Whitnah, Calvin Hugh – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Calvin H. Whitnah, 70, of Richland, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Halfway. A vault interment will follow at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. A reception will take place at the New Bridge Grange. The Observer – August 12, 2008 _______________________________ Calvin Hugh Whitnah, 70, of Richland and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 10 at his home. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the LDS Chapel in Halfway, with a viewing to … Read more

Landweer, Vada Adelle Graves Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Vada Adelle Landweer, 57, died Sept. 25, 2004, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. There will be a celebration of her life at 3 p.m. (MDT) Friday at Bucky’s Cafe in Cambridge, Idaho. Vada was born on Oct. 13, 1946, at Baker City. She was raised at Sparta and attended the Sawmill Gulch school and Eagle Valley High School at Richland. She attended her last year of high school at Vale, where she graduated. During her life, she lived in Prairie City, and then moved to Richland. Her last years were near the Cambridge, Idaho, … Read more

Curtis, Emma Irene – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Emma Irene Curtis, of Vale and formerly of Enterprise, died June 4, 2007, at an Ontario Care Center. She was 95. Mrs. Curtis was born Dec. 28, 1911, in Lenox, Iowa to Willis Marion and Ella Inez Wolfinger Davis. She received her schooling in Coffeyville, Kansas. On March 10, 1935 she married Paul Wayne Curtis in Coffeyville. In 1943, the couple moved from the Midwest to Richland, Wash., where her husband was employed as an electrician on the construction of the Hanford Nuclear Plant. In 1948, they moved to Enterprise where Mr. Curtis opened a Radio and TV … Read more

Grove, Thomas, Mackey – Obituary

Thomas Mackey Grove, 78, of Ontario, died Jan. 24, 2007, at his home. A private family viewing will take place Saturday from 2 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ontario Lienkaemper Chapel. Following the viewing, friends may attend a luncheon at the home of Kerri and Doug Deardorff, 310 N. Utah, Fruitland, Idaho. A private family memorial will be held in Powers, Ore., on Aug. 19, 2007. Thomas was born May 17, 1928, in Myrtle Point, the son of Frank and Mary Grove. He was raised in Powers until he moved to Ontario with his parents, five sisters and two … 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

Pioneer Days in Malheur County

Exterior Court of Old Fort Hall

“Pioneer Days in Malheur County” by Jacob Ray Gregg is a comprehensive historical account that seeks to perpetuate the memory of prominent pioneers and preserve an authentic history of Malheur County, Oregon. This privately printed volume, published in 1950 by L. L. Morrison in Los Angeles, spans 442 pages and provides a broad narrative of the region’s history, covering significant events and developments from the mid-19th century onwards. Key locations discussed include Ontario, Vale, Nyssa, Westfall, Harper, Juntura, Ironside, Brogan, and Jamieson. The work also delves into critical historical topics such as the Bannock War and the Overland Trail, alongside accounts of early pioneer life.

Biographical Sketch of George A. Hickey

This successful and intelligent stockman resides one-fourth of a mile from Juntura and in company with M. A. Masterson owns a fine quarter of land which they devote to raising hay for cattle of which they have one hundred head, besides other stock. In his walk Mr. Hickey has been up-right, capable, and always on the side of movements and issues which make for advancement and development of the country, being a capable albs worthy man. George A. was born in Arkansas, on March 18, 1864, and there received his education and grew to manhood. It was when he had … Read more

Andrew, Wilma LaRee “Babe” Hickey White Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Wilma LaRee “Babe” White Andrew, 80, of Baker City, died July 7, 2004, at her home. Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. The grave site will be dedicated by Bob Brady of Baker City. Babe was born on Oct. 9, 1923, to William Thomas Hickey and Emile Cole Hickey on the family farm near Ontario where she grew up with 11 brothers and sisters. She married Jack White on June 22, 1939. They made their home in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elbert H. Clinton

Deceased It is true that the worthy pioneers whose familiar figures were seen among us so many years are now one by one passing from these scenes to the rewards of another world and it is eminently proper that such as the subject of this article should be granted a memorial in the volume that chronicles the history of the County where he labored and endured, manifesting always these pleasant virtues and principles that characterize the true and typical man. Elbert H. Clinton was born in New York, in 1834, and ten years later his father’s family came to Wisconsin, … Read more

Bradford, Steven Ray – Obituary

Steven Ray Bradford, 53, of Unity, died March 28, 2005. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Burnt River Community Church at Unity. Pastor Bill Cox of McEwen Bible Fellowship will officiate. The graveside service will be at Unity Cemetery. There will be a potluck dinner at a location to be announced later. He was born on March 15, 1952, at Ontario to Elbert and Donna Koontz Bradford. He lived at Unity all of his 53 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting with his family and friends. In the last few years he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John S. Edwards

