Biographical Sketch of Governor George Abernethy

GOVERNOR GEORGE ABERNETHY . – Oregon’s first governor will of necessity occupy an important place in her annals. This is due both to the intrinsic character of the man and to his official position. So frequently, however, does he appear in the narration of the body of events described in this work that it is not necessary to do more here than give the mere outlines of his career. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1807. The family moved to the United States soon after; and the future governor spent the first thirty-two years of his life in New … Read more

Advent of Ben Holladay

In the meantime work of grading from East Portland to Pudding River was energetically prosecuted, the heavy grading, and certain spots denied right of way being ommitted for the time. The representations of Elliott as to a contract with A. J. Cook and Company, were found to be no longer serviceable. Dr. A. M. Loryea, of East Portland, a bluff; gnarled oak sort of a man, naturally opposite to fine work, then Vice President of the company on his side the river, was allowed to go east on a fruitless search for the contractors, finding them neither east nor west, … Read more

Graven, Terry Evan – Obituary

Terry Evan Graven, 58, of Nampa, Idaho, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005, after a brave and valiant 21-month battle with cancer. His funeral was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the Nampa 10th Ward Chapel, 7908 Deer Flat Road. Terry was honored by police color guard and the military. A viewing was held on Tuesday at the church from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service. Interment was at the Veterans Cemetery in Boise. Terry died peacefully at his home in Nampa, with his family at his side. He died with the same calm collected nature … Read more

Shepherd, John Frances – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon John Francis Shepherd, 67, of The Dalles and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 8, at his home of cancer. Mr. Shepherd was born July 28, 1939, to John and Francis May Furgason Shepherd in La Grande. He graduated high school in Portland, and served in the Army from 1958 until 1962. He moved to Baker, and settled in The Dalles in 1971. He was a journeyman lineman, and married Marie Fay Mattison on April 13, 1963, in La Grande. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Electricians Union Local 125 IBEW. He … Read more

Holman, David William – Obituary

David William Holman, 82, a Baker City native, died July 10, 2003. There will be a celebration of his life at Santa Maria, Calif. A memorial service and interment will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. A picnic for family and friends is scheduled after the service at 3 p.m. at the home of his nephew, Gary Holman. David was born in Baker City on Oct. 3, 1920, to Harriett Carter and Fred Holman. He was a 1939 Baker High School graduate. While in school, he enjoyed participating in many sports and was honored as Athlete of … Read more

End to the Portland Land Title Controversy

Following is the agreement referred to so often in the foregoing decision, and may be regarded as the palladium of the Portland land titles, and the end of controversy to all contestants. It was made in March, 1852, when the proprietors found that it was impossible to secure a title jointly to the land which they had been holding and selling as partners. Each covenants that “First, He will fulfill and perform all contracts and agreements that he has entered into with the others, or each of them, or with other persons, respecting the said tract of land or any … Read more

Craig, Paul Dennis “Denny” – Obituary

Paul Dennis “Denny” Craig, 66, of Las Vegas, Nev., a former North Powder resident, died Aug. 20, 2002, at Las Vegas. Mr. Craig’s body was cremated. There was a private funeral at Las Vegas. There will be a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Haines United Methodist Church. Pastor Sally Wiens will officiate. Denny was born on March 11, 1936, at Baker City. He was raised on his parents’ ranch at North Powder and was a 1954 graduate of Powder Valley High School. He attended the University of Oregon at Eugene for one year and Eastern … Read more

Biography of S. P. Marsh

S.P. MARSH. – This leading citizen of Vancouver, Washington, was born in Ohio in 1826. At Cleveland he received his education and learned the trade of a blacksmith. At the age of twenty-four the stories of fabulous wealth on the Pacific, and an invitation from a special friend, started him across the continent for Oregon. He was in the great emigration of 1850, when it is said one hundred and eighty thousand persons were on the plains. Heavy luck struck his party on the Platte. Not far out they were surrounded by a thousand Pawnee Indians, and were given ten … Read more

Stufflefield, Brent Alden – Obituary

Brent Alden Stubblefield, 47, a former Baker City resident, was surrounded by his family when he died March 12, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash., after a short battle with cancer. All of Brent’s friends are invited to join his family in a Celebration of Life on April 12, at 1 p.m. at the Menucha Hall at the Columbia Gorge. For information and directions go to www.Menucha.org or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Arrangements are under the direction of Emily’s Cremation & Burial Service of Milwaukie, Ore. Brent was born on Nov. 11, 1959, at Baker City, the first child of Keith … Read more

Smith, John D. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon John D. Smith, 96, of Baker City died Nov. 21, 2000, at his home at Baker City. A family memorial service will be scheduled later. Disposition was by cremation at Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory. Mr. Smith was born on May 2, 1904, at Elkhart, Ind., to Joseph and Florance Denny Smith. His family homesteaded at Molt, Mt., in 1908. He made Billings, Mt., his home in his youth. He played basketball for his high school team there. He enjoyed many firsts in the early part of the century, from automobiles to airplanes, golf and tennis. He loved … Read more

