Walla Walla County WA

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

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

McEwen, Lena – Obituary

A longtime resident of Centralia, Mrs. Lena M. McEwen, 82, died Wednesday at a Centralia hospital. She was born March 28, 1884 at Lawrence, Kan. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Alta Rasmussen, Battle Ground and Mrs. Laura Timberman, Vancouver; four sons, Dan, Centralia, Wilbur and Melvin, both of Kelso and Elmer, Oakland, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Myrtle Mooney, Portland; 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Funeral services are Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Fissell-Brown Mortuary Chapel, Chehalis, with the Rev. James F. Scott officiating. Interment will follow at the Toledo Cemetery [Fir Lawn Cemetery]. Pallbearers will be Leslie Palmer, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James P. Atwood, M.D.

JAMES P. ATWOOD, M.D. – One of the most successful physicians of Baker City, Oregon, is the gentleman whose name appears as the heading of this sketch. A careful and conscientious gentleman of temperate habits, and thoroughly reliable in all public and professional as well as private matters, he enjoys the confidence of the public, and has a large practice. He was born in Wisconsin in 1846, but was educated in Oregon, at Sublimity and at Corvallis, and took his degree in medicine from the medical department of the Willamette University at Salem, and from the medical department of the … Read more

Buoy, Wayland L. – Obituary

Imbler, Oregon Wayland L. “Buck” Buoy, 92, formerly of Imbler, died Aug. 10 at his home in Hermiston. Recitation of the rosary will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston. Buck was born on Jan. 22, 1915, to Roy and Violet Linklater Buoy in Prescott, Wash. He was raised in Imbler and went to school there. He joined the Navy, serving in the South Pacific during WWII. He returned to Oregon and moved to Coos Bay where he worked as a … Read more

Lee, Jay Right – Obituary

Jay Right Lee was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Feb. 2, 1853, and had he lived until February 2, would have been 75 years of age. He was next to the youngest child in a family of five and the last to survive, his oldest brother, W. M. Lee who spent most of his life in this vicinity, having passed away two years ago. Jay R. Lee crossed the plains with the family in the early sixties settling in Walla Walla, where he grew to manhood. He married Nancy Ann Pointer, Sept. 19, 1880, at Dayton, Wash. To this union were … Read more

Biography of Charles R. Patten

CHARLES R. PATTEN. – It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph a representation in this volume of Union county’s history, since he has labored faithfully here for the advancement of the county and has demeaned himself in such a commendable manner that he has won the admiration and esteem of all who are acquainted with him. Charles R. was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on December 10, 1860, being the son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Young) Patten, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and … Read more

Powers, Robert E. “Bob” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Robert E. “Bob” Powers, 82, a longtime Baker City resident, died July 3, 2002, at his home. Vigil services for Mr. Powers will be Sunday at 7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at the cathedral. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin will celebrate the Mass. Vault interment will be Monday afternoon at Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande. Robert was born Sept. 25, 1919, the youngest of six siblings born to Gertrude and Laurence Powers, a second-generation American farming family. His mother’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Farley

James H. Farley has led a life of activity and filled with enterprising and various labors, during which, also, he has manifested those rare qualities of integrity, up rightness, and perseverance, which together with his wise methods of procedure and Industry, have given him the competence of a prosperous business man and owner of real property. James H. was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on October 15, 1858, being the son of Patrick and Catherine Farleu, who settled at Dubuque when it was but a small hamlet, being natives of New York; state. The father served three years in the Civil … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. M. Kinnear

E.M. KINNEAR. – The mercantile house of Mr. Kinnear is one of the largest and most patronized in this part of the territory. Its owner and founder is a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1856. He came to Washington Territory in 1871 and located on the Touchet, engaging in merchandising. From 1878 to 1880 he was in business at Colfax, but removed in the latter year to Sprague for his permanent home. There he has bought quite a property, conducts a large business and is one of its most prominent citizens. He has served as city councilman … Read more

Burford, Paula Errolo – Obituary

Union, Oregon Paula Errolo Burford, 80, of College Place, Wash., and formerly of Union died Sept. 17 at her daughter’s home. The funeral was held today at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater. Burial was at the Milton-Freewater Cemetery. Mrs. Burford was born March 25, 1926, to Joseph Coleman and Katie Rosilla Deuel Lay in Medical Springs. She graduated from Union High School, and attended Brigham Young University. She moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she worked for Western Union. On Sept. 16, 1949, she married Clifford Edwin Burford in Los Angeles. They returned to Oregon and lived in Milton-Freewater for … Read more

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

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 William Tillman

WILLIAM TILLMAN – We have before us in the person of the subject one of those hardy, intrepid and commendable pioneers, who wrought in this section for its development, wresting it from the grasp of the savages and fitting it for the abode of man. Especially is our subject to be mentioned in this capacity, since he came here yound and vigorous and wrought constantly here for nearly half a century, enduring all the hardships known to frontier existence, displaying an astuteness, energy, and ability, coupled with faithfulness and integrity that have commended him to the graces and hearts of … 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 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

Whitson, Edward N. – Obituary

Edward N. Whitson, judge of the United States Circuit Court of the Eastern District of Washington, died at his home in this city Saturday night, following an attack of paralysis last Wednesday morning. Judge Whitson was born in Salem, Ore., October 6, 1852. His education was received in the public and high schools of that day and in Oregon College. In 1879 he was admitted to the bar. September 3, 1885, he was married to Leora Nellie Bateman at Walla Walla. He lived a large part of his life in the Yakima Valley and was prominently identified with the commercial … Read more

Biography of Hon. John B. Allen

HON. JOHN B. ALLEN. – “I think Walla Walla is destined to be the central and commercial city of that large area of country in Eastern Washington lying south of the Snake river, and of much of Eastern Oregon. Probably no city of its population in the Northwest equals it in wealth. It is just now emerging from years of transportation extortions, which few other regions could have borne. Competitive systems will infuse new life to every industry, and stimulate the developments of resources heretofore lying dormant.” This is the horoscope of the young city as cast by Mr. Allen; … 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

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