Lewis County WA

Lewis County WA, located in the southwestern part of Washington State, is distinguished by its rich tapestry of landscapes ranging from the western lowlands’ fertile agricultural plains to the eastern rugged terrains of the Cascade Mountain Range. Established on December 19, 1845, it is one of the original counties of Washington Territory, formed from the northern part of the Columbia District by the Oregon Provisional Government. Its creation predates the establishment of Washington Territory itself, showcasing its historical significance. Named in honor of Meriwether Lewis, of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, the county’s historical roots are deeply intertwined with the early exploration and settlement of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout its history, Lewis County has evolved from a fur trading and logging hub to a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, reflecting the broader economic transitions of the region. The county seat, Chehalis, situated in the heart of Lewis County, serves as the administrative and cultural center, further emphasizing the county’s role as a pivotal area in Washington’s development.

Morrow, Herman Grinsel – Obituary

H. G. Morrow, one of the best known and most highly esteemed pioneers of the county, died suddenly near his home in Cowlitz Prairie about nine o’clock Wednesday forenoon [June 7, 1905]. Mr. Morrow had been sick for some time but had gotten better and was able to be about. Yesterday forenoon Mrs. Morrow and the other members of the family started to Toledo to attend the state Grange which is in session there. They had not been gone long when Mr. Morrow entered Henriott Brothers’ store on the Cowlitz and handed his watch and a walking stick to John … Read more

Champ, Cora A. Eells – Obituary

Mrs. Cora A. Champ, aged 78 years, and a resident of the Winlock community for the past sixty-four years, passed away at her home in Winlock Tuesday morning, October 13, following an illness of two weeks. She was born March 3, 1864, in Spring Valley, Minnesota, and came to WA Territory with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Eels, in 1879, settling near Toledo. She was married May 1, 1881 to John H. Champ whose parents came by covered wagon from Indiana in 1861. Mr. Champ died in 1915. They were the parents of ten children, only three of whom … Read more

Champ, John Hagar – Obituary

John Champ, aged 53 years, died at Winlock, Monday morning [December 6] following an illness of several months. Mr. Champ was a well-known early resident of Winlock and served the town as marshal on various occasions. He had lived at Winlock about 35 years. He is survived by a wife and six children, four daughters and two sons. [My research shows six daughters and four sons survived him] Chehalis Bee Nugget, December 10, 1915 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Champ, Charles Darwin – Obituary

Charles Champ, 36, known among Harbor loggers as “Big Charlie,” dropped dead at the door of the cookhouse of Camp 10, Humptulips Logging Company, immediately after the evening meal at the camp yesterday. Death was ascribed to heart trouble. Champ had engaged in woods work in the Harbor country for the last 10 years, coming here then from Winlock. His mother and brothers and sisters reside in Winlock. A nephew lives in Hoquiam, and an uncle, Willis, resides in Aberdeen. The body is at the local Whiteside parlors pending completion of funeral arrangements. [Interment Winlock Cemetery, Lewis Co.] Aberdeen Daily … Read more

Champ, James William – Obituary

James William Champ, a resident of Centralia, died Friday, Sept. 17, in Centralia General Hospital at the age of 103. Champ was born Jan. 5, 1897, on Lacamas Prairie in Winlock.. He was a retired farmer and logger. He is survived by a sister, Violet Lampitt of Palo Alto, Calif., and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service was held Monday at the Winlock Cemetery with the Rev. August Banaksy officiating. Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel of Toledo was in charge of arrangements. Daily Chronicle Centralia, September 20, 1982 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Layton, Elias Pilgrim – Obituary

Lewis County lost another of its native pioneer residents Saturday [April 12] in the death of Elias P. Layton, 79, in a Chehalis hospital. He was born May 16, 1872 at Layton Prairie and had lived there all his life. He was a farmer and during his active years had a prominent part in affairs of the community. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; one son, Ernest; three daughters, Mrs. Stella Smith, Mrs. Elva Armstrong, and Mrs. Edith Kirkendoll; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of Toledo. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon at the … Read more

