Lyall Keith, aged 66, passed away on February 9, 1970, in Walton, Oregon. Born on November 13, 1903, in Portland, he had lived in Lane County for over three decades. He married Edith Bilyeu on December 24, 1930, in Albany. Survived by his wife and half brother Gordon Keith, Lyall was also a member of the Eugene Moose Lodge. Funeral services are scheduled for February 12 at Poole-Larsen Chapel, followed by private cremation and interment at Pine Grove Cemetery.
Ormond R. Bean, a retired Portland City Commissioner, passed away at 89 due to natural causes. He served in various capacities over 31 years, including on the Portland City Council and as Oregon Public Utility Commissioner, while also contributing to wartime transportation efforts during WWII. Known for his integrity and calm demeanor, he was respected by colleagues and the community. Bean graduated from the University of Oregon and had a notable career in municipal finance. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.
G.W. Ozment, born in 1833 in North Carolina, became an orphan at ten and later moved to the West, arriving in Oregon in 1852. A veteran of the Indian wars, he bravely fought in significant battles, including Hungry Hill and Cow Creek, during the 1855 Indian uprisings. After his service, Ozment settled in the Siuslaw, acquired land, and engaged in sheep farming for over fifteen years. He has been a notable contributor to public schools and churches, demonstrating his commitment to community welfare.
A.W. Patterson, M.D., born on October 14, 1814, in Pennsylvania, pursued medical education at the Pennsylvania College of Medicine. After practicing in Indiana, he migrated to Oregon in 1852, settling near Eugene. His versatile career included surveying, military service during the Indian War, and roles in local government. He contributed significantly to education, authoring school readers and serving as county superintendent. He returned to medicine later in life and was noted for his agricultural innovations, especially in hop cultivation. Patterson married A.C. Ollingee in 1859, raising a distinguished family.
Geo. W. Hayes, a prominent attorney in Eastern Oregon, has made significant contributions to Harney County through his talent and dedication. Born in Marion County, Iowa, in 1859, he migrated to Oregon with his family in 1862. After a varied early life that included teaching and carpentry, he began studying law in 1887 and was admitted to the bar in 1891. Hayes has actively engaged in politics as a Republican and is married with two sons.
John S. Edwards, born on November 25, 1849, in Iowa, was a pioneering figure in Malheur County’s agricultural and stock-raising sectors. His family journeyed to Oregon in 1854, establishing roots in Lane County. By 1871, he had settled near Vale, where he built a successful ranch encompassing 900 acres. Married to Sarah F. Smith in 1876, they had several children. Edwards also invested in the Simmons mines at Cornucopia and is respected in the community for his integrity and contributions.
William Henry Canaday, born on May 26, 1863, in Lane County, Oregon, is a notable businessman who gained prominence in Harney County. His parents, Madison and Sarah E. Canaday, were pioneers who endured hardship during their westward journey. William learned saw milling and photography, eventually opening the first photography gallery in Burns in 1887. He married Mary C. McMurphy in 1897, and they had two children. Active in the community, he is a past grand of the I.O.O.F. and respected in local society.
William L. Clark, born on April 3, 1845, in Indiana, moved with his family to Oregon in 1853 after a challenging journey across the plains. A Civil War veteran, he served in the First Oregon Volunteers. After various trades, he homesteaded near Lawen in 1885, where he raised cattle and hay. In 1900, he opened a successful general merchandise store in Lawen and also acted as a mail contractor until 1902. Clark and his wife Nancy had six children, contributing to the community’s growth.
Melvin Fenwick, born in 1855 in California, emerged as a prominent figure in Harney County’s history. The son of Kentucky natives who migrated west, he settled in the Harney Valley in 1883. A successful farmer and cattleman, Fenwick was instrumental in establishing the Harney Valley Dam and Ditch Company, fighting against adversarial forces to secure water for irrigation. His perseverance contributed significantly to the area’s agricultural development. A respected community member, he has demonstrated strong leadership and dedication throughout his life and work.
Frank Baker, born June 20, 1870, in Lane County, Oregon, overcame significant challenges, including the loss of his parents, to achieve remarkable success through hard work and determination. His family moved to Harney Valley in 1878, where he had limited educational opportunities but educated himself through diligence. Starting as a range rider, he eventually established a successful ranch near Burns, Oregon, focusing on cattle and hay production. He married Grace Riggs in 1896, and they have two children. Baker’s resilience and integrity have made him a respected figure in his community.
