Portland Oregon

Portland Oregon’s Ships and Commerce

Many vessels crossed the bar of the Columbia in 1849 and a number came up to Portland. Of these none was more serviceable than the Madonna, from New York, under Captain Couch. This was his third trip out, and by far the most successful. His cargo of mixed goods was disposed of in part at San Francisco, his lumber selling for $600 per thousand. On board were W. S. Ogden, a prominent merchant of early times, and G. H. Flanders, a sea captain, before this in the employ of John and Caleb Cushing. Capt. Flanders is a man whose energy and enterprise … Read more

Couch, Minnith O. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Minnith O. Couch, 74, of Toppenish, Washington, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 1983 in St.. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho. He was born Dec. 21, 1908 in Wallowa, to Leonard and Minnie (Fisher) Couch. He attended schools in Wallowa, graduating in 1927 from Wallowa High School. He attended Oregon State University; then he served in the Army during W.W.I, earning the Victory Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. In 1945 he was discharged and went to work in Portland, as an oiler in the Jones Lumber Company sawmill. He moved to … Read more

Biography of Dr. Kenneth A. J. Mackenzie

Dr. Kenneth A. J. Mackenzie was born in Cumberland House, a Hudson Bay Company post in Manitoba, Canada, Jan. 13, 1859, and is a son of Roderick and Jane Mackenzie. He is of Scotch descent and representative of a well known family of Ross Shire, Scotland, the old families of Langwell and Aldy, earls of Croemartie and Brahan, being a branch of the Mackenzies. Roderick Mackenzie, his father, was for many years Chief Fadtor in the Hudson’s Bay Company service and is now one of its retired officers, living at Melbourne in Eastern township, Canada. He is a man of … Read more

Biography of Bethina Angelina Owens-Adair

MRS. DR. OWENS-ADAIR. – Berthina Angelina, the second daughter of Thomas and Sarah Owens, was born February 7,1840, in Van Buren county, Missouri. She saw her fourth birthday in her father’s Western home on Clatsop Plains, Clatsop county, Oregon, her parents having made the then dangerous and tedious journey across the then dangerous and tedious journey across the plains with ox-teams in the summer and fall of 1843. At this time Berthina was a small child, delicate in stature for her age, and having a highly nervous and sensitive nature, but with a strong, vigorous constitution, thus early showing a … Read more

Biography of Solomon Hirsch

There is something inspiring in the record of a busy and useful life; something stimulating in the details of a career that is marked by a generous and beneficent purpose; something worthy of emulation in the success that has been wrought by unselfish means. Such has been the record of the gentleman whose name is the title of this biography, and so thoroughly have the varied lines of his efforts been blended with the agencies which have been conducive to the material progress of the Pacific Northwest during many years that no history of this portion of the Union, and … Read more

Rumble, E. W. – Obituary

E.W. Rumble Passes Away in Portland Joseph, Wallowa County,Oregon Jay Dobbin was called to Portland Monday by the news of the death of E.W. Rumble, manager of the Columbia Basin Woolgrowers association, of which Mr. Dobbin is president. Mr. Rumble died of heart disease Monday morning while taking vigorous exercise in a gymnasium. The death was entirely unexpected as Mr. Rumble was not aware, as far as known of any heart trouble. He was a large man and vigorous. Mr. Rumble had been a resident of Portland for four years, going from Joseph, where he was born. He was 52 … Read more

Kryger, Cornelius John Jr. – Obituary

June 24 [1948], Cornelius J. (Charlie), late of 8334 SE 11th; beloved father of Mrs. Arthur Jones, city; brother of Mrs. Jenne Merrse, Cincinnati, Ohio; grandfather of Arthur Jones Jr. Friends invited to attend funeral services Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m., Chapel of McGinnis & Wilhelm, Moreland Funeral Home, 6637 SE Milwaukie Ave. Interment Mt. Calvary. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Cruzan, Pauline – Obituary

Pauline Cruzan Dies at Portland Word has been received of the passing on Monday, Oct. 10, 1960, of Mrs. Pauline Cruzan, about 49, of Portland, after an illness of several months. Funeral services were yesterday (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. at the Vernon Presbyterian church in Portland and burial was in Sunset Hills Memorial Park. Mrs. Cruzan was the daughter of Boone F. and Maude Childers and had lived in the Lostine area several years. She leaves her husband, James Cruzan, of Portland; a daughter, Mary Warfield; two foster sons, Dan and Michael Bolme, three grandchildren; four sisters: Mrs. Lulu Dimmick, … Read more

Courtney, Doris Letha – Obituary

Doris Letha Courtney, 78, of Burns and formerly of Union and Wallowa counties died March 28. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday April 1 at LaFollette Chapel, 332 W. Monroe St., Burns. Burial in the Burns Cemetery will be private. Mrs. Courtney was born Sept. 5, 1927, to John and Marjorie Miller in La Grande. She grew up in Cove on a dairy farm, and was a princess at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show and the Elgin Stampede. She graduated from Cove High School in 1944, and attended Eastern Oregon College of Education before moving to Portland to … Read more

