Biography of William H. McDonald

WM. H. McDONALD – Mr. McDonald, long known as purser on the old Oregon Steam navigation Company’s steamers, and now cashier of the La Grande National Bank, is one of the Oregon educated men who are a credit to the state. He is the son of Mr. H. McDonald, the well-known architect and pioneer, and was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1848, coming around Cape Horn on the clipper Hurricane in 1851. His education was gained at the Portland Academy at the Pacific University of Forest Grove, and the Willamette University of Salem. While still young, he entered the … Read more

Biography of General Edward McConville

In the recent trial of arms in which America won recognition and admiration never before accorded her by the older “powers” of Europe, there was no more distinguished or valiant soldier than General McConville, of Idaho, who went forth as one of the commanders of the Idaho troops and laid down his life on the altar of his country. His was a noble life and a glorious death, and his name is enduringly inscribed on the roll of America’s heroes. Though his loss is deeply mourned by his many friends, his memory will ever be cherished by all who knew … Read more

Biography of Alanson Hinman

ALANSON HINMAN. – The career of this well-known pioneer, whose portrait appears herein, has been unique and interesting; and in one respect, at least, he occupies at the present time a peculiar place among the early settlers of our country. That is, he is almost the only man yet living, of the earliest pioneers, who still remains in the full vigor of mind and body. There are, indeed, a few yet living whose immigration dates further back than Mr. Hinman’s; but they are almost all now in extreme old age. He, on the other hand, though he has now been … Read more

Tremain, Frieda June Thudium Mrs. – Obituary

Frieda June Tremain, 86, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 8, 2005, at the Jennings McCall II Assisted Living Center in Forest Grove. A celebration of Frieda’s life will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Jennings McCall Assisted Living Center in Forest Grove. Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove is in charge of the arrangements. Frieda was born June 12, 1919, at St. Catherine, Mo., to Edward Thomas Thudium and Nellie Rose Baker Thudium. She was raised and educated at Brookfield, Mo., and was a 1936 graduate of Brookfield High School. She then attended Kirksville … Read more

Biography of Solomon Emerick

SOLOMON EMERICK, – Some time before Horace Greeley gave his advice, “Go West, young man, go West,” there were hardy young Americans making tracks across the Rocky Mountains, and pushing into the fastnesses towards the pacific Ocean. “Ribs of brass and hearts of steel” had these young fellows; and they were without fear or even caution. One of these was Solomon Emerick, who was born in Ohio in 1820. He moved to Buchanan county, Missouri, in 1830, and in 1843 was on the way to the rendezvous on the border. Falling in with the pioneer Gilmore, he accepted of him … Read more

Biography of Rev. Cushing Eels, D. D.

REV. CUSHING EELS, D.D. – Dr. Eells was born at Blandford, Massachusetts, February 16, 1810, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warner) Eells. He was descended from Samuel Eells, who was a major in Cromwell’s army, and who came to America in 1661. Cushing Eells was brought up at Blandford, became a Christian when fifteen years old, prepared for college at Monson Academy, Massachusetts, entered Williams College in 1830, and graduated four years later. The distance from his home to college was forty-five miles. Twice he rode the entire distance, – when he entered and after he graduated, … Read more

Wilson, James Mrs. – Obituary

Forest Grove – Funeral Services are held for Two Forest Grove Women Mrs. James Wilson, who died at her home in this city Wednesday night was buried in Forest View Cemetery Saturday. The funeral services were held at the Christian Church at 11 o’clock, the services being conducted Rev. E.V. Stivers, former pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. C.H. Hilton. Many friends and neighbors gathered to pay their last respects, and the casket was banked deep with flowers as a testimonial of the love and esteem in which she was held. The service at the grave were in charge … Read more

Biography of John L. Caviness

JOHN L. CAVINESS. – The name presented above is borne by one of the most exemplary citizens of Eastern Oregon, and a man who has sounded all the depths and shoals of pioneer life. The family came from Indiana, settled for a time in Iowa, and came on to Oregon in 1852, spending a short time at Forest Grove, but soon locating in Linn county on a section Donation claim. In 1856-57 John L., now a young man of eighteen, began his career by driving cattle to California, and in the spring of the latter year to Eastern Oregon. While … Read more

Biography of Henry Buxton

HENRY BUXTON. – As we trace out, one by one, the variety of sources from which our pioneers are derived, and see the commingling of all lines of nationality and all kinds of business in our cosmopolitan population, we are more than ever impressed with the great problem which we, as a people, are working out, and the great destiny which we have. The subject of this sketch, of whom an excellent portrait appears herewith, is a representative of the Hudson’s bay Company régime in Oregon, and is one of the now few living members of the company by which … Read more

Renfrow, Mary A. Wright Mrs. – Obituary

Services Held For Mary Renfrow Memorial services for Mary A. Renfrow sho passed away Thursday, December 4, 1958 in Forest Grove, where conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. by the Bollman Funeral Home from the Enterprise Church. The Rev. Al Boschee officiated, and Mrs. Don Kooch was organist. Mrs. Al Boschee and Mrs. Delbert Pratt sang “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Casket bearers were: A.J. Oliver, Oscar Maxwell, James Fleet, Therval Gray, Hubert Johnson, Roy Carper, and vault entombment was in the Enterprise Cemetery. Mrs. Renfrow was the daughter of Jackson and Malinda Wright and was born January … Read more

