Biography of Col. W.W. Chapman

Among men now living there are none around whom clusters so much of the history of Portland as the one whose name heads this memoir. He is the strongest link between the infant days and the stalwart manhood of our city. But the results of his labors in behalf of Portland, great and far-reaching as they have been in good, by no means complete the record of his long and useful life. Years before American civilization had gained a foot-hold in this portion of the Pacific Northwest, he had borne a leading part in laying the foundations of the State … Read more

Bergstrom, Arnold K. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Arnold K. Bergstrom, 76, of Union, died March 4 of natural causes at his residence. A graveside service will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande. Mr. Bergstrom, known as Arnie, was born May 14, 1930, in Kensington, Minn. He was one of ten children born to Theodore Ewald and Edith Eleanora (Eriksson) Bergstrom, both of whom sailed to America from Sweden in the early 1900s. His father arrived in America first, his mother following in 1911 aboard the Lusitania. He grew up in a frugal environment and … Read more

Biography of Rufus Mallory

Rufus Mallory is of New England ancestry, and descended from a strong and hardy stock, well fitted for the furnishing of such elements as are needed to command success and produce laudable results in the new but rapidly growing country in which his lot was cast and where modern civilization has come with such splendid strides. About 1816 his parents left their home in Connecticut for the West, as New York State was then called, and settled in the town of Coventry in Chenango County, at which place the subject of our sketch, the youngest of a family of nine … Read more

Murry, Barbara June Nielsen – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Barbara June Nielsen Murry, 75, of La Grande and formerly of Pilot Rock, died Nov. 9 at Grande Ronde Hospital. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Daniels Chapel. Ms. Murry was born June 16, 1931, at Pilot Rock to Hans C. and Mable E. Galbreath Nielsen. Ms. Murry grew up on a ranch up East Birch Creek and attended schools in Pilot Rock to half her sophomore year until her parents … Read more

Duckworth, Virginia Brock – Obituary

Virginia Brock Duckworth, 87, of Kennewick and formerly of La Grande died Aug. 28. A graveside service will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 at Riverview Heights Cemetery in Kennewick. Mrs. Duckworth was born May 7, 1918, to Wilbur F. and Cora Brock in Portland. She graduated from La Grande High School, and then from Emanuel School of Nursing and Hastings Business College, both in Portland. She worked as a nurse and a medical claims investigator for Blue Cross. She served in the Army Nurse Corps in World War II in the Philippines, and later as a medical secretary … Read more

Smith, Jacquelyn D. Aycock Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jacquelyn D. Smith, 66, of Enterprise, and a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 1, 2004, at her home. Her funeral will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise. Interment will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lyle Cemetery in Lyle, Wash. Jackie was born on April 14, 1937, in Baker City to Harold and Maude VanBiber Aycock. She attended school in Wallowa and The Dalles. She was very active in school activities and was a song leader for the Cougars. She was a model and dance instructor while living in … Read more

Townsend, Delores Jane – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Delores Jane Townsend, 76, of Baker City, died Jan. 4, 2006, at Settler’s Park. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Mike Smith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2nd Ward, will conduct. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Delores was born on March 27, 1928, at Portland to Clinton Field and Hazel Patricia Irene Kesler Townsend. She worked as a diet kitchen assistant for more than 40 years at St. Elizabeth Hospital and then at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home after the … Read more

McKenzie, Huela Van Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Huela Van McKenzie, 79, of Baker City, died Dec. 27, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. A memorial service will be scheduled later. Huela was born on Feb. 11, 1926, at Plant City, Fla., to Hulon and Gladys Hamilton Van. After graduating from high school, she attended Florida Southern College at Lakeland, Fla., where she studied music. In June 1948, she married Robert McKenzie at Memphis, Tenn. They moved to Pendleton in 1950. She was a housewife and the mother of five children. Huela later worked in Portland as a receptionist at Physicians and … Read more

Biography of W. L. Adams A.M., M.D.

W.L. ADAMS, A.M., M.D. – The subject of this biography, a pioneer who drove his own ox team across the plains in 1848, is one of the most unique of western characters; and history entitles him to be placed in the catalog of the illustrious men who bore prominent parts in settling Oregon, and in molding public sentiment. To give a full history of his life would require a large book; but our limited space would require a large book; but our limited space forbids anything but a rapid glance at a few waymarks along the road traveled for nearly … Read more

Biography of J. P. O. Lownsdale

There are few business men more favorably known in the metropolis of the Northwest than the gentleman of whom we write. His operations in real estate have been of the most reliable character, and the services that he has rendered the city in calling attention to her advantages have been very great. In his personal character he has maintained an integrity worthy, not only of the highest commendation, but of the imitation of young men. He was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, January 1st, 1830, the son of Daniel H. Lownsdale, the early owner of the central part of … Read more

