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, January 1, 1920, issue George E. Porter George Emerson Porter died at his home near Washtucna, Friday, December 12, 1919, after three day's illness. He was taken sick at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night, after the garage and telephone were burned out. All night he suffered acutely; at daylight a neighbor was reached and he faced the blizzard for help. Medical aid was of no avail. God was calling, "Come Home; It is Enough." Mr. Porter was born in Titusville, Penn., Jan. 19, 1852, being almost 68 years old. When a small boy he moved with his parents, Dr. Geo. Porter and wife to Valparaiso, Ind., where he grew to manhood. At 11 years of age he joined the Presbyterian church. In 1876 he came west, living successively in Montana, California and Oregon. In June, 1893, he united with the Presbyterian church at Brownsville, Ore., where he was active in the church, Sunday school and Endeavor work, and often at the mid-week prayer meeting. March 15, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Iva Templeton. They bought a farm near town and lived there until 1909. They removed to Moran Pairie, near Spokane, for Mr. Porter's health. There they united with the Presbyterian church, where he was made Ruling Elder. Three years later they removed to Adams county and transferred their letters to Ralston Presbyterian church, where he again served as elder. June 20, 1915, Leslie Porter, the only son, died at the age of 15. Nov. 11 of last year, Armistice day, they moved to Washtucna and identified themselves with the Presbyterian church there. His pastor preached his funeral sermon from John 4:40. He was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery on the heights overlooking Washtucna. He leaves one sister in Pennsylvania, his wife and daughter Alice. Ruth Moody Dies In South Ruth Moody, daughter of former county commissioner C. E. Moody and wife, died last Saturday morning at Anheim, California. With her parents she went to that state a few weeks ago. The message from Mr. Moody was as follows: "Ruth was stricken with appendicitis Christmas morning and was removed to the Anheim Sanitarium and was operated on, but it was so advanced that she died early Saturday morning. Funeral services were held Monday at 2:00 p.m." Mrs. Jas. L. Goodrich HATTON - Mrs. Mary Goodrich died at the home of her son, F. L. Goodrich, in Othello, Friday, December 19, 1919, after a long and painful illness. Grandma Goodrich, as she was familiarly known, was a devoted Christian, loved by all who knew here. She was the mother of six children, five of whom survive her. The funeral services were held at Opportunity, from the Methodist church, which she had served so faithfully for many years. The Journal-Times Thursday, January 15, 1920, issue Bessie Byerly Poage HATTON - Friends of the Jas. R. Poage family were shocked and grieved Tuesday to hear of the sad death of Mrs. Poage. She died at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane Monday, January 12, following an operation for appendicitis. She leaves a daughter, little Mary Jane, three weeks old, and her grief stricken husband, James R. Poage, now of Oakesdale, her mother and three brothers, George Byerly, Richmond, Va.; James, Palouse and Roland, Bovil, Idaho. The funeral and burial will take place at Oakesdale, where the Poages have lived the past eighteen months. Mr. Poage was manager of the Potlatch Lumber Co. at Hatton prior to their residence in Oakesdale and has the sympathy of the entire community in his sad afflication. The Journal-Times Thursday, January 29, 1920, issue Death Summons Pioneer Of County John McDonald, one of the pioneer settlers of Adams County, passed away at the apartments of his stepdaughter, Mrs. John Armstrong in the Snyder Block last Saturday. Mr. McDonald had been failing in health for many months and the past few months has been practically helpless suffering from cancer of the liver. Ministered to tenderly by loving hands, the flame of his life burned slowly out; and the career of one who had been active on the frontier in the early days came to an end. The funeral was conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist Episcopal church and was conducted by Rev. R. D. Snyder. Interment was made in the Ritzville cemetery. John McDonald was born at Glenurquhart, Invrnesshire, Scotland, November 3, 1844. He was thus in his 76th year. In 1871 he came to Montreal, Canada, and the same year came to California, engaging in stock raising. After remaining there four years he went back to Scotland on a visit and soon after his return to California came in 1876 to Oregon where he remained for 11 years. This was at the time when Oregon was still on the frontier of civilization. During the Indian wars of the late 70s Mr. McDonald rescued an Indian fighter, who had been wounded, carried him to a camp and secured help to remove him to Pendleton. He was married in 1882 to Betty McRae who died in 1889. In 1887 he removed to Washington, locating on Cow Creek, on what had been known as the Coss Ranch, one of the very earliest locations in this county. As "McDonald's Ranch" the place became known all over this section of the county. In 1891 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Mrs. F. M. Landry. In 1910 Mr. McDonald disposed of his extensive ranch interests and retired from active life, making his home in Ritzville. A quiet man, with a kind heart, Mr. McDonald was devoted to his home and to the welfare of his family. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. J. R. Moon of Ritzville, and a son, John McDonald, Jr., of Yakima; and three stepchildren: Mrs. Jack Armstrong of Ritzville and Mrs. C. L. Thorne and W. S. Landry of LaGrande, Oregon; and a brother, George McDonald of Portland. The son, John, was unable to be here as he was in the hospital at Yakima, recovering from an operation. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 5, 1920, issue Mrs. Helena Siemens Mrs. Helena Siemens, a former resident of Ritzville, passed away at Salem, Oregon, Jan. 22, 1920. She was born in 1833 in South Russia and was 86 years, 7 months and 10 days old. Her husband died in 1908 in Ritzville. She was the mother of nine children of whom four have preceeded her in death. There remain four sons and one daughter living. Mrs. Siemens lived in Ritzville for a good many years, going to Salem two years ago to make her home with one of her sons. She was a sufferer for a great many months before her death. Funeral services were held Sunday at the Philadelphia church, being conducted by Rev. J. Morach. Burial was made in the local cemetery. Her daughter, Mrs. Chas. Schelly of Walla Walla, her sons, J. P. and Henry of Othello, were present for the funeral. Emmanuel Kleinknecht Emmanuel Kleinknecht, a brother of Dan Kleinknecht of this city, died in Spokane, January 31. His illness was kidney trouble. The end came about 6:30 a.m. He was buried Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. in Spokane. He leaves to mourn his death a wife and four children; five brothers and one sister. He was 38 years old. For the past 17 years he was employed in the Holly Mason Hardware Co. Mr. Dan Kleinknecht and wife and two daughters were in attendance at the funeral, returning Monday night. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 12, 1920, issue Farmer Is Flu Victim Claiming as its first victim this year one of the youngest and strongest of the men of this community, influenza-pneumonia caused the death on Tuesday morning of Fred Sandbrink, jr., a prominent farmer residing a few miles northeast of Ritzville. He was ill less than a week, having taken sick on Wednesday of last week. Pneumonia set in and he grew worse rapidly all day Monday. Nothing seemed to avail, double pneumonina causing the lungs to fill to a fatal degree. Inscrutable are the ways of Providence, and in this instance the mystery of Divine Grace seems heightened. The only living child of his aged parents, and the father of five children, the oldest only fifteen and the youngest 8 months, surely here was a man who was needed. Young, strong in body and of a vigorous physique, one would naturally think that he would throw off the disease quickly. But this is the very horror of influenza-pneumonia. It strikes with deadly swiftness in quarters where least expected. All life is at its mercy, and the highest skill of the physicians seems powerless when its grip is fastened upon one. Fred C. Sandbrink was born at Crete, Nebraska, Sept. 7, 1884, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sandbrink. In April, 1886, the family removed to Adams county, locating on a homestead 16 miles west of Ritzville. In 1897 the family removed to a ranch northeast of town. In 1910 the parents removed to this city and Fred, jr., took over the management of the place. April 4, 1910, Mr. Sandbrink was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Luiten. To this union were born five daughters: Alice, Laura, Gladys, Hazel and Violet. The surviving relatives are his parents, his wife and children. Mr. and Mrs. Sandbrink had four sons, but all of them passed away in death. Fred Sandbrink was a progressive, active farmer. His ranch home was highly improved. He was kind and courteous in manner, a man whom to know was to respect. Funeral services will be held at the Lutheran church tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock. William F. Sullivan The death of William Francis Sullivan occurred Monday at the local hospital. Mr. Sullivan was a victim of acute pulmonary tuberculosis. He was born in Illinois on May 3rd, 1890, and was thus in his thirtieth year. The remains were shipped Tuesday morning to Pittsfield, Ill., for interment. His brother, George and Neal Sullivan, farmers on Rattlesnake Flat, accompanied the body east. Mr. Sullivan came to this county six years ago and engaged in farming. He was a nephew of Charlie Sullivan, a well known rancher on the Flat. He gave up farming this fall and the illness set in which caused his untimely demise. The Journal-Times Thursday, february 19, 1920, issue Fred Reeder Fred Reeder of Connell, a brother of the late L. O. Reeder, died last night in Spokane of influenza. The body will be brought down tonight and the burial will probably take place at the Michigan Prairie cemetery Friday. The cause of his death was heart failure. Frieda Miller Frieda Miller, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller, died Wednesday, February 11, of pneumonia. She was in her tenth year. The past few months she has been ill most of the time. She underwent an operation for appendicitis on Nov. 23rd in Spokane and since then has had three more operations. The cause of her death, however, was pneumonia. Frieda was born October 17, 1910, and was thus at the time of her death, 9 years, 3 months and 24 days old. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, being conducted by Rev. O. T. Just. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. She leaves to mourn her death, here parents and two brothers and five sisters, Edward, Alvin, Lydia, Milda, Pauline, Gertrude and Ruby. Will Pence Word was received here of the sudden death of Will Pence, formerly of this county, later of Garfield. His death occurred while his wife was visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert West of Washtucna. She had started on her return home when the word of her husband's death came. Mr. Pence farmed the Helme land on Rattlesnake Flat. The funeral will be Friday. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 26, 1920, issue Death Summons Pioneer Of Big Bend Country Mrs. W. R. Peters was called to Spokane Saturday by word of the death of her father, Dr. La Fayette Lewis. Funeral services were held Monday at Wilbur, which was the old family home, and burial was made in the cemetery at that place. The following obituary of Dr. Lewis appeared in Sunday morning's Review: "Dr. La Fayette Lewis, age 74, of Wilbur, pioneer physican of the Big Bend country, died yesterday at the home of his son, James H. Lewis, after an illness of several months. "Dr. Lewis came to Wilbur in 1885 where he practiced medicine, in addition to cultivating a large homestead. At that time he was the only doctor in the Big Bend west of Davenport. In 1900 he retired and moved to Wilbur. In 1902 he was a member of the Wilbur City Council. "Dr. Lewis was born in Hamilton county, Tenn., May 22, 1845. He fought throughout the Civil War in the Union army and was in many of the great battles of the war. He enlisted in the First Tennessee light artillery in 1861 and was mustered out in 1865. He fought at Murfreesboro, Lexington, London, Tenn., and was in the capture of Cumberland Gap. After the war he graduated at the medical college at Nashville. "Dr. Lewis was married in 1872. Mrs. Lewis died several years ago. He is survived by seven children, four sons, James H. and Fred S. of Spokane, David of Wilbur and Jesse L. of Almira, and three daughters, Mrs. W. R. Peters of Ritzville, Mrs. Hassie Honefenger of Spokane and Mrs. Fred W. Johnson of Hauser, Idaho. "The funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. from the Baptist church in Wilbur, under the auspices of the Masons, of which Dr. Lewis had been a member for 40 years." The Journal-Times Thursday, March 11, 1920, issue Mrs. W. C. Martin Mrs. W. C. Martin died suddenly Wednesday afternoon at the family home in this city. Cerebral hemorrhage was the cause of her death. She took sick Monday night, suffering a stroke, and after that she seemed to rally slightly when another and fatal stroke occurred about 2:00 o'clock Wednesday. News of her death came as a shock to her friends and acquaintances, as it was not generally known that she was ill. If is planned to have the funeral Saturday morning, with Rev. R. D. Snyder in charge. Interment will be in the local cemetery. Eloise Hoffman Baker was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Nov. 18th, 1877, and died in Ritzville, Wash., March 10, 1920. She grew to womanhood in that state and was united in marriage to Mr. W. C. Martin at Grand Rapids in 1900. In 1909 they removed to Ritzville, which has since been their home. Mrs. Martin is survived by her husband, a daughter, Florence, and a brother, George W. Baker, and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Ratelle, both of Wisconsin. Mrs. Martin was an active member of the W. B. Hazen No. 55 W. R. C., and for the past year acted as secretary of that order. The Journal-Times Thursday, March 18, 1920, issue D. M. Wright HATTON - D. M. Wright, a former well known resident of the Hatton country, passed away at Tucson, Arizona, on February 15, 1920, from the after effects of the flu. Mr. Wright had been in ill health for some time and went to Arizona, hoping to be benefitted by the southern climate. His remains were brought to Walla Walla, where his family resides and where the funeral services were held. The Journal-Times Thursday, March 25, 1920, issue Mrs. Martha Chapman Martha Tweedie Chapman died on Tuesday, March 23, at the home of Mrs. Etta Gaskill, in this city. She was born at Casopolis, Michigan, February 27, 1847, and was 73 years and 26 days of age. Mrs. Chapman has made her home in Ritzville for the past 18 months. Being a sufferer from rheumatism for the past 18 months, she found this climate more helpful and any slight relief from the suffering through which she passed was greatly welcomed. For nine years past she has been unable to walk and all these years she has been a shut-in. Besides Mrs. Mark Drum of 978 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C., who was with her mother at her death. Mrs. Chapman leaves another daughter, Mrs. J. L. Servey of Bremerton, and a son, Lietenant C. S. Chapman of the U. S. Eagle 5, now at Quebec, Canada, and two nephews, Mark Servey and Fred Livingston. The remains will be laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery this afternoon at 2:30. Rev. R. D. Snyder, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Funeral services are to take place at the Haight parlors. Mrs. Chapman was a life-long worker in the Methodist church. She was active in choir and other church work. She also was a member of the Rebekah and Maccabee lodges at Bremerton.