Elgin Oregon

Smith, Elijah – Obituary

Union County, Oregon The death of Elijah Smith, a pioneer resident of this city occurred Saturday evening, December 2nd, 1905, after an illness of pneumonia fever. Elijah Smith was born in Calloway County, Mo., August 31, 1834, and was 71 years and 3 months old. He came to this county in 1874 and resided here continually until the time of his death. He lived an unmarried life and had amassed a fortune of several thousand dollars, a considerable amount of which was represented in dwellings in this city. he left no will and his wealth will go to his brothers … Read more

Cowan, Lois – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Lois Cowan of Wallowa died May 17, 2006, at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital after a short illness. She was 94. Mrs. Cowan was born Jan. 31, 1912, in Elgin to James Elvis and Bertha Witty Witherspoon. She grew up on the family farm on Cricket Flat and attended the Hindman Country School. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1931. After graduating, Lois worked as a telephone operator and a clerk in a grocery store. On June 26, 1938, she married Carl Raymond Cowan in Elgin. They lived in Baker City, Sumpter, La Grande and Elgin before moving … Read more

Beeler, Janette L. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Janette L. Beeler, 59, of Elgin died Aug. 28. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Elgin Cemetery. Mrs. Beeler was born April 7, 1947, to J.D. and Loys Osborn Thwreat in Mena, Ark. She lived most of her life in Laramie, Wyo. She worked as a janitor for the University of Wyoming and on Aug. 5 moved to Elgin to be closer to her mother and her family. She was a … Read more

Carpenter, Erwin H. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Erwin H. Carpenter Erwin H. Carpenter, 80, of Lewiston, Idaho, and formerly of Grangeville, Idaho, and Union County, died Feb. 20 at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Grandview Cemetery. Erwin was born Jan. 13, 1927, to Earl and Ida Carpenter in La Grande. As a child he lived on the family farm near Elgin. He and his sister, Doris, rode their horse three miles to attend … Read more

Krell, John – Obituary

Another Herder Dead A sheep herder in Wallowa county, somewhere on the Looking Glass, made the ghastly find of another dead herder last Friday. He immediately phoned friends at Milton, who in turn informed the sheriff of Union county. Deputies were dispatched to the scene, but found the place across the line and in Wallowa county. When the Wallowa officers reached the scene the body of the dead man was found to be so badly decomposed as to make its removal next to impossible. The deceased man is John Krell and, aside from having friends in Milton, Oregon, little is … Read more

Hallgarth, Nimrod – Obituary

The death of Nimrod Hallgarth, occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. Blanchard, on the Flat, April 16. Deceased was aged 83 years, 5 months and 5 days and was born in Indiana, in which state he resided until last fall, when he came to Oregon to visit his daughter, Mrs. Blanchard. He leaves four sons to mourn his loss. The remains were interred in the Elgin cemetery. Elgin Recorder Friday April 28, 1905

Milne, Frank – Obituary

Frank Milne Drowned The people of Elgin received another shock last Friday evening by the intelligence that Frank Milne, of this city, had been drowned in Clarks creek, a short distance above Elliott’s. Mr. Milne had been out on his ranch on that stream, looking after his cattle and had gone over on the creek to look for a horse at the time the accident occurred. Just how he happened to be drowned will never be known, as he was alone at the time, but the supposition is that he endeavored to cross the stream on a foot log and … Read more

Eoff, Russell T. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Russell T. Eoff, 85, of Elgin, died at his home March 27. A life tribute and celebration will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Assembly of God Church at 14th and Alder streets in Elgin. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. Russ was born Nov. 15, 1922, to Henry and Margaret Edge Eoff in Independence. He graduated from Benson Technical High School in Portland in 1940. He worked as a welder in the Portland shipyards during the war, and also farmed the Cederbrook Dairy with his brothers and his parents in Sherwood. … Read more

Bechtel, Philanda Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon, Obit Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at Elgin for Mrs. Philanda Bechtel, who passed away Wednesday, March 5, 1941 at the home of a son, Joe Bechtel, of Wallowa. She was born in Sullivan County, Missouri in 1856 and had spent the greater part of her life in the Elgin community. Her husband passed away many years ago. Mrs. Bechtel is survived by three sons, Dan and Homer of Elgin; Joe of Wallowa and one daughter, Mrs. Stella Witty of Elgin. Attending the services from Enterprise were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis and Mr. and … Read more

Thompson, Blanche – Obituary

Sudden Death Blanche Thompson Blanche, the little four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Thompson, died at 4 p.m. Tuesday after an illness of only a few hours. The little one was apparently as well as common until about 10 o’clock when it was taken suddenly with an ailment of the kidneys, and, although Dr. Whiting was called at once he was unable to stay the progress of the disease and the little one passed away at 4 o’clock that afternoon. The funeral services were conducted in the M.E. Church yesterday at 10 o’clock by Rev. A. Roberts … Read more

