Island City Oregon

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

Humphrey, Lee – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon Lee Humphrey Passed Away William Lee Humphrey died last night at the Grande Ronde hospital, where he has been the past few weeks. The deceased was 65 years of age. On account of a severe accident a few years ago, Mr. Humphrey has been an invalid the most of the time and his trouble was further intensified over the loss of his wife, Mrs. Alabama Humphrey years ago. There were no children. He was a nephew of the late John A. Childers and Mrs. Chas. Golden is a cousin. He had many friends among whom … Read more

Kiddle, Jessie Mrs. – Obituary

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

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

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

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

Hail, Fielding W. – Obituary

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

McCall, John – Obituary

Another Pioneer Gone John McCall John McCall, one of the well known citizens of the county, died at his home in Island City Monday afternoon quite suddenly. He had been attending to his usual business duties until about the middle of the afternoon, when he was taken suddenly ill. Dr. Militor was summoned from La Grande but was unable to afford any permanent relief and the patient died about 4 o’clock p.m. Deceased was among the early settlers of the county and was quite well known to most all the old timers of this and Wallowa counties. The funeral occurred … Read more

Belknap, Florence – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Florence Belknap, 88, of Rt. 1, Box 160, Cove, died Tuesday at Valley View Manor. Mrs. Belknap was born on July 4, 1890, at Hamilton, N. D., the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Millar) MacDonald. The family moved to Nyssa in 1900 where Mr. MacDonald had a homestead. Florence attended Monmouth College, graduating in 1914. She taught school in Island City, Alicel, Ladd Canyon and La Grande. She was married to Edward D. Jasper, who preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 1936. She married Maynard M. Belknap at Lewiston, Idaho, in 1949. She moved to … Read more

Coy, Glendolla Jacqueline – Obituary

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

Bruce, Braddie May – Obituary

Braddie May Bruce, 79, of Island City, died Jan. 11 at a local care center. A service will be held later in Canyon City. Braddie was born Jan. 26, 1928, to Clyde Willis and Grace Irene (Herburger) Laughlin in Prairie City. She was raised in Dayville and graduated from high school there. On Jan. 12, 1947, she married Ralph Bruce in Canyon City. She worked as a school secretary in Canyon City, Ukiah and John Day. For several years they lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she worked for the Episcopal bishop and for a co-op drug company. In her younger … 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

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

Gross, William G. – Obituary

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

Biography of John R. Ladd

JOHN R. LADD. – The stories told to the children of the generation hence of the abundance of gold and the immense profits of the early pioneers will fire their imaginations and set them on wild, and perhaps profitable, trips to the Andes or to Alaska. Mr. Ladd’s career will be thus exciting to his descendants, and to all who see this sketch. He was born in the Empire state in 1838. He came to California with his father in 1852, but returning East married Miss Rachel Knapp in Illinois. Here might be mentioned as a remarkable coincidence, that Mrs. … Read more

Bull, Muriel Lovisa – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Muriel L. Bull, 85, formerly of 1403 6th St., La Grande, died Friday at a local hospital. Mrs. Bull was born on Sept. 21, 1885 at Island City, the daughter of Charles D. and Mary Bay Goodnough. She moved to La Grande when she was four years old and lived her entire life here, except while attending Holmes Business College in Portland. Mrs. Bull worked in the office of the La Grande Investment Company which was owned by W. D. Sargeant and J. K. Wright. After a few years she went to work in the … Read more