Biography of Mrs. Julia A. McCarver

MRS. JULIA A. McCARVER. – Julia A. McCoy was born November 19, 1825, in St. Charles county, Missouri. Her parents died before she was three years old; and she was brought up by her grandfather and grandmother. At an early age she was married to Garrett Buckalew, and thereafter lived in the State of Illinois until the spring of 1847, when, with her husband and two children, and the families of eighteen neighbors, she started across the plains for Oregon. At St. Joseph, Missouri, they joined a host of other emigrants, the combined party including ninety families, who continued their … Read more

History of Portland Oregon Commerce

History of Portland Oregon Commerce: Primitive Commerce – Commercial Operations of Hudson’s Bay Company – Trade Enterprises of Hall J. Kelley, Nathaniel J. Wyeth and Nathaniel Crosby – Period of Commercial Adventurers – Discovery of Gold and Its Effects on Commerce – Early Trade in Lumber – – Portland a Market for Oregon Produce – Early Sailing Vessels Which Visited Portland – Beginning of Steam Navigation – Character and Value of Portland’s Exports From 1855 to 1865 – Steamships running to Portland from 1864 to 1869 – Value of Portland’s Exports in 1866 and 1867 – Measures Which Secured Portland’s Commercial Independence – Growth of Foreign Commerce – Trade Statistics for 1870 – Period of Business Depression – Commercial Growth and Development During Recent Years – Present Character and Condition of Portland’s Commerce.

Biography of Charles Adolph Alisky

Charles Adolph Alisky was born near Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, October 6, 1840, and is a descendant of an old and highly honorable German family which for several generations has resided at or in the immediate vicinity of the place of his nativity. His father, William Alisky, was a native of Mayence, and early in life exhibited rare musical talent, at the age of seven years playing a flute solo at a concert in Mayence. His genius for music attracted the attention of the Grand Duke of Hessia under whose protection he was sent to the Conservatory of Music at Paris. Here … Read more

Puckett, Pauline – Obituary

Pauline G. Puckett, niece of the late T. T. Greer [Geer], 10th governor of Oregon, died Saturday in a hospital at age 76. Mrs. Puckett, who lived at 8655 NE Boehmer St., was born in Cove and lived in the Portland area for 26 years. She is survived by her husband Claude; two children, LaVerta (Pegge) Quiett of Lake Oswego and Winter [Winton] Puckett of Portland; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Caldwell’s Colonial Mortuary. Burial will be in Skyline Memorial Gardens. The family suggests remembrances be contributions to St. Mathew’s Church memorial … Read more

Baldwin, Phebe Jane Morrow – Obituary

Baldwin–July 18, Phebe of 6335 N. Haight, beloved mother of Mrs. Mildred Engeldinger, Mrs. George Anderson and Mrs. Grace Emmott, all of Portland. Services Monday, July 15, at 1 PM, at Killingsworth Funeral Home, 430 N. Killingsworth, Remains being forwarded to Tacoma, Wash., for interment. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Dawes Laurin T. – Obituary

Laurin T. Dawes, 70, died at his Fairview District ranch on Sunday [December 5, 1976]. He was born February 21, 1906 at Silverton, Ore. He came to Ellensburg from Portland in 1930. He was married to Edna Cooke in 1933 and was a carpenter for many years prior to moving to his ranch in 1945. He is survived by his wife Edna and one brother, Walter Dawes of Portland, Ore. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Evenson Chapel. The Rev. Don Meekhof will officiate. Entombment will follow at the IOOF Mausoleum. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of J. P. O. Lownsdale

There are few business men more favorably known in the metropolis of the Northwest than the gentleman of whom we write. His operations in real estate have been of the most reliable character, and the services that he has rendered the city in calling attention to her advantages have been very great. In his personal character he has maintained an integrity worthy, not only of the highest commendation, but of the imitation of young men. He was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, January 1st, 1830, the son of Daniel H. Lownsdale, the early owner of the central part of … Read more

Names and Character of Early Pacific Steamships

The first river steamboat in Oregon was the Columbia, built by General Adair, Captain Dan Frost and others, at Upper Astoria in 1850. She was a side-wheel boat, ninety feet in length, of about seventy-five tons burthen, capable of accommodating not to exceed twenty passengers, though I have known of her carrying on one trip over one hundred. Though small, her cost exceeded $25,000. Mechanics engaged in her construction were paid at the rate of sixteen dollars per day, and other laborers five to eight dollars, gold. She made her first trip in June, 1850, under the command of Capt. … Read more

History of Portland Manufacturing

History of Portland Manufacturing: Conditions Which Cause the Growth of Manufacturing at Portland – Character of Early Manufactures – Present Condition and Magnitude of Manufacturing Enterprises of Portland.

