Polk County OR

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

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

Biography of John H. O’Bryant

JOHN H. O’BRYANT. – We esteem it a privilege to be permitted to chronicle for the history of our county a brief review of the substantial and prominent citizen, whose name is at the head of this article, and who has wrought in the pioneer’s life so well and faithfully for the opening of this and adjacent counties and for their development and advancement for over one-third of a century, while his life of constant adherence to right and the principles of truth and uprightness, together with manifestation of sagacity and sound judgment, has placed him in a most enviable … Read more

Biography of Col. Cornelius Gilliam

COL. CORNELIUS GILLIAM. – Colonel Gilliam was a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1798. But his recollection of that state in after years was like a dream; for when but a youth he accompanied his parents to Missouri, where he lived for many years. August 31, 1820, he married Miss Mary Crawford of that state. Ten years later he was elected sheriff of Clay county for a term of two years; and at the expiration of that time he joined the Black Hawk war. In 1837 he served as captain of the company which fought all through … 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

Biography of Hon. Charles P. Cooke

HON. CHARLES P. COOKE – The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1824. His early life was spent in his native place. In 1846 he went as a volunteer to the Mexican war, and served as second lieutenant in the first regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He was in the army a full year, and participated in the engagements at Monterey, Buena Vista and other bloody battles of that war. He then returned home, but in the spring of 1849 left for the Pacific coast, crossing the plains with ox-teams … Read more

Biography of John Krall

Few lives have been more active or more thoroughly filled with incidents of interest and of unusual nature than has that of John Krall, one of the pioneers of Idaho, and for about thirty-five years a resident in the vicinity of Boise City. Now a wealthy man, he is indebted to himself alone for his fortune, for he started out in youth to fight the battle of life, a poor boy, and by the exercise of industry and perseverance, in the face of great difficulties, he came off victor over all. Mr. Krall is a native of Germany, born December … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mary A. Miller

Mary A. Miller, familiarly know by all as “Grandma Miller”, is one of the loveable elderly ladies of our county and it is especially gratifying to have the opportunity to append an epitome of her career in this the abiding chronicles of Harney county. She is a woman of many virtues and graces and has done a noble part in the life of the pioneer and she has many friends who admire her real worth of character, her faithful life, and her own rare qualities of intrinsic worth. She is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane Poujade, … Read more

Richardson, Enoch – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon In this city, October 10, 1900, Enoch Richardson aged 83 years, 7 months and 27 days. Mr. Richardson was an old pioneer of this state having come to Oregon in 1851, when he settled in Polk County. Some two years ago he came to grande Ronde Valley to visit his son and daughter J.Q.A. Richardson, of the Cove, and Mrs. S.E. Birdsell of this city. Cove Ledger Thursday October 19, 1899

Biography of Hon. Joseph D. Lee

HON. JOSEPH D. LEE. – It is natural for the observing student of mankind to speculate upon the effect which radical changes and new environments have upon a coming generation; and consequently the inquiry has arisen in thinking minds as to what type of manhood and womanhood will spring from the hardy and bold pioneers who peopled these shores in the forties and early fifties. Surely with such heroic and sturdy parentage, growing up under the influence of our grand and magnificent scenery, and breathing in youth the pure air from the balsamic pines, we might expect a fine mental … Read more

Biography of William A. Baker

The commercial interests of Moscow are well represented by William Alexander Baker, a leading and enterprising merchant, whose well directed efforts, sound judgment and reliable dealing are bringing to him a creditable and satisfactory success. For twelve years he has carried on operations in Moscow, where he deals in both new and second-hand goods. He is a native of Virginia, born in Augusta County, July 13, 1855, of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, Guinn Baker, was the founder of the family in the Old Dominion, and was an industrious and respected farmer and a valued member of the Methodist church. He … Read more

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

Horn, Stanley Bruce – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Stanley Bruce Horn, 74, of Elgin died Nov. 19. An inurnment begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Cemetery with a celebration of life following at 1:45 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Stanley was born May 16, 1933, to Clarence and Lillie Southard Horn in Kimball, Neb. When he was 4, his family moved to High Valley near Union, and when he was 5 or 6, they moved to Cricket Flat near the breaks of the Minam River. He spent the remainder of his childhood years … Read more

Smith, Tony Howard, Jr. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Tony Howard Smith Jr., 61, of Baker City died June 17, 2004, at his home. There will be an informal celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Interment will be at the Sumpter Cemetery. Tony was born on Aug. 31, 1942, at Weatherford, Okla., to Howard and Exxie Hughes Smith. As a child, he came to Oregon to live with his father and stepmother, Ruby. He grew up in Eastern Oregon. He … Read more

Biography of Van B. Delashmutt

Delashmutt, Van B., the present Mayor of Portland, was born in Burlington, Iowa, July 27, 1842. Ten years later the family came to the infant territory of Oregon, and settled on a farm in Polk county, in the Willamette Valley. The monotonous life of a farmer’s boy illy suited the naturally adventuresome disposition of young DeLashmutt, and at the age of fifteen he went to Salem, where he secured employment in the office of the Salem Statesman, as an apprentice to learn the printers’ trade. With characteristic earnestness and energy the apprentice served three years, and at the end of … Read more

Whitson, Nellie Cooke – Obituary

Mrs. Nellie R. Whitson, 78, who first came to Yakima as a child in 1865 and was a member of one of the first white families to settle in the valley, died in St. Elizabeth’s hospital last night [January 2, 1939]. She was taken to the hospital Saturday for treatment for injuries received in a fall in her home. She lived with a daughter, Mrs. George W. Clark, wife of the city commissioner, at 602 South Eighteenth Avenue. Born in Polk County, Oregon, Mrs. Whitson came to the valley with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Cooke and settled … Read more

McFetridge, Elmer – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Elmer McFetridge Dies In Dallas Elmer Clarence McFetridge, a native of Enterprise and a retired rancher, who had been in ill health for the past four years, passed away Monday morning, February 8, 1965 in a nursing home in Dallas, Ore., where he had been a patient for one month. He was the son of John and Martha McFetridge, early pioneers of Wallowa County, and was born near Enterprise on July 11, 1887. He had lived in Wallowa County all his life until 1960 when he and his wife moved to Salem, Ore., and in 1964 … Read more

Campbell, Inez Shelton – Obituary

Services for Mrs. Inez Campbell, 85, 1599 Market St. NE, who died Monday [March 17, 1969] at a Salem hospital, will be 2:30 p.m. Friday in Howell-Edwards Mortuary. Rev. W. Harold Lyman and Rev. Robert Hayes Mulkey officiating. Interment will be in Belcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Statesman, March 19, 1969 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

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

Reece, Lacy D. – Obituary

Lacy D. Reece of Milton Freewater and a former resident of Enterprise passed away Wednesday, January 22, at the Veterans Administration Hospital at the age of 80. Reece lived at Rt. 3, Milton Freewater. Mr. Reece moved from Clearwater, Kansas, where he was born Sept. 5, 1894, to Oklahoma, and in 1913 he moved to Falls City, Ore. He married Ruth Eaton in Enid, Okla., and the couple then moved to Enterprise. Reece served with the U.S. Army during World War I. He returned to Enterprise after the war and worked as a meat cutter. His wife passed away in … Read more