Island City, Union County, Oregon At their home near Island City, Oregon February 27,1889, Raymond C.P. Brand grandson of W.G. and J.S. Peach, aged 1 year, 4 months and 22 days. Eastern Oregon Republican Thursday March 7, 1889
Island City, Oregon William G. Gross, 81, of Island City died June 20 at a hospital in Boise. A private service will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Gross was born Nov. 1, 1924, to Glenn and Margurite Mathewson Gross in Portland. He attended school in Battleground, Wash., and served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trains and being with his family. He moved to the Grande Ronde Valley around 1960 from Reith. Survivors include children, James Gross of Island City, David Gross … Read more
WILLIAM G. PEACH. – There is no doubt but there should be special mention in this volume of the abiding chronicles of Union county, of the capable and venerable citizen, whose name appears at the head of this article, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him space for the epitome of an interesting and eventful career, since his abilities are worthy of such, and since his success has been achieved by meritorious effort, and since his character is upright, stanch, and worthy to be exemplified. Mr. Peach was born in the Green Mountain State, at Newbury, Orange … Read more
Ellen Carolyn Brooks, 86, lifelong resident of La Grande, died Oct. 23 at her home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Burial will be at the Island City Cemetery. A gathering at the La Grande Country Club will follow. A viewing will be run from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp. Ellen was born Dec. 16, 1922, to James A. and Rhoda (Price) Garity in La Grande. She was a direct descendant of Ben Brown, one of the first settlers in … Read more
John Ray Heitz, 67, of Island City, died at his home Sept. 28 from mesothelioma. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Island City. A viewing will precede the service beginning at 9 a.m. John was born Sept. 7, 1940, to John Helmic and Vera W. Heitz in Chicago. At 2, his family moved to Fruitland, Idaho, where they eventually acquired a small farm. John learned to work as he attended school. He hoed beets, picked fruit, worked at the cannery and graduated from high school. He also learned … Read more
Island City, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Merton W. Kiddle of Island City, died suddenly Monday morning at her home. The funeral was held Wednesday and interment was in the Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Kiddle was formerly Miss Jessie Wade and she was born near Summerville in 1885. Her parents were among the first settlers in Grande Ronde valley. Besides her husband she is survived by two daughters aged eleven and twelve years. Mrs. Kiddle was a member of the Christian Science Church. North Powder News Saturday, February 26, 1921
Death of Another Pioneer The death of Mrs. Eli Blair occurred at her home in Island City, Sunday, March 25, 1906. Deceased was 68 years old and was one of the honored pioneers of Union county, having moved here in the early sixties. She had resided in Island City since 1879. By a former marriage to Mr. Thomas she became the mother of five children: Mrs. Sarah Quimbey of Portland, H.A. Thomas, of Elgin, Mrs. T.R. Sheperd of Bellingham, Wash., William Thomas, of Island City and Mrs. E.R. brooks, of Bodie, Cal. For several months she had been in poor … Read more
May 22d, 1878 near Island City of Diptheria, JOHN G. Grimmet son of G.A. Grimmet, aged 7 years and one day. The parents, brothers and sisters are sad in their bereavement, but let them not mourn for the departed as dead, he has only passed. Mountain Sentinel, Saturday June 15, 1878
ALEX FURGASON. – One of the earliest pioneers of Union county, and one who has been a real pioneer of the pioneers, the subject of this sketch is eminently worthy to be represented in a work of the character of our volume, since also he has always maintained a bearing of uprightness and manifested principles of truth and probity, and has wrought during all the years of his domicile here for the development of the county’s resources and for the interests of all, while he has prosecuted successfully his private business enterprises. Mr. Furgason was born in Rouse’s Point, New … Read more
Joseph, Wallowa County Melvin Charles Down, 55, of Island City, died Friday, May 25, in Baker. Mr. Down was born Aug. 8, 1923 in Joseph to Roy and Ethel Stanford Down. On April 29, 1950 he married Peggy Waddingham in La Grande. In 1969 he moved from Milton-Freewater to La Grande. He was a World War II veteran and a member of La Grande Eagles Aeri No. 259, La Grande Elks Lodge #433 and the American Legion. He was a logger and former member of the Oregon Log Truckers Association. Survivors include his wife of Island city: sons, Kenneth, stationed … Read more
La Grande, Union County, Oregon James B. See Pioneer of This County Dead James B. See who was born on June 25, 1869 near Island City, died this week in Tacoma. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Summerville Chapel under the auspices of the Moose Lodge. He is survived by his father, Benjamin See who resides in La Grande. Four brothers; Jefferson, Frank, George and Albert, and a sister, Anna Arthur living at Stanfield. The See families were early settlers of this valley and for many years made their home on the Summerville District. Source: The La Grande … Read more
