Harney County OR

A Brief History of Harney County Oregon

Harney Valley, Harvey Lake, Harvey City successor to Harney Camp, Harney County, and lastly Harney land district were named in honor of General Harney, who, so traditions of the Harney country tell us, “had a brush with the Indians while guiding emigrants through the valley.” The general in 1890 acknowledged this comment to his early army days, in an autograph letter to the to “council of Harney City. In area the county which was organized in 1889, is larger than any one of the six New England states, with the single exception of Maine; the valuation of its taxable property … Read more

Deiter, Eugene “Gene” – Obituary

Eugene “Gene” Deiter, 66, died June 18, 2004, at his daughter’s home in Vancouver, Wash. He had been ill for the last few years. There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 349 South Egan in Vancouver, Wash. Gene was born on Oct. 17, 1937, at Rifle, Colo., to Edwin and Pearl Nichols Deiter. He attended grammar school in Colorado until 1949, when the family moved to Burns, where he continued his education. When he was 17, he joined the military and served during the Korean War. During his military … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Biggs

It is perfectly natural to admire pluck and ambition in a young man and this no doubt is one reason why he whose name heads this sketch has won so many friends during  silence in Oregon. He is of flint class who are opposed to leading the routine life of all unambitious citizens, but with the energy and enterprise characteristic of Young America when untrammeled with restraint, he seeks higher and nobler spheres of life, and looks forward to securing fame and fortune before being overtaken by old age. Mr. Biggs was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 1870, but moved … Read more

Blaylock, Charles – Obituary

1933-2007 Charles Emery Blaylock, 74, of Burns, died March 11 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. A celebration of life is planned for noon today at the Terrebonne Cemetery. Mr. Blaylock, known as Chuck, was born Feb. 3, 1933, to Martha Alice (Hill) and Cecil Emery Blaylock in Humboldt, Kan. In 1955 Chuck married Judith Nancy Bacon. Chuck lived his life on his own terms. He was a professional rodeo clown, bullfighter and entertainer for 27 years, retiring in 1976. He performed in Union County rodeos in 1967 and 1968. Chuck was also a singer, songwriter and comedian. Chuck … Read more

Pollentier, David Allen

David Allen Pollentier, 59, died on March 5, 2005, at his home. There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Jon Privett of the Nazarene Churchwill officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Dave was born on Jan. 15, 1946, at Ontario to Alfons and Doris Giesler Pollentier. He was raised at Jordan Valley and Burns, where his father was station commander for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Geo. W. Hayes

Geo. W. Hayes stands high among the voting attorneys Eastern Oregon, and has established a foothold in Harney County from which it would be difficult to eradicate possessing as he does talent, energy, ambition and industry. He was born In Marion County, Iowa in 1859, coming across the plains with his parents in 1862, in an ox team. They located at Eugene, Lane County, where he stayed until 1874, having at intervals attended the log schoolhouse. Moving to Lake County, he kept up his studies, and at the age of 18 began teaching school, working also at the carpenter’s trade. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jackson A. Bartlett

This well known and representative business man of the town of Drewsey has a fine hotel, where he does a thriving business and also a large livery and feed stable, being a man of excellent capabilities and one of the prominent figures in this part of Harney county. He was born in Owen county, Indiana, on August 31, 1847, the son of James and Sarah (Alexander) Bartlett. He was reared on a farm and gained his education from the public schools of the vicinity and when he heard the call for troops in the times of fratricidal strife he enlisted … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Martin V. Smith

A veritable pioneer of the pioneers is Mr. Smith, having come to the Pacific coast in the early fifties and continued here in worthy labors in various lines since that time, ever displaying the same courage, capabilities, tenacity of purpose, and integrity, that have made the pioneers such a noble class of people. Mr. Smith was born in Kennebec county, Maine, on January 10, 1833, being the son of James and Hannah Smith, natives also of Maine, the father being born near Portland. His death also occurred in that state. Martin V. received a good schooling and remained with his … Read more

Nelson, Glenn “Gordy” – Obituary

Glenn “Gordy” Nelson, 73, died on Nov. 3, 2007 in Hines, Ore. He was born on Aug. 19, 1934, in Baker City. Nelson went to school in Baker City, graduating from St. Francis Academy in 1952. He entered the United States Air Force in September of that same year. Upon completion of his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California, Nelson served as personnel clerk at Larsen Air Force Base in Washington. In April 1954, he was assigned as administrative clerk with the 1503rd USAF Infirmary, a unit long-noted for its superior performance in handling of air evacuees … Read more

I. S. Greer & Company

This establishment is a credit to Burns. Their building, of which we present a cut, was erected in 1892, and is one of the first stone buildings put up in the interior. They carry a large and well assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and tinnier, crockery, glassware, sporting goods, cutlery &c. They are exclusive agents for the Peters Cartridge Co., Queen heating stoves, Born steel ranges, D. M. Osborn & Co.’s farm machinery, Heath & Milligan paints, and other special lines. They have the only tin shop in the interior, doing plumbing, jobbing and repairing. The also … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isadore L. Poujade

