Atkinson, Claude – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Mr. Claude Allan “Todd” Atkinson a former Baker City resident, passed away Jan. 7, 2005 at Pacific Palisades, Calif. A private graveside service and celebration of his life was held at Mount Hope cemetery on Jan. 21, 2005, with the Rev. Lennie Spooner officiating. Todd was laid to rest near his father who died when he was just a young boy. Todd was born on Nov. 20, 1917, to Florence Goodman Atkinson and Claude Monroe Atkinson in Cutbank, Mont. The family moved to Baker shortly thereafter. After his father’s death his mother married Jesse Sutherland … Read more

Delphine Todd Colby of Los Angeles CA

COLBY, Delphine Todd9, (Theodore C.8, Ora B.7, Bela6, Caleb5, Gideon4, Gideon3, Michael2, Christopher1) died about 1912, Married Frank Colby. Mrs. Colby was teacher of Pipe Organ and Piano and a popular soloist in Los Angeles, Calif. She had an exceedingly fine voice and taught voice culture. She was the musical critic for the Los Angeles Times and other Los Angeles papers. Child: I. Harvey, b., about 1904.

Sullens, Wilbert L. “Will” – Obituary

Wilbert “Will” L. Sullens, 79, of Medical Springs, died April 4, 2005, at his home. His memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Dale Bingham will conduct the services. Everyone is invited to a finger-food potluck reception at the VFW Hall, 2005 Valley Ave., immediately following the service. Will was born Nov. 3, 1925, in Prairie City to Russell and Madeleine (Barlow) Sullens. He was raised and received his education in Prairie City. In 1943, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, attending flight school in Santa Ana, Calif. He was honorably … Read more

Biography of William C. Carlton

This worthy gentleman is one of the substantial citizens of Malheur County and one of the thrifty stock men and farmers of the vicinity of Rockville, his estate of two hundred and twenty acres of good land lying seven miles west from that place. Mr. Carlton was born in Maine in 1834, being the son of Amos and Mary Carlton. He received his education from the County in the schools of his native state and there remained – until 1854 when he came via Panama to San Francisco, and thence to Indian valley in Sierra County, where he at once … Read more

Lanegan, Lisa Lynn Simpson – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lisa Lynn Simpson Collis Lanegan, 40, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande and Baker City, died suddenly Aug. 18 in Vancouver. The cause of death has not been determined. No services have been scheduled. A family gathering will held at a later date to celebrate her life. Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home in Kelso, Wash., is handling arrangements. Lisa was born March 18, 1966, in San Gabriel, Calif. She attended junior high and high school in Baker but graduated from high school in California. As a certified nurse assistant she worked as a caregiver much of her … Read more

Messenger, Katherine – Obituary

The following clipping is from a California paper, relating particulars of the recent death of a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Messenger, formerly of Union, and will interest some of the older residents of this place: Instant death overtook 8-year-old Katherine Messenger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Messenger of Burbank, when an automobile in which she and her father were driving up the Mt. Wilson road backed of the grade at 11;30 a.m. yesterday and fell 350 feet into the gorge below. Mr. Messenger was thrown clear of the car. He suffered severely from nerve shock after the … Read more

Copley, Melvin – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Melvin Copley, 89, a longtime Baker City resident, died July 7, 2003, at his home. It was Melvin’s wish to be cremated and not have any service. The family will have a celebration of his life at the ranch on July 19. He was born on May 19, 1914, in Staples, Minn., to Hugh and Arva Copley. The family moved to California when Melvin was 7. He received his education and spent his early years around the Los Angeles area, where he learned boxing, baseball and race car driving. Over the years, he worked as a roofer, … Read more

History of Sierra Madre California

Central School between 1887 and 1906

The *Annals of Early Sierra Madre* by Edith Blumer Bowen, published in 1950 by the Sierra Madre Historical Society, offers a vivid account of the early history of Sierra Madre, California. This volume serves as a vital record of the community’s development, drawn from the personal experiences and narratives of those who lived through the events described. This historical compilation focuses on various aspects of Sierra Madre’s past, including its founding, significant local figures, and the establishment of institutions such as churches and schools. The work also delves into the biographies of prominent families and individuals, detailing their contributions to the growth and character of the town.

