Linn County OR

Bilyeu, William M. – Obituary

William Bilyeu, one of the oldest citizens of Linn County, died at his residence near Scio last Wednesday, aged 80 years [June 25, 1879]. He was perhaps the ancestor of the most numerous family in Oregon-the Bilyeu’s reaching over a hundred in number, nearly all of whom reside on the Forks of Santiam. We deeply sympathize with his large circle of relatives and friends, and shall attempt to secure a more succinct obituary of the good old man at an early day. Peace to his ashes. [William married Dianna Coker in 1816 TN. He fathered 12 children. William is buried … Read more

Biography of Charles W. Shaff, M. D.

Holding marked prestige as a member of the medical profession of Idaho is Dr. Charles W. Shaff, of Lewiston, now the honored president of the State Medical Association. In the learned professions advancement depends upon the man, his talents, his skill and his ambition. The physician’s power is especially his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to this knowledge by close study and earnest application, and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain the highest … 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

Mosley, Robert Eugene – Obituary

Huntington, Oregon Robert Eugene Mosley, 53, of Huntington, died Aug. 13, 2004, at his home. His memorial service will be scheduled later. Robert Eugene was born on Nov. 17, 1950, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Robert Joseph and Lois Pearl Sells Mosley. When Robert was only 18 months old, his family moved from Missouri to Oregon. He attended school at Lebanon, and graduated from high school at Powers. Bob meet Jody Brotton at Powers. The couple were married in 1970 at Lebanon. Soon after their marriage, Bob joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in California. Robert’s first son, … Read more

Bilyeu, Laura Edith Lee – Obituary

Bilyeu, Laura Edith Lee Linn Co., OR Funeral services for Laura Bilyeu, 91, of 350 S. Eighth St., who died Sunday [July 25, 1976] at Lebanon Community Hospital after a long illness, were held today at Scio Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with Rev. Gerald Manley officiating. Burial followed at Franklin Butte Cemetery. Fisher Funeral Home of Albany was in charge of the arrangements. She was born June 7, 1885 in St. Charles, Iowa and had lived most of her life in Scio. She married Edie Bilyeu on Aug. 25, 1906 in Albany. He died in 1962. Survivors include a … 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

Biography of Hon. L. M. Ringer

HON. L.M. RINGER. – There is moral earnestness about a man who is able to hold his own convictions in the face of his neighbors and friends. We find such a man in Mr. Ringer. Born June 17, 1834, in Washington County, Maryland, he moved as a child to Amherst County, Virginia, there receiving his education, but later making his home in Stoddard  County, Missouri, engaging in the mercantile business. When the war broke out in 1861, that community was strongly for secession. Mr. Ringer was obliged either to enter the rebel army or to leave. He chose the latter … Read more

Biography of Hugh L. Brown

HUGH L. BROWN. – There is usually something distinctive and characteristic about one who leaves the impress of his name upon any region or locality. This we find to be the case with reference to the pioneer whose name appears above, and for whom was named the well-known city of Brownsville. Hugh Leeper Brown was born in Knox county, Tennessee, January 24, 1810. He lived in Knox county until 1838, when with his little family, then consisting of his wife and three children, he emigrated to Missouri, settling in Platte county. He remained there until the spring of 1846, when … Read more

Leep, Frances Williams Mrs. – Obituary

Frances W. Leep, 87, of Baker City, died Jan. 16, 2005, at her home. Memorial services for Mrs. Leep will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Baker City Christian Church. Pastor Roger Scovil and Mr. Jack Pittman of the church will officiate. Mrs. Leep was born in King City, Mo., on July 11, 1917, to Nelson Oscar and Clara Belle (Keeney) Williams. She moved to Oregon with her family at the age of 14 and settled in Eugene, where her father was a pastor and her mother taught school. She attended schools in the Eugene area and graduated … Read more

