Polk County OR

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

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

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 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

Huffman, C. D. – Obituary

C. D. Huffman Passes Away Death Comes at Termination of Short Illness; Community Mourns His Demise Charles D. Huffman aged approximately 72 years, passed on this morning at 2:30 o’clock at the termination of a short illness. Residents of this city and Mr. Huffman’s many friends throughout Eastern Oregon are sincerely mourning his demise, for with his passing on goes a man who played an important role in the building of Eastern Oregon. The remains are at the Snodgrass and Zimmerman funeral service parlors. Charles D. Huffman was born in Portland, on December 24, 1852, and then the parents soon … 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

Biography of Milton Canterbury, M. D.

Milton Canterbury, M. D., of Redlands, was born in Greenup County, Kentucky. His father, Reuben Canterbury, a farmer, was born in North Carolina. The name originated in Kent County, England, from the estate of a man by that name, and for whom the city of Canterbury was named. Reuben Canterbury married Miss Elizabeth Lycaas, a native of Kentucky. The union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eighth. He first attended the common schools of his native county and afterward attended a short time the college at Marietta, Ohio. From there he went … 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

Biography of A. N. King

A.N. KING. – King’s valley in Benton and Polk counties, and King’s Addition to Portland, which embraces the beautiful city park, will perpetuate the name of the father of our subject and of Mr. King himself. The latter gentleman was born in Ohio in 1822; but as early as 1840 he removed to Missouri, operating a ferry across the Missouri river. A great flood destroyed his property; and in 1845 he was on the plains bound for Oregon. His father, mother, three brothers and five sisters were also in the company. The immigration numbered a hundred wagons; and it was … 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

McClellen, George B. Cook – Obituary

“Mack” Cook Answers Call George B. McClellen Cook passed away at the Enterprise hospital Feb. 1 after a short illness. “Mack” Cook was born Feb. 27, 1862, near Dallas, Polk County, Oregon to Thomas l. and Harriet Cook who crossed the plains by ox team in 1854. He was one of ten children born to this union. The family resided in Polk County until 1878 when the father and his sons, Jerile, William, Tom (Dick) and N.J. came to Wallowa County and all located homesteads on the South fork of the Wallowa River except N.J. who was too young. He … Read more

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

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 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 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 Ira F. M. Butler

IRA F.M. BUTLER. – The honesty and wholeheartedness of a certain, and indeed, predominating, class of our early settlers is nowhere better exemplified than in Mr. Butler. Seventy-seven years of age, but still vigorous and kindly, adhering firmly to the temperance principles which have prevented the dissipation of his native course, and while well-to-do, indeed wealthy, spending much of his means in benevolent works, he is a striking example of the noble old gentleman. He was born in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1812, and was the son of Major Peter Butler, distinguished in the war of 1812. In 1829 the … 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

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

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Long

JACOB LONG. – This venerable pioneer, the first to settle in the north end of Indian valley, and whose seventy-four years have but little bent his frame, was born in 1815 in Pennsylvania. At the age of nine he became a pioneer of the West, moving with his parents to Ohio. At the age of seventeen he took his flint-lock rifle and made a tour of the woods and prairies of the old West, visiting the French and Indian trading-post of Chicago, and spending a winter on the Elkhart river in Indiana, with Schomack, the chief of the Pottawottamies. Returning … Read more

Wood, Francis S. – Obituary

The sudden demise of Mr. John Wells was sad and a gloom was cast over the community by it but Sat. morning we had another sad death in town. Mr. Francis S. Wood, one of the old citizens of La Grande, highly esteemed by all honest, and a valuable man for our town, was stricken down by death ‘ere he had attained his three score and ten years. Mr. Wood had been sick only a few days and the news of his death was a sad surprise. He was a native of Ohio, having been born in that state on … Read more