Biography of James Boyd

James Boyd, a pioneer of Riverside, came to the colony in 1872, all his worldly goods consisting of a farm team of four horses, four cows, a lot of chickens and a few household effects, and eight dollars in cash; but he had a reserve capital of health, energy, intelligence, and a determination to succeed. He secured a squatter’s claim to seventy-three acres of Iand about two miles north of Riverside, and later an adjoining tract of eighty acres, upon which he camped with his family, his only shelter being a shanty 10 x 10, devoid of protection from the … Read more

Scott, Peter “Pete” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Peter “Pete” Scott, 57, of Baker City, died March 18, 2003, at his home. He will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery; services will be announced at a later date. Peter was born in upstate New York on Aug. 13, 1945, and was the oldest of two children. While attending college studying engineering, he met Gunilla and soon after they were married. They lived in Los Angeles, New York, Sweden and Klamath Falls, before settling down in Baker City. Pete and his family left Klamath Falls in the fall of 1979 with the intention to … Read more

Clegg, William N. “Bill” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon William N. “Bill” Clegg, 85, a longtime Baker City resident died June 6, 2003, at his home. His graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the Coles Funeral Home. Mr. Clegg was born Aug. 25, 1917, at La Grande. He was a son of Elmo and Aurelia Nibley Clegg. He went through his junior year attending school at La Grande and graduated from Baker High School the next year. In 1937, he married Katherine … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. F. Clarke

A. F. Clarke, of the firm of Clarke Brothers, proprietors of the Ontario Record, is a printer by trade, and to him is due much of the credit which has been gained by that journal for its typo-graphical beauty and neatness. He is a native of Maine, in which state he received his education and learned his trade. He came to California in 1883 and located at Pasadena, where he was connected with the Pasadena Union. In December 1885, he located at Ontario and assisted in establishing the Record. He is fully identified with Ontario and its progress and is … Read more

Christopher, Myrtle Geneva – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Myrtle Geneva Christopher, 88, of La Grande, died Aug. 14 at a local care center. At her request there will be no public services. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements. Myrtle was born on Nov. 15, 1918, to Jasper and America Selby in Comanche, Okla. She began school in Oklahoma and finished in Los Angeles. She worked for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, Calif., as an inspector until her retirement. On July 21, 1956, she married Gordon Woodrow Christopher. After her retirement, the couple spent much of their time in Kingman, Ariz. She … Read more

Brookshier, George Eugene – Obituary

Union, Oregon George Eugene Brookshier, 71, of Union died Nov. 27 at his home. A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. There will be viewings before the service, beginning at 9 a.m., and after the service. Mr. Brookshier was born Dec. 8, 1934, to George Earl and Blanche Brookshier in Ottawa, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Iowa. After graduating from high school, he became a tool fabricator in the manufacturing business. He married Ethel Kassebaum in Bell, Calif., on Jan. 10, 1958, and the couple had four children. He was a member … Read more

Fisher, Kenneth W. – Obituary

Kenneth W. Fisher Buried In Haines Kenneth William Fisher, 45, 2730 First St. died March 21 at his home. Mr. Fisher was born in Haines April 15, 1912. He had been a rancher in the Haines area and had also been in the tractor business in Baker. Before that time he had lived in California where he spent four years with the forest service. He had attended Baker county schools and graduated from Belmont high school in Los Angeles. He was married to Rose Siejak in Los Angeles May 8, 1932. Mr. Fisher was a member of Elks Lodge No. … Read more

White, Bertha May Weeks Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Bertha May Weeks White, 99, a former Baker City resident, died March 4, 2006. Her funeral, with full military honors, is scheduled at Riverside National Cemetery at Riverside County, Calif., in April. Mrs. White was born on Sept. 27, 1906, at Baker City. She and her daughter, Marjorie, moved to Los Angeles in 1930. In 1943, her patriotism and strong sense of duty and determination led her to join the Women’s Army Corps. As she rose through the military ranks, she received numerous medals and commendations. Her tours of duty included occupied German and Japan … Read more

Stevens, Ova Belle Anderson Mrs. – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Ova Belle Stevens, 90, of Richland, died Jan. 11, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Richland Christian Church. Pastor Gordon Bond will officiate. Visitations will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego. Ova Belle was born to James M. and Eva L. Anderson on Dec. 20, 1913, at Carnegie, Okla. She attended school and was raised in Caddo … Read more

Easley, Carlos Eugene – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Carlos Eugene Easley, 91, of La Grande, died May 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. Carlos was born April 7, 1917, the sixth of eight children, to George Woodson and Della Jeanette (Whitton) Easley in Chillicothe, Texas. He spent his early years in Texas, and then the family moved to Southern California where he attended schools in Baldwin Park and West Covina. One of his earliest memories is of a house fire that … Read more

Derksen, Helen Mae Martin Mrs. – Obituary

Helen Mae Derksen, 93, a resident of the Baker City area for the past six years, died Jan. 13, 2006, at Pendleton, where she was living temporarily. Her memorial service was today at the New Bridge Church of the Nazarene near Richland, where she had attended regularly for the past three years. Her cremains will be buried later with her husband at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Mrs. Derksen was born on Nov. 17, 1912, in Dayton, Ohio, to George and Louise McClelland Martin. She was educated in Ohio and graduated from Davis Business College there. She also graduated … Read more