Biographical Sketch of William H. Bacon

He has the distinction of being one of those who assisted in bringing the wilds of nature to well tilled farms and building thereupon comfortable homes in this section of the county, and much credit is due these worthy pioneers for this praiseworthy work. It is with pleasure that we accord to this gentleman representation in the history of Wallowa County, since he has done much towards the development of the county and the material progress since he has been here. His life of morality and uprightness has been an example in the community where he has resided and his … Read more

Haun, Ludwigh Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Ludwig Haun died on Tuesday evening of last week at the family home in O.K. Gulch very suddenly. She had been in her usual health and had prepared the evening meal as usual and was in the yard when stricken and died at 11:30. She was 46 years of age and leaves a husband and eight children, five boys and three girls. The remains were taken Friday to Walla Walla for internment, accompanied by members of her family. Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, Thursday October 24, 1918 Haun, Mrs. Mrs. Ludwig Hahn died suddenly on Tuesday night, October … Read more

Holmes, George H. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon George H. Holmes was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1855. In early childhood he crossed the plains with his parents to Bannock City, Montana. Later the family came to Walla Walla and in 1868 they located at Cove, which was his home until early manhood. Mr. Holmes was one of the earliest settlers of Wallowa County, residing here at a time when there were only thirteen families in the County. While still a young man, Mr. Holmes proved up on a homestead on Crow Creek, the same homestead being farmed by himself the summer previous to … Read more

McCully, John William – Obituary

A pioneer of ’52, John William McCully dies at the home of his daughter at Lowden, Wash. (1911-Newspaper source unknown, family scrapbook) John William Mccully born 22 Feb 1847, New London, Henry Co., IA; came to Union Co., OR, 1872, resided there and in Wallowa County ever since; he was a freighter in early life, later living on his farm at Lostine, OR. He returned to Elgin, OR, “last fall” (1910), when he was afflicted with Bright’s Disease; he rallied somewhat, but then died while on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Hetta Compau at Lowden, WA 23 May 1911; … Read more

Biography of John M. Silcott

Almost forty years have passed since John M. Silcott took up his residence in Idaho, and he is therefore one of the oldest and most widely known pioneers of the state. He came in the spring of 1860 to establish the government Indian agency at Lapwai, and has since been identified with the growth and development of this section. He is a Virginian, his birth having occurred in Loudoun County, of the Old Dominion, January 14, 1824. His French and Scotch ancestors were early settlers there, and during the Revolution and the war of 18 12 representatives of the family … Read more

Hastings, Sarah Ann Martin – Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Ann Hastings, 81, resident of Walla Walla for several years, died at her home, 9 North Spokane Street, Wednesday evening [July 1] following six months of failing health. Mrs. Hastings was the widow of William Hastings who died here in December of 1934. She was born July 16, 1855 in Shelby County, Kentucky, and is survived by several nieces and nephews in Kentucky. She was a member of the White Temple Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are being made for Saturday morning. Walla Walla Union, July 2, 1936 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Thomas J. Huff

One of the pioneers of the northwest and one of the old residents of Caldwell is Thomas Jefferson Huff, the present assessor of Canyon County. He is a man of the highest integrity and ability, and stands well in the estimation of all who know him. A lifelong Democrat, and devoted to his party, he has never occupied a public office before, and has not been an aspirant for political honors and emoluments. In his business career he has met with success, and by well directed energy and good judgment he has amassed a comfortable fortune. Philip Huff, the paternal … Read more

Lang, Dr. – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Dr. Lang Dead Dr. Lang, a former resident of Cove, and well known in this section, died this week at College Place, Washington. He had been in poor health for years, and his death was not a surprise to those who were familiar with his physical condition. November 10, 1905 Contributed by: Larry Rader

Ingram, Marion Sue Teeter Mrs. – Obituary

Haines, Baker County, Oregon Marion Sue Ingram, 88, of Haines died May 13, 2006, at Medford. Her graveside memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Haines Cemetery, overlooking her home of 60 years. Deacon James R. Watt of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the Haines Methodist Church hall. Marion was born on Aug. 28, 1917, at Waitsburg, Wash., to Thurman S. and Meda Prim Teeter. When her family later moved to Imbler, she attended high school there, graduating in 1935. She attended Eastern Oregon Normal School at La … Read more

Van Ocker, Virginia Mary Wilson Mrs. – Obituary

Virginia Mary Wilson Van Ocker, 90, of Baker City, died Jan. 29, 2005, at Boise after a long illness. Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Ralph Holcomb will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the funeral home. Virginia was born at Seattle, Wash., on June 3, 1914, to Otis and Hulda Wilson. She was the second of five children. At the age of 2, she moved with her family to Milton-Freewater. She attended all 12 years of school at Milton-Freewater, graduating from Mac-Hi in 1932. She married … Read more

Baker, Sarah A. Mrs. – Obituary

Elgin, Union County, Oregon Former Pioneer Lady Answers Final Summons Mrs. Sarah A. Baker, former Elgin resident, but a resident of Freewater the past several years, died in a Walla Walla hospital July 3. Funeral services and interment will be at Freewater July 5. Mrs. Baker was born in Lampasa, Tex., November 16, 1868. She came to Oregon with members of her family who settled in the present location of Elgin in 1876. She was then only 12 years of age, and lived here until 1937, when she moved to the Freewater district. Her husband, Allen Baker, member of a … Read more

Biography of James D. McCurdy, M. D.

