Island City Oregon

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

Taal, Beulah May – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Beulah May Taal, 92, of La Grande, died April 21 at a local care center. A celebration of life will run from 1 to 3 p.m. May 3 at her home at 1903 Washington Ave. in La Grande. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Beulah was born Dec. 10, 1915, in Starkey. She lived there for a few years until she moved with her family to Island City. She went to grade school in Island City, then on to high school in La Grande. In 1937, she married Winnie Taal. They lived a … 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

Sanderson, Kathleen Enid – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Kathleen Enid Sanderson, 83, of La Grande, died March 19 at a local care home. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. April 14 at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Kathleen was born Oct.22, 1923, to Thomas Houston and Lucinda (Davis) Blackman in Island City. On Jan. 8, 1941, she married Delbert “Bud” Sanderson in Weiser, Idaho. During World War II she ran the head rig for Mt. Emily Lumber and was a “Rosie the Riveter” for Reur Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. After the war, … Read more

Abell, Wendell H. – Obituary

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

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

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 Edgar E. Bragg

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

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

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

Brooks, Ellen C. – Obituary

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

Burnett, Preston Frank – Obituary

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

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

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

Humphrey, Lee Mrs. – Obituary

Island City, Union County, Oregon Funeral Set For Thursday Body Of Late Pioneer Buried Tomorrow Island City Church and Cemetery Is Place of Services The Rebekah lodge of this city is preparing to attend the funeral of the late Mrs. Lee Humphrey of Island City, in a body tomorrow afternoon. The noble grand, Mrs. Clapp, has issued a call to all members to be present at the hall at 1 o’clock tomorrow at which time conveyances will be supplied to take them to the funeral. The funeral services will be held at the church in Island City tomorrow at 2 … 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

Biography of James A. Russell

JAMES A. RUSSELL. – A well-known and esteemed member of the business world of Island City, where he operates a butchering establishment and also handles much stock, the subject of this article is deserving of representation in this volume, since he is not only now one of the prominent men of the county but has spent practically all of his life in this valley and has labored with zeal for the advancement of its interests. James A. was born on September 23, 1861, in Linesville, Iowa, being the son of Thomas J. and Savannah C. (Atha) Russell, who started the … Read more