Oregon Republican League: Obituaries

The News-Times, Newport, Oregon March 9, 2005

Irene Curtiss

Irene Evelyn Curtiss, 93, of Jefferson and formerly of Newport, died March 2, 2005, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. She was born October 6, 1911 in Hansboro, N.D., to parents William Henry and Eva Clarissa (Flewell) Cautheres.

After graduating from Minot State University with her teaching certificate, she taught third and fourth grade, and home economics.

On June 7, 1938, she married Perle Everett Curtiss in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. They lived in Mandan, N.D., and Seattle, Wash. before her husband opened an accounting office in The Dalles. She spent 25 years as her husband's office manager, and also found time to teach Sunday School at the Congregational Church; serve as president of the local Order of the Eastern Star; serve as president of the local Republican Party; be on the board of the American Lung Association at the TB hospital; raise Arabian horses; and organize and facilitate the Community Concert series by arranging for various visiting musical artists and groups.

After they retired to Newport in 1972, she enjoyed reading, gardening vegetables and flowers, assisting in the same kind of community concert organization, and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple moved Albany in 1998, then in 2001 lived a few months in Orem, Utah before moving to Jefferson.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph, Charles, and Frank Cautheres; and sisters, Maude Gilbertson and Edith Knudson.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 67 years, Everett, of Jefferson; daughter, Claudia Curtiss of Siletz; son, Donald Curtiss of Orem, Utah; sister, Etta McCullouch of Port Townsend, Wash.; grandchildren Angela, Patrick, Heather, Kimberly, and Lisa; and great-grandsons Brandon and Lincoln.

Viewing was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 6 at AAsum Funeral Home. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Monday, March 7 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 28th Avenue between Hill and Geary streets in Albany, with interment following at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mario Pastega Guest House and the American Lung Association, directly or in care of AAsum Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St SW, Albany, 97321.

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News-Times, Newport, OR Jan. 18, 2002 A6

Mary Welch, 74, of Newport died at her home on Jan. 12, 2002.

She was born in Grand Junction, Colo., on March 23, 1927 to Margarite and Herman Vorbeck.

Throughout her youth, she resided in Colorado, and later attended Mesa College and The Pasadena Playhouse.

After World War II, she married Eugene M. Welch Jr. a veteran of the United States Army in 1946.

For many years, she was active in the Republican Party and ran for Justice of the Peace in Grand Junction, Colo.

The family moved to Broomfield, Colo., in 1960 where she was a newspaper columnist for the Broomfield Star Builder. They retird to the Pacific Homes Beach Club in Newport.

Survivors include her sons, Gregory, and Christopher Welch; and grandchildren Greg Jr., Mary, Jennifer, and Amber.

A memorial service was held for friends and family on Jan. 13.

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DAVID EARL KING

David Earl King, 72, former Tillamook resident, died June 17, in Seattle's Swedish Hospital following a short battle with a brain tumor.

He was born in Tillamook Dec. 21, 1931, to Burton B. and Marguerite B. King who for many years, resided at 2316 Fifth St. Mr. King's father; and W. C. King, his grandfather, were hardware merchants and community leaders in Tillamook in the early 1900s. The family came to Tillamook County in 1888.

Mr. King was a 1949 graduate of Tillamook High School, a Boy Scout who attained the rank of Eagle, and a member of the Tillamook Nazarene Church. He entered the University of Washington in Seattle in 1949, but interrupted his education to serve with Army Intelligence in Berlin, Germany. He returned to graduate from the University of Washington in 1956 and later received a presidential commission in a Naval Reserve Intelligence unit in Seattle.

Mr.King was an insurance broker and chartered life, property and causalty underwriter. He owned King Insurance Associates on Mercer Island, Wash. He married Judith King in Seattle in 1959. The couple loved to travel and had visited most of the continents more than once. They collected fine furnishings, memorabiliba, art and photographs from distant lands.

Mr. King retired in 1996. To celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary, the couple cruised in May from Montreal to Boston with their children, spouses and grandchildren. His health worsened on the ship.

Mr. King was president of the Capitol Hill Lion's Club; President of the Chi Psi Corporation Board; and President of the Eastside Republican Club in Seattle metro area. He also served on the Waldo Hospital Board in Seattle.

He was an avid University of Washington Husky football fan, weekly tennis player and long time member of the Seattle Tennis Colub and Bellevue Athletic Club.

In addition to his wife, Judith, (Bellevue, Wash), Mr. King is survived by three children, Thomas King and Mrs. Charles (Julia) Hately, both of Mercer Island, Wash., Mrs. David (Theresa) Goseling, Bellevue, Wash., and six grandchildren. He also leaves his brother, Paul, Tigard.

