Mason County WA

Morrow, Vandeveer Perry – Obituary

Vandeveer Perry Morrow, one of the oldest of the Mason County pioneers, was found dead in bed, in his house at Shelton Pont, where he has been living alone for several years past [April 23, 1901]. His absence was not noticed until Thursday morning when neighbors went to the door and found that he had passed away some time previously. For several months past he has been in poor health but was able to be about as usual and work at light work. The remains were taken in charge by undertaker Willey, and the funeral will be held Friday afternoon. … Read more

Biography of M. J. Morlan

M.J. MORLAN. – This prominent citizen of The Dalles was born in Lake County, Ohio, in 1835. In 1846 he moved to La Salle County, Illinois. In that state his parents were successful in securing good land and in improving their farms; and this was the home of our subject until he attained his majority. With a somewhat limited education, but with abundance of muscle and determination, he began life for himself working as a hired hand on his father’s farm, and saving nearly all his earnings. His innate ambition and desire to reach the higher walks of life induced … Read more

McCully, Frank M. – Obituary

Death calls F. M. M’Cully, Passes away after a sinking spell yesterday morning Funeral Thursday Frank M. McCully, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, died at 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning…underwent an operation for removal of gall stones about ten days ago. The operation was successful but his condition was so enfeebled by the progress of the disease attended by kidney trouble of a similar nature that he failed to rally and rapidly became worse. Saturday and Sunday death was fought off by the injection of saline solution but on Monday he rallied perceptibly and strong hope of his ultimate recovery … Read more

Leid, Anna Emma Penner Bernhardt Hansen – Obituary

Former Dayton resident Anna Emma Leid, 96, died November 18, 1993 at Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center. The graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the family plot in Dayton City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral home. Mrs. Leid was born February 6, 1897 in Tacoma to Henry and Emma Hagen Penner. She married James Hansen on October 8, 1924, they were later divorced. On October 20, 1936 she married Robert Leid. He died January 11, 1971. She lived for many years in Dayton; and the last … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur J. Taylor

ARTHUR J. TAYLOR. – The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears herein, was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 18th of August, 1857 When but two years of age his parents brought him to America, locating at Richmond, Virginia. Their residence there was but brief, as they soon removed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, perhaps anticipating the political troubles of the next few years. When but a boy of twelve, Arthur came West, upon his own responsibility, to the Red River of the North, where he lived until 1884. His next move, in April of that year, made him a … Read more

Conley, Rebecca S. Hooper – Obituary

Mrs. Geo. W. Conley Passes Rebecca S. Hooper was born near Baltimore, Maryland, May 25th, 1828, and died at Dayton, Wash., April 10th, 1920, at the age of nearly 92 years. With her husband, Geo. W. Conley, she came to Joseph in 1888 where he died in 1907. During this period of nearly twenty years they contributed largely to the development of the county and added materially to the social life of this community. Following the death of Mr. Conley she resided with a daughter Mrs. W.T. Mahon until last summer when she went to Dayton to make her home … Read more

Biography of Frederick D. Schnebly

FREDERICK D. SCHNEBLY – Our subject was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1832, and was educated in the Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1854 he started for California by way of Nicaragua. In passing up the Pacific, the steamer, Star of the West, on which he had taken passage, took fire; but the horrors of a burning ship tragedy were avoided by the timely and effective labors of the crew and passengers. After stopping for a time in San Francisco, he visited the Sandwich Islands, but, returning to the Golden state, spent two unsuccessful years in mining. … Read more

Biography of Rev. Cushing Eels, D. D.

REV. CUSHING EELS, D.D. – Dr. Eells was born at Blandford, Massachusetts, February 16, 1810, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warner) Eells. He was descended from Samuel Eells, who was a major in Cromwell’s army, and who came to America in 1661. Cushing Eells was brought up at Blandford, became a Christian when fifteen years old, prepared for college at Monson Academy, Massachusetts, entered Williams College in 1830, and graduated four years later. The distance from his home to college was forty-five miles. Twice he rode the entire distance, – when he entered and after he graduated, … Read more

McEwen, Catherine Chambers – Obituary

Near Oakland, Mason County, Oct 16, 1876 of heart disease, Mrs. Catherine McEwen, aged 87. Catherine was the daughter of William H. Chambers and Mary Ann Perry. She was married to the Rev. James McEwen. Catherine was the mother of John Hager McEwen. Her son John was a well-known pioneer of Oakland and Ellensburg. Catherine was buried in the Oakland Cemetery. The grave is no longer marked. A memorial headstone has been placed in the Shelton Memorial Cemetery.

