Washington County ID

Biography of James P. Gray

Thirty-five years have passed since James P. Gray came to Idaho to cast in his lot with its pioneers. People of the present end-of-the-century period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and conveniences. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was … Read more

Marcum, William Millord “Squeak” – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon William Millord “Squeek” Marcum, 65, of Sand Hollow, Idaho, and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 26 at the VA Hospital in Boise. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Private interment will be at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Mr. Marcum was born April 16, 1941, the son of William H. and Evelyn (Sanderson) Marcum in Weiser, Idaho. He was educated in La Grande and in his later years was raised by his mother and step-father, Howard Ramsey. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the … Read more

Hammack, Cornelia Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. Hammack Passes At Walla Walla Mrs. Cornelia Hammack passed away October 29th at the Walla Walla hospital, where she had been taken a few days before. Mrs. Cornelia Peden of Weiser, Idaho, was married to the Rev. N.E. Hammack June 16, 1924. After their marriage Mr. Hammack built a nice home on the slope, where they made their home until Mr. Hammack passed away in July 1929. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Hammack moved to Freewater, where she bought a small home. She lived there until shortly before her death. A few months ago, when her health … Read more

Biography of W. B. Kurtz

It is given to few to attain prominence in politics, honor in military affairs or fame in literary life, but respect and esteem await every man who lives worthily, who performs the duties of public and private life faithfully and promptly, and in business has strict regard for commercial ethics. Such an one is W. B. Kurtz, proprietor of the Weiser flouring mill, which was built in 1890, and represents one of the leading industrial interests of the city in which it is located. Mr. Kurtz is a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born November 1, 1846, and is of … Read more

Shephard, La Neva E. Scott Mrs. – Obituary

La Neva E. (Scott) Shephard, 89, of Ontario, died May 7, 2005 in an Ontario assisted-living facility. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. (MDT) at the First United Methodist Church in Ontario. The Rev. Linda Tucker will officiate. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. (PDT) at Mount Hope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel in Ontario. La Neva was born July 10, 1915 to Herbert H. and Myrtle F. (Powell) Scott in Oroville, Wash. As a small child she moved and eventually settled with her family in Baker City, where she … Read more

Culley, Catherine E. Starr Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Catherine E. Culley, 81, a longtime Baker City resident and former Sumpter resident, died July 6, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Ed Niswender of Calvary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at Calvary Baptist Church, 2107 Third St. Visitations will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Catherine was born on July 7, 1920, at Astoria to Clarence E. and Lucille Lockwood … Read more

Biography of Thomas M. Jeffreys

Thomas M. Jeffreys, probate judge and superintendent of public instruction in Washington County, Idaho, is a native of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Yamhill County, on the 7th of April 1852. His father, Woodson Jeffreys, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1825, and in early manhood, in Oregon, married Jane Forrest, also a native of Missouri. They crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845, being nine months in accomplishing the long and weary journey across the plains, their way being beset by many obstacles, difficulties and dangers. They located on government land in Yamhill County, and during the … Read more

Biography of Isaac F. Smith

Isaac F. Smith, of Weiser, who is serving as clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Washington County, was born in Butte County, California, on the 28th of July, 1854. His father was born in Ohio. July 27, 1823, and married Miss Josephine C. Whitaker. In 1849 they crossed the plains with ox teams to California, bringing with them their firstborn. Walter W. Smith, who is now a resident of Washington County, Idaho. The father engaged in mining on Feather River for a time, and in 1854 removed to Nevada and thence to Utah, remaining in … Read more

Linkous, Oscar – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Oscar Linkous, 89, a former Baker City, Haines and La Grande resident, died April 24, 2004, at a local care facility. A celebration of Oscar’s life will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Haines Methodist Church. Sally B. Wiens will officiate. A lunch and gathering of family and friends will follow after a brief ceremony at the Haines Cemetery. Visitations will be Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. Oscar was born November 25, 1914, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Millum and Monty Bernard … Read more

Mayberry, W. S. – Obituary

Word has been received of the death of W. S. Mayberry at his home in Weiser, Idaho. Mr. Mayberry was employed as principal of the Wolf Creek school, but resigned before the holidays on account of ill heath. He had been a sufferer from rheumatism for some time. Mr. Mayberry is survived by several grown children. North Powder News Saturday, January 22, 1921

Scheloske, Edgar Albert – Obituary

Baker City Edgar Albert Scheloske, 79, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 22, 2006, at Ontario. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser, Idaho. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser, Idaho. He was born on Jan. 20, 1927, at Weiser, Idaho, to Albert Antone and Addie Rose Glascock Scheloske. He was their fourth child, born after three older sisters: Helen, Georganna, and Maxine. He was known as “Buster” to his family. He was raised on a farm at Weiser and at the family sawmill on Stacy/Manns Creek above Weiser. He … Read more

Cole, Violet Jewel “Vi” Birman Mrs. – Obituary

Violet Jewel Cole, 80, was born in Ionia County, Mich., on July 29, 1916, and passed away in Weiser, Idaho, on Dec. 31, 2006. Vi’s Funeral Service will be held Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, 1 p.m. at the Pine Baptist Church in Halfway, Ore. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following the service at the Pine Baptist Church. Interment will be at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway, Ore. Vi was the first-born child of John Birman and Esther Hess Birman. In 1933, the family moved to Roseburg, Ore., area where she met and married Daniel … Read more

Biography of Frank Harris

Hon. Frank Harris, the leading lawyer of the bar of Weiser, and a member of the state senate of Idaho, is a native of California, his birth having occurred at Placerville, on the 20th of June. 1854. He is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were William and T. E. (Saltzman) Harris. The Harris family is of English descent and was founded in Virginia in colonial days. William Harris, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the Old Dominion, and when the Revolutionary war was inaugurated aided in the struggle for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Jones

It is gratifying to be privileged to put in print an epitome of one of the brave men who fought, as did the subject of this sketch for the honor of the stars and stripes and the safety of our free institutions when the foul hand of treason sought to deface all and destroy the homes of freedom. In addition Mr. Jones has always shown himself in the walks of life to be upright and capable and has done a noble part in the advancement and development of the resources of the country. Speaking more particularly of his personal history, … Read more

Biography of James A. Gerwick

Of the commercial interests of Weiser, James A. Gerwick is a leading representative. He is now engaged in the harness and saddlery business, and enjoys a liberal patronage which comes to him from all sections of Washington county. His conformity to high business principles and honorable methods, combined with energy and enterprise, have gained him a foremost place in mercantile circles, and a well merited success rewards his efforts. Sir. Gerwick came to the west from far-off Pennsylvania. He is a native of Butler County, that state, and is of German lineage. His parents are Fred and Lovina (Winters) Gerwick … Read more