Biography of Joseph Schoewaiter Smith

Joseph Schoewaiter Smith, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1824. His ancestors at an early day emigrated from England and Wales and settled in New Jersey and their descendants are now scattered all over the United States. At the age of eight years he accompanied his parents to Clermont County, Ohio, and three years later to Vermilion County, Indiana. He received such education as a farmer’s boy of ambition could receive at that day in a pioneer neighborhood. During the summer he worked on the farm and in the winter attended such schools as the county afforded. He … Read more

Linfoot, Delbert B. – Obituary

Formerly of Elgin Delmer B. Linfoot, 87, of Jefferson and formerly of Elgin, died Sept. 14 in Salem. Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Bishop Funeral Chapel in Pendleton. Funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Monday at Mission Assembly of God Church, 47328 Short Mile Road in Pendleton. Graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Island City Cemetery. Delmer was born Jan. 12, 1920, in Dacoma, Okla. He grew up in Elgin. A full obituary will be available later. La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending September 15, 2007 Published: … 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

Wright, David Nixon “Cruiser” – Obituary

David Nixon “Cruiser” Wright, 69, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 28, 2006. There was a gathering of family and friends Saturday at Golden’s Funeral Home in Salem. Dave was born on May 20, 1936, at Oregon City to LeRoy and Helena Wright. His parents spent most of their adult lives in Baker City. LeRoy was an Extension agent and Helena was a Baker teacher. Dave was a 1954 Baker High School graduate. He spent his career in banking and the automobile industries. He was an avid golfer and spent many enjoyable hours with his family and friends on … 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

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

Morrow, Jackson L. – Obituary

Jackson L. Morrow passed away at Salem on April 29,1984. He was born February 11, 1896 at Heppner son of James William and Katie Rea Morrow. On July 23, 1917 he was married to Irene Johnson at Portland. He was a WWI veteran, a life member of Harmony Lodge No. 12 AM & AM, a 50 year member of the American Legion. He moved from Joseph to Salem in 1977. Survivors include two sons, S.W. Morrow of Portland, and S.L. Morrow of Longview, Washington; a sister, Mrs. M.V. Sutherland of Salem. Funeral services and interment of remains will be held … Read more

Wolff, Lyle R., Judge – Obituary

Judge Lyle Wolff dead at age 85 Published: June 23, 2005 By Ty Gonrowski, Baker City Herald A former Baker County Circuit Court judge who was known for being very intelligent, eccentric and for taking his dog everywhere died Tuesday in Salem. Judge Lyle R. Wolff, who was 85, was circuit court judge in Baker County from the late 1950s until 1977. “He was a very colorful man…a very, very bright man,” said Milo Pope, circuit court judge from 1989-2000. Wolff was born in Nebraska, graduated from Harvard Law School and became a bomber pilot in World War II before … 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

Hudelson, A. B. – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon A. B. Hudelson, for sixteen years connected with the North Powder mercantile firm of A.B. Hudelson & Son, passed away very suddenly at his home in Salem, last Saturday morning. Mr. Hudelson, quite aged, often said he trusted when his time came he would welcome a sudden death and his wishes were granted. On Saturday morning he left his house to milk a cow, and upon returning with the milk fell dead on the porch. His son, W.A. Hudelson, who has had active management of the firm’s business in this city was notified, and with … Read more

Biography of L. L. Rowland, M.D.

L.L. ROWLAND, M.D. – L.L. Rowland, M.D., LL. D., F.R.S., was born at Nashville, Tennessee, September 17, 1831, and came with his father, Judge Jeremiah Rowland, across the plains to Oregon in 1844. He dutifully remained and helped at home on the old Donation land claim, North Yamhill, until the day he was twenty-one, when he entered the district school with the ambition and hope of finally finishing, if possible, a full classical course of education in some Eastern university. By working somewhat successfully in the California gold mines in 1849 and 1851, giving his father for his time half … Read more

Biography of Pierce A. Mahaffey

PIERCE A. MAHAFFEY. – To all those traveling in the older times across the rugged Blue Mountain range, the Blue Mountain House is a well-remembered spot. Its ample dimensions, its bountiful far, its genial good cheer, and its generosity and hospitality, made it a welcome relief from the toil of the road. The untimely death of this well-known gentleman has now cast its shadow over the place. Mr. Mahaffey was born in Park county, Indiana, January 25, 1841, and was educated in Iowa, whither he removed in 1850, where he was engaged in farming until 1862. In that year he … Read more

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

Biography of Hon. L. F. Grover

HON. L.F. GROVER. – Governor La Fayette Grover was born in Bethel, Maine, November 29, 1823, of ancestry on both sides distinguished in the early and late history of Massachusetts. He is a brother of Major Abernethy Grover, a man of distinction in the politics of Maine and in the war of the Rebellion; of Professor Talleyrand Grover, an eminent classist; and of General Cuvier Grover, a skillful commander in the war of the Rebellion. He was educated at the Classical Academy of Bethel, and at Bowdoin College, Maine. He studied law in Philadelphia under the instruction of the late … 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

Curtis, T. J. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Word was received in this city this week of the death of T.J. Curtis, a former resident of this city. He was residing with a son at Salem at the time of his death, which was caused from the effects of a cancer. Besides numerous other relatives throughout the state he leaves a daughter, Mrs. H.D. Spencer, in this city to mourn his loss. Elgin Recorder Friday January 19, 1906

Harsin, Susan Jane – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Susan Jane Harsin, 67, of La Grande, died June 30 in Woodburn. A memorial mass will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Mrs. Harsin was born Aug. 22, 1938, to Jim and Elizabeth Nolten Gooding in Salem. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Salem, and moved to La Grande. She married Darwin Harsin on July 24, 1961. She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and the St. Jude Altar Society, the UPRR Junior Old Timers and Old Timers, the Eagles Auxiliary and the American … Read more

Steinks, J. C. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Mrs. F. Stroebel and L. Steinks were called to Salem Thursday by the death of their father J.C. Steinks. The elder Steinks was at one time a resident of the Paradise country. Wallowa County Reporter, Thursday March 18, 1920

Russell, Gerald Dee “Jerry” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Gerald Dee “Jerry” Russell, 67, died June 22, 2003, at his home in Baker City. At his request, there will be no formal funeral. His family will have a private gathering in celebration of being a part of Jerry’s life. He was born on Nov. 8, 1935, at Farmington, Iowa, to Craige and Annabelle Lucille Dee Russell. About the age of 8, he moved with his family to Fruitland, Idaho. It was there that Jerry graduated high school and a short time later married Barbara Reimers. The couple had two daughters: Lori and Sandra. During his life … Read more

Shives, Carol Ann Hull Mrs. – Obituary

Carol Ann Shives, 66, of Baker City, died Dec. 6, 2005, at her home. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Garth Johnson of the Agape Christian Center will officiate. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Mrs. Shives was born at Baker City to Howard Harrison and Lillian Hazel Stowell Hull. She was educated in Baker schools. She lived at Portland for 18 years, where she worked for Chase Textiles until her retirement. She also had lived at Salem and was a … Read more