Mr. King was interred June 22, in Bellevue. A memorial service followed in the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church.

Headlight-Herald, Tillamook, OR July 7, 2004

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News-Times, Newport, OR July 10, 2002 A-7

ROBERT CORNWALL

Robert David Cornwall, 76, of Waldport (Lincoln Co.) died July 3, 2002 in Newport of natural causes.

He was born April 5, 1926 in Syracuse, N.Y.

He served in the Navy as a gunner's mate from 1944 to 1946, and was decorated with several medals and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

He was vice-president of sales with MARCO Ideas Unlimited in Portland for 30 years.

He was active in the Republican Party, first in San Francisco from 1960 to 1965, and was chairman of the Siskiyou County Republican Central Committee from 1965-1967. He was listed in the 1971-1972 "Who's Who in American Politics".

He was a past president of the Mount Shasta Lions Club, Klamath Falls Lions Club, and the Elks lodge.

He was an artist, and enjoyed creating pictures of local and historical buildings, lighthouses, and businesses.

Survivors include his wife, Florence Cornwall of Waldport; two daughters, Crystal of Waldport and Lorie of Seal Rock; two sons, James of Portland and Robert Jr. of Santa Barbara, California, a granddaughter, Florence, of Seal Rock; a grandson, Brett, of Santa Barbara, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Disposition is by cremation with burial at sea.

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Blue Mountain Eagle; Canyon City, Oregon; 18 Apr 1941

VETERAN COUNTY TREASURER, ALA O. MOSIER PASSES

Funeral services for Ala O. Mosier, 63 years of age, county treasurer, were held at Fratneral Hall, last Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. D. Bach, pastor of the Methodist church. Interment was in the Canyon City cemetery. Services at the grave were under the auspices of Hobah Lodge, No. 22, I.O.O.F. Driskill Mortuary was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Ala O. Mosier was born in John Day, December 26, 1877, and passed away at his home in Canyon City, Friday evening, April 11, after an illness of a week, although he had been in precarious health for a number of months.

Deceased had been a resident of Grant county his entire lifetime. He was the son of Arthur I. and Lina H. Mosier, who with their parents had migrated to Oregon from the central states in the early '60s. His education was acquired in the public schools of Grant county and at Eugene. He spent several years of his early life teaching, most of the tim ein the public schools of this county. In December, of 1907, he was appointed county treasurer to fill the unexpired term of N. H. Boley, deceased. At the May, 1908 primary, he was nominated for the office on the Republican ticket. At the general election in June the same year he was elected and, at each election since he was elected without opposition from either party. His tenure of office as county treasurer for over 33 years is without parallell in the state. He was a friend of everyone in the county and also had a statewide acquaintance. His presencewill be missed not only by his close acquaintances but by everyone who comes to the county seat, where he has carried on so faithfully all these years.

He was a member of the Methodist church, Hobah Lodge No. 22, I.O.O.F., Canyon Camp, No. 218, Woodmen of the World, Vernon Lodge, No. 43, Knights of Pythias and the grant County Pioneer Association.

He was united in marriage to Julia Rounds, daughter of Rev. Geo. F. Rounds, a methodist minister, on September 1, 1909.

Besides his wife he is survived by two brothers, John F. Mosier of John Day and Perry I. Mosier of Oswego, Oregon, also an uncle, Fred Mosier of Mt. Vernon.

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ORIGINAL REPUBLICAN

B.J. Pengra Died This Morning Near Coburg

Proimnent in Politics and Famous for Trying to Promote Railroad Schemes in Oregon

B.J. Pengra, well known throughout Oregon as a politician of the early days, railroad promoter, and businessman, died near Coburg this morning.

He passed away at 12:30 o'clock at the home of his son, who resides near Coburg. He was 80 years, 7 months and three days old.

The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the residence of his son. Brief ceremonies by Rec. J.C. Richardson will be conducted. Interment will be made in Laurel Hill cemetery near Springfield.

B.J. Pengra came west to Oregon with the 1853 arrival of immigrants. He became prominent in politics in the late '50s and is famous as the first Republican in the state. County Judge H.R. Kincade, ex-secretary of state, was associated with Mr. Pengra in politics and to a Guard reporter this morning he outlined the ambitions and achievements of the old pioneer.

