Salem Oregon

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

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Pruett, M.D.

J.M. PRUETT, M.D. – The native-born sons of Oregon who have had the wisdom to prepare themselves for a professional or business career have quite generally shown themselves fully equal to those born and raised elsewhere. The subject of this sketch is one of these. He was born at Salem in 1849, his father being the well-known pioneer J. W. Pruett, who crossed the plains in 1847. Young James remained with his father until the death of the latter, which occurred in 1866. He then went to California, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Oregon … Read more

Jackson, Charlie E. – Obituary

Charlie E. Jackson Was Former Resident Funeral services for a former Haines resident, Charlie E. Jackson were held in Salem, July 24. Burial in the family plot Keiser cemetery near Salem. Mr. Jackson was born to G. W. and Ida Bell Long Jackson June 24, 1905. He was the grandson of Alonzo and Julia Ann Long, pioneer family of Baker Valley. He attended school in Haines and Muddy Creek. He farmed in this area before moving to the Willamette Valley where he worked as a dairy man before he retired. Survivors are his wife Mildred; sons, Tom and Rex; daughters, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Edwin N. Cooke

HON. EDWIN N. COOKE. – The subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant of the Puritans, who came to America in the ship Mayflower, and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, December 21, 1620. Among the passengers of that historical band were Francisco Cook and his son, John Cooke, who settled and the families of whom for many generations lived in that and other colonies, up to the time of the Revolutionary war. At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, Mr. Cooke’s great-grandfather, Asaph Cooke lived near Boston, Massachusetts, and had four sons who espoused the American cause and enlisted in … Read more

Biography of James D. McCurdy, M. D.

In an analyzation of the character and life work of Dr. James Darwin McCurdy we note many of the characteristics which have marked the Scotch nation for many centuries, the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained to Dr. McCurdy success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Idaho. He now resides in Bellevue, Blaine County, and while he has retired from the practice of medicine he is still actively interested in mining, being the owner of a … Read more

Biography of Rev. Gustavus Hines

REV. GUSTAVUS HINES. – Gustavus Hines was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1809. On his mother’s side he was descended from the Carvets and Wilkensons of the old Massachusetts colony, and on his father’s from the Hopkinns of Rhode Island, all names of the highest respectability and even celebrity in the early history of New England. Governor Carvet of Massachusetts colony, and Stephen Hopkinns, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were of the same families. he grew to his majority in the county of his birth, and in 1832 removed to Cattaraugus county, in the … Read more

Fordice, Michael C. – Obituary

Michael C. Fordice, 42, of Salem, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 17, 2006, as the result of a motorcycle accident. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Burns Mortuary in Hermiston. There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Friday at North Powder. Mike was born on April 23, 1964, at Baker City to Willard and Judy Fordice. He was a 1982 Hermiston High School graduate. He married Becky Bunch on Oct. 12, 1985. They were later divorced. Mike was a very talented mechanic and car and motorcycle painter. He was known to many as … Read more

Bean, Louis Elmer – Obituary

Louis E. Bean, chairman of the Oregon State Public Service Commission, died suddenly of heart disease in his apartment at Salem shortly after 10 o’clock last night [July 6, 1929]. Mr. Bean underwent a major operation during the last Christmas holidays, and at that time a serious condition was discovered which physicians knew might cause his death at any time, though he was able to continue his work after his discharge from the hospital. He was examined in Portland, Friday by his nephew, Dr. Harold C. Bean, and no alarming symptoms were apparent. Only two weeks ago he returned from … Read more

Hughes, Joseph William “Billy” – Obituary

Joseph William “Billy” Hughes, 79, of Salem, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 3, 2006, at his home. Billy was born on Jan. 21, 1927, at Concordia, Kan., to George Aurthur and Beatrice Iola Gerard Hughes. He was raised at Concordia, Kan., where he also attended school. Billy left school at Concordia to serve in the U.S. Navy. During his duty he was commissioned on the LSMR Rocket Ship to Pearl Harbor. Billy was very proud to serve as a crew member on his ship. He and his family had the opportunity to revisit the LSMR Rocket Ship after … Read more

Welch, John V. – Obituary

John V. Welch who died at Salem last week, was buried in the Haines cemetery Saturday. He was a brother of “Billy” Welch of Haines, and was 60 years old. He had been a resident of this state since 1880. North Powder News Saturday, December 26, 1925

McCully, F. D. – Obituary

F.D. McCully passes away; Pioneer of County was leader in various activities. Frank D. McCully d. at home in Joseph, OR, 13 Mar 1939; health had been failing for several years; funeral at Methodist Church, burial in the Indian plot on Wallowa Lake (permission given by Bureau of Indian Affairs). “.. name has been a household word in Wallowa County for nearly 30 years.” He established the first store in Joseph, the first bank, the first public water works, first electric plant, and first flour mill in Wallowa County. He ran stage lines between Union County railroad terminals and Joseph, … Read more

Biography of Isaac N. Cromwell, M.D.

