There is no rhyme or reason to the obituaries included here. They are just records I have run across that may be of interest to someone else. Most involve Oregon immigrants of 1852 and 1853, but there are others.
Updated January 2022
GENERAL
Anonymous. 1915. Many pioneers die. The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 14 February 1915.
ALLEN
Anonymous. 1900. Another pioneer gone. Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), 10 January 1900.
“At 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, after an illness covering a period of about two years, Mrs. Sarah Allen Trimble departed this life at her home, No. 403 Summer street, corner of Marion street, in this city, in her 89th year.
“The deceased was a woman who possessed a remarkable constitution, and whose exceptional vitality was apparent during the last few years of her life. Until the winter of 1898, when she received a bad fall while visiting at La Grande, as a result of which her physical strength was materially impaired, she was strong and rugged, seldom being under the care of a physician. She had about recovered from her first mishap when, last winter, she sustained another serious fall at her home in this city, since which time her health has been gradually declining. Dropsy was the immediate cause of her death.
“Sarah Benson was born in Tennessee on May 31, 1811. Her early childhood was passed in the state of her nativity and when about twelve years of age, she removed to Illinois, where in September, 1827, she was married to Samuel Allen. They subsequently removed to Missouri, where they lived for a number of years, when they located on the Abiqua near Silverton. They were engaged in agricultural pursuits in that section until 1870, when they removed to Salem, taking up their residence in the family home at the corner of Marion and Summer streets. Her first husband died in 1876. Mr. Allen was a pioneer of 1847 and a prominent resident, having at one time been a candidate for the legislature. He was one of the three state house commissioners who adopted the plans under which the present capitol building was erected.
“The deceased was married again on June 14, 1878, to S. A. Trimble, who, with five of the eight children, survives her. The children are: Thos. B. Allen, of Portland; Mrs. Evelyn Donaldson, of Salem; Mrs. A. W. Sweeney, of Walla Walla, Washington; Mrs. Linnie A. Settlemier, of Summerville, and Miss M. L. Allen, of Salem.
“At an early age in life, about 1836, the deceased became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.”
ALLEN
Anonymous. 1900. Died – Trimble. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 10 January 1900.
“Died, at her home on Summer street, Salem, at 5 p.m. Jan. 9, Mrs. Sarah Allen Trimble, aged 88 years. Deceased had been ill about two years, dating from a bad fall received while visiting at La Grande.
“Sarah Benson was born in Tennessee May 31, 1814. She was married in Illinois in Sept. 1827, to Samuel Allen. They afterward removed to Missouri, and came to Oregon in 1847, locating near where Silverton now stands. In 1870 they moved to Salem, where Mr. Allen died in 1876. On June 14, 1878, Mrs. Allen was married to S. A. Trimble, who survives her. Five children are also living: Thos. B. Allen, of Portland; Mrs. Evelyn Donaldson, of Salem; Mrs. A. W. Sweeney, of Walla Walla; Mrs. Linnie A. Settlemeier, of Summerville, and Miss M. L. Allen of Salem.
“There was a short funeral service at the residence at 1:30 p.m. today, conducted by Rev. T. H. Henderson, of Central Congregational church. The remains will be taken to Woodburn on the overland Thursday morning, where services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. and interment will take place in Bel Passi cemetery.”
Note: The two obituaries of Sarah (Benson) (Allen) Trimble do not agree on all points. All censuses, and her death record, show 1811 as her birth year, not 1814. Sarah and Samuel Allen were married in September 1827, but in Cooper County, Missouri, not in Illinois. All their children were born in either Missouri or Oregon.
BITTNER
Anonymous. 1965. Obituary - Mrs. Ethel C. Bittner. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 2 December 1965.
"Memorial services for Mrs. Ethel Crane Bittner, a native Portlander who died Saturday in South Pasadena, Calif., will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Trinity Episcopal Church. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Mrs. Bittner resided in the Portland area for 24 years before moving to California. Survivors include the widower, J. Merrill Bittner; her father William B. Crane of South Pasadena; son John W. Bittner, in the armed services; daughters, Merrill Bittner, attending college in the East, and Mrs. Barbara Trautmann of Albany, Ore.; brothers Walton B. Crane, Jr., of Sherman Oaks, California, and William B. Crane of New York."
BLAIR
Anonymous. 1917. Mrs. Rebecca Blair died. Oregon pioneer of 1853 succumbs at Newport. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 18 February 1917.
"Newport Or., Feb. 17. -- (Special.) -- Mrs. Rebecca Caroline Blair, Oregon pioneer of 1853, died here February 9 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. M. Carter. She was born in Clark County, Indiana, February 11, 1833, and crossed the plains to Oregon, with her parents from Iowa in 1853. The family settled on Soap Creek near Lewisville. In 1860, Mrs. Blair, whose maiden name was Montgomery, was married to J. H. Blair. They moved to Elk City on Yaquina Bay in 1866, where Mrs. Blair passed most of the time until her death.
"The funeral was conducted by Rev. George T. Pratt, pastor of the Presbyterian Church here. Burial was in the Eureka Cemetery. Mrs. Blair was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the lodges of Elk City and Newport attended in a body. Surviving Mrs. Blair is a widower, her daughter, Mrs. Carter, a brother, James Montgomery, and several nieces and grandchildren."
BRIGGS
Anonymous. 1904. Mrs. W. W. Briggs. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Wednesday 25 May 1904.
"Albany, Or., May 24.--(Special.) -- Mrs. W. W. Briggs, of Halsey, an Oregon pioneer of 1854, died at her home yesterday, at the age of 60 years."
BRIGGS
Anonymous. 1904. Pioneer of 1854 [Harriet Briggs]. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Tuesday 24 May 1904.
"Harrisburg, Or., May 23. -- (Special.) --Mrs. Harriet Briggs, wife of W. W. Briggs, a pioneer of 1854, died at her home in this city today, at the advanced age of 60 years, of organic heart trouble, after many months of intense suffering. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom, with her husband, survive her."
BRIGGS
Anonymous. 1917. Pioneer of 1853 passes. Wesley W. Briggs was oldest resident of Harrisburg, Linn County. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 10 June 1917.
