Tacoma Washington

Harmon, Janet Logan Simpkins – Obituary

Mrs. Janet Harmon, 416 South L Street, died in a local hospital Friday [October 5]. She was born in Scotland and was a pioneer resident of Tacoma. Mrs. Harmon was a member of the first Tacoma Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and belonged to the Holy Communion Church. Survivors are two sisters, Miss Charlotte Simpkins of Tacoma and Miss Nellie Simpkins of Juneau, Alaska; also two brothers, George of Juneau and Hector of Tacoma. The funeral announcement will be made by Buckley-King upon arrival of the sister from Alaska. Tacoma News Tribune, October 7, 1944 Contributed by: Shelli … Read more

Robertson, Mary Virginia Morrison – Obituary

Mrs. J. W. Robertson departed this life May 1, 1903, aged 23 years, 11 months, and 19 days. Mrs. Robertson was born in Ellensburg, May 11, 1879, and lived there till June 2, 1899, when she went to Tacoma, and after a short time was married to J. W. Robertson and resided there until her death. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother, and was beloved by all who knew her. She leaves a husband, one child, four brothers, a sister, a mother and father an many friends, and relatives to mourn their loss. When our earthly life … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William P. Newby

Enterprising and industrious in all his ways, the subject of this sketch is one of the men that have added materially to the wealth of Wallowa County, developing here, in an excellent manner, the resources with which the county abounds so fully, meanwhile manifesting that continuity of purpose and determination which brook no defeat and stop not at any obstacle, while his moral qualities of genuine worth and high order have shone without intermission, giving him the approbation, esteem, and confidence of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance. William Newby was born in Iowa on July 29, … Read more

Swayze, Wesley – Obituary

Wesley Swayze, 66, for some years a resident of Tacoma and living on South L Street, did Saturday [August 9, 1930] at Hamilton, Canada, where he had gone on a visit. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Flora Duffy of Tacoma and a daughter, Mrs. Karl Smith of Muroc, Cal.; sons, Dee of Portland, Roy of San Diego and Hubert of Alaska, and four grandchildren. Mr. Swayze was a floor man in a garage in Tacoma for some time, and was a member of the IOOF in Hamilton. His body will reach the Lynn mortuary Monday and the funeral services will … Read more

Biography of Hon. Dolphes Brice Hannah

HON. DOLPHES BRICE HANNAH. – This gentleman is the son of Brice and Celia Tade Hannah, and was born in Gallatin county, Illinois, October 11, 1822. His father, who was a substantial business man engaged in trade and forwarding, died in the spring of 1823, leaving a wife and two children, one boy and one girl. He left considerable estate, consisting of personal property. John McLaughlin and the widow were appointed to administer the estate; and, as usual, McLaughlin did the work, pocketed the entire proceeds of the estate, and then left for parts unknown. About two years after the … Read more

Grimm, Jacob – Obituary

Jake Grimm, former Kittitas Valley farmer, died at his home in South Tacoma last night July 2, 1973, according to word received by relatives here today. He lived in the valley all of his life before moving to Tacoma 15 years ago. He farmed in the Broadview District. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rose Carver Grimm; two sons, William and Archie Grimm; three brothers, Bird and John Grimm of Ellensburg and Harry Grimm of California, and two sisters, Mrs. Jesse Poland of Sumner and Mrs. Charles Walker of Ellensburg. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but are tentatively … Read more

Morefield, William Reecer – Obituary

Services for William R. Morefield will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Piper Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Wade LeRoy officiating. Burial in Tacoma Cemetery. Evening hours until 8:30 p.m., Friday. Tacoma News Tribune, June 6, 1968 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Barlow, Leonard Jay – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Retired Lumberman, Passes Leonard Jay Barlow of Elgin, age 61, and a retired lumberman died at a local hospital Aug. 28. Funeral services where held Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Christian Church in Elgin with Rev. Ed Liggett officiating. Interment was at the Island City Cemetery. Crippen and Daniels Chapel had charge of arrangements. Mr. Barlow was born in Tacoma, Wn., on Oct . 24, 1904 and had been a resident of Elgin for 30 years. He was a member of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union No. 2780, and the Baptist Church. Survivors … Read more

Bowman, Arthur – Obituary

Arthur W. Bowman, 79, of 8726 Newgrove Ave. S.W., died in a local hospital Monday. He was born in Trempealeau, Wis. Mr. Bowman had lived here 43 years. He was a retired Tacoma Transit Co. employee. Mr. Bowman was a member of the Motor Coach Employees’ Union. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Mary Gordon of Tacoma and Mrs. Ida Wakefield of Parkwood; three sons, Charles R. of Coulee Dam and George and Arthur of Tacoma; nine grandchildren and a brother, George of Pierre, S.D. Services will be announced by the Mountain View Funeral Home. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Karp, Sister Clare Inez – Obituary

Sister Clare Inez Karp, 88, a resident of St. Ann Convent at Tacoma, Wash., and a former longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 12, 2007. Father Julian Cassar will offer a Memorial Mass at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center Chapel. A rosary will be said at 8:45 a.m. Sister Clare Inez had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 69 years. She was born in Baker City. Although she left Baker City for about 20 years, she returned to the community for ministry and was a Baker City … Read more

