Los Angeles County CA

Lawson, Lela E. McCready Mrs. – Obituary

Lela e. McCready Lawson, 93, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 24, 2005, at Ventura, Calif., after a long illness. Her graveside service will be Thursday at Santa Maria, Calif. Lela was born on Nov. 7, 1911, in Weskan, Kan. At the age of 18 months, she traveled by covered wagon with her mother, Edna, grandparents, Samuel and Mattie McCartney, and her Aunt Dorothy, age 6, from Weskan, Kan., to Baker City. A year later, the family moved to Delta, Colo., where Lela received her schooling. She married her life’s companion, Carl Lawson, on Aug. 19, 1929, in Delta. … Read more

Jose D. “Joe” Zamora – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jose D. “Joe” Zamora 72, of Baker City died Sept. 23, 2001, at the Veterans Nursing Home in Boise. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. Vault interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with military rites accorded by Baker City Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3048. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral home. Mr. Zamora was born Dec. 24, 1928, at Morrell, Neb., a son of Horacio and Fidela Moya Zamora. He was … 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.

Walton, Dorothy Louise – Obituary

Dorothy Louise Walton, 87, of Island City, died March 21. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Island City Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Dorothy was born Feb. 21, 1921, to Byron Howard and Vashti Ester (Piersol) Haynes in Sterling, Colo. She grew up in Colorado, and through various circumstances went to live in Arkansas for a time, which is where she met and married her husband, Ray Walton. The couple married in 1939 and had their first son, Lee, in 1940. In 1942, they moved to California and settled … Read more

Chitwood, Lawrence Allan – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lawrence Allan Chitwood, 65, of Bend and formerly of La Grande, died unexpectedly of natural causes Jan. 4 while hiking up Pilot Butte. Memorial services are being planned. Visit www.LarryChitwoodMemorial.notlong.com for details. Larry Chitwood was born Aug. 4, 1942, to Paul H. and Ruth O. Chitwood in Los Angeles. He spent his childhood in Mount Shasta, Calif., and completed high school in Klamath Falls. His early interests included music, astronomy, electronics and mechanics. He earned degrees in music and education from Whitman College in Walla Walla. While attending Whitman, he met Karen Bergstrom of Yakima, and they … Read more

Creel, Linda Carol – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Linda Carol Creel, 66, died April 9 at her home in La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. Mrs. Creel was born Aug. 6, 1940, to Harry and Audra Elizabeth (Edwards) Monroe in Rawlins, Wyo. On July 18, 1959, she married Charles F. Creel in Los Angeles, Calif. In 1967 they moved to La Grande from Evanston, Wyo. She was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated her life to her family. Survivors include her husband, Charles Creel; children, Melinda, Janet, Wade, Carol and … Read more

Bacon, Harold – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Graveside services for Harold G. Bacon who passed away at Granada Hills, Calif., on Sunday, June 29, 1975 are being conducted today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. by the Bollman Funeral Home in the Enterprise Cemetery with BPOE Lodge officiating. Harold was born May 22, 1931 at Enterprise, son of Tom and Agnes Bacon. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Navy. On Sept. 11, 1995 he was married at Enterprise to Joyce Davis. He was employed in refrigeration and air conditioning. He was a member of BPOE 2148 of Milton Freewater. Survivors … Read more

Kinnison, Joseph P. – Obituary

Baker Pioneer Dies At Long Beach, California. Built the First Cabin in Baker County on Site of the John Steiger Farm, Wingville Joseph P. Kinnison one of the earliest settlers of the Powder River valley died at his home in Long Beach, California, after a long illness caused by paralysis. Mr. Kinnison was well known in this part of the country having built the first cabin in Baker County on the site of the John Steiger farm at Wingville and residing in this community many years. He was born in Missouri and was 83 years of age at the time … Read more

Leake, Minnie Morrow – Obituary

Final rites were held in Shelton Saturday for Mrs. Minnie Leake, 79, pioneer daughter of Mason county, who died last week [October 7, 1947] at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Madge Haig, in Altadena , Calif. Her husband, Charles Leake, of the pioneer Thomas Webb family, who died in 1946, was employed for 30 years by the Merrill & Ring company, loggers, and the couple lived in Seattle. Deceased was a granddaughter of William M. Morrow, who brought his family from Iowa in 1854 and located at Oakland on a donation claim, the year after David Shelton settled in … Read more

Biography of William Waddell Duke, M.D.