"Harrisburg, Or., June 9. -- (Special.) -- Wesley W. Briggs, oldest resident of this city and an Oregon pioneer, died June 4. He was born in Rush County, Indiana, December 4, 1832, spending his youth in the state of Iowa, and came to Oregon in 1853. He assisted in erecting the first business building here and this place became the distributing center of supplies for the entire Upper Willamette Valley. Through his efforts the first flouring mill in this section was made successful in 1862. He conducted various kinds of business, from running a steamboat to running a general store, in some successful, in others not. In his long period of activity no man ever contributed a greater share acccording to his means for the development of the country. He had no schooling, yet he early became a fluent writer and for many years was The Oregonian's representative for this section.
"He was married to Miss Harriet Tompkins, of this city, July 4, 1858. To them were born five children, all of whom are living. They are Calvin and Oliver Briggs, San Francisco; William Briggs, Walla Walla, and Mrs. Charles Buchanan and Mrs, Lou Baker, of Harrisburg.
"Mr. Briggs was the oldest living member of Thurston Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., being made a Mason May 6, 1860. Funeral services were held by the lodge, interment in the Masonic Cemetery, S. M. Yoran, of Eugene, officiating."
BRIGGS
Anonymous. 1917. W. W. Briggs succumbs. Stroke of paralysis fatal to Oregon pioneer at Harrisburg. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Wednesday 6 June 1917.
"Harrisburg, Or., June 5. -- (Special.) -- Westley W. Briggs died here Monday after a stroke of paralysis. Mr. Briggs was an Oregon pioneer, settling here in the early '50s. He was 85 years of age, and his health had been failing rapidly for the last four months. He was the oldest living member of the Masonic lodge of this city. The funeral services will be held by the Masonic lodge Wednesday with interment in the Masonic Cemetery. He is survived by five children: William Briggs, of Walla Walla; Oll Briggs, of San Francisco; Calvin Briggs, of Pendleton; Mrs. Charles Buchanon, of Harrisburg; and Miss Lou Briggs, of Harrisburg."
BRYANT
Anonymous. 1911. Pioneer of 1853 dies at daughter's home, aged eighty-nine years. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Monday 2 October 1911.
"Mrs. Sarah A. Bryant, 89 years old, a pioneer of 1853, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. E. Altree, at 507 Roselawn Annex, in the North East Side [Portland], Tuesday. The funeral will be held today in King's Valley. Mrs. Bryant was married in Missouri in 1849, and in 1853 she and her husband, Thomas P. Bryant, came to Oregon, settling in the Willamette Valley, where they lived until 1861 when the flood swept away their home. Then they moved to the Yaquina River district, settling on a homestead. Mr. Bryant died at Nashville, Or., in 1895. Mrs. Bryant is survived by five children -- Mrs. A. E. Altree, Portland; Harry Bryant, Myrtle Point, Or.; Joseph Bryant, Siletz, Or.; E. Bryant, Nelson, Or.; and Mrs. Mary Watson, Dallas, Or. Interment will be made in Kings Valley Cemetery where her husband was buried."
BRYANT
Anonymous. 1915. C. W. Bryant passes. Pioneer, who introduced clover in Oregon, dies at 88. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Thursday 28 October 1915.
"Charles Wesley Bryant, a pioneer of 1853, died early yesterday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. E. L. Lane, 1749 Wayland street [Portland], after a prolonged illness, at the age of 88 years and seven months. Mr. Bryant was born in Allegany County, New York, March 28, 1827, of Irish and English ancestry. He married Miss Mary Elvira Fay on January 30, 1848. The young couple with two children left their early home on April 12, 1853, cross the plains from St. Joseph, Mo., with ox teams, arrived at Portland October 3 of the same year, and at once located on a donation land claim at the head of Walluga Lake (Oswego Lake) in Clackamas County. While Mr. Bryant cleared up considerable land and cultivated the soil, his chief business for many years was that of mill wrighting.
"In the fall of his first year in Oregon Mr. Bryant noticed the absence of red clover and inquired why it was not raised in Oregon. 'It will not grow in the Willamette Valley,' he was informed. 'I will prove that it will grow here,' he said. Suiting the action to the word, he sent by way of the Isthmus to New York for one bushel of clover seed and it was sent in packets through the mail. It arrived in time to be sown upon his place in the latter part of April, 1854. From that time there was no further question raised about the growing of clover in almost all localities in Western Oregon.
"Mrs. Bryant died several years ago, and was the mother of seven children, as follows: Mrs. Alta B. Young and Lee Bryant, born in New York; Mrs. E. C. Durham, Charles P. Bryant, Mrs. E. L. Lane and Mrs. James Bell, Hale D. Bryant, born in Oregon. Lee Bryant died in childhood and Mrs. Bell died in July 1910. Five children survive the father and mother, as follows: Mrs. Young, Mrs. Durham and Mrs. Lane, Portland; Hale D., of Gaston; Charles P., of Fresno, Cal. In addition there are ll grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
"The funeral will take place at Finley's tomorrow at 1 o'clock."
BYARS
Anonymous. 1922. Mr. Byars old resident. Late Salemite closely identified with early history of Oregon. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Monday 24 April 1922.
"Salem, Or., April 23. -- (Special.) --William Henry Byars, who died at his home here last night, had been a resident of Salem for 39 years and was closely identified with the early history of Oregon. Mr. Byars was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1839, and was 82 years of age. He crossed the plains when 13 years old and while in his teens carried the United States mails from Oakland, Or., to Yreka, Cal., 175 miles. In 1865 and 1866 he served in the Oregon volunteer cavalry, which at that time was participating in the Indian wars in southern Oregon.
"Besides his widow Mr. Byars is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Ronald Glover, Mrs. S. W. Thompson and Mrs. J. F. Dunlap of Salem, and three sons. William F. Byars, physician of Goldendale, Wash; Fred H. Byars of San Diego, Cal. and Collins Lee Reed of Roseburg. The funeral will be held here Tuesday."
BYARS
Anonymous. 1922. William H. Byars dead. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 23 April 1922.
"Salem, Or., April 22. -- William H. Byars, 83 years old, who many years ago was prominent as a public official and newspaper man in Oregon, died at his home here late today. Mr. Byars served Oregon as state printer, surveyor-general and as commandant of the state soldiers' home at Roseburg. He also was county school superintendent and county surveyor for Doughlas county and held other public offices.
