Douglas County OR

Yeske, Golden – Obituary

Yeske, James Golden – 57, of Roseburg, passed away October 13, 1984. He was born October 19, 1926, in La Grande, Oregon. On October 9, 1948, in Portland, Oregon, he married his wife Beverly and they lived in the Roseburg area since the early 1950s. Golden had been a teacher in the Roseburg area Elementary schools for many years and a member of the First Christian Church here in Roseburg. He was the President of the Umpqua Coin Club. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Yeske of Roseburg; 1 son, Shaun Yeske of Pocatello, Idaho; his mother, Faye Yeske, his brother, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Mitchell

FRANK MITCHELL. – This gentleman is a brother of Mr. Matthew Mitchell, mentioned elsewhere. Born in Missouri in 1839, he was one of the ten children who crossed the plains with the parents and made their home in the lovely Looking Glass valley, Douglas county. Removing with his father in 1863 to The Cove, he assisted him in keeping the ferry, and later, the toll-bridge on the Ruckle road. The young man brought a few head of cattle of his own, and by good management soon had a fine herd. In1869 he drove three hundred animals to Nevada, and in … Read more

Biography of Jesse W. Randall

A leading representative of the agricultural interests of Latah County is Jesse W. Randall, who owns and operates a fine farm pleasantly situated nine miles southeast of Moscow. He is most practical and yet progressive, and his untiring industry and capable management have brought him a handsome competence. He was born in Wisconsin, October 3, 1855, and is of Scotch descent, his paternal great-grandfather having emigrated from Scotland when this country was still a British possession. He settled in New York colony, and when the attempt was made to throw off the yoke of British tyranny he joined the American … Read more

Biography of William Henry Canaday

It is fitting that in a work that purports to accord to the leading citizens of Harney county representation there should be special mention of the well known business man whose name heads this article and who has labored in our midst for a number of years, gaining a good success and making for himself a name and standing which are enviable. Madison Canaday was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, on October 21, 1831, and when a boy went with his parent to Illinois and then to Iowa, whence they crossed the plains with ox teams in 1852. They … Read more

Biography of Hon. Elisha Ping

HON. ELISHA PING. – In this kindly face we see another of the honored pioneers of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, March 13, 1819, Mr. Ping’s early years were spent in the chase after the fascinating phantom of “Out West” which lured so many of our best people to these pleasant shores. His early years were spent in Illinois and Indiana. In the latter state he was married in 1840 to Miss Lucretia Kuykendall. She died in December,1863. In 1851, Mr. Ping, with his young family, went to Wisconsin; but they still yearned for the “Westmost West,” … Read more

Biography of James W. F. Owens

JAMES W.F. OWENS. – This gentleman was the eldest son of the pioneer Thomas Owens, and came as an infant in arms with his parents to Oregon in 1843, his birthplace having been Platte county, Missouri. In 1853 he removed with his parents to the Umpqua valley, and, amid the beautiful scenes of that almost unearthly region, grew to a vigorous manhood. His only education was received during a six months’ term of school at Dallas; but, having a phenomenal memory, this laid the basis for his large information of later years. He was one of those men who devour … Read more

Biography of John J. Peebler

JOHN J. PEEBLER. – Among the very first settlers of the Grande Ronde valley, if not the first actual one to begin residence here, we mention the esteemed gentleman and worthy pioneer whose name appears above, and who has been identified with the interests of Union county since its organization and with this section before Union county was in existence, laboring ever for the promulgation of sound principles and the inauguration of good government and the material progress and substantial improvement of both his state and county. John J. Peebler was born to Samuel C. and Dorothy Peebler in Jefferson … Read more

Sherwood, Clarissa Fisher Mrs. – Obituary

Clarissa Sherwood, 94, of Roseburg, a former Halfway resident, died July 11, 2007, at Bend. Her funeral was today at Chapel of the Roses. The Rev. Dwayne brown of the First Presbyterian Church officiated. Private entombment was at Roseburg Memorial Gardens. Clarissa was born on Nov. 25, 1912, and was raised at Halfway. She was the daughter of Alva and Gladys Fisher and the first of six children. After graduating from Halfway High School, she attended Eastern Oregon Normal School at La Grande, graduating in 1933. She began her teaching career with 12 students in a one-room school house at … Read more

Dunlavy, Phyllis Lillian Crabill Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Phyllis Lillian Dunlavy, 90, of Corvallis, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 25, 2004, at her home. Her graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. The Rev. William McCarthy will officiate. Phyllis was born on June 22, 1913, at Baker City to Roy and Blanche Phillips Crabill. She was the granddaughter of Philander Crabill, an early settler in Baker City. She attended Baker schools and was a Baker High School graduate. She attended Eastern Oregon College of Education (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande, which was a two-year … Read more

Oesterling, Robert Alan – Obituary

Robert Alan Oesterling, 57, of Glide, died July 2, 2006, at his mother’s home in Baker City. His graveside memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Robert Alan was born on Dec. 26, 1948, at La Grande to Robert Grandy and Winnifred Eloise Moore Oesterling. Rob was a champion swimmer in his teens and an avid hunter, the only one in the family. His passion for the outdoors was instilled in him at an early age and carried throughout his entire life. Rob loved exploring and learning. He could never pass a historic … Read more

