Linn County OR

Oswald, Ellen F. – Obituary

Mrs. Ellen Frances Oswald, 87, a Summerville housewife, died in a local hospital June 18 following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at the Summerville Chapel Thursday, June 21 at 2 p.m. with burial in Summerville cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Daniels Funeral Home. Mrs. Oswald was born in Harrisburg, Ore., Dec 2, 1868 and had lived in Union county for 85 years. Survivors include the widower Charles F. Oswald, who is in a local hospital, three sons, Wilbur of Barview, Eugene and Donald of La Grande, six daughters, Mrs. Oral Williams of Arrowhead, Alberta, … Read more

Bilyeu, John Long – Obituary

At his residence in Bilyeu Den on Sunday Dec. 18, 1892, John Bilyeu, age 68 years. John Bilyeu was born in Overton County, Tennessee, July 23 1824. While young, he with his parents moved to Indiana, thence to Illinois where he was married to Miss Nancy Workman, March 9 1848. In the fall of the same year, they moved to Missouri where they resided till the spring of 1853, when with two children they started across the plains, arriving in Oregon, August 10, 1853, and resided in Linn County the most of the time since. He raised a large family … Read more

Biography of Charles M. McClure

CHAS. M. McCLURE. – Mr. McClure has taken as active a part as anyone in establishing our state, and was one of the veterans who, as lieutenant, saw the whole war in Southern Oregon. Born in Missouri in 1832, he went to Mexico in 1850, and in 1851 crossed the plains to Oregon, settling near Brownsville on the Calapooia. He soon undertook the toilsome and exciting life of a miner in Northern California and Southern Oregon, and in 1853 assisted the settlers of Rogue river valley in protecting themselves form the Indians, being one of the relief party from Table … Read more

Patterson, Ethel Hazel Reed Mrs. – Obituary

Ethel Hazel Patterson, 97, of John Day, died Oct. 9, 2005, at Blue Mountain Nursing Home in Prairie City. Her graveside memorial service will be Saturday at the Fox Cemetery in Fox. Ethel was born on Aug. 11, 1908, at Fox to George and Amanda Medlin Reed. She grew up in the Fox Valley and attended school at Cottonwood, John Day and Hood River. In 1924, Ethel married John Smith at Hood River. She and John remained married for about 25 years before they divorced. She operated a dress shop and restaurant at Condon for a while. A few years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas K. McCoy

THOMAS K. McCOY. – The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born March 9, 1827, in Sangamon county, Illinois, and there was reared and educated. On October 12, 1848, he was married to Margaret A. Kendall, who was also born and raised in Sangamon county, the date of her birth being October 4, 1829. The fruits of their union were seven children, three daughters and four sons. Mr. McCoy came to Oregon in 1851 via the “ox-team route,” and settled in Linn county. The following year his wife joined him in his new home, she having come in 1852 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Presley George

PRESLEY GEORGE. – This pioneer of distinction, who founded in our state one of its most honorable families, was born in London county, Virginia, March 23, 1798, and was the son of Jesse and Mary Craig George, of an old family in that state. While still a boy he came west to Ohio, crossing the Ohio river at the ford where Wheeling now stands. For forty years he lived among the “Buckeyes,” putting his should to the wheel, and doing all in his power to establish the high and generous civilization of that great state. In 1826 he was united … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Huff

One of the pioneers of the northwest and one of the old residents of Caldwell is Thomas Jefferson Huff, the present assessor of Canyon County. He is a man of the highest integrity and ability, and stands well in the estimation of all who know him. A lifelong Democrat, and devoted to his party, he has never occupied a public office before, and has not been an aspirant for political honors and emoluments. In his business career he has met with success, and by well directed energy and good judgment he has amassed a comfortable fortune. Philip Huff, the paternal … Read more

Gore, Wilfred A. – Obituary

Wilfred A. Gore Dies After Brief Illness Wilfred A. Gore, of 320 ½ North Main Street, died at his home early this morning after a ten days’ illness with appendicitis, which later developed into peritonitis. Mr. Gore who was born in Harrisburg, Ore., in 1874, came to Washington with his father in September, 1889. On Christmas day, 1898, he was married to Ella McEwen Lee. Beside his wife he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Hazel Waldusky, of Ellensburg. His father and stepmother, Mr. And Mrs. H. A. Gore, live in Los Angeles, Cal., Mr. Gore having come north during the illness … Read more

Bilyeu, Sarah Elizabeth Gatts – Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Bilyeu, 77, of 330 Isabella Street, passed away at the Lebanon Hospital Monday evening [March 17, 1952]. Daughter of Mary and William Gatts, pioneer settlers in this area, she was born at their farm near Peterson Butte on July 13, 1874. With the exception of two years spent in Raymond, Wash., she was a lifelong resident of Lebanon and Lacomb. After her marriage to Joseph Lane Bilyeu in Lebanon, they lived in Lacomb and 30 years ago moved to Lebanon. Mr. Bilyeu died in 1943. Survivors are two sons, Amos Bilyeu, Lebanon, Ralph Bilyeu, Gates; daughters, Mrs. … Read more

Biography of Joseph L. Carter

JOSEPH L. CARTER. – This prominent educator of Eastern Oregon was born at the old Methodist Episcopal Mission, near Salem, January 22, 1845. He is the son of David Carter, who fifty years ago was a merchant in the various cities and states of South America, and in 1840 came via the Sandwich Islands to the then unclaimed Oregon, marrying Miss Orpha Lankton, of the mission party of the bark Lausanne, and settling on Mill creek near Salem, and also living at The Dalles, passing much time in the mines of California and becoming prominent upon our coast in the … Read more

