Wallowa County OR

Biography of Benjamin Marks

A stanch and sturdy pioneer of the western country, commendable and loyal and patriotic as a citizen in all his relations since, a faithful member of society, and a progressive agriculturist and stockman of the Imnaha country now, the subject of this brief article is eminently fitted to be represented in any volume that purports to detail the lives of the pioneers and the leading men of the county, consequently it is with pleasure that we accord space for mention of the salient points in an eventful and interesting career in which our subject has universally manifested virtues of a … Read more

Morrow, Jackson L. – Obituary

Jackson L. Morrow passed away at Salem on April 29,1984. He was born February 11, 1896 at Heppner son of James William and Katie Rea Morrow. On July 23, 1917 he was married to Irene Johnson at Portland. He was a WWI veteran, a life member of Harmony Lodge No. 12 AM & AM, a 50 year member of the American Legion. He moved from Joseph to Salem in 1977. Survivors include two sons, S.W. Morrow of Portland, and S.L. Morrow of Longview, Washington; a sister, Mrs. M.V. Sutherland of Salem. Funeral services and interment of remains will be held … Read more

Klecker, Emil – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Emil Klecker Services Friday Emil Klecker, who with his wife lived on S. River St. in Enterprise at the former Jack Dixon residence, passed away yesterday, November 6, 1957 at his home. He was born July 27, 1887 in Germany, son of Bernard and Ottille Klecker. He had lived in Oregon for the past 30 years and in Wallowa County for two and one half years. On February 5, 1916 he was married at Portland to Bertha Kolassa. He was a retired logging blacksmith. He is survived by his wife Bertha of Enterprise; a daughter, Mrs. … Read more

Billings, Ida – Obituary

Word was received Saturday by C.M Billings that his sister, Ida, had died of pneumonia at Deer Lodge, Montana, and was to be taken to Portland for burial. Mr. and Mrs. Billings and baby left on the afternoon train for Portland. Miss Billings visited her brother’s home here during the summer and will be remembered by many who will regret to hear of her untimely death. Wallowa County Reporter Thursday October 24, 1918

Biography of Charles L. Green

CHARLES L. GREEN. – The farmers and stockmen and orchardists of Union county are a prosperous class of people and are noted for their enterprise and progressive methods, while the wealth of the county that has been produced by these industrious people is sufficient comment for their ability and thrift. As one of the substantial ones among this class we may mention the gentlman whose name is above, and who deserves a place in any record of the county’s leading men. Charles L. was born in Knox county, Illinois, on August 16, 1856, being the son of Ezra and Mary … Read more

Hawley, Benjamin P. Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. B.P. Hawley Passes Suddenly Mrs. Benjamin P. Hawley, for 28 years a resident of Wallowa county, and who, with Mr. Hawley, last Oct. 19 celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary, died suddenly at their home at the east edge of town Saturday afternoon about 3 o’clock. Funeral services were held at the Christian church, of which denomination Mrs. Hawley had been a member for 58 years, Tuesday afternoon with Rev. R.N. Olson, pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. Lester Jones of Enterprise. Rev. Olson brought a sympathetic and comforting message on the text found in Psalms 116:15 “Precious in the sight … Read more

Bechtel, Philanda Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon, Obit Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at Elgin for Mrs. Philanda Bechtel, who passed away Wednesday, March 5, 1941 at the home of a son, Joe Bechtel, of Wallowa. She was born in Sullivan County, Missouri in 1856 and had spent the greater part of her life in the Elgin community. Her husband passed away many years ago. Mrs. Bechtel is survived by three sons, Dan and Homer of Elgin; Joe of Wallowa and one daughter, Mrs. Stella Witty of Elgin. Attending the services from Enterprise were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis and Mr. and … Read more

Clemens, James Clinton – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Rites held for James C. Clemens Funeral services were yesterday (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at the Wallowa Methodist church for James Clinton Clemens who passed away in a La Grande hospital Sunday, September 22, 1963 following a lengthy illness. The Rev. Darwin Secord officiated and interment was in the Wallowa cemetery. The deceased was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia 74 years ago and had lived in Wallowa and vicinity for 62 years. On June 30, 1911 he was married to Pearl Williams who preceded him in death on November 21, 1957. Among his survivors are … Read more

Cole, Horatio W. Mrs. – Obituary

Word reached Floyd Leonard Monday that his aunt, Mrs. Horatio W. Cole, had passed away at her home in San Jose, California, February 23. She had been seriously ill about ten days. Her two daughters and her husband were by her bedside and cared for her throughout her sickness. Had she lived until May 25, she and Mr. Cole would have been married fifty six years, about half of which time was spent in Wallowa county. Besides her aged husband she left to mourn her loss, Mrs. Grace Keifer and family, who live in San Francisco, and another daughter, Miss … Read more

Whitman, Josephine – Obituary

Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Whitman Dies After Long Illness Mrs. C.A. Whitman died yesterday morning, May 8, 1940, at the Enterprise hospital. She had been ill for some months and was taken to the hospital from her home in Joseph on Tuesday. Her funeral will be held in the Joseph Methodist church tomorrow, Friday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, and burial will be in the Enterprise cemetery. Josephine Scott was born Dec. 4, 1899, at La Cross, Wash., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Scott. The family moved here in 1916 and located on Lower Prairie creek. She graduated … Read more