Lee, Ruthella Chaplin – Obituary

Ruthella Chaplin Lee, 95, died Wednesday, May 10 [1989], in Providence Hospital in Centralia. She was born Oct. 3, 1893, in Brownsville, Ore., and was the daughter of Ralph and Sarah [Coshow] Chaplin. Lee attended Bellingham Normal School and was a teacher in the Chehalis School District until her marriage in 1917 to Virgin R. Lee. He died in 1986. She was a life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a long-time member of the St. Helen’s Club and the Pioneers of Washington. Surviving are a son, William R. “Bill” Lee of Chehalis; three granddaughters; and three … Read more

Kirkendoll, Grant – Obituary

Funeral services for Grant Kirkendoll, who died yesterday morning at his home on Silver Lake following a long illness, will be held Sunday from the Methodist Church here with burial in the Whittle Cemetery. He was born in Iowa, December 25, 1865, and came to Kelso with his parents when a small child. He has since lived in Cowlitz and Lewis counties, making his home at different times in Kelso, Toledo, Sandy Bend and Silver Lake. He has always been a rancher. He is survived by five children, Mrs. Otto Disque, Kelso; Mrs. Jennie Stange, Silver Lake; Mrs. Gladys Leichhardt, … Read more

Champ, Mary Layton – Obituary

Death came to Mrs. Champ, 87, Wednesday [November 22, 1944] at her home, 802 South Gold Street, in Centralia. She was born on Layton Prairie, March 18, 1857, and had resided here the past 16 years. Surviving are five children, 12 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. The children are James Champ and Mrs. Louisa Gowen, Centralia; Mrs. Catherine Snodgrass and Mrs. Viola Lampitt, in California, and Mrs. Dora Baker, in Arizona. Funeral services have been set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Pontious-Cattermole chapel. The Rev. Erle Howell will officiate, and burial will be in the Winlock Cemetery. Contributed by: … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. Urquhart

WILLIAM M. URQUHART.- This gentleman, the son of James Urquhart, whose biography is immediately preceding, was born at the family residence near Napavine, Washington Territory, on the 22d of December, 1855. He remained on the farm till he had attained his majority. He then entered his father’s tore at Napavine, where he attended strictly to business and became thoroughly acquainted with trade, remaining there until 1880. In that year he removed to Chehalis, and began merchandising for himself. In this independent venture he was eminently successful, and had one of the largest mercantile houses in Lewis county. The confidence reposed … Read more

Champ, Alfred William – Obituary

Alfred Champ, of this city, 45 year old native son of Lewis County, died Friday [June 8, 1933] at Riverton Hospital, where he had been some months following an illness of flu, contracted in January. He was the son of former well known pioneers. Surviving are his aged mother, Mrs. Cora Champ; two brothers, Howard Champ of Winlock and Wallace Champ of Alsea, Ore.; and six sisters, Mrs. George Mellor of Shelton, Mrs. Willis Pope of Adna, Mrs. Ruth Miller of Longview, Mrs. Erma Kotoskey and Miss Lottie Champ of Winlock and Mrs. Sol Chancey of Los Angeles, Calif. Funeral … Read more

Layton, John – Obituary

John Layton, 90, Lewis County’s oldest native son, died Friday [March 8, 1946] at his home on Layton Prairie, where he was born on March 3, 1853. Survivors include three children, 30 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. The children are Mrs. Mahala Partch, Poulsbo; Mrs. Alice Fawver, Shelton, and George W. Layton, Olympia. Funeral services have been set for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian church in Toledo. Mr. Layton was a familiar figure each year at the annual picnics of the Southwest Washington Pioneer Association. His father crossed the plains in 1849 and took up a homestead on … Read more

Burnside, Gilbert Balaam Obituary

Gilbert Balaam Burnside, 87, died Thursday,Jan. 2, 2003, at Centralia Providence Hospital, Centralia, Wash. Mr Burnside was born Aug. 11, 1916, in Haines, to James A. and Aplharette Shanklin Burnside. James had accompanied his parents John and Ann Elizabeth Naylor Burnside to Baker Valley over the Oregon Trail. His survivors are son, Donald and wife, Audrey of Chehallis, son Jack and wife, Georgia of Tacoma, and sister Myrtle Burnside Music Johnson of Tacoma; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A great grandson Allen Phillips of Baker City and many cousins in Baker Valley. No services were held by his … Read more

