Omaha Nebraska

Houses of the Iowa Tribe

An Iowa structure

On September 15, 1819, the expedition under command of Maj. Stephen H. Long arrived at the mouth of Papillion Creek, on the right bank of the Missouri a few miles above the Platte, a site now covered by the city of Omaha, Nebraska. In the narrative of the expedition it is said that at the mouth of the Papillion ” we found two boats belonging to the Indian traders at St Louis. They had passed us some days before, and were to remain for the winter at the mouth of the Papillion, to trade with the Otoe, Missouri, and other … Read more

Biography of Charles J. Smith

Charles J. Smith, Manager of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, March 13, 1854, and is the son of Charles F. and Z. A. ( Jackson) Smith. His father was a merchant at Nicholasville for several years, but in 1857, removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he died in 1877. In the latter city, the subject of this sketch was educated in a private school until he reached the age of fourteen, when he entered Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illinois, from which institution he graduated in 1870. After graduation he spent one year as a … Read more

Anderson, Josephine Lois – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Josephine “Jo” Anderson, 83, of La Grande, died Monday at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Baptist Church. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements. A full obituary will be available later. The Observer – August 26, 2008 __________________________________________ Josephine Lois “Jo” Anderson, 83, of La Grande, died Aug. 25 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. today at Grandview Cemetery. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration … Read more

Worcester, Robert Marshall “Bob” – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Robert Marshall “Bob” Worcester, 76, of The Dalles, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on Sept. 12, 2004. Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon on Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles. The Rev. Joe Kelbel will officiate. Private cremation will follow at The Dalles Win-Quatt Crematory. Visitations will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home. Bob was born on Oct. 13, 1927, in Omaha, Neb., to Nathaniel and Marye Anderson Worcester. He … Read more

Beights, Moses Washington – Obituary

Moses Washington Beights, son of James and Mary Beights, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, September 9, 1854, and departed this life on August 31, 1938 at the age of 83 years, 11 months, and 22 days. When a youth he moved with his parents to Henry County, Iowa, and continued to reside with his parents until he reached his majority. On March 12, 1879, he was united in marriage to May Jane Morrow who preceded him in death on January 29, 1934. No children were born to this union. Mr. Beights and his wife resided in Henry County, Iowa, … Read more

Biography of Almon S. Senter

An eventful career was that of Colonel Almon S. Senter, who for some years figured conspicuously in connection with the mercantile and official interests of Lincoln County. At the time of his death, March 6, 1899, he was serving as district-court clerk and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Lincoln County, and he was also an enterprising and prominent merchant of Shoshone. A native of the old Granite state, he was born February 18, 1845, and is a representative of one of the old and honored families of New Hampshire, of English descent. His ancestors were early settlers of Londonderry, that … Read more

Bostrom, Marguerite – Obituary

Bostrom, Marguerite B., age 60. Survived by husband, Roy E.; 2 sons, James R. Mustang in CA, James R. Bostrom in Omaha; daughter, Mary F. Flatt in Omaha, 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Russell Byram of Stone Mountain, GA and Howard Byram of the Virgin Islands; cousins Bert and Fern Marlow of Omaha. Funeral Services 11 am Mon. at Roeder Mortuary with interment at Calhoun Cemetery in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Member of Owaissa Chapter No 296 O.E.S. , District Commissioner for Boy Scouts of America and Sunday School teacher for 15 years at the Olivet Baptist Church. Roeder Mortuary, … Read more

Biography of Edward Fanning

The career of this prominent Idaho merchant illustrates the claim, frequently made, that a man of enterprise will inevitably get into and make a success of the business for which he has the most liking and aptitude, regardless of discouragements and obstacles which would direct weaker men permanently into other paths of endeavor. Edward Fanning was born in county Carlow, Ireland, February 23, 1844, a son of Patrick and Bridget (Murphy) Fanning. His father was a farmer, and both his parents were born in the Catholic faith and were reared and lived and died in it, Patrick Fanning passing away … Read more

Twedt, Terrance Lee – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Terrance “Terry” Lee Twedt, 72, of Pacific City and formerly of La Grande, died at his home April 21 surrounded by family. A life celebration reception will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kiawanda Community Center in Pacific City. Terry was born July 14, 1935, to Irvin and Virgie (Wilson) Twedt in Omaha, Neb. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. In 1961 he married Karin Lee Twedt in Portland. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oregon State University and worked in management with Boise Cascade in La Grande and … Read more

McKenzie, Charles Maxfield – Obituary

Former Yakima Valley resident Charles “Max” McKenzie, 84, of Edmonds, died Sunday in Edmonds [August 17, 1986]. Mr. McKenzie was born Dec. 8, 1901, in Omaha, Neb., to Charles and Maude McKenzie. They moved in 1903 to Quincy, where his family homesteaded until the death of his father in 1915. In 1917, they moved to the Kittitas Valley and took up farming. Mr. McKenzie went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1923, retiring in 1967. He was married in 1926 to Ruth Barnhart. They were transferred to Yakima in 1932. While working for the railroad, he maintained a … Read more

