Umatilla Oregon

Biographical Sketch of W. J. Leezer

W. J. LEEZER. – Mr. Leezer, one of the most active of all ourcitizens, was born March 21, 1846, at Rushville, Illinois, where he received a common-school education and learned the tinner’s trade. In 1870 he crossed the plains, locating at Umatilla Landing, and working for his brother, J.M. Leezer, who was then doing a tin and hardware business at that point. A year later he bought the establishment and conducted the business for himself, until in 1880 he closed out his interests there and moved to Heppner, Oregon, where he has established and carries on successfully a mercantile business … Read more

Frasolas, Marjorie Della (Reece) – Obituary

Marjorie Della (Reece) Frasolas, was born May 5, 1900. She died at the Umatilla hospital on March 24, 1975 at the age of 74. Mrs. Frasolas was a resident in the Hermiston Umatilla area since 1936. She was a member of the Auxiliary and the Pocahontas. Survivors are two daughters; Mrs. Don Allstott of Hermiston and Mrs. Jay Huson of Adams, Ore.; brothers are Amos Reece of Port Orchard, Wash., and Emerson and Wayne Reece of Enterprise; sisters are Mrs. William Phillips of Wapato, Wash. and Mrs. Earl Bonner of Weiser, Idaho, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Funeral services … Read more

Biography of Hon. James H. Koontz

HON. JAMES H. KOONTZ. – It is a mistake to suppose that all the fortunes are made in the large places. Many of the most considerable competences on the coast have been gained from trade in the small towns. The career of Mr. Koontz is to the point. Born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1830, young James, upon coming to his physical strength, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, thereby acquiring a foundation for a life of independence. Living a time at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he joined the Ellis train, and in 1862 came across the plains to … Read more

Biography of Robert Couch Kinney

ROBERT COUCH KINNEY. – Oregon will always treasure with respect and admiration the memory of the men and women who came in the days when the Pacific Northwest was the home of savage tribes, mountain men and a few traders, to plant homes and lay the foundation of an empire on the waters of the Columbia. They dared much when they accepted the roll of pioneers to the Pacific. Some became notable for success, and developed character that gave standing to the new state; for the constitution and early legislation of Oregon showed statesmanship seldom equaled in the erection of … Read more

Biography of Charles L. Kaler

CHARLES L. KALER. – A real pioneer of the pioneers, who has wrought on the Pacific coast for forty years and more with display of energy and skill that have placed him among the leaders of the county in attaining its progress, the well-known gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article is deserving of representation in the volume of his county’s history. He is proprietor of the large green house in Lagrande and handles one of the largest nurseries of the state, having a full line of all varieties of both ornamental trees and rare shrubs and … Read more

Biography of Evans S. McComas

EVANS S. McCOMAS. – One of the earliest pioneers of what is now Union county, and intimately acquainted with all of eastern Oregon, having been a prominent figure here from the time of his advent into the region, the gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article, is to-day one of the leading representatives of Union county and has ever maintained a walk manifesting public spirit and an ardent interest in the welfare of all, while he has been instrumental in upbuilding the county by his own efforts in the business enterprises that he has fostered and consummated … Read more

Dalton, James Everett – Obituary

James Everett Dalton, 81, of Umatilla and formerly of Baker City and La Grande, died Aug. 28, 2007, at his home. His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Mr. Dalton was born on March 14, 1926, the son of Isaac Clayton and Stella Viola March Dalton, in La Grande. After graduating from La Grande High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served his country until he was honorably discharged in May of 1946. Mr. Dalton was employed as … Read more

Prindle, Joan Oribel Eddy Mrs. – Obituary

Joan Oribel Prindle, 70, of Umatilla, died March 6, 2002, at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hermiston Assembly of God Church. Disposition was by cremation. Joan was born on March 13, 1931, at Malheur City to George and Lucy Woodcock Eddy. She had been a Umatilla resident since 1961. She married Harold Prindle on Aug. 27, 1949, at Heppner. She owned and operated Joan’s Beauty Salon in Umatilla from 1970 until she retired in 2000. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Vale. She loved gardening … Read more

Metz, Janice M. – Obituary

Formerly of North Powder 1934-2007 Janice Marie (Christman) Metz, 73, of Troy, Mont., and formerly of North Powder, died Aug. 29 of congestive heart failure at the Libby Care Center in Libby, Mont. A memorial service is planned for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist church in North Powder, followed by a graveside service at the North Powder Cemetery. Janice was born on May 15, 1934, in Halfway, to Calvin and Helen Christman. She grew up in the North Powder area and graduated as salutatorian of the North Powder High School Class of 1952. From an early age, Janice … Read more

Biography of Tyler Woodward

Tyler Woodward was born in Hartland, Windsor county, Vermont, in 1835, and is of Puritan descent. His grandfather fought in the war of the revolution, while his father, Erastus Woodward, participated in the war of 1812. He was educated in the common schools and the academies at Kimball, Union and Meriden, New Hampshire, and Thilford, Vermont. When he reached his majority, he taught school in his native town for one term during the winter. He lived at home until 1860, when he came to Marysville, California, and for one year served as clerk in a hotel of which his brother … Read more

Biography of Hon. Zenas Ferry Moody

HON. Z.F. MOODY. – Zenas Ferry Moody, ex-Governor of the State of Oregon, was born on the 27th of May, 1832, in Granby, Massachusetts. His father was Major Thomas H. Moody. His mother was Hannah M. Ferry, an aunt of ex-Senator T.W. Ferry, of Michigan, formerly vice-president of the United States. Governor Moody comes of good old New England Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Gideon Moody, having borne arms as a soldier during the Revolutionary war. He has proved himself worthy of his lineage; and the principles which he imbibed on New England soil have been the guide of his whole … Read more

