Adams County, Ritzville, WA ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 4, 1917, issue Dannie Leroy Dorgan Sunday, December 31st, occurred the death of Dannie Leroy Dorgan, the sixteen months' old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Dorgan. The boy had been sick for nearly two weeks with spinal menengitis. The funeral was held Tuesday, January 2nd, being conducted by Rev. O. B. Whitmore of the First Congregational church. The burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. Edward E. Blaylock HATTON - Died-On December 29, 1916, Edward Eliza Blaylock; aged 22 years, 4 mo., 16 days. He was the son of J. E. and Susan Blaylock and was born in Missouri on August 13th, 1894. He was laid to rest by the side of his mother in the I. O. O. F. cemetery near Hatton on December 31st. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 11, 1917, issue Mrs. Bertha Orsborn Mrs. P. A. Orsborn received word from Mr. Orsborn that his mother passed away at her home in Winnifred, Montana, on Sunday, at the hour of 2 p.m. The funeral was held Monday at 11 o'clock. Her maiden name was Bertha Brownell. She was born in Vermont and was 56 years of age at the time of her death. She was married to J. W. Orsborn in Iowa, residing there until their removal to the west a number of years ago. Her husband preceded her in death by only a few weeks. For weeks Mrs. Orsborn has been in a very serious condition, her death being expected at any time. She was a worthy Christian woman. Mr. P. A. Orsborn, who has been in Winnifred since the time of his father's death last month, is expected back this week. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 18, 1917, issue Mrs. Anna L. Shepley Called By Death At noon Sunday the funeral of Mrs. Anna L. Shepley was held at the First Congregational church, conducted by Rev. O. B. Whitmore. Her death occurred Friday, January 12th, at her home here. With the passing of Mrs. Shepley another of those who have done much for the upbuilding of the city has passed to the great beyond. She has been a resident of the city since 1888 and has seen it grow from a small village in the undeveloped west, to a substantial and well-improved city. The past nine years Mrs. Shepley has been an invalid and so was unable to take an active part in community affairs through she maintained an interest in things going on and had many friends whom she loved to have call on her. Mrs. Shepley was born at Eddington, Bend, Maine, November 18, 1830. Her maiden name was Anna L. Johnson. After growing to young womanhood she married Mr. Franklin B. Shepley in Rhode Island, August 21, 1850. To this union were born three children, Nellie, now Mrs. Fassett of Minneapolis; Annie C., deceased, and Fred B. Shepley, president of the Myers-Shepley Co., and former mayor of Ritzville. For ten years the family lived at Eddington, Bend, then removing to Minnesota, and again to Iowa, from which state they came to Ritzville. Her husband and son established a grocery business, which later was merged with the Myer store, and continues to the present under the name of the Myers-Shepley Co. Mrs. Shepley was a member of the First Congregational church, and was a member while in Minnesota of the Rebekah lodge. The services were attened by a large number of people, inlcuding many pioneers of the county. Interment was made in the Ritzville cemetery. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, January 25, 1917, issue J. D. Mosby Mrs. J. H. Perkins received word on Sunday afternoon of the death of her brother, J. D. Mosby, a resident of Clay County, Missouri, which occurred the same day. Mr. Mosby was 57 years of age. He leaves a wife and grown son in his immediate family. Death was the result of a severe attack of pneumonia. Mr. Mosby resided in the same district where the family was reared and left a large number of friends to mourn his sudden death. Mrs. Luella L. Johnson HATTON - Word was received here Monday of the death in Spokane of Mrs. Luella L. Johnson, wife of Rev. P. L. Johnson, former pastor of the M. E. church here. The many friends of Mr. Johnson extend to him their sincere sympathy in this his hour of sorrow. Infant Dies HATTON - The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Adams died near Reardan of pneumonia on Monday, January 22, 1917. John Stephenson and son, Ray, left Tuesday to attend the funeral which was held on Wednesday at 11 o'clock. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, February 22, 1917, issue Pastor Hears Last Summons Rev. Clifford W. Williams, who has been suffering from cerebral paralysis for several weeks, passed away Wednesday evening at 7:00 o'clock at the home of his mother in Coeur d'Alene. For weeks his life has been despaired of, yet the news of his passing comes as a blow not only to the membership of the congregation which he served so faithfully, but to the entire community as well. His death removes one of the leaders in the public and religious life of the city, a man who was widely known and respected. His funeral will occur tomorrow afternoon at Coeur d'Alene. Many from here will attend, going up on No. 2 tomorrow morning. The absence of the family from the city makes it difficult to secure a complete obituary of Rev. Williams' very active life. He was born in Canada 41 years ago, coming with his father to South Dakota at an early age. He was educated in the public schools of South Dakota and attended the University of South Dakota for a time. He continued his college course at Northwestern. He received his theological training at Drew Theological Seminary in New York. His first pastorate was in a church in Paterson, New Jersey, which he served for several years. Coming west he served churches in North Dakota. In the northwest he has been pastor of the Methodist churches at Wallace, Hillyard, Garfield and Lewiston. He came to Ritzville in the fall