"He was publisher of the Roseburg Plaindealer, dater of the Oregon Statesman at Salem and next became one of the founders of what is now the Salem Capital Journal. He was a veteran of the Oregon Indian wars."
CHENEY
Anonymous. 1913. A. P. Cheney dies aged 91. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 25 May 1913.
"Albion Paris Cheney, aged 91 years, a pioneer of 1853, died May 10 at the State Asylum at Salem. Mr. Cheney was born in Livermore Falls, Me., and sailed from Boston for San Francisco February 4, 1849, arriving July 5 of the same year. After four years in California, Mr. Cheney came to Portland on the old steamer 'Columbia.' He married Miss Harriet A. Clark at Butteville, Or., May 7, 1854. Three children were born to them, but a serious epidemic carried off his wife and children in the space of nine days.
"Mr. Cheney lived on various farms and finally engaged in business in Portland. Later he was committed to the Patton Home, and following that his mind grew so weak that he was committed to the asylum under the name of Henry McHenry, of Boston, Mass., October 11, 1911. Burial took place beside his family in Butteville Cemetery."
CHURCH
Anonymous. 1967. Obituary - Genevieve L. Church. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 5 April 1967.
"Miss Genevieve L. Church, 80, a native of Portland, died Tuesday (4 April 1967) at her home at 2731 SW Fern St. Her funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Riverview Cemetery chapel. Miss Church was born April 5, 1886. She was educated at the Portland Academy and lived for a time in Europe and Japan. She enjoyed traveling and gardening, and was an ardent Republican, She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Kenneth Robertson."
COWLES
Anonymous. 1892. Pioneer dead [Cowles]. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 5 February 1892.
"McMinnville, Feb. 5.--Mrs. L. M. Cowles, wife of Hon. J. W. Cowles, president of McMinnville National bank, died last night. She was a pioneer of 1844."
CRANE
Anonymous. 1879. (Obituary - William B. Crane.) Unidentified paper, possibly Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), ca 22 April 1879.
William B. Crane died Sunday morning 20 Apr 1879 at Asa McCully's home in Salem, OR - 44 years old. He was a native of NJ, emigrated to West Virginia "while quite young", then to Pittsburg, PA, and then spent five years in St. Louis, MO; went west via the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, arriving in eastern Oregon in 1862. There he was superintendent of the Auburn Canal in Baker County. After that he spent his whole life in mining pursuits in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California.
He married 8 Dec 1870, soon after settled in Oakland, CA, where "he has since resided". After an illness of about two months, his doctor recommended a retirement from business and a family visit. He arrived in Salem three weeks before his death.
Funeral was Monday morning 21 Apr 1879, buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Salem.
CRAWFORD
Anonymous. 1910. Woman pioneer is dead. Mrs. M. Viola Crawford crossed the plains in 1853. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Thursday 13 October 1910.
"Mrs. M. Viola Crawford, an Oregon pioneer of 1853, died at the home of her son, E. W. Crawford, 741 East Pine street [Portland], yesterday, aged 58 years. Mrs. Crawford was a daughter of the late N. P. Briggs, of Corvallis. She was a native of Iowa and was six months old when her parents crossed the plains to Oregon. Mrs. Crawford was married to the late Rev. W. C. Crawford, of Corvallis, and lived for many years in that city. She had been a resident of Portland several years. She is survived by three sons, E. W. Crawford, B. E. Crawford, of Portland, and W. C. Crawford, of San Francisco. Mrs. Crawford was a member of the Portland lodge of Daughters of Rebekah and the Ladies of the Maccabees.
"The funeral arrangements have not been completed."
CRAWFORD
Anonymous. 1936. [Obituary - Clara Dillon Crawford]. Oregon Journal (Portland, Oregon), 16 August 1936.
Clara Dillon Crawford died 9 [?] August 1936 at her home in Albany, Oregon; born at Pilot Rock, Oregon, in 1852; married J. G. Crawford in 1870. Surviving children: Mrs. Lillian Rader [Rainier, Oregon]; Harry E. Crawford, Salem,, Oregon; and Gerald D. Crawford, Portland.
DAUGHERTY
Anonymous. 1958. [Obituary - Frank McCully Daugherty]. Oregon Journal (Portland, Oregon), 31 August 1958.
Frank McCully Daugherty, 80, died in Portland, OR, 28 Aug 1958; b. 15 Apr 1878 in Cove, Union County, Oregon, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Lawson Daugherty, had moved in 1872. He was married to Bertha G. ______. He had moved to Portland 35 years ago; was a salesman.
DUNBAR
Anonymous. 1918. Obituary - Dunbar. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 31 October 1918.
"Troutdale, Or., Oct. 30. (Special.) -- Orin Dunbar, 48, son of Mr. and Mrs D. S. Dunbar, of this city, died Sunday, October 27, of pneumonia from influenza at his home in Oregon City. He was buried Wednesday in the Mount Scott Cemetery. Besides his father and mother and one brother, J. A. Dunbar, of Portland, he leaves a widow and two children."
DURBIN
(See Mary Jane STARKEY)
GAILY
Anonymous. 1905. Obituary - Gaily. Medical Sentinel 13(9):333.
"At Joseph, Oregon, on the 25th of July Dr. James M. Gaily died after a short illness. The doctor was 72 years old, and moved to Oregon 22 years ago. He practiced medicine for about twenty years at Joseph, and then retired to his farm."
GARDNER
Anonymous. 1895. Died (Gardner). Eugene Guard (Eugene, Oregon), 6 May 1895.
“Mrs. Margaret Gardner, a respected pioneer woman of Lane county, died at her home in Eugene, 14th street, between Mill and Ferry, aged 87 years, 3 months and 25 days, Sunday, May 5. An unfortunate fall a few months since was the cause of her death, although she had been in failing health for some time past. The burial will take place from the family residence to the Masonic cemetery tomorrow at 2 o’clock p.m.”
GARDNER
Anonymous. 1919. Obituary [Gardner]. Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 16 May 1919.
“Klamath Fall, Or., May 15. – Stephen B. Gardner, resident of this county for 25 years, died here recently. He was 77 years of age. He fought in the Indian wars of 1835, and took the first flock of sheep into Curry county. Mr. Gardner was a member of the Masonic lodge. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Nellie Bailey and Mrs. Viola Liebert of San Francisco, and four sons, E. H. Gardner of Seattle; R. E. Gardner of Fort Klamath; D. W. Gardner of North Bend, and G. A. Gardner of Jacksonville.”
