Lane County OR

Biography of Chancy Akin

If there is one person more than another to whom the race loves to do honor that person is the pioneer, and especially is this true in double measure when we find one of the character of the worthy subject of this sketch, who has endured all the deprivations incident to pioneer life in this country since the early days of the last century and has through it all maintained a good physique, held his powers intact while accomplishing Herculean achievements, built a character which is a light to any community, kept his reputation untarnished and steadily pursued his way … Read more

Vernam, Richard Dean – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Richard Dean Vernam, 78, of Enterprise died July 6 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland after open-heart surgery. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Friday July 14 at Mountain View Christian Church in Joseph. Burial will be at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Vernam was born April 7, 1928, to Glenn and Irene Vernam in Colville, Wash. The family moved to Alvadore and he graduated from Junction City High School. On June 15, 1947, he married June Athey. They lived near Alvadore where he was a welder and steel fabricator, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas G. Matlock

This well-known citizen of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon, who devotes himself to the improvement of our stock of horses, was born in Dade County, Missouri, March 4, 1849, and came with his parents across the plains to Oregon in 1853, locating with them near Eugene, where they engaged in stock-raising, and remaining until the death of the father at Bannack City, Idaho. He was buried on Buena Vista Bar, July 1, 1863. Thomas received a common-school education, and worked on the farm. His father having been a fancier and producer of fine horses, our subject went in 1871 to Umatilla … Read more

Hanson, Richard Lee “Dick” – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Richard Lee “Dick” Hanson, 69, died May 7, 2005 at Pacific Specialty & Rehab Care in Vancouver, Wash., from complications of a stroke. Disposition was by cremation. There will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be scheduled later this spring in Baker City to allow distant friends and relatives to attend. Dick was born on Feb. 21, 1936, at Des Moines, Iowa. He attended high school at Des Moines and graduated from Iowa State University at Ames with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He married Laura Sue McCollum on June 14, 1959. … Read more

Phillips, Lavern A. Hindman Mrs. – Obituary

Lavern A. Phillips, 83, of Baker City died Feb. 24, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Memorial service was held Tuesday, March 1, 2 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. There was no viewing. Cremation was at Gray’s West & Co. Lavern was born July 2, 1921, in Baker City to Edgar (Sam) Hindman, and Camilla Williams Hindman. She graduated from Baker High School in June 1939. She was the New Account’s Manager for First National Bank of Oregon (now Wells Fargo Bank), and was with the bank for more than 25 years in Eugene, Ore. She … Read more

Bean, John W. – Obituary

John W. Bean, prominent young engineer, and a son of the late Louis E. Bean, died Friday morning [August 19, 1942] at 10 o’clock at the Pacific Christian Hospital at the age of 25 years, following a brief illness. Mr. Bean suffered an attack of appendicitis while on a fishing trip in the Salmon Creek country above Oakridge, and was forced to walk more than 12 miles out of the hills. He was brought to the hospital where an operation followed, but his condition was already grave and little hope was held for his recovery. Mr. Bean was born Oct. … Read more

Babb, Frances Elaine Breshears – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Frances Elaine Breshears Babb, 96, of Eugene, died April 4, 2004. She was born April 8, 1907, in Elgin to William and Margaret (Eckley) Breshears. Mrs. Babb grew up in the Wallowa, Vincent and Rondowea areas and graduated from Lostine High School. She worked for M. Crow and Company in Lostine for a time. She married Avon Dale Babb in 1926 and lived in the Eugene area for the last 79 years. Her interests included vegetable and flower gardening, crossword puzzles, University of Oregon football and basketball, and travel. She enjoyed family and friends and was well known … Read more

McCully, Frank M. – Obituary

Death calls F. M. M’Cully, Passes away after a sinking spell yesterday morning Funeral Thursday Frank M. McCully, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, died at 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning…underwent an operation for removal of gall stones about ten days ago. The operation was successful but his condition was so enfeebled by the progress of the disease attended by kidney trouble of a similar nature that he failed to rally and rapidly became worse. Saturday and Sunday death was fought off by the injection of saline solution but on Monday he rallied perceptibly and strong hope of his ultimate recovery … Read more

Bean, Louis Elmer – Obituary

Louis E. Bean, chairman of the Oregon State Public Service Commission, died suddenly of heart disease in his apartment at Salem shortly after 10 o’clock last night [July 6, 1929]. Mr. Bean underwent a major operation during the last Christmas holidays, and at that time a serious condition was discovered which physicians knew might cause his death at any time, though he was able to continue his work after his discharge from the hospital. He was examined in Portland, Friday by his nephew, Dr. Harold C. Bean, and no alarming symptoms were apparent. Only two weeks ago he returned from … Read more

Lanman, Billy E. – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Billy E. Lanman, 79, of La Grande died April 4 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Burial will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Family members will host friends at a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Daniels-Knopp. Billy was born Nov. 9, 1928, to Ira L. and Hazel F. Lanman at the old Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. His early life was spent in Summerville on a ranch and later on another ranch on Pumpkin Ridge. He … Read more

