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 Journal-Times Thursday April 2, 1919, issue Old Pioneer Dies J. M. Gose of Walla Walla dies Saturday at the age of 93. He came to Washington in 1864 and took up land which he continued to reside on till his death. Recently he and his wife celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He was the father of Attorney T. P. Gose of Walla Walla and Judge M. F. Gose, Pomeroy, and was a great uncle of Mrs. C. A. Sprague of this city. Roy Adams Dies At Fairfield Residents of this county were greatly shocked to learn of the death of Roy G. Adams, formerly county agriculturist of Adams County, which occurred at Fairfield a few weeks ago. Death came suddenly following an illness of 24 hours from pneumonia. He is survived by his wife and three children. Mr. Adams was well known and well liked here. He was the first agriculturist of the county, coming in at a time when many were hostile to the office. But he succeeded in accomplishing a great deal for the agricultural interests of the county and gained the good wishes of the farmers. He retired from the office in 1916 and has since been farming at Fairfield. The Journal-Times Thursday, April 10, 1919, issue W. H. Cochran Passes Away At Olympia W. H. Cochran of Olympia, a son-in-law of J. H. Perkins of this city, passed away about 2 a.m. this morning. Clark Jackson, state tax commissioner phoned the sad intelligence to Mr. Perkins about 2:30. News of his death came as a great shock to the relatives here. While it was known that he had been ill, there was no thought that his condition was serious. Mrs. J. H. Perkins and F. A. Perkins, a brother-in-law, left on No. 1 this morning for Olympia. Mr. Cochran was one of the prominent figures in the state. He had served as a member of the state board of control since 1915. Prior to that he resided in Spokane. He was active in democratic political circles and stood high in the esteem of Governor Lister. As county chairman in Spokane during the 1916 campaign he made an excellent record for himself and his party. his name was strongly mentioned in connection with the race for democratic nomination for congress in the fifth district last fall but he refused to become a candidate. He was also spoken of as a possible candidate for governor in 1920. His death followed an attack of influenza which left his heart impaired. Mr. Cochran married Miss Laura Perkinw here a number of years ago. They had no children of their own but adopted two children, a boy and a girl, and have been rearing them as their own. The arrangements for the funeral are not yet known here. The Journal-Times Thursday, April 17, 1919, issue Bury Mr. Cochran In Tacoma Sunday The remains of W. H. Cochran, member of the state board of control, who died suddenly last Thursday, were laid to rest in a cemetery at Tacoma last Sunday. Besides the wife and daughter there are two sisters and a brother who survive. Mrs. Cochran's plans are not fully decided on, but she will probably come to Ritzville after a short time. Her mother, Mrs. J. H. Perkins, is remaining with her. Her brother Frank reached home today. Is Buried On 86th Birthday William Randolph Cunningham, sr., was laid to rest on the day of his 86th birthday, which he had planned to celebrate with a birthday party. His death occurred at his home in this city last Friday evening. As the sun was sinking to rest, his spirit which had clung to life with a fierce tenacity and which had continued to glow through the physical tenement was shattered, took its flight to the other world. Mr. Cunningham always contended that he would live to be 100 years old, and his will to live never failed him. Death came following a stroke of paralysis some months ago. He was never able to get down town again and was confined to his chair or his bed. The first of last week a change for the worse set in and his children were summoned. He was quite helpless. From Tuesday till the hour of his death he lay without speaking or moving or taking nourishment. He put up a strong fight for life despite his advanced years, and the fact that he could hold out so long indicated that his vital organs must have retained great strength. Funeral services were held Sunday morning at 11 a.m. at the Christian church, being conducted by Rev. M. J. Perdue, pastor of the Methodist church. The remains were taken to Spokane and laid away Monday morning in beautiful Greenwood cemetery beside those of his first wife. Mr. Cunningham is survived by his wife and by three children, W. R. Cunningham, jr., of Everett; Mrs. Alice Frence