This prominent citizen and leading stockman of Harney county is one of the men who deserves to be accorded space in the history of the county because of his worth, because of his uprightness, integrity and probity, and because of the excellent work that he has accomplished in the upbuilding and progress of the county. Mr. Poujade was born in Marion county, Oregon, on December 8, 1857, being the son of Andrew and Matilda (Clinger) Poujade. At the age of fifteen he went to Jackson county with his parents, with whom he resided until 1880. He gained his education in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Page

Among the leading stockmen of the country, the subject of this article also stands with the prominent and substantial citizens of the county of Harney and is one of the real pioneers of this section, being also a westerner by birth. He owns Sonoma county, California, as his native place and February 13, 1858, is the date thereof. His parents were Joseph W. and Nancy (Johnson) Page. In 1867 they all came overland to Lane county, Oregon. The father had been operating a large dairy in California, and in Oregon he devoted his attention to farming, also raised stock. In … Read more

Reed, Irene Adell – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Irene Adell Reed, 93, of La Grande died Aug. 7 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and the funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday at La Follette’s Chapel in Burns. Burial will follow in the Burns Cemetery. A memorial reception in La Grande will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall. Mrs. Reed was born Aug. 5, 1913, to Leonard Lincoln and Alda Bertha Elliot Davis in Leland, Idaho. She graduated from Kendrick High School in 1931 and Lewis and Clark Normal School 1933. … Read more

Hagenbuch, Marvin Harold “Marty” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Marvin Harold “Marty” Hagenbuch, 72, of Baker City, died Oct. 14, 2004. His graveside service was at 2 p.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Lennie Spooner officiated. There was a reception afterward at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall, 1250 Hughes Lane. Marty was born on Sept. 27, 1932, at Northampton County, Pa., to Paul M. and Ruth O. Kester Hagenbuch. He grew up in “Pennsylvania Dutch” country and was very proud of his German heritage. After graduating from high school in Pennsylvania, Marty served in the U.S. Air Force, which led … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles P. Rutherford

Hon. Chas. P. Rutherford, County Judge of Harney County. Is essentially a self-made man. Left an orphan at an early age, his education was that of the tallow dip and district school. At the age of sixteen he began ruining through Idaho and Oregon, also packing from Umatilla landing to Boise Basin. In 1873 he began raising stock in Grant County, but moved five years later to Morrow County. Returning in 1887 to Grant, now Harney, County, he has resided here since. He was formerly a member of the Democratic Party, but was elected County Judge in 1894 on the … Read more

Courtney, Doris Letha – Obituary

Doris Letha Courtney, 78, of Burns and formerly of Union and Wallowa counties died March 28. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday April 1 at LaFollette Chapel, 332 W. Monroe St., Burns. Burial in the Burns Cemetery will be private. Mrs. Courtney was born Sept. 5, 1927, to John and Marjorie Miller in La Grande. She grew up in Cove on a dairy farm, and was a princess at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show and the Elgin Stampede. She graduated from Cove High School in 1944, and attended Eastern Oregon College of Education before moving to Portland to … Read more

Taylor, Margaret Irwin Mrs. – Obituary

Margaret I. Taylor, 77, of 1760 Valley Ave., died Saturday August 14, 1982, at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grays West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. The Rev. Greg Eicher of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Taylor was born September 10, 1904, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Andrew and Sharah Irwin. She attended schools in Burns and Baker. She married B. A. Taylor in Caldwell, Idaho on June 9, 1952. She had worked in bakeries in Portland and the the Gwilliam … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. B. Horton

H. M. Horton, the leading druggist of Burns, came to Grant County in 1885, locating in Diamond Valley, where he followed his profession of dentistry. In 1891 he started in the drug business, and has gradually forged to the front until today he has the largest store in Eastern Oregon off the railroad. It is complete in every respect, being composed of drugs, chemicals, sundries, stationery, books, cigars, clocks and jewelry, &c. He occupies his own building, built of stone, of which we show an illustration. H. M. Horton is both it registered pharmacist and dentist in this State, and … Read more

Harney County, Oregon Cemetery Records

Most of these are complete indices at the time of transcription, however, in some cases we list the listing when it is only a partial listing. Cemeteries hosted at Harney County ORGenWeb Project Andrews Cemetery Boat Ford Cemetery Crane Cemetery Denio Cemetery Drewsey Cemetery Fields Cemetery Happy Valley Cemetery Harney Cemetery Holy Family Cemetery Indian New Camp Cemetery Indian Old Camp Cemetery Muller Cemetery Narrows Cemetery Riverside Cemetery Saddle Butte Cemetery Silver Creek Cemetery Silvester Smith Cemetery Van Cemetery Windy Point Cemetery Misc Graves Cemeteries hosted at Harney County USGenWeb Archives Andrews Cemetery Boat Ford Cemetery Crane Cemetery Denio Cemetery … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Brown

The worthy pioneer and capable business man of whom we now have the privilege of speaking is one of the leaders in the business realm of Burns, being senior member of the firm of N. Brown & Sons, general merchants, who have one of the largest stocks in the county and do a mammoth business, being well established and highly esteemed by all. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in January, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon City, where he engaged … Read more