"Pengra drew attention when in 1858 he was an elector for Lincoln and Hamlin, the Reoublican for president and vice-president. He was a thorough Lincoln Republican and was the first speaker to canvas the state for the Republican ticket. He was successful in his vigorous work and was elected elector and carried the vote of Oregon to Washington, and helped elect Lincoln. He then returned to Oregon and engaged in the political senatorial fight when Col. Baker of Califoria, was a candidate from Oregon. He was practically boss of the state politics and it was his influence which elected Baker. As the reqard Baker gave him the office of Surveyor-General. Joel Ware was one of his clerks at the time. This office he held for a term and them went to the legislature.

"In Salem, Pengra was the moving spirit of the movement to unite the Douglas Democrats and the Republicans. It was a fine bit of work and kept him in the lead. In the legislature he was a dominant spirit, stubborn and immobile, ready to fight any and all kinds of opposition and generally triumphed, as long as he kept his endeavors confined to Oregon.

"But Pengra wanted greater things. In 1870, when the transcontinental railway had been finished, he saw that the state of Oregon was soon to have a railway extending from San Francisco to Portland. It was already built as far as Salem. Pengra secured the military road grant from Eugene south through Southeastern Oregon and it was his ambition to direct the railway over his route. But the Oregon and California company had their own route and fought Pengra to the bitter end, and finally securing the vote of congress to establish the route as it stands at present.

"The news almost made Pengra crazy and he wrote a terrible letter for publication, challenging Senator Williams to a duel, and making all kinds of threats against his opponents. He brought it to the Oregon State Journal for me to print, but I refused. He would not speak to me for seven years.

"Later on Collis Huntington had a quarrel with the O. & C. and was on the point of aiding Pengra with a competitive road, and even went so far as to build a road from Woodburn to Natron. He then sold out for a million and a half and quit. The blow upset Pengra and he was committed to the insane asylum for a year.

"Pengra was a forceful character and has done great good to his chosen state."

Daily Eugene Guard, Friday Evening, September 18, 1903 page 1

Funeral Largely Attended

The funeral of B.J. Pengra, the deceased pioneer, was held this morning at 10 o'clock from the residence of his son near Coburg. Rev. J.C. Richardson conducted the brief ceremony and the burial took place in Laurel Hill cemetery, near Springfield. A large concorse of friends of the deceased attended the funeral and followed the remains to their last resting place.

Daily Eugene Guard, Saturday Evening, September 19, 1903 page 1

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News-Times, Newport, OR April 12, 2000 A8

CLARE EDMISTON

Clare Marie Lincoln Edmiston, 88, of Washington died of a heart attack on April 8, 2000 at Burton Adult Foster Care Home in Vancouver.

She was born in Traverse City, Michigan on March 24, 1912 to Ethel F. (O'Conner) (Lincoln) and Henry Lingenfelser.

She graduated from Riverside High School in 1929 and from Miss Brown's Secretarial School in 1930, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

She married Joseph F. Edmiston, a music director, in 1935. He preceded her in death in 1974. They moved to Portland (Oregon) in 1945, then to Waldport (Lincoln Co.) in 1973.

Prior to moving to Oregon, she worked as a secretary for Cumberland Elementary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the Los Angeles County Osteopathic Hospital, the Los Angeles office of the country forester and fire warden, and the YMCA, and helped manage the YMCA USO programs. She was president of the Omega Alpha Delta sorority at USC, president of the Haydock PTA in Oxnard, California, publicity chairman of the Red Cross, and served at a USO canteen. She was the district clerk at Concord Elementary School in Milwaukie for 11 years and was president of the Concord Elementary School PTA. She was man-power specialist for the Oregon State Employment Service in the Portland area for 16 years until retiring in 1972.

In Lincoln County, she was president of the Seal Rock Garden Club, president of the Seal Rock Community Club, president of the League of Women Voters in Lincoln County, president of the South Lincoln Republican Women, human resources chairman for the League of Women Voters' state board, Seal Rock Water District board member and secretary for 15 years, Community Presbyterian Church choir member for 25 years and member of the church Deacon Board, executive secretary for Bayshore Beach Club for nine years, volunteer at Waldport Library for 20 years, library president, and secretary, board member and life member of the Lincoln County Community Concert Association. She was nominated for Lincoln County Woman of the Year in 1986. She was recognized and honored for her service to the community in 1996.

She had traveled extensively in Europe, America and Canada and had toured the former Soviet Union, cruised around the world, and toured Mexico. She had been to every park on the Oregon coastline.

Survivors include her daughters, Patricia Kuehlwein of Vancouver, Washington, Virginia Strickland of Yachats, and Marcia Wilson of Toledo; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. (Note: Yachats is pronounced "Ya-hots")

A memorial service will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Waldport Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be made in her name to the charity or research insititute of choice, or to research a cure for Alzheimer's.

