Island City Oregon

Rumney, Inez Fields Mrs. – Obituary

Inez Rumney, 93, of Prairie City, a former La Grande resident, died Nov. 16, 2001, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home at Prairie City. There was a celebration of her life Sunday at the Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Rumney was born on March 12, 1908, to William H. and Bessie Rimbey Fields at Elgin where she attended school. She met Stuart Francis Rumney in a construction camp where she was cooking. The couple were married on Oct. 13, 1928, at Walla Walla, Wash. They lived mainly in La Grande and later moved to Island City. Mr. Rumney worked as a heavy … Read more

Biography of James G. Anson

JAMES G. ANSON – Enterprising, industrious and capable, the young man of whom we now have the pleasure to speak is eminently worth of a place in the history of Union county, since he has shown in the years in which he has striven here that he is made of material which is bound to win success and since he has also shown that he is possessed of the sagacity and energy that is capable of grappling with the problems of life that are to be met with here in his native place. And especially, it is pleasant to recount … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Gilham

THOMAS H. GILHAM. – Although born in another state, the subject of this sketch is practically a product of Union county, being educated here and here achieving the success that has attended him in his labors, while he has ever manifested a stanch and unswerving integrity and adherence to the principles of uprightness, laboring for the advancement and upbuilding of the county, as well as prosecuting with vigor and sagacity the private business enterprises that have occupied him. Thomas H. Gilham was born in Siskiyou county, California, on February 13, 1858, being the son of Calvit A. and Almeda (Howell) … Read more

Brand, Raymond C.P. – Obituary

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

Winter, Bob – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Bob Winter, 82, of Island City died June 22 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial will be held at a later date. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Winter was born May, 21, 1924, to Fred and Lillian Klein Winter in Sandoval, Ill. After high school he entered the Army and served during World War II and the Korean War. He married Mae Fetter in Carlisle, Pa. He spent 21 years in the Army and another 21 years as a civilian executive assistant at the Umatilla Army Depot. … Read more

Jones, Charlotte – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Charlotte Jones, 91, of Island City, died Nov. 20 at her home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. Private interment will be held at the Grandview Cemetery. Mrs. Jones was born on Aug. 17, 1916, the daughter of Clyde and Julia (Knapp) Leonard in Kent, Ohio. She was a Salvation Army officer and worked in the Salvation Army Home and Hospital. After her marriage to Wesley Jones in 1951, she was employed as a nurse for the Grande Ronde Hospital for many years … Read more

Halley, Sarah C. Mrs. – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon The death of Mrs. Sarah C. Halley occurred at her home in Island City Wednesday, February 8, 1905. Death was due from paralysis. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. Gillilan, were held in the Island City church Friday and were attended by a large concourse of friends. Sarah C. Halley was born at Laplata, Macon County, Mo., October 4, 1857, aged 47 years, 4 months and 8 days. She was converted at the age of 12 years and became a member of the Protestant Methodist church and led a consistent life and during her illness … Read more

Biography of Alex Furgason

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

Thomas, Ethyl Beatrice Hudspeth Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Ethyl Beatrice Thomas, 83, of Island City, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 12, 2003, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after a long illness. At her request, there will be no service. Riverside Mortuary at Garden City, Idaho, was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Thomas was born April 5, 1919, to Alva Amos and Georgia Beatrice Hudspeth Gardner in Baker City. She was a Baker High School graduate. She married Harry A. “Seth” Thomas on Nov. 11, 1953, at Sherwood. The family lived in the La Grande area off and on … Read more

Goldsberry, William T. – Obituary

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

Frison, Donald L. – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Donald L. “Don” Frison, 62, of Island City, died March 30 at his home. Private services will be held at a later date. Don was born Dec. 10, 1945, to Joseph and Alma I. Kluth Frison in Mobridge, S.D. He grew up and attended school in Weston. After his schooling he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1962 to 1966. After his discharge from the service he worked in Portland for the Teamsters Union for 10 years and later for the Operating Engineers Union for 22 years, doing various jobs. He retired from the unions and … Read more

Walnum, James Y. – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon James Walnum Dies in Hospital James Y. Walnum, 77, retired locomotive engineer and Island City resident, died at a local hospital yesterday. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels Funeral Home with the Rev. Louis Samson officiating. Burial will follow in Island City cemetery. Born in Bergen, Norway, Sept. 24, 1882, Mr. Walnum had resided in Union County for 55 years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 433, Union Pacific Old Timers and Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Bessie May Walnum, Island … Read more

Biography of William G. Peach

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

Down, Melvin C. – Obituary

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

Oberteuffer, William Healey – Obituary

Island City, Oregon William Healey Oberteuffer William Healey Oberteuffer, 86, known as “Bill Obie,” died in his home in Island City Sept. 24. A memorial service in Portland will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Tryon Farm, followed by refreshments. A memorial service in the La Grande area will take place at noon Nov. 4 at the Summerville Pine Grove Grange, followed by a potluck. Remembrances can be sent to the Union County Extension Service for the Oberteuffer research and education forest. Donations can be sent to the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande. Mr. … Read more

Kail, Mary Braughton – Obituary

Mary Kail of 1208 11th St. died Sunday, June 3 at Grande Ronde Hospital at the age of 80. Mrs. Kail was born Feb. 23, 1893 at Boring, Ky., the daughter of John and Lavicia Braughton. She came to Wallowa County at the age of nine and was a graduate of Eastern Oregon College. She began teaching in Wallowa County at the age of 17. She taught in Wallowa and Union counties for more than 50 years. She taught all grades and was principal of Island City and Perry schools. In 1940 she ran for county school superintendent. She began … Read more

Bowen, Robert – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Robert “Blackie” Bowen, 81 of Island City died at his home Aug. 1. A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in La Grande. Time and date will be announced at a later date. Blackie was born on Feb. 1, 1926, to John and Alberta Mills Bowen in Riverton, Wyo. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He married Betty Bretz of Nyssa, Idaho, on June 20, 1950, in Winnemucca, Nev. Blackie was a member of Operating Engineers Local 701 in Portland and Local 370 in Spokane. He was a 40-year member … Read more

Curteman, Beatrice A. – Obituary

Beatrice A. Curteman, 81, of Baker, died Friday at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center, Baker. Her funeral was today at Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel, La Grande, with the Rev. James Wenger-Monroe officiating. Interment followed at the Grandview Cemetery, La Grande. Mrs. Curteman was born July 22, 1906 in Roulette, PA., to Otto and Bessie Touscher Hunter. She was reared in Wallowa County area and attended and graduated from Enterprise High School. From Wallowa County she moved to Island City and then on to Union and Cove, where her family ranched. She married Carl Curteman in La Grande on Oct. 19, … Read more

Asemissen, Maurice D. – Obituary

Island City, Oregon Maurice D. “Ozzie” Asemissen, 82, died March 21 at a local adult foster care home from the effects of a stroke he suffered on Oct. 20. The Island City Lion’s Club will host an informal celebration of life at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Island City City Hall. Pizza will be served. Ozzie was born July 1, 1925, in Moneta, Iowa, and attended school in South Dakota. On his 18th birthday he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the submarine service. He observed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from the deck of his submarine. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander C. McClelland

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