Gent, George

Elgin, Union County, Oregon George Gent, the 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Gent, died at the home of his parents in this city Tuesday afternoon, July 17, 1906. Deceased had been suffering from poor health for several months, and returned a few weeks ago from Portland, where he had been receiving medical tretment, feeling much improved. The change for better, however, lasted only a few days, and his fatal illness began three weeks ago. The funeral services were held in the Methdist church Wednesday afternoon and the remains interred in the city cemetery. Elgin Recorder Friday July 20, … Read more

Bills, Roy – Obituary

Roy Bills was born in Seymour, Iowa, November 27, 1881, and was therefore 25 years old on the day of his death. He came to this city with his parents in 1897. Prior to his death he held a position of trust in the Post Office. He was a boy of good habits and his death is mourned by a large circle of friends. he leaves a father, mother, sister, brother and other relatives in this city who are grief stricken in losing one who had barely started on life’s journey. The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church … Read more

Becker, Pauline – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Miss Pauline Becker died at her home here Saturday after a short illness. A resident of Elgin since 1891, Miss Becker was continually employed by the different telephone exchanges which have operated here since 1905. At the time of her death she was cashier for the west Coast Telephone Company. Miss Becker is survived by a brother, Fred C. Becker of Portland; and a sister, Mrs. M. GS. Allen, Portland. Elgin Recorder October 3, 1936 Contributed by: Larry Rader

Garrett, Melissa – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Elgin Pioneer Dies Woman Who Came Here in 1853 Passes Away Mrs. Melissa Garrett, aunt of Judge Slater of La Grande, died at her home near Elgin last evening. She was 80 years of age and was one of the early pioneers of Oregon. Her experience in the west would make an interesting volume and the Evening Observer expects a near future date to have an article on it from the pen of Judge Slater. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon and interment will be made in the Summerville cemetery. La Grande Evening Observer Monday … Read more

Adams, Ernest Edgar – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Ernest Edgar Adams, 93, of Elgin died June 9 at a local care center. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Christian Church. Burial will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. Mr. Adams was born April 12, 1913, to John William and Emily Jane Law Adams in Elgin. He graduated from Elgin High School and attended Eastern Oregon Normal School for a year. He worked for the box factory when he was young and played on a minor league baseball team. On Nov. 11, 1933, he married Frances Elizabeth Gilkison in Union. During World War … Read more

Sudway, Patrick Charles – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Patrick Charles Sudway, 25, of Elgin died Nov. 3 in an automobile accident. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Catholic Church in Elgin. Patrick was born April 9, 1981, and recently moved to Elgin from Walla Walla, Wash. He worked as a handyman in the construction business and enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, camping, track, skiing, swimming, music, movies, hiking, football, wrestling, animals and being around people. Survivors include his parents, Darlene Johns of Elgin and Charles Sudway of Strafford, N.H.; sisters, Catherine Johns of La Grande and Renee Swagger of Strafford, N.H.; grandparents, Edward … Read more

Lyon, Mary Hazela – Obituary

Word has been received of the death of Mary Hazel Smith Lyon. She was born in Linwood, Nebraska, March 23, 1889, the daughter of George and Kathryn Smith. The family moved to eastern Oregon in the early 1890’s, settling in La Grande. They later moved to Elgin in 1898. Her father was bookkeeper for the Goodnough Mercantile Store in Elgin until his retirement. Hazel was in the first graduating class from Elgin High School in 1910. After a short business course she worked for the telephone company in Elgin until her marriage to Jack Lyon December 25, 1919. Shortly after … Read more

Smith, Harry E. – Obituary

A retired railroad employee, Harry E. Smith, 66, 1810 Adams Avenue, died at a local hospital early this morning, February 29. He is survived by his wife Mildred E. Smith and other relatives. Arrangements are pending at Crippin-Daniels Funeral Chapel. La Grande Observer, La Grande, Union County, Oregon, Thursday, February 29, 1968 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smith, Harry Edward Union County, Oregon Harry Edward Smith, 66, 1810 Adams Avenue, died at a local hospital February 29. He had retired in December, 1967, as a Union Pacific Storekeeper. Services will be Saturday, Mar. 2, at 3:30 p.m. at Crippin-Daniels Funeral Chapel with Rev. Boone … Read more

Ireland, Edith Rose – Obituary

Edith Rose Ireland, 92, of Mitchell died Dec. 20 at her home. Memorial services will be July 21 in Hood River. Mrs. Ireland was born in Hood River July 21, 1914, to James Ray and Emma May (Barton) Hathhorn. She grew up and was educated there. She married Willis “Mike” Ireland in Hood River June 19, 1931. She and her family lived throughout the Northwest, wherever there was a dam to be built. They moved to Elgin in 1999, then to Mitchell in November. Mrs. Ireland enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, making and stuffing animal toys and dolls, and various other … Read more

McClary, Phyllis V. – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Phyllis V. McClary, 76, of Elgin died Nov. 27 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. McClary was born April 16, 1930, to Donald and Bessie Garlough Lester in Watford City, N.D. On April 23, 1950, she married Denny B. McClary in Garden City, Nev., and they lived at the Stockton Naval Base in Stockton, Calif., until 1952. From 1952 to 1984 they resided at various fish hatchery locations throughout Oregon. After Denny’s retirement they made their home in Elgin. Mrs. McClary was very … Read more