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The Lincoln Co. Leader, Toledo, OR January 23, 1920

CHARLES H. GARDNER PASSES SATURDAY

Ex-County Judge, Charles H. Gardner, passed away last Saturday evening at his home at Orton after an illness extending over a period of several weeks, death being caused by heart trouble.

Charles H. Gardner was born at Lee _______, _______ April 16th 1854. He was twice elected county clerk of Lee County, serving 13 years in the clerk's office at Dixon. He served in the capacity of Chairman of the Republican Central Committee during the Blaine campaign, and toured the county in company with Mr. Blaine. Later he entered the employ of the John Deering Implement house and spent fifteen years with them, considerable of which time he spent traveling for them.

On December 27, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Virginia Heaton. In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner came west making their home at Portland for four years, where Mr. Gardner engaged in the implement business. In 1903 they moved to Toledo where Mr. Gardner went into the hardware business with E. J. Avery. In 1909 he was appointed County Judge by Governor Benson to fill out the un-expired term of Judge B. F. Swope, resigned. He was again elected to this office in the election of 1910.

During Judge Gardner's term of office road building in the county took on a new impetus, and much road building machinery was purchased and the first rock roads built. For the past several years Mr. Gardner has been in the garage business at Newport. Disposing of this last Summer, he purchased the general merchandise store and post office of E. M. Fraiser at Orton.

Mr. Gardner was a man of an energetic, forceful disposition, and his life was a busy one. He loved Lincoln County, the county of his adoption, and he strove hard to make it a better place in which to live. On matters of public interest, he was outspoken and all knew where he stood. He was a good friend, and his purse was always open for the needy. He was a member of the local Masonic lodge and the last sad rites were performed by his Masonic brethren, the body being taken to Portland for Cremation.

He carried life insurance in the sum of $4000, besides owning considerable property.

He is survived by the wife, Mrs. Gardner, to whom the sympathy of the entire community is extended.

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NEWS-TIMES, NEWPORT, OR DEC. 29, 1999 A-9

Inez Palmer

Inez Birney Palmer, 94, of Lincoln City (LINCOLN CO.) died Dec. 15, 1999 from a stroke.

She was born near Greene, Iowa on June 18, 1905 to Dr. V.C. and Edith Perry Birney. She attended college at Reed College and Western Oregon University, and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Oregon and a bachelor of music degree from Portland Music conservatory. She received certificates for teacher through superintendent in both Washington and Oregon. During her teen years, she played piano at a movie theater in Portland for silent films.

She taught elementary students for 43 years, most of them at the Kennedy School in Portland. She also taught at other Portland schools, in Odell, and in Battleground, Wash.
She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as regent of the Yaquina chapter in 1984 and 1985. She was president of Pi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, the teacher's honorary; was president and held other offices of the Lincoln County Republican Women; was a member of the North Lincoln County Museum; and was president of the Nelscott Friendship Club. During her teaching years, she was an active supporter of Oregon AAU age group swimming, and Portland area Boy Scouts. She served as troop advisor, merit badge examiner, and Cub Scout den mother.

After her retirement from the Portland School District she and her husband, who preceded her in death, moved to Nelscott, and were active in the creation of Lincoln City.

She served on the Lincoln County Planning Commission for seven years, and was a board member and volunteer "house sitter" to assist women and children in need, during the emergence of Lincoln shelter. She received the Volunteer of the Year award from the chamber of commerce.

She volunteered in Lincoln County for more than 30 years at North Lincoln Hospital and the Lincoln City Senior Center, both as hostess and as board secretary. She began as a volunteer early in life as a pianist in many of the Portland civic and fraternal orders, particularly the Eastern Star; during World War II, she took the place of men in uniform as a water safety instructor at Portland Parks Department swimming pools. In 1943, she launched a small war ship at Commercial Iron and Steel in Portland.

She was an avid fisherman. She won the annual derby at Taft in 1951 when Siletz Bay had a salmon run by catching a 41-pound chinook out of a 12-foot boat.

She and her husband -traveled throughout the world after his retirement.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John "Jack" and Jean M. Palmer; a grandson, Samuel C. Palmer; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Lizabeth B. and Adam Torgerson; and a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Torgerson, all of South Beach.

At her request, no memorial is planned. The family requests remembrances to the Inez Birney Palmer Memorial Fund, in care of Lincoln Security Bank, PO Box 2220, Newport 97365. A scholarship is planned by the estate.

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OBIT: JUDGE L.H. MCMAHAN DIES AT BROOKS
Salem: Leonarad H. McMahan former Maion COunty Circuit Judge, State Legislator and Publisher, died late Wednesday. He was 91 years old and had lived in he Salem area for 65 years.

