Douglas County NE

Biography of Hon. James G. Watts

Among the practitioners of the bar of Silver City, Idaho, is James G. Watts, who is also a distinguished member of the state senate. Pennsylvania is the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in the town of Wellsboro, July 23, 1858. His father, Daniel Watts, was a native of England, and on crossing the Atlantic to America took up his residence in New York, whence he afterward removed to the Keystone state. There he was married to Miss Harriet Goodrich, a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and a representative of an old Puritan family. During the civil war … Read more

Biography of Louis Elg

The man who first used gas for illumination at Idaho Falls, who put in the first telephone and who set up the first soda fountain in the town, is Louis Elg, druggist. Front and Maine streets. In other respects Mr. Elg has been a pioneer as well. His life has been a busy and eventful one and its important details are well worth the writing and the reading. He was born in Sweden, June 8, 1853, and is descended from a long line of Swedish ancestors. His father, also named Louis Elg, was an ironworker and was frozen to death, … Read more

McComas, E. S. – Obituary

One of the largest funerals in the history of the town of Union marked the obsequies of the pioneer editor and politician, E. S. McComas. The funeral was held at Union, Wednesday afternoon, September 6 at 3 o’clock, and was attended by a great gathering of pioneers. The body was laid to rest beside his mother, brother, and son. The deceased leaves a widow, one daughter, an adopted son and three sisters, Mrs. Alice M. Bell of Enterprise, Mrs. Esther E. Pursel and Mrs. Mary R. Thomson of Union. Mrs. Bell received word of her brother’s extermity Saturday afternoon and … Read more

Biography of Bernard P. Bogy

Along various lines of activity Bernard P. Bogy has taken part in those interests which have featured in the business development and the political and civic interests of St. Louis. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of the city. Bernard Pratte, one of his great-grandfathers in the paternal line, was the first mayor of the incorporated City of St. Louis, filling the office in 1844. His grandfather, Louis V. Bogy, was United States senator from Missouri, serving as a member of the upper house of the national legislature for six years. He, too, was born in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ernest L. Norberg

Architect Ernest L. Norberg and his associate, Architect Thomas M. Edwards, with offices in the Phelan Building, San Francisco, have through their branch office in the Bank Building at Burlingame established a thriving clientele in this community. Judging from the number of public and private buildings already constructed from their designs and under their supervision, the future prominence of this firm is assured. Mr. Norberg’s early architectural training was obtained at Hopkins Art Institute, and later under the American Society of Beaux Arts. He was afterward associated with the most prominent architects of San Francisco, including Willis Polk, whom he … Read more

Smith, Fred Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Martha Jane Smith, wife of Fred Smith, 2102 East O avenue died Saturday after a long illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday. Capt.E. Scriven of the Salvation Army officiating. Mrs. Smith, born Feb. 13, 1888 at Omaha, Nebr., came to La Grande to live 13 years ago. Surviving are her widower; four daughters, Mrs. Clifford Snell, Mrs. Ila Jean Lagore and Addie Mae Smith of La Grande, and Mrs. Carl Utzinger of Astoria; five sons, Harvey, Vernon, Bud, and Neil of La Grande, and Lester of Casper, Wyo.; five sisters, Mrs. W. L. Hoyt, … Read more

Biography of Elisha Wesley McComas, Hon.

While the years of his greatest activity and achievement, the period which made him a national figure, were spent in other localities, a special interest attaches to the career of Elisha W. McComas in Kansas, not only because he lived in that state for many years, but members of his family still reside there. He was born in Cabell County in Old Virginia, the second in a family of six sons. His father was a prominent man in Old Virginia, served several terms in Congress, filled a position on the local bench, and other places of honor. The early life … Read more

Houses of the Omaha Tribe

Page of Kurz's sketchbook showing interior of an Omaha lodge, May 16, 1851

When Lewis and Clark ascended the Missouri in 1804 they found the Omaha village not far from the Missouri, in the present Dakota County, Nebraska. On the 13th of August the expedition reached the mouth of a creek entering the right bank of the Missouri. Just beyond they encamped on a sandbar, “opposite the lower point of a large island.” From here Sergeant Ordway and four men were sent to the Omaha village and returned the following day. “After crossing a prairie covered with high grass, they reached the Maha creek, along which they proceeded to its three forks, which … Read more

Biography of Fred S. Watt

Fred S. Watt, cashier of the Lovewell State Bank, is a man of exceptlonal ability and widely known in Jewell County, and besides his banking duties is also pastor of the United Brethren Church at Lovewell. Mr. Watt was born in Webster County, Nebraska, July 30, 1879. He is of English ancestry but the family located in Pennsylvania in colonial times. His grandfather, John Watt, was born in Indiana in 1810 and in 1871 became one of the piommer settlers in Webster County, Nebraska, where he homesteaded 160 acres near Guide Rock. He was a practical farmer, and spent his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Davis