Odell, Albert Lee – Obituary

December 18, Albert Lee; husband of Mabel E., 5008 NE and Charles W. Odell; 3 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren. Service Tuesday, December 19, 11 a.m., Ross Hollywood Chapel, NE 48th and Sandy. Friends invited. Private commitment. A member of Neighbors of Woodcraft Circle 843. Oregonian, December 18, 1967 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

History of the Portland Banks and Insurance Agencies

The Bank of British Columbia is a branch of a London, England, corporation, which was founded in 1860 and has a capital of $2,425, 000. The Portland branch was established in 1866 with E. Russel as acting manager. It has been very successfully conducted and enjoys a liberal patronage. For several years, George Good, a financier of well recognized ability, has had charge of the business in this city. The bank building, at the junction of A, Front and Vine streets, was erected in 1882 and cost $65, 000. The Oregon and Washington Mortgage Savings Bank was incorporated in 1876, … Read more

Biography of James Kesling

JAMES KESLING. – This gentleman is one of those large-hearted, kindly men who are loved by all the neighbors and by all the neighbors’ children. His life embraces a wide range of interesting experiences, and covers a period of nearly forty years on this coast. He was born in Ohio in 1835, but moved with his folks to Indiana six years later. In 1852 he came with the family of Honorable Luther Elkins, now of Linn county, across the plains to Oregon. Reaching Portland, then a town of shanties and but few good houses, in the woods, young Kesling and … Read more

Wiche, Richard Henry – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Richard Henry Wiche, 63, of Enterprise, died Oct. 9 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the ILWU Local 8 Union Hall, 2435 NW Front Ave. in Portland. The family will be having private services otherwise. Arrangements are in care of Herring Groseclose Funeral Home of Walla Walla. Mr. Wiche was born Sept. 16, 1943, in Portland to Fred Henry and Verice Griffin Wiche. He attended schools in Portland and graduated from Madison High School. On Oct. 11, 2005, he married Karen “K.C.” Cornwell in Portland. Mr. … Read more

Poulson, P. S. – Obituary

P. S. Poulson Died In Portland Home Baker county lost another, one of her old and esteemed pioneers in the passing of Peter S. Poulson in Portland, Saturday, March 24th. Mr. Poulson was born May 5th, 1843 in Osterborg, Denmark. As a young school teacher, he immigrated to the United States, at about twenty years of age and came into Baker valley from Silver City in the spring of 1869. He homesteaded the Poulson ranch on Muddy Creek in 1871 and for several years freighted between Umatilla Landing and Silver City. On September 24, 1884 he was married to Miss … Read more

Long, Rush Ernest – Obituary

Rush Ernest Long, 86, of Pine Creek, died March 6, 2005, at his home. His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Oxbow Christian Fellowship Church at the Oxbow Schoolhouse. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the church after the service. Rush Ernest was born on Sept. 3, 1918, to Elizabeth and Harry Long at Ponca City, Okla. He was raised and educated at Ponca City. His parents were ranchers until the Depression. They moved to California in 1936. In 1938 he married Mary Cecil at Compton, Calif. Early in his life … Read more

Wold, Ariss Jeanette Jones Englund Crow – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Ariss Jeanette Jones Englund Crow Wold of Joseph died January 31, 2007, at her home in Joseph. She was 90. A memorial celebration will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Joseph City Park, followed by a barbecue potluck dinner. Hamburgers and hot dogs, with condiments, will be provided. Salads, desserts, etc. for pot luck would be appreciated. There will be tables at the park but card or portable tables in addition would be welcome. Any flowers ( her favorite was purple) can be delivered to the park or the Joseph United Methodist Church prior to … Read more

Biography of William Henry Watkins, M.D.

W.H. WATKINS, M.D. – William Henry Watkins was born in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 16th of April, 1827. He graduated as Doctor of Medicine from the Buffalo Medicine College in 1849; and after his graduation as doctor his thoughts turned to the Pacific coast and to Oregon as a field of his life-work, whither he removed in 1852. He settled first in Josephine county, but in 1861 removed with his family to Portland. In December of that year he tendered his services to the government in view of the impending crisis brought on by the Rebellion, and … Read more

Silven, Kathleen “Kay” Duffy Mrs. – Obituary

Kathleen Duffy “Kay” Silven, 90, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 9, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Services. The recitation of the rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated after the rosary at 11 a.m. The Rev. Julian Cassar will celebrate the Mass. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Tuesday from noon until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Silven was born on April 4, 1916, at Prineville. She was raised at Bend by her parents Timothy E. J. and Katherine … Read more

Cussins, Norris – Obituary

World War Vet Dies in Portland Norris Cussins, 54, World war veteran, died at the Veteran’s hospital at Portland Saturday morning. He was born November 14, 1886 in Gage County, Neb., and came to Oregon at the age of two years. He spent most of his life on the Cussins’ homestead a mile west of Lostine. He entered the World war and spent 18 months over seas. He was taken to the Veterans’ hospital in Walla Walla last summer and later transferred to the Veterans’ hospital at Portland. He was buried at Portland. Funeral services were held in Portland for … Read more