Wood, Oliver – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Oliver Wood Rites Being Held Today Funeral services for Oliver Wood are being conducted by the Bollman Funeral Home today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the Christian Church with the Rev. Lester Wells officiating. Mrs. Harry Stein will be organist and Ella McArtor and Sue Smyth will sing “Whispering Hope” and “Beyond The Sunset.” Casket bearers will be E. J. Hook, Howard Williamson, Orval McArtor, Delbert Wart, S. G. Sheets and John Lewis. Interment will be in the Enterprise cemetery. Mr. Wood had been in failing health for the past five years and had been a patient in … Read more

Bilyeu, George Washington – Obituary

One by one those sturdy old pioneers who crossed the plains with a plow ox team and endured privations almost equal to death itself, and by their untiring labors and horrendous efforts laid the foundation for this grand and glorious country, are passing into the land beyond from whence no traveler returns. The last to join this numberless multitude was George W. Bilyeu. Mr. Bilyeu came to Oregon in 1852, crossing the broad plains with the regulation ox team. He settled with his family on a donation land claim a few miles from this city, and there spent the greater … Read more

Marks, Alfred Porter – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Death Claims Imnaha Pioneer Alfred Porter Marks, an early pioneer of the county, and a farmer and stockman of Imnaha, passed away Saturday, December 27, 1958 at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient for about five weeks. He was born in Linn County, Oregon, January 28, 1881, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Marks, coming to Wallowa County in 1889. On June 8, 1912 he was married at Joseph to Mary Fisk who passed away November 10, 1941. Survivors include two sons, Clarence and Elmer; both of Imnaha; five brothers; Arch, of La … Read more

Busick, Effie Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Memorial to Mrs. Effie Busick, Effie Cusick was born in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, near Scio, in Linn county, Oregon, September 27, 1866. In 1885 she came to this county, making her home with her brothers W. S. And S. F. Cusick, in the Powder River Valley. She was united in marriage to Arthur N. Busick November 18, 1886. The next spring, April 10, they moved to their home near Union. Ever since, over 38 years, this has been her home-to her the most sacred place on earth. Her she has happily lived and toiled with … Read more

Whitson, Alexander Brandon – Obituary

A. B. Whitson Is Taken By Death-Stock Raiser and Business Man Continuous Resident in Valley for 42 years. Yakima lost another pioneer in the death this morning of A. B. Whitson [October 14, 1931], who came to the valley 60 years ago and had lived in Yakima continuously since 1889. He had been confined to the hospital for one week and was operated upon some time ago. In the 42 years he had made his home here, he had been prominently identified with community affairs. Born in Lind County, Oregon, March 4, 1855, Mr. Whitson moved with his parents to … Read more

Crossler, Eliza Mary – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Eliza Crossler Services Held Eliza Mary Crossler passed away at her home in Walla Walla November 28. She was born February 2, 1878, at Sweet Home, Oregon. Her parents, George and Mary Hearing, with their family, came to Wallowa County in 1884, settling in the hill country east of Lostine where they farmed many years and endured the hardships of the early pioneers. Years later they moved to Lostine and then to Wallowa. Eliza was married to George Childers and to this union seven children were born, five of whom survive. Mr. Childers carried the Lostine … Read more

Klinge, Jessie Bilyeu – Obituary

Jessie Klinge of 1390 Oak Drive, Eugene, died February 23, 1969. She was born June 11, 1895 in Scio, Oregon and had been a resident of this community for the past 2 years. Wife of George; mother of Earl of Eugene, Merle of Albany, and Mrs. Wayne (Mary) Holst of Albany; sister of George Dane Bilyeu of Lebanon and Byron Bilyeu of Kingston, Washington; 7 children; numerous nieces and nephews. Private graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 26 at 10 a.m. in Willamette Memorial Cemetery, Albany. Reverend Paul Blikstad officiating. Eugene Register Guard, February 15, 1969 Contributed by: Shelli … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Marks

A stanch and sturdy pioneer of the western country, commendable and loyal and patriotic as a citizen in all his relations since, a faithful member of society, and a progressive agriculturist and stockman of the Imnaha country now, the subject of this brief article is eminently fitted to be represented in any volume that purports to detail the lives of the pioneers and the leading men of the county, consequently it is with pleasure that we accord space for mention of the salient points in an eventful and interesting career in which our subject has universally manifested virtues of a … Read more

Bilyeu, Robert Dean – Obituary

Funeral services for Robert Dean Bilyeu, 88, of 50 D St. Halsey, were held Monday at the Halsey Methodist Church with burial following at Pine Grove Cemetery. Fisher Funeral Home of Albany was in charge of arrangements. [Died July 21, 1983] Born Feb. 25, 1895, at Bilyeu Den, Mr. Bilyeu had lived all of his life in the Brownsville and Halsey areas. He was a farmer. Mr. Bilyeu also was a police marshal in Halsey before his retirement. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and was a member of the Sweet Home Post of Veterans of … Read more

