Vancouver Washington

Biography of Napolean McGilvery

NAPOLEON McGILVERY. – The life of this pioneer is full of interest, and embraces many of the most interesting occurrences on the coast, particularly the campaign of Frémont’s little band, which secured California to the union. Mr. McGilvery was born in the Lake of the Woods, Upper Canada, at the Hudson’s Bay post, his father being for many years an officer in that company. In 1839 he came to Vancouver with a considerable party, and was occupied in the service of the company until 1844, when he left the British and became his own American master on Howell’s Prairie. In … Read more

Biography of Gay Hayden

MR. AND MRS. GAY HAYDEN. – Prominent among the many pioneers of the Pacific Northwest who deserve an enduring place in its history are Mr. and Mrs. Hayden of Vancouver, Washington, whose heroism under the many difficulties that beset the emigrants who broke the way for advancing civilization on this far frontier will seem to generations yet unborn, who are destined to read these pages, more like the dream of the novelist than a recital of fact. Mrs. Mary J. Hayden, who at this writing is a handsome, well-preserved and charmingly vivacious woman, as ready-witted, graceful and gentle as though … Read more

Smelcer, Lawrence J. – Obituary

Lawrence J. Smelcer, 97, a lifelong Pine Valley resident, died Jan. 1, 2005, at his winter home in Yuma, Ariz. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church. Lawrence was born on Aug. 4, 1907, in the Panhandle of Baker County to Marion X. and Milda Schmidt Smelcer. He was raised in Pine Valley and attended Pine Town grade school and Halfway High School. He married … Read more

Biography of James H. Raley

JAMES H. RALEY. – Prominent among the pioneers of Eastern Oregon may be mentioned this gentleman whose name and portrait appear here with, and who now sits as joint senator in the Oregon legislature from Umatilla and Morrow counties. He was born in Nebraska City in 1855, and as a boy, in 1862, crossed the plains with his parents, arriving at Portland at a time so early in the history of that metropolis as to find an excellent spot for camping near the present site of the St. Charles Hotel. A year later the family found a location at Vancouver, … Read more

Brothers, Gloria A. Newall Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Gloria Brothers, 78, of Newberg died Friday, Aug. 23, 2002, at her home. Attrell’s Funeral Home of Newberg was in charge of arrangements with inurnment in Valley View Memorial Park in Newberg. Mrs. Brothers was born Nov. 1, 1923, in Port Angeles, Wash., the daughter of Evah and Edgar C. Newall. The family resettled in the Newberg area where landmarks like Newall Road and others record the family’s influence in the community. After graduation from high school in Vancouver, Wash., she attended the University of Oregon to obtain a degree in English. She was a member of … Read more

Biography of Rev. John F. Devore, D. D.

REV. JOHN F. DEVORE, D.D. – Doctor Devore was a native of Kentucky, being born near Lexington, December 7, 1817. He was of French descent, as the name indicates, and owed very much to the pious example of religious parents, who urged him with their last words to be “faithful to his God.” The “Life of Bramwell” fell into his hands at an early date, was read with great relish, and had much to do in molding the shape of his after life. Entering the ministry, he joined the Rock river conference in 1842, Bishop Roberts presiding. He was ordained … Read more

Biography of M. R. Hathaway

M.R. HATHAWAY. – Among the brightest and most popular men on our coast is M.R. Hathaway, adjutant-general of Washington. His character, frank and genial, is strengthened also by a manly reserve and modesty which cause every honor bestowed upon him to repose with double dignity. He was born in Kerkimer county, New York, in 1823. Fitting himself as teacher, he found employment in Wayne county. While still but a youth, he removed with his father to Michigan, where his labors alternated between teaching, and opening out a farm. In 1848 occurred his marriage, Miss Maria Smith, of La Porte county, … Read more

Gongliewski, Olivia Alsada Dillard Mrs. – Obituary

Olivia Alsada Gongliewski, 71, of Newberg, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 21, 2003, at her home. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Attrell’s Newberg Chapel. Chaplain Greg Sealander will officiate. Committal will be at 2:30 p.m. at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Visitations were Sunday and until 8 o’clock tonight at the Newberg funeral home. Olivia was born on Sept. 25, 1930, at Spokane, Wash., to William and Elma Moten Dillard. She grew up and attended elementary school in the Kooskia, Idaho, area before moving to Portland in 1942. She graduated from high school there … Read more

Hayes, Connie Rae DuPree Mrs. – Obituary

Connie Rae Hayes, 46, of Durkee, May 26, 2005, at her home. Her graveside service will be at 9 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. MDT) Wednesday at the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Idaho. There will be a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. PDT at the Durkee Grange Hall in Durkee. Connie was born on Aug. 5, 1958, at Council, Idaho, to Don Howard and Lois Lawson DuPree. She was educated at Council, New Meadows and Kooskie, Idaho. When she was 9, the family moved to Seattle, Wash., and then to Vancouver, Wash., where Connie remained for several years. Connie … Read more

