California

Biography of Richard Jeffs

RICHARD JEFFS. – The subject of this brief sketch was born in Westchester, Westchester county, New York, December 27, 1827, where he was brought up, working on his father’s farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then went to New York City, where he remained for eighteen months. In February, 1851, he started for California by way of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in March of that year. He started almost immediately for the mines, where he remained until 1858. During the great gold excitement of 1858-59, on the Frazer river, British Columbia, when thousands of people were … Read more

White, Bertha May Weeks Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Bertha May Weeks White, 99, a former Baker City resident, died March 4, 2006. Her funeral, with full military honors, is scheduled at Riverside National Cemetery at Riverside County, Calif., in April. Mrs. White was born on Sept. 27, 1906, at Baker City. She and her daughter, Marjorie, moved to Los Angeles in 1930. In 1943, her patriotism and strong sense of duty and determination led her to join the Women’s Army Corps. As she rose through the military ranks, she received numerous medals and commendations. Her tours of duty included occupied German and Japan … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson Jones

NELSON JONES. – Mr. Jones, one of the largest stock-raisers of Eastern Oregon, having besides his interest at Heppner, Oregon, large holdings on the main Malheur, was born in 1840 in Fleming county, Kentucky. Remaining there until 1849, he moved with his parents to Iowa, where he lived until 1858. In that year he left the paternal roof, and made the journey to Pike’s Peak, but continued on to Shasta county, California. In that county he engaged in mining, but in 1860 sought a more tranquil life, coming to Polk county, Oregon, and engaging in farming until 1866. In the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas H. Kayler

THOMAS H. KAYLER. – Mr. Kayler, a gentleman of wide reputation, was born in Lenox county, Canada, in 1856, and resided on his father’s farm sixteen years, and afterwards learned the drug business at Napanee. In the spring of 1876 he came to California, and made his first location in Sacramento, where he found employment in the drug store of Justice Gates & Co. The following year he removed to Santa Rosa, coming soon afterwards to Portland. The next summer, in company with Peter Graham, he drove with teams to the Palouse country, and located on three hundred and twenty … Read more

Biography of Simeon Edward Josephi, M.D.

S.E. JOSEPHI, M.D. – Simeon Edward Josephi was born in the city of New York on December 3, 1849. His father, Edward Josephi, was a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, but left that country with his parents for England when a boy. He afterwards came to New York, where he embarked in the jewelry business, becoming a prominent wholesale jeweler of that city and San Francisco. Returning to New York from a trip to the latter city, he was lost in the burning of the ill-fated steamer Golden Gate in 1862. The mother of Doctor Josephi is a native of … Read more

Pitts, Eleanor Marie Franklin Mrs. – Obituary

Eleanor Marie Franklin Pitts, 81, a former Baker City resident, died April 14, 2006, in Upland, Calif. Her funeral was held April 21 at Eagle Point. Pastor Lee Gregory of the Medford Neighborhood Church officiated. Internment was in the National Cemetery in Eagle Point beside her husband, a veteran of World War II. Arrangements were by Memory Gardens Mortuary, Medford. Mrs. Pitts was born in Pendleton on Sept. 7, 1924. She spent her early years in Baker City, attending Baker schools. She married Elton Best in 1942 and that union produced three children. They were later divorced, at which time … Read more

Walker, Harriet Hortense Ward Mrs. – Obituary

Harriet Walker, 98, died on April 11, 2006, at Arcadia, Calif. With the help of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, Harriet is now resting next to her parents at Cloverdale Cemetery in Boise. Harriet Hortense Walker, or “Aunt Horty” as she was affectionately known, was born at home in Nampa, Idaho, on Aug. 8, 1908, to Kate Share Ward and Henry B. Ward. She lost her hearing at the age of 9 months, the result of scarlet fever and whooping cough. At age 7, Harriet and her mother boarded a train at Nampa on their way to the Idaho State … Read more

Peter Warhol – Obituary

Peter Warhol, age 99, a former Halfway, Oregon resident, died Nov. 3, 2002, at a nursing home in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Crego, Ernest LaVern – Obituary

Ernest LaVern Crego, 84, died Dec. 16, 2000, at Napa, Calif. There was a Celebration of Life service for him Friday at St. Helena, Calif. Mr. Crego was born on Oct. 19, 1916, to Elmer Augustus Crego and Rena Antoinette Hall Crego at Kendall, N.Y. He was the youngest and last surviving of three children. He grew up at Holley, N.Y., and entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 18. He served his country as chief petty officer in both the Korean War and World War II. He cared for the wounded and helped with the cleanup operation after … Read more

Bennett, Laurajo Roberts Mrs. – Obituary

Laurajo Bennett, 74, of El Monte, Calif., died Aug. 28, 2002 at her home. Her funeral service was held in Halfway on Saturday, Aug. 31. Interment was at Pine Haven Cemetery. Laurajo was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 23, 1927, to Kenneth and Edith Roberts. She was raised and educated in Los Angeles. In 1947 she married William Bennett, and on Aug. 10 of this year they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Bill and Laurajo made their first home in Texas. It was there in Texas where their daughter Karen was born. Not long after, they left Texas for … Read more

