Douglas County OR

Thompson, Moses C. – Obituary

Moses C. Thompson Zumwalt, Oregon Word has been received in this city that Moses C. Thompson, veteran of the Civil war and resident of this city for many years, died at the G.A.R. home at Roseburg on Monday. Mr. Thompson served in the Navy during the war and was a member of the local post of the G.A.R. He had lived here for about 20 years, where he owned his own home. About two months ago he went to Roseburg. Mr. Thompson leaves a daughter, Mrs. Stein, who lives in Wallowa county at Zumwalt. Wallowa County Reporter, Thursday December 11, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John F. Adams

JOHN F. ADAMS. – We have here the founder of the promising city of Adams, Oregon, which is located on the line of the railroad in Umatilla county. Mr. Adams was born in Franklin county, Maine, in 1835. When twenty-two years of age, he came to Douglas county, Oregon, and for five years engaged in school-teaching. Exchanging the master’s rod for the shepherd’s crook, he went extensively into the sheep business in the Umpqua valley, and in 1865 transferred his flocks to Umatilla county. Here he has lived twenty-three years. Besides the culture of sheep, he has devoted much time … Read more

Biography of General Joseph Lane

GENERAL JOSEPH LANE. – Joseph Lane first saw the light of day in North Carolina, December 14, 1801. He was reared in Henderson county, Kentucky. At the early age of twenty he was married to Miss Polly Hart, soon afterwards settling in Vanderburg county, Indiana, where he followed the humble life of a farmer for twenty-five years. While in the pursuit of this occupation, he was prominent as a leader in all matter of enterprise in the county. He soon drifted into politics, and was chosen to represent the county in the state legislature. He was continued in the same … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas G. Redfield

THOMAS G. REDFIELD. – Mr. Redfield, one of the substantial citizens and capable business men of North Yakima, Washington, was born in Illinois in 1851. During his infancy he accompanied his parents across the plains to Oregon, and in 1854 was domiciled with them at their home upon Cow creek in Douglas county, Oregon. With the exception of two years in California, Mr. Redfield’s early life was spent in Oregon; and upon reaching an age of independence, he found no field more promising than Yakima county. He accordingly located at Yakima City in 1881, opening out a jewelry store, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. James D. Burnett

HON. JAMES D. BURNETT. – Mr. Burnett, one of the best farmers of Douglas county, and a gentleman of eminent abilities in public affairs, was born in Blunt county, Tennessee, March 12, 1822. In 1850 he came to Oregon, settling first at Salem. Two years later he removed to Douglas county, taking a claim upon which he has lived to the present time, and which he has increased by purchase to the baronial dimensions of twelve hundred acres. He has ever been active publicly in establishing those institutions which reflect credit upon the community and advance society. He is a … 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

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 Col. William Williams Chapman

William William Chapman

COL. W.W. CHAPMAN. – It has frequently been remarked, that while many men of great fame, and a deservedly wide reputation, cannot lay their finger upon a single public act that they originated, others whose names are less known can county by the score the progeny of their brains, now alive and active in the affairs of the world. Of the latter class is Colonel Chapman of Oregon. There are few men in America, even among those esteemed great, who have originated and carried to completion a greater number of particular acts of large scope and general beneficence. Many whose … Read more

Biography of Aaron Rose

AARON ROSE. – This gentleman, one of the earliest pioneers of the Umpqua valley, was born in Ulster county, in the State of New York, June 20, 1813, and was raised a farmer. He was married to Minerva Kelley in 1838. He crossed the plains with his family in 1851, arriving at Foster’s August 22d, and came directly to the valley of the South Umpqua, and settled at the mouth of Deer creek, upon the present site of the flourishing city of Roseburg, Oregon, September 23, 1851. He at once built a house and engaged in farming, in which he … Read more