Applegate, Clifford – Obituary

Paradise, Wallowa County, Oregon Clifford Applegate, 51 year-old Umatilla carpenter, died here today at the home of his sister, Mrs. Merton Kuhn, following a brief illness. A native of Paradise, Ore., and a former resident of Wallowa county, Applegate had resided for the last three and one half years in Umatilla. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Maude Applegate, Umatilla; a grandson, Jimmie Applegate, Umatilla; a brother, Donald Applegate, Tillamook, and three sisters, Mrs. Sylvia Wade of Enterprise, Mrs. Letha Dailey of Portland and Mrs. Vadna Kuhn of La Grande. Services will be held from the Snodgrass Funeral Home at 2 … Read more

Applegate, Clifford – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Clifford Applegate, 51 year-old Umatilla carpenter, died here today at the home of his sister, Mrs. Merton Kuhn, following a brief illness. A native of Paradise, Ore., and a former resident of Wallowa County, Applegate had resided for the last three and one half years in Umatilla. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Maude Applegate, Umatilla; a grandson, Jimmie Applegate, Umatilla; a brother, Donald Applegate, Tillamook, and three sisters, Mrs. Sylvia Wade of Enterprise, Mrs. Letha Dailey of Portland and Mrs. Vadna Kuhn of La Grande. Services will be held from the Snodgrass Funeral Home at … Read more

Hodgson, Fred Peter – Obituary

Halfway, Oregon Fred Peter Hodgson, 43, of Umatilla, a former North Powder resident, died Feb. 3, 2005, at Richland, Wash., of natural causes. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the North Powder Community Church in North Powder. Pastor Roger Cochran will officiate. Interment will be at the North Powder Cemetery. Visitations will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., in La Grande. Fred Peter Hodgson was born on Jan. 28, 1962, to Fredrick and Phyllis Peters Hodgson at Sacramento, Calif. In the summer of 1962, the family … Read more

Bay, Lucretia – Obituary

Aged Matron Dies Friday Mrs. Lucretia Bay, 96, died Friday at the home of her daughter Mrs. Milton Showalter Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:30 pm from the Jerue Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Sorweide officiating. Interment was in the Lance Hills Cemetery. Miss Lucretia Hearing was born Dec. 3, 1844 Putnam County, Missouri. She joined the Christian Church at an early age. She was married to Charles Bay in 1860 when she was 15 years old. Immediately after their marriage they crossed the plains by ox team. During the trip, death claimed her father, her mother, and … Read more

Biography of Neri L. Ackles

NERI L. ACKLES. – A man of broad experience in the business world, gained by practical contact with the different lines of enterprise in the northwest, the subject of this sketch is today one of Union county’s prominent and capable farmers and stockmen, whose ability has wrought for the advancement of the welfare of all, while he has prosecuted with vigor the industries that have come to his hand, gaining the reward of wisely bestowed labor in the land of resources and fertility. In Linn county, Missouri, Neri L. first saw the light and July 30, 1860, was the time … Read more

Saunders, Raymond M. “Ray”, Jr. – Obituary

Raymond M. “Ray” Saunders Jr., 78, of Hermiston, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Dec. 2, 2005, at his home. His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland. Pastor Gordon Bond will officiate. Ray was born on July 30, 1927, at Salem. He moved with his family to Eagle Valley at the age of 5. He was a 1945 graduate of Eagle Valley High School at Richland. Ray married Alice Martin on March 10, 1946, at Richland. He joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific on the USS Hollandia … Read more

Planting, Clarence A. – Obituary

Clarence A. Planting, 76, of 3515 Pepperwood Dr., Boise, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1986, in a Boise hospital of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the Central Assembly Christian Life Center. Revs. Roy Strayer and Haskell Yadon will officiate. Burial will follow in Cloverdale Cemetery, under direction of the Alden-Waggoner Chapel. Mr. Planting, retired Ada County Clerk, was born Sept. 13, 1909, at his grandparents’ home in Astoria, Ore., a son of John W. and Mary Ring Planting whose home was at Helix, Ore. He attended schools in Pendleton, Ore., and graduated … Read more

Biography of S. R. Geddis

S.R. GEDDIS. – Mr. Geddis, a portrait of whom, together with a view of his beautiful home farm, appears in this history, is a leading and wealthy citizen of Kittitass county. He is one of the men whose success in life has been mainly achieved in the county in which he now lives by the exercise of economy, industry and business integrity, guided by intelligent financial ability. He is now a rich man, while but a few years ago he came to the Kittitass valley with nothing but an unblemished reputation as his entire capital. Mr. Geddis was born in … Read more

Simonis, Ida J. – Obituary

Mrs. Louis Simonis, 76, died early Saturday morning at her home in Baker. Ida J. Simonis was born July 29, 1869 at Umatilla. She was married to Louis L. Simonis in 1888 at Weiser, Ida., and they made their home in Eagle Valley until 1937 when they moved to Baker. Mrs. Simonis is survived by her widower; two sons, George of Wapato, Wash., and Otis of Woodland, Wash.; three daughters Mrs. Mary Wilson of Weiser, Mrs. Arta Trickel of Baker and Mrs. Belle Johnson of Robinette; a sister, Mrs. Nora Rice of Imnaha, Ore.; two brothers John D. Simmons of … Read more