Prasch, Ferriel Joyce McKinney Mrs. – Obituary

Ferriel Joyce McKinney Prasch, 67, of Modesto, Calif., a former Baker City resident, died Oct. 13, 2002, at Modesto. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Dennis Hickman of First Lutheran Church will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Ferriel was born on Sept. 17, 1935, at Baker City. Her parents were the late Louis and Florence McKinney. She received her bachelor’s of education degree at Portland University in 1958 and taught in Portland-area elementary schools before moving to Moraga, Calif., in 1965. Ferriel worked … Read more

Biography of Clayton A. Swiggett

Clayton A. Swiggett is a mechanical engineer both by college diploma and by long and practical experience gained in many localities and in many positions. He is now superintendent of the Western States Portland Cement Company at Independence, and is contributing his ability towards the making of that one of the great industries of Kansas. The Western States Portland Cement plant began operations at Independence in 1905, and from time to time it has been enlarged and improved until its annual capacity is now a million barrels. About 250 men are employed and the pay roll is one of the … Read more

Eardley, William D. – Obituary

William D. Eardley, 71, of Concord, Calif., died May 24, 2002, at Concord. There will be no services. Mr. Eardley attended St. Francis Academy and Baker public schools. He was a Baker High School graduate. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and he was a radio and television broadcaster and director for 30 years. Survivors include his son, Steve of Seatac, Wash.; two brothers, Jim of Pendleton and Dick of Meridian, Idaho; and two granddaughters. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 31, 2002 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

Ritsch, Henry – Obituary

Henry Ritsch, 88, of Chico, Calif., died May 24, 2002, at a Chico care center. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Henry was born May 7, 1914, at Potlatch, Idaho, to Valentine and Maria Ritsch. He married Lulu Davis on Feb. 23, 1940, at Boise. Henry worked for Collins Pine Co. for 36 years and received a Certificate of Recognition from the California Legislature for his dedicated service as a logging supervisor. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Douglas; his sister, Anne; three brothers, Ed, Carl and Frank; grandson, Dean; brother-in-law, Bert Peterson; and son-in-law, … Read more

O’Dell, Bob – Obituary

Bob O’Dell, 78, a former Baker City resident, died May 29, 2002, in California. He was a 1941 Baker High School graduate and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Survivors include his five children and a sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Jay White. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore; his parents, Thomas and Mary O’Dell; a brother, Raymond O’Dell; and a sister and brother-in-law, Lester and Lorel Hansen. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 18, 2002 Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor

Brooks, Betty Bond Mrs. – Obituary

Betty Brooks, 75, a former Baker City resident, died at her home in Victorville, Calif., on April 16, 2002. Betty was born to Mildred and Allen Bond in Baker City in 1927. She finished school at Baker City and attended Eastern Oregon College (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. Betty married Lloyd “Bud” Brooks in Baker City. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this August. Bud was employed by Weyerhaeuser Lumber Co. for many years and they lived at Medford until he retired and then moved to Victorville. She was preceded in death by her parents and … Read more

Biography of Hon. A. G. Hovey

HON. A.G. HOVEY. – The reputation of Mr. Hovey, the present mayor of Eugene, Oregon, is co-extensive with the limits of the state, in the affairs of which he has ever taken an active part. His aggressive pushing disposition indicate the stern qualities of courage and self-reliance which lie at the basis of his character, and displace the more ephemeral qualities of a purely sentimental hopefulness or ambition. He is an example of the adage that “God helps those who help themselves;” and his whole life has bristled with instances of the truth therein indicated. He is a man of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. P. Howell

S.P. HOWELL. – The Adams Hotel at Adams, Oregon, is a comfortable home for the traveler, offering commodious apartments and a table supplied not only with the substantials but with the luxuries of the season. Its proprietor is Mr. Howell. After a life of much roving, he has found his final rest in this thriving young city. Born in Michigan in1845, he crossed the plains while just a boy of seven, and was then introduced to the life of a California ranch. At Hamilton on the Feather river, at the Hungarian ranch south of Yuba, and Petaluma, in the Coast … Read more

Biography of Orley Hull

ORLEY HULL – The experiences of the early pioneers were severe almost beyond belief; and, were it not for the fact that their hardships were intermitted by times of peace and plenty, it would have been scarcely possible for them to have gotten through. Mr. Hull is a pioneer of 1850, and in crossing the plains, and in the early days of Southern Oregon and Northern California, saw times and circumstances as hard as were to be found. He was born in New York in 1821, and when a young man went to Missouri, but was deterred from making a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harrison H. Hungate

HARRISON H. HUNGATE. – The large horse ranch of this gentleman is situated eleven miles east of Walla Walla, Washington, and contains twenty-five hundred acres of land in the beautiful Spring valley. Any visitor to Walla Walla will be abundantly repaid by a trip to this farm, not only for inspecting the stock, but also for the fine scenery surrounding. Although his ranch is some distance from Walla Walla, Mr. Hungate lives in town, having one of the most costly and beautiful of many fine residences. Mr. Hungate is a native of Illinois, where he was born in 1836, coming … Read more