Polk County OR

Dougherty, Shannon James – Obituary

Shannon James Dougherty, 32, formerly of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2002, at Independence after a three-year battle with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His funeral was today at 2 p.m. at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem. Arrangements were handled by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors in Salem. Shannon was born April 13, 1970, to Kiowa James and Roberta Lynn Dougherty. He was diagnosed with A.L.S. in November 1999, and was told he had six months to live. He refused to accept that fate and said he would live to see his son turn 4. On Oct. 22 he kept that … Read more

Biography of F. M. Naught

F.M. NAUGHT. – Mr. Naught, whose life experience contains many incidents of unique interest, was born in Illinois in 1838, and removed as a child to Texas, and in 1846 to Iowa. In 1853 he crossed the plains to Oregon and located in Polk county. Upon the outbreak of the Indian war in 1856, he joined Captain F.M.P. Goff’s Company K, Washington Territory Volunteers, and came east of the cascades. In July of that year, a part of Captain Goff’s company quartered at Fort Henrietta was summoned to the relief of Major Leighton’s command, which was surrounded on the John … Read more

Biography of Henderson Orchard

Each community is judged by the character of its representative citizens, and its social, intellectual and business standing is determined thereby. The sterling worth, commercial ability and enterprise of the leading men are mirrored forth in the public life of the town, and therefore the history of the people of prominence is the history of the community. No account of Grangeville would be complete without the life record of Henderson Orchard, the popular president of the board of trade and a man whose public spirit is manifested in his many efforts to improve the conditions and promote the upbuilding of … Read more

Ruddell, Clarence Wilber – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Clarence Wilber Ruddell, 82, of Baker City, died at his home May 2, 2004. Pathway Hospice made it possible for Clarence to spend his last days with his friends and family near him. His graveside service was at 10 a.m. today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Ed Niswender of Calvary Baptist Church officiated. Clarence was born in Baker City, on June 22, 1921. He spent his first years living with his parents on their ranch along Burnt River near Hereford. After the death of his mother, Nellie, Clarence’s father Byron Ruddell eventually remarried and moved the family … Read more

Sargeant, E. F. Mrs. – Obituary

Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Sargeant Dies At Daughters Home Mrs. E.F. Sargeant, former resident of the county, died Jan. 10, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Houck, Kenova Park, Cal., where she had lived in recent years. Burial was at Sheridan, Ore., after funeral services held at McMinnville. She had enjoyed good health until her brief last illness. Christia Anna Zumwalt was born in Polk, County December 30, 1851, and was married to Mr. Sargeant in the Willamette valley. They came to Wallowa County in 1903 and homesteaded at The Buttes, where they lived some 14 years, … Read more

Biography of Hon. B. F. Burch

HON. B.F. BURCH. – B.F. Burch was born on the second day of May, 1825, in Chariton county, Missouri, where he lived during the first twenty years of his life, and received what was then considered a good, common-school education. It was complete enough to secure him the position of teacher for the families of Honorable Jesse Applegate and neighbors the first winter after his arrival here, – 1845-46. He also taught the first school in what is now known Polk county. In 1846, in company with Jesse Applegate, Lindsey Applegate, David Goff, William J.G. Parker, William Spotsman, John Jones, … Read more

Butler, Frank Ernest – Obituary

Dr. Frank E. Butler, Portland radiologist who retired three years ago, died Wednesday afternoon [January 1, 1949] at Emanuel Hospital after a brief illness. He had made his home at Neotsu on Devil’s Lake since retiring. Dr. Butler was the son of Orville and Mary Butler, pioneers in the Willamette Valley. He was born at Union Flat, Washington, February 17, 1888, and shortly thereafter moved with his parents to their former home at Monmouth. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Adams-Capps, Ivia Joan Rucker – Obituary

Ivia Joan Rucker Adams-Capps died May 22, 2007. She was 74. Mrs. Adams-Capps was born Jan. 24, 1933, near Wallowa at the home of her parents, Elmer L. and Itol E. Rucker. The family moved to Irrigon in 1934. In 1951, she graduated from high school, married Donald L. Adams and began her career with Umatilla Electric Company. She had three sons. She was a charter member of Altrusa International of Hermiston, a 4H leader, a Cub Scout den mother and active in Home Extension and PTA. She continued her career at Umatilla Electric, starting as a cashier and spending … Read more

Makinson, Ruth C. Parrish Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth C Makinson, 88, of Corvallis, a former Baker City resident, died March 3, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., in downtown Corvallis. Pastor Ralph Holcomb will officiate. Private interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Ruth Makinson was born April 26, 1914, at Dallas, Ore., the daughter of Mabel Guy Parrish and Elbert L. Parrish. She received her education at Dallas, graduating from Dallas High School. She married Joe Martin in 1931 while still in high … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson Jones

NELSON JONES. – Mr. Jones, one of the largest stock-raisers of Eastern Oregon, having besides his interest at Heppner, Oregon, large holdings on the main Malheur, was born in 1840 in Fleming county, Kentucky. Remaining there until 1849, he moved with his parents to Iowa, where he lived until 1858. In that year he left the paternal roof, and made the journey to Pike’s Peak, but continued on to Shasta county, California. In that county he engaged in mining, but in 1860 sought a more tranquil life, coming to Polk county, Oregon, and engaging in farming until 1866. In the … Read more