GOING
Anonymous. 1915. J. W. Going is dead. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Monday 6 December 1915.
"James W. Going, a pioneer of 1853, died yesterday morning at the home of his son, A. C. Going, 662 Wasco street [Portland]... Mr. Going was born in Baltimore, Md., in August, 1833. He left Baltimore in March, 1853, and crossed the plains with Charles E. Fendall and George Frazier on his way to Oregon. On the night of October 1, 1853, Mr. Going reached Portland.
"In November, 1854, Mr. Going married Mrs. Isabella W. Eads Penney, who came to Portland the year before. Mr. and Mrs. Going became the parents of Alvin Clinton Going, J. Hosea Going, Thomas E. Going, of Portland, and Alvah Seymour Going, engineer of construction of the Grand Trunk Railway, Montreal, Canada.
"The old Howard House, one of the historic hostelries of the early days, was built by Mr. Going on Front street, between Ankeny and Burnside, in the heart of the city in 1860.
"Mr. Going was in the 60s one of the partners of the firm Bloch-Miller Co., at The Dalles, Or. For many years he was cashier of the wholesale house of Goldsmith & Loewenberg, of this city, and in later years he was one of the senior members of the Loewenberg & Going Co. He served as City Assessor in this city for two terms, first in 1860-61 and again in 1873-74. In 1855 he became a memberr of Samaritan Lodge, No. 2, I.O.O.F. He was past chief patriarch of the lodge at 25 years of age. Mr. Going was one of the first readers of the First Christian Science Church of this city. Going street was named for Mr. Going, who owned a large amount of property in that vicinity.
"The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:30 o'clock from Finley's chapel. It will be under the direction of the Odd-fellows."
HASTINGS
Anonymous. 1916. Polk pioneer is dead. John C. Hastings passes away at Independence home. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 24 September 1916.
"Independence, Or. Sept. 23. -- (Special.) -- John C. Hastings, a pioneer of 1852 and an Indian war veteran, died suddenly at his residence here September 11. His daughter, Mrs. Hedges, was with him when he died. Mr. Hastings was born in Tennessee in March, 1833. He was the fourth of a family of seven children and early faced the necessity of helping earn a living for the family. He was ambitious and , with two of his brothers, took advantage of the opportunities then offered in the West and, with ox teams, came West in 1852. That same year they went to the mines of California, but returned in 1853, locating in Polk County again.
"He enlisted in Company K, Second Regiment of Oregon and Washington, and served for more than four months in the Indian war, participating in many skirmishes and in the battles at Grand Ronde and Walla Walla. After his discharge from the service in 1856 he returned to Polk County and married Melissa Wood. To this marriage were born eight children, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Hastings lived for many years near Airlie on a farm, but of late years has resided in Independence."
HOLT
Anonymous. 1900. Benjamin Rice Holt, an Oregon pioneer of 1852. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Wednesday 4 July 1900.
"Harrisburg, Or., July 3. -- Benjamin Rice Holt, who was born in Tennessee in 1824, and came across the plains to Oregon in 1852, died here Friday. He had an honorable record as a soldier in the Mexican War. He left two sons - D. C. and C. R. - both in business in Harrisburg."
HOLT
Anonymous. 1901. Oregon pioneer of 1852 [Samuel D. Holt]. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 21 July 1901.
"Eugene, July 20. -- Samuel D. Holt, an Oregon pioneer of 1852, died at his home here last night, aged 70 years. He was born in Green County, Tenn., and enlisted from Missouri for the Mexican War, serving 18 months. The deceased settled on a farm near Coburg in 1852, but since 1872 had resided in Eugene. A wife but no children survive him."
HOLT
Anonymous. 1909. Oregon pioneer dies in San Jose. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 16 June 1909.
"Oregonian," 16 June 1909 - James E. Holt, an Oregon pioneer of 1852 [1953??], died in San Jose, California, 3 June 1909, of apoplexy. He was reported as a native of Green County, Kentucky [sic - Green County, Tennessee]. A Mexican War veteran who later settled in Missouri. Went to California in 1849, returning to Missouri in 1851. He crossed the plains in 1852 [1853?] with Donald A. McCully*, arriving in the Willamette Valley in August and taking up a donation land claim at Harrisburg [??]. He moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 1880, and was county commissioner there for several terms. He went to San Jose in 1889, and lived there until his death at age 84.
*NOTE: No one named Donald McCully is known to have come to Oregon at any time during the 1850s. This may be a mis-remembrance of either David McCully or Asa A. McCully. David came in 1852, Asa brought wagon trains in both 1852 and 1853.
HOWELL
Anonymous. 1917. Former Portland woman buried at Harrisburg. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 11 November 1917.
"Harrisburg, Or., Nov. 7. -- (Special.) -- The funeral of Mrs. Savannah S. Howell, who died at her home in Portland, November 2, was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church in this city. Mrs. Howell was 87 years of age. She was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, October 20, 1830, moving to Missouri with her parents in the year 1845. She was married to Benjamin Rice Holt, in Jefferson County, Tennessee, March 19, 1850. They crossed the plains in 1852, locating at West Point, Or.
"In the year 1912, she was married to Rev. George Howell, of Portland. Mrs. Howell was well known in Portland and Harrisburg, where she divided her time for several years prior to her death."
LISTER
Anonymous. 1892. Local and personal [Mrs. Lister]. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 5 February 1892.
"Mrs. Dr. Lister who died Feb. 2 at Portland , from la grippe, aged 74 years, was a pioneer of Linn county, residing here until a few years ago, both at Harrisburg and Albany. She was the mother of O. P. Tompkins and Mrs. Weeks, of Portland, Mrs. W. W. Briggs of Harrisburg, and William Lister, of Grants Pass, and was a woman highly respected."
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1889. [Obituary: John W. McCully]. Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), 30 January 1889.