and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Petry of Spokane. Mr. Cunningham has long been a prominent figure in the public life of this county. The Journal-Times Thursday, April 24, 1919, issue Girl Burned To Death Near Benge A very sad affair was the death of Cora Sutton which occurred as the result of burns at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Sutton, near Benge on April 11. Her parents were working out in the field and she was in the house with two younger children, one a three year old boy and the other a baby a year and a half old. Cora was five years old. She started the fire using coal oil. In some way her clothing became ignited and burst into flame. She ran to the porch and there her parents found her when they came in shortly after. The fire had burned all her clothing off. She was still living and Dr. Hewit was called, but she died at 6:45 p.m. just after he arrived. W. R. Cunningham Typical Southerner (A continuation of the obituary of W. R. Cunningham from last week) William Randolph Cunningham was born at Paris, Bourbon Co., Kentucky, April 14, 1834. He was sprung from a prominent family and was connected with many prominent men of the country. His father, John Cunningham, was a member of Gen. Shelby's cavalry during the War of 1812 and later served as state senator in Kentucky. It was through his political skill that John J. Crittenden was elected U. S. Senator to succeed Henry Clay on the latter's death. W. R. Cunningham's mother was Mary Bean Cunningham, whose parents were pioneers of Kentucky, coming from Virginia. Mr. Cunningham was educated in a subscription school and by private tutor. At the age of 22 he came in contact with Selucieus Garfield, a cousin to James A. Garfield, who was campaigning in Kentucky for Buchanan in 1856. Garfield was appointed by Buchanan receiver of the land office at Olympia, Washington Territory and he named young Cunningham his assistant. Mr. Cunningham resided at Olympia for a year and then returned to Washington, D. C., expecting the appointment of superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon and Washington, but Congress failed to pass, the necessary legislation. Mr. Cunningham them entered Bethany College, Virginia, remaining there about two years. With four other young students in this institution young Cunningham founded the Delta Tau Delta fraternity which is now one of the leading college fraternities of the country. In 1862 Mr. Cunningham joined the confederate army and was appointed one of the revenue commissioners for Kentucky with the military rank of captain. When Kentucky fell to the federalists, Capt. Cunningham became a member of General Morgan's command, participating in the famous Morgan Raid, was wounded, captured and confined in the military prison at Columbus, Ohio. Before the end of the war he took the oath of allegiance, was released and settled in Ohio. On Jan. 4, 1865, he was united in marriage to Rebecca W. James, a native of Virginia, whose mother was Martha Abbott James, a member of the famous Abbott family of New England. The Cunninghams moved to Kentucky in 1865 and to Missouri in 1866 where he engaged in farming and practicing law. In May 1870 he became a preacher in the Church of Christ. In 1889 he came to Ritzville and took up a homestead and timber culture near Scott station which is now known as Cunningham. He extended his holdings and became a very wide land owner in the county. After farming for a number of years he removed to Ritzville where he engaged in the real estate and mortgage loan business. Mrs. Cunningham died Feb. 16, 1911, and on October 8, 1913, he was married to Miss Anna M. Lowry, herself a writer and lecturer of note, who survives him. The Journal-Times Thursday, May 1, 1919, issue L. A. Reeder Killed HATTON - L. A. Reeder, son of Mrs. A. M. Reeder, was killed at his ranch 11 miles from Drummond, Mont., on April 23, by a tractor running over him. It is thought that the accident happened about 11 a.m. as that was the time his watch stopped, but he did not breathe his last for three and a half hours later. He was alone at the time his wife having gone to town for repairs, and while there heard the doctor inquire about the way to their ranch. She rode back with the doctor to show the way. Mr. Reeder lived only fifteen minutes after she arrived. He was buried on Monday, April 28, in the Sutton cemetery, 11 miles east of Hatton. Mr. Reeder was 39 years old and was formerly a resident of Hatton. He had only recently purchased the Montana ranch. All of his immediate family was present for the funeral. His wife, Mrs. L. A. Reeder; his