Odell, William Holman – Obituary

Plans have been completed for funeral services this afternoon in Salem for W. H. Odell, who died here late Wednesday night [April 26, 1922] at the age of 92. He was formerly editor and owner of the Oregon Statesman of Salem and a well-known educator and political figure. Mr. Odell came to Oregon from Indiana in 1851. He attended Willamette University. After his marriage, he and his wife had charge for a time of the old Santiam Academy. Later he was identified with the public schools of Albany. In 1864 he moved to Eugene and was appointed United States Deputy … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Judge Hugh G. Yoakum

JUDGE HUGH G. YOAKUM. – Judge Yoakum, who enjoys a very high reputation as a man of probity and fidelity in public affairs, was born in Tennessee in 1831, and removed to Missouri in 1834. He was married in 1851. In 1863 he came to Oregon, settling in Lane county, and in 1867 made his permanent home on the Umatilla river, near the town of Nolin. The domestic circle was sadly broken by the death of his wife in 1886. But his daughter, Minnie Lee, and two sons, D.J. and H.C., still remain at the farm. In political life Mr. … Read more

Biography of Carlton D. Akin

Among the prominent men of Wallowa County, as also one of the leading property owners in the county stands the subject of this brief article and it is with pleasure that we accord to him a representation of this volume of the county’s history, both because he has achieved a success here that demonstrates his ability in the business world and also because commensurate with his general capabilities there have been manifested a stanch and well rounded character, moral qualities of intrinsic worth and integrity unswerving and continuous all of which demonstrate Mr. Akin to be a typical man and … Read more

Ingram, Thomas Fredrick “Tom” – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Thomas Fredrick “Tom” Ingram, 78, of Halfway, died Oct. 28, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His funeral was Friday at Halfway. Mr. Ingram was born on Feb. 13, 1923, to Earl and Pearl Gerberding Ingram in Eugene. He began his schooling at Burns, but finished his education in Baker County, graduating from Baker High School in 1941. In his youth, he lived in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho. After high school, Mr. Ingram worked at Yuma Army Air Base at Yuma, Ariz., during the war years. On June 25, 1945, Tom and Ann met. They didn’t see … Read more

Biography of John P. Vollmer

One of the ablest and best known businessmen of Idaho is John P. Vollmer, of Lewiston. In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; today it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. John P. Vollmer is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an … Read more

Breckon, Clayton Richard – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Clayton Richard Breckon, 89, of Elgin, died Jan. 8 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elgin. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Clayton was born Feb. 27, 1918, to Richard David and Eva Kate Plant Breckon in Ontario. He moved to this area from Eugene 30 years ago. He enjoyed woodworking and clock making, and was meticulous with his yard. He was active with the LDS Church, and was a High Priest. He also enjoyed genealogy, auto mechanics … Read more

Biography of Philip F. Castleman

PHILIP F. CASTLEMAN. – Those who now make the trip in the palatial car across the continent from the populous cities and thickly settled districts of the union, and view the Pacific Northwest in its present development, can but faintly realize the dangers and privations the sturdy pioneers experienced in reaching here, nor yet understand the troubles they had with the red man who then roamed its confines at will, and knew no law save what pleased the savage heart the best. They often meet among its residents not a few upon whom the snows of many winters have fallen, … Read more

Watkins, Clara Elizabeth Henry Mrs. – Obituary

Clara Elizabeth Watkins, 83, of Haines, died Dec. 16, 2001, at Serenity Farm Adult Foster Home. Her funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Tony Brandon of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will officiate. Visitations will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Watkins was born on Feb. 19, 1918, at Plaza, N.D. She was a daughter of Ben and Isabal Hutchinson Henry. She was raised and received her schooling at Plaza. During the summer, she went to work on various farms to help pay for … Read more

Wilson, Marietta Rose Chaves Mrs. – Obituary

Marietta Rose Wilson, 65, of Springfield, died June 23, 2007, at her home with her loving family by her side. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Cathedral, First and Church streets. Bishop Thomas Connolly will officiate. There will be a graveside services at Mount Hope Cemetery. She was born on March 25, 1942, at Baker City to Arthur and Ivona Vandewiele Chaves. She worked as a medical librarian at Mercy Medical Center for 22 years and then worked at the Clark State Community College library for seven years. Marietta’s beautiful smile brought joy, warmth … Read more

Riggs, Ardeth Emma Moberly – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Ardeth Emma Moberly Riggs, 83, of Summerville, died June 12 at a local care center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday June 17 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mrs. Riggs was born April 15, 1923, to William Homer and Eva Marie Gault Sink in Northgate, N.D. She moved to Yakima and married Harold Moberly on Dec. 13, 1946. While in Yakima her job was packing apples. The couple moved to Springfield in 1950 where she worked as a pre-school teacher for a time before going to work for the Lane … Read more