Penner, Audrey Dorene Viles – Obituary

Audrey Dorene Penner, a resident of Lewis County for 70 years, died Thursday [August 24] in a Bellevue Hospital. She was 79. She was born Oct. 25, 1898, in Grove, Okla., and was raised in the Adna area. Survivors include her husband, Gerhardt at home in Bellevue; a son Clark C, Walnut Creek, Calif.; a daughter, Mrs. H. C. (Carmen) Hardebeck, Bellevue; a brother, George W. Viles, Centralia; six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Sticklin Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis. … Read more

Layton, Henry Clay – Obituary

Another of the old pioneers of Lewis County passed away Wednesday afternoon, August 3, when Henry C. Layton died suddenly, at his home in the Hanaford Valley. Mr. Layton became violently ill while picking blackberries near a slashing burning, from the heat, and died a few hours after being taken sick. He was 64 years of age and was born in Toledo, this county, May 26, 1857. He is survived by his widow, Amanda Layton; two daughters, Mrs. Amanda Prince of Hanaford Valley and Mrs. Clara Hovies of Onalaska; one son, Roy Layton; his mother, Mrs. Sirilda Layton of Toledo; … Read more

Lyon, Lottie Anna McEwen – Obituary

Mrs. Lottie Lyon, 60, died at her home here early Monday morning [March 19]. She was born at Manhattan, Kans., November 10, 1873 and came to Washington in 1888, locating near Toledo with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. [Archibald] McEwen. She was married July 5, 1890 to John [Charles] Lyon whose death occurred a few years ago. Mrs. Lyon was a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Renewal Society. Surviving relatives are three daughters, Mrs. Esther Pierce and Miss Winnie Lyon, San Francisco and Mrs. Hattie Pierce, Vacaville, Calif.; six sons, Harry, Wendell, Ed, Fred, and John Lyon, Toledo … Read more

Biography of Hon. Clanrick Crosby

HON. CLANRICK CROSBY. – This gentleman, of whom an excellent portrait appears in our work, was born in East Brewster, Massachusetts, January 6 1838. He is a son of Captain Clanrick and Phoebe H. (Fessenden) Crosby. In 1849 he came with his parents via Cape Horn on board the brig Grecian, of which his father was captain and part owner. The father was a sea-faring man until his arrival in San Francisco in the above year. After a short stay there, he brought his vessel to Portland, and there selling her quit the sea. The family remained in Portland, Oregon, … Read more

Ormsby, Edith Pearl Roberts – Obituary

A resident of Kent for the past four years, Edith Pearl Ormsby, died at the Franciscan Health Care Center, Enumclaw, on Thursday, August 11 [1994]. She was 90. Born July 28, 1904 at Pine, Idaho, to Llewellyn and Cordelia (Warner) Roberts, she was reared and attended schools there. She also met her husband, George William Ormsby there and married him October 8, 1924 at Mountain Home, Idaho. They lived in Nampa, Idaho, where they had a dairy ranch. They moved to Winlock the to Chehalis, where they lived for 10 years before moving to Kent. Her husband died June 10, … Read more

Duby, William – Obituary

Baker, Oregon William Duby, former chairman of the Oregon State Highway commission died at his home in Baker last Tuesday night and funeral services were held at the Christian Church, Baker, Friday afternoon, under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Duby was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. In August 1861, said the Baker Democrat Herald. He went to Nebraska with his mother in 1865 and lived in the eastern part of that state until he was 22 years old. Mr. Duby was married to Mary E. Bissell in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska, October 5, 1895. The young couple … Read more

Champ, Wallace Arnold – Obituary

Wallace Arnold Champ died Monday, Feb. 6, in St. Helen Hospital at the age of 82. A lifetime resident of Winlock, Champ was born there on March 17, 1901. He was preceded in death by his wife, Della, on Jan. 9 [same year]. Survivors include a son, Arnold Champ of Minneapolis, Minn.; a daughter Doris Ojala of Winlock; a sister, Erma Holten of Longview; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. By request off Champ, no funeral will be held. Remembrances may be donations to the Winlock Ambulance Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Cattermole Funeral … Read more