McEwen, Martha Grewell – Obituary

Old Pioneer of Valley dies at Toppenish. Mrs. Martha McEwen passes away after lingering illness of several months. Mrs. Martha Grewell McEwen, an old pioneer of this vicinity, passed away at Toppenish Sunday morning at 7 o’clock after a lingering illness which confined her to her bed for the past several months [died December 22, 1918] Mrs. McEwen was born February 22, 1860, in Iowa, and three years later crossed the prairies in an ox team with her parents, settling at Vancouver, Wash. When she was 13 years old she moved to this vicinity where she has since made her … Read more

Biography of S. P. Marsh

S.P. MARSH. – This leading citizen of Vancouver, Washington, was born in Ohio in 1826. At Cleveland he received his education and learned the trade of a blacksmith. At the age of twenty-four the stories of fabulous wealth on the Pacific, and an invitation from a special friend, started him across the continent for Oregon. He was in the great emigration of 1850, when it is said one hundred and eighty thousand persons were on the plains. Heavy luck struck his party on the Platte. Not far out they were surrounded by a thousand Pawnee Indians, and were given ten … Read more

Planting, Allen Arnold – Obituary

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. June 17, 1994, in Trinity Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Wash. Disposition will be by cremation. Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery in Vancouver. Mr. Planting died of a stroke June 13 in Portland hospital. He was 80. He was born Dec. 31, 1913 in Pendleton. Before his retirement he was a shipping clerk for Crane Plumbing Co. in Portland. He had lived in Vancouver since 1929. Survivors include his wife, Leone; daughters, Ann Bates, Ruth Sundheim and Kay Planting, all of Seattle; sister, Goldie Vice of Vancouver; and one granddaughter. Remembrances: Trinity Lutheran … 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

Church, Dorlinski (Dolly) – Obituary

“Family notes Dorlinski (Dolly) Church” Union County Died in Vancouver, Washington, Friday, January 25, 1952, Mrs. Dorlinski (Dolly) Church, age 91 years, 1 month, and 1 day. Dolly Post was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Post, who crossed the plains from Illinois to Oregon in 1852, settling in the Willamette Valley where Dolly was born December 24, 1860. In 1867 her family moved to Pyles Canyon near Union, Oregon living there several years then moving on to Whitman County, Washington. Dolly was united in marriage to Manuel G. Church on September 15, 1889. She is survived by her four … Read more

Dulin, Dorothy Irene – Obituary

Lostine, Oregon Dorothy Irene Dulin died Feb. 20, 2008. She was born Jan. 13, 1918 in Spokane, Wash. to Olla Lee Gooch and John Fredrick Bachman. Dorothy grew up in Vancouver, Wash. and was the youngest of five siblings. She graduated high school and worked in a cannery before moving to southern California, where she spent the next 64 years of her life. There, she met John W Dulin, a young man from Springfield Mo. They were married in Las Vegas, Nev. on Nov. 16, 1941, and recently celebrated their 66th anniversary. Dorothy worked in a bag factory and later … Read more

Gooderham, Steven Douglas – Obituary

Steven Douglas Gooderham, 62, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died Oct. 12 at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. A military service was held at the Willamette National Cemetery Oct. 17. Steven was born on May 30, 1945, to Wayne and Lois in La Grande. In 1952 his mother married Alfred Martens and the family moved to Portland. His siblings, Susan, Pam and Bill, were born. The family traveled around Oregon as Alfred helped build the I-84 and I-5 freeways. Steven graduated from Madison High School and joined the Army. He served two of his four years in … Read more

Stephens, Montia Coval – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Montia Coval Stephens died May 20, 2007, at the Vancouver Veterans Hospice Center, from cancer surgery complications. He was 64. Mr. Stephens was born Dec. 30, 1942, in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1960. Immediately after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His service included Officers’ Candidate School, tours in Korea and the Dominican Republic and in the White House as a communication specialist and on the presidential press team during President John F. Kennedy’s term. He also worked in the Pentagon. He left the army as a Captain. Mr. Stephens remained … Read more

Biography of William Ranck

WILLIAM RANCK. – This representative citizen of Clarke county was born at East Waterford, Pennsylvania, in 1829. At the age of five years his parents moved to Huntington county in the same state, one and one-half miles from Shade Gap postoffice, where he received the common-school education of that early time which consisted chiefly of the “three R’s.” At the age of seventeen he went to Shirleysburg to learn the trade of a wagon and carriage maker. After some years of employment at Germantown, and at other points in Pennsylvania and Virginia, on the 1st day of April, 1852,he left … Read more