Williams, Marjorie Ellen – Obituary

Marjorie E. (Ellen) Wood-Jaensch-Bowers-Strack-Williams Marjorie Ellen Williams, a 6-year resident of Bullhead City, AZ, died Wednesday June 12, 1996, in Bullhead City. AZ. Marjorie Ellen Wood was born to James Franklin Wood and Clara Lureene Womack on October 29, 1920 in Hermiston, Oregon. She was married to Charles Franklin Jaensch of Enterprise, Oregon in Dayton, Washington on January 14, 1939. They had two children, Gerald (Gary) Franklin Jaensch, and David (Dave) Michael Jaensch. Marjorie later married Lawrence Williams of Los Angeles, California. She is survived by her mother Clara L. Finstad of Port Lavaca, Texas, a sister, Lavonne Burgess of … Read more

Wyatt, Mary Melissa Birney – Obituary

Mrs. F. G. Wyatt, 76, well-known Kittitas resident, died at her home Monday night [August 15, 1938] after a short illness. Mrs. Wyatt was born January 23, 1862, at Jewitt, Illinois. She was married at Mt. Rose, Mo., February 16, 1881, to F. G. [Felix Grundy] Wyatt, they came West and settled at Shelton in 1886. They moved to the Kittitas Valley 35 years ago and had lived at Kittitas since 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1931. Mrs. Wyatt is survived by her widower; eight children, L. E. Wyatt and A. G. Wyatt of … Read more

Kirkland, Moses – Obituary

Died at the upper Skokomish, Aug. 7 [1892], Mr. Moses Kirkland aged about 89 years. He crossed the plains in ’54 and settled on White River, from which he was driven by the Indian War of 1855. In the spring of 1856 he went to California but returned in 1859 and settled on a part of what is now the Bird Farm on the Skokomish River. He afterward went to Clifton, then to the Chehalis River, near its mouth, and then came back and opened a ranch on the upper Skokomish which has been his home for about 15 years. … Read more

Bowman, Martha Elizabeth Carroll – Obituary

Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Carroll Bowman, wife of Walter S. Bowman died at her home, 918 Main Street last night [March 13, 1931] at 7:30 her death being caused by an illness resulting from a paralytic stroke which occurred a little over five years ago. She was born December 5, 1866 in Yamhill, Oregon, and came in the early part of her life to Dayton, Washington with her family, coming to Pendleton in the early nineties. On November 24, 1896, she was married to W. S. Bowman, they being the parents of one child, no longer living [Juanita Bowman]. Mrs. Bowman … Read more

Wilson, Raine Miller – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Raine (Will/Skeezix) Miller Wilson, 66, of The Dalles and formerly of La Grande, died June 4 at his home. A viewing and visitation will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. at Moiser Cemetery. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Raine was born Dec. 9, 1941, the youngest of five children to Elmer Craige Wilson and Lorraine Elizabeth (Miller) Wilson in Klamath Falls. He grew up in Klamath Falls and Shelton, Wash. He graduated from Madras High … Read more

Ferguson, John M. – Obituary

John M. Ferguson Pioneer Is Dead Well Known Local Farmer Was Born In This State 56 Years Ago Death claimed another Kittitas county farmer, when John M. Ferguson, one of the pioneer farmers of the valley passed away last Friday [April 22, 1927] at the age of 56. Besides his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson, Mr. Ferguson who was unmarried is survived by five sisters, Mrs. W. T. Montgomery; Mrs. G. P. Harris, Mrs. George Minielly, Mrs. T. J. Morrison, Mrs. O. N. Phelps; and three brothers, Jim, George, and Ben Ferguson, all living in the valley besides a large number … Read more

Getty, George C. – Obituary

George C. Getty, a resident of Shelton for 52 years, dropped dead at his home this morning [May 7, 1940], falling on the porch of his home while conversing with his wife as he started down town. He had worked the previous day and was in usual health, not complaining or speaking as he fell, and was pronounced dead when reached by a doctor called to the home. Funeral services will be held Friday at two o’clock from Witsiers Chapel. George Getty was born in Paris, Ontario, August 4, 1880, and was brought to Shelton by his parents, Mr. and … Read more

Paulson, Emil – Obituary

Mr. Paulson had been sick about a week before his illness became so severe that he was removed to Shelton Hospital Friday night death occurring there Saturday morning [April 20, 1940]. He leaves his son, Donald, associated with him in the business, a brother, Andrew, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and several brothers and sisters in Norway. He was born at Kristiansand, Norway, May 27, 1877. He came to the United States 46 years ago and has lived here since 1898. Mason County Journal, April 23, 1940 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Kirkland, William Moses – Obituary

Died in Shelton, Thursday, Jan. 22 [1891] of consumption, William M. Kirkland, aged 56 years. The deceased has been sick since August and steadily failing for a month past, staying in town for the doctor’s care. He leaves several brothers and his father, a hardy old gentleman of 86 years who resides on a farm on the Skokomish River. Aaron, a brother of the deceased, was called and was with him in his last moments. The funeral services were held in the church Friday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. J. E. Sanders, and the remains interred in the Shelton Cemetery. … Read more

Baxter, Rex D. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Rex D. Baxter, of Dayton, Wash. died Nov. 16, 2006. He was 55. Mr. Baxter was born Oct. 15, 1951. He graduated from Enterprise High School. He was employed as a Fishery Biologist and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla, Wash. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Emily, son Steven, mother Marjorie M. Baxter of Enterprise, brothers Greg Baxter of Bend, Gary Baxter of Troutdale and Terence Baxter of Walla Walla, Wash. plus other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at Dayton, Wash. on Nov. 25, 2006. Wallowa County … Read more

Enyart, Lora Gertrude Halley Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. E. B. Enyart passed away Friday evening, January 12, 1940, at the family home in Enterprise, about four hours after she had a stroke. She was active as usual thru the day and was preparing supper in the evening when she was taken ill, and sat down for relief. In a few minutes she became unconscious, and she passed away at about nine o’clock. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Booth chapel conducted by E. E. Callahan of the Christian church, and burial was in Enterprise cemetery. The pall bearers were Ben Tucker, … Read more