California

Biographical Sketch of James B. Crossen

JAMES B. CROSSEN. – Mr. Crossen is the present postmaster at The Dalles, and was born August 11, 1838, at Donegal, Ireland. This was his residence until he emigrated to America in 1849 and made his home with his parents in New York City until of age. In 1859 he crossed the Isthmus to California, and resided at Callaghan’s Ranch for four years, going from thence to Idaho, where he engaged in business at Placerville until 1863. Seeking a new location, he cast his eyes with hope towards the State of Oregon, and selected The Dalles as the most eligible … Read more

Biography of James R. Daniel

JAMES R. DANIEL. – The subject of this sketch was born in 1826, and has lived a life that might well be described in poetry as succinct as that in which Othello related his own. The son of a machinist and shipbuilder of Philadelphia, Mr. Daniel early learned naval craft on the schoolship North Carolina in New York harbor, and on the brig Washington of the Coast Survey, and was then transferred to the Independence and Potomac. After his honorable discharge from the United States navy, he made voyages as able seaman to Havre and Liverpool, and to the West … Read more

Biography of W. F. Courtney

W.F. COURTNEY. – This veteran among the Indian fighters and earlier pioneers was born in Illinois in 1832. At the age of thirteen, he crossed the plains with his parents in 1845. They reached The Dalles during the latter part of October of the same year; but before proceeding down the river they had to construct a flat boat as a means of navigation. This was attended with considerable difficulty, as there were no lumber mills in the country, and ever plank had to be whipsawed. The passage from The Dalles to the Upper Cascades was made without any event … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel D. Cowles

COWLES & MCDANIEL. – Samuel D. Cowles, senior member of the firm above-mentioned, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1829, his father being a wealthy broker. He received a ten years’ naval training and finished his education in New York City, where in after years he was in business for himself. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California. In 1862 we find him crossing the plains once more, coming from Missouri in company with a nephew and niece. At Soda Springs a band of Indians, under the leadership of one of his own employe’s, attacked is party and after … Read more

Biography of Adna C. Craig

ADNA C. CRAIG. – At the union depot on the line of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, at the south end of the Grande Ronde valley, is the Craigton Hotel, into which water is conducted through pipes from a spring half a mile away, and one hundred and sixty feet above. This water where it springs from the steep sidehill has a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, while at the hotel where it enters the bathroom its temperature is about 90 degrees. It shows by analysis iron, borax, sulphur and magnesia. For twenty years this hotel has been a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Corbaley

RICHARD CORBALEY. – In a city so flourishing as Spokane Falls, Washington, the business of finding and placing loans and the transfer of real property in the town, in the adjoining farming regions, and in the mines, has attained proportions of considerable magnitude. The firm of R. Corbaley & Co., located at the northeast corner of Howard and Riverside avenues, is one of the most important of the houses thus engaged. Their interests are largely in agricultural lands in the Big Bend country near Badger Mountain, where choice locations and exceptionally productive soils, even for this favored territory, may be … Read more

Biography of Major N. A. Cornoyer

MAJOR N.A. CORNOYER. – It is sometimes complained of Oregonians that, coming to this state some time ago, they have not been able to keep up with the improved methods invented at the East since their departure. This is true only in part, if at all. The early settlers are the ones who have been most prompt and energetic to discover and apply the latest inventions and improvements. They compare very favorably in this particular with the latest arrivals; and their experience of soils and climate and methods peculiar to this coast give them a decided advantage. Major Cornoyer is … Read more

Biography of J. B. Congle

J.B. CONGLE. – Mr. Congle was one of the men of wealth who contributed largely to the early growth and prosperity of our state, and especially of Portland. He was born December 9, 1817, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. In the year 1832 he went to Philadelphia to learn the harness and saddlery trade, and in the spring of 1838 removed to Virginia, thence to Missouri, and in the year 1841 was at Lafayette, Indiana, where he resided ten years thereafter. On May 21, 1844, he was married to Miss Ellen H. Gray, of the place last named. He came as … Read more

Biography of Hon. Charles P. Cooke

HON. CHARLES P. COOKE – The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1824. His early life was spent in his native place. In 1846 he went as a volunteer to the Mexican war, and served as second lieutenant in the first regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He was in the army a full year, and participated in the engagements at Monterey, Buena Vista and other bloody battles of that war. He then returned home, but in the spring of 1849 left for the Pacific coast, crossing the plains with ox-teams … Read more

Biography of Cyrus F. Clapp

CYRUS F. CLAPP. – This leader in the business circles of the Lower Sound was born in Piscataquis county, Maine, July 29, 1851, and was the son of Stephen and Alvina Hunt Clapp. He lived in Maine until 1865, receiving the foundation of an education at the public school and continuing his studies at Hanover Academy of Massachusetts. Still ambitious for further acquirements, he crossed the Atlantic and spent two years at the Royal Institute of Belfast, Ireland, and completed his course at Saint Andrews College in Scotland. Returning to his home in America, he soon found a business situation … Read more