Present Development and Importance of Portland

From the foundation to the top of the fire wall it measured eighty-one feet and was three stories in height; the cost was fifty thousand dollars and the finish was elegant. This building was destroyed by fire in December, 1872. The Court House was finished in 1866. A correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletin, whose grace and humor of style as a newspaper writer would hardly betray his devotion to the knotty problems of applied law, writes of a view from the cupola of this building. After describing the scenery of the mountains and lands surrounding, he says: ” But … Read more

Simpson, Louis N. – Obituary

Louis N. Simpson Dies at Portland Enterprise, Oregon Word has been received at the death of Louis N. Simpson at Portland on January 5th. Mr. Simpson worked at Heacock’s jewelry store for a year and a half. He left for Portland on Nov. 1st, Mr. and Mrs. Simpson roomed at the Voget home while in Enterprise. We take the following from Saturday’s Oregon Journal. The funeral services of Louis N. Simpson who died at his home, 815 Kenworth Avenue, January 5, were conducted by the Rev. L.M. Christianson at the Finley chapel, Friday afternoon at 2:30. The body was cremated … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ezra Durand

Ezra Durand was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on March 8, 1833, and is the youngest of a family of thirteen sons and daughters of David and Betsey (Crowell), Durand. His father was a farmer and his early boyhood was passed on a farm. His opportunities for gaining an education were limited to a few winters at the district school. At an early age he left home and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained employment in a musical instrument factory. This was followed by similar work in a factory at Norwich, Connecticut. He seemed to have a natural … Read more

Gilkison, Marguerit C. Wirth Mrs. – Obituary

Medical Springs, Baker County, Oregon Marguerite C. Wirth Gilkison, 92, of Portland, died Jan. 13, 2006. There will be no service She was born on May 17, 1913, at Medical Springs. She was a homemaker and dressmaker and had lived in the Portland area for the past 12 years. Survivors include a son, Bernard Gilkison; sisters, Nona Duby and Connie Nelson; a brother, Gordon Wirth; and three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Pamela Demetriou, died in 1996. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 20, 2006 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

Crumley, Marvin Monroe – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Marvin Monroe Crumley, 76, of Elgin, died Aug. 4 on the Snake River near Huntington. A memorial will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. in Baker City. Viewing will run from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be at a later date at the Willamette National Cemetery. A reception will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at Marvin and Billie’s home after the memorial. Marvin was born May 25, 1931, to Virgil Monroe and Margaret Grasser Crumley in Princeton, Idaho. He was raised on a farm in Princeton. … Read more

Murry, Barbara June Nielsen – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Barbara June Nielsen Murry, 75, of La Grande and formerly of Pilot Rock, died Nov. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Daniels Chapel. Ms. Murry was born June 16, 1931, at Pilot Rock to Hans C. and Mable E. Galbreath Nielsen. Ms. Murry grew up on a ranch up East Birch Creek and attended schools in Pilot Rock to half her sophomore year until her parents … Read more

Gritner, Erma Marjorie Cadigan Wahner McKinney – Obituary

Private graveside service for Erma Marjorie Gritner, a Southeast Portland resident and former waitress, will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. She died Wednesday [August 21, 1985] in a Portland care center. She was 72. Mrs. Gritner was born and raised in Portland. During World War II she was a riveter for the Portland shipyards and later worked as a waitress at the Old Town Café. She was a member of Local No. 9 Waitress Union. Survivors include one daughter, Julie Wentland of Portland; a son, Eugene Paul Gritner of Williams Lake, B. C.; and nine grandchildren. … Read more

Biography of Benton Killin

Benton Killin, one of Portland’s prominent citizens, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on the 5th day of August, 1842. When only three years old his parents crossed the plains, and settled on the old homestead, on Butter Creek, Clackamas county, Oregon, in the spring of 1847. Here his aged mother still lives, enjoying, in the evening of life, a rest from the severe toils of her earlier years. On this farm the next twelve years of young Killin’s life was spent in the hard labors of a farmer’s boy. But while thus surrounded, with but little to arouse his … Read more

Adams, Ernest Edgar – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Ernest Edgar Adams, 93, of Elgin died June 9 at a local care center. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Christian Church. Burial will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. Mr. Adams was born April 12, 1913, to John William and Emily Jane Law Adams in Elgin. He graduated from Elgin High School and attended Eastern Oregon Normal School for a year. He worked for the box factory when he was young and played on a minor league baseball team. On Nov. 11, 1933, he married Frances Elizabeth Gilkison in Union. During World War … Read more

Rammer, Jeffrey Scott – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jeffrey Scott Rammer, 34, of Baker City, died Nov. 19, 2000. A Celebration of Life service was held at the First Lutheran Church, 1734 Third St. Mr. Rammer was born on June 4, 1966, at Sheboygan, Wis. He moved to Portland to pursue a career in corrections. He was a corrections officer with the state Department of Corrections for 13 years. He met his wife, Julie, in Salem. They were married on Sept. 15, 1991. In 1997, they had their first son, Jacob. Later that year, Mr. Rammer and his family moved to Baker City where he … Read more