Biography of William Edwin Nelson

William Edwin Nelson, who became superintendent of the public schools of Sabetha in the fall of 1917, is a thoroughly experienced educator, a native of Kansas, and for five years before removing to Sabetha was superintendent of schools at Robinson. Mr. Nelson had the qualification and training of a practical lawyer, which was the profession of his father. For many years one of the ablest attorneys of the Trego County bar was the late John A. Nelson. Born in Sweden, near Stockholm, in 1851, he was brought when an infant to the United States by his parents, who located in … Read more

George W. Todd of Omaha NE

George W. Todd8, (Edwin R.7, Thomas J.6, Caleb5, Gideon4, Gideon3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Feb. 22, 1873, married in 1901, Rhena Jensen. He is a dentist in Omaha, Neb. Children: 2413. Charlotte, b. 1903. 2414. A son, d. young. 2415. Virginia, b. 1910. 2416. Harriet, b. 1911.

Fleetwood, Arnold Eugene “Arnie” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Arnold Eugene “Arnie” Fleetwood, 69, of Baker City, died Dec. 6, 2002. At his request, there will be no services, and he will be interred with his son, Mike. Arnie was born Jan. 2, 1933, to George William and Ruth Marie McGragh Fleetwood in Omaha, Neb. He was raised in orphanages most all of his youth, but received an education and graduated in Omaha. In 1950, Arnie joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea for three years. During Arnie’s life, he enjoyed working in various occupations. He worked construction, logged on the Oregon Coast, worked … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harry H. Putnam

After months of travel in the United States looking for a business opening, Harry H. Putnam, contractor and builder of Redwood City, chose California as the state offering the most to the newcomer. He then spent two years deciding beyond a doubt that the peninsula offered him more opportunities than any other place in the state and that for one in his line, Redwood City was the logical place to locate. Since coming to Redwood City, Mr. Putnam has developed a large contracting and building business. He has erected 10 homes in the Redwood Highlands district alone and his contracts … Read more

Cusick, E. A. Mrs. – Obituary

Died-At the residence of S. O. Swackhumer in this city, Saturday, February 11, 1893, Mrs. E. A. Cusick. The deceased, whose maiden name was Emma Amanda Dodge, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, March 20th, 1850. Died in Union, Oregon, February 11, 1893, was therefore nearly 43 years old. When eight years of age she moved with friends to Omaha, Neb., and in the summer of 1863 crossed the plains with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Swackhumer, stopping in Grande Ronde valley where she has lived most of her life since. She was married in Wasco County, … Read more

Biography of William M. Brown, M. D.

The medical fraternity is ably represented by Dr. William M. Brown, who is the leading physician of Cuprum, whither he removed in June of the present year, 1899, from Salubria, where he had continuously and successfully engaged in practice from June 1892. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, on the 18th of November, 1860. His ancestors were early settlers of South Carolina, and his grandfather, James Brown, was born in Due West, that state. James Scott Brown, the Doctor’s father, was a native of Preble County, Ohio, and having arrived at man’s estate he married Miss Julia Robertson, of … Read more

Biography of William W. Driggs, Jr.

William W. Driggs, Jr.,is a capable young newspaper man and is now editor of the Bern Gazette in Nemaha county. The Gazette is one of the live papers of that county, and was established in 1898 by M. E. Ford. The editor of the paper was born in Hannibal, Missouri, December 25, 1891. His father is William W. Driggs, Sr., and together they make the firm Driggs & Driggs, publishers of the Bern Gazette. The senior Driggs was born March 25, 1856, in Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen he learned telegraphy and began working soon afterward as a railroad … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Kellom

John H. Kellom of Tustin, was born in Washington County, New York, in 1818, a son of Isaac and Eliza (Healy) Kellom. He graduated at Williams College in 1842 taught school four years in Georgia, studied law two years at Auburn, New York, taught school again until 1856, and then went to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in banking. Two years afterward he was elected State Superintendent of schools for a term of two years; he also served as United States Assessor; was clerk of all the courts of Nebraska for four years; was Postmaster at Omaha one year under President … Read more

Biography of William H. Moffit

William H. Moffit. In the group of surviving territorial pioneers of Kansas, William H. Moffit of Highland Park, a suburb of Topeka, has an important place. Mr. Moffit carries within his individual recollection practically the entire story of Kansas from the beginning of the border warfare until the present, a period of fully fifty years. He has been a witness of great and stirring events, and in those events has not been himself an inconsiderable participant. His birth occurred in Henry County, Iowa, January 6, 1842. That date indicates that the family history has been identified with the pioneer times … Read more