Mr. McMahan died in a Brooks nursing hme where he was befst for several months.
He was born at Auburn in Baker county October 16,1866. Upon coming to the Willamette valley, young McMahan published the Woodburn Independent form 1888 to 1892 and later came to Salem where he established the Daily Independent which he published from 1892 to 1894. He also published a semi-weekly which he called McMahan's Wasp.

Mr. McMahan, a Republican by registration, was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1922 and served one term. He was appointed circuit judge of Marion county by Governor Walter Pierce and continued in that service for 18 years.

While living in the Woodburn area he married Mattie Griffith, member of a prominent valley family.

They were the parents of three children, Eugene, who died in 1933; Carl McMahan, Salem; Mrs. Margaret Barton of Portland. In 1919, several years after Mrs. McMahan's death, he married Miss Bertha Byrd, Salem, who survives.

Mr. McMahan was a forceful editorial writer. He fought many corporations and land frauds. He was indentified with William S. U'Ren in the fight for direst election of United States senators and the initiative and referendum.

Following his publishing days, he practied law and made a trip to Europe where he studied social and political problems. The McMahan home was at 891 N. Front Street.
Funeral services are in charge of the Virgil. T. Golden Funeral home.
Date of Death: Sept. 26, 1957 Date of Birth: Oct 16, 1866
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Diane J. Waldron

Diane J. Waldron was born Aug. 20, 1941, in Tujvnga, Calif., to Henry and Janet Overholser. She died May 20, at Tillamook County General Hospital, following a long bout with breast cancer, leukemia, and finally congestive heart failure.

Diane attended Oakdale Grade School and Dallas High School. She graduated from Oregon State University in 1962 with a teaching degree. Later, she earned a master's degree at Monmouth Teacher's College in 1967. She taught three years at King's Valley Elementary, then one year at Willamina. In 1969, she moved to Tillamook and taught special education for two years. She then met and married a Tillamook farmer, Allen Waldron in 1971. She learned to milk cows and continued to teach, while adding two more children to the family. She retired in 1999.

Diane was a member of First Baptist Church, Tillamook, and firmly believed there will be no peace on earth until all people have heard the salvation message of Jesus Christ.

Diane was a 4-H leader five years, a Cub Scout den mother one year, teachers union president two years, school board member seven years, Toastmistresses member 29 years, Toastmasters member seven, charter member of the Group Home board, and helped establish the Kit and Caboodle, a recycle shop benefiting the developmentally disabled. Diane was a charter member of "Wee Love Life."

She ran for state representative unsuccessfully in 2000. She was active 20 years in the local county Republican party, serving as secretary, vice chair and chair.

She is survived by her husband, Allen Waldron, Bay City; her children and their spouses, Gina and Joe Tiemann, Canby; Scott and Heather Waldron, Bay City; Carrie and Jeff Blades, Nehalem; Keith Waldron, Bay City; Dale and Chrissie Waldron, Bay City; and 13 grandchildren.

At her request, there will be no services following cremation. In lieu of flowers, Diane suggested donations to Wee Love Life, at P.O. Box 193, Tillamook, OR 97141.

Headlight-Herald, Tillamook, OR May 25, 2005
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The Hood River County Sun, Hood River, OR., November 11, 1936, page 1

COMMODORE DEAN, ONCE FERRY OPERATOR, PASSES

Oliver C. Dean, known to scores of Hood River residents by the affectionate title of “Commodore,” died at his home last night at the age of 86.

Dean received the nickname during his 16 years as operator of the Hood River-White Salmon ferry, from 1903 until 1919. Since then he was active until last year by filing saws and sharpening lawnmowers. His old ferryboat, the Ollie S., was named for his granddaughter, Miss Olive Sheplar, at present employed by the Apple Growers association.

Although Dean was in poor health for several years preceding his death, his philosophy did not include gloom and growling. He spent a lot of time on the streets of Hood River joking with acquaintances and strangers alike.

Only last week Dean managed to get to the polls on election day to cast his ballot, saying he wanted to vote a straight Republican ticket.

Dean was born near Hamilton, Ohio, September 15, 1850. He was interested in mining and contracting and had the contract for an early eight-story “skyscraper” in St. Louis. In 1894 he settled in the Willamette valley, and six years later came to Hood River, where he located timber claims and homestead sites until he bought the ferry business.

Mrs. Dean died two years ago. Two stepsons, A.J. Sheplar of Hood River and T.F. Sheplar of Portland, survive.

Dean was a member of Hood River Masonic lodge, for which he was caretaker for many years.

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