contributing to the city’s growth. A staunch Republican and city alderman, he married Tookah Butler and had three children, continuing the family legacy of community involvement and business acumen.

Biography of Richard Thomas Price

Richard Thomas Price, born on December 4, 1870, in Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, rose from humble beginnings working in coal mines to become a prominent businessman and community leader. He advanced through various roles in the coal industry, ultimately founding the Interstate Coal Company in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he also served as general manager of the Consolidated Fuel Company. A civic-minded individual, Price was involved in numerous local organizations and initiatives, and he balanced his professional life with a passion for music, serving as president of the Muskogee Choral Society.

Biography of Joseph A. Butler

Joseph A. Butler, born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1870, moved to Kansas City, Kansas, at a young age. A prominent figure in local politics and business, he served as marshal of South City Court and as a county commissioner during the 1903 flood. Transitioning to the funeral industry, he became a leading undertaker and was active in various civic organizations. Married to Mary E. Nichols, they had four children. Butler exemplified public spirit and contributed to the city’s welfare while maintaining affiliations with several fraternal and civic groups.

Biography of George W. Vaughn

George W. Vaughn, known as Major Vaughn, was a prominent figure in American railroad engineering, with a career spanning from the early days of railroads in the U.S. until his death in 1916. Born in New York in 1829, he displayed remarkable mechanical talent despite limited formal education. He significantly contributed to various railroads across the country, including the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. His legacy includes innovative engineering feats and a lasting impact on the railroad industry in Kansas and beyond.

Biography of Amos S. Lapham

Amos S. Lapham, a distinguished attorney in Chanute, Kansas, has had a remarkable legal career, marked by dedication to ethical practice and significant cases. Born on April 6, 1845, in Ohio, he hailed from a prominent family with roots tracing back to 17th-century England. Lapham graduated from the University of Michigan and was admitted to practice law in 1869. He held various civic roles, including treasurer of Neosho County and judge of the District Court. Married in 1875, he fathered seven children, while also engaging in business and community endeavors.

Biography of Frederick Ruder

Frederick Ruder, born in 1835 to German immigrants, settled in Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, in 1857, where he became integral to the area’s development. Initially working as an artificer at Fort Leavenworth, he later established a successful harness-making business that continued for over thirty years. Ruder embodied the industrious spirit of his German heritage, illustrated by his commitment to his community and family. He passed away in 1913, leaving behind a legacy carried on by his son, Fred W. Ruder, who mirrored his father’s values and work ethic.

West, John F. – Obituary

John F. West, a well-known resident of North Powder, passed away from sarcoma at the La Grande hospital on December 2, 1928. Born on November 5, 1857, in Cleveland, Ohio, he faced hardship early in life, becoming an orphan at seven. He married Mary Baxter in Colorado and later experienced the loss of several family members. After relocating multiple times, West settled in North Powder in 1914. His burial was attended by friends, as he leaves no known relatives.

Biographical Sketch of John F. Scott

John F. Scott, born in 1844 in Geauga County, Ohio, began his life in agriculture before pursuing education at the Eclectic Institute. After various occupations, including teaching and selling patent rights, he settled in Mattoon in 1869, initially working in insurance. He returned to law studies, graduating from Ohio State and Union Law College in 1875, and established the law firm Clark & Scott. A civic leader, he served multiple terms as Mayor and Supervisor of Mattoon Township and is currently Chairman of the Board.

Biography of Milo Eugene Davis

Milo Eugene Davis, born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1841, moved to Nebraska as a child and later became a railroad conductor and construction supervisor in California after serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. He settled in San Bernardino in 1880, where he established a successful fruit farm and a furniture store that thrived during a local boom. A dedicated Mason, he achieved notable ranks within the order. He married in 1885 and had one child.

Biography of John Hall, M. D.

John Hall, M. D., born in Yorkshire, England in 1819, migrated to the U.S. in 1845 and pursued a medical career after studying at the Toronto School of Medicine and the Western Homeopathic College. He settled in Riverside, California in 1873, shifting from medicine to horticulture, where he became a pioneer in raisin farming. His extensive agricultural efforts in the region contributed to its development. His son, Priestley Hall, established Halls Addition in Riverside, enhancing local infrastructure and water supply, while also engaging in various community enterprises.

Biography of Captain C.C. Miller

Captain C.C. Miller, born in 1824 in Oneida County, New York, emerged as a key figure in Riverside’s development. After completing his education in Ohio, Miller dedicated his early career to civil engineering and railroad construction. He served as a Captain in the Union Army during the Civil War, later contributing to notable railroads and canals in the West. In 1874, seeking a better climate for his family, he relocated to Riverside, where he established the Glenwood Hotel and engaged in horticulture and community development. A respected figure, he was active in Masonic and Republican circles.

Biography of Albert E. Payne

Albert E. Payne, born in England in 1841, immigrated to the U.S. at age ten. He ventured to California in 1883, establishing the first general merchandise store in Ontario while engaging in horticulture. After selling his businesses in 1886, he focused on agriculture in Chino Township, cultivating prunes, apples, and nursery stock. A Republican and former Ontario Postmaster, Payne actively supported his community through public service and education. He married Mary Sheppard, and they had three children, solidifying his legacy in the region.

Biography of John Down

John Down, born in England in 1849, arrived in Riverside in 1874 as a skilled bricklayer. He established a brickyard with E.M. Sheldon, later forming the firm Down & Alguire. A successful businessman, he owned substantial land and contributed to Riverside’s brick construction. An active community member, Down supported local enterprises and was involved in various organizations, including the Methodist Church. Married to Lois Sheldon, he faced personal tragedy with the loss of their only child. His legacy is intertwined with Riverside’s growth and development.

Biographical Sketch of Harvey Hewitt

Harvey Hewitt, born in 1859 in Cleveland, Ohio, is the son of Isaac L. Hewitt, a retired petroleum commission executive and former steamer owner on Lake Erie. Raised in a family of five, Harvey received his education at the Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn. His career included a two-year stint with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as part of the engineering corps before relocating to Lugonia in 1881. There, he purchased 240 acres, currently cultivating 100, and now serves as deputy surveyor of San Bernardino County.

Biography of Orrin Backus

Orrin Backus, born on March 16, 1822, in Columbus, Ohio, came from a distinguished lineage, with ties to early American history. After receiving education and aiding his father in the furniture business, he served as assistant clerk at the Ohio Penitentiary during cholera outbreaks. Backus also commanded the steamer Diadem during the Civil War, aiding troop transport. In 1879, he moved to Riverside, California, where he became a horticulturist, banking director, and respected community member, despite personal losses in his family.