The subject of this article is one of Malheur’s foremost men in the realm of stock raising and agricultural pursuits, which are the wealth of our County, and he has labored in the section since an early day, having the distinction of being one of the first pioneers and real builders of the County. John S. was born near Oskaloosa. Iowa, on November 25, 1849, being the son of Thomas D. and Barbara E. (Rinehart) Edwards. In 1854 the parents came with ox teams in a large train to Lane County, Oregon, passing through the territory of what is now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Davis

This worthy pioneer and capable citizen of Malheur County is one of the well known farmers of the vicinity of Ontario, having a farm of eighty acres two and one-half miles northwest from Ontario which is well improved with comfortable buildings, orchards, etc., having also a good supply of water for irrigating. Mr. Davis is a native of Douglas County, Nebraska, being born on November 23, 1855, and the son of Charles B. and Jane (Platt) Davis. The father was a veteran of the Mexican war, participating in many battles and skirmishes and, being honorably discharged at its close. He … Read more

Ryder, Jack Hughes – Obituary

Sumpter, Oregon Jack Hughes Ryder, 70, of Sumpter, died July 15, 2002, at his home. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Bill Cox of the McEwen Bible Fellowship will officiate. Burial will be at the Blue Mountain Memorial Garden at Walla Walla, Wash. Jack was born on July 3, 1932, at Baker City to William Horace Ryder and Helen Rose Hughes Ryder. He graduated from Baker High School and went on to attend Oregon State University at Corvallis for three years. Jack served his country in the … Read more

James, Mary Ann Mahoney Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Ann James, 60, a former Baker City resident, died June 26, 2005, at the Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. Her graveside funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hermiston Cemetery. She was born on Dec. 14, 1944, at Nyssa to John Edward and Lucile N. Stephens Mahoney. She was raised at Nyssa and later at Baker City. She was a 1963 Baker High School graduate. Mary married Leo James on June 8, 1963, at Huntington. They lived there until 1968 when they moved to the Hermiston area where they had lived since. She worked as a … Read more

Foster, (Son) – Obituary

A Sad Affliction Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Foster, living at Sanger, sent their two children a girl about 10 years and a boy about 7 yeras of age to live with their grandmother at Ontariio, for the purpose of going to school. On Saturday the children were at Washo in Idaho, and the boy was out playing with two others about the same age and in the evening he was missing. Inquiring of the other two boys of his whereabouts, they said they did not know but supposed he had got lost in a field where they had gone to … Read more

Lofton, Bruce Martin – Obituary

Summerville, Oregon Bruce Martin Lofton, 63, of Huntington and formerly of Summerville, La Grande and Union, died Feb. 20. A funeral service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Huntington. Bruce was born June 1, 1943, to Carlos and Dorothy Lofton in Ontario. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was retired from the Union Pacific Railroad. Survivors include his sister, Frances; daughters, Wendy, Sheila and Lena; son, Kelley; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Mar. 3, 2007 Published: March 3, 2007

Diaz, Amelia Garcia – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Amelia Garcia Diaz, 80, of Ontario and formerly of La Grande, died Saturday, Aug. 19. Viewing will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and a recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A Resurrection Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest East Cemetery. Mrs. Diaz was born Sept. 29, 1925, to Rolando and Maria Gonzalez Garcia in Carrizo Springs, Texas. She married Antonio Sandoval who died earlier. Following his death she married Valdemar Diaz on Feb. 11, … Read more

Malone, Mary Jane – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Mary Jane Malone, 82, of Vale, a former longtime Richland resident, died Dec. 22, 2003, at Pioneer Place in Vale. Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Vale. Interment will be at Valley View Cemetery in Vale. Mary Jane was born March 3, 1921, at Richland to Joseph and Rebecca McPartland. She married Alfred Malone on Sept. 29, 1939. They lived at Richland until 1961 when they moved to Vale. Mary Jane worked many years at Becker’s Market. After working she enjoyed her volunteer service, square dancing and card … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. Mangin

The subject of this article is one of the oldest pioneers of Jordan Valley, a man of ability and worth. one who has wrought here with assiduity and sagacity since the early days, is now recognized as one of the prominent men of the County, has ever maintained an unsullied reputation and manifested a stanch character of uprightness and integrity, and in business circles has won a success that is a credit to any man, therefore he is deserving of a prominent posit don in the history of his County and it is with pleasure that we accord him such … Read more

Chapman, Mary Marie Mattingly Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Mary Marie Chapman, 88, of Baker City, died April 9, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her graveside service will be at 1 p.m. MDT Tuesday at Hilltop Cemetery in Nyssa. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. Mary was born on May 12, 1915, at Vale to Bud and Laura Rose Syme Mattingly. She was raised at Watson where she also attended school. She graduated from high school at Nyssa. She married Arthur A. Chapman on May 23, 1934. The couple lived at Huntington during World War II, where Mr. Chapman worked … Read more