Walla Walla County WA

Biography of Philip F. Castleman

PHILIP F. CASTLEMAN. – Those who now make the trip in the palatial car across the continent from the populous cities and thickly settled districts of the union, and view the Pacific Northwest in its present development, can but faintly realize the dangers and privations the sturdy pioneers experienced in reaching here, nor yet understand the troubles they had with the red man who then roamed its confines at will, and knew no law save what pleased the savage heart the best. They often meet among its residents not a few upon whom the snows of many winters have fallen, … Read more

Allen, Lloyd – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Last Rites Held For Lloyd Allen Lloyd Allen, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Allen, early pioneers of Wallowa passed away in the Walla Walla Hospital of a heart attack Thursday evening, January 24, 1952. Mr. Allen was born in Wallowa on December 18, 1883 and spent the early part of his life in Lower Valley and Lostine where he attended school and later was in the hardware and furniture business with his brother, Challis. He became a member of the Christian church at an early age. On June 18, 1913 he was united … Read more

Lee, Mary Loney – Obituary

Mrs. Mary Lee, sister of Sam Loney, 10 West Oak Street, died Wednesday [April 1, 1931] at a local hospital following a brief illness. Mrs. Lee who was 67, was born September 3, 1864 near the city of Ontario, Canada, came to Walla Walla county in 1882 when she was only 18 years of age. The following year, in 1883, she married Henry Lee, who died October 16, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living. She is survived by her sons, Robert E. Lee of Dayton; Roy T. Lee of … Read more

Westenskow, Ronald W. – Obituary

Formerly of Imbler Ronald Wilford Westenskow, 87, of Walla Walla and formerly of Imbler, died Oct. 24. A private graveside service for family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Walla Walla. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Herring Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A full obituary will be available later. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity in care of Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, 99362. La Grande Observer – October 29, 2009 ____________________________ … Read more

Biography of Edwin F. Guyon, M. D.

Edwin F. Guyon, M. D., who has become known as county physician of Bear Lake county, Idaho, assistant surgeon for the Oregon Short Line, member of Idaho and Oregon State Medical Associations and of the American National Medical Association, and as author of the law to prohibit illegal medical practice in Idaho and coauthor with Dr. C. J. Smith of the law to prevent illegal medical practice in Oregon, is one of the leading physicians in Idaho and is doing much to elevate his profession and augment its usefulness throughout the northwest. Dr. Guyon began the practice of medicine in … Read more

Biography of John A. Lanman

John A. Lanman is one of the best known men in Wallowa County, and also in eastern Oregon, having spent a career of exceptional success in the capacity of rider of race horses in this section, while in his business enterprises since that time he has manifested talent and energy that have commended him to his fellows. John A. was born in Wayne County, Iowa, on October 23, 1859, being the son of William and Betsey (Dobson) Lanman, natives of Illinois. They soon removed to Iowa after their nuptials, about 1843, and twenty years subsequent to that time they crossed … Read more

Biography of Albert Small

Albert Small, the senior member of the firm of Small & Emery, prominent wholesale dealers in and manufacturers of lumber, and proprietors of the Lewiston Lumber Mills, is a native of the province of New Brunswick, born September 30, 1841, and is of English and Scotch ancestry. His great-grandfather Small was a sea captain who emigrated to the state of Maine, where for many years he made his home and headquarters. He attained the advanced age of eighty-seven years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mitchell, reached the remarkable age of ninety-seven. They were the parents of … Read more

Peterson, Betty Lou Styles Mrs. – Obituary

Betty Lou Peterson, 66, of Walla Walla, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died March 11, 2002, at the Life Care Center in Kennewick, Wash. Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery in College Place, Wash. Pastor Boyd Olson will officiate. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight and from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Friday at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home at Walla Walla. Betty was born on March 10, 1936, at Greer, S.C., to James E. and Alice M. Middleton Styles. She attended schools in South Carolina. She moved to Baker City … Read more

Baxter, Rex D. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Rex D. Baxter, of Dayton, Wash. died Nov. 16, 2006. He was 55. Mr. Baxter was born Oct. 15, 1951. He graduated from Enterprise High School. He was employed as a Fishery Biologist and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla, Wash. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Emily, son Steven, mother Marjorie M. Baxter of Enterprise, brothers Greg Baxter of Bend, Gary Baxter of Troutdale and Terence Baxter of Walla Walla, Wash. plus other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at Dayton, Wash. on Nov. 25, 2006. Wallowa County … Read more

Biography of William Fine

WILLIAM FINE. – Any compilation that purports to chronicle the careers of the leading men of Union and Wallowa counties would be open to great criticism, were there failure to incorporate therein an epitome of the gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph, since he is one of the most influential and prominent men of this entire section, being well known over the two counties and as highly esteemed as he is widely known: and since he has achieved a good success here in various enterprises, thus demonstrating his ability to handle the affairs of the business world in a winning … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ross Beardlsey