Hoffman, Jasmine Johnette Garrett Mrs – Obituary

Mrs. Jasmine Johnette Hoffman, 71, 1407 Washington St., died Wednesday in St. Elizabeth Community Hospital after a short illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Christian Church, Richalnd. Bishop Dennis L. Fuller, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Eagle Valley Cemetery, Richland, under the direction of the Beatty Chapel. Mrs. Hoffman was born January 27, 1900 at Bountiful, Utah. She came to Eastern Oregon in 1903 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Garrett. She attended school in Pine Valley and was married to George … Read more

Biography of Rev. George W. Gue

A man who, while never a permanent resident of Rock Island, yet lived in the city long enough to leave a permanent impress there and to be remembered with gratitude by many, was Reverend George W. Gue, for several years pastor of the First. Methodist Church, and builder of the present house of worship of that congregation. Honored in various ways by his church he bore his preferment well and earned the love and respect everywhere of those with whom he came in contact. Mr. Gue was born in Neville, Clermont County, Ohio, February 27, 1840, and died at Portland, … Read more

Bilyeu, Chester Lloyd – Obituary

C. Lloyd, 7057 NE Grand, husband of Emma C. [Brown]; father of William J. and Cathryn M. Jiroch; 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild. Requiem mass 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Holy Redeemer Church, N. Portland Blvd at Williams. Interment Willamette National Cemetery. Office of the Dead, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Zeller Chapel of Roses, NE 21st & Broadway. [Died November 11, 1967; son of William Henry Bilyeu and Martha Margaret Dennis.] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of H. Y. Thompson

H. Y. Thompson was born at Senecaville, Guernsey county, Ohio, June 4, 1845. He was favored with a liberal education in the public and high schools of his native town. With the hope of improving his health, which had become impaired, in 1862, he undertook a trip across the plains and during the winter of 1862-3 was engaged in mining in Auburn, Baker County, Oregon. In the spring of 1863 he went to Idaho City and for three years carried on his mining operations at that place. His health not improving, he determined to try the climate of the valley … Read more

Douglas, Donald “Sandy” – Obituary

Donald “Sandy” Douglas, 78, a former Baker County resident, died Jan. 2, 2002. Services will be withheld until further notice, pending notification of next of kin. Donald is interred at the Little Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home in Portland. Don had not been in touch with any known surviving family members for quite some time, but he left behind many friends and associates in the Hawthorne District of Portland, where he will be missed. He was preceded in death by one older sister, Carmen Douglas Menges, who died in the Denver area in July of 1997, at the age … Read more

Miller, Henry C. – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon COVE, Jan. 6. (Special) – Henry C. Miller, 65, of Portland, a brother of George Miller of this place, and Charles Miller of Burns, died suddenly at his home in Portland Friday, Dec. 30. Two nephews, John Miller and Lynn Chadwick were called from here to Portland. The funeral services were held at the Summerville chapel, the W. H. Bohnenkamp company in charge and interment was made in the family lot at Summerville, the Rev. Mr. Pollard officiating. Mr. and Mrs. George Miller left here two weeks ago to spend the remainder of the winter in … 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 Col. William Williams Chapman

William William Chapman

COL. W.W. CHAPMAN. – It has frequently been remarked, that while many men of great fame, and a deservedly wide reputation, cannot lay their finger upon a single public act that they originated, others whose names are less known can county by the score the progeny of their brains, now alive and active in the affairs of the world. Of the latter class is Colonel Chapman of Oregon. There are few men in America, even among those esteemed great, who have originated and carried to completion a greater number of particular acts of large scope and general beneficence. Many whose … Read more

Kolasinski, Gary – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Gary Kolasinski, 53, of Baker City and formerly of La Grande and Enterprise, died Aug. 24 at St. Elizabeth Health Services. A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1002 L Ave., in La Grande. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the church. Gary was born Oct. 12, 1953, four minutes before his twin brother to Ardath Snitgen and Donald Kolasinski in Alpena, Mich. He lived in Alpena, St. John’s, Mich., Portland and La Grande where he spent his high … Read more

Biography of Hon. Eugene Semple

HON. EUGENE SEMPLE. – Eugene Semple was born June 12, 1840, at Bogota, South America, his father being at the time the Minister of the United States at new Granada. Coming with his parents to Illinois, his youth was spent in Madison and Jersey counties of that State. Attending the common schools of the latter county, he finished his education at the St. Louis University in 1858. Commencing the study of law in the office of Krum & Harding, in St. Louis, he afterwards attended the Law School of the Cincinnati College, where he graduated in 1863, taking the degree … Read more