Bogen, Belva Gene Lakey Mrs. – Obituary

Richland, Baker County, Oregon Belva Gene Bogen, 78, of Richland, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family and friends on Nov. 9, 2005. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Richland Christian Church. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception following the service at the church. Belva Gene was born on March 25, 1927 in Drain, to Eugene Harold and Bessie Bell White Lakey. She was raised and educated in Drain, graduating from Drain High School in 1945. Upon graduation, Belva married her high school sweetheart, John Bogen, on June … Read more

Biography of Hon. Matthew P. Deady

HON. MATTHEW P. DEADY. – The character of the man whose name heads this article is one to which justice cannot be done in a short sketch of the principal events of his life. However, it will serve to illustrate one pure, wise and energetic; one of those who, while he gained his education, toiled for his living; one of those whom no circumstances, poverty or hardship could deter or turn aside from his purposes and the pursuit of knowledge. Judge Deady was born in Easton, Talbot county, Maryland, on May 12, 1824. His parents were good and respectable people, … Read more

Biography of Thomas Johnson

THOMAS JOHNSON. – The gentleman whose name appears above belongs to three towns on the east slope of the Cascades, – Goldendale, Ellensburgh and Cle-Elum; and it may almost be said that in the course of their development these three towns belong to him. At least, he has been a leading and constructive spirit in them. He is a native of Canada, where he was born in 1839, and came to this coast in search of the golden fleece at Caribou in 1862. The Province, however, detained him but a year; and he came down to Rockland opposite The Dalles, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Arethusa E. Smith

MRS. ARETHUSA E. SMITH. – Arethusa E., the daughter of Daniel Lynn, was born near Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, June 12, 1834. As a child of six years she removed with her parents to Platte county, in the same state, remaining until 1844, the year memorable for the great flood. Mr. Lynn, being very fond of a pioneer life, determined to settle in Texas, but was unable to proceed farther than the White river country, and, being ill suited with that country, returned to Platte county. He had long heard of Oregon, and decided to cross the plains thither and … Read more

Shoemaker, Huldah – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Shoemaker-At Cove, Union County, Oregon December 20, 1888, Mrs. Huldah Shoemaker, aged 27 years, 10 months and 5 days. She was born in Wasco county, Oregon, February 15, 1861. From there her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.W. Williams, moved to Douglas county in 1884. She came with her uncle from Looking Glass, Douglas county to Cove, in the fall of 1885 on a visit and formed the acquaintance of William Shoemaker and they were united in marriage May 2, 1886. She was honored by all from her childhood up and loved most by those who knew … Read more

Biography of Hon. John Kelly

HON. JOHN KELLY. – Prominent in almost every department of business and public life, Honorable John Kelly is known throughout the length and breadth of our state as a man of great abilities and irreproachable integrity. As a pioneer, none has a more deserving record, nor has sustained amore honorable part. Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1818, he crossed the Atlantic to Canada in 1838, and in 1840 came to Franklin, Vermont. Three years later he began a career at the West, coming to Wisconsin, and there exercising his natural bent for business and capacity for organization, by which he … Read more

Biography of Henry H. Woodward

HENRY H. WOODWARD. – The life of a pioneer of any country is a hard one. But the pioneer of the Pacific coast had really more to contend with than his early brother of any other state east or west of the great Mother of Waters. His daily life was not only one of almost unendurable hardship and privation, with the eternal gnawings of want; but it was also beset with imminent danger; and he was in continued dread of death from the poisoned arrow of the red man, or his more fortunate fellow who used a gun. The pioneer … Read more

Wilson, Ira, Jr. – Obituary

Ira Wilson Jr., 94, of Portland, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 29, 2005, at Portland. There will be no service. Mr. Wilson was born on Aug. 18, 1910, at Roseburg. He and his wife, Sylvia, were married in 1945. She died in 1977. He attended Tigard High School and served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 25, 1942, to Oct. 8, 1945. He lived in Baker City from 1947 to 1978 where he worked in the sawmill. Survivors include his nieces, Hope Wilson, Dawn Wilson Stricklin, Becky Wilson Freeman and Marsha Wilson, all of Portland; a nephew, … Read more

LaBaun, George Bradford – Obituary

George Bradford LaBaun, 82, a Baker City resident from 1996 until moving recently with his wife to Roseburg, died Dec. 29, 2004, with his family at his bedside after several years of battling with a rare lung disease. His memorial service was Jan. 3 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. A celebration of his life will be scheduled later at Corvallis. He was born on Feb. 13, 1922, at Sheridan, Wyo., to George and Cora Burdick LaBaun. When he was 2 years old he moved with his parents to Eugene. He was a 1939 graduate of Eugene High … Read more

Biography of Flemming R. Hill

FLEMMING R. HILL. – Mr. Hill’s experiences have been so varied and extensive, and his services on this coast so valuable, that we can here give but enough to serve as specimens. He was born in Overton county, Tennessee, in 1824. In 1829 he accompanied his parents west to a new home in Missouri, and in 1844, was ready for adventures of his own account. With three companions he set forth to the Rocky Mountains, but at the rendezvous left their enterprise, and joined himself as teamster to a train of emigrants bound for Oregon. The trip across the plains … Read more