“Dr. J. W. McCully was born in New Brunswick, May 22, 1821. In 1822 his parents moved to Ohio, where they remained until 1844. From that time until 1851 they resided in Iowa and then moved to Oregon. From 1852 to 1862 Dr. McCully was a resident of Jacksonville in this state. The succeeding five years he visited Idaho, Montana and St. Louis, at the latter place taking a course in a medical college. He also studied medicine and became a practitioner during his residence in Iowa. From 1868 to 1878 he was a purser on the Willamette river steamers, and has been a resident of Joseph since the year 1880. He was a member of the last Oregon territorial legislature, representing Jackson county in that body.”
Note: This was originally published in the “Wallowa Chieftain.” Dr. McCully died at Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon.
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1895. Pioneer women dead. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 22 November 1895.
"Three of Marion County's good matrons no more" - Mary Ann McCully, Mrs. George Smith, and Mrs. Jane McDonald Miller. Mary Ann died 5 a. m. Thursday. She had been ill for several weeks but death was unexpected. Wife of David McCully. She was born Mary Ann Scott 16 Oct 18__ (illegible) at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio. At the age of 8 years the family moved to Belmont County; she married David at Hendersonburg 7 May 1840. A few years later they moved to Burlington, Iowa. David went to California in 1849, returned to Iowa in 1850, then brought his family to Oregon starting in March 1852. They arrived in Salem 17 Aug 1852. In Sept 1852 they moved to Harrisburg, returned to Salem in 1859 "where they have since resided, except for regular trips made to Eastern Oregon, where some of the sons reside. Mrs. McCully accompanied her husband in 1883 with the 'Oregon Pioneers' in their trip east, visiting her old home."
Children: Joseph Henry McCully, died at age 11 of mule accident on the 1852 trip; Mary Jane McCully, married Creighton, of Salem; John William McCully of Elgin, Umatilla Co.; Estella Ann McCully, married A. N. Gilbert, of Salem; Alfred McCully "the steamboat man;" Frank David McCully, of Joseph, Wallowa Co.; and Carrie Gertrude McCully, who died at age 2.
The funeral to take place Saturday 2 p. m., at her home; interment in IOOF cemetery.
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1924. Obituary - Mrs. Violet Geer McCully. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Monday 10 March 1924.
"Sherwood, Or, March 9 -- Funeral services for Mrs. Violet Geer McCully, wife of Alfred M. McCully, were held at the Butteville home Friday. Interment took place in the family plot on the home place which is the old Geer donation land claim where Mrs. McCully was born 71 years ago. Besides her widower, Mrs. McCully is survived by three sons, A. D. and Guy of Sherwood, and William W. McCully of Portland, and a sister, Mrs. Frank Brewster of Canby."
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1945. Former resident of La Grande dies. La Grande Observer (La Grande, Oregon), 26 June 1945.
“Martha L. McCully, 4312 Holgate, Portland, formerly of La Grande, died June 25 in Portland, after an extended period of ill health. Survivors include a brother, Russell L. Cohoon, a niece, Mildred Cohoon, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Lelia Batlinger. [Ballinger?] Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow, at the Portland crematorium, SE 14th and Bybee. Arrangements are in the care of Holman and Lutz Colonial mortuary. Interment will be in Lincoln memorial park.
“While residing in La Grande Mrs. McCully was employed for 20 years or more as chief operator of Pacific telephone company. She left here five or six years ago to make her home in St. Helens where she was employed by the same company in that capacity, and later moved to Portland.”
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1954. Obituary: Russell Alfred McCully. Hood River News (Hood River, Oregon), 5 November 1954.
“Services will be conducted tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral home chapel by the Rev. Collis Blair for Russell Alfred McCully of route 2, Hood River, who passed away yesterday (Thursday) in Hood River Community hospital. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Butte cemetery.
“Russell Alfred McCully was born on July 16, 1885 at Salem, Ore., the son of Mr. and Mrs. John David McCully. He moved to Hood River valley 47 years ago and engaged in fruit growing. On September 17, 1913, at Albany, Ore., he was married to Ielleen Leech. He was a member of the Methodist church, Patrons of Husbandry, Apple Growers association, Hood River lodge 105, A.F.&A.M., and Modern Woodsman of the World.
Survivors in addition to the widow include a daughter, Martha Miller of Lakeside, Washington., a sister, Miss Eula McCully of Salem and three grandchildren.”
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1960. Wallowa pioneer dies at age 87. La Grande Observer (La Grande, Oregon), 15 March 1960.
“Enterprise.—Mrs. Margaret Luella McCully, 87, who had been in failing health for the past eight months, died Thursday [10 March] at the local hospital. Memorial services were held Saturday [12 March] at the Bollman chapel, with the Rev. John V. Munsey officiating. Interment was in the Prairie Creek cemetery, beside the grave of her husband.
“Mrs. McCully, daughter of Dr. James A. and Mrs. Lida A. Gaily, early pioneers of Wallowa County, was born Oct. 5, 1872, in Missouri. She had lived in the county for more than 70 years. On Nov. 24, 1897, she was married at Joseph to Fred F. McCully who died in 1945. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include a son, Kermit A., Enterprise; and a sister, Mrs. Clara Van Patten, Palo Alto, Calif. Mrs. Orville Adey, Enterprise, in a niece, and Don Gaily, La Grande, is a nephew.”
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1961. Kermit McCully dies at age 57. La Grande Observer (La Grande, Oregon), 25 October 1961.
“Enterprise.—Kermit McCully, 57, justice of the peace for the Enterprise district, died Monday afternoon at the local hospital from a heart attack. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday by Bollman Funeral Home at the Community Church with Rev. John V. Munsey officiating. Interment will be in Enterprise cemetery.
“He was born in Joseph, son of Fred and Margaret McCully, and had lived in Wallowa County nearly all of his life. On Nov. 9, 1930, he was married at Enterprise to Alice Zurcher who survives him. Besides his widow, he leaves two sons, Jerry Ray, in Virginia, and Robert Dean, Enterprise. His widow teaches in the Enterprise schools.”
McCULLY
Anonymous. 1968. Obituary - Eula McCully. Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon), 6 November 1968.
"Miss Eula McCully, 87, a native of Salem, died Monday in Seattle. She was a granddaughter of Asa McCully, who crossed the plains and settled in Salem in 1852. Asa McCully and his brother David started a freight boat line in Salem which developed into the People's Transportation Co.
"Miss McCully lived in Salem most of her life until moving about 10 years ago. She was a past president of the Salem Women's Club. When Miss McCully was 76 she contracted tuberculosis. After a year's treatment in the former State Tuberculosis Hospital, she recovered.
"Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church with Rev. W. Carl Calhoun officiating. Interment will be in the Salem Pioneer Cemetery. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden mortuary."
MERRITT
Anonymous. 1885. Mortuary report. Oregon Sentinel (Jacksonville, Oregon), Saturday 3 January 1885.
Report of interments in the Jacksonville Cemetery for the year 1884: Jan. 17, 1884: Mollie B. Merritt, aged 26 years ll months and 10 days; died of congestive chill and buried in Town cemetery.
MILLER
Anonymous. 1895. Pioneer women dead. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 22 November 1895.
"Three of Marion County's good matrons no more" - Mary Ann McCully, Mrs. George Smith, and Mrs. Jane McDonald Miller… Mrs. Jane McDonald Miller died at her home on the northwest corner of Court and Cottage streets, Thursday, November 21, 1895, at 3:30 p.m. aged 78 years, 3 months, after a few day’s illness. On last Sunday she contracted a severe cold, which developed into pneumonia, resulting in her death.
“Mrs. Miller was born in Renfroshire, Scotland, on August 7, 1817. She was married to William Miller, who survives her, March 28, 1837. In May 1842 they came to America, settling in Illinois, where they resided until 1846, when they came to Oregon. They lived in Yamhill county until 1859, when they moved to Salem, and have lived here ever since.
“Mrs. Miller was mother of nine children, but one of whom is now living — Mrs. Frank Kellogg, wife of Frank Kellogg, a Salem attorney.
“Mrs. Miller was a semi-invalid for several years. The funeral will be conducted from the family home Sunday, at 2 p.m., interment being in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.”
MILLER
Anonymous. 1901. Mrs. R. C. Miller, Oregon pioneer of 1853. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 21 July 1901.
"Lebanon, July 20. -- Mrs. R. C. Miller, an Oregon pioneer of 1853, died here today from cancer, after an illness of several months, aged 64 years. She was born in Missouri January 31, 1837, and was married to Hon. R. C. Miller in 1869, who, with six children, survives her -- M. A. and B. F. Miller, Lebanon; C. F. Miller, Forest Grove; Mrs. C. D. Montague, Mrs. Lee Armstrong, and Miss Nona Miller, of Lebanon."
MONTGOMERY
(see BLAIR)
PATTON
Anonymous. 1892. Pioneer gone [William Thomas Patton]. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 5 February 1892.
"T. T. Geer was in Salem Thursday and brought the news of the death of Wm. Thos. Patton, a Waldo Hills farmer, who came to Oregon in 1848, and lived and died on his donation land claim. He was well known among the pioneers, and respected by every one. He had not been well for six or seven years, and had suffered more than usual the last six or seven weeks. He was the father of Mrs. Dr. Golden, of Salem; T. B. Patton, ex-county assessor, Macleay; Frank Patton, cashier Astoria Savings bank; Mrs. Ed. Downing; Mrs. E. M. Clymer, of Fossil; A. J., E. B. and C. R., at home; and J. L., a student of dentistry at Salem. His wife survives him. The funeral will be held from his home at 11 o'clock Friday, conducted by Masonic lodge of Turner, Rev. Whitaker of the Salem Baptist church officiating. Interment was in the family burying ground on the place."
PORTER
Anonymous. 1887. Died – Porter. Albany Democrat (Albany, Oregon), 18 November 1887.
“On Tuesday, Nov. 15th, 1887, in Harrisburg, after a short illness, Mrs. William D. [Elizabeth] Porter, aged 73 years. Mrs. Porter came with her husband, who survives her, from Virginia in 1853, and has since resided in Harrisburg precinct.”
PORTER
Anonymous. 1892. Died – Porter. Albany Daily Democrat (Albany, Oregon), 19 February 1892.
“At his residence in Harrisburg, Tuesday, February 16, 1892, W. D. Porter, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 10 days, after an illness of several months. ‘Uncle Billy, as Mr. Porter was generally called, crossed the plains in 1853, and settled on a ranch three miles from Harrisburg, where he lived until he came to reside in the city [Harrisburg] which place continued to be his home. Three children Mrs. D. S. Busey, Mrs. M. Cunningham and Miss Maria Porter are left to mourn his loss.
“The funeral services were held at the Christian church yesterday morning under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, of which deceased was an honored member. The remains were laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery three miles north of town.”
Note originally from “Harrisburg Courier.”
RAABE
Anonymous. 1900. Obituary: Raabe. Salem Daily Journal (Salem, Oregon), 16 July 1900.
At the home of her mother in Salem, Saturday evening, July 14. 1900, Rose Estelle Raabe, wife of Captain Clyde Raabe, of Portland.
Deceased was the daughter of Mrs. Mary J. Creighton of this city. She was born at Union, Oregon, Dec. 28, 1878, and lived in Salem nearly all her life, and had a large circle of friends here. She was married to Captain Raabe about two years ago and resided in Portland until some three months ago, when she fell ill and was brought to her mother’s home in this city. The cause of her death was an abscess on the brain. Besides the husband, deceased is survived by the mother and three sisters, Mrs. W. H. Dancy and the Misses Jessie and Mabel Creighton, of this city.
The funeral which was largely attended took place at 2 p m. from the residence, services being conducted by Rev. P. S. Knight, and burial took place in Rural Cemetery.
ROBERTSON
Anonymous. 1955. Obituary - Kenneth Robertson. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 31 January 1955.
"Funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Finley's Rose chapel for Kenneth Robertson, 77, retired treasurer of the State Steamship company. Mr. Robertson died Friday at his home, 3132 S. W. Fairview boulevard, after an illness of two years. He was born August 24, 1877, at Boonton, N. J., and spent his youth in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia. He came to Portland in 1907. Mr. Robertson was a member of the Portland Golf club and was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. He retired from active work with the steamship company in 1947.
"Surviving are the widow, Ruth Church Robertson; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Beckerlegge, La Canada, Cal.; two sisters, Mrs. Francis H. Ruger, Palo Alto, and Mrs. Edward I. Brown, Newton Highlands, Mass.; a brother, Philip Spotswood Robertson, Janesville, Wis., and two grandchildren. Private committal will be at Riverview cemetery."
