Walla Walla County WA

Biography of Michael J. Shields

The life of Michael Joseph Shields affords an illustration of the vicissitudes of business under modern conditions; it emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing at the right time, and it teaches a lesson of patience under difficulties and perseverance against obstacles, a lesson that should not be lost upon all of the many who need it. It is suggestive in another way, too, because it affords an example, in addition to many others that have been given in the past, of the excellent quality of the sturdy Irish-American character. Mr. Shields, who is one of the most enterprising … 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

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

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

Lee, William Max – Obituary

William M. Lee, who came to Whitman County in 1872 from Walla Walla, died at his home in this city Tuesday evening [June 16, 1925], surrounded by his wife and four surviving children. He suffered an attack of pneumonia about two weeks ago and due to his advanced age of 77 years the after effects proved fatal. Funeral services were held from the Baptist Church Thursday at 2 p.m., Rev. W. P. Osgood, a former pastor coming from Albany, Oregon, to officiate, assisted by the new pastor, Rev. J. L. Peringer. Mr. Lee was an active member of the finance … Read more

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

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

Biography of Hon. Elisha Ping

HON. ELISHA PING. – In this kindly face we see another of the honored pioneers of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, March 13, 1819, Mr. Ping’s early years were spent in the chase after the fascinating phantom of “Out West” which lured so many of our best people to these pleasant shores. His early years were spent in Illinois and Indiana. In the latter state he was married in 1840 to Miss Lucretia Kuykendall. She died in December,1863. In 1851, Mr. Ping, with his young family, went to Wisconsin; but they still yearned for the “Westmost West,” … Read more

Kent, Nettie E. – Obituary

College Place–Nettie E. Kent, 90, of 1200 SE 12th St., died Thursday [September 7] at the Blue Mountain Convalescent Center. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Mountain View Cemetery. Elder Ralph J. Wendt of the College Place Seventh-Day Adventist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery. Miss Kent, the daughter of Frank and Mattie Kent, was born Aug. 24, 1888 in Walla Walla. She attended local schools. She lived in Spokane for many years before returning to Walla Walla six years ago. Miss Kent is survived by her brother, Arthur Kent of … 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 Archibald W. Turner

The subject of this sketch is one of Malheur County’s heaviest property owners, having an estate of eleven hundred and sixty acres of fine soil and very valuable as a hay producer. He is one of the prominent men of the country, a man of fine capabilities, and highly respected and esteemed by all. Mr. Turner was born in Boone County, Missouri, on February 1, 1827, being the son of James and Sarah Turner. He was reared on a farm, gained his education in the primitive log school house of the time and at the native place on October 7, … Read more

Reynolds, Joe – Obituary

Troy, Wallowa County, Oregon Joe Reynolds, a Grouse Flats farmer, died of leukemia Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1992, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at Lewiston, Idaho. He was 67. He was born April 13, 1925, at Walla Walla, Wash., the son of Earl and Pansy Reynolds. He attended high school in Anatone. Mr. Reynolds moved to Grouse Flats in 1937. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service and also logged while farming there. On Jan. 6, 1947, he married Coralie Woodward of Lewiston, Idaho. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and horseback riding. Besides his wife Coralie at, their home on Grouse … Read more

Fisher, Erma – Obituary

Graveside funeral services will be Thursday, January 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Milton-Freewater Cemetery for Mrs. Erma Fisher 72, of 1818 Walnut Street who died January 14 at Walla Walla General Hospital. Rev. Richard Davidson, First Christian Church, will officiate. Mrs. Fisher was born in Wallowa County December 14, 1907 to W. B. and Grace Heskett. She attended schools there and also Alder Slope and Joseph. She married Ira Fisher in Enterprise on October 18, 1926. They lived in Joseph until 1945 when they moved to Umapine. In 1946, they moved to their present home. She was a member … Read more

Schnebly, Dorse D. – Obituary

Dorse D. Schnebly, long time valley rancher, passed away early today February 21, 1967 at the Kittitas Valley Memorial Hospital. He was 81. He was born Feb. 2, 1886 in Walla Walla and came to the Kittitas Valley at the age of 2 with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Schnebly. Mr. Schnebly married the former Stella Barnhart Nov. 16, 1910 and they made their home and ranched in the Fairview District until his retirement in 1962. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, a Charter Member of the Kittitas County Farm Bureau, and a … Read more

Biography of Hoit, Mary Melvina

Mary Melvina Hoit 1842 – 1916 Biography Mary Melvina Hoit was born in Meigs County, Ohio in 1842. She was one of the two daughters. Her sister’s name was Ruthanar. We do not have the names of her parents but in scrapbook #3 in one of the letters she wrote to newspapers there is come family history. Her father moved from Meigs Co. to Quincy, Ill. In Adams County in 1844. They lived in town until the following spring when they moved to the north line of Adams County and purchased a farm from his brother-in-law, Truman Hocox. This farm … Read more

Justice, Ralph – Obituary

Ralph Hendricks Justice, 85, of Walla Walla, Wash., died Feb. 23, 2000, at the Jonathon M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Medical Center in Walla Walla. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary Regional Cancer Center through the funeral home. Mr. Justice was born July 13, 1914, in West Clarkston, Wash., to James G. and Amanda C. Cox Justice. He attended schools in Enterprise and worked in the area after graduating from Enterprise High School in 1932. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served as an airplane maintenance technician with the Army Air Corps during World War … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Lasater

JAMES H. LASATER. – Mr. Lasater was born on the 19th of October, 1823, in McMinn county, Tennessee. Having reached manhood in his native state, he went to California in 1850. After a short stay there he returned East, taking up his abode in Illinois. While there he devoted himself to the study of the law, and in October, 1853, came to Oregon. Pursuing his law studies, he was admitted to the bar in 1855 at Salem. In the following year he was married to Miss Emily Lendder. In April, 1863, he removed to Walla Walla, Washington Territory; and there … Read more

Sturm, Robert Charles, “Bob” – Obituary

Flora, Oregon Bob passed away at his home in Puyallup, Washington on January 2, 2002, held by his wife and soul mate Susan and surrounded by his 4 furred children. He was born in Walla Walla, Washington on 12/20/49 to Jack and Wanda Sturm. Growing up on a farm in Flora, Oregon and involved in 4-H, he met a young lady by the name of Susan Benson when he was 14 and did some serious flirting for a week at 4-H summer school. Bob attended Enterprise High School and then dated his young 4-H friend for a summer. After high … Read more

Biography of Sanford Evans

The self-made man, when he has made a place for himself in the world and installed himself in it, has done as much for the world as he has done for himself. The builder of his own fortunes is an active factor in advancing the best interests of the community in which he lives and flourishes, and every dollar he makes for himself becomes, in a sense, public capital. Such a progressive and helpful citizen is Sanford Evans, of Genesee, a prominent farmer and mill owner, who has done as much for the development of Genesee and its tributary territory … Read more

Biography of Rev. Cushing Eels, D. D.

REV. CUSHING EELS, D.D. – Dr. Eells was born at Blandford, Massachusetts, February 16, 1810, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warner) Eells. He was descended from Samuel Eells, who was a major in Cromwell’s army, and who came to America in 1661. Cushing Eells was brought up at Blandford, became a Christian when fifteen years old, prepared for college at Monson Academy, Massachusetts, entered Williams College in 1830, and graduated four years later. The distance from his home to college was forty-five miles. Twice he rode the entire distance, – when he entered and after he graduated, … Read more