Year-long illness takes life of F.D. McCully, 79.
Frank D. McCully d. 14 Mar 1939 at his home in Joseph, OR, after a yearlong illness; “the father of Wallowa County”; 1st republican representative elected to the State legislature from Union Co.; elected in 1886, immediately introduced a bill to create Wallowa Co.
Born Salem, OR 2 Jun 1859; attended Willamette University; started out in business at age 15; came to Union, OR, in 1872; 1874 made his first visit to Wallowa Valley; 1879 returned there with a large herd of cattle; 1880, left the livestock business, opened a general store in Joseph, the first store in that town.
The townsite of Joseph is on Frank’s preemption land claim, and much of the property still remains in his estate; owned stores in Joseph, Lostine, and Flora; was once president of the First bank of Joseph, the Joseph Milling Co., the Joseph electric light plant, and the Joseph waterworks. He once owned the phone line from Union Co. to Joseph and to Anatone, WA.
1881 m. Julia Hamileton of Missouri, 3 children: Wilmer, Roy and Lelia; Frank and Julia divorced; m. 2nd Martha E. Dunbar, Frank D. McCully Jr. their only child; Frank D. McCully III the only grandchild.
Evening Observer (La Grande, OR), 14 Mar 1939
Frank D. McCully died at his home in Joseph, OR, 13 Mar 1939. He organized and operated the first store in Joseph, the first bank, the first electric company, the first water system and the first flour mill. He was elected as State congressman from Union Co. 1886, and introduced the bill that created Wallowa County. He was active in having the Union Pacific Railroad built into the county, after he had run the local stage line for years.
After retirement, he was a receiver for two banks under the Comptroller of Currency, was a field representative for the State Land Board, and later contracted for and operated the Imnaha stage line.
He was b. Salem, OR 2 Jun 1859; came to eastern Oregon as a boy with stockmen in 1872, returned to live in 1880; married Julia Hambelton, two children surviving- Roy C. McCully and Mrs. W.H. Ballinger of Portland; m. 2nd Martha E. Dunbar 19 Nov 1908; she survived him and does their son Frank D. McCully Jr.
Unknown newspaper source 1939
Contributed by: Sandy Wilbur