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

Deiter, Eugene “Gene” – Obituary

Eugene “Gene” Deiter, 66, died June 18, 2004, at his daughter’s home in Vancouver, Wash. He had been ill for the last few years. There will be a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 349 South Egan in Vancouver, Wash. Gene was born on Oct. 17, 1937, at Rifle, Colo., to Edwin and Pearl Nichols Deiter. He attended grammar school in Colorado until 1949, when the family moved to Burns, where he continued his education. When he was 17, he joined the military and served during the Korean War. During his military … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Mary J. 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 John Krall

Few lives have been more active or more thoroughly filled with incidents of interest and of unusual nature than has that of John Krall, one of the pioneers of Idaho, and for about thirty-five years a resident in the vicinity of Boise City. Now a wealthy man, he is indebted to himself alone for his fortune, for he started out in youth to fight the battle of life, a poor boy, and by the exercise of industry and perseverance, in the face of great difficulties, he came off victor over all. Mr. Krall is a native of Germany, born December … 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

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

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

Davis, Darnell – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Darnell Davis, 54, of Huntington, died July 8, 2005, at his home. His memorial service will be scheduled later at Vancouver, Wash. Darnell Davis was born on April 10, 1951, at Fort Towson, Okla. He was raised and educated in Oklahoma. He started working outside of the home at the age of 13 to help support his family. Darnell was awarded a football scholarship and attended college in Oklahoma. Earning his degree, he joined the U.S. Navy, completing his tour of duty in 1974. After serving in the Navy, Darnell began driving truck in Oklahoma. … Read more

Biography of William R. Anderson

WM. R. ANDERSON. – This well-known pioneer of Clarke county was born in West Virginia in 1822, and there received his education and was apprenticed to learn the working of leather and the manufacture of boots and shoes. Being possessed of a roving disposition, he went out to Missouri in 1848, and the year following took the final step to reach the Pacific. His trip across the mountains was brought about by his hiring to drive a government wagon to Fort Hall. Reaching this point too late to return that season, the commander proposed to the squad of thirty-six men … Read more

Biography of Dr. Alden H. Steele

DR. ALDEN H. STEELE. – “Olympia will always be a place for pleasant homes,” says one of her citizens well qualified to render an opinion, – the gentleman whose name appears above. The wide streets, magnificent shade-trees and comfortable residences of the capital of Washington Territory, together with her delightful climate, an extensive view of water and mountains, fully justify the remark; and no place could have a more pleasant recommendation. The Doctor has also examined the facilities of the place for a naval station, and finds that the location is most desirable from the following particulars: Safe anchorage and … Read more

Allen, Rose M. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Rose M. Allen, 97, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21 at her home in Bend. Autumn Funerals in Bend is in charge of arrangements. She was born Sept. 30,1912, to John and Barbara Kline in Vancouver, Wash. She married Verne A. Allen May 31, 1941. They moved to La Grande in September 1960. During the next 20 years she worked for several doctors and the Saint Joseph Hospital as a medical transcriptionist. During that time she became involved with the La Grande Country Club. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband and with her female friends. … Read more

Conaway, Violet – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Violet Effie Conaway, 88, of McMinnville, died April 15, 2004, at home. She was born Oct. 3, 1915, in Flora to Roy and Bessie Varney. Mrs. Conaway spent most of her growing up years on Upper Prairie Creek and graduated from Joseph High School. After marrying James B. Conaway in 1938, the couple moved to La Grande a few years later where she worked as a high school secretary, followed by a move to McMinnville in 1950. After a short time in Alaska, the couple lived in Vancouver, Wash., before returning to McMinnville in 1980 with two young … Read more

Polk, Opal Simonis Mrs. – Obituary

Opal Simonis Polk, 80, passed away June 8, 2006, in Vancouver, Wash., where she resided the past 50 years. Opal was born July 15, 1925, in North Powder, Ore., to Mary and Jacob Simonis. She was preceded in death by her husband Perry Polk. She is survived by her children: daughters, Betty Sneddon and husband John of Vancouver, Wash., Linda Sill and fiance Bob Turkington of Anchorage, Alaska; son, David Polk and wife Margaret of Longview, Wash. Also surviving are six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, June, 2006 Transcribed by: Belva … Read more

Thorpe, Frank – Obituary

Graveside funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Summerville cemetery for Frank Thorpe, 79, who died earlier this week at the Pythian Home at Vancouver, Washington, where he had lived the last several years. The service of the Knights of Pythias was used. Mr. Thorpe was born July 7, 1866 at Seymour, Iowa, and came in this locality when a small boy. He was in business here for many years and later moved to his acreage a mile from Alicel on the old Summerville road where he lived until going to Vancouver. The deceased leaves no known surviving relatives … 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

Humphreys, Sarah Lulu Odell – Obituary

Humphreys, Sarah L.-Age 80, November 5, 1962 of Vancouver, Wash. Born November 5, 1882 at Dayton, Ore. Lived in Vancouver since 1948. Resided at 1012 West Twenty-first St. Formerly of California and member of a pioneer family of Willamette Valley in Oregon. Son Norman Humphreys, Vancouver, Wash.; Daughter, Lois M. Humphreys, Vancouver, Wash. There are two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Brother, Albert L. Odell, Portland, Ore. Funeral services at 3 p.m., Thursday, November 8 at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edward Hastings officiating. Vault interment in Brush Prairie Cemetery. Vancouver Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. … Read more

Fisher, James K. – Obituary

James K. Fisher, 71, a former Haines resident, died Friday, August 19, 1983, in a Portland Hospital. His graveside funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Haines Cemetery. The Rev. Don Carpenter of the Haines Baptist Church will officiate. Mr. Fisher was born November 14, 1911, in Haines to Calvin and Lena Maxwell Fisher. He grew up on the family farm near Haines. He attended school in Haines and Muddy Creek High School. He left Haines in 1936 and had been living in Vancouver, Washington for the past 14 years. Survivors include his wife, Louise of Vancouver, Washington; … Read more