George W. Page, born on February 13, 1858, in Sonoma County, California, is a notable stockman and pioneer in Harney County. His family moved to Lane County, Oregon, in 1867, where they transitioned from dairy farming to agriculture. Page first operated a sawmill before entering the sheep business in Harney County in 1893. Over the years, he partnered with various associates, eventually forming a successful partnership with his brother and nephew. An active member of the community and the I.O.O.F., he is committed to the county’s progress.
The Calapooya Indians, part of the Kalapooya linguistic group, inhabited the headwaters of the Willamette River, with notable subdivisions including Ampishtna and Tsankupi. Their population, estimated at 3,000 in 1780, dwindled significantly over the following years, with only 5 remaining by 1910. The tribe is recognized for lending its name to various geographic features, including the Calapooya River and Creek. The tribe’s history reflects both cultural significance and the impacts of population decline over time.
Capt. Pleasent Calvin Noland, born in Missouri in 1830, became a prominent Oregon farmer after a challenging westward journey that began in 1846. He served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Gold Rush before arriving in Oregon in 1853. Noland played a notable role during the Indian War of 1855-56, leading a company in significant battles. He married twice, first to Lena Stewart, with whom he had two sons, and later to Melissa Davidson, with whom he had a daughter, Neva.
Thomas Smith, born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1823, emigrated to the U.S. in 1830, eventually settling in Indiana. In 1847, he journeyed westward as a teamster, facing numerous challenges typical of pioneer life. He settled in the Willamette Valley, engaging in various labor, including rail-splitting, before establishing a ferry near Winchester. Smith became a prominent local figure, serving as a county commissioner and later as county judge. His marriage to Arethusa E. Lynn produced twelve children, contributing to his legacy in Douglas County.
Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding, born in 1803 in New York, faced early challenges as an orphan with limited education. He became a Christian and dedicated his life to missionary work, moving to Oregon in 1836. Spalding was instrumental in establishing the first Presbyterian church on the Pacific coast and contributed significantly to the Nez Perce community, including baptizing hundreds. After various roles, including U.S. Indian agent, he continued his mission until his death in 1874. His writings and efforts fostered lasting ties between the Nez Perce and settlers.
F. M. Naught, born in Illinois in 1838, moved to Texas and later to Iowa before settling in Oregon in 1853. He served in the Indian War with Captain Goff’s Company in 1856, facing significant battles against Native American forces. After the conflict, he worked in various trades, including blacksmithing and freight hauling, and engaged in mining ventures. In 1871, he moved to the Palouse Valley, later establishing a successful farm near Walla Walla, Washington, becoming a prominent local citizen.
Eugene F. Skinner, born on September 13, 1809, in New York, was a prominent figure in Lane County, Oregon. He arrived in Oregon in 1846, establishing a homestead that became Eugene City. A dedicated public servant, Skinner held various positions, including postmaster and clerk of the courts, and was known for his generosity towards settlers and needy emigrants. He passed away on December 15, 1864, leaving a lasting legacy in the community. His wife, Mary, later contributed to naming Eugene City in his honor.
John P. Vollmer, prominently known in Idaho, was born in Germany in 1847 and moved to the U.S. with his family in 1851. He built a successful business career, first managing a refinery and then opening a wholesale liquor and grocery business in Lewiston, which he later transformed into a general mercantile firm. As the president of the First National Bank of Lewiston, he significantly contributed to its success. Vollmer was also instrumental in agricultural and irrigation initiatives, while maintaining a strong family life and community presence.
William F. Schmadeka, born on September 5, 1860, in Lane County, Oregon, played a pivotal role in the development of Grangeville, Idaho. He moved to Grangeville at 16 and began his career as a farmer and stock-raiser. Schmadeka actively participated in the Nez Perces Indian War, assisting in fortification efforts and community safety. He established a successful general mercantile store and constructed numerous buildings in Grangeville. Politically engaged, he served on the town’s first board of trustees and supported the Democratic Party, showcasing his commitment to local progress.
Judge Robert Eakin, a prominent figure in Eastern Oregon’s legal community, was born in 1848 in Illinois and later moved to Oregon. He studied law at Willamette University, supporting himself through teaching. Admitted to the bar in 1874, he became the eighth judicial district judge in 1895, later elected by the public. Known for his clear and equitable decisions, he is respected for his impartiality and commitment to justice. Eakin married Mary Walker, and they had several children.