Biography of Hon. John W. McAlister

HON. JOHN W. McALISTER. – It now becomes our pleasant privilege to outline in brief review the eventful career of the well known and highly esteemed gentlman whose name initiates this paragraph and whose life is connected with the county of Union, having been identified with it since his early boyhood and having been one of the potent factors in its development as also in making the laws which have proved so salutary for its progress and gaining, meanwhile, a reputation throughout the state because of the ability and sagacity displayed in the state halls of legislation, while no whit … Read more

Evans, Samuel Wesley – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Last Rites Held For Sam Evans Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in the chapel at Enterprise for Samuel Wesley Evans, who was born in Nebraska in 1878 and passed away at his home in Wallowa April 26, 1946. He came west as a young man and settled in the Flora country, where on Nov. 20, 1904, he was united in marriage with Mary Elva Dale. To this union six children were born. One died at birth, and Ethel Evans Martin is also deceased. Surviving besides the widow are the following daughters: Mrs. Dora Boss of … Read more

Keeler, Rebecca Mrs. – Obituary

The funeral services of Mrs.Rebecca Keeler was conducted by Rev. L.A. Cook of Joseph from the Presbyterian church last Friday, Rev. Atkins assisting. A large number of Wallowa people accompanied the family and remains to Evans where the body was interred. Wallowa County Reporter, Wallowa County, Oregon, January 19, 1918

Biographical Sketch of J.T. Willett

Among those who have toiled and continuously wrought for the development of the resources of Wallowa county in the agricultural portion of the population, we may mention the capable and intelligent subject of this sketch, who has demonstrated in the years in which he has been domiciled in our county his fitness to be classed with the representative men of the county and to take rank among the leading ones whose names appear in this compendium of the builders and pioneers of Wallowa County. In Union County, Kentucky, on May 3, 1856, J.T. was born to James M. and Mattie … Read more

Leslie, Glenn E. – Obituary

Glenn E. Leslie died last Friday, September 19, 1919, at Joseph, after an illness of only a few days. He had not been in rugged health for some years, and at the last, a weakness of the heart proved fatal. At the first of the week Mr. Leslie went fishing for yanks at the head of the lake. He had not been feeling any too well before, and pneumonia developed. With the best of attention and nursing, the fever was broken and the patient seemed to have every chance of recovery, but his heart failed him in the crisis. His … Read more

Berner, Robert – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon First Boy from County Is Killed In Battle. Robert Berner, the first Wallowa county boy to die on the field of battle in France, was killed in action July 15, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Berner of Flora. Two other men from this county have died in service. Alfred Hagen, who succumbed to pneumonia in England, and Stanley R. Augusburger of a forest regiment, who was lost on the torpedoed transport Tuscania. Robert Berner and Richard Garrett went to Spokane and enlisted in the artillery in July, 1917. Robert … Read more

Hearing, Clara – Obituary

Wallowa County, Oregon Wallowa County rancher, Clara Hearing, died Jan.4, 1990, at Elzora Manor in Milton-Freewater where she had resided since Oct. 9, 1987. She was born Jan. 31, 1909, at Spokane, Wash., the daughter of John and Dorothy (Briscoe) White. The family moved to Wallowa County when she was five years old. On July 11, 1933, she married Fred Hearing in Pasco, Wash. He preceded her in death in 1962. They operated a ranch on Powwatka for 25 years. Later they bought the Butte Creek holdings (the old Bill Zurcher Place) from Mark Sevier. After her husband’s death, Mrs. … Read more

Cussins, Samuel Jefferson – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon Samuel Jefferson Cussuns was born in Athens County, Ohio, August 14, 1835 and died at his home near Lostine May 1, 1919 being 84 years, 8 months and 13 days old. When 17 years old he moved with his parents to Lee County, Iowa. In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Louise Nelson. To this union were born: James Gaston and George Cussins of Wallowa; Joe of Beatrice, Neb.; Frank, Leander, Arthur, and Henry of lostine, and Mrs. Odelia Jacobs, of Chico. Mr. Cussins was a veteran of the Civil War. He moved with … Read more

Maxwell, Walter – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Former Enterprise candy store owner, Walter Maxwell, died October 22, 1987 at Sumpter, the son of James H. and Lilly May Fisk. On October 27, 1926, he married Ruth Elaine Maxwell at Enterprise. She preceded him in death on September 22, 1986. The Maxwells owned and operated Maxwell’s candy store. In Enterprise for many years. Their daughter, Barbara operates the store now. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Stevens, of Enterprise. At Maxwell’s request, no services were held. Source: Wallowa County Chieftain, Enterprise, Oregon, October 29, 1987 page 2 Contributed by: Sue Wells Transcribed by: … Read more

Carper, Garry James – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Enterprise native, Garry James Carper, died of cancer at home in Enterprise, Aug. 11, 1988. He was 31. He was born June 25, 1957 in Enterprise, the son of Alfred E. and Esther D. Carper. On Sept. 22, 1984 he married Christina M. Holt in Hermiston. He was a respiratory therapist by profession. Carper graduated from Enterprise High School in 1975 where he was active in sports. He worked at Wallowa Memorial Hospital as an EMT. In 1977 he moved to Hermiston to work at Good Shepherd Hospital as a respiratory therapist where he later became head of … Read more