ROBERTSON
Anonymous. 1985. Obituary - Ruth Church Robertson. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 12 March 1985.
"Memorial service is pending for Ruth Church Robertson, born in Salem 100 years ago. She died Feb. 26 in a local care center after a long illness. At her request, her remains were cremated and buried alongside her husband's grave in River View cemetery.
"She moved to Portland as a child. She attended the former Portland Academy and was active in guild work at Trinity Episcopal Church. A member of the Town Club since 1959, she was president of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Oregon in 1952.
"Survivors include a daughter, Mary Spottswood Robertson Beckerlegge of San Clemente, Calif., two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren,"
SMEAD
Anonymous. 1899. Northwest dead. Amasa Daniel Smead. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Sunday 19 February 1899.
"Amasa Daniel Smead, better known as 'Pony' Smead, died recently near Warren, Idaho, aged 72 years. He crossed the plains in 1850, and went to Idaho in 1863, being one of the first to reach the mining camps of Florence, Oro Fino and Warren. He had lived at or near Warren continuously for the last 30 years."
SMITH
Anonymous. 1895. Pioneer women dead. Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), 22 November 1895.
"Three of Marion County's good matrons no more" - Mary Ann McCully, Mrs. George Smith, and Mrs. Jane McDonald Miller… At the home of her nephew, Oliver Higginbotham, Thursday, November 21st, at 11 a.m., Mrs. Geo. Smith passed to the beyond. She was 84 years of age, and was one of the pioneers of Oregon. At one time, she was proprietor of the Bennett house, which then stood on the corner of High and State streets.
“The funeral services will be conducted from the above mentioned residence, o Asylum Avenue, at 10 o’clock Thursday morning, interment being in Twin Oaks cemetery near Turner.”
STARKEY
Anonymous. 1902. Oregon pioneer of 1845, Mrs. Mary Jane Starkey died at Salem Sunday night. Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 4 November 1902.
“Mrs. Mary Jane Starkey, an Oregon pioneer of 1845, died at her home in this city last night [2 November 1902], aged 67 years. Deceased was born in Ohio in 1835, and came to Oregon with her parents, John and Sarah Durbin, when she was 10 years old. In 1856 she was married to Amos Starkey, whose death occurred In 1870. Mrs. Starkey was a member of the United Evangelical Church and was active In religious work. Her kind and lovable disposition made her the popular ‘Aunt Mary Jane,’ as she was known to all her many friends. She leaves five daughters --Mrs. Dora Redford, Mrs. Tlllie Oldham and Mrs. Fannie Wilson [Mrs. A. H. Wilson], all of Portland, and Mrs. Minnie Barnett and Miss Lizzie Starkey, of Salem.
‘The funeral will be conducted from the late residence on Front street at 2 o'clock tomorrow. The remains will be laid to rest In I. O. O. F. cemetery.”
SWAN
Anonymous. 1919. Pioneer resident of Linn County dies in home Sunday. Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon), 11 June 1919.
“Albany, June 11.—D. C. Swan, a resident of Linn county for 28 years, died Sunday morning at his residence in Crawfordsville at the age of 82. He was a native of North Carolina, where he was married. In 1869 the family moved to Iowa and lived at Marshalltown until 1888, when the moved to Oregon, settling first in Polk county. The present home in Crawfordsville was acquired in 1891, and Mr. Swan has resided there continuously since. His aged wife died last October. He is survived by five children: W. C. Swan of Sedro-Wooley, Wash.; Mrs. Bonnie Smith of Dallas; L. L. Swan of Albany; and Mrs. Lela C. Abrams and Miss Mattie E. Swan of Crawfordsville.”
TOMPKINS
(see Harriet BRIGGS)
TRIMBLE
(See Sarah ALLEN)
VAN VACTOR
Anonymous. 1929. Obituary [William Van Vactor]. Goldendale Sentinel (Goldendale, Washington), 31 January 1929.
“William Van Vactor was born near Louisville, in Hardin county, Kentucky, October 8th, 1841. He was of Dutch descent, his father Solomon Van Vactor having been born in Holland in 1813. He received his education at home, his mother teaching him; and when eleven years of age commenced working upon the river. In 1855 he joined the rest of his family, who had removed the year previous to Lewis county, Missouri.
“In 1857 he went to Van Buren county, Iowa, and there learned the blacksmith trade; then the gold fields of the far west attracted his attention with the result that May 7th, 1861, he started for California. The party crossed the plains by mule team arriving in Virginia City, Nevada, October 26th, but the succeeding fall continued his westward journey and finally settled at Stockton, California.
“In September 1863, he took up abode in Linn county, Oregon, and for fifteen years he lived there; but urged onward by the pioneer spirit so characteristic of the family, he left Oregon in 1878 and settled on a homestead 25 miles west of Goldendale. While his family lived upon their ranch, Mr. Van Vactor followed his trade working in various towns throughout the region until 1884 when he opened a blacksmith shop of his own in Goldendale. Two years later his fellowmen elected him sheriff, and he was re-elected in 1888. After retiring from office he engaged in general merchandise business in Goldendale for a four years, until elected sheriff in 1902. He has also served as a city marshal.
“The following children survive him: Mrs. Roa Parshall, Goldendale, Wn.; Mrs. Anna E. Johnson, Portland, Ore.; Sam E. Van Vactor, The Dalles, Oregon; Mrs. F.D. McCully, Joseph, Ore.; Mrs. H.L. Hudson, Multnomah, Ore.; Floyd Van Vactor, Portland, Ore.; Davton E. Van Vactor, Klamath Falls, Ore.; Thelma Van Vactor, Goldendale, and Mrs. Elmer E. Wilson, Centerville, Wn. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Blair, La Bell, Missouri, who is 89 years of age.
“He was the oldest mason in Klickitat county. He was made a Master Mason in Lebanon Lodge No. 44 A.F. & A.M. of Lebanon, Oregon, in 1868, having been a Mason 61 years.
“The funeral services were held last Friday afternoon from the Chapman Chapel. The services were conducted by Goldendale Lodge No. 31, F. & A.M., at the chapel as well as at the grave. A profusion of floral offerings indicated the many long friendships and sincere admirers of Mr. VanVactor. It was possible for all of the family to be present at the funeral services, some of them having their families along also.