ROSS BEARDLSEY. – This gentleman, the present mayor of Arlington, Oregon, was born in Cass county, Michigan, July 7,1856, where he received a good common-school education, and followed the occupation of farming, working with his father until 1876, when he crossed the plains to Woodland, California, remaining until 1877 with an uncle, H.P. Merritt. After a year’s residence in this land of gold, he returned to Michigan, where he lived until 1879, making a trip in the meantime to Montana. Soon after his return to Michigan, he was married to Miss Jennie Speese of White Pigeon, in February, 1880. In … Read more

Biography of Col. T. R. Cornelius

COL. T.R. CORNELIUS. – In view of the prominent part sustained by Colonel Cornelius in the Indian wars of our early history, as well as in our political history since, it seems best to give at length the interesting picture of his connection with those wars. This is done mainly in his own language, and hence preserves the vividness of his own recollections. T.R. Cornelius was born November 16, 1827, in Howard county, Missouri. At an early age he moved with his parents to Arkansas, and in 1845, then a youth of nineteen, came with them to Oregon. The company … Read more

Bryson, Elmer D. – Obituary

Elmer D. Bryson, 605 Boyer, died Saturday afternoon at a local nursing home. H was 59 years old and was a resident of this region for 40 years. Bryson was a woolgrower and for 25 years, secretary of the Wenaha Wood Growers association. He graduated from the Weston normal school and the Portland Business college. He had been in the wool business 31 years and was born December 1, 1881 near Weston. Surviving him are his wife, Charlotte; a daughter and son Blanche and Howard, both of Walla Walla, and two sisters, Mrs. Daisy Scott of Enterprise, Ore. And Mrs. … Read more

Hayes, Walter Hartwell – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Walter Hartwell Hayes, 85, of Baker City, died April 1, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Care Center, where he had lived the past 9 years. There will be a memorial service this summer at Mount Hope Cemetery when family members can return from Europe and the Middle East. Walt was born at Baker City on April 22, 1920, to Walter Dutton Hayes and Junia Philbrick Hayes. He spent almost his entire life in Baker County. The “lay-in home” where he was born is still standing on Spring Garden Avenue, not but a block from where his … Read more

Rees, R. R. Major – Obituary

On last Thursday morning Dr. C.H. Day received a telegram from Walla Walla announcing the death of Major Raymond R. Rees at that place. Deceased was an uncle of Mrs. Dr. Day and well known by many in this vicinity. Mr. Rees came to Walla Walla in 1861 and was one of the original owners of the Statesman published in that city. He leaves a wife and three children. The Walla Walla Journal says of him: He was always called major, from his boyhood up and the title stuck to him all through life with becoming modesty. Politically, he was … 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

Pointer, William Mack – Obituary

William M. Pointer, 68, of 3552 SE 65th Avenue, died at his home Thursday following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held Friday at 8 PM in the Bruning & Lundberg Chapel, 1521 SW Salmon Street. The body will be forwarded to Colfax, Wash., where the Elks Lodge will conduct burial services Sunday. Mr. Pointer was born in Walla Walla, Wash. He came to Oregon from Colfax in 1914 and worked for sometime as a highway engineer, having been associated with the construction of Columbia River Highway. Surviving relatives include his widow, Calanthe; a son, Robert W. Pointer, 7707 … Read more

Boyce, Ned – 1984 Obituary

Imnaha, Wallowa County, Oregon Ned Boyce of Imnaha passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1983 in Walla Walla at the Park manor Convalescent Center, Services were held on Dec.30 at the Bollman Funeral Home. Source: Wallowa County Chieftain, January 5, 1984, Page 5 Contributed by: Sue Wells

Teske, Steven Anthony – Obituary

Steven Anthony Teske, 60, of Walla Walla, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died Sept. 18, 2007. His funeral was last month at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla. Steven was born on Sept. 2, 1947, at Baker City to Reuben and Lois Ruth Taylor Teske. He lived for a while in La Grande and graduated from a church school there. He graduated from Upper Columbia Academy at Spangle, Wash., in 1965 and attended Walla Walla College. He served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge in 1967. He married Dolly Ogren in 1966. They had two … Read more

Biography of David Diggins

Although the subject of this sketch has not resided in Wallowa County so long as some others, nevertheless, he is one of the earliest pioneers of this section, having braved the dangers and suffered the hardships and deprivations in the fifties to assist in opening this country for the advent of civilization’s march. Mr. Diggins has lived the life of a typical frontiersman and pioneer, and to him and his companions is due the honor and distinction of discovering the leading placer mines of this northwest country, which in fact rivaled any on the Pacific coast, and during these long … Read more