Bean, Ina Elizabeth Condon – Obituary

Mrs. Ina Condon Bean, pioneer daughter of Oregon, widow of Federal Judge Robert S. Bean and mother of City Commissioner O. R. Bean, died Sunday night [April 11, 1937] at her home, 7326 Southwest Brier Place, where she had lived since 1921. Mrs. Bean was born in Linn County, November 13, 1857, the daughter of Dr. Thomas and Cornelia Holt Condon. Dr. Condon came to Oregon as a missionary and later became a famous geologist of the Oregon country, serving as professor of geology at the University of Oregon and writing authoritative works on the subject. Mrs. Bean was a … Read more

Selman, T. William – Obituary

T. William “Bill” Selman, 66, died while visiting family in Portland on Oct. 30. A celebration of his life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Bill was born June 28, 1941, in Detroit, Mich., to Joseph and Catherine Selman. He lived in many places throughout his life and always said home was where his family was. Those who knew him say his faith was the guiding principle in his life through which he strove to bring love and healing to others. He reached out with an open mind and an open heart … Read more

Baxter, David Patrick – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon David Patrick Baxter, 80, of Portland, a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, died Dec. 12, 2004, surrounded by his family. David died of esophageal and lung cancer. David was born March 17, 1924, in Sterling, Ill., to the Rev. Thomas and Eliza Baxter. After his mother’s death in 1932, his father married Myra. They lived in Elgin, Ill., then moved to Austin, Minn. His family later moved to Baker City, where his father was a minister at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. David was a standout football and basketball player at Baker High School. … Read more

Miller, Henry C. – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon COVE, Jan. 6. (Special) – Henry C. Miller, 65, of Portland, a brother of George Miller of this place, and Charles Miller of Burns, died suddenly at his home in Portland Friday, Dec. 30. Two nephews, John Miller and Lynn Chadwick were called from here to Portland. The funeral services were held at the Summerville chapel, the W. H. Bohnenkamp company in charge and interment was made in the family lot at Summerville, the Rev. Mr. Pollard officiating. Mr. and Mrs. George Miller left here two weeks ago to spend the remainder of the winter in … Read more

Cooper, Ada Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Mrs. Ada May Cooper, 62, of Portland died May 29 at the U. S. naval hospital at Astoria, following a long illness. The Cooper family moved to La Grande in 1924, and lived here until they moved to Portland in 1941. Mrs. Cooper will be remembered as the mother of Alice Jeanette and Maelizabeth Cooper, both of whom are dead. the girls were talented La Grande violinists. Surviving here are her sons, Lt. Leonard Cooper U. S. N. R., stationed at the Astoria naval air station, and Ellery “Bud” Cooper of Portland, recently discharged from … Read more

Lyon, Mary Hazela – Obituary

Word has been received of the death of Mary Hazel Smith Lyon. She was born in Linwood, Nebraska, March 23, 1889, the daughter of George and Kathryn Smith. The family moved to eastern Oregon in the early 1890’s, settling in La Grande. They later moved to Elgin in 1898. Her father was bookkeeper for the Goodnough Mercantile Store in Elgin until his retirement. Hazel was in the first graduating class from Elgin High School in 1910. After a short business course she worked for the telephone company in Elgin until her marriage to Jack Lyon December 25, 1919. Shortly after … Read more

Jeremiah John Miller – Obituary

Medical Springs, Oregon Jeremiah John Miller, 81, a longtime Medical Springs resident, died Dec. 5, 2001, at his home. There will be a memorial service later. Jeremiah was born at Baxter Springs, Kan., where he grew up on his grandmother’s farm. He graduated from Joplin High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which took him to Randolph Field at San Antonio, Texas. There he met and fell in love with Adeline Kosharek. They were married on July 1, 1940, and spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force where his career was in aircraft maintenance and engineering. … Read more

Biography of William Lincoln Dudley

William Lincoln Dudley was born at Yreka, California, June 29, 1864. His father, John Dudley, for several years was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Lowell, Massachusetts. He came to California in 1861, and from that time until 1867 was engaged in mining at Yreka. In 1868 he came to Portland. and has since been Superintendent and Manager of the Portland Gas Company, and held the same position in the Portland Water Works Company, until the property was sold to the City in 1885. The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools of Portland, graduating … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Arethusa E. Smith

MRS. ARETHUSA E. SMITH. – Arethusa E., the daughter of Daniel Lynn, was born near Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, June 12, 1834. As a child of six years she removed with her parents to Platte county, in the same state, remaining until 1844, the year memorable for the great flood. Mr. Lynn, being very fond of a pioneer life, determined to settle in Texas, but was unable to proceed farther than the White river country, and, being ill suited with that country, returned to Platte county. He had long heard of Oregon, and decided to cross the plains thither and … 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