James Harvey Fisher was born Jan. 12, 1864, the son of David and Nancy Jane Fisher, at Tillamook, Oregon, and passed away Nov. 6, 1947, at the age of 83 years, 10 months. Mr. Fisher had been in failing health for two years and had been bedfast for 14 months. He was united in marriage to Hattie Ellen Bloom Aug. 15, 1884, at Cove. To this union were born 11 children. One child passed away in infancy.
Surviving are sons; Frank of Joseph, Bruce of Enterprise, Ira of Milton, Harry of Spokane, Willie of Salem; daughters, Mrs. John Stein, Mrs. W.M. Downing and Mrs. Frank Downing of Enterprise, Mrs. W.R. Freudenberg and Mrs. Julius Aleson of Joseph; also 24 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Belle Buisck of Union, also survive.
Mr. Fisher’s mother passed away when he was nine years old. He and his father and brother, Hyram, came to Wallowa county in the fall of 1875, spending the winter at the mouth of Whiskey Creek. They returned to Myrtle Creek the following summer, coming back to Union county in 1877 where they made their home until coming to Wallowa County in 1899. They lived in the Leap county until 1920 when they moved to Hurricane Creek where they made their home until Mrs. Fisher passed away Dec. 9, 1945.
Since then Mr. Fisher had made his home with his daughters, the last 14 months in Enterprise and with Mrs. John Stein and Mrs. W.M. Downing. He passed away in the hospital where he had been a patient for eight days.
Mr. Fisher was a kind and generous person devoted to his family and loved by all who knew him.
Services were conducted by E.L. Beem of the Christian church at the chapel on Saturday afternoon at 2:30. Music was furnished by Mrs. Helen Kay and Mrs. Lois Best who sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Abide with Me”. Pallbearers were Fred Himelwright, Tracy Puderbaugh, Willard Heskett, J.O. Blume, Elmer Roup and Charles Crow. Out-of-town relatives coming for the services were Harry Fisher of Spokane, Ira Fisher of Milton, and Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Fisher of Salem.
Wallowa County Chieftain Newspaper, dated 13 Nov. 1947.
Contributed by: Michelle Drayton-Fisher