This worthy pioneer and capable citizen of Malheur County is one of the well known farmers of the vicinity of Ontario, having a farm of eighty acres two and one-half miles northwest from Ontario which is well improved with comfortable buildings, orchards, etc., having also a good supply of water for irrigating. Mr. Davis is a native of Douglas County, Nebraska, being born on November 23, 1855, and the son of Charles B. and Jane (Platt) Davis. The father was a veteran of the Mexican war, participating in many battles and skirmishes and, being honorably discharged at its close. He … Read more

Cusick, E. A. Mrs. – Obituary

Died-At the residence of S. O. Swackhumer in this city, Saturday, February 11, 1893, Mrs. E. A. Cusick. The deceased, whose maiden name was Emma Amanda Dodge, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, March 20th, 1850. Died in Union, Oregon, February 11, 1893, was therefore nearly 43 years old. When eight years of age she moved with friends to Omaha, Neb., and in the summer of 1863 crossed the plains with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Swackhumer, stopping in Grande Ronde valley where she has lived most of her life since. She was married in Wasco County, … Read more

Biography of Edwin O. Crandall

EDWIN O. CRANDALL. Deceased – It is pleasant to give an epitome of a career that has been filled with good deeds and in which upright principles have been set forth and especially gratifying to all is it to be enabled to chronicle the items of the life of one who has made a pleasing success in a number of walks of life and has always manifested in the pure of life and has always manifested a kindness, geniality and faithfulness that are both enjoyable and praiseworthy. Of this class is the gentleman, whose life history we now essay to … Read more

Biography of Charles J. Smith

Charles J. Smith, Manager of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, March 13, 1854, and is the son of Charles F. and Z. A. ( Jackson) Smith. His father was a merchant at Nicholasville for several years, but in 1857, removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he died in 1877. In the latter city, the subject of this sketch was educated in a private school until he reached the age of fourteen, when he entered Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illinois, from which institution he graduated in 1870. After graduation he spent one year as a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Grant Smith

Smith, William Grant; railway express business; born, Fox Lake, Wis., Aug. 24, 1861; son of Lewis and Fannie A. Stevens Smith; educated, public schools and Ripon College, Wisconsin; married, Medford, Mass., June 25, 1902, Martha Chapin Wilcox; one daughter, Josephine Wilcox Smith; in 1879, entered the employment of The American Express Co.; appointed supt. Wisconsin Division, 1892; same position for Michigan in 1895; asst. gen. agt. at Omaha, Neb. 1902; 2nd asst. to gen. manager, Chicago, Ill., 1903; asst. to vice pres. and gen. mgr., Chicago, Ill., 1906; mgr. Central Dept., Cleveland, 1910; member of Illinois Society, Sons of American … Read more

George W. Todd of Omaha NE

George W. Todd8, (Edwin R.7, Thomas J.6, Caleb5, Gideon4, Gideon3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Feb. 22, 1873, married in 1901, Rhena Jensen. He is a dentist in Omaha, Neb. Children: 2413. Charlotte, b. 1903. 2414. A son, d. young. 2415. Virginia, b. 1910. 2416. Harriet, b. 1911.

Biography of William M. Brown, M. D.

The medical fraternity is ably represented by Dr. William M. Brown, who is the leading physician of Cuprum, whither he removed in June of the present year, 1899, from Salubria, where he had continuously and successfully engaged in practice from June 1892. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, on the 18th of November, 1860. His ancestors were early settlers of South Carolina, and his grandfather, James Brown, was born in Due West, that state. James Scott Brown, the Doctor’s father, was a native of Preble County, Ohio, and having arrived at man’s estate he married Miss Julia Robertson, of … Read more

Worcester, Robert Marshall “Bob” – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robert Marshall “Bob” Worcester, 76, of The Dalles, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on Sept. 12, 2004. Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon on Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles. The Rev. Joe Kelbel will officiate. Private cremation will follow at The Dalles Win-Quatt Crematory. Visitations will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home. Bob was born on Oct. 13, 1927, in Omaha, Neb., to Nathaniel and Marye Anderson Worcester. He … Read more

Ouren, Edward – Obituary

Ouren, Edward M., 79 of 801 S. 52nd St., Survived by wife, Frances, brother, Louis H., nephews, Louis, Henry (all of Omaha), Richard Everson (nephew) of El Reno, OK, sister-in-law, Mrs. Leroy Kleeman of Snyder, NE. Services Wed 1 pm Fitch & Cole Memorial Chapel, Dr. Robert E. Naylor officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery Omaha World Herald, January 4, 1966 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Twedt, Terrance Lee – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Terrance “Terry” Lee Twedt, 72, of Pacific City and formerly of La Grande, died at his home April 21 surrounded by family. A life celebration reception will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kiawanda Community Center in Pacific City. Terry was born July 14, 1935, to Irvin and Virgie (Wilson) Twedt in Omaha, Neb. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. In 1961 he married Karin Lee Twedt in Portland. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oregon State University and worked in management with Boise Cascade in La Grande and … Read more