Biography of Archimedes Hanan

ARCHIMEDES HANAN. – This venerable pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born on the 9th of November, 1810, in Harrison county, Kentucky. The early years of his life were truly those of a wanderer. Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota reckoned him as a citizen at sundry times and places up to the year 1852. In the spring of that year he started on the long and wearisome journey across the plains. Oregon was his objective point; and after the usual trying though interesting incidents of the immigrants’ career, he stopped at Albany in the fall of 1852. There … Read more

Bilyeu, Mary Jane Gumm – Obituary

Mrs. Mary Jane Gumm died at her home here Friday [May 1, 1914] . She was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, November 9, 1852. She lived there until 1865 and then came to Oregon with her parents. The whole journey was made with an ox team. She settled with her parents near Scio. She was married to J. T. Bilyeu in 1868. There were three children born, Mrs. Oscar Gresham and William J. Wriger, both of Lebanon and Fred T. Bilyeu of Scio. Mr. and Mrs. Gumm lived on a farm near here for 35 years and then moved to … Read more

Young, Steven Eugene – Obituary

Steven Eugene Young, 55, of Hereford and formerly of Blackfoot, Idaho, died May 2, 2005, at Holy Rosary Medical Center in Ontario after a long illness. His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home. Vault interment will be at Gilliland Cemetery. Steve was born on Aug. 5, 1949, at Longview, Wash., to Oscar Gene Young and Betty Alaine Wood. As a family they traveled extensively, wherever the logging jobs took them. The family finally settled at Sweet Home, where Steve attended high school. Steve became quite an athlete and loved sports, especially football. … 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

Sumpter, Claude Ruel – Obituary

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, 1996, in St. Johns Funeral Home Chapel for Claude Ruel Sumpter, a retired Hyster Co. shipping clerk who died July 27 at age 94. Mr. Sumpter was born April 29, 1902, in Crabtree. In 1930, he married Nellie Long, who died in 1990. Surviving are his son, John of Gresham; brother, Don of Tigard; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Disposition was by cremation. The family suggests remembrances to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are by Skyline Funeral Home. The Oregonian, August 3, 1996 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Williamson, John Harold – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon John Harold Williamson John Harold “Jack” Williamson, 70, of La Grande died Feb. 15 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in La Grande. Jack was born May 26, 1936, to Harold and Shirley (Thomas) Williamson in Albany. He graduated from Jewel High School and later from Western Oregon University with a degree in teaching. He married Sandra Allen from Portland Nov. 29, 1958, and they lived in Fossil. In 1960 he enlisted for one term in the Army. He went on to work for NASA … Read more

Biography of James Kesling

JAMES KESLING. – This gentleman is one of those large-hearted, kindly men who are loved by all the neighbors and by all the neighbors’ children. His life embraces a wide range of interesting experiences, and covers a period of nearly forty years on this coast. He was born in Ohio in 1835, but moved with his folks to Indiana six years later. In 1852 he came with the family of Honorable Luther Elkins, now of Linn county, across the plains to Oregon. Reaching Portland, then a town of shanties and but few good houses, in the woods, young Kesling and … Read more

Kinnison, Beulah Adelia Starmer Mrs. – Obituary

Kinnison Rites Slated Thursday Mrs. Beulah Adelia Kinnison, 56, of 2035 East street, died Tuesday morning at St. Elizabeth hospital. She was born on May 6, 1901 to the Rev. A.J. and Minnie R. Starmer at Ashland. She moved from Ashland to Albany, coming to Baker from Albany 39 years ago. Two and a half years ago she became co-owner of the Corset Clinic in the Antlers hotel building, and was manager until her illness. Mrs. Kinnison was a member of the Pythian Sisters and of the Methodist church. She is survived by three daughters and one son, Lilith B. … Read more

Durr, Carolyn Bonitz Mrs. – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Carolyn Durr, 70, died Nov. 5, 2004, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise. Her graveside service was at 1 p.m. today at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends were invited to join the family for a reception at the Lions Hall afterward. Carolyn Durr was born to Aubrey and Thelma Bonitz at Oklahoma City, Okla., on June 14, 1934. Her family later moved to Albany where she graduated from Albany High School. It was in high school that she met David Durr. They were married in 1954 while he was serving in the U.S. Marines. They spent the … Read more

Bilyeu, Vera Coon – Obituary

Vera L. Bilyeu, 66, of Lebanon, died Saturday [May 20, 1989] at Lebanon Community Hospital. She was born Vera Coon on Sept. 18, 1922 in Pleasant Green, Utah. She married Raymond M. Bilyeu in 1944 in San Diego, Calif., and they moved to Lebanon in 1960. He died Aug. 17, 1979. Mrs. Bilyeu was a member of the Lebanon Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She also belonged to the Sweet Adelines of Lebanon, and enjoyed oil painting and sewing. Surviving are sons Kelly of Lebanon and Mike of Spokane, Wash. and daughter Connie Bracy of … Read more

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