ISAAC N. CROMWELL, M.D. – Perhaps there is no calling of men with which the issues of life and death are so intimately connected s with that of the physician: hence it is that popular sentiment demands a class of men to take up this profession who are in every sense of the word the leaders of their fellows, and especially endowed with keen perception, careful and discriminating judgment, alert faculties and sympathy, with perfect self-possession and steady nerve. The subject of this sketch is one of the votaries of the medical muse, and is today one of Union county’s … Read more

Moschkau, Michael Don – Obituary

Michael Don Moschkau, 32, of La Grande, died peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 9. A memorial service will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on Gekeler Lane in La Grande. Michael was born on Oct. 2, 1975 in Salem, the son of LeeRoy L. and Diane M. (Kirk) Moschkau. Though he was vision and hearing impaired from birth, Mike graduated from South Umpqua High School in Myrtle Creek with the Class of 1994. In 1997 he graduated from Umpqua Community College with an automotive degree. In 2003 he graduated from Eastern Oregon University with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. James D. Burnett

HON. JAMES D. BURNETT. – Mr. Burnett, one of the best farmers of Douglas county, and a gentleman of eminent abilities in public affairs, was born in Blunt county, Tennessee, March 12, 1822. In 1850 he came to Oregon, settling first at Salem. Two years later he removed to Douglas county, taking a claim upon which he has lived to the present time, and which he has increased by purchase to the baronial dimensions of twelve hundred acres. He has ever been active publicly in establishing those institutions which reflect credit upon the community and advance society. He is a … Read more

Fihn, Lois Janet – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Lois Janet Fihn, 87, of Salem and formerly of La Grande, died of natural causes Nov. 17 at a care facility in Salem. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow at the Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. A celebration of life service begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at Tierra Rose Care Center, 4254 Weathers St. NE, in Salem. Mrs. Fihn was born March 28, 1919, in Moro to James and Lotus Kenny, the … Read more

Hornig, Blanche L. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Blanche L. Hornig, 85, of Salem and formerly of Union died June 1. A memorial service will begin 1 p.m. June 20 at Morningside United Methodist Church in Salem. Blanche was born in Ithaca Township, Wis., to Leslie and Libby Holeton on Sept. 28, 1921. She lived in Minnesota and Kennewick. She married Thomas Hornig in 1949, and they lived in Union, Eugene and Salem. In the ’70s, Blanche was executive secretary for the Salem League of Women Voters. She was proud to be a part of the Friday clan, and an honorary Cherry. Survivors include her husband, … Read more

Biography of Col. John Colgate Bell

COL. JOHN COLGATE BELL. – Colonel Bell, enjoying a wide reputation from Southern Oregon to Idaho, and back again to the Pacific seashore throughout the state in which he has successively lived and made a multitude of personal acquaintances, merits a special recognition on account of his public services in official relations and in the early Indian wars of Southern Oregon. He was born at Sterling, Kentucky, February 24, 1814. His parents were from Virginia; and among his ancestors were those distinguished in the early history of the nation, his father having served with General Harrison in the war of … Read more

Biography of John H. Moores

J.H. MOORES. – Among the immigrants who came to the Sate of Oregon in 1852 was Honorable John H. Moores, the subject of this sketch, who deserves more than passing mention for the service rendered by him to the commonwealth during an active business career in the state extending over a period of twenty-eight years. Among the older residents who played a prominent part in the earlier development of the state was his father, the late Colonel I.B. Moores, Sr., whose love of novelty and adventure brought him as one of the first pioneers to Oregon, where he located in … Read more

Walker, Valeria Bell – Obituary

Mrs. Valeria Bell Walker, sister of C. C. Bull and Mrs. Overpeck, of La Grande, died last week in Salem after an extended illness. The remains were brought to La Grande and private funeral services were held at the Snodgrass Funeral Home conducted by Clarence A. Kopp, with interment in the Masonic cemetery. Besides the relatives here, Mrs. Walker leaves her widower, Albert C. Walker and a sister, Mrs. Florence Umbarger, of San Diego. The Eastern Oregon Review, Friday, 16 July 1943, Page 6. Contrubited by: Robert C. Bull

Biography of John Minto

JOHN MINTO. – While Oregon was held to freedom and the American union against the magnified sprit of despotism of England, as exemplified in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s rule, in the valley of the Columbia, it is worthy of note that an Englishman made as good an American, and, in the capacity of settler, would do as much for American independence, as one born in Massachusetts or Virginia. In point of fact, many of the best Americans in Oregon were born in England, and proved in their career that American ideas, after all, are not so much a matter of … Read more