Biography of John Wesley Kieff

John Wesley Kieff, widely known throughout Oklahoma as a journalist, is now serving as justice of the peace of Miami and is generally conceded to be the most capable incumbent in that office in the history of Ottawa County. A native of Indiana, he was born in Tippecanoe County on the 9th of March, 1857, his parents being John and Mary (Ryan) Kieff, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in the Hoosier state. The father followed the occupation of farming and both parents passed away during the childhood of the subject of this review. John … Read more

Biography of G. W. Richardson

G.W. RICHARDSON. – Elder G.W. Richardson, born in Green county, Illinois, September 26, 1824, was ordained to the ministry and began preaching at the age of eighteen. He crossed the plains to Oregon, in company with his brother, Doctor J.A. Richardson, and other relatives in 1851, taking immediately on his arrival, a Donation land claim near where afterwards was located the town of Scio, and organizing, a few months subsequently, the first church of the Christian Brotherhood in Linn county. He devoted much of his time to the ministry, with this church and elsewhere, including invariably two days in each … Read more

Cooke, Morand – Obituary

Mode Cooke, 88, Valley Pioneer, Taken By Death Widely Known Fairview Farmer Resided Here 75 Years Death yesterday took Morand D. (Mode) Cooke, 88, in the Kittitas valley’s oldest pioneer in point of years and the last remaining member of one of the Northwest’s pioneer families. He died at his home in the Fairview district, where he had lived for 74 years, yesterday afternoon [died September 2, 1945]. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Cooke, Oregon and Washington pioneers, he came to the Kittitas valley with his parents in 1871. At his death he made his … Read more

Biography of Lot Livermore

LOT LIVERMORE. – Mr. Livermore is one of the best-known residents of Eastern Oregon, and, as a business man, from the earliest times has been highly instrumental in developing the country. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1835, but the year following came with his parents to Illinois, and in 1851 crossed the plains to Oregon, finding a home in Polk county. Some of the experiences on the plains were exciting, such as a fight of an hour and a half with the Snake Indians on the Snake River. It was the Harpole company with which they came. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Raleigh E. Rochester

The subject of this sketch is a native of the occident, and beneath its stars he has labored and gained the success that is now his to enjoy, while he is now one of the prosperous and substantial agriculturists and stockmen of Wallowa county, and has made for himself a name and place in the midst of the progressive and intelligent population of our county. Raleigh E. was born in the Willamette valley, at Salem, on July 11, 1955, being the so of James and Deliah L.E. (Warren) Rochester. Of his boyhood days, but little is noted, but we are … Read more

Biography of Rockey P. Earhart

The subject of this sketch was born in Franklin County, Ohio, on the 23td day of June, 1837, and came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus of Panama, in 1855. Educational advantages were offered him in select schools in his native State, where he gained a thoroughly practical business training. Upon arriving in Oregon, and incidentally meeting with some of the public officials of the day, his superior clerical abilities were very soon recognized, and he received the appointment of clerk under Captain (now General), Robert McFeely, U. S. A., and Quartermaster P. H. Sheridan, then a comparatively unknown … Read more

Moulton, Phyllis H. Winters Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Phyllis H. Moulton, 89, of Baker City, died Sept. 10, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Elkhorn Baptist Church, 3520 Birch St. Mrs. Moulton was born on June 28, 1915, at Dallas, Ore., to Philip and Ella Hausr Winters. She was educated at Walla Walla, Wash. She worked in the family bakery until 1946. She also worked in a grocery store and for Pacific Fruit Co. in La Grande and also at May’s Music. She married Elmer Moulton on Aug. 9, 1950. Mrs. Moulton was a … Read more

Cook, Thomas Richard – Obituary

Lostine, Oregon Thomas Richard Cook was born Feb. 16, 1861, in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, and died at his home in Lostine, October 9, 1924, being at the time of his death 63 years, 8 months and 7 days old. He was married to Miss Nancy J. Hammack Nov. 24, 1889 Hr leaves to mourn his loss his widow and two sons, James Alvin, and Albert (Bertie) Lawrence, residing at home; three brothers, Wm. W., G.B. and N.J. Cook, all of Lostine; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was a member of the Christian Church and of … Read more

Cooke, Susan Brewster – Obituary

Mrs. Susan E. Cooke, Kittitas Pioneer, Dies At Age Of 89. Was Resident Of Valley Since 1870; Crossed Plains In 1851; Funeral Monday; Deceased Came From Noted Family; Was Descendant Of Pilgrim Following a decline suffered nearly two years ago, Mrs. Susan Eliza Brewster Cooke, one of the oldest pioneers of Kittitas Valley, died last night at the family residence, 11 miles northeast of Ellensburg [died March 11, 1921]. Last Monday Mrs. Cooke celebrated her 89th birthday, having been born in Waterford County, four miles from Troy, New York, on March 7, 1832. Mrs. Cooke was a direct descendant of … Read more

Biography of W. H. Holmes

W.H. HOLMES. – The subject of this sketch was born in the year 1850 in Polk county, Oregon. He came of sturdy pioneer stock, who were among the earliest settlers of this state, and to whom he is indebted for those qualities of mind and body which fit him to encounter the rugged contests of life or the arduous and difficult duties of his chosen profession. His early years were spent on the farm, engaged in the usual occupations of farm life; but his love of books drifted his mind towards other pursuits, and soon determined him to seek a … Read more