Jewell, Marie Mildred Bilyeu – Obituary

A funeral for Marie Mildred Jewell will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Skyline Funeral Home. Burial will be in Skyline Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Jewell died of pneumonia Saturday in a Portland hospital. She was 66. Born Dec. 30, 1925 in Silverton, she was raised and attended school in Lebanon. Her maiden name was Bilyeu. She married Ray Evan Jewell on June 20, 1943. Mrs. Jewell worked for the Milwaukee Box Factory for several years and was employed at a gift shop at Union Station for about five years until 1970. She then operated the utility pay … Read more

Courtney, Alva

Alva Courtney, 90, of Sweet Home, died Feb. 14, 2005. A graveside service was held today at the North Powder Cemetery. Workman & Steckley Funeral Chapel of Sweet Home handled the arrangements. Alva was born Dec. 10, 1914, in Anadarko, Okla., to Joseph and Myrtle English Courtney. He married Pauline Coates on Aug. 7, 1937, in Haines. She preceded him in death in 1972. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. Alva is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Juanita and Nick Hutchins of Sweet Home; two grandsons, Jeff Hutchins and his wife, Sally, of Lebanon and … Read more

Montgomery, James M. – Obituary

Following a brief illness J. M. Montgomery, one of Kittitas Valley’s oldest residents died at the Ellensburg General Hospital Friday afternoon [October 29, 1937]. Mr. Montgomery was born at Scio, Linn County, Oregon, June 30, 1852. Until 1881 he lived with his family in Salinas, Calif., when he moved to Kittitas County where he lived the remainder of his 56 years. Besides owning a farm in the Broadview District where he has made a home since 1881 he operated a freighting line from various supply points until the railroad was built into this section in 1886. He is survived by … 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

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

Bilyeu, Edith L. Luckenbach – Obituary

A message from Scio yesterday told the death there of Mrs. Bert Bilyeu [February 17, 1908], niece of Mr. Mart Bilyeu of this city. Young woman 26 years of age. She leaves a husband and two children. [Daughter of Eli Luckenbach and Sarah Hopkins. Interment Franklin Butte Cemetery] Albany Democrat Herald, February 21, 1908 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Bilyeu, Hannah Jane Wassom – Obituary

Surrounded by sorrowing relatives and friends and of which there were a large number, and encased in a beautiful casket, all that is mortal of the late Mrs. Hannah J. Bilyeu was placed beside the husband of her youth, the late John M. Bilyeu, in Franklin Butte Cemetery, last Tuesday afternoon. The funeral cortege arrived from Lebanon to the cemetery shortly after 1 p.m., where a large number of relatives and friends from this city and vicinity had already arrived. After some little delay, caused by the non-arrival of Wm. Bilyeu, a son and his family from Jefferson, Rev. Baker, … 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

Fish, C. A. Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. C.A. Fish Answers Call Mrs. C.A. Fisk died at La Grande last Thursday, Feb. 28. Services were held Sunday afternoon from the Booth chapel with Rev. Howard Stover officiating. Nellie May Marks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Marks, was born at Sweet Home, Oregon, on March 29, 1879. When she was 11 years of age she came with her parents to Wallowa County, the family locating on the Imnaha River. She continued to live in Wallowa county most of her life. On Dec. 30, 1902, she was united in marriage to C. A. Fisk. … Read more

Biography of Winslow P. Powers

Deceased. – While it is the province of our volume to give mention of the leading citizens of Wallowa county, it also comes within the purview of the work to grant to such as the noble and esteemed citizen, whose name appears above, a memoir, and it is with especial delight that we are privileged to do so at this time, since he was one of the builders of the county, and one who held in becoming manner the position of leader for many years, being eminently fitted for that capacity, both by marked capabilities, great energy and force of … Read more

Sherod, Tony – Obituary

Services Held For Tony Sherod Wallowa, Oregon Funeral services were held at Albany November 21 for Tony L. Sherod, 74. He was reard in Wallowa County and formerly owned the Gerald Gelsinger place in middle valley. He had been bedfast for the past month. He leaves his wife, Laura Heskett Sherod, two sons, Vincent, of Blodgett, Ore. and Willie of Lebanon. His brother, Earl H. Sherod went down from here to attend the funeral. Wallowa County Chieftain, Thursday, 26 November 1953, Page 1 Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sherod attended the funeral services on November 21st of his brother Tony Sherod … Read more