ALEXANDER C. McCLELLAND. – The present registrar of the United States land-office at La Grande, Oregon, is a native of Indiana, having been born there in 1842. He received his education at the Berlin High School, Wisconsin, and in 1863 came west to Montana as a gold-seeker. He found the employment of his intellectual acquisition more profitable, however, and for a number of years engaged in school-teaching and educational work in the Willamette valley. In 1867 we find him in the mines at Baker City, looking after “lodes” and “leads,” and also in 1870 engaged in the stock business with … Read more
Island City, Union County, Oregon Pioneer Called Beyond William T. Goldsberry a pioneer of the Grande Ronde Valley, succumbed to death yesterday about eleven o’clock at this home near Island City. Heart failure is believed to have been responsible. Mr. Goldsberry was 48 years of age and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Fred Browning, of Portland, and one son, W. S. Goldsberry of Enterprise. Funeral services will be held tomorrow from the Reynolds and Zimmerman funeral service parlors, at two o’clock. Interment will be held in the Summerville cemetery. The La Grande Evening Observer Friday, September 21, 1923 Page … Read more
Aged Man Victim La Grande Auto Crash La Grande, Dec. 20. Fielding W. Hail, 68 years of age, was killed early this morning when a car driven by Ray Billups, of Walla Walla, left the road near Island City and overturned. Mr. Hail, who occupied the back seat, was thrown from the car, the crash fracturing his skull and causing internal injuries. He was dead when found about half an hour after the accident. Mr. Billups and a companion, Lee Dunham, escaped with only minor bruises and scratches. They are being held on an open charge. According to reports received … Read more
Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Pioneer Mother Dies at La Grande Mrs. Emma L. Van Blokland, of Island City who crossed the plains by wagon train with her parents, Daniel and Sarah Henderson and several brothers and sisters, and homesteaded on Alder Slope, passed away in La Grande on Monday, January 13, 1964. She was born at LaPlata, Missouri 89 years ago, and had made her home in Island City for many years. She was a member of the First Methodist church, and a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. Survivors include three sons, Milo and Clifford Van Blokland, both of … Read more
Island City, Union County, Oregon A very deplorable accident occurred at Island City Monday morning resulting in the death of Eugene, the eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Staples. At eight o’clock the child was kicked in the breast by a horse and the injury proved fatal, the child dying three hours thereafter. This was the only child of the family and the deep grief that is thus so suddenly inflicted upon the parents will deeply touch the hearts of their friends and neighbors. The funeral interment will take place at Baker City Wednesday. – La Grande … Read more
La Grande, Oregon Glendolla Jacqueline “Jackie” Coy, 78, of La Grande, died Jan. 3 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. A celebration of her life will begin at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at “The Place,” 62872 Buchanan Lane, in Island City. Jackie was born July 12, 1929, to George Earl and Ida Mae McDanell in Tulsa, Okla. The family traveled quite a bit, often living in rustic conditions. Jackie was the oldest of four siblings. She would tell stories of how she and her two sisters and brother would hunt or fish for the evening meal, pick greens, fruit, … Read more
EDGAR E. BRAGG. – With what pride the American people can view the progress from Plymouth Rock to the position of leading nation of the world! But the keen observer is not satisfied with that: he will seek the cause, the principles put in force that brought about this gratifying result, the powers that have operated to bring this desired end. From the first little log school house that graced the bleak shores of the northern colonies, to the stately universities that are flourishing in every portion of the land, there has been the proper attention paid to the education … Read more
Island City, Oregon Wendell H. Abell, 81, of Island City died Saturday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Island City Cemetery. Mr. Abell was born Dec. 23, 1924, to George and Josephine Graham Abell in La Grange, Mo. He had polio as a child. The family made three trips to Oregon before finally settling here. He began working in a lumber yard in Portland at the age of 16. On … Read more
La Grande, Oregon Preston Frank Burnett, 85, of Pendleton and formerly of La Grande died June 7 at St. Anthony Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 241 S.E. Second St. in Pendleton. Preston was born July 7, 1921, to Lawrence and Mabel Brown Burnett in Island City. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1938 and served in the Navy prior to World War II. Preston married Madaline E. Rhoads in Portland. He worked for the Oregon Highway Division for 42 years and was a resident engineer on many … Read more