of 1914 and was thus on the third year of his local pastorate. Rev. Williams married about 11 years ago to Miss Jennie Avery, of Mitchell, South Dakota. Mrs. Williams and five children survive. The children are Clifford, age nine; Rachel, age seven; Elizabeth, age five; Ruth, age three; and Lois, age one. Other immediate relatives who mourn his untimely end are his mother, Mrs. A. E. Williams; a sister, Mrs. Taylor; a brother, Byron Williams, all of Coeur d'Alene; another sister who is the wife of a Coeur d'Alene attorney, and a sister in Nebraska who visited him here two weeks ago. Rev. Williams had been a life-long member of the Methodist church, and was a member of the I. O. O. F. and M. W. A. lodges. The circumstances attending his death are unusually sad. A man in the best of health, of rugged physique, full of energy, at the prime of life, he was suddently stricken with a malady which shattered his whole system. On January 7th, as he arose in his pulpit to preach, he faltered a litle in his service, said he had not felt well since the eveing before, and at the request of the congregation terminated services. He went home and took to bed. He grew rapidly worse. Given the best of medical attention and nursing he did not rally from the shock. At times he was better, but again he suffered a relapse. He was removed to the home of his mother last Monday, where it was hoped he might have even better care, but to no avail. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, March 1, 1917, issue Mr. L. Jacob Schaefer Last Sunday in the church in which the previous Sunday he had delivered an earnest sermon himself, was held the funeral of Mr. L. Jacob Schaefer of near Ritzville. The church was crowded with people and the service which was in charge of Rev. L. Gaiser, was very impressive. Mr. Schaefer after ailing for a week died suddenly last Friday morning, Feb. 23. On the preceding Saturday he had been in a store where men were smoking and when he came out he complained to his wife that the smoke had poisoned him and that he would die, and his relatives were unable to change his opinion. The next day he preached a sermon of unusual earnestness at the German Methodist church. Besides being a farmer he was a local preacher, and filled the pulpit in the absence of Rev. Gaiser at Connell and Walla Walla. During the week he continued in poor health and the doctor was called. Friday morning he passed away suddenly without a word, his wife being roused by his labored breathing as the end was near at hand. Jacob Schaefer was born in Frank, Russia, in 1857. He was married in 1878 and migrated to America the same year, coming first to Nebraska. Six children were born to the union, all of whom are living. They are Anna Marie, now Mrs. Ruff of Walla Walla; Conrad of Ritzville; Catherine, now Mrs. Pinnow of Ritzville; Jacob, of near Hatton; David, a clerk in Myers-Shepley Co., Ritzville; William, of Ritzville. Mr. Schaefer's wife died June 4, 1891. On July 4, 1892, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner. To them were born eight children, of whom four are living. They are Frederick, Joseph, Rosa and Edwin, all at home. Mr. Schaefer moved from Nebraska to Walla Walla in 1883. In 1884 he moved to Bickleton and in 1901 came to Ritzville. While in Walla Walla he joined the Methodist church, and for the remaining thirty years was a very active member of the church, serving as Sunday school superintendent, trustee and local preacher. His remains were laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. John Kison John Kison, who was taken to Spokane for an operation on Wednesday of last week died at the Sacred Heart hospital on Sunday evening at ten o'clock. The cause of his death was appendicitis, the appendix having been ruptured before the operation took place. There is a sad coincidence in the fact that his brother, Fred Kison, died in Spokane just before Christmas following an operation for the same disease. The body was brought to Ritzville yesterday morning and funeral services were held from the German Methodist church at two o'clock. Rev. Gaiser preached the funeral sermon. He was assisted in the service by Revs. Mueller of Walla Walla, Wensch of Rosalia, Reiker of Warden, and Koch of Ritzville. John Kison was born in South Russia in June, 1864. He migrated to this country twenty years ago, bringing his bride, Christina Priesz, with him. They were married on their arrival in this country. To them were born several children, three of whom are living. They are John, age 19 years; Ida, 17; and Teafel, 15 years. Mrs. Kison also survives. Simon Kison of this city was a double cousin of the deceased. Mr. Kison was a substantial farmer of Adams county, living on a well improved ranch nine miles wouth of the city. He had many friends who mourn his death. Louisa Heimbigner Louisa Heimbigner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Heimbigner of Ritzville, was born Sept. 11, 1909, at the home of her parents near Packard. She died in Ritzville February 13th, 1917, following an operation for appendicitis. The funeral was conducted Feb. 16th from the Philadelphia church by the pastor, Rev. J. Morach. Burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Louisa was a bright and happy girl, and was a member of the first grade of the Lincoln school. She leaves besides her parents, two brothers and one sister to mourn her early death. Geo. Bayha CUNNINGHAM - Geo. Bayha, a pioneer farmer living three miles west of Cunningham, committed suicide between 9 and 11 a.m. last Saturday. He was found hanging from a rafter in his barn. He leaves a widow and son to mourn his death. The remains were taken to Michigan for burial. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, March 8, 1917, issue Harold Sielaff Harold Sielaff, son of Mrs. and Mrs. August Sielaff of Ritzville, died February 28th, 1917. At the time of his death he was aged 4 years, 5 months, and 11 days. He had been ill with dysentery and when nearly over the disease he took blood poisoning from which he did not recover. The funeral was held Friday afternoon from the German Lutheran church, being conducted by Rev. O. T. Just. Interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery southeast of town. Besides his parents, a younger brother, Lester survives. Harold Haight Harold Haight, the ten months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Haight, died Monday from the effects of whooping cough. This is the second fatality which has resulted from the epidemic of whooping cough which has prevailed here this winter. The funeral was held from the home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. B. Whitmore. Carl Zietzke Carl Zietzke, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Zietzke, died Saturday, March 3rd, from strangulation from whooping cough. The little fellow was ten months old, having been born April 23, 1916. The funeral was held Tuesday at the Teske home in this city being conducted by Rev. O. T. Just. Burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, March 15, 1917, issue Connel Woman Ends Life With Shotgun Mrs. M. Batton of Connell, committed suicide on Monday morning by shooting herself in the head with a shotgun. No one witnessed the tragedy, her dead body being discovered by her little son Kenneth, when he entered the kitchen. The members of the family heard no shot and did not know she had arisen. The supposition is that she stuck the muzzle of the gun in her mouth, using a can opener to reach the trigger. The top of her head was blown off. Her husband is a well driller. She had two sons. A brother, William LeVier, resides in Connell. No cause is known for the deed, other than that she had been in ill health for some time. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, March 22, 1917, issue Retired Stockman Dies Suddenly March 11th Sitting in his chair at the home of his niece, Mrs. John Gray, James M. Kennedy, one of the few remaining earliest settlers of this county, and retired stock raiser, died Sunday morning March 11th, and his body was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery, beside his sister, who died several years ago. Funeral services were held at the Gray home, and a large number of friends came from far and near to pay respects to their much loved friend and neighbor. Rev. D. A. Rusell, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this place, and Rev. W. R. Cunningham of Ritzville, a friend for many years of the deceased, conducted the services. He had been failing fast for several months, but recently suffered an attack of la grippe, which was the immediate cause of his death. His condition had improved, however, and the services of a nurse was dispensed with the day prior to his death. He arose in the morning, ate a hearty breakfast and death struck him only a few minutes after. Mr. Kennedy was a most highly respected citizen, being of the pioneer type of men, generous and hospitable. It was often said of him that if all were of his character there would not be any cause for enacting laws. Mr. Kennedy was eight-seven years, one month and 29 days old at the time of his death. He is survived by two sisters and one brother. Mrs. T. K. Hawkins, who resides near Benge; Thomas Kennedy of Trimble, Missouri, and Mrs. John Vendick of Smithville, Missouri. Like many of the pioneers he never married, but was a great lover of children, and the school children of the local school attended his funeral in a body. At the age of nineteen, being the year of 1849, at the old homestead in Clay county, Missouri, his father gave him two yoke of oxen, a wagon, clothing and provisions sufficient to last him for a period of two years and he headed west for the gold fields of California. After spending several years there, where he met with success, he came to Kootenai, Idaho, where he engaged in mining, later taking up general merchandise business. Selling his merchandise business he purchased a pack train consisting of 110 mules and equipment and for several years he packed provisions from Walla Walla to the miners in the Kootenai country. Later he engaged in buying sheep and cattle driving them from Washington and Oregon into Montana. Forty years ago he settled on Cow Creek, where he acquired a large ranch and raised several hundred head of cattle every year. About eight years ago he sold his holdings and has resided with his nephew, James West, and his niece, Mrs. John Gray, since that time. During his life on this coast he made and lost several fortunes, but was quite wealthy at the time of his death. Mr. Kennedy realized that his life was drawing near a close and when he would hear of one of his early day associates passing away he would remark that he would soon follow, but he lived to see most of them cross the great divide. -Washtucna Enterprise Jesse Dooley OTHELLO - Jesse Dooley, the eight year old son of J. N. Dooley, died Sunday morning, March 18, of spinal meningitis. The body was laid to rest at the side of his mother, who preceded him in death by seven years. Robert A. Hoxey Robert A. Hoxey was born near Worden, Illinois, January 11, 1851, and died at Spangle, Washington, March 19, 1917, aged 66 years, 2 mos. and 8 days. On April 12, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Myers, to which union five children were born, all of whom, with their mother, survive. The children are T. A. Hoxey, of Spangle, Wash., J. F. Hoxey, of Seattle; Mrs. George Campbell of Spangle; Mrs. Fleix Roberts and Mrs. Thomas Mathison of Ritzville, Wash. Besides his wife and children he leaves five brothers, two sisters and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, Hardy G. Koen of Spokane officiating. The deceased lived in Ritzville nine years before moving to Spangle.