Bilyeu, Elizabeth Brenner – Obituary

The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Bilyeu was reported on our streets last Thursday morning. Her home was with her daughter [Nancy], Mrs. G. W. Morrow. [Elizabeth was the widow of Peter Bilyeu. Her parents were Peter S. Brenner and Hannah Isley. She died January 13, 1921.] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Hon. Zenas Ferry Moody

HON. Z.F. MOODY. – Zenas Ferry Moody, ex-Governor of the State of Oregon, was born on the 27th of May, 1832, in Granby, Massachusetts. His father was Major Thomas H. Moody. His mother was Hannah M. Ferry, an aunt of ex-Senator T.W. Ferry, of Michigan, formerly vice-president of the United States. Governor Moody comes of good old New England Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Gideon Moody, having borne arms as a soldier during the Revolutionary war. He has proved himself worthy of his lineage; and the principles which he imbibed on New England soil have been the guide of his whole … Read more

Hearing, James Albert – Obituary

Pioneer Rock Creek Farmer Passes After a long illness, death called James Albert Hearing, October 27, at his ranch home on Rock Creek. Mr. Hearing, a prominent Rock Creek farmer, was born in Linn County, December 14, 1870, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hearing, Oregon pioneers. He is survived by his widow, Lydia; one daughter, Mrs. Leona Bell of Haines; one son, Leo Hearing of Bay City; one sister, Mrs. Nell Stanley of Haines; two brothers, Sam Hearing of Vernonia and Earl Hearing of Sheridan; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were held from … Read more

Biography of Lewis Fleischner

Fleischner, Lewis, one of the leading merchants of Portland was born in the village of Vogelgesang, Bohemia, in 1829. He was educated in his native village and at Tissan a small town near his home. At the age of fifteen years he came to America, and for a short time remained in New York City. He then went to Philadelphia, where he was employed for five years by a dealer in horses and cattle. At the end of this period, in 1849, he came to Drakeville, Davis County, Iowa, and for three years was engaged in merchandising. In 1852 he … Read more

Twaddell, James Eber – Obituary

James Eber Twaddell, 96, died Monday at his home 337 SE 79th Avenue. Mr. Twaddell was born in Mercer County, Missouri, March 15, 1853. When he was 12 his parents brought him over the Oregon Trail to Union County. In 1876 he moved to Linn County near Lebanon and there, on May 10, 1878 he married Maria Hare. The family moved to Portland in 1904 when Mr. Twaddell built the house in Montavilla where he lived thereafter. Mrs. Twaddell died in 1940. Surviving are one son Ivan, in Portland; two nephews, George and Stephen Allingham in Portland, and a niece … Read more

Long, Charles – Obituary

Charles D. Long of Haines, whose sudden death October 11 following an operation for appendicitis was recorded in this newspaper last week, lived all but one year of his 62 years of live in Baker county, having been brought here by his parents when a baby. He was born in Linn county, Oregon March 16, 1872. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Long, pioneer Baker county residents. Mr. Long was employed for several years by the Farmer Mercantile company in Haines and in recent years had operated a farm west of Haines. He was a member of the Baptist … Read more

Bilyeu, Nancy Ellen Cole – Obituary

Mrs. Nancy Ellen Bilyeu, 64, died here Sunday [February 18, 1945] at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ima Woodard. Funeral services are to be held in the Weddle Chapel here at 2 p.m. Tuesday with Rev. Kenneth W. Knox officiating. Burial will be in the Bilyeu Den Cemetery. Born at Grubville, Mo., on July 9, 1880, Mrs. Bilyeu had lived in Oregon for 62 years, chiefly In the Scio-Crabtree area. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Woodard, she is survived by two grandchildren, Larry and Collene; four brothers, Robert Cole of Salem, Curtis Cole of Eugene, Roy and Otto … Read more

Biography of W. F. Courtney

W.F. COURTNEY. – This veteran among the Indian fighters and earlier pioneers was born in Illinois in 1832. At the age of thirteen, he crossed the plains with his parents in 1845. They reached The Dalles during the latter part of October of the same year; but before proceeding down the river they had to construct a flat boat as a means of navigation. This was attended with considerable difficulty, as there were no lumber mills in the country, and ever plank had to be whipsawed. The passage from The Dalles to the Upper Cascades was made without any event … Read more

Chastain, Polly Catherine Crabtree – Obituary

Polly Catherine Chastain, a resident of the Maupin area for 83 years, died Friday [November 5, 1971] in a local hospital. She was 93. Mrs. Chastain came to Maupin when she was 10 years of age. She was born June 5, 1878, at Scio, Ore. Mrs. Chastain was a member of the Evangelical United Church of North America, the Rebekah Lodge, the Farm Bureau and the Old Wasco County Pioneer Association. Surviving are a brother, Raymond Crabtree of Maupin; a daughter-in-law, Alice Chastain of Maupin; two grandchildren, Betty Jo Paulson and Glenn Chastain, both of Maupin; seven great grandchildren and … Read more

Bailes, George S. – Obituary

George S. Bailes of 844 South Sixth Street, Cottage Grove passed away June 1, 1963 at Cottage Grove Hospital at the age of 90 years. Born November 22, 1872 at Scio, Oregon. Married Emma Johnson, May 22, 1899 at Castle Rock, Washington. Residing in Lane County the last 58 years, a member of the London Church of Christ. Besides his wife Emma, he is survived by one daughter, Rita Swan of Washington D. C. and one sister, Mattie Jackson of Castle Rock, Washington, and many other relatives. Services will be held Tuesday, June 4, 1963 at 2 p.m. at Smith … Read more