Biography of Edward P. Cadwell

EDWARD P. CADWELL. – This substantial capitalist of Washington, and leading member of the legal profession of Tacoma, was born in Independence, Iowa, December 23, 1855, and was the son of Carlos C. and Emily E. (Ross) Cadwell, his mother having been a sister of Chief Justice Ross of Vermont. He resided in his native town, where he attended a public school, and in his seventeenth year entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, graduating as civil engineer in 1875. Returning home, he became principal for one year of the grammar department of the high school at Independence. Upon the completion … Read more

O’Farrell, Margaret – Obituary

Mrs. Margaret O’Farrell, aged 56 years, died at one of the city hospitals last evening [March 7, 1904]. She had been a well-known resident of Orting, coming there from Australia with her husband 34 years ago. A husband and five sons and a daughter survive her. The cause of her death was cancer, from which she had been suffering for more than a year. The funeral arrangements are not yet complete. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Henry Drum

HENRY DRUM. – Among the progressive, intelligent and enterprising business men who are lending their energy and strength to the constant and rapid development of the great resources of the State of Washington, no name stands higher, or is more widely known and deservedly popular, than that of Henry Drum. No more conspicuous example of the results of careful attention to business, probity of character and steadfastness of purpose, can be cited than the brilliant career of Tacoma’s ex-mayor. It is to this class of young, keen and active workers that the great Northwest is to-day indebted for its magnificent … Read more

Fix, Stella F. Hall – Obituary

Mrs. Stella F. Fix, 93, of 112 S. 36th St., Tacoma, died in a local hospital Wednesday [February 12]. She was born in Battle Ground, and had lived in this area all her life. She is survived by a son-in-law, Fred Ferritti of Tacoma; and a cousin, Bill Burt of Portland. Services are announced by Orting Funeral Home. [Interment Orting Cemetery] Tacoma News Tribune, February 14, 1969 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Rogers, Norma Ellen – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Norma Ellen (Erickson) Rogers, 85, died March 25 at her home in Elgin. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Elgin Church of the Nazarene, 11th and Birch. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mrs. Rogers was born Jan. 17, 1922, to Lawrence and Emma I. (Bickford) Hawes in La Grande. She graduated from La Grande High School and in 1941 married Manuel Erickson in Idaho. The marriage ended in divorce, and in 1947 she married Ernest Rogers in La Grande. He preceded her in death in 1992. Mrs. … Read more

Biography of J. W. McCarty

J.W. McCARTY. – Mr. McCarty, whose phenomenal success as a hop-grower in the Puyallup valley is well known, was born in La Porte county, Indiana, in 1833, and lived with his parents until 1852. As a young man of ambition and sterling qualities, he, in that year crossed the plains to Oregon in company with George Belshaw, now of Lane county, Oregon, and his two brothers. With his brothers he went to Puget Sound in October, 1853, assisting himself to the beginnings of a fortune by working in logging camps and in the sawmills. In 1854 he secured the claim … Read more

Biography of Allen C. Mason

ALLEN C. MASON. – The well-known fact that a city presents, as a whole, the characteristics of the individuals who compose it, finds no better illustration than in the city of Tacoma, Washington. It is wide-awake, enterprising and progressive, and is such not only because of its unrivaled location and its commanding position as the terminus of the great Northern Pacific Railroad, but because its business men are themselves possessed of a spirit of progressive enterprise, are thoroughly imbued with confidence in the great destiny of their city, and are united in their efforts to promote its welfare. Prominent among … Read more

See, James B. – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon James B. See Pioneer of This County Dead James B. See who was born on June 25, 1869 near Island City, died this week in Tacoma. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Summerville Chapel under the auspices of the Moose Lodge. He is survived by his father, Benjamin See who resides in La Grande. Four brothers; Jefferson, Frank, George and Albert, and a sister, Anna Arthur living at Stanfield. The See families were early settlers of this valley and for many years made their home on the Summerville District. Source: The La Grande … Read more

Champ, Clifford – Obituary

Clifford H. Champ, 79, of 9924 Waller Road, died Saturday [February 7, 1976]. Born in Winlock, he came to Tacoma in 1921 from Hoquiam. Mr. Champ was a crane operator for St. Paul Lumber Co. until his retirement in 1962. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Edna; a son, Stanley of Tacoma; a brother, Jay of Tacoma; two sisters, Mrs. Retha Longuet of Portland and Mrs. Brace (Florence) Leland of Seattle; two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge. [Clifford was born September 12, 1896. His parents were … Read more

Swearingen, Vernise Augustus – Obituary

Vernise A. Swearingen, 43, former Ellensburg resident, died Friday in a Tacoma Hospital from injuries received earlier last week in an accident at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards where he was employed as a rigger. Plant officials reported that he was crushed while unloading steel plates when he slacked off on a safety line too soon and the plates tipped over on him. A veteran of World War I, Swearingen had enlisted for service in this war WWII, but was discharged because of a physical disability. He was awarded the Silver Star, Order of the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and … Read more