mother, Mrs. A. M. Reeder; a sister, Mrs. Ava Croper of Texas; sister-in-law, Mrs. Maude Reeves of Hatton; brothers L. O. Reeder and Guy Reeder of Michigan Prairie; Fred Reeder of Connell and Lloyd Reeder, of the Marines, Mare's Island, California. The Journal-Times Thursday, May 10, 1919, issue Mrs. Ed Bodinger When Ed Bodinger awoke last Sunday morning at 6 a.m., he found that his wife, who lay at his side, had died in her sleep. Examination revealed that she had evidently been dead for several hours. The knowledge of her death came as a hard blow to her family and a great shock to her many friends in this city where the family has resided for eleven years. Mrs. Bodinger had been in failing health for some time, but still she kept at work, and it was not thought that the end was so near. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from Haight's parlors. Rev. O. T. Just officiated the service. A large number of friends of the departed were present, and the Royal Neighbors, of which she was a member, attended in a body. The remains were laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. Mrs. Tena Bodinger was born in Lowland, Denmark, April 20, 1864. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lars Hansen. At the age of 18 she came to America and located in Austin, Minn. On August 31, 1898, she was united in marriage to Mr. Ed Bodinger of that city. Four sons were born to this union: Leon, George, Harry and Arthur. In 1908 the family removed to Ritzville where Mr. Bodinger continued his trade as a tailor. Their son Arthur died shortly after they came here, at the age of 15 years. Mrs. Bodinger in addition to her work in keeping the home assisted in work in her husband's shop. She is survived by her husband and three sons. Leon, age 20, is now in the army in France; George, 18, now at home; and Harry, age 15, a junior in the local high school. The Journal-Times Thursday, May 22, 1919, issue John M. Wolfe John M. Wolfe, who has lived on Crab Creek for the past 12 years, died Wednesday morning at the Ritzville Hotel, after coming into town for treatment. He was at the time of his death 60 years, 1 month and 29 days old, having been born in Missouri. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Alvine Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe was a stockman, raising and selling cattle principally. The couple had no children. The body is at Haight's. The Journal-Times Thursday, May 29, 1919, issue Mrs. S. S. Schuler Losing a battle against disease which she had contended with for the past four years, Mrs. S. S. Schuler passed to her reward Monday, May 26, 1919, at the family home in Ritzville. Mrs. Schuler had been a sufferer from kidney trouble and for the past eight weeks was confined to her bed. The last rites were held at Haight's parlors yesterday afternoon, Rev. O. T. Just officiating. Burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Harriet Mackey was born Feb. 1, 1850, in Cataragus County, New York. While she was quite young the famly moved to Prospect, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where she grew to young womanhood. It was here that she was united in marriage to Mr. S. S. Schuler. They lived there 11 years and then removed to Ritzville, at that time a new village on the Northern Pacific railway. With the exception of a few years spent in British Columbia this has been the family home ever since. Mr. Schuler has been a veteran contractor here, erecting many of the business blocks, public buildings and homes. To their union seven children were born. A daughter, Hattie, died at the age of 7 months. A son Delmar died at the age of 24 years. Besides the sorrowing husband there survive four sons: George S., and Harry of Ritzville, Lawrence and Perry of Cowley, Wyoming, and a daughter, Mrs. Mabel Holden of Ritzville. A brother of the deceased, Charles Mackey, and a sister, Mrs. Hanna Thompson of Euclid, Penn. also mourn her death. Mrs. Schuler was devoted to her home and her family and had in addition many friends who knew and appreciated her many lovable traits of character. John M. Wolfe John M. Wolfe was born in Osage County, Missouri, March 22, 1859. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Wolfe and was one of twelve children. He remained at home till he was 21 years old when he went to Ilinois for one year. Then he followed the tide of immigration westward and moved to the Sacramento Valley, where he farmed for 14 years. He then removed to Tyler, Washington, where he bought a farm. He was married in Osage County, his old home, to Miss Elvina Cotthoff, on Feb. 6, 1904. They lived at Tyler for one year and then bought the old Butler ranch on Crab Creek in Lincoln County where they resided until the time of his death. Mr. Wolfe has been in failing health for a good many years, and has had to fight the encroachments of disease. He died in Ritzville May 21, 1919, being aged 60 years 2 months. The funeral was held from Haight's parlors Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and was attended by many friends and neighbors of the deceased. Rev. O. T. Just officiated. Burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Mr. Wolfe is survived by his wife and by six brothers and two sisters. The brothers and one sister live in Missouri while the other sister, Mrs. T. J. Wilson, lives in California. She was present at the funeral. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 12, 1919, issue Mrs. John Koch, Sr. Mrs. Barbara Koch, wife of the Rev. John Koch, sr., passed away early Wednesday morning, June 11th, at the family home in this city. Mrs. Koch was born January 12, 1844, at Frank, North Russia. She was married in January, 1863, to Mr. Koch. To this union were born one son and six daughters, three of whom preceded her in death. The surviving children are John Koch, jr., of the hardware department of the Ritzville Trading Co., Mrs. Jacob Bauer, jr., Mrs. Fred Bauer of Ritzville, and Mrs. Gale Smith of California. There are also 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Rev. and Mrs. Koch have lived in love and peace for more than 56 years, 23 of which were spent in Russia and the rest, since 1886 in America. Two years ago Mrs. Koch suffered an attack of illness which deprived her of her usual health and vigor, but in spite of sickness and advancing years, she remained faithful to her duties until very recently. They lived in California for several years but for the past eight years have resided here. Firm in her faith in Christ as her Saviour, she was ready to answer the final summons of the Lord, and anxious to enter into the heavenly home. Her age at death was 75 years, 4 months and 29 days. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. and will be conducted by Rev. Jacob Morach, pastor of the Philadelphia church, assisted by Rev. F. Eggerland of the Zion church and Rev. Graedel of Odessa. Mrs. Eliza G. Shilling Eliza Gillispie Shilling was born at Ora, Stark Co., Indiana, July 7th, 1842; died June 4, 1919. She was united in marriage to John Shilling in Hartford, Licking County, Ohio, May 9, 1861. To this union was born one daughter, Mrs. A. J. Damon, on April 17th, 1862. She early united with the United Brethren church, but later in life joined the Christian church. She is survived by four grandchildren, Mrs. H. A. Street, Weston, Oregon; Mr. Fred Damon and Mr. Harry Damon of Cunningham; Mrs. J. S. Dobie, Louisa, Alberta. She also leaves 15 great- grandchildren. The funeral services were conducted at the home on Thursday morning, June 5th, the Rev. James W. Poulton of Lind, officiating. The Journal-Times Thursday, June 26, 1919, issue Thomas Hawkins Thomas Hawkins, who long resided on lower Cow creek, died on June 8th and in his death one of the prominent characters of the county is removed. A long time resident of the county, and a staunch democrat, he was well known. He attended all the political conventions of his party; he served for years as clerk of his school district, and was generally active in promoting the upbuilding of the section in which he lived. His obituary as given in the Washtucna Enterprise is as follows: "Thomas Hawkins, an old and highly respected resident of Adams County, died at his home near the village of Hooper on June 8, 1919, aged 76 years. "The funeral was held Tuesday, June 10, Rev. D. A. Russell, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiating and the remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellow cemetery near this city. "Thomas Hawkins was a native of Tennessee and served four years in the Confederate army; was made a prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg and spent 22 months in a Union prison. "In 1868 Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage with Martha Kennedy. Five children were born to this union, four boys and one girl. The boys died in infancy; the daughter, Mrs. Lucy Banks, and her mother survive him. Deceased was an uncle of Mrs. John Gray and James West of this city. "Mr. Hawkins came to eastern Washington in 1900 and helped to bring this county from its natural state. He lived just long enough to see it started well on the road to prosperity, then laid down the reins to younger and stronger hands."