Walla Walla Washington

Ensminger, George – Obituary

George Ensminger Dies, March 5 George Ensminger 69, of Walla Walla, a former longtime Haines resident died Sunday at local hospital in Walla Walla. Graveside services for Mr. Ensminger were conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 8 at the family plot in the Haines Cemetery. The Reverend Gerald C. Nelson of the United Methodist Church in Haines and Baker officiated. Mr. Ensminger was born Feb. 10, 1909 in Haines, the son of Frank and Ethel Payne Ensminger. He received his education in Haines and worked in heavy construction for a number of years. After his retirement he has been a … Read more

Rizzuti, Jessie Nell Adams Mrs. – Obituary

Jessie Nell Rizzuti of 1976 Scarpelli died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at her home. She was 80. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Catholic Schools. Jessie was born April 6, 1927, in the community of Muddy Creek near Haines, Ore., to Leo K. and Edna C. (Weise) Adams. She attended Muddy Creek School, which stood on a corner of her family’s ranch, from 1st grade until her graduation in 1944. Following graduation, she moved to Baker City, staying with family friends while working at Baker State Bank. Jessie developed several treasured friendships with her co-workers there, staying in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Brown

The worthy pioneer and capable business man of whom we now have the privilege of speaking is one of the leaders in the business realm of Burns, being senior member of the firm of N. Brown & Sons, general merchants, who have one of the largest stocks in the county and do a mammoth business, being well established and highly esteemed by all. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in January, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon City, where he engaged … Read more

Biography of Robert C. Mays

ROBERT C. MAYS. – The well-known and capable business man, whose name appears at the head of this article, is one of the most widely known men of Union, and Wallowa counties, and is at the present time handling a large business as warehouseman at Elgin, where he is numbered among the leading residents of that thriving city, and he has made a record in this section that is both crowned with gratifying success from a financial standpoint, and wherein he has maintained a representation that is untarnished and displayed talents that properly place him among the real leaders in … 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

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

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

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

Moulton, Elmer La Grande – Obituary

Elmer La Grande Moulton, 92, of Baker City, died Sept. 24, 2005, at his home. At his request, there will be no funeral. Elmer was born on Oct. 22, 1912, at La Grande, the first child of Harry and Cora Moulton. Elmer grew up at Walla Walla, Wash. He received his early education at Walla Walla and then went on to Business School at Boise. Elmer married Georgia Mildred Rose in 1939 and they had two daughters: Rosemarie and Darla Jean. They later divorced. Elmer worked for Pacific Fruit and Produce and Baker-La Grande Grocery as a traveling salesman and … 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

Knight, Ralph – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Ralph Knight died October 19, 1987 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. He was 80. Ralph was born January 30, 1907 at Elgin, the son of Bill and Mary Troy Knight. He grew up on Eden Bench. On April 10, 1926 he married Bernice S. Catherine Scott in Wallowa. Ralph was a farmer, and farmed in the Promise Powwatka area. Survivors include sons, Leonard and Ted Knight of Wallowa, and Jack Knight, Kamiah, Idaho; daughter, Ruby Berry, Wallowa; sister, Eunice, brother, Ray Knight, La Grande; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was … Read more

Biography of Albert Hembree

It is indeed very gratifying to be allowed to epitomize the career of this esteemed pioneer, being, as he is, one of the earliest pilgrims who ever crossed the dreary plains and rugged mountains toward the setting sun; and since that early date he has been identified with the progress and development of the great west, having ever done a worthy share where his lot has been cast. It will be of interest to chronicle some of the more definite details of this life and we note first that Mr. Hembree was born in Tennessee on April 23, 1833, being … 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

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

Biography of Charles May

When the roll of the pioneers of Boise, Idaho, is called the name which heads this sketch will be found well to the top. Charles May was born in Berkshire, England, May 17, 1833, and was reared in his native county, learning in his boyhood the business of brick manufacturing and brick-laying, his father, Charles May, having been engaged in that business. Indeed, the family for centuries, or as far back as their history can be traced, were brick-makers in England. The younger Charles May remained in England until 1856, when he came to America, locating first in New York, … 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

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

Burnap, Ocie Vaun – Obituary

This was copied from page 44 of the private published book titled, “My Burnap Family” by Zola Burnap Irwin. Published in 1980. William and Mary Burnap were in both Wallowa and Union County. The family moved to Touchet in Walla Walla County in 1892. Eugene and Asel returned to Joseph in 1887. Ocie Vaun Frakes was born in Lamar, Mo., April 11, 1885 and died in Walla Walla, Wn. September 21, 1912. She was married to James H. Frakes April 26, 1904. She leaves to mourn in deepest sorrow a faithful and devoted husband, two small children, a widowed mother, … Read more

Baker, Guy – Obituary

Cove, Union County, Oregon Guy Baker, former Cove resident, died early Sunday morning in the Veteran’s hospital in Walla Walla, where he had been the past three years. He is an uncle of Roy J. Baker. Eastern Oregon Review, January 4, 1946: Contributed by: Holly Vonderohe

Shirley, Michael L. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Michel L. Shirley, 60, of Milton-Freewater and formerly of Union died Aug. 13 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mr. Shirley was born Nov. 5, 1945, to Ancle L. and Eva M. Fulp Shirley in Tranquillity, Calif. He graduated from Union High School in 1963, and served in the Air Force specializing in computer systems. In 1966 he was assigned to NORAD Headquarters in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he received the Armed Forces Commendation Medal. He graduated from the USAAFSS NCO Academy, and finished … Read more