Biography of Dr. Wilson Bowlby

DR. WILSON BOWLBY. The office of the physician is one of such primary importance in society, that one who worthily sustains that character for a long time in one place becomes one of the fundamental pillars of the community. If the character of a wise and influential public officer and politician and public-spirited citizen be added to the requirements of the skilled physician, we have a life of the highest usefulness. Such in a general way has been the career of this pioneer physician of Washington county. Though now well advanced in a very busy and wearing life, Doctor Bowlby, … Read more

Millering, Cinda – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Marjorie “Cinda” Millering, 63, of Forest Grove and formerly of La Grande, died Wednesday at Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro. Mrs. Millering was born June 23, 1923, to Horace and Marie (Miller) Belden in North Powder. On Dec. 9, 1940, she married Henry Millering in Weiser, Idaho. He died on May 27, 1975. Mrs. Millering was a clerk at Glass Drug Store in La Grande until she retired. She was a member of the La Grande First Christian Church. She moved to Forest Grove last August. Survivors include son, Farrold Millering of Elgin; daughter Judy … Read more

Biography of H. McDonald

H. McDONALD – Mr. McDonald, who arrived in San Francisco in August, 1849, in the ship Hopewell of Warren, Rhode Island, and reached Portland the first time in August, 1850, on the brig Joaquina of San Francisco, was one of the earliest residents of Portland and of our state, and in the capacity of architect and stair-builder has done some of the most creditable work on our coast. One of his more recent successes, and something of a test of his skill, were the plans and specifications for the buildings for the Indian school at Chemawa, which were preferred to … Read more

Lilly, Doris May – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Doris May Lilly, 89, died April 2 at her home in Summerville. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11206 McAlister, in Island City. Dedication of the grave and burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley and from 9 to 10 a.m. before the service Friday at the Island City LDS Church. Mrs. Lilly was born March 22, 1918, to Charles Oliver and Adelia E. (Rogers) Sanderson in Cambridge, Idaho. As … Read more

Henderson, Caroline Vivian – Obituary

Caroline Vivian Henderson, 92, of Forest Grove and formerly of Union County, died Oct. 2. A celebration of her life will be held in early November. Caroline was born Dec. 18, 1916, to Fred D. and Carrie M. Henderson at Castle Creek, Owyhee County, Idaho. She grew up on a ranch with her brother and sister. She graduated high school as the class valedictorian. She then graduated cum laude from The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree. She taught school before marrying Athol R. Sayre June 14, 1939. She and Athol had five children: Steven, Fred, Lewis, Leah and … Read more

Wilson, Otto B. – Obituary

Funeral Services for Otto B. Wilson 75, of Forest Grove, native and nearly a life long resident of western Washington county, will be conducted Friday at the Fuiten-Friesen Mortuary Chapel, Forest Grove. Mr. Wilson died early Tuesday morning at a Hillsboro hospital following an extended illness. The Rev. Robert Alliston, associate pastor of the First Christian Church of Forest Grove, will officiate at the services with Dave Fuiten as soloist and Mrs. Robert Dobias, organist. Concluding rites and interment will be at the Forest Grove cemetery, Forest Grove. Otto Blaine Wilson was born near Roy, July 10, 1889, the son … Read more

Biography of Prof. Horace Lyman

PROF. HORACE LYMAN, – Few among those who came as missionaries to our state have held a more honored position, or have accomplished more genuine good, than professor Lyman. He was a new Englander of an old family, whose first American members crossed the ocean from England to Connecticut as early as 1639.His parents were plain farmer folks living at East Hampton, Massachusetts and in that town he was born in 1815. Of his five brothers, two went to college and prepared for the ministry. As a boy and young man, he was ever thoughtful and extra-ordinarily energetic, with a … Read more

Hoffman, John Edward – Obituary

John Edward Hoffman, 82, of Forest Grove, a former Baker County resident, died Oct. 8, 2002, at Forest Grove. His graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. The Rev. Gordon Bond will officiate. Mr. Hoffman was born on June 14, 1920, at Council, Idaho, to George and Jasmine Garrett Hoffman. He was raised at Sparta. He entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and served in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Edna Nale on June 25, 1939, at Creswell. They were divorced in 1966. He married Thelma … Read more

Crane, Helen Iva Ranes Mrs. – Obituary

Helen Iva Ranes Crane, 80, of Baker City, died June 21, 2005, at Baker City. There will be no service. She will be buried in the family plot at Lostine. Helen was born to Fred Richard Ranes of Forest Grove and Iva Agnes Harris Ranes of Pomroy, Wash. She was raised in Wallowa County and then spent the rest of her life at Sumpter and Baker City. She was married to Billie Jerome Crane at Weiser, Idaho, on Nov. 29, 1941. They divorced in 1950. She married Dorrel George Dotson in La Grande on Dec. 19, 1950. They divorced in … Read more

Fowler, William Thomas – Obituary

Funeral services for William Thomas Fowler, 81, who died at this home in Forest Grove Monday morning, were held at the Chapel of the Forest Grove Undertakng Company at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon, the Rev Arthur M. stook officiating. Burial was made in the Forest View Cemetery. Mr. Fowler, who was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, February 26, 1848, crossed the plains in 1864 with an ox team, walking most of the way. He settled on a farm near North Plains and has lived in this county practically ever since. He married Mary Frances Wilson near Greenville 4 October 1871. Mr. … Read more