“Mr. VanVactor has forty-five direct descendants, consisting of nine children; nineteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren, and one great great grand-child.”
VAN VACTOR
Anonymous. 1934. Sam Van Vactor Passes at North Dalles Home. Goldendale Sentinel (Goldendale, Washington), 17 May 1934.
“Sam Ellis Van Vactor, 62, well known retired attorney of The Dalles, died Sunday night at his ranch in Northdalles. He had been in failing health for more than a year.
“Mr. Van Vactor practiced law in The Dalles for about 10 years previous to his retirement shortly before he was stricken in September, 1932. He learned his profession in the law office of Hartman & Spalding, Goldendale, and was admitted to the Oregon bar in 1895. After his admittance to the bar he practiced in The Dalles for a short time, and then went to Condon for a period of four years. From Condon he moved to Heppner and practiced there 20 years before coming to The Dalles in 1922 and forming a large law practice with the late R.R. Butler, and afterwards with Paul Childers.
“Mr. Van Vactor was a member of the Masonic lodge, A.F. & A.M. No. 15, The Dalles, which he served for many years as secretary; the Al Kader shrine of Portland, and the Elks of Heppner.
“Surviving are the widow, Myrtle; a son Sam E. Van Vactor, Jr.; and three daughters, Mrs. Grace Minor, Hilda, Mo.; Mrs. Ruth Reitmann, Ione, and Miss Mary Van Vactor, Northdalles. Five grandchildren, two brothers and six sisters also survive.
“Funeral services were held from Crandall's chapel at The Dalles Tuesday, at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. E. Earnest Taylor of the Episcopal church of officiating. Burial was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.”
VINCENT
Anonymous. 1902. Jack Vincent dead. East Oregonian (Pendleton, Oregon), Thursday 1 May 1902.
"Jack Vinson (sic), a pioneer of Oregon, aged 73 years, passed away quietly at St. Elizabeth hospital in Baker City Wednesday evening, says the 'Herald,' after an illness of several weeks. His death was due to pneumonia. The funeral took place from an undertaking establishment Thursday afternoon, the interment being at Mount Hope.
"The deceased was known throughout the entire state and is said to be the pioneer of Baker county. He has lived in this city for over thirty-five years. Jack Vinson (sic) came west about fifty years ago, first locating in California, where he enjoyed the gold excitement in its early stages. He also resided in most of the larger mining camps of the west, having been at mining points in Idaho and Oregon. He drove stage between this city and Eldorado, Sparta, and for a time packed on the trails in the Sparta district. 'Hank' Owens, who resided at Portland, was a partner of the deceased for years and both were well known figures in these parts in the early days.
"The deceased leaves a sister, Mrs. James Hendershot of Cove, Oregon, a niece, Mrs. John Eaton of Union, and a nephew, Edward Patterson, of Baker City."
WATERS
Anonymous. 1900. Harrisburg Notes. Albany Weekly Herald (Albany, Oregon), 24 May 1900.
“The death of Miss Mary Waters which occurred in Portland, May the 6th, was one of regret to her many friends in this city, where she was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. Her sickness was known to be fatal, but the end was not expected so soon. Her remains were interred in Lone Fir cemetery the following Tuesday afternoon. Miss Waters was a native of Oregon, born in Josephine county near Kirbyville, and was the daughter of Capt. Ab. Waters, once United States marshall for Oregon, and Mary McCully, and niece of the late John Fletcher McCully, connected with the S. B. & Co., of this city.”
ZELL
Anonymous. 1923. Obituary - Mrs. Abraham Zell. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), Saturday 17 March 1923.
"The Dalles, Or., March 16. -- (Special.) -- Mrs. Abraham Zell, 80, an Oregon pioneer and early resident of Crook county, died here this morning at the home of her son, C. M. Zell. Funeral services will be held in Prineville Sunday from the Baptist church. Mrs. Zell, when a girl of nine years crossed the plains with her parents with a team of oxen from Ohio in 1852. The family settled in the Willamette valley, near Lebanon, where the daughter, Nancy, was married in 1862 to Abraham Zell. Mr. and Mrs. Zell moved to Prineville in 1862 and settled about a mile above the present site of that city. There they resided until a few months ago, when failing health brought them to The Dalles to live with their son. At a recent meeting of pioneers held in Prineville Mrs. Zell was crowned the 'Queen Pioneer.'
"Mrs. Zell is survived by her husband, who is one of the two living pioneers of the Ochoco country, the other being Newton Johnson of Prineville. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. C. C. Holt of Harrisburg and Mrs. Dora Hickman of Monmouth. Of her own immediate family, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. O. Powell of Prineville; three son, Fred A. Zell of Texas, C. M. Zell of The Dalles and W. H. Zell of Prineville. Six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive."
ZELL
Anonymous. 1923. Ochoco pioneer passes. Last survivor of famous settler band dead. Oregonian (Portand, Oregon), Thursday 15 November 1923.
"Prineville, Or., Nov. 14. -- (Special.) -- With the death of Abraham Zell Monday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. O. Powell, the Ochoco valley has lost the last survivor so far as is known of the little band of pioneers who first settled in the valley. Mr. Zell was born October 1, 1833, in Indiana, and crossed the plains by ox team in 1853, settling in the Willamette Valley near Lebanon, while Jacksonville, Or., and Yreka, Cal., were booming. He and the late James Combs, also a pioneer of the Ochoco valley, followed 'packing' for several years. Together with James Combs, he owned the first threshing machine in the Willamette Valley, which was shipped by boat around the Horn from New York to Oregon City, then the principal town of Oregon.
"He married Nancy E. Johnson at Lebanon in 1862. Coming to the Ochoco country in 1868, the party of which he was a member went up to the old Claypool place, where they found the first cabin in the valley had been burned by Indians. Coming back down the valley, the party cooked supper near the site of the W. R. McFarland residence and crossed to McKay creek and camped near the mouth of that stream. Mr. Zell returned to the Willamette Valley and came back in the fall of 1868 and spent the winter with others in the valley. During this time he built a large house one mile east of Prineville, where he had made his home ever since. Among the early settlers with whom he was associated during his early residence in the Ochoco valley were James Combs, James Elkins, David Templeton, S. R. Slayton, Daniel Powell, Hugh Snodrly and Kinman Elliott."
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