Dr. William Waddell Duke, physician of Kansas City, was born in Lexington, Missouri, a son of Henry Buford and Susan (Waddell) Duke, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter of Lexington, Missouri. The father, now retired, was a manufacturer of farm implements and harness of the firm of Buford & George Manufacturing Company. Dr. Duke attended the Kansas City schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. He next entered Yale University and gained his Ph. B. degree in 1904, while in 1908 Johns Hopkins University conferred upon him the M. D. degree, … 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

Biography of Jacob Polhemus

Jacob Polhemus, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Colton, who located in that thriving city when the only buildings in the place were a saloon and eating-house, and the Pioneer Lumber Yard office. This was in 1875. He was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and was employed in the erection of the pioneer buildings of Colton. He built the first store opened in the town for Hathaway & Davenport, and many other well-known old-time buildings. In 1877 Mr. Polhemus purchased lots on the corner of Eighth and I streets and built his residence and shop upon them. This … Read more

Vedder, Weldon Jack – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Weldon Jack Vedder Weldon Jack Vedder, 72, of Torrance, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 26, 2006, of complications after vascular surgery. Mr. Vedder, known as Jack, was born Dec. 5, 1933, in La Grande. He served in the Air Force then returned to La Grande and earned an undergraduate and a master’s degree from what is now known as Eastern Oregon University. He later received a graduate degree in mathematics education from U.C. Santa Barbara. Mr. Vedder moved to Manhattan Beach, Calif., in 1964. He taught at Lennox High School in Lawndale for 12 … Read more

Deering, D. Y. K. Dr. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Dr. D. Y. K. Deering, an old-time resident of Union, well and favorably known in Union and Baker counties, died at Long Beach, California, March 18, 1927. His funeral was held March 20, interment was in the Long Beach cemetery. Dr. Deering was one time Sheriff of Union county, and a prominent figure in eastern Oregon politics. He also owned a big bunch of livestock-mostly horses, and took an interest in racing. Contributed by: Larry Rader

Biography of Henry Babel

Henry Babel, deceased, formerly proprietor of the celebrated springs which bear his name, and which are now the property of his widow, was born near Hanover, Germany, on August 2, 1826. In 1845 he immigrated with his parents to America, and settled in Lebanon, Illinois, where his father and mother both died within a year. After their decease Henry went to St. Louis, Missouri, and on October 8, 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Holadway, a native of Tennessee, a descendant of Scotch ancestry on her father’s side, and English on her mother’s. Early in May, 1850, Mr. Babel and his … Read more

Watkins, Clara Elizabeth Henry Mrs. – Obituary

Clara Elizabeth Watkins, 83, of Haines, died Dec. 16, 2001, at Serenity Farm Adult Foster Home. Her funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Tony Brandon of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will officiate. Visitations will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Watkins was born on Feb. 19, 1918, at Plaza, N.D. She was a daughter of Ben and Isabal Hutchinson Henry. She was raised and received her schooling at Plaza. During the summer, she went to work on various farms to help pay for … Read more

Duncan, Clifford L. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Clifford L. Duncan, 70, of Baker City, died Oct. 14, 2004, at his home surrounded by his family. At his request, his body was cremated and there will be no funeral or memorial service. Clifford was born on Aug. 20, 1934, at San Diego. He graduated from high school at El Monte, Calif. He moved to Baker City in 1970 to ranch with his brother, Floyd Duncan. Clifford retired as a diesel mechanic from Triple C Redi Mix in August 2004. He loved his work and loved fixing things. Clifford loved his family dearly and was always … Read more

Biography of Alexander McCrary

Alexander McCrary was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1825, son of Alexander and Mary (Summers) McCrary. His father was a native of South Carolina and his mother of Kentucky. Mr. McCrary spent his youth upon a farm, receiving such an education as the common schools afforded and was early inured to the hard labor of pioneer farming. His natural mechanical tastes and ideas prompted his taking up a trade, and at the age of twenty-one years he started out in life as a carpenter, and later as a bridge builder and millwright. In 1856 he moved to Iowa and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Winthrop Gould

Gould, Charles Winthrop; life insurance; born, Worcester, Mass., July 7, 1866; son of Henry and Sarah W. Howland Gould; educated, Boston, and Lynn, Mass., public schools; married, Los Angeles, Cal., June 1, 1896, Cora Lee Holcomb; continuously engaged in the life insurance business since 1882; at the age of 16, entered the office of the Massachusetts Life Insurance Co. at Boston; in 1892, appointed special agent of the vice president’s department of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co.; in 1909, formed partnership with Major Frank A. Kendall & Son, representing the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Cleveland; member Chamber … Read more

Biography of Carl Aaron Swensson, Rev. Dr.

Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson was the founder and chief upbuilder of Bethany College, the institution around which cluster the best and most noteworthy distinctions of Lindsborg as a community and from which have gone influences that now permeate and give character to many localities through the useful men and women educated there. In an important degree Bethany College is a monnment to the late Doctor Swensson, and to a nobler one few men could aspire. He was born at Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1857, a son of Jonas and Maria (Blixt) Swensson. His parents came to America in … Read more