Hammack, Lester E. – Obituary

Lester E. Hammack 89, of Jamison, died July 13, 1989, in a Vale nursing home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First Christian Church in Vale, Rev. Paul Ratzlaff officiating. Internment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Vale, under the direction of Lienkaemper Chapel of Vale. He was born June 12, 1900 in Lostine, Oregon, the son of John L. and Alice Bohannon Hammack. He moved with his parents and lived in Elgin, Echo and Milton-Freewater, Oregon before moving to Cow Valley in 1918. He moved to Jamison in 1920 where he ranched and farmed. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James T. Davis

One of the worthy pioneers of this County, a man of ability and executive force and unswerving integrity, the subject of this sketch is now one of the leading citizens of Nyssa, and a prominent man in Malheur County. He lives one mile northwest from the town of Nyssa, having a ‘farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and handled in a skillful manner, which is a good dividend producer. James T. was born in Unionville, Putnam County, Missouri, on October 25, 185o, being the son of Hamilton and Saline Davis. In 1862, the father and the oldest … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Test, E. H.

It is seldom that a larger mercantile establishment is to he found in any city on the coast than that of the Ore­gon Forwarding Company at Ontario. Established in 1885 by Fred J. Kiesel, of Ogden, Utah, it has grown under the style of Fred J. Kiesel, Wm. Teary & Co., and Kiesel, Shilling & Danelson, and since February 23, 1890, as the Oregon Forwarding Company, being incorporated on that date with E. H. Test as manager. They carry a complete line of general merchandise and stockmen’s supplies. Agricultural implements, hardware, etc., and acting as gen­eral agents among many other … Read more

McCarver, Rose Mary – Obituary

Richland, Baker County, Oregon Rose Mary McCarver, 82, of Ontario, a former Richland resident, died May 1, 2006, at her home. Her memorial graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will preside. Rose was born on June 24, 1923, at Ironside. She attended Vale schools. She married William McCarver on Sept. 21, 1940, at Payette, Idaho. They ran a sawmill and trucking company at Ironside. In 1954 the family moved to Ontario where they had a dairy on the Oregon Slope. Later they moved to Richland, where they had … Read more

Wilson, C. D., Mrs. – Obituary

There departed this life on Thursday, July 10th, 1919, Mrs. C.D. Woods, aged 25 years. Maud Brosnan was born at Ontario, Oregon, during the year 1894 and was married to C.D. woods during the month of February last. They had made Wallowa County their home up until the time of her decease. Husband and wife had walked the streets of our city together but shortly before her death which came very suddenly at the Roseman Hospital. How little we know of what time has in store for us, for those Gates of Pearl may swing open at the least expected … Read more

Foster, Dorothy “Jean” Campbell Mrs. – Obituary

Dorothy “Jean” Foster, 73, of Ontario, and a former Baker City resident, died April 6, 2001, at her home after an illness. Her funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. PDT at Ontario’s Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario. Visitations will be today until 7 p.m. PDT at Lienkaemper Chapel, 78 Northwest First Ave. in Ontario. Mrs. Foster was born July 3, 1927, at Bend to Roy and Caroline Campbell. She was raised and educated in Baker City, and graduated from Baker High School in 1946. She married Marvin Foster on June 1, 1947, … Read more

Biography of Hon. J.R. Blakaby

Malheur County can boast of many distinguished pioneers who have made brilliant success in both the financial world and in the political realm, and one of the prominent men of this influential number is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who stands as one of the real builders of the County and is also one of the largest general merchandise operators within her borders at the present time, his store being located in Jordan Valley. Mr. Blackaby was born in Iowa, on April 12, 1861, being the son of Bernard and Emeline Blackaby. There … Read more

Smith, Thomas – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Aug. 9 — Thomas Smith, memorial service, 1 p.m., United Methodist Church, Elgin The Observer – August 4, 2008 ___________________________________ Thomas Ira Smith, 93, of McMinnville and formerly of Elgin, died July 10 in McMinnville. Memorial services will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at the United Methodist Church at Fifth and Birch Street in Elgin. Autumn Crematorium in Tigard was in charge of arrangements. Tom was born Sept. 22, 1914, to Ira Arthur and Henrietta Esther (Cruikshank) Smith in Gridley, Calif. The family soon moved to Elgin where Tom graduated from Elgin High School in 1932. Joining … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edmund A. Fraser

The young and eminently successful gentleman whose name appears above is one of the leading men of Malheur county, being the owner of a controlling interest in the Malheur Mercantile Company, a large general merchandise establishment of Ontario, which does an immense business not only from the country adjacent to Ontario, but also from the interior of Malheur and Harney counties. Our subject was born in Woodstock, Canada, on September 2, 1870, being the son of George and Sarah (Sheperd) Fraser. He attended the common school, and at the age of twelve was ready to enter the Upper Canada College … Read more

Ward, Mary Jane Mullen Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Jane Ward, 85, of La Grande and formerly of Baker City, died Aug. 2, 2003, at a local care facility. A private family service and interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Ward was born on Feb. 26, 1918, to James Levi and Daisy B. Bishop Mullen at Westfall. She was a 1936 graduate of Ontario High School. She married Frank Eldon Ward at Payette, Idaho, on July 24, 1948. They later moved to Baker City where they owned and operated Scotty’s Tavern. Mr. Ward died on Oct. 16, 1972. She continued to operate the business until 1979 … Read more