Biography of George Harvey Emerson

GEORGE HARVEY EMERSON. – It is ever with peculiar interest that we observe the career of one who has been a soldier of the union. It was noticed that in the England of 1670, if any man was an exceptionally industrious and sober mechanic or man of business, it usually proved that he was an old soldier of Oliver Cromwell. In much the same way the severe discipline and the exercise of elf-devotion in our great war educated the soldier and prepared him for large and difficult enterprises. The subject of this sketch was born in Chester, New Hampshire, in … Read more

Fennell, Thomas D. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Thomas D. Fennell, 69, of Sutherlin and formerly of La Grande, died June 11. A memorial service is planned for June 28 in Sutherlin. Chapel of the Roses in Roseburg is in charge of arrangements. Thomas was born June 11, 1939, to Grady and Lorene (Priest) Fennell in Monticello, Ark. In 1947, the Fennell family moved to the Sutherlin area. Thomas graduated from Sutherlin High School in 1957, and enlisted in the Army 87th Airborne unit. He was stationed in Germany and while serving his country enjoyed parachute jumping. After completing his military service, he became a … Read more

Bergman, Rachel D. – Obituary

Rachel D. Bergman, 8, of Glendale, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 15, 2000, from injuries sustained in a car accident near Canyonville. Her funeral was Wednesday at the Mountain View Memorial Chapel at Myrtle Creek. Pastor Dan Jocoy officiated. Burial was at the Canyonville Masonic Cemetery. Rachel was born on Dec. 28, 1991, at Roseburg to Tammy Bergman. She was a third-grader at Glendale Elementary School. She was a happy, pleasant-natured little girl. She loved playing dress up with her Barbie dolls and also loved to fashion clothes for them from paper. She was very creative and enjoyed … 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 George E. Wells

GEORGE E. WELLS. – The subject of this sketch is a man of great energy and power of adaptability, as is manifested in the occupations that have been engaged in by him during the years in which he has been in this western country, and it is pleasant to remark that during all of these varied undertakings, some of which have been exceedingly arduous and fraught with hardship and danger, he has manifested a stanch and unflinching courage, marked industry and enterprise, with excellent personal qualities of integrity and upright principles, while a good success has attended his efforts, both … Read more

Arant, Allen Marion – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Allen Marion Arant, 70, died last Friday at his home near Roseburg. Mr. Arant was the father of Lucian P. Arant of the Baker, Herald, and E.E. Arant, former principal of the North Powder schools, was also a son. North Powder News Saturday, December 5, 1925

Biography of Joseph A. McWhirter

JOSEPH A. McWHIRTER. – The subject of this sketch is deserving of credit to many lines, having wrought with faithfulness and efficiency in a number of the callings of human industry, but first of all we wish to mention the fact that he is one of the earliest pioneers of this as well as other sections and has done very much for the development of the country and the inauguration of civilization’s rule in the places where he has been domiciled in the west, and it is worthy of note that Mr. McWhirter has ever conducted his life so uprightly … Read more

Biography of Joseph F. Johnson

It now becomes our pleasant privilege to give in brief review the salient points of the life of the prominent and distinguished gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and who has been a potent factor in the development of Wallowa County, and also a well known figure in the political realm, both of the state, as well as in promoting and manipulating some measures that are of import to the United States, while his personal qualities of worth and integrity, together with his ability and keen foresight, have rendered him a gratifying measure of success in all of his private … Read more

Hardesty, William – Obituary

William Hardesty, veteran of the Civil War, died Friday afternoon [April 8, 1927] at the Soldiers Home Hospital at the age of 89 years. He had been a resident of the Soldiers Home since June 20, 1921, coming to this city from Freewater, Oregon. Mr. Hardesty enlisted for the Civil War in March of 1862 and served as a private in Co. M, 7th Missouri Infantry. He is survived by a son, William D. Hardesty of Freewater. The body has been taken in charge by the Roseburg Undertaking Company and will be sent to Walla Walla, Washington for burial. Roseburg … 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

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