In an analyzation of the character and life work of Dr. James Darwin McCurdy we note many of the characteristics which have marked the Scotch nation for many centuries, the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained to Dr. McCurdy success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Idaho. He now resides in Bellevue, Blaine County, and while he has retired from the practice of medicine he is still actively interested in mining, being the owner of a … Read more

Conner, Sidney George – Obituary

Wallowa, Oregon Sidney George Conner died on May 3, 2005. He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Wallowa to Robert and Jennie Conner. Mr. Conner graduated from Wallowa High School in 1948. He was class valedictorian and played football and basketball. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War, and was discharged in 1955, after four years of service as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He married Joyce Thomason on Nov. 24, 1955. He then attended Boise State College for two years, where he also played football. He transferred to the University of Washington, where … Read more

Fleshman, Mintie Courtwright Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. Mintie E. Fleshman, of Albany, a former resident of Wallowa County and well known here, passed away Sunday morning, February 19, 1973 in the Albany nursing home following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Fleshman was born at Logan, Iowa, on October 2, 1891, daughter of Peter Courtwright and Amanda Henderson. On December 10, 1910 she was married at Milton to Robert Lee Fleshman. For many years the couple farmed on Alder Slope. In 1947 they moved to Walla Walla where he passed away in 1949. She had lived in Albany since 1966. She was a member of Albany First Methodist … Read more

Forthman, Charles O. – Obituary

Charles O. Forthman died May 12, 2007, at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Veterans Administration Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash. He was 85. Mr. Forthman was born in a log house April 21, 1922, in Flora to William T. and Margery M. Ager Forthman. In 1940 he went to National Youth Association School in Pendleton for mechanics in heavy equipment and truck driving. In 1943 he attended five weeks of school for heavy equipment and truck driving. During World War II he was drafted in the Army Air Force and received his honorable discharge in January 1946. Mr. Forthman served … Read more

Kent, Marvin R. – Obituary

Marvin R. Kent, the 2-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Kent, passed away at the family home near Walla Walla some time Wednesday night [February 25, 1920], the body being found yesterday morning by the mother in the basket where the child slept. The funeral will be held at 2:30 this afternoon from the home of Guy Kent’s father, Frank Kent, at Orchard station. Rev. T. W. Lane will officiate. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Walla Walla Union, February 27, 1920 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Batson, Ronald Orville – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ronald Orville Batson, 63, of Walla Walla, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 20, 2003, at his home after an extended illness. His memorial service was Friday at Walla Walla. His cousin, Pastor Mouse McKinney, and Pastor Dan Neisner officiated. Ron was born on April 9, 1939, at Cobden, Ill., to Orville Jake and Elma Simmons Batson. His early years were spent at St. Louis, Mo. The family moved to Baker City in 1955. He was a 1958 Baker High School graduate. Ron served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962. He married … Read more

Burnap, William David – Obituary

La Grande,Union County, Oregon William David Burnap was born in Bedford township, Meigs County, Ohio, May 10, 1842, and died at his home near LaGrande, Oregon, December 22, 1911. He was married to Mary Melvina Hoit, of West Point, Illinois, March 3, 1867, by the late Rev. William B. Finlay, of St. Albens township, Hancock County. The following children and his aged companion survie him; Rrs. Ruthanar Maud Cole of flora, Or., Marius Melvin Burnap, La Grande, Or, Albert Vinton Burnap, Walla Walla, WA, W. Eugene Burnap, Asel Hoyt Burnap of Touchet, WA, and Mrs. Ocie Vaun Frakes of Starbuck, … Read more

Emele, Donald Franklin – Obituary

Funeral services for Donald “Don” F. Emele, 2750 Myrtle Street, 54, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at The Beatty Chapel. The Rev. James Berentson will officiate with concluding services in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Mr. Emele was born May 30, 1914, at Baker, Oregon, the son of Elmer A. and Elsie Sams Emele, and attended schools in Baker. After his schooling, he worked for the Union Pacific R. R. Co., was a truck driver for a Co-op in Walla Walla, Washington, worked in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, and had been an employee … Read more

Givens, Amy A. Kent – Obituary

Private family funeral services for Amy A. Givens, 87, of 215 E. Oak St., will be in Colonial-DeWitt Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. William Bray of the College Place Presbyterian Church officiated. Burial will be Mountain View Cemetery. Mrs. Givens died at Smith Nursing Home Monday [January 16, 1978]. She was a native of Walla Walla, born Feb. 26, 1890, the daughter of Frank S. and Mattie Kent. She attended Walla Walla schools and was married to Walter E. Givens. The couple farmed at Valley Chapel for a number of years. Following Givens’ death in … Read more