Johnson, Zeb Dee – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, died Aug. 23 in Tillamook County. A celebration of life runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Community Center in Elgin. A second service begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Tillamook Cheese Visitor Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon. Cash donations can also be made to Community Bank in Northeast Oregon, to help offset funeral costs. The Observer – Obituaries for the day of August 30, 2008 ______________________________ Zeb Dee Johnson, 29, formerly of Elgin, … Read more

Carter, Willis D. – Obituary

Funeral services for Willis D. Carter, 67, 159 E. Idaho, Ontario, a former longtime Baker resident, was conducted Friday, June, 22, at West & Co. Memorial Chapel. The Rev. James Berentson of the Fist Lutheran Church officiated. Interment followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery with the Baker Veterans Organizations conducting graveside honors. Mr. Carter was born April 27, 1900 in Missouri. He had his early schooling in Missouri and was a veteran of WWI where he served in the United States Navy. He spent most of his life in Baker, Salem and Ontario and was well known in Baker as having … Read more

Forthman, Mable Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Services for Mable Forthman, of Ontario, who died Tuesday, May 10, 1983 at an Ontario, Oregon hospital, were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 13, 1983 at the Ontario ………. Chapel. (article smeared and unable to read minister’s name and name of church) Interment followed at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario. She was born on January 3, 1902 in La Grande, Oregon, the daughter of James and Nancy ??(last name smeared). She was raised and educated in Day Ridge and La Grande. She married William T. Forthman on December 24, 1920 in Flora. They lived in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James E. Madden

This well known and representative business man is one of the prominent citizens of Ontario, where he owns and operates a fine, large livery and feed stable having fine and comfortable rigs and good horses, and manifesting a careful supervision for the comfort and safety of his patrons. Mr. Madden was born in Perry County, Ohio on May 31, 1849, being the son of Hezekiah and Mary Madden, natives of Ohio, also. While still a child he was brought by his parents to Putnam county, in the native state, and in 1813 they came thence to Mills county, Iowa. He … Read more

Robbins, Darlene Emma Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Darlene Emma Robbins, 71 died Monday, January 26, 2004 in Baker City, Oregon after a lengthy illness. Memorial services will be held Monday, February 2, 2004 at 11 a.m. in the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place Street with Rev. Ron Kratzer officiating. Inurnment will follow at Baker Cemetery at a later date. Mrs. Robbins was born September 13, 1932, in Bentonville Arkansas to Austin and Grace Robbins. In 1936, she moved from Nebraska to Ontario, Oregon at the age of four. She graduated from Ontario High School in 1950. She met her future husband while attending the … Read more

Judkins, Margaret Aliene Mrs. – Obituary

Margaret Aliene Judkins, 86, of Ontario, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 16, 2003, at Ontario. Her funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Jon Privett of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Mrs. Judkins was born on Nov. 15, 1916, at Snyder, Texas. She married Robert Garrett Judkins on Nov. 15, 1936, at Snyder, Texas. She enjoyed traveling and gardening. She was preceded … Read more

Morehead, Alice F. MacDonald Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Alice F. MacDonald Morehead, 97, of La Grande died June 26, 2003, at her home. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley in La Grande. The Rev. Norman Shrumm of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Committal and interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Visitations will be until 6 o’clock tonight at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Morehead was born on June 15, 1906, at Knappa to Angus and Lenore MacDonald. She moved with her parents to a homestead near Ontario. She attended Pioneer schools, Payette, … Read more

Hoffman, Leona Maxine Cartwright Mrs. – Obituary

Leona Maxine Hoffman, 80, of Ontario, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, at a Boise hospital. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Park Community Church, Highway 201 and Holly Road on the Oregon Slope across from Vern’s Market. Ed Renk will officiate. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery. There will be a dinner afterward in the Park Community Church basement. Visitations will be Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ontario Lienkaemper Chapel, 78 N.W. First Ave. Maxine was born Sept. 5, 1921, at Rye Valley to Elsie and Alvin Cartwright. She lived at … Read more

True, Etta Severns Mrs. – Obituary

Etta Severns True, 87, a former Baker City resident, died April 1, 2002, at Hermiston. Her graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Susan Barnes of the Presbyterian Church will officiate. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mrs. True was born on July 20, 1914, at Dillon, Mont., to James Monroe Severns and Myrtle Olive Jones Severns. She was a 1933 graduate of La Grande High School and then attended Drapers School of Commerce in La Grande. She married Glen True on Aug. 16, 1941, … Read more

Biography of R. D. Greer

It is with pleasure that we. are enabled to grant consideration in this volume of the history of Malheur County to the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he is one who partakes of die real spin of the pioneer and since he is a man of excellent qualities and since he has wrought in this vicinity for the substantial progress and up building of the same for many years. Mr. Greer was born in Ohio, on September 28, 1850, being the son of Guin and Elizabeth Greer. In 1866 he came with his … Read more