Grant County OR

Taylor Brothers

John and Solomon Taylor, composing the term of Taylor Bros., who operate the Prairie City Roller Mills, are natives of that grand old commonwealth Ohio. The older brother, John, became a resident of the county in 1862, and for a number of years was engaged in mining on Canyon creek. In 1881, on the arrival of his brother they became engaged in farming three miles from Prairie City, and today have 640 acres under cultivation, all of it being highly improved. Their home being one of the nicest in the county. In 1891 they bought the mill property which is … Read more

Walker, Donald Leon – Obituary

Haines, Oregon Donald Leon Walker, 69, a resident of Haines, died on Monday, March 10, 2003. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Haines United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be March 19 at 2 p.m. at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Ariz. Don was born in Gilbert, Ariz., with Military Honors. Jan. 13, 1934. He resided there most of his life. Mr. Walker was a member of the Gilbert United Methodist Church, as well as a graduate of Gilbert High School, Class of 1952. Don took his Senior Year off … Read more

A Brief History of Grant County Oregon

Lying immediately west of Baker County, which forms its eastern boundary, is Grant, among the richest in natural resources and one of the least developed of any of the counties in Oregon. It is nearly square in shape, and contains a superficial area of over 5,00 square miles, equal to the combined area of several of the Eastern States. Its population (some six thousand) is engaged chiefly in mining and stock raising. The educational advantages of Grant County will compare favorably with those in any county of like conditions, sparsely settled communities, and long distances between school houses. But its … Read more

Speelman, Claude L. – Obituary

Claude L. Speelman, 90, of Hermiston, a former Haines resident, died Jan. 30, 2003, at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home at Milton-Freewater. Pastor Richard Wright will officiate. Private interment will be Wednesday in Mount Hope Cemetery. Claude was born Oct. 27, 1912, at Haines. He was the son of LeRoy and Lela Cross Speelman. He married Janet Pettie at Weiser, Idaho, in 1939. He worked construction and the couple moved a lot when their children were young. He later worked ranches … Read more

Miller, Evelyn Carol Howland Mrs. – Obituary

Evelyn was born on Feb. 7, 1935, in Baker City to Harry and Georgia Culver Howland. She married Delbert Miller Feb. 17, 1953 in Weiser, Idaho. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, crafts, dancing, her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Delbert Jack Miller of Prineville; four children, Michael Robert Miller and his wife Jeanette of Beaverton, Diann Stephoney Jennings and her husband Russell of Redmond, Therasa Carol Jones and her husband Pat of Prineville and Delbert Anthony Miller and his wife Christina of Willsonville; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; three brother-in-laws; one sister-in-law and several nieces … Read more

Brown & Simpson

The above firm composed of C. W. Brown and F. S. Simpson, although just organized last September has rapidly has rapidly forged to the front. This is largely due no doubt to the fact that both members are very popular, but more so to the liberal treatment they show all patrons. Their line embraces groceries and flour, gent’s furnishings, notions, hats, caps, boots and shoes, in the two latter lines malting a specialty of Buckingham & Hecht’s goods. Both of the members of the firm nice young men of enterprise and good business ability, and we feel safe in stating … Read more

Biography of D. B. Rinehart

The subject of this article relates to D. B. Rinehart and his large orchard in the John Day Valley, Grant County, Oregon. He came to the John Day Valley in 1804, about the time that Grant County was cut off from Wasco. Hon. W. Lair Hill, was appointed County Judge by the governor of the State, while William Luce and E. S. Pernfield were appointed County Commissioners. The above board constituted the first County Court of Grant County. At the first sitting of the court, D. B. Rinehart was appointed county superintendent of public schools until the next general election. … Read more

Hammer, Loren D. “Butch” – Obituary

Granite, Oregon Loren D. “Butch” Hammer, 35, died in an aviation accident while serving his country in Afghanistan. His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Butler Aircraft at the Redmond Airport. Chaplain Vern Arledge of the Redmond Fire and Police departments will officiate. He was born on Nov. 26, 1969, at Needles, Calif., to William “Mike” and Barbara Hammer. He was very active as a youth in Boy Scouts and attained the level of Eagle Scout. He was a 1988 graduate of Redmond High School and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard. While employed at Butler … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George E. Ward

No work that purports to chronicle the careers of the leading citizens of Malheur County would be complete were there omission to mention the estimable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose labors have been fruitful of much good to this portion of the County, as well as adjacent vicinities, having been instrumental in originating the famous Owyhee ditch and in furthering the plans for its completion, while also in general development of the country he has clone very much. George E. Ward was born in Quebec, Canada, on September 14, 1852, being the son of George P. and … Read more

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon

These 91 biographies and sketches have been taken from the manuscript “An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon.” Presently this is an incomplete offering so subscribe to this page if you’re interested on further updates. We will eventually provide the entire manuscript here.

Opperman, Paul V. – Obituary

Prairie City, Grant County, Oregon Paul V. Opperman, 37, died June 6, 2006, in Hillsboro in an auto accident. A memorial service is planned at noon on Friday at Fir Lawn Mortuary, 1070 West Main St. in Hillsboro. Graveside services will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Prairie City Cemetery. Paul was born in Ontario on Jan. 2, 1969, and grew up in Prairie City, where he graduated in 1987. Known for his strong will, sense of humor and sometimes larger than life antics, a favorite saying of his family and close friends was, “you can take the … Read more