Hoffman, James A. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon James A. Hoffman, 68, of Baker City, died May 7, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 12 at 2 p.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel. Visitations will be Friday until 8 p.m. James was born Aug. 12, 1934, in Sunnybrook, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffman. In 1978 he moved to Sacramento, Calif. Eleven years later, in 1989, he married Elsie Phillips at Sacramento. Survivors include his wife Elsie; two children, A.J. Hoffman and Elizabeth Derenches; one step-son, Sam Jones, and three grandchildren, Kimberly, J.J., … Read more

Biography of Col. William Williams Chapman

William William Chapman

COL. W.W. CHAPMAN. – It has frequently been remarked, that while many men of great fame, and a deservedly wide reputation, cannot lay their finger upon a single public act that they originated, others whose names are less known can county by the score the progeny of their brains, now alive and active in the affairs of the world. Of the latter class is Colonel Chapman of Oregon. There are few men in America, even among those esteemed great, who have originated and carried to completion a greater number of particular acts of large scope and general beneficence. Many whose … Read more

Lanyon, Joseph “Bud” – Obituary

Joseph “Bud” Lanyon, 70, of San Bernardino County, Calif., and a former Baker City resident, died April 7, 2003, at Community Hospital of San Bernardino. His graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Oregon Army National Guard. Bud was born on Aug. 17, 1932, at Baker City. He was a son of Joseph and Blance Hickerson Lanyon. He was raised and attended school in Baker City. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and was honorably … Read more

Cornett, J.W. “Bill” – Obituary

Keating, Oregon J.W. “Bill” Cornett, 87, a longtime Keating resident, died April 20, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His graveside service was held today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor George Rau of Elkhorn Ministries officiated. Bill was born June 2, 1915, to Joseph Ellis and Evva Rayburn Cornett at Celexico, Calif. He attended various schools throughout California. He started working on a milk delivery route at the age of 8 and at the age of 14 he started driving truck. When he was 16 he obtained his chauffeur’s license. He enjoyed trucking and would regale friends for hours with … Read more

Robb, Earl Robert – Obituary

Earl Robert Robb, 81, a former Baker City resident, died April 18, 2003. A celebration of his life will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, Cathedral of the Rockies, in Boise. Earl was born Jan. 20, 1922, the first child of Albert and Lola Robb at Oxly, Mo. He married Shirley Mahan on March 14, 1948, and lived at Moorpark, Calif., and Baker City before moving to Boise in 1974. He was involved with various agricultural ventures during his working years. Earl served his country during World War II as a pilot flying the Burma … Read more

Lambeth, William Franklin “Bill” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon William Franklin “Bill” Lambeth, 87, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 12, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. At his request, there will be no funeral. Disposition was by cremation. Mr. Lambeth was born Nov. 13, 1915, at Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a son of P. A. and Laura Myrtle Knight Lambeth. He attended schools in Texas and California and after graduating, went to work as a manager for a wholesale electric supply company in Escondido, Calif. He entered the U.S. Army on June 10, 1943. He was stationed in Europe and fought in Normandy, … Read more

Pearce, Charles R. – Obituary

Charles R. Pearce, 89, of Nampa, Idaho, died at his home with his family by his side on April 4, 2003. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. at the McEwen Bible Fellowship Hall at 15403 Sumpter Stage Highway near Sumpter. Pastor Bill Cox will perform the service at the Fellowship Hall. Charles and his wife Jeanette were members of this church when they lived in Sumpter. Arrangements are under the direction of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. S. at Nampa. Charles was born to Clara and David Penn Pearce at Belton, Texas, on Sept. 5, … Read more

Biography of William Chapman

WILLIAM CHAPMAN. – The immigration of 1847 was large, and without accident, with the exception of those unfortunate members of it who remained at Doctor Whitman’s until the massacre. Mr. Chapman belonged to the arrivals of that year, and was closely connected with the sufferers of savage fury. He was born in Schuyler county, New York, in 1824, moving to the West in 1843. In 1847 he left Havana, New York, in company with John and Ronald Crawford, traveling with them to Independence, where they separated. There he joined John Wright, traveling with him to the Kaw river, where they … Read more

Roumpf, Betty Chadsey Renfrow Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Betty Chadsey Roumpf, 87, a former longtime Baker City resident and community volunteer, died April 7, 2003, after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease for more than a decade. She was lovingly cared for by many compassionate caregivers at St. Aidan’s Place in Portland and by Sandy and Dave Renfrow of Hammond. At her request, there will be no service. Arrangements are under the direction of Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary at Astoria. She was born on April 10, 1915, at Los Angeles to Orville and Amy Chadsey. She was one of four children. She attended elementary school and high school … Read more

Ells, Lillie Lovelace Carroll Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Lillie Lovelace Ells, 100, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 8, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Ian Fisher of Calvary Chapel in Ontario will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Lillie was born at Clovis, Calif., to Hubert and Lucy Van Cleave Carroll on Jan. 4, 1903. She moved with her parents at the age of 3 to Brady, Neb., where she … Read more